Kaitlyn Turned One!

The first steps a baby takes are into your heart.

Kirstin will not remember how she and Kaitlyn met and ended up being friends! But that doesn't really matter...what matters most is that they'll grow up together, laugh together, cry together and learn from each other!

And last August 27th, we went to the Bergman's to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday! It was three weeks after my delivery, so Kirstin was sleeping most of the time despite the noise! She's probably having fun in her own little way, or so I hope!

Kaitlyn as Tinker Bell

Kaitlyn looked really cute in her Tinker Bell outfit...it complimented her hazel eyes! I enjoyed watching the kids play the piñata and Kaitlyn opening her gifts and trying them on! She's learning how to walk now too, on her own. As I watched her, I kept on telling myself that I can't wait for Kirstin to get to this age so she'll be able to do things on her own. But pondering on that thought, I realized that Kaitlyn did not change overnight...no one does! It takes time to nourish an individual to grow into a fine young man or woman. I have to enjoy every moment of it - from cuddling, to crawling, to sitting up, to walking, and who knows what she's going to do next!

Surviving the First Two Weeks

Having a baby sure isn't easy...otherwise men could do it!

The night we went home with Kirstin for the first time, there was no doubt that apprehension was in the air. We were both uncertain what to do! The two-day course that the nurses at the hospital gave us sure wasn't enough! Kurt grabbed our baby book and started reading. At first, we followed the book strictly from how to put her to sleep and keep her warm to giving her a bath. But that didn't really assure me that what we were doing was correct. I'd still get up every hour to check if my baby is still breathing! I hardly slept for a week even though I sure needed to, since I was still recovering from my episiotomy (she is a big baby...she weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and she measured 21.25 inches...and I just weighed 90 lbs and stood 5'0" tall when I got pregnant...who would have thought the scandinavian blood that his father had would be that strong! )

The days passed and I guess my maternal instinct kicked in and I just knew what worked for her...it may not necessarily have been the best...but it worked! She is a good and healthy baby! But I can't take all the credit coz Kurt had been doing his homework too, plus we got help from our Filipino friends here as well (special thanks to Lourdes and Christy!) I breastfed her but I supplemented it with formula since I am not sure she's getting enough from me. She eats a lot! And I really do mean a lot! The first time I tried to breastfeed her with a nursing consultant, she already knew what to do and she's sucking very well. The nurse was truly impressed!

It came a time for the two-week check-up and we were both excited to know how we were doing. And it came as music to our ears when the nurse told us that she's growing perfectly and that we're doing a wonderful job! I think that's all we needed to hear to survive the next days to come! We just have to hang in there!

I am a Mom!

...there are many new experiences in life...this is one of the most precious!

It was pretty chaotic in the delivery room. I heard myself shout as I was urged to push. I heard myself asking questions like, "Am I making any progress?" and, "Is my baby okay?" And of course my crying from exhaustion. My husband, Kurt was there, giving me strength when my will began to fail me. He took care of me and made sure everything was okay.

Kurt: Hell! I was just as scared as she was! I just made myself busy to help mask it!

Yes, the pain was tremendous! But when I heard my baby's first cry...saw her...held her in my arms for the very first time...nothing else mattered...it seemed as though no pain had ever existed. At that moment I knew, my life had made a huge leap...I was a mom! We are no longer a couple. We became a family. Our world, for sure, will now revolve around this little angel who will call us her mom and dad. And I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life trying to become a better person, or should I say the best mother as I can be, for her.

Kurt: Suddenly I was a FATHER! And at that moment, I realized that I didn't have the slightest idea what I was supposed to do next...hahaha!