pregnancy series

31 weeks:)
I love reading other pregnant ladies blog posts in the world wide web. First of all, I want to say congratulations to Hana, who gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last night!

I thought the last pregnancy post at Seabird was really neat, and decided to imitate her a little Q&A.


Total weight gain:
Last time I checked, which was a week and a half ago, I had gained 7 kg (16 lbs) in total.  I gained a lot around 6 months, since it coincided with Christmas and New Year. I ate way too much around that time, and my appetite didn’t seem to be satisfied no matter what I ate! It was crazy. I was really obsessed with food. Recently, I’ve noticed some change in my appetite, I think there is less room for food in my stomach because the baby is getting bigger. I used to check my weight every day, but stopped it, because I worry about it too much.I’ll check my weight at the next doctor’s check up.

Maternity clothes?
My friend gave me some maternity clothes (seen here), but I have not bought anything myself. I own many jersey dresses and comfortable pieces that I was able to continue wearing through out pregnancy.
I made two items with maternity in mind: this paper bag skirt and bandage dress. I have been wearing them a lot lately, since they are so comfy! My next creation will be this top, using Meg Neilson’s maternity wrap pattern. I already bought the fabric for it:)

Stretch marks?
I’ve gotten one straight line right in the center… I hope they will go away once I give birth?!

Sleep?
Depends on the night. Most nights I’m tired enough, and I sleep pretty well. Even if I get up for bathroom in the middle of the night, I go back to sleep right away. It had been a challenge to sleep on my side, until I got used to it, because I used to sleep on my back before getting pregnant. Now my belly is too big, that I can no longer sleep on my back.I think exercising is helping me sleep better at night.

Movement?
My little Sophia moves a lot! I can feel that she is practicing using her joint, kicking, and punching. I am not 100% sure, but I feel like I’m feeling her little feet against my belly. I feel her move a lot when I’m sitting down, working on computer, and sometimes she moves so much she overwhelms me! 🙂

Food cravings?
I guess I’m wanting more sweets and greasy stuff than I used to. But nothing too noticeable. I love any kind of food:) 

Belly Button in or out?
My belly button used to be in, but now it’s completely out! and flat! I wonder if it goes back to normal after giving birth.

Birth plan?
The birth will be planned, although the exact date has not been decided yet by the doctor. My husband will be in the delivery room with me. I will be in the hospital at 9am of the day of scheduled birth, and they will induce the baby.
If water breaks and the contraction starts before the date of my scheduled date, I will just have to go with the flow and give natural birth.

Breast or bottle?
Breast. I hope I can do this without problem! I made some reusable nursing pads, and bought Medela swing breast pump so my husband can help me feed the breast milk to the baby.

Something I can’t wait to do:
Wear heels! I’m sick of wearing flats, but don’t want to take a risk of falling wearing high-heels now.
I also want to take some vacation over seas, Maybe Thailand or Bali again with little Sophia. I want to go somewhere hot.

Heartburn?
Oh man, I’ve never experienced such a terrible heartburn before pregnancy. It just started last week, and I have had really intense one twice in the middle of night. Both nights, I had something greasy for dinner, one night, thick Ramen noodle and the other night, pasta. It was a really terrible feeling to be waken up in the middle of the night because of this.
I have to be careful about what I eat now, and how much I eat, because even if I feel fine while eating it, it comes back to me at 3am in the morning..

Wedding rings?
Still wearing them! Thankfully, I haven’t had any swelling problems at all.

Working out?
Yes! I love working out, and I’m glad I made a habit of working out before I got pregnant. It must be hard to start it after, since your body changes so much.
I go to gym 2-3 times a week, and do 30 minutes of elliptical and lift some weights. Once or twice a week, I do 40 minutes to an hour of the Pit workout. I like the Pit, since I can do it at home.
Rest of the time, I use Bass Rutten’s MMA workout CD. It’s a short 30 minutes work out, and also can be done at home. 
I stopped running outside, because I’m afraid of falling, and also people staring at me. Maybe I’m too self-conscious. Also it’s just too cold to run outside right now! 
I work out almost every day..sweating makes me feel better and I can sleep better at night:)

The Daddy Chronicles

A letter to my unborn child:

Any hip hop fan will note the reference in this blog posts title to a song by the same name by Tupac Shakur. It may seem odd to reference a Tupac song in this instance but, as chance would have it, the song recently turned up on my MP3 player while I was working out.  The song lyrics got me thinking about the my baby’s coming birth. What do I want to tell my daughter now If am not able in the future?  What are some things I want her to understand  about the time of her birth and her fathers thoughts on the matter? It is in that vein that I write this letter.

To My first child Sophia Kiko Duncan
On the day of your birth, I plan God wiling, to be in the front row holding your mothers hand welcoming you into the world. What my initial reaction will be, I do not yet know. What will go through my mind as I first lay eyes on you I cannot yet conceive. Yet, as I sit in this rocking chair penning this letter, I can think of three things that I would like you to understand.

First, as your father, I must say now on the day of your birth that I make no excuses for the many failures I will commit. I will not be the father I should be because I am not the husband nor man I should be. For this you have my sincerest apologies. Your daddy is a sinful man and deserves more criticism than he receives in regards to how he lives, what he does and what he does not do. I see perfection and know all too well my own short comings. It is my duty to to be perfect and as God as my witness I will look to be be the perfect father, husband and man I should be. Yet, as you read this, you know I will never have been able to meet this standard. Nonetheless, from the day of your birth, it is your job to hold me accountable as your father, to show me how to love, serve and honor you in the ways I should.

Secondly I do not want, for one second of your precious life, for you to believe that I have ever worried about you. There is no fear in this man in regards to you. Doubt, concern, trepidation all vanish from this man when you enter his mind. You were conceived in love and given as a part of this family at the perfect time and in the perfect way. The timing and plan of our Almighty Father continues to awe me. The grace I have received and the love you conjure completely outshine any darkness that otherwise haunts me. Although, I should be concerned with the many things that will come with being your father, I am not. I have no fear for you or about you. You are a gift entrusted to your mother and I for a time. As I think about you how could I have any feeling but love, confidence and hope.

What I do need to express before this letter comes to completion is utter joy in the present and tremendous anticipation for your arrival. I have nothing but hope for you.  Sophia, your mother and myself as a family are a family. Only thoughts of appreciation and gratefulness enter my prayers of thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.  Christ is the leader, head and base of this family.  Because of that I can wait expectantly on you birth and life.   In all, your mother and I, feel ever expanding fulfillment as you enter our lives. You Sophia Kiko Duncan are loved more than you know. Your father and mother eagerly look ahead and imagine who you are and what you will become.

Every year on your birthday you will receive a letter. I pray that they will remind you of the love we share, and the hope.  Let these letters spur you forward for a life of glory.  A life in which you glorify Him and are glorified in Him.

Your Father
Andrew William Duncan

29 weeks! My husband and I snapped this photo with camera placed on an ironing board with a self-timer, so it’s a bit tilted to the side..sorry! The bump is getting bigger, and I think calling it a mountain is more fitting than a bump. Strange thing is though, I have not gained any weight for a month although the belly seems to be getting bigger. Not sure why.

I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled in a couple of days, and am excited to see the baby’s growth in ultrasound. After this appointment, the visit will be every 2 weeks, instead of every month. I feel like the end is near!

I am blessed with wonderful friends who generously passed me down some of her maternity clothes, baby goods such as milk bottles, baby bath etc.

So to show my thanks, I made a little baby dress for my friend’s 3 month old baby girl. I used the same pattern as these dresses. It is made of green corduroy (seen here also), and I lined it with some cotton stripe fabric. I also added cream color crochet lace at hem. I hope she’ll like it!