15 Weeks and going to LA

Thank you everyone for putting up with my incessant whining about my all-day sickness. It is estimated that less than 10% of pregnant women will continue to experience "morning sickness" even after the first trimester. Some will continue to "suffer" until delivery. So far, based on the signs of my improving condition, I can almost declare that I do not belong to the 10% population.
I feel more energetic and am able to concentrate on work more. Call me crazy but I find it soothing that I can concentrate on work again. Not being able to be more productive at work previously was driving me crazy. I am having a better appetite even though still picky with food. I am really excited of our planned trip to LA starting this Friday. I'm able to spend some time with family and friends and introduce Chamu to them for the first time. I've got a very busy second trimester travel schedule. Luckily, compared to what I would've been required to do if I were still at Goldman, I am alreadying having a very relaxing schedule.
Everyday, Jaime and I talk about worries and expectations but I guess we will never have the answers until we go through them one by one. Having little Chamu is really drawing two of us closer. Jaime prepares my breakfast everyday and cooks dinner when we are not eating out. He is always very patient with me whining nonstop and I feel even more convinced than before that I have picked the right lifelong soulmate (and the right partner to be my children's father). Together we will try the best we can to be good parents (even if deep down inside, we both still want to be kids sometimes).

Benefits of Pregnancy

One of the major bodily enhancements brought by pregnancy is ever-increasing cup size. It is quite surreal because you are trying all your life with help of underwires, miracle bras or sponge pads (or even tissue paper) to augment your assets without much success and all of sudden, your assets just grow at the amazing speed without much external efforts ( like it's puberty again!). The only thing is, you know they are not here to stay. And pretty soon your tummy will outgrow your bosom so no one will even notice your enlarged, super-sized top. The only consolation prize you have is that your baby will likely be better fed (and perhaps he can sleep through the night)...

The second benefit is that you get to eat, eat, eat. Although most of the pregnancy books do not recommend eating without much discipline but you soon become slave to your stomach and you have zero control over what your mouth wants to eat. And of course, your loved ones around you are too scared to say no to you because they want the baby to grow. So I now have soft-baked chocolate cookies on our nightstand and chocolate milk in our refrigerator.

Third benefit is that you get to shop until you drop. Nothing fits anymore. By now, I have outgrown my pants, my tops, and even my shoes... I am planning to have a shopping spree when I get to LA this weekend. You spend the whole day thinking you have become less sexy and attractive so it is necessary to invest on something that makes you feel better. Somehow at 15 weeks, people at work are still quite insensitive to my widening mid-section. Perhaps I need to start wearing more bright colors and in-your-face preggy outfits to attract their attention...

The Moment of Truth

Today is the day we go see little Chamu again.
It has been two and half weeks since the last doctor visit and I have tried to eat well (and Jaime has tried every way he can to feed me) in the last two weeks but I still have limited appetite.
After waiting anxiously for 45 minutes, we finally got inside the room. First the scale. Despite the supposedly "bad appetite", I managed to gain 2.5 kgs in the last two weeks!!! That is more weight than I am allowed to gain in the entire first trimester. The nurse asked if I've had better than usual appetite and was shocked to learned that actually I am suffering from morning sickness. She warned me to watch my weight because I will likely have enormous appetite later on. Oops, must be all the chocolate soybean milk that I have been gulping...
Then we started the ultrasound session. First, the measurement of Chmu's Nuchal Tube. The first reading was on the high side so the doctor took four more readings and told us Chamu looks like a very healthy baby to her. Then she asked if we were hoping for a boy or a girl. I said that I'd like to have my first-born being a boy (since I think older brothers tend to be more responsible and stronger and my little girl should be adored and spoiled by her older brother). Then there it is... the mystery is solved (and we didn't need to wait until May next year).

See if you can identify Chamu's gender yourself!!!! 1:27 into the video then you should see the big revelation!

12 and 1/2 Weeks

Okay, boys and girls, forget the suspense. I finally told my boss about little Chamu and the news will hopefully spread from there without me having to go around and acknowledge to each person that I am actually pregnant and have them look at me like I have caught some disease when saying congratulations (I know, I may just be overly paranoid like all pregnant women - or women PERIOD). So far no one has noticed my growing bump underneath my over-sized suit jacket... Given that 25-year-olds are considered "over-aged mothers" at my company, I am sure people will look at me and think I am a freak when my belly can no longer be disguised... :)

Tomorrow little Nicholas will be coming to stay with us and his brother is also on the way... good time for us to try out parenting a little bit.

Little Chamu will be having his third ultrasound session today and we should be able to count his fingers and toes.. so excited! stay tuned...