1 month old

Interview day

After a week of placing advertisment on Singtao, we finally have time to do interview with all the applicants. It was so tiring to keep answering phone calls & saying repeat messages over & over again. We arranged whole day for us to see totally 8 aunties @ home. WE brought Karissa along cuz she is a stronger BB.

After whole day of interview, we decided on 2 best candidates: 1 from China & 1 from HK. I prefer HK. Terence prefers the 1 from China. We'll make up our mind tomorrow night.
Karissa made some funny faces @ home today....she may wonder who are all those aunties???

Took other mom's milk/ Bye Bye Wong Ah E

Somehow Karissa & Kody took other mom's milk yesterday. They both started not feeling well (vomit & upset stomach) since midnight last night. Even though advice nurse said they would be fine after 24 hrs of taking other's milk, we still made an appointment to see doctor to make sure. Turned out everything was fine as expected.
BTW, Karissa is 6.5 lb. Kody is 5 lb 15 oz.

After a week of having Wong Ah E, Yang Yang finally decided to get Ah E fired (Ah E told me that she planned to resign on July 27) Cuz Ah E sleep much deeper than babies. Yang Yang often need to wake her up @ night to do feeding. 1 of the mothers even went back home earlier than she should d/t Wong Ah E. Cuz this mother feels that she got no rest @ center. She doesn't feel comfortable to leave her BB to Ah E to take care @ night. She can leave. When can I be?

I feel I come in a wrong month (peak season) when center is understaffed. I thought I could have good rest in center. It ended up feeling much tired than my days @ hospital.

1st doctor's visit

Today is twins' 1st doctor's visit. They both need to be naked for weight check & measurement. Meanwhile, I need to fill out a 1 month checklist to indicate their health situation. 1 question: Can your child pee over 1 feet? Kody demonstrates twice that he can pee that far. He did it towards the wall in clinic & again when he was weight.

No more Health nurse visit

Karissa is 5 lb 7 oz. H/C 32.5 cm. Length 19". Kody is 4 lb 13.5oz. H/C 32 cm. Length 17 3/4". Nurse said even though Kody has not reached 5 lbs, it doesn't require another visit, cuz their 1st doctor visit will be 5 days later. So nurse decided not to see us again. Cuz Kody soon would be 5 lbs. That's great news to us & center's workers. I don't need to go out any more & twins' schedule will be back to normal again.
Last time, Kody sucked his thumb. Today is Karissa's turn..sucked her thumb.

Wong Ah E

Center finally hired a nighttime nanny. Today is her 1st day. But her performance during day time worried me. She said Kody eats smaller amount, so he doesn't need to be burp. Hey, he's already v.small plus he spits a lot. If he doesn't get burp, I can't imagine the result. Then she said Karissa sleeps after getting only 20ml in feeding. So she slept, so should stop feeding. OH,another worry to me. I know Karissa is a sleeping beauty. She is like that back in hospital. Awake @ beginning of feeding, then soon would be asleep but still sucking ga...how can Ah E just stop the feeding.

I told my worries to Terence. That's why tonight would be his 1st night of staying in center overnight. He wants to stay & keep an eye on Ah E(esp to make sure she would burp Kody), so I can sleep without worrying.

We are not the only parents worry. We can see that there are not as many babies left out in BB room as usual. Later, I found out some of the moms rather keep BB in their rooms than letting Ah E to take care of them @ night.

Another check up

Kody & Karissa for sure will be wild again tonight (according to Yang Yang). Cuz once they r on the road, we may have difficulty to stick to their usual feeding schedule, plus they may sleep longer d/t car ride.

Karissa is now 5 lbs. 17 3/4" long. Head circumferce is 12 1/2". Kody is 4 lb 8.5 oz. 18" long. H/C 12.52".

Ah..Kody still has not reached 5 lbs. That means another harsh/busy day for us in 2 days. Today, Kody sucked his thumb the very 1st time.

Karissa (Sleeping with daddy)

Kelvin & Arthur visit

It is my 3rd day in center. Even though I'm not supposed to leave center (during sit month), but I did. Cuz today is the day that we have a home health nurse to do check up on twins. Good to know that they gained weight. 14 day old: Kody is now 4 lb 4.5 oz. Karissa is 4 lb 13.5 oz with 31.5 head circumferce. Nurse said they both need to be checked every 2 days till they reach 5 lbs. That means I need to be a busy mom again (grab everything & drive 45 mins on highway to be home again). Too bad that home health nurse can't come to center to check on them, cuz she only works in 1 county (Alameda county..where I live), so she can't come to San Jose (in different county) to do the check up.

Go to 'sit month' center

Starting from yesterday, I'll spend a month in this center. Hopefully, I'll get enough rest as I thought it would be. However, it turned out to be not the way I wanted to be. Nighttime nanny just quit today. It ended up that the owner Yang Yang would be the only 1 to take care of BB overnight. With totally 4 moms & 5 babies, it was tough for Yang Yang to do a fine job. So I ended up not having good night sleep. Yang Yang took care of 1 BB, & I took care of another. Plus with the busy schedule of eating: 8am breakfast, 10am snack, 12pm lunch, 3pm snack, 6pm dinner & 8pm dessert. It was very hard to find a quiet moment that I can catch a nap. I started to have headache. I wish BB & I still r in hospital. At least, I can sleep as long as I can, & not to worry of BB (cuz they are taken care by NICU nurses).

Kody is finally home

God is so great that He let us to have bb home 1 after another, so it won't be too overwhelming to us. Kody will be home today. He got discharged home much earlier than doctor's previous prediction. Compared to Karissa, Kody is smaller & much quiet. They both finally home now. It's also time for me to go to 'sit month' center to stay for a month.

Karissa's discharge day (7/9)

Karissa's 1st night @ home

I have been back home since 7/5. For the past few days, it was busy for me & Terence. Our daily routine was going to hospital daily to feed babies for hours till it's time for dinner. Even it was busy, at least we could rest/sleep without being disturb for the rest of the day. As nurses said, we should enjoy our last moment of freedom.

Finally, our 'freedom' is over. But good to know that we can eventually go home with a baby. We got notified that Karissa is well enough to be discharged today. I chose a beautiful outfit for her to wear for photo shot taken by photographer. Too bad that no photographer available @ hospital today.

BTW, I just realized that Karissa is a noisy bb. She even makes noise during sleep. Noises she makes include 1. snoring 2.sudden big cry as if she's in pain. But she would calm down after just 1 big cry/yell.

I used to bb that makes no noise during sleep. So for this 1st night, I wake up frequently d/t her unique noise to find out what's going on with her. Now, I know that it's her characteristic.

Felix & Megan visit

Flash back of delivery day 6/30

I had been worrying that no one would be around when I got in labor. Turned out..I needed to admit to hosp d/t protein in urine on 6/29. I arrived hosp with my hubby on 6/29 8pm. I was checked out that everything was fine(I had a mild pre-eclampsia..143/78). Needed to stay in hosp for BP monitoring till delivery. I thought I would be so bored in hosp for 1 month.

Then I had mentrual cramp in the middle of that night, and voided some blood & white particle. But the RN said it was fine. Then I had some clear fluid came out...she checked with acid paper & said that was not "water'. Shortly afterward, I had more fluid came out. This time I got checked by a doctor, he said my water broke, & needed to have emergency c-section. I called my hubby @3:15am.

Karissa was born @ 6/30 4:46am (4 lb 7 oz. Apgar score: 9 on 1st min, then 10..full score on 5 min). Kody was born @ 4:47am (3 lb 14 oz. Apgar score 8 on 1st min, then 9 on 5 min). Both didn't need any oxygen. Both sent to NICU. Just got IV & put into isolette to keep them warm. According to Lunar Calendar, they both born on 5th month, day 16.

Karissa now cries only when she's hungry. She breaks her own feeding record daily. From eating 35 ml each time..to now 70 ml(can finish a bottle in a flash), then would sleep for 4 hr. Very Very healthy.

Kody has long legs & long fingers...Got tired easily d/t his size, not a fussy BB. Need more time to learn how to suck. Otherwise, he's good too. He was good last night...finished whole bottle of 35 ml by himself, no need to gavage. Keep up the good work..son.

I could walk with help of pain killer on 2 days after surgery. Now I can walk without pain killer. With caring/love from friends, I got different kind of soup delivered to home & during hospitalization.

July 7

WE thought Karissa would be going home today, so I had a haircut done. However she lost weight on last night shift. To be on a safe side, doctor decided to keep Karissa in hospital longer to keep an eye on her to make sure everything is ok.

July 6

1st pic is Karissa...the rest are Kody during feeding

Death sentence

Now is 10:55am. I just received a call from my new OB/GYN doc. She said the result of my 24 hr unrine is back. There is a lot of protein in it. After consulting with specialist, they recommend me to admit to hospital to stay till delivery day. I feel fine & still has so many unfinished business. I hope I don't end up staying this long la. Cuz I'm just 34 week pregnant. If I do stay till delivery date, I would stay in hospital for 4 weeks. Staying home is not fun. Staying in hospital is even worse...much worse than Paris Hilton's recent prison experience. I told Terence. He said he'll try to be home early..but can only leave work by 4pm. I hope I won't get sick until then la. I hope I can be released back to home soon in just 1-2 day la.

Off working starting NOW

I slept on living room's couch last night. cuz it would be more convenient for me to access to fridge, & dump urine into the 24 hr urine collector. All the urine had to keep refrigerated. I don't know why I didn't sleep good last night (d/t sleeping on couch?). I've been up every hour since 1:30am. Amazingly, I didn't get headache afterward. In fact, I have not had a good night sleep since I was 32 week pregnant. Cuz turning side to side is such a hard work for me.

Anyway, I saw doc again today, then I would know if I could work 1 more day or not. I hope I can keep working part time for 1 more week. But my BP didn't make my wish comes true. I got BP140/78. Higher than 2 days ago. So even my BP is still in normal range, but on a climbing trend. According to doc's preference, I should off work starting now.

Starting next week, my 'job' would be going to Kaiser for non-stress test twice a week, & staying home alone as a 'prisoner' till delivery. But for sure I'll have plenty time to write blog.

Kaiser day (Part 2)

Last night, we went to Walnut Creek for newborn class. It was long~2.5 hrs till 10pm. No wonder Terence was not able to focus (even more than usual). He kept looking up to celing & peeling his fingers. Just completely staying in his own world instead of listening to what the speaker was saying. That's usual to me. I guess only computer conference can get his attention.

Later, I asked him if he could point out some of the points that the speaker mentioned. Of course, he could not mention any. Now is the best time to teach/prepare him with idea what's coming in a near future, cuz I'm still in good shape. But I doubt he has energy/interest to learn any. I just hope things will not go too wild that I can't handle myself.

My cousin asked me if I like vaginal birth or C-section. I know Terence prefers C-section. Cuz it can be scheduled, so for sure he would be around. But with his health plan, we may need to pay extra $ for C-section. If BBs' position allows me to have vaginal birth, my recovery time will be shorter. But I'm scare of the pain..the most is I don't think Terence is strong enough to support me (physically/mentally). Cuz labor can last for hours even a day. He even said he got tired after just giving me 1 body massage (learned from childbirth class..massage after each contraction). Frankly, I would be scared & feel helpless during labor if my helper(Terence) can't be helpful. So even I hate to be under knife, & pay extra $. I think C-section sounds better to me. At least, Terence doesn't need to do much (I don't need to count on him in that case).

I know for sure once BBs come, I'll be the super-woman (mom). Just hope Terence can slowly become a properly trained dad with a helping hand, so I won't feel I'm alone/taking full load on taking care of BBs. Please PRAY FOR ME!!

Kaiser day (Part 1)

My OB/GYN doc will be off work for a while d/t family emergency, so I had appointment with another doc. My weight is 166 lbs, but BP is at high 130 range. The worst is 3+ protein found in urine (sign of pre-eclampsia). So doc advised me to be off work this week. Plus I need to have several lab tests done including 24 hr urine protein.

Today was the 1st day I heard BBs' heartbeat @ doc's office & 1st non-stress test. They are pretty strong & regular. Their positions are still the same (girl: breech, boy: transverse). Doc said if they stay this way, I'll have scheduled c-section on week of July 24. Same comment I got from my original OB/GYN doc. With non-stress test, I stayed @ Kaiser from 11am till 1:30pm. What a long day. But more to come, see head/neck specialist @2:30pm, then newborn class would be held @ night. Luckily, Terence is off today. I bet I would fall asleep in car.

Too bad to know that specialist advised me to wait till 1 month after delivery to have the procedure done (if swollen gum won't shrink back by then). Cuz even I got it removed now, it will grow back again d/t high hormone level I got from pregnancy.

Last day of work ...probable

Today could be my last day of work. I'll know for sure by tomorrow after doctor's appointment.

I hope I can continue working for 1 more week. Anyway, I told coworkers & clients that today could be my last day before I start maternity leave. Surprisingly, a recreational therapist Frances told me to show up in day room around 1: 30pm. Then I found out that clients @ Fillmore collected some money, & bought me BB gifts. How touching, especially I only started to know them since January, and many of them are not financially well. I do appreciate the gift I received, but the support from clients is more precious & brought me great joy. It is a BIG reward from this job.

Being a nurse can be very stressful depends on which area you work in. Often is this kind of gesture such as a smile/appreciation from client that gives us strength/reason to carry on staying in stressful nursing field.

BB shower (fellowship)

Fellowship organized a BB shower for 2 pairs of parents-to-be (Terence & Me Plus Felix & Megan). It was so good to see some old faces like Nelson, Edith, Willion & Alice.

I hope games @ BB shower can give Terence more idea of what it's going to be like when BBs come. Many of you may know that he has no exposure with BB in his life. He even hasn't touched a BB.

Thanks to Abby & Ivan for organizing the BB shower, especially Ivan who designed games to train/torture fathers-to-be. It sure gave Terence some hand on experience. Now he at least knows how heavy/tough it is to carry just half of the weight of my tummy. Terence even said he'll do all housechores starting now. I bet his definition of 'all housechores' is totally different from what's in my mind. So if I want to get back to my way of ideal home setting after 'sit month', I sure need to do as much housechores as I can. Rely on Terence, I then have to lower my standard of ideal home setting.

Anyway, I sure feel warmth/love/caring through all of you (even I sometime feel I'm facing this upcoming challenge alone without family nearby).

血瘡瘦身了 YEAH!!

After days/nights of 血染 everything (clothes, carpet, pillow, pillowcase, night gown etc), 血瘡 噴血 portion suddenly gone this morning. Now only left with the swollen gum portion. I can finally see 2/3 of my right front tooth. Before that, half of my R front tooth was hidden underneath 血瘡. Even the area still would bleed, at least it won't spray out of my mouth...just bleed along gum & my tooth..so it would stay inside my mouth.

I can finally say bye bye to those midnight washing period (wash linen that soak with blood in the middle of the night). With frequent bathroom visit & washing cycle, I really had a hard time to get back to sleep. Hope from now on, I can get more sleep.

血戰前夕

I finally see a doctor today re: 血瘡. The doctor agrees with my idea, & will refer me to see a Head & Neck speciliast next Tuesday. I hope I can finally get rid of it next week, & get my freedom back.

血染父親節

2 of Terence's friends (known from San Jose U) & their couple came over from Sunnyvale to visit us. We brought them to Dublin's newly opened Ulferts Center http://www.ulferts.com/dublin/index.php to have lunch. It was hot on this Father's Day. We were chit chatting with Kelvin & his gf while we were waiting for Arthur & his wife. Good that I was facing Terence. My 血瘡 suddenly gushed blood out like a wide opened hose. Terence's clothes got many blood stain. Not only that, the ground & a bumper of a car parked in front of me also got blood. How embarrassing!! IT happened once @ clinic before. Luckily that no coworker or client stood where I sprayed my blood. It bleeds unexpectedly...It can bleed if I bite on something like apple, or even a smile can trigger it to bleed. So much blood came out that I can't even swallow all of my blood on time. Some wonders if I would be anemic d/t that.

失血/捐血大行動??

A friend said it's hard to imagine my legs can be that swollen. Me too. Now even my upper thigh started to be swollen. Both of my upper thigh can touch each other when I walk. I bet I walk like a fat lady now. D/t swollen legs, some easy things become hard for me to do. Taking pants(socks) off/putting pants(socks) on, or cutting my toe nails can't be done without taking effort/deep breath (Almost like MISSION IMPOSSIBLE). Doc said at least 10 lbs I gained is from swollen legs & swollen fingers.

Today, I have my swollen gum bled 4 times @ work. More often than usual. So much that it seems like I was donating blood. I needed to wash my clothes couple times afterward. Coworkers said I could be the best studying example. Cuz I carries twins, so I get more symptoms in a more severe form, & much earlier than those just carries 1 BB. Even though I feel great & able to work 5 days a week, my boss (who's 6 month pregnant) feels I should just work 4 days a week. I'm workaholic or what? I just don't like to stay home alone. I like having free lunch & people to talk to @ work. Time goes faster @ work.

Hot day today

I was off today for doctor appointment. My weight is 160 lbs. Doc said everything looks good. My cervix is still long & closed. BBs still r in breech position. If they don't change position, C section may be scheduled to be done on 38th week. Just hope this pair of 'Golden pig' BB would change their positions, so I won't be cut opened. My blood pressure & urine both r still normal. But my blood pressure is higher than last time. I'll c doc again on 6/26, then I'll know if I can still work, or need to stay home like a prisoner. I'd rather be working. Staying home alone is so boring.

I thought of doing more shopping today after doctor appointment. But today is so hot (95F). I feel better staying home & watching TV with cool treat (yogurt/fruit/cracker) by my side.

End of 31 week

We went to SF Marina district this weekend. As due date is getting closer, we both think it could be our last time to go to SF beachside before BBs come. It was so windy as usual. We saw a lot of yacht/windsurfing. So relaxing....but Terence got cold from this climate.

I have been having "Braxton-Hicks" or false contraction lately. Perinatal nurse said it's normal as long as I don't get it more than 6 in an hour. Everytime I get false contraction, my tummy would be tighten like a rock. I can see & feel where their heads/bottoms are.

Now, I get more symptoms d/t pregnancy. For the past few days, I have been having a tough time to get good night sleep. 1 time I even awake since 12:30am. All d/t either frequent bathroom call, swollen leg discomfort, or nighttime BB swimming contest inside my belly. Another new symptom is I got swollen gum @ front teeth. It's d/t extra hormone from pregnancy. My coworker (dentist) said nothing I can do. It will go away few weeks after delivery. The section got swollen gum like a big blood blister. It would bleed suddenly & it takes a while to get it to stop. I got blood on clothes 3 times already. IT bleed so much that gauze can get soaked up instantly. I found the best way to stop it is to put pressure on it/suck my own blood till it stops.

Babyshower @ work

Yesterday, coworkers organized a secret babyshower for me. In fact, I wondered about it a day before yesterday, cuz I overheard of it(the clinic is so open that has no soundproof). I even knew the detail of it when another coworker informed me with a phone call. But of course, I needed to pretend I knew nothing on that day. I'm so thankful & happy that they did it to me. Cuz I didn't expect it. I used to work in another clinic. I only started working in the clinic I'm in since January/07.

Besides BB clothes & gift cards, I received 2 multi purpose homemade blankets. They r made of satin silk. They look so fancy. They r made by RN Melissa. She said BBs can be royal BBs under those wraps. I don't even know she has a talent of making quilt. Amazing.