23 Pounds To Go!

I gained almost 40 pounds for Isabel and lost 10 after giving birth. I am happy to say I lost another 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks. Yeepy.

23 pounds to go before I return to my pre-pregnancy weight. That's the good news. The bad news is my OB, who had two kids, and look fabulous now took 8 months each time to lose the weight.

So I am not expecting to lose the 23 pounds quickly. We'll see. My OB say my uterus is still shrinking and that will take time. I think breastfeeding is really helping with that and the weight loss. I will keep you posted.

For now, the good news is my $500 investment in pregnancy clothes will get more mileage for probably another 6 months.

- 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

Spotted and in Early Labor

This can be graphic, so read at your own risk :-)

Three days ago, I started feeling like I was going to get my period. Weird feeling for someone that is 9 months pregnant until I talked to my mom. Apparently, this is the beginning of the final stage. Well, sure enough, I started spotting (brown stuff) two days ago consistently and getting much more "braxton hicks" contractions. These are sporadic false labor ones where the body is practicing for real labor.

I also had a dream two nights ago that I will be in labor on May 1. Well, guess what, I am in early labor right now. So why am I blogging, you may ask. Well, unlike the movies, labor for the first child can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours because the body is not used to all the changes it must go through for delivery.

So surprisingly between my contractions which are now 7 minutes apart, I want to occupy myself with something to do like paying my bills, watching TV, talking to the OB nurse, and blogging.

It's so surreal that I am going to meet my daughter in the next day or so. The nurse keep telling me to wait for 5-1-1 before coming in. That is contractions every 5 min for 1 min long for at least an hour. I started this morning at 6am with contraction every 10 min for 30 seconds long and now it's around 6 or 7 min for almost 1 min long. It's not fun I must say, but there is a thing called mind over matter. I noticed that if I panic during the contractions the pain is a lot worse, but if I breathe slowly and just keep telling myself this is supposed to happen to my body, it is a bit better. Even better is if I have something else to occupy my mind like folding my laundry or writing this blog.

At first I thought I had contractions last night but I wasn't sure. Now I realize last night were still practice ones because real labor as I have now have a lot more intensity even though they seem short (less than a min) I am still able to speak a little during it, but barely and it varies in intensity although getting stronger as the day goes by. We are also watching Tivo together so that helps with the distraction.

More likely or not, we will be heading to the hospital tonight and hopefully checking in. They don't let you check in until you are 4 cm dilated (which I guess is equivalent to 5-1-1). Typically you give birth at 10 cm dilation. So far, I have been bleeding a little (brown and then pink but no massive period - thank goodness).

Whether my little girl will be arriving tonight or tomorrow is up to her. My dream a few days ago only told me that I would be in labor on May 1 before it woke me up (how strange huh?) Maybe mother's instinct is kicking in already :-)

Stay tuned in a few days for the good news (keeping my fingers crossed for a smooth labor and delivery)

-Lei

I am going to miss my "bump"

I have gained almost 40 pounds for this pregnancy and have about 11 days to go to my due date. While I definitely miss being slim and agile, I think I am going to miss having my baby in my tummy once I deliver.

After almost 9 months of pregnancy, I have gotten used to having a big tummy and having her constantly move inside me so I know she is ok. I think it will hard for me when they first cut the cord after she is delivered. From then on, I would worry about her safety as she is away from me vs. in my tummy, I know she is always with me and safely protected.

I am also trying very hard to enjoy the days prior to delivery. I hear expecting moms get very anxious in the last weeks before delivery and can't wait to get the baby out. I am trying to be present and enjoy the company of Jaime and good friends. So far, it's working. Despite the fact, i have trouble sleeping given the size of my stomach, I make up for it by taking day naps and by distracting myself. I do lunch with a friend almost everyday and we try to have people come over for dinner once or twice a week.

It's actually very enjoyable right now - the calm before the storm, I suppose. It's 4:20 am right now, and while I know I will be up at this hour a lot once the baby is here, it is all quiet in the house right now except the distant chirping of birds, the occasional wiggling of my baby in my tummy, and the clicking of my keyboard as I type.

I think I try to sleep again. Lately I have been falling asleep just thinking about what my daughter may look like and in days soon in the future, she will finally be here :-)

- Lei

Another great OB visit - 16 days to go

My OB is so calming. I love seeing her and of course, it's always nice for her to tell us good news
- All is progressing normally
- my Group B strep is negative (which is good)
- my baby is medium size right now
- I gained a pound since last week
- I can still do yoga and other activities as usual
- I can return to yoga a month after birth as well as getting massages
- She can feel the head of my baby (wow)
- I am expected to deliver on time as nothing is happening too much down there yet
- She also told us CPMC pretty much provide us everything when we check in, so no need to bring a lot of stuff except Jaime's change of clothes, a set of pajama, a set of clothes to leave the hospital for baby and me + any entertainment stuff we want. The hospital will provide juices, popsicles, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, baby clothes/ blanket while she is there. No wonder everyone loves the CPMC for delivery

We cannot wait to meet out daughter. already dreaming about her :-)

False alarm!

I called my OB this morning since I thought I lost my mucous plug. After talking to the nurse, I realized it was a false alarm.

First, the mucous plug apparently is about a cups worth of thick mucous that blocks the cervix. Since I only lost less than a teaspoon, it just means the process for preparing for labor is starting but I am probably still 3 weeks away. I will probably lose the rest of it gradually over the next few weeks.

Since also it was clear and had no blood, this is completely on track for 37 weeks. Before I talked to them, I got anxious this morning thinking I have to do everything today or this weekend in case I have early labor. Now I am much more relaxed and looking forward to having at least 2-3 weeks before the actual event.

Now it's time for a nap. :-)

- Lei

I lost my mucuous plug!

ok, stop reading if you don't want to know anything in graphic detail about the pregnancy!

As always, I get up several times in the middle of the night to pee. At 4:45am last night, I noticed that I am losing my mucous plug. It's a small amount of thickened mucus that has sealed my cervical canal during the last nine months to protect against bacteria etc. I lost about 1/2 of teaspoon and they say it could happen all at once or gradually. I guess as my cervix startis to thin in preparation for labor and delivery, this plug will loosen and discharge.

As I am 37 weeks pregnant and the mucous plug is clear in color, this is normal - just a sign that things are starting to move along inside - exciting and scary. I have also started feel braxton hicks contractions. not painful, but weird. My whole tummy just tighten up for awhile and then it relaxed. It's not regular, so I know it's not real labor.

I wonder if I will deliver early. Some books say losing your mucous plug has no indication of when labor may start. It could 1, 2, or 3 weeks away. Since I am still 3 weeks away from my due date, I interpret this as actually I may labor earlier. Another book actually only said up to a week or more away - wow, that would be very soon. Not sure if we are all prepared for that yet.

This is making me want to get everything done this weekend just in case. Anyways, only time can tell what this actually means. Either way, we will soon meet our daughter. :-)

- Lei

"Musical" Bed

This is not a post about the crib... that's coming. Like Musical Chairs, "Musical Bed" is what I started doing with my husband at night in the last week or so. Because my stomach is getting so big, it has been hard to sleep well or through the night.

We actually have 3 places we can sleep in our apt - our bedroom, the guest bedroom, or the couch - each with it's level of firmness, incline, and advantages. For 3 months now, I have been getting up frequently at night since my little one loves to play with my bladder and I drink about 3-4 glasses of water at night to stay hydrated.

To add to that, in the last couple of weeks, I have taken up the habit of switching beds to sleep in to get more comfortable - my definition of "Musical" Bed. Poor Jaime basically gets kicked out of wherever he is sleeping if that is my next preferred sleeping destination. Yeah, we have been sleeping separately since I need a lot of room to be comfortable.

Surprisingly the couch has become my favorite place to switch to in the middle of the night. Since my tummy is big, on a flat bed, it almost feel like I am sleeping inclined downward with my stomach pushing toward my face and cutting off some circulation or giving me heart burn. Since the couch has more softness, my stomach can sink a bit when I sleep side ways there creating less pressure toward my chest. Who knew?

This is unfortunate for Jaime as he has taken up the habit of falling asleep in front of the TV on the couch. I basically kick him off the couch in the middle of the night, so I can try to continue to sleep. Luckily for me, he has been very cooperative and usually I can get another 2-3 hours of sleep that way - sometime snoring soundly.

Thanks honey for allowing me to play "musical" bed with you at night. Three more weeks to go!

- Lei

Enjoying the silence..

It was beautiful this past weekend, so I was able to wear this tube top I bought awhile back. Do I look huge?

It's funny how everyone has a different opinion. Some would say I must be having twins while others cannot believe I am this small and so close to delivering...

As for me, I feel just right. I think it's the yoga that help me adjust well to my new weight every week. Being in my 37th week, I haven't got anxious yet and surprisingly enjoying my time off every day.

I actually like it that time is passing slowly right now. Maybe I will get anxious next week or later. Right now, I would stop sometime and just listen and enjoy the silence. I know that's not going to be around much longer when the little one comes. I am sure I will enjoy her as well. But for these last four weeks, it's still just me and Jaime - I want to treasure this precious time and enjoy ourselves while we still can.

While I am so close to delivering, I still cannot believe I will be producing a baby out of my stomach or be a mom. A part of me is just enjoying this last moments of thinking only about me. I know that's all going to change when my baby comes into this world. So miraculous and strange.

I hope I don't become just a mom and nothing else. I think we can all choose to be who we want to be even with child. I still want to have fun with girlfriends, Jaime, and my little girl. I still want to travel and work and be a good mom. I am optimistic that all is possible if I just keep an open mind. I am lucky that Jaime is very open minded as well. I look forward to yet more adventures with him and our little girl for many years to come

-Lei

The Final Stretch!

Literally and timing-wise. Just when I think my stomach cannot possibly stretch any further, I do. I have less than 4 weeks to go - yikes!

She is, at least, fairly gentle and gradually wiggles so my tummy can keep stretching. Before last night, I thought I am probably done stretching since I am huge already, but no, she proves me wrong again. I could literally feel myself growing last night and definitely feel bigger this morning.

Thank god I am no longer working. I cannot really sit more than an hour without having to rest or stretch. At least I can still walk pretty well everyday. As of today, I have gained about 36 pounds - WOW! Hopefully she will stop me around 40 pounds.

Her movements are so pronounced now, although no visible foot or fist through my skin, but I can almost guess what part of her is moving now given the size of the bump I feel through my skin. I rather like her movements. It comforts me to think she is active and doing well. She is facing downward now for about 4 weeks already. I have no idea how babies can be upside down for so long and not get a head rush. I guess she is in fluids, so it's different.

Can't wait to meet her next month. :-)

- Lei

Men Feel the Pain of Pregnancy Too!

So I came across this quaint little diagram of how Huichol Indian women share their pregnancy pain with there husbands. All I can say is, "Thank God Lei and I are Asian!"

In case you can't read the diagram and are too lazy to click on the pic, it reads:

"Huichol Indians are descendants of the Aztecs, and live in the mountains of North Central Mexico. During traditional childbirth, the father sits above his laboring wife on the roof of their hut. Ropes are tied around his testicles and his wife hold onto the end of these ropes. Each time she feels a painful contraction, she tugs on the ropes so that her husband will share some of the pain of bringing their baby into the world."

It hurts me just looking at this diagram.

- 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

10 more weeks to go!

Wow time flies when you look backward. When I was 16 weeks, I already thought I was big. I know better now. It will be interesting to see how big I get in another 10 when I am due. She is making a lot more visible movement now. I think I can feel her elbow or knee in addition to her head and butt. It freaks Jaime out a little sometime to feel a strong kick. I am used to it I guess. Just hope she is gentle on mommy when she gets even bigger. She is about 3.5 pounds now. :-)

--------16 weeks--------- ---------- 22 weeks --------- -------- 30 weeks ---------

-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

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

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

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

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