First Day Home and Introductions!

Dear Isabelle,

You are finally home with us! It feels so good to be home. We introduce your fur sister to you. Zoë is sooo gentle...she approach the carseat very slowly and gently. She also kissed you behind your ear and you squirmed...hahahah...so cute and we see a little smile across your face.

You did very well that night! Slept through the night with no crying and only waking up for feedings. Mommy and Daddy are still trying to get the hang of taking care of you...we are learning. We learn that if you cry, we better figure out what is bothering you NOW or in 2 minutes, you will go into full blown SCREAMING fit! Give us a chance, Isabelle!

Love, Mom

Hospital Experience & Recovery

After being in the Recovery Room for a couple of hours, I was wheeled into the post partum section of Labor and Delivery. Apparently, February 24th was a very busy day at post partum because all the regular rooms were filled up. So we were upgraded to one of the Deluxe rooms! It was a little bigger than the regular room and more comfortable for Alex and I. I was put on an IV drip for the next 2 days.

We had sooo many flowers delivered, gifts and visitors! Dan and Micah came the evening of the first day. Although I know I looked like hell, but I was happily welcoming visitors to break up my mundane day. Audeline and Connie came on Wednesday afternoon during lunch and Chef came in the evening. He brought Isabelle the most beautiful gift of Dior! I am a little scared because he is starting her off on the wrong foot! Her daddy now has to work extra hard to buy her all the luxuries. Janet also came to visit on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. She had a good time playing with Isabelle! She also helped doggysit Zoë for us, which we are very appreciative of as I am paranoid of doggy kennels.

Isabelle did not leave our room the whole entire time...if she needed to leave for tests etc, Daddy would follow her. He kept a very watchful eye on her. The protectiveness has already started! She was very good during her stay at the hospital. We started breastfeeding in the recovery room and it seems she is a natural at it. It was Mommy who had a lot to learn! Our nurses and helpers who tended to us were all super nice! They made our stay very pleasant. The food of course wasn't good...but Dan made us a filet mignon take out on Thursday! I was starving as I was on a clear liquid diet for the whole of Tuesday and half of Wednesday.

Although our stay at the hospital was a pleasant one, I couldn't wait to get home so after Dr. Bhadauria and Dr. Lee checked us and Dr. Pang checked Isabelle, we were deemed healthy and was able to get discharged on Thursday evening. I was admitted to the hospital at around 4:30 am, Tuesday, February 24 and discharged at around 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 26. That's not bad for a emergency c-section patient!

I was quite uncomfortable for the first few being home due to soreness and bruising around the incision site but have been slowly recovering and feeling better and better each day! It's good to be home and to be eating home cooking by Daddy.

Fast Forward >>>> Isabelle Alexis' Birth Story

The little drama queen been breeched since 36 weeks. I've done EVERYTHING to get her to flip but to no avail. Anyways, we scheduled a c-section for Monday, Mar. 2 and on Monday, Feb. 23, we had an OB appointment to discuss the c-section. Everything went well that morning, we went in, spoke with my OB, she assured me of everything and addressed all my concerns. She checked me and said, "oh your cervix is still nice and closed...so we'll see you one last time on Friday, Feb. 27 and then if she hasn't turned yet, the c-section is a go-ahead."

So after the appointment...the day went ahead as normal. Alex and I went to the farmer's market, went for lunch and did some grocery shopping at 99 Ranch market.

That night at 3:30 am, I woke up to some stomach pains...and I had to use the bathroom so I attributed the pains to that. After I went to the bathroom, the pains still did not go away. At 4 am, I couldn't talk through the pains anymore and I told Alex that we needed to head to the hospital. He was thinking it was false labor and was dilly-dallying when I asked him to time my contractions. We got to the hospital at 4:35 am. While they were wheeling me into the active labor room, my water broke. Then once in the room, they tried to check how much I was dialated and when they did, I was already fully dialated and unconsciously pushing. Alex said he saw little feet coming out. I finally yelled out that Isabelle was breech (I was in sooo much pain before to say anything) and they immediately went into full emergency mode. I was quickly wheeled into the ER.

They didn't have time to put an epidural in me so I was totally knocked out on general anesthetic. They locked Alex out of the ER because it was not a regular c-section. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced! But I was lucky that Cedars had the Chief of Inpatient Obstetrics, Dr. Matthew Kim, on staff that night. He immediately determined it was a footling breech situation and delivered Belle. At 4:53 am, Alex heard a loud cry from the OR and was relieved. They then finally let him in and took him to the baby warmer/clean-up area and he got to see the little Isabelle and cut her cord.

Isabelle was born on February 24, 2009 at 4:53 am. She weighs 5lbs 14ozs and is 18 1/2 inches long.

I was sooo scared for my little Isabelle...but am so glad everything went well. My labor in total lasted for about 2.5 hours! It was an intense 2.5 hours! I swear, if the she wasn't breech, I would have pushed her out in 10 mins without any drugs because they would have had no time to give me any!

I found out that when a baby is breeched, contractions are more intense because the mother is supposed to curb her pushing and let the contractions work to birth the baby...that's the only safe way to birth a breech baby...but seriously, when I had the urge to push, nothing could stop me except just pushing!

Anyway, she is now quietly sleeping in my arms while I type up her birth story...she's so worth everything I went through! This is why I call her my drama queen!

Happy Birthday, Isabelle!!

The Countdown...Day 7

Dear Belle,

We are counting down the days till we finally meet you! Today is day 7 which is also Mommy's 1st day of maternity leave.

We went to see the baby doctor today and did another ultrasound. Your position is still the same. We also had another non-stress test and talked with our doctor about our c-section procedure. She addressed all our concerns and we are feeling less anxious about it now. We are experiencing some irregular contractions and minor cramping but everything else seems to be on track! I think you are also getting ready for the big day!

Love, Mom

Knowing Your Roots

Dear Izzyboo,

To make sure you know your roots, we have enlisted your 爺爺 and 奶奶 to help pick out a chinese name for you. 爺爺 picked out a beautiful name—Chen Si Ling (曾思铃). Si (思) means to ponder, to think, and Ling (铃) means bell. So I guess your name will mean "pondering bell"...will you be a great philosopher when you grow up?

Mommy and Daddy absolutely love this name as it totally suits you! Maybe we can also call you "Ling Ling" for short! Your full name will be Isabelle Alexis Si Ling Chen.

Love, Mom

Your Big Day

Dear Isabelle,

So in deliberation with the doctor, we have decided to schedule a c-section date for your grand arrival. The doctor says that there is a 50/50 chance that you still might turn to the engaged position. However, it would be better for us to schedule something just in case you don't. Mommy wants to bake you in me for as long as I can so I asked the doctor to schedule the surgery as late as possible. The doctor came up with March 2, 2009 at 9:30 am. So I guess, if you don't do the flip, we will have you in our arms on that day!

Another reason why that day is sooo very special...it's also your Daddy's birthday! He will turn 33 this year and you will be my birthday present to him. YAY! You just helped Mommy save some money...what a good little girl you are!

Now we just hope you co-operate and stay in Mommy's belly till the 2nd!

Love, Mom

Baby Care Package from Vancouver!

You are already getting spoiled, Belle!

Your Uncles and Aunties from Vancouver sent over a wonderful care package full of cute outfits for you. We also got a couple of bibs, lots of wash cloths, brush and comb set and a baby manual! We are sooo thankful to them for all their love and support! Mommy cannot wait to take you back to Vancouver to meet all of them.

Love, Mom

Surprise Baby Shower!

Hi Isabelle!

Mommy works with the most amazing team of people! We were just surprised with an awesome Hello Kitty themed baby shower. Our art director, Kimberly, lured us into the boardroom by saying she wanted to speak to Mommy in regards to the jobs we have been doing and we took the bait. We were totally shocked when she opened the door to the boardroom and everyone from the Production and Art department was there!

There were lots of goodies to eat and we were presented with the cutest Hello Kitty card that our colleague, Andrew, created. There was also a very generous gift in the card!

Mommy is going to miss coming into work everyday and going about her work routine. But I also cannot wait to see how your arrival will change my life!

Love, Mom

Week 38

Week 38: Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

Baby Belle,

We are almost there! You probably won't weigh more than 7 lbs when you are born because you are going to be a little tiny thing! And your eyes will be brown and stay brown.

So anyway, we went in for our weekly baby doctor check-up yesterday. We had another non-stress test (NST) and ultrasound. You were asleep during the NST and so your heartbeat was only measuring at around 130 beats/min. After about 15 mins, the nurse decided that you she should wake you up and brought in a mini zapper and zapped you in the legs with it! Your heartbeat immediately jumped to 160+ beats/min! Sorry, Mommy didn't know what was happening when she brought in that apparatus. I would not have let her done that to you...I know you were a little shocked because I could feel you jump in my belly!

And we also had an ultrasound to see what position you were in. You are still breeched! Oh well, I guess you are teaching Mommy that she cannot control everything in her life and sometimes she just has to let go of things and go with the flow.

After our doctor's appointment, Mommy also went to see an acupuncturist for a session on moxibustion. Seems like nothing will make you move into position. So we are now gearing up to schedule our c-section in around a week and a half. We will see you very very soon!

Love, Mom

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's day Belle!

This will be the last one that Mommy and Daddy get to spend alone! Next year we will all be celebrating together.

It is a rare opportunity that Daddy gets Valentine's Day off but this year he did...soooo fitting! We started off the day with a trip to the Farmer's Market in Santa Monica, had lunch at a Melrose cafe, got a relaxing massage at the spa and Daddy topped off the day by roasting an organic chicken for dinner! Yummmm...

You have the best Daddy ever! He's been taking such good care of both of us. I can't wait till both of you meet each other!

Love, Mom

Ultrasound News

Dear little miss Diva,

Got a call back from the doctor today and you are now up to 5 lbs 15 oz! That's almost 6 lbs...it's great! So, Mommy gains 2 lbs and baby gains 1 lbs! Well, you better be gaining because you know what Mommy has been eating?? Here's an example of what we had today...
For breakfast:

• 1 soft boiled egg
• 1 yogurt
• 1 blueberry muffin
• Harry's berries strawberry juice
  
• 1 orange
• 1 asian pear

For lunch:

• Ee-Fu noodles
• 1 orange
• handful of Harry's berries strawberries
• 1 small bag of chips

Snack before dinner:

• 2 blueberry muffins

Dinner:

• Lamb vindaloo accompanied by paratha stuffed with potatoes and spices
  

The doctor says that all your organs are developing at a normal rate. You are going to be just a little bit smaller than an average baby but that's because Mommy is petite too.

By the way, Mommy made those blueberry muffins herself! We will make it together one day when you are older.

Now we are just hoping you turn in time! If not, we will see you around 39 weeks when we have to schedule a c-section. So do your job and start moving your cute little butt or people will think that Mommy is "too posh to push" but it's actually Belle who's too posh to come out through the birth canal and have a cone head! Just kidding...however you come into the world is fine. Soooo...we will either see you in 2 or 3 weeks!

Love, Mom

Week 37

Week 37: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, her lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

Hi Belle!

You did well on your non-stress test yesterday. I think you still think that Mommy's belly is your playground because the nurses had to repeat the test twice. You were super wiggly during the first round of the test and they could hardly get a good reading because you kept doing the disappearing act. I think you are going to be exactly like your Daddy, someone who cannot keep still! You were totally cracking the nurses and Daddy up.

And at Mommy's doctor's appointment, we gained a whopping 3 lbs! It was all the Mickey D's and ice cream we've been having over the week. The doctor is happy again with our weight gain and encourages us to gain some more. Well, you better be packing on the pounds too, don't just leave it all up to Mommy!

But at the ultrasound, we see that you are still in a breech position. If you don't turn soon, Mommy will have to schedule a c-section and you will have to come early! The baby doctor now wants us to see her twice a week for monitoring and ultrasounds. You are already making Mommy worry even before your grand arrival.

See you again next week.

Love, Mom

P/S: Ahhh...Mommy forgot to take a pic of us today. :(

Ultrasound Day

Hi Belle,

So we got to "see" you today at our ultrasound. But again, you are not cooperating. Not only that we found out you have moved into a breech position since we last saw the baby doctor, you were also facing Mommy's spine so we could not get a good picture of your face. Are you really that camera shy or do you just want a "BIG REVEAL" like your Auntie D said to me to today?

Also, the doctor said you are measuring a little bit smaller than average. They estimate that you are about 4 lb 13 oz...the average baby at this gestational age is about 5.7 lbs. So because of this, Mommy has to schedule another ultrasound, this time with a specialist, to see if all your organs are growing well. At our next appointment on Feb. 10, we also have to do a non-stress test to make sure that you are not getting stressed inside Mommy's belly.

Hope all goes well, Belle. Everything has been perfect up till now...this is just a little bump on the road...we hope you continue growing well and we'll see you in 4 weeks.

Love, Mom

Week 36

Week 36: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Hi Belle!

Daddy and I can hardly wait till tomorrow...why? Because we have another ultrasound scheduled to take another little peek at you. Please cooperate this time, OK? Last time you had your little feet up to your face and your hands were covering your face too. What a flexible little girl you are. This time, we want to see the pretty face of yours... Mommy's gonna drink a glass of orange juice before our appointment so you move around a bit.

We probably don't need the external cephalic version because we already know that you are positioned head-down. It feels really funny when you wiggle your little head! And Mommy feels your hiccups low down in her pelvis area too.

That's all for now...see you tomorrow, little Belle!

Love, Mom