Figures

I find that I am suddenly at my most confident now that my clothes are not exactly fitting well. This odd phenomenon brought about by my pregnancy has thrown my body image concept into a whole new level.

With the exception of my more Latina than Asian-sized and shaped rear--the bane of my existence beginning my teenage years--I am enjoying flaunting the curves I now have.

"I am not fat, world, I am pregnant."

Daily Photo Post

Princess Patches II

My blog is my therapist

If I'm to be completely honest with myself, that is actually true.

I'm not limiting the idea to lying down on a couch and talking forever, mind--though I know I do tend to ramble in my entries when I'm not talking about anything too specific.

That said, seeing my blog as anything therapeutic was hardly the thing on my mind when I first started.

Dear Bean #7: Not a surprise

21 August 2012

Dear Bean,

Well now, guess whose list of names has been narrowed down immensely?

Papa and Mama have accidentally found out you are a boy so now we're going to concentrate mainly on boy names. I've already made my list of Irish names--whether or not your life began in Ireland, we're determined to give you an Irish name anyway--and now Papa has to make his list of Japanese names (he insists) so we can match your Irish and Japanese names.

Just to be safe though, we will finish the list of boy names and then go back to our list of girl names. Just in case the reading was wrong.

I'd say you are very blessed, very blessed indeed to have the kind of extended family system that you do. And Daddy and I are very blessed to have them as well. These ties are even more important to me since I have no siblings by blood. Already your (honorary) aunts and uncles are doting on you by passing on to us many of the things that you'll need once you arrive. Now I have to start making lists of what we already have and what you still need so when we come closer to the date, we can begin the necessary purchases.

Finally I can feel and see your movements. Someday I will show you the videos. It was a great source of amusement for me because it was like watching an alien life form trying to break free from my stomach. I may be a little strange for thinking of it that way but that's what it reminds me of. For some reason though, you quiet down when it's Papa trying to feel for your movements--maybe you can tell the difference between his less certain hand and mine? I'm excited for him to be able to share in the experience though. Perhaps by next month when you've gotten bigger.


Love,
Mama

Daily Photo Post

Mihi

I prefer to think I'm unique, thanks

It has, I think, become the norm to assume that the fact you have/had shared or gone through the same life stage makes the old-timer an "expert" and the newbie can expect to go through everything in precisely the same way.

Pregnancy has introduced me to a variant to two old pet peeves. First, patronizing, and second, the "I know this because I've been there."

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Kazuhiko

Pregnancy Shopping

I am grateful that I have family--well, truthfully, family friends who are as good as family to me--who have loaned us a great deal of the big ticket items we'll need for Bean's arrival. (Thank you so much, Kuya Joma and Ate Kay, Kuya Dennis and Ate Pam!*) It has taken a lot of the stress out of the preparations, at least as far as those items are concerned, and I can turn my attention to more personal things.

In general, I have simply adapted my wardrobe to suit my current size by setting aside the clothes I can't wear for now and focusing more on caring for (to avoid too much wear and tear on the garments) and modifying how I use those that do still fit.

Daily Photo Post

Haneul...or more accurately, Haneul's foot

Can you spot his head?

Daily Photo Post

Mao Tien Lien

Based on the frequency of the appearance of their photos,you can actually deduce which of my pets are a) easily found somewhere around the house, and b) most willing to stay still for a photo.