A second dose of Grandparents

Max got spoiled on Sunday when all the Grandparents were in town. My Mom brought lunch (which is an understatement, she brought enough for an Army!) and we all enjoyed it outside as the Grandparents doted on the little guy. How lucky he is already :)

The 'Rents visit!

Grandparents that is! Leon's folks are in town for the weekend to see their first grandchild :) Max has been lucky getting to be in Grandma's arms. Grandma also brought pics of Leon as a newborn and can we say "spitting image"! I'll try and get scanned copies and upload them soon (don't have the driver for my scanner on the Mac).

Today Max is three weeks old and we took him to DayOne for a weigh-in. Wow, this kiddo sure knows how to eat! As you see from the scale below, he's now 8 lbs. 7oz.

Tank, Grandpa & Grandma Chen, Max

The proud Grandparents with Max

Handlin' It!

This week Leon returned back to work, which means Mama gone solo! I'll admit that Monday was rough as Max decided to stay up all night...meaning I was awake with him all day and night. Then, yesterday was a bit easier as I got in an afternoon nap.

Today, I went wild (ok not really) and got up the courage to do an outing to Target by myself with Max in tow. Success! He slept the entire time, that dear sweet boy.

The following pictures have nothing to do with my outing, but thought I would post them anyhow.

Crazy hair after a bath

Wide awake

Max's Family & Friends

Max has had alot of visitors in his first two weeks of life :)

Maxwell - 2 weeks old

Today Max is two weeks old!

We took him to DayOne to get weighed today and he is 7 lbs 9 oz - back to his birth weight plus 3 oz :)

Tank decided to get in on the action too as you can see below.

Max & Tank are BFFs

Out and About

Starting to get the courage to venture out while I am not stuck being Max's milk machine...Yesterday I managed to drop off Leon for a haircut, go to the bank, and buy some laundry detergent from Walgreens while carrying Max in the sling. We even stopped at the Crepevine to pick up some lunch to bring home (even if lunch was at 3:30pm).

Today Angie was an angel and stopped by to take a walk with me in the neighborhood. Hank and Max rocked it in the Uppababys :) Max did well, although it was pretty warm out. Poor little Hank may have a tooth sprouting and was not as excited about the ride.

Either way, it was nice to get out and about. Thanks again Ang for coming over. Before you know it, we'll be taking Hank and Max on trips to the park!

Max chillin'

Sweet little Henry

He speaks!

Maxwell - 1 week old

Today Max is 1 week old!

Thanks again Annika for this super-cute quilt that I can document his growth on :)

The story

So I have some limited time to sit down now and go through the birth story of Max's long-awaited arrival into this world.

Come Saturday morning, no contractions or active labor through the night. Leon and I had breakfast at Cafe Barrone (surprise) and headed back to the hospital for an induction.

This time, the hospital was not as crazy and I was able to check in right away around 8:45am. One of the nurses even recognized me from the day before to let the others know "no need to check her, she's already 6 cm dilated, so she's staying".

The process of getting checked in takes a long time. You go to a labor room, get changed, you're asked a number of questions about your health history, get an IV set-up, talk to the an anesthesiologist etc, etc.

It was a good hour before they were even going to start the pitocin. Then came some trouble with my IV line, so it wasn't until 11:00am that the pitocin started. Though I felt contractions about an hour in, they certainly were not what I was expecting as far as pain. They were coming about every 3 minutes. This surprised the nurse and doc, who then at 1:00pm decided to break my water. This is where the real contractions started! Before I knew it, the contractions went from a pain level of 4-5 to about an 8 and they were 1 minute apart. I couldn't even use the restroom without having about 3 contractions in between.

Though I went in thinking I would try without pain meds, I was calling the anesthesiologist. The downside of the epidural is that it did not work all the way for me. Only my left side was numb and I was still about a 6 on a pain level...I couldn't even talk through the contractions. Poor anesthesiologist felt bad that as many different meds he pumped into me, none were helping.

It wasn't long however, before it was time to push, around 4:00pm. I pushed for one hour (which actually felt better with the contractions), and into the world came Maxwell! He came out screaming, which was funny. They set him on my stomach and Leon got to cut the cord.

Though I am sure most parents feel this, there isn't a description for brining a child into the world. We were elated and in awe. I couldn't believe this squirming baby was just inside me and now out into the world.

Everyone has asked me before the birth, "Are you nervous?" meaning, about the labor. My answer was yes, but not due to the labor, but about being a parent!

We just hope to be the best we can and learn along the way :)

Putting his thinking cap on

The last few days have been a whirlwind - will share all the birthing details later. In the meantime, we are already getting Max to work his lil' brain :)

He has arrived

Proud to announce the arrival of our son :)

Maxwell Oliver Chen was born yesterday, 5/22/2010 at 5:05pm weighing in at 7lbs 6oz. 20.5 inches long.

The whole fam is doing well and will arrive home from the hospital soon.

Anticipation

Last night I had dinner with friends Ann, Angie, & Shannon. As we were discussing how much I was dilated last week, the girls threw out bets on what I would be dilated to today when I went in for my doc appointment. Ann joked 6 cm, and we all laughed, talking about doing squats or lunges to speed up the process.

Low and behold, I go in this morning and I am 5-6cm dilated! (I owe you $1 Ann) I was told how "lucky" I am, as by now, some women have been through hours of labor.

Yes, the doc, Leon, and I were all surprised. So, she asked us, would we like to have the baby today? We weren't prepared to answer that question, but we came back at 3:00pm in the afternoon to "have my membrane stripped" (not a pleasant process) and take a brisk walk around the mall to try and get some contractions going before checking into the hospital. Well, this did not bring on contractions. We went to the hospital anyhow as my doc was concerned this was going to be a very fast labor.

The hospital was a zoo...so many births they didn't even have a room available and wouldn't for one hour. This meant perhaps a delivery in the very wee hours of the morning. My doc called me and suggested we go home where we would be more comfortable, see if we make it through the night, and come back in the morning when things would be less hectic.

So we are just waiting and seeing if we make it through the night. Either way, we are meeting this little guy tomorrow! :)

39 weeks

Here's a side view...he's still in there!

Nursery (almost) complete!

On Friday, Brett & Angie came over for some breakfast-for-dinner. But first, we put the boys to work hanging up shelves in the nursery. Thanks Brett for helping out Leon! Was glad to know the drywall was still in tact :) Now I feel so much better and the nursery is just about complete. I am only missing some custom roman shades I am having made which will soon be here.

Little Hank also showed off his crawling skills! Even with obstacles such as Tank licking his face every 5 minutes. This guy is going to be walking before we know it. :)

Leon & Brett celebrate their hard work with a beer.

The finished result

Changing area and a bed (so Leon and I can take turns with all-nighters)

Crib, rocking chair

Another view of the crib (Bedding is from Skip Hop, I bought different fitted sheets though in both orange and aqua)

Artwork I bought on Etsy

This spectacular quilt that Annika made for us...it is the cutest! I plan to take pics of the little one on it each week as Annika did and Angie is also doing with little Hank.

Now it's just a waiting game. I'm trying to take it easy as my OB/GYN is at a conference this week Monday - Wednesday. No more long walks for me unless I want to go into labor. I am eager to meet this little guy in person, but I am also fine with him incubating a little longer :)

Taking bets!

Ok people...had my weekly doc appt. this morning and found out I am already 2-3cm dilated! This little guy may be arriving sooner than we thought.

Any predictions? :)

Happy 6th b-day to Tank!

My little fur-baby turned 6 years old on Tuesday! We celebrated a day late with some Fred Steak and a Sprinkles cupcake...just like last year.

This year will bring about a lot of changes for our furry first-born and us, but in the meantime, he got to be spoiled for a day.

Lounging in the sun in the backyard

Patiently awaiting his steak

A cupcake for dessert

One more visit from Mom-In-Law

On Sunday, Leon's Mom came out to visit us one more time before the baby's arrival. We ran some errands, prepared some art for the nursery, and put together a gift basket for the maternity ward at Lucille Packard. She also brought a knitted blanket she's been working really hard on and it turned out wonderful!

I know she's excited for her first grand-baby. So are we. As we anticipate his arrival so close now, we are both nervous and excited.

Here's a pic we shot before she left yesterday. I'm 38 weeks along!

Graduation

I had finally completed my degree in December, but due to peer pressure, I walked in graduation this past weekend on the 8th. After it was through, I was glad I did it. As much as I was uncomfortable with my 9 month preggers self, my friend Ali was a fellow pregger at 7 months and could empathize. The weather couldn't have been better and my family came out to join in the festivities.

With Leon...with my sister...my moms & pops...and fellow classmates.

Walking...with my advisor Dr. Nyland...with my sister and her fam

GSB Reunion Weekend - late post

The weekend of May 1st marked the one year reunion for Leon's biz school at Stanford. Alot of friends from near and far were in town to visit, so Leon and I threw an afternoon BBQ/open house for everyone to stop by. It was nice to see familiar faces and bask in the good weather. Thanks to Annika for the pics!

36 weeks

Four more weeks! Yes....the countdown is here. Today i am exactly 36 weeks along.

Leon and I don't really have a pic together with my bump. Since we took one for Stanford's reunion weekend dinner slideshow thingy (something like that) I decided to post it too.

Everyone likes to Snoogle

Most of you pregger (or prior pregger) people (or partners of) are familiar with the Snoogle pregnancy pillow. It's a curved body pillow for pregnant women. It's been pretty helpful for me these last 8 months and since I am a back sleeper, it forces me to sleep on my side (like I am suppose to!). Leon has found it to be quite comfy and tried it out a couple times.

Tank, however, loves to sleep in my Snoogle any chance he can get. Whether it is before bedtime as Leon and I go through our nightly routine, or right after I wake up, he's back in place.

Get your Zzzz's lil' Tank because we both will be missing out on them soon!

Visitors from AZ

Last night we were lucky to get a visit from the Chans! They were up here visiting family and friends. I was so excited to finally meet their little one, Kingsley. Those cheeks! It is hard to believe that we are going to be joining them in parenthood shortly. Didi always has some great true and tested mommy/baby things to recommend. Q always funny, but nice to see him in the Dad role. Terri and his wife Mona also swung by, but unfortunately I didn't get to snap a pic. Thanks for stopping by guys!

Momma Didi & Kingsley

Dad Quentin & Kingsley

Getting Showered

What lucky people we are to have such loving family and friends. This post is past-due with all the "showering" our family & friends have brought upon us. We really are blessed to have such generous people in our lives!

(3.27.10) First shower was thrown by my sisters, Mom, and a couple close friends. Thank you Nga, Hong, Marifi, Janet, & Mom! The sun decided to shine on this weekend and all came to see our new pad. We had lots of little ones running around and enjoyed some good food. Everyone was so generous - we barely fit the gifts into the nursery and wondered after this first shower if we already didn't need to get an even bigger home :)

(4.3.10) Next shower was hosted by our dear friends Jeff, Sam, Karen, & Jake. The theme was March Madness and everyone had to wear their favorite college team t's. They even had a small b-ball hoop hooked up in the back for those who wanted to participate in "brackets". Congrats to Tom & Michelle who won Snuggies :)

(4.6.10) The gals at work treated me to a special night out. It started with pedicures, followed by some good food at Maggianos. I was relaxed and full by night's end and ready to roll home...literally!

(4.11.10) Now came another REALLY special treat. Miss Ann P. decided while our boys were away in Pismo for the weekend, the girls needed some R&R and treats for ourselves. So, Ann, Shannon, Angie, and Angie's sis Courtney treated me to the Ritz Carlton brunch in Half Moon Bay. Wow, what a treat! Although the weather was less than stellar, the food and good company more than made up for it. Some of us even squeezed in massages the day before - I felt spoiled, but certainly wouldn't turn any of this down. Thanks girls!

(4.13.10) Last, but not least, came a shower thrown by Leon's company. It was hosted at one of the partner's very nice home in Hillsborough. Don't know that I ever mentioned it, but one of my pregnancy "cravings" has been salads from Sprout in Palo Alto. They were so nice, they had it catered by Sprout! We even had some Kara's cupcakes for dessert. The highlight was a blown-up pic of Leon as a baby that was hanging up when we entered. These folks were so generous, and we had a great time.

Whew! I think we are now more than stocked up on baby gear. Now it's countdown time until the little one arrives. Thanks to everyone for the gifts & kind words - we really are grateful for the people we have in our lives :)

Same shirt - bigger belly

This is me at a little over 32 weeks (I am now 34 weeks along). This is a beyond bump now :)

Swaddling skills and more baby bump

Happy St. Patty's Day! No crazy bar hopping or drinking green beer for me. Instead, today marks my 30 weeks along...that is 7 1/2 months! Sheesh time flies. I celebrated by getting a mani-pedi.

I am a little bummed that this past weekend Leon's side of the fam came to visit along with Wes all the way out here from Beijing...and NO CAMERA...what's wrong with me? Bummer.

Though nothing new to report in this post, thought I'd share some things with you as Leon and I practice our parenting skills on Tank.

Ahhh....this is Tank most nights. Chillin' and relaxing in front of the boob tube with us as we catch up on DVR. See how he is so well-behaved? Can we manage the same with our new little one?

Last week we attended a newborn care class. Leon learned to swaddle. Here he practiced on Tank. How do you think he did?

And here I am at 30 weeks. No doubt that belly is out there. I feel like a buddha. Just don't rub me for good luck. :)

Walk walk fashion baby...work it

Couple weeks back we had the honor of attending the JLSJ Fashion Show. Our dear friend Angie has worked so hard on this event the last 18 months, so it was great to see it all come to fruition. Although I was the sober mama, I didn't mind. It was wonderful hanging with friends, but I must say the highlight was of course, Brett's modeling debut. Work it Brett!

Lawrences came up from LA and the rest of the "married mafia" attended from around the bay.

The married mafia plus baby Hank

The beautiful Angie with her show-opening speech

Brett workin' it on the runway. Look at that snap!


The Paulson's all decked out

Little Henry