Isabel is 12.5 pounds!

Isabel turned two months old on July 2. She gained another 2.5 pounds to 12.5 1bs and grew another inch to 23 inches. Her head grew an inch in circumference as well. She is now at the 80-90 percentile of her age. She also received 4 shots that day. Poor baby... She was a strong girl though only cried for 30 seconds!! She had a fever for just one day (normal reaction to immunization shots - happens to 30% of the infants). She didn't even fuss that much when she had a temperature of 100 degrees. All is good now. We are so proud of her.

Here are 3 video clips of her at the doctors... so cute!!!

Isabel is one month old!

Wow, how quickly time flies. Isabel turned one month yesterday. We went with her to the doctor and got a perfect clean bill of health and some key stats

- 10 1bs!! (80% percentile for her age)
- 22 inches long (90% percentile - will be a tall girl)
- 14.75 inches circumference for her head (60% percentile - I thought it would be higher since her head is so heavy)

She got her second shot Hep B and only cried 4 cries and just stopped. A tough girl!

On top of this, on her one month birthday, she
- slept 7 hours last night
- started learning how to use the pacifier.

We are so happy and cautiously optimistic.

- 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

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

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