Well I’m into day four of minimal nausea.  I don't know what's going on - if its ending, or if the suggestions from the midwife are just working.  I even go long stretches forgetting that I’m pregnant.  Mitch asked me to put a number on it… Before, I would say I was like 80% nauseous.  Now I would say 10-20% nauseous.  I still don’t have much of an appetite, and what’s strange is that everything I eat tastes funny.  Like yesterday I ate Wendy’s fries and a chili.  The fries had this aftertaste of tap water – you know, like chlorine or something, and the chili tasted like chili, it just didn’t taste like Wendy’s chili.  I’m having a hard time with this. 

I think I may have to break down and buy some maternity pants soon.  I’m not “showing” or anything, but the little bit of fat I had on my belly is now protruding more than before.  I haven’t gained more than a few pounds, and it seems those are coming from my new enormous boobs that don’t even fit in my bras anymore.  (I’ve taken to wearing sports bras now.)  Some of my pants still fit, but adding to my discomfort may be the gas that I seem to have constantly.  Unfortunately for everyone around me, I see no shame in breaking wind at this point lest I be in pain.  (Sorry folks!)  So I just may have to opt for something with a little more give.

So I seem to be in a much better mood since I don’t have the urge to curl up in the fetal (ironic isn’t it?) position 23 hours out of the day.  I feel like doing more.  Not much more – don’t misunderstand.  Most of the time I’m taking it really easy.  But at least I’m staying at work for whole days.

I went to my 2^nd knitting class yesterday.  I started this class with my co-worker Amber at the Bartlett Community Center , which for those of you who don’t know is just across the street from my house.  I just started the project – a scarf.  I like it, it’s fun.  The scarf has a ribbed pattern, and I also learned how to make a basket weave pattern.  Maybe I’ll get good enough that I can make a blanket before the baby gets here.  Probably going to have to leave that to Suzanne though.  (Suzanne, expect a shipment of yarn fairly soon…

感動！！

 ﾎﾞﾆｰのお腹の中に確かに我々の命が宿っている事を確認する。

未だ、豆粒程度だが確かに心臓がﾊﾞｸﾊﾞｸ（ﾎﾟﾝﾎﾟﾝ程度？）しているのが

超音波画面を通して見る事が出来た。

38歳にして ようやく父親となれる事は大変嬉しいが　責任重大！肩に重石が更に乗っかった気分で心配。でも“何とか成るのでは”とﾎﾞﾆｰと話している間にそう感じた。

これから7ヶ月間　新体験ｿﾞｰﾝ（大変）に突入する訳だが色々と楽しく可笑しく夫婦で過ごせるようにしたいものだ。ﾎﾞﾆｰ頑張って健康で可愛いﾍﾞｲﾋﾞｰを生んでくれ！ 

Blown away!

I have confirmed that we created a new life in Bonnie’s belly!  Though the baby is just the size of a bean, we could see our baby’s heart was beating like crazy! (Ok maybe it was just a little flutter.)

I’m so happy to become a father finally – (I’m already 38! ), but I’m realizing this is going to be a huge responsibility.  I feel like I have a huge weight on my shoulders.  However, when after talking to Bonnie, I felt like “maybe we can do this.”

For the next 7 months, we are entering uncharted territory (for us.)   I hope that this new experience can be fun and laughable for both of us (maybe it’s a little tougher for Bonnie.)  Bonnie!  Work hard and deliver us a strong, healthy, cute baby!

We went for our first visit to the midwife today and we got to see our little peanut!   There is indeed something resembling a baby in there, but since its so early, we couldn't even hear a heartbeat.  But they whipped out the ultrasound for a minute so we could see it.  I'll go and get an actual ultrasound and get a picture and everything in 4 weeks.

Oh, and I got an actual due date of August 14th.

Try morning, noon, and night sickness!!  I feel horrible!  I didn't know it was possible to be nauseous 24-7, but apparently it is.  Nobody told me about this when I signed up.  (I certainly didn't sign up for this.)

Not much is new.  Baby got a few Christmas presents and we started getting the room ready since my very very generous sister and brother-in-law have started donating all the necessary baby items as their little one has grown out of them.

Mitch informed his family about our little munchkin on New Year's Eve (it's a big deal in Japan) and they were all very excited.

We have our first appointment on Monday with the Midwife.  I think we'll get to see or at least hear the heartbeat of the little one who is wreaking havoc on me.