26 week update

14 weeks left. Wow how time flies. I haven't been exactly procrastinating, but I'm starting to realize how fast time is flying and how I have to start setting things up for my maternity leave, update my registry at www.amazonbaby.com, and so much more. I guess I should incorporate a checklist. I hate using those because once I see everything written down, I tend to panic. Unfortunately, mental checklists don't work for me at this time.
Here is my weekly update.
How far along? 26 weeks
Total Weight gain/loss? I am not sure at this time. If only I had a scale (but maybe it's a good thing I don't). I will update when I know.
Maternity Clothes? I took advantage of the Black Friday sales and purchased some maternity workpants (2 pairs) and a new bra. Much needed and for a great price!
Stretch Marks? None that I can see. You would think about how fast I'm growing, I should have tone of stretch marks.
Sleep? Sleep has been pretty bad this week. My left side gets numb, so I change to the right side.. but she doesn't like that. After being on my right side for 2 minutes, she is kicking and punching me non stop until I turn over. Good to know that she is so strong!
Best moment this week? Going to Filoli (see lower post) with my mom, my aunt Carolyn, and my MIL (Betsy). It was so fun to see all the decorations and listen to the carolers. I also purchased a few more Christmas gifts.
Movement? She is more and more active. Last night at Filoli, she started punching me after I was standing for too long. I have been feeling kicks for the past few weeks, but I have not been feeling punches too. It was pretty exciting, but then I started realizing how heavy my stomach is getting when I stand for too long. It's like a bowling ball is pulling my stomach to the floor.
Food cravings? It's not so much cravings as it is just food I eat constantly. I do love the Peppermint pretzel thins from Trader Joe's. I have to have Nick physically take the bag from me and hide it so I don't eat the whole thing.
Anything making you queasy/sick? Cigarette smoke. When I smell it, I feel both sick and angry. Angry that people could be so inconsiderate and not smoke in designated areas, but rather smoke on the pathway to the main door.
Belly button in or out? Almost flat.
Happy or Moody most of the time? I am quite happy a lot. I realize I am becoming more absent minded, but better that then having too much on my mind and being stressed out, right? :)
Looking forward to: This week, I am looking forward to my pedicure with Sarah on Saturday, my yoga on Sunday, then bringing our friends dinner and to see their new baby girl.

25 week picture

Here is a belly picture of me at 25 weeks. It is hard to take side profile pics with an iPhone. :) Enjoy

Filoli Holiday traditions

For the past 5 years, I have gone to Filoli Holiday boutique to start off the Christmas season. Filoli is an estate in Woodside. Every year for one week, they have a holiday boutique where you can walk through the estate and find so many items to purchase: ornaments, gifts, etc. I have gone with my mother-in-law a few times, my mom a couple times, but this year, I get to go with my mother-in-law, my mom, and my aunt Carolyn. I am dressed in my red Christmas holiday dress and I am ready to find some cute and unique Christmas gifts to give to the remaining people on my Christmas list. Let the holidays begin!

Glucose test and Thanksgiving

The glucose test on Wednesday went by really fast! It must have been the low sugar levels that made me light headed and forget the concept of time. While I was there, I got my ear checked out. The right ear gets swollen every couple of months and it throbs for about 2 weeks. I figured since I had to sit for the glucose test for two hours I would see the doctor about y ear. It turns out I have a clogged pore. My lymph nodes are also swollen. So I am now on antibiotics for 10 days. Fun times!
The glucose test results came back on Wednesday night. The note simply said "Congratulations. You do not have gestational diabetes. Happy Thanksgiving!" That was such a relief, although I was not scared. MY blood reading had to be below 150 (not sure what the number means) and I was only at 100.
Thanksgiving yesterday was great. We came to my parents house. This year, everybody else went elsewhere (Rachel is in Georgia, Chris and Wendy went to Wendy's sister's house, etc). So it was my parents, Nick and I, and my grandma. Dinner was quite tasty. We then lazied around and read a Thanksgiving story then went for an evening walk. The day finished very happily since our friends Dave and Jamie's baby arrived a little after 9 PM. Annika and mother are in great condition. What a great Thanksgiving.

Week 25

I am currently at the doctor's office getting my blood glucose test done. They took my blood after I fasted for 14 hours. Then they made me drink this orange sugary drink that tasted exactly like Tang. Ahh memories of summer camp. While I'm here and waiting for my next blood draw, might as well update my post.
How far along? 25 weeks
Total Weight gain/loss? I lost one pound from last week. It must've been because I just ate lunch last week before weigh in. Either way, I have gained 22 pounds.
Maternity clothes? I want to wear my leggings more often, but I feel I look silly with leggings and skirts. It's just not a look I'm used to. Stretch Marks? No stretch marks.. at least not within my visibile area. Who knows about under my belly.
Sleep? I have been waking up an hour or 2 before my alarm for no reason. I have a hard time getting back to sleep. Perhaps my body is preparing me for sleepless nights?
Best moment this week? The building excitement for the holidays. 96.5 has already started playing Christmas music, but I have resisted. I am sticking to my rule of no Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving.
Movement? I feel her kick in my lower abdomen throughout the day.
Food cravings? Eggo waffles are my breakfast of choice these days. That and frosted mini wheats.
Anything making you queasy/sick? The number on the scale and elevators.
Belly Button In or Out? Almost flat.
Happy or Moody most of the time? I discussed with Nick that I feel very little stress. I feel like my stress levels have actually gone down since being pregnant. Maybe it is as my doctor says: my body was made for pregnancy.
Looking forward to: Christmas season. I have completed all shopping for my neices and nephew and the in-laws. All that is left is my sister, parents, and more presents for Nick.

Black listed

This past Friday, we acted on our long, drawn out decision of returning our cat back to the Nine Lives Foundation. We originally adopted Josie in January, 2011 (I even wrote a blog about it) to play with our other cat, Molly. Molly is loving, fun, and very playful. Upon first meeting, Josie hissed and growled at Molly. We understood this was normal so we thought we would give it some time. All year long, Josie progressed to cornering and attacking Molly with teeth bared and claws out. We shrugged our shoulders and realized that we should just keep Josie inside while Molly was out. The final straw, however, was when we saw how Josie was not friendly around kids. She didn't attack them, necessarily, but she would get upset when they were around. This would not have been a good thing when our new baby comes! So we took Josie down to the Nine Lives Foundation. They are a no-kill facility, which brought some ease to our decision. The lady at the place seemed very displeased that we were "giving up" on Josie. Although she pursed her lips and was short with us, Nick and I felt that Josie would be able to find a much better home that will be a better fit for her: a home with no other cats, no children, and a person who loves to sit all day long with a cat on their lap. I joked that maybe the lady "black-listed" us from adopting another cat from Nine Lives. She may have, but luckily, we are not interested in another cat at this time. Bert and Molly will do just fine! :)

Week 24

This week was not my funnest doctor's appointment. I was simply told that I am now gaining weight too quickly and I need to keep a food journal. In 4 weeks, I will meet with a nurse practitioner who will go over my food diary and make necessary changes. Perfect time to modify my diet: when I'm pregnant and during the holidays. This has made me pretty upset. :( Here's my other updates:
How far along? 23 weeks
Total Weight gain/loss? 23. I ate lunch right before my appointment, so I may weigh a pound or two less, but this past week's weight gain was too much.
Maternity clothes? Loving the comfort of them!.
Stretch Marks? With my rapid weight gain, I have had no stretch marks yet. That is surprising.
Sleep? My nights are filled with multiple awakenings: the cat jumps on the bed, I hear noises outside, my cough starts up, etc.
Best moment this week? Putting together our new dresser and filling it with all the baby clothes we have so far. They are neatly folded and put away right now, but I'm pretty sure that it will all be a huge mess after baby Z arrives.
Movement? I feel her kick in my lower abdomen throughout the day.
Food cravings? Eggo waffles are my breakfast of choice these days. That and frosted mini wheats.
Anything making you queasy/sick? The number on the scale.
Belly Button In or Out? Almost flat.
Happy or Moody most of the time? I've been happy all week, but after my doctor's appointment, I am really bummed out. I'll get over it, though.
Looking forward to: Getting home from work and cleaning! The house still needs lots of cleaning. I sometimes daydream about what I can clean when I get home. This is a scary feeling!

New dresser for baby clothes

With the limited space in our house, we have to find ways to maximize our space. We currently have a dresser that I was considering putting baby clothes in, but once the crib is built and the rocking chair is put next to it, it will be really crammed on the main level. Our main wall seems to be the only wall that can have any furniture against it because the other 3 walls will not fit a dresser: one wall is our side door and window, the wall opposite the main wall is two staircases, and the other wall has drawers that are about 5 feet off the ground. After some searching, I was actually able to find a 6-drawer dresser that was a few inches shy of 5 feet that would fit perfectly under the drawers. One issue: It is from Ikea, so we would have to put it together ourselves. Nick and I took 2 1/2 hours to put together the dresser. I think the dresser looks awesome! I hope it lasts! I look forward to putting in all the baby clothes tonight!

23 weeks update

My weekly update! I would almost forget to do it every Wednesday if it wasn't for the emails from www.babycenter.com. Great website, by the way.
How far along? 23 weeks
Total Weight gain/loss? 16 pounds. Guess I should cut back on the french fries.
Maternity clothes? Looks like I need to go buy more bras in bigger sizes. I hope they stop soon! I am tired of buying new bras every 2 months.
Stretch Marks? None that I can see (believe me, I am seeing less and less of me below my belly. Sucking in is not possible.
Sleep? My dreaded cough has returned. Poor Nick is sleep deprived along with me since I wake up with coughing attacks about 2 AM for about 30 minutes. I miss OTC medicine.
Best moment this week? Having Nick feel our little girl kick for the first time. He had to wait for a few minutes and sit really still, but she gave him a little kick.
Movement? The flutters are about the same along with the occasional kicks.
Food cravings? I look forward to Taqueria Wednesday's here at work. I get a taco salad in the shell with no lettuce. Tons of guac and sour cream. Yum!Anything making you queasy/sick? Getting off the elevator. I still feel like I'm going up and down once I get off the elevator. Fish, too.
Have you started to show yet? For sure. It's funny watching people instantly go to rub my belly but then stop themselves because they realize they are at work and it could be considered harrassment. Luckily, I don't mind people touching my belly.
Gender: Still a girl, last time I checked!
Belly Button In or Out? Still looking like a cave!
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy! I have also been shaking my hips and dancing a bit in my cubicle throughout the day.
Looking forward to: Satisfying my nesting urges. Our house needs some deep cleaning!

Birthday weekend getaway

For my birthday this year, Nick and I went to Carmel for the weekend. We stayed at this quaint bed and breakfast place called CobbleStone Inn. It was more money than it was worth, but hey, we had a great time just being together. I have so much fun with Nick. He makes me laugh everyday and I never get tired of him! If we are doing this great at 5 years, I am fully confident for the future! He will be a great father, too.
We hiked at Point Lobos and drove down Hwy 1 along Big Sur. It was pretty but a bit chilly. At least it wasn't raining yet.

We then had a great dinner at a place called Demetra's. It had amazing Mediterranean food and could only fit 20 people in the restaurant. It was a great price, too! While I was sad for the weekend to be over, I was looking forward to sleeping in our own bed. What a great birthday weekend!

Week 22

22 weeks have past already! That's insane! I feel great, though! Except for the protruding belly and the difficulty getting out of bed quickly, I wouldn't believe I was pregnant. Here's my updated
How far along? 22 weeks
Total Weight gain/loss? 15 pounds. Climbing pretty quick!
Maternity clothes? I just found out there is a motherhood maternity outlet store in Milpitas. I plan to go there ASAP.
Stretch Marks? None yet!
Sleep? I wake up with small noises, but perhaps that is getting me ready to wake up during the night for feedings.
Best moment this week? Going shoe shopping with my mom for my birthday!
Movement? The flutters are about the same, and I think I felt some other weird movements. Not too sure..
Food cravings? I have made a goal to stop eating so much sourdough bread. Now that I'm gaining weight normally, I need to reduce the carbs and up the nutrition.
Anything making you queasy/sick? Getting off the elevator. I still feel like I'm going up and down once I get off the elevator.
Have you started to show yet? Definitely. There's not mistaking it now!
Gender: Still a girl, last time I checked!
Belly Button In or Out? Still looking like a cave!
Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been constantly happy (which is not abnormal for me.
Looking forward to: My birthday weekend this weekend. We are going to a bed and breakfast for two nights in Carmel. It will be nice to go on a babymoon.