Bubbly Blabber

As many of you know... I just gave birth to a healthy baby girl last December 12, 2011. I will focus first on this new chapter of our life... a new life as a mother to our precious princess - Giulia Bernice... Stay tuned for blog entries about our daughter and about motherhood... For the meantime, you can check out my facebook account for more pictures of Giulia... For those who do not have access to my facebook, please send me an email: bernadette.samson@gmail.com Thank you so much!

When we built our house two years ago, we already planned to have a kid's room. We both agreed to have the room painted blue, as it was our favorite color. And then, Gerard started to put all his Transformer toys in the cabinets. So the kid's room became like a small boy's room. But when we found out that we are having a girl for our first child... it's time to transform the kid's room to a princess haven. :) It was not our option to change the colors of the wall because we like it that way. But it was time to keep the Transformers toys and replace it with girly stuff. From a display of boy toys to stuff toys... Instead of changing the color of the wall, we added some stickers. Instead of a normal bed, the kid's room now has a crib... Thanks to Tito Eli, we have another drawer that perfectly matches the room. Of course, thanks to Nuni and Den-den for the lamp shade. Of course, we also transformed the kid's bathroom... So ta-daa....

I have downloaded the “what to expect” application for my iPhone eversince I learned that I was pregnant. On a daily basis, this application provides some information on pregnancy. On Day 214, the information is about Couvade Syndrome. Below is Wikipedia’s definition: Couvade syndrome , also called sympathetic pregnancy or (in the UK) phantom pregnancy , is a condition in which a man experiences some of the same symptoms and behavior of an expectant mother. These most often include minor weight gain, altered hormone levels, morning nausea , and disturbed sleep patterns. In more extreme cases they can include labor pains , postpartum depression , and nosebleeds . [1] The labor pain symptom is commonly known as sympathy pain . It is funny though, a few weeks after that… I have observed that my lovey hubby is sleepy all the time. It’s odd because usually I am the one who is sleepy. I was surprised to see that there are days that by 9 PM, my lovey hubby is already in dreamland, con...

Here's part 33 of my Project 365... Happy browsing! Day 321 – November 18, 2011 Connie treated the “Friday group” for lunch in Yellow Cab.. she is so generous to share her blessing to us… thanks Mama Connie! Day 322 – November 19, 2011 My sisters-in law surprised me with a baby shower! Yahoo! Gerard and I are so happy and blessed to be surrounded with loving people. Thanks to all those who attended and for the gifts you gave to our baby Giulia! Happy! Happy! J Day 323 – November 20, 2011 Photo Source  We went to the Mommy Mundo Bazaar in Rockwell tent and I was so happy to accomplish my goals which are the following: buy a nursing top, nursing dress and nursing cover. Plus, we were also able to buy hooded towels and wall stickers for Giulia’s room… All were reasonably priced! J Yahoo! J Day 324 – November 21, 2011 I love freshly squeezed orange juice! Thanks to Richard Parcia! J Day 325 – November 22, 2011 It’s Sir Jon’s birthday t...

photo source These days it's common to include a birth plan in your pre-baby preparations. A birth plan allows you to make choices about labor and delivery while you are still able to participate in the decision making—before the only thing on your mind is the next contraction. reference I have made my birth plan on my 32th week.  This has been approved already by my OB, Dra. Socorro Caedo-Lim.  AMENITIES I would like take pictures and/or video during labor and delivery I'd like the option of returning home if I'm not in active labor. If possible, I would like to do enema at home or forego enema OTHER INTERVENTIONS As long as the baby and I are doing fine, I'd like to: Have intermittent rather than continuous electronic fetal monitoring Remain ambulant except when my bag of water has burst Episiotomy and local anesthesia only if necessary Epidural only when requested VAGINAL BIRTH After birth, I would like the following: Immediate l...

Okay, now that my “surprise” baby shower is already over, I will confess that it is actually my idea. Hehehe J I have requested my sister in law, Toni, to organize a baby shower for me. I told her that I want it as a surprise. Hehehe J She immediately said yes and I was so happy! I just made a guest list and a wish list. Then everything else, all the nitty-gritty details such as the exact date, food etc. are all up to Toni. A BIG THANK YOU TO TONI!!! Thanks for making the invitation, for the freshly baked cupcakes and the over-all preparation. I can’t thank you enough… J Of course, there are people who have helped Toni to make my baby shower successful. 1)     Teacher Jill – Thank you for organizing the games. At least now the ‘oldies’ know and what to expect in baby showers 2)     My 2 moms – Mommy and Mama Lily for the food 3)     Den-den and Nuni, Kuting and Djay, Marge – for also bringing some food J 4)     Gera...

Here's part 32 of my project 365... Happy browsing! Day 311 – November 8, 2011 Even though Daisy did not report to office yet, she had some goodies to share, straight from Singapore. Thanks Dhey! J Day 312 – November 9, 2011 The Wellness Committee organized a fun run at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa. Since I am preggy, I joined the activity but of course I did not run. I walked for 30 minutes, accompanied by my hubby. J It was truly a fun run/walk! Congratulations to the Wellness Committee for a successful activity! Day 313 – November 10, 2011 I am so blessed to have the sweetest colleagues! One of them is Alice Quesenberry, the global test operations manager, who despite of her busy schedule, finds time to check on me and my baby once in a while. Thank you for everyone who continues to pray for me and my baby! J Day 314 – November 11, 2011 It’s Friday lunch out day! J We had lunch at Kanin Get It, Nuvali. Thanks to Ma’am Norma and Cille for the free dessert! J Day 315...

I was once asked by my sister in law on the first thing that I will eat after I give birth… hmm… that made me pause and think for an answer. I could not think of anything. My doctor actually does not prohibits me from eating certain foods but of course, I am just more conscious of my diet. Now that I am pregnant, I don’t drink softdrinks nor coffee… Iced tea – only once in a while… I also try to refrain from eating junk food. Lastly, of course, no alcoholic beverages for me. But then again, even though I refrain from drinking or eating certain foods, I do not crave for it. I do not think that I will ask for such foods immediately after giving birth. So what do I terribly miss? I miss my SHOES!!! Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I am barefooted all the time… What I mean is, I miss high heels, wedges, platform shoes and sandals. Those are my signature shoes – the footwear that makes people think I am tall and that I have long legs… hehehe J Actually, pregnant people are not...

Here's my speech no. 9 for Toastmasters. ================================== Steward of Singapore Before you raise your eyebrows and think that I am about to change my career and become a flight attendant to Singapore, hold your horses and listen to my speech. I am definitely not qualified to become a stewardess for obvious reasons but not to disappoint you further; I am still here to talk about Singapore. Singapore can be found in Southeast Asia and is regarded as one of the world's richest countries. Most travelers simply pass through, or only allocate three days, all of which are spent complaining on how expensive things are in Singapore. Unfortunately the little city-country has garnered a reputation over the years as being a budget smasher and even Singaboring. While there is no denying that Singapore certainly is more expensive than the other countries in Southeast Asia, you actually can enjoy this pleasant city. Fortunately, I have found a wealth of interesting -- and...