Monday Dec. 20, 2009 Daddy has to go back to work.....NO!

After two great weeks at home, I have to return to work. It's been a tiring and enjoyable two weeks, prepping for the move to a nicer home and adjusting to having two wonderful daughters. I was averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night and who knows what Meme was getting with the nursing every 1-3 hours. My spectacular wife would let me sleep 3-4 hours straight before waking me to help with a diaper change, etc. I was super daddy with getting J up, feed her breakfast, take her to school, run the household errands, do laundry, pick up J from school,and spend a lot of family time with all my girls - I LOVED IT! but now the time has come for daddy to go back to the office...it was a hard day for us all as we were all tired, Meme felt a cold coming on and J missed the one on one daddy/parent time...but things will continue to get better and we can't wait to get settled into our new home and have J back in school after this two week winter break. Life is grand with some minor bumps in the road, but I love being a husband and dad - the best things in my life are my wife and children!

Thursday, 12/3/09...Meme's water breaks! Friday, 12/4/09 Stella Rose is born!

The day started off with our great friend Leland (aka Uncle Panda) coming to town for a long weekend visit. I went to pick him up from the airport and then Meme and Julia met us at Mazzios for lunch. After lunch Leland help us "organize" and "prep" the house...it was a super busy and productive afternoon. In the evening we had a delicious pot roast that Meme made and tried Charlie's fried chicken. Julia went to sleep as well as a tired Uncle Leland...Mommy and I were watching stuff on DVR, got to Skype with our friend Maria Pagan and I gave Mommy a mini pedicure - simple nail trim and foot rub and then at about 10:38pm Mommy all of a sudden said "Oh my god, I just pee-ed in my pants...I have no bladder control!" She went to the bathroom and said, I'm still peeing! Then it hit her, could this be her water breaking???? Since she didn't get to experience this with Julia, she wasn't sure. So she quickly checked on-line and called the doctor. We went upstairs to tell her mom, Leland and get changed to head to St. John Medical Center! Julia woke up from the commotion, asked what was going on and when Mommy told her "Baby Rosie is coming, Mommy and Daddy are going to the hospital, Pau Pau will be here, go back to sleep." Julia said "Oh, okay." and went back to sleep!

The drive to the hospital was exciting and filled with happy emotions. We registered around 11:30pm - Meme was only 2cm dilated and still dripping/trickling amniotic fluid, so they gave her an i-v and pitocin. Within 30 minutes or so the contractions started and the timing and strength of them quickened. Meme got her epidural a little after 1am and she was able to sleep (maybe) an hour while Daddy snored for about 2 1/2 hrs! By 7am she was fully dilated and we were waiting for Dr. Parham to arrive. Baby Rosie was so ready to make her grand entrance! It took 2 pushes and she was out- crying right out of the "canal"! Our 2nd delightful daughter was born at 7:19am on Friday 12/4/09, weighing 6lbs 10oz and measuring 20".

STELLA ROSE MOY took to nursing like a pro - within an hour of entering the world she latched on. It was a wonderful moment...but we were missing big sister Julia!

I went home around 10am Friday, picked up Grandma Ping Sou, Uncle Leland and Big Sister Julia. We got flowers and of course SUSHI for Mommy. It was a lot of fun for us all. Of course the entire drive home whenever I was talking to Julia and calling her babe or sweetie, she had to correct me and say "No, I'm not sweetie, I'm Big Sister Julia."

Pictures will be posted soon (only took me 16 days to get around to it...but hey, with a newborn, an active toddler, a mother-in-law here and moving houses - that isn't too bad). Both Mommy and Daddy have been exhausted and touched by the emails and Facebook replies we are getting from such great family and friends. Julia is being great and we are so fortunate to have one of my best friends, Leland here in Tulsa with us at the time Stella was born!!!

Nov. 29, 2009 Getting close...Julia can't wait!

Another busy weekend - Daddy/Daughter Day while Meme and her mom went shopping Saturday, then Sunday we watched the new TinkerBell movie on DVD from the library, did laundry and put up the Christmas tree and some other holiday decor.

Julia was so cute - when eating grapes this weekend, she wanted to "save" the small tiny grapes for Baby Rosie! Julia also saw the co-sleeper in our bedroom (folded up and in the storage bag) and asked what it was. When I told her "it's Baby Rosie's bed that will be attached to Mommy's side of the bed" she said "Why? I can hold Baby Rosie's hand to sleep." Such a good big sister!

Meme is almost going to pee every 30 minutes now! Very uncomfortable with Rosie the mover and kicker...we can"t wait for the big day of Rosie's arrival and pray for a smooth, healthy and easy delivery!

11-26-09 We have so much of which to be THANKFUL!

Our family + Grandma Ping Sou had Thanksgiving brunch at The Summit Club in downtown Tulsa. Nothing like being with loved ones on the 31st floor with wonderful views and good food. The prime rib was excellent! We are very grateful for our loving family, caring friends and my career that takes care of us! Here is a great picture of my beautiful glowing wife, enjoying the food, view and company at The Summit Club.

11/24/09 Meme is just TIRED of being TIRED!

Here's a naked belly pic - Man does Baby Rosie feel ready to come out into this world! Daddy thinks it'll happen the first week of December. We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 12:20pm...so we'll get an updated report very soon!

11/23/09 The weekend was good!

Meme got to get some extra rest, Julia and I spent some quality time (breakfast, my Weight Watchers meeting, library, grocery shopping and scooter/tricycle time Saturday and then breakfast and TV time Sunday) and we had some nice family time - yummy Korean buffet lunch on Sunday and some fun at LaFortune Park! I love spending quality time with Julia and it was a double bonus for me to get some activity in also!

Life is good - just busy and hectic and as Meme gets well from this stupid ever lasting cold, Daddy is trying to help out more and more at home, which does get tiring...but we will survive and prosper from it all!

MOMMY NOTE : Daddy is a great Daddy :) Despite the stress of that time- he still writes in your blog!

11-19-09 Oh the stress and worries...

Just a few more weeks to go, but dealing with a toddler who wants to express her independence and test boundaries, a temporary live-in grandparent, no strong family/friends network in the town and the big adjustment to having a second child AND moving in January is all a bit overwhelming! Add to that Meme's cold she's been battling for weeks and not getting enough rest due to the demands of life and not being able to sleep through the night...Ahhhhhh....stress, worries, anxiety. I love my wife and daughter(s) - the answer to solve all this - WIN THE LOTTERY and have two stay at home parents, yeah, that's the ticket!

11-17-09 Meme is worried of when her water may break!

Now as we enter the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, Meme is starting to worry about "What if my water breaks when I'm outside (in public or driving)???" Daddy has a strong feeling Baby Rosie will be early - just like Big Sister Julia. So we started to get the hospital bags out and have the goal of finishing the packing and having the bags in the car this Thanksgiving holiday! Exciting, tiring and a lot of anticipation is being felt everyday!!!

11-11-09 - Only 5 more weeks or so...

and my wife looks GREAT!!!

Nov. 3, 2009 - A really tough day and night!

With Julia sick with a virus, her asthma kicking in and her disgust for vomiting/spitting up...it was a tough day for both Meme and Julia. Meme is exhausted, just about 6 more weeks with this pregnancy - not sleeping through the night, peeing every hour, worried about our daughter's health. Then Julia - bored, not much appetite, but has energy during the day and wants to "play!" So after dinner Julia and I played the Silly Faces Colorform game, the Duck 1-2-3 game and a couple games of Zingo! When we put Julia down for bed she woke up coughing and had a lot of phlegm but wouldn't spit it out...so Mommy and I ended up taking turns sleeping in the seated position in bed with Julia seated in our lap and head against our chest. I swear I didn't get to bed to close to 2am...and out of habit I woke up just after 7am! Urghhh. The joys and tribulations of parenthood...soon for two!

From my wonderful wife's FB posts:
"8 months preggers + 3 years old with asthma and gag reflex + no sleep + double time on nebulizer = 0 energy and an exhausted hubby."
"Despite being tired - - seeing all the tiny baby clothes back out again brings me to a happy place :) Major nesting hormones kicking in woohoo!"

October 30, 2009 Fall Festival at Undercroft

Here's a photo of Meme and Julia (and Baby Rosie) having pizza at Undercroft Montessori's Fall Festival. I told my darling wife that she doesn't even look pregnant in this picture. She sure feels it though - about 6 more weeks or so - the peeing every hour, kicking and movement from the baby, thankfully no new weird cravings! The nesting desire is on strong now, this weekend Meme started washing clothes for the baby, getting the boppy pillow, car seat, snuggle nest, etc prepped. The joy and adjustment is right around the corner...it's going to be great!!!

October 27, 2009 - About 7-8 more weeks!!!

Baby Rosie is a big time mover! Here's my beautiful wife and the belly - with a mid December due date we are about 7-8 weeks away!!!

October 2009 - Clingy Toddler and Crotch Dancing Fetus

Julia is definitely getting so much more clingy with Meme as we are just a couple months from Baby Rosie's arrival. Lately at dinner she has to sit with or right next to mommy...we hope for the best when the real adjustment for all of us comes upon us.

Now, as for the crotch dancing fetus - Baby Rosie is a real mover and doesn't like to be pushed in the uterus - she pushes back very well and seems to be kicking or punching downwards towards Mommy's crotch! I have no idea how that feels...and don't want to know! But my wonderful wife is a real trooper - a very tired and loving trooper!

MOMMY's NOTE - Julia may have been clingy but she was the best little girl - she understands that mommy needed to nap and not to disturb me. She also understood that mommy can't carry her around anymore. What a sensitive sweety pie- the baby will have a great big sister.

October 19, 2009 About 2 more months to go!

About 2 months left and Meme is starting to not be able to sleep through the night (or at least last night it was that way for her) ...oh no. Here's a pic that was taken this morning of my glowing, but extremely tired wonderful wife. Life is good, just busy as usual...

October 5, 2009 Not much new

Really nothing new to report, no new cravings for Meme - still gross liver pate and we actually had "Spam LITE" for breakfast this past weekend with eggs and toast. Julia is asking what Baby Rosie is going to dress up as for Halloween and Julia has accepted the fact that the baby is a girl! About 2 1/2 more months to go!!!

9/29/09...too busy for pregnancy photos???

Life with a toddler and now temporarily a mother-in-law in the house is much different than the first pregnancy when it was just the two of us...so much so that we are not as camera snap happy with the 2nd pregnancy...how is daddy going to make a photo collage of Rosie's first year??? Oh no! So we snapped this picture today thanks to the Blackberry being close by!

September 27, 2009 You're a mover!

Yes, it's been a little while since our last post - life has been busy - work, family, active toddler, grandma Chua living with us, etc. Baby Rosie is a mover! She was moving around in Mommy's belly A LOT this morning...I almost thought she was doing morse code with me - LOL! Ah, the splendor and challenges of life with 2 kids will soon be upon us! We got baby Rosie's new white crib from Babies R Us today and of course big sister Julia wants to "help" daddy build it and came to me prepared with her Handy Manny - Pat the hammer and Squeeze the pliers play tool set. What a darling little helper I have!!!

Sept. 15, 2009 First pop concert - Britney Spears baby!

Baby Rosie's first pop concert (she's been to Wiggle Worms at Millennium Park this June) - Britney Spears Circus Tour. The show was totally awesome!!! Mom and Dad had a blast! Thanks for our neighbors, the Whiteheads and Grandma Chua for staying with Julia while we rocked at BOK Center!

Sept 8, 2009 - Big sister Julia is so excited!

Big sister Julia is excited about Baby Rosie - asking "Baby Rosie going to come out yet?" and talking to Baby Rosie through Mommy's belly - "Look Baby Rosie I drew this," "Baby Rosie you are so cute," etc...

Woo hoo - it's one week before Mommy, Daddy and Baby Rosie go to the Britney Spears concert at BOK Center! Rock on!

Sept 6, 2009 - Back from Asia!

Well, Baby Rosie survived her first in belly international travel to Philippines and Thailand! We all had a great time with friends, shopping, good food and good service...but it's great to be home. The jet lag is hitting us all very hard!

MOMMY NOTE - Different traveling with this pregnancy - no elephant calves! and piglet toes... SO tired when we all got sick in Thailand.. mommy is getting OLD.

August 8, 2009 Date night and Preggers Brain!

Date night and mommy's pregger brain...

We had a double date tonight with the DeJarnettes and our neighbors, the Whiteheads, baby sat Julia who got to play with their 2 1/2 yr old daughter Caroline.

Pregger brain - when Meme was all dressed up in a nice dress, hair and make up on...she puts on her Crocs! I was in such shock as her first foot went into one Croc and I said "You're NOT wearing those shoes!" OMG...so the hip silver sandals were worn on her newly self pedicured feet.

Mommy brain - when we got to the restaurant, told the hostess we had a reservation for 4 and as we were walking to our table...Meme almost asked for a highchair - so not accustomed to not having our darling daughter with her every second of every day ;0}

August 6, 2009 Peanut to a Ruler!

When I told Meme that the baby is approx. 10.5" long from head to heel - her reply was "What? OMG - how did it go from a peanut to a ruler so fast? No wonder I feel her moving and turning around!" Ah - pregnancy and the wonders of parenthood!

August 4, 2009 Officially Baby Rosie!

It's official, Julia is totally using the name Rosie for the baby - "Baby Rosie" is how she refers to her sibling...now we just need her to accept the fact that the baby is a girl...although we know she knows that Rosie is a girl name...hmmmm.

August 3, 2009 Future Roomies...

Tonight at bedtime we were reminding Julia that the baby will require a lot of mommy and daddy's attention and that mommy will be nursing and the baby will be in the same room with mommy until the baby is bigger. Julia said "When baby Rosie is bigger I will sleep with her." Hmmm, I guess we can have them be roomies later on - it works for our friend's boys!

August 2, 2009 - Tuna/blueberry jam & gorgonzola cheese sandwich???

Today while daddy and Julia went to see The Wiggles concert at BOK Center, mommy stayed home to relax...and her Facebook update read "Feeling a bit off...was it the peanut butter sandwich, or the tuna/blueberry jam with gorgonzola cheese sandwich? hmmmm...lemme guess..."

July 31, 2009 Baby Rosie vs. Baby Brother

With the middle name of Rose, we discussed with Julia how she could call the baby "Rosie" like in one of her favorite cartoons - Caillou - who has a younger sibling named Rosie. She seemed to like that idea and started referring to the baby as Rosie, so we thought we turned the corner tonight when Julia said "I love my baby sister!" But the next day when we mentioned her baby sister she adamantly said "no, baby brother." Oh well...

July 28, 2009 22 week untrasound!

22 week ultra sound today to view all the organs and limbs...she's perfect! Estimated at 10 oz right now. Julia got to see her baby sister's heart, profile, nose, lips, hands, feet, etc... It was a nice doctor appointment for the whole family!

July 22, 2009 Kissed Belly

Julia is so cute - when Meme picked her up from summer camp at The Kirk, Julia ran to Meme, gave her a hug and kissed her belly - a sweet greeting to mom and baby!

July 20, 2009 Julia includes you!

We all had a nice relaxed weekend in Chicago - our primary purpose was to meet the tenants for our house, but of course we also got to have good Chicago dim sum and some good home cooking! Julia spent quality time with Grandparents Moy, Uncle Leland and had a dinner playdate with Sophie Long! Julia is very inclusive of "the baby"! When she plays her "What's your question?" game, we all get a turn - mommy, daddy, Julia and baby! She says "Goodnight to baby" and when she says she Loves___, it's mommy, daddy, Julia and baby! Julia also says "I'm a good big sister and will help mommy rock a bye baby all by myself."

July 16, 2009 Hold and Sing

It's so cute - today Julia said "I'm a big girl and I can hold my baby "brother" and sing rock a bye baby."

July 14, 2009 ROSE

After Meme spoke to Elaine about how Julia is referring to the baby as a "baby brother" and is reluctant to say "baby sister", Elaine suggested we select a name and start using the name now to get Julia use to the name. We also started reading more "we're having a baby" and "I'm a big sister" books on a regular basis. We have the first name narrowed down to two choices (Stella or Felicity) and asked Julia which one she liked better but she changes her mind every other day! We have decided on the middle name of "Rose" which is the meaning/translation of our last name, Moy.

July 12, 2009 Visions of family photo...

When we woke up this morning, Julia gave morning hugs to mommy, daddy and baby (by hugging Meme's belly)! How sweet!

The HOT Tulsa weather is upon us -- days of 100+ degree weather...the poor central a/c unit of the old rental house working almost non-stop to cool down the two story home. We had brunch at home today and then went to Portrait Innovations for Julia's (few weeks late) 3 year old photo...and had visions of a family photo session when Meme is in her last month or so of pregnancy.

In the car while we were singing to Justin Roberts' Meltdown CD, Julia included the baby (still referred to by her as "my baby brother") in the "My brother did it" song...how appropriate - Meltdown (from the weather) and My Brother Did It (as Julia still wants a baby brother)!

July 9, 2009 Liver Sausage

Quote from Meme's Facebook status update today: "Meme Moy is grossed out with her own pregnancy cravings -- liver sausage on toast topped with pickles - ugh."

July 7, 2009 Amnio results!

OK - today Meme got the gender results from the amnio test...GIRL! Julia is going to be a great big sister and have a healthy baby sister! I will be way outnumbered in the house - oh no and oh well...guess our pet down the road will be a male dog.

When Meme told Julia she was going to have a baby sister, Julia almost cried from disappointment! Our poor girl thinks she wants a baby brother because most of her toddler friends have baby brothers and she sees more baby boys. It was funny and sad - she actually said "My baby brother is going to be a girl?!" So now we are not focusing on the gender with Julia but stating what a "great big sister" she will be to the baby!

Meme had her first appointment with Dr. Parham - much better than the last ob/gyn, but still no one compares to Dr. Merita Tan. We also had our first "family" ultrasound appointment today at 4pm, so Julia got to see her sibling - the heart beat, hands, feet, eye sockets, profile, etc! She was kind of excited as it was a new experience for her.

Today at dinner Meme felt the baby really move for the first time! Was it the BLT sandwich that mom was eating???

Another first tonight - Julia pooped in the potty for the 1st time!!! Yippee!!! What a great day of "FIRSTS."

July 5, 2009 Goodnight Baby

Julia was a great girl during the long drive back to Tulsa! Once we got home around 8:30pm, she jumped right into playing with her toys and is "big" into pretend/role play - so she wore a crown and was "princess Julia" while dad wore a straw hat and was "farmer daddy" and mom wore the lid from the princess tea set that has a shoe on it and was "shoe mommy." Julia is going to be a great big sister - maybe a little bossy at times (who's not as the older sibling). When she was TIRED she told us "Come on lets go to sleep - I'm tired and need to get rest so I have energy to play tomorrow." She gave us goodnight kisses and kissed mommy's belly and said "Goodnight Baby."

July 3, 2009 Wonderful Dr. Tan!

As the wonderful Dr. Tan put an express order on our amnio testing, Meme got a call from the lab today and the first 3 screenings (downs, etc) were negative!!! Yippee! As we knew it would be, but we really needed official confirmation! The remaining tests (including gender) should be completed early next week! What an enormous relief!!!

An "unofficial" celebration dinner was had at my parents' house with Tito Joey and Tita Pagan (my ride home from Midway). Grandpa Moy's famous ribs, roast duck, roast pork, vermicelli noodles, menudo, soup and chicken wings were on the table...followed by a surprise red velvet cake from our friend Frances Murphy! Two heart shaped cakes, one with Hello Kitty on it and one with a "M" for Moy (or as Julia said, "W" for daddy). Wow, great news, great food, great friends and family and delicious dessert!!!! What a day!

Smiles Smiles Smiles!

July 2, 2009 Part II - Amnio Day

Okay - just spoke to my darling wife - her amnio experience with Dr. Tan was great. Dr. Tan was wonderful with Meme - very comforting and professional. Hortencia was there for moral support and watched the entire process. Meme felt a contraction from the groin area when the needle went in, but the process was pretty painless, just nerve racking.

Dr. Tan said we could schedule delivery of Baby #2 at Prentice after December 16th if we wanted to! Meme was so happy to hear that...something to consider if we don't find a good oby/gyn that relates to Meme well in Tulsa.

We should have level 1 results on Monday!!! Dr. Tan put an express order on the amnio screenings! Meme and Hortencia are having yummy hole-in-da-wall Indian food for a late lunch now. I miss my girls!

July 2, 2009 Amnio Day

OK - it is the day of the amnio test...although we are very positive that our 2nd child is 100% healthy, we just need confirmation. I spoke to Meme this morning as she was waiting for Hortencia to pick her up - she was naturally nervous but still positive about the baby. I will hear back in a couple hours or so how the procedure went with the wonderful Dr. Merita Tan and then we have to wait 10-14 days for the results...
Being apart for the last few days has been a little hard - single parent Meme with some help from Grandparents Moy and lonely me waiting to fall asleep in an empty house. Well, we will be reunited again tomorrow evening!!!

NOTE FROM MOM - Dr. Tan was great during the amnio - very positive and upbeat- also symphatetic about my terrible experience with my then gyne (Dr. Nilsen) and the initial wrong result. She was trying to get mommy to deliver in Chicago and I was TEMPTED!

June 19, 2009 Announcement to Grandparents Moy!

After 12 hours in the CRV with 3 stops for gas and lunch at Pizza Hut, we made it to Grandparents Moy's house just before 8pm. We had dinner together and at the dinner table I told them that Julia was going to be a "big sister". My parents were happy and smiled as they asked if the 2nd baby was a boy or girl? We will know in a few weeks!!!
Wilburn had told them that he would take them to Orlando for a Disney vacation between Christmas and New Years, but since the baby's due date is 12/23, grandpa doesn't want to go to Florida now in December... the family is so excited about the new baby!!

June 18, 2009 On the road!

We are all packed and ready to leave for Chicago tomorrow morning - our first 11 hour road trip as a family! When we get to the Grandparents Moy's house we will spring the news on them about Baby #2! Julia still just smiles and laughs when we tell her that her baby brother or sister is inside mommy's belly!

June 16, 2009 Julia says "But I can't see it (the baby in mommy's belly)?"

Julia has been asking for a baby sister/baby brother for several months now - since the bulk of her toddler friends in Chicago have started becoming big brothers or big sisters. We know she will be a great big sister - helpful, caring, fun and loving!

As we are leaving for Chicago this Friday and will tell my parents in person when we arrive that another grandchild is on the way, we decided this evening to tell Julia for the first time that her baby sibling is in Mommy's tummy! She said "Really, but I can't see it?" looked at Mommy's tummy and smiled a big smile. It was another priceless moment! We told Julia that Mommy's belly would be getting bigger and bigger and when the baby is ready, he or she will come out. Julia just laughed and had a big grin on her face!