Dear Junior,
You were good to me...up until 2 weeks ago.
I can no longer sleep on my side because it hurts the underside of my belly after several hours so I sleep on the wedge I purchased for your dad. So only my thoracic and lumbar spine hurts. Better me than maybe you. I'll take it.
I can't fit into yoga pants anymore so I'm stuck wearing tights and I never ever wear tights because of my big pelvic bone. Ugh.
My feet are swollen so I had to buy new shoes. My legs are bigger so my socks cut into my calf.
I poo 2x a day and eat a gazillion times a day because there is no enough room in my belly to fit you AND my organs.
Peeing is still ok due to the brilliants exercise of Kegels.
I have a new structure like a mini Smurf in my nether regions called a varicose vein. I almost cried at the site of it. Doctor said it will go away in a few weeks after you are born.
But all in all, I love you and you are absolutely, positively worth it. I finished my last day of work so I can rest up before your arrival. I can't wait to meet you.
Kisses,
Mom
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Week 31, Day 7: Your Nursery
Dear Junior,
This week, we finished construction on dad's workstation because we made a deal to clear out the 2nd bedroom exclusively for you. Closer to your delivery date, I'll be able to confirm if we were able to successfully move out all of our junk.
Here is the before and after picture! I am pretty proud that we had the idea to create a space for dad rather than him camp out on the kitchen table and do work. The area feels so much more lighter and useful!
Photos of before and after workstation.
I read the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I read about it on Cup of Jo and it was available for free through the New York Public Library. It helped me and ultimately your dad part ways with our old books, papers, memorabilia to make space for all your goodies. For me, the best advice from the book is to thank your old stuff for its service to you and wish them a proper farewell. And there was no place to 'squirrel it away' in the words of dad.
Dad was genius and able to consolidate all his tools and put it on his side of the closet.
We are looking for wall decals and a new rug. Going to move around the frames somewhere in the apartment or to the opposite wall. Dad's old desk that we loved and had shipped from an Etsy artist from NC will be repurposed to your changing station.
Cousin Cynthia and Cousin Kim gifted all of their kids stuff to you so dad and I don't have to spend a dime on a crib, clothes, bouncer, carrier.... everything.
We have yet to put everything together and still need to make a trip to the Salvation Army to donate some more stuff but the plan is in place... and slowly we are getting ready for you.
Love u
Mom
This week, we finished construction on dad's workstation because we made a deal to clear out the 2nd bedroom exclusively for you. Closer to your delivery date, I'll be able to confirm if we were able to successfully move out all of our junk.
Here is the before and after picture! I am pretty proud that we had the idea to create a space for dad rather than him camp out on the kitchen table and do work. The area feels so much more lighter and useful!
Photos of before and after workstation.
I read the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I read about it on Cup of Jo and it was available for free through the New York Public Library. It helped me and ultimately your dad part ways with our old books, papers, memorabilia to make space for all your goodies. For me, the best advice from the book is to thank your old stuff for its service to you and wish them a proper farewell. And there was no place to 'squirrel it away' in the words of dad.
Dad was genius and able to consolidate all his tools and put it on his side of the closet.
We are looking for wall decals and a new rug. Going to move around the frames somewhere in the apartment or to the opposite wall. Dad's old desk that we loved and had shipped from an Etsy artist from NC will be repurposed to your changing station.
Cousin Cynthia and Cousin Kim gifted all of their kids stuff to you so dad and I don't have to spend a dime on a crib, clothes, bouncer, carrier.... everything.
We have yet to put everything together and still need to make a trip to the Salvation Army to donate some more stuff but the plan is in place... and slowly we are getting ready for you.
Love u
Mom
Week 31, Day 7: Being Pregnant
Hello Junior,
The 7th month of carrying you has been A LOT harder than the previous months.
In my first trimester, I was not nauseous, sick or hypersensitive about smells and sights. I, thankfully, continued to treat patients in all of their torpedo turds, catheter bags and other bodily fluid glory with only slight nausea. My back does not hurt. The feet are not swollen. I did not send out Dad for midnight cravings for Pizza Hut, grilled cheese or pints of Haagen Dasz Butter Pecan ice cream, not that he would go get it for me. I was just nervous of losing you because I was under a lot of stress with Uncle Elliott's job search, Grandpa Randy's spotty memory and your dad's bicycle accident. I didn't want you to go away.
Second trimester was generally fine as well. I continued to move patients, climb ladders, walk from the Village to Times Sq with Auntie Naemeh, and cook daily. I didn't get heart burn with spicy food. My gym workouts were only down to 2 per week. I didn't even get mad when people didn't get up for me on the train. I was always SUPER tired and I snuck in a 45-min nap at work during lunch. All in all, I plugged along with modifications but nothing serious.
Then the 7th month hit. My belly is so big that I can't bend over and that its encroaching on my boob territory, making it hard to slouch. Its harder to breathe unless I sit up tall. I have trouble getting up from a chair and need to push off with my arms. I need momentum to roll out of bed. When I was walking from base to the train station with my coworker Nicki, her regular pace was actually very tiring and hard work on the belly. I have 'crotch pain' which is just my ligaments at my pubic symphysis getting lax and no hip muscles to keep it together. I am lucky to get to the gym once a week and I'm definitely pairing down on all my social activities. OH, and I had to pee a million times when I went to the MET with Uncle Elliot and Grandpa Randy. To be fair, it felt like 100 degrees with the humidity and I was sucking down a lot of water.
On the flip side, you are getting so big. On Sept 7th, you were 3lbs, 10oz. I can see you when you kick. You make my belly shudder. No one really notices but me so I feel like your movements are my little secret. Its all worth it.
Can't wait to meet you darling.
Love u,
Mom
Picture of me at 7months and my very attractive stain at the belly button.
The 7th month of carrying you has been A LOT harder than the previous months.
In my first trimester, I was not nauseous, sick or hypersensitive about smells and sights. I, thankfully, continued to treat patients in all of their torpedo turds, catheter bags and other bodily fluid glory with only slight nausea. My back does not hurt. The feet are not swollen. I did not send out Dad for midnight cravings for Pizza Hut, grilled cheese or pints of Haagen Dasz Butter Pecan ice cream, not that he would go get it for me. I was just nervous of losing you because I was under a lot of stress with Uncle Elliott's job search, Grandpa Randy's spotty memory and your dad's bicycle accident. I didn't want you to go away.
Second trimester was generally fine as well. I continued to move patients, climb ladders, walk from the Village to Times Sq with Auntie Naemeh, and cook daily. I didn't get heart burn with spicy food. My gym workouts were only down to 2 per week. I didn't even get mad when people didn't get up for me on the train. I was always SUPER tired and I snuck in a 45-min nap at work during lunch. All in all, I plugged along with modifications but nothing serious.
Then the 7th month hit. My belly is so big that I can't bend over and that its encroaching on my boob territory, making it hard to slouch. Its harder to breathe unless I sit up tall. I have trouble getting up from a chair and need to push off with my arms. I need momentum to roll out of bed. When I was walking from base to the train station with my coworker Nicki, her regular pace was actually very tiring and hard work on the belly. I have 'crotch pain' which is just my ligaments at my pubic symphysis getting lax and no hip muscles to keep it together. I am lucky to get to the gym once a week and I'm definitely pairing down on all my social activities. OH, and I had to pee a million times when I went to the MET with Uncle Elliot and Grandpa Randy. To be fair, it felt like 100 degrees with the humidity and I was sucking down a lot of water.
On the flip side, you are getting so big. On Sept 7th, you were 3lbs, 10oz. I can see you when you kick. You make my belly shudder. No one really notices but me so I feel like your movements are my little secret. Its all worth it.
Can't wait to meet you darling.
Love u,
Mom
Picture of me at 7months and my very attractive stain at the belly button.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Week 23, Day 1: Holiday
Hey Junior
Dad and mom went on vacation. We had a exciting year with many ups and downs. We got engaged, got married, got into several car accidents, changed jobs and made you. We decided to go to Canada for 6days and eat our way from Quebec City to Montreal. Here is a picture of us.
Dad got a new camera strap so he will take more pictures because the camera is easier to hold. I love the idea of him taking pictures of your little feet and chubby legs. I decided to take more selfies bc I need to practice taking pictures of myself. I don't think that I carry enough self confidence and I would like to show you that I was proud to sport you in my belly.
Vacation started off a little rocky bc dad and I fought about whether to get a private room in the hospital after you are born. On a happier note, after several meals, a few games of cribbage, a tour around Quebec City, mom and dad seem to be friendly again. It's good to be friends with your dad. He'll have my back when you are crying through the night.
Love you,
Mom
Dad and mom went on vacation. We had a exciting year with many ups and downs. We got engaged, got married, got into several car accidents, changed jobs and made you. We decided to go to Canada for 6days and eat our way from Quebec City to Montreal. Here is a picture of us.
Dad got a new camera strap so he will take more pictures because the camera is easier to hold. I love the idea of him taking pictures of your little feet and chubby legs. I decided to take more selfies bc I need to practice taking pictures of myself. I don't think that I carry enough self confidence and I would like to show you that I was proud to sport you in my belly.
Vacation started off a little rocky bc dad and I fought about whether to get a private room in the hospital after you are born. On a happier note, after several meals, a few games of cribbage, a tour around Quebec City, mom and dad seem to be friendly again. It's good to be friends with your dad. He'll have my back when you are crying through the night.
Love you,
Mom
Week 23, Day 3: Kicking
Hi Junior
Dad and I are on a train from Quebec City to Montreal. You were kicking. You started kicking about a month ago during my last visit to my OB. I thought it was gas so I couldn't say for sure. Dr. Fieldman said it happens 16-24 weeks and possibly sooner since I was thin. *I have body image issues so it was awful nice to hear her say this about me.* People describe it as flutters.
Two weeks later, dad and I were watching tv. And I told him about the gas. He placed his hand over the suspected gassy spot and he said you kicked. I was more smitten by dad touching my belly. He is not a touchy-feely person but I know he was excited to touch you.
So you have been kicking harder since that week and mainly during the 5-8:30am slot and just before bed when I am laying on my side I happen to be very active in the morning so maybe you can feel my clinic action.
Can't wait to see your big feet and shoulders edging it's way around at the surface of my belly. I know dad is psyched even if he hasn't expressed it.
Love u
Mom
Picture from enjoy-summing.com.
Week 24, Day 1: Our Wedding
Dear Junior,
I wanted to tell you about Dad and Mom's wedding day before it becomes too far in the past and I forget the details. I wrote the below on our baby moon last week. Enjoy!
We started our day at 9:30am at the steps of city hall, enjoying the glorious winter weather. We shed our jackets and took pictures till 10:30am while sipping down a little Starbucks to jump start our day. Our loving families escorted us into the Marriage Bureau on Worth St withits golden halls, porcelain columns and vintage-inspired lamp fixtures. Surrounding us was every walk of life. Asian lady with cowboy boots with her older Caucasian partner . Hispanic couple with their children. Russian mail order brides. Husbands getting married with their chic bridesmaids in pink frou frou outfits and fur shoulder shrugs. The diversity of the scene was the perfect backdrop to our NYC weddings.
Dad was dressed in a perfect blue suit that Auntie Katie and Grandma Helen help pick out. I was dressed in a gold dress that Auntie Sandy and Auntie April help me pick out. I told them that I wanted to look like a celebrity, not a bride. There are not many places that I can wear a gold skin tight dress and feel like I won the Oscars. My hair was done the night before in a local salon in Sunnyside. I went to Sephora on two occasion to learn how to apply my own make up. I believe that weddings are a very important day but it should not have to break the bank in the name of a wedding. My bouquet was purchased in the florist down the street where dad buys me beautiful flowers. It has these wonderful like thistle flowers that I used in a boutonnière at a friends wedding early the previous year.
City hall was a dream of mine. Originally, to be just with your dad but it evolved to include our families. It's quiet. It's simple and generally meant to be stress free. And I wanted it in the city that your dad and I loved each other in and continued to grow our relationship. It was low maintenance affair and just the way we like things. The quiet nature brings into focus, 'us' in our big day.
Within city hall, the building has been redone so that old looks new. The decor has a 1920s look with the gold columns and black marble table tops. The process took 40 minutes which was just enough time to enjoy the atmosphere without the insanely long queue. If your dad has taught me anything, we don't queue for anything anymore.
Katie was our witness-reliable and someone we both love. She held our rings. With all the kindness in her heart, she left her baby boy and other half in London to be a part of our small ceremony.
The grandparents and siblings stood sweetly and quietly by as we took a million photos and danced around with anticipation for the ceremony. We waiting in line for 20 minutes and the ceremony lasted no more than 2 min.
Our judge was this African-American woman with great directions and a hairdo that your dad thought looked like something out of Battlestar Galatica. She asked for our rings. We said our 'I do's.' At some point, the judge caught your dad in the middle of placing the ring on my finger and said if he had anything to say to me. In a fashion that is true to your dad, he said 'hang on. I can only do one thing at a time.' After that he said something along the lines of looking forward to spending the rest of my life with your mom. I don't remember a word that I said. I only remember trying hard hold back my sob in front of everyone. Marrying your dad and becoming his wife has made me incredibly happy. There are days that I want to kill your dad but happy to say our wedding day wasn't one of them.
We lunched at the French cafe that your dad and I dined in after choosing our engagement and wedding rings. In the evening, we surrounded ourselves and celebrated our day with friends and family at the local beer garden, Bierocracy that just opened that month. A perfect day for a wedding. I was lucky it happened to me.
Grandma Helen made us our wedding cake, which was De-LIC-IOUS!
I wanted to tell you about Dad and Mom's wedding day before it becomes too far in the past and I forget the details. I wrote the below on our baby moon last week. Enjoy!
We started our day at 9:30am at the steps of city hall, enjoying the glorious winter weather. We shed our jackets and took pictures till 10:30am while sipping down a little Starbucks to jump start our day. Our loving families escorted us into the Marriage Bureau on Worth St withits golden halls, porcelain columns and vintage-inspired lamp fixtures. Surrounding us was every walk of life. Asian lady with cowboy boots with her older Caucasian partner . Hispanic couple with their children. Russian mail order brides. Husbands getting married with their chic bridesmaids in pink frou frou outfits and fur shoulder shrugs. The diversity of the scene was the perfect backdrop to our NYC weddings.
Dad was dressed in a perfect blue suit that Auntie Katie and Grandma Helen help pick out. I was dressed in a gold dress that Auntie Sandy and Auntie April help me pick out. I told them that I wanted to look like a celebrity, not a bride. There are not many places that I can wear a gold skin tight dress and feel like I won the Oscars. My hair was done the night before in a local salon in Sunnyside. I went to Sephora on two occasion to learn how to apply my own make up. I believe that weddings are a very important day but it should not have to break the bank in the name of a wedding. My bouquet was purchased in the florist down the street where dad buys me beautiful flowers. It has these wonderful like thistle flowers that I used in a boutonnière at a friends wedding early the previous year.
City hall was a dream of mine. Originally, to be just with your dad but it evolved to include our families. It's quiet. It's simple and generally meant to be stress free. And I wanted it in the city that your dad and I loved each other in and continued to grow our relationship. It was low maintenance affair and just the way we like things. The quiet nature brings into focus, 'us' in our big day.
Within city hall, the building has been redone so that old looks new. The decor has a 1920s look with the gold columns and black marble table tops. The process took 40 minutes which was just enough time to enjoy the atmosphere without the insanely long queue. If your dad has taught me anything, we don't queue for anything anymore.
Katie was our witness-reliable and someone we both love. She held our rings. With all the kindness in her heart, she left her baby boy and other half in London to be a part of our small ceremony.
The grandparents and siblings stood sweetly and quietly by as we took a million photos and danced around with anticipation for the ceremony. We waiting in line for 20 minutes and the ceremony lasted no more than 2 min.
Our judge was this African-American woman with great directions and a hairdo that your dad thought looked like something out of Battlestar Galatica. She asked for our rings. We said our 'I do's.' At some point, the judge caught your dad in the middle of placing the ring on my finger and said if he had anything to say to me. In a fashion that is true to your dad, he said 'hang on. I can only do one thing at a time.' After that he said something along the lines of looking forward to spending the rest of my life with your mom. I don't remember a word that I said. I only remember trying hard hold back my sob in front of everyone. Marrying your dad and becoming his wife has made me incredibly happy. There are days that I want to kill your dad but happy to say our wedding day wasn't one of them.
We lunched at the French cafe that your dad and I dined in after choosing our engagement and wedding rings. In the evening, we surrounded ourselves and celebrated our day with friends and family at the local beer garden, Bierocracy that just opened that month. A perfect day for a wedding. I was lucky it happened to me.
Grandma Helen made us our wedding cake, which was De-LIC-IOUS!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Week 20, Day 1: Crying over my VA job
Dear Junior,
Its 1am. I can't sleep and I have work tomorrow. I think I feel you kicking for the first time. All a bunch of firsts.
At first, I couldn't sleep because I have a lot on my mind. Dad and I are going to Quebec City and Montreal for a baby moon. A good friend, Grace recommended a bunch of places to eat that will complete our vacation plans and I can't wait to add them to our master excel list.
Auntie Naemeh and her now husband got married last week in Hawaii. How romantic! Mike and I will have a little BBQ for them to celebrate this Friday. Cooking for 12 ppl.
My bachelorette party is Saturday. The girls have something planned for me and I can't wait to see how it rolls out.
I have a new Physical Therapy student starting tomorrow. Thank god that I have the experience of supervising a student under my belt and this is not my first time. I'm still nervous that I was half dreaming about my patient schedule and adding those items that Grace mentioned to my Montreal/Quebec City list.
We saw Auntie Kim and Auntie Cynthia on Saturday. They gave up and will continue to give stuff to us for you! We won't have to buy a thing and saving us so much money. I think Grandma Donna would be so pleased to know her nieces are taking care of me. I can't wait to update the master list. I want to do it right now.
And lastly and most importantly, I was crying.... mourning over the future loss of my VA job over dinner. Once you are born I will have to retire my most favorite job that I have ever had. I work with the most fantastic, intelligent and flexible staff at the VA hospital in Brooklyn. My patient population, veterans are a special beast. Brave, bold, sensitive, who know how to take orders with the most amazing stories of life and service. Grace said look on the positive side - at least I got to have the job in the first place.
I love you Junior. I can't wait to tell you how this story unfolds - my professional life continued to evolve and I did not lose the best job ever but started on a new road that you helped me get on.
Sigh, I don't think that I should have had that cup of tea at lunch and the bubble tea after work. I think all that caffeine is what's keeping me up.
Love you lots,
Mom
Its 1am. I can't sleep and I have work tomorrow. I think I feel you kicking for the first time. All a bunch of firsts.
At first, I couldn't sleep because I have a lot on my mind. Dad and I are going to Quebec City and Montreal for a baby moon. A good friend, Grace recommended a bunch of places to eat that will complete our vacation plans and I can't wait to add them to our master excel list.
Auntie Naemeh and her now husband got married last week in Hawaii. How romantic! Mike and I will have a little BBQ for them to celebrate this Friday. Cooking for 12 ppl.
My bachelorette party is Saturday. The girls have something planned for me and I can't wait to see how it rolls out.
I have a new Physical Therapy student starting tomorrow. Thank god that I have the experience of supervising a student under my belt and this is not my first time. I'm still nervous that I was half dreaming about my patient schedule and adding those items that Grace mentioned to my Montreal/Quebec City list.
We saw Auntie Kim and Auntie Cynthia on Saturday. They gave up and will continue to give stuff to us for you! We won't have to buy a thing and saving us so much money. I think Grandma Donna would be so pleased to know her nieces are taking care of me. I can't wait to update the master list. I want to do it right now.
And lastly and most importantly, I was crying.... mourning over the future loss of my VA job over dinner. Once you are born I will have to retire my most favorite job that I have ever had. I work with the most fantastic, intelligent and flexible staff at the VA hospital in Brooklyn. My patient population, veterans are a special beast. Brave, bold, sensitive, who know how to take orders with the most amazing stories of life and service. Grace said look on the positive side - at least I got to have the job in the first place.
I love you Junior. I can't wait to tell you how this story unfolds - my professional life continued to evolve and I did not lose the best job ever but started on a new road that you helped me get on.
Sigh, I don't think that I should have had that cup of tea at lunch and the bubble tea after work. I think all that caffeine is what's keeping me up.
Love you lots,
Mom
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