Nathan's Birth Story

A week before father's day, my hubby asked if I wanted to go to San Jose for BBQ for Father's Day. I said I'd rather stay close to home since I'm so close to my due date and want to be close to the hospital "just in case". We decided to then have everyone come up to our place for the Father's Day BBQ. - but do it on a Saturday instead of Sunday My husband also said in passing, "Won't it be funny if you go into labor on Father's Day, just like you went into labor on Mother's Day the last time?" Who knew?

The BBQ went well. Everyone who say me said I was "ripe" but I shrugged them off since I barely had any contractions yet.

4:50 Sunday morning, my contractions started. It was about 10 minutes apart, but bearable. By 6:0 am, they were growing stronger, but still bearable. I even had breakfast and looked at stuff on Ebay. by 8:00, they were even stronger and I told my hubby that we may need to go to the hospital today. I called the Walnut Creek L&D (Labor & Delivery) and a snotty nurse told me to wait until my contractions are 5 minutes apart for a whole hour. That should've been my clue that this day would not go as planned. Every other time I called L&D, they were very helpful and not at all snotty!

So, I wait. My hubby went to prepare the hospital bag while my mom massaged my back in between contractions. Still it was tinkering between 5 to 8 minutes and I hesitate calling L&D for fear of snotty nurse.

Around 11:30, I realized were were going to an hour of 5 minute contractions. I take a shower and told my hubby to call L&D. After my shower I hop in bed, then realized my hubby was arguing with the person on the other line! Walnut Creek L&D tells us they are overbooked and cannot take us. WHAT!? I was devastated. We specifically picked WC because they have Certified Nurse Midwives instead of NPs and it was an ordeal just transferring care. The paperwork alone to transfer there took a few weeks. Then, we had to go to certain classes. We even did the hospital tour. We figured out where to park, what routes to take, where relatives are going to travel from...and now they're telling me that I have to deliver at a totally different location who does not even have our information??!

I was brimming with tears. No way! I already had a horrible experience the last time! Don't tell me after all of that, we are not getting admitted there?! Hubby looked at me and said, "Is Antioch okay?" I pouted, "No" Then, ridiculously, I said, "The contractions stopped anyway"

Upset, I went to nap it off. Josh needed a nap as well, so we were all in bed.

1:00 pm. A contraction so hard it literally rocked me awake. I gasped and told hubby, "We have to go. NOW! I don't care where" Then right there, my husband made the call and we were on our way.

In the car, we typed up the address but our nav is so old and the facility is so new that it did not register. Fuck it! We'll see the hospital signs! So off we went - with only a vague idea of where this hospital is.

I'm glad my mom was there to hold me while my contractions get harder and longer. I've never felt this much pain in my life. The whole morning I was able to just do breathing through contractions. This time, I was crying out in pain. Literally crying like a little girl. It's a good thing hubby kept calm.

Where the hell is this hospital? It seemed like we've been driving forever. "Are we close!?" I cry . "We're almost there" Hubby said calmly. In the meantime, my mom try massaging me from the seat behind.

We finally get to our exit. My contractions get harder. My cries louder. We follow the H (Hospital) signs. I try holding it in, but I feel like a baby is coming out of me any minute now. "Here it is!" hubby says. I looked and couldn't help but scream, "That's NOT Kaiser! That's a different hospital!!" Contraction again. My mind was struggling. Should we just go in and have our baby there even if that is not my insurance? "I don't think we're going to make it" "We're going to make it. Hold on" He turned to a Rite Aid to ask for directions. I cry. My mom calmly says, "We're going to make it, Nathan is just trying to position himself" This time my cries are so loud it's the kind of cry you do when someone is KILLING you. A hysterical type cry.

What seemed like an iternity, hubby comes back and says it's close. We eventually get to the Hospital. We drive to the ER and both hubby and mommy get me it. A guy tries and helps me to a wheelchair. He asks questions. Hubby answers them. Do you have your drivers liscence? Kaiser card? No. No. But it's a good thing I have my medical record number memorized.

I kept my eyes closed almost the entire time. At this point, almost everything is a blur. I remember them wheeling me to L&D. I remember them asking me all the stupid questions like "What happened with your last pregnancy? How come you ended up with a C-Section?" Also, they asked the crucial question: Do you want to try a VBAC or a C-SEction?" I scream, "I don't know!!! Will someone check me?" I was so frustrated because I felt like the baby is coming out and I'm not sure what stage I'm at! Then suddenly I hear someone say, "I see the baby's head!" then, "You're fully dilated and at 0 station. What do you want to do?" "What is safer?" I ask. "Both can have complications" They say non-commitally. Then a very intense contraction came. "C SECTION!" I yelled out. I just wanted the pain to go away. Ok. They call the emergency c-section crew. I hear paperwork being shuffled. You need to sign a consent form, someone says to me. Sign here. Where's the anesthesiologist? Someone cried. All the sound - was loud, but seemed muffled to me as a blur of activity happens around me. Then in my mind, I remembered my last c-section and panicked that it's going to take long.

Another contraction. I screamed in pain, "I'm pushing!!" It wasn't my choice. My body was doing it. Someone looked and said, "The baby is coming!! Are you ok to try this vaginally? This baby coming right now" I nodded. Then even more of a blur. I had my eyes closed the whole time - just concentrating on holding my husband for dear life. They told me not to scream, to concentrate all the power in the pushing. I don't even know how I was doing. I was just following what I heard. When the said push, I pushed. When they said stop. I stopped. I was sweating like crazy. I hear good cheers all around. You're doing it! Just a few more and he's going to be here! Ok, I hear one of the nurses say, here it is, the ring of fire. Push! ARGH!! It was just as she described it. I felt my vagina was on fire.

Then I heard the doctor say, "You have to open your eyes. You have to see your baby being born." I open my eyes and in the last push, Plop! There it was! My baby. The plopped him right on my stomach and the relief and the pain all went away. I could not believe my eyes. Nathan was here! I barely remembered the placenta coming out, but I did glance at it. The doctor stitched me up and even though that hurt a little, I felt so high, so relieved. Thank God!

The best thing about this experience (ok, not the best, but a perk!) was that after everything was done, I asked the nurse if I can eat. She said, "Of course! You can eat anything." Gleefully, I asked for a cheeseburger. I devoured that thing and I don't think I stopped eating for 2 days straight!

So there. That's Nathan's birth story. Much different from Joshua's but the end is the same. The moment you hold the baby in your arms - everything. All the pain goes away, and it didn't matter if I delivered in a different hospital or that there was much drama, all that mattered is the little bundle of joy in your arms.

I'm Attracted to That Guy

It dawned on me today that I'm attracted to the same type of guy. that guy. By that guy, I mean the mold of Heath Ledger.

Everyone who knows me knows that I've had a crush on him for the longest time. My heart was crushed at his passing. I've always said my attraction was because of his sexy voice, his shyness and utter un-comfortability at fame, and his acting skills. But I realized that I just think his whole look is hot. And as I think about other celebrity crushes I have...they're all very similarly looking. For example:

Damien Rice. Yes, I was drawn by his songs, his album "9" is all kinds of good! but I also think he's kind of hot! I've done my "phase" of watching his performances. I even felt really bad when he broke of with partner Lisa Hannigan (whose beautiful voice accompanies him on most of his songs in the album "9").
Then there's TK of the Amazing Race. Yes, he looked like a hippie, but I was attracted to him the whole season and was glad that he won. Of course, there's also the fact that he was a good boyfriend to Rachel and did not bicker with her throughout the race.

And finally, Jeremy Davies. He plays Lost's Daniel Faraday, and from the moment he appeared, I was immediately attracted. We don't really know if Daniel is a good guy or a bad buy, but he does have a good heart - and he plays this very well.

So what is the common denominator? Is it the beard? God knows I'm not into beards - but somehow, these men carry them well. I also think gruffness is part of it. I've never been into the clean cut handsome kind...but hmm...I wonder who will be next. I still need to fill the voids on my "list".

Sex and The City Movie Review

Since I am not working for now, I have today off. I have debated yesterday between seeing this movie alone (since it's a Friday morning! Who is free!?) or eating a India Palace - which I am craving for but is all the way down in Alameda.

Listening to the radio this morning convinced me to go to watch this movie. It was getting good reviews - and there were rumors that it's going to be #1 in the box office this weekend, and there are a lot of places selling tickets out! I even debated, should I Fandago this thing to make sure I have a ticket? Then I chuckled, hell no. It's 11:00 am on a Friday morning! Everyone's at work. There's no way it'll sell out. The last time I watched a movie this early (yesterday, watching Made of Honor) there were literally 3 of us in the theater.

So, I drive. My mouth dropped open as I turn in the parking lot. It was full! And there was a line to get tickets! No fucking way!! I panicked a little. It was the weirdest thing. I was able to get tickets, but man, when I entered the theater, it looked like it was a 9 pm showing with the crown of people already seated! It's fucking 11 am!!! Then, I looked closer and realized why. 90% of the crowd were the senior folk! Ahhh, it all makes sense. Yes, they may be old, but they sure are getting it on! It was like a retirement home decided to go on a field trip and it was to the Hilltop Century 16. I found a seat in between two 80 year old gentlemen (obviously with their dates). It was fine, I thought, if I bawled, then would they even really notice?

And bawl I did. I love this movie. I haven't cried this much in a movie theater since Stepmom, and that was just tears. There were moments when my whole body cried, you know, the very unattractive cry where your face turns weird because of the emotion?

SPOILER ALERT!!!

The first real cry came when Carries finds out Big wasn't coming and said she needed to get out of there. At the same time, Big realizes that was a mistake and turns back. They meet in the street and the reaction from Carrie, and even Charlotte as they attack Big - I cried like I was the one in that situation - the frustration, the emotion, it was all so real.

There were lots of cries in the movie, but as always, the story that gets to me is Steve & Miranda. I can't help it, I love them together, and their story...sigh. I think Gel's review was spot on, they didn't make Steve out to be a "bad guy". Yes, we know it's wrong, but at the same time, life isn't like a fairy tale and people do make mistakes, and in the real life - you either move forward or go your own separate ways. I like the fact that they didn't take the "you go girl" road on here. It was heartbreaking. I cried at Steve's remose, I bawled when they met again at the Brooklyn bridge.

Charlotte, always the optimist, but always in the shadows, I think took a more backseat role in this movie, nevertheless, I give props to Kristin Davis since there's two Charlotte scenes that made me bawl. One, as previously mentioned, when they confronted Big in the street, and second in the scene outside the restaurant where she finally told Big off. I really felt what she meant - in that out of everyone, she rooted for him, defended him...

Samantha, i thought, also took a backseat role in this movie, and aside from the comic / sex relief, I didn't really care much that she wasn't in love with Smith anymore. And you know, I liked them as a couple during the series.

I also thought that the JHud side story was -hmm- filler-ish. Like, yeah, they just needed another person to show Carrie what Love is. I didn't feel much connection with her and Carrie, but oh well. Oh and yeah, like Gel says, "renting" a purse, it not cheap and in the end - you don't have anything to show for it!! I don't believe Carrie would not have known that there is such a thing. Come on, she lives fashion! And if you are unemployed, I'm sorry, you don't have the mony to rent a purse. Hello, you buy a non-label one at a Target and call it a day.

But aside from all of that, I loved the movie. I loved that Carrie took a portion of the responsibility for the wedding that wasn't and showed a side of her that's...normal. Wearing a no-label wedding suit to City Hall, and showing that she actually really loved Big and not jut for the money.

It was good. It was very very good.

Breaksk8 can Dance!

Violet loves these dancing shows and last time I was at their place, we were watching America's Best Dance Crew, and despite my usual apathy to dance - I was really impressed! Impressed to the point that I kinda wished I was a good dancer! Ha! No really...is it too late for me?

Anyway, from the episode I watched, I was most impressed with this: Breaksk8 with Beat It

Josiah Leming sings Grace Kelly

This was my favorite of the American Idol auditions. To clarify, my favorite audition. I'm not that upset Josiah didn't make it through to Hollywood - poor kid, but I was blown away by this performance.

Goodbye Loves

Wow. This week has been kind of a shocker. First, I find out that Heath Ledger has passed. What!? I couldn't believe it at first. I mean, I was just thinking last week how of all celebrities, he's been consistently on my list. I just think he is so handsome, and talented. God, at 28 too, he was just a boy. And what about his little girl? I tear up at the thought of a two year old losing her dad. It's very sad.

Secondly, I find out that after 12+ years in Broadway, RENT will shut down it's doors in June. What!? I couldn't believe it too! RENT is a NY tradition for me. I know I've seen it countless of times and even my aunt has told me that I should go watch something different - but RENT has been so close to my heart that every time we visit the big city - we have to have to line up for lotto! We have to have to wait at the stage door! It's so sad. I won't even get to see it one last time before they close. But even if I won't see it live on Broadway anymore, it will forever be in my heart.

No day but today...

Sprout Rant

My son loves Thomas the Tank Engine. In fact, he likes anything that moves. He loves cars, trains, planes...Anyway, because he loves Thomas, we now watch it on Sprout. It was fun at first since it was nice to see him dance when the song comes on and point to the trains as say "Ta-Ta" (Thomas). But it's been a few months and I. am. done. with. this. shit.

Everytime it comes on, I find new things to rant about: These trains are the most idiotic trains on the planet! They keep crashing onto things! Geez, they're so spoiled - how many coats of paint does on train need? If I hear these tank engines complain one more time, I'm going to be cross! Sr Toppem Hatt is soo stupid!!! Where does he get the money to fix all the broken rails, caves, bridges that the engines crash into??

Ok, that's just Thomas. Don't even get me started on the other idiotc shows on the channel. I hate Dragon Tales! I hate Noddy! I hate Jay Jay the Jet Plane! I hate Zaboomafoo! I hate Jakers with a passion! I hate Caillou! Do I like any show there? Not really. I'm really just doing it for Josh. Sometimes, I cheat and change the channel to a rerun of Friends. Haha! My hubby has a thing for Nina (Goodnight Show) though. I find it amusing. Alright, I think i'm done with my rant.

Kidrobot - Dunny 4

I know I'm not a kid anymore, and I've heard of Kidrobot before, but up until I've bough a bunch of these for the team for Christmas, I never though about it much.

They're very cool. I like the Dunny series. The one I got was the pink one - I hope I don't get addicted and try to collect them all.

Cheesecake Dilemna

I'm thinking about food all fucking day long! Ugh, I can't stop it. I can't help my fat ass from expanding and expanding. I know I have an excuse for stuffing my pie hole with...not pie, but other yummy things, but still, I want to stop it!!!

I've decided to bring cheesecake to the Christmas Dinner (instead of my usual Lumpiang Shanghai - ordered, not made from scratch. please.) but now the dilemna is what cheesecake to get! I love the Oreo Cheesecake - I've had that a number of times - but should I venture with something new like this White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle? It looks yummy? Or should I get both?? Really...What should I do?

Other things I'm craving that's weird (since I normally don't care for these): Chipotle tacos & Razzmatazz from Jamba Juice. God help me.

I'm...Hurley?

Let me preface this by saying it was Lina who strong armed me into being on Facebook. Relenting after numerous threats (Yeah, Lina, threats!) I realize I do find it quite entertaining. I love games and I love taking quizzes. Gosh, I'm a dork. The quizzes as silly and if your really try you can guide your answers so you get the answer you want.

Which brings me to this post - I took a "Which Lost character are you?" quiz and am quite taken aback that I'm Hurley! I don't feel like a Hurley at all. Oh, what do I know...

Confrontation - Valjean / Javert

I had a huge grin on my face watching this clip from the How I Met Your Mother gang. Well, really it's Jason & Neil. God, I love Neil, he's so awesome. He's perfect as Javert! Go on, watch it!!

The Invisible

My flight back from Chicago, this was the movie we were forced to watch. Ugh. The moment I saw Justin Chatwin's face, I wanted to puke. I don't know what it is about him - I had an immediate dislike. Of course, the story is about this "handsome" privileged kid who gets killed by the school bully (Margarita Leviava). Ugh. The school bully is of course (as is typical for all movies like this) a pretty but misunderstood tough gal. Of course, she has a crap of a dad that does not care for her or her younger brother. Of course, she loves her younger brother. Of course, they're poor and she's just trying to survive.

I hated them both at first sight. I hate the rich-handsome-good-guy with the poor-pretty-bad-girl combo. It's just so cliche. I know we are supposed to hate the girl in the beginning, but like Nick, as we journey with him to find out what happened to him, we are supposed to love her in the end. In the end, it wasn't her fault really, it was her boyfriend - because he was the one who turned her in to the cops in the first place. What the fuck? I know it's all confusing, I was confused too. But please do not watch this movie.

Funny thing though: As much as I hated both of them, as much as I seethed when they finally "connected", as much as I hated the whole storyline, I was crying in the end. What the fuck is wrong with me? This same thing happened when we watched Bridge to Tarabithia. (premise: good shy boy with larger than life girl - another combo I hate. She - takes him out of his shell. In the end (spoiler)(spoiler), and I was bawling) My hubby was very amused.

Bag Love #3: Mango Bag

This bag is a small leather bag. It's the size of a clutch but with a strap. I can only really stuff my wallet, cell phone, camera & a lipstick in it, but it's really really cool.

It's a MNG Mango bag, my only one. Given to me by Gel, it's one of my favorite small bags. I love it's color. It's not the typical brown leather, the brown is so light it's almost mango colored. The "worn" leather is soft to the touch. It's good for work as well as a night out in the town - coz...yeah, I go out a lot. (heh. that was sarcasm, in case it did not translate.)

Whip It Good!

I randomly heard the Dazz Band's Let It Whip on the radio. Then I realized I loved that song. It's one of those songs that makes me smile (and want to dance!) when I hear it. It was also the song that Sean played in Felicity during Season 2's "True Colors" episode when they were painting Noel's apartment. I loved that scene as well, it's one of my favorites in the entire series. It's a rare scene of Scott Speedman dancing. Ooh la la. Oh, by the way, you won't find this song on the DVD's. It's weird. it's like, they did not have enough money to pay for the rights and therefore used a different song instead. Tsk. Tsk.

Favorite Mitch Hedberg Material

Though about Mitch Hedberg today. God, he was so good. Here are my favorite Mitch Materials:

"When someone hands you a flyer, it's like they're saying - here, you throw this away. "

“An escalator can never break. It can only become stairs. You would never seen an Escalator temporarily out of order sign, just Escaloaor temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.”

“The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how much I play, I’ll never be as good a a wall. I played a wall once. They’re fuckin' relentless.”

"I think foosball is a combination of soccer and shish kabobs. "

"This guy asked me if I wanted a frozen banana and I said, "No ... but I would like a regular banana later, so ... yeah.""

"This shirt is Dry Clean only, therefore, it's dirty"

"I want to be a race car passenger--just a guy who bugs the driver. "Say, man, can I turn on the radio? You should slow down. Why we gotta keep going in circles? Can I stick my feet out the window? Man, you really like Tide.""

"I wear v-neck shirts, this is a v-neck I got on. My neck is so fragile man, I can't wear a regular neck shirt, it hurts. And I especially hate turtlenecks. Wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy, all day. Like if you wear a turtleneck and a backpack
it's like a weak midget is trying to bring you down."

My Beesley Shirt

I've watched this episode (The Dundies) so many times but it was only last night when I noticed that Pam is wearing my shirt! Ha! It's an Express shirt that I bought so I can look more "work appropriate". I guess I can see Pam buying her clothes at Express. Hee, still cool.

Fossil Accessories

On a lighter note, I love the new line of Fossil accessories. The colors are beautiful and the pattern are unique. I'd like to get this necklace on the left, but it's a whopping $65.00. There are matching rings as well, those may be more affordable. Gel says they're trying to be like Kenneth Cole (which has the best jewelry line right now as far as we're concerned). In a way, I agree, but so what. I've gotten compliments from the ones that I have...so good job, Fossil. Hurry up and be on sale so I can get a few more.

Random Raider Thoughts

Out of all the professional team sports, my favorite to watch is football. I love the game. It's not as boring as baseball (sorry, baseball fans), and not as fast-paced as basketball. I feel like with football, the plays chosen actually make a difference between winning and losing. But even if I do love the game, I hardly ever watch anymore. Why? I am a sore loser. If my team loses, my whole day is ruined. I get all upset. Why go through that every week? But hey hey hey...Oakland won today! Wheee!

Oh, and Lane Kiffin - the head coach, is only 31. God, he's like...my age! Good for him, I guess. I hope he's the one to turn this team around. We need to start winning again. Maybe then, I'll watch more football.

Office Love

I love the Office. I just love it so much. So, being such a huge fan, it's been a great office-filled week for me.

To get all caught up for today's premiere, we've marathon-ed Seasons 2 & 3 the past week. Lina & I were even on the same wavelength as she was marathon-ing the same disc as I am - so in the morning when I get in the office, we talk about the past episodes. She hated Creed, by the way. With a passion. But we both kind of cried at the season 3 finale. I thought Jenna's acting was superb and that final scene, she sold it.

Even though I'm a Jam shipper, I love the office for more than just the office romance. It's funny! Watching the episodes, I would laugh out loud at just the most random things. Michael having a crush on Ryan. Funny! Michael doing the Chris Rock bit. Uncomfortble and funny at the same time! Michael wearing a woman's power suit. Hee!

Now, The Office is on the cover of this week's Entertainment Weekly! I'm so happy their finally getting this recognition. Weee!!! The one I have is with Dwight & Angela.

And speaking of Dwight. Here's my good friend Lee with his "good friend" Rainn. Does this mean I'm like one degree away from being good friends with Rainn? I'm soo giddy! Lee, make it happen!

Hot House

I don't really know why...but I'm so attracted to House. He is so on my list. Count one more for the bad guys, I guess. Wilson is the "good" guy. He is nice. He's a good doctor. He cares about his patients. He cares about House. He does "what is fair". He is kind. He is very handsome. He does nothing for me. Heh. I like him - as a friend. Haha...(sorry, I'm laughing at my own joke). What is so attractive about a guy who is rude, uncaring, malicious? I don't know, but I give props to Hugh Laurie.

It was a good season opener. I love scenes with House & Wilson, especially when Wilson does not take crap from House. The kidnapping of the guitar was fun, as well as the kidnapping of his patient. I'm also looking forward to the next few episodes as House finds his team. Should be a good season.