Lyla's trip to Japan part two: Hakone

Some pictures my mom took in Hakone.  Lyla is with my aunt Keiko in most of these and my mom is behind the camera.

These are at a glass museum in Hakone

we are lovely: a blog about birth stories...

I am excited to announce that Cody's birth story is now featured on abirthstoryblog!  I stumbled upon this site recently and I have been enthralled with all the interesting birth stories there.  This blog has it all...home births, c-sections, epidurals, nightmare experiences, and picture-perfect ones.  I decided that Cody's birth story was entertaining enough for others to be interested in and perhaps benefit from, so I submitted it and it was accepted.  They even sent me a sweet email thanking me for sharing and to let me know that it would be online today.  His story falls under the categories of "home birth, natural birth, unassisted birth".  If you love a good birth story then grab your popcorn and pull up to your computer for some good reads.  If you are pregnant, be aware that some of the stories are a bit unnerving...but, for the most part, they are all beautiful depictions of how a life was brought into the world.  Enjoy!

a glimpse of lyla's trip to japan

This is the first picture my unle Shu-Chan took when Lyla arrived at the airport in Haneda.  She looks pretty excited!

Eating breakfast or lunch somewhere in Tokyo.  Lyla, of course, hamming it up for the camera.

Lyla went to Hello Kitty world with her third cousins (my cousins' kids).  I am sure that she got a few adorable things from this store.  I am so jealous!

Putting on a show for family.

This past weekend Lyla went to the Anpanman museum.  She got to hug her old pal.

Sweet treats from the Anpanman cafeteria.

Yum!

We got to skype with Lyla on Saturday evening (Sunday morning Tokyo time).  She is having the time of her life!  This coming week she will be taking a trip to Hakone with my mom, my aunt Keiko, and my uncle Shu-Chan.  I can't wait to see more pictures of Lyla's adventures in this coming week!  Stay tuned for another update soon.

35 and 37 weeks

Now we're getting into the melon sizes. 

35 weeks and baby boy was the size of a 5 1/4 pound honeydew.  5 more weeks to go.

Today is 37 weeks and baby boy is the size of a 6 pound mini watermelon.  Baby is officially "full term".  Yay!  He is in the head-down position now so he can come anytime.  A lot of people are asking how I am feeling now and if I feel "ready".  I think it's hard to say that I am ready yet.  If I went into labor today, I would probably feel a bit suprised and unprepared.  I still have a few more things to throw into my hospital bag and some things I want to take care of at work.  On the other hand, I am anxious to meet this baby boy, so I wouldn't mind if he did make an early appearance.  I trust that he will come in God's perfect timing and that the Lord will put me at ease when the time comes to bring him into the world.  3 more weeks to my due date!

We're not going to talk about weight gain anymore.  Let's just say I went past my goal maximum a couple days ago and it looks like I will keep on packing on the pounds until baby boy arrives.  Oh well!  As long as the baby is healthy I don't mind having a little "more to love".

april showers

Saturday was my friend Leslie's shower in Corona.  Leslie is a dear friend of mine from high school and college.  She and her husband Jamie live in Seattle now, so I was very excited when I got her so-cal baby shower invitation in the mail from her sister-in-law.  Leslie is so stunning with a bun in the oven.  Here we are belly to belly 28 weeks and 34 weeks pregnant.

On Sunday some friends from work got together to throw me a baby shower brunch at Mimi's Cafe.  We shared some laughs over delicious food and had a wonderful time.

The gang.  Grace, Sara, me, Jamie, Carrie, Melissa, and Brittany.

Monday night we had a joint celebration for mine and Lauren's pregnancies with our growth group.  We have been so blessed to be able to gather together with all these wonderful people to learn God's word, grieve together during sad times, and rejoice with eachother during happy times.  After our study, the group gathered around the pregnant mommys to pray for us.

The ladies.

A yummy mint chocolate ice cream cake from Coldstone.

Blessed with diapers and wipes!  You can never have too many of either of these.