More Baby Shower Games

Before I went to the wrong wedding this past Saturday, my hubby, Little Mochi, and I went to LL’s baby shower. She’s got another 9 weeks to go and is having a baby girl. It’s their first child so it’ll be exciting for them.

Her shower was a small and cozy shower, unlike mine. She had only a few close friends and her parents. Her husband’s family is still in Australia so they weren’t there. Despite the small size, we all had fun. They played a few games. Here are some of the games that they played:

1. The Pin Game: Everyone gets a pin with a ribbon tied to it. If you hear someone say the word “Baby,” you can take their pin from them. Likewise, if someone hears you say the word “Baby,” you have to give them your pin. At the end of the day, who ever has the most pins win. I lost my pin to a little boy while playing the Baby Food Game.

2. The Baby Food Game: 7 baby food jars, with the labels torn off, are labeled 1 - 7. On a sheet of paper, we write down what flavor we think the food in the jar is. I swear I thought I had this one, but I switched the Apple and Pear - they so similar! Hint: Look at the consistency of it.

3. The How Many Diapers Game: Diapers are stuffed into a see through container. We have to guess how many diapers are in there. The person closest to the actual number of diapers in the container wins. I was totally off!

4. The Baby Picture Game: Everyone brings in a baby picture and we all have to write down who we think the baby is. This is actually a rather difficult game, especially if you don’t know the other guests. I didn’t play this game because a) I didn’t submit a picture and b) I don’t know anyone at the party except for the mom-to-be.

5. The Yarn Game: With the yarn, you try to figure out the size of the soon-to-be Mom’s belly by cutting out a piece of yarn. Many of the men just tied the yarn around their waist and consider that the size of the Mom because they have such a big belly already. I was close, but lost to the same little boy that I lost my pin to!

We left early. We couldn’t stay long enough to enjoy their cake and to watch her open her presents. We had to run back home and get ready for my cousin’s wedding later that night.

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Checklist Before Checking In

For you: 

For Daddy:

For Baby:

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Lose Your Post Partum Tummy

One of the biggest complaint I have about my post partum body is my bulging tummy. Ugh. Many have told me that it can take up to one year to lose it. ONE YEAR! I’m plannning to have another baby in one year! Will I be able to enjoy a flat tummy again???

Although it’s not completely flat, it has gone down considerably. Actually, A LOT…thanks to a few tips from my mom and friends. Here is what I did the last three months:

  1. From day one, put a hot pack on your belly. My mom used a heated brick because it was heavy and retains the heat for a longer period of time. I have heard of some people putting a bag of rock salt in a cloth pouch and heating it up in the microwave for 2 minutes. Apparently, they push the tummy in and can help push out the excess blood and air.
  2. Wear tummy control underwear. I know, that sounds funny. But it helps support the flab. It also helps push the stomach down while you’re standing up. They can get expensive at $25 - $50 a pair. I can’t afford a week’s worth of them right now, so I went to Chinatown in LA and purchased those cheaper ones $20 for 5 pairs. They’ll do just fine for now.
  3. Go on a no-starch diet. See my no-starch diet blog.
  4. Do light tummy exercises. I just lie on my back on my bed and lift one leg up. I do about 10 - 20 per leg or until my leg gets tired. Then I lift my head up slightly and put a little pressure on my abs. Hold it for 5 seconds or until my abs get tired. Do this 3 times a day.

I am still wearing those tummy control underwear but you can barely tell that I have a tummy now. I’m hoping that in a few more months, I can do away with them.

Try these tips and let me know your progress. Good luck!

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Baby’s Umbilical Cord

They said the umbilical cord was supposed to fall off within 7 to 10 days.  I’ve been waiting because changing diapers with it on is such a hassle.  Finally, this morning, as I was changing his diaper, it fell off.  Early this morning.  It has been almost exactly 10 days.  It’s a strange looking thing.  It’s a little stub of dry skin with dried blood.  At least the baby’s belly button looks cleaner! 

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Real Labor Symptoms

Many first time moms panic at the first sign of a contraction.  However, there are prelabor symptoms, false labor symptoms, and real labor symptoms.   It’s important to be able to recognize all three as you are nearing your due date. In this post, I’m going to talk a little about the pre labor symptoms.  For information on false labor symptoms and real labor symptoms, read my other blogs about labor.

Real Labor Symptoms:

If your water breaks, and the fluid is greenish-brown (called meconium), call your practioner and go to the hospital right away.  The greenish-brown fluid is from the baby’s digestive tract - most likely is first stool. 

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False Labor Symptoms

Many first time moms panick at the first sign of a contraction.  However, there are prelabor symptoms, false labor symptoms, and real labor symptoms.   It’s important to be able to recognize all three as you are nearing your due date. In this post, I’m going to talk a little about the pre labor symptoms.  For information on false labor symptoms and real labor symptoms, read my other blogs about labor.

False Labor Symptoms:

If the movements are frantic, call your practioner right away.

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Pre Labor Symptoms

Many first time moms panick at the first sign of a contraction.  However, there are prelabor symptoms, false labor symptoms, and real labor symptoms.   It’s important to be able to recognize all three as you are nearing your due date. In this post, I’m going to talk a little about the pre labor symptoms.  For information on false labor symptoms and real labor symptoms, read my other blogs about labor.

Prelabor Symptoms

If your show is bright red, call your practioner ASAP.

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How to Write Baby Shower Thank You Notes

I had two baby showers, one with my friends and another with my colleagues. It’s amazing how many thank you notes I had to write! I think it took me almost one month to finish writing nearly 40 thank you notes. I’m not sure about you, but I had a hard time figuring out how to write a nice thank you note, especially the ones for my colleagues. It had to be funny yet entertaining. But after writing a few, I realized it wasn’t has difficult as I thought. Here’s how to write nice thank you notes:

Good luck!

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Chinese Conception Calendar

It’s fun to predict whether your child is going to be a boy or a girl. Use this ancient Chinese Conception Chart to determine the sex of your baby. Download a copy of it here: Chinese Conception Chart

To determine the sex, find your conception month and your lunar age at the time of conception. The lunar calendar is approximately 29 days. Oddly, it has been accurate so far with me and my friends.

Note: This is for entertainment purposes only. Do not rely on this chart when preparing your nursery or purchasing clothes for your baby.

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Chinese Pregnancy Superstitions

During my months of pregnancy, my mom has told me to do or not do many things that just don’t make any sense. But somehow, I obeyed. Perhaps I believe in them too. Here are some of the things she told me.

  1. Do not use a plunger in the bathroom while pregnant.
  2. Do not put up posters on the walls while pregnant. A part of your baby will be sealed off (nose, mouth or anus).
  3. Do not cut any paper while pregnant. There will be a cut or mark on your baby.
  4. Do not move your bed. You will have a miscarriage, no matter what stage of pregnancy you’re in.
  5. Do not do construction work in the house.
  6. Do not buy used baby stuff (or take used baby stuff from someone) if you do not know if the previous owner is healthy or alive. You don’t want to bring the previous owner’s misfortunes into your house.

Supposedly, these superstitions apply to everyone in the household. If you have any more to add to this list, please do so!

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