The Dance of Life

The other day, we went for my ultrasound at VGH. I
was worried there might end up being complications with my pregnancy and Mike
couldn’t stop thinking, “what if we have twins?” like my doctor said. At the
same time we were excited we’ll finally know the gender of the baby, it’s like
we’ve been waiting forever. We were talking about all these things on our way
to the hospital.  We were hoping it was a boy because we have a girl
already but whatever the case may be, we will be happy of course, as long as
it’s a healthy baby.

Mike and Helena were sitting
beside me as the doctor did the ultrasound and we were viewing it from a tv
above my head. My God, what a wonderful feeling to see the baby moving inside
me! We saw the lips, nose, eyes, the whole face, head, arms, fingers, heart,
stomach, legs, feet, all the body parts are there and the doctor said the
baby’s breathing is normal and healthy…. What a blessing! Then time to announce
the baby’s gender…….. Mike and Helena and I said we’d all want to know…… and
guess what?…… we’re going to have a… BOY, no twins! Mike said YES! And Helena was jumping for joy “I’m going to have a baby
brother!” The ultrasound took more or less 30 minutes then we were out. We
couldn’t stop smiling, we are sooo thankful the baby’s healthy and no twins..
phew!.. and can’t wait to announce the news to our family and friends.

Announcing the gender of the baby’s been
a happy and exciting event. Everyone was ecstatic and very happy for us. Now
that we know we’re going to have a boy, it will be easier to choose baby stuff
to buy and of course we’ll be concentrating on boy’s names only. He’s
definitely going to be Michael junior but we’re still thinking about another
name. I’ve started listing names suggested by family and friends but we need
more choices so if you have any suggestions, feel free to email us or post them
here.

While I’m excited with the coming of the
baby, and feeling him move in my belly, I do have to say that getting up in the
middle of the night to pee is utterly annoying. My belly is getting bigger and
it’s now harder to get up. I don’t have a hard time putting myself back to
sleep but ultimately I just have to make that pilgrimage to the bathroom!

P.S.: I’ll be adding the ultrasound photos on my Photo Album here. >> Nora’s Photo Album

I just got a phone call from my doctor this morning, she’s scheduled an ultrasound tomorrow for me.  Oh how excited we are, we’re going to know the sex of the baby tomorrow!

Today, after cleaning the house with the help of my little girl, I took out my first pregnancy diary and it was about this time that I started making lists of stuff we’ll need for the new baby.  Then I thought oh dear Mike and I are going to have to face up to the financial challenges of having two children with only him working this time, but I’m sure we’re going to make it.  We’ll just have to manage our finances very carefully and wisely and we can ace it!

One good thing is Carol and Lynn, who are very good friends of mine said they’re going to send me a bunch of maternity wear, so yay! Thanks a lot, girls! *hugs*  Now I can save with maternity clothes and spemd more on baby stuff.  I remember going nuts shopping wiht baby outfits, they’re just so out of control adorable!!!!  My brother-in-law’s wife, Kazuyo, whose baby is now 5 months old, gave me some baby clothes, too, and the more I couldn’t wait for the baby to come when we were looking at the little outfits!

So far, my second trimester, is really fun and relaxing.  I’ve started to feel the baby move, it’s so amazing.  I used to tell Carol and Lynn back when they were still pregnant they’re going to feel little butterflies floating around their belly that later turns into full-fledged kicking cuz that was what I felt with my first pregnancy……….and once more……. those lil butterflies are back in my belly!  Mike, Helena, and I can’t wait to feel some kicking.  One time, my daughter put her hand on my belly for good 30 minutes while I was resting, she was waiting for the baby to move.. hahaha sooo cute!  I was telling her she used to kick A LOT when she was still inside my belly.

I remember with my first pregnancy, I felt many urges to have sex but so far with this one, I haven’t felt that but I figured one of these days old hormones will start to kick in out of nowhere….. Mike’s been very understanding and I’m so glad about that but that’s all I can say  about it or he’s going to give me that naughty look again! :)  We’ve been mulling over baby names, too.  We have now decided we’re going to have one that’s frenchy, like Helena’s, if it’s a girl, and something Spanish if it’s a boy, being Mike junior.

I’ve become slightly concerned about weight gain.  It took me a year to get back in shape with my first pregnancy and I can’t help but wonder how it will be like this second time round.  I thinnk that with my first pregnancy, I wasn’t disciplined with my diet, that’s why I gained so much weight.  I ate whatever I wanted and craved for sweets, like, cake from Cambodiana (a bakery in the hotel where my sister used to stay in in Cambodia), coke ( hard to resist cuz of the heat.. too hot in Cambodia), and I couldn’t stop munching then.  The  only exercise I got was climbing the long stairs of the building where I used to work as a Teacher, and swimming with the family.

This time, I hope to discipline myself more and follow the pregnancy balance diet my doctor gave me. *crosses fingers*

4 months ago, we found out I am pregnant. It’s almost hard to believe I’m having my
second baby! At first, Mike and I were
surprised when the test came up positive, we couldn’t stop looking at the test
tube, until Rick said, “Congratulations, man!” then Mike and I started to
smile, still shocked but we were very happy, another addition to the
family. Helena is, also, very excited, she’s been wanting a playmate and she’s going to have
one soon!

We went to a clinic and did the test one more time just to
make sure and it was confirmed, positive! Then we told our families the good
news. They were all so happy to hear it, and gave me some advice. Of
course, everyone’s hoping it would be a boy, since we already have a girl, but
we, also, don’t mind if we get another girl. I’m now in my second trimester, my energy has boomeranged
back. There’s no more stomach ache
(unfortunately for me, I had a bladder infection at the same time. The doc prescribed antibiotics for me and
I felt better). I still wake up a lot at
night to go to the bathroom but this time only to pee, no more throwing up,
thank god. I no longer feel the urge to
crawl on the couch for a nap and I can stay up late, yay!

By some stroke of luck, I’ve managed to escape morning
sickness… phew! It’s been really difficult for me with this pregnancy, so
difficult and painful I cried at times.  My first pregnancy’s first trimester was easier. My cravings are not very strong anymore, but
my sensitivity of smell still is.

These days, I’m feeling pretty good.  Like my pregnancy with Helena,
I am enjoying this pregnancy. Almost
everyday, I look at the mirror and study my belly and gently rubbing it, talkin
to the peanut inside me as my belly gets bigger, hahaha! And there my Helena and Mike next to me,
kissing my tummy, too. I am very excited
to meet our new baby, it’s been 5 years since I held Helena
as an infant and I miss it!

I am soooooooooo back! It’s been ages since my last entry here.  Am glad to be back and hope to update my blog regulary again.

Til next…….