A woman's journey through Motherhood

Tired but happy

Written on October 16, 2011 by Momma Finally in Women Talk

Exhausted, yes, that’s what I am. It’s just that lately, I feel so tired and dead beat that all I look forward to at the end of the day is to sleep like a log. I often feel as if all the energy has been zapped from body, and I can hardly perform all my wifely duties as I should.

I have to admit that my sexy lingerie has been gathering dust in the darkest corners of my closet and hasn’t seen the light of day in a while. That doesn’t mean I have totally given up on the idea of intimacy with my hubby, though. As much as I can, I try to show my man how much I love him. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple shoulder rub to m
ake him happy. Or I slave away in the kitchen to bake him his favorite cake or cookies.

So what is sucking out all the energy from me? My baby Sean, of course. He just never fails to keep me up on my toes all the time. If I’m not chasing him around the house, I’m cleaning up after him- and his dad too, sometimes!

At the end of the day, I wouldn’t have things any other way. Yes, my bones may feel like they’re going to break any minute from all the physical work I do around the house, but I still feel a sense of home once I finally hit the sack after a long day.

This is where my heart belongs…this is what makes me happy… my family.

Hello! Welcome back to my blog :)

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Is IVF Right For You?

Written on October 7, 2011 by Momma Finally in IVF Journey

Having children is one of the most priceless gifts couples could have and couples who are experiencing difficulties receiving these gifts would understandably be all too willing to give every option on the table a chance. One of the most popular options is IVF or in vitro fertilization – the option I chose to take in my journey to motherhood. It is one of the safest, most affordable, and widely accepted assisted reproductive procedures all over the world. IVF, however, is not for everyone. Successful pregnancy and consequently live birth through IVF involves a host of factors that you should take into consideration before you make your decision.

The process of IVF is highly demanding both financially and physically. IVF cost in Singapore would come up to about SGD18,000 or nearly $13,000 for one cycle alone. You have to be ready to shoulder the IVF cost of several cycles given that studies suggest an average of three to six cycles of IVF treatment before successful pregnancy is achieved. Once you have the cost considerations settled, you have to weigh your physical considerations. To start with, IVF could be a good option for you if you are younger than 35 years old – an average success rate of 50% is observed in clinical studies of IVF procedures in subjects within this age range. The duration of fertility issues as well as other issues concerning your ovarian function would also influence the success rate of your IVF procedure.

Finally, as the IVF cost is not cheap, you want to make sure that are indeed ready to go through what the procedure requires and that you will be able to complete your IVF cycles until you successfully conceive. In previous posts, I have broken down the IVF cost for you and somehow let you in on what I had to go through in my journey to motherhood. Now, to help you determine whether you are ready for an IVF procedure or not, here’s a quick look at how IVF is done:

1. After the necessary medical checks, your doctor will start you on hormonal medication to stimulate your ovaries for egg production. This was quite a challenge for me since I am afraid of needles. You will have to inject this medication yourself or with the help of your partner at home at the same time everyday until the follicles are ready as determined by a laboratory scan.

2.It’s back to the hospital again to have your eggs retrieved either through a needle inserted through your vagina or a laparoscopic operation. Don’t worry, you will be sedated during the procedure and will not feel a thing. Your eggs will then be combined with your partner’s sperm in a laboratory dish to start the process of in vitro fertilization.

3.And Once fertilization is achieved, usually after a few days, the embryo is placed into your uterus through the cervix with the aid of a catheter. It takes a two week wait, on bed rest combined with hormonal treatment, in order to determine whether the embryo has successfully latched on to the uterine wall and the pregnancy is confirmed.

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What to Expect Books Giveaway

Written on October 6, 2011 by Momma Finally in Contest

You probably have heard of the #1 bestselling pregnancy book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting“. These books are amazing! I have read What to Expect when you’re Expecting when I was pregnant with Sean and it did help me answer my questions from the pre conception stage through postpartum.

The book has a week-by-week look at the growth of the mom and the baby including lifestyle of a pregnant woman, preconception and carrying twins.

I am now reading What to expect the First Year – as a new mom this has become my bible.

Heidi Murkoff, the author of “What to Expect” also has an informative What to Expect Preganancy and Parenting website that offers useful tips on preconception, pregnancy, your baby’s first year and the toddler stage. This site also has a community message board where new and expectant mothers.

The apple of my eye

Momma Finally together with What to Expect will be giving away a book to a lucky reader every month. The mechanics will be different every month. For October, what you need to do to win is:

Be my top commenter and you can choose 1 of these What To Expect books here:

(Giveaway open to Philippines, US and Canada residents only)

Join now moms and soon to be moms !!

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Drypers Wee Wee Dry Contest Winners

Written on October 6, 2011 by Momma Finally in Contest

The Drypers Wee Wee Dry has been a great success! Thanks to all that joined!

The results are finally in ladies. There were 38 entries and together with the people from Drypers Baby Club we narrowed it down to 5.

Are you one of them? Let’s see…

The GRAND PRIZE WINNERS of Baby monitors are:

Marianne Crisitne G. Torres

Drypers.com.ph username: mt1681

The greatest joy motherhood gave me is…

the opportunity to find happiness even in the simplest things in life. Through my children’s eyes, I’ve witnessed how chasing butterflies could be dream-like; how a simple piece of paper drawn with unidentifiable crayon drawings could boost one’s self-esteem; and that slice of bread topped with butter and sugar could taste like cake. Each day is a new discovery, and I enjoy it as much as my children do.

Name: Kristine Anne Espera

Drypers.com.ph username: Kristeedson

The greatest joy motherhood gave me is being able to understand the real meaning of unconditional love. I never thought that I have the capacity to love this much, selfless.. immeasurable.. unconditional.. until I became a mother. Giving up my career as an OFW to become a full-time mom is all worth it for I was able to witness firsthand all the firsts in my baby’s life. I was able to give all the love and attention he deserves, and I believe that he deserves nothing less. I am very proud to say that I never missed a day in my son’s life from the day he was born. I may not be able to give him all the material things that I could buy if I am working abroad, but I was able to give him the most important thing in the world to a growing child, a MOTHER.

3 winners of Drypers jumbo packs

Maria Cecilia Velasquez-Franco

Drypers.com.ph username: MyMaria

The greatest joy motherhood gave me is the chance to prove to the world that I can be a mom and a capable one at that. Friends and family joked around about me not having a mattress (uterus) at all and that I should purchase one from a furniture shop (in reference to mattresses as in the ones used for beds!). For years, I’ve always thought I would never be able to conceive because of reproductive complications, but it is by God’s grace and miracle that I am now a proud mother of a bouncing baby boy. Previously, I didn’t even prepare to become a mother, never interested in baby stuff, and never caring about parenting and stuff like that. When I learned that I was with child, all that changed. My life practically turned 180 degrees! And it was only then that I read voraciously about pregnancy and parenting, and absorbed every bit of detail on how to go about it to the extent of making a blog solely to honor motherhood — http://mrsnoodleboy.tumblr.com! I admit that I may not be an exemplary mother (yet!) as everything is still so new to me but I am surprised at how fast I had adapted to this new role and I agree that maternal instinct is indeed a fascinating thing. From being known to rock the anthem of “Basta Igat, Sikat!” (http://www.bastaigatsikat.com) loud and proud, motherhood has definitely changed my life. All for the better, of course. Motherhood has ignited a flame in me and this is a kind of love that burns deep — for my baby and for my family. I would do anything, as in everything in my power to protect and nurture this precious gift of life for I absolutely & unconditionally love my precious baby boy.

Name : Erica Yu-Bonifacio

Drypers.com.ph username: AYENAYLIAYJI

I have a confession to make, when i was in college, i told myself i would never want to get married. yes. i wanted to be an old maid for the rest of my life. don’t get me wrong, it’s not that i was tomboyish or something, actually i was with my boyfriend(now my husband) when i was telling that to the world. maybe that’s the reason why God chose me to experience the joy of motherhood. times three! when i was still single, i was dependent on yayas and my mom of course. i never knew anything about household chores and stuff like that. but when i became a mom myself, i never knew i could do stuff like “mag-igib” “clean the toilet” etc. without any help from helpers. never had one actually. i quit my job as medtech and became a stay at home , hands on mom. It’s actually more tiring than working in a hospital(24 hours duty).but this is more fullfiling actually. The best thing about this is when moms and teachers at my kids’ school would approach me and tell me things like.. my daughter is on top of her class or how pretty and lovely my kids are. my heart is jumping with joy whenever i hear good things about my kids. It made me realize that somehow i did a great job as a mother to my 3 kids. I am forever thankful/grateful to the God above for entrusting them to me:)

Name: Mai Danganan

Drypers.com.ph username: maileen1

The greatest joy motherhood gave me is savoring the experience of how God must feel when He looks at us. Motherhood lets me bestow unconditional love to my kids and harvest the same unconditional love in return.

Congratulations everyone!! To the winners of the JUMBO PACK DIAPERS, kindly email me at jade (at) pinayjade dot com

the size you prefer.

By the way ladies, for the month of October I have a new giveaway.

Just be my top commenter and you can choose 1 of these What To Expect books here:

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Happy 9 months Sean!!

Written on September 7, 2011 by Momma Finally in Baby, Mommahood

I cannot believe it! I know I often say that but Sean’s coming into my life is just such an amazing experience for me. He’s been in this world as much time I have carried him in my body. I love him to bits!! I love the way he smiles, he eats and fake cough and everything else he does.

Sean, this is where you lived for 9 months before you decided you want to move out.

Newsflash!
Sean got his first tooth!! It happened last September 3. We just noticed it that morning. It was so excruciating for him. It’s the first time in his life that he felt so much pain it seems like all hell broke loose in our home. I wish I could feel the pain instead of him. We gave him paracetamol and after a few hours he was good again. Crawling around the house like his searching for a treasure. He’s SO ACTIVE!

So since he has his first tooth we have to start with good habits like brushing his teeth. Finally we could try out this awesome toothbrush sent by the generous people of FIREFLY TOOTHBRUSH. Thanks so much, he love his toothbrush!

Sean, it's the other way around...

Yeah, that's better baby!

He got his measles injection today. He only cried for a minute and then it was over. He’s such a trooper!! He’s a bit cranky though because his 2nd tooth is also coming out … would it be hurting so much whenever babies get another tooth?

If you want to try FIREFLY toothbrushes too, I think they are available nationwide.

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Puppy Love

Written on September 5, 2011 by Momma Finally in Internet Finds, Singapore

I just discovered this ultra cute viedo!

And this video is actually an interactive commercial brought to you by Starhub – this was our chosen cable, internet and mobile provider when we were living in Singapore.

If you are not with Starhub yet, you really have to Hub It! This cool tool for the young and the young at heart really redefines entertainment. Techies, gamers or regular Joes who are always on the look-out for new applications should definitely check this one out. The Love Tail dog, Sparky, isn’t the only one who got married in this campaign. Starhub managed to marry TV, internet and mobiles to create a new dimension of interactive gaming.

The teasers and the commercials got me hooked with the concept of an adorable dog in a quest for love. It was really cute and endearing to the viewers. Plus the fact that this is the first time that viewers can play an interactive game in a TV commercial. It got me searching the web for Hub It details. What’s more exciting is that viewers can have their own quest for great prizes by playing the game.

For a limited time, players who can help Sparky find the love of his life can win funky gadgets and cash prizes. The game is quite simple. All you have to do is look for the clues or hints in the Hub It app or the Starhub’s FB page. The clues will give you the tasks that will help unlock a map and eventually lead you to Sparky’s love.

Searching for hidden clues and prizes is like going on a real life treasure hunt adventure which can be very engaging. The clues and hints will be revealed only from August 26 to September 10 so download the Hub It! App now or head on to Starhub’s Facebook Page for your chance to find Sparky’s dream girl AND win big prizes.

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What gave you the greatest joy in motherhood? -GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Written on September 1, 2011 by Momma Finally in Contest, Mommahood

Motherhood is the scariest, toughest but most rewarding job I have ever had in my entire life. Scary because, the life of this precious little boy is on my hands. Tough because we are responsible in shaping who he will be and rewarding because his smiles are priceless.

Before I became a mom, I had lots of questions and I still do. I am lucky because I have my mom and lots of friends who willingly gives me advice when I ask them newbie mom questions. I also browse the parenting forums for answers. One great resource I just discovered that provides parenting information is Drypers.com.ph . It’s kind of like moms digital playground

Here’s why you need to check out Drypers.com.ph :

MommaFinally together with Drypers would like to reward new moms out there. Just answer the question below for a chance to WIN A BABY MONITOR OR DRYPERS WEE WEE DRY diapers!

What gave you the greatest joy in motherhood?

Blog Contest Mechanics

1. To join, simply sign up for the Drypers Baby Club at drypers.com.ph . You can find me there as well – my username is Newbie Momma

*signing up with Drypers Baby Club will qualify you to join and win this contest*

2. CLICK HERE to Like Momma Finally on FB, when done, please post on my wall: “Joining the @Drypers Wee Wee Dry Contest!”

3. Post your entry by leaving a comment on this post together with your email address. Entries may be in English or Filipino.

(the email address included in your entry should match the email address supplied in your Drypers Baby Club details.)

Entry Format:

Name Surname

yummymomma(at)email(dot)com

Drypers.com.ph username: YummyMomma

The greatest joy motherhood gave me is….

4. Five winners will be picked based on creativity, brevity and relevance.

The top two entries will be awarded a Baby Monitor and the three runners up will receive a JUMBO Pack of Drypers Diapers in their preferred sizes.

5. Contest is open to participants that has a PHILIPPINE address only and it will run from September 1 – September 30, 2011

6. Winners will be announced here Mommawannabe.com, Drypers Facebook page on October 5, 2011.

7. Drypers Wee Wee DRY diapers reserves the right to verify membership of participants/winners.

8. Prizes will be sent to winners via courier service at the address supplied on members’ baby club information details.

Join now mommies and good luck to all!!

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