Johnnie and Angela: June 2012

Family Friday: 27 Weeks

Warning: Family Friday posts are an open and honest update of our pregnancy. There will be references to lady parts, internal organs, and bodily functions. There will also be photos of baby bumps and ultrasounds. If any of this bothers you, please stop reading now.

27 Weeks

THE BABY:
- weighs over 2 pounds now
- is starting to open her eyes
- can now recognize voices and sounds that she hears regularly
- is beginning to sleep and wake at regular intervals
- is showing brain activity as her brain rapidly develops new neurons and tissue

My toes are almost completely out of sight!

Dulce has been on my lap more than usual lately. I wonder if she can feel and hear Baby G?

WEIGHT: +14 pounds total. That's only a half pound gain for each of the two past weeks. I'm so used to gaining a pound a week that I was surprised by this!

BODY: My waist is now at +5 inches, my lower belly is now at +4.5 inches, and my hips are holding steady at +1.5 inches. My belly is now large enough to get in way of things. It's getting hard to bend over to pick things up, shave my legs, and tie my shoes.

THE GOOD: 1) Movement. I look forward to feeling Baby G move everyday. It's reassurance that she's doing okay in there. 2) Body Image. It was really hard to deal with my expanding measurements for a while but now I'm actually getting very comfortable and confident with my pregnant body.

THE BAD: 1) Heartburn. It's frequent but still manageable with a couple Tums. 2) Nausea. I've been getting nauseous when Baby G positions herself a certain way or if I get really thirsty. 3) Sleep. I wake up every time I adjust positions... and I wake up a couple times to pee... and I wake up when the birds start to chirp at 5:30. It may be a year before I have a good night's sleep again.

FOOD: No particular cravings this week but I did finally find and unpack all of my cookbooks! I cooked and baked a lot when we lived in Georgia but when we lived in Korea, it was easier and more convenient (and cheap) to eat out. I'm looking forward to cooking again now that all of our kitchen supplies have been resurrected from storage.

EXERCISE: Does walking through multiple airport terminals count as exercise? I did go to my Power Pump class this week and rode my bike a few times.

OTHER NOTES: We are now back home in Hawaii for the remainder of the pregnancy. We have three months left to get the house unpacked (still not done), organized, and ready for baby. Baby G has now been in two different countries, six different states, and on a total of 9 airplane rides since she was conceived! Any child or animal that joins our family is an automatic traveling companion for us... we're just starting Baby G out early to get her used to our lifestyle :)

*******

"The final act of good parenting is letting them go."

~Mary Jane Chambers

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Announcement	21 Weeks	32 Weeks
11 Weeks	22 Weeks	33 Weeks
12 Weeks	23 Weeks	34 Weeks
13 Weeks	24 Weeks	35 Weeks
14 Weeks	25 Weeks	36 Weeks
15 Weeks	26 Weeks	Maternity Photos
16 Weeks	27 Weeks	The Birth
17 Weeks	28 Weeks
18 Weeks	29 Weeks
19 Weeks	30 Weeks
20 Weeks	31 Weeks

Family Friday: 26 weeks

26 Weeks

I'm veering from my normal Family Friday format this week due to travel and a surprise event!

On Monday night I left Hawaii for a trip to the mainland. I arrived in Pennsylvania on Tuesday evening to visit my family for a few days. We're driving to upstate New York today (where we'll meet up with Johnnie) for my cousin's wedding. Johnnie and I will be flying back to Hawaii after the weekend.

I've been living on the island of Oahu for five months now. While there are many great things about living in Hawaii, it is ultimately just a small island. This has made me come to appreciate the wide open countryside of Pennsylvania more than I ever thought I would! The night I arrived, my whole family gathered at my parent's house for a campfire cookout. It was so great seeing everyone again since it's been almost a year since I last saw them. I grew up in a family of six, which over the past ten years has grown to become a family of 15, soon to be 16 with Baby G! I love having such a big family and I love that Baby G has so many amazing aunts, uncles, and cousins :)

Yesterday, my mom and I went to meet some friends for lunch, which we usually do when I'm home visiting. Only this wasn't just a lunch... it was a surprise baby shower!! I had no clue that they had it planned. It was so touching and sweet of everyone to arrange it and to be there! Baby G is already loved by so many people and I can't wait for her to meet everyone :)

My mom and I My Gram and I

My sweet nieces and nephews My wonderful sisters-in-law

Baby G and I send out a great big hug and thanks to everyone involved with this shower!

*******

"Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act
that two people in love can commit."
~Bill Cosby

Related Posts:

Announcement	21 Weeks	32 Weeks
11 Weeks	22 Weeks	33 Weeks
12 Weeks	23 Weeks	34 Weeks
13 Weeks	24 Weeks	35 Weeks
14 Weeks	25 Weeks	36 Weeks
15 Weeks	26 Weeks	Maternity Photos
16 Weeks	27 Weeks	The Birth
17 Weeks	28 Weeks
18 Weeks	29 Weeks
19 Weeks	30 Weeks
20 Weeks	31 Weeks

Scenic Sunday

* Every Sunday our blog features a random scenic photograph from our travels *

Cotton Field, Valdosta, GA

*******

"There is time for everything."

~Thomas A. Edison

To see other blogs that feature a Scenic Sunday, visit www.scenicsunday.blogspot.com

Family Friday: 25 Weeks

25 Weeks

THE BABY:

- is about 13.5 inches from head to heel

- has the sensation of touch now that her hands and nerve endings are completely developed

- is practicing breathing through her nose

- has wrinkled skin that will fill out as body fat develops

- is developing hair color

WEIGHT: +13 pounds total. I often wonder if I'll continue this pound a week gain until the end...

BODY: Despite gaining a pound, my body measurements haven't changed this week. My waist is still at +4 inches, my lower belly is still at +4 inches, and my hips are still at +1.5 inches. My belly button is still an "innie" but it is starting to change. I have a feeling that it will flip to an "outie" by the end of the pregnancy.

THE GOOD: 1) Movement. I'm getting used to feeling Baby G move around every day. 2) Little Girl Excitement. I've been working on my baby registries this week and really love all of the cute things available for little girls! I am getting more excited every day about having a daughter :)

THE BAD: 1) Heartburn. It comes on more frequently now but it's still fairly mild. A couple of Tums usually calms it down. 2) Headaches... as usual. 3) Fatigue. My energy is still good but I'm starting to have more days where I need a nap to recharge!

FOOD: I've been craving sweeter things in general this week.

EXERCISE: Renee and I went on a 3 mile hike to Maunawili Falls while she was here visiting. The hike was a great workout but the falls were overcrowded with people. I also went to Power Pump class once this week and did some walking and biking around base. Now that I have a growing baby bump, I bought a couple of super cute (and amazingly comfortable) workout tank tops from For Two Fitness to wear to the gym. I got the "toning for two" and "sweating for two" tank tops... aren't they fun?!

OTHER NOTES: Renee and I had a great time while she was here visiting... as we always do :) We saw most of the island and did some fun things such as kayaking, hiking, touring memorials, relaxing on some beaches, attending a luau, and watching the sunset over the ocean. I'm already looking forward to our next adventure together. It takes a long time to grow an old friend. I hope our daughter is lucky enough to find the kind of life-long friendship someday like the one that I have with Renee :)

*******

"A baby is born with a need to be loved, and never outgrows it."

-Frank A. Clark

Related Posts:

Announcement	21 Weeks	32 Weeks
11 Weeks	22 Weeks	33 Weeks
12 Weeks	23 Weeks	34 Weeks
13 Weeks	24 Weeks	35 Weeks
14 Weeks	25 Weeks	36 Weeks
15 Weeks	26 Weeks	Maternity Photos
16 Weeks	27 Weeks	The Birth
17 Weeks	28 Weeks
18 Weeks	29 Weeks
19 Weeks	30 Weeks
20 Weeks	31 Weeks

Family Friday: 24 Weeks

24 Weeks

THE BABY:

- should weigh about 1.5 pounds

- has no pigment coloring her hair yet so it's white!

- has a fully developed inner ear now so she can tell if she's upside down or right side up

- is beginning to have rapid eye movement though the eyes remain closed

WEIGHT: +12 pounds total. My usual 1 pound gain again, although it came on much slower than usual this week.

BODY: My waist is now at +4 inches, my lower belly is now at +4 inches, and my hips (thankfully) have remained the same at +1.5 inches. I feel like my belly has noticeably popped more this week! My feet are slowly starting to disappear from view. The linea nigra on my lower belly is starting to become more noticeable.

THE GOOD: 1) Movement. Baby G is a strong little girl and makes my belly bulge and move as she rolls, kicks, and punches. 2) No headaches this week... yay!!

THE BAD: 1) Movement. As neat at it is, it's still no fun when Baby G squishes my bladder or settles as low as she possibly can in my pelvis. 2) Clothing. My ~~shirts are getting smaller~~ belly is getting bigger and things are starting to fit awkwardly. I have a trip back to the mainland for a wedding coming up soon and I have no idea what I'm going to be able to wear!

FOOD: I've been eating a lot of grapes and bagels this week, but I have no strong cravings. I haven't experienced any "I need to have it now" cravings yet that I've heard so many other pregnant women talk about.

EXERCISE: My energy is still up and I feel good! I went to Power Pump class twice and did some walking and biking on base this week.

OTHER NOTES: Johnnie's family left on Sunday, Johnnie left for a long work trip on Monday morning, and my best friend, Renee, arrived for a week-long visit on Monday night. Renee and I have known each other since 8th grade, that's almost 20 years now! At this point, we are much more sisters than just friends. Johnnie secretly arranged for Renee to come for this visit, knowing how much it would mean to both of us. Isn't he the most thoughtful guy ever?! The last time I saw Renee was January of 2011 when I was present for the birth of her first baby. It is so special that she can spend time here with me now while I'm pregnant with my first! We are having a great time exploring the island, relaxing, and catching up :)

*******

"Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or

happened by surprise, one thing is certain - your life will never be the same."

~Catherine Jones

Related Posts:

Announcement	21 Weeks	32 Weeks
11 Weeks	22 Weeks	33 Weeks
12 Weeks	23 Weeks	34 Weeks
13 Weeks	24 Weeks	35 Weeks
14 Weeks	25 Weeks	36 Weeks
15 Weeks	26 Weeks	Maternity Photos
16 Weeks	27 Weeks	The Birth
17 Weeks	28 Weeks
18 Weeks	29 Weeks
19 Weeks	30 Weeks
20 Weeks	31 Weeks

Scenic Sunday

* Every Sunday our blog features a random scenic photograph from our travels *

Rice Field, South Korea

*******

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking

out new lands, but in having a new vision."

~Marcel Proust

To see other blogs that feature a Scenic Sunday, visit www.scenicsunday.blogspot.com

Family Friday: 23 Weeks

23 Weeks

THE BABY:

- is developing blood vessels in her lungs to prepare her for breathing

- is becoming familiar with loud common noises

- has developed a sense of movement and can feel me move and dance

- is starting to pack on the pounds starting this week and will double her weight in the next month

- is about 11.5 inches long from head to heel

We wrote her name in the sand for the photo above but we're not revealing it yet!

WEIGHT: +11 lbs total. Another 1 pound gain this week.

BODY: No change in measurements this week. My waist is still at +3.5 inches, my lower belly is still at +3.5 inches, and my hips are still at +1.5 inches. I'm starting to get a very faint Linea Nigra on my lower belly. I can feel my belly starting to stretch now because my skin is tighter and gets itchy if I don't keep it moisturized. I massage Bio-Oil onto my belly twice a day and (knock on wood) haven't developed any stretch marks yet.

THE GOOD: 1) Movement. This is always a good thing. I can tell that Baby G is starting to settle into a schedule of awake and sleep time. When she's awake, she moves a lot! 2) Energy. My energy levels are still up and my body feels great.

THE BAD: 1) Indigestion. I had to resort to taking Tums a few times this week. I had some painful gassy bloating in my stomach for an entire day and have had some mild heartburn lately too. 2) Headaches.... as always. I dream of the day that I can finally take Advil for the pain again.

FOOD: I'm on a bagel kick again. I'm still trying to find an amazing bagel bakery here but this is a small island :/

EXERCISE: We did a lot of walking and hiking last weekend on a trip we took. I felt great during the days but every evening I was wiped out! This week I went to my Power Pump class twice, and did some walking and biking on base.

OTHER NOTES: Johnnie's family has been visiting for the past few weeks. Last weekend we took a trip to the Big Island (the island officially named Hawaii) and it was awesome! There was so much space (it's about the size of Connecticut) that it makes Oahu seem small, crowded, and claustrophobic in comparison. We saw a miles upon miles of hardened lava, the smoking caldera of the volcano, steep cliffs dropping into the blue ocean, lush tropical vegetation, and my favorite... a black sand beach. This trip made a total of three plane flights for Baby G so far. She is becoming a seasoned traveler before she's even born!

*******

"Now my belly is as noble as my heart."

~Gabriela Mistral

Related Posts:

Announcement	21 Weeks	32 Weeks
11 Weeks	22 Weeks	33 Weeks
12 Weeks	23 Weeks	34 Weeks
13 Weeks	24 Weeks	35 Weeks
14 Weeks	25 Weeks	36 Weeks
15 Weeks	26 Weeks	Maternity Photos
16 Weeks	27 Weeks	The Birth
17 Weeks	28 Weeks
18 Weeks	29 Weeks
19 Weeks	30 Weeks
20 Weeks	31 Weeks

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