Wednesday, 11/29/06...
Dr's appointment, 6:10pm

• Gained 2 lbs in 5 days (how did I do that?)
• Dr did internal exam. 1cm dilated, water bag is so full, very mature, ready ready ready.
• She predicted by Friday (thats Saturday in Asia dan kawasan yang sewaktu dengannya), I should be popping this little 'turkey'.
• Dr revised my birth options : the 'Stop and Drop' (enhanced labor) method when I check into the hospital (yes baby, the more pain the bettah!), which Drs I would prefer to have the baby delivered and which pediatrician I would be using (how awesome, chinese Drs and an american midwife are my choice and an indonesian pediatrician, Mas' pediatrician that is...Love being Asian!).
• The husband is getting excited...I am in pain.
• My pelvis is hurting like crazy, Dr says, its 'softening' pretty fast and steadily thats why it hurts.
• Intermittent Braxton Hicks plus strong contractions every few hours.
• I am not taking the Dr's word for saying that Friday...it will happen.
• If it happens, it happens, like I said, this little turkey has her own agenda. Must be the American genes that she has in her.
  

Sigh...I am very tired...this little turkey better stop playing games with me.

Oh...by the way, I found another Coach purse that I lurve!!! Of course the husband is putting me on 'ignore' button.

YES... I AM STILL HERE! You know, I have been getting numerous calls from my co workers asking if I have delivered. It gets tiring yes, it gets irritating ...hell yes...that I have not been answering calls. Its like this, 'You will be notified when I have delivered...in the meantime, just chill alright!'.

You see, it gives me pressure when people ask me. As if I am enjoying the last few days of pregnancy, pelvis bursting, back hurting, extra weight on the hips, who wouldn't want to get over and be done with pregnancy at this level? So the more calls asking similar questions, the more irriated I am. Wish there is a delivery 'camp' that I could just stay away from people and deliver when the baby's ready. Sigh...

Seems like this posting wil be a rant session for me eh? Maybe so. I do not have the burst of energy anymore...ran out of it. Now all I do is sleep, sleep and sleep. Can't help it. I get very tired after doing grocery shopping, after Dr's appointments, after watching tv, even after eating! I can't walk, sit or lay on the bed for too long as the left side of my leg numbs after a few minutes hence, sleeping can be pretty uncomfortable (I have to shift the weight from left to right every 3o minutes). It is also not a pretyt sight seeing my trying to put my pajama pants on cos I can hardly lift my legs up!

Oh and it is shopping fever now. After the Thanksgiving holiday, I have not stepped into any store just because the husband says that we're on a gross budget cut. Nothing for me at all. But then he came out buying records for himself. Ooopps, before you say anything husband yes, I know that the records are cheap but at least you have gotten something for yourself. Not that I mind but...am I being discriminated from shopping just because I am pregnant??? If I want to go to Dianda's he would say that I have eatened enough cakes and does not want the baby to get fat. Who cares if shes a fat baby, I am not diabetic and I am entitled to eat whatever I want!

So all I do now is stay home, clean, cook and watch Baby Stories on tv, which is all FREE....

It is like 39F now...about almost zero Celcius. No snow here in California unless there is a fluke snow like last year. So winter is approaching and the only warm clothing that I could fit into is this humungous sweat shirt and my shearling coat which I could hardly zip up. If I insist on going out, then maybe I could wrap myself in a thick comforter like the homeless.

Ok...am done ranting...I am going to find something else to do.

The mommy and the 'restless'...

I am still here!!! No baby story yet, just mummy story hehehe...

Long Thanksgiving Weekend. After the 'false labor', the baby has been behaving, but she surely is getting bigger as I would not be able to sit up straight for more than 30 minutes without having her feet jabbing into my ribs. *So I am kinda panting when typing this on the laptop on the bed*.

Yesterday (which was Saturday), I went for a manicure and pedicure spa, a gift from a friend. Oh my, this place is the ultimate place to pamper yourself. Overpriced manicure and pedicure, which only mat saleh will pay for, and I was the only asian customer at that time apart from the owner and the workers there.

30 minutes of pedicure and 30 minutes of manicure, 2 ladies hovering over me, one doing the feet and the other my hands. Sedaaaaaaaaaaaaaap! Wish the treatment would not end but oh well. I was then invited to enjoy their snack spread, which they have every Saturday, from Gummy Bears to sushi and juices and pumpkin pie, etc etc etc...

That done, it was time for the Dr's appointment again. Remember...its once a week now. This time, I get to see another Dr, the only one that I had never gotten the chance to make appointment with but the 2nd most experienced one in the clinic (there are 5 gynaes and a midwife in the clinic and you have to rotate consultation).

She checked my cervix...hmmm...not dilated yet but very 'ripe' or according to Dr's term...'favorable' (which means, the cervix is very ready for labor anytime and any day). She asked me how I was doing and let me rant and complain my physical situation, on why I feel more tired, heavier and my pelvis hurts so much now. She says as the number of pregnancies progresses, it gets more difficult and uncomfortable for a woman to handle pregnancies especially during the last weeks.

Then she suggested a solution. Since the pregnancy is about 39 weeks now, why not get the baby induced on my desired date 1 week from now. In Dr's term again, it is called 'Social Induction', boleh gitu. Sounds like a good idea eh? To all conservatives out there who would like to make labor happen naturally, sorry to disappoint you...I have gone through induced labor and natural labor and I feel that the induction would be perfect for me.

Of course the Dr says that we do this IF the baby doesn't come this week (which could most likely to happen too).

So we picked a date...which I am not telling you guys until the baby's delivered. Kalau nak tau jugak, 20 sen! HUSBAND...I know that you really cannot keep secrets, if you let go of this one, you will not be allowed in the labor and delivery room!

Oh so cruel...

It was Thanksgiving yesterday. We broke the tradition of not eating turkey since last year...no more turkey (lo and behold, the husband's mom moved to Reno and next year MUST go there for turkey grrr)! So we decided to laze around all day and then go for Thai and Indian food when we felt like it.

But what I felt around 2:30pm was contractions. I was sitting on the glider chair with my feet up the gliding ottoman when the tummy started to harden. The pain travelled from my lower back to the tummy and then to the pelvis (lower uterus) area. Pain? Sedap.......!!! But I didn't want to panic. I timed the contractions. Every 15 minutes and lasted for 2-3 minutes. After 45 minutes, I told the husband that I am having contractions every 15 minutes, not frequent enough to go to the hospital yet.

Yes, the husband was excited, Mas was excited. Both of them hoping that this would be the REAL one. I told them, not to get excited yet...cos it could be the false one. Of course, I remember Mama Rock's advise, not to forget the makeup. So I packed my make up in the Harrod's mini tote bag that Alya's mom had given me when she was in London, hehehe. Love that bag!

I was pacing, back and forth when trying to get dressed. Mothers who had gone through labor, you KNOW what I mean! Upon reaching the indian restaurant, I went to order the thai food from next door which I had been craving for. Then the pain turned to 10 minutes and then 5 minutes and then back to 10 minutes. Sounded inconsistent. So I called the Dr...the hospital was just 10 minutes away.

Dr says ,'I have a feeling that its false labor cos it was not consistent. Calm down, don't panic. Start timing again. Finish what you ate and drink more water. If the contractions are every 5 minutes and last 1 minute per contraction, call the hospital and we'll check you in. I'll call the hospital now to let them know'. What she said made sense. Almaklumlah...after 12 years of not having a baby, who knows!!!

The thai food was good, so was the husband's beryani. The contractions, became milder as I filled my tank. But the tummy was still hard as a rock. That was a sign that it was 'false labor'. According to theory, 'false labor' means that the mom is experiencing painful and strong Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) but it was not consistent to be a 'true labor' or to make it sound short, that my cervix is going through 'ripening' (softening), ready for labor in a few days to a few weeks.

Oh well, what an experience. The husband was already teary eyed when I was in false labor, I think he might be having 'crying convulsions' when I am in 'true labor' hahaha.

Tomorrow's another prenatal appointment. I am sure this time they will check how soft my cervix is now. My cervix surely is painful and my back is hurting now!!!

A friend is in SF, on her way to Utah on Sunday. I told her 'Sorrylah, I wish I could galivant with you at Union Square this weekend but this ole lady can hardly walk. But we could go makan tomorrow night!'. We promised to take her and her mom for a spin in the city tomorrow, after my early morning manicure, pedicure and prenatal appointments!

Oh and I will miss the Black Friday post Thanksgiving Sale shopping craze everywhere as the household is on a 40% budget cut! So don't even think about that Coach purses sitting at Gilroy which are giong at 40-60% off Ely!

Will update you guys later...sorry for the 'false labor' hehehe.

This could be my last pregnant picture before I pop.

My pelvis feels like it is bursting any minute. My lower back is hurting and my walking mileage has slackened, I walk like Mr Snuffalupagus (the character in Sesame Street). I have not been cleaning for 2 days, just vacuumed and not major cleaning but have been sleeping alot lately. Maybe tomorrow when everyone's at work and school, I could start my cleaning frenazy again.

The hospital bag is already in the car, the carseat is also already in the car, except me, whos waiting for the time.

You will hear from me again...I might still be pregnant for another 2 weeks or maybe another 2 days....who knows!

Can you see my ticker up there ^^^? The ladybird is going towards the end of the line! How am I feeling?

Hmmm, physically...heavy, uncomfortable, nauseaus at times and my rib cage is badly bruised. This little one is growing so fast and her kicks and punches have been so merciless. Sometimes her feet are way beyond my rib cage. The husband sometimes would watch my tummy ripple and then shakes violently, as if there's an alien in my tummy hehehe. It does get painful when she hits my bladder. Thanks for the maternity belt that I wear when I was working and when I go shopping, the belt helps lift the baby 2-3 inches above my bladder, she surely did not like it at first, kicking through the lower and upper belt but I guess she 'pasrah' after a few days. Thats my baby. So to expecting mothers, like what Nazrah says, 'GET THE MATERNITY BELT'...it really helps you balance and takes the weight of the baby off your pelvis when you're doing the most important task of being a woman...shopping!

This is my 3rd day of being a temporary 'stay at home wife/mom'. MAJOR NESTING happening here :

1st day : Did not sleep in at all! Excited to clean!

Gathered all the baby clothes, blankies and what nots, brought them down to the garage and got the waching machine going. 2 full loads, tonnes of clothes! Mas says that the baby's clothes are so small, like 50 pieces in 2 loads! Then we have the mama and papa laundry too.

In the meantime, I cleaned the bedroom, vacuumed, reorganized the baby's dresser, picked up the husband's socks and what nots on the floor, vacuumed and mopped the living room. By the time I was done, I was very tired but happy!

2nd day : Aaaah, get to sleep in, fed the cats before 7am, by the time I was ready to go back to bed, I had 4 cats in bed...how inviting!!! Slept for only an hour and the sun was up. I did not want to clean today, so I had decided to go out!

The husband did not bring his lunch today, so I decided to bring him curry chicken and rice and drove to his office. Of course, that was an excuse to go shopping after that!

Went to Anna's Linens and got some drapes. Funny...that was shopping time for retiree couples to go there and bicker over what color drapes they should get. I heard some couples speaking in Tagalog, Chinese and German. Got my stuff and then went to Babies R Us. Was there for only 15 minutes when the body signalled that I needed to go home and stop spending money! If you were walking next to me, you could be hearing me speaking to myself 'OK OK, I'll go back to the car now!'.

By the time I got home...the nesting frenzy was back on! Put the chicken into the oven, cleaned the counter, changed the dining table cover and then I got on the chair, got the drill, put the curtain rods on all by myself and hung the drapes in my room!

The husband said that I was crazy to have used the drill and hung the drapes, hey...I was happy.

Night time was not kind to me. The baby was moving so much, in between strong contractions. Yes, thought I was in labor. But the pattern stopped after 3 strong ones. Not yet I guess.

Back to the 3rd day today : What am I doing today? I am going to go back to sleep, wake up, clean and then pick Mas up after school to go to the mall. Thats my walk!

Tomorrow? I might drive to my nearby office to say hi to my co workers and send some Thank You cards via internal mail...save $$ on stamps heehehe.

Anytime now, anytime now...


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My pregnancy progression...something that I have compiled along my pregnancy.

The sign at my desk and outside my cubicle

Friday was my last day at work. It wasn't as chaotic as how I had expected as I think i have successfully delegated my work back to the boss and a co worker who will take over my position (at least part of it). I know that I shall miss my co workers alot.

But right now, I am relieved. Relieved that I am finally off work and can concentrate on cleaning my cave, wash the baby's clothes and spend quality time with my girl. Also, I would be sleeping alot, as I know that I would have to say bye bye to sleep when the little one arrives.

But as the weekend approached, we had friends to meet up for dinner and another group of friends that we met up in the city. 4 hours of window shopping at Bloomingdales, I thought that I would be in labor by the time we walked back to the car. But I was fine, tired but happy, got my walk!

Alex, Me and Jennifer

Today, I get to stay in bed most of the morning. Then we went to Costco to get food, especially food for when Ely stays home like the huge Special K Cornflakes, Strawberry and Custard Danishes and Madeleines..yummy! One lady offered me to sample a cookie but had to stop serving others when she say me saying 'Mummy, you look like you're ready to burst!' and I said 'Yup! I can feel the baby between my legs!'...she guessed it right that its a girl hehehe.

Then we went to Target and finally get to complete shopping for the baby. From diapers, to mittens to her toiletries. Oh and I also got a Pilot's bag for what I call the hospital bag.

I am in bed now, 7:18pm and having rested for 30 minutes after feeling aches in my tummy. I know, its getting very very close. I just hope that she could wait till at least after I see the Dr on Friday. The Braxton Hicks are coming more often. Some more painful but the pattern is not consistent enough for me to verify that I am in labor.

Tomorrow would be my first day off. That would be laundry day for the baby and more sleep. I dont think I would be bored death. I would be treasuring every second of being home.

The Baby Shower

It was suppose to be a surprise Baby Shower. But a good friend of mine just could not keep it away from me. In short, I had to act surprised when it happened. Nah, it wasn’t hard at all.

BUT….to tell you the truth, I was truly surprised when it happened. About 40 people came to the party to 'surprise' me and I was overwhelmed by the number of people who attended the party!

There were pink ribbons hanging with banners saying 'It’s a Girl!' and a huge cake, enough for 50 people. I was overwhelmed. I was told to make a speech. As usual, Ely said 'Well, I am speechless' but ended up ranting anyway…10 minutes of the time. Those who attended were mostly my direct co workers, members from the my Asian Group and my former co workers who took half day off to celebrate with me.

Oh my…as I am writing this, I am starting to feel the joy when I was at the party hehehe. Then I was told to sit down and open the presents. So many of them that I was sweating by the time I was done. Clothes, clothes and more clothes! Girl clothes, girl stuff! And then I jokingly said out loud ,'Hope its truly a girl guys! That’s what the Dr says' hahaha! Not forgetting gift certificates too, over $400 worth of them…rezeki little munchkin.

It was too nice of my boss to come back 60 miles from his dentist and then back to the city to join the party and then back home 60 miles at the end of the day. I know that he is in a frenzy as I am taking off from work starting Monday. I am sure he will be okay. Sooner or later, I will be moving to the new office and would be geographically away from him anyway.

Last night, I spent almost 2 hours writing Thank you notes to the co workers. I know that I had to do it then or I would never get them done. Could not sleep last night, still so overwhelmed by the party. I am feeling so warm and fuzzy inside.

People are commenting that the turnout of the party was wonderful and that others must really like me…and I said 'I wonder why people like me!' hehehehe...

Get Your Own! View Slideshow

How about watching this while I try to compile the digested version of my Surprise Baby Shower?

I LOVE this song so much. But I get teary eyed when I listen to it as it reminds me of my son. Sigh...anyway, watch out for the next posting...very soon!

How much longer will this pregnancy go on? I don't know but for sure, it will not last more than 3-4 more weeks.

I was having constant mild Braxton Hicks last night and 5 nights before. Maybe its due to dehydration. But last night, I really thought that I was going to be in labor. The contractions didnt go away after I went to empty my bladder, had a snack, walked around and drank water until I drank about 2 glasses of 24 oz glasses of it. So the husband says that I would be lucky enough to last till the whole work week. To me, whatever the baby wants to do. She wants to come out, she will, if not, she can stay in me, fatten herself up and knock when shes ready.

The baby is just anxious to get out. Physically, she has been stretching herself and makes my tummy so out of shape. Once, Mas put her hand on my tummy and was so shocked at how much this little one was trying to stretch her way out of the tummy. Then she did the kungfu kick, Mas put her ear on my tummy and this little one kicked her ear.

We have finally put the dresser together. We've had tonnes of clothes, mostly 'hand me downs' that I have started to categorize and put in the drawers. I am not even halfway there as I need to wash half of the clothes as they have been in the garage.

We are still short of a few essentials. Like Alya's mom says, we are doing things at the last minute...and she is so right!

I need to stop typing now. The baby is creating a racket in my tummy again. She must be hearing me typing away!

Update : I just realized that I am 36 weeks pregnant. It feels like 37 weeks! But dari firasat orang yang telah melahirkan 2 kali, my pregnancies last only 38 weeks! Am I panicking? Yes I am...I have not even prepared the hospital bag!

Do you guys remember this song? My all time fave!!!

How much cuter can these get? Bought them from eBay for the little munchkin. They're not cheap but I was so happy when I got them. They're going to look like ballerina slippers when worn.

We've got the stroller, got the crib built and the room carpet steamed. Now we just need to set the dresser up for the baby's clothes. the munchkin isn not here yet but she has more clothes than the 3 of us in the house combined!

The Dr said yesterday that the baby's head is down. In 2 weeks, there will be a sonogram to check on the baby and an internal probe to see how ready the baby is to 'pop'. She also asked what kind of birth plan I have in mind. I said,'When I am having my contractions, I want you to break my water bag, induce me and then give me an epidural. I want a fast delivery like my 2nd child'. Then she said,' So you want the 'Stop and Drop' option....come in, have the burger and out!'. She made me laugh...such humorous term for delivery eh? Then she asked me,'Don't you want to experience the natural chilbirth again?'. I said,'I have had 2 kids, I don't have time for all these!'.

And it is true! Have the baby and be done with it!