Baby Shower #2

posted by Mommy

Today, Chhimi and I attended our 2nd baby shower for Baby Chhimi! His friends at work decided to throw him a little shower for send off and I was invited since...um...I am carrying the baby :-). It was just sooo thoughtful for his office to give the Dad-to-be a little shower too!

The baby shower made us felt extra special with all the positive support! Definitely was great meeting Chhimi's friends too, they're a great bunch! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and totally pigged out on the delicious cake!! It was a 1/2 & 1/2 where part of it is chocolate and another part is regular. Mmmm, yummy!!

Now I just have to wait until the actual delivery date, which my mum-in-law predicted to be exactly one week from today! So her guess is April 6th! We shall see!

Daddy's Update

Even though this started as a Daddy Blog – Mommy has invaded and conquered this blog. The lack of post from my part is mainly because I am just too darn excited. I can’t think straight, I can’t concentrate on anything but the thought of me getting to meet my son pretty soon. How Excited? Well it’s like when I was back in boarding school (back in India) the night before day before our holidays began – I remember none of us could get any sleep because of the excitement – well times that excitement by 100 that’s about the excitement level I am going through.

Well last night we moved the crib into our master bedroom – and converted it to a toddler day bed and we have that up against a bed – this way he will be next to us and it will be easier for both parents and baby. We are planning to keep him there for a while. I also started putting up the second batch of wall stickers up – the theme is “Under the Sea.” Finally get the room that I have always wanted. I don’t think Tabitha likes that very much – but I think my son and I will enjoy it.

For all you moms or moms to be – dads too – take my word at face value – DO NOT take everything on the Internet to be true. Just relax and enjoy the little bundle of joy in your life. Sometimes you just have to enjoy life.

Place Your Date

posted by Mommy

Alrighty, Chhimi and I just came back from the doctor's appointment and she told us baby is in good health and Baby Chhimi is definitely not considered a small baby. I'm very very happy to hear that since on Sunday, I was overwhelmed with the idea of preeclampsia, after reading an article from BabyCenter! So the doctor answered all my questions and assured me that I am not in the risk factor due to my normal blood pressure and protein level. Whew!

The doctor also said that I'm only 50% effaced and Baby Chhimi is already in the head down position down low. He's getting ready and try to find his "fitting"...so all the midnight pain I've been receiving, it was basically from Baby Chhimi!! Bad Boy!

Now is the time to place your guess on our due date. So far, we have the following dates:

• Mommy: Saturday April 1st


• Emily: April 4th


• Grandma Katy: April 6th


• Shelby: April 7th 10:30am


• Shawny: April 8th


• Daddy: April 9th


• Irma: April 10th


• Alonzo: April 11th


• Elizabeth L: April 12th


• Citra: April 21st

Anybody else want to take a guestimate on when our baby boy will arrive?

Babe Magnet

posted by Mommy

As Chhimi and I took a short stroll at the nearby park/trail on a nice Sunday afternoon, I found out that wearing a t-shirt with "Baby" on it was a magnet for attention. I got lots of warm smiles and waves of "hellos" on the trail. I also had a lady cyclist stopped in the middle of her course, just to turn into the small path that Chhimi and I were on, to ask me:

• When are you due?


• Boy or Girl?


• Is this your first one?

So all I can say is that our little Baby Chhimi is already a "babe magnet" before he's born. Chhimi and I will definitely have to look out on this one ;-)

Photo Update

Mother's Support Group

posted by Mommy
Today, I attended my first Mother's Support Group offered by my hospital. It's basically intended for new moms and moms-to-be a place to meet others in similar situation to share their concerns and offer feedback. There is also a hospital staff there to offer additional advice and suggestions.

I didn't know what to expect from it but I was encouraged to attend by my husband as it was advertised during our many baby classes. So I said "what the heck!". There were about 12-15 moms there, 99% with their babies ranging from 2 weeks to 5 months old. Some are 2nd time moms but still wanted to attend the support group with their babies. It's pretty neat. None of the moms were shy about breastfeeding or changing their babies in front of everybody. That's pretty supportive.

I was the only mom-to-be in the group today but they were all very open and nice. I asked a few questions ranging from delivery details to excercise plans to birth control options for afterwards and was replied with open and honest responses. So it's pretty nice to know that "Hey, I'm not alone in this!" A couple of the moms also got together afterwards to do lunch but by that time I was too tired to go anywhere so decided not this time.

The only thing is this support group meeting time conflicts with my local gym's post-natal exercise class. I'll have to see afterwards which one I should go to but I'm thinking ahead for now.

Cloth Diaper

posted by Mommy

Okay Okay, I finally made the committment to try for ONE-MONTH on cloth diapers! Yes, I made the plunge and signed Chhimi and me up for the local diaper service at 80 pre-fold diapers at $17 per week. Apparently, I don't have to do any thing with the soil diapers except to place them in the diaper pail that's provided! WhooHoo!! I also purchased 3 white 100% cotton water-proof diaper covers for newborns (up to 10 lbs), about $9.50 each, and 3 was the minimum recommendation.

So we shall see how difficult it is for the cloth diapers. At least I can say, we gave it an honest try. 1st batch of delivery is this Friday, March 31, 2006! Yipee, diapers galore! Who wants the first whiff of CLEAN diapers?!

No worries, my future baby-sitters, when we drop Baby Chhimi off, you'll be provided with disposables ;-), so NO excuses for not offering to babysit! We are taking baby-sitting sign-ups starting at 6 months old, so get your name on the list, its first come first serve....or else Chhimi and I will just start pointing and assigning! Muahahahaha!

How Big Is Baby Chhimi Now?

posted by Daddy:

During our last doctor visit – as we are going through our “group of doctors (we don’t have one particular doctor but a group so depending on the day and time we may get the one who is on call)” and getting comfortable with them – we got this one doctor – who also happens to be a dude. Well as if that wasn’t uncomfortable enough – this guy thought he was on a tryout for a Comedy Central routine. During the examination – he looks up and says to me – hey did you lose your keys or cell phone by any chance? Now I don’t know if I want somebody like him delivering my baby – but you got to wonder that was some funny shit at a very inappropriate time – but it did lighten up the situation. Should we keep him or lose him? Another weird ass thing he said was – hey the baby is like 8lbs maybe you should have started smoking. Ah the joys of parenthood is about to come down on me and slap me silly.

posted by Mommy

Alrighty, for the past 2 doctor's visit, Chhimi and I have asked the doctor to "guestimate" how big is Baby Chhimi. Well, the check-up last week resulted in a 7 to 7.5lb baby. This week's check-up resulted in a 7.5lb to 8lb baby! OMG!

We also asked whether there may be a need of a C-section since Baby Chhimi isn't due until April 9, 2006 but he's already so big! However, the doctor estimated that Baby Chhimi will still be in my tummy until next week but after next week, its anybody's guess at that point.

So here's the advice from the doctor:

• If water breaks, go to hospital immediately


• If contractions are within 5 minutes apart, go to hospital immediately

Oh boy! I hope Baby Chhimi doesn't grow too much any more as I getting quite nervous on how will I deliver him already!! Getting quite anxious!

My personal guess date is: Saturday, April 1, 2006

Anybody else care to take a guess when Baby Chhimi will arrive?

Wash Wash Wash

posted by Mommy

After all the fun of shopping and receiving baby clothes, the other 2nd part comes into play. That is WASHING all the new clothes before you can even use it! Jeeze Looo Weeze! My washing machine have not seen so much action since the past week after I've been home! All the clothes we've received wether they were hand-me-downs from kind friends (Thanks Rich, Cara, and Karri!) or brand-new gift sets (Thanks everybody!!) from wonderful friends and families....washing is part of the process!

My goodness, my to-be-born son now officially has more outfits and clothing items than both Chhimi and I put together! I must say he's going to be quite a fashion wiz at least for the next couple of years. However, after that, it'll be off to the Wal-Mart / Target / K-Mart / any no-brand name stores for him!! Muahahahaha!

So now I know the consequence of "Shop Til You Drop" for babies....its "Wash & Fold Til You're Exhausted" My living room, master bedroom, and baby room, seriously looks like a tornado with all the clothes and toys around. Sigh!

NOTE TO SELF: Must Organize!!

Getting Ready - Checklist for Countdown to Baby Chhimi's Arrival

Shop Shop Shop

posted by Mommy
Ah, I have survived my last day at work on Friday and now I am officially on maternity leave! WhooHoo! So we visited Babies R' Us on a Friday evening, ...ah, so this is what I can look forward to for the next couple of months. (Yea Right! Reality Check: Remind self of stinky diapers, crying child, and sleep depreviation)

But Chhimi and I were excited and had a laundry list of essential things to purchase. We decided to pick up our crib mattress from Babies R' Us and selected a few items like newborn booties, crib protector, receiving blankets, bath towels, Huggies diapers (just in case) etc. We are trying to just get enough stuff to last us for the 0-3 month stage.

Afterwards, we went home and investigated all the gifts we've received and did a trial run on the crib to see how it would look. I must say...it looked awesome! Even I want to go in there and take a nappie! Hahahah!

Now, Chhimi and I are just getting ready to wash all the clothes so that we can be prepared when Baby Chhimi arrives.

Happiest Baby

posted by Mommy

Chhimi and I have taken our last Baby Class last night. It was titled "Surviving the First Months". We learned about the 5 S's for soothing the baby. We watched a movie titled "The Happiest Baby On The Block" and saw these techniques in use and we were just amazed!! I definitely hope the techniques will help sooth Baby Chhimi when he's cranky or crying! We received great tips on bathing the baby and how to interact with the baby. I just hope we will remember this once the baby arrives!!

So now back onto the diaper selection. Chhimi and I have decided to try the local cloth diaper service. It is pretty convenient compared to the olden days of our parents' generation. The diaper service drops about 80 pre-folded diapers per week for about $17.00 with a clean hamper to our front door step. We just have to throw the solids into the toilet and the soiled diapers into the hamper! When compared to Huggies diapers on Amazon.com 40 diapers costs about $12.50, which means for 80 diapers would be $25.00! That's $8 per week more (or $416 per year) than the cloth diaper service and its not environmentally friendly and just fills up the local land-fill for over 500 - 1000 years! But don't get us wrong as being committed environmental activists, if we find that the cloth diaper is too much of a hassle, we'll go back to the disposable diapers or even the new "G diapers" that's flushable and biodegradable. But at least we can say, we have tried!

If wealth was measured by friendship...

posted by Mommy
If true wealth was measured by friendship, then Chhimi and I are forever blessed with at least 3 lifetimes worth! On Sunday, our wonderful wonderful friends threw us one of the most elegant and elaborate baby showers we have EVER seen in our lives. Our home was magically transformed into something out of a magazine!




So before I continue with the post, I'd like to acknowledge and thank these wonderful organizers (alphebetically ordered):
Arianna (aka Hong) | Chelsy & Family (including Qui, Tiffany, Julie, and Ryan!) | Connie & Edward


Thank you all for putting up with Chhimi's demands on having the baby shower to be "Just Perfect".

Of course, there were many more assistance along the way including: Chhimi(aka Dad-to-be - master chef #1) | Katy (aka Grandma Katy - master chef #2) | Tom (aka Grandpa Tom - master chef #3) | Wai (aka Grandma Wai) | Melissa - my long time buddy from college days! | Van [best friend anyone could have - Master Crib Installer]

I was mesmerized in my own house and because of the baby shower, it really made our house feel like a home again!! I was so touched at how beautiful everything looked and organized that I couldn't believe it was really my home.

The Decorations
The theme was baby blue and white to go with the "Baby Boy" motif. Elegant white table linens were placed everywhere along with baby blue bows and streamers. Fresh flowers were arranged to be focal points. Balloon bouquets were pinned at various areas to liven up the atmosphere. It was marvelous! Due to the uncooperating rainy and windy weather, even our garage was magically transformed into an entertaining space!!

          
The Food
The food was another jaw-dropping area. There were more than 14 different dishes available for our guests! 10 out of 14 dishes were homemade by Chhimi's parents with the close supervision from Chhimi himself! It ranged from Indian potato cakes to various samosa styles to fried rice and many more. There were two beautiful fruit skewer arrangements made by Hong herself to add fabulous color to the buffet table! The beautiful baby blue cake was delicious...where all the kiddies would walk by to see if they could just run a tiny finger on it to taste the sweet sweet frosting! Our guests were so impressed that they paid us a true compliment by inquiring "Did you get this party catered?". No, we were just very fortunate!

The favors
The favors were just too darn adorable!! We had two different types of party favors! I cannot believe how detail-oriented our friends are! One of them was for the adults which included hand-made gold embossed Chinese characters of Love, Happiness, and Health filled along with hershey chocolates and blue confetti strips in cellophane bags! They were the perfect touch that I couldn't believe it. The other favor was "Just For Kids", where blue and green tinted baby bottles were filled with many different types of candies like M&Ms and Jelly Belly jelly beans. The kids OOOed and Awwwed over those and pretty much drooled the contents!

Our Friends & Family
We had a total of 64 people inside our house on a drabby and cold day but within our house it was warm and cozy! I couldn't believe how many made it to the shower and how many people cared about us! Chhimi and I were in awe from the turnout! There were laughter every where, kids running around, parents going up and down the staircase to utilize the nursery as a quiet room, friends and family in the garage chatting away. Our home was engulfed with warmth and love! Amidst of all the chaos in the party, Chhimi and I found happiness and joy to be able to share our lives with our close friends and family!

There are too many things for me to go on with but as Chhimi previously posted...we will never forget this and for all who was involved!! We are indeed grateful for all the wonderful friends and family in our lives. You all have a very special place within our hearts!
THANK YOU!!!

P.S. -- Thank goodness my water did not break with amongst all the excitement!

What's a baby shower, without a real shower and a shower of love from family and friends!

Just had an amazing baby shower - both Tabitha and I had a great time and are very lucky to have such great friends who came to celebrate the baby shower with us. Our dear friends Hong, Chelsy and Connie threw us a great shower. Hong, Chelsey and family -even Ryan really decorated the "heck" out of the place.. if I were a girl I would have cried (not to say I didnt Thanks SOOO Much) and made everything soooo wonderful & beautiful and pretty. We have never ever been in a shower or anything for that matter that was soooo pretty (PICTURES to come later)I just wanted to thank all you guys for coming despite the weather.. Tabitha and I will remember this forever.

Love you all!!! Tabitha will write more later -- after we recover.

Baby CPR

posted by Mommy
This evening, we attended our Baby Safety class to learn about car seat safety and also infant CPR. We are by no means certified but have received valuable information about how to handle emergency situations for an infant. I've had CPR training and certifications previously but that was long time back so it was good to get a refresher.

There were so many eye openers for us today including how to "Baby Proof" your home! Chhimi started baby proofing the house already with the plastic outlet covers but found out that it may not be enough since toddlers can easily pull it out.

We also learned that candles and BBQ lighters (yes, even the child safe ones) may not be safe! We heard it through one of the firemen that was also attending the class with his expecting wife. Sigh! So much to do...so much responsibility! It is now all sinking in...and only 38 more days to go!!

Daddy: Responsibility - you didn't tell me that was involved. All you told me was AB/AG+5MF+9MP=ABC. Damn Responsibility!! What's That!

Stuff we have to look forward to -- in a few years!