The nursery

Week 40 / Due date

Well, today's Emma's due date and she's still not here. Wendy's started to feel a lot of pressure and discomfort in her lower abdomen and some Braxton Hicks contractions Saturday night. It's difficult for her to sit and stand up and the baby seems to have dropped. As of Monday the 17th, she is 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. If Emma doesn't come by Monday the 24th, Wendy will have to go to El Camino to be induced, let's pray this doesn't happen!

Does it look like she's dropped?

Week 38

We heard of 7 more pregnancies these past two weeks! We're so excited for more playmates for Emma. =D

Latest stats:
38 weeks pregnant
40" waist
35lbs gained
Baby should be about 6.8lbs and 19.5" long

The moving mound

Note: I am not moving, this is all Baby

Week 37

Baby is considered full term!

Week 36

A month or so to go! The doctor says it's impossible to know when the baby will come, just that she'll come anytime between now and the next five weeks. Baby is head down and looking good, she will probably be close to 7lbs when she's born. If she is born this week she'll still be considered a preemie but if if she's born anytime after 7/27 she'll be considered full term.

Aidan and I have now completed all our classes: preparing for childbirth, infant care, and breastfeeding. We're feeling better about what to expect and hope it'll be enough for now.

Baby should be 18.5 inches long and almost 6lbs, gaining an ounce a day. Wendy has gained 32lbs and has a 39" waist.

We took pictures of our family as we currently stand:

Week 31

Baby is now about 16 inches long and weighs about 3.3 lbs. Wendy weighs 128 lbs and has gained 28 lbs so far. She can no longer wear her regular clothes but is enjoying her maternity clothes.

The pregnancy is still going great, thank God, with few pregnancy symptoms. Wendy's biggest difficulty is reaching her feet and maneuvering the big belly.

Babymoon

Aidan tried to surprise Wendy with a Babymoon (a little getaway before Baby comes) to Monterey but Wendy ruined the surprise. We left Mochi with Kenneth and Stephanie Chan and drove down to Monterey Saturday morning. After sampling different clam chowders along Pier 39 we had lunch at Old Man's Grotto, checked into the Monterey Plaza Hotel, and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We had a delicious dinner at Bubba Gumps and spent the evening watching Animal Planet. Sunday morning we woke up early and had breakfast at a really cute place called Trailside Cafe and tried beignets for the first time. After breakfast Aidan surprised Wendy with an amazing prenatal massage and facial... (isn't he the best husband?!) and took a walk along Cannery Row where he ran into Kevin and Aileen Jung, who were also on their Babymoon. After a fancy lunch at Chart House we took a scenic drive up Hwy 1 to get home.

Crib

Grandma Leu bought us a BEAUTIFUL new crib. It's a Bonavita Peyton Lifestyle crib that can convert into a toddler, day, and full-size bed. Aidan did a great job putting it together all by himself.

In good company

Baby will be surrounded with lots of playmates, most of them boys. Some of our friends and family who have/will have new additions this year are:

• Brandon Nguyen
• Brian and Kyle Hui (Wendy's cousins)
• Sklyer Leu (Baby's cousin on Aidan's side)
• Owen Guillermo
• Baby Lee
  
• Matteo Rueda
• Baby Lung
• Baby Jung
• Baby Wu
  

Daddy's turn

Aidan got to feel Baby's kick for the first time.

Growing

Wendy's appetite has grown significantly. She no longer gives Aidan her leftovers (to his dismay), instead she gobbles it all up and watches her tummy grow (see pictures for proof). Yesterday she finished her first large bowl of noodles... and followed it up with boba for dessert. She's gained 10 lbs and is expected to gain about a pound a week for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Despite her growing appetite, Wendy still laments the absence of her favorite foods and can't wait until she can eat them again: sushi, goat cheese, feta cheese, brie, blue cheese, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked salmon, pate, coffee, tea, boba (though she discovered she can have taro milk tea), coke, tiramisu, red mango, and limit-less chocolate.

week 11


week 20

Half-way point

We're at week 20 and half-way through the pregnancy. Wendy is feeling baby move everyday and though the movements aren't pleasant, they're a huge reassurance that things are going well. We continue to pray for baby everyday and thank God that things are going smoothly. We're also so grateful to all our friends and family for their faithful prayers and pampering. We have been especially blessed by Wendy's parents who bringing us food and soups several times a week and help us with Costco and grocery runs.

Finally

Wendy can distinguish baby's movements!

Ultrasounds at 19 weeks

Baby girl was being shy and decided to hide from us so these pictures aren't very good... and a little scary-looking.

It's a...

GIRL!

expanding waistline

Wendy's waistline continues to grow and a noticeable bump can be seen through her clothes. Her waistline measures 31 inches, just like Aidan's! (Mochi's waistline stands at 16.5 inches)

week 16 and prior

Today we went to the doctor's for our 16th week check up and heard Baby's heartbeat. Wendy has gained 6 lbs the last four weeks and is right on track with her weight gain. With the good news we got from this appointment, we're looking forward to finding out Baby's gender on March 25th.

Wendy's been very nervous the last few weeks given our experience with the last pregnancy and bought a home heartmonitor to hear Baby's heartbeat but all we heard were Wendy's heartbeat and tummy noises. But God spoke to Wendy and reminded her that hope and faith in Him isn't based on things seen but on things unseen. Since then Wendy has been at peace and as close to worry-free as she can be.

We are being extra careful with this pregnancy and Wendy is on semi-bed rest, trying to eat healthier, drinking milk and eating yogurt daily, and avoiding all her favorite foods (sushi, goat cheese, brie, soft-serve ice cream / yogurt, sandwiches, coffee, chocolate, milk tea, etc.). Wendy's mom and dad are taking great care of us by bringing us home-made meals twice a week and making special soups for Wendy. Auntie Nancy Wong, Agnes Wong, and Kitty Cheng brought us delicious food and soups when Wendy's mom was in LA and wasn't able to take care of her. The staff at Villa Montessori (where Wendy interns part-time) has been great in understanding our situation and has allowed her to cut back on her hours. Even Mochi is helping out around the house, learning to potty and poo on potty pads so Wendy doesn't have to take her out and cuddling up against Wendy's tummy to keep Baby company. But most of all, Aidan has been amazingly supportive, serving Wendy meals, cooking, cleaning, taking care of Mochi, and running all the errands. Wendy appreciates everything he does and feels guilty, to which Aidan says, "Just remember this when you're giving birth."

Baby seems to be doing well. At 10 weeks we saw him/her moving around and kicking his/her legs. And Baby is being nice to Wendy, no morning sickness, sensitivity to smells, or backaches. Just frequent hunger, slight fatigue, and occasional cravings.

Ultrasound Pictures