baby shower

Never thought I would have a baby shower of my own!  I felt so fortunate to have met Yoko who was willing to host it at her cooking studio with my girlfriends.  We had an awesome menu with chicken yakitori, shabu shabu pork spring rolls and ice cream to cool down.  The only downside to that event was Yoko's A/C unit wasnt working and it was a hot day to say the least. 

We had everyone wear the theme colors: orange/turquoise and I think everyone had a lot of fun! I sure did =)  My sister did an awesome job hosting the milk game and taboo! Patent pending!!

36 weeks and counting

Pregnancy really hits you when you are in the last month.  I REALLY didnt want stretch marks, but I failed.  They just crawl up on you even when I lather myself with oil and lotion everyday.  Swollen feet and legs, which I have renamed my legs into "tree trunks" - unavoidable.  Last week, I started to break out in hives on my legs and arms.  My joints hurt, and what else, my belly is sagging and baby tang is cramped inside.  I am still trying to walk and going to start doing more yoga.  At this point, I am expecting what is expected.  I don't know how the contractions are going to feel like but I am semi-ready for the pain. 

His nursery is ready for the most part.  The crib sheets are cleaned, and I have started to wash his clothes.  We bought Dettol which I want more of it now.  I am going to start organizing his clothes and it already seems like I need more closet space for his stuff.  People tell me that I am going to have a lot of clothes.  At that time, I thought we are not because we are not planning to have a huge baby shower --- but we got a lot of clothes.  I think we have just the right amount and I am so thankful for baby tang for all the gifts.  We even got clothes from our neighbor which is awesome! We are so blessed. 

Even my customer from work bought more clothes for him...Little Marc Jacob.  I don't even own anything Marc Jacob and he actually get to sport it.  I am so jealous and happy for him..

O what else - Sleepy got his shots last weekend, carpet is cleaned, house is cleaned but still need to keep cleaning.  Hospital bag is ready, and I think the most important thing now is to be mentally and physically ready.   I feel like this is going to be the most interesting journey I am about to experience.  Having a baby is definitely not on my to-do list.  I have always been so afraid, for all the right reasons.  Now that it's really happening, there is no turning back.  There might be an easy way out but I usually choose the harder way....but I guess I never know how my body will react that day.  I just hope all the exercise and regimen I have been doing is going to make some what of a difference. 

I just can't wait to have this weight off of me....I miss my normal body so much, and I will probably miss having this belly and I can't wait to look at him in the eyes and play with his tiny fingers and toes. 

30 weeks!

I can't believe I am in my third trimester.  I hear people say that these months go by really quick, but it's a whole school year! I am growing in size, he is growing in inches and getting heavier and I am feeling him move all the time.  It's amazing..I really don't know what to make out of it when he arrives. 

Scott and I took our first class together at Kaiser last week and it was really fun just interacting with other couples who are expecting their first child.  I am learning, mentally and physically preparing myself for labor and delivery.  It sounds REALLY intense and I hope I can be ready and cope with the contractions when the time comes.  I know it will only get easier after this first one.

We celebrated Scott's birthday 2 weeks ago in K-town and it's my birthday coming up! I feel really different this year toward my birthday and I have to thank my baby for that.  I think he really keeps me calm and less emotional - which is contrary to what every article says.  I feel happier and look at things (certain things) at a more positive perspective.

his crib is up.

Today, I have been pregnant for 25 weeks and 3 days.  Not much has changed, except that I am gaining 1-2 lbs by the week. 

Yesterday was an exciting day - we finally found our crib.  It is a used crib made by CELERY.  The crib is called Lullaboo and we bought it from a 2nd hand owner who is moving to Vancouver.  Considering this being used for a 3rd baby, we were able to bargain down to $425.  Not cheap, but I love this crib and I want my bab(ies) to sleep in something nice.  Scott was a little apprehensive to buy a used crib but this one is an exception, for me at least.  It has beautiful architectural, safe paint, and environmental friendly. Plus, it is a beautiful piece of furniture.  I think it is the most beautiful piece of furniture in our house!

On our way to Beverly HIlls to pick up this crib, we stopped at this HOLE in the corner restaurant called A Pollo A La Brassa.  It was supposed to be the best chicken ever but it was OK.  We were thinking about going to Marios but I decided to try something different. Scott wasnt too excited his white meat chicken though. 

Then, we went to straight to this place and met the Chinese couple with their cute 6 months old baby daughter named Loanna.  Very cute baby and we also saw her last encounter with her first crib.  Kinda sad, but I am sure she will have a new and better one. 

Dear baby,

For you, with love, your first fancy bed.  Don't expect too much now.

Paper Crane Mobile

Spent this hot sunday creating my first gift to my baby.  Made with leftover construction paper from our wedding invitations, cranes made by me to Scott like 10 years ago and some tender, love and care.

20 weeks! Half way there!

what a day it was.  New office move, new shipments, people to handle and most important of all, it's the 20th week of my pregnancy.  As I am typing this, i can't help but to finally feel some movements in my belly.  I think he is moving!!! I feel there's an alien is inside of me! This is uncomfortable but I guess I have no choice but to get used to it.  Baby, calm down.   Or maybe he is telling me he is hungry, because we are still waiting to have dinner!!!

16 weeks + 2 days

First trimester has finally ended.  They say the second trimester is when we feel the best and of course it depends on each person.  I guess I am lucky to say that the whole journey has been enjoyable except there are just too many do's and don'ts which I am not very used to when it gets in the way of my diet.  I eat everything and being able to not to eat certain foods agitates me!

Our emotions are all over the place.  We are excited, nervous and been bouncing off way too many names of each other.   A name is everything and it is so hard to settle with just one! But this is the part where I think it should be the easiest, when it comes to becoming a parent.   But when it comes to making decisions, Scott and I both overanalyze too much and that's when we run into a dead end because it is never compromised.  I don't want to find out the gender, but he does.  I have a list of names to choose from and all he says is no.  This just reminds me of when we first start buying things for the house.  Not fun.

Confirmed at KP

8:30AM, I finally made my first Kaiser visit. I had my name called after 10 minutes of checking in and a male nurse handed me a cup for my urine test. Lovely.

I went to the bathroom and came out with my cup wrapped in napkins. I just thought it's a little more presentable concealing the liquid than giving him my fresh and warm urine sample in his hand. Anyways, I was too excited to find out the results because we pretty much knew. This is just the first step to officially get in line to see my OBGYN and get everything registered.

Test came back. It was positive. He congratulated me - I smiled and said thanks. I asked him if people usually know by the time they come or you usually have to break the news to them. He said people come to reconfirm or come when they have doubts. I told him I knew I was pregnant.

I left in 30 minutes with a packet to bring home. I am now one step closer to seeing my OBGYN and hopefully on my next visit, we can see some movements and say our first hello.

Estimated Due Date: October 26, 2012.

Positive on 2/24/2012

It was the night before I had to leave for Germany. We made a special trip to the Dollar Tree store and made our first purchase. A dollar pregnancy test. I was reading PinkPad and all these moms were suggesting to go and buy the test there. So I did. We bought like 4 and checked out.

We got home and we knew what to do. Scott unwrapped the box and read the instructions. I went to look for a disposable cup and went to the bathroom. I came out and handed to him like he was my nurse. 2 lines appeared on the test and we just started to crack up. Both surreal and with uncertainties, we went to my parent's house for dinner pretended nothing happened.

A few hours later, we packed and left for LAX. That night Scott insisted to take another one before we went to bed, and the results were the same. Positive. I didn't know what to think of it because a long week of tradeshow was ahead of me and I didnt want to get sidetracked. The thought of being pregnant would be a total scare if it was 4 years ago, now - it's a total blessing.

concluding 2011

2011 is really a memorable year. I have checked off most of what I want to do on my 2011 list and it is nice to close the year with a sense of accomplishment. We have went to all the places that we wanted to go to, hiked all the mountains and biked all the trails that were accessible within our vicinity, and spent as much time as possible with those who truly matters.

I didnt expect 2011 to have gone by as smoothly as it did, I prepared myself for the worse (setting up a password on my phone in case it gets stolen or lost, being extra cautious when driving on the road, and not traveling all that much). Besides a few breaks and shatters this year, we are ready to welcome the dragon year with a big hug. There are a lot of excitments and challenges up ahead which I know we will both handle it hand in hand. I am dreading that I will have to refrain myself from doing a lot of fun physical activities but that's something I will have to look forward to in a few years later.

I just feel very blessed to be spoiled by a lot of nice gifts this Christmas. Sometimes you do give more than you receive or receive nothing in return which is always the case for me, but this year, I receive more than I gave in forms of appreciation, really nice stuff and just a lot of sincere thank yous that I really take it to heart. One of my favorite and unexpected gifts was from a client of mine who personally drove down to give me a Tory Burch purse! When I saw it, I was like a kid getting my first toy. It was amazing! I also received knee pads and a burberry cashmere scarf from Scart! Burberry Blush from my sis. Jo Malone from my sis in law! And i can't wait to wear my lululemon jackets! s-s-s-spoiled!

This Christmas, all of my family members spent a pure White Christmas. My dad and lil sisters went to Japan and the rest of us spent it at Whistler. Speaking on behalf of all of them, we had a big blast! We used to go to a ski resort once a year for a few consecutive years and the tradition just stopped. It has been a long while since we all went to the mountains and returning to Whistler couldnt have been a better choice. Snowboarding in fresh fallen snow is the best ever and dining in Vancouver is another adventure of its own.

For NYE this year, we were at the Hardrock Cafe in Hollywood. I guess the economy is really that bad but it was a little quiet inside but on the outside, there were so many people just waiting for the countdown. We celebrated on the balcony and watched beautiful fireworks above us.

I have compiled a long list of resolutions and things-to-do for this year, and I can't wait until Dec 2012 to see how life has changed. Hopefully for the best...