Knock knock are you coming out?

Today's the day!! 40 weeks!!
Yet, princess isn't ready. We went to the doctors' office on monday, and nothing changed. If she doesn't arrive this weekend, they will induce her Wednesday October 3rd.

I received so many advices and I have to admit I did it all. I planted and gardened, squatted, cleaned, reached, walked, ran, jump, and bounced on balls. I even hula- hooped!! This baby is one tough cookie. She enjoys staying warm in my belly.

So today, I've concluded to continue my zen life. Meditation, yoga, and breathing. Let's see if she likes silence and calmness. Lol

I laugh at myself because I think she's like me. What mom doesn't want a daughter like her? I cannot wait to hold her. In time I'll get to smell her, touch, and just love her to pieces.

Ava, everyone's been calling and texting anxious for your arrival. Will you come out soon?? People wanna love you! You're so special.

Xoxo mommy

Tick tock tick tock

Week 38 and starting week 39... This is how it has been. Cricket cricket.
The past 2 checkups, cervix is softening but nothing more. Last check up cervix seems hard. Looks like our sweet peanut is going to take her time and arrive when she wants to.

With less than a week from due date, I wonder when is it gonna happen? I had one day where I had pains galore and bled, but I did eat spicy food and all. Other than that, nothing crAzy. Just the normal aches and cramps.

I've been walking a lot. Sleeping. Got bored and went back into work yesterday. As of right now, I'm recovering haha. Maybe I will just stay home. Paul says I'm really nesting so maybe soon!! I hope it is.

It was a nice week so far to catch up with friends. Many of you texting me and telling me you all had dreams shed coming soon! Thanks for all the loving messages and calls. I will definitely inform you when the time is right.

As of now, not much to say but my belly is still growing. I'm all belly. More updates on Monday!!

Just hold on a sec baby. I'm not ready!

So it's 37 weeks and 2 days. Means 19 days left!! Craziness!

I cannot believe time has flown by. Went to the doctor's this week and the cervix has started to thin a little, but no dilation. Measurements are good and baby sounds strong! I've been reading my "what to expect: the first year," and it's been quite a fun read. Paul and I are super anxious for her to come.

This is my last week of work and I cannot thank my clients enough!! Thank you for the flowers, baby gifts and all the hugs! I can't wait for her to arrive, and I'll be back to work around thanksgiving!

This week has definitely been exciting. Starting to feel more aches and pains. Once in a while I get the cramps, but overall still running around like a mad crazy woman. I do tell Ava to hold off a few more days and let me work. Then when I am off, I won't know what to do for two weeks.

Ava, your kicks and arms are getting strong. It really makes me smile to be able to experience this. Can't wait I'll you're in my arms. Xoxo

Updates:

Weight: gained total 8.7lbs

Craving: Popsicles and donuts in the am.

Food favorite: back to soups and rice again (to those who ask what my diet is, I really don't have one but I do eat a lot of viet food)

Clothes: been super blessed and lucky that I didn't have to buy maternity clothes. Still wearing my normal clothes.

Swelling: none!! *knock on wood*

Shopping: none for me, but for daddy.. He's been spoiling her with adorable things.

That's all folks!! Xoxo

36 week and I am beat!

One more week of work... I keep telling myself that and now labor day weekend is here! My has time flown. Cousins and family from out of town came in. Love it when the family is together. Lots of laughs and good times.

Week 36, I'll be honest hasn't felt the greatest. Back pains at night, sleepless nights and numbness in my arms and hands when I sleep. Mostly all when I sleep. During the day, no swelling nor pains but more tired. Baby Ava is definitely kicking and tossing around a lot. My family can see her little knots roll in my belly. Pretty funny.

I went to Baby Gap yesterday and couldn't resist. I finally bought her some clothes! Though the older folks told me "oh she will grow out of it so fast." I couldn't help it. Who can resist sales??? I cannot wait for my little peanut to wear them!

This weekend was a blast. Time for everyone to go home which makes me sad. Though I'll see everyone again when the baby comes, it's always fun when family reunites.

Two more days and I'll be 37 weeks. Full term!! Any day now I guess they say?? i hope she comes but I hope she stays longer so she will be healthier and stronger.

It's been quite a journey. Learned about some many new things. I know I'm ready. I know I will be fine. I know my mom is holding my hand and helping me through this all. I would love to be the mom she was to me. And I will.. Ava, mommy is ready. See you soon!

35 weeks and 5 days

As I get closer to the date, I am going to try to blog a little more. Since the last time I blogged, I've been feeling pretty good. No more false alarms, no extreme pains, but aches here and there. Eating has been awesome. Cravings?? Very random now. If I smell something, I may want to eat it. Hahaha.

I have to say being pregnant has been amazing and a great experience. Very lucky to have had a good one. A couple years ago I went from thinking I could never have kids to now voila! A baby girl on the way. Timing couldn't be better. People have asked "what about baby #2?". I'll be honest, I have my days. Yes and no to that question. I always wanted a big family, but that was a fantasy and if I won the lottery. Reality, nowadays it's harder. Our parents made it look easy. Yet life was much simpler before.

Yesterday I made canh Chua dau hu. I was pretty proud of myself. Those who know me, I rarely cook. I try to cook often, but just no time. My ultimate judge was my dad, and well he ate it and liked it! Whew! My goal this year is to cook often. Hopefully I can be like my mom, who cooked amazing and people still rave about her food now. I want Ava to know her roots. Yeah I grew up very americanized, but it wouldn't hurt to know her basics. I pray she isn't a picky eater.

Closer to the date, I'm refreshening up on all my books and things. Checking if I missed anything. This waiting game is torture! what would we do if we didn't have the Internet? I am glad to say I have my clients who have helped me immensely with everything. All the advices and tips I got has been great. This mom life is going to be a journey but I can't wait. So much to learn and so much to experience. It's going to be for the good! I can't wait till Ava comes.

Oh! So my little brother Jeff went skydiving. I must say I was worried, but when he landed he called me and said "Ava wanted her uncle." Haha so cute. He flew solo and steered his way down w a parachute. Quite proud. He def has a lot of stories to tell miss Ava. I just hope she doesn't follow his dare devil footsteps! I can see it now, tutu on a dirt bike. Ah! Lol not bad considering that was me when I was a kid.

So a few more days and I'll be in my last month!!! Quite unreal! To those who follow my blog, thanks for keeping up! Ava, when you read this years from now, I'm so happy you're in my life. You make me so happy! You make daddy happy! We can't wait to play and love you to pieces!!!

Xoxo

Baby cantaloupe

The baby grows faster than ever! At 35 weeks now and I feel completely prego now. Belly dropped a bit and now I can feel my belly rest on my lap when I sit haha! Baby kicks are super strong. It's so strong that at 4am in the morning, I woke up and felt her kicking. Soon after, the bed kept thumping with her kicks and woke Paul up haha. Guess it's her way to prepare us what's coming soon.

Went to the doctors on Monday and I've doing good! I am still on my every 2 week check up. Did my group b strep test and had my measurements checked. Baby seems to be doing good. Yesterday was the first time, I experienced false alarm contractions. Perhaps the Braxton contractions. It definitely scared me. Scared me so much I had a dream of baby Ava arriving. The dream was Jeff and I in grade school in our uniforms. My water broke and I ran down the hall to tell him my water broke, and we had to run to the hospital quick. So we ran and got there. Paul came and pop there she was! Very weird but I remember waking up smiling and the realizing that she is still in my belly.

So reality is, I'm still in the waiting mode. We have everything ready. Car seat is in the car. Had the friendly firemen help install in and double check it for us. All the pre admission forms are filled and ready. Very sweet that Ava and I will be sharing the same hospital. I was born at St. Elizabeth as well and now my baby girl will too!

The baby room is all set to go. We got everything in and washed. Lately I've been shopping online and I have many carts filled with goodies waiting to be submitted hahaha. Just waiting to see how big she will be. So now you can see why I've been impatient. Waiting for princess to come and make more memories.

I can't wait!!

So this week...

My cravings: Dunkin donuts with chocolate frosting and a mini blast

Weight gain: 7.2lbs

Kicks: a million times stronger

Stretch marks: zero

Energy level: a bit slower now and more tired. Naps sound so good!

Work left till I'm off: 2 more weeks, but if she isn't here I will prob still be at work haha

Till next week...
Ava, mommy loves you!

Nesting ....

Well, I started nesting way before, but it is officially now. Week 34 and I am making sure everything is organized and ready for our baby girl to come. Room is done! House is ready! Hospital bag is in the car! Mentally I am ready, which we all know we are never ready, but I am.

Looking back from when I first found out till now, I'm amazed how things have changed. Not just physically, but also everything. My family, my brothers, my relationship with friends, my work, my values and daily routine. I use to call myself selfish, because it was all about me. I did things for me. Worked hard for me, and reached goals for me. Now, it's for the family. My family. My husband and child. I have to say, I am truly blessed with an amazing husband. I tell him everyday how lucky I am to have him. Of course if you know Paul, he smiles and replies "i know." Never have I met a more kinder gentle soul like his. There's never a day he doesn't smile. He's so sweet with his words. Not a mean bone in his body. I hope Ava has his traits. Patience, honesty, and being real. I hope she learns how to cook like him too! I'm def trying but cleaning and organizing and running a business is more my forte. Haha

Many have asked what I plan on doing when she comes. Well, I'll have her, off for 6-8 weeks, and then back to work. We have a nanny all ready for her and I couldn't be more happier. With our hours at work, it can be demanding and hard, but I'm lucky to find someone who understands our work and is going to be an amazing influence on our daughter. I'm sure it will be hard to part, but our parents did it and we turned out okay. :) I think...

It's very exciting to think holidays are around the corner, and I'll have a daughter to celebrate it with! I cannot wait to share with her my family traditions my mom did with me. Holidays for a bit was hard because I use to share all these memories with my mom, but Ava arriving has definitely changed it and brought it back to life for me.

Vietnamese name... Hmmm
Honestly Paul and I never thought of it till my family mentioned it. I grew up with a full American name. Paul has his Vietnamese name as a middle name, but people still call him Paul. We gave Ava a full American name, but the last of course. Though, having a Vietnamese name won't hurt.
It's funny, as we were going through the list, every name I liked, Paul would reply "that's my sister, that's my cousin, that's my aunt." Well shoot by the time I was done, nothing was left hahaha. No wonder we are having a daughter. His side is full of girls. My side mainly boys. So the hunt is still on. Will we use the Vietnamese name? Probably not, but we all had one. Will keep looking.

Next on the list, baptism... And it keeps going!!
So as you can see my 34 weeks has been getting ready for the baby. I can't wait for her to come!! Paul is so ready too!! Oh and Bentley is not ready. Poor guy barks at my belly when she kicks his head on my belly...

Love you Ava!!