Week 36

 

This day has been long time coming, and I cannot be more grateful for it to arrive.  The arrival of week 36 also means it is the beginning of my disability, and maternity leave starts officially at work.  Finally, I can rest and not have to rise in the morning to get ready for work, which is perfect considering that sleep during the night does not come easily these days with the constant need to pee and just all around discomfort that does not allow for the body to rest very well.

The latest doctor visit also indicated that I am approximately 2cm dilated, and that you are in position to make your entrance into the world.  However, this does not indicate that labor is in the near future and I could very well carry you through the end to the due date.  It's all really up to you now, and everything is absolutely out of my hands.  See you soon, kiddo.

Our home: baby #2's nursery reveal

I am officially on maternity leave, and finally found the time to put the finishing touches to our little boy's nursery. 

The space was a bit of a challenge to put together because I had to decorate it around an existing office space that I don't want to give up quite yet.  Eventually, this room will be all his and I will move my stuff outta there, but while he is still an infant and requiring very little space to sleep in, I want to keep my office space that I use quite often.  Thankfully, it is the second largest room in the house after the master bedroom, so there was a little more space to work with to make it work as a shared nursery/office.

We had painted the room a dark grey when we turned this into an office before he was conceived.  When we learn of his impending arrival, we decided to keep the dark color and work on deciding the accent color that'll go best with the existing office decor as well as works for a little baby boy that'll soon occupy its walls.

I decided to go with an aqua blue when I found the perfect fabric for draperies, an aqua and white herringbone that I thought would be perfectly suited for a little boy - a traditional color with graphic design.  It also goes perfectly with the punches of Marine Corps red that already exists in the room.

I had my mother - who is a terrific seamstress - make two sets of blackout curtains for the two large windows in the room.  While the drapery and black out fabric were expensive, since I needed approximately 15 yard of each, they were by no mean as expensive as purchasing them already made from big box stores.  I lurve them!  They keep the room completely in the dark if we need to, but they also provide a lot of privacy since we have very close neighbors.

We kept the crib very simple, using only a simple fitted Dwell Studio sheet in a neutral color.  The crib was something we inherited from my brother when we had our girl, and will be used for our boy as well. I'm not too crazy about the pine looking color, but since it was free, I'll take it.  Currently I'm undecided as to make a crib skirt for it, since we don't actually use the under portion for storage.  I kind of like just the exposed clean look.

Our every intention is to keep this kiddo in his own crib from the very beginning, since we learned the hard way with our first born the repercussion of bringing a child into our bed - it makes for a very difficult time to transition them out later on.  So, we try to be realistic with ourselves about the functionality of this room, and definitely agreed that we would need a changing area.  So, we take an existing credenza that we already owned but conveniently no longer have use for elsewhere in our house and use it as a changing area as well as a dresser for our little man's very small clothes.  We were extremely surprised that the width of the room can accommodate both the crib and the credenza just perfectly on only one wall, which saves so much space as far as layout goes and allows us to keep our existing office on the other side of the room.

 

Teaser: his name begins with an "L"

 

We also inserted a small chair next to the crib with a little side table for the late night feedings.  Not sure if we will be using this much, but for now it stays until we figure out if we need it.

 

Last and not least is this perfect vintage airplane mobile, the only request from my husband as a nod to his Marine Corps background.  I'm more than happy to oblige since it was oh so cute and just fits perfectly into the space. 

Week 104: There is only one item on the bucket list of life: to be happy

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" Mary Oliver.

Week 103: Work on letting go of the need to be universally known as "a nice person"

You will encounter enthusiastic fans and harsh critics, receive standing ovations and get thrown tomatoes, experience wins and losses, get call back and be ignored.  Get a thick skin and let go of the need to be universally liked. 

Brief glimpse of this weekend

These summer weekends are full and filled with fun, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  However, I could definitely do without the heat, even if it is only high 80s without humidity.  So, after a very fun-filled day at a baby shower held outdoor in the middle of the heat, we returned home in the late afternoon to do our typical chores of watering the grass.  And as soon as we turned on the sprinklers, I had this brilliant and very impromptu idea of letting our girl run through it, still in her dress.  She loved it!

But my better idea was to allow myself to run through the water with her, still in my day's get-up and face full of make-up.  It was exactly what I needed to cool pregnant body down before bed.

 

The best part about raising kids is that they are constant reminders that the best moments in life are the spontaneous ones.

Week 35

 

The Braxton Hicks have officially started and there are some moments (though very infrequently at this point in time) that I am keeled over the counter top trying to manage the pain rumbling through my tummy.  And just as fast as it comes rolling in, it passes.  Having done this once before, I am acutely aware of exactly what is in store in just a few short weeks, the price to pay to finally meet you.

Speaking of which, I find myself wondering, imagining, a lot lately the course of labor and delivery.  I had an extremely uneventful birth the last time around that starts with a scheduled induction, so there was no drama involving spontaneous water breaking or natural pain management before the epidural.  Sometimes, and very infrequently at that, I toy with the idea of having a completely natural birth without pain medication, but I don't think I am brave enough to go down that route.  That's the thing about this whole process, it is completely out of our control, and I just need to give in and trust that nature will takes its course.

Preparing for baby #2

I would like to say that we try to be extremely cautious and mindful of what baby gear we purchase in preparation for our second's arrival.  While we already have a lot of things left over from our first born that can be used the second time around, there are a few things we need:

1) A changing pad: We didn't have one with our first, because she slept in a bassinet with us for the first few months of life, then transitioned to co-sleeping due to many unforeseen circumstances.  Because of it, we just changed in her in our bed if we were upstairs, and on the couch when we were downstairs.  The few times that she was in her own room, there was a day bed in there (currently her big girl bed) that we used to change her.  Having learn the hard way we would like for this little guy to sleep in his own crib, in his room, from the get go.  His room is shared with our office for now, so there is no place to change him during the half part of the day that we are upstairs.

2) Another video monitor: In all honesty, we have not have to use our video monitor (which we bought while I was pregnant with our girl), until just weeks ago when our girl is sleep trained.  Now, we are finding ourselves needing another one if we are ambitiously going to keep our little guy in his own room from the get go.  

3) A double stroller: To date, we have been using our City Mini and our Maclaren Quest and loved both.  But with two kids, we are finding ourselves needing a new stroller that can accommodate both at the same time.  After lots of research and reading a lot of debates about double and tandem strollers, we are convinced that we prefer a tandem over a double for its accessibility and maneuverability.  At first, I convinced myself that I can just wear our infant while still push our toddler our single stroller and do just fine in the first few months.  But then I realize that eventually, my infant will outgrow my ability to wear him, and we will eventually need a double stroller anyways, so why not just eat it and invest in one early on to make the early months easier.  We are leaning towards the City Select Tandem stroller, but am still unsure about it.  It is such an investment, and I am so cheap, but this is one of those things that unless you purchase it and use it, you'll never really know how you like it.  Even then, you'll never really know what you missed out on the other ones you passed up.  One thing is for sure, I am certain that no stroller is perfect, so I just have to bite the bullet and get one.  Easier said than done when the price is $700.

Other than these, we have everything we need still that can be reused or gifted to us at our baby shower, including:
1) Swing
2) Puj tub
3) Bumbo seat
4) Crib

Things we found out we don't need from our previous experience:
1) a rocker/glider
2) a high chair
3) a pack-n-play

This weekend, we are armed with hundreds of dollars in gift cards and are planning to hit the stores to check off #1-3 in the list of things we still need.  Besides waiting patiently for my mother to finish the black-out curtains for the nursery (the fabric had just arrived this week) we are almost ready to receive this little one into our family and home. 

Maternity fashion

Am I the only one who loathe maternity clothes?  Why is it that the shirts have to be so loose, the dresses so frumpy and the shorts so baggy?  With the exception of some maternity pants, I have not tried on a piece of maternity clothing and thought "Oh, I look okay in this?"

So my dilemma with both pregnancies (especially in the third trimester) is to try and look decent while growing inches at a time by the week.  On top of that, I am a working woman in the corporate world, so the burden of looking cute is multiplied when I also have to look professional in the process. 

Today, I reached the 35 weeks mark, which means I have 35 days remaining of this pregnancy, and 1 week of working days left before I start maternity leave at exactly 36 weeks.  Not only does that mean I can finally get some rest, but also I can finally put the daily morning struggle with my closet of what to wear to the office.  I have a vision of the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy, I will live in my PJs and/or yoga pants.  But up to this point, here are my staple pieces that I recycle throughout the work week to make work, most of which are NOT maternity clothes.

1) Maxi dresses:  I love them, pregnant or not.  A lot of them, I already owned previously and did not even purchase specifically for this pregnancy.  Some of them were actually worn during the last pregnancy two years ago.  Conveniently, most maxi dresses are made without a waistline, that means, the tightest spot on the dress is right below the breast line.  This makes them very well suited for and very flattering on a pregnant body.  They accommodate the expanding waistline and expanding breasts well, while still maintain the body's curves appropriately.  They are usually made of extremely comfortable fabric so they are easy to live in hours at the time.

 

Gap Outlet: $50

 

  

 Guess?: $60

  

Bebe outlet: $30

  

Old Navy: $20

Gap: $35
 

 

Dress: Cotton On - $17
Non-maternity sweater: Express - $25

 

Maxi skirts: Luckily, these skirts are very in this summer, so they are abundantly available everywhere.  I own two of them, and they are made with elastic waistline which accommodate pregnancy bodies very well.  Pair them with a cute, and long, top and you're good to go.  My default top with these skirts are fitted tees.

Maxi skirt: Target - $20
Non-maternity shirt: BCBG outlet - $20

Maternity pants: These are a must.  The only type of clothing that I can't get away from purchasing from the maternity section is the pants.  You can only wear the belly bands with regular jeans for so long before they no longer fit.  I would say retired my non-maternity pants at around week 18 with this pregnancy, and around week 22 with the first pregnancy.  The body is not very forgiving the second time around.  Funny, the two pieces that I splurged on the most are the jeans, and they have not fit comfortably since 28 weeks, so I have not even try to get into them since then. 

 

Work pants - Target: $35
Maternity shirt (gifted) - Gap 

  

Boot cut jeans - Gap: $70
Maternity shirt - Liz Lange for Target: $15 

 

Skinny jeans - Gap: $70
Maternity sweater - Gap: $35 (from first pregnancy)
 

 

Skinny pants - Target: $25 

Non-maternity blouse - Cotton on: $17

Shirts: I didn't buy any maternity shirt during this pregnancy.  Any maternity shirt that I own now were either gifted or was purchased from the last pregnancy.  I don't find them very flattering on me, though I do like a couple that I own.  Otherwise, I just raid my closet for the longest shirts I own, and pair them with a pair of maternity pants or skirt.  

Cardigans/Sweaters: These are so versatile during pregnancy.  None of mine are maternity, so I can't actually button them up.  But they are great paired specifically with maxi dresses, and are often my default combo for work during my last trimester.  Very few of the pictures shown here actually show them, but I just take them off when I get home from work to take the series pictures.  Most of these pictures are taken during the weekday, so they are in fact clothing I wear to work, only layered on top with an appropriate cardigan.  

Shoes: a cute and formal pair of flip flop is what I live in these days.  They accommodate the ever expanding feet throughout the day.  However, splurge on a nice pair instead of the plastic ones.  I even rock them to work with my maxi dresses, every single day.  They are unprofessional admittedly, but no one had said anything to me about them yet, probably because they don't want to offend or piss off a pregnant woman. 

Accessories: Get one or many belts that fit under the breast.  This will give your outfit the necessary curves to feel less frumpy.  Also, get a few great statement necklaces to pair with your outfit.  Just because you are constraint on what fits around your waist does not mean that you should also sacrifice what fits around your neck.   

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With my waistline reaching 40 inches round during the third trimester, I can be found exclusively recycling the maxi dresses and skirts throughout the week.  Which means, I literally have only 8 pieces of clothing to cycle through, which doesn't make for very much diversity in the look department.  However, I refuse to buy any new pieces just for the last 5 weeks, so people will just have to get used to me wearing the same thing over and over again.  I do promise that I wash them before I step into them.  Along with meeting my little boy, I am looking forward to the day I can get back into my old clothes and finally put all of the maternity pieces into the donate pile and get rid of them for good. 

Week 102: Killing time isn't a sin.

Life is for living, not productivity.  Take a nap on the train.  Read a novel because it gives you pleasure, even if it doesn't enrich your mind when you get to the end.  Lie on the grass and absorb some sunshine.  Minutes can go to waste, as long as your life isn't.

Week 101: Even a flower must be modest.

Since the moment you were born, you have been told just exactly how beautiful you are.  I fear that it will get to your head as you get older and that your beauty will prove to be a liability.  I hope to raise you to be deep in roots, free in spirit and modest in beauty. 

baby shower for my boy, second birthday party for my girl

Long ago, I had this vision that a couple of times a year, I would throw each of my kids their own birthday party when that time arrives, because they deserve at least that - their own individual party that reflects their unique individuality.  Then the day arrives when my girl is two weeks away from turning two, I am 35 weeks pregnant, workload piles up at work, and I find myself panicking.  So, the only sane solution was to piggyback off of the baby shower, throw a birthday cake in there and call it a joint baby shower/birthday party for both of my kids.  It worked out fine, fun was had by all, my girl never even know the difference, and stress kept at bay for this extremely tired and pregnant mama.  I am also grateful for my family who came together to help put this thing together, as well as the clean up post party because all I could muster up after about 6 hours of mingling with friends is to lift my legs up onto a pillow to drain the fluid from my toes that managed to expand to the size of sausages. 

 

Here's the birthday girl with some of the people that love her.

In an attempt to keep the party fairly small and low key, we only had a few of our closest friends with their kids over, but my house after the party is living proof that even five kids can cause a large amount of damage.  We had no choice but to go with the flow.

The birthday girl had a handmade Dora cake, with lots of explorer stars.  She really enjoyed helping decorate the cake with her favorite Dora characters. 

 

She got a little shy when it was time to sing her happy birthday, but got back to her usual self the moment the crowd dispersed.

She got a lot of Dora presents, which kept her preoccupied most of the time while we opened the rest of the baby shower presents.  We got some crucial items crossed off our registry list, and the rest we can finally go forward and get checked off.

But definitely, the highlight of the day was the dear friends and family that showed up to celebrate my kids.  It's really comforting to see our friendships grow over the years, as we continue to add more kids into the mix, but the core foundation of our relationship remain the same.