Another lesson in patience.

0 days remaining. 40 weeks, 1 days passed. I've been staring at the ticker on my phone for so many days now, that it almost seems unreal to see those numbers! Finally the big due day is here! I'm disappointed that K2 isn't here already, but I guess that we'll have to wait just a bit longer.

We had our 40-week appointment Tuesday along with a non-stress and amniotic fluid testing test. Everything came back perfect, but sadly no movement from last week :( The bad news is that this just means that we'll have to wait a bit longer, but now we know that he'll be sure be here next week around Wednesday. My doctor wants to induce me starting on Tuesday, then by Wednesday he should be here! NOT excited to have the folley producedure done, but the way she described the process, it didn't seem like that big of a deal. I'm disappointed that it doesn't look like things are going to happen completely naturally, but I think I'm okay with it- regardless of what happens.

We'll go back tomorrow to check again with the same set of tests to see if anything has changed, but if not, I'll go in on Tuesday to get things started. Until then, it's lots and lots of walking!!!

Short and sweet...

It's March 8th. One day before Koa's "official" due date! I can't sleep! I've been awake since 2:30 now. Sigh. Feel full of energy right now and if Koa (Dad!!!) wasn't sleeping, I'd be busy finding something to clean!

Keep it short, Emily, short. My mom is here now, ate out for every meal today (! I can hear the treadmill laughing already....), and am excited but anxious for our 40-week(!) doctor's appointment this afternoon.

Will post baby update this afternoon!

9 Months picture

Koa's Room!

Crib with supplies and bedding from Koa's Mom:

Closet with clothes, stroller and bulk diapers/wipes:

Cozy chair, with crochet blanky, toys, and book shelf:

4 days and counting!

"Any day now. Any day now." Sigh. It seems likes we've been waiting forever! We had our 39 week appointment on the 1st and sadly, we had not made any progress from last week in terms of dilation. We also had an ultrasound to make sure that everything was looking good and to estimate his weight, which is always fun and reassuring. 4 chambers of his little heart? Check. Bladder? Check. Boy parts? Check and Check!!! Their weight estimate was 7lbs, 10 ounces! Big little boy!

Our next appointment is this Tuesday the 8th, one day before his official due date. We are trusting in the Lord's perfect timing and have been praying for that for as long as we can remember, but it is getting hard to be patient! My prayer for our next appointment is for our doctor to tell us that everything is moving along perfectly and there is no reason to schedule an induction or any reason to even consider having a c-section. We'll also have a test for my amniotic fluid and a non-stress test for the baby that day, so it will be an appointment full of firsts.

My mom is coming on Monday afternoon and am looking forward to that. We'll probably end up spending a lot of time on the couch since there is not much I can do now...maybe we'll go shopping a bit or head to the park a few times with the pups.

Hmm...what else. Little guy has been kicking a lot today and while we went for a walk this afternoon, I was having what felt like cramping, but I wasn't sure if meant anything or not. Doing okay now. I had the same feelings last week and thought they meant that things were moving along but noooooo...must be patient!

Baby cooking madness

Chicken broccoli bake assemby line plus a shot of the freezer. Peanut satay on the right with space for the rest!

Granny square blanket for the pups

My first granny square blanket

Valentines day dinner

Courtesy of a gift certificate from mg2...

37 Week Appointment Update

The little man isn't quite ready to make his debut yet (no dilation), but his head is in the right spot and ready to go. His heartbeat was 137, which was a relief to hear after the last appointment two weeks ago when they had a little trouble finding it (!). Also, much to our surprise, we were able to take a little peak at him with the in-office ultrasound and found out that he has HAIR! I'm so excited- it looked little it was a decent length too- not just peach fuzz :) We'll go back again next week and we'll see what the latest update is then.

In other news, Koa and I both have colds right now. Yuck. I've had forever, but I'm hoping that I'm on the upswing now. Trying to take it easy when there is so much to do is killing me! Koa's just came on last night, but he doesn't have to work again until Tuesday, so I'm hoping if he rests all weekend, he'll be able to get rid of it! So annoying! As long as both colds are gone before the baby comes!

Once I'm feeling better, I need to finish up the baby laundry so that I can finish up K2's room! Pictures coming soon!

37 Weeks!

Woot! I can't believe it. I'm actually 36weeks, 6 days, but close enough, right? I've been at home the last two days and it has been fabulous! It's been wonderful to spend so much time with Koa and last night, we went out to dinner in Seattle, courtesy of a gift card from my ahmm...FORMER employer. The food was okay, but not excellent. We had a good time though :)

We (well, Koa) setup the crib over the weekend and now I just need to get the bedding washed so that I can put the sheets on. I only have a few more things to do- laundry, cooking and cleaning, but overall I feel pretty prepared...should the little bugger decide to arrive today.

I have my doctor's appointment today, so I'm looking forward to finding out more details about his pending arrival- approximate weight, if he's in the right spot, etc. Very exciting!

This Friday, Kathi is taking me shopping to prep the hospital bag, buy his coming home outfit, and to get some post-preggers clothes for me.

I feel really lazy just sitting here on the internet when there is so much to do! Off to take a shower and get some of the laundry going!!! Need to finish up the thank you cards for my church baby shower too! It's so strange to be the one at home while Koa is at work.

Dear Little Man...

I am writing you today nearly 8 months pregnant with you. I am on my last week of work this week and am getting so excited to meet you that I can barely concentrate on anything but you. I must admit, your kicks have gone from cute to painful and the lack of restful sleep that I get at night can be really frustrating. We are soooooo excited to meet you and can't believe that there are only a few short weeks left of my pregnancy with you, K2. I want to know what you look like so badly! I'm hoping that you are a mini version of Koa, complete with the curly hair, but of course, we'll think you're cute no matter what.

Your room is almost ready for you, but we are still waiting on your crib to arrive so please don't come just yet :) Your dad installed and put together your "transportation" last weekend and I've got all of your clothes hung up, diapers purchased, and almost everything I can think of ready for you. All we're missing is you!

I love you so much already even though I haven't met you yet! I can't wait to know you and hold you :) Thinking of your arrival brings me to tears and I can't believe that I will finally get to be a mom after all of this time. Just thinking that you have no idea how much you're loved already is overwhelming to me.

So hurry up and come already, but just not too early :)

34 Weeks!

I'm so disappointed in myself that I haven't been keeping up with this blog over the course of my pregnancy!!! I'm hoping that I'll have time to blog at least once a week now that I'm in the home stretch and only have 6 weeks to go and 3 weeks left (well, 13 days...but who's counting?!) of work. So many updates to write about, but they idea to post an update just occurred to me and it's already 6:15, so I need to get ready for work! More later!

This picture is from 33 weeks at my work baby shower:

Dancing Baby!

We had our 10-week ultrasound yesterday and it couldn't have gone any more perfect! (Note the time of this post- what's with 3AM being the "magical" time for me to wake up in the middle of the night?!) We went to the official ultrasound office, which was a first so we were hoping that we'd be able to take a video, but they wouldn't let us :(. Anyhow, the technician slowly counted and measured each part of the baby and then finally....we saw the heartbeat!!!

We had seen a heartbeat at 8 weeks with the Doppler in the office, but it was such a relief to see it again! Then, she said, "Okay, now we should be able to hear it." After a couple of mouse-clicks, there it was! 174 beats per minute, which even though seems really fast, is considered perfect! Then, the best part was that all of the sudden he started dancing- literally. I thought that the technician was moving the little wand around or something but she commented saying, 'I'm still- he's moving!" We were right were we should be - 9weeks and 6days. It was so cool :) At 20 weeks, we get a DVD of the ultrasound, so that will be super cool so we can share it with our family and friends.

Also, I told my work yesterday, which was a huge relief- they all suspected, so it wasn't like I was dropping a bombshell or anything. One girl has been working part-time from home since she had a baby, and, if we have to, I'm hoping to do the same. Who knows what the Lord has in store for Koa in the next few months for a job, so we'll just have to wait and see.

So, we are over-joyed! I was getting nervous and worrying because I felt like some of my symptoms were beginning to subside, which reminded me of when we miscarried, but I guess it's just a sign that I'm nearing the end of the first trimester. I still am super tired, feel nauseous but not throwing up, and have huge "ladies". I've gained about 8 pounds (yikes!), which I know is a bit more than what I should, but the only thing that's been comforting for the nausea has been junk food. Hopefully I can get back on track soon and start exercising too.

One thing at a time, right?!

Can't Sleep...Again!

I just looked at my last post and realized that it was about at the same time in the wee hours of the morning too! I just can't get back to sleep even though I'm really tired :( We have our 10-week ultra sound at 3:45 today and although I'm really excited I'm super nervous too. I'm trying not to be, but I have to admit that I'm afraid. Praying that everything is perfect! I think that Koa is going to take a video clip, so I will post this evening :)

Can't Sleep!

It's 4:30 am and I absolutely cannot get back to sleep! I wish that I didn't have to go to work in the morning-ugg! 7 days until our first official ultrasound for our 10 week visit- fingers crossed!

6 Weeks!

I haven't posted in awhile because I have been soooooooo tired! I'm feeling really sick today- I didn't go to work today and have spent the majority of the day on the couch. I don't have my first sonogram appointment until the 28th which is two weeks away :( We did switch doctor's though- I'm be going to a friend's doctor whom she had both of her children with. So the quick update is- super tired, girls growing (cool, but not really!!), eating like a whale, I feel like the size of a house and I think that my pooch has definitely looks like I'm pregnant (they say you can tell sooner after you've been pregnant before, apparently). Koa and I are going to LA for the day on Saturday for Sam and Rekha's wedding and we'll be spending the day in Santa Monica before the wedding, so I'm pretty excited. Anyhow, back to the couch for me before I have to go pick Koa up from work.

Lower than I thought?

Okay Emily, don't let the FEAR horn in...My HCG levels were at 1,374 on Wednesday when we had the appointment. Much lower than the last time that I had them done, but we were also a bit further along and it's my understanding that they double every 48 hours, so logically, that makes up for the difference I guess. I looked online too and it seems to be in line with where we are but when Tong told me he said that he thought that meant we were between 2-4 weeks. What?! Well based on my last period it should be 5. But, now that I think about it, they estimated lower last time too but then when we went to the doctor we were 6 weeks. I dunno. Anyhow, I"m make an appointment next week to see the OBGYN- we'll be trying a new doctor this based time based on a friend's recommendation.

I want to write more, but I am super tired! It's so hot here I didn't get much sleep last night and even though I tried to sleep in I couldn't :(

5 Weeks!

Koa and I went to Dr. Mark's yesterday to have the official test done and yup, we're pregnant! I had blood work done too to find out the HCG levels, so that gives a more accurate count of how far along we are, but I'm pretty sure that today is exactly 5 weeks.

It does feel a little different than last time- I don't want to say less excited, but kind of. I mean we've done all of these steps before so there is not that sense of newness that there was before. Plus, it's hard not to be fearful of the past, but I am trying SOOOO hard and by His grace I won't let the fear overtake me or get me down! RRRAAAHHH!

In terms of the symptoms...(for journalling purposes, of course!), I already have stretch marks on the ladies- seriously. Big ones. I don't recall getting them last time this soon, but I'm thinking that since I don't have much in that department anyway, that the slightest chance my body is going to notice. Wearing a bra is torture- if it was socially acceptable, I totally would go without. At least I have some larger sizes from pre-weight loss, so that's handy. Also, yay me, I'm totally moody. Crying and irrational one minute, sugar and roses the next. No sickness to speak of yet (I hopefully never!), I just get really dizzy if I overdue it- meaning no running up the stairs at work like I used to.

What else....ummm....no smoking, obviously. Last Thursday before I took the test I smoked my last cigarette...I'm not going to lie- kind of sad but I had cut back to only 3 a day so it hasn't been too hard, but I'm still kind of craving them. But, I know it's best so it's not even an issue, really. I feel like any symptoms that I am having are partly due to nicotine withdrawals, but I'm not sure. I've also cut out most caffeine- switched to decaf in the morning and trying to only have one iced tea in the afternoon- no soda or anything like that.

I've been eating like a mad woman and I've been trying to practice self control, but it's hard. I think that I've gained a pound or two- the scale has been playing games lately so it's hard to say. I'd guess I've gained about two in the last month, but even prior to getting pregnant I hasn't bee doing that well with diet or exercise. So let's say: pre-preggo-125, today- 127. Sigh. I guess that's not so bad, but I just need to watch it! Yikes adding 25-35 pounds to that is down right scary. I'd like to get a fitness DVD or something just to keep toned up. Koa and I had planned on walking every night, but we've been so busy....although perhaps I could get on the treadmill rather than messing around on the internet in the morning, ehh?

Anyhow, speaking of internet there are things to be looked at! I'll post the HCG levels when I get them- they are supposed to call me this afternoon. Also, I'll need to book my OBGYN appointment soon too. We're not going back to the same doctor as before- we thought that they were kind of insensitive about the whole miscarriage situation, so yeah, no. Same hospital though, just a different clinic. From what I've read, they typically don't see you until your 8 weeks, but we shall see.....

Pregnant!

A picture is worth a thousand words:

It's Wednesday!

Okay so technically it's day 29- I see no signs of anything yet. I've been having the same symptoms as before, mostly cramping and tiredness but no major changes. I've been having a few dizzy spells when I move around too fast and also have been crying on a dime, but at this point I'm chalking the crying up to typical period symptoms. Anyhow, I've decided to hold back until Saturday to take another test- that would make me a full 2-3 days late. So fingers crossed, I hope that this our month!