Is having a baby really expensive?

It sure is. But what makes it worthwhile is seeing your baby smile. (As I type this blog entry, our baby E is moving inside my tummy :)) And it will make you forget about everything. Even just for a few minutes. Then comes the hospital bills, insurance etc.

Today, I'm feeling more organized than usual. I paid the rent and organized our expenses for the next few months. It just feels so good to accomplish pending tasks. I have my dear husband to thank for teaching me how to save, and giving me the inspiration to be more organized.

When I got pregnant, "spending for yourself" always is a mental battle. I kept on thinking, instead of spending, I should just save the money for our baby. Then, another part of me would rationalize that this is the time to be spending for yourself, because once the baby comes, it'll be much harder.

Like for instance, our upcoming wedding anniversary next month. Hubby and I have been discussing, thinking, discussing and thinking again for about a week, whether or not we should push through our staycation. But we are leaning towards going for it.

I promise to save more and pray that I'll have normal delivery. 17 weeks to go!!! :)

Avocado Smoothie

Decided to search and post recipes for Avocado Smoothie that I've been craving for so early in the morning! Hope I can drink one before the day ends! Oh how fun it is to be pregnant! :)

Ingredients : (Source)

1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
1 cup milk
1.2 cup vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
8 ice cubes

Directions :

1. Combine the avocado, milk, yogurt, honey and ice cubes in a blender, blend until smooth.

Post-script (16 July 2012) : I got my avocado shake! Twice! Hubby bought for me last weekend and yesterday.

E-passport

Claimed my new e-passport yesterday, I am officially a Ferrera! :) Now, I just have to change my details on all my documents, bills, identification card and discount cards! Waaaah! Goodluck to me!

Anticipating our baby's gender

Our family is so excited to know if it's a boy or girl for us. His/her position during the last ultrasound makes it so hard to confirm the gender. He/she is in face down sleeping position, I find it so cute! Just like his/her daddy! My OB shook my tummy and his/her head moved a bit. Our baby is a sleepy head! :)

My friends have been asking me if I want a boy or girl for our firstborn. I honestly don't know. Or maybe I just don't want to have any preference. I should be equally happy if it's a boy or girl. As long as our baby is healthy.

My sister wants a boy, and I feel my dad wants a boy too as his first grandchild. He's been dreaming of the day that he can teach his apo how to play golf. My friends say, it looks like our baby is a girl, because I look happy and beautiful. Whatever that means, haha.

Hopefully, we will be able to confirm next week during the 20-week detailed scan. :)

Pregnancy Pillow

Lately, I've been having difficulty sleeping because of my baby bump. I am experiencing leg cramps and back pains because I always sleep on my left side. They say that this is the best sleeping position for the mom and baby.

I found this pillow at Mothercare Singapore website. It's called dreamgeniii pregnancy support and feeding pillow. And we bought one yesterday at Vivo City. It was divine!!! I had almost 8-hours of uninterrupted sleep!!! I love it!

It claims to encourage optimal foetal positioning which can lead to a shorter and less painful labour, encourage maximum blood flow between mother and baby, etc. Let me try it for a few more days, and see if it's really effective.