Week 20 - Halfway there!

I woke up this morning and grabbed one of my regular t-shirts and was walking around the house not realizing the display I was providing until I viewed myself in the mirror. My regular t-shirts do not cover my belly! So of course, I had to blog this picture.

I am forced to go out this weekend and look at maternity clothes. I can get away with sweats and stretch pants at home, but for work, this look wouldn't fly. Soon, I won't be able to tell if my shoes are tied or not. If I bend over, I can still make out the tips of my toes.

It's super hot and beautiful out. After work, I walked the pups to Dolores Park and ran into Brimeeza. We had a nice time chatting and catching up. I remember going through the same fears and questions she had when AG and I were trying to get pregnant. It's just amazing to think that all of our lives, us women live in fear of getting pregnant, and when we finally want to - we know nothing about gettting pregnant. I did a lot of research and re-discovered my body and what it's capable of doing. Even though everyone tells you (including yourself) that you shouldn't expect to get pregnant immediately, there's a secret part of you that believes so earnestly that if you had one night of unprotected sex, you will get pregnant. So the moment you start to try, and you don't - your mind can't quite accept this result. And then you begin to realize that there only a small window of time where your body is even capable of getting pregnant - and you think back to all the years of worry when you and your partner were slightly careless. But I guess there's always someone out there who just happens to get pregnant on that one particular mishap, which put the fear in all us women.

After a couple of hours in the sun with Brimeeza and the pups, we walked home and I got ready for dinner with KC. We ate at Le Colonial - pretty darn good Vietnamese fusion food - but pricy. The dinner was outrageous - KC and her husband started a restaurant guide printing business - you know the little guides you get if you are a tourist coming into the city and wanting a map. It's great, they do really well - work from home and dictate their own hours. They've done so well that they're starting up another guide - for evening haunts. Part of the perks she receives are gift certificates to all the wonderful restaurants that advertise in her guide (one of which includes Saha's). We ordered the Chef's appetizer plate (which includes a taste of all the appetizers available), then I had the 2lb lobster sauteed over baby bok choy... and if that didn't fill me up, the Chef's dessert platter did. I'll have to download the picture on my next post - it was insanely outrageous. I did not order the dessert, I only went along for the ride. KC and I mostly discussed my current pregnancy and reminisced about hers. It was clear she had some difficult time and wanted to pass on some words of wisdom.

At the end of our conversation, she brought up a dark subject. She wanted to talk about a subject that was brought up last week at our girl's night out - how many of our friends have been molested. It's a surprising statistic to know that I am in a minority among my friends who have never been molested. She had been thinking about it now that she has a daughter. I haven't thought about those conversations much except that I felt extremely lucky it never happened to me. I had stated that it probably never happened to me because my parents were over-vigilent in this area. Young women weren't allowed to spend the night at their friend's homes, especially if there were any males present, irregardless of their age or status. I was never allowed to spend nights at slumber parties or go on overnight trips anywhere. My father wasn't shy about telling me why either - he always stated his fears of my safety and vulnerability as a young woman. Although I remembered being upset with him of the unfairness of it all, I am now relieved that the heartaches I had about not being able to participate, might have led to this surprising statistic. She's trying to find a balance for her daughter.

Now that I'm having a daughter, I'm just beginning to think about these things as a mother. What are the things I can do to protect her? It's staggering to hear from my friends about their experiences - and the men who molested them were close relatives, trusted friend's sons, neighbors, and peers - none were strangers. My friends are all strong women, and I don't think these numbers are specific to a group of people. I don't want to spend too much time with this fear, but I think it's a good to be cognitive of it - like my father was. This issue is taboo and rarely discussed, but it's more rampant that many of us would like to believe and it really hit me tonight. Anyways - enough of that for now....

The dinner lasted 4 hours - and I was in pain by the end of it. That's how it's been lately. Since Baby G has taken up more room in my belly, and my stomache has been pushed up and back - I should be eating more frequent but small meals. Large meals put me in pain. There's no room and my poor body is trying to figure out what to do. By the time I got home, it was close to midnight and I could barely stay awake even after 2 cups of coffee during dessert. I passed out and woke up at 5am because of some disturbingly haunting dreams. They say that your dream becomes really intense during pregnancy - I haven't had too many of them, but this one was. I was restless and couldn't fall back asleep, so I went upstairs and rummaged in the office for something to read. The house is so quiet. AG is in NYC and Andy and Allison are spending the weekend in Napa. It's just me and the pups in a big condo by ourselves all weekend.

It's light out now and I'm just starting to get tired ...

Girl's Night out & one picture of the Gluck men

These pictures were from last week's night out at Le Provence.

But I had to put up this adorable picture of the Gluck men. AG's dad looks superfly in his fedora and Dave deserves to be called cute for trying to name our baby Helicopter Freakin Gluck.

But there they are - all three of them.

Parent's weekend

Pictures to be posted soon when time is not a factor. I also wanted to get some thoughts down before I lose it.

AG and I flew in Thursday evening to Seattle. It was hectic and stressful since we were working up to the last minute before our flight. He's moving his NY office and I just got enrolled on to another time sensitive project - reviewing telecom contracts for companies we acquire. If work continues to be this hectic and stressful, the baby just might decide to come out early...

Spent the night at Loan and Rob's. Picked up a car next day and transferred to Salim and Nafysa's house where we worked until 7:15pm - only because we already had plans to meet up with friends for dinner. It was great to see Kris and her hubby. After a huge dinner in Kirkland, we were invited to Salim/Nafysa's place for dessert and wine.

Next morning I left AG to do more work, and went to hang out with my mom for a couple of hours. They were quite impressed with the belly. Then picked up AG and his brother, to visit their parents at the hotel in Seattle. Brought them back to my parents place for a little chitchat. Dinner at 7:30 at a wonderful Chinese restaurant where we announced Baby G's gender. Dropped parents off, and back to Salim/Nafysa for the night... and up again the next morning at 7am to have breakfast with AG's parents before they left town. And then to my mom's for lunch until the evening. Oy - it was not a restful weekend but it was eventful and successful. I think my mom's over the "My god she's not married and having a baby" stage and is now into full swing preparation for grandmother stage.

AG and I arrived home at noon and worked until 7pm that evening. We were so tired. Then Tuesday back to work and completely overwhelmed. Only now am I getting a chance to breathe. Still so much to do, but it's under control. AG left this morning for NYC for 12 stressful days. I have lots to do while he's gone, including catching up with girlfriends - tonight there's a girl's night at Ellen's where I will be announcing Baby G's sex to our friends, and hopefully by then, everyone will know.

Has my life always been this crazy? Am I only just noticing the fast pace because I don't have the same energy level?

My dad called Saturday as well. He now wants me to have a traditional Vietnamese wedding in Portland next year, at his expense. I guess he's given up on the rest of our family in giving him the wedding he wants. Yes, my sister was married, but remember, he didn't attend that wedding. I'm more than happy to have this new twist - now I can separate and have the wedding that I want to have in Mexico and still have the Vietnamese wedding. It's a perfect solution. With all that's happening, I don't see how our lives will slow down at all, it's warp speed from this point until Baby G graduates. This is why AG and I didn't have kids until our mid 30's.

Presents for Baby G from the Grandma's

I'm trying to keep up the progress of my belly - but lately it's easier to lounge in front of the TV and snuggle next to AG. This weekend and last was mostly about taxes and paperwork since next couple of weeks AG will be out of town. We are leaving Thursday night to head up to Seattle to see the folks and upon our return AG jets off to NYC for 12 days. He'll be there for Ven/Jen's little baby boy who's due in 10 days.

The pregnancy is great - lots of movements from Baby G and during the ultrasound we saw Baby G move its head from side to side, kick me several times and wiggle its little fingers. The movements have gotten stronger, where before I felt little taps to the full squirm a couple of times. I've been sleeping very well - using a pillow between my legs to support the weight of the growing belly. Already Baby G is taking after papa and is more active at night than any other time. Except for the continued pregnancy sniffles, not being able to lay comfortably on my back anymore, constant trips to the bathroom, and not having full use of my lungs - it's been an easy easy pregnancy. I'm still a little forgetful, but I'm finding ways around that. I'm not moody - my hormones are stable (I think) and AG and I are still able to have fun even if I'm falling asleep by 9:30 every night. I checked the scale this morning and am up to 136lbs, which is 2lbs more than when I last weighed in at week 14. This is good news for me - the baby is gaining weight but I'm at least maintaining and not going too crazy. I'm sure I'll be gaining at an astronomical speed once I hit the third trimester. I've been eating really well - still lots of fruit and veggies with more meat. Can manage some meals that are outside the Asian cuisine, including half a steak on Wednesday. Continuing to take 6 pre-natal vitamins a day and now I've included 2 calcium chews since I haven't been eating enough dairy products.

Grandma Karen sent me a box of very comfortable and much needed maternity clothes. I'm not sure why I haven't been motivated to go out shopping on my own. I'm sure I'll have to do it soon, maybe when AG is out of town. G Karen also sent a very cute little soap ducky. She's going a little crazy not knowing what gender Baby G is. But all in due time - we're announcing it this week at dinner in Seattle. It's been more difficult for AG not to tell everyone, but I don't have a problem telling everyone they need to wait. It's important to me that family know first, and that they all get to hear it at the same time. We didn't get to announce Baby G's coming face to face with parents, so it's special for me to get to do this at dinner.

Thursday, we met up with Chris, her sister and mom in Napa after our ultrasound (which was fine by the way). During the ultrasound, the doctors took tons of pictures - but none of which were photogenic for us to show. They consisted of measuring the head, the heart, the limbs etc. to determine Baby G's progress and health. As of Thursday, Baby G is now 8 oz (wowzers, that's another 3 ounces from the 16th week amnio update).
Chris knitted a little white beenie for Baby G and her sister gave us a set of pj's. Thanks everyone. We had dinner with them at a great Vietnamese restaurant in downtown napa - AnnaLien. Afterwards we came home to catch the last minutes of the Warriors game.

This is the last week of the season before the playoffs and AG and I are almost peeing in our pants. Not only are we going to win our fantasy basketball league (our team name is Dauxilla Demons) - but it looks highly likely that the Warriors are heading to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. They've been playing phenomonal basketball and it's been uplifting to watch them struggle all season and finally put it all together to push towards the playoff. We are currently half a game ahead of the Clippers and the last home game is Tuesday playing the best team in the league - Dallas Mavaricks. And guess what? We have tickets - as do Margo, Maddick and Zach. This is the only game we bought tickets for and it's fan appreciation night and it's going to be insane. If Warriors win this game, they will most probably head to the playoffs since the last game is with Portland and that's an easy enough win. I'll definitely take pictures since AG and I haven't been able to wear our jerseys all season, and we are definitely gearing up tomorrow!

Week 18 - and catching up some

Last Sunday on April Fool's was Jess' birthday and we took her to a Morroccan dinner. I think the restaurant was Tangiers... in Oakland. The dinner was delicious - more pictures posted on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/56879563@N00/. It's funny to see a front shot of me, I look wider than the side view. We also got Baby G's first furniture, a bassinet from Craigslist... Both AG and I believe in recycling where we can instead of the constant consumerist attitude. A wonderful woman who had given birth to a baby boy 5 months earlier gave it to me for free. She warned me "don't let the baby sleep in your bed, they will never leave." She never used the bassinet and the baby's too big now. It's actually perfect. AG felt emasculated a bit carrying the bassinet from the car - even though he thinks it's cute. (Note: Men are funny creatures.)
I did receive a call today from Kaiser. Baby G's amnio came back wonderful - normal and nothing to worry. As for the gender, we are going to keep that a secret for a couple more weeks to savor between ourselves. We also want to share the news with our family first at our Seattle family dinner. So please, don't ask until after April 20th. Our lips are sealed.

I finally spoke to my mom last night for the first time since we broke the news. I know I'm stubborn - and I was upset with her for not being more supportive when I shared such special news to her. It's taken only another month and a half for me to finally forgive her. I don't like being passive aggressive, and I know that I would be had I been forced to talk to her before I forgave her. She's finally very excited about the baby, finally! Geesh. Both her and my father have respectfully requested a girl, as if I had any say in the matter. AG's mom thinks it's a boy, and AG's brother Dave is hoping for a tyke to play with. My mom is hoping for a little girl who looks like AG with little dark ringlets and dimples and such. Funny - she didn't hope for the girl to look like me, hmmm..... I think she thinks AG's prettier than me.... of course he's embarressed, but when we went to Vietnam, my aunt was cooing over his lashes and curls as well. And if it's a boy, it should look like me since I'm more striking than AG.... (smile).

I also wanted to input some information about Baby G - regarding the Chinese Zodiac and the debate about the "Golden Pig" year. If you don't already know, there is a huge debate going on in the Asian countries whether this year is the infamous Golden Pig year. Approximately 600 years ago (during the Golden Age of China), was the year of the Golden Pig which brought about great fortune for the Chinese. Since then, the Chinese have professed that another Golden Pig era would occur in another 600 years. The debate is whether we are within that 600 years. There has been a huge increase in pregnancy rates and participation at fertility clinics due to this rumor. A child born into the Golden Pig year is thought to have wonderous fortune (especially in finance). Crazy huh?

I only wanted to have a little piggy - I didn't realize it could be a Gold Piggy. Pigs are signs of good luck and prosperity in the Asian culture. I have to admit, I've a relatively easy life in many ways. Money came into my hands when I needed it. I also like characteristics that the Pig has - chivalrous, loyal.... so a Piggy we were trying to make.

If you go to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac - you can see the complexity of Chinese Zodiac system. According to this chart, Baby G is a Red Fire Golden Yin Pig. (I'm a Metal Golden Yin Pig.)

The 1st element is made up of the Heaven element - this year it's fire. Both AG and I were metal. For the 2nd element Baby G is the Gold Yin Pig. I am a Gold Yin Pig and AG is Gold Yang Dog. This rumor that a Golden Pig wouldn't happen for another 600 years is probably incorrect. My understanding of the Chinese Zodiac is that the system is a sexagenary cycle (60 years) based on 5 Heavenly elements and 12 earthly cycles (animals). However, there could be some truth to this rumor since there is another element (combination element) which could complicate it more. The Wikipedia doesn't speak to adding this element into the equation so I'm not sure, will confirm when I can find an answer.

So technically speaking, Baby G IS a Red Fire Golden Pig. Quite a mouthful.