Lazy Sunday

We had plans today. Church in the morning, swimming at the youth center and then a quick stop at Whole Foods to grab a few fresh fruits and vegetables for the week. What did we end up doing? Nada. It was a ugly, cold, rainy day in New York City. We did not have the motivation to leave our warm, cozy apartment. I spent last night cleaning after the boys went to sleep and I patted myself on the back and went to sleep. Dexter woke up twice and there went my night sleep. I was tired waking up – zombie-like tired as we ate cereal in the morning. Luckily Ethan was easily distracted by Cars, his favorite cartoon, and Dex took a nice, long morning nap (most likely since he didn’t sleep the night before) So we took a nap in the living room and felt bliss and guilt at the same time. We didn’t go out. We didn’t do anything we had initially planned. So we needed a plan B after the nap. What did we do? Ethan’s favorite – finger painting! This time around we made it educational. Here is the result after a messing start on our kitchen table.

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We mixed primary colors to make new ones. Red, blue and yellow… Ethan had a blast and he didn’t get too messy – he wore his IKEA paint cover, which I recommend buying since it is so cheap and easy to clean. Thankfully finger paint is also easy to clean from surfaces, hands, faces, etc and Ethan did a great job at helping me. Dexter got to watch so hopefully he got some education stimulus too. SO did I wish we could do more every day? Yup, but I think we did okay today because both boys were in bed at 830pm – bathed and happily dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures. Happy boys – check, clean home – ummmmmmm half check…

New Year resolutions

2015 came so quickly and now I have two beautiful boys. There are few things that I must try to do better this year. 

First, BLOGGING. I definitely dropped the ball last year with my blogging and always think I should have documented this vital part of my life. I do have to thank the crew at 40 weeks though since we did more video blogging than ever so I got to capture memories this way. Still writing is so intimate and you can share so much. My goal is to blog and capture all those life events and my feelings as much as possible. 

Second, organic/natural/free products. We have been doing well with this last year but need more of a boost in 2015. We have started using Seventh Generation products in most of all avenues of our lives. Seventh Generation diapers, bath soap, laundry detergents, cleaning products and even dabble into SG wipes. We also have like Honesty products from Jessica Alba especially her bath soap for babies. The scent is amazing. My boys both have sensitive skin so I have always tried to research different products and stayed natural and free for their beautiful skin and hair. Now I just need to make sure our food and diet can reflect that too. Of note, here are my favorite products:
1. Seventh Generation and Honest Co. diapers – smooth and natural on a babies bottom
2. Huggies Natural wipes – bigger and stronger than other brands 
3. Seventh Generation cleaning products – Safe for babies and really cleans
4. Honest Co. bath soap – mild and fragrant without drying babies’ sensitive skin 

Third, saving money. This is the resolution I need the most help with. Graduating from my Ob/Gyn residency is great but then I went on maternity leave which meant no more income (though residency income is laughable). The problem is the loan money is now due. On top of that, babies are expensive. Ethan, my 3rd year old, has school fees, extracurricular activities, new clothes (he is growing like a weed) and babysitting and more… Dexter, my lil baby of 4 months, DIAPERS, DIAPERS, WIPES, DIAPERS, and more diapers… In between all that Min and I have not had a date night since Dex has been born and really barely any since Ethan was born. I need more money saving solutions. I have started working but then it seems all my money disappears as soon as I get my paycheck. Help please? 

I will return to this post at the end of the year and hopefully will check each thing off. Happy New Year! 

P.S. Here is a photo of the boys

Dexter coming soon!

I am now 36 weeks awaiting the arrival of our second son, Dexter Kim. I am definitely having Braxton Hicks contractions now. I extremely tired. Still we just moved 2 weeks ago and my husband and I have nonstop tried to unpack as I decorate the new apartment. We had our baby shower and the theme was a vintage bow tie and mustaches with rustic, wooden touches of gold birds, a birdcage, and ethereal flowers. We had a photo booth with props for the guests. I had such a fun time planning with my girls but I have to say that I was a bit overwhelmed this time around since I am much slower at unpacking with a 30 pound belly. Min was so good at setting up the living room up and helping me realize my vision for our home decor. Here are some photos of the baby shower.

 

Contractions – packed and ready to go…

So contractions are starting now… at midnight on December 18, 2011. The contractions are coming every 10 minutes or so. Now, I am breathing through them but I will probably not go to the hospital until my water breaks. I do not plan to lay in a hospital bed for hours when I could walk and be comfortable at home. I want a good labor. I am staying well dehydrated. So let me know Ethan when you are ready to come out to this brand new world!

Lazy Friday

I really love to steam my chai tea latte. It so smooth and warm for the winter season. I am trying to get the apartment together now. But before I pampered myself with a hot, skinny chai latte and gave myself a mud facial & mani/pedi. It was not a real pedi though; I can’t reach my toes. Ethan was kicking the whole time. He wants more space but my belly can only accommodate so much. 

 
Ethan is growing so big and strong. I wonder how he looks like. I know I will fall in love with him when I see him. How can you not fall in love with your baby? Ethan will look like the man I love or me. A bit of vanity I know but looking into Ethan’s eyes, I just know that I will love him so much.

Pregnancy progress

 IAmPregnant Ticker

Min and I went to the hospital 4 days ago when I started having contractions every 10 minutes then every 4 minutes as we took the cab to Beth Israel. The resident checked me and I was only 1 cm at that time. We went home around 4:30am.
Today I stayed home all day and rested. I want to be a good mommy for Ethan. He needs to grow big and strong with well developed lungs inside my belly. I went to the doctor yesterday and I am 2cm dilated, 50% effaced, and -2 station already. I am only 36 weeks! There has been some cervical changes so I am taking things slow. I do not want to go into preterm labor. Ethan needs to cook more. He is so active now, punching and kicking all the time.
I will be getting a sonogram next week. The bedside sonogram showed that Ethan is vertex and doing well with a strong heart. He is approximately 6 1/2 pounds now. He’s my big boy.
Min is so proud and eager for Ethan to come but at the right time. He loves us so much. He has been so supportive and cute with his man diaper bag he got at the baby shower. We are both counting the days.
I am excited that my family is coming for Christmas. I just need to finish my Christmas shopping though. I love this time of year; I love wrapping presents, decorating the house, making food and hot chocolate! I am missing the snow though. I want Ethan to see snow.

So this is my first entry on the webpage because Min took so long to teach me how to use it! Well that and I was busy on my rotations all over the Northeast. So now I start my first blog of the wedding planning process. Just a little catching up to do about all this… First, we have found our church and venue. The ceremony will be held at the Co-Cathedral of Sacred Heart and the reception will be at the Magnolia. I am so happy to have both of these big tasks out of the way. I also have found my wedding dress and my very fabulous friend, Ms. Kim Lai, is tweaking it even more! My designer is Lea Ann Belter –> She is a Canadian Wedding Dress Designer! I had to stick to my roots. I was so lucky to get my dress at a sample sale in NYC. So many things to do still, but I am glad that we got the big things out of the way! More updates later!

This is actually my second entry but I wanted to date it closer to my graduation date… so here I am at my graduation with diploma in hand:

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I cannot believe that graduation date has come and gone! I graduated from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine on May 30, 2009 with family and friends to cheer me on. Yes, the graduation gear was very hot in the outdoor ceremony but I thank God for the beautiful day He gave us. Thank you everyone for your love and support through all these years of study. It was long and hard but now it is all a blur. I will cherish all the memories and make many more. I am now officially Dr. Diana Tran and starting my internship in Ob/Gyn! Congrats to me!