.....and then we become 3.

Just the other day, I had published my article And So Our Story Begins.. It is about how my relationship with my husband started. It was one of my most memorable days. All the kilig and love that we have felt and still feel right now is worth sharing. In this article, I will share my most memorable day as a mother.

I was 22 years old when I got pregnant. We(husband and I) were the happiest when we found out that I am pregnant because it took us 2 years before I conceived. My first trimester was a struggle. But with all the vomiting and nausea it was all worth it. My due was the 2nd week of January 2003, that's what my ob gyne told me. She told me to take a walk every now and then so that I won't be having a hard time giving birth. So I have been doing that right after Christmas. Our house was located 7 blocks away from my Tita's house. It was originally my grandma's and passed it on to her daughters when she died.

Every morning, after my husband left for work, I walked from our house to my Tita's and stayed there until noon because we always played BINGO, haha! So that's how my routine was until the night of January 4, 2003. We were sleeping, my husband and I, when I felt a sudden pain in my belly. I ignored it at first but the pain continued. I told my husband about it and he said if it continue, he will bring me to the hospital. But after an hour, the pain disappeared, so I thought maybe it was not my time yet. But around 4 am, my belly started to contract again and this time it was more intense than last night so I woke my husband. He then called my Titas and stepmom to help me because he was so nervous and did not know what to do.

They arrived at our house like they were half-awakened, haha! One of my Tita was still wearing her mask, hahaha! They were all so excited when they received that call. My daughter is their first granddaughter in their niece. And the first grand granddaughter of my Lola. So when they arrived, they keep on asking me about how I feel. I said that I feel pain but bearable. One of my Tita suggested that it is better if I'd stay in one of my Tita's house because it is near to the hospital. So I packed my things and we went there. That was January 5 and the pain was still consistent. Although I can still endure.

Not until later that afternoon, that pain was already unbearable so my husband took me to my ob gyne and after checking me, she said that I will give birth on Wednesday. Like what the pakpak ng chicken, it was only Sunday and she said that I will give birth on Wednesday, that's 3 more days! Does it mean that I have to endure the pain for 3 more days? After that we went home then suddenly husband received a call from his boss that he was needed urgently. So he had no choice but to leave me in my Tita's care. That night, I barely made a decent sleep. The pain was more intense. My Tita was watching over me and said she would take me to the hospital but I said not yet. That we should wait for my husband to come back.

Morning came and the pain was getting worst so my Tita told me to take a bath and be ready to be taken to the hospital. She also made me drink a mixture of milk and egg yolk. She said it would help me give birth. My husband called and said that he could not make it home because of the emergency that was happening in their office. So my stepmother takes me to the hospital instead.

We arrived at 9 am and I gave birth to my beautiful daughter at 12:45 pm. All the pain, all those sleepless nights are all worth it when I heard my daughter's cry. Then the doctor show me my daughter and cried when I saw her face, " Kamukha ko." That's the first thing that I said. I was very nervous holding her in my arms when she was brought into my room. She's so tiny and I am afraid that I might break her bones when I'll hold her. But my stepmother was there to guide me. My mother was in Novaliches and was working that time. She visited me the next morning.

Tears were running from my eyes when I finally hold her. My baby, my cute little baby. I could not believe that I can produce a cute little angel like my daughter. It was late afternoon when my husband came, I was breastfeeding my daughter at that time and I did not notice that he was already there. I just knew that he was there when he said, "Yan na ba anak natin"? I just nodded and cried again, hahaha! He hold his baby's little hand and kissed her on her forehead and then he also gave me a kiss.

I wish that smart phones were already rampant at that time, so that I could take as much photos as I like. And I am poorita also and could not afford a camera.

Seeing her now, grew up into a young woman, I just wish that life won't be too harsh on her. That she can handle anything in life and if ever she stumbles, she will stand up more determined. So as long as I am here, I will guide her the best way that I could.

Date Published: February 3, 2022

All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.