Gains and Losses

We’ve made it to 33 weeks and I'd say our little one has gain a few freaky moves....

(no it didn't hurt...yet anyways)

...along with my sanity. I caught myself being tipsy four times today which is unusual since I’ve been trying really hard not to let it slip away. For some reason, my voice had a mind of its own.

After the weekend, I had to return a few calls this morning. I tried leaving a message for a surgeon by saying, “...please call me back at......sorry, that’s the incorrect number. It is…....actually that’s a fax number. It’s…........ (noticed wrong number again) or you can also try.......…”. All this said just to leave my direct line I've been using all year. Goodness, I should have just hung up.

Then, I called someone else. The receptionist answered and said, “…hold on so I can transfer you,” and I said, “You’re welcome”…haha…had to laugh at myself for that one. Hope the lady transferred me before she heard that.

Later in the day, I received a dinner invitation from a friend via email. I responded to it apologically for not being able to make it this coming weekend. I later re-read the email and the subject line clearly states the invite is for two weekends from now...haha...woops, guess I can make it after all.

Finally, right before I left for the day, I had to walk some paperwork down the hall and noticed I needed a paper clip. I stopped by a neighboring colleagues cubie to ask for one. She knew what I meant to say but instead I asked, "Can I borrow a safety pin?"...haha...

Ahhhh...so glad my Monday is over, hope yours was better!

32 Weeks and Counting...

Thanks to the heat some old fears have realized themselves again….the infamous pup’s rash, swelling in the hands and feet and fatigue.

It feels like I’ve fallen into boot camp for babysitting duties the last couple of nights. The rash wakes me every couple of hours to apply anti-itch cream so I can fall asleep only to be waken later when the cream wears off. Hopefully it’ll keep to a small area of my belly and go away faster than last time!

I’ve also been drinking lots of water to cool off but the water seems to stick around in my hands and feet. Usually, hanging all fours up on a chair or eating less sodium does the trick however just can’t seem to keep up with the temperatures.

Then, there’s lack of sleep translating to droopy eyes and lazy limbs that don’t want to move. This typically starts after work but I felt this way the minute I walked into work this morning. Now, I can barely balance my head on my shoulders. It’s almost lunch time so maybe thinking about food will bring a revelation of energy….pizza buffet, fried rice, dessert crepe, hot dog, tri-tip sandwich, ice cream, Jamba Juice…hmmm…

As for Katelinh, she’s doing well. I think she’s getting into position to make her grand entrance into this world of ours. A few people including the Lamaze nurse have noticed she may have ‘dropped’. I have been feeling her movements lower in between my pelvis and sometimes a few kicks at the top of my tummy which means she may be upside down. I like to think she’s been playful in responding to my touches, rubs, and sounds. Her movements are usually quick so haven’t seen the protruding limbs like other mommies have.

My nestling instincts finally kicked in over weekend. We purchased her dresser, cleaned out her room, and even did some decorating. There are a few more things left to make her room perfect which we hope to finish tonight. Her stroller and car seat arrived in the mail yesterday thanks to the generous gift cards from some of you pretty Aunties and handsome Uncles. All we’re missing now is a baby to start using all this stuff. We'll take a few pixs and show off the room later.

I’m counting down my work days to July 30th for a nice 5 month vacation. I know…I know…it’s only to start a new job as mommy that may have a tougher job description. No doubt, I’ll probably enjoy the new role more than any other I’ve had in my life.

Hospital Tour

Started the week out using 4 hours sick leave on Monday to go home and get more rest. Katelinh is just draining my energy these days to continue her exercise routines that seem to get bigger and stronger by the day. I came into work on Monday feeling like I didn’t get a minute of sleep the night before. However, as the week moves forward, I’m feeling a lot better and getting back into the walks. Not sure how long I’d be able to keep it up with the temperature in the 90s but we’ll see.

Last night we took for granted Celtics were going to take care of business home so Yogi and I attended a class at Kaiser to prep for the actual labor and delivery. The doctor discussed symptoms of early labor and what would qualify us to be admitted. She also talked about the entire process from the time we get admitted to the time we go home with our baby. Quite a bit of information but all very helpful to know and expect especially what decisions we can or cannot make.

The class ended with a tour of the actual labor and delivery unit at Kaiser. We’ve actually been inside this unit before when a friend of ours was in labor a few years ago. I remember having chills run down my spine from seeing her in pain and I still do when I think of it. It was a little (ok very) scary to be in an actual labor room and imaging myself on the bed in 2 months with who knows how much pain. The labor rooms are spacious and well equipped with sofas, rocking chairs, and all kinds of machines to see and help make the mom and visitors comfy. I would suggest adding an Nintendo Wii Fit to the list - who knows the laboring power it could generate...haha... It would only be a romantic game between Yogi and I since I don’t plan to permit visitors before or during the labor. I don’t know how honest I will be when in pain so wouldn’t want to ruin any relationships…haha…j/k. I’m still considering visitors after labor which I’m currently reserving for family only (I think). From my experience, moms just don’t look their best after so many hours of physical exertion. So, Yogi will be in touch when the time comes. Most likely, we’ll see you all at home. Good thing it was a nice and quiet tour with no moms in labor to scare us into a cesarean. The walk definitely helped relieve some anxiety with the unknown and we’re ready to just get it over with it!

Happy Friday the 13th

We're still working on a creepy video of Katelinh starring as her own kung fu panda in my belly. She's been very active as of late especially during the early evenings. Yogi can see my belly bounce and pounce almost constantly. Hopefully this doesn't foreshadow anymore than an active personality.

Welp, the heat is back in Sactown…again, welcomed or not. The triple digits have been teasing us and we might just hit it today or this weekend with the forecast being 98 degrees. It’s 10am and it feels like 80 degrees outside. After a short walk, my fingers are so swollen, I can barely bend them. I’m assuming my feet is the same; the view is a bit hard to catch these days unless I’m lying on the couch with my feet up on a pillow.

It’s Father’s day weekend and Yogi’s gift is a break from us :oP He’s going on a little hiking adventure with a couple co-workers into the Sierras. His big chore today is to purchase a GPS system to replace his wife on the trip. Hope he knows what buttons to push like he does to me…hehe….

On the subject of pushing my buttons, we’ve been going through relaxation routines in our Child Birthing (Lamaze) class the last two sessions to help releave pain and discomforts during labor. We do exercises, breathing techniques and best of all massages. Trust me, Yogi needs a lot of practice…hehe...

While Yogi is out hiking, my plan is to shop for, organize and decorate the nursery. Hope it doesn’t turn out looking like a bomb hit it afterwards. Haven't been able to make up my mind on how I want it to look and feel. While Yogi gets back in time to clean the mess, I’ll be heading out to dinner and a movie with me girl friends watching ‘Sex in the City’…yay!

Sunday will be spent with my Dad and family. It'll be lunch out and hot pot city at my parent's for dinner with the a/c on high! I’m sure the rest of you will be celebrating the same to show your appreciations. Have a good one!

Baby Shower

Our sisters, Linda, Annie and Jaynie threw us a baby shower yesterday with some of the precious people in our lives, good food, fun and memories. With nearly 80 people in attendance, we weren’t able to spend much time with everybody; but, we hope they found a way to enjoy themselves.

The popular kids' water slide.

The 'drop the penny (between your knees) into the bottle" game. Congrats to Jenny!

The bottle drinking game.

Jaynie's backyard

Girls hanging out with the bumper dude, Kyle.

Pixs with friends and family.

Thought we share a few of many special comments in the cards we’ve received…

"Time to put those hard earn muscles to work lifting baby bottles, diaper bags and strollers with you everywhere we go from now on." - Tiffany

“Welcome to the World! Hopefully you can be the snowflake that starts an avalanche of change!” – Uncle An

“I’m always here for advice, a hug, or a last minute babysitter… I have lots of experience and Huddy loves girls!” – Kim, Pete and Hudson

“It’s hard and fun and sad and happy and tears and smiles all mixed together – you will for sure have a wonderful journey!” – Joy, Jenson, Noelle and Gabriel

“Hopefully, the baby turns out more like Aunty Linh or else the baby will have a hard time getting boys!” – Bryan

"She will be the most athletic girl in her class. Don't forget she will also be the top of her class because if you let her hang with us, you know she will be smart." - Nancy

"Enjoy the time as a couple because soon it will be all about the baby." - Theresa and Matt

"You are so blessed to have such a special gift." - The Uedas

"Enjoy the beginning of the end..." - Susie and Eric

"We look forward to meeting our newest niece!" - Fil and Derek

"I hope Le Babe will like her new dress!" - Joyce and Jonathan

"I cannot wait to meet your new baby girl! - Lori and Todd

"Let me know if you need help painting (her room)." - Stefani

"More joys, more toys, more lullabies, more peekaboos and coo's and sighs, more precious gifts are on the way - Beginning with this special day!" - Abbey and James

"Congrats on the new little one who's come into your life to brighten your world in so many wonderful ways!" - Gordon and Mary Ann

"I know you guys will be great parents." - Jamie and Tommy

"I can't wait to see her." - Cindy

Thank you all for spending time with us and helping us along to being great parents!

Her Name...

After many contemplations, we finally decided on her name. We hope you like it as much as we do!

The origin of her name starts with Katie, who was the girl who introduced Yogi and me in college. We wanted to add 'lin' at the end to resemble my name (from Katie to Katelin) or to just make it longer. Then, one of my managers suggested adding the 'h' at the end to make it my whole name (Katelinh) and it grew on us fast. It's a very common girls name but the spelling makes her unique to us :oD

Her middle name is Chinese. 'Wing' is the name for her generation in Yogi's family and it means always. All or most of yogi's nieces and nephews have 'Wing' in their middle names. And 'Yi' is her first name in Chinese meaning harmony. Wing-Yi together means 'always in harmony'.

Taking Extra Strides

On Saturday, we took advantage of the cool early summer weather and went on a day-trip into Yosemite Valley with Yogi's sister Kim, hubby Alvin, their daughter Claudia and another niece Angel (sshh…don't ask how 6 of us fit in the Rav). We couldn't break tradition in visiting one of our favorite parks in California. It was our annual visit to the remote valley and the first for everyone else. I almost forgot how long the drive was, 3 hrs (1-way) starting at 6am.

At 29 weeks, it's her first and definitely not her last visit to Yosemite.

Yogi and his nieces, Angle (left) and Claudia (right)

We took a short hike, 1.5 miles (1-way) into Vernal Falls. I did a good portion of it and turned back at the misty part next to the waterfall to avoid getting sick and the slippery steps.

Yogi, Angle and the Chiu family next to Vernal Falls

It was a gorgeous day in the mid-70’s and plenty of crowds on the trail including a group of 100 foreign exchange students from the bay area.

Yogi and the girls enjoying some meditation time at the top of Vernal Falls.

Claudia and myself waiting for the gang to catchup.

People were nice and thoughtful with my pregnant self along the trail. Especially during my breaks, they seem to always assume something is wrong…haha…