Christmas Present

Well Sofia's present to us was giggles at the end of the day on the changing table. Tom was blowing raspberries on her tummy! It was hilarious! By the time I got the recorder though....she was done...Bummer. Maybe today!

Good news!

Well Tom was selected to be promoted to Lt. Colonel!! YIPPEE! He will pin on in 2012, so earlier than we expected.
He came home from Korea last night after being there for about a week. He had to take his pack and MREs and I was not really sure why...I joked that maybe he was going on a secret mission to get Mr. Il.....hahahhah. Ok but then a few days after he left I talked to a neighbor whose husband happened to be with mine, and she kind of gave me the feeling she was a little worried...I am thinking "what is going on over there"...so I turn on the AFN channel...these are the military run programming when you live on base...lots of interesting military based commercials...anyhow apparently there has been something going on with N. Korea threatening S. Korea for doing some live fire exercises on an island....oh well that is where Tom was! I guess that maybe I should read the news or whatever, but then I thought about it, and not knowing saved me 6 days or so of worrying, so maybe I will keep my head in the sand sometimes!
Going to post videos this week I hope...I got some really cute ones..at least I think so!

HAHHAHAHA!

Today Sofia was eating...well drinking, and she looked up at me...tensed up, lifted a leg a little, and ripped a big fart! HAHHAH! She smiled and kept on drinking! This will be one moment that I will never forget...I am still laughing!

3 months

Well this week has been serious for Sofia. I was wondering what all the extra feeding and messed up sleeping was bringing, and finally found out! She is now able to roll from front to back...it kind of freaked her out at first, but then that is all she wanted to do. Also I supplied a new toy this week (which she loves) and did the first intentional grab and jam in mouth.

http://www.forsmallhands.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1265_1782

She picked it up and jammed it in her mouth and partly onto her forehead...it is kinda big. Glad she didn't hit the eye! This is one I need to watch her with for now, but it is great for learning to use her hands. It is a perfect size for her to grab. I find that most of her stuffed toys are too big for her to really get her hands around...the only one so far has been a little snake I got from IKEA....but it is kind of disturbing to have a snake be her first toy. Not that I have anything against snakes, but you imagine bears and bunnies being your newborns toys.
Anyhow...I highly recommend this!
Her other favorite is the cow, which has a hinge on the neck (so wrong) that opens to a mirror. I keep that closed for now, but it has crunchy sounding collar pieces and a variety of textures that she is just so fascinated with.
Took some videos, but Tom is in Korea and I have no idea how to get video off the camera and onto here....so later all.

We almost are laughing. I can almost get her to when I kiss her belly or feet, but not quite yet!

The Christmas Fair

Last night we went to the Christmas Fair on base. It was basically a carnival, but it was cool. Sofia fell asleep in the stroller and we could not resist her cuteness!

Mr. Kitty's Last Stand

Well today we say goodbye to a great lamp...Mr. Kitty. He was there for many nighttime diaper changes, and we commend him for his service.
Goodbye Mr. Kitty :(
Yes...he had a tail!

Cat in tree

So cute!!

Tom to deploy

Tom has been slated to fill a watch position in Afghanistan end of January for 6 months. It is a relatively safe assignment, but most likely extremely boring. Good for me, but not so good for his sanity. I hope we will have internet access so we can Skype to help with the boredom.
He has also been slated for an interview on Tues to possibly be the incoming 3 star General's aide...really not thinking he will get this as he has already been pretty much slated for Afghanistan, but you never know.
With this news I will be planning some travel back to the states...Spring will be AZ...cause sorry all relatives there, but I am not coming in summer! I will go to CA for my summer trip. I hope to see many of you, and will give more details as they come!

2.5 to 2.75 months

Today Sofia weighs 12.4 lbs and has graduated into her 3-6 months attire! We finally have a decent sleep pattern...in bed by 10 pm...one wake up around 4-5...then final wake up at 8! I am so glad I can get some sleep these days. She still naps 3-4 times a day and feeds a lot!
Last night she did a 360 in the crib...we are just waiting to see when she decides to jump ship mid night and run all over the house...I guess we will give it a few months or so!
No rolling yet, but we are working on it. Is able to grab and slobber all over her toys though, and is very interested in being held upright so she can watch everything that is going on while you walk her around. Cutest thing was Tom and her staring at the TV the other night....wait until her shows her the computer!

The bouncer

Ok so....we have the bouncer, and recently she has decided she likes to be in it while she watches me do chores and stuff around the house. Now thumbs up to the relief my arms have been feeling, but thumbs down to the inevitable poop that follows every time she gets in the thing! This is an exceptional poo because since she is sitting reclined a little when she poos it has no where to go but into the front of the diaper.....then once you are at the changing table and the kid decides she will use her new found hands to explore...of course she chooses to stick them right in the poo!! Microbiology nightmare!! So I am trying to hold feet, hands and get a towel and remove a diaper at the same time....good luck right? I have found a technique that works...at least minimizes the damage.
First place a sock on the culprit hand...generally the other is in her mouth already! The sock is used to distract her from feeling anything else...although it has been placed in the poo a few times...it is a 50/50 chance people.
Second open diaper and place towel over front area.
Third remove diaper while holding legs, and quickly grab towel to wipe back side before placing behind on the changing area.
Fourth wipe everything up with multiple towels and one wipe down with our new found friend...Mustela no rinse stuff.
Fifth remove sock from hand (it should be noted that it may be removed at any point it gets funky).
Sixth wipe hand if sock was removed prior and there are any doubts to poo presence.

First giggle!

Well we had our 2 month check up with first immunizations today, and it went way better than I expected. I was filling out a questionnaire on her growth and progress like grabbing things cooing etc. There was a question about if she has started to laugh, and I checked the box for not yet....then I am finishing up the next page of questions when in her sleep she giggled...twice! It was the cutest thing!! I hope to see more of it soon, but I think it may be a bit considering the shots were not her favorite thing. She turned purple, but was surprisingly consoled the minute I picked her up off the table. They only half let me hold her, so they could control her legs and I would avoid getting stuck with a needle. Understandable. Anyhow...she did well and was so good in her car seat that I was able to get the mail, which is about a 5 min drive away. Then we got home and she took a nap in my arms while I watched a movie...then the pain or something set in...no fever...no boobie, and clean diaper, so I gave her half a dose of what they recommended for her, and she is now sleeping happy in her swing! Oh yes I can finally put her down sometimes in the bouncer or the swing. For those of you who don't know...Sofia likes to be walked....a lot...and sometimes it is the only way to calm her...especially to get her to sleep. Needless to say it has helped me get back to pre-pregnancy weight and I will probably have legs like a speedskater soon, but oh well.
That is it for now...going to get in another movie if I can!

Comfy Couches

Beware...

Burping and Crying

Sofia does not like to burp...in true lady fashion she cries after she burps or gives the quiver lip and pouts! HAHAHHAHA

My new theory is that children are already planning their future sneaking out of the house attempts by making their parents deaf with a certain octave/note or whatever it is called while they are babies. It starts young people....no they are not innocent! HAHHAHAHHA

Trip to the Passport Office

Ok so when Grandma and Bobbie came Grandma's passport was only valid for her trip here...to return she had to get a new one from the Japanese passport office.
This led to a few trips down there needless to say...this is a recap of one of the trips!

So we head out to pick up Hiroshi and Akemi and stop by to drop off the passport application. We planned to do this first and then pick up Hiroshi and Akemi...we planned! We get in the car with diaper bag full (5 diapers, change of clothes etc.) kid in tow. It takes about an hour to get to the office, so we are hoping Sofia will stay asleep for a good portion of the trip. Not so much! We have to stop for first diaper change and feeding midway. That works out ok, but now we need to go to the airport first. We get to the airport and of course diaper change and feeding, but this diaper change requires 2 diapers because she peed in one and then pooped immediately in the fresh one I put on! We are now down to 2...I am thinking we will make it, but....
We get to the passport office and she has peed again. I drop off everyone and they head up to the office. I am changing Sofia in the car in a loading zone. She is crying. She poops. Now my last diaper is used and during all this she also lost her original outfit and is in the spare.Then decides she wants to pee again...Great! What do I use Macgyver?? I remembered that I had a maxi pad for myself just in case I needed it...ok what can I stick this to....hmmm ok I have a baby hat...good enough. So there is Sofia with a maxi pad in a baby hat, and I am crossing my fingers she doesn't go for a while. I am waiting a really long time, so I ask the security guard where I can park. He directs me to another garage across the street. I go and feed Sofia...
We get on the expressway...so far so good. Now all we need is no pee for 45 min. HAHHAHAH yeah right!! So since it is late we decide to stop in at the Kentucky Fried Chicken...and then pee happens....and of course the pad couldn't hold it all and it goes all over her last outfit. Now we resort to the naked baby wrapped in a blanket with a receiving blanket under her bum to absorb anything else that happens! Poor kid!
So we finally make it back to a warm bath, and footie jammies!

At least I can say that being a parent will make you more creative and calm during crisis!
Oh and we now carry 9 diapers for any outing!

5.5 weeks!

This was a post I was trying to write a few weeks ago!

Well Sofia now makes full eye contact with us! She also likes Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keefe that we have above the couch. She is gaining weight, and is breaking my arms and back! Her latest addition is her double chin! It is irresistible!! Picture soon....Tom is on duty and heading to the Philippines on Sat.

Love the Cloth Diapers!!

Ok well Tom was skeptical...I was not sure I would be able to do it, but our cloth diapers from Bum Genius are awesome!!
Since I am staying home for our tour here in Okinawa and I am inclined to do planet and health conscious things I decided to buy 36 cloth diapers = 3 days worth. 12 in the drawer, 12 in the diaper pail, and 12 in the washer. So far it has been not that bad at all!
I do laundry every day is the only downside, but is is manageable. I love that the diapers are chemical free and very soft. We have had no leaks or blowouts...I hope I have not cursed myself by saying that!! They are adjustable, so they should last until she potty trains = very cheap! They were $18 a piece and we also spend .08 cents on diaper liners ( to keep most of the poo off the cloth) per diaper. These liners obviously are for one use only and come from Kushies. We had to use regular diapers until she met the 8 lb requirement for the diapers, and we couldn't believe how expensive they were! We paid like $10 for 3 days worth!! At that rate I figure that our diapers will pay for themselves in 64 days...and if we add the expense of the liner then we are looking at maybe another 3 days each month she is in diapers ( about $30 a month)...WOW! I knew we would save money, but not that much money!
Oh and yeah they are also good for our planet...how about that!?

The Swaddler

These inventions that are a swaddling blanket with velcro are a life saver on the nights when nothing seems to sooth your kid...heads up Stella!! I think you can get them at Babies R Us.

The Launcher

Well I am sort of back on the scene...it has been hard adjusting, but finally Sofia will sleep awhile without me holding her. It is really cute how particular and demanding Sofia can already be at times...when I am holding her and I need to move even just a fraction of an inch there will be protests that are hilarious, which if I can get on tape I will. A really funny thing is when a boobie runs out and she is still hungry (she apparently forgets there is another one) she gets mad, and protests...Bobbie and Grandma witnessed it and we all were laughing! I am really tired, but glad to be getting back into the swing of things!

This is to amend the previous blog...
We have now encountered a new type of poo...we dubbed "the launcher". This is when you are just about to put the diaper on and you think you've got the "all clear" when suddenly poo flies out and hits whatever is in its path until landfall! Holy moly! Items that have been hit include: hands, diaper, diaper pail, wall (4 feet away), changing table, photo frame that I stashed on said wall until we fill with pics of family, laundry basket, and Mr. Kitty lamp. Our real cats have managed to avoid the disasters! Tom and I are not that lucky!!
Cleanup? Forget about it! We are still finding little spots on the wall from the first one, and Mr. Kitty is on his last leg!

Our entertainment

How can something that looks so sweet make such hideous smells? Our new form of entertainment in our sleep deprived state is our daughter...this somehow includes her poop and gas. This has had us in hysterics as we change her diapers! I remember reading or hearing that breastfed babies poo does not smell...oh ummm that person was totally mistaken! This is what we have observed so far...

1. Gas - horrible smell, but somehow causes her to smile and us to laugh.

2. The Streaker - This is when there was a poo earlier, and not all of it was expelled and then a little gas happens, and hence a streak in the diaper.

3. The Poop - This is when you need to be within the same room to hear it, and it is pretty small clean up (maybe 4-5 hot wash towels).

4. The Exploder - This is when you can hear the poo arrive in the diaper from across the house (1300 sq ft. is small, but still...). It generally requires 2-3 firings to be complete. If you are lucky she will do this when you are not holding her behind, but generally seems that she waits until that exact moment to deliver! The clean up of this is an artform generally requiring all hot wash towels from stash. This is why we are doing laundry once a day.

5. Wee - This is generally what is done after you take off the diaper to change #2-4, or has also been known to happen just as soon as the new clean diaper has just been readied for application, but not quite in time to catch the wee and save the changing table from another cleaning and ... changing.

We love you Sofia!

Breastfeeding

So Tom and I are sitting on the couch watching a movie tonight, and all of a sudden my boobs started to hurt. I turned to Tom and told him, and he looks at me and says "you better get the kid on there or grab the pump"...I look down and both boobs are leaking small puddles into my shirt. We both lost it for a few minutes...I then grabbed Sofia! Ah the joys of breastfeeding!

Sofia's first days

So the story continues...
We stayed at the hospital for 48 hours. They discharged Sofia with borderline jaundice and with instructions to put her on a "Bilibed" (phototherapy light bed that you can take home with you) constantly except for feedings. We had an appt. the next day for biliruben level check.
We had a really hard night, as she was sort of inconsolable and was not really happy with the bed situation.
At the next appt. we found out that biliruben levels had not changed much...not surprised as we only kept her down without crying for maybe 6 hours. What did surprise us was that she lost 14% of her body weight from birth. I was breast feeding like mad....nipples totally feeling it, so what was going on? Well were told to supplement with formula, as it was that my milk had not come in yet. Now I know that when your milk comes in your boobs have a mind of their own, and fire at will! Anyhow we supplemented for a few days with formula until my breastmilk finally came in 6 days after labor. Like I said - mind of their own!
Sofia had Dr. appts every day until the jaundice levels were down. We only had to use the bed one day after we supplemented. Apparently satisfied kids sleep well. Poor thing though had to get a heel stick every day as well. At least that is over now! We just had our final visit today, and thanks to breast milk Sofia gained about 3/4 lb over the weekend. We can now feed every 3 hours vice every 2, which can I say is very tiring!
She is starting to recognize us visually, and we had a smile today that wasn't while she was dreaming...it may have been just a coincidence, but I like to think she was actually smiling at me, and not having a involuntary reaction cause it was so heart melting!
Also included here is what happens after pregnancy...I won't even delve into the multitude of things going on with my abdominal area, but let me say it is quite interesting. The swollen ankles and feet were unexpected. I was wrong when I said my feet were swollen before...that was a joke compared to what did happen!
I am so glad to not have the extra weight in front though. I can touch my feet now, and sleep in many positions, and reach to get things without my belly dragging in them....this is in reference to the buffet we went to in which I was scooping out rice, and my belly landed in the water dish with the rice spoon in it. Lovely.

Sofia arrives!

Well "Hi" to everyone, and thank you so much for all the well wishes! We are just starting to get some sleep around here and catch up on things. So I know you all want details so here goes...
So it was my water leaking at 3 am that morning of the 18th. We decided to wait until contractions got bad or at least regular. That never happened, but what did happen scared the crap out of me - at around 3 pm my water broke...no no not even Hollywood style, but holy crap there is a lake around me, and I am on the floor trying to keep some in to cushion the baby! That was my first freak out episode....Tom held it together for me, and kept telling me it was ok, but 5 bath towels later I was really concerned that I had lost too much. At around 4 pm we headed to the hospital where our doula met us....I dripped my way to L & D apologizing to the staff about the floor. Had to walk with a towel between my legs which I am sure looked hilarious!
Dr. examines me and "what?!" I am still only 3 cm. Good news is that now that you can feel the baby better the weight estimate dropped to high 7! Yay! We walk the typhoon ramp between intermittent fetal monitoring, and contractions set in. I think my doula has accurate times, but I think around 5 or 6 am the morning of the 19th I had to start pushing. I could not hold back the reverse vomit that was going on. Pushing contractions are so strong I really thought I was going to be hurled across the room! I was 9-10 cm, but I had a little bit of cervix left - I believe it was called an anterior lip. Anyhow this required that when I pushed the Dr. was trying to push the cervix around the babies head...can I just say "OUCH!".
Ok so Dr. shift change and I get the woman Dr. that I wanted! Yippee! Around 7-8 am after pushing Sofia down a little more the Dr. tells me that she is sideways and this is why we are not making much progress. Since I am on no drugs at this time she tells me there is nothing she can do to turn the kid - I just have to somehow summon superhuman strength after 14+ hours of labor and pushing...oh ok! I tried and tried, but I just did not have it in me anymore (2nd freak out). In comes the anesthesia man from heaven! I ended up getting a spinal just to get through the last 3 or so hours - it was fantastic! Weird to see my legs move and not feel them though! Now that I have drugs the Dr. proceeds to stick every finger possible into my personal space and tries to move the baby around with each push and even sometimes when I am not pushing. Tom stated that he really was not expecting the amount of blood that happened during all this. I didn't look too much down there...I don't even want to know! This is the 3rd freak out because I am pooping at every push, and I was so embarrassed! The only thing that sort of makes it better is that the Dr. said that is how she knew I was pushing right. I officially have no dignity left. At around 10 the Dr. was getting worried about infection occuring as my water had been broken for a while. She started talking about a forcep delivery, and I was not happy because she wanted to give me another 2 shots to help numb my area for that. Enter 4th total freak out/melt down. I kept pushing until I finally had to give into the shots - here comes the Dr. with a 10 inch needle - holy crap! Did not work to numb me, so forceps are out. Luckily...the spinal was wearing off, so I was starting to get some real good pushes in.
The last 4 contractions were the hardest because now is the time you don't push, but you need to push just enough to keep the baby from sliding back up...meanwhile she is literally between your legs....this hurts like hell! I had to get her out, so I was trying my hardest and finally after 4 or 5 contractions she finally made her way out at 11:43 am!
She was blue...her nickname is now Smurfette. They took her over and suctioned her lungs a few times, and did all the other regular stimulations, and finally we heard her cry. Tom was so excited and was telling me that we did it, and I was like crying and saying..."I am sorry, but I don't think I can do this again". HAHAHAHH
The kid decided to have her first poop and wee in the warmer while they were working on her...oh and this was only the beginning!

I think my water broke!

I don't want to get too excited just yet, but at around 3 this morning I had an interesting experience. Will not go into the details, but I have been having trickles of fluid when I lay down and get back up ever since. Probably her big head plugging it up when I sit up. I had intense contractions for over an hour at 6-7 min apart. Then was hungry...went to kitchen to eat, and remembered that I was not thinking this would happen at all - I was banking on Tuesday's induction. We had left all dishes and kitchen dirty, as I was going to clean the house today....so I decided to clean the kitchen through contractions from about 4 to 5. Fun times! Tom was napping on couch through me telling him when a contraction started! ahahhaha! We were able to get a little sleep after the cleaning....and now we are trying to get the contractions back up to pace. Going to shower...my final shower for a while...ewwww, and do the final packing of our bags. We know that when we call the hospital they will want us to come in to verify water breakage, and will probably admit, so they can monitor Sofia. She is still very active, so I am not worried at this stage, and all fluid is clear. We will send e-mails when we leave, and some of you will have to forward if we missed someone. We will try to make a few quick phone calls as well. I really hope this is it!!

Our light at the end of the tunnel!

I was really excited to have my no medical intervention birth, but now I am just thrilled to hear at our appt today our midwife come in and say "we have scheduled you for an induction on Sep 21st".
My cervix has not changed at all. Issue seems to be that Sofia's head will not engage (drop into my pelvis). From what I am understanding them tell me is that contractions and an engaged head are needed to open the cervix. Furthermore something like the head engaging also helps the contractions come regularly. My theory is that the head was too big 2 weeks ago to engage! We will see what happens. Labor still has a chance of starting on it's own, but my gut feeling is that I will be induced, and then have to have a C-section due to head size. Figures that the exact opposite of what I wanted will happen. I think that is what they called character building via life lessons. Either way there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I am very happy about that.

Due day has come and gone

Well Sep 12th is passing by and will be over in a few hours. Still no labor. I had a little mental breakdown and we decided to get out for a bit. We went down to the base beach...very nice, but the amount of trash was disturbing. I am going to write a complaint to the camp commander, and once I am able I will go down and do some pick up myself. No marine corps family beach should look this way. I picked up as much as I could fit in a plastic bag I found down there, so that made me feel a little better. Anyhow...then we decided to get some sushi...yes it is safe here for pregnant women, as in Japan as it is so fresh. There is a 100 yen sushi bar down the street from us, and plates of sushi just go by on a little conveyor. It was delicious! The bar even has hot water spigot, so you can make tea yourself. Then tonight there were 2 different Eisa/Matsuri dances(summer festival dances. Very cool, but not too many places to sit. Tom was able to get some good pictures, and I will post them tomorrow if he downloads them off the camera. I hope the drums were enticing for Sofia. I wish she would figure out (before she hits 10 lbs) that there is way more interesting stuff outside the uterus! Dr. appt. tomorrow to probably schedule induction by the 20th, as that will be 41 weeks.
Off to bed now.

Still waiting

On a humorous note...Tom's office now has a pool going for a free coffee. HAHAHHAH

WTF!?

Well as you can see we are not at the hospital. Contractions stalled, and I am disgruntled.

Today will most likely be the day

Well we went to the hospital yesterday, and after checking the Dr. told me I was 90% effaced and maybe 2 cm, so I had my membranes stripped to help along the process, which let me say was very painful! The Dr. had to actually break through the cervix, as his finger is bigger than 2 cm....lovely. I would hate to see what other "invasive" procedures feel like. Anyhow we got home and not much difference. I was a little crampy and sore, but after what just occurred it seemed reasonable. Started having stronger contractions last night around 10, and awoke this morning to 6 min apart decent contractions. We are headed to another Dr. appt. at 7 am here, so won't be home for a bit. May end up staying at the hospital depending on where my contractions are in the next hour and what the Dr. says. I hope to labor at home for as long as possible though. No breaking water yet.
I have to hop in the shower now, so will update or call key persons in the phone tree (haahahh) soon.

Ok so I am back and I am now 2-3 cm dilated and still having regular contractions. The midwife said that I will most likely be in labor by tonight, so YIPPEE!! Thanks to the Noel side of the family I will be delivering an estimated high 8 to 9 lb baby girl! Tom just laughed and smiled at the confirmation of her size. I am not that excited about it! I am going to try and rest, as we did not sleep well last night or for that long, so e-mails will be sent on our way to the hospital, and doula will e-mail pic and summary after birth.

FINALLY!!

Well no luck!

Thought typhoon would bring on labor, but no luck so far. Could be that it was really a pathetic storm, and seemed just like another day of rain with a little extra wind. Had Dr. appt today, and he estimated Sofia at 8.25 lbs! Holy crap! So we are back to trying to soften the cervix and get labor going by this weekend. If not at next appt next Wed. will have membranes stripped. I walked the typhoon ramp at the naval hospital...it is known to help labor along, so I am crossing my fingers.
On a really cool note...Tom has to burn leave or he loses it, so he is taking the last 2 weeks in Sept. off! This will be great for bonding and helping with Sofia. I am really happy!
That is all for now.

Typhoon update

Well looks like it will be passing directly over us...and I mean it is landing very close to our Camp if not on it and then heading West across the island. Projected time is 1 pm tomorrow. We will be in TCOR 1 at 1 am tomorrow morning. We will see what happens, and how I feel by noonish tomorrow. I really hope labor kicks in by then and we can head safely to the hospital. Having contractions all day, and some are painful. YIPPEE! I have an appt on the 1st, but I think the bases will still be shut down, so I have another appt the week after that. At least if she isn't born by then I will get to that last appt. I am thinking about having them strip my membranes if Sofia has not arrived.
If internet is down you will not hear from us for a while, so cross your fingers that we still have internet before we head to the hospital if I am in labor. Otherwise you all might just get a summary and pic after the fact. Sorry, but it is all up to Sofia these days!

Sofia's possible grand entrance

Well I guess the previous post being the last was too much to ask.
So we wake up this morning after being hermits all weekend to find out that there is a typhoon expected and we are at TCOR 2(destructive winds within 24 hours). TCOR 4 is the bottom and TCOR 1 is the top with a few different side levels at TCOR 1. It is recommended that I head to the hospital at TCOR 1C(destructive winds within 12 hours), which is first side level of TCOR 1. I hear that is supposed to be around 6-8 am tomorrow morning. The hospital has already called house phone and cell phone to tell me what to bring to hospital. I am not that excited, and per Aunt Katie I can stay at home and they will come get me in a 7 ton or humvee if we can't make it to the hospital. Not that I think this is a wise use of Federal resources, but otherwise I will be laboring on a cot with vending machine snacks and no husband, so I will stay at home as long as possible to help with having a less stressful labor and hopefully try to enjoy the labor process as much as possible. If we don't make it then a home birth might be what happens....Aunt Katie be prepared for a phonecall! But really...I hear the locals will still be out like nothing is going on, so I am not worried. It will just be funny if Sofia decides to come during the typhoon. What an entrance, and what a story if we do have the 7 ton pick us up! Will keep you all posted, but not in labor yet.

Please let this be the last post!

Half way through 38 week and still waiting for Sofia. She is now around 7.5 lbs and feisty as ever! The other day there was a foot I think jutting out of my belly. I figured if I gently touch it she will withdraw it and relieve the stretching of my already maxed out belly, but no! She pushed right back...and there you have it. Apparently I had invaded her turf!
Finally the picture of the "ass&^%$" belly button and hopefully the last belly pic. It is not pretty people! Please notice that from the side we see no popping out of the belly button...it is completely flat, and it is really weird when I have a contraction sometimes it indents...ewwwww!

not quite yet

ok well today still a lot of hard contractions. Things are increasing, so hopefully soon! My laptop is down, so there will be communication issues with you all until I get it fixed. What happened you may be asking? Well due to pregnancy clumsiness and my slow to react arthritic hands I spilled a glass of water on it....right into the key board it went. This is after I had switched to plastic glasses, as I was no longer qualified to use glass ones. Broke two in the previous two days, and still have little splinter glass in my foot, which is so comfortable when I put my 157+ lbs on it! So I am limited to Tom's computer and he is already asleep, so I will not be able to log back in. Forgot to get password. It is interesting this night shift he is on mixed with my prelabor. I think this is the last night though YIPPEE!

Trip to the comissary

Ok so I am able to lift my arm again....However now my thumbs are numbish. They feel like when you are recovering from limb falling asleep. Great.
I just got back from running errands to help get gma here, and at least 5 people asked me if I was in labor and needed any help! Two people actually went out of their way to approach me, and one stopped me as I was backing out my car to see if I was able to drive! AHHAHAHH! This either means I am a hard core Marine Corps wife, or I look really really pitiful!! I am not in total pain, but are these people seeing something I am not? Back is crampy, stomach is ridiculously itchy, and definitely things are changing in the exit area...Sofia's exit area. Well I am thinking these are just Braxton Hicks contractions cause everyone has been saying "you will know when you're in labor". Well I really hope it happens tonight! We will see.
Just a review of the Whitman sampler that was calling to me as I perused the comissary for Tylenol, saline solution and eggs...I am normally a See's person, but these were half price and had a nice Halloween wrapping....ooohhh ahhhhh (I am pregnant people!). Anyhow...I highly recommend the Almond Nougat!

36 week Dr. visit

Everything is going well! Sofia's head is down and pushing to get out! I am so swollen that I have lost some use of right arm. I can't move it up and it hurts to lift stuff, so another great pregnancy issue! So considering this...this will be a short update. On the plus side since she has dropped I have my appetite back again! Last night I ate a full plate of food...whoo hoo!

Here is my wonderful husband and the sympathy belly! Not too much sympathy because as you can see...the belly is tiny compared to what I am dealing with, but at least he tried it out. The boobs however were bigger than mine! hahahahh Pretty informative home visit...we even got a color paper poster type thing on the normal variety of kid poop! Great. hahahhaha
I now have arthritic hands from being so swollen.
Our doula Crystal came by today, and dropped off some Evening Primrose to help soften my cervix and bath salts. She is really great and I think the labor will not be half as bad with her support. She has so many techniques to help with all the fun times ahead! She noticed I have dropped a lot! Hopefully you will all get an e-mail soon saying we are headed to the hospital!
We also are looking forward to the visit with Bobbie, Grandma, Akemi and Hiroshi....yes that is right! Grandma will finally be reunited with her brother and his wife. She hasn't seen them for 30 years, and she lost contact at some point a while ago. It will be a really wonderful time for all!
Tom is going to take a few pictures soon of the belly....hopefully the last before Sofia arrives!

ok so I normally don't have the most feminine hands, but my new puffy man hands are impressive. Not sure the photo really expresses it well, but they are so swollen that my knuckles ache! This is a morning pic of the toes...by evening there is no space between my toes! Sofia has moved down a bit...I have noticed I can eat more at each meal! YIPEE! This has come with a price though...many more trips to the bathroom. I will take it though to eat a little more!

35 weeks! Almost there!

First I want to tell everyone that my cousin Bri had her baby boy! I am so excited for her and her husband Kevin! It makes me really anxious to finally have Sofia arrive!
I am starting my 35 week today, so hopefully only 2 more weeks to go! For the last 2 days I have had Braxton Hicks contractions (practice contractions) all day and all night, so I think my body is getting ready for the real thing. It is not always the most comfortable, and Sofia sometimes gets upset when her space gets cramped, and decides to punch and kick and rotate around while my uterus is contracting....oh it hurts!
We are pretty much unpacked, and I just need to clean the house up now. Oh and I don't ever want to give up the Cat Genie again! Whoever came up with this product is a god! I also am starting this weekend to prepare some frozen casseroles and muffins and breads to help us while we are adjusting to parenthood.
Haven't had time to take pics, but maybe this weekend. We at least need one last photo of the belly!

Furniture finally!!!

The update: We get our furniture tomorrow!!! Yay!! Tomorrow will be interesting for sure, but I can't wait to sit in the glider we bought to rock Sofia in. I think it will become my new bed! I have to sleep elevated these days.

Well Tom told me today that he got a call about our furniture, and it shall be delivered on Monday!!! I am so glad! FINALLY! He is going to try and get TMO to get it here sooner, as they told us we would get an immediate drop off. At this point I know it may be wrong, but if they have to reschedule someone one else I really want them to. I know we are the only ones that have been waiting this long.
I got a letter today from our Japanese relatives in Tokyo, and they want to come out and visit after the baby is born. I am really excited to meet them, and it will be great if they can come when Bobbie and my mom come out.
That is all for now, and there may not be too many posts in the next few weeks, as we will be unloading all our stuff. I will post for sure when we finish the nursery and I have pictures. I will also post after my next OB appt.
Hope all is well with everyone!

33 week Dr. appt.

Ok well today I am a hefty 153.5....no I am not willing to round up at this point!! I am supposed to gain 1 lb a week from here on out and Sofia gains .5 of that. I am going to have a lot of work ahead of me getting back to normal, but I am still hoping it is mostly baby and fluids, and will magically disappear after delivery! hahhahha
The Dr. was impressed with all of Sofia's moving while checking for the heartbeat once again. No direct punch to the wand thing, but she is head down and I think that makes it a little hard. She estimated Sofia at 5 lbs already, and gave me the okay for labor stimulation around August 18th. Hopefully my end of August delivery will work out, as she will be around 7 lbs by then. That sounds good to me...don't want to deliver too much bigger! No worries everyone...her lungs will be mature by then.
Next appt. is tentative for August 17th with an OB, but I am trying to get an earlier one with another midwife. Unfortunately the midwife I have been seeing is booked until my 38th week, so I have to see someone else for my 36th week appt.
Will post pick later with belly and interesting belly button.

This weekend

Well I was talking with Stella today, and sharing what new problems I am having. Realized I should blog about it cause it got her laughing!
So New Issue #1 - my belly has distended a little. Let me explain....so when you go to sit down to use the toilet you need to pull your undies down....so as I do this I need to bend a little cause there is a huge belly in my way, but this leads to my undies getting caught in between my thighs and my belly, so now what do I do....just pull really hard on the undies hoping they don't break! It is working for now, but I still have 4 weeks...will keep you posted.
New Issue #2 - I now officially have 2 a*#holes (sorry could not fined better term). See for most women the belly button will pop out like a meat thermometer in Thanksgiving turkey, but mine just decided to spread and hence now looks like a perfect a*^hole. Lovely.
Today we decided to drag our borrowed top mattress into the living room, so I can enjoy my Braxton Hicks with a movie or TV. Tom's foot is swollen and hurting, and we don't know why, but he will go to the Dr. tomorrow. So as we sit on the mattress...me in pain and practicing my breathing techniques, and Tom with his foot up on a chair with a bag of ice tied around his foot with a dishcloth we are quite the pair!

Sofia's hiccups

So I have been wondering how Sofia is positioned...I can't tell what is what. I mean it is either hands or feet, butt or head, or whole body twists . So I got my answer for today at least when she got the hiccups....which is an odd feeling all together anyway. It is repetitive feeling, and is not a punch or kick. Anyhow her head is in my left hip to center pelvis area with hands toward right hip, and feet towards right ribs....butt in the place where my stomach used to be! Well I can't complain because she is positioned ready to vacate the premises early as possible. Already a wonderful child!! Just finished kick counts and 10 kicks in 6 min, so still good there. Then she gave an encore of hands and feet movements at the same time...I think along with a head nod or twitch, so my belly looked like moving jello. What is really interesting is when she decides to kick or press on my diaphragm and I feel like I need to cough and can't breath at the same time. Good times. Well tonight's story is "The Runaway Bunny", and then we are off to bed...well I am at least. Sofia will be up periodically making sure I am aware that the 2 Tbs of wee in my bladder are unacceptable and need to be dealt with immediately. Yep - good times.

My favorite clothes so far with more coming and backyard pics

ok well I have been bored, so I took some pics.
The first is our "backyard" shade side garden - Hostas and fern.
Next is sunny side with water garden, and the cat likes to try and eat it as you can see. Still need to add a little soil to pot on right...working on that!
3rd is the view. Ocean at a distance, and green river towards bottom left. Bird netting is a little non zen but it keeps out the pigeon poop. We still need to get a chair and cafe table, but haven't found one we like yet.

And then we have my favorite outfits! There are still more coming from the shower in Phoenix, and I have to admit I started buying for 9-12...I just can't help it and we also only received hand me downs for up to 6 months, so we need 6-12 months anyway! Like how I justify it!? Anyhow...First are the dresses, then the cute Carters duck thing with hat for newborn...I just think it is going to be too hot to bring her home in it, but it is cute! Next we have footy pj's - love all the little animal face feet! One of the best hand me downs we got was the cute onsie with diaper cover with a big butterfly on the butt. How cute!! Then we get out of 0-3 months and head to the colder months - hence the pants. The yellow one says "Off to Grandma's house...had to get it even though both Grandmas live a few hours away...maybe we will need to make a visit back to the states at this time! The blue one says "I will always be Daddy's girl". Awwww...had to buy it! Last is the 6-9 months dress and cute tank onsie that says "I'm so sweet" with terry shorts. How cute is this going to be with flip flops and a hat at the beach?? I think tomorrow I will take pics of my fancy ride, so check back later!

Furniture "eventually"

"Eventually" is now our new phrase for these types of situations, which I think we can now downgrade to a SNAFU. It was provided by Tom #1 (senior Tom), and we like it! Thanks Tom! We have been informed as of this morning that the ETA into Naha is July 25th...let's emphasize the "estimated" part there...or maybe we can say "eventual" time of arrival! Just don't want to get too high hoped these days!
So if all goes well, but who are we kidding there! hahahhahhah! Our stuff should clear customs and be up here at Courtney by 8-1-10. So that gives 2-3 weeks until the kid has a possibility of showing up, so I think we are ok. It will be a little rushed and stressful, but we will be ok.
4 months without furniture is kind of life altering. I sort of realize how dependent we are on electronic forms of entertainment, and I have a new love and appreciation for the small things like your own bed and pillow, curtains or sun blocking apparatuses, and thank god for internet and streaming radio!
The commanding general of Tom's division is holding a welcome aboard families talk tonight for the spouses and kids. He seems like a really nice guy, and very family oriented. He offered to do what he can about our furniture situation, and I am at least hoping between him and the super horrible ICE report I am going to write that this company will need to change a few things regarding customer service.
I finally got Tom to show me how to work that chunk of metal and buttons that is a camera. I ask him if there is a way for me to just point and shoot, and he says yes, but you will need to adjust the light aperture or something. Are all of you as confused as me. What the hell is light aperture!? So had to explain that I just want to turn it on, press button, and voila there is a picture in the camera...and a decent one at that. Ahhh so there is an automatic mode on that thing, so I will snap and upload to my hearts content these next few days. Tom has duty and that means my monopoly buddy won't be available, so have to find other forms of entertainment.
oh yeah and this is my actual belly now...the last picture was a bit too flattering...I had to tell Tom we needed documentary style.

Bad news

Well we woke up this morning with a call from the Main TMO inbound guy, and not good news. Seems that our furniture has not even left Long Beach yet! It is supposed to leave sometime this week, and from there maybe take 1 month or so to be at our front door. WOW! Didn't see that one coming. So pending there are no other hurdles....hahhahah yeah right....we should get everything by the time I am 35-36 weeks. That gives us about 1-2 weeks to set up the nursery and house! So we are setting up a loaner car seat from our neighbor who graciously gave us their spare bed a few days ago. Can't even describe how nice it is to be off the air mattress! Then later we are going to the PX to pick out a bassinet or something. We are going to hold out buying for as long as possible, and might even be a call to one of our friends while we are in labor at the hospital to go pick up the bassinet and bring it by the hospital or whatever. Thank goodness we already have the diapers, clothes, and all of the other little items from the baby showers! Well that is it for now.

29 week appt.

Well I am a seriously huge 147 lbs now! I would like to think mostly belly and water retention, but we will see after this is all over! Started to get stretch marks on the underside of my belly, which the Dr, showed me with a mirror...fabulous. Sofia is still very active....at the Dr. office she punched the doppler when the Dr. put it on to find the heartbeat! It was funny...the Dr. said "Wow". Looks like she is super feisty this days! I can't wait to meet her! Right now I think her butt is up towards my stomach..feels pretty big and hard there. Everything else was normal...talked with the Dr. about naturally stimulating labor after 37 weeks, and she said fine, so August 25th here we come!!

This weekend not much going on...I am so tired and achy these days that I am not really up for sight seeing. Went and saw Knight and Day last night...actually pretty good...funny! I think we may go search more for a dining table....that way we can give the government one back.

Sofia's middle name, and furniture update

Well let me do the furniture update first as that is short....Basically the first boat that was supposed to bring it to Okinawa forgot it in Texas. Apparently it has been remembered and was picked up. Not sure if that means it was picked up yesterday or 10 days ago. I am in direct contact with the carrier who is responsible for the overseas part, as TMO here is worthless. They still have not called back with an update from a call Tom put in Mon. That is it for now.

On to Sofia's middle name - dun dun dun! So not all votes were expressed on the blog, but it looks like Izumi is a "go".

Depending on the kanji we pick it can mean different things, so here is that list...

泉美 - Izumi (f) (g) beautiful spring/fountain
愛 - Izumi (g) love
愛純 - Izumi (g) pure love
和泉 - Izumi (f) (g) (pl) peaceful spring/fountain
偉純 - Izumi (g) admirable purity

I am partial to the "admirable purity" and the Spring/fountain ones, but have yet to have Tom look. Feel free to comment or send e-mails.

These were our other choices - there are a lot....Please feel free to tell us which one you like best! We still have not made a final final decision.

朝美　＝　Asami -　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ　ｍｏｒｎｉｎｇ
惇美 - Atsumi (g) sincere/kind beauty
菖芽 - Ayame (g) iris bud
純心 - Ayami (g) pure heart
陽心 - Harumi (g) sunshine heart
春茉 - Harumi (g) spring jasmine
敏美 - Harumi (g) clever beauty
愛仁 - Hidemi (g) love and humanity
仁美 - Hiromi (g) humanity beauty
恵美 - Hiromi (g) beautiful blessing
空美 - Kumi (g) beautiful sky
誠美 - Kotomi (g) sincere beauty (has Tom's name in it)
虹春 - Koharu (g) spring rainbow
静美 - Kiyomi (g) quiet beauty
雪美 - Kiyomi (g) beautiful snow
陽美 - Kiyomi (g) sunshine beauty
貴恵 - Kie (g) precious blessing
雅純 - Kasumi (g) elegant pure
花純 - Kasumi (g) innocent flower
和純 - Kasumi (g) peaceful pure
泰美 - Kanami (g) peaceful beauty
夏波 - Kanami (g) summer waves
華永 - Kae (g) splendid eternity
華恵 - Kae (g) splendid blessing
美笑 - Mie (g)　beautiful laugh
朝美 - Tomomi (g) beautiful morning ( Tom's name in it)
朝海 - Tomomi (g) morning ocean
朋美 - Tomomi (g) beautiful friend
智美 - Tomomi (g) wise beauty
智心 - Tomomi (g) wise heart
妙美 - Taemi (g) exquisite beauty
雪美 - Yukimi (g) snow beauty
陽美 - Yukimi (g) sunshine beauty
友貴美 - Yukimi (g) precious beautiful friend
泰美 - Yasumi (g) peaceful beauty (these are not my favorite as means rest/vacation in normal conversation)
妥美 - Yasumi (g) gentle beauty

Furniture update, 100 yen store and water aerobics

so as of this moment no one knows where our furniture is. We will hopefully get word tomorrow. Figures.
Last night we were bored. We were going to go to the pool, but it is closed Mondays, so no go. We decided to go check out the nearest 100 yen plaza....ooohhh ahhhhh. We got a lot of cool stuff - rice ball molds, suction cup toohtbrush and razor holders (awesome cause the whole bathroom is tile, and suction cups work all over, toothbrushes (since ours are out there in the ocean somewhere), lacquer soup bowls, and Tom's ice cube trays (long thin ice cubes good for water bottles and big ass ice cube ball maker good for I have no idea - maybe giving someone a black eye). Anyhow 1785 yen later and we were out of there. Will be back...lots of cheaper stuff than commissary.
Water aerobics - finally made it on time and in the right spot last Friday. It was great and you can use the equipment during rec time without the teacher, so I plan to go on other days and use what I learned. I will still also attend the class. It was the lightest I have felt in a couple months, and the weight off my back was great! It rained while we were doing the class,and rain and sunglasses with contacts while in the pool just does not work! It was still fun though!
Sofia is totally blowing the kick counts out of the water...her average is about 14 min for 10 kicks! They give you 2 hours for 10, so I think we are good, and yes it is like that all the time....day or night! Like I said before - if I make it out with one good kidney and my liver intact I will consider myself lucky!

Furniture cluster$%#^!

ok so I might be a little upset now! The TMO is tracing our furniture because no one knows where it is...even the carrier who transported it overseas!
My take - it all got sold in Juarez! I put in calls this morning to El Paso to see what the movers stateside are able to find out, and am in the process of calling the movers on this side. So now there is a possibility that all our stuff is lost, and they will be reimbursing us accordingly. That is all fine and dandy except for the question of how long that will take, and oh yeah I am pregnant and due soon! So we will see what happens. Keep you all posted.
On a happier note - We found our doula, and she is great! She has birthed 7 kids...3 of her own and was a surrogate for 2 sets of twins! She said she really likes being pregnant! Glad someone likes it!
We aren't really getting out too much anymore, as it really doesn't take much these to set of the Braxton Hicks. Had another episode after cleaning house this weekend. Are you kidding me?!
Oh and my perfect new car is back in the shop getting the electric windows fixed, which were possessed! Also the backside door never worked - new that before purchase. So one more week without it! Let me tell you though - the few days I did have it were heaven!!
Anyhow...hopefully this will all pass quickly and we will be onto living our lives here.
I miss you all very much!

Doulas and water aerobics

Well today Tom gets off early from work, so we can go meet with 2 doulas. We are hoping for a little extra birth support, and someone that can relieve Tom of duties if it is a long labor. It took a little time to find them...everyone is either leaving or coming to the island right now.
Also in about an hour I am going to water aerobics...missed Wed, as I thought I knew where the pool was, but was wrong...then found it...saw that is was an outdoor pool...realized that I had no sunblock....so that ended that.
After the pool I am going to get my hair cut. I also postponed that as I was feeling really yucky yesterday, and took a nap instead.

You can now fell heels and fists through my tummy...it is really weird!

Good news though - I got my fabulous awesome new car!!! I love it!

3 days of diapers!

Well all this is what 3 days of diapers looks like! Holy moly! I am spending the next few days washing and putting them together in prep for first few days. I am very pleased so far...very easy to use and sooooo soft!
Last night was the first for some Braxton Hicks contractions....not so fun. Taught me a lesson about how much I am able to do these days. We had gone to 4 stores to run errands, and apparently all that walking and exertion did me in. Now the plan is 1-2 stores and for smaller amounts of time. Tom was a trooper...he was cute! They lasted about an hour, and I had to lay in bed for about 1 hour 20 min. I was supposed to go to the 2nd phase of Japanese class, but I am going to skip that and take it easy today.
I am going to put diapers together...you will all see what I mean when you come....be prepared - the down side of my diapers....lots of prep time. We bought 36 though, so it gives you a little leeway in getting prep done.
Yesterday we also designed and bought, and assembled our "backyard". I will have Tom take pics today. I need to plant all the plants. I set up a water garden as well with Japanese lotus and 4 leaf clovers! Never seen that before! We still need to get a cafe table and a trellis on which we will hang some orchids....yep they just hang here with roots bare and dangling, as the humidity is so high. Gorgeous though...biggest blooms I have ever seen.

Finally got our packages!

We finally received the packages that we mailed about 5 weeks ago from Modesto! We also got the package of diapers! Will add pic later, but 3 days of diapers sure does take up a big box! The diapers are better than I expected...they are soooo soft, and cute colors! So I started all the washing last night, and can now start to prepare a little for Sofia's arrival. I am starting to feel a little relieved! The only things left we have to get are a baby/toddler tub, and grooming kit. Maybe a spout protector, but what is this thing anyway?? I never had one when I was growing up. Is a spout really that dangerous?

HELP!

So we are in the process of picking Sofia's middle name, and we both like Izumi. However, this makes her initials SIN. Are we committing her to walk the streets as a criminal? Please see poll above,leave a comment, or both. Thanks! We have plenty of other names we like, so we can pick another.

Health update

Well the Dr.'s office called today, and no gestational diabetes! Yippee! However, I am slightly anemic. Not that big of a worry...just an iron pill w/ vitamin C pill is what they want me to do.
Hopefully Sofia will arrive in 10 weeks or so...I am so done being pregnant!
That is all for now...until July 1st...next appt.
We are scheduled for the "Baby Bootcamp" here in the next month or so...should be fun...Tom gets to wear a sympathy belly! I will be sure and get pics!

Ok so here is the story about my new car...

Our trip here has been riddled with irony and obstacles....what is new? Anyhow...the latest I thought is pretty funny.
So I have told some of you , but for others the pre story is this....
We were still in El Paso at the time...and Tom tells me he already found a car and has committed to buying it. I ask him "what is it?" He tells me it is black. He has a picture. This is of course the only information needed when buying a car right? So he shows me the picture....coupe, black sporty car. OK...so I look at my belly and at then at him, and explain to him that 4 doors will be nice.
We arrive on island, and pick up car. POS - dirty, so low to the ground that my rear has bandaids and getting in and out requires hoisting or Tom pushing me up and out. So also let me explain that the cars in Japan are small....very small. Tom's head is an inch from the roof and knees are almost in steering wheel. hahhahha. Saving features of car - only source of transportation, new tires, and I think new transmission. Why they didn't just junk it I don't know. Hilarious part - Tom drives it to work and when we are out and about...big marine with pink "Carolina girl" sticker on back window! ahhahahah oh and every panel ...let me rephrase...every square inch is dented or scratched.
ok so I find the perfect car for my car....white box on wheels...4 doors...very clean inside, trunk room for stroller, and big roomy backseat for carseat. Wednesday the owner and I go to change over the title etc., and when his wife is leaving to bring back the car for me to pay them and receive my beautiful non low car......some guy plows into the back of it 4 times while she is stopped at a stop sign! Are you kidding me?! I am now waiting for the car to be repaired...it is at the shop. 100% paid for by other driver, but I was so excited to drive that thing!
Alas I am learning to have patience that can not be deterred by anything!
Side note - yep still waiting on our furniture....living with air mattress, dining room table, and Sofia's room has a dresser. That is it....well we have pots and pans, towels etc. that I sent in our early shipment. However, if we do not receive our shipment soon I believe that I will be unable to get up from this air mattress at some point!

So this is my life right now....despite setbacks I am having a great time, and am now laughing at all the stupid things that happen. Hey it is not El Paso!!!

Ikei Island (ii-keh-ii island)

Beautiful!
This is Ikei Beach. It is about 30 min away, and you drive through another island to get to it and one bridge. The drive is really scenic, and we are going to go back and take pictures of the drive. The beach was sandy with a little coral here and there. The water was clear and very nice. They had lots of amenities....tables with awnings and barbecues, umbrella rental, jet ski rental, glass bottom boat tours, etc., Japanese restaurant, American style food cafe, bathroom and showers. However, in the bathroom I saw a spider that was the diameter of a good size orange...scary! The swimming was great although I had not realized how hard that was going to be with way less lung capacity, so it turned into more of a Tom holding on to me, and we walked a bit. I am hoping we can have barbecues here with friends, but it is far away for most of them...they live or will be living at other bases.
Today I had my gestational diabetes screening...not so bad, but I have never had such a sugary drink! Then later in the afternoon I went for a prenatal massage at the gym. It was awesome, and I plan to go back. Not much else going on this week. Waiting for the car I bought to get out of the shop...long story...maybe next post. Maybe we will have another fun adventure this weekend pending rain. I will also attempt to get a hair cut in a Japanese salon down the street...we will see what happens! oh yeah - I got to sport my "big momma" bathing suit which does a good job of hiding what pregnancy does to ones body!

Sofia's first Japanese books!

Well this weekend was rainy, so no sightseeing. Instead we did some shopping. We found our rugs at a great shopping center that is has 3 parts...an IKEA type store, a high end furniture store where you can custom order anything, and a store like Bed Bath and Beyond/ Macy's homestore. It was great!
Today we went to the San A again, and talked with the kimono people...going to wait until next month to buy, but while we were there I found my new favorite kimono fabric...too bad it was $6000. We bought Sofia her first Japanese books with feely textures, colors, shapes, and animals. I also bought a few bedtime books, so I can start reading to her now. Our shipment of household goods has the English books...sure wish it would get here! We are off to watch Robin Hood in about 30 min., so hope you all had a great weekend!
Picture is Whiskers totally content in her new lounge area...guess boxes and excessive paper are the up side (for cats) to moving!