On Baby Stephen's Jaundice

Same old story. I am an O+ and baby Stephen is A+... just like with Sean as a newborn.

Baby Stephen was diagnosed on his 2nd day with neonatal jaundice because our blood types were incompatible. Just on his 2nd day where usually it takes 3 or 4 days to diagnose jaundice. So it was a little severe on his part.

On our 3rd day in the hospital, my obstetrician hinted that I may be able to go home that day, unfortunately due to Stephen's jaundice, we stayed for 2 more days at the hospital.

Upon discharge, I paid almost 32,000 Thai Baht total amount for both mom and son hospitalization. I am thankful that I chose a government hospital otherwise it could have been more than 50 thousand baht if in a private hospital.  Before discharge, the pediatrician talked to me and let me choose to go or to stay as baby's bilirubin is still a little above normal although lower than the previous days, so they won't put him into phototherapy for now..but it's in my discretion if I will discharge the baby or let him stay for another day. I opted discharge with the condition that in 2 days we have to go back and check his bilirubin again.

We were so happy that we were able to go home with the baby. Before going home, I had to buy a blanket and a baby suit for stephen as there is no free suit (unlike in private hospitals).

So after 2 days, we went back and had another blood test done for Stephen. Result was a little lower higher than the day of the discharge but not too high as to undergo phototherapy again. We were allowed to go home but return after 2 days again.

On the 9th day, we went back to the hospital, same procedure done...I paid another 130 baht for the blood test, had to wait for the result for almost an hour. The result was the bilirubin is getting low but hematocrit count is lower than in normal newborn babies. I was worried, scared that baby maybe anemic or has a worse case. We again were told to go back on Monday (after 3 days).

Last Monday, 12th day of baby Stephen, we returnedto the hospital and same procedure done but this time, we were discharged! Hurray for baby Stephen and glory to God's amazing healing power!!!

I was so happy and relieved. God is really wonderful!

Baby Stephen Gilbert

Today is baby Stephen's 16th day into the world... He was born in Chulalongkorn Hospital last 13 July 2016 at 12:15 pm. His birth weight was  3,255 gram and I don't know the name of his doctor as there were a few of them assisting me and I forgot the name mentioned.

Last July 13, upon schedule by the OB-GYN of Chulalongkorn hospital, I went to Nawamin building to have the C-section for baby Stephen. Scared yet braver than the 1st time (with Sean's C-section at Sukhumvit hospital), the nurses and interns prepped me for the operation.

Joevy was with me going there but that day, it took him 2 hours to find a parking space so I was like alone there the first hour during the preparation. Nawamin building is an old building compared to other buildings but then the nurses and doctors are very accommodating and friendly.

I was wheeled to the operating table, injected with anaesthesia in my lower spinal column and my lower body felt numbed. The doctors started with the operation and after 30 minutes, I heard baby Stephen's loud cry and the announcement of the doctor that he is indeed a BOY! OH BOY! LOL!

Afterwards, I was sent to the recovery room and the attending nurses talked to me, and I was talking back  with them not knowing that it may cause gas pain later on. HUHU!

Another hour and half pass by before they brought me to my room where Joevy was waiting...
Of course, I am not allowed to stand but they asked me if I can move my legs which I find it hard to do.

Nurses come and go checking on my wound, my state for the next two hours till the next day...they sponged bathed me which I thought was embarrasing on my part but then these nurses were professional on their job and I thought to myself that I couldn't do this kind of job.

That evening, Baby Stephen was brought in, just in time for my mom, sister and brother-in-law to see the newborn baby. Oh, a very handsome boy indeed! He looks exactly like Sean, just a little darker.

On My 9th Month Pregnancy

Tomorrow is my last day in the office for my 90 days maternity leave. I do appreciate Thai labor law for this privilege although I am not sure if I even have at least a month's worth salary, all I know is I will be able to receive Thirty thousand Baht for being a paying member of the Social Insurance here.

Anyways, I am happy that I am nearing the end of my pregnancy and a little worried for my delivery. You know, anxieties that are normal for a mom even if this is my 2nd baby, still you are worried if the delivery (especially by C-section) will be smooth and the baby will be 100% healthy. 

Nowadays, it is so hard to walk around, climb to our room at the 4th floor and even to lie down and sleep. Pregnancy blues, but I know all will be well... 

as in Philippians 4:6, it says:

  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

So I am clinging to God's promise as long as I kneel and ask and be thankful.

I am due on Tuesday, 12 July 2016 for my C-Section delivery in Chulalongkorn hospital here in Thailand and will be meeting my doctor on that day. You see, the special clinic in Chulalongkorn has a different doctor for check-ups and a different one on the date of delivery, so I just hope and pray that my delivery doctor will be efficient, kind and trustworthy. 

Here are rare photos of my 2nd pregnancy... my tummy is so big that sometimes I feel like it's gonna burst on its own. LOL!

Daddy Joevy's 34th Birthday

Yeah, my husband has turned 34 years old... but he still can't accept that fact, lolz! Even though I assured him that 34 is not a bad number at all (since I'm 36 hahaha!)

Anyways, we celebrated his birthday at MK(Sukhaphiban 3)  with the rest of the gang after hour of worship service in RISDAC church. As always guaranteed by MK, you have a potful of veggies and bloated tummy after :)

Here are pictures taken last 28 of May 2016.

Cheers to the birthday boy!!!!

On Considering Quitting My Full Time Job

I have to put these thoughts into writing otherwise I may forget.

With this 2nd pregnancy, I have been considering quitting from my job. However there are pros and cons that I have to weigh in.

PROS (for quitting)
1. I will be able to spend quality time with my kids.
2. Take care of my hubby and kids well.
3. No need for nanny or a relative to watch over our boys.
4. I may focus on the ticketing business.
5. I may be able to help Joevy with the chandling business.
6. More extra time (I don't know if this is good or bad).
7. I may stop my DTAC subscription as there is internet at home.

CONS (for quitting)
1. No more monthly salary
2. Expenses to be paid every month will still be there.
     - car garage (1,300 baht per month)
     - utilities like electricity, water, room maintenance & phone bills (average of 3300 baht per month)
     - car installment (to finish this year with balance of 60,000 Baht)
     - health insurance for sean (1,333 Baht monthly
     - savings insurance for me (1,040 monthly and 27,000x2 for annual premium)
     - continue SSO payment (700 Baht)
     - SSS payment in the Philippines (1,650 Php quarterly)
3. I may be inattentive to my physical appearance as I won't be going to the office.
4. Work permit will be cancelled and I don't know how it will affect with our purchased room.
5. I will forfeit the use of free AC, PC, printer and office supplies in the office.
6. Of course, will miss working and my colleagues.
7.

I cannot think of what else to add...will revert back to this post later....

On ADHD....

It's been a year since I was told by Sean's teacher, Teacher Kea (Kinder 2) from Samaharn School, that Sean may have an Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Sean with K.1 Teacher Kea

My mind wouldn't accept that fact...until now, a year after, when Joevy and I tried to transfer Sean to another school, only to have the principal call and told me that they would not accept Sean in their school as his hyperactivity can't be controlled by the teacher.

Sean likes taking selfies

Right now as I am typing this blog, my worry is immeasurable. I am on my 7th month of pregnancy and this stress is doing my baby no good at all. I have been reading internet articles about ADHD, and learned that there really is no cure as the cause is also unknown although it can be controlled by medications.   I have been battling between taking Sean to the doctor as I am scared of the side effects of the drugs that may be prescribed to him as well as the cost of this treatment.

One rainy day, Sean planned to hunt lols!

With the help of two of my Power Line colleagues, they suggested that we bring Sean to Kru Pun (www.punkhon.com), a specialist dealing with ADHD children without the prescription of drugs. An appointment is made and we will go there on Saturday for Sean's assessment.

Still, my anxiety is overwhelming and I pray to God to please remove this burden from me..please carry this yoke as I really do not know what to do right now.

My boy is a very jolly and happy little one although he really can't stay still for a long while, he likes to run around and speak whatever is on his mind. 

Selfie boy with mommy

Please Lord, please heal my Sean-sean...