Second Trimester Bliss

Issac @ almost 23 weeks

We are in the last stretch of the second trimesters and I have more energy, my skin is really starting to glow and I really have no complaints at this point in time. "Boy oh Boy!!!" is what Isaac hears from me all day and sometime quite a few times during the night. He sure is a busy little boy in there. From the first time I felt him move I went about a week between movements and then the movement became closer and closer...and I know that from here on out there is no letting up. This little stinker had me up and down all night :) I can't  complain because I only had to get up for minutes at a time. And in a few months that will no longer be the case it could be 30 minutes to all nighters...My little mover and shaker is very active and I am loving every minute of it. He reminds me that here's there and that he is growing more and more with each passing week. The experience of feeling your own child move inside of your body is amazing. Like many of the pregnancy experiences you really have no idea what others are talking about or really describing until you are living it yourself. The time that I have to bond with him almost makes be feel selfish in a way. I asked Eddie if he felt 'left out' and his response was, "Not really, I know that I could never handle pregnancy! and that is those are your perks" and he could not be more right. It is my little perk! I started to think of pregnancy as a whole and not only are we so blessed to be welcoming in a new member of our family but there are some very much liked perks along the way.

                     My Top 10 Perks 
# 10 - Journaling/Photo journaling of the experience of being pregnant
# 9 - No one looks at you weird for having seconds (you're feeding for two)
# 8 - Getting new clothes (who cares they are maternity - shopping is shopping and a gift is a gift!)
# 7 - The extra boding time with just mommy and baby
# 6 - Time off of work monthly for Dr's appointments
# 5 -  Extra foot and back massages
# 4 - A little bit more attention from friends, family, and your spouse
# 3 - Getting to feel baby grow and move
# 2 - Your voice will be the first thing baby knows
# 1 - Knowing that you are a part of the amazing miracle of life and joining the elite group of Mothers

I know that I did not list every perk, and thought I'd keep it simple and choose my Top 10. I sure many mothers have their list of perks but there is when it comes down to it I'm confident that the one that I saved for #1 would rain supreme. Knowing that you area part of the miracle of life and joining the elite group of Mothers is something very special and goes beyond just a perk. Motherhood is a blessing and I am blessed that the Lord has called me to be a Mom, that he trust me to take care and raise a precious little life. I feel beyond lucky to have this experience as a women. I know that men as much as they may think they could handle any and everything they are quick to admit that pregnancy is one thing they do not mind letting women handle.

He has Risen!!

Easter circa 1990

In past years I have always been excited when Easter comes. My excitement would swirl around the welcoming of Spring, new dresses, candy filled eggs, and family festivities. I knew that those things that excited me were not the reason for Easter and all together really had nothing to do with Easter; however those things seemed to steal my focus in past years. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice little chocolate bunny, candy filled eggs, buying a new dress to look snazzy in, or enjoying the fellowship of family and friends. Yet, to keep that the main focus of the day makes you really miss out. Looking back I can see that I was really cheating myself out of celebrating the "Super Bowl" of all Sundays! Easter is the day to celebrate a King! The resurrection and sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. Seriously what could be more worthy of our praise and admiration? Certainly not a basket full of candy and toys!
Our amazing church band at South Bay Church played a song this past Sunday and in it the lyrics simply state, "Thank you for the cross". As I sang out those words my eyes welled with tears of joy, appreciating, and love. To reflect on and think of Easter as a day to celebrate the cross and what is represents warms my heart in a new way. To know what he endured on that cross for each and everyone of us is breath taking! I think could I have done that? Would I sacrifice my son? In my heart a know that my thanks is not all that Jesus is looking from us. Most importantly he is seeking to be the #1 in our lives, the one who we seek daily, the one who we depend on for everything. He calls us be in a relationship with him and he wants all of us wholly surrendered every day not just on Easter.

I invite anyone reading this come to South Bay Church with me and my family this Sunday! They are having 4 services, 8:30am, 10:15, 11:30, and 1pm. It is going to be a great and powerful message about living the ONE life that we are given with NO regrets. I am really looking forward to hearing it and can't wait to celebrate that HE IS RISEN!!!

Like Father like Son

Little Isaac, waving hello to the world out there!

Yesterday we got the pleasure of seeing out little guy Isaac again! For those reading this that we may not have told yet, or that didn't see my last post we have a name for our Little Toasty Bun...Isaac Edward Keli'i Tostado. It was not only amazing to see him again but to see how much he has grown in this short month since we saw him last. I can definitely say that I am growing a our little miracle inside of me :) At Kaiser the tech first takes Mommy back to take all the many measurements by herself, and then they call Daddy back to come and see the final show. I wished Eddie could have been back there with me the entire time but I guess we have to follow protocol. The measurements that were suppose to take about 25-30mins took much longer...roughly about 45-60mins! The measurements that she needed to get Isaac was in the wrong  position. He was looking towards my back so she got plenty of spinal shots, and boottie shots. The tech kept saying, "you have one stubborn little baby in there". She tried all the tricks in the book, I got up to go pee twice, laid on my right side, then my left side but he would not flip at all. Her final resort  to try and get him to flip and change positions was to nudging him with the ultrasound thingy...well let's just say he was not a fan of that at all.
The tech exclaimed, "did you feel that!?"
I replied, "that big kick? Yes I totally felt that!"
Then she said, "He just kicked at my hand, I just saw it on the monitor."
I  then told her, "well he's being stubborn and "bronco kicking" like his Daddy "

She was finally able to get the shots that she needed, although Isaac kept putting up his arm and casting a shadow over his heart. The tech hoped that I wouldn't have to come back because they were a bit blurred. So, she finally went to go get Eddie so we could share in the time of seeing our little man together. As I had thought Eddie was very much relieved as he was thinking something was wrong because of how long I was back there. The tech shared with Eddie about "stubborn baby"
he laughed and said, " he gets it from me". (nice that he can admit that! LOL).
The tech replied, "that is what I hear"
Eddie said, "IIIssssaaaac" with a smile.
And what did our little guy do....he flipped positions and showed his heart for the perfect heart shots! The tech was elated.
She snapped the necessary pics and laughed saying, "do you know how long we have been trying to get these pics!"

We all were amazed, he heard Eddie's voice and turned right towards him. Also because he had kept showing his back and little buns she was not able to see his "man hood", but because he has flipped he showed his package when Daddy was in the room. Isaac then put on a little show rolling, waving, and as the tech put it he was being "off the hook". It is just so profound to see how Isaac already has his own little personality.
The tech asked me, "do you have to go to the bathroom early in the morning all the time?
I said, "yes..." Just knowing that it is common for prego women to go often.
She then replied," well you want to see why...there is your bladder and there is his feet."
It was almost like he was doing a little tap dance right on my bladder! I have been telling Eddie for the past week that Isaac has been waking me up in the morning when he is awake and moving...well after seeing that we now know that its confirmed Isaac is messing with me (LOL). I wished we could have gotten more pictures but since Issac was being stubborn and I went to the bathroom twice during the exam to empty my bladder the pictures did not come out so clear. But, I am just glad that we got the pictures that the Dr's need to look at his anatomy and make sure all is good to go.

This week marks the half way point for mommy and Isaac's pregnancy journey. Woo hoo!! In some ways it does seem like time is starting to pick up and before I know it he'll be here. Yet, on the other hand it still seems like each week is taking forever....I am just taking it day by day and enjoying this special time. I can feel him moving in there more and I like to talk to him all the time. It is is an amazing boding experience that I will never forget. I know that I have years and years ahead of me with all kinds of different experiences at different stages of life with my son and I can't wait for what lies ahead. I just always say to him everyday, "Mommy loves you Isaac and I can't wait to see you to give your little face lots and lots of kisses!"

He's growing...20 Weeks