my little-big-boss

 Baby-Yuto sleeping-art series ベビー悠人の寝相アートの巻

All through this winter, little-big-boss was hibernating in his little comfy burrow..

冬眠中のベビー、ただたまに起きて食べる～
Though he is not the type that goes hibernate without waking up for months.
He wakes up sometimes, for food 

And finally,

it’s SPRING~! 

冬眠から目覚め (*´0)ゞoＯ
Uuu~haaa~ (*yawn)

冬眠から目覚めて、ハッピー♪ヽ(*´∇｀*)ﾉ
Yeah, it’s SPRING!  waking up happy    

Gonna start make a move

Gonna start to feel the breeze outside

Gonna start to get some fresh air

Gonna start to find more food

Gonna make a start for a better year 

(The mom is starting to put herself together also after this very lazy winter she had..)

 hibernate theme idea from:
http://ameblo.jp/nezoart/entry-11410068325.html

My little-big-boss turned 100 days old 　last week  haha

Normally in Japan, they usually having a Weaning Ceremony, (お食い初め – Okuizome in Japanese) in which a baby is first fed with solid food when he/she turns 100 days old. Just pretending to feed of course!

A set of meal is prepared and the parents or the grandparents will pretend to feed the baby on wishing the baby a life of abundant food without hunger and a life of good health. Though varies according to region, this set of meal is prepared with 1 soup 3 dishes (一汁三菜) in tradition. A whole fish (normally sea bream, 鯛) dish, red beans rice (赤飯), pickles, soup, etc.. representing the set.

And, this is how a professional Okuizome set looks like 

See more pics on Okuizome!!

Okuizome is quite a festive day where families and friends gather together to celebrate. Kinda like a full-moon party celebrating for a full 1 month old baby in Chinese tradition.

Some makes it a big day while some makes it small.  

While for my little-big-boss, this is how we made it a day~

An Okuizome set
お食い初めの祝い膳

 A happy 100 days old 

It has been 2 months + 15 days (76 days) since little-big-boss was born! 

I wanted so much to update his every single cuteness and growth day by day on this blog, but then I was at the same time too into him that I have had no mind in writing anything.. Now that I really have too! before it went too far and forgetting all the sweetness I had, having little-big-boss in my life from now on and the rest~

I need to start where I stopped on my previous post..

still pregnant on 37 weeks tummy..

and 38 weeks little-big-boss in my tummy.. (just for the record)

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13th prenatal checkup on 24 August 2012
38 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 2778g
Cervix opening: 2cm dilated

 The pelvic examination was kinda scary since the last checkup..I mean like I felt the force from the doc whatever she put in to examine..

This scan is so clear and this was where I thought his nose looks exactly like Yappi.. In fact now he is! haha

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And the next week, the last prenatal checkup I had!

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14th prenatal checkup on 31 August 2012
39 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 3243g
Cervix opening: 3cm dilated

 3243g?!! was my first  reaction at this checkup. All this while I thought little-big-boss in my tummy was kinda small on the estimated weight but then all of a sudden, almost 500g were added up compare to the last..  Doc said either the previous estimation or the present one is a little bit out of the calculation..

Whichever the numbers are, they still prove that little-big-boss was safe and well inside my tummy  

Little-big-boss was out to meet the world 5 days after that~

Imagine this is him when he is still inside my tummy  the same position as the scan above 
He is out at last  

Gonna tell the story on his birth later and yes, we were so glad and happy that he came out safe and sound and well and fine 

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He is, by the way has grown up to look like this 

2 weeks ago (11 August 2012), Yappi and I attended a maternity class for parents which was compulsory for those who the father wishes to accompany the wife during labor.

Yappi wishes to stay together and witness little-big-boss coming out to meet the world 

And so, we signed up for this 

The application form for the class.

In the form, this is the reason we wrote, why we applied for the husband accompany during labor 
 Wife: Because I feel relieved with him at my side.
 Husband: Because we are husband and wife.

This class literally telling us what are we going to experience towards labor, during labor and after labor. 

I quite enjoyed this class coz we had Yappi experiencing how a woman feels during pregnancy in the class~

First, trying on a suit with a big tummy..

with breast..

Here, he got to experience the weight of a pregnant woman have to carry and the inconveniences to pick up things from the floor with this tummy~

And then,

we moved to the labor room, listening to some of the explanation, and Yappi tried getting on to the labor chair..

Only he volunteered to try among all the other couples there when asked.. 
He said, “This is the only chance, that’s why!” ..

So now Yappi is all ready to witness little-big-boss coming out at anytime~ 

Gets bigger and comes out to meet the world 大きくなれ～ 
(35 weeks 1 day tummy)

We love you   
(35 weeks 1 day tummy)

And,
We are ready 

Time seems to be faster since I’ve entered my last trimester of pregnancy 

 
My prenatal checkup visit is now on once a week, which means there’s only about 4 weeks left to go

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11th prenatal checkup on 10 August 2012
36 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 2498g

 Doc said all good~ 

The ever cutest moment I saw on the screen was little-big-boss moving his lips, like as if he is munching something  Though my hospital does not provide a 3D or 4D scan, I still feel the satisfaction!  

11th prenatal checkup on 10 August 2012
36 weeks 0 day

 The femur bone~ Doc always uses this (femur length) to measure the baby weight 

Glad to know he is growing gradually and well 

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1 week later~

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12th prenatal checkup on 17 August 2012
37 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 2580g

 This scan is to check the amount of the amniotic fluid (see the 2 cross mark above). Mine was all good  protecting little-big-boss all the way 

I can’t really figure out which part of which of little-big-boss on this scan..

4 more weeks till my due date, and the doc told me my cervix is 1cm opened!  
I was a lil’ bit shocked, but then 1cm opened is normally still far from labor..(still it depends). Anyhow, got to be prepared..

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37 weeks 1 day tummy 

Slightly bigger and belly button starting to pop up.. 

The very first experience through my pregnancy was the excitement of knowing that, 

“I AM PREGNANT”

I couldn’t believe it when I was proved positive, a life was inside my tummy!
..though back then, little-big-boss was still like-a-bean 

It was like, “Wow..me becoming a mom!” 

Secondly, came the morning sickness experience..  This started before I know I was pregnant.

Luckily it lasted only for 2 weeks after I was proved little-big-boss is inside 

I thought morning sickness makes you feel like puking..  that’s what usually dramas or movies made a newly pregnant lady do..

For my case, no puking at all 

During these 2 weeks, I just felt totally dizzy and hated the smell of some raw fish and maybe radish. 
Didn’t feel like eating also.
And, dizzy to the max (just exaggerated) to even spend only 5 mins on the computer..

I usually rest on my fluffy rug with my new beans bag cushion reading these 

Yes, I just finished reading my last 3 series of  Harry Potter during my morning sickness period  I am always not up-to-date but was quite satisfied that I finally completed this Harry Potter story

Besides that, Yappi introduced me this  to read..

百鬼夜行抄 (Hyakkiyakoushou), a comic-series of ghost story.

Though my mom warned me not to read this kind of stories during pregnancy.. 
This series are actually nice and not those grostesque scary type of ghost stories at all. It tells more of the mysterious part of Japanese culture and their superstition beliefs  I like 

2 weeks past and I thought I need to learn how to be a “mom” while the baby is still inside my tummy..  

 I didn’t know that I needed to consume foods fortified with Folic Acid (green leafy veges and liver usually contains high folic acid) at least 400μg/day. (In fact, a woman who is planning to have a baby should have start consuming more of foods containing acid folic before they conceived..)

 I didn’t know how much is an ideal weight to gain during the whole pregnancy..

 I didn’t know it is better to sleep on side ways rather than straight facing the ceiling when tummy is bigger, preferably facing left (heart downwards) for better blood circulation..

 I didn’t know all the exercises that are advisable to workout for a smoother delivery later..

 I didn’t know pregnant woman has higher chance of getting high-blood pressure..*must eat less salt*

 I didn’t know pregnant woman has higher chance of getting diabetes, gestational diabetes..*must eat less sugar*

 I didn’t know you’d get constipation very easily during pregnancy..*I was okay though 

 I didn’t know etc, etc and etc~

Besides that I have some experienced friends and a sister-in-law who gave me all sorts of advice, I’ve got myself some books in order to gain more knowledge when little-big-boss is growing inside my tummy~

Some textbooks from the hospital..

And some more info stuffs, one nappy sample from the government..

In Japan, we have to register to the government once proved pregnant in order to get a record book, “Mother and Child Health Handbook” (母子健康手帳)..

This handbook has all the necessary information on pregnancy, procedures that have to be done, and all the regular health check up schedule for a child up to 6 years old. This handbook is compulsory and has to be presented in every checkup.

The government usually pays most (but not all) of the fees of every prenatal checkups. Different city has different rules and amount.

For my place, this handbook came with money coupons and we usually pay on these coupons.

 Other than this, the government also provides an almost full amount for labor and 1 week admission to a hospital. If you choose a cheaper hospital, you’d get the extra income. If you choose an expensive hospital, you’d have to add more  to cover up. 

With all these books, I guess I’m pretty knowledgeable on pregnancy now  haha

During this whole maternity period, I have this hanging on my bag~ 

Created by Tamahiyo (magazines and books publisher about pregnancy and babies).

This strap was created for other people to take notice and to care when a pregnant lady is outside alone.
Not everyone noticed especially during the first few months where the tummy is still not obvious.

This strap then got recognized by the government, campaign was launched, idea spread, and everybody knows 

And then, I have this supplement to balance up my diet..

Acid folic, iron, 7 types of vitamin B and calcium  

Next, OIL BALM for bloating tummy!

L’Occitane MOM & BABY BALM

I’ve been using this since the very beginning to prevent pregnancy stretch marks  Though it is not medically proven that stretch mark can be prevented in any method, but still 

Most of all, it’s Yappi’s job to put on the balm + massaging after bath and I enjoyed this moment sooooo much  So gonna miss it.. 

This balm has only one size, small and quite pricey (3,150 yen). Yappi used so much, more than enough at once! He says, “Use more, more moisture, no regrets later on”. And for that, we are now on the 8th one..

Lastly, I have this for my legs!!

Scholl Medi Qtto sleeping stockings  Summer limited version 

I have an uncomfortable legs lately especially since towards my last trimester of pregnancy..

So, Yappi bought me this medical stockings to see if it helps.
We know that during last trimester, it is not a rare thing at all to have a cramp leg or an uncomfortable leg. Blood clots are easier to develop during pregnancy as well.
My hospital recommended this kind of stockings might help and this Medi Qtto sleeping stockings is created for a better blood circulation. Hope it helps 

By the way, Yappi loves this stockings a lot when I wear it  
The color and the design makes him feel like I’m a magical girl character in an anime 

The end. 

And I’m a mom soon~ 

Checkup scans nowadays are getting hard to figure out which part is which of little-big-boss..

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8th prenatal checkup on 29 June 2012
30 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 1400g

 Did a full screening session for this checkup (2nd time) – just scanning as usual but took a longer time for the doctor to look carefully in every details. All good  

And I couldn’t figure out what is the scan shown anymore.. 

I think the doctor told me when we are looking at the screen, but I can’t remember which she was referring to for this scan above.. 

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And 2 weeks later~

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9th prenatal checkup on 13 July 2012
32 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 1828g

 Little-big-boss weight gained fast in 2 weeks~ +400g! And me overall gained 7 kg.. 

If I was not wrong, I think this scan was showing the left side of  little-big-boss facing up..

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2 weeks time is fast..

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10th prenatal checkup on 27 July 2012
34 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 2326g 

 Little-big-boss is in a good condition, good position, and good weight  

This time, I KNOW what and which and how is shown on the scan!

This is it

He was moving his lips like a goldfish here when the doc showed us his face  First time seeing little-big-boss so clearly on the face. Very adorable~  haha

Had the 3rd and last blood test on this session..

Blood still oozing out after hours.. sigh

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Showing off my tummy~ 
I kinda like and think that it is fun to experience this different shape of my own body different visual looking at the mirror~

33 weeks 4 days tummy  full body

33 weeks 4 days tummy  side

34 weeks 0 day tummy  front

These photos were 1 and a half month to my due date, this tummy considered big or small? 

Little-big-boss is so big now that he could hardly squeeze in the scan anymore except partly of his body~ 

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5th prenatal checkup on 1 May 2012
21 weeks 4 days
Estimate weight: 411g

 Confirm with the doc once again about the baby sex, and yes, a very high percentage that little-big-boss is a boy~ Now we have to think of a NAME 

His HEAD

Only the head popping out on this scan  Getting more and more like a baby~ so excited every time going for a checkup to see how much he has changed

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Another 4 weeks later..

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6th prenatal checkup on 29 May 2012
25 weeks 4 days

 Little-big-boss moved so much that the doc could hardly capture a clear scan at all.. And his face was facing the other way.. What was clearly seen on this checkup was..

His FOOT

Kinda cute.. And this is one of the foot that keep kicking me nowadays 

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Checkup once in 4 weeks has changed to once in 2 weeks starting from 26 weeks of pregnancy 
Time flies!! This makes me feel like little-big-boss is coming out to see us very very soon!!! 
 
And so, another 2 weeks passes by..

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7th prenatal checkup on 15 June 2012
28 weeks 0 day
Estimate weight: 1221g

 Doc said his weight is just good  At this point, I myself gained around 5kg 
Little-big-boss moved a lot here again but was able to captured at least..
His HAND

Scans these days could only capture part of his body.. But this is also a sign which shows that little-big-boss is growing big healthily~

Had my 2nd blood test on this checkup to check for blood glucose level.
Was asked to drink this sweet carbonated drink and wait for an hour with no other food or drink before the blood sucking session~

Didn’t know that I have to have 3 blood tests for this pregnancy.. in Japan. There’s one more to go weeks later.. *Do not really like the sensation of blood being sucked..

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Tummy this big from outside on my 29 weeks (22 June 2012) of pregnancy~ 
Picture taken near the hotel we were staying in Hakone.
A holiday on my parents-in-law’s treat

I actually haven’t really get a big round baby bump still..
Only this picture, maybe the angle, makes it look quite round and bigger 

Little-big-boss sure is growing fast

From a bean-like baby  forming into a human-like baby day by day so rapidly   

Scan  taken 2 months ago 

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4th prenatal checkup on 3 April 2012
17 weeks 4 days
Head size: 2.1cm
Estimate size from head to bottom: 6cm 

 Doc said the size above could be 17 weeks 1 day, a lil’ bit smaller than the size it should be for 17 weeks 4 days  
This is what the scan shows~ Head has grown so much Cannot fit the whole body into one scan anymore  
*Don’t really know the one sticking out at the bottom was the baby leg or umbilical cord..

Normally on 15 weeks onward, some may get to know whether the baby’s a boy   or a girl  IF the baby is in a good position where you get a good view of it  but still usually could not be 100% sure on a scan.

And here’s mine~

4th prenatal checkup on 3 April 2012
17 weeks 4 days

Good view eh? Straight from the bottom  haha

 Doc said, “something in between the legs..might be a boy..” 
after a few more looks on the ultrasound screen, doc said again, “hmm..the more I look at it, the more to me that it’s a boy!” .. so funny when the doc describes it 
There is something sticking out in between.. 
But can’t be too sure yet.. coz that might be the umbilical cord or something still  

Though the doc, Yasu and I, all think that little-big-boss is a boy  hoho

I have a cousin sister when she was in her mom’s tummy, doc kept saying that it’s a boy and everybody was so shocked when she was born as a girl 

Things just happened 

Anyway, since on my 16 weeks 5 days (28 March 2012), I think I felt little-big-boss moving Not a strong one, so can’t be too sure.. but on this 4th checkup, saw him moved for the first time on the screen  so excited  

Since then, felt him more and more..and more~

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The Smart Phone generation now helps a lot with great apps

Been searching for a good and convenient baby/pregnancy apps, tried out a few and finally decided on using “Ninpu memo” (妊婦メモ). Though this is only available in Japanese, this app is cute and easy . (scroll down to see another app that I’m using – that’s in English )

妊娠中に使える便利なアプリかなって調べてみたら、「妊婦メモ」を発見このアプリちょっとよかった

Main Menu
メインメニューはこんな感じ

Before the main menu, this will showed up everyday to tell you the days of your pregnancy.
Love the special messages on some occasion like when you’re entering a new week or when there’s only 150 days left to meet your baby

アプリを最初に立ち上げると、毎日、今日からあと何日間で赤ちゃんに会えるかを教えてくれる～
新しい月に入った時とか、あと150日だよ～とかの時に、メッセージ付きで表示してくれるから、わくわくするよね～

ノウハウコーナー
ママの様子、赤ちゃんの様子とアドバイス これいいでしょ～

The app
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ninpumemo/id490176157?mt=8
Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.senshukai.ninpumemo

Besides that, I’m using another app in English too just for the reading and info

My Pregnancy Today by BabyCenter
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The calendar Everyday there will be a piece to read
Very nice with detailed information and images about the baby throughout your pregnancy

Movies are available to watch here too though
http://www.babycenter.com/2_video_10308111.bc

The app
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-pregnancy-today/id386022579?mt=8
Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.babycenter.pregnancytracker&hl=en

More of everything, just go to their original official site
http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy

There’s another app – “BabyBump” recommended by friend, Joane

This is great too but since I was using the Japanese one to note down everything, I pass this out. And this app uses inches / pounds for measurement,.. I am more familiar to centimeters / kilograms..

The app
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/babybump-pregnancy-pro-pregnancy/id332366275?mt=8
Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alt12.babybumpfree&hl=en