Sista in Tokyo

Week 34: Random Pregnancy Thoughts and My New Best Friends

1.  Paper cups and plates are my new best friends.  It sucks and it's fantastic at the same time.  I hate making a lot of waste, but these days dishes in the sink just aren't cutting it.

2.  Next week I'm headed to the spa for some mommy-to-be TLC and beautification.  Really looking forward to it!

3.  The grandmothers will officially arrive in December 2nd and depart later in the month.  Yep, both of our moms will be here to take care of their own babies :) and most importantly, to help take care of their tiny little cutie patutsie granddaughter! We're really looking forward to having the extra help and hands for our new addition.  Plus, this will be my mom's first time to Japan!

4.  Curious to know what I've been working on from home during my spare time?  Go here :)

5.  Only 6 weeks to go!  Let me tell you, this little girl is growing bigger by the day!  It's freaking amazing!  I didn't know my belly could/would get so big. Amazing!

6.  I really really really love my little baby.  She's absolutely perfect.  I just can't wait to hold her close to me.

7.  I'm nervous about breastfeeding.  Mostly nervous about the initial pain people say they have... Yep, nervous.

8.  Congrats Thi, Liz, and Sherin on you beautiful babies!!!!!!  Can't wait to meet them and introduce my baby to them!

9.  These days the energy level is still low, I'm still drinking down tons of water (absolutely must have plenty of ice), and I'm craving tons and tons of green vegetables.  I've been eating a lot of okra and broccoli lately. 

10.  All baby clothes are washed.  Now I just have to put the clothes away and organize her room.  We're almost ready.

We're blessed, super excited, and I'm almost in disbelief that a little human will be emerging from my body soon...  Say what?????

Looking Back at the 1st Trimester Part II: Selecting Sanno Hospital

 

I'd like to begin this post by saying how much I recommend Sanno Hospital (so far so good).  Their staff and service are excellent, especially if you are an English speaker seeking a little comfort in English during your pregnancy instead of Japanese.

We chose Sanno Hospital because we are literally a 7 minute taxi ride away from them.  And, I plan to labor as much as possible at home before going to the hospital (more on that later).  Heck, we could walk there if we wanted to, though that would take about 20 minutes.  Anyway, I couldn't find much information about them online, but it was a plus that they had some kind of website describing their services in English.

One pregnancy specialist here in Tokyo, Brett Iimura, described Sanno Hospital as the "Ritz Carlton" of hospitals in Tokyo, when I asked her what she knew about it at last month's Tokyo Pregnancy Group meeting.  According to her, it's the hospital of choice for the Who's Who List and celebrity scene.  It's a private hospital I believe.   Anyway, this bit of information actually helped to put me at ease, as the most popular hospitals I hear of from other mothers here are Aiku, Saint Lukes, and Seibo.  I hardly ever hear information on Sanno Hospital, which initially made me apprehensive.  But, Brett says it's a great hospital, yay!!

Also, my friend Monica recommended Sanno Hospital as well.  She had her baby there and had great things to say about the services and doctors.

So far so good.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike... Let the Nesting Begin!

"Biiiicycle, biiiiicycle."  If you don't know this song, do yourself a favor and listen to it below:).  G and I occassionally break out into this song at random times.  Yeah, strange couple thing-- I'm sure you have these too.

This morning I woke up around 5:00AM, pretty normal time as of late and decided to take a walk around the neigborhood since I am no longer riding my bicycle.  Why's that?  Well, I'm now 33 weeks and I've become quite clumsy.  So, I'm no longer comfortable riding my bike with confidence that I won't fall, or brake in time.  G co-signs on this and has become super-duper protective of his girls :), it's so cute. 

He helps me up when I'm sitting on the train, he insists that I take his hand or handrail when I'm going up or down stairs.  And...  He helps me tie my shoes when I refuse to wear slip-ons and opt for more fashionable tie-ups.

Anyway, looking forward to riding my biiiiiicylce again when the baby has arrived!  Not much longer to go!

Oh Yeah, today, I'm going in.  I'm venturing into the room, I'm opening boxes and packages and guess what else, I'm pre-washing all of my little angels clothes.  Yep, let the nesting begin!

 

My Random Thoughts on Pregnancy @ 32 Weeks

1.  :) I should really whip that baby room into shape soon... At least take things out of the boxes. It's just sooooo much stuff. I'm enlisting the help of someone (Jill of All Trades).

2.  These days, I'm really feeling pregnant. I'm trying my best to be productive though. Signed G and I up for a Baby Basic Care course on 10.31 and we are also signed up for birthing classes in November :), though wouldn't it be funny if the baby comes before we even take the classes?

3.  Start-up is being whipped into shape. Need to find a good start-up Marketing book and begin operation kick butt in marketing. Any recommendations?

4.  We're officially 32 Weeks and the baby gets bigger and bigger :). Today I looked at baby pictures of G and then at the photos of little mover and shaker in my belly, she TOTALLY looks like her daddy! He doesn't see it, of course (guys...) but I totally see it!

5.  The 3rd trimester has made me super thirsty! I'm constantly drinking ice-water all day.

6.  I'm in a bit of a pregnant rut at the moment. Did I mention I'm feeling really pregnant these days. My energy level is shot.

7.  I'm thankful that me, baby, and G are healthy. She'll be here soon!

8.  I really need to clean my home... (dishes and laundry are calling my name, I just refuse to answer)

9.  Ideas for pre-cooked post-baby meals to prepare and refrigerate before she arrives:
-Chilli
-Chicken Pot Pies
-Broccoli, Chicken, and Rice Casseroles
-Fried rice

All easy to whip together, but I'd like to know exactly when is the ideal time to do this?

Okie dokie :) (I love your comments so do please feel free to chime in!)

Looking Back at the First Trimester. "We Really ARE Having a Baby!"

I first suspected I was pregnant in early April I believe. I was attending a Friday night cocktails and networking event with the BPT group.  I remember sipping on a glass of white wine, (eeeek!) and something not feeling right.  After a few sips and a bit of mingling, I sat the drink down and decided that what I really need was a nice big bowl of soup instead. 

Lucky for me, the networking event was being held in the basement of Las Chicas, so I left the cocktail hour, went upstairs to the restaurant, and ordered a nice bowl of bean soup (I think it was bean soup...) and pretty much just nibbled on it for about an hour.  I barely ate at all.

I felt like something was really off.  My body felt kind of strange.  It kind of felt as if I were coming down with a cold or the flu.  I was no longer in the mingling mood. Though I did have a great time chatting with Kesha and Sherley that evening.  The two of them sat with me while I ate soup :).  It was a great Tokyo moment!  I really miss the two of them!  (Hugs to you both if you're reading this!)  When I returned home later that night, I snuggled under a blanket and had one of the deepest sleeps of my life... for about 12 hours! 

Saturday came and I still felt like I had cold symptoms, only worse.  I remember waking up, eating, showering, and returning to sleep for another 6 hours.  Let me tell you, it was some fantastic sleep!  I'll never forget it.  I consider myself to be a great sleeper.  Ask any of my friends here and they'll tell you, when 10 o'clock strikes, Takara eyes are shutting down and she's out.  A bit embarrassing, but oh so true.  Anyway, looking back at the fantastic sleep marathon I experience, I would now describe it as the Lord putting me in a deep sleep to handle some serious business in the creation our little baby.  Seriously.

I can't remember what G did that day, but I do believe he was in and out of the house for most of that Saturday.  When he returned once, I remember him asking, "Are you still sleep?  Wow babe!  Are you sick?"  I looked at him with a big smile on my face and said, "No, but I think we are in for a surprise!"  He gave me a big smile, a big hug and asked if there was anything he could do.  "Just keep loving me and being a sweet husband to me," I said and returned to my super fantastic slumber.

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30 Weeks. A Letter to My Precious Little Angel.

Dear Mommy's Little CutiePatutsie!

We are only weeks away until you arrive!  I am so so so so so excited to see your little face, touch your little fingers and toes, hold you close to me, hear you make little bitty baby noises, sleep, stretch, yawn, and look into your eyes!  I just can't wait!!  I love feeling you move inside of me and I feel that we already have a very strong bond!  I call you my little partner, my little helper, and my little mover and shaker!  (You really like to move around in there!)  I am looking forward to taking you everywhere with me! 

I can't believe how much you've grown, you are such an amazing little girl.  I was just looking at the photos of you from our first few doctor visits, I started to cry.  Already you are growing so fast.  You went from being a tiny little microscopic group of cells to being a beautiful little baby quickly growing in my womb.  It's been amazing to see you grow and learn your schedule.  I already know you are going to be very very special.  And you know what else?  You really like to move around until you find just the right comfort spot (just like mommy!).

I hope you don't mind that I am going to shower you with so many hugs and kisses.  I'm sure one day it will annoy you, but until then, get ready!

This past week, I thought about you a lot and made several preparations for you.  Your room is filled to the rim with stuff to make you feel warm, comfy, and at home.  We have a bassinet for you and yesterday I went shopping for a crib, but decided to hold off on a crib until you're out of your bassinet.  Your bassinet has roller :), so I think you'll be spending a lot of time in mommy and daddy's room.