Birth Announcement

Normally, we Filipinos didn’t have the customs of giving birth announcements.

This is might be because of tight budget and we prefer of telling the people who are close to us in person. We prefer to be humble. But then, it doesn’t mean that we are not proud to be parents. It’s just we don’t used to it.

When I was pregnant, I really search in the internet some beautiful layout for birth announcement. I wanted to give this to all friends and relatives.  In this way, they will be inform the name, birth date, weights, height and perhaps the meaning of the baby name(s) of the cute baby who is now a new member of the family.

Sad to say that I wasn’t able to make this for I didn’t have an ink of my computer. Moreover, I didn’t have a chance to make it due to my operation.

To all first time parents, this is my advice to all of you.

1. You must take the opportunity that your baby is still a baby for time runs so fast.

2. While you are still pregnant, do everything that you can still do like scrapbooking, making birth announcement. ( print it out while you still have an ink)lol!

3. Capture all her/his first moments and record it. I just able to do this while I still have my camera. When it acted out, I really missed her 5,6, 7,8 months of her life. This is really disappointing.

4. Spend time with your baby.

Postnatal Exercise Program

I have one month to prepare before I will go back to my profession. I am a P.E teacher. As a P.E teacher, you should look in shape and be active so you can perform your job well. My weight before I got pregnant was 104.7 pounds. During pregnancy, I gain a lot of weight. This is due to excessive eating and less physical activity. I weigh about 145 pounds. After giving birth, it dropped to 133 pounds. I really wanted to get back my pre-pregnancy shape so I could wear my uniform, blouses and my favorite jeans.

In other to achieve this plan, I made a program. Woman like you, should know that there are big muscles become bulge when we get pregnant. These are arms, thighs, hips and rear, and stomach. Six weeks after giving birth, I applied the program which I made. Want to know my program?

Here it is:

You have to do it 15 minutes a day.

Odd Numbered  Days:

Work up a Sweat:

• Run up and down the stairs
• Do jumping jacks
• Dance with the music
• Walk with my baby

I only choose one of those on the list on a particular day. Like yesterday, what I did was dancing. Tomorrow will be jumping jacks. Variation will be the key so you will not get bored.  You can modify it if you want.

Even Numbered Days:

Tighten and Tone

Stomach: Crunches – 10 repetitions in 3 sets

Thighs : Side Lift legs – 30 repetitions for R, 30 reps for L.

Arms: Bicep Curl – 30 repetitions

Hips and Rear: Squats – 30 repetitions

Moreover, I included an exercise for woman’s curve. You can do it by squatting position, bend your knees without bending the body. Keep your back straight. The knees should be parallel to your toes. Extend the arm sidewards, shoulder level. Twist the body slowly to the right. Alternately to the left. Do this in 30 repetitions.

Still in squatting position, bend your knees without bending the body. Keep your back straight. The knees should be parallel to your toes. This time, put your hands at the back of your neck. Claps the fingers , or you can use a small tube/pipe. Place it at the back of your neck, the length of the tube/pipe will be resting in your arms. The arms will be forming an inverted T position. Starting with your right, bend the body sidewards, alternately with the left. Do this in 30 repetitions.

Keep in mind that you have to do light stretches first before doing such exercises. Drink one glass of water before, during, after exercising. The most important thing is you have to have a cool down to bring back the muscles into place.

May this program be helpful to other mothers who just gave birth or pregnant woman who wants to get their body back. I will post  next time if I get my desired shape with  label before and after. Good luck!

Super Mommy’s First Blog Hop

I meet this woman named Stacie through Adgitize. I do appreciate her blog for in just about 3 months she able to build good traffic.  One of  the fun activities that she has been hosting  is blog hopping. In order to participate this, you need to write about your blog. You have to tell what is your blog is about. How did you get started? How long have you been blogging?

My entry goes this way….

I am Rose Jane or burn, a Filipina, teacher, choreographer, dancer, mother and blogger.  I started blogging since January of this year. My blog is 7 months and 7 days old as of today. When I started to blog, my interest of writing was about my experiences of being pregnant, our own festivities which is Sinulog. In this event, I am one of the performers of group called Lumad Basakanon. I have been writing some reviews. Lately, my perspective in writing the blog was changed. My lessons in MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health) is also part in this blog. I used this site as a tool of learning for my students. Moreover, this blog also caters about parenting and my baby Chloe, who is now 1 month and 3 weeks old.

You are most welcome to read some of my write -ups. I will be glad to hear from you whatever feedback it may be.

You  can follow me on twitter or subscribe my feed.

Get Rid of your Unwanted Fats!

Even I’m pregnant now, I have lost few pounds because I only eat bread with milk in the morning, few rice and viand and same at the dinner. I always wanted to take slimming drugs to get rid of my fats but I think it is not allowed when the woman is pregnant.

Sometimes when I have time to come online in the internet, I read slimming pills reviews so that after giving birth of my 3rd baby, I can gain lots of information about healthy drugs and tips of how to get rid of my unwanted fats.

How about you? Do you have any suggestions of how to have a healthy, slim and fit body?

BOY OR GIRL?

I have a friend who is in the same boat – pregnant. She happens to know already the gender of her baby. She had an ultrasound the other week. I am so envious to know it and make me excited to know my baby’s gender. I did not buy any baby things for I want to know first the gender. One thing for sure, this coming Saturday, I will have my prenatal and I’m going to have an ultrasound. I just hope that the baby will cooperate.

Yesterday, I was able to buy a magazine entitled “PREGNANCY”. It really fits to my situation so without any second thought I bought it. One of the topics in there that gives me an insight about frequently asked questions. “Is it a BOY or GIRL?” It is based on folk- wisdom clues.
For those who are expecting, even if you think you know the gender of your baby, you can have fun testing these clues.

You’re having a GIRL if:

• Your baby’s heartbeat is 140 beats per minute or higher. This means, girls are more active in the womb compared to boys.
• You’ve gained weight in your hips and back.
• You crave to eat sweets or fruits
• Your face breaks out more than usual. You’re blooming, pretty than before.
• You’re the mood-swing queen.
• You had morning sickness during your first trimester.
• Your left breast is larger than the right breast
• Your gets reddish highlights.

You’re having a BOY if:

• Your baby’s heartbeat is less than 140 beats per minute.
• You’ve gained weight mainly in your stomach
• You crave salty or sour foods.
• Your feet are always cold.
• You have to shave your legs more often.
• Your nipples and areola are much darker in color.
• Your husband is gaining weight, too.
• Your nose as if it’s getting wider.

In my situation, I guess I have an idea as to what gender do my baby have. I think she is GIRL. Well, we will find out this Saturday, April 4, 2009.