It’s definitely getting harder and harder to carry Little Mochi.  Actually, it’s getting harder and harder to get around!  My colleagues say all the weight in my belly.  But I don’t believe them.  I know there are a few pounds on my face and on my upper arms.  But for some reason, I really don’t care too much how much weight I gain.  I lost all of my 53 pounds from my first pregnancy in 18 months so I’m sure it won’t be too hard for me to lose 30 or 35 pounds this time around.

I’ll let you know all how much weight in total I gained during this entire pregnancy.

A quick update on this pregnancy.  I look great so far!  I have gained only 20 pounds total since my last appointment.  My last appointment was two weeks ago, June 15.  My appointments are now every two weeks so I have another checkup tomorrow. I’m sure I’ve gained a few more pounds in the last two weeks because the baby has grown.  I can feel her.

HER.  Did I even tell you guys it is going to be a GIRL?  It’s going to be a girl!  Hubby and I have to agree on a name.  I find it very difficult to find a good girl’s name.  We do want a “mature” sounding name, yet something we can be cutesy as a kid.   Any suggestions????

So far, I think overall, this pregnancy is easier on me.  I don’t know if it’s because I know what to expect, or if it’s because it’s a girl.  Or perhaps I haven’t gained as much weight as I did with Little Mochi.  The only thing that I didn’t like about this pregnancy is that I have been sick 3 times already.  At the rate that I was sick, I’ll probably be sick again next month, the month that I’ll be due!  Augh!  That could also be a reason why I haven’t gained much weight.  Last month, a simple cold transpired into a sinus infection.  After one and a half weeks of not getting better, of sleeping only 3 hours a day - and sleeping sitting up because my nose too congested to lie down, and of coughing, I finally gave my family doctor a visit and finally got some meds.

Ladies, your OB/GYN will NOT prescribe you any meds if you are sick.  I called the OB/GYN on a Friday complaining that I did not have just a cold.  It has been a week and I haven’t gotten any better.  The last two times I was sick, I was starting to get better after a week.  My congestion was getting worse and I couldn’t sleep at all.  So I didn’t even have the energy to get better!  I had so much mucous in my nose.  The doc kept telling OVER THE PHONE that it is probably just a really bad cold and that I needed to drink lots of water.  I called again on Monday…giving him the benefit of the doubt, hoping that I would get better over the weekend.   I didn’t.  I asked if I had a sinus infection.  He asked if I have sinus problems.  Actually, I have never had a problem with my sinuses.  So he said it couldn’t be my sinus.  So now it’s probably  just a bad allergy so I can take Benedryl if I wanted to.  I just couldn’t believe it.  He wouldn’t even let me see him at the office.

Obviously, I got upset so I gave my family doctor a visit.  Sure enough, I had a sinus infection.  My family doctor felt area above my cheekbone.  It was actually a little tender.  He said the mucous didn’t drain and stayed in my sinuses, causing a sinus infection.

He prescribed me Amoxicillan.  It’s safe for pregnant women.  He said that Azithromycin is also safe, but Amoxicillan is a little “weaker” and to try that first.  Wow, I was so happy.  Of course, I didn’t want to take any meds if I didn’t have to.  But I was not getting any better and I was not getting any sleep.

After one day of taking my antibiotics, I felt much better.  I was able to get 5 hourse of uninterrupted sleep.  Imagine that!  And my mucuous started to drain slowly.  I know it sounds gross.

I’m feeling great now.  Just hoping that I don’t get sick again right before I deliver.  Wouldn’t that be disasterious?

Until next time…

If you have already had a child, or have already gotten your ultrasound, you know that you get to find out the gener of your baby at 18 weeks. 

I just had my visit this morning.  Actually, I’m 17 weeks and 4 days.  But with how the baby was sitting, we were able to get a clear view of the baby. 

My apointment was at 9 am this morning.  But between 8 and 8:45 I had to drink 40 ounces of water (approximately 2 and half bottles of water) so that the technician can get a better view of the baby.  Do you know how hard it is to drink that much water in one sitting? 

I finished the first bottle ok.  The second I had a little trouble with because my stomach started to do turns after the first bottle.  But I finished it anyway.  It was already 8:50 so we decided to head out the doc’s office and that I would just finish the rest of the 1/2 bottle in the car.  Bad idea.

I threw up every ounce I drank.  I couldn’t talk since saliva was filling up my mouth so I threw the empty water bottle at my husband to get his attention.  “Bag” I mumbled.  He couldn’t find a plastic bag, so he threw me a paper bag.  What good does a paper bag do??  In retrospect, I would have been better off rolling down the window and sticking my head out.  In any case, the water that I threw up soaked right through the paper bag, and leaked all over my clothes.

I walked into the doctor’s office not worried about my clothes, but more about whether I can get the ultrasound done.  I didn’t want to reschedule as I already had taken the day off of work.

Fortunately, they said I can have more water.  But guess what?  I had only 2 stinking cups of water compared to 2 bottles of water.  WTF? 

Anyways, it was enough to see the baby.  Active as can be, that little thing.  But her activeness gave us a clear view to show that it is a girl.  Yup, it’s a girl.

How fun!

On my first appointment for Baby #2 (which was back in Dec 08), I weighed 112 pounds - which is only 4 pounds more than my initial weight I was pregnant with Little Mochi.  Not bad huh?  I lost 50 pounds in a year and half.  Not bad at all.

January 26, 2009.  That was my second appointment.  Weighed 114 pounds, a gain of 2 pounds.

Feb 23, 2009, my third appointment.  Weighed 113 pounds.  I lost one pound.  I couldn’t believe it at first.  But then again, I have been sick two times since I found out I was pregnant.  And I was mildly nauseated all day.  Furthermore, Little Mochi is now in the picture.  Last time, I was able to get a lot of sleep.  Now, Little Mochi keeps me on my toes so even if I wanted to sleep, I couldn’t.

The Doc did say it was normal to lose weight during the first trimester.  But I should be gaining from now on, right?  I am starting to feel better now - nausea went away and I’m eating much better. 

My next appointment is in two weeks, March 23, 2009.  We’ll see how much weight I have gained since last month.  Oh, and this time, I get to find out whether the baby is going to be a boy or girl.  How exciting is that?

Guess what?!  We’re expecting our second child this August!

It’s still too early to know if it’s a boy or a girl.  But at my last appointment, I saw the flickering light (the heartbeat) on the sonogram machine.  Exciting times.

Every pregnancy is supposed to be different, right?  So far, it has been.  This time around, I am constantly nauseated, although it’s more on the mild side.  I don’t know which one I prefer.  To be terribly nauseated, but only for a few days during the first trimester, or to constantly have that mild nauseated feeling.  And I’m always soooo tired!  I think it’s because before, I didn’t have to drive an extra half hour to pick up another kid and then take care of him before I go to bed.  Actually, now, I just shower and go right to bed when I get home.  I leave Little Mochi to the hubby.

Last time, I gained a whopping 50 pounds.  I’m actually trying to watch my diet this time around.  So far, I have gained 2 pounds, which is good since most people with morning sickness usually lose weight (at least according to the nurse that took my blood pressure).

We shall see how this pregnancy plays out.  I’ll keep you posted.

Last week, I put him on the potty toilet for about 5 minutes, until he got restless and wanted to run around again.  My dad said to have him sit on the potty toilet for a few minutes every morning after he wakes up until he can finally pee without his diaper.  Has anyone tried that yet?

There are many benefits that a child can get through sports. Aside from allowing kids to get much needed physical activity, it also allows children to be part of a team. Participating in sports can also be an opportunity for kids to start friendships, and to improve self-esteem.

Growth and development can vary for children. It is then important to consider, that children of the same age, may have a significant difference in height and weight. Children may also not perceive sports-related risks the way adults do. Thus, parents need to ensure that a child is involved in an activity appropriate for his skill level, as well as physical and emotional development.

It is crucial that children wear the right safety gear for a particular sport. In order for these to protect a child, it should also be the right size. More importantly, parents need to make sure that the gears have passed safety standards. To ensure its effectiveness, steps should also be taken to properly maintain these equipments.

Parents should also determine whether children are playing on safe areas. Some playing fields may be full of holes and ruts, which may lead to injuries. For children involved in high-impact sports, choosing surfaces like tracks or wooden floors may be safer, as compared to concrete surfaces.

Due to the risk of injuries, sports activities in children should be supervised by qualified adults. Choose the leagues or teams, which promote a child’s safety at all times. A team coach should also have training regarding first aid and CPR. More than winning games, a coach should be more focused at promoting good sportsmanship, and preventing injuries.

Before playing, proper preparation should also be done. Warm-ups are important because it prepares the body for the activity. A 15 to 30 minute warm up can help increase flexibility of the muscles and ligaments. Thus, parents need to let children know that warm-ups should be taken seriously.

To reduce the risk of injury, a child should also be knowledgeable about the rules of the game. Though training sessions and practices can help a child, it may be best if you reinforce his learning. Watch a game with your child, and point out the rules and safety precautions needed. Emphasize the need to take breaks to prevent overuse injuries. It is also important for a child to drink plenty of fluids at intervals, especially when the weather is hot.

There are organized sports teams, which require a physical exam before a child can participate. These are actually essential in determining, whether a child is physically fit to play the game. If your child has health concerns, reassure him that there are other activities, which he may also enjoy.

Children can really get a lot of benefits from sports, but proper guidance is still necessary to prevent injuries from occurring. Parents may also take the opportunity to teach life lessons in a young child. Helping a child deal with wins as well as defeats, may better prepare a child for the many challenges that life has in store for him.

Last Monday, Nov 17, I was stopped at a red light on the corner of 7th and Bellflower. There was this homeless man holding up a sign that I could not read. It was really early in the morning - 5 am-ish - and it was rather cold. My past experience with homeless people really makes me not want to help them. But there was something different about this gentlemen.

Slowly, I reached into my bag and pulled out the 2 tangerines I had. As he approached my car, I rolled down my window, ready to hand over the tangerines. Instead of asking for money, he asked me for food. I thought it was kind of strange since most of the homeless people that I have encountered have asked for money. Perhaps they really weren’t homeless. Perhaps they were “working.” But this gentleman asked for food.

I could only give him the 2 clementines that I had. He took them graciously. I could tell he wanted to say something else other than his weak “Thank You” but the light had turned green.

I actually felt good. It wasn’t much, but the gesture of helping him made me feel good.

Now, I’m wondering if that was good enough for Karma.

But, he does know how to put a phone to his ear and say “eyo?”  Or point at our fish tank and say “yu” (that’s fish in Chinese).  by 18 months, he should know how to say at least 5 words.  5 words?

So what was your kid’s first word and at what age (month) did he say it?

Anyways, we decided to let him ride on the carousel for the first time.  It was only $1.50 per ride.  At first, he was scared.  But once we got into the rhythm of the horses moving up and down, he started to smile.  He liked it so much that he wouldn’t get off.  As soon as I tried to pull him off the horse when the lady stopped the carousel, he screamed and kicked his legs.

We tried to go to the other side of the mall, but he kept running back to the carousel.  I picked him up and kept walking.

You know those rides where you feed it a quarter and it moves?  Well, we came across one of those and decided to put him on there.  Bad idea.  I thought the fit he threw after the carousel was bad.  This one was worse.  He screamed so loud that everyone turned their heads towards us.  He was kicking so hard that I could not hold him.  So I let him down.  He continued to scream and kick his feet and wave his arms.  Face all red with tears running down his cheeks.

How does a mother stop that kind of behavior in public?  Definitely did not want to hit him in public.  Or yell at him.  But I did not want him to think that kind of behavior is acceptable.

I’ll read up on that and come back with another post…