My Heart is Still in Kona

It has now been 14 weeks since we left the Big Island and I'm still waking up in the morning wishing I were there and not here. I know this probably isn't healthy but it is how I really feel. Although my job is now much better than when I arrived, Aaron has a good job here and we do have a few friends - it still isn't home. Somehow in the year we were in Kealakekua - it became home. My friendships grew and I felt like part of the community. Both because I know we are leaving and others know we are leaving - my roots here in Maui are very shallow. Everyday I look forward to our one last visit to the Big Island in June and then moving home to Colorado. I feel like I'm killing time here in Maui (which I have to admit isn't a terrible place to be killing time). I'm just not as invested, I don't know my students very well, we have few people to hang out with in the evening and I am really really missing a few of my friends over on the Big Island. Well - it is life - this is where I will be for the next 6 weeks. It doesn't matter much that I would rather have spent this semester in Kona - there are lots of things I would rather have a different way.

Looking forward - Aaron has been in Loveland for the last few days and in our conversations I'm reminded that this is our permenant home. I'm looking forward to re-establishing our friendships and family time there. I'm sure that althought it will be hard to leave the warm ocean - that once back in Loveland I will quit waking up in the morning wishing I were somewhere else!

19 and a half weeks

Making progress!! This week I got - "oh, I can see your little bun!" and "if you're pregnant, you need to get fatter." and "how far along are you because you don't look pregnant?" I've heard that the comments continue to get better and that people really do think they can say anything to you if you are pregnant. It is kind of funny and maybe a little obnoxious!

I will focus on the first comment! For the first time this week I looked in the mirror and thought, yes - that looks pregnant - not just thicker!

The baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. He or she is just a bit larger this week - about 6 inches and 8 ounces.

Life - life is pretty good. Work is going smoothly for now, Aaron leaves for a wedding in Colorado on Wednesday and my parents get here for a visit on Thursday. We have been more active lately going on nice walks and even went out swing dancing last week. I'm still counting down the days - 34 more days of work and we get home to Colorado in 8 1/2 weeks. I think that the idea of having a baby in our arms in 20 weeks or so is becoming more and more real. Today Aaron looked at my tummy and said "I'll be ready to hold our little baby." Today I felt like the baby might be a girl - I don't know why - just a feeling. Tomorrow I might feel like maybe he's a boy! Who knows!? We are praising the Lord for the miracle of life!

18 and a half weeks

Well, I'm still waiting. On Thursday morning I was at a new school I'm servicing and was explaining to the vice principal why I could not work in the Kindergarten SPED room because of CMV exposure and she said surprised "What, you are pregnant?" So it is conclusive - to the unknowing person - although my uterus is the size of a cantelope - I look very not pregnant. Oh, well ... the day will come. But for now I will enjoy the last few times I fit in my jeans with the button fastened (-: Aaron laughs at me because I want to look "bigger" so people know. I guess it doesn't really matter - but I'm in that funny stage where I look bigger than I'm used to, but not pregnant. I guess it can't happen over night! Here are pictures of 8 1/2 weeks, 14 1/2 weeks and today at 18 1/2 weeks.

Any day now I should feel the baby's movements. For the last couple of weeks I have felt something every now and then, but am never sure that it is the baby. I'm excitedly anticipating the moment when I'm 100% sure that it is the baby. We have decided to hold off until we get back to Colorado for the ultrasound - so sorry no sneak peaks for a while. After reading a few things, I'm just not comfortable with it when there is no medical necessity.

The Baby at 18 weeks: Head to rump, the baby is about 5 1/2 inches long and he weighs about 5-7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs. His hands begin to make grasping motions, and he might even start sucking his thumb. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves. The skeleton that started off as rubbery cartilage is starting to toughen up; and your baby's limbs are lengthening. The umbilical cord, pumped entirely by your baby's heart, can now circulate up to 28 litres (50 pints) of fluid a day.

Waiting to look pregnant...

Well, I was going to post some more pictures - but there isn't much to show. I look pretty much the same as I did at 14 1/2 weeks, but a little thicker is all. I've had fun putting each week into a Photoshop collage - so when there is actually something to show - I'll post the collage!

God's Goodness in Friendship

What a great couple of weeks! This spring break two of my very good friends came to play in Maui with me! It was just what I needed and such a blessing from the Lord! Here are a few snap shots of our fun!