Bookend - A Trip to Daegu

The other weekend, Y and I ( with "squad") went down for a weekend trip to Daegu. It was both Y and my first time in Korea's third largest metropolitan area and we anticipate it'll most likely be our last "trip" before baby's arrival so we packed our bags, stocked up on snacks for the ride and made our way down. 

Traffic out of Seoul on a Friday evening was brutal but after a break at a rest stop to fuel up on dinner, a cornucopia of udon noodles, donkatsu and fried rice, we made it to Daegu in one piece, albeit with very swollen feet and legs due to the long ride. But I remedied that as soon as we arrived with a walk around 수성못 (Suseong Lake), a thermos of peppermint tea and hearty belly laughs thanks to friends. 

Rest stop food is the best & fist bumps for baby 

Saturday morning was spent with a good sleep-in and a slow start to the day, the girls chatting away while the boys leisurely made us breakfast (the best kind of morning, if I say so myself). We walked to a nearby cafe, one our friend A has talked about for quite some time, claiming it has the best coffee in Daegu, possibly some of the best coffee in Korea! (I secretly recited one of my favorite lines from my favorite movie Elf in my head: "Congratulations! You did it! World's best cup of coffee!") 

With coffee in our systems, we moseyed on over to County Market, naturally thinking it would be just that, a market. But we were pleasantly surprised to find a white, airy venue for the best meal of the day - brunch. Good thing squad is always up for more food. We vision-casted, dreamed and planned over the choicest salads, pastas and even steak (!) 

The day continued driving into Daegu's "Downtown" - the equivalent to Seoul's Myeongdong.  Y & I met up with friends from home and I was gifted a stuffed animal from B, a 5 year-old. He made sure I knew he had won the stuffed animal all by himself and I quietly prayed that our baby boy would possess B's sweet, tender heart. Later that night, while Y and A went out for Daegu's famous 막창 I chose to end the evening with a pamper session with the girls - a hydrating sheet mask to combat the bitter and dry winter air. 

Sunday was lovely - the perfect weather for strolling. A introduced us to a tea house hidden in the mountains and we ordered a myriad of teas (basically one of each on the menu, the owner chuckled at our varied choices) but we wanted to make the most of it. And plus, "sharing is caring". 

We ended our time in Daegu at a gelato place and I left feeling energized by roasted pistachio and chocolate gelato but also recharged by the parting messages from R - someone I had just gotten to meet. 

It was my kind of trip - no pre-planned agendas, which is surprising as I am a planner to the core. But I've grown to love the "Let's see how we feel" kind of trips where being present wins over worries of what to do next, and where quality time trumps crossing off things on our to-do/to-see/to-eat lists.

Personally, the craziest part of this trip? This trip is a bookend. Back in May, this same group of friends made a trip to Busan. It was an exceptional weekend because we escaped the hubbub of Seoul to fill up on Busan's fare, scenery and slower pace but it was also the weekend Y and I found out we were pregnant! [I told Y on the KTX train ride down to Busan so that trip will always have a special place in our hearts.]

Now we're nearing the end of this chapter of pregnancy and have memories of Daegu to keep with us. Bookends, a sweet reminder of seasons and friendships. 

34 weeks

I began week 34 with a check-up. I always get excited when I get to have an ultrasound because I can see how much baby has grown. And grown he has! And you know what else is fascintating? Seeing his face on the screen! This time around, Y & I talked about how he looks like he has my nose!

I don't mean for my posts to sound complainy or whiny. Pregnancy has truly been the most miraculous thing this said body has done and experienced. But in the past few weeks, the symptoms have just been coming at me at top speed.

And as of late? Rib pain! My rib cage hurts in the front, back, sides.

I had a short bout of it earlier on in the pregnancy but now it's full on. I feel like I've had a good beating in a UFC ring (I hate UFC... Ask the husband.) I've tried massages, stretching, surrounding myself in a cloud of pillows. I'm guessing it's because my body is expanding and baby is the size of a pineapple and it sure feels like it. His movements are no longer flutters or pitter patters; they are full-blown long stretches, jabs, and kicks. I play this guessing game of what he must be doing, what body part he's moving. Sometimes I put my hand against my belly and rub and I swear he reacts. It warms my heart.

My baby app tells me that if baby were to be born anytime now, it would be okay. Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks with no other health issues tend to do fine after a short stay in the NICU so I can breathe a huge sigh of relief. But baby, you can stay in there a few weeks longer and grow healthier and stronger. Mama's not in a hurry to evict you, just yet.

During week 34, Y & I set aside a night to work on our pregnancy scrapbook. We got all our art supplies out on our dining table and got to brainstorming, sketching, drawing, cutting, pasting, writing. Mix in a few tears from feeling so thankful that baby will be here soon, it was a sweet time.

Baby, 

Daddy and I have been intentional about this season we are in. We are both eagerly awaiting your arrival while maxing out on enjoying this time together. Tuesday nights have become "Scrapbooking Night" in this household and it's become a time of reflecting, recording and anticipating, a time of prayer, thanksgiving and praise. We can't wait for you to see this scrapbook one day, full of remnants of this journey, notes and photos, prayers and wishes. 

33 weeks

They say starting this week, baby is taking up more space than amniotic fluid! Which means his movements are felt and seen much more. My belly does rolls and waves like it's its job thanks to this dancing baby. 

Baby's dancing away but this mama's been feeling...

Big.
Large.
Heavy.

I stepped on the scale the other day and nearly fell backwards at the number I saw before me. My mind quickly did the math, and then did it again... because I was astounded at how much weight I had gained. You see, I am at the max weight my doctor told me to gain and with about two months still to go, I was suddenly flooded with fear. "Is this okay?" "Should I be worried?" "Will the weight come off?"

I posted about this on social media and I was overwhelmed by the support from other mamas - how every woman's pregnancy is different, how as long as baby and I are healthy it's okay, and how the weight will eventually come off.

Along with the extra weight, there's also been the sore back, swollen legs and feet, constant heartburn (tums are a constant companion in my life right now). It's nearly impossible to comfortably reach my toes so with that as an excuse, I made an executive decision this week to get a pedicure. A fellow pregnant friend and I have adopted a motto:

Treat. Yo. Self.

But on the flip side, it's nice that there is no second guessing I'm pregnant. This means being offered a seat on public transportation, words of sympathy from total strangers.

Though I have moments when I wonder if my body will ever be the same again... witnessing my body go through such changes throughout this pregnancy got me to thinking about how amazing this body of mine is. How does it know exactly what to do? How is my belly growing to be so large? How do all the rest of my organs continue to function while a baby takes up prime real estate? God is a wonderful creator, a perfect designer.

Even the fact that I've been struggling to stay asleep - this is preparation for when baby comes: sleep deprivation training.

During week 33, Y & I took a birthing class at our hospital and things got real! The nurse giving the presentation had Y along with the other dads "push" as an empathy exercise - legs spread apart and everything - and let's just say there was a lot of giggling, on my part. (He was completely serious.) Afterwards, we made our Friday night a "date" and went to McDonalds. Yes, classy. The trip was initially for their [fried] apple pie but we ended up consuming 2 cheeseburgers, 1 hamburger, 3 [Korean large] fries, and 2 cokes. Throughout our entire indulgence, we kept saying, "I can't believe we just took a birthing class." Actually, we are still stuck on, "I can't believe we're pregnant!"

Baby,
We're a matter of weeks away from meeting you. Mommy & daddy are prepping away with classes and exercising and stacking and packing. We can't wait to meet you!

32 weeks

Hey there, 8 months! Hey!

Week 32 included two Thanksgiving feasts, a baby shower and a lot of celebrations. 

Thanksgiving is maybe one of my favorite holidays and the start of the "best time of the year". It was easier to embrace the holiday spirit this year with baby growing in my belly and even more excuse to stuff my face with delicious eats. We brought American Thanksgiving with us down to Gwangju to my parents' and shared in this tradition of breaking bread with some pastors' families. There was guitar-playing, sing-a-longs and a competitive round of Jenga. The weekend was elevated with a lot of dreaming & sketching of future plans and visions, while Pentatonix Christmas songs played on repeat - my dad's current obsession. [Baby, I hope you love music like your grandpa.]  

At 8 months~

Baby's size: A jicama! (a what?) According to the baby app, he may be around 3 3/4 pounds and 16.7 inches long (although our doctor says he's a bit on the smaller side, which I'm not upset with as long as he's healthy). He has fingernails and toenails!
Pros: Seeing my belly move! 
Cons: Heartburn and staying asleep has become much more difficult
Craving: Fries! 
Outlook on the coming of baby: Nervous about labor and delivery. But baby, reading your aunties and uncles' hopes and wishes for you make me so excited to raise you alongside such a loving and supportive community. 
Feelings about husband: I find myself thinking my husband is so darn cute lately. (I hope baby's cute like him.) I'm not sure how this is possible but I'm pretty sure he's getting funnier by the day and becoming more and more tender. 

31 weeks

Baby is the size of a coconut and a new symptom crept up on me this week: migraines. And let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. I've never suffered from migraines, yet alone headaches so it was shocking to my system on many levels. The pain became unbearably uncomfortable, bordering excruciating so the husband took me to the hospital to get checked up, just in case. Luckily baby is doing dandy. Perhaps migraines may be just another thing that must be endured here and there during this pregnancy.  

On a much more positive note, we had a photo shoot during week 31. It was a maternity shoot through our 조리원 (postpartum care center). I went into the shoot not knowing what to expect and it started off awkward. But at the end, when we were shown a slideshow of photos compiled from the shoot, Y and I couldn't help but be moved to tears. I blame the music pulling on my heartstrings, and hormones but there was a moment when I got choked up, remembering how much we've waited and wanted this baby. 

Here's a little peek - enjoy!