Birth Story of Ashley Tang

 The weekend of Ashley's Arrival.  This was the weekend of Caroline's wedding in SF - Bryan's cousin's wedding.  We were not planning to go initially but I knew the kids would have so much fun at weddings and I dont want them to miss this party.  Just because I shouldnt go, they can still go.  The plan was to have them fly with my mom and we would drive if the baby is still not here.  The weekend came and we were ready to go.  That was also the weekend that Scott's parents came to stay with us because their house needed to be fumigated. 

On Saturday morning at 8am, Scott, Amber and I left pretty promptly for our Nor Cal road trip.  We needed to be there by 4pm for the ceremony.  Amber was great being in the back seat all by herself, unlike all the other days.  She just sat quietly and listened to music.  We made a pitstop about 3 hours later and ate mexican food.  She didnt like her quesadilla.  

We arrived at the hotel at 4PM and hurried to get dressed to catch the shuttle at 4:30PM.  They all got dressed and I got to explore downtown SF a bit.  It was the best roaming around the busy streets with no agenda.  The downside was my belly was super heavy and walking uphill and downhill could have been easier.  I had to say for the number of people I saw there that night, I was the only pregnant woman there.  

I walked to the mall and got a really good drink at the metro station.  It was a grapefruit and mango? I have to go back to get another one someday.  There was only so much to see with so little time before things closed.  I went to eat a bowl of duck noodle at a thai restaurant and, that was the last meal before Ashley.  

I have been feeling not the most comfortable so I laid down that night by 8PM.  The next morning, I had a bloody show at my first trip to the bathroom and I knew it can come ...soon.  So we packed up quickly and left the hotel by 9AM.  Went to get breakfast at a really nice bakery.  I didnt want to eat so much because I was really paranoid of pooping during my labor!  We dropped off Bryan at the airport and we were on our way home.  Stopped by San Jose and bought more Banh mis and got home a little after 3PM.  

By then, I havent had much contractions yet but I could feel that it was getting heavier. It was also getting bloody on my bathroom trips.  As usual, it was Sunday and the Tangs were coming over to eat curry.  Contractions were starting by the time they came.  To be honest, I didnt remember how the contractions felt like.  This time around, the peak of the contractions was my first sign of pain and gave me the signal that - yes, it was time.  

Picture taken at 6:34PM: The cousins as always were loud and crazy.

Picture taken at: 7:34PM - the last photo with Ashley inside.

We arrived at Kaiser - Baldwin, with our masks, walked in to the hospital.  This time was different because of covid.  Scott had to wait downstairs until I got admitted.  I waited in the room to get checked.  The wait was long - about 30 mins?  She checked me and I was 7cm.  Still had to wait until they get the room ready.  Scott was getting impatient because he was still downstairs so when I got to my room, I had to tell him which room I was.  

With the mask on and contractions coming strong, the nurse was getting me situated in the bed.  Then came the covid test.  That was unbelievably painful.  With contractions coming and the swab way up the nose, I think that was the most memorable part of my labor and delivery.  

The contractions were getting more painful but bearable.  I also know that she is coming soon.  I kept telling the nurse that I think the baby is coming soon.  She decided to check me and I was 10cm. They came with the midwife and spread open my legs super wide.  For some reason, I felt I was most aware and conscious during this labor because it happened during a time that I would normally be awake.  

They positioned my legs side open, we were all waiting for my next contraction to come.  Then comes the first push - I felt the baby exiting.  It did not hurt but I can FEEL the baby is coming out - soon.  I pushed again and you can feel more weight in the area.  A few minutes later, we waited for the 2nd contraction and I pushed again.  This time, her head was out - 2nd push and she came out.  I knew my eyes were closed and clenched my jaw the whole entire time.  In my mind, I was asking myself - what is it going to be - boy or girl.  Finally - when they baby came I looked at Scott and the nurses held up the purple baby toward me.  ITS A GIRL! I have to admit that I was ready for a boy since everyone said its going to be a boy.  Girl it is! 

This little tiny human on my chest and we couldnt come up with a name yet. She looked so afraid and I would be too.  The last few weeks with her, I could see the bewilderment in her eyes that everything seem so scary and strange to her.  A few minutes on my chest later, I tried to see if she would eat and just immediately, she latched on like a pro.  

There she was and there she is.  I just can't wait to know her and learn all about her.  

The 5 weeks before Ashley's Arrival

The fourth pregnancy was different from all the other three.  More nauseous than others, like I was completely dysfunctional after 9PM.  Sleep was the only medicine.  The biggest difference was I had gestational diabetes.  I couldnt believe I had to prick my fingers 4 times every single day for the 8 consecutive months.  I did and it's over.  I wish I took a picture of the mason jar of all those needles and strips before I threw it away.  Alice was the best at keeping me in line with my diet.  She was like my diet coach, didnt let me eat any pizza and reminded me that I will fail if I ate rice.  

The 4 weeks before Ashley came was the hardest and most awkward.  I didn't fit into any other clothes anymore and my belly was unconcealable with any type of clothing I wore.  Since all the maternity clothes I had were gone, I only really bought 3 pair of pants and 1 pair of shorts which thankfully lasted through my whole pregnancy.  Even the maternity shirts I got was getting too small!

So the weeks prior to Ashley's arrival, we did as much as we could.  

Weekend of my birthday, we camped at Newport Dunes with Brenda and her family.  We put up our tents in what felt like was an RV campground since we were the only ones sleeping in tents.  Amber fell asleep first by 9:30PM and the rest of the kids slept shortly after that.  I just remembered how clean the bathrooms were.  It felt like a 5 star hotel type of bathroom.  

The next morning, we ate 85 degree breads for the breakast and went to the waters.  The kids had a blast getting on the obstacle course and spend about 2 hours in the water before we left for lunch.

The following weekend, we set up the crib and went to my sisters for the pool with the kids before the summer is over.  I think this might have been the last swim of 2021.

Then, the hottest weekend came.  My sister planned a whole extravagant picnic by Pasadena Picnic Company at the Michilinda Park. It was very dreamy and the whole setup was over the top.  Too much food and we tried to save it from all the flies that were attacking us.  

The day after continued to be SUPER hot.  I forgot where Scott and Adam went but it was so hot that i decided to take the girls to Seal Beach for ice cream.  It was SO worth it because it was 20 degrees cooler there.  It also happened to be a craft event so the kids had so much fun.  When we walked back to our car, we even ran into a Mermaid! She was dressed in a costume and she looked so real.  

The weekend of Sept 17, 2021.  We participated in the Camp out with the city of Monrovia for the 2nd time.  We went in 2019 and it was the best first time camping experience because the rangers cook and served us with food and end the night with a hike and stargazing.  We did it again with some of our kid's friends - Iris, Penny, Stewie and met some new families along the way.  There was another family with a pregnancy mom who brough a rottweiler with them. 

Adam finally started with AYSO.  Best decision ever! I remember we picked up the flyer at the Old Town streetfair and I signed up with them.  I told Adam to go on the first practice and see if he likes it.  I told him if he doesnt like it, we won't go again. (Really this wasnt an option), but he just has to try and see.  Sure thing, after the first practice - he gave me a thumbs up. 

The last weekend of September - we signed up for the Kid's Rush at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.  We were the only ones who signed up and Logan and Camilla were able to join last minute and then also Dora at the VERY last minute.  Adam was hyped up to get his 2nd medal and the girls were super excited to join this time to get their first.  

We ended the morning at Kura Revolving Sushi for lunch.  The kids eat sushi like it's free!