Thank you to Isela Phelps for permission on posting this!
Category: Me
Welcome, Leslie Samantha!
I’ve only now had a chance to post this. So last Friday, April 12, I was having contractions faster than normal. So I had Luci time my contractions. It was going around 5-7 minutes apart. I originally had a doc appointment with my OB/GYN to check the baby’s status if she was going to be cephalic this time, but I called them to ask if I should go to the hospital now or still keep my appointment. They said to go ahead and go to the hospital. So, Luci and I dropped off Lauren to our family friend’s house to babysit and off we went to the hospital.
We went to a different hospital from the hospital where I gave birth to Dani and Lauren. They didn’t have a Labor & Delivery department there anymore, which made me sad, as I wanted all my kids to be born in the same hospital. Ah well. So we went there, and it took us a while to navigate the area as it was a bunch of hospitals in one place. We finally found our way and went to the Labor & Delivery (L&D) area. The process of me checking in and “suited up” didn’t take too long.
They monitored me for a while, checking the baby’s heartbeat and my contractions. There was a doc that came by and gave me the “fastest sonogram on earth” to check if the baby was cephalic. Sure enough, and thankfully, she was! It took about 5 seconds to check which made me laugh. So they continued with monitoring me and the baby. It took some time, and I was still at 1cm. At this point, my doc had recommended I go home for a while until I feel if my contractions were getting stronger. I had to call the doc’s office to make sure because she wanted to induce me that day anyway, if in case the baby is cephalic. She didn’t realize it was this day she wanted it, so she said to stay. Thank goodness for that, because I didn’t want to go back home. I wanted to have the baby already, hehe.
They gave me some induction medicine and my contractions started getting closer and I went from 1cm to 3cm in 2 hours after that. The contractions were getting a little bit painful at this time, and I asked if they could start my epidural, which they did. I forgot how painful the epidural is when first inserted, but once I felt the medicine go through my legs, it was all good. However, I felt all jelly-like and all relaxed that I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Fortunately, at this time, I went from 3cm to 7cm within an hour or so (so fast!). I could see the contraction monitor go up so high and I didn’t feel a thing. So thankful of the epidural, lol.
After a few more minutes, the nurse had asked me to start pushing. I could actually feel the baby push on her own already. Even though I had the epidural, I still felt the baby, which was good because I wanted to at least feel that part of the delivery. After 3 pushes, the head was starting to poke out. Then the nurse asked me to do a really big-deep-breath-raise-your-legs-up kind of push and they had to stop me quickly because the baby was ready to come out! The doc was called and after her preparations and such, one big final push got Leslie out. It was such a relief to hear her cry and cry, she did! Everyone was so surprised on how she cried (such big lungs) and marveled at her shock of hair. They put her in NICU for observation to check her blood sugar due to my diabetes. While they did that, I was taken to OR to have my tubal ligation procedure done (I had requested it before delivery). This means Leslie is my last child to bring into the world. It took about 45 minutes to do my procedure and I slept through it all (they told me I was snoring, lol).
So, here is Leslie Samantha. Born April 13, 2013 at 1:08am, weighing 6 lbs. 10.8 oz. with 19 inches in length. Welcome, Baby Leslie!
D-Day. Or Should I Say L-Day?
So, there might be a possibility I will be induced on the 12th. My OB/GYN doesn’t want to take any chances on having the baby breech again. If not on the 12th, it could be on the 15th, or the 17th. Stay tuned. :)
Update on Baby Leslie
So, saw the doc last Friday and we learned that Leslie is breech. To those that don’t know this, it means the baby’s head is up on my belly, not head down where it’s supposed to be especially this close to the due date. This concerns me, because I’m almost due in 3 weeks. I read somewhere that 4% of mothers have this predicament. If Leslie is still head up, I might have to get a C-section which I do not want. Not concerned about the surgery itself, but more of the recovery time.
I’m reading up on different ways for Leslie to turn. I read somewhere to put a bag of frozen vegetables or ice pack on top of the belly where baby’s head is supposed to be. Babies, like most, like warmth and they will turn away from the cold. Another one I read about was to sit up straight without using the backrest. There is a reason for this somewhere. Also, use a birthing ball, or exercise ball. Since I didn’t have the last one, I am trying the first two. Also trying to get hubby and kids to talk below my belly button, so Leslie can listen down there (kinda awkward, though, because it’s close to my crotch, lol). Also trying to play music closer to my pelvis so Leslie would listen there. So many things to try, but silly me, not making too much effort. I guess it’s because I’m lazy. :P
The doc will monitor the baby every week with sonogram and hopefully by then the baby has turned again and stayed there. The doc also said she would like to induce me early than later, but I asked her to wait till after the 16th as I want to get enough PTO from work as much as possible as I might not be covered (paid) for my leave for the 12 weeks I requested (though my company listed my request for 9 weeks only, but no biggie).
That’s how it’s going so far. I’ll let y’all know if Leslie is head down after my doc appointment Friday.
Some Random News
So here’s what’s been happening so far and things to come:
- Already going into my 36 weeks of pregnancy on Friday, which means I have at least 2 weeks (given my record) OR 4 weeks left till Leslie Samantha comes! The girls are very excited (and, of course, Luci). They have built the crib and all and we are still wondering where I will “nest” after birth. I used to nest in the girls’ room but then that’s their room now, so I suggested our big living room. We have an extra mattress I can use with Sammy (I think that’s what her nickname will be).
- Other pregnancy news, the belly is growing more and more. You wouldn’t have noticed I was preggers a month ago, but it is truly noticeable now. Also will have to watch what I eat more carefully now because of the diabetes and HBP. I’m starting to see some swelling feet, which isn’t good. I usually have a good record in not having it. So I have to watch myself.
- Dani is having a school field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo in about 2 weeks! Hopefully, I will be able to go with her if Luci can’t. And hopefully, I won’t be in labor that week, eek, lol.
- Memorial Day weekend, the family will be going to LA to bring Luci’s mom’s remains to its final resting place. Still making plans, etc. on it. Also have to decide on a memorial plaque for her.
- One of my first cousins is getting married in August! I don’t really know if I can make it, given I’m taking maternity leave for 12 weeks after I give birth. And I want to go so bad. :( I haven’t seen my beloved relatives in the US in so long, and it’s been a while since we’ve had a family reunion. Here’s praying I can at least just take the weekend off for it. I hope, Lord!
- Deleted all of my Posterous Spaces now, except for my main one (because it doesn’t have the option to delete it, so I made it password-protected). I’m still very, very sad Posterous is closing. I really liked that concept of that site. It’s way easier to post there than anywhere. Why would you “fix” what’s not broke? :(
And that’s it so far. Will let y’all know what else if I remember any more. :)
First Day At The New Space
So, here we are. Finally, at the new space. I was more surprised at the emptiness of our old cubicle, though (they moved our PCs). I guess it just hit home that we won’t be sitting there anymore.
I went with my girls to the office last Thursday so they could see my new cubicle. I think they liked it, but it’s not as spacious as it had been in the old area. The SD had provided some potluck food for that day as well, to welcome the “co-habitation”. It’s too bad there were so much carbs (cookies, pasta, regular soda), so I just had to take a little bit of them to prevent me from getting a high blood sugar count later.
Today is really my official day back to work at the new space. It’s a bigger area, but there’s more people, too. I can’t take a nap like I used to, though I’m surprised J had his pillows and blankets out when I came in to take over the shift. However, the other guys seemed to be nice. I mean, they’re human, I know, but how “free” can I really be around them? Can I play games when I’m bored? Can I do this and that? Can I? Can I? I guess I’m just treading water for now. At least this girl during my shift today seemed nice enough and gave me some good pointers and even sent me her “cheat sheet” on how to troubleshoot some issues.
It’s also hard to get adjusted in not seeing the Computer Room. We have this window that we look back and see if people are in there or if we hear an alarm or something. I guess I’ll have to make more trips to walk around and check it.
I do like my new cubicle (because I have my own desk that no one can dirty, unless they use my PC) but I’m not sure about my chair yet. It’s one of those expensive ergonomic chairs but I’m so used to this simple chair I had in the old space. Being pregnant and sitting on this new chair is either not helping me at all or helping me a lot. It’s really weird. I guess it’s another thing to get used to, or just get my old chair back.
Here’s to new adventures. I do love adventures, even if they are good or not. It’s still a good learning experience either way.
Officially Official
So, they’ve (work) been saying this for months now, since the start of the Service Desk (SD) move back in November last year that my department (OPS) is FINALLY moving to the SD location.
I knew it was inevitable. Despite our protests, negotiations, and discussions (MEETINGS!), we will still be moving. And that move starts tomorrow. It won’t really truly make an impact on me until I come back to work on Saturday, but I know some people (her) will be feeling the brunt of the move of it tomorrow. And she’s all “awone”. Awww. Well, unless one of the other staff is staying till late. I’m just waiting to see what she will rant about tonight after everyone is gone after business hours. I know I don’t like it, but I have no choice but to listen to it.
I’m always positive about changes. I know they can be a pain sometimes but there’s always a sense of “adventure” that adds to it. I know I’ll be happy I won’t be sitting next to her (and hopefully not smell her smelly farts – yes, it’s terrible). And I will have my own computer and desk (cubicle). Even though I have a positive outlook, I still have misgivings on this move. Because it’s not common sense. It’s hard to explain but yeah.
Also, I’m sure after all this is said and done, there will be more changes on the way. Maybe…just maybe…there will be something like, “Oh, this didn’t work, let’s go back there.” Well, here’s hoping, or not? I’m just torn in between “two worlds”.
So, here’s looking forward to Saturday.
Dream: @MsLeaSalonga and the Failed Picture Taking
Since I thoroughly enjoyed the concert “Do You Hear The People Sing?” last night at the American Airlines Center, I had a dream last night. :)
I was still thinking of getting a photo op with Lea Salonga so this dream started with me going back to AAC and found she was still signing autographs and the line was almost close to done. I noticed this was already 3am. Don’t ask me why, this was a dream. My sister Claire was there with me and we chatted with Lea.
As the lines died down, I asked if I could get a photo with Lea. She said, “Sure,” and I proceeded to get my iPhone up and get on the Camera app. This is when things started going wrong. My iPhone was acting up and showing a bunch of equation buttons and editing buttons. It was just showing me weird stuff. I kept pushing the Home button on the phone but it still wouldn’t go back to the main screen and was just erroring out on me.
I kept apologizing to Lea and was slightly embarrassed, but she was so nice about it and was waiting patiently. At one point, I even asked my sister if I could borrow her phone to take our picture, but the scene kept going back to me trying to fix my own phone. All this time we were chatting about life and kids, etc.
That’s when I woke up. At the end, I think I still didn’t get a picture with Lea Salonga. Such a dissapointing dream! Hehehe.
Googly Moogly @.@
Really getting frustrated with this needlepoint project. I keep finding some miscounts and having to adjust my stitches and everything. That’s what happens when you put off projects for too long. When you pick it up back again, it feels like you don’t know how to start from where you left off.
Also, being nearsighted, I keep having to take off my glasses to work on this thing. Then after a few hours of working/restitching/cursing, I look up and I get eyestrain. And then lightheadedness. Anyone else feel this way when they’re working on a project like this?
Been taking off gaming lately. I haven’t picked up a game since a couple of weeks ago, hehe. :P Well, not quite took off of it, I only spend less than 30 minutes to check on other stuff before I have to do something else. Oh, who am I kidding, I’ve been gaming on iPhone/iPad apps like DrawSomething. Now that thing is addicting. It also hones my drawing skillz. :P
So now, I hope to finish my needlepoint project soon, and without the stress of finding miscounts and what-not. I would like to finish it before Easter, if possible. (That’s my birthday, by the way. Send me presents!)
Long day, and it’s not even over yet!
Leap year day! What a day, what a day. At least so far.
Had to wake up at 5am, so I could go downtown to pick up my uncle to take him to the airport. I didn’t have to go, really, but I wanted to spend a little more time with Uncle Rex since we only saw him for a few hours (or minutes?) during his stay in Dallas. Had a good chat with him for a little bit and sent him on his way.
I got home just in time to walk Dani to school. She was actually awake already by the time we got home. Usually, I have a hard time getting her up and about and off to school. Also a rare occasion to have Lucien walk with us as well. Still fun.
I then took a nap for about an hour and then off to see my OB/GYN for my annual check-up. I had planned to grab a yogurt from the fridge for my breakfast but I forgot. Grr. I ended up fidgeting at the reception area for more than an hour with hunger pangs and anxiety. I guess it’s never too good for a diabetic to skip a meal. At least for me, because I’m still getting used to the fact I’m a diabetic now (forgot to tell you that, didn’t I? I got diagnosed last December with Type II Diabetes). Have to watch my carb intake and what not also. Mental note: bring some candy on hand. EVERYWHERE.
So I finally saw the doc after, maybe two hours (ugh!). I also wanted to see her if she was okay with us to try and have another baby, wink wink. She said so far I’m doing good but she did recommend I stabilize my blood sugar levels first before we start trying. Maybe six weeks or so, she said. Well, there goes my plan on having a baby in the Year of the Dragon. Hehehe.
Finally left the establishment and I had to find a place to eat. I figured to try a new place which I pass by all the time going to work. Big mistake, though. The prices were not in my current price range at all. So I settled for an appetizer sampler but big mistake there, too. Carbs galore! I still finished it all, which is another big mistake. Three strikes and I was out, so to speak, haha. Anyway, paid my bill, and went on my way. Guess next time I should have gone with my gut instinct and went for the unlimited soup and salad at Olive Garden. Cheaper and healthier!
Now, on to work. I actually came by an hour early so I thought I’d catch up on some sleep I missed out on this morning but some person kept coming by and interrupting my solace. Grr. So I just decided to clock in early and I will leave early. So there!
Long day, and it’s not even over yet! /le sigh
I Have Cramps 