Ronin's 3rd Birthday Party and Photos

In October, we celebrate our neighbor's kid's 3rd Birthday.  The parents actually hired the band that plays at the Ferry Building.  The kids loved them and we all had fun.  here are a video and photos.

Isabel is getting better at swimming

Isabel takes 30 min swimming lessons once a week at the North Beach recreation center.  She loves to just play in the water.

Hotel Westin

A month ago, Agnes did a full steam cleaning of our carpets.  Since it takes 24 hours to dry, we decided to stay at the Westin for one night on 3rd street and market to make a trip out of it.  Isabel loves hotels for some reason.  Here is she enjoying the room

Isabel's Dance Recital

Two weeks ago, Isabel had her dance recital.  She learned how to stretch, flip, dance, etc..  enjoy the videos.  She is very flexible.

Happy thanksgiving

While we can be thankful all year round, today is always a great reminder to be thankful for all that we have in our lives. Here is what I am thankful for (not in any order)

1. My mom and dad constant support and imminent visit
2. My little baby who is growing everyday and ready to meet me in 3 weeks
3. My isabel who has become such a talkative, curious, social, opinionated little girl.
4. My hubby who is working extra hard and staying supportive to me - my partner in crime in this adventurous life.
5. Agnes, who we can not live without. Our life is forever changed for the better becoz of her.
6. Our health and ability to enjoy life despite a crappy market and unexpected turns in life.
7. Old friends and new friends who enrich our life
8. Dr pete who keeps our whole family healthy and introduce us to his famous patients - Paul walker, Sean Parker, Shawn fanning, Russell Simmons, etc
9. Jaime and my ability to build toward our dream future - freedom to work anywhere and on our own time.
10. Leaning new skills in online marketing - Seo, paid search etc.
11. Mothers groups I am part of and playmates for isabel
12. My Ob who goes above and beyond and keep life simple for me.
13. My own ability to learn and grow everyday
14. My In laws who lives a bit closer and easier to visit.
15. My sister in law who teaches me what it's like to have the support of a sibling.

I hope this thanksgiving find you loving life. Best wishes to all

Lei

Sent from my iPhone

Isabel's first Karate Test

We are so proud of Isabel.  She got her first Karate stripe.   Both Jaime and I were at her test two weeks ago on Wed afternoon at 3pm.   She had great form and a loud voice.  so cute!!!   Here are the videos of her test and then the promotion ceremony

35 weeks - am I ready?

I have 4 weeks to go before my scheduled C section.  Wow, how time flies?  Am I ready? well, yes and no.

No because of the following

• in the mist of trying to find Isabel another preschool as Nihao kids abruptly announced they are closing as of Jan 2012 and switching to Spanish.  ugh.   a long story. I will blog about it more another time
• since I probably won't have more babies, I want to enjoy these last 4 weeks with my miraculous big belly.  Still amazes me how big the stomach can stretch
• so much easier carrying her around in my belly.  She is happy, warm, fed without me doing anything.  Everything will change when she comes out
• Do I have enough love for two?  as an only child, it's hard to imagine having two kids.  I love Isabel so much and I am sure I will love this baby just as much but there is still only 24 hours in a day.  How to balance the two.... we will have to see.  At least Isabel is excited and wants to share her toys with her little sister.
• Still seems unreal that I will give birth soon.
• Not looking forward to my C section - a little nervous about it - although it's planned
• not looking forward to sleepless nights

Yes because

• I can't wait to see what she looks like - how similar or different from Isabel?
• I can't wait to see my mom and dad come and play with the new baby and speak mandarin with Isabel?
• I can't wait to see Isabel interact with the new baby.  She will be fascinated I think
• I would like my body back.  It's managable right now, but at 156 pounds, definitely don't feel like myself as much.  although I think I will miss the big belly in some ways especially the movement I feel now every hour
• I can't wait to breastfeed - will be painful at first but hope it will be smooth after that.  The content look and wonderful smell of a baby during breastfeeding is intoxicating

Well, wish me luck.  At least I can still work out once a week on the elliptical machines.  

Lei 

I am 33 weeks and Isabel is 3.5 year old Today!

Wow, time flies.  Isabel is at such a cute age.  She loves to talk, sing in English and Chinese and such a good girl.  She lets mommy and daddy work when we need to and is so social and affectionate.  I am a very lucky mama.

I am feeling quite big now.  I gained 5 pounds in about 2 weeks.  yikes.  Hope that will slow down a bit.  All is good otherwise.  6 weeks and 1 day to go until my planed C section.

Here is what baby center says about my progress in pregnancy.

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing:

Quick Clicks

• What pregnant women worry about
• Episiotomy
• Baby Names Finder
• Is it normal for my breasts to leak during pregnancy?
• Who will be with you during childbirth?

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

Lei