The news!

I think all grandparents-to-be know our news now, so we're happy to announce...

Appointments

Alright, time for updates on appointments.
So, it is a really long story, but I'll make it as short as possible. I was supposed to have my ultrasound appointment last Monday at 9:30. I left the house at 7:45, which should have been plenty of time. It took me twice as long to get to Yokohama because of train problems. Then once I got there, the line for the train line I wanted went all the way through the train station and outside. It probably would have taken about an hour to get through it. I called radiology and they said they couldn't get me in until the 30th. I called Danny, cried and tried to find another way to get to Yokosuka - at his insistence. He went to the hospital and got me a spot at 930 on Wednesday that someone had just canceled. Yay! So Wednesday morning I got up at 430 and rode with Danny to work then did very little for the next few hours.
They got me in there about 20 minutes late. The whole appointment took 30 minutes or so. He checked everything. Measurements, heartbeat, bloodflow, heart chambers, kidneys, everything! The measurements put the baby at two days behind the original due date. The baby was measuring 10 oz and just over 6" I believe. They even checked parts of me. Everything looks great. Of course he asked if we wanted to know the gender. I can't tell you the results of that though. Haha, you thought I'd slip...
Here are some pictures.
Facing front, arms up.








Facing up - I still think that looks exactly like my little nose.








Today, my appointment was quick. I measured normal. Heartbeat was easy to find (I told here where I always find it and sure enough there it was. She said the baby usually likes one spot to settle. Of course, we woke the baby up with the doppler and the kick startled me a little. The midwife said she'd like if I'd gain a few more pounds. Its the hardest part of being pregnant right now. I am up to 140, but at 5 months I need to be a little more. Websites say I should have gained 10-15 by now, but I'm at about 2 which is mostly baby and fluids. I'm working harder at it though. I had McDonalds for lunch, so I'm sure that gave me enough calories for the whole day!
Oh, and the due date is staying the same (Sept 7th) but I would put money on the fact that we wont see a baby by then!
If I left anything out I'll edit this post later or leave a comment. I am getting "pregnancy brain" so its really easy to forget things!

EDIT: I can't believe I forgot to mention the best part of the appointment! Danny got to be there. It was so great. He has seen pictures, but he was never able to see how much the baby moves on the ultrasound or hear the heartbeat. It was a great experience for him and I was so glad he could be there when we found out the gender. He is a happy dad. He even called me again today from Sasebo to see how my appointment went.

SECOND EDIT: I had a really funny experience when I went to pay the car insurance today. Before I could tell the woman at the counter what I needed she said "are you pregnant?!" I was so shocked because I didn't think anyone could tell. She must have really good pregnancy instincts and know it well enough to be comfortable saying out loud. It was also interesting that there was another woman working in the office that was about as pregnant as I am. Some friends told me today that you can tell I'm pregnant, but I think it is only because they know. What do you think? (You can always click pictures to see a bigger version - in this case you may need it!)

Very quiet

Its been about as quiet on this blog as it has been in our house. Danny left Saturday morning. He had duty Friday, but I went down. I bought him pizza and drove the car home. Today he called me from Sasebo. I was surprised to see his name on my caller ID, but it was so nice to hear his voice!
Tomorrow morning I have a appointment with my midwife. When I get home I'll let you know how it went and post the ultrasound pictures from last week. As far as the gender news goes... sorry, can't tell you yet. Grandparents-to-be will know later this week. As soon at they know I'll post it for everyone else. Trust me, I've had enough people ask me (make that harass me... Sierra! lol) I've only shared with one person, but she was selling me clothes and lots of baby stuff.
Okay, I'm off to bed now but I'll update you tomorrow afternoon.

pack and play

I went to check the mail yesterday and we had a huge 40 lb box. Luckily I got one of the mail guys to carry it out to the car for me. Anyway, it was a Combi travel pack and play (also known as a play yard). It comes with a bassinet attachment and changing table. Both work up to 15 lbs.
Well, I have pictures.

Thank you Dan & Tracy.

P.S. I finally chose a high chair and added it to the registry. They'll be getting a major revamp soon...

Doppler

I broke down a few weeks ago and bought a fetal heart monitor/doppler on the internet. I just got it in the mail yesterday and it is awesome. When Danny was home last night he plugged his headphones into it and we listened to the heartbeat together. He also had a little too much fun making my stomach jiggle and listen to the sound of it.
The doppler came with an audio-out cable and I am supposed to be able to record the sound onto the computer. So far I've had no luck. My computer doesn't pick up anything. Danny's computer recognizes there is something plugged in, but there is no sound. I may try to find another cable, but I won't give up yet. I am determined to make it work!
I had another doctor's appointment yesterday with an ultrasound. I'll post an update and pictures later.

Japanese Bobtail

Ever since we got Mocha I've wondered why her tail was the way it is. It has a few kinks in it and feels like a deformation. Its probably only about 3" long. Today I finally discovered a little more information. I believe that at least one of her parents were a Japanese Bobtail. Mostly what makes me think this is the description of the tail: (these are CFA standards)
The tail is unique not only to the breed, but to each individual cat. Like our finger prints, no two tails are ever alike. The tail must be clearly visible and is composed of one or more curves, angles, or kinks or any combination thereof. The furthest extension of the tail bone from the body should be no longer than three inches. The direction in which the tail is carried is not important. The tail may be flexible or rigid and should be of a size and shape that harmonizes with the rest of the cat. The genetic factor which created the Japanese Bobtail is completely different from the Manx, a naturally tailless cat. Unlike the Manx, it is due to recessive genes and breeds true. The two breeds are not related in any way. Not only are their tails different, but the body types are completely opposite.
Fascinating.
Her coloring is different from the breed, which is usually white with any other color patches. I think I'll keep searching to discover what the rest of her is, although I think her coloring occurs in many different breeds.

More research

So I searched for a little more information on both cribs.
I found some good information and reviews about the Storkcraft crib on the walmart website: here. The picture showed the crib and drawer both without wheels. It also mentioned that it had an easy, one-hand drop down side.
I also found some reviews on the Target website for the Million Dollar Baby crib. Actually they call it the Da Vinci crib, but it looks exactly the same. The website is here. One of the comments said "5'5" mothers beware". Thats me! They also say it scratches really easily. If it looks terrible, I probably won't want to use for a full bed. I can't imagine what it would look like after a kid was teething on it!
Anyway, I'm gonna keep doing research and see what other people say.

UPDATE: I found the Storkcraft crib on Amazon. BabyUniverse is selling it for 159.00 plus $21.84 for shipping. That is only $1.84 more than the Exchange. Plus I may have to pay the Exchange $55 to deliver it from Yokosuka to my house although I've been told that I can simply request that it is transfered to Negishi and pick it up at the exchange here.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Nevermind! Although the seller says they ship to APO/FPO, it is Amazon policy that no furniture can be sent to us here. I was hoping it would be small enough for USPS to accept it, but I guess not. I'm back to ordering from the Exchange via the phone number.

Change in Cribs

Danny measured the space for the crib today so I went to the exchange website to find the dimensions. Not only do they not have the measurements, but they also stopped selling the one I had picked out. Grr.
So anyway, I picked out two new ones that I have to choose from. The first is the Storkcraft Chelsea 4-in-1 crib they sell for $189. I really don't like that it has wheels.


The second is the Million Dollar Baby Emily 4-in-1 crib the Exchange sells for $259.



Both are fine, but so far I'm liking the second one better.
Here are the links: Storkcraft and Million Dollar Baby. Please tell me what you think.

Updating

Okay, I am updating the registries to add baby clothes. I will add both boy and girl clothing since it will be a while before we know which one we need. I may add some bedding stuff too, but I'm realistic that I'll be changing sheets a lot and I may be getting a free set of bumpers.
Note: I added some things that are the same item on both registries. Most of the time I prefer one over the other, but I haven't figured out exactly how to deal with that yet. Next week I am gonna make Danny add a few things.
A friend suggested to me that if there are things I want but can't get them sent here that I should buy them at walmart.com and have it sent to the Bremerton or Poulsbo store for someone to pick it up and sent to me. Sometimes it is hard to get things because the company will only send UPS or Fedex. I'm not paying international shipping!
Oh, she also suggested that if you really wanna go baby shopping for me, check out Ross or TJ Maxx. They should have lots of great deals.
This is all really complicated and hard to explain exactly what I want. Instead of relying on the registries, its probably easier to talk to me!

Registries

I'm working on registries. They aren't very good right now, but they exist.
One is in amazon. I have problems making the link work. If this doesn't work, just search our names. Amazon.com
I also made a Target one. Most of the stuff can't be sent to APO/FPO, but it can give you an idea of what I'm looking for anyway. Target
Most of you don't have access to the Navy Exchange, but I made one ... Here is the link, but I have no clue if it will work. I know you'll have to login. NEX gift registry