Monday, December 31, 2012

9 Weeks

How far along? 9 weeks 2 days
Size: Grape
Maternity clothes? Nope
Symptoms:
Exhaustion and nausea - all day
Sleep: I am getting a lot of it :)

Best moment this week:
Definitely the ultrasound on Friday. 
Worst moment of the week: Feeling like I have the flu pretty much all day every day. It gets frustrating when you feel weak and unproductive - but I know it should pass soon so I am taking advantage of the extra sleep.

Have you told family and friends: Still haven't announced it to anyone but immediate family.

Miss anything? Exercise - we went on a short walk last night and it felt so good. I am looking forward to feeling better so I can move my muscles more often.

Movement: Nope

Food cravings: Nothing in particular

Anything making you queasy or sick: Being awake?

Have you started to show yet:
Still rockin' my blump. I think I have stalled out in the bloat department. Pretty much the same as last week (maybe smaller? I've lost a couple pounds).  

My gender prediction: Boy
Labor signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Depends if I feel sick or not. Generally happy, but the exhaustion/nausea is frustrating.

Looking forward to:  A romantic New Year's Eve in Bodega Bay with Robert. He surpised me with a night at Bodega Bay Lodge and booked a couples massage on New Year's Day - what a guy!


Baby A, size of a grape - hard to believe he/she was a poppy seed not long ago

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Christmas 2012


We failed in the picture department this year - but here is a shot of us at the Christmas Eve service. 
So sad I didn't get pictures of Haley, Rowen, Avery, and Harper opening gifts - it was a zoo, but totally fun to see their faces. Christmas 2013 we'll be adding a (almost) 5 month old to the mix - watch out Riedel family, yikes.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Road to Dad Health

Road to (DAD) Health Smoothie! 
After great news this morning, I prepared myself this wonderful concoction.  Anna doesn't care for smoothies with asparagus, broccoli or carrots. :)  I can't say I blame her. I won't be entering any food competitions with this stuff.
Asparagus, broccoli, carrots, oranges, banana and spinach.
Thanks for reading. - Robert

Ultrasound #2


What a great way to start off the weekend! This morning we had our 8.5 week ultrasound and the baby looks great. He/She is actually measuring a day ahead, so that makes me 8 weeks 6 days pregnant - new due date 8/3 (I'm sure that will change again eventually). The doctor estimated the heartbeat in the 150's, which is healthy and normal. So cool to see the flickering again - can't wait to hear it eventually.
Pointing out the flickering heartbeat
 It's hard to believe I will already be 9 weeks tomorrow. We are thankful for a healthy report - these early ultrasounds are so exciting, but can also be nerve-wracking since it's still so early and you never know what can happen.  
No longer a blob! Much more of a bean/shrimp combo
Our next appointment will be our 10 week ultrasound with a new doctor. I am feeling lucky to be getting these ultrasounds - a lot of women only get a handful of them during their entire pregnancy and I will have seen the baby three times by ten weeks - fine by me!
(Robert the videographer)
This weekend we have brunch with friends, prenatal yoga for me, and a secret up our sleeves planned for Sunday - more on that later...

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

8 Weeks

How far along? 8 weeks 2 days
Size: Kidney bean or large raspberry - depends what app you read. Weird since they seem like very different in size to me. 
Maternity clothes? Not yet
Symptoms:
Other than being tired, nothing really
Sleep: Great! My back hasn't been hurting when I wake up, so that's been nice

Best moment this week:
Spending Christmas with my family
Worst moment of the week: Having to return gifts I purchased online. I guess online shopping isn't always more convenient.

Have you told family and friends: Just immediate family...

Miss anything? Not yet

Movement: Too early

Food cravings: Sweet stuff - and it's the perfect time of year for it. Seems like there are copious amounts of desserts everywhere.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Cigarette smoke. Someone smoked last night and came back inside - I felt pretty nauseous for awhile. Also, eating too much at once makes me feel sick.

Have you started to show yet: Still have a blump, but it has been sticking around all day and hasn't been disappearing in the morning.
 

Gender prediction: Totally a boy!
Labor signs: Too early
Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On - and strangely my rings are loose. I can't wear one of them because it falls off :(

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy - unless I am hungry, then I get crank

Looking forward to: Our ultrasound this Friday. Can't wait to see Baby A :)


Baby A, size of a kidney bean

Monday, December 17, 2012

7 Weeks

How far along? 7 weeks 1 day
Size:  Blueberry
Maternity clothes? No
Sleep: I am sleeping a lot. I fall asleep around 9pm and don't wake up until 6ish the next morning, which is great. It would be even better if my back wasn't killing me when I woke up.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby A's heartbeat. Unreal.
Miss Anything? Not yet
Movement: Nope
Food cravings: Sugary stuff - which is unlike me. I am a salty girl. Today I had a delicious molasses cookie from Specialties..oops.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing in particular, but I am seeing a pattern of "morning" sickness in the evenings. I guess it's nice that it's in the afternoon - I can be at home on the couch or in bed. I would hate to deal with this at work.

Have you started to show yet: In the afternoon I have a "blump" - bloat bump, but it's gone when I wake up the next morning. I have a feeling I will be showing pretty early. Thank you short torso!
Gender: Too early
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Seeing baby A again after Christmas



Baby A, size of a blueberry

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Elf Yo'self

Mom, Dad, Baby A, & Kenya - getting in the holiday spirit.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

My First Posting

This is my first posting (Robert). I apologize for any misspellings and grammatical errors in advance.  I was reading some articles this morning on how to share/support your wife's pregnancy.   I want to be the best dad and husband; I have lots of work to do! Here is an update on my progress.

#1 Pay attention:  Working hard on this one, I have been better at noticing non-verbal queues.
#2 Be there: Think I'm doing good in this department.
#3 Get healthier, too:  I'm eating salads 4 out of 7 days a week. I'm starting to enjoy the taste of beets. I still think they taste like dirt.  A coworker asked me the other day how I knew what dirt tasted like, and I didn't have a good answer. As you can see from the picture, it's more of a veggie bowl with cottage cheese and tofu than a salad.
#4 Love her changing body: My wife is the most attractive woman in the world. I need to remind her of that more.
#5 Go the extra mile: Need work in this area. Trying to do more things without having to be asked. Dishes are my worst enemy.  I'm a laundry expert.
#6 Memorize the route to the hospital: haha; I have this one down!!!
#7 Be a partner in labor:  I'll need to start working on a bag of items for the hospital. Music? hmmm
#8 Shop, talk, and make lots of decisions together:  Check, Check, and Anna is always right! :)
#9 Prepare for your new life as a family: I can't wait to be a good dad, husband, father, oppa (korean) and padre (spanish). 


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Ultrasound #1

This morning Robert and I had our first ultrasound to see if the little one had a heartbeat and if he/she was growing normally. Good news is the baby looks great and the heartbeat was pounding away! He/she measured right on track at 6 weeks 4 days, keeping our due date August 4th. I'm not sure when or if that due date will change at some point, but I'm happy to know we are on track for now. 

Could have lost the scarf - but thumbs up, there's a heartbeat!

Baby A - the whitish blob at the top of the black blob
 It's unreal to see the heart flickering so fast and to hear the doctor say the baby looks excellent. She pointed out where the baby was sitting inside of me and explained all of the measurements she was taking. As I was driving to work all I could think about was that  I actually have a living thing inside of me - so weird and cool at the same time.



I can't wait to see he/she again at our 8.5 week ultrasound, which will be just after Christmas. I think by that time the ultrasound picture will look more like an actual baby rather than a little blob.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Weekend Snaps

Friday night stroll downtown Palo Alto
University Ave.
Saturday morning coffee date at Ritual in SF
Needed carbs in soft pretzel form
Christmas in Union Square

Monday, December 10, 2012

6 Weeks

How far along? 6 weeks 1 day
Size:  Lentil
Maternity clothes? No
Sleep: Good, until I wake up and realize my lower back HURTS. It pops a million times before I get in the shower. Hopefully the Snoogle I ordered will help with that.
Best moment this week: I started prenatal yoga with a friend and had a nice time meeting other pregnant women who are in various stages of their pregnancy. Hearing their stories reminds how quickly time can fly. I really want to enjoy being pregnant and savor each day.
Miss Anything? Not being nervous all the time. Throughout each day I get pangs of nervousness that something is wrong or that I am going to make a mistake and hurt the baby. Hopefully Yoga will help calm my nerves.
Movement: Nope
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, but still having bouts of nausea a few times daily. Usually carbs and water help.
Have you started to show yet: No one would be able to notice except me, since it's my body. I just feel soft and bloated, still.
Gender: Too early
Labor Signs:
Nope

Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Ultrasound. Three days to go...


Baby A, size of a lentil

Monday, December 3, 2012

5 Weeks

How far along? 5 weeks 1 day
Size: Sesame seed
Maternity clothes? No
Sleep: Good. Yesterday I watched a bunch of movies and took an afternoon nap
Best moment this week: Robert and I met up with some friends in SF for dinner on Saturday night. Also, we had a big rain storm this past weekend and I loved it. I opened our sliding door, drank my (decaf) coffee on the couch, and listened to the rain. So relaxing.
Miss Anything? Nope
Movement: Nope
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, but I have had short bouts of nausea the last few days. It doesn't last long and isn't too bad.
Have you started to show yet: Too early, but I still feel fat and bloated. It looks like I've had one too many beers ;)
Gender: Too early
Labor Signs:
Nope

Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Our first ultrasound next week!


Baby A, size of a sesame seed

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tiny Tiny

A long time ago when I envisioned telling Robert I was pregnant, I bought a baby outfit to surprise him with. I had forgotten that it was all wrapped and hidden in our closet, until the other night when we were watching a movie it hit me that I was actually pregnant and could give it to him.
Confused
Cute card for the dad-to-be
So tiny :)
 He had no idea what the package was, but once he opened it the look on his face was so sweet. I can't wait for him to be a dad; I have no doubt he will be one of the best. :)

Side note: we got another positive blood test back yesterday! Next step is my 6.5 week ultrasound on 12/13. So anxious to see a heartbeat so this feels more real.

Monday, November 26, 2012

4 Weeks


How far along? 4 weeks 1 day
Size: Poppy seed 
Maternity clothes? No
Sleep: Okay/Good. Waking up with a backache that I am attributing to all the bloat
Best moment this week: Confirming our pregnancy with the blood test
Miss Anything? Nope
Movement: Nope
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Have you started to show yet: No, but I feel so soft and chubby from all the bloat
Gender: Too early
Labor Signs:
Nope

Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy (big change from the last few nerve wracking weeks)
Looking forward to: Wednesday's blood work to confirm we are moving in the right direction



Baby A, size of a poppy seed

Good news

I had my blood work this morning and got the much anticipated phone call from the nurse that I am indeed pregnant! She said my numbers looked really, really good and I was to come back in a couple days to retest and make sure my numbers double.
Taking a huge bite of this sucker as my phone rang
We are so happy, I don't event know what to think.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

We're Pregnant!

Welcome to the blog! I thought this would be a great way to document my first pregnancy, as well as update our family and friends on our life.


On November 21, 2012 we found out we were pregnant with our first child! After quite some time trying, we are so happy and grateful. I am 4 weeks today, and tomorrow I will go in for some blood work to confirm I am on track. After wanting this for so long, it seems unreal and will definitely take some getting used to (proven by taking several pregnancy tests!!).