For a while now our OB had been telling us that she was a big baby. Even earlier estimates put her at over 9 lbs. The doctor was worried that if we waited too long she could get to 10 lbs. Because we had wanted to have a natural childbirth we resisted the pressure to be induced and instead bought time through bi-weekly check ups and fetal monitoring. Our OB wanted her out! I was running a very high chance of having a c-section and a slight chance of major tearing or shoulder dystocia. But at that point I wasn’t even dilated. An induction would have been long and intense. Then our OB went on vacation for 4 days. In the meantime we did what we could to movw things along. We had sex, we went for long walks on the beach, drove right through all the speed bumps we could find without slowing down. On Sunday night we went to eat "THE" Famous Salad that supposedly induces labor. On Monday we went in again, for what ended up being our last prenatal visit. Our regular OB still wasn't around so we visited an OB we had never met. After looking at my chart and seeing that we were over due with a BIG baby and that I was only 2 cm, he went "in there" and stripped my membranes. This was one of the medical interventions that we were trying to avoid but at that point it seemed a minor intrusion.

By 8 pm that evening I started feeling crampy. By 10 pm they were pretty intense but I still wasn’t sure I was in labor. By 11 pm the pain was enough for me to try taking a shower and then a bath where I timed the pain at every 5 minutes, about 45 seconds long. By midnight they were getting closer and they were knocking me on my ass. E. suggested that I get in bed (where he was that point) and try to get in some sleep. We both figured that, according to our Bradley class, we had a long night ahead of us. We were certain that we would not be one of those hasty people to head to the hospital too early... Yeah right! I got in bed for all of about 5 minutes. The contractions seemed so intense that they felt like they literally knocked me out of bed. I was up. I paced for another 30 minutes or so. The contractions felt like they were getting closer together and I told E. that I thought we should head to the hospital.

We were in the car by 1 am and my cervix was checked by 1:30, still only 2 cm. I couldn’t believe it! Because I was overdue I knew they would make me stay and that if I didn’t progress they would be giving me pitocin and that eventually I would want the epidural. We waited until 6:30 am and I dealt with the pain but at that point I was only 3 cm. They were giving me the pitocin and they called in the anesthesiologist. I was pretty scared to get the epidural but Dr. Feelgood was amazing and it was piece of cake. And yes, it did make me feel good. They then started checking me every 4 hours. The first 8 hours were good and I progressed to 6 cm but the next 8 hours were a bit gnarly.

The epidural was good for a while, but what I didn’t expect was the EXTREME rectal pressure I was feeling (even with the epi). Why didn't anyone warn me! Yes, I knew that pushing would feel like taking the hugest poop of my life. What I didn't know was that for hours and hours before pushing I would feel like a Mack truck was trying to make it's way out of my rear end! Oh my God! It's all I could think about, all I could talk about. I thought I had a tolerance for pain...I guess certain parts of my body are not so tough. I asked for more drugs. The drugs came and by 6:30 pm I was fully dilated and ready to push.

We had decided a while back that we were going to have two other people in the room with us. One would be my mom. She said she would like to be there. I think the last time she saw my vagina was when I was eight but I figured this could be her only grandchild and I didn't want her to miss out. I was glad she got to experience it with us. We also asked my close friend to be there. She's a "birthing fool". She gave birth to three kids, at home, sans drugs. She crazy. She was a tremendous to help to both E. and I. I will be forever thankful that she was there.

Our wonderful nurse came in and we practiced some pushing. The OB was busy with a delivery next door. I pushed for 3 hours during which time I got to see the baby's head and hair in the mirror. That was surreal. The nurse actually played with her hair. She twirled it and twisted it. She could have braided it if she wanted. I actually asked if we could slap a bead on it so I could have something to focus on. And then the pain was back...in the back, well, not actually my back. I was no longer giving it my all and I knew it. I tried to pretend like I was, but I wasn't. We took a break and called up the good drug doctor once more. Everyone was pretty skeptical, and so was I. I knew that stopping and getting more drugs could mean a certain trip to the operating room, but I also knew that if I didn't get the drugs there would be no way I could push her out. But I got the drugs and waited for them to kick in.

My OB came back in the room and started giving us "the speech". You know, "we've been pushing a long time", "your baby is very big", "shoulder distocia", "c-section". Then we all debated. Everyone contributed their 2 cents as my head followed them back and forth like I was watching a ping-pong match. I think our OB must have seen my eyes starting to roll back into my head because she stopped the debate and kicked everyone out of the room, including herself. She left E. and I there to discuss what we should do. Continue pushing and risk shoulder distocia or head to the operating room. Alone, E basically got in my face and asked me if I felt up to giving 200% because if I wasn't we might as well call it a day. He gave me such a pep talk that I felt ready to give the pushing another go and we agreed to let the doctor decide when we had had enough. We called everyone back in and tried some practice pushing. The doctor had to tell me to stop because apparently, this baby was coming out and SHE wasn't ready! The crew quickly got set up and within 10 minutes, 4 big pushes and 1 long episiotomy, our miracle was born. It was that easy....yeah right. Isabella was so big that she almost knocked the dotor over.

They quickly put her in the baby warmer and had a respiratory specialist look her over. I think because of her size they were worried about her breathing, blood sugar, etc. While I wished they would have placed her on my belly immediately, I was glad that she was OK. Those first 30 seconds of her life were suspended in time until she actually cried and breathed. Until you hear that sound nothing else matters. But when you do hear it, it feels like you yourself just came up for air and the world can resume what it was doing.

• This pregnancy has been so pleasurable. I have truly enjoyed growing this new life inside of me. It is an amazing, surreal privilege. I really wish men could experience it too.
• I love how I feel. I have heard about pregnant women acting crazy and having mood swings but frankly, I was already crazy and these pregnancy hormones have actually mellowed me out. PMS is far more my foe than pregnancy.
• E. and I have been blessed with awesome family and friends that have been more than generous in their support and gifts.
• And then there's E. I could have never imagined that he would be such a true partner in this. He has been perfect. He has always had the right thing to say. Involved in every aspect and open to discussions that most men are not privy to. He has showered me with love and affection, even on demand. He has gotten me exactly what I wanted to eat, when I want to eat it. And we have laughed. He's tolerated my incessant need to watch "A Baby Story", "The Dog Whisperer", and "The Bounty Hunter" (as long as I let him watch the Lakers play). And we have stressed together gracefully, without going for each others throats but instead listening, supporting and understanding one another. Thank you, I love you.

We've been busy! So busy I have severely neglected this beloved blog and missed my "blogiversary". So busy that even this post will be incomplete except to say that things are moving along beautifully. I have so much to write about and photos to upload.

First of all, we had 2 baby showers that basically my mom and I put on along with help from some very good friends. Why would I handle my own baby shower, let alone two of them? Because I'm a control freak!

It all began with "THE LIST". We had long ago decided that we would have a co-ed shower with family and friends. Then we began writing down names. Turns out that my family alone totals about 45 people, including kids. I'm Latin - we're breeders. Our friends were totaling about 70. So please tell me which friend or relative in the right mind would allow us to invite that many people to their home? I couldn't burden anyone with that chore or financial responsibility.

I designed and printed my own invitations, absent of any cute animals, baby buggies, or pregnant silhouettes. It's just not me. I found an image on a stock photo site our shower invitations evolved. (It's sort of what I do for a living.) I chose the image for two reasons: 1) I like anything paired with "chocolate brown", pink included. 2) Being that my our little girl is one quarter Japanese, I thought the Asian styled cherry blossoms were perfect. Coincidentally, I have been amazed at how many "cherry blossom type" trees and bushes are now in full bloom in Los Angeles. They're everywhere. (Including on my masthead.)I then used the same design to print on CDs that we created with about 20 songs as party favors for our guests. The CDs were put into special white CD tins that I found from a company in CANADA and tied up with two ribbons - one brown, one pink. Will try to post photo of them soon along with the playlist. The RSVPs came in, supplies were bought, tables and chairs rented and we were showered.

We received so many gifts! (Not to many from our registries.) But I think our little baby has as many outfits as Imelda Marcos had shoes. I'm not kidding! At last count, I think I had over 20 onsies! And those are just the ones for newborns and sizes 0-3 months. There's a whole second closet of items awaiting her once she reaches 3-6 months. Insane! And oh yeah, a whole lot of pink.

32 weeks and counting...

"E-daddy" Smacks the Lip - 2006

Last night was fun! Surprisingly fun! I've never been pregnant and sober on New Year's Eve but you know what? It was pretty fun. We had a somewhat small family gathering with a somewhat enormous amount of food. I was at first, overly concerned with E. and how he would take this last Eve night as a "free man" knowing he was stuck with my family and me, the Preggie. Thank goodness that my cousin challenged him to a drinking war. Now, usually I don't condone excessive drinking but because we were in the safety of my parent's house it was all good. It turned out to be hilarious, culminating in E. passing out shirtless having the words "Debbie was here." on his belly. (Yes, my cousin is female.) I laughed so much last night that it actually hurt my stomach. I also managed to stay up until 2 am! How I did it, I will never know, but I woke today to a very active baby. Kicking, poking and rolling all over the place. Nothing could make me feel better.

The registering has begun, we think the crib has been chosen, the feet have begun to swell. Our detailed ultrasound went well. It's surreal, but it's happening.

Happy New Year to all of you out there! To those that went on this journey before me - Thank You. It's because of your honesty and willingness to share your stories and information that me and baby are where we are today. And to those of you that are still trying - I send you only the best vibes..

OK, it's my baby so I'm allowed to joke! I just couldn't ignore the similarities. Plus, if you knew what kind of rumblings are going on in my belly...you too would think that an alien of sorts was about to pop out any minute. I welcome every kick. It's the highlight of my day. Second only to E. feeling her move around and kick. Just this morning I told E. to stare at my belly for a bit and as if on cue our little one gave the "one-two jab" she has become so good at. And he saw it move. He saw the belly pop out wiggle and settle back down. What a trip! What a blessing it has been. I even know what time of day she is more prone to kick at. We've got a schedule going on.

In the meantime, I am just enjoying the ride. On Tuesday we are scheduled for the MEGA ultrasound. Apparently, they will look at all of her organs and make sure we are good to go. My OB has suggested that I invite people to this one, she says it's quite a production. Dimmed lights and all. So my mom and dad might join E. and I for the show. Not sure if dad can hang though.

So baby decided to do it's best at participating in the Halloween fun by first scaring the crap out of mom when the OB could not find his/her heartbeat on the Doppler and then posing in the breech position so all we could get was a shot of his/her glowing spine. Turns out that because the baby was/is breech and the placenta was on top, we could not find the heartbeat with the Doppler. (A moment of panic like no other!) Luckily by the time my own personal Doppler came in the mail the baby antics were over and I was able to find the heartbeat on my own. And what a joy it is to be able to hear that lil' sucker's heart whenever I want.

I am happy to report that I am feeling good. A little more tired than I was in the first trimester, but I really didn't experience the usual dog tiredness that most people do. My belly is definitely popping out, although if you didn't know me, you wouldn't notice. I am feeling a bit more cranky. (Much to my family's and E.'s dismay.) But so what! I've been pretty good up to this point. Cut me some slack!

Is it my current moodiness or am I imagining that at this point in my pregnancy (around 13-16 weeks) the people around seem to act like the novelty has worn off? I mean, everyone is happy that I am pregnant but now they have been hearing about it and living with it for the past 10 weeks. I am not showing enough for you to notice the belly first, I'm working pretty much like normal, and I am not hobbling around. I feel like people seem to forget that I am pregnant! When I am tired I feel like I am inconveniencing everyone and when I am hungry every three hours they just roll their eyes. My mom actually suggested to me today that perhaps I should eat things like Ta*co Bell and Jack n the *Box "like other pregnant women do". That it would be good for the baby "and add meat on it's bones" and that I would start gaining weight! WHATEVER MOM!

I might be feeling movements... See, I'm a gassy girl so I can never be sure if what I feel is the baby or just rumblings from my bowels. I do know that in the morning my belly actually looks lopsided. I try to sleep mainly on my left so I think I'm mushing baby over to the right. Is this possible? I also know that I feel discomfort if I lay on my right side. Which solidifies that this child is alot like me. Apparently, when my mom was pregnant with me I would not allow her to sleep on either side. If she tried, I would kick out until she could see my footprint and make her roll over on her back. Now this is problematic because after about 20 weeks you're not supposed to sleep on your back. Something about cutting the flow off to your AORTA! Great. I guess I will have to resort to sleeping standing up in the closet.