The Happiest Hobbits

God is in control. And what's good for baby is good for me. No labour pains, water breaking or anything. Yet.  I've just been induced . I expected an injection, because of what I remember from 9th grade biology. But I guess medical breakthroughs since the late 1990s have reduced the shots to a small wad of paper with a string attached. The nurse very matter-of-factly about stuffing it into my nether region. (Correction: the  nether region in the hopes that it sounds less personal and invasive somehow) I was torn between a grimace of discomfort, and giggling about feeling like a turkey - just in time for Thanksgiving too. But she was quick. And, for the umpteenth time, I thanked God for nurses!

"You have to be admitted today. First we'll keep you under observation,  then induce you in a day or two. One thing's for sure: you'll deliver before this week's over." I couldn't believe my ears yesterday. Nel and I were at the hospital for our routine prenatal checkup. Baby isn't due until 20th December, so the doctor wasn't making any sense. "I thought we were expecting a Christmas baby?" I blurted out. The doctor reminded me of the  preeclampsia that reared its ugly head in my last trimester. She explained that the condition has joined forces with IUGR , leaving our little one three weeks behind on average gestational growth. Now at 36 weeks in utero, it's safer to get the baby out. The longer she stays in my womb, we risk losing her. I glanced at my husband, wide-eyed. Then I realised: We don't even have a crib or car seat yet! We just had a baby shower with friends last Friday, and I meant to use the coming w...

I've been chubby for most of my life, but this is different. My face - specifically, my nose - and my breasts have started to swell most gloriously. My tresses bear a sheen I've never seen before. And, ever so slightly, there's the waddle. Inwardly, I am giggling, for I know you are the closest I will ever come to magic.

All our years in Singles for Christ (SFC) taught us to be specific in our prayers. So, long before our February 2017 wedding, we prayed for a honeymoon baby. But there was no honeymoon right after the wedding. We had flown family into the UAE for our big day, and were bent on making the most of their short stay. No time nor budget for a honeymoon! So it was a month after the wedding when my heart sank at the sight of blood-soaked undies. No baby then. But God's providence never fails. A week later, a generous gift from one of our most admired and beloved couples sent us to Dibba, my hometown, for an overnight stay at Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa. A honeymoon, finally! Fast forward to this day in April. I stared at two lines on two sticks and breathed thanks to our ever-listening, ever-gracious God. The first words my husband heard when he woke up that day: "Good morning, daddy!" A visit to the doctor later on confirmed the date of conception. ...

You raised the best man to be my husband and prayer warrior for life, and you embraced me from the moment we met - figuratively AND literally! You've been a mother to me ever since: unconditional in love, faithful in prayers, and steady in guidance. Now you've been promoted to grandmother to my own little girl! I can't ask for anything more than many more years of basking in the presence of your warm smiles, and listening to your heart-soothing singing as you go about your day. I miss you. I love you. Higit sa lahat, thank you — for EVERYTHING.