Big Belly

I had to post this cause it still amazes me how big a belly can actually grow...and then be gone within just a few days. This was in the midst of contractions, just before we headed to the hospital and a 9 1/2 hour adventure until Evangelyn (ee-van-gel-in, phonetic spelling) was born, hence the I-can't-look-in-the-camera face.

Evangelyn Patricia Kay Chong

She was born August 21, 9:06am, 7lbs 1oz
...and is the cutest baby girl, even when she's farting and pooping, spitting up milk and crying at 3 in the morning...

Baby Moving

29 more days!

Only four more weeks until my due date! I really can't wait. You can see how huge I am and I just keep getting more enormous. Carrying this much weight is not fun, especially when I have to pick something up off the floor or roll over in the middle of the night. It is far from effortless. As for the other not-so-fun symptoms of pregnancy, I've got numb, tingly fingers. It started occasionally and is now almost all the time. It feels very strange to type without feeling the keys. Other than the heaviness, numbness, indigestion, and sleepless nights, I can't complain. I know there are SO many other worse things I could be experiencing.

The baby's room is just about ready...have I mentioned that she's a girl for sure? We got another ultrasound in California and two technicians verified. Back to the room...we got our crib a few days ago, and it's all set up. We joined an NCT (National Childcare Trust) class all about the birthing process and are learning all sorts of facts and techniques to make the whole experience easier. We visited the new hospital and it already appears much nicer than the original, so I feel even more confident and comfortable.

The baby still moves a lot! Now the movements are much more visible from the outside and strong on the inside. I took a video, but Blogger won't let me add it right now. I'll get it up when I can.

Beach Ball Bump

This is my belly at 29 weeks. Everything is still growing smoothly and steadily. I'm getting used to being bigger, but I still open doors into my big bump. The other day, I turned sideways to get through a narrower area and realized the turning was pointless. I'm at least as wide front to back as I am side to side now.

The baby moves what seems like all the time. I love it. Hearing the heartbeat is also amazing...whoosh, whoosh...it's like ocean waves. Today, the doctor and I heard mine and the baby's heartbeats together.

Fruit is still the most delicious thing I could eat these days...strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, blueberries, plums, raspberries, mango...yum! Just writing those words makes me wish I had one to pop in my mouth at this moment, but I'm in the dorm supervising study hall, fruitless.

I have a new hospital to deliver at after a scare about the original one. I was firmly told, "do your research" by a co-worker, so I did. I talked to friends and read reviews by the health commission. There were four ratings a hospital could receive:

Best Performing
Better Performing
Fair Performing
Least Well Performing

My original hospital received Least Well Performing. That was not very encouraging, but I found one in the area that received Best Performing and was so relieved after I talked to my midwife and found out I have a choice. Now I'm going to what I'm confident will be a better hospital. Phew!