Baby Ideas

I thought I would post some of my baby ideas in case you like them and want to implement them :)

Back in the first trimester, I decided that I wanted to keep a prayer journal for Aolani. It's a little book with 40 pages, one for each week of the pregnancy. Each week I jot down a thought, a verse and a prayer for her. It's not a baby book. When she is old enough to appreciate it, we can give it to her as a special gift (like for a rite of passage). This way she can read about what we were praying for regarding her while she was in the womb.

During my nap the other day, I re-wrote a lullaby to sing to her. It's meant to be sung to the rhythm of "Hush Little Baby":

Hush Aolani, don't say a word,

Mama's gonna teach you about God's Word.

You'll learn to apply it everyday,

And it will help you in every way.

Read your Bible and you will see,

Just how powerful it can be.

So, you're probably somewhat amused. You'd be really amused if I listened to Ricky, who wanted to post an audio clip of me singing it. What good would your imagination be then?

Independence Day

Maybe not nationally but locally (as far as this household goes).

Yesterday was first day home alone. Yes, ALONE.

That might come as a shock to many of you, but I have been ordering all the equipment necessary to help me care for myself at home. Although I am still waiting on one piece to help me transfer to the recliner so I can lie down (it shipped yesterday), I have the dire essentials.

I do feel like a big girl :)

Work status: I meet with my OB/GYN this Friday and will talk with her before coming to any conclusions.

4 1/2 months!

So, this picture isn't the best. I meant to take one weeks ago, or at least when we're clean and spiffy.

Yesterday, we went to the park with some friends for a picnic and "Wike" ride (hence the heat and sweat). The Wike is a covered cart that allows Ricky to pull me behind his bike, so we can enjoy these times together. It was a gift to us from a bunch of church friends who got together and collected enough money for this wonder in order to bless us. Boy, did it! That was back in May. Yesterday's ride was only 4-5 miles, but it was a beautiful trail around a lake.

The Prosperity Gospel

Few things turn our stomachs as much as the so-called "Prosperity Gospel."

We could talk about it for a while, but John Piper does a good job expressing our feelings about it in this short 3-minute video...

What's In a Name?

Presenting (in my belly)... AOLANI ELIZABETH DIMARTINO

Aolani: It's Hawaiian, meaning "heavenly cloud." Pronunciation is easier than you think! Just say the letter A, then say the letter O, LA like the music note, and NI sounds like knee. Many of you know that Aidan means "fire." When God leads the Israelites through the desert, He makes His presence known among His people by guiding and protecting them with a cloud by day and a fire by night. He directs and protects (from the sun's heat and the cold chill of night). Exodus 13:21 tells us, "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."

Elizabeth: It's a family name passed down from my mother's side and means "sanctified" or "set apart as holy."

DiMartino: "Di" is Italian for "of, from" and "Martino" is allegedly a mountain in Italy from whence the ancestors originate. "Martino" is derived from "Mars," the Roman god of war.

We know. She has a very long name, but it is a good, respectable name.

Honor the LORD. Honor Aidan's side. Honor Ricky's side. Perfect.

Drumroll please...

...it's a GIRL! Yes, the ultrasound lady was confident that the baby had "a girl butt." As my dad would say, "No tallywacker." We are thrilled, and particularly excited since her cousin is also a girl and less than a year older! I will announce her name in another posting, as it deserves its own post.

Here are some of the ultrasound pictures:

Notice the little "girl butt" above.

Just a little note: I have not yet had time to create our baby's "green" registry, although I plan on creating a few that will be exclusively online. I will send out (post) those links as soon as I can get to it. We are going to try and raise our baby healthily and in a good environment (free from the toxins and chemicals in which baby clothes and toys are doused). Not that we expect gifts, but for those who wish to give a gift, we ask for you to wait for the registries. Thank you for understanding! I will be given a couple of baby showers in the winter months ahead :)

Classic Church Comedy

If you expect church on Sunday morning to be good, clean and wholesome... think again!

Yesterday, Ricky and I were late to church. All of the pews in the sanctuary were full. So, I thought let's go sit in the balcony (as Ricky always wanted to do anyway). Granted there is no elevator. I was wearing a skirt, thus Ricky had to scoop and carry me upstairs.

Once we safely hit the top of the landing, Ricky set me down to get his bearings and figure out where to plop me. A man in the second row saw us and moved to give us his seat. Thankful that it was only one step up, Ricky swept me up again.

As he set my feet on the floor, I whisper in his ear, "Ricky! My skirt is falling!" Thinking I'm overreacting, he dismissed my comment for the moment. Until he saw my skirt. Around my ankles. I'd like to say the congregation was praying and heads were bowed. But alas, that would have been too convenient. I was our side of the balcony's spectacle. I tried to sit down, my legs wouldn't bend, women ran over to help dress my unclothed half, and I could not stop laughing. It was so hysterical! I hadn't even seen something that funny happen in church.

Yes, I eventually got covered.
Yes, I should have been mortified.
Yes, choir members from on-stage mentioned seeing us in the balcony.

Little did those poor, innocent families anticipate a strip-tease at church that morning!

Ricky is Having a Baby!

And he is showing!

I wanted to briefly tell you how Ricky is handling the pregnancy.

First trimester: "I am lovin' being pregnant! I get to eat a lot all the time. I get to relax and watch movies. AND, I get to take frequent naps. This is great!" Ricky's words; Ricky's enjoyment of my misery. But hey, at least someone is enjoying being pregnant.

Second trimester: Let's just say the insomnia (RLS and leg cramps, too) and frequent hormonal changes in wife are starting to take a toll on Daddy.

Seriously though, he is a great support and I couldn't make it without his TLC.

Also, I can now announce that Ricky has been keeping his own blog (not on family life): http://writingsofricky.blogspot.com/

Romanticism, in Pregnancy

What does every teenage girl and young woman think of when they hear the word "pregnancy"?

Easy: big belly, cute clothes, gifts, and finally being able to eat whatever she wants (and lots of it)

The other day I had some friends stop by for a visit. One girl asked, "So Aidan, what is it like being pregnant?"

"Miserable."

I saw her face fall from a wishful eagerness to a timid solemnity. I frightened the poor girl and didn't mean to. Had I become the balloon-popper, hope-crusher? I felt horrible. I just answered quickly and honestly, never thinking otherwise.

This got me thinking about how females completely romanticize pregnancy from the time we are adolescents. Yes, even I! Just like how we romanticize marriage. We only see the roses and hear about the thorns but don't understand until experience comes knocking.

I'm not dying, but I do feel like I've been pretty miserable (physically, of course) thus far. However, if this is what bringing a life into the world is like for me, I will gladly do it! It's just not the fun and games pre-pregnant women dream of.

Let me make one disclaimer: Yes, there are many women who have wonderful pregnancies. Like my mother, who described our pregnancies as night and day. She only knew the bright side, until now.

Disillusionment has been dispelled.

Good pregnancies. Bad pregnancies. No matter, gratitude prevails.

Hormones Gone Rampant

Sadly, the streak ended Thursday night. Yes, I "spilled my groceries." I ran some errands on Thursday, thinking in my mind that I was up to it. However, I came home exhausted, dizzy, headache-y, and just plain sick feeling. Guess my body wasn't ready for a big outing.

I am so ready for these "raging hormones" to calm down! Here are just a few of the "fun" side effects from all the hormones:

• Insomnia (every night, robbing hours of good sleep)
• Restless Legs
• Headaches and dizziness
• Allergic reaction to deodorants (odd, I know)
• Dental problems (sensitivity, brushing induces gagging/vomiting)
• Acne (not pleasant for someone who doesn't wear makeup)
• Sore, tight muscles (my legs and feet feel full of knots that won't be massaged out)

As many already know, I was craving/eating food that I don't normally eat for most of my pregnancy so far. Thankfully, that somewhat subsided, and I went back to my healthy diet on Monday. Yay! Also, I am trying a no-sugar pregnancy, which means I've been abstaining from white and/or refined sugar (like desserts) since mid-April. I mostly use fruits, honey or stevia to sweeten :) Ricky has joined me to show his support. So far, so good...

2nd Trimester is here (to stay)

Praise God!!!

Yesterday was the beginning of the second trimester, and we are so thankful. Although the other symptoms are hanging around, I am glad to say I have not vomited in a week!! Woohoo! I think the bucket is starting to get used to its new (and clean) lifestyle ;) I'm getting bigger, and my mom commented that it's probably because I'm keeping my food down!

Also, my gum line has been SO sensitive lately. Brushing hurts. My mom said that many women have dental problems during pregnancy because the baby is stealing all the calcium. So, I started drinking a calcium powder in water. I am about to head to the semi-annual dentist appointment, so it's good timing for me :)

I'll post again soon because we have more news...

The 1st Ultrasound

This one is from above, so you can see the head and arms and hands.

Last Friday, August 7th, we went to a big appointment. First, we met with the genetic counselor and opted out of getting any genetic tests. Second, we got the first detailed ultrasound (pictures are above). Third, we got to meet with the high-risk OB/GYN who will be following me, as well as a general OB/GYN doctor. They are both female, so Ricky can breathe easier ;) She didn't say too much but wanted to wait to hear from my cardiologist, since that determines much of how we will proceed. I have mild cardiomyopathy and a few other heart troubles (not too bad though). I get an echocardiogram and meet with him on August 27th.

Also, they moved the due date up to February 19, 2010 because the baby measured 12 weeks. The due date has moved from the 26th to the 25th to the 23rd to the 21st to the 19th! Maybe this one will stay :)

She also mentioned that I am going to get many ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy, since I must be followed more closely. So, lots of pictures to come! Maybe our baby will be photogenic :)

Our next ultrasound is scheduled for September 3rd. If the baby cooperates, they may be able to determine the gender, as best they can...