Author: Tra Huynh

A Spontaneous Sunset Photoshoot at Week 26

~ Tra Huynh ~ Leave a comment

Last Thursday, on the way home after meeting with a potential client at Starbucks to discuss ideas for her graduation photoshoot, I was struck by another one of those blissful moments in the car. The air was warm. The sun was soft. The weather was cooler unlike the hot scorching temperature we have had in the last several weeks. And baby was kicking when I tried to talk to her. 

The offer we put in for the house in Elk Grove was accepted last week. We had an inspection walk-through on Wednesday which had me and Henry feeling even more giddy and excited. We remember it being very airy and spacious when walking in but we forgot how bright the house was. There are windows everywhere. There was even a large skylight in the main room, so the whole house was filled with natural light when we were there at 2pm for the inspection. 

Overwhelmed with happiness, I came home and asked Henry if we can finally go to the wild field down the street from our house to take some sunset photos. Surprisingly, he said yes! So I put on the tightest dress I own, sport my new tennis shoes and tried on a handful of shirts just to get this casual look that I saw some girl wore on Instagram. Then we drove down the street to an abandoned field just to take some photos to document this stage. 

At 27 weeks & 1 day today, baby is approximately 14 inches long and weighs about 2 lbs.
I am looking the best I’ve been since getting pregnant. I can somewhat hide the belly when I’m out shooting and working but otherwise, I’ve been proudly showing it off everywhere I go. 

On another note, I’ve been getting lots of backaches, mainly when I’m lying down. Sleeping has been really uncomfortable as lying on any side and all sides make my back hurts and my body sore. I can’t eat spicy food or greasy food anymore. I get heartburn wayyyy too easily that it is not worth it. I am addicted to the mint mojito coffee at Philz. Henry and I have been frequently there wayyy too often. Just thinking amount the amount of money wasted on coffee makes my stomach hurts so I started experimenting with making the mint mojito coffee at home. The first time turned out really good. 

I’ve been on Pinterest looking for ideas to decorate London’s room along with decoration ideas for the new house. Stay tuned cuz the next post will be all about those DIY projects. 

Happy Monday, love! 

Baby Kicks

~ Tra Huynh ~ Leave a comment

Henry and I are such dorks. 

Last night, I was supposed to be productive and finish editing a wedding gallery while he was supposed to get ready for bed (since he works at 4am each morning). At 9pm while sitting in front of the computer, I had this brilliant idea to shine a flash light through my stomach to see if we can make London kick. I read that by now at 25 weeks, she can’t open her eyes yet but she should be able to detect light. She’ll either love it or hate it but either way, it should get some sort of reaction out of her. Henry has been against this idea for a long time so I was surprised he went along last night.

Like with a stethoscope, he shined it from one side of my belly and gently dragged it to the other side. I tried so hard to stay still to feel baby girl’s kicks. 

But NOTHING!!!

At 9:30pm, Henry brought in a portable speaker so we were blasting rock music to my belly. Then we switched over to playing 90’s R&B to her.  She started to kick here and there. I think we only got one or two semi-strong ones out of her. Then I tried eating an ice cream sandwich but nope! She only gave me a few soft kicks and that was it!!! 😏😏

We ended up falling asleep listening to 90’s R&B music around 10. We didn’t feel as many kicks as we had hoped to but I want to document this moment because little moments like these made my heart flutters: sitting in bed at 9:30 with the Hubby, eating ice cream without spilling on the white sheets and listening to Al Green blasting through the speaker.


9/5/17: 25 weeks. Baby is approx 13 inches and weigh about 1.5 lbs. 

“Dear London”: A letter to my unborn baby

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Dear London,

Mommy and Daddy have never been happier and it is all because of you.




Since day 1, you’ve been so good to Mommy. No morning sickness. No excessive fatigue. And now I just received news from the lab that I don’t have gestation diabetes neither.


Thank you for being so good to Mommy.  Last week when the Doctor said that you weigh in the 75th percentile of babies in your group, we were so happy that we nearly cried. You, my little child, weigh more than 75% of the other kids in your category. Wah!!!!! I am so proud!



Today Mommy and Daddy received an offer on our house. After some considerations, we decided to accept it. If everything works out, we will close in 25 days. This means starting this week, we can start looking at houses to buy. And do you know what Mommy is most excited about out of all of this?

“What will London’s room look like?”


You might not realize it yet but you are soooo loved, my little one. So continue to grow strong and healthy. Mommy and Daddy cannot wait to meet you soon.

8/30/17- 24 weeks and  4 days along.

Pretty Morning Light 

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Woke up at 4 because I was so hungry. I tried to stay in bed a bit longer but that didn’t turn into anything productive. I was browsing on Instagram the whole time. 😏😏 


So I got up and started editing.

 Then the prettiest light came through the window pane. 

  


Check out Jixer’s lil’ tail: 


And of course the bump. 

#24weeks and counting. Exciting that I can feel baby girl’s kicks now. 

7:45am: Now that I’ve eaten, worked and BS’s around a bit, I think I’ll go back to bed for a little while now. See you in 2 hrs. 

22 Weeks: Selling Our House 

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We’ve talked about selling our house and moving to a neighborhood with a better school district since getting pregnant but the thought of cleaning and fixing up the house was just too overwhelming. After 3 months of sitting on the fence about it though, we are making it happen with the help of our realtor and his team!

Right after we signed the contract, the following morning this sign was erected on our front lawn. It was surprisingly quick, alarming yet impressive! Henry came home and was like, “Shit! It’s really happening babe!”

When I moved to CA from FL in 2007, the market was so high that I never thought I’d be able to own a house here. But when the economy crashed, my Mom urged me to take the opportunity to invest into a property. With my parents and my older brother’s help, I was able to buy a home on my own at age 25. It wasn’t easy though. I remember struggling a lot at the time to make mortgage payment and to be able to pay off all the bills each month. 


Back in April 2010 when we closed escrow. 


Last week, we got quotes from the contractor and the yard guy so this week, they are here to help us fix up the house. Henry and I tried to do some of it ourselves but we are not handy ppl. So  we decided to just leave it to the professionals to do it right and to do it fast!


We are hoping to be able to list the house next week and sell it within the next 2 months. The housing market is so hot right now so hopefully that is a realistic goal! 

We are ready to start a new chapter of our lives with a new house, a new baby on a new adventure. 


Wouldn’t it be amazing if we are able to sell the house AND buy a new one within that 2 month window though? Realistically, I’m hoping to be able to get into a new place before Thanksgiving but I’m crossing my fingers and toes & hoping for sooner.

Btw, overalls is my new obsession. Life lately has been a struggle with looking cute and finding pants that will fit. I got these at Goodwill earlier this week and I am in love!!! They are just so cute and convenient. 

Got to get out of bed now. I have to meet up with our realtor and contractor this morning to go buy laminate to redo the flooring. 

Until next post, take care guys!!!

Tra 

She Waved At Me

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I saw her yesterday.

She waved at me. 

I think she did.

The idea that she knew who I am made my heart fluttered. 

Tears came running. 

Oh no! I am crying again. 

My vision blurred. But for sure, this time it was happy tears, unlike the last time. 

I waited for a whole month only to see her for 5 minutes. But it’s okay. To see that she’s doing well is good enough for me. 

My heart, my soul, all of me, my everything, is so happy. 

Yesterday, we had our 10 week dr appt. I seriously have been looking forward to this visit for a whole month. I even had a second dream that we are having a girl. I was so excited to see baby and blocked off 2 hrs that afternoon for the dr appt. 

It lasted 10 mins total. I was so disappointed cuz I was really hoping to be able to see our baby a little longer.

But…

The good news is that baby is doing well. Heartbeat is at 150 beat per minute now versus 4 weeks ago when it was only 100. Dr. Said the range is 110-160 so a 150 is good and healthy. 

The growth looks good. Baby is now considered a fetus. All of the body part is there. Her hand was up and waving at us the whole time as though she’s yelling out, “MOMMY! Mommy! Daddy! Daddy! I see you!!!!” 

“MOMMY! MOMMY! DADDY!! Daddy!! I love you!! I love you!! I love you!!!! ” 

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I cried so much seeing how much she has grown since the last time. She’s a kumquat now versus a pea the last time. I just couldn’t believe it. I barely have any morning sickness or any cravings so other than being super hungry all the time and peeing every hour, I can hardly tell that I am pregnant. 

BUT I have gained 5 lbs since I went to the dr last. That’s a total of 13 lbs gain, which is a bit alarming. I can barely fit into my jeans anymore. Henry caught me on the bed Saturday morning looking super sad cuz “I DON’T KNOW WHAT FITS ANYMORE.” Yesterday he actually told me to go buy more dresses so that I don’t have to wear the same dress 3 times a week. Lmao… 

Earlier today, after meeting with my client, I went to Ross. I tried on 22 dresses only to have 3 fits somewhat decently. Oh my GAWDDDD! The story of my life. But I am not tripping about it. I freaken love my life. 

WHY? BECAUSE My baby is healthy!!!!!! **doing the happy dance***

Henry said “No!” on this one
Which means it’s time to plan our announcement photos. Yay! Yay! Yay! 

WE’RE PREGNANT 

~ Tra Huynh ~ Leave a comment

It was Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 4:30pm. We just got home from a 2.5 hr drive from San Jose, after spending 18 days in Asia visiting Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. 

When I was Hong Kong, the smell of pig intestines at the street stalls made me very uncomfortable. I’ve been taking my temperature for the ovulation app and it was over 98 degree for over 2 weeks. My friend Mai said that her temperature was over 98 degree for 2 consecutive weeks after she got pregnant so I was suspicious. I was hungry very often too. And my sense of smell is spiked, esp with bad smell.

So right after we got back from the trip, I told Henry let’s go to Walgreens to buy a pregnancy test. It was about 4pm when we got home. I thought, “They said it is best to test in the morning when your pee is concentrated. So until then, let me use one of these cheap pregnancy test strip that’s in the ovulation kit. I’ll use the expensive pregnancy test tomorrow.”

Low and behold, that strip came out positive. I screamed so loud cuz it had never turned positive before on the many, many times that I have tested. It was always 1 red line showing across, which is a negative. So I couldn’t believe it. THERE ARE 2 FREAKEN LINES HERE. 

Henry ran in and we hugged each other and we just cried. 

Then I said, “Hold on! Hold on! Let me test with the expensive one too, just to make sure since this one is so cheap.”

It took forever for the result to come out. But finally after what seemed like an eternity, okay, like 3 minutes, it said “pregnant”. 

Holy shit! I screamed even louder. 

Henry freaked out and ran into the bathroom to make sure I am okay. I waved to exposed strip in front of him to show the huge “Pregnant” result. Instantly tears busted out and we cried and cried. It is the best thing that has happened to us. 

Henry’s like, “Do I really have to hold your pee stick?” 


We have been trying for a year and a half now and it finally happened!!!! We are going to be parents!!!!! 

We called our parents who didn’t answer. We called our nieces and they freaked out!!!!! For the last 2 years that they have been nagging me for a cousin, it has finally happened. 


The cutest part was that they ran around the house screaming. 

Then the funniest thing happened at 7:15. my Dad read the message on FB and replied with a Thumbs up! Seriously, my Dad never reply to anything.  How the heck does he even know how to do that? 

But like my sister said, “some reactions can only be expressed through emoji.”

And making miracle is one of those things!!! 

I’m so hungry 

~ Tra Huynh ~ Leave a comment

It’s 11:20pm and I’m trying to decide if I should go to bed or not. I’m kinda lazy and don’t want to walk Jixer but I know I need to. But most importantly, I am soooo hungry that I don’t think I can sleep.


 And lately, when I am hungry, my sense of smell is super sensitive. Jixer is sleeping 2 feet away from me on the couch and his shampoo smell is driving me nuts.  Henry just washed him earlier tonight so he actually smells pretty good. But the fume is a bit strong and my nose just can’t stand it. I said the same thing 2 weeks ago when I took Jixer to the spa to get his nails trimmed and his fur bathed. I told Henry the smell drives me nuts. I felt like I could smell the whole doggie day care on him and it makes my stomach sick.


My poor baby. Mama is being so hard on you. But I swear it is not you, just your shampoo smell. 

It is also very ironic that I am hungry now because I feel that all I did today was eat, drink and repeat. I went to lunch with Huyen, then boba tea with Kaylie, and dinner with Lily. It was all play and no work today, unless you count scouting locations as work. 

Korean food dinner with Lily at Elk Grove House of Tofu. 
Ugh! So tired and hungry. I am going to go to bed. 

2 weeks and 4 days since finding out that I am pregnant. 

Lunch with Huyen at Taste of Angkor.

Fushimi Inari Temple in Kyoto

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One of our favorite spots in Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Shrine so I think it deserves its own post. Before going, I have always seen photos of the orange pillars that everyone walks through.  What I didn’t realized was that there are thousands of them, all lined up to lead you up the mountain. 


Spring is coming to Japan so the cherry blossoms are starting to bloom. And what a sight they are. 

In front of the entrance to Fushimi Inari temple. On the left you can see a lot of ppl are using the water provided to clean their hands and mouth before praying. It is a new custom we learned here. 


In Kyoto, there were lots of girls dressed up in kimonos walking everywhere. I was tempted but since I did that with my sister already in Tokyo, I passed on the opportunity. In general, it is abiut $50 to rent the kimonos and walk around for the day. There are tons of shops to rent it from.

We noticed there are these sticks that you ask questions, shake and see what answers come out. Except it was in Japanese so we couldn’t understand it. 😦  

As you head to the path up the mountain, you enter the pillars. Ideally, this is what you’d like to see: less ppl and more opportunities to take selfies. 

But in reality, there are ppl everywhere! EVERYWHERE! We went at 4pm the first day we got to Kyoto and it was jammed back with tourists.
But as you go up and up more, people start to fall off so it will become less crowded. 

And if you are persistent enough to make it to the top of the mountain, you’ll get this view of all of Kyoto.



Then on your way down, you can reward yourself with food from the street stalls right outside. Hahahah… 

Until next time,

Tra

First Night in Japan

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First night in Shinjuku: 
– Custom was super smooth and easy.

– Was so confused about money conversion and thought that our uber ride was $27 but it turned out to be $263 😭😭😭. 
Oh well, just have to take the bullet since we can’t do much about it anymore. We were stranded on the plane for 3 hrs in LAX cuz of some machine problem and was so tired. (Yes, we knew about the train but in my confused state thought, “oh, that’s not so expensive for a 1.5 hr ride into the city. How can he pay for gas and toll with $27? 😜😜😜 ) Just going tothink of it as a rookie mistake. Going to eat musubi spam for the rest of the trip now. 


– Arrived at our super clean studio Airbnb. Super amazed how they can fit everything into such a tiny space. Showered cuz my hair was super flat. Went around at 9 to scout for food and decided on a charcolal grilled meat restaurant. Was so confused about portion (how much is 100 gram?) and kept changing order at the grilled meat restaurant (the poor waiter). 

–  Note: Smoking is allowed inside of the restaurant here. 


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– Laughed our butts off when they have this spray so you can get the charcoal smell off when you leave. Seriously, it is the most interesting invention ever. 

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– Walked around in Shinjuku at 11pm to find what looked like Times Square. Tons of young people are out everywhere, very fashionable young ppl. 

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– At the crosswalk, once the walking signal turned on, it seemed as though herds and herds of ppl rushed across the street. 
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– Walked by tons of what seemed to be called “ladies bars”. Guys with laminated printout picture of different girls “available”(? Like inventory) stood outside. I’m assuming these are girls to accompany you while you chat with your other guy friends and have drinks? Like coffee shops in SoCal? Cuz some girls were standing outside too with a chalkboard with their name and what looked like “60 mins for $30?” (Why can’t I read Japanese? 😣😣😣 

That seemed cheap for anything else. 

– The funny thing is that mainly guys in suits are outside of the establishments with these signs. When girls are standing outside, they are bundled up in big poofy jackets cuz it was so chilly outside. (Def not a way to sell.😜😜😜). I told Henry he should go experience that and let me know what and how it is. Hahahah.


– I noticed that there seemed to be more guys out than girls. Like tons of guys are out in the street here. Guys here in general are really tall and slim, and they all seem to have similar haircuts.

(4:15am.. going back to sleep now.) 

Until tomorrow. I am going to attempt to write briefly everyday cuz I noticed the details are more vivid when I do so instead of waiting until I come back. 
Tra 

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