Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Happy Happy Happy
Happy Anniversary, hubby. Seven years and counting. You're still the best in my book.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Bzzzzzzzt
Phil was being chased around by an annoying mosquito last night while trying to go to sleep. For an hour, the mosquito
was relentlessly targeting Phil. At first, Phil thought he was hallucinating because the mosquito never came close to
me. Then he knew it wasn't true since he had three huge swollen bites on the back of his neck. He decided to spray
insect repellant on his head to prevent anymore bitings. That seemed to work since the mosquito decided to find fresh
blood- ME. When I heard it buzzing near my ear- I flipped out (I HATE BUGS!). I quickly turned on the light and
decided right then and there that we had to kill it before neither of us get any sleep.
Luckily we found that bastard fifteen minutes later after shaking curtains and clothes. When Phil whacked it, he
said there was blood (probably his). He flushed it down the toilet and we finally had a short, but restful sleep.
I'm super tired today.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Wrong
I just learned my friend's friend's son, Tyler, has passed away from cancer on Friday. He was only seven years
old. Why would God take away a little boy from his mother? It's just wrong. I couldn't stop crying when
I read his mother's story. Read here for Tyler's story:
Catch-up
Been busy for the past couple of days, so I apologize if many of you are hanging on a cliff to the answer of the
baby's gender.
IT'S A GIRL! (and the last child I plan to have)
As sad as it may sound, I will never have that "mother-son" dance (granted he ever marries). It won't be the
same when if I dance with my future son-in-law. At least Phil will have Daddy's little girls to dance with, entertain
him AND keep him on his toes until they marry (let's hope they make wise decisions on the men they marry).
On the bright side, I HAVE SHITLOADS OF CLOTHES THAT SOPHIA DIDN'T WEAR THE FIRST TIME 'ROUND.
Thank goodness I don't have to give away those clothes. Many of them are too precious to give up. Hopefully Judy
will start having a kid soon so I can pass it down.
We haven't chose any names yet. I would like to keep the "ph" in a name, so Phoebe is one although I can't
imagine my grandparents making any attempt to pronounce it. I would like to stick with an Italian or Greek name
(Sophia/Sofia) if possible. I have four and a half months to decide...
Recap- On Friday, I baked more banana bread loaves (I had to use up all the bananas) and that took up most of my
morning. Afterwards, we headed over to my parent's house for dinner. My friend Jeff performed with his part-time
band (his full-time band is Longwave) Tigers and Monkeys. They were performing at the Seaport, so my mother, Sophia
and I walked over to watch them rock out.
Saturday, Sophia and I went to Lee and Seong's baby shower in NJ. Junko was kind enough to drive us to the party (THANK
YOU!). Sophia was extremely well-behaved (probably because she was amongst strangers) and managed to nap in the car,
so she saved me the trouble of strolling her around the parking lot. We had lots of fun.
Ten people who are pregnant now through February-
1.Kelly (my cousin)
2.Marie
3.Anita
4.Sara
5.Julie (Scott's wife)
6.May (Norm's wife)
7.Lee (Saturday's shower)
8.Nancy (ex-colleague, John's wife- Sam, it's not official)
9.Iris (ex-colleague)
10.Priscilla
Amazing, huh?
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Beam Me Up, Brian
Anne and I drove to Brooklyn bright and early, bringing cupcakes and banana bread for the kids journey to Beam camp.
Mark (another ex-colleague) schlepped in and joined us too. Brian was super surprised and extremely touched we made
a special effort to see him off.
It was really cute watching all the parents wave their kids goodbye. I felt a tinge of being the parent, Brian
as the child, and shoo'ing him off to camp for the first time.
As I said in my previous entry, to watch him turn his dream into a reality, is just absolutely inspiring. If you
put your mind to something you really want, with hard work, it can come true.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Partial Result In
So, part of the amnio test came back- NORMAL! (phew) The other result will be in hopefully by the end of the week.
Plus I found out the gender of the baby. Anyone wanna make a guess? Answer will be posted Friday.
Another Shout-Out...
HAPPY BIR-DAY TO UNCLE JAY WHO DRAWS LOTS OF ANIMALS FOR ME!
Joo-ee Ee-Moh
Happy bir-day Joo-ee Ee-Moh!
(Translation: Happy Birthday Aunt Judy!)
Result
It's now day 8 and still no word from the hospital about my amnio test. What the fuck?
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Brian's Bon Voyage
I just made three batches of banana bread (my batch has walnuts) for Brian's bon voyage/inaugural season of Beam Camp.
For some of you who don't know who Brian is, he's my bestest ex-boss (ever) who pursued his dream to open his own camp.
It's amazing how in one year he's turned it into a reality. I'm quite proud of him!
Anne (another ex-colleague) had brought up a brilliant idea to show up on Thursday to send Brian off with good wishes. Being
the executor, I sent out a massive Evite to all the ex-EEG'ers and received a small, but great response. We'll
be heading out to Brooklyn where the bus leaves (okay, most of us who are showing up are either unemployed OR working as freelancers).
As Brian's wife put it, "He’s gonna shit his pants" when he sees us and that "This will blow him away and hopefully give him
the final boost he needs to make the big push."
Soooooooo excited...
Monday, August 22, 2005
Weekender
Sophia's potty training is no longer in training, but now prancing in pretty little Care Bear, Hello Kitty, Winnie The
Pooh undies. She's very particular about which ones she wants to wear that day. She still wears a diaper
when she goes to bed at nights and day naps (very rarely does she tinkle in her diaper during her day nap).
Sophia's been watching waaaaaaay too many Yankee games with us (sporting games equals male adverts). In addition
to the other two commercials she knows (people shouting "Dibs!" and Honda commercials), she now knows the Mazda commercial
where the guy in the car is shouting "Yeeee-Haaaaw" and "Woooo-Hooo."
Me, I've gotten a bit round in the belly. I had my 4th month pregnancy checkup last week and everything is okay.
Gained about 2.5lbs. Still waiting for amnio results and a bit nerved. I can't sleep through the nights without
having to contemplate in the middle of the night whether I should hold my tinkle or just get out and pray I don't slam into
a wall. In the mornings, I've been a bit achey in the mid-back area, so I try to do more "child yoga pose" and other
stretches before rolling out of bed. I'm starting work on Wednesday afternoon, just for a few hours to get myself acclimated.
Not sure what my hours are, but it's part-time anyway, so I won't be over-exhausting myself. I can still fit into
some of my regular, non-maternity shorts/pants and shirts, but if summer is gonna go into the end of September, I could be
spending MORE money on maternity clothes. I hope I could hold out!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Thanks Boobah
Mommy: Sophia, what's Mommy's name?
Sophia: Leeen-dah
Mommy: What's Daddy's name?
Sophia: Feee-lip
Mommy: What's Yee-Yee's (nanny) name?
Sophia: N-gee (Angie)
Mommy: What's Goong-Goong's (my father) name?
Sophia: Grandpapa
Mommy: What's Paw-Paw's (my mother) name?
Sophia: Grandmama
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Skinny
Here's the skinny- Sophia is thin. One day, she LOVES whatever it is we give her, then the next day, NO INTEREST
whatsoever. She constantly does that to us, often confusing us whether or not she likes it. We already know the
kinds of food she doesn't like- eggs, beef, pancakes, french toast, spaghetti, rice, oatmeal and mashed potatoes (much more,
but I can't remember all of them). It drives us absolutely crazy.
I'm not too worried, but Daddy is. I always believe the kid will eat whenever she gets hungry. I don't believe
in force feeding- I grew up that way and was constantly puninshed for not finishing my meals. Bribes don't work for
this child. She's too smart for it. She could care less if she doesn't watch her DVDs after dinner.
Today we decided to change the menu a bit and feed her more beans (more protein) since she likes picking it with her
fingers. Feed her quesadillas with sour cream since it's is like dipping ketchup (I think all
kids love ketchup). Give her more granola. Ice cream. Yogurt (she used to love eating it, then I dunno what
happened). We'll see how this pans out.
A day after the amnio, I feel alright. Still feel a bit of pain and crampy, but not as bad as yesterday.
Of all days that was beautiful and not so humid, I wasn't allowed to go out. Just my luck.
NOTE:
Sophia ate her ENTIRE non-Chinese dinner (remember, she HATES rice). Menu: Edamame (Japanese soybeans), red
beans (Goya brand) and chicken quesadilla with sour cream. AND she was the last one on the table.
Go figure.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Ouchie
So I did the amnio test and boy, that f'n needle was painful. The worse part was trying to breathe normally.
I couldn't help but hyperventilate. I was very surprised the test was quite fast. Right now, I'm feeling
a bit crampy, as if I am menstruating (for the boys out there- no, women do not menstruate while they are pregnant,
so you can hump your significant other as often as one can take). I really should be lying down and resting, but I needed
to get up a walk around a bit. Lying in bed all day is absolutely boring, even though I have a laptop next to me. I
can't afford to splurge on magazines. I've got no extra cash. I'm not in the mood to read books (unless it's
Harry Potter)- I have short attention span ever since I got pregnant. Well, at least the test is over with and I can
sit and wait (more like stress out) for the test results.
Sigh, such is life.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Amnio
Tomorrow is the big day- I'm having an amnio test done bright and early. Scared and nervous as fuck.
One out of 200 women who do the test ends up with a miscarriage. One out of 380 women (mothers who are 35 years
old) might be carrying a baby with Down's syndrome. Although it's optional to take the test, I feel I have
to know if the baby has any abnormalities. If I don't take the test, I'll stress myself out for
the next five months wondering if there is anything wrong. I'll know the results in the next two weeks.
Please send positive vibes and thoughts for me and the baby.
Tissue
Mommy sneezes.
Daddy: Bless you.
Sophia: Bess you Mommy.
Mommy: Thanks Fia and Daddy.
Sophia: Daddy, gimme tissue.
Mommy: No, Sophia. Say, "Daddy, tissue please."
Mommy has been ignored. Daddy passes tissue to Sophia.
Sophia: Here Mommy (gives her tissue).
Mommy: Thanks Fia!
Mommy makes believe she's wiping her nose. Mommy and Daddy laugh. Sophia laughs along too, knowing she did
something cute.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Checking Up
After coming back from lunch with my father, Phil, Sophia and I headed home for a nap (monkey see, monkey do).
We were forced to wait for the next elevator because EMS, policemen and firemen were piling in the elevator to get to
our floor. I thought it was one of my favorite neighbor who has a bad breathing problem, but it was actually the
widowed woman who lived next door to us.
When we got to our floor, I found out the maintenance man had to pry and climb through the window in order to open
the front door. He checked on the woman and noticed she was lying on the couch, naked and unconscious, with
no air conditioner running. That made me very upset considering many elders refuse to turn on the A/C because it
costs money to do so. I understand they are on fixed income, but there has to be some kind of break for them in
these hot and humid conditions. I hope she is alright.
Saturday Swimming
Yesterday, we spent the day at May's (Norm's wife) parent's house in Long Island. They invited us for a day of
swimming and BBQ. Their house was ENORMOUS- enough to fit an army of people and absolutely gorgeous. May's father,
built his own fish pond filled with lotus flowers, with his own hands. We were very spoiled at their house- food after
food after food. The parents were very gracious and wonderful hosts. Although it was said to be the hottest
day of the year, we were cooled down by their kidney shaped swimming pool.
Sophia was in heaven with the pool. She watched May's nephew swim and Sophia wanted to do the same. She had
no fear of the water whatsoever. We had a float that was attached to her body and she just wanted to swim off.
I thought she would give up after swallowing some water, but she treaded on. All she kept saying was, "Try again, Mommy/Daddy"
with a huge grin on her face.
Thanks again for the BBQ, Norm and May!
Friday, August 12, 2005
Reliving 9/11
Geezus fucking A. Why are they releasing the radio transmissions from firefighters on 9/11? In
what way will that have a healing effect? To me, it only brings back those awful, traumatic and painful memories.
Watching the 12 noon news, they aired videos of the WTC on fire, people covered in soot, the pure pandemonium pleas coming
from radio transmissions. It's bad enough I knew two men on the first plane, a friend's fiance who brushed his future
in-laws plea to leave the office and Phil's colleague. It's just too much to hear it all, let alone, relive it once
more.
Is it fall yet? I CAN'T TAKE THIS FUCKING HOT WEATHER ANYMORE!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Travels
I am in the process of helping my parents book a trip to their respective motherlands. It's not an easy feat considering
there are two different countries and an island they are visiting and an airline that doesn't fly directly to one
they are visiting first. I don't want them sitting on a plane more than they have to. I've gotten two friends
to help (thanks Drew and Curt!) so hopefully I won't have to pay a travel agent to do this crap.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Smoothie
I just love making a blueberry/strawberry/banana smoothie on a hot summer day...
Screwed
Since we've been back from our weekend trip, Sophia's nap schedule has been extremely erratic. Over the weekend,
she slept late because we were busy hanging at the beach, running to get lunch and rushing to wash the sand off her.
So by then, she was in bed after 2p.
On a normal basis, she naps around 12:30-1p. Lately, she's been fighting with us starting at 1:30p and
on. I checked on her twenty minutes ago (2:30p) and I caught her singing in her crib. I yelled at her to
go to sleep, but who knows if she will (it's now 2:50p and thank goodness she's asleep). Normally I nap when she naps,
but after all that yelling, I'm strung out.
Well, at least I can watch the Yankees day game (shit! what am I gonna watch tonight!)...
Monday, August 8, 2005
Smoking
I'm actually quite sad to hear about Peter Jennings passing, especially to lung cancer. This weekend in Atlantic
City, I totally forgot NJ does not have smoking laws, like NYC. I had to tell an old man to pleaaaaaaaaaaaase not
smoke while we were eating our food (he ended up moving to another table). I was so annoyed. I remember when I
used to smoke, I would wait until everyone was done eating. It was the least I could do. Now I'm
just a super-sensitive, pregnant, mother of a two year old who does the fake cough around smokers. Get the hint!
I appreciate Bloomberg's no smoking laws. He's the man!
Sunday, August 7, 2005
The Weekend
We've just returned from a long weekend at Atlantic City's, Tropicana Casino. According to Phil, he said they've
spent a lot of money renovating the place. Infact, it reminded me of a lot of the theme hotels in Vegas where there
were a lot of boutiques to shop/browse at. Unfortunately, I came out losing a couple of bucks on the craps table (yes,
I do know how to play a man's game, more like, an old man's game). We mostly lounged at the beach and a bit
at the pool. A friend of ours, Lawrence, stayed overnight and chilled with us on Sunday. Had some great food and
not so great food- the good- Carmine's (thanks to our friends, Jay and Dave, who joined us for dinner on Saturday, entertained
Sophia all night) and not so good, Rainforest Cafe (it was entertaining for an hour, but lost its flavor at the end, food
and service could have been better). All in all, a fun weekend.
I am glad to be back though. There is something about sleeping in your own bed and sleeping UNINTERRUPTED by people
coming in and out of the room and a toddler who wakes up in the middle of the night only to cry out she wants to share the
bed with you. UGH. There is a time for snuggle and a time for sleep. These days, I prefer the sleep in a
snap.
Alrighty, tomorrow we'll be up early to see the genetics counselor to prepare my sorry ass for the amniocentisis procedure
for next week. I would be lying if I said I'm not scared. I think this is just as scary as the time they attempted
to turn Sophia around into the head down position (she was breeched). Phil said it looked as if they were
doing a WWF on me. eek.
Thursday, August 4, 2005
Freestyle Rap
Anyone watch Wild 'N Out on MTV? I only caught the last end of it, but in this portion, they have two sets of team
that competes in a duel rap. It reminded me of 106 & Park on BET (okay, this is the ghetto part of me) when two
years ago, Jin, an Asian boy from Miami, ruled the freestyle rap contest for weeks which lead him to win a major label
contract (he released an album that didn't fare so well). Speaking of 106 & Park, did you hear AJ and Free were
let go???? That sucks!
Alright, ghetto girl is going back to her shell...
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Clean Potty
Sophia won't mind tinkling in a potty if there is a little bit of her last tinkle and tissue, but WILL NOT poo in a dirty
potty. IT MUST BE CLEANED OUT.
Monday, August 1, 2005
Sophia + Mommy Update
A recap of what she's up to nowadays:
- Sophia can poo and pee in her potty on her own. But she needs someone to wipe her and help her put her undies back
on (she has a tendency to pull them off when she's on the potty).
- Sophia's new saying, "What's that, Mommy?" at least 30 times in one minute.
- Still hates rice and eggs.
- Prefers pork and chicken over beef.
- Summer favs- popsicles and long-ahns (similiar to lychee).
- Doesn't like mac and cheese, but loves them both separately.
- Is obsessed with bouncing balls, small ones in particular (the quarter machines).
- Loves her Mickey Mouse handmade straw purse from Aruba (she stores her small bouncing balls in there).
- Loves her A, B, C and animal puzzles.
- Ask her in English how old she is, she'll give you a made up answer. Ask her in Korean the same question, she'll
tell you two.
- Sees a dog in the street and she automatically pulls you over to pet the dog.
An update on me:
- Nausea has somewhat subsided, though it has its moments where the nausea comes back for a few hours.
- Don't nap as long as I did in the first three months, but need an afternoon nap otherwise I'll never survive the entire
evening.
- The smell and sight of rice makes me want to barf (gee, I wonder where Sophia inherit that thought from).
- Prenatal pills are giving me a major indigestion.
- Hate eating calcium chews- leaves a nasty film on tongue.
- Not too strict on drinking soda (I can only manage to drink half a can of any soda). Carrying Sophia, I did not
drink soda or drink any caffeinated tea.
- No real cravings or urges on any particular food.
- Plan to see Depeche Mode in concert when they roll into town this fall (hey, I saw a couple of prego ladies at the Duran
show!).
- Can't get into reading books for some strange reason (can only read short articles or magazines).
- Have a genetics counseling next week prior to getting an amnio procedure. Ugh.
Ordinary World
Thought I'd throw in a snippet of Duran's song, "Ordinary World." I think this song is quite apropos of what's
going in today headlines or just in anyone's personal life.
What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some are saying
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away
And I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To
the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
Passion or coincidence
Once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well now pride's gone out the
window
Cross the rooftops
Run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart
What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd
say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away
But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To
the ordinary world
I will learn to survive
D2
Scored a couple of free Duran Duran tickets last night at Jones Beach. Luckily my girlfriend Julie bought
three extra tickets months ago, so she gave me a lift (I had an extra ticket, so we dragged her sister along). At first
we thought we were going to sit up front but turned out we were sent to the upper decks. Ah, didn't matter, I had the
night off, my ears weren't going to ring all night and I was about to reminisce the 80s once again (my second Duran show this year). Had a fantastic
time!
Didn't get home until 12:30ish and didn't fall sleep until after 1a. Tired as hell, but so worth seeing my Birmingham
boys.
Will write more later when I'm more alert.
