Week 31 and Happy New Year's Eve!

Week 31: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Happy New Year's eve Belle,

2009 is definitely going to be a big year for all of us! It will be a start to a new chapter in Mommy, Daddy and Zoë's book called "Life" with you as a new addition to our little family.

Yesterday, we received your carseat! This is a gift from your 爺爺 and 奶奶. It looks sooo good and Daddy was trying to figure out how to install it. We will take it in to the local Fire Hall so they can help us make sure it is installed correctly. Can't wait to put you in it!


Love, Mom

Last Doctor's Appointment of the Year

Hi Isabelle!

We went to see our baby doctor today for our usual check-up. And as always, everything is going according to plan. The doctor was very happy with Mommy this week because we put on 4 lbs since our last appointment 2 weeks ago...so now we weigh in at 128 lbs! You had a strong heartbeat at 157 beats/min as well.

After our appointment, Daddy treated Mommy to a manicure and pedicure (shhhh...don't tell anyone but Daddy got one for himself too...heehee) since Mommy is unable to bend over to paint our own toes anymore!

Love, Mom

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Jingle Belle!

It is Christmas today and we had such a great time! We started out the day by going to Christmas morning mass with Grandma and then went to Daddy's hotel for brunch. And WOW, are we stuffed! Daddy prepared such a decadent meal for us. We had 6 courses and they were all soooo good! Our favorite was the foie gras with shaved truffles and wagu beef...yum! Hopefully you'll grow up to love foie gras as much as Mommy does...

Here we are all satisfied and contented after our meal!

And yesterday, Grandma watched the documentary "The Business of Being Born" with us because we are too chicken to watch it ourselves. It was such a eye-opening documentary. It made Mommy think more about how I want to bring you into the world. We hope and pray for strength and a safe delivery! Since hitting our 30th week, your arrival has been on Mommy's mind more and more now. The countdown begins!

Love, Mom

30-Week Mark!

Week 30: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

Hey Jingle Belle,

It's Christmas eve and you turn 30 weeks today! Your Grandma also made it to LA safe and sound...we are elated because she is going to be cooking us some yummy food while she is here visiting. YAY! We get to eat Mommy's favorite, Penang Laksa...yum!

Also, yesterday we went to Daddy's work Christmas party...did you feel lots of hands patting you? Everyone wanted to rub our belly to say hi to you. We had lots of salad, turkey, roast beef and desserts! After the party, we went to the airport to pick your Grandma up.

Can't wait till next Christmas when you will be crawling around the house!

Love, Mom

P/S: Mommy thinks she felt you hiccupping yesterday...what a weird feeling!

Babymoon #2

Hey Izzyboo,

Daddy took us on our 2nd babymoon this weekend. We are trying to cram as much couple time as we can before your grand arrival! This time we took Zoë with us too! We went to this quaint and peaceful town called Cambria and stayed at Cambria Shores Inn. The scenery there was absolutely breathtaking and both of us had some quiet time and R&R away from crazy LA.
Zoë had a great time too...she was treated like a princess at the B&B and the innkeeper loved her. She was greeted with her own welcome basket! We walked down the boardwalk and also went into town.

On our way home, we stopped by our favorite seafood place, Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and had crabs...YUM! Then we drove to Here's the Scoop for some gelato! We also stopped by the outlet stores and got us a really pretty diaper bag! Can't wait to use it when you come.

It was a fun-filled weekend...and now Christmas is just around the corner! Hope your Grandma can make it to LA for her short visit with us.

Love, Mom

While you were on your babymoon....

Hi Isabelle,

While you were on your second babymoon with your mommy and daddy, this was going on in Vancouver where your Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie lives...



Hopefully the snow will stop on Tuesday, Dec 23, when Grandma is supposed to fly to LA to spend Christmas with you and your parents. But it looks like Grandpa and I will have a White Christmas this year! One day, you'll get a chance to spend a White Christmas with us too!

xoxo,
Auntie Danielle

Belle—the Master Contortionist

Hey Cheeky Monkey!

You are a master contortionist! Do you know what that means? It means you can bend your body like no other!

Mommy and Daddy went in for a 3/4D ultrasound last night and you definitely made the technician WORK! You had both hands over your face and your feet were up around your little face too! At one point, you were sucking on your toes! He couldn't get a good photo of you. He even made us walk up and down the hallway 10 times to try to get you to move...but you were all balled up. Daddy was disappointed because he soooo very wanted to see how you looked like!

We only got ONE ok photo where we could see one eye and your little nose (which looks like Daddy's nose!). Maybe we'll make another appointment to try to get another peek at you. If we do, please try to cooperate OK, little monkey?


Love, Mom

Another Baby Doctor Visit

Good morning Belle!

We just got back from the baby doctor and are very happy with our progress! Mommy gained another 5 lbs and the doctor is happy. So we now stand at 124 lbs! We heard your heartbeat again, very strong at 150 beats/min. Mommy managed to record it this time for Daddy (and your grand parents too!) to listen to because he couldn't make it to our appointment today.

BelleHB_12.15.08.mp3 -

Mommy asked why she is feeling some subtle "pins and needles" under her breast bone and the doctor checked and said that you were the delivery position (head-down) now and most probably the sensation is from you resting your feet up against Mommy's ribs! Yikes...when you grow bigger, please don't start kicking Mommy in the ribs, OK?

From now on, our appointment schedule is once every 2 weeks instead of 4...we are getting closer and closer to meeting each other. YAY!

Love, Mom

Jingle Belle, Jingle Belle...

Hey there my little jingle Belle!

Mommy is finally ready for Christmas! We cleaned up the house, put up the Christmas decorations and were singing to Christmas carols today...you absolutely LOVED it...totally dancing in Mommy's belly! This will be Mommy and Daddy's last Christmas as a couple...next year, you will be here to join us! How exciting!

All Mommy wants for Christmas is a little jingle Belle!

Love, Mom

The Start of our 3rd and Final Trimester

Week 28: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Hi Izzyboo!

We are in our 28th week today...and it's our third and final trimester. We are in the home stretch! And wow, are we ever growing! Mommy had to take out her belly ring because it is finally feels like it is stretching our skin. Our belly is getting itchy too! Mommy is trying her best not to scratch but it is very hard when I am unconsciously doing it in my sleep!

Daddy has started getting ready for your grand arrival by getting us a new car. We now have to get your carseat. Daddy says this car is really safe and smooth for you to ride in it...it's been a week now, and Mommy absolutely agrees! We even feel safe driving down the crazy LA freeways...usually we don't like driving on them.

Anyway, we have scheduled a 3/4D ultrasound next week so we can take a little peek at you...we haven't seen you in such a long time. We want to see how you have grown and they say that we can even see clear feature details! Mommy and Daddy can hardly wait for that appointment!

Till then....

Love, Mom

Redecoration Underway!

Dear Baby Belle,

Mommy and Daddy have been busy moving furniture and cleaning up the apartment to make space for your grand arrival! We have decided to stay put for now so you will be sleeping in our room for a while. Mommy cleaned out her closet and made a little corner for you. I put up some of the stuff that we have accumulated for you...there's still a lot more but this is a start! Look at how much you are loved already, Belle! A lot of these are from friends and family who cannot wait to meet you!



We can't wait till we get everything all nicely set up for you. We will be getting your crib and changing table soon!

Love, Mom

Maternity Belt

Dear Belle,

Mommy bought a maternity belt to help her with her aching back since you are getting bigger and bigger each day but you don't seem to like it very much. When mommy puts it on, you kick kick kick where the belt supports mommy's belly. Do you feel constricted or something? Mommy really needs it because my spine is not able to hold the big belly up for a long time anymore!

Be nice to mommy please!

Love, Mom

Mommy got herself a Wii Fit!

Hi Belle!

Mommy just got herself a Wii Fit so she can motivate herself to be a little bit more active while at home. We know the doctor told us not to do any exercises so we can continue to gain weight but Mommy felt she needed some motivation to do some yoga stretches as our back has been killing us lately!

It seems pretty fun except the Wii Fit keeps on telling Mommy her center of gravity is off and she should work more on her balance. How can we when we are carrying something the size of a little watermelon in our belly?!?!

Love, Mom

Mommy is slightly anemic

Hi Belle,

The baby doctor called yesterday to let us know that our glucose test came back normal, however, mommy is slightly anemic. So she prescribed us SlowFE to up our iron levels. She says that this is quite common during pregnancy and nothing to be worried about. We will have to eat foods with higher iron content like, green leafy vegetables and red meat. So Daddy is going to make us eat more steak now!

Love, Mom

25th Week and Doctor's Appointment

Week 25: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Hello Isabelle!

Mommy and Daddy went to the baby doctor again today for our usual check-up. We both did well on our trip back to Vancouver! We gained a whopping 3 lbs that week. That brings Mommy's weight up to 119 lbs. The doctor measured our belly and you are growing well! She suggested a maternity belt as Mommy's belly is getting HUGE!

We also got to hear your heartbeat again today. First the doctor put the doppler to Mommy's left side and said that your heartbeat was very faint. But then, she moved it to the right side and she had to turn the volume down! I guess you have a favorite side you like to lounge in.

Mommy also did her glucose test today...yikes, another 2 viles of blood were taken from my vein. We had to drink a nasty beverage that tasted like flat orange pop. Hope our results come back normal!

That's all for today! Oh, one little request, Isabelle...please stop using Mommy's bladder as your trampoline!

Love, Mom

23 Weeks Today

Week 23: Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Hello Baby Belle,

We are in our 23rd week today...how time flies! You have been very active lately...always dancing in Mommy's belly! And sometimes it is quite violent and Mommy can see her belly moving! No worries, Belle...Mommy loves feeling you squirm around in there...that way, we know that everything is going well!

Daddy is always asking Zoë to "speak" so you get used to her bark. And when Daddy talks to you in Mommy's belly, Zoë looks confused (like she is in the pic). It's really funny!

We hope to make some decisions about our future soon...you may have your own nursery! Mommy and Daddy are in the process of figuring out if we should move into a bigger place or not. We should know pretty soon, then we can start buying your baby furniture!

At the end of the week, we are going back to Vancouver to visit Grandma, Grandpa and your Auntie D...can't wait. YAY! You'll get a taste of Singapore food, the food that Mommy grew up on.

Love, Mom

Finally, the GLOW!

Hey "Belle"y boop,

At last, you are giving Mommy the "glow". Mommy finally looks pregnant now. Today in the elevator at work, a lady asked Mommy if she was pregnant and said that we have the beautiful baby "glow"! Yay...it's about time, coz Mommy has just been feeling pretty "blah" and bloated until now!

Continue being nice to Mommy now!

Love, Mom

Happy Halloween Belly!

Hi Isabelle!

Today is Halloween! Next year you get to celebrate your first one and Mommy already has a lot of ideas on what to dress you up as.

Since you are still in Mommy's belly this year, we decided to dress up the belly for Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Love, Mom

Braxton Hicks contractions!

Dear Isabelle,

It's almost week 22 and Mommy is already experiencing signs of Braxton Hicks contractions. Occasionally, all of a sudden, Mommy's belly becomes very hard and tensed up. It usually happens after all your movements and somersaults you are doing in there.

Daddy felt it for the first time too last night. He had his hand on Mommy's belly and all of a sudden, it became all hard!

Don't worry, it doesn't really hurt Mommy yet, just a little bit uncomfortable. We usually just lay still for a while and it goes away. This is just preparing us for your grand debut!

Love, Mom

Your First Etnies

Hi Isabelle,

It's me, Auntie Danielle! I just wanted to post a photo of another pair of shoes I bought for you. This time, they are ETNIES infant shoes with pink and blue polka dots and velcro false laces for easy wearing from the SPRING 09 collection. So by the time you are born, these shoes would've just HIT the shelves! But you get them earlier because I work for the sales agency. You'll definitely be reaping a lot of the benefits of my work. Trust me. I will be your SHOE provider. You will never NOT have enough shoes to wear, I promise you!

OK, that is all...till the next pair of shoes I buy for you! LOL!

xoxo,
Auntie D

21-Week Check-up

Dear Isabelle,

Mommy and Daddy went to the baby doctor today for another check-up. You are healthy and growing. Your heartbeat today is about 140 beats/min.

Mommy weighs 114 lbs today...we gained a whole lb a week! The doctor says our weight gain should speed up from here and that we are looking fine.

Both Mommy and Daddy got our flu shots today too! Mommy got one so we both don't get sick. Daddy got one for moral support and also so he won't get us sick!

Love, Mom

Cheeky Little Monkey!

Dear Isabelle,

Kick, kick, kick! You've been kicking Mommy non-stop lately. Especially when Mommy plays Little Einstein for you at night. You must be dancing in Mommy's belly! Will you be a little princess ballerina? And you are sooo cheeky, when Mommy tells Daddy to put his hand on Mommy's belly, you stop kicking immediately. Then when his hand is not there, you start your dancing again!

You are one cheeky little monkey!

Love, Mom

Happy 20th Week!

Week 20: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana.

Dear Isabelle,

Yes, that's your name! Your full name is Isabelle Alexis Chen. Daddy says it is about time we call you by your name (Have you heard Daddy lately? He's been talking to you!) and Mommy thought why not celebrate our 20th week with your beautiful name! Your paternal grandparents will be picking out a Chinese name for you, so you know your roots and where you came from.

Happy 20th week! Mommy can't believe that we are halfway there now...time really flies. Before you know it, we will be meeting each other for the very first time!

You have been a very good girl...Mommy has been feeling great lately, more hungry than usual, that means you are growing! Next week we go back for our next appointment with the doctor to track your growth. Can't wait to hear your heatbeat again!

Love, Mom

The start of your shoe collection

Hi Peanut!

This is your Auntie Danielle writing! I just wanted to post the photo of the shoes that I bought for you from Joe Fresh. They are a pair of Mary-Jane's with ankle straps, in a sweet pink tweed material. I hope you like them!

xoxo,
Auntie D

Princess Peanut's First Movie

Daddy shot your first movie! It's the ultrasound session when we found out your gender. You are 18w5d today. Mommy cannot help but watch it over and over again.

Your Auntie Jen saw you sucking your thumb in the video (from 0:07 to 0:30 sec)...she has such sharp eyes!

I can't wait to meet you!

Love, Mom

And the Peanut is a ...

... PRINCESS!!!


Finally, Daddy got his wish for a little princess to spoil! We are both so happy and excited! Mommy is so happy that she will be able to hand down all her purses and shoes to you. You are going to be a mini fashionista!


Look at those cute little feet...perfect for inheriting Mommy's Christian Louboutins! We are going to start you an awesome shoe collection!

Love, Mom

Peanuts Popping Like Popcorn!

Hi Peanut!

Mommy finally felt your little kick! I have only been feeling swishes but this morning when Mommy had her hand on her belly, you gave two big kicks and Mommy felt it! It kind of felt like 2 kernels of popcorn went off in my belly.

Feels like you are growing big and strong!

Love, Mom

Pink or Blue??

Dear Peanut,

Daddy and Mommy can't wait till Monday to find out! We are sooo excited. Are you going to be a baby boy or baby girl? We shall see!

After we find out, we can start doing some shopping...Mommy's favorite past time!

See you on, Monday!

Love, Mom

A Peanut Onesie!

Dear Peanut,

Mommy found another cute little onesie for you! I can't stop shopping! It's the Peanut Organic Cotton Bodysuit and Leggings Outfit by Kee-Ka. It consists of a two-piece top and bottom set. 100% certified organic cotton natural color top has an adorable picture of a peanut with a “Peanut” caption.

You will look soooo adorable in it!

Love, Mom

17-week-old Peanut

Week 17: Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Dear Peanut,

Look at how much you have grown! Mommy's waist is now about 32"...we can almost fit in Daddy's jeans!

Love, Mom

5-Year Wedding Anniversary and 17-Week Check-up

Dear Peanut,

Today is a great day!! It is not only our appointment day but also Mommy and Daddy's 5-year wedding anniversary. And the best gift we could ever get is to listen to your super strong heartbeat!

You are 17w1d old today. The doctor pulled out the doppler and found you right away! You have a very strong heartbeat, around 150-160 beats/min. Daddy was bopping his head to the rhythm of your beats and Mommy was just mesmerized.

Mommy weighs 110 lb today! We gained 1 lbs and it's all belly! The doctor says you are growing well and told Daddy not to worry about Mommy's weight. Yippeee...that means we can eat MORE food...YUM!

We scheduled your gender ultrasound for October 6. Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to find out if you are a little boy or girl.

Till then, keep on growing!

Love, Mom

Juicy Baby

Hi Peanut!

Mommy got the cutest little onesies for you! It's from Juicy Couture...since it is one of Mommy's favorite lounging around brand, I thought, why not for peanut too! They are white and made from the softest cotton. There is a little scottie puppy crest on the chest in addition to the words "Juicy Baby".

Can't wait to put you in them.

Love, Mom

Peanut's Butter

Hi Peanut!

Daddy bought you your first puppy yesterday. He's so cute. Mommy named him Butter for you because he is the color of sweet creamy butter! Butter has velvety-soft fur, floppy ears, beanbag paws and a big puppy nose. It was puppy love at first sight! Your sister, Zoë, has been eyeing him. I think she thinks Daddy got her a new friend. Don't worry though, we are keeping him safe till your arrival!

Can't wait to give Butter to you...you guys are going to be great friends!

Love, Mom

Baby Einstein Lullabies

Week 16: Tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower). In fact, studies have found that babies who are sung to while they're in the womb recognize the same tune when it's sung to them after they are born (so choose your baby Muzak with that in mind…).

Dear Peanut,

Mommy is going to start playing you Baby Einstein lullabies this week! I am so excited that you are starting to hear! Mommy went to buy some headphones this weekend (so it fits over Mommy's belly) and will be loading Daddy's iPod shuffle with the music. Daddy says Mommy should load some Chinese music on it too...but nah, I think you would rather listen to Baby Einstein!

Have fun!

Love, Mom

Swirls and Swishes

Is that you, Peanut?

Mommy has been feeling some swirls and swishes in her belly. It feels like someone is taking a paintbrush and painting her insides. It tickles! Sometimes, Mom catches herself with a big smile after she has that feeling...it is so good to finally feel you! I can't wait till I feel your bigger movements, like your kicks and taps.

Love, Mom

The Peanut has POPPED! (14 weeks)

Look Peanut!

You just popped out of Mommy's belly! It seems like this just happened overnight. Last week when Mommy and Daddy were on our babymoon, Mommy could still hide her impending baby bump. But it doesn't seem like that anymore!

Must be all the yummy food Daddy's been feeding us. Keep on growing, Peanut!

Love, Mom

Your First Gift to Daddy

Dear Peanut,

Mommy helped you pick out your first gift for Daddy! We got him this book to help him prepare for your grand arrival. It's called "The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-be".

Dad has been studying this book on our babymoon. He's almost done now. He can't wait to meet you!

Love, Mom

Your First Vacation–A Babymoon!

Dear Peanut,

We will be taking you on your first vacation! Daddy and Mommy are taking a babymoon to the Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico. We leave tomorrow and are gone for 5 days! Although you won't be able to see anything, we will make sure we take lots of photos for you!

Daddy is taking us on a fishing trip and we also have some massages booked for us. Mommy got the Mommy-to-be package...can't wait!

Hope you cooperate and not make Mommy sick the next few days!

Love, Mom

Your fur sister

Dear Peanut,

Do you sometimes feel like someone is using Mommy's belly as a trampoline? If you do, that would be your fur sister. Her name is Zoë and she is a Yorkshire Terror. She will be almost 7 when you get to meet her. Zoë likes to bounce on Mommy's belly, especially when we are riding in the car.

Zoë still doesn't really get what is going on. She knows that there is something different with Mommy but she can't figure it out. But she has been a really good girl though. She is always by Mommy's side on the weekends when Mommy is glued to the couch. She used to sleep in the bedroom by herself but lately, she's been tucked into Mom's chest while we lay on the couch to watch movies.

When you meet Zoë, you might think she looks a little different from the photo because I think we are going to give Zoë a puppy cut. She has really long and beautiful hair but as you grow in mommy's belly, it will be very difficult for me to give Zoë her spa day every weekend. So, for everyone's sake, Mommy thinks the next time we see the groomer, we will give Zoë a new do!

I think the both of you will get along very well because Zoë loves kids, they taste great (but not in that way!).

Love, Mom

2nd Pre-Natal Appointment

Dear Peanut,

We are back at the doctor's today. You are 12w 2d old (August 22, 2008). We are here for our regular pre-natal check up and also to hear your little heartbeat.

Mommy weighs 109 lbs today...no weight gain. Her appetite hasn't really come back yet, maybe that's why.

So the doctor comes in and uses the doppler to try to listen to your heartbeat. Both mommy and daddy wanted to record it on our phones so we can send it to your grandparents to hear. But you are again so active, the doctor can barely catch 5 seconds of your heartbeat. Every time she finds it, she loses it again. She says she can hear you swirling and somersaulting around. Peanut, Mommy's belly is not your playground OK? Well, I guess you better enjoy it while you can because before long, you are going to get so big, you won't be able to swim around that freely anymore.

So we left without getting our recording. Oh well, maybe next time! We get to visit you again in about a month.

Don't stop growing!

Love, Mom

We have an Olympic swimmer in Mommy's belly!

Dear Peanut,

You are 12w 1d old today (August 21, 2008) and we went in for our 1st Trimester Screening test. It is a test for down syndrome and genetic disorders. Mom and Dad didn't think of it that way though, the way we saw it was just another opportunity for us to take a little peek at you!

Before the appointment, Mommy had a half a muffin and some chocolate milk. I guess all that sugar got to you because you could not stay still for the ultrasound tech to take her pictures. We were in the room for about 1/2 and hour and saw you swimming around and doing somersaults in mommy's belly. The tech was telling us that you will be a handful when you come! I think it is also because you are Daddy's baby...I say this because Dad is exactly like that, he cannot sit still even if his life depended on it! Dad says you might be an Olympic swimmer, a music conductor (because your hands were everywhere) or a great chef like Daddy!

Just for fun, we asked the tech to guess if you were a boy or a girl and she said if she really had to guess, she would say you were a baby boy! Daddy had the same feeling too because he said he thinks he saw your pee pee. We'll see if they are right at your next ultrasound!

After all the measurements and poking around, the tech gave us your second set of pictures. You are growing so fast! You not only doubled in size, we can see very recognizable features now. How cute!


I showed your pictures to Uncle Dan, and he said you have the very familiar Chen's head. Don't worry about Uncle Dan...he is only playing!

Tomorrow we go in for our 2nd pre-natal appointment!

Love, Mom

Fire Drill day at work

Dear Peanut,

At the beginning of the week (August 3, 2009), Mommy got an email alerting her of a fire drill that all employees of the building had to participate in. This is bad news because she is still not feeling well! We were expected to go down 8 flights of spirally stairs and Mom knew she would not be able to make it down the stairs without either passing out or throwing up!

So on the day of the drill (August 6), she went to her fire warden to let her know the situation and instead of having to go down those stairs, we waited in the stairwell until everyone had gone down and we could go back to our desks.

We almost had to let the peanut out of the shell because a couple of people were asking us why we were not downstairs when they did the roll call!

But the secret is still safe!

Love, Mom

I guess you call this Morning Sickness?

Dear Peanut,

Mommy always thought morning sickness meant throwing up in the morning. But Mommy's morning sickness did not consist of any kind of throwing up, which is good. Mommy just feels like she has a major hangover all day (not that you should know how a hangover feels like!) and a lack of appetite. This week (week of August 3, 2008) it hit Mommy hard. There were a couple of days when Mom had to bring some of her fruit/snack/lunch home.

And not eating is soooo not like your Mommy. She LOVES to eat! She actually lives to eat and not eat to live (a good thing she married your Daddy!). So Mom has been a little depressed lately. Not only she can't eat, the tiredness has hit her once again. Every day when she gets home from work, she tells herself that she should start working out. But once she hits the couch, she's out like a light bulb until Dad calls her for a ride home.

Mom has been doing a lot of reading and she read that this week (9th week), mommy's body is still developing the placenta for you. So until the placenta is fully developed, mommy's workout routine will be placed on hold.

Love, Mom

Subway and McDonald's run

Dear Peanut,

Are you already becoming junk food junkie??? Mommy is asking because she cannot remember the last time she had a meatball sub and a hot fudge sundae.

One evening, after picking Dad up from work, mommy suddenly had an instant craving for a meatball sub topped with spicy pickled jalepnenos and a hot fudge sundae for dessert. Dad just looked at mom all perplexed when she told him of her craving. I think in our 12 years of being together, Dad has only seen Mom have a subway sandwich maybe twice. But nonetheless, Dad figures that a pregnant woman's cravings MUST be satisfied so we drove to the nearest Subway to get the sandwich and then to McDonalds for the sundae.

We got to Subway and found out that they were out of meatballs!! URGH!!!! We NEEDED the meatball sub! Dad told us to chill out, we went to get the sundae first as it was right beside Subway and then we drove to another Subway to get the sub. Luckily the next subway had meatballs!

When we got home, we pigged out on the sandwich and inhaled the sundae...yummmm... After that day, we haven't had a craving for a subway sandwich ever since.

You are definitely turning mommy's tummy upside down!

Love, Mom

A Construction Worker's Lunch Bag

Dear Peanut,

Daddy has been packing us our lunch to take to work everyday. He also makes us eat breakfast in the morning before we head out so we can take our pre-natal vitamins because when mommy takes that on an empty stomach, you don't like it very much, I think.

So breakfast we usually try to eat 1 soft boiled egg, french toast or some cereal and a glass of chocolate milk. Then the vitamin goes down smoothly.

You should see the lunch that Dad packs us! People at work think Mom's a construction worker! Our lunch usually consists of a portion of fruit, a snack (like chips and salsa coz mom's craving sour and spicy right now) and a regular portion of lunch (like last night's leftovers). Mom is grazing on food all day...sometimes she feels like a cow!

But knowing that you are growing into a strong and healthy baby is all worth it!

Love, Mom

Lil peanut,

I have been very good to you and your mom since we found out, I only feed you the best. I make sure I visit the farmer's market once a week to buy Harry's berries strawberries, white peaches, high omega 3 eggs and all sort of fruits and vegetables. If I cannot make it, Uncle Dan aka God pa usually will be responsible to purchase the "goods" also. He is dying to teach you how to drive stick shift because your old man is just not capable. I will try to make it to all of your doctor's appointments, excited to meet you. I will read you my favorite recipes from all of the great chefs of our time, hope you don't mind. As soon as we know if you are a boy or a girl, we will not be calling you little peanut anymore. Mom and I have your name picked out already, grandpa and grandma are picking out your Chinese name.

Say "CHEESE!!!"

Dear Peanut,

Today (July 22, 2008) is our first pre-natal appointment, also the day for your first picture! Yippe...mom and dad are soooo excited to finally see you growing in mommy's belly. You are 7w 6d old today. We got to hear your heartbeat, which was a very strong and fast one at 134 beats/minute. You are one strong peanut!


After seeing you and getting a picture of you. Mommy had to endure needles again...URGH! This time, the nurse had to take about 4 vials of blood. Mommy almost passed out but I guess she better get used to getting pricked and prodded. Sometimes she feels like a science experiment!

Mommy weighs 109 lbs today, she lost 2 lbs from not eating those couple of days.

Anyway, the appointment went really well and your estimated due date is on March 4, 2009. That's 2 days after Daddy's birthday! Yay, Mommy won't have to buy Dad a birthday present next year. The next time we get to see you would be in about a month!

Keep on growing, our little peanut!

P/S: I guess by this time you are wondering why we keep on calling you "Peanut". Since we don't know whether you are a little boy or a little girl (although Daddy thinks you are a little boy because he says mommy is growing a moustache–so mean!), and on the ultrasound, you look like a little peanut, the name just stuck. Hope you don't mind!

Love, Mom

The Couch is Mommy's Best Friend

Dear Peanut,

You are about 6 weeks old now (week of July 13–Auntie Danny's bday!) and growing you in mommy's belly is very hard work! Mommy is constantly tired and the couch is mommy's best friend right now.

Mommy is also very sensitive to strong smells and tastes. When you meet Daddy, you will find out that he is a great chef and cooks lots of yummy things. But this week, mommy's stomach could not take anything that Dad wanted to cook. But your Dad has been very patient with us, he made us lots of soups and congees...the only food that we will eat right now.

Keep on growing, little Peanut!

Love, Mom

The Confirmation at the Doctor's

Dear Peanut,

So our appointment with the doctor for mommy's blood test was on July 1, 2008. You don't know how much mommy HATES needles! But for you, I'll do anything. So everything went as planned and you were confirmed to be making a home in mommy's belly for the next 9 months!

Mommy weighs 111 lbs today, she gained 1 lb!

We were so excited and called both sides of your grandparents that evening to share our good news! Auntie Danny said she had a hunch all along because mommy has been really stressed out lately...hahaha. We all can't wait to meet you!

Love, Mom

Big FAT Positive!!

Dear Peanut,

Mommy will not lie to you, but when she found out you were coming after taking the home pregnancy test, she was freaking out!

It was an early Monday morning on June 30, 2008, before getting ready to go to work, she decided to take a home pregnancy test. Within 15 seconds of taking the test, 2 pink lines appeared...YIKES!!!! Is this for real???

She then sat on the "throne" for 5 mins to gather her thoughts. Were we ready for this??? Mommy was doubting herself. She then went into the bedroom and pulled your Dad out of bed. "Honey, I have something to show you." She couldn't say ANYTHING else, as she was all choked up.

Dad walked into the bathroom with Mom and took a look at the stick. Once he broke into a big smile, Mommy knew everything would be OK. All he said to mommy was, "Now you have to stop shopping!" Mommy then started bawling...but it was happy tears (I promise!).

Once mom got to work, she quickly made an appointment with her doctor to confirm that you were really here with a blood test.

That evening when mommy got home, she took another home pregnancy test and those 2 lines appeared faster than you could say "Peanut"! So I guess all this is real and you are really growing in mommy's belly!

Till our doctor's appointment!

Love, Mom

Since the cat's out of the bag...

...or should I say, the peanut's out of the shell? I thought I should start to chronicle the beginnings of baby peanut Chen! This blog is dedicated to you, our new addition. Your future dad and mom are so happy and excited to meet you! Let's start from the beginning, shall we?