This is it!

Well...I guess its gonna be any day now!

My doctors appointment had some really surprising news. 

3 centimeters dilated...almost 4

 totally effaced...like paper thin! 

TMI?!?

My doctor said she estimates 48 hours (or less) till I start feeling the strong contractions.

OMGGG!

Even though my last day of work was supposed to be Thursday...I'm not trying to have everyone witness a pool of water come out of my hooha. I would be starting at 10:00am and booked solid all the way till 7:15pm...39 weeks pregnant...what was I thinking! 

So with that said, I am officially DONE with work!

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted...

and what a amazing feeling!

My 39 Week picture is hopefully coming soon when I don't look so homeless.
 Instead Ill leave you with him.

38 Weeks

This week has been a little dispiriting. 

I am part of the 45% of women that is Group B Strep positive so I have been trying to educated myself as much as possible. I know there are things A LOT worse that I could be having to deal with, but it just puts a damper on the little plan that I actually did have when labor started. 

 :(

I'm overly excited that this is my last week of work! 13 years of having a job (except for 3 months when we moved here) it is soon going to be over. I feel like I have been a little burnt out from it lately...not just because of the pregnancy either. Working with the public can wear a person out! 

 Other then those two things, life has pretty much been uneventful. 

We are just waiting for the signs that she is on her way...and I have a feeling its going to be sooner then later. 

As of Lately...totally random!

Trying to find the Poamoho Trail, we stumbled on this Hawaiian Temple.

Pu'u o mahuka Heiau

This is the largest sacred heiau on Oahu

Its known as "hill of escape".

 offerings

Queen Emma's Summer Home

They don't let you take pictures inside... :(

Largest Wave Mural in the World

5 stories tall and 400 feet wide

It took the artist only 8 days to complete it.

Painting was recreated to mimic the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore.

A rainy day took us to Dave n Busters

where we spent way to much $

 2,984 tickets and all we could afford was a 

XL Wine Glass (that I will be using very soon)

a stuffed animal for Bolo

and fun dip......I feel ripped off!

37 Weeks

Mike's Valentines Day Heart 

I am having weekly doctors appointments from here on out.

 I had my last ultrasound to make sure baby girl was head down...and she is.
I asked if they could tell how big she actually was, but the intern that was doing my exam told me they don't really measure in less they have a concern. It would have been nice to know, but a surprise is fun too.

I have 2 more weeks of work (6 days really). Once again, I feel like I maybe should have stopped working at the end of last month. I usually work 7ish hours, but have been squeezing my regulars in causing me to be there for 9 or longer. 

 I am noticing all the extra weight that I have gained. Bent over shampooing / waxing is the worst it has ever been. A slight part of me wants to just say I'm done....but I feel bad knowing that the people that are on my books specifically booked that way so they could get their hair done just one last time.

 Other then that I'm still feeling good thorough the day, just not at night.

Copie Cat- Chicken Parmesano Pasta

Cheesecake Factory's Chicken Ramano Pasta is on of my favorites every time I eat there.

Why not make it at home?

It turned out perfect! 

But of course I didn't have ramano cheese...and didn't want to go to the store. 

  

(also...im so bad with measuring, so that was never done)

-chicken breasts pounded thinly 

-2 eggs

-flour

-parmesan cheese (substitute for ramano)

-dried basil

-dried parsley

-s&p

-light olive oil 

clean the chicken and pound nice and thin.

season with salt and pepper.

in 3 separate bowls goes...

eggs, (beaten)

flour &

parmesan with a little basil and parsley. 

coat chicken in flour, then egg and finally parm mixture.

fry chicken in a hot pan with some olive oil.

Once nice crispy brown I transfer to a baking pan and place it into the oven just to make sure its heated through. 350 degrees. (like 10 min) 

I made mine with the pasta like the picture.

Sooo good! 

Tasted just like the resturants! 

and so easy! 

Big Kick!

To Vaccinate....or Not?

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous about this topic.

I still really have no idea what I'm doing.

A few weeks ago I received the TDAP Vaccine (Whooping Cough). I felt like I was a little pressures into it by my Dr. I really did want to say no thank you, but she kinda made me feel like I was the only one on the face of the earth that wasn't going to be vaccinated and I was going to be a bad mom. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating...she gave me the choice, and I said ummm OK.

My arm was still killing me, but if this prevents baby from suffering in the long run, Ill do anything. 

~The HEP B shot in my mind is just totally unnecessary in the first few moments of life. My child is not going to be sharing needles, having intercourse or traveling to different countries.

I think down the road it is acceptable...but the moment she is born?

Also, this there has been talk about this vaccine contributing to the autoimmune disorder Multiple Sclerosis. 

MS is prevalent in my family. That is really scary news for me.

I havent made up my mind on this one yet.

~The Hib vaccine is given at the 2 month mark. I definitely don't want my child to contract pneumonia or bacterial meningitis.

~Polio is still up in the air for me. It is passed when fecal matter is ingested (with just breast milk for the first months of her life, when will she be ingesting poo?), but it is such a serious incurable disease that I would be scared not to give it to her. 

~Rotavirus is another one that I kinda don't get. It prevents diarrhea and vomiting. That's it? If my child is lactose and tolerant, or just having problems with eating, don't you just try to different route with food?

~PCV is another one that makes sense to get.  I don't want my child to contract pneumonia, meningitis or blood infections but I don't understand why she needs to get the Hib vaccine also when they pretty much fight off the same thing?

Working with the public and hearing people talk strongly on both sides of the subject has left me a little confused. I have had a few people tell me that after their baby has received a shot, they were a little "different".
Other people swear by the vaccines. That's why we no longer have these diseases prevalent in out country.

I think that all of these vaccines are important, but are they necessary all at one time? Spreading out or giving smaller doses thorough the child's doctor visits sounds appealing.

I would love to hear if anyone else has any views on the subject. 

Waterfall Hunting

It has been raining on Oahu like CRAZY!

and that means it is the best time to go waterfall hunting. 

Being 8 months pregnant, I am having to cut back on my adventures...even though that is extremely hard for me. 

I knew that the 2 waterfalls I was on a hunt for were exceedingly easy to get to. I'm talking like a 5 minute walk...not even.

They are located in a Japanese Cemetery.

I heard this is one of the filming locations for show LOST and the movie The Rundown.

Alapena Falls  

This is the point where I remember reading that it was a must that you bring bug spray on this little walk.   OMG!

Can we say Malaria, West Nile, Dengue Fever!!!! 

As you keep walking (or running in my case from the mosquito's) Kepena Falls comes into view.

There wasn't a really good place to take a picture of the falls in less you actually wanted to get into the water (that I could see). There is a rope swing waiting to be used, but I'm not really sure this water looks too appetizing.

Just because we were so close, we toured the cemetery a little.

Sanju Pagoda

 Everything was being remodeled...so there was no getting up close.

 There were gifts on pretty much everyone's grave.  

 I like how this guy rolls.

Beautiful place that I pass by all the time but never had time to stop. 

Today was a good day.

35 Weeks

I had another doctors appointment that went well. I'm on the every 2 week schedule now so lots of checking on her. The doctor also said I was measuring about a week early. I wish I would have asked questions. Did she mean I was bigger or the baby was bigger.? My dumb butt working right up to a week before she is due and if she is bigger and decides to come early...well, that's that.

I have also been experiencing charley horses in my calf at night while I am sleeping. I had never had one before in till about 2 months ago, and now I have had a total of 3. They are a killer!
I Googled a little bit about why you would get them when your are pregnant, and they mentioned standing on your feet for a extended period of time. Yesterday I feel like I might have overdone it a little at work. I'm trying to fit people in because I am leaving when I should be taking more breaks. Working over 10 hours on your feet with only a couple minutes to sit down every few hours is probably not the best thing at the moment.

 I think I'm starting to be "over it". I have been enjoying pregnancy, but I am ready for it to be done. I dont wish she comes early though. She needs to marinate as long as she can, but I do wish I could be somewhat comfortable, or be able to walk up the stairs not out of breath, or even just sit down and not have feet in my ribs.
5ish more weeks! 

i still miss her

Its been a year since I lost one of my baby's, and my home still feels a little empty.

Poamoho Trail

Usually when I hike, I pick a trail that day that looks like a good one, do a little research on where the trail head is and we are off. 

This trail took some preparation though.

You actually have to get a permit for this hike 10 days in advance before you go.

Its a hike that is on  military land that you are only allowed to hike on the weekends, but it is a state trail...that doesn't really make sense, but whatever. 

On the permit you have to put down the date that are going to go, the license plate # of a 4X4 vehicle (because there is a 6 mile off road drive to even get to the trail head) and how many people are going to be hiking (Mikes 2 buddies were going to come with us). 

Now, when the permit is sent back to after its approved, they give you combinations to the 3 gates that you have to open in order to pass andddd a ABSOLUTE TERRIBLE MAP on how to get to the trail head!

There is not much on the internet about this hike so I was guessing a little on how to get there. Lets just say we took a tour of the island in the wrong direction. Woops.

I gave the map to Mikes friends after a scenic tour and were on our way in the opposite direction again....going the wrong way.  

The map the Department of Land gives you is the crappiest I have ever seen!

We left our house at 8:30am and finally found the trail head at noon. 

(Just in case anyone is reading this that would like to hike this trail, the road before or after (matters which direction your coming from) the Dole Plantation at the light. Turn and go all the way down, right before the guard shack its going to be on your right.)

Also I would like to say...Not knowing what the weather is going to be like 10 days before you schedule this hike, it is probably not a good idea to go in the winter months. 

It rained on us the whole time.

 This awesome guy was waiting for us at gate #2

 Muddy!

 Sadly, after the trail becomes unmaintained, we decided to turn around. The views just weren't there because of the rain, and we were all just tired from the car ride.

 I would love to do this hike another day.  From the few blogs I have seen written about the hike, the views are unbelievable once you get to the top! 

Maternity Photoshoot

I'm lucky enough to have a amazing friend that takes amazing photos!!!
34 Week Belly 

My Ten Way's to get Ready for Baby Time

1.Nursery
I had a vision in my head what my nursery was going to look like, and this wasn't really it. I wish we would have been able to paint, but with us leaving in less then a year it really wouldn't be worth it. I have to say, it was really quite hard to find the colors I was looking for here in Hawaii. All the baby girl stuff was pink and purple. Amazon was a success, but all the stuff I wanted to purchase included a huge shipping and handling fee....even with Prime.

Its pretty much done..I want to add a few pictures to put on the shelves of family but other then that, this is it! 

 2.Clean and Groomed Puppy 
Someone got a bath, ears cleaned, nails trimmed and teeth brushed. He's ready!

3.Hospital Bag
~Nighty and Robe
~Nursing Bra's
~Granny Panties
~Warm Socks
~Tank Top
~Comfy Shorts
~Toiletries- toothbrush/paste, shampoo/conditioner, soap, razor, Q-tips, lotion, deodorant, brush, bobby pins/hairband 
~Pads
~Dress (for the ride home)
~Camera/Batteries
~Phone Charger
~2 Newborn Onesies
~2 Swaddles
~1 Footie Pj's 
~Baby Hat
~Newborn Diapers & Wipes
~Boppy
~Paci
~Mittens

4.Laundry, Laundry, Laundry
I have washed everything that could possible put into the washing machine.

5.Tidy House
This is a weekly chore for me...but going the extra step. Moving furniture, dusting (my least favorite thing to do) and organizing.

6.Freezer Meals
People talk about making a lot of meals in advance and freezing them for when you get home from the hospital and don't want to cook. This is kinda hard for me. I have a hard time eating leftovers. So I am going to be buying more meals that we can just stick in the oven (ex: Stoffers Lasagna)  and make a quick vegetable for the side.

7.Car Seat Inspection
 We are headed to a baby class soon where we will have someone double check that we have done it right.

8.Maternity Photo's
I recently had a amazing shoot with a good friend. I couldn't have asked for better pictures. She is awesome! 

9.Last Minute Shopping
My last shopping list at the baby store to pick up anything that I have forgotten.

10.Date Night
Mike and I try to have one date night a week. With Valentine's Day coming up we will probably just make that our last "big" date night where we will try a new restaurant and splurge.