This month's post was going to say "and a gender reveal!" but unfortunately, that is not to be. :( More on that later!
Baby is doing well, and the size of an avocado (hence the picture prop). It's pretty crazy to think there's already a baby that big moving around inside of me, and yet as I look at pictures of babies in the womb so perfectly formed at this age, I am amazed to think of baby being so small!
My belly is definitely expanding, so it's good to know there is a reason. I feel much bigger than I look to others, and haven't yet had anyone ask if I'm pregnant - at least not that I can understand! ;) The doctor today told me I had gained 2 kg (4.4 lbs) this month - "but 1.5 kg is good" - but she didn't chide me other than that, so I am thankful. I feel healthy, much more energetic (no longer falling asleep in weird places in the evening!), and hungry, so it's really nice to be in the 2nd trimester. I haven't broken out the maternity clothes yet, but my wardrobe is getting smaller as skirts keep getting too tight or shirts too short, so I know it will be soon...
About 2 weeks ago, just around mother's day (perfect present!), I felt baby move for the first time. I'd missed those feelings... they're so amazing! And they've only gotten stronger. Often, when I'm out walking baby is the most active; I guess he/she likes the rhythmic movement! Last night Ryan got to feel baby for the first time too... we were laying in bed talking and I felt those sweet tappings, and had Ryan put his hand to feel. Of course, the movement stopped like it has every time he's tried, but then Ryan said "baby!" really loud and there was a response that Ryan felt! I joked that we must be having a boy, to have such a quick, "yes sir!" response to Daddy's strong voice! :)
A few days ago, as I cuddled Hadassah on the couch while she drank her morning sippy cup of milk, I felt baby move beneath where she was sitting. And I realized this will probably be the easiest time there ever will be to hold them both so close at the same time. I'm cherishing these moments.
Speaking of Hadassah, it's crazy how not-baby and so-little-girl she is now! I'll have to do another post on her soon, as it feels like, as Ryan puts it, "her brain is exploding" as she learns new things daily. She also loves all thought of baby, often giving pats and kisses and hugs and trying to share things with my tummy to involve baby. When she poured milk in my belly button, though, that was a little too far! But she'll try to "show" baby toys, and often wants to "read" to baby. I'm not sure if it's just her way of getting me to sit near her while she looks at books, but she wants to see my tummy and if my shirt falls down, she'll motion towards and and say "goo goo ga ga!" until I lift it to show her the belly again, so there is something about involving the baby that she likes. She's going to be such a great big sister! Though we will have to watch her pretty closely to make sure her "sharing" stays safe, at least at first!
We had another prenatal appointment this morning. The hour long subway ride into town never ceases to amaze us when we go during rush hour. These were the "lines" of people waiting to get on at the interchange of metro lines 5 & 1. Obviously, they didn't all make it on the first train, but you'd be amazed how people can cram on. Somehow, though the car looks completely full, at each stop on line 5 at least 5-10 more people would cram in. I was thankful to be given a seat since I had a toddler!
This time, since Ryan has somehow injured his back (spending most of the weekend in bed), we knew there was no way he could care for Hadassah while I went through the check-up steps, since he can't even bend down to put on his shoes without pain, much less pick her up. (Yes, prayers his back would fully recover soon are appreciated!) So, a friend from church who we realized lived just one subway stop away from the hospital was kind enough to let Hadassah spend three hours at her apartment. Though she was sad when we left, her beloved "ni-night" helped soothe the tears and then she had an awesome time playing with our friend's little girl a year older and all of the new toys! And it was quite a relief not to try and keep her happy during all of the waiting at the doctor...
We are always amazed at how we get through the appointment. Most everything is in Chinese, and there is only one receptionist and one nurse that speaks English. But, they keep a special look-out for us, directing us where to go. And when we can't figure out the do-it-yourself weigh-in machine, kind people look at our need (I'm pretty good at looking helpless by now!) and press the right buttons. It makes me realize I really should study more Chinese characters, since I didn't even know which button said "enter" to log in...
Some things, like the automatic blood pressure machine are pretty cool and ingenious, as they operate without any nurses. But, when you have to take turns at each station and room for each different thing, all of the waiting really does add up, and seems to take so much longer than doctor's offices in the US...
This one was the craziest moment of the morning. I actually don't know what this form was for - the receptionist merely asked if I had my passport (yes, a copy) and marriage license (no - no one told me to bring it!) and then pointed to the spaces I was to fill out. "here, name. here, age. here, gender, here passport number, here college degree, here company, here address" and so on. Thankfully it wasn't the WHOLE form. But still, in my light-headed state from having not eaten that morning (who had the crazy idea to have pregnant women skip breakfast to get their fasting blood sugar level??) I didn't remember beyond the first few fields. We tried to ask another receptionist (the English speaking one had disappeared) but she only spoke Chinese, so while it was helpful at some points when we knew the Chinese word for "passport" or whatever, at other points we just stood in ignorance until the English speaking nurse passed by and we stopped her to ask. To top it off, the form was made to be filled out in Chinese characters, so a lot of the spaces weren't large enough to write English words in...
I can't complain too much. I know the fact that we have some English speaking care at a foreign hospital is pretty big. They are also very patient with us, as we stumble through their processes that work well if you can read Chinese. They always have someone help to point us in the right direction, or help us on our way (such as the older nurse they sent with us to make sure we got to the right floor and room to have an EKG done) and at key points, sometimes we find another patient who happens to know English. All-in-all, we're always amazed when we make it through and it actually mostly works!
After getting 6 vials of blood drawn, I was finally allowed to eat. It was 10 AM and I'd been up since 5 AM, so my peanut butter sandwich tasted like manna from heaven! It's crazy what food does to the brain too... suddenly I could think and remember things again.
We were taken to a floor of the main, public hospital to get an EKG done (why I needed one done in the first place, I have no idea... we just go where they tell us) and told our number. I was thankful to have Ryan there for company as there were over 20 people ahead of us according to the screen. It was nice to have time just to talk without the distraction of a little one, so we counted it as a mini date. :)
The screen itself was a bit funny. There was a star symbol used in place of one of the characters of each person's name, in order to not let everyone see their identity. So when my turn came, they carefully starred out an "n" but since they called out "A-n-n-a W-o-l-f-e" and pretty much the whole name is readable in English. It made us smile.
When my number called, we walked into the room, only to have a big fuss made and us pushed out. Ryan was used to going with me everywhere, we didn't think anything of it, but then realized the propriety of it, with two little partitions for women to get EKG's done. And upon exiting, Ryan saw the character for "man" along with a few more characters that probably meant "do not enter." The blunders we make...
Everything was normal, we found our way back to the VIP floor, and waited for the visit with the doctor. Got in the room, and waited again... When she came back, it was fairly quick: measure the uterus, use a doppler to the listen to the heartbeat, tell me my test results were normal, and ask if we had any questions. She was probably relieved we only had one, given the list we had last time!
I had figured out by now that we weren't going to have an ultrasound, which was fine with me (I'm glad they don't take one every visit) but also a little disappointing as we'd hoped to find out the gender that day. I had read online in researching Peace Maternity hospital that they wouldn't tell you the gender, since it is against the law for Chinese doctors to disclose that. Given the number of sex-selection abortions that occur when the law only allows one or two children, were are thankful they have that in place. But a foreign friend who had friends deliver at Peace and my neighbor both told me if we were both foreigners, they could tell us, so we'd planned to ask. But, when I asked the doctor if we'd be able to find out next visit when she told us they planned an ultrasound to check all of the baby's organs, she said "no - it is against the law." She did say if we went to a private clinic it might be possible, but we don't want to pay the extra money.
We didn't find out what Hadassah was before she was born, so thankfully we are used to the waiting, and the surprise when baby is born is a lot of fun. This time we'd hoped to find out, since we were getting routine ultrasounds as part of care anyway, and it would just be a lot easier to plan. If baby is a girl, we'll have all the clothes and things we need, and in the right season, as this one will be born exactly the time of year Hadassah was. If baby is a boy, we'll need to get a lot of new things! But, it can be done, and the surprise of it all will be fun again. Trying to remind myself of that, instead of focusing on the disappointment, as I had been excited (without trying to let myself get too excited) at the thought of knowing, being able to call baby by name, and being able to more easily talk to Hadassah about baby. But, she doesn't understand pronouns anyway, so I guess it really doesn't matter!
Speaking of baby, the little one started wiggling again just now. The movements inside have to be my favorite part of pregnancy. They remind me that there is precious LIFE inside, a little person I can't wait to meet and already love. Thank you, God, for the gift of life!
We picked up food to go from our favorite close restaurant, Waga's, and headed back to pick up Hadassah. I was still pretty hungry, so the food tasted even better than usual. :) Hadassah came running to great us with a shriek and excited babbling and a smile that just makes me so happy to be a mama! She excitedly showed me things she'd played with, and I could tell she'd had a good time. We took the ride home on a much less crowded subway, actually getting to sit all together as a family and eat lunch, which helped it not seem so long.
We made it home at 12:40 PM, but it feels like we've been gone all day... crazy how much a trip downtown takes it out of you! Both Hadassah and Ryan went down for a nap while I've gotten to relax and write... Already the day is mostly gone and all we did is a doctor's appointment! But, Ryan woke and went in to work for the rest of the day, and I know that even if I don't have much to show for today, I have much to be thankful for. Baby is healthy and strong, I have been blessed with good health, and I have the most incredible, supportive, loving husband, and cute and sweet daughter. It's sometimes good to have a day just to think about that, even if the laundry didn't get done and the dishes from breakfast are still on the counter...
Baby is doing well, and the size of an avocado (hence the picture prop). It's pretty crazy to think there's already a baby that big moving around inside of me, and yet as I look at pictures of babies in the womb so perfectly formed at this age, I am amazed to think of baby being so small!
My belly is definitely expanding, so it's good to know there is a reason. I feel much bigger than I look to others, and haven't yet had anyone ask if I'm pregnant - at least not that I can understand! ;) The doctor today told me I had gained 2 kg (4.4 lbs) this month - "but 1.5 kg is good" - but she didn't chide me other than that, so I am thankful. I feel healthy, much more energetic (no longer falling asleep in weird places in the evening!), and hungry, so it's really nice to be in the 2nd trimester. I haven't broken out the maternity clothes yet, but my wardrobe is getting smaller as skirts keep getting too tight or shirts too short, so I know it will be soon...
About 2 weeks ago, just around mother's day (perfect present!), I felt baby move for the first time. I'd missed those feelings... they're so amazing! And they've only gotten stronger. Often, when I'm out walking baby is the most active; I guess he/she likes the rhythmic movement! Last night Ryan got to feel baby for the first time too... we were laying in bed talking and I felt those sweet tappings, and had Ryan put his hand to feel. Of course, the movement stopped like it has every time he's tried, but then Ryan said "baby!" really loud and there was a response that Ryan felt! I joked that we must be having a boy, to have such a quick, "yes sir!" response to Daddy's strong voice! :)
A few days ago, as I cuddled Hadassah on the couch while she drank her morning sippy cup of milk, I felt baby move beneath where she was sitting. And I realized this will probably be the easiest time there ever will be to hold them both so close at the same time. I'm cherishing these moments.
Speaking of Hadassah, it's crazy how not-baby and so-little-girl she is now! I'll have to do another post on her soon, as it feels like, as Ryan puts it, "her brain is exploding" as she learns new things daily. She also loves all thought of baby, often giving pats and kisses and hugs and trying to share things with my tummy to involve baby. When she poured milk in my belly button, though, that was a little too far! But she'll try to "show" baby toys, and often wants to "read" to baby. I'm not sure if it's just her way of getting me to sit near her while she looks at books, but she wants to see my tummy and if my shirt falls down, she'll motion towards and and say "goo goo ga ga!" until I lift it to show her the belly again, so there is something about involving the baby that she likes. She's going to be such a great big sister! Though we will have to watch her pretty closely to make sure her "sharing" stays safe, at least at first!
This time, since Ryan has somehow injured his back (spending most of the weekend in bed), we knew there was no way he could care for Hadassah while I went through the check-up steps, since he can't even bend down to put on his shoes without pain, much less pick her up. (Yes, prayers his back would fully recover soon are appreciated!) So, a friend from church who we realized lived just one subway stop away from the hospital was kind enough to let Hadassah spend three hours at her apartment. Though she was sad when we left, her beloved "ni-night" helped soothe the tears and then she had an awesome time playing with our friend's little girl a year older and all of the new toys! And it was quite a relief not to try and keep her happy during all of the waiting at the doctor...
I can't complain too much. I know the fact that we have some English speaking care at a foreign hospital is pretty big. They are also very patient with us, as we stumble through their processes that work well if you can read Chinese. They always have someone help to point us in the right direction, or help us on our way (such as the older nurse they sent with us to make sure we got to the right floor and room to have an EKG done) and at key points, sometimes we find another patient who happens to know English. All-in-all, we're always amazed when we make it through and it actually mostly works!
After getting 6 vials of blood drawn, I was finally allowed to eat. It was 10 AM and I'd been up since 5 AM, so my peanut butter sandwich tasted like manna from heaven! It's crazy what food does to the brain too... suddenly I could think and remember things again.
When my number called, we walked into the room, only to have a big fuss made and us pushed out. Ryan was used to going with me everywhere, we didn't think anything of it, but then realized the propriety of it, with two little partitions for women to get EKG's done. And upon exiting, Ryan saw the character for "man" along with a few more characters that probably meant "do not enter." The blunders we make...
Everything was normal, we found our way back to the VIP floor, and waited for the visit with the doctor. Got in the room, and waited again... When she came back, it was fairly quick: measure the uterus, use a doppler to the listen to the heartbeat, tell me my test results were normal, and ask if we had any questions. She was probably relieved we only had one, given the list we had last time!
I had figured out by now that we weren't going to have an ultrasound, which was fine with me (I'm glad they don't take one every visit) but also a little disappointing as we'd hoped to find out the gender that day. I had read online in researching Peace Maternity hospital that they wouldn't tell you the gender, since it is against the law for Chinese doctors to disclose that. Given the number of sex-selection abortions that occur when the law only allows one or two children, were are thankful they have that in place. But a foreign friend who had friends deliver at Peace and my neighbor both told me if we were both foreigners, they could tell us, so we'd planned to ask. But, when I asked the doctor if we'd be able to find out next visit when she told us they planned an ultrasound to check all of the baby's organs, she said "no - it is against the law." She did say if we went to a private clinic it might be possible, but we don't want to pay the extra money.
We didn't find out what Hadassah was before she was born, so thankfully we are used to the waiting, and the surprise when baby is born is a lot of fun. This time we'd hoped to find out, since we were getting routine ultrasounds as part of care anyway, and it would just be a lot easier to plan. If baby is a girl, we'll have all the clothes and things we need, and in the right season, as this one will be born exactly the time of year Hadassah was. If baby is a boy, we'll need to get a lot of new things! But, it can be done, and the surprise of it all will be fun again. Trying to remind myself of that, instead of focusing on the disappointment, as I had been excited (without trying to let myself get too excited) at the thought of knowing, being able to call baby by name, and being able to more easily talk to Hadassah about baby. But, she doesn't understand pronouns anyway, so I guess it really doesn't matter!
Speaking of baby, the little one started wiggling again just now. The movements inside have to be my favorite part of pregnancy. They remind me that there is precious LIFE inside, a little person I can't wait to meet and already love. Thank you, God, for the gift of life!
We picked up food to go from our favorite close restaurant, Waga's, and headed back to pick up Hadassah. I was still pretty hungry, so the food tasted even better than usual. :) Hadassah came running to great us with a shriek and excited babbling and a smile that just makes me so happy to be a mama! She excitedly showed me things she'd played with, and I could tell she'd had a good time. We took the ride home on a much less crowded subway, actually getting to sit all together as a family and eat lunch, which helped it not seem so long.
We made it home at 12:40 PM, but it feels like we've been gone all day... crazy how much a trip downtown takes it out of you! Both Hadassah and Ryan went down for a nap while I've gotten to relax and write... Already the day is mostly gone and all we did is a doctor's appointment! But, Ryan woke and went in to work for the rest of the day, and I know that even if I don't have much to show for today, I have much to be thankful for. Baby is healthy and strong, I have been blessed with good health, and I have the most incredible, supportive, loving husband, and cute and sweet daughter. It's sometimes good to have a day just to think about that, even if the laundry didn't get done and the dishes from breakfast are still on the counter...
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