Week 34

Hello Week 34.  Oh my goodness.  Can it be?

Baby has been moving, punching, kicking, hiccuping.  It's always entertaining to watch and feel my belly ripple.  Weighing in at 145-146#, 40" belly circumference.  I will likely be at around 150 by the time baby arrives, I can't imagine how that will feel...  legs and hips and back will be aching even more.  Just standing as I brush my teeth gets my knees aching.  At least my feet haven't been swelling up...  knock on wood!  The other day I saw myself in the mirror nakers and I thought I looked like an alien: giant belly with thin limbs coming out.  It's weird that I can still see my ribcage on the sides.

We finally made it to the movies to watch the Avengers last week.  And I managed to need only one pee break!  This week we will try to go watch Ted, I found the trailer hilarious since I grew up with a "talking" teddy bear...  STUFI!

On Tuesday we went to the clinic for the pediatrician meet and greet.  It was an informal info session in which one of the pediatricians explained what to expect once baby is born, and when we have to take baby back to the doctor for check ups and vaccinations.  We also got mini tour of the office.  Now we get to pick baby's doctor...  so random.  We will likely just go with the doctor that gave the info session, since his office is in the same building as my OBGYN, so there is no getting lost.

Oh, and I just realized I forgot to report on the last birthing class session that covered breastfeeding.  Basically you need patience and perseverance to achieve a deep latch and get baby sucking.  And there are many resources available to help in case of desperation.  We practiced several ways of holding baby for nursing, Philipp wrote it all down on my notebook as surely I won't remember.  I tried to take notes, but then would get confused as the next bit of information came in so my notes weren't making any sense.  That's when I handed off the note-taking task.

Today was the Eurocup semi-final...  Germany vs. Italy.  So of course Philipp got me a jersey that would fit baby belly too to cheer for Deutschland.  Unfortunaly, Germany lost 2-1.  Boohoo.  Baby had better be ready to learn to kick the ball before he can even walk.  Any baby jerseys out there?

Most common question I get these days is "How do you feel?"  Um...  big!  I also get "Are you excited?"  Er...  yes, but terrified too!  So many things can go wrong during birth (trying not to think about it too much).  And if we all make it through birth OK, then I will have this little bundle that is completely dependent on me.  Such an overwhelming feeling.  What if I can't get him to nurse well quickly enough?  Or if I can't figure out what is making him fuzzy and he won't stop crying?  Will I cry too?!?

Happy Maja Day!

Maja turned 1 year old on Saturday!  Happy birthday puppy bear!  So of course, I planned a bee themed party for Maja, including bee invitations!  We had 4 doggies and 7 humans at our little celebration.  For the doggies we had some treats.  For the humans I made empanaditas de carne (Panamanian mini beef pockets), arroz con pollo (Panamanian chicken rice), and grilled flank steak.

Maja got to wear the same hat Charlie the dog wore for his 1st birthday 6 years ago!  So cute.

 

I also made lemon cupcakes with lemon curd to howl happy birthday to Maja.  Although I had to blow out the candle for her.  (Yes, I got the yellow t-shirt just for this occasion).

Maja, Charlie, Takoda, and Puna had a grand time chasing each other through the house and in the yard.  Not easy getting a picture of all of them together.  All the doggies were quite pooped after all the excitement.     (Charlie is wearing a cone to keep him from scratching the hot spot on his face.)

Maja's big "bros" Charlie and Takoda are staying with us for about 5 days, so it can be mayhem at times in the house.  But once all the crazy excitement dies down, the doggies are all getting along.  Takoda and Maja have really bonded and now play in the yard...  it is quite a sight as Maja is about one tenth the size of Takoda.  And Maja follows Takoda everywhere he goes.

Since Charlie is older, he is not as playful.  Plus he has to wear the cone around and surely that's not so fun.  Aside from the hot spot on his face, his right ear has been bothering him too.  Philipp gave Charlie a massive grooming on Friday, so hopefully that helps make him feel more comfy.  Always so cute to see Maja and Charlie together.

Shopping

We have finally started baby shopping... at least getting the minimal essentials for baby to come home.  There is one baby store in our hood that carries most stuff at reasonable prices.

- Car seat (hospital won't let you leave with your baby if you don't have one)

- Car seat base

- Caddy stroller frame for car seat

- Crib mattress and sheets

- Changing pad and covers

- Ordered glider, hopefully it will arrive on time

This is what I must look like trying to figure out what to get.

I also did a run at Target to get the other type of essentials:

- Diapers (got 2 brands in newborn size...  will compare and see how it goes)

- Wet wipes

- Baby soap

- Wash cloths

- Baby detergent

We already have lots of little clothes, bibs, swaddling sheets and blankets we have received as gifts and hand-me-downs from Oli.  And we also have several newborn toys and rattles.

Thank you to the Parentals for their generous gift of the lovely crib and dresser!

Now I need to wash everything and assign drawers to keep it all organized.  I am also making a list of other house chores that need to be done before baby arrives.  Oh my.

And for all of you who have been asking, I finally present to you the baby registry: Amazon

On to other updates, this week I've had a heightened seasonal allergy reaction. Could be my symptoms are worse this year due to pregnancy?  Although everybody says this allergy season is the worst (I heard the same thing last year).  Sometimes when I wake up my eyes are a little swollen, especially the bags under my eyes, which adds nicely to my exhausted zombie look.  I noticed my left eye is noticeable worse than the right, cause I sleep on my left side?  Also, the last couple of days I've had itchy rash all over my body: sides of belly, breasts, back, arms, legs.  I finally got some calamine lotion to help relieve some of the itch, still I wake up at night scratching.

Weighing in at ~144, belly circumference 39".  My chicken legs are feeling the added weight.  My joints are soreish (hard to explain how they feel), especially my right leg knee and ankle.  So I find I can't stand around for long or it gets uncomfortable.  I've put a chair in the kitchen for when it's time to chop fruits and vegetables.

Today there is a heat wave in the Bay Area...  and no we don't have AC.  So we have fans going and drinking lots of water.  Will likely go visit friends with AC later.  =)  Maja has been sleeping through the heat.

Hello Baby!

And the belly keeps growing.  Sometimes it feels bigger from morning to afternoon.  How is that possible?  I need a haircut.

At the doctors on Thursday all vitals were good.
My blood pressure: 110/62
Baby heartbeat: 140
Belly measurement: 32cm (from top of pubic bone to top of uterus)
However there was a little elevated sugar in my urine test.  Doc said it might be a fluke but to make sure I'm drinking 2 liters of water a day.  I think I drink more than that...  but I don't keep track.  I'm always thirsty.

I finally figured out how to survive longer car rides without my back being in pain: I just needed a little lower back support in the form of a thin small pillow!  I'd actually thought of it a while back, I just kept forgetting to grab the pillow off the couch!  Pillow worked great when I drove down to SF to meet adoooorable little Olivia!

Sleep seems more restless, feeling zombie-like in the mornings.  I have also been having angry dreams...  in which I get upset at someone and end up yelling at them.  So when I wake up I am feeling quite off (aside form having to rush off to pee).  Maja seems cuddlier these days, sleeping with her head on Toto, my arm, or my belly.  I find it very calming to watch her sleep, even if I can't.  Ah, and it has been getting quite warm these days...  which sometimes makes me melt in bed (plus the giant heat source my belly has become).  So now I use an airplane blanky to sleep.  =)  Seems to be just right.

I asked Oli the other day what he thought baby's name should be, and he promptly said "Queso".  Hmmm...  I don't think that will go well with Philipp as he cannot have dairy and definitely is not a fan of cheese.

We got a couple of small lemon grass plants back in April (as my Pops will need it to make the after-birth black chicken soup), and they seemed to be doing ok...  except a couple of weeks ago Maja thought the pot where the plants were would make a great spot for burying her bone.  Yikes.  Philipp found the poor plants scattered and re-potted them...  but they don't seem to be doing so great.  Plus it's very hot and dry out so all the stress on them is probably not good.  I'm not so sure the lemon grass will make it.

And now to the latest on baby.  We had a follow up ultrasound this morning, since last time I had high level of some protein (not unusual).  Our little sneak peek of baby was awesome.  Unfortunately, there were computer problems at the clinic and we didn't get a CD of pics.  The technician did print out a couple of face shots, although baby seemed to be camera shy and was covering his face with his hands.

Philipp thinks baby has my nose!  Hee hee.  Computer estimated baby weighs about 4# 1oz, right on track!  Baby is head down, hopefully he will stay that way.  He does have plenty of space to move around.  So the lump on the top of my belly I thought was his head is actually his butt!

I got a wave of nausea during the ultrasound, I was surprised as I haven't had nausea in months (good thing!).  I was wondering if I should say something or just suffer through till the end of the picture taking.  But then how much longer will it be?  So I voiced my concern, and tech said it's normal and had me lay on my left side for a bit to recover.  But then I was still not feeling so great when we left and got home.  So I had to lay down on the couch for a bit.  Feeling ok now, but very tired.

Maja had a visit with the Vet this morning.  Over the weekend she developed a few issues:
- Hot spot on neck (allergic reaction causes an itchy sore):  been putting neosporin on it 3-4 times a day so seems to be healing well.  Also keeping a watchful eye on Maja to make sure she doesn't scratch the spot and mess it up.
- Blister in left back paw:  seems a little piece of garden debris got stuck in her paw.  Vet stuck tweezers in it looking for the culprit and we think she got it...  more neosporin.
- Broken nail in left back paw:  not too bad, no blood.  And it has rounded off on its own.  Maja's nails seems to grow very fast.  She got a pawdicure while we were there.
- Small cyst on left side of torso:  Vet aerated it (stuck a needle and pulled the syringe to perforate it), and then the small mass of fat came out when she squeezed it.  Neosporin!

Birthing Class Session #5

This past weekend I drove down to SF to meet up with DH for Dim Sum, she was in town only for the weekend.  As usual, I ordered too much food...  that's what happens when you let preggers place the order!  But better too much than not enough.  Place was pretty good and we beat the rush, a line formed outside soon after we sat down.  We both used to work at the same company and I remembered how our old boss would balance his coffee cup on his rotund belly (that's the word he would use when describing other um round people)...  so silly me I put my tea cup on my belly for the picture.  =P

I keep forgetting to take a sideways picture of me to document the belly growth with pictures.  Tonight I finally set up the camera on the timer to get a shot, since P is away.  I just checked out the pic of me at week 17.5...  and I thought THAT was a belly?!?  I feel like a "Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down"!

Anyways, on to today's class which covered infant care...  of which I know pretty much nothing.  I am the only one asking questions in class, what's up with that?  Here are some of the things discussed:
- To gauge if baby is getting enough milk, there should be 6-8 wet diapers by end of week 1.
- Classmate recommended getting a wipe warmer as newborns don't like the cold wipes on them.  A warm wipe will also help get the first tar-like poop off when it comes out.
- If milia (baby zits) or rash appear, no lotions or ointments are needed, they will go away on their own.
- In fact, newborns don't need any lotions or oils on their skin.
- Cord scab falls off within the first 2 weeks, should be kept dry.
- So until cord scab falls off, daily sponge baths with very little soap are enough.
- Once the cord scab falls of then you can bathe baby in a tub or sink as needed (being careful to hold baby as demonstrated in class).
- Tummy time can start at 2-3 weeks old.
- Changing table not needed...  on bed or pad on floor is fine.  Just make sure to always have a hand on baby so he doesn't roll over.
- The only non-first-time-mom in class has a 4 year old boy.  She said that for uncircumcised boys, you don't need to do anything at all to the penis when bathing or cleaning.  When he is around 4, you can teach him to pull back the skin and clean when he is in a bathtub so it is soft.  She is due in a week, a girl.


We also practiced swaddling and always holding baby supporting the head.


I asked about introducing baby to puppy at home...  Here are some pointers I got:
- Take a swaddling cloth baby used from the hospital and give it to puppy before going home so she can get used to baby's scent.
- When we do get home, greet puppy first to get all the excitement (and wiggle butt) out of her system, maybe give a new toy or bone.
- Then bring baby into the house keeping puppy from jumping up to show baby is off-limits to start.


Ok, I'm exhausted.  Time to get ready for bed.

Puppy Training

It's just the "bees" at home this week.  Philipp is in China so he might not be able to see this post until he gets back, but at least it will be here as a reminder to both since I tend to forget everything.  Only two more classes to go!

The bees.

This is our homework from training today:

1. Practice sit/stay (hold) walking away and out of sight.  I always forget to try this out, Philipp is the one who usually practices this with Maja.  In class I managed to walk away from Maja a few meters and then go back to her and release her from her stay.

2. Practice "heel" when walking...  I take Maja on her daily walks, and yes I forget to practice this too.  An addition to this one is to get her to sit automatically every time we stop during the walk...  in case I take her out on walks with baby in stroller.

3. Teach Maja an alternate behavior to barking at the neighboring cow (or whatever else may be walking by along the fence or property line).  She gets so hyped up in protector mode that she barely hears any commands at that point.  This one is going to be tough...  but necessary as when baby arrives there will be plenty of wailing around here.

4. Get a baby plush and teach Maja that it is not her toy.

5. Trainer showed us how to get doggie to sit and stay while we walk in a circle around them.

6. Surely I'm forgetting something else...  

The cow next door.

Maja has a summertime playmate at work: Kishu (our part-time summer receptionist's chihuahua) is back!  Maja is about twice the size of Kishu, but somehow they have managed to figure out how to play.  Although Maja often won't want to stop playing when Kishu has clearly had enough and just wants to chill or snooze.  Maja likes to hold a toy/bone and try to get Kishu to chase her for it...  but Kishu doesn't chase Maja very far as she is not allowed to get too far from her mom.  It's very cute to see them together.  Hard to get a good picture of them as one of them is always moving.

Kishu and Maja.

Birthing Class Session #4 and other updates

I am SOOO tired AAALL the time.  It's wearing on me, and patience is running out when dealing with frustrating situations at work.  Agh.  

Over the long weekend I was not sleeping well at night.  Melting under the covers, itchy boobies and belly, getting up to pee 3-4 times in the middle of the night, having a hard time falling back asleep.  So I napped during the day, sometimes more than one nap.

So Philipp switched my comforter to a lighter one, I put laziness aside and make sure to slather on the lotion on my belly and boobs before bedtime to avoid itchiness.  Getting up to pee can't be helped.  

Belly feels like its getting bigger by the day.  Measuring at 38" diameter.  And my lower abdomen is feeling the pressure and weight of it.  This picture shows how I feel:

Baby has been moving more during the day.  Lots of belly twitching, even witnessed by co-workers during a meeting.  Everybody was shocked.  =P

Birthing class session #4 covered the details of a C-section.  We saw a video, with a simulation of a C-section not the real thing.  We also separated into boys and girls teams to fill out a sheet on "what the girls want during labor" and "parenting ideas".  Girls wrote down things like:
1. To touch, or not,
2. Listen and forget,
3. Gentle reminders (to avoid annoyance).
HA HA.
One of the parenting ideas P remembered the instructor saying in the first class was: have a routine but not a schedule.  I think that's good!  We do have one set of parents in the birthing class, they have a 4 year old (everybody else is first time parent), she said not to let baby/toddler sleep in your bed or it will take a lot of effort and time to get them out.

Philipp is off for another trip today, a week in China.  Mi mi mi mi mi.

June challenge is to incorporate at least 30 min of yoga into my daily routine...  Oh boy.