Moving along to 38 weeks & More Pregger Pics

It's amazing how much stuff you find that you've forgotten about when you're going through cleaning and organizing things. Here's a funny item that Sweetpea's daddy found. We can't even recall where or when we took it, but they are photo stickers from one of those photo booth machines, taken before we were married. Since I started braces while in college, if you look close enough on the picture, you may catch a glimpse of me in braces :)

Anyhow, Sweetpea is officially at 38 weeks tomorrow. As far as today's OB appointment, there seems to have been no change, according the the nurse practitioner. Our OB was on call today because the other doctor was out of the office, so our doctor was on the delivery floor and also answering all kinds of emergency. This is the first time where we didn't see her during our scheduled appointments with her. Hopefully, she'll be there to deliver our baby when the time comes. It's just a matter of waiting now.

Thought we'd post and share a few of our maternity pictures... The outdoor photo session was taken at 34 weeks and the studio ones at 37 weeks.



We'll be hanging a few of these as well as an ultrasound and baby photo in Sweetpea's nursery when we get the prints back from the photographer.

37 weeks - Just My Body On Pregnancy

We had a little scare earlier this week. This past Tuesday we got up around 5AM in the morning because we had heard a loud alarm a couple times; daddy concluded that it came from outside and everything was fine... But, when I used the restroom, I saw some blood, so we ended up calling the OB's office, and the after hours calling service forwarded our call to the labor and delivery center of the hospital. Daddy was sure that it had begun and was getting scared and excited that the baby was coming, but we were suppose to wait around and see... so daddy went to work a bit later that day when I said I should be fine. During the afternoon, the OB's office called with the results from the 24 hour urine test and said that everything looked good. I told them about the morning's incident, and my OB wanted me to come in that day to check and make sure everything was okay, so I ended up having my exam on Tuesday rather than Wednesday. Sure enough, the doctor noted that I was 1cm dilated and 80% effaced. The doctor said that the release of the mucous plug is usually associated with labor; I told her that I didn't really feel any pain or anything, and she wanted to see if I may be having contractions that I don't know about, so she had me hooked up to a machine with two belts, one monitors the baby's heartbeat and the other checks for contractions. The OB's nurse said the doctor should be happy with the graph printout from the monitor since it was showing some contractions. To me, it just felt like tightening which I thought could be from the baby stretching. However, the OB says that the good news is that I may be able to get to 4 or 5cm without even knowing it. I hope the contractions after that won't be too bad.

Anyhow, I went back to the hospital on Wednesday to meet with the diabetes nurse and nutritionist and showed them the results from my week of finger pricking, and they both agreed the numbers looked great, but suggested that I can go a few days for another week... they also said just to do what my OB recommends. Following that appointment, we had our ultrasound to check Sweetpea's size and the fluid levels which the OB wasn't too worried about since she said the baby is really low in the pelvis already. It looks like everything is right on track. The predictions from the measurements put her at 6lb 3oz at the time of the ultrasound, so she should be more than 7lbs if she completes her 40 weeks. Here's a picture of her hiding really low. It looks like she has a hood on like one of those monks or maybe a character in Star Wars, LOL :) The technician was able to show us pretty good glimpses of her and her chubby cheeks, though. We met briefly with the OB shortly after the ultrasound and showed her the results from the blood glucose test, and with all the tests, she said I no longer have to prick myself, yay! She said it was an odd thing but it may be just one of those things that is unique to only a few during their pregnancy, and she joked about opening me up and inspecting my kidneys after the pregnancy. Anyhow, thank you for your continued prayers. Now, we're just cleaning up, preparing for the baby, waiting, and hoping that everything will go smoothly with the delivery... and of course, that baby comes out healthy. Sometimes, I still can't believe it; it seemed like not too long ago, I just told Sweetpea's daddy we're pregnant... and now, she could be here any day.

Little Sweetpea's Baby Shower

We really appreciate all the prayers, love, care, support, and encouragement of our family and friends throughout our first pregnancy/baby experience. A couple weeks ago, Sweetpea received showers of blessings from her many aunts and uncles as we all prepare for her arrival in a few weeks. Thank you Auntie Grace and Auntie Phoebe for putting together a fun and memorable baby shower for our little one; the decorations, food, and games were wonderful! For those who couldn't make it, here are some pictures from the party.

A beautifully displayed table of yummy food and a picture of us before the cake cutting


More lovely decorations. Thank you to little cashew's mommy for putting together the creative and cute diaper cake :)




Name that baby food! The first picture above shows one of the other games we played, "Who's that baby?" Prizes for the game included Sweetpea lotions and soaps for the ladies and toys for the guys.


As our thank you, we handed out these pastel colored favor tins.

Look what's inside! Pastel colored Kisses from Sweetpea.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to those who could not attend but sent their good wishes. We are very excited and now better equipped for Sweetpea's arrival!

Growing, growing, growing... baby is growing

Tranformation pictures:

Hawaii at 23 weeks



Photo at 34 weeks. And still growing...

36 wk appt and searching for calmer waters!

Today, Sweetpea and I went in for our 36 weeks appointment. Daddy couldn't come today because he had a meeting at work and had to oversee some lab testing, and I said that it should be fine. I met with the nurse practitioner once again during this appointment; it turns out that the nurse practitioner has actually been involved with labor and delivery for over 8 years, is a midwife, and is very qualified to do various checkups according to the nurse. We had the usual exam with the addition of our first cervix check which was not very comfortable; when the NP reached in there, she confirmed that the baby's head was indeed down and ready in the position it should be. It left me wondering if she actually touched the head and could feel it that way. From this appointment on, we'll be going to weekly visits with the OB.

Anyhow, though I had mentioned in my previous post that we passed the glucola test, it turns out that I am still leaking glucose in my urine (for the past two doctor's visit), which is puzzling to the doctor and office staff... so, I've been ordered to do a couple things: 24 hr urine test and glucose monitoring. After the doctor's visit, I headed down to PacLab once again where they provided me with instructions and "gifts" to take home with me to do the 24 hr test. Then, I went to the maternity and fetal medicine unit for a consult with the diabetes specialist, where I received more "gifts," the One Touch Ultra 2 monitor with needles and test strips and where I was instructed to take some readings throughout the day for about a week. They say the kidney is suppose to be able to process the foods with its sugars and proteins but that it is interesting that only the glucose is still showing up when it shouldn't. I was told that it may be nothing to worry about and that it may just be the way my body "does pregnancy," but they just want to check and make sure there isn't something else going on. Essentially, the diabetes nurse says they want to be able to catch any signs of gestational diabetes so that they can control the glucose level and prevent the baby from getting too big in the middle which could lead to caesarean birth; they also want to prevent low blood sugar in the baby (baby has her own system and can process what goes through the placenta, but when the umbilical cord is cut, she may end up producing more insulin than she needs causing low blood sugar). The glucola test was suppose to be conclusive but I suppose our case is a bit unusual. So, for this, we're asking that people continue to pray for us.

Another thing I was told in today's appointment was that the fundus(belly) measurement was two below their expected which may be common in non-Caucasian women and may also be due to baby's changing position. Because glucose levels may also affect the fluid content, the NP also recommended that I make an ultrasound appointment along with my next appointment to check the size of the baby and to also check the fluid levels... so it looks like we'll get another glimpse of the baby. There was so much to process in today's appointment that it was a bit overwhelming at first. Later in the evening, I attended the infant feeding and pumping class on my own. Daddy came home from work early because he caught something and was not feeling well. The course instructor doesn't recommend eating anything raw (raw fish, etc) while breastfeeding because of the bacteria that may be in raw foods; what disappointing news, I was thinking I'd like some good sushi after the baby is born... oh well, I suppose that's a mother's love and sacrifice. We hope everything will go well as we finish up our last month.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers! Today was a special day at ECC as it was infant dedication day. Two of the Happyfish couples shared this day with their children.

Papa and Mama Cashew dedicating Mei Mei.
















Papa and Mama Tigger dedicating Lia.
















It was also a special day for Junior Asparagus, The Princess, and the Sweet Pea as we were able to celebrate mother's day for the first time! Time to eat cake!

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for all your love and care towards me. For growing me up, helping me to live, and providing every step of the way for me. It has been a joy sharing every moment of my life with you. I love you Mommy.

Love,
Sweet Pea

Chemicals Everywhere

Seems that there has been lots of recent scare about the potential harm of various chemicals found some of the products that we use including products for babies, so I thought I'd post some of the information from research that I've found. First, as mentioned in my previous post on the flu vaccine, there was the speculation and concern of thimerosol, a preservative used in vaccines, contributing to autism. Fortunately, many pediatrician offices are now offering thimerosol-free vaccines for children under a certain age. The most recent scare has been Bisphenol-A or BPA, a chemical that is said to leak from many plastic products (polycarbonate etc). According to National Geographic's Green Guide, "The plastics industry says it is harmless, but a growing number of scientists are concluding, from some animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity." US government and other plastic companies still stand behind its safety and data is inconclusive since big quality studies on humans haven't been done, so this is currently controversial. It has, however, been highlighted in the news more recently due to baby products containing BPA. In fact, the Canadians are so concerned that they have recently started to take all BPA bottles, sippies, etc. off their shelves. Because there are other alternatives, I think it is likely that we will try to limit or avoid exposure since that is in our control. safemama.com is a great website that contains information and cheat sheets for alternative products: BPA free bottles, sippy cups, and milk storage options & BPA free pacifier and teethers . Other bottle options I've read about: for those who want to try Breastflow bottles, the Avent Tempo drop-in liners will fit into the bottles, and those are BPA free; Evenflo glass bottles will take Dr. Brown vent parts and nipples. Here is King County's guide that includes info on safe and questionable plastic recycling numbers. In general, #1,2, and 5 are safe, & 3,6, and 7 (not all 7 contain bpa but it doesn't distinguish) are to be avoided.

Another controversial chemical that has come into the news lately are phthalates. Again, many articles may be found about this chemical online with the major concern of it being absorbed by babies via baby lotion, baby powder, and baby shampoo and potentially causing long-term developmental and reproductive health effects. Here's safemama's information guide & cheat sheet for phthalate, paraben, SLS, and other ick-free baby products. And, here is an article from Parenting and BabyTalk magazines that provide suggestions on how to limit phthalate exposure in children. Seems like the key is using less (don't go overboard on shampoo, lotions, etc) or switching to fragrance free products.