One last one! (I know, I look crazy-tired)
21 hours ago
Showing posts with label Preggers2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preggers2010. Show all posts
And another...
In
Preggers2010
My sister told me about this one. It was hard not to pee my pants. Haha! Enjoy!
Maternity Leave
In
Home,
PregCHILLA,
Preggers2010
I'm marking today as my first day of maternity leave. My last day of work was on Friday. I'm proud of myself -- I got most of my work done (i.e. all the reasonable stuff on my 2010 To Do List that I could actually finish). My last week of work was a whirlwind. I was training people all week and at the same time wrapping up work, referring my clients to their new contacts, finishing up contracts, going to appointments, ugh, it was crazy. BUT, I also got to lunch with my friends (and my coworker-friends tomorrow...because we didn't get to last week) and had one last lunch with my sister on my last day (we work together). There was also a surprise baby shower for us too!! And Mr. S was there, which was the biggest surprise of all (and it's very hard to surprise me...I admit, I sorta knew about the office shower, but that didn't take away from the fun of it at all!). It was just a really great week at work and had me feeling a little sad to go, which I didn't expect.
This weekend, we finished up our prenatal class. At the end of it, we had made some friends, but also we had to write down the things we found most helpful on an evaluation form. To be honest, I felt like I knew most of the stuff already, thanks to all the stories I've heard from sisters, cousins, mothers, aunts and other female friends, but I think Mr. S learned a lot....and to my benefit. On the evaluation form, I put down two things:
1. Comfort measures
2. Birthing and labour techniques
i.e. The things that Mr. S can do to make my life easier. HAHA!
It turns out that one of the things we learned came into play in the middle of the night last night. I had my second (ever and hopefully last) leg cramp. We learned how to effectively get rid of it, together (other than me having to flex my foot until it disappeared). I felt it coming, woke up and said (note: I did NOT yell!), "Oh no! Oh no! Leg cramp! Leg cramp!" and like he was doing it in his sleep, Mr.S got up, did this thing, and when it was gone, gave me a kiss and plopped back down on his pillow. That, in itself, was worth the money we spent on the course (I don't remember how much that was, now that I think about it).
This weekend was also our baby shower, thrown for us by our families. It was a crazy but oh-so-fun day, with it being our families and close friends...around 150 people. Yes, we're THAT big. It was so nice to see everyone and although we missed a few people, we remembered them all day. I can't even begin to express how wonderful a day it was, and to top it off, Canada won the hockey game, giving Canada the most number of gold medals by a host country and EVER! The evening was closed at our house, opening the gifts and watching the closing ceremonies together...OH, and MORE EATING.
Yesterday, Mr.S took the day off so we could put away all the gifts, do some shopping and finally finish up the baby's room. We had a bunch of errands to run as well and were also wickedly tired, so we didn't finish, but it's nice to know we've got everything and just need to find homes for it all. We got so many amazing baby gifts from everyone and have yet to play with everything, but that's what the next few days/weeks are for...heehee...
I've got my first massive load of baby laundry to fold (in addition to our own laundry!), so I better get on with my day.
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
This weekend, we finished up our prenatal class. At the end of it, we had made some friends, but also we had to write down the things we found most helpful on an evaluation form. To be honest, I felt like I knew most of the stuff already, thanks to all the stories I've heard from sisters, cousins, mothers, aunts and other female friends, but I think Mr. S learned a lot....and to my benefit. On the evaluation form, I put down two things:
1. Comfort measures
2. Birthing and labour techniques
i.e. The things that Mr. S can do to make my life easier. HAHA!
It turns out that one of the things we learned came into play in the middle of the night last night. I had my second (ever and hopefully last) leg cramp. We learned how to effectively get rid of it, together (other than me having to flex my foot until it disappeared). I felt it coming, woke up and said (note: I did NOT yell!), "Oh no! Oh no! Leg cramp! Leg cramp!" and like he was doing it in his sleep, Mr.S got up, did this thing, and when it was gone, gave me a kiss and plopped back down on his pillow. That, in itself, was worth the money we spent on the course (I don't remember how much that was, now that I think about it).
This weekend was also our baby shower, thrown for us by our families. It was a crazy but oh-so-fun day, with it being our families and close friends...around 150 people. Yes, we're THAT big. It was so nice to see everyone and although we missed a few people, we remembered them all day. I can't even begin to express how wonderful a day it was, and to top it off, Canada won the hockey game, giving Canada the most number of gold medals by a host country and EVER! The evening was closed at our house, opening the gifts and watching the closing ceremonies together...OH, and MORE EATING.
Yesterday, Mr.S took the day off so we could put away all the gifts, do some shopping and finally finish up the baby's room. We had a bunch of errands to run as well and were also wickedly tired, so we didn't finish, but it's nice to know we've got everything and just need to find homes for it all. We got so many amazing baby gifts from everyone and have yet to play with everything, but that's what the next few days/weeks are for...heehee...
I've got my first massive load of baby laundry to fold (in addition to our own laundry!), so I better get on with my day.
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
At night
In
Love,
PregCHILLA,
Preggers2010
Mr. S and I decided that since this little boy is up whenever we decide to go to bed, that we'd read to him or talk to him (we talk to him more often than that, but Mr.S makes a point to talk to him specifically at bedtime). Some nights he reads kids books, some nights he reads from our baby/parenting books, sometimes he reads from the NBA website. Really, it doesn't matter what he reads because this little boy becomes quite active when he hears his father's voice.
And so, that's what the new picture on the top left is. It's my favourite time of day.
It's a picture of Mr.S reading a book that we got from my sister and her family and again from his cousin and her fiance. It's so cute, it only makes sense to have it twice!
And here it is again.
And so, that's what the new picture on the top left is. It's my favourite time of day.
It's a picture of Mr.S reading a book that we got from my sister and her family and again from his cousin and her fiance. It's so cute, it only makes sense to have it twice!
And here it is again.Today is a good day
In
Do,
Life,
Preggers2010
Day two of my last week of work before maternity leave
I am training my colleagues, including a newbie on staff, on how to do parts of my job. I’m so excited to let stuff go so I can take on other (non-work-related) stuff I’m meant to do. It’s so nice.
Also happening today -- lunch date number two with the Y&B lunchies. (Yes, that's what I'm calling you.)
I am training my colleagues, including a newbie on staff, on how to do parts of my job. I’m so excited to let stuff go so I can take on other (non-work-related) stuff I’m meant to do. It’s so nice.
Also happening today -- lunch date number two with the Y&B lunchies. (Yes, that's what I'm calling you.)
Peanuts!
In
Preggers2010
I may have mentioned that earlier in this pregnancy, I had killer cravings for Kare Kare - Filipino Peanut Butter stew. I had it so often that by mid-pregnancy, I was sick of it and never wanted to eat it again for the rest of my life. And then I recently remembered that once the baby is born, I can't have it until I stop breast feeding. That could be a whole year (or more) until the next time!!!
A few days ago I made a stock pot full, which is my normal pot of choice these days since I'm freezing portions of everything I cook. This time though, I'm eating all of it (and finishing off the jar of bagoong -- I'm the only one in the house who eats it too). No sense in freezing it if I can't eat it later on.
It tastes SO goooood.
My Mop
In December, I got fed up and chopped off my hair. It was getting too thick and too heavy and I was shedding an average of a 1/4 strand a day (or something like that). It’s ridiculous. Being that my hair is so thick (I don’t think I’ve ever complained about my hair being thick before…HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!), I didn’t feel like many pregnant women do – I didn’t get the feeling that my hair was lustrous and voluminous and full of body and shine.
So, I chopped it off.
In a matter of weeks, it grew into a big mess, so I cut it again, shorter this time and more aggressively (I think my scissors are still mad at me).
Well guess what? It’s a big mess AGAIN. I look like a mushroom. And it’s not taking the same shape that it used to when my hair was short.
So, I’m thinking of taking my scissors to it again and REALLY thinning it out. The thing is, it’s getting harder and harder to reach back there. Suddenly the DIY thing isn’t so possible.
I’m not willing to spend money on a cut either because it’s just gonna grow back in 2 weeks.
And now, I remember. This is how I begin growing my hair.
So, I chopped it off.
In a matter of weeks, it grew into a big mess, so I cut it again, shorter this time and more aggressively (I think my scissors are still mad at me).
Well guess what? It’s a big mess AGAIN. I look like a mushroom. And it’s not taking the same shape that it used to when my hair was short.
So, I’m thinking of taking my scissors to it again and REALLY thinning it out. The thing is, it’s getting harder and harder to reach back there. Suddenly the DIY thing isn’t so possible.
I’m not willing to spend money on a cut either because it’s just gonna grow back in 2 weeks.
And now, I remember. This is how I begin growing my hair.
Pre-baby To Do List
In
Do,
Preggers2010
As the baby’s birth approaches (along with my mat leave...wooohoooooo!!), I’ve been hearing more and more from parents that there are things I/we should make sure to do or things I/we should make sure to cherish before the baby’s arrival:
To cherish/do:
To eat after the baby is born:
To cherish/do:
- 15+ minute showers
- Long baths
- Blast music
- Sleep
- Wearing clean shirts
- Go out alone
- Go out with friends
- Sleep
- Go out on dates
- Peanut butter (and all things nut-related)
- Jamocha almond fudge
To eat after the baby is born:
- Steak, medium rare, the way I like it!
- Sashimi and lots of it
- All sort of stinky, soft, unpasteurized cheeses
- Runny eggs
- A glass (or two) of Australian or South American red wine (but this is after breastfeeding is done)
- Coca. Cola. (also after weaning)
- One of my fave breakfasts: smoked salmon or lax, on a sesame seed bagel with herb and garlic cream cheese topped with capers and lemon juice
- Bring honey back as one of my favourite condiments
- Chili Chicken
If you have more to add, let me know, ASAP!!
A word from Captain Obvious
In
Preggers2010
Mr. S and I were driving me to work from my doctor appointment the other day and I had a thought. It was no epiphany or anything, just a true realization of how extraordinary the experience will be in the coming weeks.
As we drove by the hospital where we will welcome our first child into the world (and where I was first welcomed!), it dawned on me:
That hospital is where I will walk in with our child inside me, and walk out with our child outside me.
That doesn’t happen on any other occasion. You don’t go to the dentist for a tooth extraction and come out with the tooth, expected to love and care for it. Same goes for your appendix or any other such thing inside your body that you have removed. No one walks out with their tonsils wrapped in a warm blanket. No one cuddles with their dysfunctional kidney. (Or at least, no one I know of!)
So, how blessed are we that we, like so many other couples, get to go in, with the intention of having something removed from my body, only to walk out, with that thing being our baby?
Too cool, man. This is TOO COOL!!
As we drove by the hospital where we will welcome our first child into the world (and where I was first welcomed!), it dawned on me:
That hospital is where I will walk in with our child inside me, and walk out with our child outside me.
That doesn’t happen on any other occasion. You don’t go to the dentist for a tooth extraction and come out with the tooth, expected to love and care for it. Same goes for your appendix or any other such thing inside your body that you have removed. No one walks out with their tonsils wrapped in a warm blanket. No one cuddles with their dysfunctional kidney. (Or at least, no one I know of!)
So, how blessed are we that we, like so many other couples, get to go in, with the intention of having something removed from my body, only to walk out, with that thing being our baby?
Too cool, man. This is TOO COOL!!
Is it a Girl? Is it a Boy?
In
Preggers2010
Everyone's been asking and we've been curious. We decided well before the pregnancy that we'd find out what sex our babies were, or at least, for the first one. (Now that that's the case, I can't imagine what it's like to want to be surprised -- what the heck stuff do you buy in advance?!)
Of course, everyone has their own suspicions. I've heard some pretty ridiculous things over the past few months, some nice, some offensive, some downright outrageous. I'm not sure if it's just Filipinos who tend to have all these weirdo secrets about how to know the sex of your baby. If you look at the table below, there’s one there about the colour of your armpits. My sisters warned me about this one, and because of it, I’ve been shaving my pits even though it’s winter. Usually I really don’t care what they look like this time of year (what a gorgeous mental picture, isn’t it?) – It’s all about long sleeves! And you know what? If they’re actually dark, it’s probably because of my over-shaving, dangit!
And now that we have a clue about the sex of the baby (the ultrasound technician told us what she thinks...twice), I've been thinking about these things people have been telling me and checking out if any of them are true.
So yes, we know the sex of our baby...or at least we think we do. And looking at this list, I can say, if the technician was right, some of them are pretty true. Or at least, my pregnancy supports some of them.
And you know by now because every so often I use the pronoun...
Of course, everyone has their own suspicions. I've heard some pretty ridiculous things over the past few months, some nice, some offensive, some downright outrageous. I'm not sure if it's just Filipinos who tend to have all these weirdo secrets about how to know the sex of your baby. If you look at the table below, there’s one there about the colour of your armpits. My sisters warned me about this one, and because of it, I’ve been shaving my pits even though it’s winter. Usually I really don’t care what they look like this time of year (what a gorgeous mental picture, isn’t it?) – It’s all about long sleeves! And you know what? If they’re actually dark, it’s probably because of my over-shaving, dangit!
And now that we have a clue about the sex of the baby (the ultrasound technician told us what she thinks...twice), I've been thinking about these things people have been telling me and checking out if any of them are true.
| It's a Girl! | It's a Boy! |
|---|---|
| Mommy looks prettier | Mommy doesn't look so good |
| Mommy's looking wider | Mommy's looking pointy |
| Mommy's skin looks nice | Mommy's got dark spots by her neck, her armpits, and/or any other crevices |
| When you ask Mommy to show you her hands, she shows you them palm UP | When you ask Mommy to show you her hands, she shows you them palm DOWN |
| Mommy chooses a sweet snack when presented with a choice | Mommy chooses a salty snack when presented with a choice |
| Baby's heart rate is greater than 140 | Baby's heart rate is less than 140 |
| Daddy's gaining weight | Daddy looks the same |
| Mommy's left boob is bigger! | Mommy's right boob is bigger! |
| When you swing a necklace over Mommy's belly, it swings in a circle | When you swing a necklace over Mommy's belly, it swings back and forth |
| Mommy's linea nigra goes from navel to pubic area | Mommy's linea nigra goes from navel to pubic area but also from navel up to xiphoid process |
So yes, we know the sex of our baby...or at least we think we do. And looking at this list, I can say, if the technician was right, some of them are pretty true. Or at least, my pregnancy supports some of them.
And you know by now because every so often I use the pronoun...
♥ It's a Boy ♥
Third trimester crazies – Part 1
It has begun. I think. So far, it’s manageable. I hope it stays that way.
Let me explain what I’ve been feeling, but first let me say that I still feel warm and fuzzy and all that good stuff. There’s just a certain level of discomfort that’s setting in. It’s more annoying, I’d say. But no pain or anything like that.
There are two ways I can describe it, and I don’t know if this is what it’s like for pregnant women in general, or if this is what pregnant women mean when they’ve been telling me that the third trimester is a female dog.
1. I have moments where I want to take my skin off like it’s a set of gloves.
2. I want to roll around on a carpeted floor because it feels like it’d be relieving.
I want to add that if I could summarize in one word how I’ve been feeling, it’s RESTLESS.
Regarding #1
I have these moments where I don’t want to sit still and after a while I feel like my body wants to “come out of my body” and go crazy. It wants to do sit-ups and somersaults, and my hands want to take off this skin that has trapped them in a fat suit for months. They want to make fists and play the piano.
Regarding #2
I’m not sure how I decided that carpet would be the best platform on which to roll my body. It just felt like it would feel exactly how I want it to feel. I don’t even know if I’ve ever rolled around on carpet before. And you would think that I could just go ahead and roll around on the carpet, but here’s the thing. I can’t do 360o rolls because of my belly. I would end up rolling around on my back, and that’s not what I want (but it does make a funny mental picture, doesn’t it? HAHA!!! Okay, stop imagining now).
I’m just going to say what I’ve been saying all along in moments like this.
It’s okay, it’s temporary.
Let me explain what I’ve been feeling, but first let me say that I still feel warm and fuzzy and all that good stuff. There’s just a certain level of discomfort that’s setting in. It’s more annoying, I’d say. But no pain or anything like that.
There are two ways I can describe it, and I don’t know if this is what it’s like for pregnant women in general, or if this is what pregnant women mean when they’ve been telling me that the third trimester is a female dog.
1. I have moments where I want to take my skin off like it’s a set of gloves.
2. I want to roll around on a carpeted floor because it feels like it’d be relieving.
I want to add that if I could summarize in one word how I’ve been feeling, it’s RESTLESS.
Regarding #1
I have these moments where I don’t want to sit still and after a while I feel like my body wants to “come out of my body” and go crazy. It wants to do sit-ups and somersaults, and my hands want to take off this skin that has trapped them in a fat suit for months. They want to make fists and play the piano.
Regarding #2
I’m not sure how I decided that carpet would be the best platform on which to roll my body. It just felt like it would feel exactly how I want it to feel. I don’t even know if I’ve ever rolled around on carpet before. And you would think that I could just go ahead and roll around on the carpet, but here’s the thing. I can’t do 360o rolls because of my belly. I would end up rolling around on my back, and that’s not what I want (but it does make a funny mental picture, doesn’t it? HAHA!!! Okay, stop imagining now).
I’m just going to say what I’ve been saying all along in moments like this.
It’s okay, it’s temporary.
Cankles
Yes, I’m swelling. We all know that. My fingers are numb, my toes are stubby (where are they, by the way?) and my nose…well, let’s not talk about my nose.
My ankles, however, are still nice and petite. I really, really hope they don’t get taken over by cankle syndrome. Cankles scare me. I had a teacher in high school who had cankles and I remember being so distracted in class from staring at them because I just couldn’t understand how there was no end to her leg and beginning to her foot. It baffled me, just like the phenomenon we call the Platypus.
I like that I have skinny ankles and I just hope that they remain that way. Let’s also hope that my phalanges go back to their original sizes too. Oh, and my nose. We all need to have some hope for my nose.
Happy New Year!
In
2010,
Preggers2010
Momma let me write something on her blog so I could wish you all a happy 2010. I hope you're ready for me! I'm so excited to meet you! I have lots of things to show you but unfortunately, I can only do it from inside Momma's belly, so bear with me. I'm trying to wave hello to you!
See you soon and love you already!
Baby S
P.S. Don't mind the noise -- my parents were nesting this weekend and Poppa was busy putting stuff together.
See you soon and love you already!
Baby S
P.S. Don't mind the noise -- my parents were nesting this weekend and Poppa was busy putting stuff together.
Third of Three
In
Life,
Love,
Preggers2010
Today, I begin my third trimester. It’s kinda bittersweet. While I’m SO ecstatic about the baby coming in three months or less, I feel a little sad that this is sort of the beginning of the end of feeling the little movements inside me along with all the little pangs of joy that have been keeping me extra positive and full of faith and gratefulness over the past six months. I know that when the baby arrives, these will be even more amplified by the baby, outside my womb, but I still feel a little sad about it.
Being pregnant is hands-down the best I’ve ever felt. It’s a crazy thing to know that there is life inside me; that there is a person inside me; that I am housing a miracle in my body and for nine months, I am his/her home; that this being in my body was made by God with the love my husband and I share. And in three months, this baby will be ready to live with my husband and I to witness in person and experience the very love that helped to create him/her.
I know this won’t be the last third trimester I’ll experience, as we are already looking forward to having and hoping to be blessed with more children. But for now, this is my last trimester and I’m going to enjoy every crazy moment of it.
Being pregnant is hands-down the best I’ve ever felt. It’s a crazy thing to know that there is life inside me; that there is a person inside me; that I am housing a miracle in my body and for nine months, I am his/her home; that this being in my body was made by God with the love my husband and I share. And in three months, this baby will be ready to live with my husband and I to witness in person and experience the very love that helped to create him/her.
I know this won’t be the last third trimester I’ll experience, as we are already looking forward to having and hoping to be blessed with more children. But for now, this is my last trimester and I’m going to enjoy every crazy moment of it.
Aren't you sleepy, Baby?
In
Preggers2010
Today is Thursday. I feel like the baby hasn’t slept since Monday afternoon. My belly has been looking like it’s housing a wild animal, eager to get out and run around. It’s bizarre. At the same time though, I’ve never been more pleased to be kicked, punched, elbowed, kneed and poked.
I don’t know how some mothers have been telling me that the movements get annoying. It really doesn’t, or at least to me it doesn’t. One of my friends told me she thinks it’s one of the best parts of being pregnant and I agree (or at least for this pregnancy so far).
A lot of the time, when I’m at home, I sit around with my shirt bunched up above my belly so I can watch the movements. It’s most amusing, really. (And the men of the house don’t mind my bare-bellyness.)
Here's what I've been looking like all week (note: this isn't me...I really wouldn't shoot a video with me, lying there naked with the parts covered)
I don’t know how some mothers have been telling me that the movements get annoying. It really doesn’t, or at least to me it doesn’t. One of my friends told me she thinks it’s one of the best parts of being pregnant and I agree (or at least for this pregnancy so far).
A lot of the time, when I’m at home, I sit around with my shirt bunched up above my belly so I can watch the movements. It’s most amusing, really. (And the men of the house don’t mind my bare-bellyness.)
Here's what I've been looking like all week (note: this isn't me...I really wouldn't shoot a video with me, lying there naked with the parts covered)
A Petty Dilemma
In
Do,
Preggers2010
So I’ve mentioned before that after 2007, Mr.S and I have a shortlist (or well, it’s not really that short) of artists whose concerts we MUST go to, however, there are some events going on in early March. We also have some films we’ve been waiting for that just happen to be coming out at that time as well.
To Mention Two...
I just found out that Alicia Keys will be in Toronto. I’m dying to see her in concert. She’ll be here over a week before our due date, but I don’t want to run the risk of my water breaking and making a mess all over the theatre seats. How nasty! Who knows, maybe the baby will love her music so much, he’ll wanna come out!
There’s also Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland which, as you know, I’ve been waiting for eagerly. It comes out on the 5th of March and I’m hoping I can hold out that long.
And if I find, as March approaches, that I can’t handle sitting somewhere for too long, I can wait for the DVD and next Alicia Keys concert. For now I’ll just enjoy the ads, trailers and Element of Freedom CD.
To Mention Two...
I just found out that Alicia Keys will be in Toronto. I’m dying to see her in concert. She’ll be here over a week before our due date, but I don’t want to run the risk of my water breaking and making a mess all over the theatre seats. How nasty! Who knows, maybe the baby will love her music so much, he’ll wanna come out!
There’s also Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland which, as you know, I’ve been waiting for eagerly. It comes out on the 5th of March and I’m hoping I can hold out that long.
And if I find, as March approaches, that I can’t handle sitting somewhere for too long, I can wait for the DVD and next Alicia Keys concert. For now I’ll just enjoy the ads, trailers and Element of Freedom CD.
My Guilty Pleasure
It's Tuesday night, my lip has been bleeding for over half an hour* (what the?), and because of this, I can't start baking yet. So, what do I do? Flip channels until I'm intrigued by something enough to stick with it. So after deciding on Mickey's Christmas Carol, I decide I need a commercial channel.
Flip, flip, flip. MTV it is!! There's an update on the mamas from...
I admit, I've seen every episode, so really, the update isn't really and update. It's more of a recap with footage I've already seen. I cry again when they have a segment on all of their labours and births. And then I find out there's a spin-off: Teen Mom. Some of the moms from 16 and Pregnant are in the spin-off, and it pretty much showcases the drama-filled rollercoaster of life as a teen mom with a new baby. The first two episodes are on tonight and I'm watching them. And just like with the original show, I forget that I'm 27 and pregnant and not 16.
*I wasn't peeling it, I swear. It just started bleeding while I was eating dinner and I noticed it when there was blood dripping down my glass when I went for a sip. EEK!
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