2012 in review

We are coming to the end of 2012 and here is my last year in review:

• In the last year I think I'm most proud of my travels - Nagano, Japan. Vietnam. USA.  France. Guam. Hong Kong. Singapore. Malaysia. Thailand.
• I went from blonde hair back to brown.  I am free from the bleach and I'll never go back.
• I rekindled my love of yoga.
• I completed my first half marathon.
• Grandma and my pup Sparky passed away.  The barn lost horses.  Tears were shed.  
• I worked my tail off at the stable with lessons, camps, clinics, shows and parties.
• We found out we are moving to FL in March.
• I got pregnant! 

Tonight we are ringing in the new year with our friends.  I hope 2013 has only the best things in store for you!  

Christmas

Hope you all had a wonderful, merry little Christmas!  This is the 3rd year we've had to be away from family, but even far away our family makes us feel so loved.  We have a tradition every year to read A Christmas Memory together on Christmas Eve and even over here we are able to keep up the tradition thanks to Skype. 

Brad got his new custom made guitar in the mail on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Okinawa style.

Christmas Eve beach lunch.

Christmas morning was wonderful. We opened gifts from each other and family and we loved all our awesome new stuff! 

Christmas morning!

Brad admitted that this onesie was his "favorite gift."  Baby and daddy will match!

New clothes for me, new clothes for the baby.

Every year my mom makes a yummy baked french toast, but for some reason mine just wouldn't set right.  Disappointing!  Then Brad comes over to me an says that there is a bug on Jade's face.  Somehow my indoor only cat got fleas.  I flipped out.  I called the vet and ended up sitting in the worst traffic ever going over to the vet office to pick up medicine.  Not my idea of a nice Christmas afternoon!  But, at least the flea situation is fixed now.  Poor kitten. 

Christmas kitten!  Jade got in here all by herself on Christmas Eve when we were skyping with my family.

I am so looking forward to next year and spending the holiday with my family again finally!  And next year will be my babies first Christmas.  Kind of crazy to think about! 

Grandma

 This week was a sad one for my family.  My amazing Grandmother passed away on Dec 17 at the impressive age of 91. 

Because I really can't say it better here is the link to my sisters post: http://sakartvelogirl.blogspot.jp/2012/12/elegy.html

Being far from home is always a challenge, but at times like these it's almost unbearable.  All I wanted to do was hug my family and be together with them.  But, I'm across the world and far away. 

This past summer I was lucky enough to spend a week up in Jersey with my Grandma.  At this time she was doing great, she was up and about and in pretty good spirits after Grandpa passed away earlier in the year.  I'll never forget how one night my mom, me and Grandma all stayed up late eating ice cream and watching an old movie on TV.  I knew at the time it was such a special moment, one I'll hold dear always.  I'll never forget that last little bit of time I had with my Grandma.  She was an incredibly strong lady and one I wish my baby had the chance to meet.  Even though she's gone, my baby will know her by the wonderful family she created, by her art and poems and by the stories and pictures we'll share. 

The morning this picture was taken I sat at the breakfast table with Grandma and I told her how badly I wanted to be a mother and how it wasn't happening.  She held my hand and told me it would, that Brad would come around.  She was right and I'm glad she knew about my little baby before she died.

Mom, Grandma and me.

Grandma, you'll be with us always in our hearts and minds. You'll be so missed.

Peach - 12 weeks

Dec 19 - 25, 2012
How Far Along: 12 wonderful weeks

Size of baby: a peach.  3 inches!

Total Weight Gain:  ummm going to ignore this question!

Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants are on the horizon.

Gender: I kind of still feel like it's a boy.  But who knows!  I am so excited to find out.  I am in love with this baby.

Movement: I love imagining him or her swimming around in there.  I've stated going to prenatal yoga classes 2ce a week and I love it.  I'm still riding (carefully of course).

Me with Harris after a fun ride.  Harris is a new addition at the barn.  He's 3 and super sweet. 

Sleep:  Unfortunately I've been up with worries at night.  I have a lot on my mind with the move, buying a house, all the baby things and problems at work.

What I miss:  Sushi.  Wine, duh.

Cravings:  This week I had a big craving for Fruit Loops and I totally gave into it.  Still wanting lots of protein and milk.  Salt.  Oooh margaritas with salt... 

Symptoms:  Pants are getting tighter in the waist.  Still getting tired and needing more rest then usual, but no complaints! 

What I’m looking forward to: Christmas! 

Plum - 11 weeks

Dec 12 - 18, 2012
How Far Along: 11 weeks

Size of baby: Plum, 1/2 ounce, 2 1/2 inches
This week we wanted to create an announcement to share our news with everyone!  Our photographer friend Molly was able to squeeze us in and got our pictures back to us super fast.  She's awesome!  She put together a wonderful announcement/holiday card for us. 

 So, everything is going great!  We are so thrilled to share our joy with everyone! 

10 weeks - first look at our baby!

Dec 5 - 11, 2012
How Far Along: 10 weeks

Size of baby: 2 inches

Total Weight Gain: 4 lbs.  Yikes.

Maternity Clothes:  This is the first week my pants were hard to button.  This is also the week we were on the cruise and eating a ton!

Sleep: Sleep was great on the trip!

Cravings: Peanut butter.  Milk.

At Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.  Bump is starting to make an appearance... or that's cruise food.

The day after we got back from vacation we got to have our first OB appointment.  When the baby popped up on the screen I cried big giant happy tears and it was one of the best moments of my life!  I kept crying and laughing and the baby would move around a bunch each time.  The midwife said that everything looks great.  I am SO HAPPY!  

Prune - 9 weeks

Nov 28 - Dec 4, 2012
How Far Along: 9 weeks. 

Size of baby: Baby is 1.5" long and the size of a prune.

Total Weight Gain: going to pretend I don't see this.

Maternity Clothes: No, not yet, but I feel like I'm expanding in all directions.

Gender: I feel like it's a boy.  I always said I'd rather have a girl, but strangely I find my self drawn to the little boy things and already have a little boy nursery idea in the works.  If it is a boy he's already producing testosterone. Wow!

Movement: I went to spin class this week and even though I took it easier than I would have pre-pregnancy, it kicked my butt.  The babies limbs can flex and move already!

Sleep: Meh.  I have more energy during the day which is great, but at night I'm trying to teach myself to stay off my back and so all I want is to be on my back... ha.

What I miss:  Vats of coffee.  Turkey bacon. 

Cravings: Protein - still eggs. And milk. Salty stuff. Appetite is there, but can only eat a little bit at a time.

Symptoms: I already mentioned the expanding in all directions feeling... otherwise feeling great! 

What I’m looking forward to:  We are going on vacation this week!  And the day after we get back I have my first ultrasound.  So excited, but really hope everything is ok in there!  Ready for the good news. 

Olive - 8 weeks

Nov 21 - 27, 2012
How Far Along: 8 weeks! 

Size of baby: Baby is a fetus now! 1 inch long and the size of a green olive.

Total Weight Gain:  It was Thanksgiving this week, so I'm not getting on the scale!

Maternity Clothes: No, but enjoying my low rise jeans and leggings.  Not liking things to be tight.

Gender:  Somewhere I heard that if you're craving salty things and meat (like I am) then it's a boy.

Movement: Horrible cold is gone, yay! So, I'm back to my workouts and running.

Sleep:  Still awesome, but with the addition of some vivid and crazy dreams.  I've read that pregnancy dreams are a doozy.

What I miss: Having wine at Thanksgiving.  My appetite just isn't what it usually is.  I normally have no problem in the eating department.  I'll be super hungry and then a few bites in or even with a sniff I'm totally done.  

Cravings:  Protein. Pumpkin bread. Egg salad sandwiches. 

Symptoms: Ouchie ta-tas.  I am not used to not having a totally flat tummy.  Probably bloat more than actual baby at this point!

What I’m looking forward to:  The USMC ball is this week, and Saturday we leave for our awesome vacation! 

Raspberry - 7 weeks

Nov 14 - 20, 2012
How Far Along:  7 weeks

Size of baby: a raspberry.  1/2 inch.

Movement: The baby's heart is beating 150 times a minute, 2ce as fast as our heart beats.  I was really sick this week with an awful cold.  No runs, but rode a bit and walked.

Sleep:  Fabulous.  Is it possible to sleep too much? ;)

What I miss: Taking cold medicine.

Cravings: Eggs.  Things I can make with organic ground turkey and chicken - meatballs, meatloaf... guess it's safe to say I'm craving protein.

Symptoms: No morning sickness, hurray!  Get a little yucky feeling here and there, but so thankful I don't have morning sickness on top of this miserable cold.

What I’m looking forward to:  Thanksgiving! And having the long Thanksgiving weekend off.

Blueberry - 6 weeks

Nov 7 - Nov 13, 2012
How Far Along:  6 weeks.  Brain cells are forming 100 cells per minute!

Size of baby: Baby is 1/4 inch, the size of a blueberry. It's 10,000 times bigger now then at conception a month ago.

Total Weight Gain: Meh, probably some. I haven't had the energy to work out much this week because I have a stupid cold. 

Maternity Clothes: No! Maternity magazines, yes.

Gender: This week I feel like it's a boy.  I found my self wandering around the baby section at the store picking up little outfits and almost bursting into (happy) tears. 

"Mommy's little monster" gah, love.

Movement:  I'm riding, running and doing yoga.  I also started using a new pregnancy workout app on my phone that uses weights and resistance bands.  I love that there are videos for each exercise.

Sleep: I can't wait to get into bed at night!  Especially with this awful cold (which I'm refusing to take any medicine for) and running around after the horses and kids I'm just wiped out at the end of the day.

This has become pretty standard.  Going to bed really early with my kitty and kindle. Yawn!

What I miss: Coffee.

Cravings: Rice pudding, so weird.  Tried to make it from scratch and it turned out disgusting! Milk.  Salty snacks.

Apple cider, perfect fall treat.

Symptoms: Where have these boobs come from?! 

What I’m looking forward to: I have a "welcome to pregnancy" class at the hospital this week.   I am planning on announcing my pregnancy after our first ultrasound before Christmas when I'm 12 weeks.  I bought a really cute frame for the ultrasound photo that says "Dear Santa, we just had to peek!"  

Sweet Pea - 5 weeks

Oct 31 - Nov 6, 2012
How Far Along:  5 weeks.  Baby's head is forming this week (jaws, cheeks and chin) and so are baby's kidney's, liver and lungs!

Size of baby: Baby is the size of a sweet pea.

Total Weight Gain: Better be none. 

Maternity Clothes: Nope!  But, I am having a hard time seeing "normal" clothes that I love and want to buy, but know I shouldn't because by the time it gets to me it might not fit! And it's way too early to start buying maternity clothes.

Gender: No clue.  Except the online Chinese gender predictor says it will be a girl.

Movement:  I'm riding, running and doing yoga.

Sleep: I'm really tired these days! 

What I miss: Coffee.  I'm trying really hard to like this organic raspberry leaf tea.

Cravings: I'm usually a sweet tooth person, but have really been wanting more savory foods lately.

Symptoms: Normal beginning of pregnancy stuff. 

What I’m looking forward to: I've scheduled my first 2 appointments at the OB clinic.  My first ultrasound will be on Dec 10 when I'm almost 11 weeks.  I'm excited and nervous!  I want everything to work out so bad!    

It's Happened!

I am beyond elated and over-the-moon happy and excited that I am PREGNANT!!

My body must have really loved being in France because I came back to Okinawa and got pregnant right afterwards.  Brad and I were not trying by any means, but were also not doing anything to prevent pregnancy.  Just going with whatever happens happens.  But, the truth is I have wanted a baby so badly for forever.  I've always wanted to be a mom.

In the next couple weeks I noticed a few subtle changes in me and even took an early pregnancy test which came back negative.  But after missing my period for a couple days (and being able to smell everything!) when I suddenly woke up at 5:30am having to pee I grabbed another pregnancy test and totally expected it to be negative, but it wasn't.  I sat in the bathroom and cried happy tears rocking back and forth holding the test and kept looking at the results again and again to be sure what I was seeing wasn't a dream. 

Meanwhile Brad was still in bed wondering why I was in the bathroom so long.  I came out and got back in bed and he took a look at me and said "what's going on? You're being weird."  Since I knew it would be a shock and a surprise I didn't want to tell him right then, I wanted to make it special. 

For breakfast I had to make excuses for why I didn't want to eat the organic cheese (unpasteurized!) on my eggs, or the turkey bacon that I usually love.  For lunch I had to substitute my normal turkey sandwich for grilled chicken.  Oh already so many changes to get used to!

We already had plans to go out to my favorite vegan restaurant for dinner.  While we were out earlier in the day I found a frame that said "Why hello life changer" and thought it would be perfect to give to him that night with a picture of my positive pg test.  I also made him a funny card to go along with it.

Brad's like "wait... what?"

At the restaurant I was so nervous.  When I gave the card and frame to him I couldn't hold back my tears of happiness.  He said "you've got to be kidding me." I said "I'm pregnant!" and he gave me a big hug and kiss, but I think it took a good couple minutes to sink in! His reaction was pretty perfect, actually.

The next day I made Brad a thanks-for-knocking-me-up cake.

This week I went to the doctors office and they confirmed my at home results.  I really am pregnant.  I'm due July 3, 2013!! 

5 weeks on Halloween... so brand new! The fifth week of pregnancy, or the third week after conception, marks the beginning of the embryonic period.

Handing out candy - Halloween 2012

Oct 24 - Oct 30, 2012
How Far Along: 4 weeks
Size of baby: Baby is the size of an orange seed. Baby's brain, spinal cord, heart and other organs are beginning to form.

Total Weight Gain: None from the baby, but still had some left over from my France trip, oops. 

Maternity Clothes: Hopefully not for awhile, but I have a feeling I'm going to pop early.  Brad and I were both huge babies (+ 9 lbs!).

Gender: My preference is for a girl, Brad's is for a boy.  I will love either with my whole heart!  I just want to stay pregnant and have a healthy, happy baby. 

Movement: No movement from baby of course.  I'm trying to say moving though.  I'm still riding, running around during my lessons, going for relaxing runs and doing yoga.

Sleep: As good as it can possibly be after realizing your dream has come true!  So relaxed and happy.

What I miss: Homemade skinny margaritas with salt (to go with the taco salad mentioned below!)

Cravings: Taco Salad, organic chicken, and coffeeeee because I've had to majorly cut back.

Symptoms: I can smell everything, which can make me have a couple bouts of nausea here and there, but no morning sickness yet! 

What I’m looking forward to: I am so in love with this baby already.  I know it's early and I know that things can happen and that it's a vulnerable time for pregnancy.  So, we have told our parents, and our siblings, but we'll keep it a secret for a few more weeks.  OBGYN will see me starting at 10 weeks and then we can get our first ultrasound.  Until then I have 5 long weeks to wait.  I can't wait to see our baby for the first time. I can't wait to hear our baby's heart beat!  There really is so much to look forward to.  It's that wonderful holiday time of year and this baby is going to make it extra sweet and special.  We have an amazing vacation planned for the beginning of December and Brad will celebrate his 29th bday. 

Our big news

I'm so incredibly happy to get to share my big news with you all.  My dreams have come true and I'm going to have a baby! 

PS - I have a bunch of weekly posts I finally get publish, so sorry if I clog up your blogger feed!

Hong Kong

On our way home from our cruise we stopped in Hong Kong for Brad's birthday.  After sleeping late in our super nice hotel room we went out to Victoria Peak to see views of the city.  There was also a great mall there and we had lunch at a French cafe that had me swooning with memories of Paris. 

Up on Victoria Peak

Brad's bday present, a new watch.

Taking the ferry.

The great view from our hotel room.

 For his birthday dinner Brad wanted Peking duck, so that is what we planned to do.  We also bought tickets to a harbor cruise that night to see the light show... well things just did not work out for us this night!  The restaurant couldn't do Peking duck so we had to scramble to order other things off of the menu.  Let me tell you, authentic Chineese food is NOT what you get in America... this stuff is weird.  I could go on and on about the strange and horrific things on the menu... the waiter suggested we get jellyfish... it wasn't quite the birthday dinner we expected.  I pre-ordered Brad a piece of birthday cake and at least that was as planned. 

Birthday boy!

We had to run quickly from dinner over to the harbor so we could catch the boat.  We were crunched for time and didn't think we'd even get out of the cab in time because of traffic.  The cab dropped us off but we didn't know where to go in the busy area. We ran around and around trying to figure it out.  By the time we found the boat it was just pulling away from the dock. It was almost comical except that our tickets were non refundable.  So, we cut our losses and watched the light show from the shore.  I was so upset Brad's birthday got so messed up, but he was a good sport about it all.  We walked along the water until we spotted a great bar.  We sat out on the deck looking out at the water and the city lights.  Not how we expected the night to go, but pretty nice none the less.

Light show.

Having birthday beers.

We had an amazing time, but after 9 days I in southeast Asia I was ready to be home.

I'll be sharing some big news with you next, so stay tuned!