♥ ✿Grand Entrance for Baby Charlie✿♥

How long has it been since I last posted? And where do I even start to tell you what I’ve been through and how I’ve felt, where I am right now? I just have to say — women who give birth, period, are awesome. Mad respect! Giving birth itself is empowering. Because you’re doing something that your body was designed to do: Create another human being, have it living inside you for nine months+, and have it come out with 10 fingers and 10 toes, that in itself is a miracle.

But first a little back story, we checked-in the hospital when my water broke 20th July. It was the longest 28 hours of waiting for our baby to come out. Thank heavens to the wonders of epidural, I run-of-the-mill the throes of heavy labor, vomiting, cramps and pushing almost close to losing all your energy. Lo and behold, 0853 am of 21st July, Charlize Fhoenix ‘Baby Charlie’ came out naturally (she was 1 week early from my due date). It’s a feeling like no other — and no mother would trade it for the whole world! My husband and I were all set for picture taking as planned (winks!) and the longest skin-to-skin (it’s the first time the mother, happily lays her eyes on her newborn, holds her baby and feels the warmth of her baby’s embrace, those dainty little hands latched on to her while their hearts beat in perfect rhythm as one) but NOT! I heard a staff saying, chorioamnionitis! My baby girl was cyanotic and grunting too thus NICU team has to take her away from me few minutes after they put her into my chest.

To cut it short, my baby developed RDS that she was placed on oxygen support through a ventilator for 4 hours then wean off to NCPAP. She was also started on antibiotics since I had fever during labor. It’s both a blessing and curse though to be in the medical field (NICU Nurse in my case) and yet I am left with my legs both numb from anesthesia when all I wanted is to be with my little chipmunk (insert I was literally crying a river!). I have to make a conscious effort to keep my head above water lest I get overwhelmed and drown. Through all the uncertainty, we have wonderful friends and family when all seemed pitch dark, there was always that feeling that it would only be a matter of time until the light shone on us again. It is a knowing you get in the gut even if you see no neon signs. I think it is this great thing simply called faith. I say that not to be dramatic, but true enough, next day she was out of oxygen support, all pink and very active as if nothing happened. Well, she is really her mother’s daughter, she wanted a grand entrance indeed! Lol!

Today, I am a little over a week being a Nanay/ Mommy. It feels like having little hands finding their way into my heart, wrapping it with a pink warmth that is as comforting as warm milk with honey. There is a quietness about motherhood that is soothing; a kind of purposeful peace that makes you respect the rhythms of your life and days. John Stuart Mill once said, "You will inhale happiness with the air you breathe, without dwelling on it or thinking about it." The same could be easily said of the blessing that is a child.

♥And They Lived Happily Ever After♥ -Book 1 & 2-

Book 1: My ex-fiance-now-husband and I are still overwhelmed. Allow us to share with you the ‘moment of moments’: a moment we both have hoped for and dreamed of, a moment both our parents have prayed for all these years, a moment that God from all of eternity has worked for. Our love story that has spanned several major cities in the world and that has led our grand day branded ‘Journey to Forever.’ It was exactly the way we wanted it, 'light, fun and relatively private and intimate, festive and full of our families’ and friends’ love and laughter.’ We will forever be grateful indeed to have had the wedding that we have always envisioned. Thank you mucho-mucho to our family, friends, Luis and all our suppliers who all did more than expected of them. PS: Out of the 8k+ pics, I think I have given enough justice downsizing it. Book 1 is all about the creative materials and wedding details. We wanted everything to be personalized and well thought out, like a real family gathering where everyone will have fun.◕‿◕ Click the link for the photos: https://www.facebook.com/ahriss/media_set?set=a.10208049963476297.1515461193&type=3

Book 2 is all about the wedding proper and reception. Our love was sealed in Stella Maris Chapel – perched on top of a hill, gleaming with its grandiose architecture and solemnity, with a 360-degree view of the ocean and the islands. With the sunset in the background, enjoy the reception set against a majestic backdrop that is the Mount Mayon with the rhythmic sound of the waves caressing the shore. Flowers filled the venue, all looking freshly gathered from a nearby pasture. The Entourage were in long, flowing dresses in shades of purple motif, while the men sported a relaxed look in crisp, barong and black slacks or white top (gusot-mayaman) and khakis. The guests were requested to come in floral attire. The celebrant, Rev. Fr. Francis 'Kuya Ching' Zurbano, was heaven sent. He drove all the way from Laguna to Bicol and gave the most personal homily just for us and with his special blessings for all. The best advice we got was from our ninongs/ninangs, ‘Keep Christ at the center of your relationship.' To capped the night off was a fireworks display. This fairytale romance is destined for a forever happy ending indeed.◕‿◕ Click the link for the photos: https://www.facebook.com/ahriss/media_set?set=a.10208052288574423.1515461193&type=3 I get overwhelmed