It’s been almost 10 days since my last post – do forgive me! It’s been a crazy 10 days, and those of you who follow my updates on Facebook and Twitter probably know why.

Last Saturday, we brought Anne for her follow up check-up with the pedia from the hospital where I gave birth. Imagine our shock and dismay (and my panic!) when we were told she had not only NOT regained her birth weight yet, but had lost additional weight! The pedia said it was most likely due to dehydration (oh this is such a long story actually, but I have to make this quick, as Anne might wake up!).

I started doubting my milk supply then and there, so I asked my friends from Medela Moms for advice. By God’s grace, they had just hired an in-house lactation counselor so right after the check-up with the pedia, we went to the Medela House to see her. She was most helpful (more details in another post!).

Still, my mother’s instinct and Anthony’s father’s instinct told us to try consulting the two older kids’ pedia for a second opinion. So we went to see her the next day (Sunday). She told us to get Anne’s blood and urine checked, just to make sure that her weight loss, irritability and bouts of low-grade fever were not due to an infection.

We got the results the next day and lo and behold, she had a UTI! :( So our pedia (the second one, not the first one) told us to have her admitted for observation and IV antibiotics treatment. We just got home from the hospital on Friday, two days ago. I don’t want to go into detail anymore about what happened at the hospital – too bad there was no wifi there so I couldn’t give you guys a daily account through my blog posts!

Needless to say, it has been another stressful week for us. Still, I am thankful to God that Anthony was able to stay with me and Anne all the days we were at the hospital (he told his boss that I was getting depressed and was so tired and needed him by my side – all true! *sighs*), and that so many people prayed and are still praying for Anne’s complete healing (she’s continuing medication at home). Also, thank God for my parents, who helped take care of the two older kids. And oh so many other blessings! There are even people who surprised us with tokens of financial support – without our asking nor seeking it!

As I write this, I still can’t help but worry about Anne because she is still not peeing and pooping like “normal” breastfed babies do. And she still seems irritable at times and seems to be in pain sometimes when she pees, even if it’s already her fifth day of antibiotics. But I know our God is greater than anything and He is in control (ok, I know this but sometimes the human “mommy” side of me can’t help worrying!).

So I guess by writing this post, what I’m trying to do is make a declaration of faith. After all, it’s Ascension Sunday and Mother’s Day too, one week before Pentecost. Our God is greater! :) Declare it with me, friends!

P.S. The photo below is of our little Anne at the hospital. It broke my heart to see her like that but again, our God is greater, right?!

Posted by Tina@TrulyRichMom on May 12, 2013 · 1 comment · Catholic

I’m a little tired tonight so I’m blogging with my phone again. Anne has been fussy almost the whole day and it seems like she’s been attached to me (nursing) the whole day too.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this reflection with you, by Fr. Brian Steele, MGL, taken from Sabbath, one of the devotionals published by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, the publisher of the best inspirational literature in the Philippines (ahem!):

“The Father satisfies, and is merciful, loving and kind. He satisfies our deep longings for love and healing, peace and freedom. So often, we look elsewhere for satisfaction, but only the Father satisfies. Only Jesus leads us to the Father.

Sadly, we live in a world of absent fathers, physically and/or psychologically. We all need to be in a relationship. It is true that once we have discovered a father’s love, we become strong in identity, secure in our emotions, and sure in our ways.

We need a father’s love to satisfy the longings of our human heart. For nine months we lived in the womb of our mother, so the mother’s love is set deep within. We have to let go and search for the love of the Father. It doesn’t come easy. Some never find it. But Jesus has told us that no one can come to the Father except through Him, as He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

May we rest in our Father’s love, knowing that His grace is always sufficient for us. Good night, friends! :)

Posted by Tina@TrulyRichMom on May 3, 2013 · 0 comments · Catholic

It’s the month of May already — gosh, how time flies! :) Almost half the year has flown by, and what a blessed period it has been for my family and me. Despite all the challenges, God’s love truly shines through! And I know it has been the same for you too, dear friends, although many times, we may not realize it.

We welcomed in the month of May with some much-needed bonding time with our two older kids — though they bonded more with their Papa and Lolo than they did with me, since I was still busy with breastfeeding, changing diapers and catching up on sleep! See how much fun they had cooling down yesterday? :)

kidsandbebs

papaandrysse

Anyway, May is usually referred to as “Mothers’ Month,” since we celebrate Mother’s Day within May. We Catholics also consider May as the month of Mama Mary.

Photo by sritangphoto on www.freedigitalphotos.net

Photo by sritangphoto on www.freedigitalphotos.net

So I thought it would be fitting to dedicate this two-days-in-one Amazing Grace post (yes, I’m making up for another “lost” day again by “combining” two posts into one, teehee!) to all my fellow moms out there. Earlier today, I watched this video that was inspired by a blog post written by Lisa-Jo Baker, and I couldn’t help shedding tears while doing so! You have GOT to watch it, people! (Even if you AREN’T a mom, I’d still recommend you do!)

{If you’re reading via email, here’s the link to the video. Go, go, go watch it NOW! :) }

To further inspire and encourage you, here are links to two posts I read earlier that really resonate with me on a personal level, and seem to affirm what the video above is saying:

The Marathon of Motherhood and Why I Get Tripped Up by Ruth of GraceLaced

When You’re Feeling Behind and Unaccomplished by Jayme of Optimommy (who, incidentally, came up with my fabulous new blog design — thanks again, Jayme!)

Moms, we are mighty.

But not because of our own strength.

We are mighty because there is One who is mightier than we.

He holds each of us and each of our children in the palm of His hand. He has even engraved us there!

Screen shot 2013-05-02 at 11.05.35 PM

Posted by Tina@TrulyRichMom on May 2, 2013 · 0 comments · 50 Days of Amazing Grace 2013, Catholic, Family, Parenting

Yesterday was another “down” day for me. I hate to say this (and I don’t want to seem like a terrible mother by doing so) but having the two older kids home with us while caring for a newborn is turning out to be quite challenging (think having to remind them to be careful and gentle with their sister, to be quiet when she’s sleeping, to not touch her head and face all the time, plus the usual “no fighting,” “stop doing that to your sister/brother” stuff, etc. – repeat one hundred times!).

Add to that the fact that we’ve been monitoring Anne’s condition since Sunday, when she started having an elevated temperature and showing signs of dehydration. Mix in a little or no sleep plus crazy, post-natal hormones, and you have the makings of a very grouchy, on-the-verge-of-crying-almost-every-ten-minutes mega emotional mama! (Yep, that was me yesterday!)

My mom, who so lovingly came over to stay with us and help me out, caught me crying at one point and gently reminded me, “It will get better. It’s always difficult at the start. But it will get better.”

And you know what? It is getting better.

I was finally able to get more sleep last night because Anne and I have “mastered” the art of breastfeeding while lying down (she wasn’t used to it at first, I guess she got used to me feeding her while sitting down when we were in the hospital).

Also, I decided to see the kids being so excited to touch their baby sister and wake me up whenever I would try to take a nap as a good thing – they just want to spend time with us!

It helped, too, that my mom took the older kids to their place this morning so I could get more sleep. They’re staying the night then coming back tomorrow. So I was able to nap this afternoon while Anne was sleeping.

Anne is also much better now, thank God, and thanks to all who prayed/are praying for her – including you, dear friends! :)

What helped the most though was choosing to look at our blessings. How could I NOT move on from my “state of despair”?

If you’re going through something right now and are down and out, remember this: It will get better. With God’s help, it will. Trust me.

P.S. That’s my mom with Anne in the photo below. :)

Posted by Tina@TrulyRichMom on April 30, 2013 · 6 comments · 50 Days of Amazing Grace 2013, Catholic, Family, Parenting

Just sharing this press release sent to me while we were still in the hospital. :) Those of you who have a kasambahay or househelp here in Manila or the nearby provinces may be interested in this event. :) God bless, everyone!

PRESS RELEASE

BATAS KASAMBAHAY SYMPOSIUM

“Sir Chief, Inday is sick!  She needs money for hospitalization.  What shall we do?”  No more worries for there is now a law that provides kasambahays with mandatory benefits from SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.  Now employers will not have to shell out cash for emergency cases.  Employers can now be spared from giving personal loans to kasambahays for emergency situations.

To find out more about the Kasambahay Law, come and attend the Employers Confederation of the Philippines’ discussion on Batas Kasambahay on May 21, 2013 (Tuesday), 12:30-5:00pm at Henry Sy Sr. Auditorium, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Global City, Taguig.

The resource persons for this event are key officials from:

DOLE – Ms. Catherine Parado (OIC-Director, Bureau of Working Conditions)

Pag-IBIG – Atty. Darlene B. Berberabe (CEO)

PhilHealth – Dr. Enrique T. Ona (OIC-President and CEO)

SSS – Mr. Emilio S. De Quiros, Jr. (President and CEO)

ECOP – Atty. Vicente Leogardo, Jr. (Director General)

For more details and to register, please visit www.ecop.org.ph, call Ray Tadeo at 8904847 Local 116 or email ray.tadeo@ecop.org.ph.

Posted by Tina@TrulyRichMom on April 30, 2013 · 0 comments · Events