A few pics from the Baby Shower that took place on Sun, Nov 18th for you to enjoy:
1. Greeting guests as they come in to Baby Shower at mum's - Gina on my right lives just a few doors down from my parents, Grace in black on my left is also pregnant, and Chris(tine) is the one standing opposite me. They're all members of our English Ministry at Church called Pathway.
2. Pic of most of the guests that attended - we cudn't get everyone in the room (or in the pic) but I think that's at least most of the adults that attended. We had a few men too! :) Prayer for dad, mum & baby as well as for food before the festivities begin!
3. Mum, me and Jade after all of the guests had gone... :)
Again, it's been absolutely a~ges since my last blog update so apologies!!!
So much has happened during the past 6-8 weeks: new carpet (last & final step of remodeling our condo), updating the Youth information spreadsheet and creating a Youth/student-focused directory using that info, collating parent input and writing a Youth Newsletter for the parents (in Korean!!!), attending gestational diabetes "sweet success" clinics, eating 7 times a day, checking blood glucose 4 times a day, going to the loo at least 10 times a day, attending baby-related classes at the hospital, taking care of my brothers while mum went to Korea for the first anniversary of her father's passing (his passing away last year brought Peter & I together), Thanksgiving dinner, brothers' piano recital, preparing dinner for in-laws and Peter's uncle & aunt on my birthday (with mum's help!), having guests over (finally!), visiting Youth students & parents in their homes aka "visitation", major baby shower (!!!) - sent out invitations myself and ended up paying for the food too!, writing baby shower gift thank you cards, shopping for baby stuff and breastfeeding-friendly clothes (they're so funny), trying to finally once and for all finish off the Korean School Yearbook (and we're very nearly there!!!)... Not in that order but it's all been happening!
In between all of that I've been trying to keep our condo tidy too but haven't been doing very well. Would be in an even worse state without Peter's help with the housework! The same with trying to go walking regularly to get some exercise. It's supposed to help while I'm in labour or at some point during the whole childbirth process anyway...
Speaking of labour... I went for my last Obs & Gynae appointment today. How did I know it was my last? 'Cause during last week's, Dr Noh discussed with me the possibility of being induced this coming Fri night / Sat night due to my gestational diabetes if my labour hasn't already started naturally. He doesn't want Sara 주희 to stay in there any longer than necessary. So Peter went with me today as we wanted to make a joint informed decision. Dr Noh checked me and said that I was about 1-1.5cm dilated and that my uterus wall was about 70% thinner / softened so we were all really happy to hear that preparation for childbirth was happening naturally. He said that there would therefore be no need for me to come in Fri night as he was going to give me something to soften the uterus wall on Fri night and then give me Pitocin to induce labour Sat morning but because it's happening naturally he wouldn't need to give me anything on Fri night to help my uterus wall soften. So if I start having contractions before Sat morning, he won't even have to induce me and that would be abs fab!!! So after our appointment, Peter took me to the "shopping mall" practically across the road from the Dr's office and made me walk for about an hour (it was raining outside so we needed somewhere indoors...). I was completely exhausted! But it's hopefully made the possibility of me having a natural childbirth (with epidural) a bit more probable.
A few stats: I've gained 20 pounds (just under 10kg, 2 stone) during my pregnancy, the length of my tummy (from bottom to top) is just under 35cm, shoe size hasn't grown but they are feeling a bit tight, had morning sickness from about week 7 - 18 (started earlier than most, ended later than most), spend about 48 hours in ER during week 17, haven't had any cravings (Peter has though with his sympathy pregnancy! :)), attended many hours of classes which were really helpful and highly recommended (!!!), diagnosed with gestational diabetes in week 20-something and have been keeping it well under control so did not need to use insulin (thank goodness!!!), will be having an epidural while in labour, will be having Sara 주희 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos, CA, USA, will be staying at mum's for about 3 weeks once the baby's born.
I/We haven't written a single Christmas card yet (still working on baby shower thank you cards!) but hopefully you'll forgive me this one year for wishing you & your family a very merry, peaceful & laughter-filled Christmas and all the best for the New Year via my blog.
I promise we'll do better next year! :)
Lots of love & miss you lots,
Jenny
