Update! {Day 15 Eating Clean}

                     

So far I've lost a total of 5 lbs.  I really haven't felt better in my life.  I have a ton of energy and I even feel in a better mood.  I did cheat {again} over the weekend.  We had chicken fajitas, I did add a lil salt , and I had 2 margaritas.  I couldn't help it, I can't have Mexican food without a margarita?!? Who does that?? Lol .  I'm really ahoy with everything so far.  By now I'm used to the food and portions.  I feel like this is a lifestyle that I would live beyond the 3 weeks.  In thr future I probably won't be as strict, but I'll keep on the clean eating guidelines.  One a week left to go and I'm feeling pumped.  Just in time for Super Bowl!

Okinawa Zoo

Had a short hiatus from updating.  Morgan took some time off work and we spent our days hanging out and doing activities with the kids.  I got lazy and didn’t do any updates while he was on leave, but I had so much to write about since we were doing stuff about every other day!

On to the Zoo...

The weather has been really excellent lately so we decided to spend the day at the zoo and kids museum.  I love going to the zoo.  I grew up in San Diego, and going to the zoo was a big deal.  It’s not called The World Famous San Diego Zoo for nothing!!  I mean they breed pandas there like it’s nobody’s business.  To see everything at the San Diego zoo would probably take 2 days, 3 if you have small children.  But not all zoos are created equal.   The zoo in Oki is pretty small.  To see it all would only take about a few hours.  It’s a nice short day trip, totally doable by myself if Morgan were gone on deployment.  A lot of the animal cages are small.  I know Amelia has a great time because you can get super close to the animals since their living enclosures are small.   The only bad thing was that we went in the middle of the day and most of the animals were sleeping.  It was kind of funny because Amelia kept yelling at them to wake up.  She had a great time.  Nolan slept for the most part.  It was a great afternoon.  

MIA

So I've totally been MIA this whole summer.  With Nolan arriving and Mills taking a break from daycare, I've been a little busy.  Well not so much busy more tired. 

Mills Last day at Daycare and her Bday celebration with her teachers and classmates

Well its official, summer is over and done with.  Unfortunately we did not do as much as we had hoped to do.  I think we forgot how it was to have a newborn.  It's also excruciatingly hot and humid here in Okinawa, that taking out a newborn in this heat is just pure torture.  I really tried to limit my outings with him to few and far between.

This summer we had a number of Birthday parties that we attended.  Most notably we had Mills' 3rd birthday party!  Morgan picked out the theme this year.  He went with watermelons, its a great summer treat and her fave fruit.  He held the party at a multipurpose room at our friends apartment.  The party had a jumpy house, sugary treats, good food, games, and great people.  We had a blast and we know Mills had the time of her life.  I can't believe she is already 3.  Although she kills me every now and then, this age has been super fun and I wish I could just stop time.

Elijah's 2nd Bday

Party Games

July 26, 2012

Happy 3rd Birthday

Another great thing that happened this summer is Mills started gymnastics!  Being here on Oki, the extracurricular activities have super long waiting lists.  I had actually signed her up 4 months before she was able to start the class. I almost lost hope that she would get in a class, I actually signed her up for several classes mostly dance and this was the first class to have an opening.   I was really surprised how much stuff her coach was teaching her and how much she loved it. She is always asking about going to gymnastics and trying to do gymnastics in the house, we don't let her due to safety issues.  I'm glad she is so happy doing gymnastics, and who knows maybe we'll be in the 2024 Olympics :)

First Day of Gymnastics

 Most of our summer was spent lounging around the house or going out to eat and running errands here and there.  Since its been a few months now, I'm hoping that we get our routine going.  I'm a much better person when I've got a routine going.  Now it doesn't necessarily feel like fall, its still pretty warm and muggy out. It does cool down, so hopefully we'll do more now that the weather should be getting better.  Till the next post!

Breakfast on a Sunday morning

Nolan after a bath

Mills First haircut

Nolan is here!!!!!!!!!!! And an update :)

Well I have taken quite the hiatus from writing.  So many things have happened in the past few weeks that it was hard for me to write.  I’ll just give my quick update.  My parents flew into town to help us out.  They spent three weeks here.  At times it was honestly a lil frustrating, but they helped out a lot and I know Amelia loved spending time with them.  I gave birth to a happy, healthy lil boy on June 11!  We named him Nolan, we call him Nono!  He was 8 lbs and 1 oz!  He was a big baby!  I was really scared of how my experience was going to be at the Naval hospital, but I ended up being really well taken care of and I was happy with my stay.  So happy that I wrote a nice letter to the Labor and Delivery department thanking them for their great care.  While my parents were here unfortunately the weather was really really sucky, it rained most of the time.  We tried to get out and show them things, but it was difficult with a newborn.  Only the last few days they were here, were we able to enjoy some sun.    I really love my family but 3 weeks is a looooooooooooong time to have guests.  Especially after having a c-section, healing, and a newborn….it wasn’t always the best combo.  Either way I’m glad they came and we were able to spend time together and Mills got to know her grandparents more.

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Proud Grandparents

Family of 4

Right to sleep after his feeding zzZZZzzzZZ

So today is my first official day on my own, no parents, no husband to help.  We have Mills in daycare still so it hasn’t been too bad.  I’ve been trying to get errands done.  Nono is really good and he just comes along for the ride.  I totally forgot how much stuff you have to bring in the diaper bag.  For such a little being, babies sure do need lots of stuff!  Now that I have 2 in tow I have even more stuff to bring.  We had just got Mills down to practically brining nothing, just snacks and I kept and extra pull up and change of clothes in the car.  Now I’ve got a full on diaper bag, baby sling, infant car seat, and stroller.  I’m not a tall person, I’ve very petite, so I bet I look crazy with 2 kids in my huge van and I have all this other stuff to bring.  I guess you can never be to prepared.  Anyways, I’ve gotten off topic….for this week I plan on just catching up on chores and figuring out a routine.   I’m trying to get my SAHM groove back and hopefully I’ll work out the kinks so we have a smooth day!  We’ll see…

On a side note>>>

{Morgan got promoted!!!!}

{Breastfeeding takes lots of work}

{Newborns sure do poop a lot}

38 Weeks Update

This past month has literally flown by.  I’ve been really bad at updating.  Well, I would start a new post and then I would never finish it.  So I’m just going to start from where I’m at now.    Lots of things have happened and are happening.  My last day of work was on last Thursday.  I thought it wouldn’t be easy and I wouldn’t care, but I kind of got a little choked up.  I know I had my struggles with work and the people there, but it’s always sad leaving.  I even cried when I hugged Niki, the one person at work who I was close to.  But its all for the best,  I needed the rest before the baby and I was unhappy there most of the time.   Parts of me wants to go back to work, but I’m really excited to be able to stay at home with the baby.   I never got to do that with Mills, we are at a point where we are financially able to do it and I want to take advantage while we can. 

 I’m about to be 39 weeks tomorrow!!  I had my last appointment with my doc before my c-section.  Being at a military hospital unfortunately its highly unlikely that you get the same doc during your whole pregnancy and delivery.  When I was scheduled for my delivery I found out the doc who was going to be there and was scheduled an appointment with him so I could meet him.  On Tuesday was my appointment.  He was really nice, young, and he was surprisingly good looking!  I know that sounds funny, but I’ve dealt with lots of military docs since being married to a service man for 9 years, none of them have EVER been good looking.  It was just kind of funny.  I talked to my friend Len about it and she joked that it was good that I wasn’t having a vaginal delivery since he was cute!  She makes a good point! 

Last night my parents came into town!!!!  I’m so unbelievably grateful that they are here.  It was all really last minute kind of trip, initially they were supposed to come here in Oct. with my brother and sister to visit.  I’ll start from the beginning.  About 2 months ago I talked with Len about watching Mills when I got into labor.  She first told me that she might not be here because she had some stuff going on  back in Guam.  I told her it was fine and I’ll plan for someone else to watch her.   We went back and forth for a lil bit and ultimately she told me that she will be here if I told her I needed her.  So I told her I needed her, so she said she will be here and not plan to go to Guam.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago, she tells me that I need to think of a back up person to watch Mills because she might not be here!!  WTF???  To be honest, I was really upset.  I was at work tearing up because I felt like the rug had been pulled from under me.   I needed to find someone to watch Mills in a matter of weeks!  I don’t have any other close friends here and I didn’t just want to drop Mills off with some strangers.  I would feel horrible brining her over to stay with someone she didn’t know.  That is what really made me feel scared about the situation.  Worst come to worst, I was thinking that we would bring Mills with us and I would just go into the operation alone.  Another thing is that I am having a c-section, so I’m going to be in the hospital for a few days, which would mean so would Amelia.  I just was really at a loss.  So I called my mom and pleaded her to come here to watch Mills for us.  At first my mom said she couldn’t come, I really wasn’t surprised I mean she would have to be here in 2 weeks and it would be unrealistic for her to drop everything.  But after a few days she called me and told me that she and my dad were coming, that they were going to be here because I needed them.  I’m just so thankful that they are here, ever since I found out that they were coming I felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders and the stress melted away.  On another note, its been great having them here, its only been a day.  They’ve totally helped me with Mills, I just don’t have the energy these days and they keep her occupied and happy and are able to focus lots of attention on her.  I know she loves it too.  When I first was hit with the news Morgan kept telling me it will all work out, and in the end it really did.

On Monday I’m scheduled for my c-section.  I can’t believe its going to happen in only a few short days!!!  I can’t wait to meet this lil boy!!

34 Weeks Update

Whoa…time is really flying!  34 weeks down!!!!  I can’t believe it.  It feels like just yesterday I saw the double lines on my pregnancy test.  On a GREAT note, my husband is finally back!  The other night we went over the baby registries and ordered a whole bunch of stuff.  We have our baby shower in a couple weeks and after that we’ll buy up the rest of the stuff we need.  When the baby is a newborn there isn’t much that they really need.  Yesterday I went in to see a nurse to get a NST (non-stress test) done, I had to do it while I was pregnant with Mills because of my Thalasemia.  The nurse thought it looked good and my doc was supposed to look at it too and call me back.  Surprise, surprise, no call back from the doc yet.  I really don’t like this hospital.  I understand that they see a lot of patients, regardless they should still treat EVERY patient with respect.  If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t have got pregnant here.  I had such a wonderful experience in the last Naval Hospital and then coming to this one, its just such a disappointment. We only have about a year to go in Oki, hopefully it will go by fast.  Not really sure when we want to go next, I think we might do another overseas tour.  I’ve really been itching to travel lately.  I know I can’t exactly plan a vacation anytime soon, but I think maybe the fall or winter this year I wouldn’t mind going on a vacation with the whole fam.  It is going to be so weird traveling with2 kids!  As for the pregnancy, everything is going well.  I’m sleeping better now that my hubby is home.  I am super duper tired tho.  I’m assuming because I’m only a few weeks away and my body is telling me that I should sleep more because when the baby comes I wont get anymore sleep.

On a side note>>>

{I'm constantly craving sweets}

{Mother's day is this weekend, I wonder what I'll get??}

{I'm getting tired of working, I need to quit soon}

33 Weeks Update

33 weeks and counting!  Doesn’t feel like much has changed.  I have become more lazy.  I think it’s a combination of it getting hot here, my office’s a/c not working, Morgan still gone, finishing up school, and me just not having the strength.  I’m ready for Morgan to be home, it would be nice to get extra help.  Times like these I wish I was home and I could just go to my Mom’s house, eat, sleep, and she could occupy Mills for me while I do my homework.  Ohh the madness of living overseas and being pregnant.

32 Weeks Update

8 Months down….roughly 2 months to go!  Whahooooooooo.  I had my 32 week appointment on Monday.  It was not great.  Actually it was the worst appointment I’ve been to.  I went through a rollercoaster of emotions in about an hour.   From 12 weeks I have been on a pregnancy path, expecting a c-section.  I was actually asked if I wanted to try a vbac or go with a c-section again.  I honestly am afraid of a vaginal birth because of what happened with Amelia.  I was all set for a vaginal birth with Amelia, I took classes, read books, and watch videos (not many).  I felt mentally and physically prepared.   But when it came to the big day I ended up having a c-section.  I never really progressed.  I sort of felt like a failure, that I couldn’t do it on my own.  It’s kind of haunted me.  So this time I opted for a c-section again because I don’t want to be stressed about it or feel like a failure.  On my 32 week appointment I was excited because I was told I would be scheduled for my delivery.   I was literally crying in the room. It's kind of a lot to explain and I’ve been over it so many times these past few days.  I met with the doc and she was telling me there was no post operation report in my records and that I should try a vaginal birth. I was freaking out because I didn't plan for that and I don’t feel ready.   I expressed to the doc that I didn’t feel ready and that I felt like she was dropping a bomb on me.  I quote “Honey, you have 2 months”!!  Can you believe her nerve??? I cried more.  She suggested I go to the vbac class and by my next appointment I can make a decision.  I ended up going to records myself, and had to talk to 3 people and finally someone found the post operation report. I took it back up to the doc and she said after reading it, we are going to go thru with a c-section. Oh also she "forgot" to mention that I'm anemic again. I went through a whole bunch of emotions and I am scheduled for a c-sec on June 11. I really don't like this hospital. I miss the hospital in Bremerton, where I had Amelia.  I just feel like I’m not being taken care of very well.  Just another patient walking through the halls.   After have a day to think about things, I remembered when I had Amelia I had anemia and I went through NST and blood tests weekly.  The doc never mentioned anything about that.  So the next day I called and I left a message to talk with the doc, I called about 7:45 am.  I didn’t get a call back until 6:30 pm!  I asked about the tests and she said it would be a good idea.  Why am I telling the doc this, shouldn’t she have mentioned it before?? Ugh…I’m just praying for a healthy baby and safe c-section.  I just want to not have to deal with them anymore.  Unfortunately after having the baby I’ll have to deal with them more.  All in all have a bitter taste in my mouth for this hospital.  I can’t wait to never have to deal with them again!  As for how I’m feeling, I feel big!  Big is an understatement!!  I’m tired.  I can’t wait for my husband to come home.  I need some rest! OH and I’m currently 115 pounds! Geeze!

30 Week Update

30 weeks on Easter!

  I'm so close yet so far away! *sigh*  Things have definitely been tougher on me, since Morgan is gone.  I really hand it to single moms and military spouses, doing stuff on your own is not a walk in the park.  I feel terrible, the everyday things that Morgan did for me I totally took for granted...never again!  I'm only sad it took him leaving to make me realize.  I will let him know how big a help he is to me and to Mills.  Anyways back to the pregnancy.  I've been having lots of contractions.  I generally have them towards the end of the day.  They aren't painful.  I called the nurses' line at to OB clinic and the nurse assured me it was normal and to start counting how many I have in an hour.  If I have 12 in one hour I'm supposed to come right in.  I"m also supposed to be counting kicks, 10 an hour.   I haven't given it much thought because he moves a lot.  Now I'll pay more attention.  Everyone in my office is treating me like I'm about to pop at any moment.  They don't want me standing long, they don't want me walking much, they don't want to stress me out...it's nice but I'm fine. I still am super tired, it's all the peeing in the middle of the night, I have a hard time falling back asleep after.  I downloaded The Hunger Games on my IPad, thinking some reading would help me fall asleep.  NOPE I totally got into the story!  Dang...that was a fail! I'm actually getting a day off this week courtesy of my boss for helping him out big on this recent deadline.  I really can't wait for it!  I am planning on chilling out, not completely...I have a few things to get done but I will for sure relax.  I'm dreaming of how my day will go.   I sure do need the time off, weekends just go by too quick.  I have a doc appointment in a couple weeks, they'll schedule me for my c-section then.  Can't wait.  All in all, everything is going pretty well.  Growing a baby takes it toll!

28 Week Update!

Big Mama!

It’s coming down to the wire!  Only a few short months to go and we’ll meet this lil guy!  It was my last appointment with my midwife.  She is so sweet, I’m going to miss her.  But I do need to meet and get to know my MD for my operation.  At my next appointment @32 weeks (weird I thought I would start to go to apps bi-weekly, but they don’t do that here) I’ll be able to schedule the delivery.  I can’t wait!  Hopefully he stays put while Morgan is gone.  That’s a big worry, that he wont be there if I go into labor early.  Anyways, the doc is happy with the weight I’ve gained.  She did measure my bump and its measuring at 32cm, but I’m only 28 weeks.  You are supposed to measure the same cm as you are weeks, which is how I did with Mills.  She told me not to worry and that with my lab work it might give us more info.  With that being said I took the glucose test….of course it was gross.  I had the orange flavor.  I’m crossing my fingers that I don’t have gestational diabetes.  I’m kind of worried though with all my sweet cravings.  I should be better about what I eat, but I can’t help it…..I love sweets.  I have cut down a lot.  I will try a put a better effort in cutting down the sweets.  Welp all in all I’m doing well, growing and growing, the baby’s heartbeat was normal, and now I’m just waiting for my test results.  Waiting and waiting, pregnancy should be dubbed as the waiting game!

27 Weeks Update



ME at work 27 weeks

27 weeks and counting!  As the days go by I just can’t wait to stop working.  I find myself feeling guilty for working.  I know that when the baby is born that most of my attention will go to caring for the lil guy, but where does that leave Mills?  I’m pretty firm in that I will not go back to work, the question is  when to quit?  Morgan is fine with me stopping anytime, I want to stop with enough time to rest, get the baby stuff ready, and spend some qt with Mills.  It’s been us 3 for quite some time and I know that having this new baby is going to be a huge change in our family and for her specifically.  Lately I’ve been really stressed out.  Work, Mills being sick, then Morgan being sick, Morgan working longer hours, Morgan about to leave, getting stuff for the baby ready…..I feel like I have so much on my shoulders. Also I haven’t been sleeping well, so I’m bound to be tired and stressed.  Sometimes I wonder why I keep up with this, I mean I could quit whenever…I just keep showing up to work without my resignation.  I do like the extra money, I do like the adult conversation, and I do like getting out of the house.  Can I just get paid for staying at home?  That would be glorious!  Maybe May will be my last month???  Leaving a couple weeks to rest, spend time with my Mills, and get ready for the baby.   Since this lil guy will be a scheduled C-section I’ll have a date to go by, unless he wants to surprise us early.  As for the regular update stuff, still not sleeping well.  So far I’ve gained 24 lbs, yikes this baby is going to come out bigger than me!  





26 Weeks

26 Weeks and about to be on my 3^rd trimester!  I can’t wait to hold this lil guy in my arms.  I have total baby fever, every time I see a lil baby I just melt.  I have to get the ball rolling on getting stuff ready for him.  Lately I’ve been having lot of trouble sleeping.  I just can’t seem to get comfy.  Plus I am such a light sleeper.   Also I’ve had the weirdest dreams lately, I know that’s a prego symptom but they are C-R-A-Z-Y.   So last week Amelia was sick, she was sleeping with us because she wakes up a lot when she is sick.  I would just rather have her in our room them for me to get up a million times in the night.   Then this past weekend Morgan was sick.  He decided to sleep in the extra bedroom so Mills and I were occupying the master.  It’s been so cute lately cuz she has been really attached to me, but while I’m sleeping its not so cute.  She always wants to cuddle! Since growing to my immense size I DO NOT want to cuddle.  I love her to death but mama needs some room! Aside from all that, all in normal in our home and with the pregnancy. I've gained 21 pounds, getting big! 

25 Week Update

Me at work! Haha

I’m currently 25 weeks, I have about 15 weeks left.  Sometimes it feels like time really flies and other times it feels like it’s just dragging on.  As of right now, feels like things are just speeding through.  I really need to get some baby stuff in order.  I was really good at first, I was starting things early looking up baby products and even started a registry.  Now I’m kind of stalled, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.  With Morgan leaving soon, we want to get the baby room in order within the next few weeks.  We looked at the stores around Oki and couldn’t really find anything that we liked for baby gear or the room. 

Back to the pregnancy, I’m doing well.  Still growing.  It’s getting a lil hot here (70s), it’s the humidity that’s got me.  Plus my office hasn’t turned on the A/c.  We literally have 4 fans blowing to keep the air circulating.  Apparently the weather has to be a consistent temp for them to turn on the a/c.  I’m pretty sure we’ve been turning on these fans for the past week and still no a/c.  Unfortunately we don’t have windows either, it’s pretty much like a sauna in here.  I say something DAILY to my boss but nothing happens.   Anyways, not sure how much I’ve gained.  I do nothing that my clothes are really starting not to fit. Haha, luckily we are getting in to shorts weather.  My warm weather clothes are a lil more forgiving then my winter wear. J

On a HAPPY note, I got a prenatal massage yesterday.  It was GLORIOUS to say the least.  When I was prego with Mills I got 3 massages.  I am pretty sure I got one every trimester.  With this baby this is my first one.  I don’t know why I waited so long.  Well I do, massages here are crazy expensive not to mention the yen rate killing us.  For an hour massage it was about $100, nuts! I heard awhile ago that the gyms on base offer massages.  I was a lil skeptical because our masseuse was weird and he didn’t offer prenatal.  I read on a couple blogs of this one at another base, she was amazing and offered prenatal massages.  It was a B trying to get an appointment with her, she was always booked!  On the rate occasion she would have an opening, it would be in the middle of the day or late at night (around 8pm).  None of those times really worked for me.  Then finally, by the grace of God she had an afternoon app on a Sunday.  I booked it and I’m glad I did.  First off, it was a 60 min massage for only $30!  She was amazing.  She worked out all my knots and I left feeling incredible.  I’ll have to book another appointment in the coming months! 

 Baby is constantly moving.  I put on music for him periodically while I’m at work, he moves a lot when I do that, so maybe he is dancing in there. No cravings, eating well.  I’m more comfortable at night, I’ve been stacking pillows all around.  I have my next doc appointment later this month.  All in all, so far so good. 

On a side note>>>

{Rented Harold and Kumar Christmas movie, it was funny.  As funny as a stoner Christmas movie could be.  Also rented The Tower Heist, it was good.  There were funny parts.  So 2 ok movies for the weekend.}

{I've been on a shopping craze lately.  Mainly for Amelia.  Toddler girls spring clothes are just too cute to pass up.  I really need to stop though!}

{Got Mills flashcards for 3 lettered words, Alphabet, and numbers.  She really likes them.  I'm going to work on them with her.}