28 weeks

Hi Baby,

Well here we are, it's the third trimester, and I know you will be here in about the blink of an eye. Pregnancy insomnia is setting in (a little earlier this time), and I am growing quite large, but it's like I always say, "Go big or go home." Turns out I will do both, since I will be going to the city I grew up in to have you...I'll actually deliver you in the hospital that I was born in, and the hospital that contains my very first memory of meeting my brother Chris for the first time. I think it's so sweet that I will deliver you in the hospital that contains my first memory and my first breathtaking sight of my brother whom I love so much, and that this will likely be one of Harrison's first memories...meeting you!

I went to see Dr. Yang on Tuesday (which was my actual 28 week mark). It was the death by sugar appointment otherwise known as the glucose test. If I remember correctly, in America, I drank an orange fluid. Some people love it or hate it. I didn't think it was terrible, although it took me about 15 minutes to get down. In China the fluid was clear and WAY sweeter. I drank it more quickly though, because I knew the sooner I waited that hour, the sooner I could get my bloodwork over with. I HATE BLOODWORK! However, I thought I could drink water at the same time, so as I was in the waiting room after I drank the straight sugar, I sipped on a bottle of water. The nurse (Candy) ran up to me and said, "you MUST not drink this....GO, use the toilet immediately." Oh dear. So, I went on my punishment bathroom run...oops.

I saw the doc and we discovered that you are laying sideways in my belly. He said to me, "hmmmm, it appears the baby is transverse, do you get kicked a lot here?" And he pointed to my left side. I said yes, so he put the doppler on my right, and BOOM, there you were! Your little heart was beating at 136 per minute and it was a sound that I will never tire of! Then I went to get the dreaded blood taken. Your daddy has had a habit of coming with me to these appointments, but he stayed home this time as he had caught yet another throw-up bug while he was on a camping trip this past weekend. So, I had no hand to hold during this time. However, I will say I prefer getting my blood drawn in China over the States. Apparently I have delicate veins and it's hard to stick me with a needle. I have had nightmare appointments where I get stuck at least 6 times (no exaggeration), so I told the doctor this several months ago on a prior appointment where I needed the dreaded needle in my arm. He looked me up and down and said, "It will be no problem. You are not Chinese. Chinese people are very small and have very small veins. You are bigger than Chinese person. In America, maybe you have small veins, but here, no problem." I laughed to myself at his very kind way of telling me that I am not small here. However, he was right. It is no problem here for me, whereas it has been a problem since high school in America and involves lots of tears and anxiety. I sure wish I could pack that little chinese technician in my suitcase for the rest of my life's bloodwork.

The doctor called me that afternoon to inform me that my levels are fine and I don't have gestational diabetes! Woo hoo! I am a bit surprised as over the past 2 months I have consumed ungodly amounts of sugar, but I am so thankful. After sharing this news he did tell me to watch my weight, but no worries my child, it won't stop me from making you big and healthy! I look a lot bigger with you than I did with your brother, but I am gaining less weight (at least, so far) and his kind suggestions are a far cry from a very mean nurse I had during your brother's pregnancy who constantly told me I was just going to be fat if I didn't stop gaining weight (true story). Overall, I'm very thankful for you, no matter how big my belly gets. I'm constantly reminded by my rapid growth that you are coming soon, and I can't wait to meet you!

I'm thinking more and more that you might be another boy, but I'm not as sure as I was with Harrison, so I guess we will find out in July. Daddy and I are almost settled on names. I think we have a first name for you whether you are a boy or girl, but we are having trouble agreeing on a middle name. I can't wait to see which one you are and know what your name will be.

I have a picture but can't find the cord to download it to the computer. Love you little one!

More soon,
Mommy