Two days and counting...

Dear Emi,
After realizing I was about to be housebound for the next few months, I decided to spend my last full day of baby-less freedom on my favorite pastime - shopping! I arrived fully armed with gift cards and store credit and whiled away several lovely hours selecting cool kitchen gadgets from Crate & Barrel, browsing through baby clothes and having a leisurely lunch while reading the newspaper.

I went to Nordstrom and bought your Christmas outfit - deep red, velvet, footed pajamas trimmed in gray plaid flannel with a matching hat. I figure you can wear it to Auntie Midori's on New Year's Day, too. It's the same one I saw a few days ago at a different mall. On the advice of the saleswoman, I decided to buy two sizes - newborn and 3 to 6 months - and just return the one that doesn't fit come Christmas time. I saw a few, really beautiful dresses that would've worked, but they were a bit too fancy considering we're just going to be visiting relatives not attending a holiday ball. But just you wait. Next year, I'm gonna drape you in layers of velvet and lace!

Daddy barbecued steak and made rice and garlic green beans for what I've started calling "My Last Supper" since tomorrow night we'll be at the hospital. Over dinner I filled Daddy in on all my activities, adding that it had been a really nice day.

After dinner I made more thank-you cards using some new Japanese stamps I'd bought earlier in the day, then cleaned up the kitchen and baked some Kahlua cupcakes to bribe the nurses at the hospital. All the baby books suggest it as did the woman who taught our birthing class. I'm just hoping there aren't too many babies being born now, 'cause I really want one of those private birthing suites!

I'm also bringing a batch of cupcakes to Pau Pau's office tomorrow to thank them for all the gifts they gave you at her "grandma shower." Daddy called Grandma Jacque again today and told her she didn't have to rush over to the hospital tomorrow since it will likely be at least several hours before you make your debut. "I'll be there in the morning," she told him in no uncertain terms. Grandma Jacque likes her sweets, so I'm going to bake her some biscotti that she can have with her coffee. Grandpa Brian will be arriving sometime late on Friday because he has to go to a conference in Yosemite. I just hope you'll be here by then...

Emi Watch: Day 5

Dear Emi,
Dr. Chan has decided to get things moving by having me check into the hospital Wednesday evening. The fetal monitoring showed you're still doing okay in there, but he doesn't want to wait until it shows you're in distress and then have to go in and do an emergency Cesarean. "I want to get you delivered," Dr. Chan said. He examined my cervix, but there hadn't been any change since last week, even though the monitor showed I was having contractions, albeit mild ones since I didn't feel them.

I told Dr. Chan I'd had a few contractions over the weekend, including three early that morning when I was still sleeping. The sharp pain that started at the top of my uterus had woken me enough to alert Daddy, but after three, short contractions they stopped and I immediately went back to sleep without even noting the time.

"That's good," Dr. Chan said. "We know something is going on."

It doesn't sound like much will be happening Wednesday night except for getting registered and taking some lab tests. The real work begins Thursday morning, when he'll start inducing labor. He cautioned that we'll have to be very patient because it'll be a long time before you'll actually make an appearance.

It was a relief to know the waiting game was over for the most part. Daddy and I were both glad you'd be coming out before anything could go wrong. "My blood pressure is going up," he told me over the phone that day, after I'd delivered the news. "I'm having trouble focusing. I keep thinking about Emi."

When he came home from school, I was in your room rocking in my wonderful chair. I told him how I'd gone purposely gone to Peet's for a cup of decaf coffee before my appointment with Dr. Chan to jump start you for the fetal monitor. Unfortunately, when I got to his office another patient was still using the monitor and it was another half-hour before it became free. Meanwhile, you were bumping along inside me the whole time I was the waiting room. "But as soon as I hopped up on the table, your daughter decided it was time to take a nap," I told Daddy. "I had to keep poking her to get her to move."

I made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. While I was browning the meat, Daddy went dumpster diving in our trash bin to find the shower cards that had accidentally been thrown out during last weekend's massive clean-up. Luckily, I'd put them in a plastic, zippered bag so they were still clean and dry. Family and friends had written lovely little notes in the cards and I couldn't bear the thought of losing them. I tucked them into the scrapbook I'd bought for you at Kozo, the Japanese paper store in San Francisco.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get started on your scrapbook...

Emi Watch: Day 4

Dear Emi,
We spent a lovely Sunday morning having dim sum with our friends Patty and Rob.

Literally translated, dim sum means "touch the heart" and it's basically the Chinese version of British high tea. Instead of scones and cucumber sandwiches served on silver, tiered trays, waiters weave through the tables pushing carts filled with a variety of small dishes such as steamed bbq pork buns, or char siu bao, lots of different meat or shrimp-filled dumplings including siu mai and har gow, as well as lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice. My personal favorites are sei jup pai gwut, or black bean spare ribs, and chicken feet, which no one likes except me. For dessert, tiny custard tarts called dan tan is typically served, but more restaurants are also offering my favorite steamed bao filled with egg custard.

I absolutely love dim sum. Over the years, I've taught myself how to make a few of my favorites - shrimp balls, potstickers, har gow, sei jup pai gwut and sticky rice minus the lotus leaf. But nothing beats going out to a good restaurant, where you can just point to a bamboo steamer filled with a delectable delight.

While we were waiting for Patty and Rob to arrive, I noticed a little hapa girl about three or four years old. She had light brown hair that grazed her shoulders and she was kneeling on her chair, about to dig into the fried taro fritter on her plate. "Emi could look like her," I mused to your daddy, thinking how we'd have to take you out for dim sum as soon as you were old enough to eat solid food.

Over taro cake and siu mai, we chatted about the joys of parenthood, their daughter Ryan and my maternity leave, while I'd occasionally pepper them with random questions like "Can you use fabric softener for baby clothes?" and "Did you use your baby monitor much?" We stayed well past noon, and by the time we got home I realized my legs had become swollen. Slightly alarmed, I went to bed, propping my legs up on some pillows, and fell asleep.

Patty called while I was napping. Turns out my friend Marylou hadn't gotten her email about having to cancel the shower, and she'd arrived just as Patty and Rob were pulling into their driveway. Marylou ended up stopping by our house to drop off your presents, and we spent a pleasant couple of hours talking and catching up. I felt horrible that she'd driven all the way into town for the shower, especially since she lives about an hour away in the foothills. But it was good to see her. Like Niesha, she also made me an adorable diaper cake - decorated with white flowers and pink ribbons. It actually looked like a wedding cake!

After Marylou left, I finished tidying your nursery. Daddy had hung the Japanese mobile while Marylou was here and your room was finally done. It was the perfect little nursery for a baby girl. While I'd been nervous about the bright, green paint, once everything was in place it looked absolutely beautiful. The pink, glass curtain rod filials I'd bought at Target provided a nice, finishing decorative touch to the windows. The cushioned glider added a lot of warmth and comfort to the room, and all the pink, cherry blossom decor gave it a great deal of cheer. I'm still looking for a piece of artwork to hang on the bare wall above your crib, but I'm sure I'll find something.

We did some more laundry and ended the day watching "Entourage" and "True Blood" in the bedroom. All in all, it was a nice way to spend our last, baby free Sunday.

Emi Watch: Day 3

Dear Emi,
Your daddy and I got a lot accomplished today. We went back to the baby store (my third time in a week) to get your car seat installed, then went home and got started on your nursery. Daddy finished putting together the crib drawer and rearranged the furniture. After a quick trip to Target, he hung your curtains and I put up the name sign on your bedroom door. Tomorrow the final touch goes up - the chirimen mobile I bought in Kyoto.

Your nursery looks so sweet, Emi. I can't wait for you to see it. I just know you'll love it.

I also started assembling your birth announcements, and so far I've finished 30. I wasn't sure I'd be able to get any of it done before you were born, so I think I'm doing pretty good considering you're making your debut a couple weeks early.

Making your announcements has got me going on a bit of a creative streak. I dug up some old, rubber stamps I'd bought years ago and made a few thank-you cards. They were pretty cute, if I do say so myself. I resisted the urge to go back to the paper store, yet again.

I think I had a few contractions this afternoon. My lower back ached and it felt like I had menstrual cramps with a tightening in my belly, but after a few seconds or so they went away. It only happened about three times, but we're hoping this means you're getting ready to come out and Dr. Chan will be able to induce this week.

We still have more work to do before everything is ready for you to come home, but we made a lot of progress today. Tomorrow, after we meet my friend Patty and her family for dim sum, your daddy and I will have to finish cleaning the house. Sigh! The mess is neverending, and I worry so much about how we'll be able to manage once you're born. We're both such slobs... but I'm determined you'll have a safe, clean, loving home.

Emi Watch: Day 2

Dear Emi,
I managed to sleep through most of the night, waking just briefly around 2 a.m. and then promptly nodding off again until 5 a.m. when I finished organizing the closet and putting away your daddy's numerous t-shirts, khaki shorts and pants. "You're nesting hardcore," he grunted blearily before pulling the quilt over his head. A couple hours later when he was getting ready for work, he was more appreciative. "Wow! My clothes are folded and everything. It's like I have a real wife." Puhleez.

I seem to be getting bigger by the day. You've dropped a bit, so it's easier to breathe now. On the other hand, there's more pressure on my bladder and I spend a good deal of my time in the bathroom. Every time I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror or in a store window I'm shocked to see how much my belly sticks out. Your daddy, a sweetheart of man, has lovingly taken to calling me "Bazooka Belly."

I'm starting to worry you may be getting too big. Aside from the whole labor thing, I've got all sorts of adorable, teeny newborn outfits that I'm dying to dress you in, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I almost bought a red velvet pj set from Nordstrom today for you to wear on Christmas, but the saleswoman seemed to think the newborn size would be too small for a nearly 2-month-old baby. So I decided to wait until after you're here. I also popped into Janie & Jack, a relatively new baby boutique in the mall, and found some beautiful dresses. I'll definitely check it out when I go shopping for your red egg & ginger party dress.

I got started on your birth announcements today, after I took a two-hour nap. They're going to be lovely. I bought some beautiful Japanese paper at a special store in San Francisco just for your announcements, and Auntie Midori was able to make a paper kimono out of it so I can frame it with your photo.

Your nursery is shaping up nicely, too. This weekend, Daddy and I are going to rearrange the furniture and add a few more finishing touches. I can't wait until it's done!

I've been enjoying these last few days, now that my To Do list has been whittled down to a more manageable level. I should've listened to Dr. Chan when he advised me to take a month off before my due date. I felt fine at the time and couldn't justify leaving work so early, at least in my mind. Plus, I wanted to spend as much of my six-month maternity leave with you as possible. But Dr. Chan was right. I'm going to have to remember that next time...

You didn't move around much today, and by dinner I was starting to worry. Daddy reminded me that you do that sometimes - hibernate quietly for several hours. Sure enough, once I ate dinner you made an appearance and I was able to relax again.

I worked on your birth announcements a little more after dinner. While I was busy punching out flower shapes and snipping lengths of gold cord, I noticed I was having Braxton Hicks contractions again. I'm hoping this means you're getting ready to come out, Emi. It'd be great if my cervix could be "favorable" by Monday. Hint, hint...

Let the waiting begin ...

Dear Emi,
Our wait began this morning when Dr. Chan checked my cervix and declared it "unfavorable."

I'd had a long, mostly sleepless night. The day before I ran around in a crazed state of nesting, doing laundry, shopping for more baby things and stopping at this amazing stamp store to get cards for your birth announcements. By the end of the day, I was so tired I couldn't sleep. I lay in bed next to your daddy, my mind racing with all the things we still had to do before your arrival, and panic set in. "Oh my god. What the hell are we going to do with a little baby?" I asked, near tears and half-asleep.

The last thing I remember before finally dozing off was your daddy wrapping his arms around me, calmly telling me that everything would be fine. "You're going to be a great mother. That's why I married you."

I was awake again by 3 a.m. I passed the time folding laundry, lining the drawers in your dresser with this lovely pink, Paris-themed paper that Niesha wrapped your gifts with, packing for the hospital, eating a bowl of chili and blogging. I managed to catch a few more Z's sometime after 5 o'clock, then woke up and changed the bed linens before taking a shower and heading to the doctor's office.

I was so busy, I forgot to eat. All my activity must've worn you out, too, because after I was hooked up to the fetal monitor it quickly became clear you'd fallen asleep. Although I poked my belly in the hopes of prodding you to move, you didn't budge. Sure enough, Dr. Chan had to shake you up before determining you were still okay in there.

Next, he checked my cervix, not the most comfortable of exams. As I winced, it occurred to me that labor would be a lot more discomfiting, but I tried not to dwell on it too much. At one point during the examination, Dr. Chan told us he was nudging your head. I laughed out loud. Your head, Emi! Can you imagine? You were so close!

But alas, although my cervix was soft it was tightly closed. Dr. Chan said he'd check me again on Monday and if I was still unfavorable, he'd push it to Thursday and at that point he'd have to go in and induce labor one way or the other.

My friend "Charlotte"

Dear Emi,
Niesha - my friend from work who generously loaned me her maternity clothes, baby gear and gave us some lovely outfits that her daughter, Elle, had outgrown - came by yesterday to drop off some gifts. You should've seen her walking up the porch steps with a pile of packages and this amazing diaper cake straight out of Sex and the City.

You wouldn't know this of course, but SATC was a hit television show in the early 2000s that chronicled the love lives of four single, women friends living in New York City. It was smart, fresh, racy, hilarious and heartbreaking. At the time, your daddy and I were newly married. I was in my late 20s and, like many women my age, I quickly became fascinated with the wild escapades of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte - not to mention their amazing wardrobes!

My friends and I loved this show. It aired Sunday nights on HBO, and the next day we'd pick apart the latest episode. Will Carrie and Big ever get together? Can you believe what Samantha did? Will Charlotte ever find true love? Did you see what Carrie was wearing? When the final episode aired in February 2004, we all gathered at my house to watch it.

Charlotte, the eternal optimist whose faith in the power of love was unwavering, was my favorite character. Preppy, prissy, her style was always classic and elegant. In one episode, she threw a baby shower for Miranda that featured a four-tier diaper cake - layers of disposable diapers festooned with other necessities like rattles, teething rings, etc.

I was tickled pink to receive my own diaper cake, which was decorated with a cheerful bunny toy, girlie purple pacifiers and a pink bottle brush. Inside, a baby bottle served as an anchor for the layers of newborn-size diapers. It was adorable.

I loved it.

It was the perfect gift. So very Charlotte, so very Niesha.