37 weeks 5 days!

We're 37w5d today!

Wow, it has been quit the journey thus far.  As I hit the 37 week mark, I start to notice many new changes in my body and how active Baby Hong has been.  Walking has been quite the challenge that comes along with aches, an extremely heavy belly, a lot of pressure, and noticeable stretch marks.  When I'm sitting or laying down, I'm great.  As soon as I gotta get up, oh my...the pain that comes with just trying to walk around.  

At our 37w1d week check-up, I had asked Peter to join me for this appointment knowing that I'll be getting my cervix checked.  I've heard good and bad stories about it and not knowing how it'll be, I needed the support from Peter to be there for me.  Thank goodness he came!  On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst; I'd say it was about a 7.  My OB-GYN was fantastic and had told us what she'll be doing step by step; she had made sure I was comfortable every step of the way.  As of that day, I was dilated 1 cm outside, but not the inside.  Baby Hong is face down and ready to make her appearance.  It's left us speechless to how amazing our body is and regardless of all the unglamorous side of pregnancy, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Knowing the fact that inside me is a little human that God has blessed us with and seeing the changes in my body to prepare for her birth is really amazing.  God is so good in all that He does.  It really leaves us humbled with His love and grace who watches over our family.

As each day and weekend passes, we have slowly prepared her things.  For someone who isn't here yet. she sure has a lot of stuff.  Setting up the crib is when it hit us!  Soon enough, our daughter will be sleeping in the crib and our world will be forever blessed.  Her clothes are all ready washed and put away.  Along with all the fun toys and miscellaneous things that are needed.  To be honest, this has been a daunting task for us since the baby shower.  We are just finally getting our apartment back from all her things in the hallway and living room.  Well at least for now, since I'm sure when she's here everything will be back to chaos. 

Now the waiting game to when our little bundle of joy will bless our home!

34 Weeks!!!

Today we are 34 weeks and 1 day...our Sweet Pea is growing growing and my belly is getting bigger bigger!  Yesterday was a rough day for me, walking around at work was difficult and I only found comfort sitting down.  I loath you round ligament pain, you are no fun!  

My last visit with my OB, after measuring the growth of my belly she estimates that Sweet Pea will be 8 lbs at birth.  Oh man do I hope she's wrong.  8 lbs out of me?  ouch!  As we get closer to our due date and reading on baby center that between 34 to 37 weeks, even though the baby is not full term she will generally do fine with no other health problems.  
I can't lie, I am pretty nervous with the whole labor process.  I am working up until my due date and I pray that contractions will start when I'm at home, not at work.  Can you imagine the sight of that?  My water breaks at work!  I am worried that when I'm offered epidural, I overdue how much I get and when it's time to push I won't be able too.  I have to be strong and just have take enough to be comfortable, but not fully take away the pain.  I have an amazing husband and family who are my support system through all this.  Knowing that I have my family and God with me, it brings me comfort that all will go well.

We were blessed with two baby showers in the February thrown by co-workers and family.  We are grateful for everyone that are part of this new journey of parenthood with us.  We can't ask for better family and friends.  For a someone who has not arrived, boy does she have a lot of stuff already.  We are in the process of reorganizing our closets and making space for all her things.  It has been a daunting process as I have been tired lately and all I want to do is sleep.  I've definitely seen the difference on my energy level in my 3rd trimester.  Sleep has been difficult and trying to stay awake at work has been quite the challenge.  Yes, I am totally nodding off at work and it's horrible.  None the less, I am grateful knowing that all that is happening to my body is preparing for our Sweet Pea's arrival.  

Hong Party of 5

Long over due on an updated post from the Hong family.  So much has happened in the past year, but the biggest news we have yet is our little family is expanding and Baby Hong will make her appearance in April 2015!

Photo Credit: Paul Nguyen

We are currently 31 weeks pregnant, it's been a good pregnancy with no complications so far.  Had mild morning sickness in the 1st trimester; found myself not being able to eat greasy food like fried chicken, fries and all the bad stuff we shouldn't be eating already.  Work was definitely a challenge and trying to stay awake.  I had no energy for anything, but just sleep.  Sleep was my best friend and no matter how much I slept, it was never enough.  The best and most exhilarating feeling that overcomes your body is feeling the little flutter in your belly.  Words can not express what an amazing feeling it is to know that the butterfly fluttering feeling is your little baby.  

People weren't kidding about the 2nd trimester being a dream.  As soon as we hit the 2nd trimester I was myself again.  Had energy to do anything and everything.  I even went biking with the husband around miramar lake!  It felt great and I certainly took advantage of feeling awesome by doing whatever I wanted.  During the 2nd trimester her movements in my belly started to be less like flutters, but bigger movements as she somersaults around.  The only stressful part of this trimester was the glucose testing.  I really was scared that I would have gestational diabetes and made sure I monitored my sugar intake throughout my pregnancy.  I failed my 1 hour test and had to take the 3 hour glucose test.  Boy oh boy, this was hard to do.  Drinking flat soda sugary water was not the business, being on an empty stomach made me feel nauseous and a headache.  None the less, I PASSED and couldn't be happier.  Towards the end of my 2nd trimester I had to pay a visit to Urgent Care due to my round ligament.  I had a lot of pain and trouble walking, sitting, laying down, and any type of movement at all.  Since this was my first pregnancy I wasn't sure if the pain was normal and had peace of mind that this was normal.  My wonderful husband canceled his bike ride to take care of me, even though I told him to go ahead and bike.  All I needed was to rest and drank a lot of water; after two to three days the discomfort went away.    

3rd trimester hasn't been too bad.  It's definitely not the nightmare that people say it is, but it's still early and I still have a few more months to go.  Belly is getting bigger and when I look down, my feet have magically disappeared.  I'm finding myself very clumsy as I waddle around, stubbing my toe, walking into my bed post, tripping over the pups toys and more.  I find it all so funny and amusing most of all...gravity is definitely getting the best of me.  I usually am a sound sleeper, but ever since I got pregnant I wake up to anything.  Our pups sleep with us and so whenever they move in bed or cuddle with me, I wake up.  Not just the pups, but going to the bathroom has been a daily routine in the middle of the night.  That's probably the one thing I dislike...especially when I have an hour or two before waking up for work.  At 31 weeks today and boy oh boy she takes my breath away every time she somersaults in my belly.  She is an active little one and I can tell will be a handful.  

My pregnancy so far has been such an amazing journey and feeling blessed to have the support from my husband and family.  It's amazing what our bodies go through to prepare for the birth; the hormonal changes, physical body changing, and mentally preparing for what's to come.  

New Addition

I'd like to introduce everyone to our new little precious, Bailey Hong!

Bailey Hong

Sleeps like a classy gal!

After a few months had passed and several discussions, we decided to adopt another pup.  The pup would be initially a playmate for Bear.  With our great surprise and luck, they both get a long beautifully.  The first moment they met, Bailey was a little shy, but they quickly warmed up and now the best of friends.  Watching them play with each other is the cutest thing ever.  Bear watches after her during our walks and is always making sure she's doing ok.  They both tease each other and run around the apt making a mess.  

Bailey is the sweetest pup you'll ever meet.  She'll immediately make you smile and say "ahhhh...so cute!".  She gives lovely kisses and loves to cuddle; my favorite thing about her.  When she sleeps next to you, she has to be snugged right next to you.  One of the oddest, but yet coolest thing about her is her breath...it smells like coffee!  Yes, you read right!  Her breath smells like coffee; makes her name even more fitting.

Hope you'll be able to meet our sweet precious soon.

 

It's not just a promise, it's an adventure

As I ponder by this statement, it makes me eager to see what adventures God has in store for Peter and I.  Time to time I would look at Peter and feel blessed and grateful to have found him.  It's ridiculous how much joy he brings to me and how much love I have for him and us.  

As stressful or overwhelmed by life can be for us, I have peace at heart knowing that God is in the center of our marriage and will never leave us stray.  There are so many things we want to do in life and I don't know... I feel like a clock is ticking fast.  In moments feeling like this, I take a deep breath and have to trust God's timing.  Not always the easiest, but if you truly live your life for God, then this is what I must do.

We are eager to travel, buy a home, start a family, possibly even adopt another pup (Peter's hope in the near future), and for me possibly starting a new career, or even start up a daycare.  Yup, one of my goals and hope some day start up a daycare.  We shall see...*breath in, breath out* all in God's timing. 

The day we vowed to become husband and wife was not just a promise, it's an adventure! A growing adventure as we are slowly building our foundation and future together.  

Crafty Cocktails

I love finding new places that have craft drinks.  To name a few places, I've enjoyed being introduced to El Dorado and Prohibition.  The bartender would ask what I would like to drink and my response is, "something with gin and an egg, please!"  It hasn't failed me yet...I've always got a drink that made me smile and not regret ordering it.  I'm sure your eyebrow is raised when seeing the word egg.  Yes, it wasn't a typ-o, an egg!  Don't knock it until you've tried it.  The egg white creates this cream frothy finish to the drink and it's very entertaining to watch the drink being made too.

I haven't been back to El Dorado in awhile and feel like I'm due back for a visit.

Last night a group of us went to URBN Coal Fire Pizza/Bar and it was fantastic.  You can find my awesome review on yelp for all the fun details.  I was initially excited for the pizza, but the crafty cocktails and list of beer made me a happy girl.  I got the Vienna Crush and sipped a few glasses of beer that Peter ordered.  Everything was very tasty!  Best of all, happy hour is until 8pm...how great is that?

I am becoming a huge fan of craft cocktails...the drinks seem to have so much more love into creating these delicious concoctions, it's hard to not like.  I have a few other bars in mind to try out their crafty drinks and look forward to sharing it with you guys. 

Best,
Crystal

6 Months!

6 months ago, 11/10/12 was the happiest day of both our lives; the day we became husband and wife!

It has been a blessful road for Peter and I.  It is said that the first year is the toughest; the transition of living together and learning new habits that we may never have known about one another.  Knock on wood, but God has really been in the center of our relationship and as my sister puts it, "we are truly madly deeply livin da vida loca."  :-)

The biggest obstacle we have faced is feeling that our marriage has just recently begun.  What I mean by that is we had a roommate living with us.  Even though our roommate was respectful with our space and pretty much gave us most of the apt, we didn't feel like we started our lives together until after we moved to our own place.  I only say that because I felt like the place wasn't part of me.  Yes I may have decorated and used the kitchen most, but it wasn't home to me or for us...not yet  I guess it's not really an obstacle, but for us we were very antsy and could not wait to move.  Especially since we had all these wonderful wedding gifts to use for our place.

Our place is coming together slowly, but surely.  I'm slowly adding my crystal touch to everything and so far we are both loving how everything looks.  What I love best is that Peter and I make a great team and really work together through everything.  I love how I am in the middle of cooking and he'll come home after work and always offers a helping hand.  Even cleans up the apt when we are about to have guests over the weekend...I don't even have to ask.  My heart absolutely melts when I see him with Bear and I know he will be a wonderful father someday.

6 months and counting as I continue to fall in love even more with my best friend, my help mate, my life partner.

Best,
Crystal