Week 27 - Fifth Doctors Visit

Yesterday was my last "monthly" OB appointment. From now until about 35 weeks I'll be going every 2 weeks and then every week until this little guy makes his appearance. Everything is checking out great. My blood pressure and urine are good and his heartbeat sounds good as well. My OB has been great and really takes the time to answer my questions and reassure me. She said that my weight is on track, however, she cautioned me on not going "too crazy" with chocolate...is there such a thing?!?!?

I've signed Reuben and I up for several classes to help us better prepare for childbirth and having our new addition at home with us. Now we just need to work on getting all the supplies and nursery ready! Our little guy is still moving around all the time. His movements are bigger and stronger now and feel more like rolls and stretches than his kicks or punches from before. Reuben and I enjoy feeling him move and watching my stomach bouncing around. It's an amazing feeling! :) Less than 3 months and we get to meet our little soccer player...can't wait!

Tahoe

Reuben and I also recently went to Tahoe for our friends Zenia and Mike's wedding and to celebrate our our wedding anniversary...2 years married and 10 years together!! We've only been to Tahoe a few times and this is our first trip without snow. We had a lot of fun swimming, gambling and eating great food. One of the days we took a gondola up to the top of Heavenly to check out the view of Tahoe and to have lunch and enjoy to nice weather. Here are some pictures.

Going up!

Here's a look at the Nevada side of South Lake Tahoe

Here's a look at the California side of South Lake Tahoe. You can see our hotel. It's the big building with the green roof!

Here's a view of both as we get higher.

Personal portrait from the observation deck. It's so beautiful up there!

Us, each with the California side in the background.

Going down after spending time up top and having a yummy lunch.

Afterwards we did a little gambling. You're not supposed to take pictures inside but I snuck a quick one! Unfortunately you can't see all the numbers but I won $100 on the nickel slots! Reuben was much more profitable playing craps and much more fun to watch. :)

Ten Years Ago and Today...

As many of you know, on July 29th, 1999, Katie and I were at UCSF Hospital for our very successful transplant surgery. So many of our family and friends had come together to help and support us since Kaitlen got sick and now continue to help us celebrate her good health. Giving Katie one of my kidneys was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make and I'm so thankful every day for her health, happiness and to have her in my life.

Here are a few pictures from ten years ago and today...

Katie and I a few days after the surgery.

Katie and I with family and my best friend Reanin.

Reanin and I in my hospital room. Thanks for coming up to stay with me and help take care of me and the family. I'm also wearing my very special necklace that Katie and my mom picked out and had engraved with the transplant date.

A couple family members took a break and went to an Oakland A's game. They put this message on the scoreboard to me from Katie.

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10 years later...Katie, her boyfriend John and our brother Brian came to San Jose to have dinner with Reuben and I and to celebrate our anniversary.

Katie got me an anniversary gift, which is also my first Tiffany's gift! It's another necklace with a bean pendant. The artist who designed it described the bean to mean "the origin of all things." I think that's a perfect meaning for us as well as it looking like a kidney!

Here's a close-up wearing the necklaces. Thanks Katie!

Katie and I with Brian. Thanks Brian for making the trip from Napa to celebrate!

Katie with her boyfriend John. Thanks John for coming up to celebrate!

Reuben, baby and I. :)

25 weeks pregnant...getting bigger!

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A couple days later in Fresno...Denise and I getting ready for the 10 year anniversary party at my parent's house. Thanks to my parents for throwing the party to celebrate and for all the family and friends who helped get ready and clean-up!

The five of us together while my father is making one of his famous speeches. Thanks Dad! :)

My wonderful husband with me and our baby.

Katie and I.

Thanks to my friends who could make it to help us celebrate. Love you guys! Thanks also to Alex, Shanelle and Peyton for coming. I don't think I got a picture with you guys. :(

Denise, Megan and I.

My beautiful sister...love you!

24 Week US Pics!

Since he was face down for the 20 week US and not in the best position for some cute profile pics...we went back one month later to try again for a few. Here they are!

Sucking his thumb.

Profile with his arm by his face.

His profile...is that a smile? :)
One foot.
These next two are snap shots taken from a video of him blinking. This one has his eyes closed.

Here his eyes are open.

Arm waving.

This is one of my favorites. It shows his nose, upper lip and hand peaking through. :)

20 Week US Pics!

So I finally figured out how to extract some photos from the software on the CD I was given. Here are some pictures from 6/23/09.

Waving. :)

A snap shot from a video of the baby yawning. Must be tired from all his kicking!

Showing off his spine face down...his fav. :)
Both hands up by his face.

Sucking his thumb?

Profile shot.

Pointing...number 1!

His legs and one foot.

His face, frontal view.

It's a boy!

Week 23 - Fourth Doctors Visit

This visit I saw my OB's PA since she was on vacation. Everything is looking great! My blood pressure and urine both looked good. We listened to the baby's heartbeat (which I posted to the right) and this was the first visit that she measured my belly with a tape measure (from bottom to top of uterus) and everything is checking out just as it should. I also went to the lab to do my second set of prenatal labs and urine and I also did the my glucose test. I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm taking it as no news is good news. :)

My next visit is in a couple weeks and I'll probably start having to counting kicks (definitely not a problem!) and register with the hospital soon. Everything else is going well with me. I'm definitely getting bigger and I'll post some new pics soon. I'm growing out of a lot of clothes and I'm so grateful for my friends who have lent me theirs...you ladies are lifesavers! :) I still have an unnatural obsession with chocolate and can't get enough! I can be stuffed from a full meal and I'll still be thinking about what chocolate I should have for dessert...my new favorite word. :) I've had some nagging sciatica pain and sore feet, but other that that I'm feeling good. I'm just enjoying my little sidekick...literally! :) More to come soon!

Week 22

It's been awhile since I did any belly pictures so I had Reuben take one last night. Here it is!

Everything is going well. The baby is moving all the time...he's very active! Reuben felt him for the first time the other night, which was very exciting. I'm feeling great. So far my only craving is chocolate...I can not get enough! My next OB appointment is next week...more to come soon.