Best present ever!

What can I say? Isabel love boxes.

Cute Video to Share

This is just too cute. have to share



- Lei

"The Nipple/Areola Monalogue"

I know 100% of moms know what an Areola is. What about the rest of you? Well, the painting on the right should give you a good hint ;-)

Once I had Isabel, my views about my breasts and nipples changed completely and I am now fully introduced to my Areola (the brown part around the nipple), which I never paid much attention before.

Breastfeeding now dominates my world. My breasts, nipples, and areola have become the perfect food delivering mechanism for Isabel and had to go through a complete transformation as well. From a a 36B, I am now a ful 40D. You would think I would rejoice and I guess part of me does, although I know it will be short-lived. After I stop breastfeeding, they are supposed to shrink to a size smaller than 36B :-(.

The transformation is not so easy as just getting bigger. First week of breastfeeding was very trying. Now I understand why some moms give up. The baby must latch onto the areola in order to stimulate milk supply and avoid hurting me. Well, as you would imagine, a new baby does not quite know that and while Isabel seems all cute and fragile. She, as all new borns, have a jaw of steels and was literally chumping on my nipples until I learned how she can latch on correctly to feed. The result: stabbing pain to the heart when she feeds in the first week which was about 8-10 a day, as she accidentally cut up my nipples a bit while experimenting and learning the latch.

They say that breastfeeding sometime is more painful than birth. I may disagree given my birth experience but the pain for breastfeeding at first was definitely substantial. I was torn between wanting to stop and being happy that she is feeding on me as long as possible.

Luckily, the damage she caused in the first week healed by itself after 10 days as I continued with her and took deep breaths through the pain. Now my nipples are trained to take some bruising without bleeding or tearing and Isabel knows to suck on the areola part to get the most milk - the miracle of human creation. I was also lucky so far to avoid painful engorgement issues as I learned to massage my breast during feeding to avoid clogging up my milk ducts.

So, from being the object of admiration, my breasts are now the lifeline and nutrition center for Isabel and the areola is center of all the action. Welcome to my world!

-Lei

And Now ... Introducing ..... (drum roll please). ....ME!

Don't tell my parents, but I was pretending to take a nap. I wanted to break away from them for a few minutes to introduce myself.

My name is Isabel Mei Lapena. My parents told me that I was brought into the world on May 2nd, 2008 at 10:13pm. I was 7 lbs, 5 ounces and 21 inches (whatever this all means). Mom said that I kept her in labor for 40 hours. Well, I had to wait in her stomach for nine months in that uncomfortable position so we're even. I guess that's why I couldn't wait and decided to come one week early.

Where did I get my name? Well, let's see.

• Isabel is after Queen Isabella of Spain who sponsored the voyages of a guy named Christopher Columbus. They're supposed to be famous or something so one day I hope to meet both of them.
  
• Mei 玫 translates to "a sparkling red gem" in Chinese in respect to half of my culture. It also represents my parents' birthstone: ruby. My parents also said that to make my grandma happy, they explained it as the first chinese letter in the word "rose" (the word "rose" in Chinese is "mei gui") and this represents my dad's mom's name (Rose Marie).

So, thus my name, Isabel Mei, but you can call me Mei Mei.

So anyway, that's all I have time for now. I hear my mom coming back and I'm getting hungry. I have to start my routine of waking up, crying, eating, going potty, and sleeping. It's tough being me in this new world. Don't tell anyone this, but I'm actually starting to like it with all of the attention. I think I already have my dad wrapped around my finger. 'Nuff for now. I'll be in touch soon.

- Isabel "Mei Mei" Lapena

A Beautiful Crib for our Baby

We love the crib we finally got for our baby, but it almost didn't happen.

I originally registered for a Simplicity crib at Target, only to find out a month ago that Simplicity was involved in the largest recall in history last year due to 3 infant deaths associated with their crib.

Wow, good thing I googled the brand before we bought that one. "Baby Bargain," a good book on what to buy based on safety and how to save cost also gave Simplicity a "F" rating.

You may ask "why did I register for that crib in the first place?" Well, it received 4.5 stars out of five on both Target and Amazon, so I thought what a great deal and good rating. I guess you cannot trust it fully. The crib was slightly differently from the one recalled, but still I don't want to take that chance with my baby. I learned my lesson to always google the brand as well and check on the Baby Bargain book.

Luckily we found out in time and decided on this one "April Crib" from Pali Design. Thanks to the generosity of Jaime's best friends and my parents for buying this crib for us as a shower gift. Thank you!!! We love it.
- It's made in Italy
- solid wood
- has an audible click sound on the drop rail so you know it's locked in place
- my dad and Jaime put it together 3 weeks ago when my parents were visiting
- matches perfectly with the rest of the room decor
- It's more pricey but in this case definitely worth every penny

We can't wait for our baby to try it out. The Wall hanging you see also fits perfectly. It was sent from Tita Yol, our great aunt, who is 85 years old. She sew it herself. It says "shh, baby lapena is sleeping..." so perfect.

Now our guest room really looks like the baby nursery... so much anticipation and excitement.. :-)

-Lei

The Safe Baby Pregnancy Guide

This looks like a must have book: 28 Safe Baby Pregnancy Tips

Tip number one especially hit home. See honey, I told you you're not supposed to do that! Love you anyway.





I'm going to have to buy this one as should anyone who's having a baby.


- Jaime

"Don't be a hero!"

This is probably the most important advice I have gotten so far in my pregnancy. Since I am in my 8th month now, Jaime and I took our childbirth classes this month. While I learned a lot, it also freaked me out as we saw many explicit videos of late stage labor without epidural and very visual child birth. Let's just say I didn't walk away feeling too settled. The potential for real pain was quite daunting.

I was also conflicted. My mom had me without any epidural and actually at the time in China, no relatives were allowed in the labor and delivery room. She basically did it all alone. Yikes. can't even imagine that!

Also, I thought since this is a natural part of being a woman, maybe I should try the labor first before deciding on whether to use epidural. of course, on the other hand, I am fairly scared of the pain I saw women experienced on these videos.

Well, luckily I spoke to some friends who already had babies and was set straight right away. One friend's story especially helped. She has two kids now, one 3 years old and one six months old. She had the epidural early with her first, so she felt relatively little discomfort. With her second, she thought since she didn't experience much in her first and this is her last, maybe she should feel the labor a bit and see how far she can handle before going for the epidural.

Well, what do you think happened? Let's just say she highly does not recommend that. She ended up not getting her epidural until well into active labor and since she was deciding late, she had to wait longer for the epidural doctor to administer the procedure since there was a line now for the medicine. So even more pain than she bargained for.

So the morale of her story - "Don't be a hero!" You don't get any points for feeling more pain. The goal is healthy mom and healthy baby anyway you can do it!

I have my decision...
p.s: Apparently getting an Epidural does not guarantee pain free. I will feel pressure and if the medicine didn't cover all the necessary nerves, I will still feel pain in some areas. Typically it's 15% ineffective. Pretty high probability still... yikes...

- Lei

The Man's Baby Care Guide

Letter to wife:

Honey,

I've really been trying to read more about raising a baby: The Man's Guide to Baby Care

Even though I knew quite a bit about babies already, this useful guide has made it crystal clear on what to do and what not to do. The learning just never ends.

Love you,

Justme

My Baby Girl will be a Lucky "Rat"!

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Today begins the year of the rat! This is my zodiac and also will be my baby girl's zodiac. Accordingly to my close friend, it looks like my baby will be born in an auspicious year! :-)

In China, it is said that there are few poor rats. It is considered very auspicious to be born in the year of the earth rat. Babies born under this sign are intelligent and hard working. They are intelligent, curious, sociable born leaders who do well in any group, but value ties with family and close friends more than social contacts. The earth influences balance the rat's water nature for those born in this year making them able to control the flights of intellect that often draw the rat away from a good course. The selfish and calculating aspects of the rat are toned by the nurturing earth force. These are leaders to be followed with trust and good partners for a life filled with good fortune. The rat is clever, sometimes too clever. When mixed with the passion and charm of this sign, the rat can be manipulative as a life partner or business associate. The ability to initiate new ideas and work hard to reach a goal led the rat to the first place of honor at the side of Buddha. These are traits that bring success in both business and personal affairs.

http://www.chiff.com/a/chinese-horoscopes.htm

- Lei

Popcorn & Movie

So wifey had me pick up a new movie on dvd. Hmmmm, it doesn't look like an action film. I'm a little suspect about anything with "As Seen on Dr. Phil" on it, but I'll give it a try. Who knows, maybe it'll be better than "3 Men and a Baby." All I know is that we're going to be watching it soon so it's time to hit Orvil up and get the hot butter'ds ready.


- Jaime

She is an active one

My baby girl is a kicker. On Christmas day, I felt her move or kick at least 80 times. It almost scared me that she was so active, but the doctor said it was fine. It's normal for the baby to kick at least 6 times a hour.

I think I am lucky as I can feel the baby move early. She is especially active in the morning when I first wake up or at night when I go to sleep. I guess it's when I am the calmest and not moving so her movements are pronounced.

Whatever it is! Feeling her move is cool, although still surreal. I am told she can also hear sounds now. Maybe that's why she kicked so much on Xmas day as we were surround by family and excitement all day in Vegas. Jaime's family flew in from all over the world (NY, Vancouver, Philippines, Chicago, SF) to be together. Baby was probably excited. :-)

I just hope she is gentle with me when she gets much bigger...

- Lei

We are having a baby girl!

"Do you know if you are having a boy or girl?" - this is probably the single most asked question we get as friends and family find out that we are pregnant. When we said not yet, it was often quickly followed by what they think I am having. It's amazing how many theories are out there.

- "You are having a boy if you conceived early in the ovulation period"
- "Sperms with boy chromosomes are faster and stronger but dies faster vs. ones with girl chromosomes are survivors and therefore there are more girl babies than boy babies"
- "Girl babies have less birth defects"
- "I just know you are having a boy"
- "you are carrying in front, which means it's a boy. Girls makes your stomach round all around"
- "you had bad morning sickness - you are definitely having a girl. I have three girls"
- "depends on what you are carving. If you are craving xx, you are having a boy; if you are craving yy, you are having a girl" - i forgot exactly what was said (one is spicy and one is sweet or was it sour)
- "I just have a feeling it's a girl"
- "It's a girl because the heart rate is so fast at 153/min. Boys have slower heart rates"

Well, with all the theories, we had no idea who to listen to, so we waited for modern technology - my detailed ultrasound on Dec 17th and found out that 99% sure we are having a baby girl. :-)



Jaime and I are ecstatic, as are all the family and friends who guessed it's a girl. Of course, the others are happy for us as well. :-) We are now thinking of baby names - stay tuned.

- Lei

Is that my heart beat or my "bell pepper"?

I am now in my 19th week and according to BabyCenter's website, my baby is the size of a Bell Pepper right now.

My doctor told me a few weeks ago that I will probably start feeling the baby move soon. So what do I do - obsessively touch my stomach and try to feel movement of course. A few times last week, I thought I felt it, only to realize it's my own heart beat felt in my stomach through my hands.

But last Friday, after dinner, I was sitting in the car on the way home, when I felt a flutter, just one time, instead of the constant beat of my heart. I am pretty sure it's the baby. I was so exciting. I am growing a baby! I know it's not news anymore, but still so new to me and miraculous how the whole thing works.

Now before I go to bed and when I wake up, I spend sometime just feeling my stomach to see if I feel movement. I guess I am bonding with my baby. Morning are cool since now with my back on the bed, I have this small but firm bump on my stomach. I know I feel flutters at times. I hear that in a months or so, I may even see an elbow or feet through my stomach - so strange and cool.

- Lei

I'm Starting to Look Like This Guy

So Lei and I just watched Knocked Up and I couldn't help thinking that this is what I look like during this whole experience so far. What I mean by this is that I feel like I'm simply in a surreal state of observation and don't think it will hit me until the stork actually drops off our package. I do feel like it's an experience that continues to make the two of us closer as the months go by (just like the movie).

Hmmmm, I wonder if my wife actually asked herself the same exact question when we weren't married yet?

- Jaime