this is ina — tales of a newlywed

We were watching the election results last night. When they announced that Barack Obama as President, I got goosebumps down my arms.

It truly was such a defining moment. I kept thinking of the extraordinary trip the African-American race has taken to make it from slavery all the way to President of the United States of America. And the extraordinary change in consciousness of the average American to be able to vote him in as President.

We still have a long way to go in other areas of discrimination though. Obama would never have been elected president if he’d had Michael instead of Michelle as his spouse. Just look at where Prop 8 went in California, probably one of the most liberal states, and home to thriving gay communities in areas like San Francisco and Palm Springs.

But this election was more than just about race and discrimination, because this country is still in the middle of the a huge financial crisis, with many broken systems needing reform. My hope is that we do not just dwell on this historical moment, but unite and step into the future together, as even McCain called for in his extremely gracious and humble concession speech. I am hopeful that Obama will live up to his campaign rhetoric, and actually bring about the change on so many levels that people are clamoring for.

I went back for another doctor’s appointment today. Everything is going well. The AFP screening came out negative, and the baby is just the right size on the ultrasound. The baby has been kicking and moving quite a bit, and the doctor says that’s a good sign. The only not-so-good sign is on the weighing scale. I’m gaining more than I’m supposed to, so the doctor will monitor my weight gain. In addition to sweets, I’m advised to stay away from bread and rice and other simple carbs.

Problem is, lately I’ve been in a constant state of the Munchies. Even if I’m physically full, I keep wanting something else to munch on. Some of it is healthy stuff, like apples and corn and peaches, some of it is chocolate and ice cream, and some is just normal food like rice and ulam. Even just typing this is making me hungry.

So Mom came over today since Tita Reggie & Tito Jojo were heading to West Covina. We went to Babies R Us to update and add to our registry. Yes, add to it, since I had already started it online once I found out we were having a boy! By the way, Gem is not surprised, she predicted I would start obsessing once I knew the baby’s gender.

Mom was pretty excited about all the baby stuff we saw! She kept saying that there was such great stuff available now, as opposed to 28 years ago when I was a baby.

I was glad we got to see the stuff in person, even if I had already started adding stuff online. The high chair we picked out turned out to be not-so-sturdy in person, so we’re picking out something else. We also got to manipulate the stroller and car seat and see whether we liked it. And the practical but cute diaper bag I picked out online turned out to be not-so-cute, and not-so practical! The zipper only opened the main compartment partially because of the asymmetrical design.

We didn’t get to finish the whole registry. I do have more than enough time to obsess about everything though, so no rush. I have already found another cute diaper bag online (it’s the cream one), but now I want to wait on whether I can see it in person too.

I’ve finally been out and about and getting some exercise. Problem is, guess what my preferred form of exercise is. S. H. O. P. P. I. N. G.

Karla and Tito Jojo were over with Idris yesterday since they had to bring Tita Reggie to work in nearby Claremont. So we spent the day walking around the cute little shops in Claremont. After lunch at the new Italian place in the area, I introduced Karla to Bath Junkie. She loved it as much as I did! You get to mix your own scent and put it in any product you wish. You can also add a color, but I don’t usually opt for that, and Karla didn’t either. We also went into a cute little kid’s clothes boutiques where I fell in love with a gorgeous but impractical Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag, and Karla saw the cutest little penguin costume for Idris. Neither of us bought anything though, especially since Idris already had 2 costumes!

When it was time to pick Tita Reggie up, I asked if I could borrow Karla for a while. So they hung out with Idris at our home, and Karla and I went to Michael’s, Marshall’s, and Kohl’s. Let me tell you though, shoe shopping is so frustrating for me! I don’t think I found a single shoe in my size. Not even a shoe I didn’t like. Maybe this pregnancy will stretch my feet a little more towards a “normal” size. Karla did end up buying a couple of cute outfits for Idris at Kohl’s, and I picked up a throw for the living room. When I showed it to Dennis afterward, he commented that it kinda looked like Winnie the Pooh (soft, fuzzy, and a honey shade of yellow)! So now that is what it’s lovingly referred to.

Today Dennis and I went to the mall after work, so I got in more exercise. I did find some flats that were only slightly too big, but wearable. Dennis also found some jeans. We put it all on hold though, since I had forgotten the Macy’s coupons. So we’re heading back tomorrow to pick them up, and for more expensive exercise for me.

Today was the big ultrasound. My mom stayed with us overnight so she could be there, and Dennis left work early. I was a bit nervous while we were driving there, plus I had to keep my bladder full!

We didn’t have to wait, and were ushered in to the room. I laughed when they squirted the ultrasound gel on my belly, it was cold and it tickled! Then the magic began. We could see our baby through the ultrasound machine. Dennis quickly asked the technician whether it was a boy or girl. She said she would check as soon as she was done with her part.

The baby was kicking, so it was hard to measure the femur length. They also got shots of the spine and head, and measured the cerebellum. Everything seemed okay, since the technician didn’t say anything negative or look too concerned.

Then the radiologist part came in for the fun part. He took a shot of the baby’s face for us, then checked for the gender. It was a boy! He pointed out the appropriate parts, but it was too blurry for me to really make out. He seemed very sure though, and typed out BOY_ on the ultrasound photo.

We’re having a boy!!!

Funny thing was, we already had a name that we had picked out just that morning. Before Dennis went to work, I asked him what he thought of a name I had chosen. It turned out that he had been thinking of the name before and was just trying to figure out a second name! He didn’t like the girl’s name I liked though, so I spent the morning trying to come up with a good one.

Turns out we won’t be needing it though! We are so excited about our baby Dylan Abe!

I didn’t blog about what happened last Sunday, and what happened today, for the privacy of my extended family. Suffice it to say that please keep them in your prayers.

There is another human being inside of me. It is beginning to make its presence known.

I felt this weird sensation inside of me yesterday, kind of like a fluttering deep down inside me. At first I thought it was some odd digestion process at work, but I realized that it felt different. Then the realization came that it might have been the baby!

Today I’m getting better at feeling it and realizing it is happening. Dennis has tried putting his hand over my belly, but I think the movement is a bit too faint to be felt that way.

The baby’s kicking!!

My baby is a meat eater.

After 6 years of being pescatarian (vegetarian + seafood), I’ve been eating meat every day this week. Yup. On Monday, Dennis called me to ask what takeout he should get, and instead of the squid he suggested, I meekly asked whether they had any barbecue. Then on Tuesday, Gem bought rotisserie chicken in the grocery store for dinner, and I had some. Then my friend Paui came over on Wednesday, and we got take-out Thai food. And again I had some chicken.

I guess it’s because right now, fish doesn’t seem very appealing to me. And since the baby needs protein, meat has suddenly crept back in my diet.