The Gift Registry

We are blessed to have very generous family and friends. We are also blessed to have family and friends from all around the world. Recently, at the baby shower, Sarah's sister, Jamie, made a diaper cake as shown in the picture on the left. It had our baby's first cellphone on it and of course the compulsory "I love my Aunt" and "I love my Uncle" bib on it.

We had a number of people ask us, how they could give a gift to the baby. In America, it is customary to have a baby gift registry to make it easier for people to give gifts. The way it works is that we preselect a number of items that we would like for the baby and of course, there is also gift certificate (similar to giving cash) on the list. Just click on the link below to buy gifts for the baby and Amazon will take care for the rest.

http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/AYVOI6TDWB9M

For my Husband

"Every woman deserves a man who calls her baby, kisses her like he means it, holds her tight like he never wants to let go. Doesn't cheat, wipes her tears when she cries, doesn't make her jealous of other women; instead makes other women jealous of her, is not scared to let his friends know how he really feels about her, and let's her know how much he really loves her."

God is so good to me, because I've been blessed with such a man! This blog posting is dedicated to him. He has been my strength through this time of transition and best friend during this new journey. I never imagined a baby could bring us even closer together than we already are, but something is shifting and getting stronger! There is no doubt in my mind that he will be the greatest dad the world has ever seen!

Dear, I love you with all my being!

The 36wk check

Today was my 36+3 week check. The doctor completed a cervical exam and concluded I was 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. The dilation has begun but it will progress slowly until I reach a dilation of 4cm, then who knows from there how long it will be :)

I'm just very glad my body is doing what it should be doing! Let the fun begin.

The EDD: Sept 24

Her estimated due date is September 24th!

Shout out: That day is special for Alex and Soo Yin too because they will be getting married! Congrats to them. Looking forward to the live video stream of their wedding.

Today I am 35 weeks 1 Day! I have 35 days to go, though I doubt she will arrive on that exact date just because I tell her to! 

Interesting facts:

1. Before pregnancy, the uterus is a small ball the size of your fist and was tucked away neatly behind the pelvis. Today, it is the size of a honeydew melon, reaching all the way up to the ribs!

2. 1/6th of all the body's total blood volume is navigating around in the vessels in the uterus!

3. Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of the fingers and toes! She will need a mani and pedi upon arrival!

4. Baby's weight is now around 5.5 lbs (2.38 kg) and 18-18.5 inches in length!

5. The majority of development over the next 5 weeks will be packing on the pounds (gaining weight), Yikes!!!!

The More the Merrier

After sitting thru the Breastfeeding class with me, Elijah is convinced we need more classes! He immediately came home and signed up for the "Baby's First Weeks" class (description below) which is scheduled for September 8th.

Either the Breastfeeding class freaked him out (not likely) and he is convinced we need all the help we can get or he thinks the classes have more to offer than we initially realized. As for me, I found the class so insightful I wouldn't mind signing up for every class available (if time and money were not a factor). The classes also help to pass the time and keep me from going insane with impatience waiting for her arrival.

September is our busiest month so far. Between doctor appointments, birthing classes, and last minute preparations for her arrival I may not have time to stop and take in a breath of fresh air! But I would rather the last moth go by fast rather than drag on. When my mind and body are idle, I go insane. I'm really looking forward to September!

"Baby's First Weeks" Class Description:
"Your baby will be born eager to get to know you. We are just as eager for you to learn about your baby. This class covers the characteristics, sensory skills and abilities of a newborn. It also covers the basics of infant care, common concerns and when to seek medical advice. Be better prepared for your homecoming so that you will fully enjoy your first weeks together."

The Thumping

For a while now I've noticed that the LO will start thumping between 10 and 11 at night. It is every night without fail. At first I thought it was only when I laid down on my left side (which does trigger it sometimes), but the thumping started last night while I was still sitting up and wide awake.

It literally is a rhythmic thumping movement that is not rough or sharp but deliberate and consistent. For the life of me, I can't figure out what she is up to. Elijah thinks she is drumming! But we don't have any drummers in either of our families so where did that come from.

At first this worried me and I thought something might be wrong. But I know now she is fine as she is active throughout the day and sleeps most of the night without interruption. Then I thought it might be hiccups. But what are the chances that she would get the hiccups around the same time every night and several hours after I've eaten. Wouldn't she get the hiccups right after I've eaten? When the flavor of my meal can be tasted in the amniotic fluid (that is when babies swallow more)?

I'm keen to see my doctor on Tuesday and ask her about it. I hope she has an answer.

The Time to Panic

This soon to be mommy has a billion things left to do! They say pregnancy creates an instinct or urge to prepare the home for the upcoming newborn! When will my nesting instinct kick in?

Haven't washed her clothes or blankets yet!

Haven't set up her crib/bassinet! -Which was given by my sis-in-law.

Haven't packed my hospital bag! - Which is so unlike me because i'm not a last minute packer.

Haven't finalized my birth plan! - I'm hoping the doc will help me with that.

Haven't bought her car seat! - By far the most important thing in my opinion otherwise she can't come home from the hospital.

Haven't finished reading all the books and material the hospital gave me! - I had 9 months and I can't think where all the time went.

My last 2 birthing classes are in September and one of them is 2 weeks before my due date! That was me procrastinating and refusing to sign up earlier :(

Non pregnancy related, I have my road test on September 2nd because I don't have my license and that is the earliest I can schedule it… oh and it is at 7:25am! No choice… the next test would have been in October. I will either be very pregnant then or have a 1 week old baby. YIKES!

Oh and I'm planning to attend all the late summer/autumn festivals (corn festival, watermelon seed speed spitting competition, Tastes of Wisconsin festival, etc)  i've dearly missed over the years while away, most of which are in September!

Despite everything I need to do, i'm surprisingly calm and relaxed… where did that come from??? I asked Elijah the other night when I was suppose to start panicking about this baby and everything that still needs to be done. He said there was no need to panic… until I go into labor and reach the hospital. I suspect he was referring to when he would start panicking!