Family Pictures... second attempt

Amelia was feeling much better during our second session!  Here are some pics from our second attempt:

Family Pictures... first attempt

We tried to get family pictures taken a few weeks ago, but Amelia was feeling very sick and miserable.  After a little bit, we just rescheduled with the photographer in hopes that Amelia would feel better.  Here are a few shots from that first day... we were thankful to get a few smiles from Amelia ;0)

Week 35

This week I've had a lot of help!  Just when I thought I didn't have the energy to go on with this pregnancy, my parents came for a visit.  We were very thankful that they flew in all the way from Washington (state) for a quick visit before Alex arrives.  

Amelia loved the all the attention and I so appreciated the help.  I was able to take more naps and take more time to just sit and relax.  My parents cooked, cleaned, and everything in between!  Thanks Mom and Dad!!

I am extra lucky because as soon as my parents leave, my mother-in-law is coming to town.  We are so excited ;0)  I have the best, most supportive family ever!

This week, I have been having severe pelvic pain, feeling lots of pressure, and Alex's fetal movements have been very painful.  I didn't have any of these problems with Amelia, so I was really worried something might be wrong.  It got so bad that I could barely move by dinner time.  I could barely walk!  I thought for sure I was going to go into early labor.

Since I had a prenatal appointment this week, I brought up my pain issues.  I felt like a wimp because my doctor informed me that everything I'm feeling is NORMAL and I probably just had an easier pregnancy with Amelia.  In addition, this time around I am chasing around a toddler so that takes a toll on my body as well.

My doctor gave me a support belt to wear to help with the pressure.  I was skeptical at first, but it has made such a difference!!!  It's really ugly, but I don't ever want to take it off.

My doctor is also concerned because I am measuring too small, 30-31 weeks, so she is going to order another growth ultrasound to make sure Alex is growing adequately.  This has come to a complete surprise to me because I really feel like Alex is huge in my belly!  I'm a little nervous, but am trying to stay optimistic about the situation.  Maybe Jimmy and I just make small babies... At 15 months, Amelia weighs as much as a 6-9 month old, but is perfectly healthy.  

Week 35

This support belt is super ugly, but it has been a lifesaver!  I usually wear it underneath my clothes, but I took off my shirt so you all could check it out.

(Week 35 w/Amelia)

Playing with Lolo

High-Five

Amelia was really happy with herself... high-fives becaome her thing to do with Lolo!

Amelia loved to show off her puzzle skills to Lolo.  Of course, Lolo thinks she's the smartest little baby ever ;0)

Playing with Lola

Santa w/Lolo & Lola

My parents took Amelia to see Santa today! 

She didn't want to smile and Bear is in the picture... I love it ;0)

Posing with Lola and Lolo, Santa, and Bear

Hanging out with Lolo and Lola

Amelia's Baptism

Amelia was baptised during Sunday Mass at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Chapel.  It's the small church we've been attending that's attached to the hospital where Jimmy works.  It was a small, intimate ceremony... it was perfect! 

My parents traveled all the way from Washington (state) for the occasion.  My cousins, Manang Jocelyn and Manong Soliman are her Godparents.  Fortunately for us they are currently stationed at Fort Belvior, so it worked out really well.  Jimmy and I have always looked up to them, so Amelia is in good hands ;0)

The Mass and ceremony was really stressful for me.  Try getting a 15 month old to sit still for an hour, ha ha ha.  When we went up in front of the congregation to do the actual baptism, Amelia was holding her dolly, snack cup, and eating a cracker.  She was super squirmy, started whining a few times, started playing with the fixtures on the wall, had to be passed around to three different people, and then my mom actually had to come up and give her a drink from her cup to keep her calm.  Definitely not your typical baptism!

Oh yeah, and she didn't want to wear the traditional bonnet (she kept ripping it off), so she got baptised with her hair in pigtails ;0)

My beautiful baby

Blessing and prayer beforehand... we were up there for about 10 minutes and this was when Amelia started acting up!  Longest 10 minutes of my life, ha ha ha.

Father Cushing, my parents, Jimmy and I, Manang Jocelyn (holding Amelia), and Manong Soliman

Checking out the nativity scene after Mass

Week 34

Gestational diabetes sucks.  It's really tough to give up the sweets.  I have to limit my fruit intake each day, which is very hard since I usually eat fruit with every meal.  I've been trying different flavors of sugar-free Jello with a little bit of Cool Whip to help with my cravings.  However, Jello will NEVER take the place of a slice of pie, fruit, ice cream, cookies or cupcakes.  I'm also a carb lover.  Seriously, I can't have rice??  I'm Asian.  That's messed up.

This diet is driving me CRAZY! It also doesn't help that Jimmy eats carbs and sugar, and drinks soda in front of me all the time... just sayin'.

I dusted off the good old. breast pump and a few bottles.  Amelia had a blast playing with her new "toys."  Her favorite thing to do was twist the lids on and off the bottles (which she figured out how to do herself!) and suck on the old nipples.  I ordered some new nipples and plan to sterilize all the feeding stuff in the next few weeks.  Hopefully, I'll only have to pump once or twice a week... I hate that horrible machine, but love the freedom it allows me while I'm nursing.

I'm starting to get anxious about the nursing situation.  A lot of other moms I've talked to say that nursing a second child is a little bit easier because you know what to expect.  However, it's more difficult to do since you usually have another child running around that you need to keep track of.

I nursed Amelia until she was 14 months and would have liked to go a little bit longer, but the pregnancy made it difficult.  I'm not sure what kind of expectations I have for myself with baby Alex, maybe six months?  I would like to nurse him for a year, but I know that things can get complicated.  It may be a situation where I won't be able to nurse him at all... What if he doesn't latch on or what if I don't have enough milk?  Oh well, I guess stressing out about it won't help ;0)  We will see what happens!

Week 34...with my mom! 
I'll post more about my parents' visit later.

(Week 34 w/Amelia)