2 weeks to go... or less!

38 WEEKS! The whole pregnancy has gone by pretty quickly, but the last couple weeks have been dragging! Since the girls were both late, I am praying that Justice isn't late as well. Today at my appointment, I mentioned that I felt selfish for hoping he comes out soon. The midwife told me it wasn't selfish at all and gave me the go ahead to try whatever I wanted to get labor started. Alrighty then, let's get it started! Grace was 6 days late and a couple of the last notable things we did prior to her labor starting, was eating teppanyaki and playing a game of monopoly. It has become a tradition that we will be doing again tomorrow evening. I am inviting my friend Maria to join in, because she's due a few days before me and we're both itching to hold our babies in our arms!

My official last day of work before I go on maternity leave is April 3rd... I wonder if I'll make it? Partially hoping I don't. But at the same time, I'm dreading leaving my wonderful co-workers.... they bring so much joy and laughter to my life along with the stresses that work brings. I can't believe that May 1st, I will have been there for 3 years. That really went by fast! Life goes by fast when you're having fun!

Bags are packed, carseat and stroller are ready, plan is set for taking care of the girls... come on, Justice. We're ready for you!

37 week update

We welcomed the 37th week of pregnancy with an eventful weekend!

My doctor's appointment this last Friday was quick and normal... they prefer not to check the cervix and dilation until it's either my due date or past my due date. It makes sense, you could be dilated for a while with no signs of labor, so why even fret about it? And apparently, since this is my 3rd pregnancy, I won't "drop" until it's time to deliver... really? Shaun will notice if I look a little lower... so we'll see how that goes. The pressure is definitely becoming more evident as each day passes.

37 weeks

As far as "things" go... we are READY! I've done so much laundry washing the blankets, sheets, burp cloths, clothes recently... it's amazing. I normally detest doing laundry. Funny how having a baby can change things. =) The co-sleeper, pack and play and bouncer have been set up... scored a used bumbo and tray off a facebook community page for only $15... diapers and wipes are on subscription from Amazon... and the diaper and hospital bags are packed and ready to go. We just need contractions to kick in!

Friday-Sunday, Shaun and I were fortunate to go to a marriage retreat sponsored by the Air National Guard. All expenses paid for the weekend at the beautiful Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Waikiki. The sessions were great! We learned a lot about communication between spouse and family in the military, "hot spot" triggers and how to address them with each other, fidelity while deployed, sex, and other great tools and tips for keeping your marriage healthy. We even got a quick lesson from a massage therapist! She pointed out a couple pressure points to help labor along once it starts... woohoo! There was a "Romantic Dinner" night with candlelight, photobooth and dancing to our wedding songs... and needless to say, great sleep in great hotel beds. =)

As I prepare to deliver Justice and bring another life into this world... my prayer is that we would be great parents to this son we've been anticipating and praying for. People tell me having a boy is so different, easier than girls, and to be prepared. What do they mean? Be prepared for what?! I know it'll be different so I guess we just need to wait and see what it'll be like. Will he be mellow or active? Loud or quiet? Kind or rowdy? I especially pray that Grace and Faith adapt and transition smoothly. AND I pray that Justice comes sooner than later. =)

Until the next update... 

Pressure, Pain, Pangs

Last week's doctor's appointment went well and there wasn't much to report except that I have gained a total of about 11 lbs so far (from my first weigh-in). Doctor didn't do anything different during the appointment, but checked my uterus measurement and asked if I wanted the Tdap (which I declined, we'll get into that later). I did however, finally get around to filling out the admission form for the hospital I plan to deliver at. The doctor's office had the forms so it was convenient to just fill it out there instead of go down to admissions next door.

Lately this past week, Justice has been sitting low on my pelvic area and causing pressure, pain and pangs! He will kick and move and jab and roll... and they all cause some sort of discomfort in one way or another. Oh the joys. I don't remember the girls doing this to me as much as he is. Everyone says it's because he's the boy and it doesn't stop when he's born. ;0) At least I know that he's growing healthy and roasting in the belly!

Since I'm now 36 weeks and 5 days along... I've already started saying he's only a few weeks away from being born. It is so hard to believe that it's so soon! Since I'm working full time during this pregnancy and haven't done this since I was pregnant with Grace 6 years ago, I really feel like the time has passed quickly. Every day that I come in to work is another day closer to Justice being born. I do have to say that I do not feel prepared as far as setting things up at home, and getting everything I need. We don't even have diapers, wipes or burp cloths! Which reminds me, I didn't update on my baby shower! That will be an entry in itself full of pictures. Back to my rant... I decided that since we have Amazon Prime, I would try out their subscription service for the diapers and wipes. When I price matched between Costco (where we would normally get them from) and online at Amazon, price points were cheaper on Amazon. So we'll see how it works out and if the timing of the deliveries work with our needs. I really wanted to go organic, or use the adorable Honest Company diapers, but shipping to Hawaii is crazy on top of the cost of their products! I'm grateful that Costco at least sells the Honest Company brand shampoo and body wash - it smells like Orange Dream. Delicious.

I have another doctor's appointment today and will be sure to update a little sooner than a week later like last time! Will need to get into the groove of updating the blog regularly so I can keep track of the littlest one's progress.

Shaun and I will be staying the weekend in Waikiki from tonight until Sunday afternoon for the Air National Guard's Strong Bonds Marriage Retreat. Blessed to have a short baby staycation free of charge for us, while concentrating on our marriage - which is the core of our family (aside from our personal relationships with the Lord). The girls are staying with my Mom and family, and they are stoked to say the least. =)

Until my next update.... aloha!

35 week update!

Well, my attempt to update regularly has not been so productive. Things have been happening so quickly, time is passing like a flash and we are only 4.5 weeks out from meeting baby Justice! A couple Sundays ago, I even had people come up to me and say, "I didn't even know you were pregnant!" and were extra shocked to find out how soon I was due... I guess my attempt to wear regular clothes and look normal was working... up until recently. Definitely been feeling the extra weight and heaviness of the baby bump. Nights have been getting harder to get through with a straight shot of sleeping, and the bladder constantly insists I stop at the bathroom. I have however, started to gain some weight which is good since I lost so much in the beginning. A couple appointments ago, I weighed the same as I did in August!

Here are some bump pictures to catch up....

21 - 23 - 25 weeks

26 weeks

29 weeks

35 weeks

I am now 35.5 weeks along, and tomorrow will mark the one-month count down exactly. Here's a picture I took today...

35.5 weeks

People have been passing down so many clothes and other baby items... we are so blessed! We were even over and abovely blessed by a brand new Stokke Scoot stroller. The family that gifted it to us somehow got a replacement for theirs and didn't need it, so they passed the blessing on to us. What an amazing Father we have! With the over abundance of clothes, I've been able to go through them and bless several other families I've found in need through a community page on facebook. 

While the clock ticks down and we get ready for his arrival, I'm nervous, anxious, excited and partially worried that I won't want to come back to work full time. Please pray that we get the child care situation figured out. There's a good chance my loving Mother will not be available to watch him, so that leaves us to find someone who we trust, is reliable, and is in our budget (which isn't much)... we really need the Lord's guidance to find someone suitable who understands our parenting style and especially someone who loves the Lord as we do. 

Will update later this week with more pictures and news... I see my doctor on Friday and will be taking my stress test, and then I'm excited for my baby shower on Saturday! 

Catching Up... Week 22

So my attempt to blog again has gotten off to a rough start, to say the least. I am now 22 weeks! Here's a little update to catch up to this week....

The morning sickness i mentioned in my last blog entry escalated to slight constant nausea. It was horrible, and it was my first indication that I was probably having a boy. The girls gave me an easy time and hardly brought any nausea, so I knew this one was different! I was easily nauseated by smells around me and would get sick at the though of certain foods. Thank goodness that it went away around week 18 and is now hardly there anymore. Because of the nausea and picky tummy, I haven't been eating as much either, as I did with the girls. The excuse of "I'm eating for two!" hasn't been used since there haven't been many opportunities for me to need it. I actually lost several pounds in the beginning because of my limited appetite. Haven't noticed any evident cravings.... not yet, anyway!

Over the past couple months, I've had a couple appointments. We are on track and looking good! I have my 1-hour glucose test coming up later this month, not looking forward to it. But at least it'll give me a good reason to sit and not move for a whole hour! Can someone say, "tsum tsum frenzy"? :0) We had a 3D ultrasound where we got to find out the gender of the baby... and we found out that we're having a boy! His name will be "Justice Kazuichi Kawakami". We've had the name "Justice" in the back of our minds for a couple years, just waiting for a son to join our family. "Kazuichi" comes from a couple generations.... it was the name of Shaun's grandpa who was a great man, influential in government while he was alive. It's also a combination of Shaun's Step-Dad, "Kazuto" and my Dad, "Seiichi".. the meaning behind this japanese name is "Harmony One" or "Peace One". One also being symbolic of being the first son and grandson on both sides of the family. We are overly excited for Justice to be born! 

Shaun is so excited to have a son. He's already planning on jiu jitsu training and dreaming of the adventures the two will have. He'll probably start boy scouts, just cause his Daddy is such an Eagle Scout and always prepared and LOVES it. Shaun turned 30 on 11/28 and I'm excited to see what God has in store for this next decade of his life. Here is how we closed out the last day of his 29th year...

He's been an amazing part of the pregnancy, and does little things like being home Starbucks on a cold and rainy night after running some errands because I had a rough day... love him! 

After several weeks of feeling Justice roll around in my tummy and the occasional kick while stretching, Shaun was finally able to feel him move. That never gets old, no matter how many pregnancies you have. It's amazing, that a baby is growing inside my belly! Wow God!

The girls have been blossoming into young ladies and are constantly amazing me. While they do argue and aren't the perfect angels ALL the time, they have moments of pure bliss and I thank God for giving me such great girls. I know they're going to be great older sisters... although they said they don't want to change diapers. shucks! 

(free dinner at Costco!)

(at our church christmas party)

 

(Shaun talking to Justice... 20 weeks)

(Justice at 21 weeks... on my way to work)

Hopefully my next entry will not be as spaced out as the last. Will try my best to keep up!!!