Self-Sufficient Cravings

It's 4:20am and I stir from sleep as Jaime stumbles into bed after falling sleep in the living room watching TV. I tried to go back to sleep, but no luck - my stomach was grawling now. I guess the yummy left overs we had for dinner was just right but not enough to last through the night. I was hungry again.

I asked Jaime if he was hungry. He mumbled something and went to sleep. I knew I could easily just get up, have some cereal with milk, and be back in bed in 5 min. But for some reason, lately, I have been craving blueberry pancakes.

You may think this is where I would wake up Jaime so he can drive to IHOPs and grab me some. At least this is what I have heard other pregnant women do to their husbands in the middle of the night due to cravings. Lucky for Jaime, my craving is a little different.

Not only am I craving pancakes but I am actually craving making them (Jaime has all the luck). I knew we had blueberries, egg, baking mix, and of course the "Magic Bullet." Jaime got me the Magic Bullet two Xmas ago. It's a juicer, blender, chopper, mixer all-in-one machine that is small and easy to clean. We only recently been using it a lot for Watermelon juice, guacamole, muffin mix, and pancake mix.

I don't know why but I have been hooked on making pancakes with it in the last few weeks. Maybe it's because it's so easy and quick and I have never made pancakes before in my life. So far, I have made pancakes twice with it already - all during normal hours before until now.

As I get up and debate whether to eat cereal and make pancakes, the craving took over. Ten minutes later, the batter was ready and I was cooking pancakes at 4:35 in the morning and smiling to myself. It's turning out perfectly this time - fluffy and not too mushy. I warmed up some maple syrup and ate with satisfaction. By 4:50am, I was back in bed and went to sleep again easily.

The best part is I made an extra pancake for Jaime for breakfast when he gets up. I guess being an overachiever and pregnant wife can have a lot of benefits for the hubby. What a lucky man! :-)

-Lei

Nursery ... Time to Get to Work

I'm starting to get intimidated by the task at hand: arranging the spare room into a ... dare I call it ... nursery. I'd be happy if we could just fit a crib, bed, and tv in there comfortably at the same time. It's going to take some creativeness and elbow grease, but I'm sure we'll get there. Maybe I'll end up getting the boot from our bedroom and the baby will sleep with mommy while daddy snores away in the tv room. We'll see. All I know right now is that I'd better get my toolbox out and blow off the dust. Someone will have to get to work on the room.

- Jaime

Remembering the day the stick turned "+"

It was Friday Sept 14th 2007, 4 weeks after I started my job at McCann. I had an afternoon meeting at 4pm in the building, so I walked all the way over there only to realize outlook lied and the person I am meeting with works not only in my building but on my floor. c'est la vie.

I walk back by 4:20 and was for some reason exhausted. I had a quick 10 min meeting with that person, did a few other things, and went home a little before 5pm. I couldn't understand why I was so drained and sleepy. I barely got enough energy to get into bed. As soon as I did I fell asleep.

A little after 6pm, I woke still dizzy and feeling weak. Maybe I am sick, I thought. Then, I thought, maybe I am pregnant. No, it couldn't be the latter. For the last two months, whenever I thought I was pregnant because I was tired and my period was a few days late, I was wrong.

"How many days past my period, is it?" I counted in my head, 42 days, wow, maybe.... although whenever I am stressed, it's late and this new job is full of new stress. I was planning to wait until the weekend to be sure. I didn't want to be too hopeful. Literally in the last 2 months, I would do the EPT thinking for sure I was pregnant only to find out I was not and then get my period a few days later.

Jaime came in to the bedroom to find out if I was ok. I said I was tired but didn't say anything more. I have to know now - instead of waiting - this dizzyness is unusual. Without telling him what I was about to do, I went to the bathroom to do the test. Within 3 seconds, the sticks gave me a "+" sign. I couldn't believe it - I am pregnant! I am pregnant!. I started crying instantly from happiness. I emerged from the bathroom with tears on my face and a big smile. I gave Jaime a hug and told him "we are pregnant!" :-)

The next day, we told both of our parents and Emily, Jaime's sister. It was Sept 15th, 2007 and also Jaime's parents' 40th wedding anniversay. We were so happy to share such good news with them on their special day.

- Lei

20 pounds in counting

Not that I am really counting, but I have officially gained 20 pounds since I have been pregnant.

Is it too much? not sure, but at least I still look good :-) (I guess I don't have any self-esteem issues yet). This was taken last Sat when Jaime and I went out to one of his friends' birthday party at Butterfly.

It's the first time I went clubbing in 3 months I think. Thank god I was able to find something that fits me to wear. I must say I feel pretty lucky. From the front view, you can't really tell that I am even pregnant. That plus dark lighting helped in the club ;-) I always wanted to be one of those pregnant women that doesn't look it on the front or the back and just the side. Vain, I know but I gotta have some goals :-) At least in black I can still accomplish it.

Now imagine me at 30 pounds more. I can't. While most books say 35 pounds is the norm for how much you gain for the entire pregnancy, that's not the statistic I got from some new moms. It was more like 50-65 pounds. My nurse at the OB office was 115 pounds before she waspregnant and then was at 182 pounds when she gave birth. She looks like she is about 125 pounds now, so I guess she wasn't affected too much.

My husband's cousin gained 50 pounds for each of her 3 beautiful daughters. She looks great now only 7 months after giving birth to her last one. So I guess there is hope for me no matter how much weight I gain

At least I haven't been eating too much crappy snacks or dessert, mainly just a bit more salty food, a bit more carb than my normal diet, and ok a little more dessert. I usually don't like sweets but apparently my baby does. Panna Cotta is my new weakness. It's so good.

Well, I will keep you posted. So far so good :-)

- Lei

What do pregnant people search for?

Thought this was interesting. This is a list of the top 100 (actually 96) popular pregnancy terms (in order of first to last) searched as reported by Yahoo (please don't take this as the gospel).

pregnancy symptom
calendar pregnancy
by pregnancy week week
pregnancy sign
pregnancy stage
pregnancy test
early pregnancy sign
pregnancy teen
early pregnancy symptom
calculator pregnancy
date due pregnancy
ectopic pregnancy
nutrition pregnancy
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book pregnancy
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first pregnancy sign
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picture pregnancy stage
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journal pregnancy
calculator date due pregnancy
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pregnancy question
exercise pregnancy
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early pregnancy test
early pregnancy
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photo pregnancy
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pregnancy week
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calendar date due pregnancy
lesbian pregnancy
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ectopic pregnancy symptom
diet pregnancy
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girlfriend guide pregnancy
pregnancy ticker
ept pregnancy test
expect expecting organizer pregnancy when youre
molar pregnancy
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pregnancy sign symptom
center pregnancy
first pregnancy symptom
first pregnancy sign week
belly pregnancy
guide pregnancy
first pregnancy response test
by calendar day day pregnancy
magazine pregnancy
book mother pregnancy
early pregnancy stage
period pregnancy
early ept pregnancy test
fit pregnancy
by calendar pregnancy week week
pregnancy unplanned
pillow pregnancy
diabetes pregnancy
clinic guide healthy mayo pregnancy
pregnancy site web
by picture pregnancy week week
blood pregnancy test
pregnancy quiz
complication pregnancy
high pregnancy risk
pregnancy sex
help pregnancy
calculator pregnancy week
during pregnancy spotting
cat pregnancy
ovulation pregnancy
early pregnancy sign symptom
photography pregnancy
forum pregnancy
during pregnancy sex
free pregnancy test
cycle menstrual pregnancy
discharge early pregnancy symptom
info pregnancy
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by guide pregnancy week week
clinic mayo pregnancy
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multiple pregnancy
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boy girl pregnancy
pilates pregnancy
baby pregnancy
before pregnancy

- Jaime

My toes are disappearing

How time flies! I am in my 25th week and starting to lose count of the weeks. You definitely can't miss that I am pregnant. In fact, my belly button has started to push out already.

Just yesterday, I woke up and felt like my belly grow noticeably. I guess it's good that my little girl is having plenty of room to kick and play. She is still an active one and having frequent hiccups now, which according to my OB is very normal :-)
I had to get new pants yesterday in preparation for 3rd trimester. My current ones are starting to leave indents on my waist.

Thank god someone told me about using 100% cocoa butter on my belly to soften it. I have been using it every day and hope for the best that I won't get too many stretch mark. These cocoa sticks are only $2 at Whole Food (a bonus for it to be so cheap)

Well, wish me luck. I can't imagine how big I will get. I definitely notice that I am walking slower now. I will also have to go out and get my toe nails done since I can barely reach them now. Luckily, a new nail parlor just opened around the corner called Le Creme. Hope it's good.

- Lei

The Perfect Couple

I can only say that Lei and I have evolved in our relationship and our concept of being with the idea person. I believe it lies in perspective. Our perspective of the PERFECT partner has evolved. I think back at a time when our ideas of the perfect person for our relationship seemed so skewed. It's an idea of perfection that doesn't truly exist.

Then we met each other. And just when the two of us end up with who both of us thought was seemingly the most imperfect for us, it turns out to be ..... well ....... perfect!

I think this quote sums it up "perfectly":

"True love does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

_______

So for all of you perfectionists, here are some quotes on perfection that give perspective (try saying that 10 times fast!). Enjoy....

* The true perfection of the person lies not in what the person has, but in what the person is.

* Perfect numbers like perfect people are very rare.

* All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.

* It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.

* No one becomes perfect, but some become great.

* If a man should happen to reach perfection in this world, he would have to die immediately to enjoy himself.

* The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect people.

* No one is perfect… that’s why pencils have erasers.

* A designer knows he has achieved perfection, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

* The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.

* Only mediocrity can be trusted to be always at its best.

* This is the very perfection of a person, to find out his or her own imperfection.

* Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.

* Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.

- Jaime

A great hubby :-)

This post will be a bit mushy and somewhat embarassing for Jaime, so consider yourself warned
This may be the hormones speaking or Jaime may be feeding me some love potion secretively. Either way, I am just very thankful what a great hubby he is to me. Also, he didn't actually pay me to say this (although honey, i accept checks, cash, and also non-monetary service payments :-))

In some ways, I didn't know what to expect of marriage. I was so focused on getting married that what comes after that is an open canvas. I guess that is a good thing - low expectation and high delivery.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying he is perfect. We are both far from being perfect. I know and he knows that Jaime can irritate me greatly and vice versa. Overall though, I am completely smittened.

Here is why... :-)

• He makes me laugh almost everyday (even when we have a bad meal out)


• He is super supportive of my career decisions and always helps me/us find balance and enjoyment of life


• He always washes the dishes (no complaints, no reminders needed) - what a saint!


• He will get up in the middle of the night and comfort me if I am suddenly sad or warms up my bean bag for my back if I am uncomfortable


• He has been doing the laundry ever since I have been pregnant - so I don't get overstrained


• He will refill my water in the morning as he knows I drink so much throughout the night


• He is always cool when I want to go out with girlfriends and always ask me when he wants to go out with his guy friends.


• He is content just hanging around the house and do things I can do - so I don't feel lonely


• When I am being unreasonable with some hormone tantrums, somehow he understands and just stay quiet until it passes. It always does. I know I was wrong, but he does not point it out and just let it pass.


• ...

Somebody pinch me. I can go on and on but I will stop here. I am just so happy to be married and expecting our first child. I know Jaime and I will continue to learn, grow, and laugh together :-)

- Lei

Now I am scared!

So, I am probably reading too much about pregnancy because it is scaring me. Two nights ago, I was reading "girlfriend's guide to pregnancy" - the chapter on "labor and delivery". For the first time, it dawned on me that this is going to hurt A LOT :-(

I think I have been in denial that somehow I will hurt less or perhaps I just need to think that so I am not freaked out. Also people always focus on the beauty of pregnancy or much less else. Well, this book goes into a lot of detail of how it will really feel. This knowledge + knowing that a short labor period is 12 hours gave me a much more instant sense of what it might really be like. YIKESSS!!!

I also read that I cannot eat or drink anything once I get to the hospital until I give birth. I will get everything thru an IV. I hope not. Food has became such a necessity these days every 2-3 hours. I cannot imagine not having anything for more than 10 hours. I will clarify this with my OB.

At the end of day, I am now starting to talk to my baby girl to tell her to be healthy but not grow too big. I am still having a hard time imagine producing a baby out of my body in 4 months. It's so surreal. I am only comforted by the knowledge that people all around me have given birth and seem to be fine. So whatever is the pain, I will be fine.

Maybe too much reading is not a good thing.. I will have to go back to denial mood again and enjoy the happiness of my growing belly and those constant little movement she makes. Regardless, I cannot wait to meet my baby girl!

Q&A with my OB

This post is more for my notes, so I keep track of what I hear from my OB.

Warning: this post maybe a bit too detailed and graphic. Consider yourself warned and read at your own risk

Pregnancy

1. posterior placenta - normal? safe? what % of woman have it? why?
YES, IT'S NORMAL. 50% OF WOMEN HAVE IT.


2. I seem to look bigger than average for my pregnancy time? am I bigger than average? normal? chance of delivering early?
   THIS DEPENDS ON YOUR MOM - BEST PREDICTOR OF WHETHER YOU WILL DELIVER EARLY (MY MOM DELIVER ON THE DATE OF HER DUE DATE - WE WILL SEE)


3. Shellfish restriction? is shrimp ok and considered shellfish? your nurse said 12 oz shrimp is ok but no shellfish?
   ALL COOKED SHELLFISH AND FISH ARE OK EXCEPT MONKFISH, MACKEREL, SHARK, AND TILEFISH. NO MORE THAN 12 OZ OF ANY OF THE OTHER FISH OR SHELLFISH.
   
4. cheese like brie - is it safe and pasteurized?
   SOME ARE AND SOME ARE NOT. READ THE LABEL. ANYTHING MADE WITH PASTEURIZED CHEESE IS OK


5. I still sleep on my back and right side sometime in addition to left. is this ok?
   NO PROBLEM AS LONG AS YOU ARE COMFORTABLE. YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU CANNOT DO IT ANYMORE
   
6. Golden gate mothers group - any good?
HEARD IT'S GOOD


7. can I go to a natural hot springs? what should I be careful of?
PROBABLY NOT. YOU CANNOT IMMERSE YOUR TUMMY SO IT WON'T BE WORTH IT


8. What about universal studios? what are restriction on the rides?
PROBABLY CANNOT GO ON A LOT OF THE RIDES.


9. sex: how much pressure is safe for my stomach? say if I am on top?
TOTALLY SAFE TO PUSH PRESSURE UNTIL YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE


10. I seem to have bumps around my nipple - is this normal?
TOTALLY NORMAL. YOUR BREAST ARE BUILDING MILK DUCTS


11. I get up several times a night to drink water. Is this normal?
YES


12. I also pee several times a night? normal? I gave you the sample from 6am today? is this ok? YES, AS LONG AS YOU GET WITH NO FOOD IN STOMACH


13. I had a muscle cramp last night from yoga - small cramp. normal?
YES, NORMAL


14. I used biofreeze to soothe it. is it safe? what about icy hot?
CAN USE IT SPARINGLY. DON'T USE IT ON A LARGE PART OF THE BODY AS IT CONTAINS ASPIRIN


15. I went to bikram yoga twice since the last visit. I like it. How could I tell if I am overdoing it? I like it, but it is hot in the room and I am sweating, although I don't feel faint or anything. Is it ok?
    OK. AS LONG AS YOU DON'T FEEL TOO TIRED AFTERWARDS, IT'S FINE.
    
16. How tight is too tight for my pants? WHATEVER FEEL COMFORTABLE. INDENTS FROM PANTS ARE FINE AND NORMAL

Labor and delivery

1. epidural vs spinal block? I react funny to vicadin - is epidural anything like vicadin? what's the difference between those too?
   ONLY EPIDURAL IS GIVEN. SPINAL BLOCK IS ONLY GIVEN IF YOU HAVE A C SECTION. DIFFERENT DRUG CAN BE FED THROUGH EPIDURAL - DOESN'T HAVE TO BE VICADIN
   
2. if my water breaks, how far am I from delivery? should I go to hospital right away?
WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS IN LATER VISIT. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT NOW


3. if I have contraction in my 9th months, do I still have time to take a shower before heading to hospital? YES
   
4. I heard after you check into the hospital, you are not allowed to eat or drink except thru IV, is this true? if so, why? NO EATING, BUT DRINKING IS FINE. ALL THE NUTRIENTS YOU NEED WILL BE THROUGH YOUR IV. LABOR WILL LAST NO MORE THAN 12-16 HOURS


5. do a lot of people poop on the table? is it ok to go to the bathroom during labor?
   ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME. YOU CAN GO TO THE BATHROOM DURING LABOR AS LONG AS IT'S IN A BED PANE AND NOT AT THE TOILET

Baby

1. ss# registration at hospital? YES, THIS IS AVAILABLE


2. any recommended baby formula brand? THIS IS A QUESTION FOR A PEDIATRICIAN

New Year Resolution

I always thought that if I didn't write down or tell someone my New Year Resolutions, it's like having an out and never committing to it. So here are mine

1. Relax and enjoy the journey of pregnancy and parenthood To do this, I give up being a perfectionist; I give up wanting to know everything to know about being a mom and how to take care of babies; I give up buying the perfect crib etc...; I give up controling the future.

It's a lot easier said than done. I am always amazed at how Jaime does this. This is part of the reason I love him so much. I am still learning so much from him about not fretting and using pattern interrupts to get out of downward spiral of worrying about things that hasn't happened. Wish me luck ;-)

2. Excercise and stretch 3 times a week
It's so easy to just sit or lie down for a long time as my tummy gets bigger, but really I feel the greatest when I regularly stretch and exercise. I bought a prenatal yoga DVD that I will do 1-2 a week and then I just started doing modified bikram yoga again once a week. I may do it twice if time and body permits.

Jaime went with me this week on Wed. Maybe we will make it a weekly Wed outing. What do you say honey?

3. Stay in touch with good friends
Major life changes seem to be the toughest on friendships. I guess it's a true test of friendship when you or your friends experience major changes in your lives. I hear you can lose a lot of friends when you have kids because some may no longer know how to relate to you and you cannot enjoy the same things anymore (clubbing vs. walking my daughter in the park in a stroller). It all make sense, but I think friendship is what you make of it. If two people make the effort, they can be friends no matter how different their life is and vice versa.

This will be an interesting time... I know I will make a significant effort to stay in touch with good friends. Besides, I can use a lot of babysitting help if I want to be superparent and have fun too... any takers? heehee

4. Become a "MxxF"
They say it takes 9 months to get back into your pre-pregnancy shape and that's if you are lucky. Most carry 10 - 15 pounds more forever. Of course, there are those lucky few that are smaller than before they are pregnant and have no stomach. I guess I just hope to get back into shape after 6 months..

-Lei

Do I have to grow up now?

I had morning sickness; My tummy is growing daily; so I know I am pregnant and will be soon a mom. Once in awhile, however, it just seems all so surreal. Where did all the time go? Am I really ready to be mommy. Nobody is ever ready I guess. Once in awhile, I would look at Jaime and still say "we are married?" "I am pregnant?" as if it's happening to someone else or it's all a dream.

A small part of me misses the old days of going out, going on trips with girlfriends, being very care free. I keep hearing from friends with kids - "sleep now because you won't get any your first year. or go to the movies now because you will never finish one once you have kids. So daunting and scary... A small part of me wish I was still a kid. Another part of me think we will be different - somehow we will be super parents who can take care of our kid and have some fun too. I can still hope, right?

I always remember that when i was a kid and was so eager to grow up, many adults told me "savor your childhood - it's the most happy and low stress time of your life" Now I get what they mean.. I guess it's all part of the life journey...This is a major life change, I suppose. I look forward to it with much anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. I guess they wouldn't call it life if everything is predictable.

On second thought, I would probably lament if I wasn't pregnant or married now. I guess I am human with fickle thoughts and worries. Part of the journey of becoming a mommy...

-Lei