I thought before the little one comes out I shoot another little movie of him moving. He's been moving slower now that there's less space to stretch, but looks like he's also grown in strength.
BABY DOOLEY 38-Week Belly Moves from Chris Dooley on Vimeo.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
First Week away from work
The first week of my maternity leave was not all about bed rest. I needed to run errands to get some stuff done before the baby comes. And maybe it's because I couldn't move as quickly as I used to, everything seemed to take twice as long. I know I'm supposed to take it easy, but taking care of business was the only way to calm my mind. My list of things to do seemed almost longer than usual.
On June 19th, my friend Craig who I've known since Jr. High was visiting California from Colorado with his girlfriend. She had never been to Southern California so we arranged for a mini-reunion with my other friend Lenny (known him since 5th grade). Craig and his sister and friends had arrived that morning and their first stop was Santa Monica beach. Lenny and his wife Carrie had made plans to meet them there before coming over to our house, but then I decided to have them pick me up so I can get some air and relaxation also. We didn't get to the beach until about 4 pm. By then Craig was ready to leave the beach to grab some dinner. So Lenny, Carrie and I decided to walk around the pier so we don't waste driving all the way out there.
Carrie and I on the beach
Almost the whole gang (Danny, Craig, Robin, Lenny, April, Sean)
After leaving Santa Monica, we met Chris at the Ford's Filling Station for dinner in Culver City.
The Jacksons likes to take more expressive photos.
I think I've got something growing out of my head.
My attempt to look angry.
Our $12 piece of cheese...it was well worth it.
Although Craig was a little disappointed that the restaurant I called "a burger place" only had one burger on their menu, we all still had a great time chatting about what's new in our lives and getting to know his girlfriend Robin.
It was a really great evening and I'm glad I had the time off to catch up with old friends.
On June 19th, my friend Craig who I've known since Jr. High was visiting California from Colorado with his girlfriend. She had never been to Southern California so we arranged for a mini-reunion with my other friend Lenny (known him since 5th grade). Craig and his sister and friends had arrived that morning and their first stop was Santa Monica beach. Lenny and his wife Carrie had made plans to meet them there before coming over to our house, but then I decided to have them pick me up so I can get some air and relaxation also. We didn't get to the beach until about 4 pm. By then Craig was ready to leave the beach to grab some dinner. So Lenny, Carrie and I decided to walk around the pier so we don't waste driving all the way out there.
Carrie and I on the beach
Almost the whole gang (Danny, Craig, Robin, Lenny, April, Sean)
After leaving Santa Monica, we met Chris at the Ford's Filling Station for dinner in Culver City.
The Jacksons likes to take more expressive photos.
I think I've got something growing out of my head.
My attempt to look angry.
Our $12 piece of cheese...it was well worth it.
Although Craig was a little disappointed that the restaurant I called "a burger place" only had one burger on their menu, we all still had a great time chatting about what's new in our lives and getting to know his girlfriend Robin.
It was a really great evening and I'm glad I had the time off to catch up with old friends.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Reality Sets In
It's been great resting at home, but it takes a lot more creativity to come up with something new to eat each meal. On Friday, 6/27 I was having what I call a "bad food day". I didn't have much appetite, and there wasn't much ingredients to cook anything exciting. Since I can't just not eat, I grabbed whatever I saw in the fridge and ate it. Some were left overs, some food I just threw it together very quickly, and didn't care about the taste or presentation.
Well, I paid the price around midnight when I felt very nauseous in bed. I ended up throwing up 3 times in about an hour. And while Chris comforted me, we both were wondering if this is food poisoning, or has my labor started because I was also feeling contractions at the same time. (We've learned that some women vomit when they have contractions.) At one point I said to Chris, maybe you should finish packing our hospital bags.
We waited a while to see if I felt any better. We both moved to the living room couch and turned on the TV for distraction. Luckily we both fell asleep and I felt a lot better when I woke up hours later. I've spent the last two days keeping myself hydrated and eating better.
I think it was the first time we both thought "This is really happening." I'm glad it was food poisoning and not an early labor. The next morning Oliver was kicking around like he always does as if nothing ever happened. I hope he'll stay inside for 2 more weeks.
Well, I paid the price around midnight when I felt very nauseous in bed. I ended up throwing up 3 times in about an hour. And while Chris comforted me, we both were wondering if this is food poisoning, or has my labor started because I was also feeling contractions at the same time. (We've learned that some women vomit when they have contractions.) At one point I said to Chris, maybe you should finish packing our hospital bags.
We waited a while to see if I felt any better. We both moved to the living room couch and turned on the TV for distraction. Luckily we both fell asleep and I felt a lot better when I woke up hours later. I've spent the last two days keeping myself hydrated and eating better.
I think it was the first time we both thought "This is really happening." I'm glad it was food poisoning and not an early labor. The next morning Oliver was kicking around like he always does as if nothing ever happened. I hope he'll stay inside for 2 more weeks.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Getting very close...
About 2 weeks ago, Chris and I finished the last of our 4 baby classes. It's been great having these private lessons with our doula Octavia. She was able to work with our schedule, we get comfy in our living room with the air condition on, drinking sparkling apple cider on crushed ice, and watch videos and going over all the things we need to learn before the baby comes. We really enjoyed the private lessons because we're able to ask questions freely and really learn the material. Chris and I feel like we know so much about the birth process now. And if we need to make any decisions about any intervention, we are fully educated to make the right choices for us.
Then last week we received our "diploma" in the mail! I know Oliver appreciates what we are doing to bring him to this world.
Then yesterday, June 25th. We had a very exciting doctor's appointment. We found out that I'm 2 cm dilated and the baby's head is in the right position. He's still a little high, but at 37.5 weeks we are right on track. That news made us realize how close we are to meeting Oliver. I spent the evening making a final list of things we still need to do to get ready for the baby.
Maybe he'll decide to come early for his "independence day"! We'll have to wait and see.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
My maternity leave
I didn't think it'd come so soon...but my last day at Disney was June 16th, about 4 weeks before my expected due date. I spent the few weeks leading up to the day finishing up all of my projects, and packing up the office in case there's a move during my time off.
It was weird limiting myself from starting new projects and letting everyone know that I'll be out of the office. For about 8 years with the company, I've never been away from my "second family" for longer than 2 weeks. So when everything was put away in boxes, and I was writing an email to everyone about my last day, I couldn't hold back the tears. Even though my reason to be out is a happy one, I was still feeling emotional. Especially when everyone has been so supportive and loving, and so happy for me.
It was by coincidence that Octavia had planned a doula client luncheon on the same day. I thought it would be a good time to leave the office at lunch time instead of the end of the day, so I can go from work to have lunch with a group of women who are about to have their babies too. It helped me make the switch to focus on what's ahead.
There were 2 ladies there who had recently had their babies and shared their experiences with the rest of us. I don't think they were very successful at making us feel more calm about giving birth since they both had pretty rough deliveries. The good news was they both were rewarded with beautiful healthy babies that made them forget all the pain they went through.
All the July moms.
Octavia, our doula holding a baby from one of her clients.
The weekend wasn't too bad since Chris was home and I didn't feel different from any other weekend. Then Monday came around and I didn't have to go into work made the day feel extra long. I focused on going to the stores to get my hospital bag stuff ready and did loads of laundry of Oliver's clothes and sheets. I counted that we received over 100 pieces of clothing from the 2 showers! At one point I started crying while folding the onesies thinking about how soon I will be putting those on Ollie. From day to day I'd go from excitement and confidence to feeling scared and nervous. I'm sure that will continue until the day he comes.
Being the busy body that I have been in the last 32 years, I've learned in the past 8 months to take it easy. And taking the time off was a way to force myself to get my mind to focus on the baby. I've been taking naps and continue to eat healthy, and following Octavia, my doula's advice in taking warm baths, sitting on my birthing ball, and taking a homeopathic pills to get my body ready for the delivery. I know I'll never have a chance to relax like this ever again.
3 more weeks before July 10th...I can't wait.
It was weird limiting myself from starting new projects and letting everyone know that I'll be out of the office. For about 8 years with the company, I've never been away from my "second family" for longer than 2 weeks. So when everything was put away in boxes, and I was writing an email to everyone about my last day, I couldn't hold back the tears. Even though my reason to be out is a happy one, I was still feeling emotional. Especially when everyone has been so supportive and loving, and so happy for me.
It was by coincidence that Octavia had planned a doula client luncheon on the same day. I thought it would be a good time to leave the office at lunch time instead of the end of the day, so I can go from work to have lunch with a group of women who are about to have their babies too. It helped me make the switch to focus on what's ahead.
There were 2 ladies there who had recently had their babies and shared their experiences with the rest of us. I don't think they were very successful at making us feel more calm about giving birth since they both had pretty rough deliveries. The good news was they both were rewarded with beautiful healthy babies that made them forget all the pain they went through.
All the July moms.
Octavia, our doula holding a baby from one of her clients.
The weekend wasn't too bad since Chris was home and I didn't feel different from any other weekend. Then Monday came around and I didn't have to go into work made the day feel extra long. I focused on going to the stores to get my hospital bag stuff ready and did loads of laundry of Oliver's clothes and sheets. I counted that we received over 100 pieces of clothing from the 2 showers! At one point I started crying while folding the onesies thinking about how soon I will be putting those on Ollie. From day to day I'd go from excitement and confidence to feeling scared and nervous. I'm sure that will continue until the day he comes.
Being the busy body that I have been in the last 32 years, I've learned in the past 8 months to take it easy. And taking the time off was a way to force myself to get my mind to focus on the baby. I've been taking naps and continue to eat healthy, and following Octavia, my doula's advice in taking warm baths, sitting on my birthing ball, and taking a homeopathic pills to get my body ready for the delivery. I know I'll never have a chance to relax like this ever again.
3 more weeks before July 10th...I can't wait.
Another baby shower!
On June 7th, Grandma Sandy hosted another baby shower for us at her house in San Diego. It was a big turn out, about 30 people showed up...99% of whom we've never met! The weather was sunny, and the grassy back yard was set up with lawn chairs in a big circle, and tables for gifts and food. Everyone greeted us with such warmth and well wishes for us and the baby.
After having some food, I sat in the middle of the circle and started to open presents...and presents...and more presents. Many of the ladies knitted and hand-made quilts for Oliver. We not only received gifts, we also received great advice from these experienced moms.
At the end of the shower, I relaxed and snacked on a cabbage with cheese and salami stuck on it.
The shower was a great success! Chris helped his mom clean up and put all the gifts in the car (good thing we didn't take the train down) Then the 3 of us had a nice steak dinner at Black Angus and reflected what a wonderful afternoon we all had.
Happy 33rd Birthday!
This year, my wonderful Disney family took me to Savannah, a restaurant in Burbank that used to be called French 75 (one of our favorite restaurant by the same owner) to celebrate my 33rd birthday. It is my first birthday being pregnant so it was extra special.
The whole group made it to lunch. And even better, we had 2 vendors Kathy and Steve who paid for the whole thing!
Since I can't drink alcohol, I ordered something sparkling for the festivity.
Czarnecki and I show off our non-alcoholic beverages: Ice tea, and a French sparkling lemonade.
John has a unique way of wishing me happy birthday.
Steve knows how to pick his seat.
Since I can't lean close enough to the table...
The delicious lunch ended with cup cakes from Sprinkles! yummy. Next year...Oliver will be invited too!
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