More pics

Ai-Vy with grandpa:


With dad...notice how tired dad is looking already. It gets worst..hehe.


Grandma..I am bored!


Ky-An snuggling with mom:


Mommy and Ai-Vy ready to go home!


Uncle Joseph and Uncle Chi also dropped by to visit:


Ky-An with his new toy:


Beautiful bouquet of flowers from Hieu's mom and Aunt Stacy:


I am awake now!


Peek-a-boo! I got my mom's flat nose.


Big brother interacting with little sister:



Don't I look like a doll?



Ky-An taking a nap on the second day he visited:

Asian superstition versus Western medicine

Being an Asian person who just gave birth, there are certain things that I must stay away from and cannot eat. However being in a western hopsital, they don't always agreed. I've broken so many "rules" so far and my family would have a cow if they know. LOL. First I am not suppose to eat anything cold. No cold water, hot water only. Well right after my surgery, I am not allow to drink anything yet and I was really thirsty so all they would give me are ice chips. My older sister yelled at me and say why you drinking ice? I said I am so thirsty what do you want me to do? She gave in and say okay...but don't chew on it! She's so funny.

I am also not suppose to eat any fresh vegetables nor fruits, nothing sour, and no duck nor seafood. Well yesterday Hieu bought me my favorite duck soup with bamboo. Even the people at the restaurant was yelling at him for feeding me it..haha. They go "young people today, don't restrict themselves from anything! Just gave birth and eat bamboo shoot." The soup also came with fresh vegetables so I broke about 2 or 3 "rules" there.

Today Hieu asked if I want any Boba tea and it's a cold drink. Okay I said, but don't tell my family! shhhhhh. Well how can they expect me to adhere to those rules when there's no one around helping us out nor cook for us. We can only take what we can get right? It's much easier to follow the rules when someone is there cooking your meals for you or to help you out so you don't have to be up as much.

My family also yell at me all the time for being up and moving around. They want me to stay in bed and rest so my scar can heal. The hospital make you move around and encourage you to be mobile. I find that the hospital may be right on this because I laid around for a month after Lan Vy's birth and it took me about 3 months to feel "normal" again. With Ky-An I was mobile a little bit earlier and was healed a bit sooner. This time I have no choice but be mobile within the first 2 days or so because Hieu has to pick up/drop off Ky-An and I have to take care of Ai-Vy so I have to be up and about. Even Hieu notice that I am more mobile this time around and I am well enough to sit in a chair and update my blog. :)

Ai-Vy's Birth pics

In the prep room when we were still "fresh" and my face before it's swollen! :)


Mommy and daughter's first time meeting each other:


Getting wheeled into our room after surgery.


Introducing miss Ai-Vy Do:



Ky-An's newborn pic. Hieu think they look very much alike.


Sleepy head:


Ky-An with mommy...look how swollen my face is from the IV! I didn't even realize it until I saw the pictures.


Opening his present with dad. I bought him a present for each day he visit here so he'll feel special also.


Smiling at his little sister:


Kissing his new little sister:


Hieu put her cheek next to his and he thought it was sooooo funny:


My sisters and I. The one on the left is my oldest sister who flew in for the day from Dallas. Very sweet of her and thank goodness she was there with me the first day to help me out. My little sister is driving back this weekend. Check out my triple chin...nice!


Mommy and baby:

Ai-Vy's Arrival

Ai-Vy is here and things couldn't go smoother than I wanted. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30a.m. and I got prep right away. They gave us a bunch of paperwork, drew my blood for various tests, and put in the IV. That's the part I hate most cause the IV needle is big and they pierce it through your skin..ugh. Of course they had to do it twice because my vein was stubborn and retract the first time they did it.

Things to remember if I want to get pregnant again: Blood tests, IV, Epidural, surgery, removal of stapkes, and recovery. Fun stuff.

After the IV, my next fear is the epidural. I really feel for people who hate needles or have stubborn veins who have to go through labor. They walk me into the Operating room and did a monitor on Ai-Vy. It took the nurse a while to find her heartbeat for some reason and she started looking worry. I was having the worst case scenario running through my head and thinking the worst things. Luckily she found it right after that or I'll have a heart attack! They then gave me a local on my back before doing the epidural. What a blessing that was because I only felt a little pinch on the local and a little pressure on the epidural and it's done! With Lan Vy, they didn't give me a local first and the epidural was no fun at all. They gave me the pressure test after the epidural and I still feel some stuff so I was scrare they may start cutting and I'll feel it. That's my biggest fear, that the doctor will start cutting and I'll feel everything. As the doctor was cutting me, I was concentrating really hard to make sure I don't feel anything and ready to scream if I did. Luckily I didn't but she's taking a really long time and we don't see the baby. Thank goodness they let Hieu into the operating room by this time because I started getting tense again and gripped his hand really hard. I am glad he's there for emotional support. I remember asking him if anything is wrong and why is it taking so long? Thank goodness soon after that they got her out and she started crying. It's such a beautiful sound and we all breathe a sigh of relief.

She was covered in mirconium but beautiful otherwise. She was born at 7:58 a.m. at 16lbs, 11 oz and 19 3/4 inches long. She has long fingers and long toes like my little sister. I forgot how small they are when they are first born and keep marveling at this little miracle. How could something so small have all the parts I do and can sustain on her own? She looks very similar to Ky-An when he was a newborn. She's been eating well and sleeping well. We are very blessed. The only problem I have with her is keeping her latchhed on. She would fuss and cry until she can latch onto my breast. Once she's on, she would only take a couple of suck then fall asleep or let go because there's no milk. I tried uncovering her, massage my breast, tickle her neck but nothing would wake her up. The lactose consultant tell me to stop giving her formula aferward because she's waiting for the bottle and that's why she won't take my breast. I tried her advice but she was so hungry and I had no milk in my breasts yet. She would take a couple of sip, then started crying because there was no milk and she was hungry. There was no calming her down and she would spit out my breast after that because there's no milk. I don't know how the lactose consultant expect me to calm her down if I don't give her the bottle. She was so hungry she drank the whole 2 oz! Those of you who have successfully breastfed, I would love to hear your advice on how to do it.

My car also broke down when Hieu went to pick up Ky-An later on that day. Thank goodness it didn't happen on our way to the hospital or after he already picked up Ky-An. The transmission just died and luckily he was right next to the Acura dealership so he dropped off the car there. Ai-Vy must be our lucky charm because it turn out, my car is still under warranty even though it's over 100,000 miles!!! The last time the car had a transmission recall, they changed out my transmission and extend the warranty to 109,000 miles. My car is currently at 104,000....how lucky is that?!! So they are exchanging a brand new transmission for us and gave Hieu a loaner car to drive around...an Acura MDX! That is so nice. Miss Ai-Vy gets to go home in style!

Ky-An also seem to be taking his new little sister well. Hieu pick him up to visit everyday and he points at Ai-Vy going "baby" and keep smiling everytime he points at her. He make Hieu pick him up so he can see his little sister and loves to kiss her. Today he came and the poor guy is so tired he took a nap here w/ his sister. It's the sweetest thing. I am glad he took a nap here because I got to see how he would be if Ai-Vy started crying..which she did and he stayed asleep! Woo hoo!! Hope he's stay asleep tomorrow night when we are all home also.

He has been doing pretty well at the babysitter's these past few days but she said he misses us because he walks around going "chachie chachie" and "me me". She said it breaks her heart during those moments. He also gets really sad around 6p.m. when all the other kids get picked up and he's still there. He'll walk to the window and keep looking out, I guess looking to see if daddy will pick him up. My poor little guy...at least it's almost over and we get to take him home with us tomorrow.

Ky-An's last day as the only child. :)

It's 12:48 a.m in the morning and I should be going to bed because I have to wake up in 4 hours to head to the hospital...but I miss my little baby too much. :( I really don't know how the parents who send their babies back to China or Vietnam do it. It just kills me and I cried on the way home after dropping him off at the babysitter's this evening.

The day has been a hectic one and Ky-An's schedule got thrown off all day...poor baby. First Hieu and my work try to cram in one last thing for us to do before we have to be off so we were both busy trying to find time to finish work and spend quality time with Ky-An at the same time. Ky-An got tired at about 10 a.m. and starts fussing so I decide he should take a nap. He usually doesn't sleep until 1p.m. but I guess he didn't get enough sleep all weekend so he was tired. He slept until almost 1p.m. and Hieu took him to his work to upload some files and pick up some chick-fil-a for lunch. We didn't eat until 2p.m. so that threw his whole schedule off because he usually eat dinner at about 4 or 5p.m. Hieu tried to put him down for another nap at about 3:30p.m. but he fought it and keep on screaming until 4:30. I was trying to finish up some work in the study and keep hearing him screaming so I finally tell Hieu to bring him out because it's time for his dinner anyway.

Hieu gave him a bath and fed him the rest of the soup we got for him at chick-fil-a as a snack. We decide to head out for dinner because it'll be our last one for a while so we went to SaltGrass at about 6:30p.m. Ky-An usually gets his evening bottle by now but because he's been such a picky eater, I want him to be able to eat so I held off on the milk. The poor boy was so tired that he fell asleep on the short car ride there and didn't wake up until after the food came. I ordered him so macaroni and cheese but he didn't touch any of it. The poor boy was too tired and I don't blame him.

After dinner we had to go to Wal-mart close to there to get him some diapers and more milk for the babysitter. I was upset she didn't call me until after we left that she needed some diaper for him. We had several packages of diapers at home and now I have to buy one at FULL PRICE!!! Hah..imagine that! :P Plus my baby is tired and needs to go to bed but the checkout line took forever!

We gave him some milk in the car but he was awake and we made it to our babysitter's house at 8:30p.m. After giving her all the instructions and his evening schedule that I printed up for her, we hugged and hugged him before he left. He was happily playing with our babysitter's daughter and didn't seem too bother that we left. I am glad he's distracted because I don't know what I would do if he start crying for us. Probably just scoop him up and take him with us to the hospital..hehe. I did cry on the way home and Hieu said he had a lump in his throat also. This first separation is extremely hard on us.

My friend just found out she's having a son on Friday so we had to meet up with her today so she can give me all her older daughter's clothes. We were on the phone the whole evening trying to coordinate where to meet because we were both running around. Finally we met up with her after we dropped Ky-An off and got the stuff. We didn't get home until 9:30p.m. and Hieu has to go pull gas, get things to the car, etc. While we were doing all this running around, people were calling us like crazy adding to the chaos. Most were wishing us luck and we appreciate it but it just make the evening even crazier.

During lunch time today I also found out that some of my Extra Care Bucks from CVS are expiring this Saturday! What the heck??!!! I thought I had taken care of all those, how did I overloook these??!! I had to work up a quick scenario deal and manage to buy some diapers and get about $7 back even though I used $12. Oh well...at least I got stuff I need.

I just took a shower and is all shaven. For those of you who don't know, they shave you down there when you have a c-section! I didn't know it the first time and they did it dry so it wasn't fun. In addition, they put the razor on your hospital bill and it's way overpriced! I swear I paid $30 for 2 Tylenols last tiem. After that with Ky-An and Ai-Vy, I make sure I do it myself!

I don't even know if I can sleep tonight without Ky-An next to me and his snoring. I asked the babysitter to call me after he went to sleep tonight and she told me he didn't sleep until 9:30p.m. However, he didn't cry or anything and just drank his milk then go back to sleep. I am so glad to hear that and I hope he'll adjust well in the next few days also. Even though we had a hectic day today, Ky-An got lots of attention, hugs, and kisses from mom and dad so we accomplish our goal.

Can't believe I'll be a mother of two tomorow!!!! Yikes!!!

Last weekend before Ai-Vy's arrival!

I managed to finish most of my pending work so the pressure is off me for a little bit. Since that stress is gone, I am glad that my delivery date is coming soon because I've been so uncomfortable the past few weeks. I think Ai-Vy dropped some more so my hips hurt when I sit too long, when I lay down, and when I walk. I also feel lots of pressure and some pain when I walk around.

We've brought all the baby stuff down to get ready for her (sterilizer, bouncer, warmer, ect). I try not to shake off the deja-vouz feeling I have when we were getting ready for our first daughter, Lan Vy. We all know that didn't go too well and we had to come home without her and hadpack up all this stuff in the box. That's why when we had Ky-An, we didn't prepare anything. Nothing was brought out and I didn't prepare anything. I just didn't want to jinx it. This time we don't have the luxury though. As much as I don't want to do the advance preparation, I know I have to because we'll be so busy taking care of both that we just can't afford to leave anything until the last minute. I just have to push those bad thoughts out of my mind and pray for the best.

The bags are finally packed, I made a night time schedule print out for the babysitter, stock up some fruits for Ky-An next week, and made all arrangments. Hieu will be working from home tomorrow to help me take care of Ky-An. We will then take him to our babysitter's to spend the night because we have to be at the hospital at 5:45 the next morning and just don't want to wake him up at 4 to do that. Hieu offered to take him tomorrow himself so I don't have to say goodbye but there's no way I will miss that. I know it'll be extremely hard on me because I get a lump in my throat everytime I think about it. I can't believe I will be away from my baby for 3 nights! I haven't been away from him at night since he was born. The only comfort to me is knowing that he'll be in good care because our babysitter are her daughters are fighting on who gets to sleep with him. We are blessed in that respect, that the caregivers we chose just adores him.

I even did my last CVS deal today. Nothing great, just got a bag of Jumbo diapers size newborn and roll some of Extra Care Bucks that are expiring on 9/20. I also went to Target and made a big purchase because I want to use all the coupons that were expiring at the end of the month. Who knows when I'll get to go out again right? I got 20 bottles of Dawn dishwashing detergent, 2 Nature Valley granola bars, 3 Quaker Express, 8 Post-it notes, 6 Mr. Clean wipe boxes, 2 Beef jerkies, and 1 4-pk of Charmin for $13.

I did run into a little trouble at the register because of my stack of coupons and checking out took about 30 minutes. The young girl who checked me out couldn't get the coupons to go through and she was getting all flustered. The manager came by and since he didn't ring me up, he wanted to see every item that I purchased. At first it was fine but after about the 4 trip of going back to my cart and retrieve the items for him or going w/ him to check the item to make sure I got the right item, right number, and right size...I got annoyed. I had $1.50 post-it coupons and the post-its where $1.19. He adjust all 8 of them down but said I couldn't get the $1.38 one because it would've made it free. Okay.. but the other Free 8 are okay??!!! What a weird excuse. I said that's fine and ask him to void that one. He then stood there and said I couldn't get all those Dawn coupons because it would've made it free. I said no they are not, I still have to pay some money for them. He stood there and calculate to see how much I would have to pay (about .22 cents each) and then said well I'll do it for me this one time. I said what do you mean do it for me this one time? I called the manager and asked her, I can use a Target coupon and a manufacturer coupon on each item. He goes who you talk to? I am the manager. I go I don't don't remember her name but I talked to her on the phone. Then he goes well you can use one Target coupon and 1 manufacturer coupon on each item but you are using 2 manufacturer's coupon on one item. I said no did not!!! I bought 20 of them! He didn't say anything by this point and he was done with all the coupons so I just paid and left.

I know some people shy away from arguing with these managers and cashiers but if I know I am right, I am not going to step down. I take extra care to make sure I use all my coupons correctly and I'll be darn if I'll let someone accuse me otherwise.

Doctor's Visit

I expected a normal visit today but got a little surprise. First of all the doctor was 1.5 hours behind so we grab some lunch and came back. She checked my cervix this time and it not fun at all!! She didn't check me at all with Ky-An so I am not sure why she would check me with Ai-Vy. Anyways, she said I am 2cm already and is effaced. She can feel the baby's head when she checked my cervix so she doesn't think I will make it until the 18th. That makes me kinda sad because I have so many things to do and am not ready for her to be here yet. I have a lot of things I still need to tie up at work and can't leave before I do. Lots of people are counting on me to get it done!

So instead of being excited, I am panicking because I am hoping to get everything done before Ai-Vy gets here. I guess I better finish packing my bags this weekend!

We got a date and I am scare to death!!!!

I can't believe my c-section date is about 1 month away. It's going to be September 18th at 7:45 in the morning. Even though I am relieve to finally get a date and time, I am petrified of what will be. I am scare of the impending surgery, the drowsiness from the drugs, and the recovery. It was relatively easy with one baby but I am not sure how it's going to be when you add a toddler to that. My family lives in town but they will not be much help. My mom may bring me some food the first month but beside that we are pretty much on our own. Hieu will be home for 2 weeks to help out but then it's just me and the 2 kids after that.

My sisters suggest that I take Ky-An to the babysitter's when I am home so I can get some rest and concentrate on Ai-Vy. However, I don't like that idea because I don't like the thought of shipping him off to someone else while mommy is at home. I don't want him to feel replaced or anything like that.

I am also dreading the thought of not seeing Ky-An much for 3 days while I am in the hospital. Everytime I think about it, I want to cry. I hope he will do just fine and won't notice that we are gone, that would be ideal. Hieu will come pick him up and take him to the hospital to visit but he can't stay long because the hospital is not ideal for kids nor is there a place for him to nap comfortably. I will see him maybe an hour or 2 a day..at most. Hieu and I decide to wait and see how he does the first night. If he cried for us then maybe Hieu will get a hotel room close by the hospital and sleep with Ky-An there at night. The dilemma for us is that the hospital is about 30 minutes away from home and I really need Hieu by my side to help out since it hurts for me to move. I can't count on the nurse because they don't help much at all getting me in and out of bed.

I know we'll just have to play it by ears and see how everything goes but being Type A personality, it's hard. I like to have everything planned and organized but it's not going to happen this time. There's so much uncertainty this time and it's stressing me out!