boo on Navy

So the one thing I've learned as a submarine wife is that change is inevitable. It's expected. Don't believe it will happen until it happens. So when Jerome's phone rings, I know something is going to change. *sigh* I don't know why I still get annoyed about it, but I do.

So the plans for Jerome's boat going out to sea for 6 weeks was a go, then it was postponed until beginning of 2009, and now it's back to originally planned schedule. This means that he leaves for 6 weeks in about a month. BOO. We had originally planned for this, but when we heard it was postponed, I started letting things go--stopped looking for a new apartment, signed up for childbirth classes & hospital tour, started to plan for Jerome's birthday....then POP! the captain tells us wives tonight that "plans have changed". boo. I guess I have to reschedule the classes and tour for November and really get things in gear when he gets back.

That's another thing I've learned as well--I need to just take things in stride. Sure, I can get upset about it, but what's the point in that? Jerome can't change anything and it's not his fault. It's his job, so I need to just go with the flow...and he works so hard and never complains, so I shouldn't either. When he's here, I appreciate him so much more, so in the end it's worth it. But man, it's hard!

Our baby girl is kicking like crazy and I've gotten used to the novelty of it. Sometimes it's quite annoying--but what can I do. I had a doctor's appointment last week and everything is normal. My doctor is extremely conservative, so if he's happy, that's good news. I hate it when I have to get on the scale, though--I hate it when the nurse has to move the dial to the right...so not used to seeing a number like that. blah.

I'm coming to Cali next weekend! Ends up that Jerome will be home that weekend, but his boat pulls in after I will be leaving...so I won't be home to see him coming home. It's ok, though. He can spend some quality time with Bella over the weekend. :)

Made in Hawaii

Jerome and I went to the "Made in Hawaii" Festival today at the Neil Blaisdail Arena. It was fun, but we didn't come out with much...just some hawaii snacks. Anything that I liked was too expensive, such as the $75 cutting board made of bamboo and koa woods. It was a fun experience though, and it was nice to see so many people supporting the local vendors.

Speaking of Made in Hawaii, here's my week 21 belly. (get it? our baby is made in Hawaii...hahah!) We missed week 20 b/c Jerome wasn't here. Oh, well. This is a short post b/c we're watching Olympics. Go Michael Phleps! (going for #8 today!)

Elated & Deflated

Jerome came home today! We (other wives) went to the harbor to see the sub pass by and then went to the pier to meet up with our boys. It was incredibly hot, and stupid me forgot to bring some water or snacks and almost passed out on the pier. It was not a pretty sight for awhile there, but luckily there were vending machines nearby and someone went to get me a water. That would have been horrible if I passed out!

But Jerome is home and I'm happy happy happy. That's the good news. But in Navy fashion, all good news cannot last. Jerome's leave was not approved (boo) because they're going again during that time. SO, I'm going home by myself again. AND he will be out to sea before and still be gone when I come back. (double boo)

So I'm bummed because I was SO hoping that Jerome could come home with me. Because he's not coming home, I think I'm going to lay low and not have the big family/friends party that I was planning. I will probably just meet up with groups of friends instead and see my family on a smaller scale. I'm just happy that I'll be able to see everyone one more time before the baby comes. It doesn't take much for me to be happy anyway--just want to see my loved ones! :)

Tangent: How amazing was the Olympics' Opening Ceremonies?? (Political issues aside, you have to admit it was absolutely fantastic!) I've always LOVED Olympics, since my Dad is the same way, and this was BY FAR the best Opening Ceremonies I've seen. I seriously teared up several times while I watched it! hahaa...AND I tivo-ed it for Jerome and have already watched it twice. Olympics is also always on TV here, so that's all I watch. Love. It. Proud of the Motherland. :)

Alright, I'm going to wake Jerome from his nap so he can take me to the mall and look at diaper bags. Stay tuned for Week 20 belly pics.

Half way there!

Today marks my 20 weeks of pregnancy. We're half way there, folks!! (Which, incidentally, reminds us all that there are only 20 weeks left until Christmas!) Pretty scary how time has just flown by. Whew!

It's been an emotional week and it's only Wednesday night. Among other things, Jerome left again and won't be home until Sunday or Monday. I just hate not being able to communicate with him. The good news is that I'm keeping busy, so the time goes by much more quickly. Work is really taking up a lot of my time, but I'm enjoying it much more than I had anticipated. I'm actually at a training from today until Friday, but really--trainings seems more draining than actually teaching. (side track: some not so smart person decided to have us sit at cafeteria style seats at the training...killing my butt and back...) I'm really liking my class and as soon as all the kinks for the class schedule and routine is set, I will be able to relax more. Until then, I stay after school for an hour or two afterwards everyday. *sigh*

Still don't know if Jerome got his leave approved. Won't know until he comes back--or if I'm lucky, I'll be able to get a random email.

Here's my week 19 belly. :)

We're having a Girl!

So I went in for my "big" ultrasound. It was a great experience--and although Jerome couldn't make it, (due to circumstances beyond our control) I had a great visit. By far my favorite doctor's visit. :) I had to drive all the way to town (Waikiki) and the office was specifically for ultrasounds, stress tests, ets. So no urine test, no blood taken--all good news for me. When the tech came in, she was really friendly and noticed my school staff shirt. (dude, I just came from work and barely made it...I didn't have time to change!) Her son goes to a school in the same district, so we had a conversation. She asked if I had any dreams or such about the sex of the baby and I said no, however, I was almost POSITIVE it's a boy. I don't know why, but I just had a strong feeling. (also, all those Chinese/African calendars said I was having a boy!) I then said, "I'd be shocked if it's not a boy." So after searching around my tummy, she replies, "So how shocked are you going to be?" I was taken aback and shocked, totally not expecting that she'd say that!! So yes, we're having a girl. There was a labia--nothing else. hahaha--Jerome was just as shocked (Crystal was speechless) but after the news had settled, we are all happy and excited.

Here are our first pictures of our little girl. Because I was so chatty with the tech and the doctor, I ended up getting almost 20 pictures printed and a CD of 81 pictures and videos. Jerome and I had a great time looking at them together. :)

Here are her little feet, which I'm starting to feel kick in my lower abdomen throughout the day.

It's definitely a girl!!

Her thumb on her nose, fanning out her fingers, as if to say, "neener, neener--you thought I was a boy!"

Contemplating life in the womb

The tech said she was cute--I think she looks like an alien.

She's finished with pictures now.

She is healthy and normal, exactly the size/weight that she should be at this stage. (exactly what the books say too...I'm telling you, I'm textbook pregnancy!) At 19 weeks and 2 days, she is 15 cm. long and weighs 9 ounces. Thank goodness for not being a huge baby!! :)

We are elated and can finally start looking for girl friendly stuff for her. I probably won't do much pink, since I'm a cheapo and want to use the stuff for the next baby--in a few more years. So we're looking at lots of gender neutral stuff (greens, yellows). Doesn't stop me from buying her girly clothes tho!!

Plans for my going home are still the same--still coming home Labor Day weekend. Jerome MAY be able to come home with me, but won't know until the command approves his leave. Either way, I will be home! I will probably not have a baby shower, rather, I'll have gatherings of family and friends of sorts. Baby Shower just gets too complicated--can't bring gifts back anyway!! But if you want to get our baby girl a gift, we have created a registry on Amazon and Babies r Us. :)

I'M HALF WAY THROUGH THIS PREGNANCY!? CRAAAZY! :)