Peg’s Journal

Ashlyn and I spent an awesome day with Ivy and Wil. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! We had a nice lunch, walked around, and shopped at Oakridge Mall.
For the first time, I took advantage of the “Expectant Mother” parking zone. Similar to “Handicapped” parking, it puts you a few short steps from the mall’s entrance! SWEET!
But then I found it extremely irritating to see other women, who are barely showing (if they’re in fact pregnant), park in those spaces. *huff!*
A couple of months ago, I’ve circled around for parking without success. Being 6 months pregnant at the time, I still couldn’t justify parking in those limited spaces because I knew that someone further along would need it more. Wil, playing devil’s advocate, countered by saying, “some women think they’re entitled because they’re pregnant….regardless of how far along they are. Or maybe they find the early stages of pregnancy already difficult and need the extra assistance.”
Honey, if you think it’s difficult now, you will hate the last couple of months! *sigh and shake head*
To each their own, I suppose…I just wish people would be more considerate of others. *UGH!* Enough of my preaching….

BARNEY’S COLORFUL WORLD!

Tonight Ashlyn attended her first concert/show! Wil and I got to share in her experience. She was in utter shock!….even though she danced and sang along, she barely cracked a smile throughout the whole show…instead, her eyes just bugged out the entire time. She just couldn’t believe she was seeing Barney, BJ, and Baby-Bop in person. HAHAHAHA!

I’m such a dork, too….I got teary-eyed seeing how excited Ashlyn was. The phrase, “I’m happy if you’re happy” is scratching the surface of how I felt tonight. As her mom, seeing her stunned and awed lil’ face, flooded me with so much emotion. All is good in the world when Ashlyn’s happy.

Aric really hooked us up with great seats. We had floor seats, 6 rows from the stage! It was incredible! Wil and I had a really good time. The show was very entertaining, and boasted elaborate stage scenes, props, and special effects. The cool thing about sitting in the floor seat section was that the kiddies got to dance in the aisles. During the “Bubbles” song, all these bubbles came drifting down from the ceiling. The kiddies went wild! It looked like a kinder-moshpit. hehehe
The show ended with the infamous, “I Love You” song, and Barney blew all the kiddies a great big kiss (that resulted in heart shaped confetti exploding into the air and down onto us). So fun!

When the show was over…
Ashlyn: “Where’s Barney?!”
Peg: “He went home.”
Ashlyn: “More Barney, mama!”
Peg: “Next time.”
Ashlyn: *sad* “Oh, okay.”
Peg: “You have to thank Daddy for the show, okay?”
Ashlyn: *looking up* “Thank you, Daddy, thank you! I love you, Daddy!”
Awwwwwww!

Ashlyn and I had a fun and eventful day. She’s pretty pooped and fell asleep before I even finished brushing my teeth. She looks very content tonight.

My niece, Marisa, thinks we eat out a heck of a lot! And she’s absolutely right….we do!
On average, we dine out four days a week. In the beginning, it was such a treat…a luxury. But slowly it’s become a way of life.
The reason for this topic is…before dinner, Marisa asked, “so where are we going to eat tonight?” That matter-of-fact statement got me thinking and reminscing:

Growing up, my family rarely ate out. We couldn’t afford it. But even if we could, my parents stressed the importance of sitting down together over humble and simple meals at home. It was never about the food….during that time, draught and famine had plagued Ethiopia…and we just felt grateful to have food. Dinner was a special and sacred time where we shared our day and enjoyed one another’s company. Unlike at my friend’s house, TV, books, radio, toys, or newspapers were NOT allowed at the dining table.
I remember it being a time we all looked forward to…my sisters and I often fighting to talk first. Loudest person always won…which was me. HAHAHA!

Times sure have changed. We dine out more often because it’s convenient and cheap. Time is precious…and we never seem to have enough of it. Our taste-buds have also evolved and become more refined…to prepare and cook a specific dish requires more time and effort than if you just went out to the restaurant that specialized in it.

Nowadays, everyone is so busy that eating at home has become the bigger treat. Hopefully once Aric and I settle back down to our immediate family routine, I can instill the same values and bonding experience to my children as my parents did for us. Sadly, I’m no Iron Chef…my children will have to bond over mac-n-cheese or ramen. hehehe…just kidding.

Tonight a bunch of us got together for dinner at Sushi Maru in Sunnyvale. We listened to Bett and Wil’s Costa Rican escapades (or lack thereof), and laughed hysterically over their “horny neighbor” stories.
The food was good and the sushi/sashimi was fresh…but my favorite is still Hotaru’s in San Mateo. Mmmm!

Today was a hectic day filled with doctors’ appointments upon doctors’ appointments for Wil, Ashlyn, and myself.

My poor sister has been sick for over a week (and during her vacation, no less). I think she over-exhausted herself on her adventurous travels. We went to see her doc to make sure she didn’t have anything too serious…and hopefully get some meds to cure her before her sabbatical is over.

My poor Ashlyn slept miserably last night as her fever fluctuated between 99 – 102.6. She is still coughing and has a mean ass runny nose.

I, on the other hand, had an OB check up (see journal entry “33rd Week“), and am feeling fine. *knock on wood*

The day went by rather quickly…the majority of the time was spent sitting dormant in waiting rooms. At least it gave Wil and I a chance to catch up with one another.
In the waiting room of Ashlyn’s doctor’s office, we heard piercing painful screams coming from an examining room. Ashlyn looked up and quizzically asked,”What is that?!…baby crying?”
Peg: “Yes. Are you going to cry when it’s your turn?”
Ashlyn: “No, Ashlyn happy!”
Peg: *smiling* “You are?!..that’s good.”

Ashlyn is usually pretty good about doctor visits…but today, she was the most cooperative she’s ever been at the doctors. Greeted the doctor with a handshake, sat still during exams, answered all his questions like a big girl, and blew him a kiss when it was all over. *beaming* I was so proud!

Tonight my family and I had dinner with friends at Jing Jing in Palo Alto. The food was excellent (though I was more conscientious about not stuffing myself). The service was great. If you like spicy Szechwan/Hunan cuisine, try this place. YUM!

Going to bed earlier than usual. Here are a couple of shots of Ashlyn before bed. *squint eyes* She looks too happy to be sick!

Ashlyn’s pics of the day

This afternoon I went for another OB check up. Wil and Ashlyn came with me, and got to watch as I had an ultrasound performed. Did I tell you that in Taiwan, I had an ultrasound done at EVERY visit? That was cool!…since here, they usually do it twice.
Anyhow, the new baby’s gotten too big to see her entirety on one screen. We saw all different body parts….sadly, nothing I can recognize with my untrained eye. Everything was blurry and looked like brain.

I gained another 7lbs since my last visit (even though I was being careful)!…..bringing my total weight gain to 34lbs!!!
I’m gaining roughly 3 1/2lbs a week (while other women are only gaining a pound a week). *sigh* Not much I can do about it now, except stop obsessing and stressing over it.

The last couple of weeks have been the most miserable thus far. I have difficulty walking, sleeping, sitting, standing, and catching my breath. I’ve also experience more leg cramps and random aches and pains. I’m tired ALL the time! And my belly….*whooo*….itchy as hell!
I’m LIVIN’ LARGE! Most of it is due to water retention….which I’m not sure if it has to do with the fact that my Graves Disease came back. But by the end of every evening, I am incredibly swollen and puffy.
I was describing to my friend, Ray, that I feel like the senator-guy from the first “X-Men” movie. The one who turned into big watery-blob. I just hope I don’t explode like he did. HAHAHAHA!

On the bright side, my acid reflux subsided. Of course it happens AFTER I bought a large thing of Tums.

Do you know what I find amusing?…..that chinese people (above educated, experienced, licensed doctors) can tell what the sex of your baby is just by looking at the shape of your belly.
Many have told me that I’m having a boy. Aric’s aunt has even gone as far as saying that she is completely convinced that I’m having a boy because of how “ugly” I’ve become during this pregnancy. Hmmmmm, rather bold statement wouldn’t you say? HAHAHA! *shrug* I don’t care. I’m used to it. Everyone said the exact same thing when I was pregnant with Ashlyn. And she turned out to be a girl…a bit of a tomboy…but still a girl.

Aric and I have yet to find a name we can both agree on. Madonna let her daughter name their son (Rocco). Would I let Ashlyn pick out her sister’s name??? Being that Ashlyn’s only 2 1/2, the only names she has been exposed to belongs to “The Wiggles”, “Barney”‘s friends, muppets on “Sesame Street”, and various cartoon characters. I’ve gone through all of them, and *shake head*…uh, no thanks!

I am soooooooooo ready to have this baby already!