AskMeMom: The Beginning

Yes, you read it right!  It's AskMeMom!!!  *laughs*  Before you start asking me questions regarding motherhood... HALT!!! I am in no way an expert and will never be!  I guess I put this post up for future;  I want my future son/daughter to read this post and understand how proud I am to have him/her!

Most of you know by now that I am expecting!  Thank you for all the well wishes!  Those messages meant so much to me especially on days I want to hit my head with a hammer!  (funny but seriously true!)

Let me share to you the story of "AskMeMom: The Beginning", a lot of you who knew me personally may know the story by heart!  

Mr. AMW and I got married October year 2007.  We've decided to enjoy marriage for the first year and we lived the life of young love, sweet love!  *laughs*  We traveled; we gifted each other what we considered "luxury".  We were able to "check" whatever we have on our wish list!

Then comes year 2, that's when we're ready to have a family right?  Wrong!  My mom got terribly sick and it was a huge nightmare for me and my family!  I vouched to put my mom first because I know I will have my own time in the future!

Fast forward to our 3rd year anniversary!  Our friends were starting to ask us about babies thinking it wasn't our priority!  In our hearts, we do want to have our own family but I was too focused to make sure my mom is fine and I told myself I want to make sure I'm not only physically but also emotionally ready!  I even remembered the heart-to-heart talk I had with my mom just to make sure she goes to every doctor's checkup!  "Mom, let's focus on making sure you get well then once you're fine, I promise to focus on myself!"  It was a wonderful line and it worked as my mom wants us to have a baby!  That short talk was  an inspiration for her to get well ASAP!

Thank you God, she's miraculously well! :)

January of 2011 was the first time I went on a checkup for myself!  I despise hospitals and clinics but this has to be done and I'm not getting any younger!  With Mr. AMW's support, we picked a doctor and we've decided to go through "work-ups" as I have Polycystic Ovaries (which I knew I had as early as 16 years old!).  It wasn't a heart-pounding case and a lot of girls I know go through the same situation.  All we need to do is to take the right medications!  BUT!  Who says life is easy?  One of the medicines I took that's used to help treat polycystic patients called Metformin is "hell on a tablet" for me!  I've suffered months and months of "morning sickness" and I wasn't even pregnant! 

Comes January 2012,  we've decided to change doctor and thankfully, I wasn't forced to take Metformin tablets anymore as my insulin level is normal!  So after months of going in and out of the doctor's clinic, thankfully, the clinic of my new doctor looks and feels like home instead of regular hospitals, I'm finally pregnant!  I thank God that it was the natural way I prayed for!  

So now that I'm pregnant?  How do I feel?

Like CRAP!!!

I know 80% of pregnant women suffer morning sickness while the lucky 20% of you don't!  Where can I buy those lucky genes????  Please???  *laughs*

On my 6th week, a week prior to my doctor's checkup, I woke up with a pounding headache that started from the moment I wake up until I sleep at night!  It was excruciating and I don't know how other moms survive this!  Are you even human???  *laughs*  Taking paracetamol tablet is safe according to the doctor and I tried taking one but guess what?  The tablet didn't stay more than a minute;  it went straight up from  my mouth then out on the floor!  *gross*!

On my mid-6th to 7th week, that's when my nausea started and my strong sense of smell starts to kick in!  My stomach hurls at least every hour!  Stomach acid is literally going up to my throat and I need to eat at least every 1.5 hours!  Eating every 1.5 hours sounds easy for a regular Jane but for someone suffering from morning sickness?  The word EAT is equivalent to TORTURE!  (Now, friends, do I still sound the normal cheerful self? hahahaha) 

As negative as I may sound, I am still thankful I get to swallow and digest the food I eat, at least I know I still get some of the nutrients unlike my sister who vomits all the food that comes into her stomach!  So I'm considering myself lucky! (Yes Nikki, tell myself that 100 x!)  *winks*

To sum up my first trimester, I have nausea, headache, vomiting from 6th week until present (I'm on my 12th).  Food?  I still have a hard time deciding on what to eat so I focused on planning my meals!  Mr. AMW is sweet enough to take home different foods just because my baby doesn't want to eat dishes that I've already eaten!  *laughs*  So far, li'l AMW is one health-conscious baby!  Vegetables, fruits are top of the list while eating fried and junk food will always give me a good trip to the washroom! "Barf Bag" is my best friend as of the moment!

I am not going through an easy pregnancy like other lucky girls or I may be having it easier than some of you!  I may sound like a negative, ungrateful witch but Li'l AMW, I know you're worth it!  And just so you know, your daddy AMW is very supportive and has always been there to help ease your mommy's pain!  

We love you Li'l AMW!  We hope you stay healthy inside my tummy and grow up to be a good boy/girl!

Here's the most recent ultrasound photo of my baby AMW! :) He/She is very active according to the doctor and is facing the camera! Shall I say?  Good posing skills? :P

Can you see the head? Hands and feet?

And before I end this post, I want to share the first gifts received by Baby AMW!  Thanks ARC Public Relations, Inc., KinderCare and Beginnings for spoiling my baby at this early stage!

1. Beginnings Suit Up (Cardigan) and Tee Up (Spaghetti Strap)
2. KinderCare Hoody Towel
3. KinderCare Bottle Brush
4. KinderCare BPA-free Bottles Wide Neck
5. KinderCare BPA-free Bottles Streamlined
6. KinderCare Digital Thermometer
7. KinderCare Baby Nail Clipper
8. KinderCare Wet Wipes
9. KinderCare 100% Liquid Silicone Nipples

Sorry for the loooonggg entry! :) I just want to share my experience not to scare single ladies out there but for everyone to appreciate their parents, especially their moms! Please, call your mom and tell her you love her!  NOW! :D

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AMW Wears: SM x PAWS Tee

Happy Friday AMW Readers!  How was the week for you?  Mine was very very busy but it was a great week bonding with my brother (who arrived for a week's vacation) and catching up with my relatives from Canada!

Because it was just 2 nights ago I was able to revisit SM Sta. Mesa to pick up some food for the family, it was also the best time for me to roam around the department store and I was reminded by the tee I got from ARC Public Relations, Inc.

SM Kids' Fashion has partnered with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) to provide food, shelter as well as medical treatments to rescued animals! 

I am very grateful with the collaboration between SM and PAWS and here's why YOU can help!

"JusTees, one of SM Kids' Beloved Brands, features several designs that any pet-loving family will surely love.  A portion of the sales automatically goes to PAWS to ensure the organization can continuously care for their rescues."

Check out the cute lovely designs dedicated to our furry friends! 

(arfs and meows alike!)  

Yes, I know these shirts are for kids but I can't help it!  I want to show to the world my support for SM x PAWS so I'm wearing my "I Love Doggies" Tee to go out with my family for a relaxing shopping trip at Greenhills!

Li'l AMW, yes, you can borrow mommy's shirt once you're old enough!  *winks*

** JusTees are available at SM Department Stores nationwide.

Are you a dog or cat-lover? 

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AMW Reviews: My Konjac Sponge

Happy Thursday AMW friends!
I have blogged about using a sponge in facial cleansing in the past as one tiny secret to gorgeous looking skin!  Do you still remember?  Or have you totally forgotten about it?  *raises eyebrow* :P

Well, after purchasing commercial facial sponge for quite some time, I finally get to try the sponge that received raves on various online sites!

My Konjac Sponge

The sponge is said to be made in the island of Jeju in Korea and because our Korean friends have great looking skin, it is normal for us living in neighboring countries to try to get a bit of tips and tricks from them!  

My Konjac Sponge is a teardrop-shaped sponge that's already moist even upon purchase.  I love to use the slimmer tip to gently cleanse the sides of my nose and chin while the wider portion is used for my cheeks and forehead.

Does it really work?

MAC Automatic Eye Brow Pencil in Brunette Review

I used to have very thick, dark brows when I was growing up.  My sister used to laugh at me and call me "Blusang Itim" (a Filipino movie starring Snooky Serna who has very distinct, bushy brows!)  *laughs*

It wasn't a surprise that I took my time and effort taking care of my brows the moment I reached the "right age" to apply makeup!  I was a bit too late, it was when I graduated college as it was required to look at least presentable working in an Airlines.

Decades after, here I am still giving the importance of having a good set of brows that complements the face!  It was our Seoul trip that I realized I was addicted to brow products!  I went home with 10 brow pencils (okay, 12 to be exact!) and mind you, it was all meant for me!  :P

If you are an eyebrow enthusiast like me!  Lucky you!  You'll find random brow products that I will review here just because I am biased to them!

And here's one from MAC!

AMW Reviews: Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil

Good morning friends!  Thank you so much for the wonderful well wishes, I appreciate the messages and the vote of confidence that I can survive this period!  Love you all!

Today, I will be reviewing yet another cleansing oil.  Shu Uemura came up with their newest, most luxurious cleansing oil to date!  How luxurious?  It has 8 botanical oils which gives nothing but benefits for our skin!  

Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Ginger Root Oil, Soy Bean, Shea Butter Oil, Safflower Oil, Camelia and Corn Oil!

Shu Uemura says ---

The precious essence of 8 exquisite botanical origin oils has been merged together.  Those were carefully sought out from Chinese medicines and beauty oils all over the world proven to have the highest skincare efficacy for a petal-soft silky smooth sensation.

8 exquisite oils from botanical origin for ultimate solution to 8 skin benefits powerful yet gentle botanical origin removal system for superb cleansing.

Removes effortless all kinds of make-up and impurities.  Skin feels soften, conditioned, hydrated, nourished from within and glows with a new radiance.

Ingredients

AMW says ---
Pros

• Wonderful packaging with "safety" turn on turn off cap.
• Has a light, very relaxing scent.
• Can remove even the most difficult to remove waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
• Feels light on skin.
• Skin feels refreshed and moisturized immediately after usage.
• Skin brightens after several usage.
• I can get away by using just this and not following with a facial cleanser.

Cons

• Price

Overall
An effective cleansing oil that can easily melt down even waterproof makeup!  Gives a smooth after-feel and skin looks bright and healthy after a month's usage.

Tips

• 3-4 pumps is needed if you have full-faced makeup, spread over dry face and massage gently.
• If you don't have a lot of makeup on, 2-3 pumps is enough.  
• Emulsify by adding a bit of lukewarm water and continue massaging.
• If you have heavy eye makeup, gently go through the emulsified oil over the eye area with eyes closed.  
• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
• I like having regular temperature to cooler temperature water for final rinse to close down pores.
• If you tightline and apply makeup on the waterline, it is best to add an extra cleansing step with a gentle eye makeup remover.

Will I repurchase?
Yes!

To whom do I recommend this to?

Where to purchase and how much?
 At local Shu Uemura counters for Php6,200 (approx $144.00)  for 450ml Php2,500 (approx $58.00) for 150ml.

Photos

The application technique shown on box

The twist Open/Close cap that makes it safe to bring even on travel

Have you tried any Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils?
I've been a loyal user of the "green" version which is the A/O formula with anti-aging benefits!  After trying the Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, I'm willing to switch!

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(Product received for PR purposes.  Opinions 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)