Merry Christmas!

We hope Santa treated you well this year. We are definitely spoiled with all the love and support of family and friends.

It's been 37 weeks - almost 38 - and Kristi's still 1 cm dilated with a "pretty huge" belly according to those around her. Aren't you glad Kristi's not wearing the same white tank top anymore? ;) We'd really like it if the baby would stay tight for at least another 8 days (14 -16 would be preferable). He moves a lot and has lots of hiccups! Kristi also wakes up at least twice a night to potty and her right foot is swollen. Is that normal for only one foot to be swollen? Nonetheless, we're doing well and can't wait to see the little guy as much as you!

We still haven't decided on a name yet. Hopefully we'll be inspired when we see him! Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Any day now...

...just so you can see the "scale" of my growth, I've worn the same top almost everytime. So, I guess you can say I've finally outgrown it. LOL. This is week 36 and I went to the doctor today. In case anyone's keeping track, total weight gain: 15.5 pounds. I'm also about 1 cm dilated. Hopefully baby hangs on for another 20-something days. I think we're ready -- just the house is a mess.





On the 15th of December, I went to get a fetal echocardiogram and came back with good news! Baby's heart looks and sounds fine. They usually like to do this procedure when the baby is 20-22 weeks old because baby isn't too big, so it was a little hard to truly give the "thumbs up," but he cooperated nicely. Hopefully he'll be that way outside of the womb too. :) Technology is amazing! The technician took a lot of measurements and was able to tell me that baby weighs 5 pounds 12 ounces. When the technician focused on the heart, she was able to look at the different chambers, especially connective tissue. She was also able to listen to the different beats of the heart just by pointing the cursor to different spots on the heart - some beats were high pitched others low.

Our son even showed off his family jewels. Auntie Diane commented that it looks big and Ryan replied, "Of course it is."





We were also able to see awesome images of baby's face. What will technology be able to do next?









Next doctor's appointment: Next week Wednesday! Another update then, hopefully.

Ego Check

We went to get our car seat fitting today. Ryan had installed the seat last weekend in about 15 minutes after browsing through both the car & car seat manuals. He said it was a piece of cake -- nothing to it -- he'd be very surprised if he were wrong and it wasn't installed properly. He was confident that the whole process was fool proof - put the seat in the middle, use the latch system and boom, it's done. The seat was level (according to the indicator) and felt securely in place.

On the drive to the "inspection," I asked Ryan if he felt hurt that we were doing this. He, of course, said yes, but knew that it was for the best. I joked that I'd drop him off somewhere and pick him up after... As soon as the inspector saw the installation, he saw two things wrong...but was very nice about it. He said that they were common mistakes and taught us A LOT about things to look for to make it safe in case we need to change cars. He tried all kinds of different scenarios to see which worked best in my Rav. Ryan got involved in helping to install it. I wish I had my camera...to remember how much effort it took TWO of them to get to sit right in the car.

I really hope we don't need to remove the base -- ever! The whole process took about an hour and I already don't remember all the little things to remember... Good thing it was very easy to schedule an appointment :)

P.S. Today starts week 35 -- I can't believe how fast time has flown by! I think we're ready :) I hope we're ready!

belly shot

i just realized that it's been a while since i posted a belly shot...

here i am @ 30 weeks...waaaay bigger since the 27 weeks i last showed.

i don't have a recent pic (33 weeks), but I have only gained 8.5 pounds. doc says it's okay since baby is growing.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Ryan and I have a lot to be thankful for this year...
- the new addition growing in me
- our health & happiness
- the love of friends and family
- and on a lighter note...TONS of clothes! if we go strictly by the label on the clothes of 0-3 months, baby has enough clothes to wear a different one (or two) everyday! hand-me-downs rock!

Interesting facts...

#1: It is recommended that you go to the dentist in your second trimester for two reasons: 1) that's when you tend to have the most trouble with bleeding gums; and 2) you might be more uncomfortable having to lie in the dentist chair on your back for that long. I had no idea, so I went to the dentist yesterday and he said, "I'll be super mad if you give birth in the office." LOL!

#2: So far, I have gained just 8.5 pounds, but doctor says that baby is still growing, so there isn't anything to worry about.

#3: I just spent a lot of money at the maternity clothes store today, not so much on the maternity clothes because I won't need them much longer, but for the next chapter - nursing. Ryan can't believe people (or more importantly, I) pay money for bras with holes in them. He says that we can save money by letting him cut holes in my clothes. Any takers? Me, neither.

Showered with Love

On November 8, our Oahu family threw a shower at Mandalay Restaurant (yummy Chinese food family style) for the upcoming birth of our first child. Thank you to everyone for coming and for the gifts too! Baby (and Ryan and me, too) is so lucky to be surrounded by so much love!

Auntie Diane, me, mom, Auntie Wendy and Kuponobaby's gifts with two special helpers (kylie & kylie) to open them:

centerpiece (towel flowers with bath toys)
yummy lemon cake from Liliha Bakery with Kylie

...and on November 14,my friends threw me a shower at Angelo Pietro's :) Good times, girls -- Thank you!!yummy cupcakes from cake couture

"I love my aunt"

Third Trimester!

Wowee, time flies by! I can't believe that it's been 28 weeks already... Doctor appointments will happen every two weeks now. I should expect to gain a pound a week. I've only gained 4 pounds since my initial visit to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy... According to my readings, the baby should be about 2 pounds. Size wise of my belly, doctor says everything is looking good. Too bad there's no weight gain in my boobs :(

...on a side note...Our humble, one-bedroom abode is suffering from growing pains. It doesn't help that I'm a pack rat and have a hard time parting with my material possessions. We're (I'm) going to have trouble making the place "baby-safe" once the baby starts being mobile.

FYI: Maternity pants with the "secret fit belly" (spandex that connects the pants and covers the stomach up to the boobs) is potentially a fashion trend since it gives the tummy a "slimming" effect. I saw it on the "Today Show." (picture from destinationmaternity.com)

27 Weeks - the cute stage

Time just flies by -- four weeks down, two more to go of Expectant Parent Class. So far, we've learned about the hospital, the stages of labor, cesarean sections, breathing techniques, and basic newborn care.

The most important thing to do during labor is to stay calm -- save the energy for the pushing. Ryan, the coach, will need to help me with the process. We'll need lots of practice.

Auntie Wendy says that I have a "basketball" in my tummy now. What's the next stage? A watermelon? You can be the judge next time.

hiccups, a shower, and the best husband ever!

Baby hiccups?? Yup, at least three strong bursts usually on my right side. Ryan has felt them, but doesn't believe me. He thinks I have gas or some other bodily disorder. The initial excitement of feeling the baby move has lost its magic on baby's daddy. Now, when he feels it, he gets scared because he says it's so strong...little does he know that those were not the strongest...

I had my first baby shower today -- on Kauai at the Poipu Bar and Grill. All the ladies had a blast! Thank you Jodi, Kristi, Auntie Sharon, and Granny Nanny for putting it all together and thank you everyone else for coming and for all the gifts! The baby is lucky to be so loved already. (see below for more)

...and the best part...seeing Ryan transform into a daddy. He's always been really good at taking care of me (and our little home). He'll make sure I eat, drink lots of water, and even butter my belly. Yes, that's what the product is called: Tummy Butter. He'll stop playing Madden and slather on the concoction to keep my midsection moisturized.

Last weekend, he went home to Kauai and brought back a huge box, carry-on, and backpack full of baby clothes thanks to Jodi, Jennifer, and Kristi. On Monday after work, I came home to a bed full of baby clothes and a husband willing to segregate them according to size. Who knew Ryan would be so into clothes or is it that he doesn't like to live messy anymore? I hope it's more the latter, but I'll be happy with both!

XOXO - 'til next time!
Hanae & Auntie Coleen








Grans Nan sewed these designs and turned diapers into cute burp cloths :)







...and Kuni sewed this cute quilt for baby.
...and Hanae gave this one :)
Look at the cute wrap job by Gran Karen.

Ultrasounds...

Baby's first picture (June 10, 2009):



There's a little peanut growing inside of Kristi.










Ultrasound session #2 (August 18, 2009):

(hopefully you know how to read this picture. the doctor pointed to the "boy" part, but Ryan and I don't really know where the rest of his is then...)











Hard to believe that he's this big already! He's very active and was giving the doctor a hard time since he kept "swimming."

You've found us!

Hi everyone!

This is our first attempt at keeping you informed of the latest news... As you can tell, we're a little late getting started being that Kristi's already halfway along, but better late than never! It's the start of week 22 and we have some pictures you might like to see. Kristi's been doing okay, but more importantly, the baby seems to be progressing nicely too. Kristi's been reading up on this new journey and according to the books, the baby should be 7 inches long - the length of a carrot! How fast time flies!!

Kristi @15 weeks:













Kristi @ 20 weeks: