Vegas Baby Shower was over the top awesome!

I was never someone who knew much about the traditions of baby showers or expected much from any shower. That, however didn't stop my wonderful mother in law from throwing the ultimate baby shower for me and baby lapena this past Saturaday, Feb 23, 2008.

From food to decorations to games and favors, every last detail was intricately designated and flawlessly executed. I am blessed and really overwhelmed by all the effort and excitement around this event. You can see all the pictures here and here.

Here are the highlights:

1. The centerpiece was so creatively done - see picture on the left. Mom bought a basket and painted it pink and then put together this display on the table. All the guests then left the gift in front of this centerpiece.

2. The gifts were overflowing from complete stroller sets to many cute outfits to practical things we asked for in our registry. It was so much fun opening so many presents at once. It was like a mega - xmas in Feb. :-) Thank god for Emily for keeping track of who gave us what.

3. The hand decorated home-made Apple-Carrot cake - wow - beautiful and delicious. I love the little teddy bear on top of the cake - it will the baby's first teddy bear

4. baby bottle shaped name tags and fake pacifiers for all to wear

5. pass the dirty diaper game and the diaper change team competiton in blinds. It was hilarious to watch all these auntie in these game. We had a total of 26 guests all friends of my mother in law

6. beautifully decorated tables with streamer, dolls, baby stuff, and our pictures in coaster - very detailed touches on everything.

7. Food was fantastic - lumpia, empanada, baked macoroni, finger sandwiches (the chicken one was my favorite) + cookies and candies

8. The custom hat Tita Tusa made of all the streamers from the gift. Jaime had to wear and suck on a fake pacifier to take a picture. You can see on the photo link above. So cute... :-)

What can I say - I was quite speechless when I first saw the decoration and still feel overwhelmed just how big of a party it was for my mother in law to throw. Baby was probably also excited as there were lots of excited voices and conversation during the shower. All in all - way beyond what I expected and a blast.

Thanks mom, dad, Em, and all the aunties for a very memorable baby shower in Vegas!

-Lei

I passed! I passed! :-)

On Feb 12, I got an unexpected call from the OB nurse. I didn't pass my first Glucose test. That was not what I expected to hear at all. This means I could have gestational diabetes and need to be much more careful the last three months. Yikes. I began to worry.

The nurse said I have to take another test for them to be sure. It's a 3 hour test at 7am and 4 blood drawls at hour 0,1,2,3 and fast the night before after 8pm. (not the most pleasant thought). I also heard the sugar drink I get won't be as pleasant as the first one. They were right - very sweet. Even though she said I have a 70% chance of passing that one, I wasn't reassured much.

I started doing research. It turns out 10-15% of pregnant women 35 or over can be diabetic during their last trimester. It's fairly common and can be managed with better nutrition and possible self-administered test (the infamous daily finger pricking to check sugar level). Again not a pleasant thought. However, after the pregnancy, most if not all women go back to normal. Without monitoring this condition, the baby can grow to be too big or be hypoglycemic.

Overall, I guess it's not so bad, but still I was not looking forward to the prospect of it all in my last trimester. I went in at 7am on Wed, Feb 20 to take the test. The nurses were really nice since they know how annoying this test is for us, so the experience wasn't too bad.

Today, I got the call. The nurse said "You passed with flying colors." Wow, imagine my relief. I have never been so happy to pass a test!

- Lei

Top Baby Names in 2007

So many people have asked us if we chose a name yet for our baby girl. We have a few contenders but no clear winner yet, so for now, we are chosing not to share the front runners yet. :-)Frankly, we have not done too much research on this yet. Still have 11 weeks to think about it.

Here are the top girl baby names for 2007 that I found on babycenter website. All sounds pretty good :-) We will see.

Girls' names
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Madison
5. Ava
6. Addison
7. Hailey
8. Emily
9. Kaitlyn
10. Olivia

What do you think will go well with Lapena?

-Lei

Bikram Yoga and Pregnancy

Bikram Yoga rocks... at least at the studio I take it, which is in the Castro at 20th and Eureka. with Lamott as the Instructor. I have done Bikram Yoga for about 2 years there before I got pregnant. Once I found out I was pregnant though, I had to stop, especially in the first trimester since the heat may endanger my tiny baby.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, when my doctor said I could return to doing it with modified poses starting my second trimester.

I am so glad I did. I started going back once a week since first week of January (around my 22 week) and it has been awesome for my back and for my whole feeling of well-being.

Before then, I was getting so anxious as I haven't worked out much for 4 months and I used to exercise 3 times a week. On top of that, I was feeling like my body was growing out of control - I am sure a common feeling in pregnancy.

After starting Bikram again, I feel much more at ease with my growing body and feel less clumsy as well. I also love the heat in my studio. It's radiant heat, so it's not that unpleasant blast of occasional dry overbearing heat from regular heaters. It's like working out in a super warm tropical climate instead. Since I have done it before, the heat is actually welcoming instead of unbearable. Baby seems to like it as well and kicks me occasionally during my poses.

Since I cannot squeeze my belly, I modify about 50% of the poses which eases the exercise but still last 90 min to help me stretch and strengthen. Overall, it's been great.

Amazingly my doctor said I can continue Bikram for as long as I want during my pregnancy as long as I don't feel faint or super tired afterwards, so we will see how long I will continue. The icing on the cake too is that Jaime goes with me every Wed to Yoga. So we get a little mid-week husband and wife outing filled with healthy exercise and a good meal afterwards :-)

- Lei

Valentine's Day - A day of love, tension, or both?

Happy Valentine's Day! This seems to be the most stressful day in the year. Singles don't like it because it's supposed to be for couples and all day serves as a reminder they are still single (even if they are fabulous).

Most long term couples also end up fighting about something during this week. Too much pressure and expectations are placed on the men that makes them edgy; women are usually more sensitive even if we don't really like the holiday. Love is expected to be in the air and therfore creates more tension.

I think V-Day is really created to boost the flower, chocolate, jewlery, and restaurant industries. It's also more of a holiday for new couples as there is so much expectations and meaning artificially built in - "are we exclusive? what will he get me? what does that mean?"

For us "old couples," it's more like "will he remember to get me a card?" "do we really want to overpay for our meal just to go out?" Usually the day or weekend after is the best as the expectations are over and we get to just enjoy each other's company like any other week.

Already I heard of 3 couples including me having fights this week with our spouses. It's perhaps a coincidence or the added tension of romance expectations. Either way, I always view this holiday with mixed feelings, expectations, and some relief when it's over.

I agree love should be celebrated. I just prefer to celebrate it every day throughout the year. :-)

- Lei

My belly button is moving!

First of all, for those who are a bit freaked out by this photo, this is NOT a picture of me! I am only in my 28th week and my baby is just about 2 pounds, so the foot won't be this large.

However, I do hear that it maybe possible to see a foot or an elbow later on in my pregnancy. So I guess that is what it looks like. My belly button is almost flat now and ready to become an outie.

For the first time yesterday, I can visibly see movements of my baby when I look at my stomach. She is still really active - doing gymnastics in there, I suppose.

It is a bit freaky to see my stomach and belly button move, but cool at the same time. What a miracle! I am growing a baby. I know I am over 6 month pregnant so this is not a new idea but everytime I think about it, I think it's so amazing that my body knows and the baby knows how to grow and what to grow. I guess I will look out for that foot in April. yahhza!

- Lei

More Q&A with my OB

1. When should I stop doing bikram yoga?
whenever I feel like it - no restriction. I can do them until I am 9 months if I want
2. Do you know how much my baby weighs now?
it's probably about 2 pounds
3. Do we file paternity benefit paperwork with you as well?
Yes. you can download form online
4. What is the position of the baby?
It's all over and rotating a lot
5. Are you 100% sure it's a girl? 99%. ultrasound technician usually will say if they are not sure
6. when is my next ultrasound?
no more until labor as I have a very normal pregnancy
7. can I still drive in my 9th month?
yes
8. when should we do tour of hospital?
last month of pregnancy
9. does drinking water help with contractions?
yes, especially false ones
10. when do you need to see my birth plan?
I don't ever need to see it. It's more of a guide for you, not a requirement
11. are foot massages safe until the 9th month?
yes
12. do I need to designate a pediatrician before birth?
yes, but you don't need to notify him of labor - we will contact him/her
13. travel restrictions?
can travel still in the 8th months fly or drive is ok - just take breaks
14. Am I AB+, AB- or AB?
AB+
15. I sweat a lot at night. is this normal?
yes
16. 100% cocoa butter - safe?
yes
17. 1000 yr old egg - safe to eat?
yes
18. chiro care - safe?
yes
19. If I overeat and sometimes food will come up - if this normal?
very normal

4th Annual Chinese New Year Dinner

We had another great Chinese New Year celebration - I think our biggest ever with 26 people and 3 tables at Hunan Homes.

It was definitely a feast as our table alone ordered the 10 person banquet for 8 people + many bottles of Qingtao beer :-)

Somehow I managed to convince everyone for a group photo. I had so much fun. Thanks everyone for coming.

For more photos from this dinner, click here

Best wishes in the year of the Rat!!!!

- Lei

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

What does it feel like to be pregnant?

Several of my friends have asked this. I never really have a good answer on the spot, but I thought I put some responses here for all those interested.

Physically....
- Imagine wearing a body suit 24 hours a day that has a pouch at the belly and a 20lb watermelon (or 20lb worth of jello) stuffed in it.
- Imagine not being able to cross your legs because your growing belly is in the way (I keep trying several times out of instinct before I gave up :-))
- Imagine not being able to reach your toes after awhile (a great excuse for getting pedicures)
- Initially kicks from the baby feels very much like having internal gas and then it feels like bubbles bursting inside
- It can feel like the skin is stretching so much it may tear but amazingly it doesn't
- (skip this part if you don't want to hear anything gross) Think of how often you fart right now. Well, it will be 5 times as often when you are pregnant and 3 times as smelly. Surprisingly, the husband will also join in the increased "festivities." I guess it's one of those symptoms that rubs off on the spouse.

Emotionally or psychologically
- I found myself saying "I am pregnant or I am having a baby?!" a lot to my husband as if it's a question or a way for me to realize it's real
- Imagine crying easily at anything emotional on TV or at a movie or just crying all of sudden at night
- I can also feel lonely or overly sensitive: "Will my single friend or my friends with no kids still be my friend?" "Am I talking too much about the pregnancy or baby stuff?" "Will I get my body back ever?" etc..
- It can feel miraculous "I am growing another human being and my body knows what to do" - it's amazing to think something so complex will come out of my body in 3 months.
- It can feel like alien invasion: my baby moves around all the time and sometime all day long. It feels so strange that something live is moving inside but at the same time so natural. I actually always look forward to her movement

- Lei