We are HOME!!!!

 Just to fill everyone in on the birth of Caleb.  On the morning of Nov. 30th, I saw blood when I wiped myself after going bathroom at 5 am, I remember, or some time close to that.  My heart actually skipped a beat.  I was nervous and excited at the same time.  I was thinking to myself, “Omg, this IT!  This is really happening.”  At that time hubby was still sleeping, and since I haven’t felt any contractions yet, I just decided to let him sleep a bit.  I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself.  I decided I was going to take a shower just in case contraction do start and today is the day I go in and have my baby.  After the shower, I went into my closet, dragged out my half packed hospital bag, and started throwing stuff in there.  I really thought I’d have another week.  Guess not huh? 

Hubby usually gets up around 5:45 every morning, so he called out to me when he didn’t see me in bed when his alarm went off.  I think I had every light in the house on.  Later he told me he didn’t know what the heck was going on, all the lights were on, doors were open (I’m really big on always closing closet doors and bathroom doors.  Our dog drinks from the toilet and likes to sleep on our clothes in the closet if any of it is on the floor.).  He found me sitting on the toilet wiping myself while pushing down a little to see if there’s any more blood.  That was when I told him I think I’m going into labor.  Shortly after at around 6:00am, I started getting really mild contractions.  But things escalated REALLY  fast:

6:00am - Contractions started.  6 - 7 minutes apart.  Lasting 30 seconds.

7:00am - Contractions 5 minutes apart.  Last 45 seconds. 

8:00am - Waiting out the 5 minute apart contractions, that’s when the doctor said to head to the hospital.  But by 8 am.  My contractions were REALLY REALLY REALLY starting to hurt.

8:05am - Headed out towards the hospital.  On the drive over, I was having contractions every 2 minutes, lasting about 30 to 45 seconds.  By that point I couldn’t even talk.  Hubby kept asking me how I felt, and I just kept telling him to SHUT UP!  DO YOU THINK I CAN TELL YOU HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW?!  Man I was pissed!   The whole time I was thinking I’m probably only 2 or 3 centimeters dilated.  I thought, wow, how am I gonna handle the pain as the labor progresses if this is only the beginning.  The weird thing is, it truly was painful, but it was probably bearable.  I was just feeling scared of what’s going to come.  I was scared that I can barely tolerate this pain now, but what is it going to be like once I’m nearing 10 centimeters.  But little did I know, at that time I was already 7 centimeters dilated!

So by the time hubby pulled up to the hospital (8:20am), I was starting to feel pressure down there.  I was thinking I might start delivering in the middle of the lobby.  I told hubby he didn’t have time to park, just leave the car at the front entrance AND GET ME A WHEEL CHAIR.  Thank goodness the chair came quickly.  The nurse asked me if I was about to have the baby now.  And I said it feels like that.  So she said, ok, we don’t have time to check in, we’re going straight into the delivery room.  That’s where my delivery nurse checked me and told me I’m already at 7 cm.  She gave me some papers to sign, which I didn’t even read, I think I just scribbled what I thought is my name, and I went straight into telling her to give me the epidural. 

She told me she had to put me on an IV first and drip at least half a bag.  I was like WHAT?!  But of course, the time came for the epi, the anesthesiologist told me to hold still and whatever happens don’t move.  And this was done with contractions back to back now.  It was so hard to stay still.  I faced hubby, grabbed onto his arms and stayed as still as I could.  I held my breath, and just focused on my baby.  I didn’t move, but my whole body was shaking from trying not to move during each wave of contraction.  After about 20 minutes, the epi finally kicked in.  I was SO relieved.  I can actually have a moment to breathe now.  Now it was 9:00am.  I was feeling really good.  I can at least talk and breathe normally.  I was just cold from the IV and itchy from the epi.  But I didn’t mind.  Little did I know, the nurse stopped the epi at 11:00am.  Around 12:45, I asked her how come I could feel my legs and I’m getting all my sensation back.  She said she stopped the epi at 11:00 so I have 2 hours to get my sensation back and get ready to push at about 1:00pm.  And she was right.  Doctor came in at 1:00 and we started pushing.  The whole pushing process took about an hour before the baby was crowning.  Let me tell you, it was painful!  But knowing the baby is just a few pushes away, I have never in my life felt such motivation to keep going.  Once the head passed, the rest of his body just slipped out.  Seconds later, he was laying on my stomach, with all the gook and everything else.  I didn’t care.  I was in love.  Granted, the pain was still throbbing, but it was the most amazing moment in my life.  I didn’t have to get an episiotomy, there was one small tear that required 1 stitch, so that was good. 

Seb was great.  He stayed by me, gave me support, even though I was pretty mean at times when the pain seemed unbearable.  It was a real gift for us to go through this together; bringing a child into this world.  It's nothing short of magical.

And I have a new respect for Mothers.  I always knew mom’s were amazing and totally selfless.  But now having gone through this process and experiencing first hand what it means to feel, “I would give my life for his”.  It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.  I’m going to love being a mom.

A face I will never get tired of looking at:

I've studied his face over and over again while he's been sleeping...

He did end up having jaundice, so we checked him back in the hospital for 2 days of UV photo treatment.  He's just hanging out in the little warm box.

Alright~~We are IN the home stretch! One more week to go. We pretty much stayed in all weekend. I just feel sleepy all the time now.

I’ve been washing the last of Kumquat’s stuff; receiving blanket, clothes, car seat padding, crib sheets and misc., wash clothes, towels. All the little teeny, tiny baby stuff are SO cute. As I’m hanging some of the pieces, I can’t help but smile to myself; I’m going to be someone’s mommy.

We did get our Christmas tree up as well. How many of you guys are going to have a Christmas tree this year? Post some pictures!! I don’t really recall ever having a tree when I was younger. But Seb and I agreed we should definitely start that tradition now for our kids. I really want them to have many warm, loving family memories of their childhood… you know… one day when they’re all grown up and away from home.

Next week is Thanksgiving! So excited! I do have my OB appointment on Tuesday. Hopefully we get some changes and progress going. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a client at 3:00pm. But before that I’ll probably need to go into the office to take care some stuff.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Happy coming short week!

Good evening, Xanga World. Tomorrow will be my 38^th week appointment. Doctor told me last time I will be starting my weekly pelvic exams. I wonder if I’ll be any dilated at all. It’s all kind of exciting. I do feel my stomach has dropped a little lower since the last two weeks. I look at myself daily in the mirror and I can see how I’m carrying Kumquat differently now. Almost time!

Today was LONG. I couldn’t wait to get home! Good thing tomorrow will be a light day. I have my doc appointment at 11:00am. Most of my work stuff can be done over the phone tomorrow. Then I’ll need to stop by Macy’s to make a return, and I think that’s it! But I’m so burnt out today, I’ll probably need tomorrow to recuperate.

Over the next few days I’ll need to wash the baby bedding and clothing, reorganize the guest bedroom for Grandparents when they come down the weekend Kumquat arrives, and then just some light tiding up of the rest of the house.

40 weeks. Almost.

I feel sluggish. Don’t really feel like going out. But I guess I should get going though. Quite a few things I need to do today. Plus I know once I get things done, I can cross it off my list, which will feel good, instead of taking up space in my mind. (Whew! That was a long sentence.)

Gonna head out the door now!

Our little muffin will be done baking in two more weeks. Well, actually he’s probably done baking about now and will pop out whenever he’s ready. I’m a proud mom-to-me, and I can’t wait! I really try not to think about it too much as I am getting more and more anxious with our due date nearing. And really, it could happen any time now. My bags are packed, my maternity leave is in place at work, and I am just waiting for our little kumquat’s arrival.

For the past couple of weeks my appetite hasn’t been the best. I read online somewhere saying it’s actually normal to start feeling nauseous again after eating due to the lack of room in the stomach now. I do get hungry often but can’t seem to eat as much anymore. Most things don’t taste that appealing to me either. For most of the pregnancy I’ve lived on milk and cereal, it was what my body wanted all the time. Now even the milk and cereal craving has tapered off.

I’ve stopped going into the office everyday. I still take calls from clients and can usually help them or answer questions from home, as long as I have my computer. I’ll be going on my last 2 appointments tomorrow. One is at 3:00pm, and the other one is at 7:30pm. After that I am DONE. Just going to concentrate on getting as much rest as I can.

Ok, gonna get a massage on my massage bed and hit the sack… long day tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Good night!

I think my biggest complaint throughout this whole pregnancy is my back.  It is so uncomfortable I don't know what to do with myself.  It's just sore and achy.  Bleh.  I took it real easy today.  Did some work at home.  But I'll need to head into the office tomorrow morning... and then I'm going to meet Hubby for lunch for some Japanese curry.  Yum!  Something to look forward to.

Here's a "kind of" belly pic...

37 weeks... 

Here I'm just waiting... and waiting... aaaaand waiting...

I went to my 37^th week checkup today and Baby is still head down position. We did the routine listening of the baby’s heartbeat; nice and strong. He’s really moving around A LOT more now. And everyday a few times a day I can feel his foot poking at the side of my stomach. I think I mention he moves a lot more every time. But it really does feel that way to me.

Not much to update today. Everyday I wake up thinking I'm going to do all these things.  And I always think 'today' is going to be different.  Thinking to myself 'today' I'm going to have a little more energy.  But boy am I always wrong.  Did a few things for work this morning, then went to Costco. Came home and was REALLY sleepy at 4:00, so took a nap. Now I’m just gonna relax and watch some TV. Don’t really feel like doing anything. Don’t really have energy to do anything…just want to lounge around.  Poo.

Hope everyone’s having a good evening! Almost the weekend!

Counting down 3 more weeks and Baby Kumquat is gonna be here. My hospital bag is almost complete. Baby’s clothes, blanket, socks, little mittens, are all in there. I’m tying up loose ends at work over the next week or so, and I’m going to be officially on maternity leave! I NEED the break. My back needs the break.

I feel less and less energy as each day passes. Probably feeling uncomfortable from the weight. And I get sleepy early in the afternoon where I actually need a little nap. So I think it’s time go easy on my work schedule.

Came back early from work today, at 4:30pm, took a nap till 6:30, then went to Babies R Us. I had to pick up 2 waterproof mattress pad for the crib. I think I pretty much have everything we need now. Just need the baby to come out! Haha…

A year just flew by, and it’s our one year anniversary. Feels like just a little while back we were walking down the aisle.

Wow, the 1^st year of marriage, I have got to say definitely has been an interesting one. So much has happened, so many things learned from each other, and about each other. Certainly, there were times that felt like we were never going to understand each other. Ever. But at the end of the day, I really do feel our relationship develops into something more amazing each day.

A year ago today, welcoming our bundle of joy was just a thought shared between us. Or actually it’s me insistently gabbing about it. Soon we will be welcoming our 1^st born (hopefully out of 3), into our lives within the next few weeks. Watching Seb take such interest in the pregnancy and going to birth classes, newborn baby care classes, breastfeeding classes, and the constant belly rubs, warms my heart. I have no doubt he is going to be a wonderful father.

I’m looking forward to our life adventure together. Everyday unravels a bit of a new surprise for me. Together we are going to make a spectacular family!

Happy Anniversary, Honey! You still melt my heart into a little puddle next to my now crazy-pregnant-bellybutton.

I love you.

-wa

***Click for a picture from Seb.***

And here's one from my camera, anniversary dinner at The Porterhouse Bistro in Beverly Hills.

I'm SO happy it's Friday!  The weeks are going by slower, and slower, and slooooower.  I think it's because of my big tummy and the heartburn.  Starting on Monday, 3 more weeks left.  My due date is 11/30.  I think I'll make my last day at work 11/20.  Too tired to be meeting clients, lugging my laptop around with a million folders in the bag. 

Hope everyone has a super fast day at work on Friday.  Enjoy the weekend!