Registry

After much hemming and hawing, we have decided to create a tiny registry because there are a few items we really need and are having a harder time getting here. There is an image link on the right side of this journal that will take you to it, and I will also include it at the bottom of this post. I've had a few people ask what we wanted/needed so I decided that at the very least, it wouldn't hurt to make one.

Quick Notes:

-Our registry is NOT searchable--you need the link to access it.

-Yes, it does say "Seoul, MN."

-There was no way to opt out of allowing people to select our address to ship to, but please don't use the one listed! It's just a PO Box, and your kind gifts won't make it to us.

-There is a link to our Korean address label to use for packages. If you for some reason need a bigger one, please don't hesitate to ask.


Notes on What We Registered For:

Crib Set: We decided it was a much better idea to register for individual items rather than one big set. The bumper is our greatest wish right now, but the downside is that it needs to be ordered from the site and isn't available in stores. It's just difficult to find the individual pieces here since bedding is generally handled a little differently, so that's why those are on the list.

Receiving Blankets: They are available here, but I've been too lazy to figure out what they are called. I am not in love with the ones on the registry or really with any available at Target.com. We like soft designs and find ivories and sky blues and robin's egg blues most appealing. We're not into the trucks, dogs, sports and mod themes. Something simple is just fine for us. I liked the Classic Pooh blankets, but most people commented that they were very small and that baby couldn't be swaddled in them past three months.

Baby Medicine: Koreans go to the doctor for everything. When a baby is sick, parents often take their child to the doctor every three days until they are completely better because doctors will only provide enough medicine for three days. Almost everything is by prescription here, making it a bit impractical on inconvenient. Anything, even items not on here, that you could think of to send that got your baby throughs some achey times would be well-appreciated.


Otherwise, as we have told some who have asked, clothes in any sizes (though maybe no more newborn-sized items since it seems as though we already have plenty heading our way) are definitely wonderful, as well as things like cute little story books or Baby Einstein DVDs. Anything, really!

This is just for those who have shown an interest in sending something our way. Thank you to all of those who have been thinking about and praying for us. Your love and generosity mean more to us than we can even say! Even our little one is giving a big stretch for you all right now to say thanks. ^o^



God bless!

33-Week Appointment

The first shot is our baby's profile. You can see his adorable nose, and he has his fists right up by his mouth.

The second photo is sideways in order for you to more easily see his face straight on. The whitest portion is his nose, and you should be able to figure out the rest of it. ^^

I don't know how far I will get with this entry since I am still fighting off a cold (that I caught Saturday), but I will try to get as many details in as I can.

Baby is looking wonderful. The tech confirmed that he is head's down, which is of course fantastic to hear. He was facing my back, so she had a difficult time getting a profile shot. She shook my belly up and down quite a bit to get him to move, but it was only mildly successful. He just could not be bothered for photo ops at that time.

After she had taken most of her measurements, she told me to go drink more water to get my bladder a bit fuller. I was actually confused when she was talking to me (in Korean) because last time, I was told to go to the bathroom to get him to stop moving around so much (my last level II, that is), and now she was telling me to fill it up more when I was already looking forward to being able to go to the bathroom instead of holding it all in! I thus went out of the room, chugged down one whole water bottle and just paced a bit to make it go down.

After a bit, I went back in, she shook my belly with the wand a few times, as I mentioned, and we got to have more of his features explained to us. He kept his fists clenched boxer-style the whole time. What I am most excited about is that she pointed out a tuft of hair! It looks like he might just end up with a full head of hair. Either way is, of course, perfectly fine, but it's exciting to imagine his adorable little mane.

We finished up there and went down to go see our doctor. I was so happy to finally be able to use the restroom, let me tell you. It was hilarious, though, because he contorted my belly into just the weirdest shape imagineable at that time. It looked like I really had a HUGE peanut stuck inside of me. Of course, it was only hilarious to me, as I was the only one who saw it.

My Stats
Blood Pressure: 112/66
Heart Rate: 77bpm
Weight: 73.15kg (160.93 lbs)

Can you believe that means I've put on 15.2kg (33.44 lbs)? It's all in two places--baby and thighs. I look at that number and am just amazed because it hardly seems like that much to me. Anyway, my amniotic fluid levels are measuring just fine, and the placenta also looks good.

Baby, by the way, measured at 2.1kg (4.62 lbs). Our doctor said average for this time is about 2.0kg (4.4 lbs), so he is just perfect.

Back to visiting the doctor, she had noticed right away that I was looking unwell. She asked about how I liked the Sophrology class and mentioned that she, too, was excited to see how our delivery goes and see our baby, that she really believes I can do a great job. She has been so kind to us. We are so blessed to have found her!

Setting Blood Aside
I'm sure there is a better term for this, but my brain is totally gone.

Hee Suk remembered to ask about what we should do to make sure that we have blood available for me in case of an emergency. (I am O- in a country where less than 1% of the population is Rh- in general.) We talked about it, and we all decided that we felt most comfortable setting two bags of my own blood aside to use just in case. At two different upcoming appointments, they will check my iron levels to be sure they are high enough, and if everything looks good, I will give one bag at each of those appointments.

Donating blood in general actually scares me a bit. I just get nervous about how I will feel afterwards. I know many people get very woozy, and some even throw up. Hopefully, I won't have to go through that. Any positive stories about donating experiences would be well-appreciated. It's funny that giving blood worries me more than childbirth.

Other than that, Hee Suk was very cuddly with baby after the appointment. He was just so proud of him and so incredibly happy to hear how well everything is going. I think that maybe in the back of his mind, he had a few unspoken worries. He even reconfirmed a few times with the doctor that my fluid levels and positioning were all okay. He's so cute.

I had a whole bunch of details that I had wanted to include, but nothing is coming to mind right now. I will be sure to write them down when they come to mind next time.

Thank You, my Lord, for blessing us with such a great support group and for leading the way through this whole experience. Without You, I don't know if I could handle it. Thank You for the peace You gave me before the appointment, for being there for me to just give all of my worries and fears into Your hands.

Proof that Sophrology Works

On the way to our class today, we had to wait forever and a day for our bus to come. We made sure to leave early to not end up rushing, but it wound up all the same. Line 421 hates me.

This wasn't so bad, though. We basically were arriving just in time for the start of class--no problem. Well, that is until some car driver in a big white SUV decided that red lights are for sissies (like many drivers here), and while the crosswalk signal was still green, he was just going to drive on through. This is at a huge intersection, about four lanes on each side. He was inches away from hitting my husband.

We were jogging along to cross, so since I am slower, I was trailing ever-so-slightly behind. Hee Suk was a little stunned at first and went on ahead, but when I got to the car, I ripped off my mask and yelled (in Korean), "What was that??" At this point all of the scary things that could have happened started swirling about in Hee Suk's mind, so he had the driver roll down his window (in the middle of traffic) and made him think about what he had just about done. All I heard was something along the lines of, "What would have happened if you hit my wife??" The guy finally apologized, and since Hee Suk saw the man's wife sitting in the back seat, he just hurried back over to me so that we were again on our way. Had we been jogging a little more quickly, he most likely wouldn't have seen us in enough time and would have hit us.

Anyway, we got to our class, and we were able to just relax and calm down almost immediately. Had we been on our way elsewhere, we probably would have remained shaken and upset by it all. However, we were able to find our peace so quickly and just focus on the task at hand. I'll take that as voucher enough that it works!

We basically reviewed last week's lesson, and after that we watched a video on breastfeeding. It was good but also hilarious at times because it was probably from the '80s or early '90s and was actually from Norway. There were English subtitles with Korean voice-overs--good times! It does help to see it all "in action," though. Those women were not shy in the least about baring it all for the camera, which I think is wonderful for them because they are helping so many gather a better picture of what to expect. Books are great, but seeing it is just a whole different level of helpful.

At the end, we toured the labor and delivery ward. It's very simple but nice. When we finished, one ajumma came out to sit in the waiting area and took off her cap kind of slowly and not so happily. I joked that the baby must have been a girl by the look on her face. :3 Most likely, she'd been there for awhile and faced quite a bit more time there.

As we were walking outside after class, Hee Suk grabbed me and said, "You can do this! You too, [baby]! You and mommy can do it together," with just the greatest smile. It was so incredibly sweet. He has been more wonderful than I could have ever imagined or even dared to hope for.

After we finished up in that area, we hopped on over to Dongdaemun to our favorite kalbi and naengmyeon spot. We stopped by Lotteria afterwards to get some ice cream (his suggestion, mind you!).

Of course, there is another bus story tied to this!

Bus Story #2
The bus we took to get back home after eating was pretty crowded. Several young girls were sitting in the seats designated for the elderly/handicap/pregnant/with young child, but they didn't immediately give their seats up for me. I was going to ask, but we moved back a little to see if there was anything a little farther back. They got up for me when my back was turned, but two ajumma (who don't fit any of the above descriptions) shoved their way into the seats before I could even blink. This kind woman who was a little more elderly stayed in her seat and wound up offering it to me, waiting until I got there before giving it up to make sure I got it. She wound up getting off at the next stop which was close by anyway, but it was still such a kind gesture of her. The ajumma in front of me was sitting in a seat with the sticker I posted a couple entries ago. So much for leaving it open or even giving it up for a pregnant woman.

**For those who don't know, "ajumma" basically means middle-aged woman. They are a breed of their own here, though. Koreans joke that there are three genders in this country: male, female and ajumma. If they formed a football team, they would win the Superbowl without a single loss in the season. Tiny but vicious.**

Anyway, there's never a dull moment here, that's for sure.

We made it home without incident, and life was good. ^o^

That's about all I have for now, then! I will be spending most of the day just resting tomorrow, and on Monday, I only have one class due to needing to cancel my others for our doctor's appointment. (For the level II ultrasound and the special accomodations they make for me to not have a panic attack during the examination, we pretty much have no choice for when we can go. Otherwise, it's easy to work around our schedules when making appointments.) It'll be good to have a little extra time to just relax.

Lord, I say a special prayer for my friend and her family, as they have just received news that their precious little one will have some severe developmental disabilities and face the uncertainity of just how much time that will give her here on earth. May you hold her and her husband tightly as they wrap their minds around this, and may you guide them to finding a great support group that will be able to provide them with the help and information that they need. May you continue to hold their daughter and keep shaping her in Your precious image, that they may be blessed with many happy years together as a very special family.

Quick Notes

32 Weeks (and then some)


-In a short bit, we'll be heading off to our final Sophrology class, where we will get to tour the labor and delivery ward. Hopefully, this will go well!

-We have a level II ultrasound coming up on Monday. Our hospital likes to be almost ridiculously careful, so they like to follow up on checking brain development at this stage just to be sure.

And that's really all I have energy to type right now. God bless!

Small Victories

On the bus this morning, there was a nice seat waiting for me. It seems that after a recent news report which showed several instances of pregnant women with big bellies standing while young people occupied the seats designated for the elderly, handicapped and pregnant, not giving a care, they are starting to try to do more to make sure that the people who should get those seats do.

This particular sign is for "Pregnant Women Care," and it actually states to leave the seat open, not just to give it up if someone who is pregnant comes along. It's cute and pink and impossible to miss. We'll see how many buses adopt the sticker and how many people will actually abide by it!

Free Photos!
A little over a month ago, I found a photo studio online called Paran that does maternity and children's pictures that I just fell in love with. The studio we had originally reserved with (we have a completely different photo game plan now--and we do get our deposit back!) is also wonderful, but this one is just more artistic, which I love. On the 15th of every month, they have a little competition for each of their four studios where the first seven people to post their contact information at 11am get free maternity photos.

We were going to try last month, but that was the day we had decided to go to Ilsan for the KINTEX baby fair. I figured we have two more chances anyway, so let's pass. Hee Suk had figured out a trick at that time to ensure a win, but after practicing last night and this morning, it didn't work! He has enough experience doing these timed things, though, that he was easily able to beat out about 75 other people (for the location we chose alone!) to place in the top seven. I will get the photos I want for free! Of course, they'll find some way to try to make money off of us, but still. I am very excited. We'll go in about a month to take the photos.

If you go to their website, click "Gallery" and then click on "Loen," you can see samples from the location we are going to.

I also get free photos from the studio we had originally planned on going to (Apple Tree) due to another little thing we won. I'm pretty sure we're not going to need to pay to have any done!

That's the excitement for today. ^^

In other news, our son has decided that keeping his foot sticking out of my side is either comfortable or just plain hilarious for both son and father with the faces I end up making. It feels like he has a knife in there! It's reassuring to know that he's in a great position, though. It just makes scuttling to the bus a little more difficult when it feels like you've got a knife sticking out of you.

That's all I've got for now. Time to go put my feet up for a bit!

Our Lord, thank You for the great care You have shown us, the unconditional love that You hold us tightly with. I pray for all of the babies who were due in November but have already made their appearances. Please bless their families and help them continue to thrive. I would also pray that our November baby stays as such, but may it all be done according to Your will.

Sophrology: Part II

First, a belly pic:

31 (and then some) Weeks


Highlights from the week:

-One of my Tuesday students: "Wow, you're belly is getting so big~! [thoughtful pause] Can you walk??"
"Yes!! ... Like a penguin..."

Little did I know that that would actually be our last class together after studying for over a year. She has gone up a level in her after-school math class and needs to take classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and unfortunately, I don't have another day available to move her class to. They stopped over today with a gift for baby.




The box is a little toy set that includes four toys. It looks a little girly, but it's actually supposed to be gender neutral. Everything is half-blue, half-pink. The rabbit doll in it is adorable.

The other item is Koreans' preferred baby wear. In the second picture, you can see that a bit of the sleeve folds down so that it can cover baby's hands. It's very cute. Many thanks to their family!

-Exhaustion. I feel so whimpy at how easily tired I get these days.

-More sustained swelling in ankles. Rings are fitting a little tighter as well.

-Braxton Hicks? If that's what's going on, they actually probably started some-odd weeks before this week, but I suppose I am noticing it more these days.

-It's a sad day when your maternity pants are too tight on you! My khaki capris have been fitting tighter since the weight gain goes right to my thighs, but when trying to wear my khaki pants yesterday...that was just not happening.

-The other day was the official 2-months-to-go mark!

Sophrology: Part II
I thoroughly enjoyed today's class. We began by listening to some music (perhaps especially designed for sophronization) and just focused on our breathing and other imagery. Hee Suk sat behind me giving me massages and would whisper from time to time different reminders and things of the like. It was so peaceful, and I loved te bonding experience between the three of us. That alone helped me feel more confident in my ability, knowing how supportive he is. It was a wonderful experience.

After that, the instructor detailed the four different stages of breathing throughout labor:

The first stage is with the onset of labor, and it focuses on just staying as relaxed and as calm as possible. You fill your belly with a slow, deep inhale through the nose and just relax as you slowly exhale through your mouth.

The second stage is when it's getting more intense, pretty much through transition. The focus here is on having long exhales where it's sort of like blowing a candle out force-wise.

The third stage is pretty much the pushing stage, where you again focus on inhaling so that your belly is expanding and blowing the air out until your all out of air (basically). At the end of the exhale, it's kind of like you're punching the air with your breath. Of course, the energy is guided downwards.

The fourth stage is when baby is crowning. You don't want to push so forcefully here, so it's more of the shorter series of exhales so that you are not tightening your muscles.

Of course, my wording here is terrible (this class is not in English, for those who might not be aware). That's the idea of it, though.

I think it was after that that we had a short break time. The rest of class was spent doing different types of exercises that are great for labor preparation and for the early stages of labor itself. They were very similar to yoga techniques--in fact, one of them was even the cat/cow pose. (I was happy that the instructor mentioned how well I did it, but I honestly didn't realize how difficult it is for some people. It's also part of my daily yoga routine, so I've had plenty of practice. ^^)

Next week, we'll do some review and will get to view the maternity wing (labor wing? I've forgotten what it's called in English!). I'm really happy about that. I don't know exactly what else is on the agenda, so we'll just have to wait and see. At any rate, I was very pleased with today's session, as was Hee Suk. Our son cooperated well during the first half, and then he decided that exercise practice time was a great time to get the hiccups. He is so funny.

Otherwise...
All is well! Sleeping is okay some nights, but others (like last night), it's awful. We're almost there, though. 아자 아자 화이팅!

We keep telling our son that he is not allowed to come early: "If you do, you're not going to have any place to sleep!" I've determined that the earliest he is allowed to come is November 3rd. Numerically, it's 11.3, which is my birthday (3.11) backwards and one week before his official due date. He had better listen! He can keep cooking as long as he needs to, though (well...no more than 10 days overdue would be appreciated, but we'll see!).

Anyway, fatigue is kicking in, so I had better be off.

Thank You, my precious King, for the incredible support You are, for the mighty hand with which You hold us all. There is nothing we could ever do to properly thank You for all that You have done for us. Thank You, my Lord. Thank You.

I think he's got it!

While our little man still loves to wiggle around, I think he's picked his position. Even though trying to belly map left me more than frazzled when trying to figure it all out, I think we've got our answer now thanks to our son's new favorite way to kick mommy around!

Not only have his hiccups been fairly consistently low, his new trick is to use his feet to push against my belly towards the upper right side, which causes a bulge towards the middle and lower left side as he stretches out his back. As he plays around right now, he's sticking his bottom up nice and high (I don't like pressing firmly on my belly to figure this things out, but there's no mistaking his little tushy right now!). Knowing what little I do, I'd say most of his movements these days are wiggling from anterior to posterior to transverse or what have you. All I know is that he is in a generally good position right now, so I am not even going to think twice about the direction he is facing at this point since it can change even right before delivery.

Anyway, thank you for allowing me a moment to brag about how awesome we think our son is. ^.~

In other news, he was hilarious in church today. We are desperately trying to find a decent one, and unfortunately, today's visit was not very promising. He slept during the sermon, and when the music guy came back out, he started playing around. When the music kept playing and the music man was talking/praying while everyone bowed their heads, he started doing his new favorite stretch that I mentioned above (I think he's not too happy about it getting more cramped in there!). It's actually pretty uncomfortable for me because the spot where he pushes off is very tender (my guess would be that he might have bruised it at some point in time!). (He's trying to show off this position as I type, by the way.) I think he was tired of listening to the music guy talk. Hee Suk had his hand on my belly, and we just kept laughing together with our heads bowed. This boy is crazy!

When we came home, I said to him, "You were a trouble in church today, weren't you?" His little voice came to my mind with a reply of, "No, I was just trying to make it fun!" We'll have our hands full with this one, that's for sure!

At any rate, that's all the excitement I have to share for now. He says hi to all of you out there as he contorts my belly in the strangest of ways.

Oh, I do have one more story!

In the elevator on up to our apartment, Hee Suk asked me, "Can he break the waters with his kicks?" He's so worried that our son is going basically kick his way out early. It was adorable (and funny, nonetheless!).

Thank You, my Lord, for blessing us with such an active and healthy little one thus far. We pray that we are able to find a great church soon where we can worship You while fellowshipping with others and seek continual renewal for our spirits.