A short but sweet dream

I haven't had much dreams at all about my baby girl. A few days ago, I finally had my second one, yet it was again very short. This time I got to see her face, and hold her, and cuddle her. In fact, all of us were cuddling, that was the bulk of the dream! Very nice. I'm about 2 months away from birth, and it's not getting any easier! I still can't sleep right. My legs ache, my hips numb, my bladder gets full! This whole week I've had the wonderful pleasure of getting to bed earlier than normal (11pm to midnight). I really can't get a full 8 hours of sleep even if I wanted -- being in bed for more than hours already pains me. My contractions are getting more annoying. They're hard and often. I have no expectations for my labor, but I do hold to the hope that it'll be as easy as my first birth. Wish me luck. 

My toddler has a favorite commercial (or two)

Gerard seems like to the Progressive commercials that run so very often on TV. When he's in the kitchen, he'll run to the living room as soon as he hears it. We think he has a crush on Flo. He's also very much into the real estate/house/design shows that we tend to watch. And anything that has cars in it. I can't ever get to sit him longer than he does watching these when I try to put on a show for his age. Not to worry, he doesn't really watch much TV. :) 

We Will Be Four

Howdy.

The year has breezed through without an update from us. We've been busy, so very busy. We are nearing the birth of our second child, a baby girl. We are also closing on a house now. 

Our "baby" Gerard is now a full-fledged toddler. He's currently starting his terrible twos, at 18 months old. We love the little guy so much, but he drives us crazy!!! 

We're slowly starting to pack up this tiny apartment to make the move to a house. It isn't the biggest house nor is it the house we really really want, but it's an upgrade. Just like everything in life, you get to where you want in little steps, right? I'd like to think so. We're grateful to have been able to buy in the first place, in the expensive Bay Area even! 

Until we can update again, hope this is enough for ya. Happy halloween!

Early contractions

I've been feeling what I think are braxton hicks for almost a month now.... which is a lot earlier than when I first felt them in my first pregnancy. This evening, they are getting more frequent and hard, and even with some discomfort. I told my OB about it yesterday, he gave me advice. But if they continue to tighten even after laying down or drinking water, that I should give the office a call to look at me.

Other than that, everything looks good. My weight is good, no diabetes, though OB wants me to possibly go in for a third testing to REALLY make sure. Heartbeat is good, my size is good...   despite all the good, he is now going to see me more frequently.

I'm pretty ready to give birth. This second pregnancy is painful on my back. I can't sleep right.... and I'm always sleepy.
 

Passed!

I passed my 3-hour glucose test. I'm surprised. Well, I'm not clearing myself. I will continue to watch what I eat when I can. This does not call for an ice cream party everyday, but I would really love it if I could.

Baby girl is also weighing down on my bladder. I feel her weight on it, and then she gets off. It must be nice to be where she is. Where she doesn't have to cry for a feeding or diaper change or fight naps.

My bouncy little mouse, I love you!

My curious Gerard is a bag of energy. Lately he's been vomiting from so much active hyperplay. The other night, when he was already in bed having his milk, I thought he would be asleep in a few minutes. Instead, he fought his way out of bed, and so we just let him play it off for a bit. There he went running from one end of the couch to the other, jumping on pillows, and then.... that sound of ready-to-vomit, and finally, the vomit. He calmed down after he got cleaned, and his papa stayed by his bedside until he finally went to sleep. But oh boy, the kid does not stop until his fuel is empty.

He has been able to pick up more words since my last entry here. In his own toddler talk, we can clearly hear these words: key, tree, tow truck, bye bye, bike, bird. He isn't a blabbermouth for his age, but when he does talk, it's to point to something in specific. He's very very fascinated with trucks. He points to the very object that we ask of. Where's your feet/shoe/belly button/ear/hair/eyes/nose/teeth? He can identify the main people in his life either by pointing to them in person when asked, and also in pictures. He knows his grandparents very well, and his older cousin/favorite playmate. He likes to grab us by the hand to show us something, or for help in what he needs (once he grabbed my hand to lead me to bed, when I totally forgot it was his bedtime already). He has learned how to march, in his funny version. Every morning he is stubborn about getting up. Too bad for him, mom and dad have an early day so he doesn't get to sleep in like many other kids do. But all I have to do is ask him where his papa is, and he knows to point to the bathroom because that's where he usually is. And when papa comes out, Gerard lets out his big morning smile.

We took him to the California Academy of Sciences, and he wasn't too impressed with much of its exhibits. He was more into the elevator and playing on the steps. He did pick out a stuffed albino alligator at the gift shop, which he so loves dearly.

In less than 3 months, he will meet his new baby sister. Maybe he'll understand what I mean when I ask him "where's baybay?"

Some 12 weeks left.

Big sigh! Where do I begin?

Since my last entry, the weight of my belly has exponentially grown. I'm told that I'm carrying "low" and I guess it's true because I feel so much pressure below my hips. The numbness of my hips are really bad in the middle of the night. I wake up almost every night to adjust myself, and even then, turning from one side to the other is a painful task. I can't stay in bed too long either as it hurts my body to be inactive.

In the last couple of weeks, the pressure on my joints where my legs connect to my pelvis (OK, I really don't know the medical term for that -- 'scuuuuse me!) is straining my body. I have the hardest time getting up from my seat. It's the kind of pain that gets me screaming explicits. Even with my toddler around. The best remedy is for me to walk it off, but I get tired walking short distances.

Speaking of my toddler, he's in this phase where he likes to sit on us while we're laying down and bounce. He keeps going after my tummy area. I suppose to him, my balled up belly looks as bouncy as our exercise ball. Of course I protect my belly with my arm, but how can I get mad at the little guy? Everything he does, even if it's something I don't like, ends up being cute. But this is not his blog (I keep a separate one for him), so back to my baby girl who's ever active in my belly, I hope she's alright in there while big bro has fun.

I took my second 3-hour gestational diabetes test and should get results this week. I feel like I know what the results are already. :( My first test came early by order of doctor, and the result from that showed I was "close" to being diagnosed and that I should watch my diet. Well, I watched... but that's all I did. I stopped eating brown rice to eat white rice again, something I rarely did in the first pregnancy. I've also been drinking a lot of sugared drinks. I'm weak at this, and it's nothing I take lightly, but I just wish I had better control of my strength.

This Wednesday is my next appointment with OB, he might have the results for me then. I am damned if I have to poke my finger for diabetes monitoring again. I hated it in the first pregnancy, I won't like it any more this time either.

On to other big news, we're in escrow for a house so if things go well, we'd be moving next month. Already told papa E that I will not help with moving this time around, but I'll pack boxes. We have a bit to do with the house -- paint the interiors, fix the deck, upgrade the electrical system and build a bedroom... long story. The house is supposedly 3 bedrooms but whoever lived there last looks like they tore down one of the bedrooms to expand the kitchen, so if that's the case, I want to bring that bedroom back. The third bedroom is on the first level of the house which we plan to turn into a lounge/guestroom, but not for any of the kids to sleep in. Baby girl will sleep with us for a while, and big bro will have to sleep in his own bed. When they're both big enough but still in their younger years, they'll have to share a bedroom.... but I'm hoping by then we'd moved to a much bigger house.

Aaaaand we have not officially decided on a name yet but we're still referring to baby girl by a certain name, so until we agree on it, then it's still up in the air.