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!!

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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!!

Dirty Job

Ok, I spent 5 hours cleaning and have nothing to show for. I suck as a maid. What I discovered is my house is dusty. Thick layer of dust hidden every where. I am beginning to think hard about getting the professional maids to come in and spend 5 hours to clean the entire house. The dust just kept on coming back. I can't keep up. My goal was getting one room cleaned up but it's 1:30am and I am no where close.

Blurry Peanut or Jack Skellington?

Had my first Fetal Diagnostic Test yesterday to check for the fluid level. I have 15.9 oz of fluid in me. When the nurse first gave out that number both Ken and I thought that's the weight of Peanut. I was about to faint.

Here is a blurry image of Peanut's face. This ultrasound machine is only used to scan fluid level not for great visual examination. I am in love with this photo. It shows the chubby Peanut cheeks. This image kind of looks like Jack too?

Not Smooth Anymore

When I lay down and pet my tummy, it's no longer smooth and round anymore. I can feel body parts and they move around sometimes. It's kind of freaky when you can see a foot, elbow, arm, leg or the head moving across the surface. It's all coming together. I am excited, scared and nervous. Going on maternity leave will just put another step closer.

On the side note, how wide is too wide? I was going down on an escalator last weekend in Vegas and I couldn't get pass a wide butt. In my head I was thinking, how many pounds do the two cheeks weigh? I have to guess at least 100 lbs. They were lumpy and wide and they jiggled with the vibration from the escalator. Why was I intrigued by that? Thanks to Jesika, she turned up a notch on my normal brain farts. How? She actually engaged these thoughts in our conversations. The beast is loose.

Bored Observations -- in Vegas with restraints

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" I wish this line works for me. I am here in Vegas surrounded by temptations -- yummy food and sweet drinks. I don't think my diabetic blood meter will lie for me.

I had to eat lunch alone by myself today, I felt super lonely even though I was surrounded by hundreds of people. Sitting there, I noticed people's butts are getting bigger and bigger. The butts barely fit within the surface area of the the chairs. What's wrong with us? What happens if only one cheek can fit? What are we going to do? Next, I was fixated on the slushy machine stirring the yummy colorful drink mixture. Round and round it goes...it stirred up my desire to have one of those. I found myself standing next to it and about to order one, but Peanut kicked me. It was Ken's mini me telling me, you can't drink while pregnant. Dang, I was brought back to reality. Next time I came to consciousness, I was standing in front of Lenotre staring at the delicious desserts. This time, I saw bubbles above people's head with this caption "here is a pregnant girl looking to stuff herself." Feeling defeated, I quickly turned around and headed up stairs to my 1300 sq ft suite. I came back to hug my metallic Apple for the rest of the afternoon... It's sugarless and guilt free.

I want macaroons

I can't wait to get off the gestational diabetes diet plan. I am craving for Macaroons again. These are so good with a cup of good quality coffee or tea.

Gestational Diabetes

So I am officially verified by numerous pokes that I have gestational diabetes. I have to kiss the freedom to eat good bye. Went to my first diabetes class today and got a folder worth of instructions on how, when and what to eat. This will make me focus on more things that I can't eat. I recently started eating Pinkberry frozen yogurt. I really don't want to stop. It's so addicting. Even the Pinkberry song said so. I must have it.

















Jesika, I am going to put you on a yogurt free diet. That's it.

Ricky Bobby

So, this past weekend I sold my beloved Honda. I've had major separation issue with it for many years. I love that car. It was my first car and it had been through so much with me. I had to sell it b/c I needed to collect some money to get a different car for my Ricky Bobby. I think Ken is going through something too. He does not want to cut off his car stereo obsession. Changing car situation may require him giving up the last bit of his younger year trophy items. Changing our lives now is creating quite a bit of friction between us. But I have to admit, Ken has cowboyed up and impressed me so much. He has always been the adaptive one. I am so lucky to have him as my partner and Ricky Bobby's pa pa. I know we can get through the changes. We are so blessed by God. I really don't want to start complaining. I really want to focus on what we have and appreciate the new family addition in a few months.

Ribs

At 26th week ultrasound we are able to see the ribs. I love this shot. You really can see the bones. I wonder how much calcium loss I've endured at this point. It's really amazing to see a little person inside the tummy. I am still in shock.