Cats Are Confused

After bringing Peanut home, the cats are confused. They are curious about this noise maker and are annoyed with the fact that we don't spend as much time with them anymore. Molly sits next to us eyes wide open wondering "how do I kick this small thing off Ken's lap?" With failed efforts of getting attention from us, she decided to do what the baby does. She did it.

Welcome Peanut

My pregnancy journey is finally over. I am no longer bloated and on the edge of being blown up by the non-stop growing tummy. Now I look and feel like a deflated balloon with a huge Jack Skellington's smile on the tummy. I don't quite know what happened and why. I had a 27-hour labor and ended up with a c-section. Everything was so muddy when it happened. I can't recall much but I do remember all the contraction pain and all the steps I had to go through before a baby can be delivered. There were many surprises... Now I've the full experience of the labor + the scary surgical delivery. Strangely, my recovery experience from the c-section is much better compared to my hernia surgery. My OB was awesome.

Ken was a trooper. He didn't faint in the surgery room. He was able to take photos for me during the entire surgical session. I, however, chickened out. One of the doctors offered me a mirror during the surgery to watch but I declined b/c I was so frightened to see myself being cut up. I was pumped with adrenaline, fear, anticipation and was simply exhausted from the 27-hour labor. I chickened out... What a wimp!!

Handbags

After making three drawstring bags I received a suggestion from one of Irene's lady buddies to turn them into handbags. This elegant olive green bag is the first handbag Irene and I produced. When I couldn't sleep the night before, I spent the entire time trying to figure out how to execute the seams and folds to ensure it'll result in the most sleek outward appearance. When I discussed my idea with Irene, she formulated the steps within seconds. This sewing deal is a lot harder than using any computer applications.
Here is the second fuchsia handbag Irene made. I learned how to "square" the brocade fabric to ensure the fabric itself is straight and even so when you sew the design patten comes out perfectly without any of the ugly fraying on the side. It took me about 30 minutes to clean up this fuchsia fabric.

My Last Adult Only Dinner?

Ken and I joined Irene's Thursday Dinner Group to Fujiyama for dinner last night. As we drove there, we realized this could be our last adult dinner until 18 years from now. I ordered Chicken Teriyaki and Tempura Combo. It was delicious. Irene's Thursday Ladies' Dinner Group was fun. Everyone was extremely sociable and had great parents suggestions for Ken and I. We had a great time chatting with the ladies. They offered me suggestions on what I should do with my next sewing project. Of course, after dinner we went to Joann's and got more materials for my next sewing adventure. I am picking up my crafty skills again. I remember the last time I did anything crafty like this I was in the fourth grade. It's been a long time.

Drawstring Bags

I've been feeling creative with my hands lately. Irene taught me how to sew as I supply her with my brain fart ideas. There are three drawstring bags I've made this week. I am on another project and I hope I can get my first one done before Peanut puts a break on it.

Sweets On My Mind

Just a few more days and these are not forbidden anymore. I should ask anyone who wants to see me to bring me a treat. I am so desperate. It's been a long time since I had a guilt free sweet treat. Orange is fine too. I am not so picky.

Timeout

I took a timeout (unplugged from the computer) for myself yesterday to get a rest from my freaked state of mind. I just watched TV, not really, and fell asleep on the sofa with my cats intermittently. I think it helped me to calm down and not read anymore data on births. However, as I channel surfed I ran into a few "bring home the baby" shows. Yikes, I pray God will give me the strength to push when the time comes. I don't really, ok I don't ever use my leg or tummy muscles daily like that to get anything done. I do have strong finger and hand muscles from typing. I just pray...

push, push, push

Oxytocin Induction Birth

I've been wanting Peanut to come out for some time now. OB just called to tell me if he doesn't come out by the end of this week, I am scheduled to have an induction birth at the hospital next week. She received the OK from the ultrasound doctor to perform the induction birth on me @ the 40th week even thought this is my first. Not sure what it means but it's on a schedule now. I will be given a dose of Oxytocin to get labor started.

I am scared and about to roll up in a ball.

For some unknown reasons, I can't keep my eye lids up. I think am about to fall asleep.

Mary's Summer Supper

Ken and I had a wonderful home made summer supper at Mary's place last night. We had so much fun. Most of all the company was top notch. We talked about anything and everything. Food was superb. It's nice to eat a "mom made" meal. It felt so good in the system and my blood tested out perfectly. We had:

• Sun dried tomato bruschetta with cream cheese
• Raspberry walnuts spinach salad
• Savory mushroom baked chicken
• Sauteed herb zucchini
• Harvest quinoa and wild rice pilaf

For dessert, we had a great time in the orange grove picking the fruit right off the trees. Here is my loot from last night.

Feeling Like I Am About To Explode

I woke up before the sun came out today and felt like my tummy is about to EXPLODE. It was painful and I felt pain on my back as well. The tummy wedge pillow is useless now. Nothing seems to help with the tension I feel. The shooting pain down my thigh is getting worse. The last one almost brought me down to my knees. Now it's pulsating on my left thigh. My boobs are hurting for I don't know what reason. I am just in so much pain.

I am telling myself today is going to be a good day b/c I have so much to cheer for. I've had several successful experiences of hypnotizing myself in the past. It's time to summon that talent again. I can do it.

My Raspberry Red Velvet Cake

Finally got to Stater Brothers to get a box of the Red Velvet Cake Mix and made this gorgeous cake. I used three boxes of raspberries to add a sour punch to this cake. I love it. It's so dramatic looking. There is another chunk left in the fridge. I should cut a piece.

Getting Nervous

Okay, I am due this Sunday. I don't know if it'll really happen on time. I've been wishing Peanut to come out early. I am so scared just thinking about it. I am feeling more pain and stress down there. My tummy skin is so ugly with all the stretching going on. I have discoloring all over it. So disgusting. I put all kinds of lotion, cream stuff on it just to keep the skin from feeling so "angry". I guess it's a good distraction from the "birth".

Ripping Cells

My tummy skin hurts so bad right now. It's like a burning pain. I can feel the skin cells ripping at the underside of my belly. This has to stop soon. I discovered women do not share all of the details of motherhood with women who are considering getting pregnant. I suppose if they were too honest no one would be duped into doing this. I am feeling super cranky right now. Everything is irritating me. Feels like a bad case of PMS.

I haven't been sleeping right for three weeks and I feel like I am about to loose it. Ken is in the mode of saying "yes" to me and behaves like a scared rat around me. It's so annoying. I am just in a very crappy mood. I hope this goes aways soon. It's not constructive.

Peanut please stop packing on useless weight and come out now. I am so tired of being pregnant. I am beginning to feel extremely irritable. My mind is shutting down.

Show Off

Peanut loves to show off his butt. We can't get him to cooperate to get the face shot but he's always willing to show us the other cheeks.

Delivery Simmulation

This must be the moment when Ricky Bobby was born. Ahaaa, haaa

Last Bag Fling

So I've been bag-buying free for several months now. Hubby decided to get this one for me for our wedding anniversary and as a reward to me for being good not blowing money on designer purses. We've returned two of these already due to leather flaws. He ordered a third one, if this third one doesn't pass the quality bill from me, I don't think I want it anymore. Peanut will be out by the time this thing gets here and I'll be carrying diaper bag instead of a purse. eh...

Thumb Sucking

Peanut is so big now that the ultrasound cannot pick him up in one view. Ultrasound Tech was able to get this image for us b/c his head is very far down, good news. According to his current 38th week measurements, he is now 7lb. 4oz. and 17in. long. OMG, I didn't realize he is this big. The doctor assured me his weight and size are on target not too big, 45%. Sure, this reassurance came from a "man" who doesn't need to squeeze a cat sized baby out of a small opening... Peanut is sucking on this thumb in this view. See the fatty hand?

Dazed & Confused

Woke up Monday morning to see this on the kitchen window. I stared at it for good 10 minutes and I just could not figure out what the hack I was looking at. I thought it was a dried up flower got stuck on the screen. But, I started to dissect the view. I realized there were "tentacles" on either side and folded the shape in half... Yuck!!!!!!!! I was looking at two moths having sex. I sent hubby outside for another closer look.

Dang, this is what they look like in the day light...
Since they were not caterpillars I couldn't cut them so we tried to fan them away. They flew away stuck together. Weird encounter...

Fetal Diagnostic Tests

Apparently I am considered as an "advanced age" mom-to-be. I have to attend multiple weekly Fetal Diagnostic Tests to monitor baby's heart rate in relationship to the contractions. I love my bubble, where can you go for tests and have a view like this outside of the window?Or when I get bored, I can just stare at this machine and watch the needle draw lines for an hour or so.

Fish For Boys

These fish icon jelly sweet desserts were special releases for Japanese's Boy Holiday. Not sure why the fish icon but I will accept any excuse to get my hands on a treat.

Takoyaki

Once a year takoyaki comes back to Mitsuwa. I was lucky to visit Mitsuwa that on that day and was able to order these delicious hot balls of gooey stuff before they ran out. They were so good, I couldn't wait to let them cool down to eat. I burnt the top of my mouth, but who cares. I had takoyaki and you didn't.

Black & Red Baby Shower

My work group threw me an awesome baby shower three weeks ago. Yes, I've been slow updating my blog. Viviana + Jesika designed the whole Black + Red theme, my favorite!! It came out incredibly beautiful despite my other friends' opposition of using this color combo for my real Baby Shower. Barabara made this amazing Red Velvet Cake with chocolate frosting on it. Good thing I didn't have to test blood that day. I ate a huge piece plus some. This ginormous cake was gone within 2 hours. After this, all I can dream about is to have another piece of it. I plan on making one this weekend to take over to my buddy's house. Instead of strawberries, I will use raspberries. Yeah!!