Peg’s Journal

Happy Friday! Today was to me, what a ‘day off’ is to Ferris Bueller.

Wil took the day off from work, and along with Ivy, we had a delightful brunch in Santa Cruz and spent the day frolicking in the sand, surf, and boardwalk! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect….it was sunny, but not too hot.
Ashlyn was sooooo happy and excited being at the beach. I finally got a bit of color on my cheeks, shoulders, arms, legs, and pudgy feet.

Ivy, Ashlyn, and Wil on the Boardwalk

“Look, mama, o-sheen (ocean)!” HAHAHA!

building a sandcastle with Auntie Wil

getting buried by Ivy

on the Merry-Go-Round

Spending the rest of the evening with Ashlyn, Wil, Tony, Ivy, and Oli….gonna grab dinner and rent a good movie.

I realize Wil’s guest-entry created some confusion/stir. I found it hilarious (even at the expense of my poor hubby). HAHAHA!
Actually, I shouldn’t make fun…he was pretty concerned last night after I ended our nightly IM session early due to intense and somewhat painful “Braxton Hicks”. I fell asleep while timing them…and when I woke up a couple of hours later to go to the bathroom, they stopped. *whew!*

Today was a much better day…hardly experienced any “Braxton Hicks”. *thumbs up*
By the way, thanks for all the encouraging emails!

Have a super weekend!

hey all you pegpower fans! it’s me…wil…peg’s sister. i’m kicking the tires on her site, giving it a go, in preparation for baby shen’s arrival. i’ll be tasked with updating peg’s journal as she is in the hospital undergoing the miracle of life. hopefully, i can step up to the plate and not disappoint all of her loyal aficionados. i vow to give you guys a comprehensive daily update, and not spare a single gory detail.

I’m feeling rather spoiled….all of our meals today have been hand delivered!
Sonny brought over lunch and ate with us, and my brother-in-law’s sister – Heidi, dropped off dinner.
I feel really appreciative and a bit embarassed as well.
As far as food is concerned, we are doing fine. The fridge and walk-in pantry is fully stocked with groceries, and I have plenty of leftovers from my lunch with John yesterday (which I was planning on eating for dinner). WOW!…we are sooooo lucky!

Today was pretty mellow. I felt crampy earlier and had to lie down. I nervously timed the “contractions”…which were very irregular before ceasing altogether.
Is this still considered “Braxton Hicks”??? I actually don’t know what “Braxton Hicks” are, or what they’re supposed to feel like (I never experienced them with Ashlyn), but I assume what I’ve been experiencing are called “Braxton Hicks”. *shrug* The tightening sensation have become more prominent these days.

I’m starting to get nervous. Reason being…I’m not too sure what to expect with the onset of natural labor.
With Ashlyn, I was induced: we checked in, I changed into a hospital gown, laid in bed, started the pitocin drip, and waited for the contractions to begin.
As most would say, being induced result in a more painful and intense labor. But since I had no prior knowledge or experience, I was fully prepared to go through “the-worst-pain-in-the-whole-wide-world” (hehe). Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad. Even at the most excruciating and unforgiving series of contractions, it was manageable. Regardless…I was already in the hospital; hooked up to monitors and under the careful supervision of the kindest nurse and anesthesiologist I’ve ever met. So that in itself is very reassuring. Anyhow, Ashlyn popped out after a few hours of laboring and 5 minutes of pushing….easy-peasy.
The onset of natural labor is mild and gradually increases over time. I think with my high threshold for pain…and if nothing obvious happens (such as my water breaking), I’m afraid I might not realize what’s happening until it’s too late – too late to get the epidural (hehe) or too late to get to the hospital in time. God help me!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I knew exactly what to expect. Have a nice crisp handout (like on the day of a wedding), and follow the timeline to a “T”:
11:00am double over in pain
11:04am contractions in regular 4 minute intervals.
11:05am grab hospital bag
11:07am jump in the car
11:30am check into the hosptial
11:32am breathing through the contractions
etc….etc…

That would be so kickass! *sigh* …yeah, that would be awesome.

Ashlyn’s pics of the day

Today was a fun and eventful day. Ashlyn and I spent the whole day with my best guy-friend, John.
It’s been a while since we got to hang out with him.

Ashlyn at Hello Desserts

We had a yummy lunch at Pacific Rim Plaza in Milpitas. Afterwards, we enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine as we sat outdoors and indulged in some boba, lychee jelly, and honeydew slushie with sago. *Mmmm!* Ran some errands and spent the afternoon relaxing at home.

John and Ashlyn watching “Spongebob Squarepants”

Tonight John insisted on cooking dinner for us – me, Ashlyn, Heather, Chris, and Marisa. We had pesto chicken pasta with mushrooms. *YUM!* THANKS, John!
After dinner we all piled into my car and drove to the nearest Baskin-Robbins for their Free Scoop Night!
Bett and Chew met up with us there. I was surprised to see the long line that wrapped around the corner. Luckily, the wait wasn’t too bad (15 minutes)…it was well worth it!

I’m pooped!…but had such a great time!

This morning I got up at 7:30am to make a farewell pancake breakfast for Sis and my parents….they left for their Silk Road/China trip today. As I type, they are probably a couple hours shy of landing in Beijing.

This trip was arranged over a year ago with a group of my parents’ close friends. We did not foresee my pregnancy, living arrangement, nor close delivery date at the time. For months, my parents were torn about leaving, but I insisted they go as planned.
This morning, as I watched them load up my brother-in-law’s car, I really wanted them to stay. Selfish of me, huh? I had been prepared for this for a while….but had not bargained to have become so dependent and attached to them. *sniff* I was so sad seeing them go.
They will be gone for 3 weeks. By the time they return, I will most likely have a brand new lil’ one to introduce to them.

At least I have Wil, Tony, my bro-in-law, my nieces, my cousins, my girls, my friends, and soon – Aric, to keep watch over me and to help me pass the time. I am truly lucky (and spoiled) if I think about it….I didn’t have nearly as many loved ones close by when I was pregnant with Ashlyn.

Not in much of a journaling mood. So tired from my long day. But I realize that when I don’t update (ie..during the weekend), people automatically assume I had the baby. HAHAHA! No, not yet.

(Ashlyn singing Hilary Duff’s “Come Clean”. HAHAHA!)
Ashlyn’s pic of the day