An Evening of Aloha

I’ve been going to hula every Thursday (and sometimes Saturday) since May and all the practice has led up to my first Ho’ike last night.  The day started out really early…7:30 am to be precise.  I had to have my make-up and hair done bright and early and then helped out with set-up of the whole thing.  It was a warm sunny day and it was pretty warm in the gym.  The doors opened at 2 pm and there was quite a bit of entertainment before and during dinner including a Taiko group and Polynesian performers as well.  We began performing around 5 pm as the guests finished their luau dinner, which was complete with kalua pork, mac salad, and poi.

Michelle brought Jack to the show and I think he was a little confused to see me.  With so much make-up on, I wouldn’t blame him.

I performed in 3 dances that evening and luckily most of my dresses still fit.  This is the more traditional costume that was used for the hula kahiko portion.  It’s not the most flattering outfit but certainly hides an emerging baby bump.

This is me in one of the hula ‘auana.  I can’t believe this dress actually still fit.  Kumquat was officially 15 weeks old that morning and decided that this would be the day he/she would make my belly stick out a little.

The little girls were also so cute in their outfits.  I’m surprised at how they were able to withstand such a long day of getting their hair done, waiting around, lining up, and being on their best behavior.

Here’s the group photo that we all took together.  There are a lot of us!  It was a really fun day and evening of ohana and aloha.  I’m so glad that I was a part of it.

Here are the photos from the event.

Long Weekend

Brother and Joy came up to visit this past weekend and I took Friday off to enjoy the time with them.  They arrived on Thursday afternoon and I got off work in time to drive back to SF, pick up their luggage, drive home, and walk to Hog Island for HH with them.

On the walk home, there was a really pretty sunset and the sky was pink and orange.  The weather was really pleasant and it remained warm through the night…so unusual.

On Friday, we got up early and went for a short run to Chinatown.  We stopped for breakfast at Washington Bakery and had some porridge and fried dough.  Yum.

Later that day, we drove to Sausalito to check out a cute novelty shop and grabbed a quick bit to eat before heading over to the Walt Disney Family Museum.

The last stop was Humphrey Slocombe.  I was bummed that I couldn’t get a scoop of Secret Breakfast but I got to try Fluffernutter, whcih really tasted like an Abbazabba!

On Saturday, I had hula rehearsal in the morning so Brother and Joy wandered Japan Town and had brunch on Fillmore.  Afterward, we headed home and walked to lunch with Jes and Koa.  It was so warm and sunny outside. Later that night, we drove down to Redwood City for lobster rolls and clam chowder at Old Port Lobster Shack before driving down to Shoreline for the Journey concert.

It was super crowded on the lawn but we somehow found Dot and the Masayas and hung out at the top where there was an extra bar and plenty of room to spread out.  We stayed until the end and watched them perform their most famous songs.

It was a fun long weekend with Brother and Joy.  I guess it’ll hold me over until Christmas.

Here are the photos from this weekend.

Fleet Week

This year for Fleet Week, Huy was on one of the nuclear aircraft carriers that came to the Bay Area.  On Saturday, he got a ferry ride to shore and was dressed in his uniform.  He’s now a Lieutenant Commander so he got lots of salutes while we were out and he even got us a table at Prospect, which had no reservations available.  Sweet.

I was in class all Saturday and Sunday but Jes and The Masayas got to hang out with him.  They even got a private tour of the aircraft carrier on Sunday!  I was so jealous.  On Sunday and Monday nights, we had dinner with some of the officers in his squadron.  They’re a fun bunch and we had some tasty food.

It was great seeing Huy and we learned a lot about what he’s been doing this past month on the ship.

Kumquat

OK…we gave in.  This past summer, we decided it was time for us to grow up.  So, in July we started trying and whadda ya know…it worked the first time around!  So…I’m pleased to announce that I’m PREGNANT!!! Whoa. This is a major milestone, people!

Yep, it’s true.  Crazy, huh?!  Jes happened to be out of town at a conference when I got the home pregnancy results but because since we both had just gotten new iPhones, I was able to use FaceTime to show and tell him the good news.  He was still a little groggy in bed when I called (yeah, it was really early in the morning) and when I showed him the stick, he looked a little confused at first and then he had a little smirk on his face once he was able to read the screen.  I guess we both weren’t expecting it to happen right away but I guess all the planets were aligned and it was our turn to be parents!

We were both in shock for the first month.  We were acting as if this was totally unplanned.  I got some blood work done to confirm the pregnancy but it still didn’t feel real.  When we called our parents, they were also surprised.  I used FaceTime to tell my parents and my mom was like, “I was just talking to my friend about you and I had told her you weren’t going to have kids!”  When my dad heard the news, he looked at me through the phone and said, “YOU?!” When we called Jes’ parents, they were so excited.  Jes’ dad said “FINALLY!  I’ve been WAITING!”

It wasn’t until I went to see the doctor around Week 7 that it all kinda sunk in for us.  That was when I had my early OB ultrasound.  Jes came along and we both got to see for ourselves that there was a creature growing inside me.

Here’s a picture of the embryo.  Click on the image to get a better view.  It already had limbs and a beating heart.  Baby measured at 8.34 mm and the heart rate was 133 bpm (normal).  The doctor was nice enough to record all the images and video and handed us a USB drive to take home.  Awesome!

Here’s a video of the heart beating.  It’s a little hard to see but it’s still pretty amazing. Here’s a link to the actual video.

I’ve had two prenatal check-ups so far and everything seems to be going well so far.  I haven’t had much nausea except for when I’m really hungry.  There was only one time last week when I was in New York that I threw up.  It was weird.  I had just smelled a hard-boiled egg that Jason was eating and felt a little ill.  Moments later, I was bolting for the toilet and threw up all the fruit I had eaten that morning.  Otherwise, the only major symptoms I’ve had are fatigue and a craving for salt and bubbles.  I also can’t eat as much in one sitting and in the last 3 months, I’ve only gained about 1 pound.

At my last prenatal appointment this past Wednesday (10/5), I heard the fetus’ heartbeat through a Doppler Ultrasound. The HR was 160 bpm this time. It was probably because it was moving around a lot. There was a fluttering sound on the Doppler and the doctor said it was kumquat kicking! THAT’S SO NEATO!!

This afternoon, we went in for my 12-week ultrasound and it was pretty cool.  When the image initially came up, I saw it rubbing its eyes like I tend to do all day long.  Heh heh.  Kumquat also bounced around during the test and had its hands to its mouth/face.  That makes the OT in me VERY happy. It’s also 63.11 mm (2.48 inches) long from head to booty.

We also got a 3D image of Kumquat and you can see both arms and the folded legs.  It has Jes’ belly already.  Heh heh.

So there you have it, folks! I’m putting my wine glass in the cabinet for a while…*sigh*. I’m due in mid-April (around 4/15/12) and I’m now in my 12th week.

P.S. Kumquat is Jes’ nickname for the baby. A few weeks ago, one of the websites I’ve been reading said it was the size of a kumquat and the name stuck. He’s secretly hoping that it’s a girl who’s sweet on the outside but a little sour on the inside. Typical.

NYC Photos

Finally got all my photos in order.  I realized that this is the least number of photos I’ve ever taken on a trip to New York.  Interesting.

Baby Kwak has a name!

Holly and Roy welcomed their new baby boy into the world on September 21st – just a day before Holly’s 36th birthday!  He weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces.  I got a quick phone photo from them on the day it happened and then they sorta disappeared for a few days.  It wasn’t until last Friday (9/30) that they finally announced his name: Andrew Tyler.  Apparently he was nameless for the first five days of his life.

Anyway, on Saturday (10/1), Jes and I visited them in their New York apartment.  I got to meet the little guy who was just hanging out on the livingroom bed.  Holly’s mom was also there and was staying with them for a few weeks.  He was very alert and didn’t cry when I held him.  I got a few photos of him while I was there and these were some of my favorites.

Look at how small he is!!!  I always forget how tiny newborns are.

Here’s Andrew up-close.  Is he waving or giving me the Vulcan salute?  So cute!

Here are some cute shots of Holly and Roy with their new son.

And of course, I had to get one with the little guy.  Holly said we looked like a lesbian couple with a new baby.  Haha.

Here are the rest of the photos.