Weblog

Saturday, 14 November 2009

  • Dirty Laundry

    We have a gap in between the wall and our stacking washer/dryer, so I've been searching for a hamper that'll fit in that space.  I just ordered this one from Cost Plus World Market -- I hope it works well!



    It looks similar to this one from Pottery Barn, which is 3x the cost.



    PS - you can get 15% off all purchases at Cost Plus with code PEEKAF through tomorrow.

  • Hospital Packing List

    Happy Saturday!  I made this cream cheese & ham omelette for breakfast, and it was quite yummy.

    3 1/2 weeks left until my due date -- I'm full-term on Wednesday -- which means this baby could come any day now!  So I've been busy buying and preparing last minute baby things.  On my to do list this weekend is packing my hospital bag.  Here is my master list (I know I overprepare, but it helps my anxiety!):

    Toiletries
    toothbrush/toothpaste
    face wash/lotion/soap/shampoo/conditioner
    lip balm (your lips get very dry)
    hair ties/clips

    Clothing
    robe
    pjs x 2 (one that opens in the front for breastfeeding)
    nursing bras
    loose going home outfit (cuz you'll still look 5 months pregnant after giving birth unfortunately)
    clothes for Mr. Bee
    blanket/pillow (optional)
    couple pairs of socks
    slippers
    flip flops for bathroom
    disposable underwear/pads (the hospital provides these, but my friend told me the undies were too big so I'm just going to bring my own)

    Electronics
    camera/video camera
    cell phone charger
    laptop
    ipod/books/mags/dvds/cards to keep you entertained

    Breastfeeding
    nursing pads
    lanolin
    breastfeeding pillow

    Misc.
    notebook/pen
    baby book (so the nurse can stamp the baby's foot when she's doing the birth certificate)
    snacks

    Labor Relief
    birth ball
    birth plan
    hot water bottle/ice pack/massager (or tennis balls)
    candies

    Baby
    infant car seat
    socks
    bib (or cloth diaper which is easier to use than a bib when the baby is small)
    hat
    bunting
    onesie
    going home outfit
    receiving blanket

    I'm also taking an extra empty duffel because the hospital gives you a lot of free stuff that may include: formula, diapers, wipes, onesie, hat, swaddling blanket, disposable underwear, pads, nasal aspirator, thermometer, dermoplast pain spray, tucks pads, sitz bath, water spray bottle, breast pads, and stool softener (cuz you're scared to go poo after giving birth!).

    I visited a friend yesterday who gave birth less than a month ago, and she gave me the skinny on all the things no one tells you.  Three recent mom friends have all told me that everyone talks about how long/painful the labor is, but the recovery is waaaaaaay worse.  My friend couldn't even sit for two weeks, while having to breastfeed every 2 hours!   For some reason though, I'm not really scared of the pain.  But I'll get back to you after I actually go through it all.

    Also on our things to do list this weekend: come up with potential names!  We want to have a list of maybe 5 or so, and we'll name him when he's born.  Now that the nursery is just about ready and I have everything I need for the baby, I'm really nervous about something going wrong -- which is also why we haven't selected names either.  What will I do with all this stuff and the nursery if something goes wrong?!  I don't think the worrying ever stops, even when you bring your baby home. 

    One thing I'm looking forward to is having a drink and eating all the things I haven't been able to eat while pregnant.  Oh and I updated my baby registry post with my latest learnings in case you're interested.

    Hope you have a great weekend!

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

  • 36 Weeks

    I had a 36 week ultrasound today to check out the position and weight of the baby.  He's facing head down, as he should be, and his weight is estimated to be 6 pounds, 10 ounces -- the 80% percentile!

    Weights are always overestimated by a pound or so on all the birth reality shows, and how could reality shows possibly be wrong?   So I'm just going to assume he'll be close to the average weight of 7 1/2 pounds when he's born.  The 2d ultrasound was very anticlimactic after having had a 4d ultrasound, but it's always exciting to be able to see the baby in any way. 

    My doctor says half of her patients go into labor early and half go past their due date.  I hope the baby comes a little early because that means he'll be a little bit smaller. 

    I also got the H1N1 vaccine today.  I was a little worried about getting it since I got really sick when I got the regular flu shot a couple weeks ago, but so far so good.

    I'm not a fan of the belly shot but people always seem to ask me for them, so I took some today in the nursery. 





    I recently left my DSLR in a cab and need to buy a new one.  Wow these pics with my point and shoot are really crappy!

    I hardly bought any maternity clothes because I don't go into an office and was able to get by on wearing loose dresses in the summer.  But I did buy this shirt and leggings (A Pea in the Pod brand) from the Destination Maternity store in Manhattan and have worn them nonstop.

    4 more weeks to go, but let's hope it's only 2 more weeks!  Ack I don't know if I'm ready!

Monday, 09 November 2009

  • Baby Bee

    I haven't purchased any baby clothes, but I saw this and couldn't resist!  I plan on doing regular photo shoots of our little bee since I know so many talented photographers, and this was too cute to pass up.  I don't care if he's a boy!


  • Thanks for all your advice on Korean markets in Flushing!  I ended up going to Hanyang for kimchi (they did have a better selection), and H-Mart for everything else (prices were cheaper there).  Next time I'll check out Assi Plaza. Korean food has been the most appetizing cuisine during this last trimester, and I'm so thirsty all the time so I stocked up on lots of Korean beverages!  I think I might make ojinguh gook today... I haven't had that in ages.



    Since we moved to Park Slope, I've really wanted to buy a car.  I looooooove driving -- it's the thing I miss most about not living in LA.  I had a three hour daily commute for years, and I didn't really mind it because driving is one of the best anxiety relievers.  It'll be a lot easier for me to run errands with a car, especially with a baby in tow, and it's a lot more plausible to have one here than in Manhattan where parking is madness.  We'll also be able to go on more adventures once the baby is a little bit older.  I've been using zipcar a lot, but it's very different when you have your own car.

    My dream car has always been a station wagon.  My family had a station wagon growing up, and I have so many great memories of family trips in that clunker of a car.  I always knew that I'd buy a station wagon of my own when I grew up, so I'm looking to get a used Subaru Outback or Volkswagon Passat Wagon -- the two highest rated station wagons.  I don't want to invest in a new car since I won't be driving it daily, it's probably going to get dinged on the New York streets, and I'm cheap.

    I've never purchased a used car before... do you have any advice on where I should begin?