I'm 21.5 weeks pregnant.

... and bohk-soong-ah is the size of a pomegranate!
Once again everything has stayed the same. Only difference is that I've gained two pounds, possibly more. Depends on when I weigh myself. Sometimes I fear I am gaining weight too fast. I gained close to nothing up until my 16-17th week, so I try not to worry. Another exciting thing: kicks! I know i've mentioned before that I have felt bohk-soong-ah kick, but I am feeling them regularly now. Nothing big but small little love taps. I never imagined it to be so comforting. It's like bohk-soong-ah is saying hello.

I'm dying to give you my 20 week anatomy scan update that I was so looking forward to but, that'll have to wait. (So much to tell!)


Cloth diapers, cloth diapers, cloth diapers!

So, Jon and I have been discussing from the beginning of our pregnancy about cloth diapering. I must admit I was totally confused at first (maybe even still), but am totally amazed. I know cloth diapering is becoming more popular among mothers but most people I know still can't imagine why I would even consider attempting such a task. I've heard things like it's dirty, expensive, and even "too much work". How much is "too much" when it comes to your child? Can that term even apply? Everyone has their own methods that are right for them and their child. I definitely don't expect people to agree with me. But I do expect that they respect my decision and not criticize.

Okay anyways, on to the exciting part. After months of research and trying to educate myself as much as possible about cloth diapers, I have started my stash!



These are brand new discontinued bumGenius deluxe bamboo fitted diapers. The lot came with six newborn and 23 small. It also came with three newborn litewrap covers and 11 small. The covers do have gussets but they are on the looser side because they are full cut. Great even for bigger babies and bulkier diapers. This all cost me $100. I absolutely love these diapers. Besides being so cute, they are super soft. And from what I hear from many reviews very absorbent. I love prints on diapers but nothing compares to a clean white/cream colored one. So natural. I can't wait to try these out!

Because I'm a WAHM, I knew that for the most part I will be with my baby at home. These fitteds are in no way waterproof without the cover but they are super breathable and will give my baby's bum some breathing time.

I plan to get a variety of kinds to see what will work with the baby and I and at what times. I am sure I want to get prefolds and some pockets. I will definitely update you as my stash grows.

Until next time...

Cheers.

This week i'm 20 weeks pregnant.

..and our bohk-soong-ah is about the size of a banana!
I can't believe i'm halfway through my pregnancy. I have to admit the first 20 weeks were not that long. I can only imagine how fast the second half will go now that we'll be busy setting up the nursery and buying things to get ready for little one. AHhhHhhh! I'm on my fifth day of my 20th week and so far I've been feeling pressure and tightness in my belly. Nothing to worry about but definitely a weird feeling. My back is killing me and sleeping without a body pillow is something I can't even fathom.

This week hasn't brought much change in my diet or moods. However, there are a couple things that makes this week super special.

1. I felt bohk-soong-ah kick for the first time last friday! Oh gosh. I suppose I could have felt little one before but I could never be sure. But ever since that night I've been feeling little taps and flutters. Nothing big where you could actually see but I could definitely tell it was bohk-soong-ah saying hi. Jon was able to feel it one night.. you should have seen his face. Priceless.

2. Our anatomy scan is in 2 days!!!! I haven't seen bohk-soong-ah since my 10 week ultrasound and hubby and I are both so anxious to see sweet pea. Besides that, we get to find out the gender!! Oh gosh oh gosh! I have to admit, throughout my whole pregnancy I've been so convinced its a boy that finding out the gender wasn't such a big deal to me. I was just happy that I would get to see bohk-soong-ah and make sure little one is healthy. But... now that I'm a couple days away. butterflies* I'm sure Jon and I will be ecstatic regardless of the sex. Plus whichever one we don't get this time around, we could try for again next time.

... okay lets not get ahead of ourselves ;]


*skipping lanes*


My great auntie sent me these photos. Isn't it beautiful? It's a flower found primarily in Thailand, Myanmar, and India. Parrot Flower is what they call it. Can you see why? Wow. It's things like this that make me so excited about bohk-soong-ah. I can't wait to show little one all that the good Lord has created for us.

Talk to you soon.

Cheers

8 more days until we find out what gender bohk-soong-ah is!!
Hubby and I grow more anxious everyday. I'm not quite sure how we're going to make it through this next week!

They say a good tip on staying healthy is to eat a rainbow at every meal.

Last night, for the first time in two weeks, Jon came home early enough from work for us to have dinner together. We decided to grill up some chicken with a bit of salt, pepper, rosemary, and lemon. We sauteed some zucchini, yellow squash, and green beans and picked at some grape tomatoes. Dinner was de-lish and the great part is I had some leftover for today. YAY!



I've been talking to a good friend of mine pretty often lately. (She's the one who sent over that last pic btw =]) She's one of the few people besides Jon that I can talk to without any restrictions. Throughout my pregnancy she's been attentive and supportive. She's never tried to tell me what is right or wrong, but has only offered insight on motherhood and a healthy pregnancy. She's a mom! We've spent countless nights on the phone talking about everything from abdominal pain to the ouija board. Don't ask. It seems like conversation possibilities with this woman are endless. She's smart and openminded and is in no shortage of funny.

This pregnancy has given me a chance to really sit down and reflect on my life. Appreciate what I have and cherish it. Family and friends especially. I feel good company is always coming and going and it's really on me to recognize it.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are, and who you want to become.

You never really know who these people may be, but when you lock eyes with them, you know that at any moment they will affect your life in some profound way. Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and even unfair at first, but in reflection, you find that without ever overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you are and who you are to be. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important. If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love then back unconditionally, not only because of their love for you, but because they are teaching you to open both your heart and eyes to things.

Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never to able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and trust your judgement. For if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life, then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets. Most importantly if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow will have in store. Learn a lesson in life each day you live.


"Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday"

Was it worth it?

Cheers.

I'm 19 weeks pregnant.

.. and my bohk-soong-ah is about the size of a mango!
I'm imagining its a cute little apple mango. As I look down at my belly, it's seriously hard to imagine my baby is rapidly growing inside me. I can only imagine where all my organs are moving to in order to make room. My belly has popped out just a little bit more. As far as cravings go I haven't had any major changes. I still can't stand meat and I'm still craving fruit and raw veggies. This morning I had some soup and a hard boiled egg. My granny doesn't let me forget my eggs. I feel some discomfort and tension in my lower belly and it's starting to feel a bit firm as well. I haven't felt any movement, least I don't think I have, but i'm eagerly waiting. All in all, I feel great.

In twelve days I have my next doctor's appointment and my fetal anatomy scan. You know what that means!! Jon and I finally get to find out the gender of our baby. Of course we will be happy with either, but Jon and I are hoping for a girl. Jon comes from a family with mostly boys. His father has multiple siblings.. ALL BOYS. Hubby's brothers all had boys. His sister had a girl but we all know it's the father whose juices determine the sex. It's about time for a girl!! His sister is hoping it's a girl so her daughter Katelyn would have a play date! My mother and great aunt are hoping for a girl. My granny on the other hand.. BOY BOY BOY! I'm assuming this is because she lost her son at a very young age due to illness. So either way, we'll be happy.

Pregnancy could not have come at a better time. I'm at a point in my life where I'm much more mature and situated and Jon and I are both ready for bohk-soong-ah. Another reason why my baby is such a blessing: my grandma. Granny is getting older. She's in her late eighties, but is underweight, has high blood pressure, and diabetes. Her only wish is to see her great grandchild. She tells me every time we speak that she is eating full healthy portions. I would hope she is doing that already but she is being very health conscious these days. I love it! I grew up with both my grandma and great grandma. That bond I shared with my great granny is something not too many people get to experience. I feel so lucky.

Everything in my life, my family's all together, has been going great. My mom has sold her store in Korea and will be moving up to Seoul any day now. She has been on a couple television interviews and has had rave ratings. By the looks of it, she might be appearing on tv more often now. As I've mentioned before, granny has been happier and healthier. God is good and life is sweet.

Happy Friday friends!

Cheers.

I talked to my mom and granny last night over Facetime. I miss them so much. You don't know how glad I am that we bought her(granny) an iPad while we were there last. Yeah my granny's down with the times. I usually speak to them about 8pm which makes it around 9am over in South Korea. It's so cute to see them all awake and refreshed. My granny always seems so happy that I call right when she wakes up.

I was raised by my granny and great grandmother for the most part. My dad had passed away when I was still a wee thing and it left all the major responsibilities to my mom. She did what she could for us. My grandmother worked to pay for the small things while my mother the mortgage and so forth. So, I spent most of my after school time with my great granny. My mom eventually moved back in with us and we were whole again. Definitely not perfect, but we were together. Sometimes I want to just beat myself up for not realizing this sooner. I was in high school and my hormones were racing. In a blink of an eye, we were in New York and down the line I had moved in with Jon. Now five years later my folks are back in Korea and I find myself missing them terribly.

If I learned anything from my childhood it would be that living a "family life" is no easy feat. Money, ambition, and temptation are only a few things that can threaten beautiful lives. But a family is something you not only live for, but fight for. I have no regrets so far and am positive my life will be just as fulfilling as Jon and I, both, continue to grow personally through date nights, hobbies and friendships, but it will be bohk-soong-ah's life that we devote ourselves to each and every day.


So, my dear dear bohk-soong-ah

As you grow bigger and bigger by the day, please know that you are now our beginning, middle, and our end. I dread the day you want to go sky diving, or attend your first frat/sorority party, or God forbid, go on your first date. I am selfishly enjoying the fact that you are tucked away inside me where I can keep you safe and protect you. Every tingle or flutter I feel reminds me that your arrival is the clock we live by. Your daddy and I have been through so many amazing things together, but I'm sure that you will be our biggest adventure yet.

I find myself wide eyed and on track. I'm racing with myself to find the best things for you. Prepare for your arrival. There is no doubt in my voice, but as determined as I am I've never needed so much assistance and reassurance. I never knew that I would be so appreciative that your daddy is quiet when I am angry. He is the voice of reason and the perfect balance to your mommy's fiery approach. If I could promise you one thing it would be that we will fight for you and all the things in life you deserve. We love you always.

Mommy


Cheers.