25 weeks and 1 day

Seeing as time is beginning to run out, I am trying to get my butt in gear. Besides ordering the glider chair, we really haven't done anything.

I've been looking at crib sets for awhile now. It seems like all the cool ones are about $125-175--which is insane. I'm starting to come to my senses now about all of this. He's a baby. And he doesn't need to be spoiled with super luxury items--like designer crib sheets. So wherever I can save some money, I should do it. Starting with the crib set.

I have a 15% off coupon at Gap.com. I originally wasn't going to get a cutesy crib blanket. But seeing as this quilt is $30 with my discount. That's a great price-even cheaper than Target. So I'm ordering it along with the the bed skirt ($38)and 2 solid crib fitted sheets ($5 each). I'm not getting the bumper, because too many people have told me babies can suffocate from that.

One thing down and a million more to go!

UPDATE: Gap.com had problems, so I couldn't place my order. I just went on ebay and found someone selling the crib skirt for $13. Sweet! So that's $53 total for everything. The original price was like $180 for everything.

24 week appointment

So everything went fine today. The baby's heartbeat is 148, which is strong. I got to hear the heartbeat through the doppler, which is always cool. The doctor said in the next 2 weeks, I need to take the Glucose test. Ahhh! I'm not looking forward to drinking that syrupy orange drink. Blech!

Anyway, I ran threw some questions I had.

1. I found out Dr. Liao delivers on Monday and Wednesday and Dr. Ng delivers on Tuesday and Thursday. They rotate for long 3-day weekends. Dr. Ng said he delivers 85% of his patients' babies.
2. He said 50% of his 1st time mothers deliver past 40 weeks. I was really surprised to hear this.
3. He said when I go to OBX, try and keep the hot tub temperature at 85-90 degrees.
4. He said 75%+ of his patients get their sons circumcised. He said it generally happens the day after the baby is born. He said it's totally our choice. Recent studies show it makes no difference. It doesn't increase chances for STDs, etc.
5. And I was really worried about the overall size of our baby's head. KC and his family have some monster size heads and I was afraid his head would be so big, I would need a c-section. Dr. Ng looked at my 20 week u/s and said the baby's head measured 65%. So he does not have a big head. :)

And the biggest news was that it looks like my delivery date is now January 12, not January 14. Although, I guess 2 days is not really that big a deal.

gDiapers

From our hybrid to recycling to the new reusable shopping bags we bought, KC and I are taking baby steps toward being better to the environment.

So when I just read an article about gDiapers, I got very excited. Did you know that plastic diapers take over 500 years to distintegrate? And that Americans send 50 million plastic diapers to landfills every day?

Apparently, gDiapers is an Austrailian product that has been around for 15 years. And not only are the diapers (inside portion) bio-degradable and flushable, they have no inks or perfumes. So they are good for the baby and the environment.

Baby Registries

So far, we are registered at 2 places. And I haven't updated them totally.

For Target, our registry can be found by typing in my name or KC's or Registry #: 011003997103931.

For Babies R Us, you can find our registry by either of our names or the Regsitry #: 54075934.

24 weeks tomorrow

Tomorrow, I'm 24 weeks along. Only 16 weeks to go!

This afternoon, KC and I went on a hospital tour of Prince William Hospital's Birthing Center. Overall, we were impressed. We got to see the delivery room, which was totally different than we imagined. I guess we're used to hospital scenes from movies and television shows, because we imagined that moms delivered babies in an ER-type room. But at this hospital, you actually deliver in a very private room that is nicely decorated. Afterwards, we get to spend the "Golden Hour" with the baby. That is the 1st hour after the baby is born. The nurse said that babies are totally alert and can see 8-10 inches from you. So parents and baby can bond and the mom can breast feed if they want.

The nurse said I could have up to 3 people in the delivery room with mom. Although, it will probably be just KC. Unless my mom is interested in coming. And once I am transferred to my hospital room, which is a private room, I can have 4 guests at a time. Visiting hours are from 11-8:00.

I also liked the fact the hospital is secure. The baby has an ID on his ankle that functions like a lo-jack. If someone tries to remove the ID or leave the hospital with that ID on the baby, the whole birthing center will lock down.

I have my 24 weeks appointment this Tuesday. Hopefully, all is well.

Nano Highchair by Bloom

Well, I was going to get this really cool white high chair by Boon for $200. It has a lift on it like they do when you get your hair cut. But then I found this really cool highchair by the Bloom. It's the same European company, I bought that really cool lounger from.

What I like about it is that it can fold and be stored away. I love that, because I really don't want our house to get cluttered. Also, it's made out of micro leather and it has an adjustable footrest and tray.

Anyway, Right Start in Reston has in featured in their new catalog for $179.99. But Giggle.com is selling it for $150. You gotta love the web!!

Crib from Walmart

Well the last place in the world I would look for a crib turns out to have the best one at the best price. I was looking for something modern. Unfortunately, all the really cool ones are $600-900. Yeah, insane. And I recently found someone selling a Oeuf crib for $500, which is a steal considering it was originally $825.

But then I randomly stumbled onto the Walmart site. Long behold, a modern two-colored crib for $299 by Baby Mod called "Roxanne". While the end bars aren't super cool. The two tone color makes it feel modern overall and will match the nursery theme I am trying to create. It's Japanese-inspired mixed with super heroes, robots and cool illustrations. Plus, it converts to a toddler bed, so it'll last for several years.

Anyway, I guess Walmart got some new buyers or something. Because Target doesn't even have this. In fact, the only modern Target crib which is called Bebe happens to be $599. Sick!

You would totally think Ikea would have something like this. But they don't. They offer very plain cribs for $100-200. So from my comparison shopping, I think Walmart wins!

Tomorrow is 23 weeks

Well tomorrow is officially 23 weeks. It's hard to believe I am now beginning my 6th month. Time is flying!

This past week, I really felt the baby move a lot. And not just from the inside. I placed my hands on my belly and could feel him move from the outside, too. It freaked me out. It kind of felt like there is an alien inside me. Just because the movement felt so strange.

I got put on this big interactive project on Thursday, so I had to work this weekend. In fact, right now, I am taking a break. I can't believe in a few months, I'll be off work for 12 weeks. I wonder if I'll be okay--mentally. I wonder if I'll return to work early because I can't deal with being at home for that long.

Well, the weight is definitely starting to stick now. I think I've gained 10 pounds. Thankfully, most people have told me they can't tell. Just 15-25 more pounds to go. After going to the Golden Corral for lunch today, that will probably be easy. I ate all my favorites--mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, sweet potatoes, ham, green beans, etc. It felt just like Thanksgiving. Damn, it was heaven.

This week I am really going to try hard to lay off caffeine. So no sodas and coffee. I worry that the baby will turn out hyperactive if I keep drinking that stuff.

That's about it. KC and I go on a birthing tour at the local hospital this Sunday. Hopeflly, that goes well. Besides that, there's nothing else to report on.

22 weeks, 0 days

This past weekend, KC bought me a kickass rocking chair.

If you buy a new nursing rocking glider chair, it can run you $350. And then after the baby gets bigger, I am not sure what you'd do with the chair. So we stopped at Macy's to get a leather rocker. Unfortunately, it looked better in the picture than in reality. But situated nearby was a leather rocking recliner that also glides. It was on sale for $549 (from $799) and we get to use this $50 gift card we got for Christmas. So it's just $500. We picked out the mocha color.

KC said after the baby outgrows it, it will become "his" chair.

Not much else to report on. I had some major morning sickness last Thursday after eating a huge bowl of pho. I got to remember not to eat big portions. My stomach hurt so bad, I had to stop at the rest-stop. It sucked. And since this morning, I have felt some uncomfortable cramping. I am not sure what that is all about, since I haven't felt any cramping in months.

I also cheated last night. I had about 1/5 of a glass of muscato. KC opened up a bottle and I couldn't resist. While it wasn't much, it was so delicious.


As of this morning, I have gained 9 pounds. Which I guess is good. I am trying to stay in the 25-35 pound weight gain during this pregnancy.

And as for new gifts to report on, KC's cousin Jamie bought us a cute "Family Guy" onesie. She told me to stop buying clothes since I will probably get plenty during the baby shower. I think she might be right.

21 weeks, 1 day

What a long Labor Day weekend!

My uncle and aunt came from Korea as well as my mom came over to visit. My uncle and aunt bought us a portable Graco playpen with bassinet and changing table.

KC ended up working all weekend--30 hours in 2 days. So I had to be a good hostess. I drove them to a vineyard called Mediterrean Cellars in Warrenton for a wine tasting, an outlet mall, and to several restaurants in Centreville. And I also had to wake up very early. Especially after the first day, when I came down at 9:30 and my uncle called me lazy. This after I woke up several times--as usual--throughout the night. Including at midnight when it felt like a knife had been stabbed into my calf. I jumped out of bed to try to put some pressure in it and I was nearly in tears from the pain. It was so intense.

So needless to say I am exhausted. And to make matters worse, I just found I have a ton of work to complete by this Friday. So it looks like I will be up late at night every day this week and drinking lots of coffee. I need to stay calm though. Because I was getting nervous earlier and just went to the bathroom and threw up. I hate feeling sick at work. It makes it so hard to concentrate.

The baby is still kicking up a storm. Last night after KC and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary at Toney's new restaurant. Afterwards, we laid down to relax. KC placed his hand on my belly and the baby kicked 10 times right where his hand was. Several times, it felt very strong. I was surprised that KC couldn't feel it when I said, "He just kicked again." Although, KC swore he could feel him moving. I think we are both still in shock that we will soon be parents.