The all-day childbirth class was not as bad as I expected. I was worried it’ll be instructed by someone boring and 7 hours will just drag. But our instructor was hilarious, honest, and although I had read/heard most of the info that was shared , it was nice to actually see videos and photos and share questions amongst other mommies and daddies-to-be. Although, I did catch ap about to drift off to la la land during one of the video presentations. So I thought I’d test him on the way back:
Me: you so didn’t pay attention to anything did you?
Ap: yes I did!
Me: so what do you call that very first supply of breastmilk that comes out?
Ap: super milk!
Well…I guess he’s not entirely incorrect.
I thought I’d test him again that night while watching Julie&Julia, during the part where they were talking about the publishing company’s name:
Me: ugh, my stomach hurts!
Ap: oh! It’s those false contractions we learned about today. (YOU learned about it today; I knew already before!)
Me: what is it called???
Ap: houghton mifflin! ( it’s a publisher’s name metioned in the movie!)
Me: lol. WHAT?
Ap: Barack Obama contractions!
Me: (by now, I was rolling on the couch holding my belly, not from the “barack obama” contractions but from laughing so hard. pretty sure braxton hicks at least wouldn't be offended to be referred to as barack obama)
The instructor was teaching us various breathing and pushing techniques, telling us to “hee hee hoo” or “hee hee hee hoo” while we held our knees back, and telling the dads to count “one, two, three…ten” while holding us from the back. Ap took the whole thing way too seriously (or NOT so seriously), yelling “one, two, three…” in my ear while I’m cracking up. he kept saying “push, push, push, push…” like I was really in labor! I told him to stop playing around. He said he was trying to make light of the situation and that he’s really going to be that funny during the real thing so that I don’t focus on the pain. I told him I will punch him if that was the real deal.
It hasn’t been an easy road to get here, and even after reaching all the milestones I thought were not possible for me, I haven’t been the easiest preggo to deal with. With all my mood swings, cravings at the funkiest hours of the day/night, fickleness, complaints and rants, crying and bitch fests, looking more and more like oompa loompa every day, fears I’m never going to look pre-preggo again (which I’m sure he fears, too although he says he doesn’t) – my husband has been the most supportive and loving partner. The road to today was difficult but will help us to be better parents, painful but humbling, and long but worth every minute. Without ap’s constant optimism and assuring words and hugs, I would’ve thrown in the towel a long time ago. And yes, even if he does end up poking jokes during real labor, he might end up w/a black eye, but he’ll make the best dad in the world.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
8 more weeks!
I never slept 8 hours a night before. My usual sleep schedule was 11:30 (after the 11pm news) ~ 6:30. Now, my alarm still goes off at 6:00 but it would take a Tsunami to get me up by 6:30. I cannot for the life of me get out of bed until the clock shows 7:45 now. That’s over 8 hours of sleep now. And to make it worse – I’m still tired and sleepy by 2:00pm in my cubicle. Sometimes I wish my cubicle had a door so I can just shut the door lean back in my comfy chair and knock out for a power nap. Not sure if I’ve mentioned this before but our office actually has a “relaxation/nap” room with massage chairs and magazines, dimmed lighting, the whole shebang. But I’m so pooped by the time I realize I’m sleepy that I can’t even get out of my chair to go take a nap in this room. In fact, the only thing that keeps me awake in the afternoon is the lil one squirming and kicking around in my belly. He’s a lifesaver. He wants to make sure mommy doesn’t get caught w/her head bobbled back and drooling.
So yes. Third tri is kicking my butt. I am exhausted. I feel heavy. I am anxious. I am hot. Ap the other day said he can feel the heat of my body just by putting his hand like 5 inches away from me. But he’s a prince. Still manages to pull me up/off the couch cuz I can’t get up/off of it myself unless I roll off, although I’m sure he’d like to use mittens to do so. Ap freezes in the middle of the night cuz I have the ac on full blast at like 70 degrees otherwise I can’t sleep. This explains why I have this head cold and sore throat but I’d rather fight thru the cold than sweat myself to sleep only to wake up every hour because i’m so hot. Is this what menopause will be like too? Eeek!
The shower was 2 Saturdays ago. I have not figured out how to use our new dslr to upload pics yet so no pictures to share yet. Although, there really aren’t much to share because someone, don’t know who, deleted almost all the pictures. I’m not even going to get into this story. I’ve cried hysterically 3 days straight already so I’m not even going to go there again. Whoever committed the crime is darn lucky though. I was telling my friends at work that what makes me most upset is not the lost pictures but the fact that whoever did it didn’t have the decency or balls to fess up about it. my friends looked at me like “are you kidding?” and said “well hello! Who WOULD fess up to you especially while you’re preggo? They don’t want to die!”. Although we only have a couple of photos that were salvaged from the cruel annihilation (really, I’m so over it!), the shower was so fun and amazing. Ap and his friend catered the entire menu. sis/sil did an amazing job putting the games, decoration together. Our parents had a ton of fun hanging out together in their own corner. All the kids loved the rice krispy favors and the little water fountain. And so many people walked away with awesome prizes and hours of laughter. And no ‘park’ family event is complete without playing bingo! I just can’t wait to go on my leave next month to organize all the gifts and bags of clothes for the lucky guy. He won’t have a nursery until he’s about 4 mos and I feel so guilty about it, but we’re doing what’s practical and sensible so I’m sure he’ll understand. And really – he’ll be 1~3mos old – will he even remember that his mom&dad didn’t bring him home to a nursery?
I met the pediatrician last night for a consult. I loved her. She’s a strong woman. Gotta love that. She kinda reminded me of meredith’s mom on grey’s anatomy. Not in that bitchy way but just how she talked about going through med school back in the days w/men who always had the upper hand which is one of the reasons why she went into pediatrics. She saw innocence in children that adults don’t have. They didn’t judge her. And she loves that she sees youth and beauty every day she said. The parents are young and the kids are beautiful.
Tomorrow is our birth class. We opted for the full day class instead of 4 weekday evening classes for 4 weeks. I just hope I don’t fall asleep by the 4th hour tomorrow. I feel like I’ve read and heard just about everything I can on birth and labor but I’m sure I’m in for a surprise tomorrow. I just hope whatever they feed us for lunch is not some nasty sandwich or pizza. I wouldn’t mind if they gave us Hoag’s food cuz I heard how great it tastes. But still it’s hospital food…how good can it possibly be? I’m for sure taking my own snacks/food to take for labor/recovery in case Hoag’s food just doesn’t cut it for me and I don’t want ap running out every 2 hours for mcdonalds.
So yes. Third tri is kicking my butt. I am exhausted. I feel heavy. I am anxious. I am hot. Ap the other day said he can feel the heat of my body just by putting his hand like 5 inches away from me. But he’s a prince. Still manages to pull me up/off the couch cuz I can’t get up/off of it myself unless I roll off, although I’m sure he’d like to use mittens to do so. Ap freezes in the middle of the night cuz I have the ac on full blast at like 70 degrees otherwise I can’t sleep. This explains why I have this head cold and sore throat but I’d rather fight thru the cold than sweat myself to sleep only to wake up every hour because i’m so hot. Is this what menopause will be like too? Eeek!
The shower was 2 Saturdays ago. I have not figured out how to use our new dslr to upload pics yet so no pictures to share yet. Although, there really aren’t much to share because someone, don’t know who, deleted almost all the pictures. I’m not even going to get into this story. I’ve cried hysterically 3 days straight already so I’m not even going to go there again. Whoever committed the crime is darn lucky though. I was telling my friends at work that what makes me most upset is not the lost pictures but the fact that whoever did it didn’t have the decency or balls to fess up about it. my friends looked at me like “are you kidding?” and said “well hello! Who WOULD fess up to you especially while you’re preggo? They don’t want to die!”. Although we only have a couple of photos that were salvaged from the cruel annihilation (really, I’m so over it!), the shower was so fun and amazing. Ap and his friend catered the entire menu. sis/sil did an amazing job putting the games, decoration together. Our parents had a ton of fun hanging out together in their own corner. All the kids loved the rice krispy favors and the little water fountain. And so many people walked away with awesome prizes and hours of laughter. And no ‘park’ family event is complete without playing bingo! I just can’t wait to go on my leave next month to organize all the gifts and bags of clothes for the lucky guy. He won’t have a nursery until he’s about 4 mos and I feel so guilty about it, but we’re doing what’s practical and sensible so I’m sure he’ll understand. And really – he’ll be 1~3mos old – will he even remember that his mom&dad didn’t bring him home to a nursery?
I met the pediatrician last night for a consult. I loved her. She’s a strong woman. Gotta love that. She kinda reminded me of meredith’s mom on grey’s anatomy. Not in that bitchy way but just how she talked about going through med school back in the days w/men who always had the upper hand which is one of the reasons why she went into pediatrics. She saw innocence in children that adults don’t have. They didn’t judge her. And she loves that she sees youth and beauty every day she said. The parents are young and the kids are beautiful.
Tomorrow is our birth class. We opted for the full day class instead of 4 weekday evening classes for 4 weeks. I just hope I don’t fall asleep by the 4th hour tomorrow. I feel like I’ve read and heard just about everything I can on birth and labor but I’m sure I’m in for a surprise tomorrow. I just hope whatever they feed us for lunch is not some nasty sandwich or pizza. I wouldn’t mind if they gave us Hoag’s food cuz I heard how great it tastes. But still it’s hospital food…how good can it possibly be? I’m for sure taking my own snacks/food to take for labor/recovery in case Hoag’s food just doesn’t cut it for me and I don’t want ap running out every 2 hours for mcdonalds.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
checklist
I have yet to start a checklist for the arrival of our baby boy. And I normally love checklists. But here is my very first checklist for this pregnancy.
Things I must bring to the hospital:
Yes. All the things I’ve been deprived of these last 7+ months. I want to devour all of them the second this baby pops out. I’m chugging a bottle or two of modelo as the doctor takes out my placenta and stitches me up. and i’ll need that modelo when she stitches me up! What about breatfeeding you ask? The baby needs to get a head start in life. He’ll appreciate a little bit of modelo too I’m sure, if he’s anything like his mother.
Ok, all kidding aside. I’m CRAVING beer. Italian deli meat. And real coffee. I’m sick of the decaf crap. Son, if you ever read this. Know that mama has the tiniest self-control known to any man on earth. yet she’s endured these last 7+ months w/out the food she loves the most. Isn’t she the greatest mother in the world?
On a different and all serious pregnancy note (I was serious about being the greatest mother in the world) – I think my maternity leave date is set for 9/24. I say I think because I know it won’t be any sooner than that unless some complication arises from now until then, but from what doctor sees, everything’s going fine. She said as long as I’m not spotting, in unusual pain, and the baby’s kicks & movements are consistent, there’s no need for concern. I’m seeing her every 2 weeks now so I’m sure she’ll know every time she sees me. I know it won’t be any later than 9/24 because the doctor’s said she normally takes moms out at 36 weeks. So I’m sticking to 9/24. I’m gonna stick my foot in my mouth later for saying this, but I kinda like work these days so a part of me wants to work as far into my pregnancy as I can. We’re super busy lately with rates being historically low but my pregnancy has made work less stressful. I know – sounds weird but I’d consciously made the effort to not let work stress me out when I got pregnant. So ever since, I’ve come to work and actually enjoyed doing my job. I think the baby’s made me a happier, calmer person. I don’t want to tell my clients off anymore. Surprise! Well, 9/24 it is though. Told my boss already and date’s penciled in on her calendar. These little things make it all so official. I never thought I’d get here. And now that I am here, I have no clue what I’m supposed to do next. I don’t have a checklist started yet, that’s why! I think right about now is a good time to start one.
Things I must bring to the hospital:
- modelo especial 6 pack
- claro’s mortadella, capicolla and soppresetta sandwich
- yellowtail, halibut, albocore
- hot dog w/extra mustard
- keane's coffee. Extra caffeinated
- modelo. did i mention that already?
Ok, all kidding aside. I’m CRAVING beer. Italian deli meat. And real coffee. I’m sick of the decaf crap. Son, if you ever read this. Know that mama has the tiniest self-control known to any man on earth. yet she’s endured these last 7+ months w/out the food she loves the most. Isn’t she the greatest mother in the world?
On a different and all serious pregnancy note (I was serious about being the greatest mother in the world) – I think my maternity leave date is set for 9/24. I say I think because I know it won’t be any sooner than that unless some complication arises from now until then, but from what doctor sees, everything’s going fine. She said as long as I’m not spotting, in unusual pain, and the baby’s kicks & movements are consistent, there’s no need for concern. I’m seeing her every 2 weeks now so I’m sure she’ll know every time she sees me. I know it won’t be any later than 9/24 because the doctor’s said she normally takes moms out at 36 weeks. So I’m sticking to 9/24. I’m gonna stick my foot in my mouth later for saying this, but I kinda like work these days so a part of me wants to work as far into my pregnancy as I can. We’re super busy lately with rates being historically low but my pregnancy has made work less stressful. I know – sounds weird but I’d consciously made the effort to not let work stress me out when I got pregnant. So ever since, I’ve come to work and actually enjoyed doing my job. I think the baby’s made me a happier, calmer person. I don’t want to tell my clients off anymore. Surprise! Well, 9/24 it is though. Told my boss already and date’s penciled in on her calendar. These little things make it all so official. I never thought I’d get here. And now that I am here, I have no clue what I’m supposed to do next. I don’t have a checklist started yet, that’s why! I think right about now is a good time to start one.
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