Our little Taylor is now almost two weeks old and these past incredibly fast weeks have been unbelieveably memorable. She is the most beautiful little creature I have ever laid eyes on and she changes so much every minute of every day! I want to keep a permanent camera on her so I can capture every little expression she has and every little noise she makes and keep it recorded forever. As much as I am excited to see her grow up, I just love this tiny little being just as she is...
She has already put on about half a kilo in weight since our departure from the hospital. She had her first check up on Wednesday and she weighed in at 4.0 kgs. She didn't really want to cooperate for her length, but they approximated that she's now at 53 cm. In less than two weeks, our little girl has already gained half a kilo and grown a centimeter! She's such a good eater...the baby books say that there are five different types of eating styles in infants, and our little Tay definitely fits into the "Barracuda" category...she eats ferociously until she's content and then drifts off to sleep at the nipple. She has recently started spitting up, though, and I think it's because she's hitting a growth spurt and so she feels hungrier than her stomach is able to handle, so she overeats...and then spits up. I had my first spit-up bath this morning...it was truly a warm, wet, and lovely experience. :)
It's funny the things that as a new mom you get really excited about...for instance, the baby's first bowel movement at home. I was getting so worried because she hadn't had a bowel movement for a day and a half since she had been home, so I thought maybe she wasn't getting enough to eat...but then, when she actually had the grand first dirty diaper, I cheered and almost cried. Also, although I became quite sore after initially starting breastfeeding, it meant everything to me to make sure she got enough to eat, and to see her eating so eagerly made me so happy...it's probably one of the most satisfying feelings about being a mom.
Little Tay is definitely become a little human being already. I know many of you may think that a newborn is really just a lump for the first six months of their life until they start interacting, but watching her so closely, she is already interacting! Her eyes have now begun to follow slow-moving objects, she focuses on your face when you are close, she laughs and smiles when she is content, and she communicates her needs with her little wimpers, cries, and even simple coos that call for your attention. She dreams when she sleeps - she smiles and crinkles her face, and sometimes even tries to suck or chew while she's sound asleep. She's already so expressive!
There's just so much more to write and say, but I've got to go tend to my little angel...:)
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
The WONDERFUL Arrival!!!
Our baby has finally arrived!!! Little Shingil Taylor Ryals is here in this world - in our lives! We just couldn't be happier!
Let me tell the story of the arrival as I remember it...here goes...
As you all know, my "due date" was the 3rd of March (although I posted on the 2nd because it was the 3rd here in Korea). The date came and went with little progress, although I had been having a few cramps here and there and more frequent "false" contractions. My mom arrived the next day, and again, with no change. The doctor had told us on the 3rd when we went in for our "last" visit prior to delivery that if I hadn't gone into labor on my own before the following Monday (the 10th), he recommended starting induction. Jeff nor I had any objections to this because we didn't want the little one to get too big...
Well, the week passed with no further progress, although my mom and I walked around everywhere trying to kick-start the process. As the 10th slowly approached, my anticipation grew and grew and the night before the induction, I was so nervous and excited I could hardly sleep...but I knew I needed to because I had a hard day's work ahead of me! :)
On the morning of the 10th, Jeff drove my mom and me to the hospital at 7:30 and we checked in to the birth facility by 8am. I went in alone to get prepped and then Jeff and Mom came into the labor room around 9am. They began the Pictocin drip around 9:30 and we proceeded to wait...and wait...the upped the dosage twice before I started feeling anything - the contractions started coming in mildly about every three minutes and then down to every two minutes as they got stronger, and I was no longer able to talk or laugh through them as Jeff made funny faces and tried talking Taylor out of me. Once the contractions were coming on every minute and a half, that's when the pain was most excruciating, but honestly, I don't remember much of how painful it was because I was more exhausted from trying to push her into my pelvis. The doc said that the baby's head was just a bit larger than expected so even though I was completely dialated, she wasn't able to get fully into position because of the size of her cranium...he even said we might go to a C-section to Jeff...
All I recall is thinking how extremely tired I was from pushing so much and for so long (I had absolutely no concept of time during this whole ordeal once the real contractions started happening) - and even the thought that maybe I just simply didn't have the strength to push her out of me on my own crossed my mind. Apparently I shared that feeling with the rest of the room by begging the nurses and Jeff to just let them put me out and cutting the baby out of me. I just simply couldn't push anymore, or so I thought...
The doc must have seen that I was making "some" progress, though, because then he mercifully recommended we break amniotic sac to speed up the process and maybe help Taylor move down easier...after which, the contractions came on even stronger and closer together.
Bless the nurses who then came in and helped me push...I do remember begging them not to leave me...and I remember Jeff standing there by my side always ready to take my hand whenever I reached for him. I don't recall the pain of the baby pushing more into my pelvis, but all I recall is how tired I was - I had reached muscle failure and they were telling me to push just one more time...I simply didn't have the strength!
Then, suddenly, the nurses said let's push once more and we'll move you to the delivery room to have the baby! You're ready! I couldn't believe it!!! They rolled me into a room next door where they put me in a different contraption of a chair that was SO much easier to push from when they told me to push. All I remember from then on is that it really sucked when they cut me (the area is NOT numb when the cut is made simply because the head is crowning), and then shortly there after, feeling her head come out of me...and then the rest of her! I have a vague memory of looking up and seeing Jeff by my head all dressed for surgery...and I remember the extreme relief and immediate excitement that came over me after I heard the first little cry from my little one...and tears...
I think that's enough for details from the whole experience. I don't know if it's in the correct chronological order, but this is how I remember it. Jeff probably has a more orderly version of the day...
Shingil Taylor Ryals was born into this world at 7:28 pm on the 10th of March.
She weighed in at 3.77 kgs (8.3 lbs) and was 52 cm (20.5 in) long.
I still can't believe how every second I look at her, how beautiful she is.
I am recovering ok...my feet and ankles are extremely swollen now, but I'm hoping that will pass soon. I strained so hard during labor that I looked like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson and lost...to include some burst blood vessels in my eyes. I feel surprisingly better than I thought I would...:)
I'll post some pictures as soon as I can...you have to see our beautiful little girl...:)
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
Let me tell the story of the arrival as I remember it...here goes...
As you all know, my "due date" was the 3rd of March (although I posted on the 2nd because it was the 3rd here in Korea). The date came and went with little progress, although I had been having a few cramps here and there and more frequent "false" contractions. My mom arrived the next day, and again, with no change. The doctor had told us on the 3rd when we went in for our "last" visit prior to delivery that if I hadn't gone into labor on my own before the following Monday (the 10th), he recommended starting induction. Jeff nor I had any objections to this because we didn't want the little one to get too big...
Well, the week passed with no further progress, although my mom and I walked around everywhere trying to kick-start the process. As the 10th slowly approached, my anticipation grew and grew and the night before the induction, I was so nervous and excited I could hardly sleep...but I knew I needed to because I had a hard day's work ahead of me! :)
On the morning of the 10th, Jeff drove my mom and me to the hospital at 7:30 and we checked in to the birth facility by 8am. I went in alone to get prepped and then Jeff and Mom came into the labor room around 9am. They began the Pictocin drip around 9:30 and we proceeded to wait...and wait...the upped the dosage twice before I started feeling anything - the contractions started coming in mildly about every three minutes and then down to every two minutes as they got stronger, and I was no longer able to talk or laugh through them as Jeff made funny faces and tried talking Taylor out of me. Once the contractions were coming on every minute and a half, that's when the pain was most excruciating, but honestly, I don't remember much of how painful it was because I was more exhausted from trying to push her into my pelvis. The doc said that the baby's head was just a bit larger than expected so even though I was completely dialated, she wasn't able to get fully into position because of the size of her cranium...he even said we might go to a C-section to Jeff...
All I recall is thinking how extremely tired I was from pushing so much and for so long (I had absolutely no concept of time during this whole ordeal once the real contractions started happening) - and even the thought that maybe I just simply didn't have the strength to push her out of me on my own crossed my mind. Apparently I shared that feeling with the rest of the room by begging the nurses and Jeff to just let them put me out and cutting the baby out of me. I just simply couldn't push anymore, or so I thought...
The doc must have seen that I was making "some" progress, though, because then he mercifully recommended we break amniotic sac to speed up the process and maybe help Taylor move down easier...after which, the contractions came on even stronger and closer together.
Bless the nurses who then came in and helped me push...I do remember begging them not to leave me...and I remember Jeff standing there by my side always ready to take my hand whenever I reached for him. I don't recall the pain of the baby pushing more into my pelvis, but all I recall is how tired I was - I had reached muscle failure and they were telling me to push just one more time...I simply didn't have the strength!
Then, suddenly, the nurses said let's push once more and we'll move you to the delivery room to have the baby! You're ready! I couldn't believe it!!! They rolled me into a room next door where they put me in a different contraption of a chair that was SO much easier to push from when they told me to push. All I remember from then on is that it really sucked when they cut me (the area is NOT numb when the cut is made simply because the head is crowning), and then shortly there after, feeling her head come out of me...and then the rest of her! I have a vague memory of looking up and seeing Jeff by my head all dressed for surgery...and I remember the extreme relief and immediate excitement that came over me after I heard the first little cry from my little one...and tears...
I think that's enough for details from the whole experience. I don't know if it's in the correct chronological order, but this is how I remember it. Jeff probably has a more orderly version of the day...
Shingil Taylor Ryals was born into this world at 7:28 pm on the 10th of March.
She weighed in at 3.77 kgs (8.3 lbs) and was 52 cm (20.5 in) long.
I still can't believe how every second I look at her, how beautiful she is.
I am recovering ok...my feet and ankles are extremely swollen now, but I'm hoping that will pass soon. I strained so hard during labor that I looked like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson and lost...to include some burst blood vessels in my eyes. I feel surprisingly better than I thought I would...:)
I'll post some pictures as soon as I can...you have to see our beautiful little girl...:)
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
Monday, March 3, 2008
The due date...
The date has finally arrived...the due date. But, still, no Taylor.
We know we've kept everyone wondering if we've had the baby yet, and we're sorry to keep you in suspense, but I think those of you who are out there who are mothers understand that these last couple weeks are probably the longest weeks of your lives as you wait in eager anticipation for the little bundle of joy to arrive. With the continuously mounting anticipation comes a sort of withdrawal into your own immediate families without much desire to share anything with the rest of the world until the baby has finally arrived.
Thus, the lack of motivation to write and share anything the last few weeks...
Anyhow, I figure, today's the due date, so I probably ought to write something, so here goes.
The last two weeks have been quite uneventful for the most part. I haven't had any serious false alarms. I am having fairly regular "false" contractions that have no pain associated with them at all. I'm having about four an hour and have continued having them throughout the day for about the last week. The baby is continuing to move lower into my pelvis, but not so much that I have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes. My hands are beginning to swell a little bit more than usual, but that's really only when I wake up in the morning - they go back to fairly normal after I'm up and about doing things. I've had a little minor cramping, but nothing significant enough to think I'm about to go into labor. In my boredom of sitting around the house, I've taken up knitting - I'm currently working on a baby blanket for Taylor, and Jeff's doing a fantastic job of supplying me with lots of yarn every time he's out shopping...:)
The latest measurements of little Taylor (last Monday) show that she's approximately 3.3kgs (7.2 lbs!), but they say one never really knows until the little one is born...but she's growing like a bean sprout in there! I have my last official doctor's appointment today (week 40!), but of course that means all they are doing now is making sure that Taylor isn't getting stressed out in her ever-shrinking home. :) She continues to be very active in there, but now the movements are much slower and directed, pushing in one direction, and then pushing in the other direction...trying to make just a little more room - without much luck.
Umma arrives tomorrow evening, so it'll be good to have her here with me as I wait some more. Maybe Taylor was just waiting for her Halmuni to get here before she came out so I'd have someone to rush to the hospital with me in case Jeff's at work. We're hoping Taylor decides to come no later than Wednesday, though...:) We'll see.
We'll hear from the doc today about how she's doing and how long he wants to wait before considering induction. He already talked to me about the possibility of inducing because she was growing so well. I think the longest he wants to wait is 10 days past my due date. I'm not opposed to induction, but I don't think I want to rush it either. I'd rather let her decide when she wants to come out...:) But we'll see...maybe she's just too comfortable in there...
Anyhow, that's what's going on with everything thus far. Still no Taylor, but I assure you that you will be hearing about it someway, somehow - as soon as it is possible for us to get on the internet to make the announcement that our little joy has joined us!
Until then, with love,
Rosa and Jeff
We know we've kept everyone wondering if we've had the baby yet, and we're sorry to keep you in suspense, but I think those of you who are out there who are mothers understand that these last couple weeks are probably the longest weeks of your lives as you wait in eager anticipation for the little bundle of joy to arrive. With the continuously mounting anticipation comes a sort of withdrawal into your own immediate families without much desire to share anything with the rest of the world until the baby has finally arrived.
Thus, the lack of motivation to write and share anything the last few weeks...
Anyhow, I figure, today's the due date, so I probably ought to write something, so here goes.
The last two weeks have been quite uneventful for the most part. I haven't had any serious false alarms. I am having fairly regular "false" contractions that have no pain associated with them at all. I'm having about four an hour and have continued having them throughout the day for about the last week. The baby is continuing to move lower into my pelvis, but not so much that I have to run to the bathroom every 15 minutes. My hands are beginning to swell a little bit more than usual, but that's really only when I wake up in the morning - they go back to fairly normal after I'm up and about doing things. I've had a little minor cramping, but nothing significant enough to think I'm about to go into labor. In my boredom of sitting around the house, I've taken up knitting - I'm currently working on a baby blanket for Taylor, and Jeff's doing a fantastic job of supplying me with lots of yarn every time he's out shopping...:)
The latest measurements of little Taylor (last Monday) show that she's approximately 3.3kgs (7.2 lbs!), but they say one never really knows until the little one is born...but she's growing like a bean sprout in there! I have my last official doctor's appointment today (week 40!), but of course that means all they are doing now is making sure that Taylor isn't getting stressed out in her ever-shrinking home. :) She continues to be very active in there, but now the movements are much slower and directed, pushing in one direction, and then pushing in the other direction...trying to make just a little more room - without much luck.
Umma arrives tomorrow evening, so it'll be good to have her here with me as I wait some more. Maybe Taylor was just waiting for her Halmuni to get here before she came out so I'd have someone to rush to the hospital with me in case Jeff's at work. We're hoping Taylor decides to come no later than Wednesday, though...:) We'll see.
We'll hear from the doc today about how she's doing and how long he wants to wait before considering induction. He already talked to me about the possibility of inducing because she was growing so well. I think the longest he wants to wait is 10 days past my due date. I'm not opposed to induction, but I don't think I want to rush it either. I'd rather let her decide when she wants to come out...:) But we'll see...maybe she's just too comfortable in there...
Anyhow, that's what's going on with everything thus far. Still no Taylor, but I assure you that you will be hearing about it someway, somehow - as soon as it is possible for us to get on the internet to make the announcement that our little joy has joined us!
Until then, with love,
Rosa and Jeff
Friday, February 15, 2008
Changes - 1
I've had quite some time to think lately about my life, and I seem to be at a place in my life where I am very content to be doing exactly what I am doing, at the same time, I am very unadjusted to this new person I am becoming. This entry is more of a stream-of-consciousness writing exploit as opposed to a well-thought-out entry, so please see it as it is...
I look back on my high school days with fondness of good times and bad, but particularly the drive or dedication I had to meeting success at every academic turn. I would be upset if I missed one question on a biology test that I knew I studied; I would get irritated when I missed a calculus problem because of a dumb careless error. I focused and worked hard, and still wandered around with my head in the clouds about friendships, dating, and boys. Extra-curricular activities also filled my after-school hours and I never could fathom just sitting around the house with nothing to do for days and days, even during the summertime.
When I went to college, the academic side must have been burnt out because I realized I just didn't have that drive or dedication or motivation to really be that successful. I got more and more frustrated with my classes, and decided that they were no where near as important as my non-academic life as long as I was passing. That's probably why I made the grades I did my first year, and that's probably why I took some of the classes I did when I really had NO interested in them whatsoever. I just needed filler classes, so I took them. Part of it, I blame on the fact that I still thought I was pre-med...even though my brain had already decided that I was never going to pursue that route. When I think about going back to do some post-bac work and applying to med schools (or even dental school) and going through that whole process again, I just get a really sour feeling in my stomach and I have little to no desire to pursue it. I understand umma's need or want for me to find some vocation of my own - some technical skill - but I think healthcare or medicine were just NOT the directions I needed to go. But that doesn't mean that I can really see myself just being that stay-at-home mom...why?
After graduation and joining the Army, I realized I had what it took to succeed in this environment. I was going to be one of the best and I was going to have fun while I did it. I may not have been the best at keeping my uniform starched or keeping my boots shined, but I was great at being that officer everyone expected me to be - that officer that everyone could rely on to make things happen. I was liked by most everyone, and I knew how to learn the job, no matter what job, fast - and I could go the route I wanted to to become successful in whatever it was I wanted to in the military. It was easy. But once I found my Mister Right, I couldn't bear it. I was still obsessed with work at the same time, I was obsessed with not being that good wife I wanted to be. I hated that Jeff beat me home every day and he cooked the majority of the time. I didn't like that I was always exhausted for one reason or another because of work and I didn't like that all I had to talk about was work and people at work. I knew it was also bothering Jeff to some degree, but I just couldn't figure out how to balance work and homelife. That's why I knew it was the best decision to get out of the military. I wasn't enjoying every minute anymore. I wanted to focus my energies elsewhere - namely my marriage.
Now that I've been out of the active army for two months, I find myself somewhat bored with this stay-at-home lifestyle. But I also enjoy the freedom of doing nothing if I want to. The whole experience is a bit warped because I am so pregnant right now, but once I have the baby and am on a decent routine after the baby is a bit older, will I still feel the same as I do now about being home and bringing nothing to the family other than waiting for my husband to get home and ensuring that my baby is safe and healthy?
Jeff and I were eating yesterday around dinnertime, and a brief conversation came up about how I'm much more interested in what is going on in his life these days as opposed to before I got out of the military. In a way, it bothered him, I think, that I had become almost nosy about my interest in his life, but he also liked that I wasn't only obsessing about work like I used to...it was as if my family took the back seat when it came to my life when I was working. That's not what I wanted...but that's what it was. Maybe that's why I keep looking for some job that can be secondary to my home life. Something that I can do that will mean nothing to me except a paycheck...I still have my own self-esteem to think about so I can't see myself working as a cashier or something, but I don't want some high stress or high demand job that will consume my life outside and inside the home again.
So...I thought the teaching thing would work well - but now why are my mom and dad so adamently against it? It makes me worry a bit, but I think I could do it without stressing about it as much as they think I might...
Honestly, I just want to be a good wife, a good mother, and also be able to bring home some bread. Is that too much to ask? I want the best for my family, and I also want to have financial independence - mainly so I don't feel like I'm one of those wives who are just eating up the husband's hard-earned money. I know we're not poor by any means, but why does it feel so bad to ask for money? Maybe it's because I've never had to do it before in my entire life...I really don't like it.
Enough.
I look back on my high school days with fondness of good times and bad, but particularly the drive or dedication I had to meeting success at every academic turn. I would be upset if I missed one question on a biology test that I knew I studied; I would get irritated when I missed a calculus problem because of a dumb careless error. I focused and worked hard, and still wandered around with my head in the clouds about friendships, dating, and boys. Extra-curricular activities also filled my after-school hours and I never could fathom just sitting around the house with nothing to do for days and days, even during the summertime.
When I went to college, the academic side must have been burnt out because I realized I just didn't have that drive or dedication or motivation to really be that successful. I got more and more frustrated with my classes, and decided that they were no where near as important as my non-academic life as long as I was passing. That's probably why I made the grades I did my first year, and that's probably why I took some of the classes I did when I really had NO interested in them whatsoever. I just needed filler classes, so I took them. Part of it, I blame on the fact that I still thought I was pre-med...even though my brain had already decided that I was never going to pursue that route. When I think about going back to do some post-bac work and applying to med schools (or even dental school) and going through that whole process again, I just get a really sour feeling in my stomach and I have little to no desire to pursue it. I understand umma's need or want for me to find some vocation of my own - some technical skill - but I think healthcare or medicine were just NOT the directions I needed to go. But that doesn't mean that I can really see myself just being that stay-at-home mom...why?
After graduation and joining the Army, I realized I had what it took to succeed in this environment. I was going to be one of the best and I was going to have fun while I did it. I may not have been the best at keeping my uniform starched or keeping my boots shined, but I was great at being that officer everyone expected me to be - that officer that everyone could rely on to make things happen. I was liked by most everyone, and I knew how to learn the job, no matter what job, fast - and I could go the route I wanted to to become successful in whatever it was I wanted to in the military. It was easy. But once I found my Mister Right, I couldn't bear it. I was still obsessed with work at the same time, I was obsessed with not being that good wife I wanted to be. I hated that Jeff beat me home every day and he cooked the majority of the time. I didn't like that I was always exhausted for one reason or another because of work and I didn't like that all I had to talk about was work and people at work. I knew it was also bothering Jeff to some degree, but I just couldn't figure out how to balance work and homelife. That's why I knew it was the best decision to get out of the military. I wasn't enjoying every minute anymore. I wanted to focus my energies elsewhere - namely my marriage.
Now that I've been out of the active army for two months, I find myself somewhat bored with this stay-at-home lifestyle. But I also enjoy the freedom of doing nothing if I want to. The whole experience is a bit warped because I am so pregnant right now, but once I have the baby and am on a decent routine after the baby is a bit older, will I still feel the same as I do now about being home and bringing nothing to the family other than waiting for my husband to get home and ensuring that my baby is safe and healthy?
Jeff and I were eating yesterday around dinnertime, and a brief conversation came up about how I'm much more interested in what is going on in his life these days as opposed to before I got out of the military. In a way, it bothered him, I think, that I had become almost nosy about my interest in his life, but he also liked that I wasn't only obsessing about work like I used to...it was as if my family took the back seat when it came to my life when I was working. That's not what I wanted...but that's what it was. Maybe that's why I keep looking for some job that can be secondary to my home life. Something that I can do that will mean nothing to me except a paycheck...I still have my own self-esteem to think about so I can't see myself working as a cashier or something, but I don't want some high stress or high demand job that will consume my life outside and inside the home again.
So...I thought the teaching thing would work well - but now why are my mom and dad so adamently against it? It makes me worry a bit, but I think I could do it without stressing about it as much as they think I might...
Honestly, I just want to be a good wife, a good mother, and also be able to bring home some bread. Is that too much to ask? I want the best for my family, and I also want to have financial independence - mainly so I don't feel like I'm one of those wives who are just eating up the husband's hard-earned money. I know we're not poor by any means, but why does it feel so bad to ask for money? Maybe it's because I've never had to do it before in my entire life...I really don't like it.
Enough.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Week 37 Down!
Ah, another week passes and another appointment...:)
During this visit, Taylor and I found out that all my tests that were run last week came back normal - which is always a good thing. I am also no longer putting on any weight, but my belly keeps on growing, so I guess that means the rest of my body is losing weight? Hurray? Maybe. Either way, the latest measurement of our little baby shows that she is approximately 2.8 kgs (or 6.2 lbs)...which feels huge! You will see in the latest (and probably last) belly photo. I can't bear to get any more pudgy face pictures of me taken...;) The doc also conducted an exam to check if my pelvis is large enough for the baby to pass through naturally - I won't get into the details, but luckily the doc said that she should come right out! I must be blessed with some birthin' hips...
As for my own body, I am holding up OK. My hands and feet feel a little puffier than normal, but not as much as I expected - my size 7 tennis shoes still fit - YAY! My lower back gets pretty tired by the end of the day, but I still get around fairly easily, so that's a very good thing. Mostly what are sore are the bottoms of my feet, but Jeff takes good care of me, so I'm good. :)
In the latest couple news, Jeff took me to the Kandisky exhibition at the Seoul Arts Center, which was beautiful, but I think we prefered looking at the other Russian art that was exhibited with Kandisky - particularly the oil-on-canvas realist painters...(I don't know how to speak art, but it really was beautiful). We also celebrated a special Valentine's day dinner at home a day early...:) That's when the latest belly photo was taken.
Well, Jeff and I are very ready for little Taylor to join us, but we're hoping she holds out until the due date...maybe. I'm ready for her to come right now! :) But it'll be good for her to come right on time...let's just hope she doesn't get too much larger...the belly just can't get too much larger!
Another appointment next Monday...more updates to follow. :)
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
During this visit, Taylor and I found out that all my tests that were run last week came back normal - which is always a good thing. I am also no longer putting on any weight, but my belly keeps on growing, so I guess that means the rest of my body is losing weight? Hurray? Maybe. Either way, the latest measurement of our little baby shows that she is approximately 2.8 kgs (or 6.2 lbs)...which feels huge! You will see in the latest (and probably last) belly photo. I can't bear to get any more pudgy face pictures of me taken...;) The doc also conducted an exam to check if my pelvis is large enough for the baby to pass through naturally - I won't get into the details, but luckily the doc said that she should come right out! I must be blessed with some birthin' hips...
As for my own body, I am holding up OK. My hands and feet feel a little puffier than normal, but not as much as I expected - my size 7 tennis shoes still fit - YAY! My lower back gets pretty tired by the end of the day, but I still get around fairly easily, so that's a very good thing. Mostly what are sore are the bottoms of my feet, but Jeff takes good care of me, so I'm good. :)
In the latest couple news, Jeff took me to the Kandisky exhibition at the Seoul Arts Center, which was beautiful, but I think we prefered looking at the other Russian art that was exhibited with Kandisky - particularly the oil-on-canvas realist painters...(I don't know how to speak art, but it really was beautiful). We also celebrated a special Valentine's day dinner at home a day early...:) That's when the latest belly photo was taken.
Well, Jeff and I are very ready for little Taylor to join us, but we're hoping she holds out until the due date...maybe. I'm ready for her to come right now! :) But it'll be good for her to come right on time...let's just hope she doesn't get too much larger...the belly just can't get too much larger!
Another appointment next Monday...more updates to follow. :)
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Lunar New Year
The year of the Rat has finally arrived - our little Taylor's year! She's going to be a rat. That just doesn't sound very nice...
Anyhow, since Jeff had to work today, I went to our relative's house (the big house) to celebrate the lunar new year (tradition). The only reason I am writing this entry, though, is because I just have the funniest story about my cousin's little daughter who is almost three years old, so here goes:
While all the ladies were sitting around the dining room table, the kids were running around playing, when all of a sudden, the little girl came by and placed her hand on my belly. No expression on her face or anything, but she just lightly placed her hand on my belly...and then she ran off again to play. A little later, she came back to look at the belly, and I told her that there was a baby inside. She got a very puzzled look on her face, and she felt her own belly. Then she lifted her dress and examined her belly closely. Then, she touched my belly, and lifted my shirt up to see under it! Then she smiled and said to me, "There's no baby. I checked." Her mom just stood there in disbelief, and then said to her little girl that the baby was inside the belly, not under the shirt. To this, the little girl replied, "Nope. I looked and there is no baby there." And then she went off to play again, not thinking any more about it. :)
Adorable. Happy Lunar New Year!
Love,
Rosa
Anyhow, since Jeff had to work today, I went to our relative's house (the big house) to celebrate the lunar new year (tradition). The only reason I am writing this entry, though, is because I just have the funniest story about my cousin's little daughter who is almost three years old, so here goes:
While all the ladies were sitting around the dining room table, the kids were running around playing, when all of a sudden, the little girl came by and placed her hand on my belly. No expression on her face or anything, but she just lightly placed her hand on my belly...and then she ran off again to play. A little later, she came back to look at the belly, and I told her that there was a baby inside. She got a very puzzled look on her face, and she felt her own belly. Then she lifted her dress and examined her belly closely. Then, she touched my belly, and lifted my shirt up to see under it! Then she smiled and said to me, "There's no baby. I checked." Her mom just stood there in disbelief, and then said to her little girl that the baby was inside the belly, not under the shirt. To this, the little girl replied, "Nope. I looked and there is no baby there." And then she went off to play again, not thinking any more about it. :)
Adorable. Happy Lunar New Year!
Love,
Rosa
Monday, February 4, 2008
36 weeks and counting!
Two more weeks down and four more weeks to go!
Little Taylor and I had our 36-week appointment today at CHA Hospital. Today's visit started with some fetal monitoring (30 minutes!) where the nurses strapped two little monitors on my belly (one for her heart beat and one for movement, I think), and they gave me a little button to push every time I felt her move. Well, Taylor doesn't particularly enjoy having her already-cramped space invaded from the outside, so it makes her kick and push against whatever is pressing down...so the monitoring was high successful. :) The nurse, when the monitoring was over, said little Taylor must be really happy and energetic because she enjoys playing already! I didn't have the heart to tell her that she just didn't appreciate being pushed around...:) Either way, when the doc saw the printout of the monitoring, he said that her heart rate and movement relation showed that she is very healthy and doing well.
We also discussed some aspects of our birthplan, and although I found out that some of my options were limited and there were going to be some procedures that I hadn't planned on, it looked like the event will be much like I expected it to be...who knows when the time actually comes, but the plan is looking ok.
Then, before I left the hospital, they did some bloodwork for final testing (I guess), gave me an EKG and X-ray (which I was originally a little worried about), to ensure the health of my heart and respiratory system...interesting. I'll find out those results at my next appointment.
I can't believe we have less than a month before our little baby comes into our life! These next few weeks are going to be the longest in my life!!!
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
Little Taylor and I had our 36-week appointment today at CHA Hospital. Today's visit started with some fetal monitoring (30 minutes!) where the nurses strapped two little monitors on my belly (one for her heart beat and one for movement, I think), and they gave me a little button to push every time I felt her move. Well, Taylor doesn't particularly enjoy having her already-cramped space invaded from the outside, so it makes her kick and push against whatever is pressing down...so the monitoring was high successful. :) The nurse, when the monitoring was over, said little Taylor must be really happy and energetic because she enjoys playing already! I didn't have the heart to tell her that she just didn't appreciate being pushed around...:) Either way, when the doc saw the printout of the monitoring, he said that her heart rate and movement relation showed that she is very healthy and doing well.
We also discussed some aspects of our birthplan, and although I found out that some of my options were limited and there were going to be some procedures that I hadn't planned on, it looked like the event will be much like I expected it to be...who knows when the time actually comes, but the plan is looking ok.
Then, before I left the hospital, they did some bloodwork for final testing (I guess), gave me an EKG and X-ray (which I was originally a little worried about), to ensure the health of my heart and respiratory system...interesting. I'll find out those results at my next appointment.
I can't believe we have less than a month before our little baby comes into our life! These next few weeks are going to be the longest in my life!!!
Love,
Rosa and Jeff
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