At 38 years old, I know how often the narrative around pregnancy focuses on timelines, statistics, and “odds.” So I want to start here: we are incredibly grateful. After trying for just a couple of months, Allen and I were blessed to conceive naturally—and it still feels surreal to write those words.

Looking back, the first sign wasn’t physical at all. For about a week straight, I had the most vivid, almost cinematic dreams. Every morning I woke up thinking, That was strange. A few days before I tested, I felt cramps and immediately assumed it was PMS. Nothing felt out of the ordinary—until it suddenly did.

I took a pregnancy test shortly after getting my COVID and flu shots, not really expecting much. When Allen and I peeked at the test and saw that unmistakable positive result, we were completely shocked. The kind of shocked where you stare at each other in silence just to make sure you’re seeing the same thing. That moment will be etched in my heart forever.

Those Early Weeks

By week six, reality hit hard—very hard. Morning sickness became all-day sickness. I was throwing up three times a day, every single day, for about four weeks straight. It was exhausting and humbling, to say the least. My OB eventually prescribed Reglan, and thankfully, it made a huge difference. Relief never felt so good.

Finding the Right Doctor (and Hospital)

Initially, I thought I would deliver at Cohen since Allen works there—it felt like the obvious choice. But when I began looking for a new OB, every practice that delivered at Cohen was fully booked for my delivery month… and the month after. Welcome to NYC, where maternity care is incredibly competitive—and yes, where every new mom has heard about the coveted postpartum CHANEL gift.

Determined to find the right care, I researched top OB doctors and found my doctor. From the very first appointment, I knew I was in good hands. I’ll now be delivering at Lenox Hill on the Upper East Side, still conveniently close to our apartment.

What truly set my OB apart is how much she genuinely cares. At our first ultrasound, she smiled when she saw our baby—and even after years of practicing, she still finds joy in those moments. She is hands-on, attentive, and present with her patients. I’m also a notoriously tough stick when it comes to blood draws, and she personally does it every single time. That level of care means everything to me.

Telling Our Family

Sharing the news with our family was just as special as finding out ourselves.

We told my parents on Thanksgiving. I casually told them I had a gift for them, which immediately caught their attention. Inside the box was a tiny onesie that read “Lolo & Lola’s Little Lumpia”—a sweet nod to our Filipino heritage—along with a Christmas ornament that said “Future Grandparents | 2026.”

It took a moment for it to sink in, and then the room filled with disbelief, tears, laughter, and so much joy. Watching my parents realize they were going to be grandparents was a moment I’ll treasure forever.

For my Auntie Lissa, we did something a little more playful. We gave her a scratch-off that revealed the words “We’re having a baby.” Without her glasses on, she scratched it and immediately thought she had won a trip. When she finally realized what it actually said, the confusion turned into pure excitement—and lots of laughter. It was the perfect reaction.

Second Trimester Joy

Now that I’m in my second trimester, I’m feeling great—and finally enjoying this journey in a new way. I’m counting down the days until we meet our baby boy this June.

For our gender reveal, Allen and I decided to keep it intimate—just the two of us. We bit into cupcakes together and found out privately, a moment that felt perfectly ours. We did have some fun beforehand asking family and friends what they thought Baby M would be.

A Christmas to Remember

We FaceTimed my parents on Christmas to share the news. Unfortunately, my parents and aunt had come down with the virus that was going around, so we had to isolate to keep me safe. While it wasn’t the Christmas we had imagined, it became one we’ll never forget.

They asked us to open a gift on camera. Inside were baby clothes—and tucked within was the cutest Ralph Lauren set for a baby boy. My parents were overjoyed at the thought of having a grandson. Since then, my mom and I may have gone a little overboard—we’ve bought just about every Ralph Lauren baby set available, plus a few Lacoste ones too. He’s going to be so cute matching his dad.

Looking Ahead

This journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but it has been filled with gratitude, love, and moments that remind us just how special this season is. We can’t wait to meet our baby boy and begin this next chapter as a family of three.

June can’t come soon enough 💙 (The boys are also enjoying my pregnancy pillow from Momcozy).