Baby @ 26 Weeks

Here is the result of my first visit with my new OBGYN yesterday. She was breech so we couldn't see much, but apparently that's her face (her eyes facing us)! 14 weeks to go!

IS THERE LIFE AFTER TWILIGHT?

Even though I tried to drag Breaking Dawn as long as I could, and I was HAPPY the series ended well, I caught myself telling my husband yesterday that now I have "nothing" to do. Lol. Sunday night as I was reading the last pages, I kept drifting in and out of sleep, and actually dreamt that I was some form of a Bella, with little Renesmee (Lole) sleeping beside me. What is wrong with me? Haha! Seriously though, I'm curious what all of you "after-lifers" did for amusement once the series was over (besides get back to reality)...did you move on to another book, maybe even a Steph Meyer book? Any suggestions?

I don't heart HSM1-2-or-3, but SHE DOES!

Last Friday, Lole and I watched HSM3 (her winning choice against Beverly Hills Chihuahua) along with an army of elementary kids apparently on a field trip. What ever happened to going to the zoo or state museum? Anyway, my daughter loved it of course, but I couldn't wait for it to be over. Gabriella+Troy+corny love songs=SHOOT ME, PLEASE! They are the only ones that really kill the movie for me. I did however like the PROM SCENE where they sing "A Night to Remember", esp. Tay's dress!

PCC'S Haunted Lagoon Ride

Last night we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for their newest attraction--The Haunted Canoe Ride! SPOOOKY! Even though we waited in line for over an hour, I must say I was pretty impressed by their efforts; there was food, glow toys, picture taking, fully-costumed "scarers", creepy music, and the best part: it was FREE for us (annual pass members get 1 free ride & toddlers need not pay)! You would NEVER guess that Lole was deathly afraid to take this picture with the Joker & Skeleton and that we had to drag her to do it, face buried/crying in dad's chest and all. It wasn't until we said "SMILE" that she turned around for the flash, hiding her fear!

We left the ride completely soaked on one side (smart people don't sit on the edge) and satisfied that dad didn't knock out the monster that made Lole cry.

Breaking Dawn

SO.....I'm finally here, about to start the last of the 4 book series...{sigh}. I guess all good things must come to an end. Thanks to my niece Jaz for letting me borrow her books cause I don't know if I could have afforded this obsession. :-) I realized as I was reading the ending parts of Eclipse, how grateful I was to Stephanie Meyer for providing a good read for us, without the vulgarities so often seen in modern day media. I don't regret at all jumping on the band wagon, and I'm even more amazed that 2 of my best friends are anything but enthusiastic about the series! Oh well, to each his own. I, on the other hand, am a fan for life! PS: The hubby and toddler are both knocked out before 7pm...how lucky am I to get a good start? Thanks guys.

First Pumpkin Carving

Yes, I admit I've never carved a pumpkin before, but neither has Bo. So, what was supposed to be Lole's first time, became her dad's! It was fun to watch and Lole was so excited, but was too busy eating and playing with her friend Atimoa, to want to try it herself. Here they are, pleased with the end product (which happens to look just like dad when he's angry! lol.)

Glasses to Dr. Schutte

Lole's had an interest in wearing fake glasses since she'd seen her aunties wear them around over the past year. She wears them like any other accessory, and can withstand the irritation of the weight on the bridge of her nose (something I can't do even with regular sunglasses). People always question whether or not they're prescription, and when I say NO, they either think it's the cutest thing or the wierdest. I myself used to sport a pair, but only briefly in 9th grade when I thought I was making a huge fashion statement. I think I only got complimented once! Lol. Oh well, she does look much cuter in them than I ever did!

On another note:

Yesterday was our last appointment with Dr. Sarah Schutte, my OBGYN with Lole and two-thirds of this 2nd pregnancy. She's an awesome doctor but because of the policies at Castle Hospital where she delivers, she can't accommodate my wish to have a VBAC. (Vaginal Birth after C-Section). [I had an emergency C-section w/Lole, because her heart rate kept dropping and I wasn't dilating much. They had a hunch that her umbilical chord was wrapped around her neck and (when they cut me) sure enough, it was...twice!] So, my chances of having a successful vaginal birth after that are assumed to be good because it was an emergency last time, and not due to any other inabilities on my part. These last 2 months I deliberated on the option to do a repeat C-section (thus being able to keep my doctor & birthing center) or planning for a "natural" birth with a new OBGYN & different hospital! With Dr. Schutte's support and encouragement, I decided I'm going to try and take one to the Va-JayJay despite my sister (& mother of 3) warning me that I'm not missing out on anything, and my husband doubting whether or not I can do it. (Maybe he's speaking for himself!) I'm so thankful for Dr. Schutte, even her friendly reminder that "I don't wanna be a fat mom" (when pregnant w/Lole) and her more recent suggestion to limit the extra calories, putting it frankly. It's ok doc, I still heart you for bringing my Lole safely into this world, and on your day off no less! Here's the pic I was supposed to take of you two 31/2 years ago! Thanks again!

EIGHTS {tag}

8 Favorite TV SHOWS: Intervention, Take Home Chef, Closed Case, Diners Drive Inns & Dives, Conan O’Brien, A Baby Story, Jon&Kate+8, Little People Big World

8 Favorite RESTAURANTS: Papa Ole’s, Hukilau Café, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Spaghettini’s, Rosie’s (just for the fried ice cream & chips/salsa), Shrimp Shack in Kahuku (not Giovannis, the other one by Texaco), Pandas

8 Things that HAPPENED YESTERDAY: read about the Polyz in Utah committing crimes, tried to teach Lole to ride a skateboard, cleaned room, went to doc appt where I listened to baby’s heartbeat (in the 150’s…whatever that means), dropped off overdue DVDs at the library, visited my sister & kids, read 2 chapters from Eclipse, ate ice cream & cookies even though doc says I need to slow down the weight gain & start exercising!

8 Things to LOOK FORWARD to: tomorrow (I love Saturdays), Halloween rides (PCC & Gunstock), upcoming Holidays, Holiday Food, Twilight the movie, Lole starting preschool, NEW BABY, starting my diet after the latter

8 Things on my WISH LIST: good weather on Halloween, visit family in Utah (buddy passes anyone?), a million dollars, for this election to be over with, my own home, trip to Disneyland, my family’s continued health & safety, move outta Hawaii!

8 Things I LOVE about FALL: new school year, cooler weather, football season, closer to Christmas, rainy (koko & bread) days, summer clothes go on sale, shorter days/longer nights, less tourists

Technical Difficulties

My comp has been acting up for a few weeks now, so I haven't been able to BLOG/SURF the net like I'd like because I have to go on someone else's computer out of my comfort zone. I'M SO IRRITATED! Oh please computer gods, have mercy on me!!!!

Eclipse: The End is Near!

With NEW MOON finally out of the way (because I'd been too angry to read much all weekend) and with my husband out of town, I've had little distraction getting ECLIPSE started. But I almost feel like I need to slow down (like I could read any slower than I am, going a chapter at a time)...I feel like I'm biting down on the last piece of a really good hamburger or chocolate cake, trying to savor every last delicious crumb, because I don't want it to be over!! I realize I only have a few 100 pages to go before the last book, and I feel sad that my excitement/anticipation for "what next?" will subside with the passing of each chapter, each new unfolding drama...all too soon coming to an end!

MUSIC TO MY EARS

I AM TOO ANGRY TO READ (sorry NEW MOON) or POST ANYTHING MEANINGFUL RIGHT NOW, SO HERE'S A MUSIC SURVEY I DID FOR DISTRACTION...

1.
Song that makes you dance, no matter what:
ELECTRIC SLIDE- MARCIA GRIFFITHS

2.
Song you'd use to tell someone you love them:
ALL MY LIFE- K-CI & JOJO

3.
Song that has made you sit down and analyze the lyrics:
WHO THE CAP FIT- BOB

4.
Song you like that a two-year old would like:
AT 2, LOLE'S INTEREST WAS DREAMGIRLS, SO I'M GONNA SAY THE WHOLE SOUNDTRACK

5.
Song that gives you an energy boost:
DANGEROUS- KARDINAL OFFISHALL/AKON

6.
A song you and your grandparents would like:
SAMOA MATALASI- JUNIOR MAILE'S VERSION

7.
Song you really liked when you were in high school that you still like now:
MARIAH CAREY'S "FANTASY" (was the bizz SR YR)

8.
A sad song that would be in the soundtrack of the movie about your life:
WHO AM I TO SAY- HOPE

9.
Peppy song that would start the opening credits in the movie of your life:
COOL- GWEN STEFANI

10.
A good song from a genre of music that no one would guess you liked:
ONE LAST BREATH- CREED

11.
Song you think should have been playing when you were born:
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD- PRINCE :-)

12.
Favorite duet artists:
BABYFACE w/the following:
TAMIA- SLOW JAMS
MADONNA- TAKE A BOW
TONI BRAXTON- THERE'S NO ME WITHOUT YOU
PEBBLES- LOVE MAKES THINGS HAPPEN

13.
A favorite song you completely disagree with:
AINT NO FUN (IF THE HOMIES CAN'T HAVE NONE)- SNOOP DOGG

14.
Song that you like despite the fact that your IQ level drops several points every time you listen to it:
TELL ME WHEN TO GO- E-40

15.
Smoothe song for relaxing:
SERENADE- SHADES

16.
A song you would send to someone you can't stand:
F*** ALL Y'ALL AND HIT EM UP- 2PAC

17.
Favorite political track:
PEANUT BUTTER- LUCKY DUBE

18.
Favorite track from a band considered a "super group":
ONE OF US- ABBA

19.
A song that makes you reminisce about good times with a family member or friends:
LUCKY DUBE'S "RELEASE ME" (early mixin days in Provo '97)

20.
Favorite song from a soundtrack:
SOVORY'S "DEEPER THAN BLOOD"- 6TH MAN

21.
Your favorite song RIGHT now:
WINNER AT A LOSING GAME- RASCAL FLATTS

Boogie Bored

Besides the excitement of starting NEW MOON, Lole (thanks to my sis Fia) got her first boogie board lesson today! None of us had originally planned on going to the beach, but my cousin called and asked if anyone wanted to join. It must've been a relief for my niece and nephew--whom i found having "quiet reading time" forced upon them by their mom this afternoon--because they're on break! Kalofae. I was so happy Lole enjoyed herself, what with her being cooped up indoors with a bookworm these last few days. My sis said that even when Lole would fall off the board or flip over she'd say, "That was AWESOME! Let's do it AGAIN!

New Moon, baby!

Finished Twilight this morning and I couldn't get to my niece fast enough to borrow the sequal. *Thanks Jazzie, and sorry I ripped your Twilight cover* According to her, New Moon might be a dissappointment to me, but I don't care. I'm so anxious to get this new obsession over with. Meanwhile, my poor daughter is suffering an ill-attentive mother because all of a sudden she gets to watch whatever and however many movies she wants. I'm embarassed to say that my shishi trips went from 2 mins to 20 mins just so I can have time alone to read. Sorry Lole, I'll try to read this one faster!!!

Waimea Falls Hike

So, yesterday, instead of taking our toddlers to school, my sister suggested we go on a hike @ Waimea Falls (since her older kids are on a break). For some reason, being almost 6 mos. pregnant and hearing the words "hike" and "3/4 mile" did not phaze me. Lol. It turned out to be more of a really LONG scenic walk, with one trecherous uphill climb after we got done dippin in the water. It was the most exercise I've gotten all pregnancy in one day (1.5 miles all together) so I was a little worried that I was going to keel over, PLUS I held my shishi the whole treck back because I HATE porto-potties. 3 hours, 5 tuna sandwiches, 10 cookies, 2 bags of sliced fruit, 1.5+ liters of water, 136 pics, and 6 pooped out people later, we were done!

TWILIGHT- LATE BLOOMER

Curious about the hype, I have decided to start the series....I know, late huh? I first saw this book in my 13 yr. old niece's room a LOOOOOONG time ago, but since I'm not an avid reader I never asked. Now that she and my sister have both read book 3 already, and Twilight the movie is soon to hit theaters, I can't help but not want to feel left out!! My sister has little faith in my ability (mostly my attention span) to finish it so she says if I don't complete it in a week I have to bring it back! Lol.

HERE WE GO!

HIGHLIGHTS

The Day's Highlights:

• enjoying the wisdom & counsel from our church leaders
• being able to watch missed Conference talks via the Internet
• painting mine and Lole's nails
  
• Teri Beef Sandwich & the crispiest fries EVER from Papa Ole's
• news article from a "family expert" urging mothers to STOP hovering over their children and to remember our foremost role as wives
  
• finding out Inoke Funaki had an awesome game yesterday
• Sandies Choc Chip Shortbread Cookies w/ Ice cream
• a NAP!
  
• having FUN playing Duck Duck Goose & Hide-n-Seek w/Lole & Bo, outside and in the dark
• Sugar Cane for a snack
  
• short cruise in Bo's Ford F350 work truck (equipped with sound system & the best A/C)
• Gas price @ Laie Chevron $4.02 (had to do a double take)
• praying over my little family as they slept tonight

Counting my BLESSINGS

Tonight, Bo and I watched one of those ER shows on DISCOVER HEALTH where we saw an infant fight for his life because not only was he born prematurely (only 29 wks), but also through his mother's carelessness tested positive for cocaine. Sadly, we also watched 2 men come into the ER with stab wounds from their respective "women" and one of them didn't make it through. But what hit home for me was to see a child (who looked the age of my daughter) struggle for life as ER docs tried to resuscitate her after being found at the bottom of a pool. My heart broke and I felt a renewed sense of responsibility to Lole (as well as my unborn child) to do my best not to take them for granted. Too often we leave our children unattended (sometimes even just for a few mins) or delegate others to nurture and protect them, when it is our charge as mothers to do so in the first place. I admit that I have taken this duty lightly at times like when I 'm lazy to buckle her up because we're just driving down the street, or when I leave her outside playing by herself so I can do a quick task that probably could wait (even though we live right off busy Kam Hwy). I am so grateful for times like this where I am REMINDED to count my blessings and literally/prayerfully/physically thank God for them. I am truly LUCKY.

BIT Me...

As of late, my sleep schedule is WAY off and so here I am at 3am typing away and enjoying the feel of baby moving around in my tummy. Yesterday was my turn to see the dentist, so Bo got off work early and took us. Initially I just wanted to set up appointments to finish some work I started last year, but ended up getting two fillings even though I was dying to take a rain check so I could EAT instead. But, since I was already in the chair I figured I'd get it over with. As soon as I was done, Bo said he was hungry AGAIN(he'd been eating while I was w/ Lole & the dentist for an hour) so we walked into IHOP for pancakes (easy enough for me to chew with a numbed left side)...But because I was soooo hungry I ordered a grilled chicken/bacon ranch sandwich instead. 20 mins into the meal I notice my lip feels a bit funny...I was still so numb on one side that I didn't feel my teeth CHOMPIN down on my lower lip! Ouchie! I will never try and eat so quickly after the dentist again!!

When we got home, I feel asleep after 6pm and woke up at midnight to find my husband sleeping outside on a lawn chair, and Lole knocked out next to me. I have to wonder what they do when I'm passed out early...did they eat dinner? Did she cry for me or for someone to play with her? Why didn't anyone wake me up? I guess I'll never know, but thanks Lole and Dad for letting me catch some Zzzzz's.

DEFECTIVE TOOTH,HUH?

Lole had a false cavity scare yesterday, which turned out to be just ANOTHER tooth defect according to the dentist. WHEW! This is the 2^nd time this year, and although I am grateful she doesn’t have any cavities, what is up with this DEFECT deal? At least I know she LOVES going to the dentist, look at that smile!

BUT I LOVE THEM!

I don’t like FA’ALAVELAVE’s and we usually never go ‘coz Bo is somewhat anti-social when it comes to his family. Yesterday we found out that my mother-in-law’s uncle passed away on her Palepale family side, and for some reason or other, Bo actually wanted to go. I murmured silently and aloud, trying to get my husband to realize how tired he was from work to convince him we shouldn’t. I even uttered that this was going to be a waste of time, and that we don’t even REALLY KNOW the dude who died (actually he knew him a little, I didn’t at all). Bo never responded defensively and instead gave me the option to stay home. I reluctantly agreed to go and as we were getting ready, Lole asked me where we were headed. (I’ve taken her to Mormon services at the chapel before but never to a Tongan putu of another faith.) I explained to her that we were going to a funeral because someone in grandma’s family died. It surprised me to hear the sadness in her response and to see the sincerity in her face as she said ever so sweetly, “Aw…BUT, I LOVE THEM!”

These simple words spoken from naïve innocence rang clear in my thoughts. How could my 3 year old child, who knew nothing of the deceased—save his relation to grandma—show such Christ-like compassion for a stranger? And how could I NOT have? Lole never asked why we had to go. She never complained. She even carried herself in a somber and reverent manner at the putu, asking only for her doll and for someone to hold her during the strange prayers that I joked sounded like Arabic chantings. BUT, I LOVE THEM she said…like a plea to the heavens for those who knew not what they did…like a response to the “peculiar” ways (according to the world) in which we worship, redeem the dead, and gather the Saints…our LOVE…for ANYTHING meaningful, be it God, country, family, lifestyles or callings, is our REASON. And as we know and learn through our faith, CHRIST is the way.

Selfishness is unbecoming of a Latter Day Saint, if I am so worthy to call myself such, and so is taking without ever giving or reaching out to those in need of comfort and support. Even though it was more like a (very small) hand in the kitchen as my mom-in-law prepared food, driving her to and from Kalihi and repectful smiles/hugs to her grieving family, my shame (for complaining earlier) dissipated in the end. Such is the calling of a Christ-like people: to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort and to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light...WILLINGLY and WITHOUT RESERVE simply because YOU LOVE THEM.

Thank you Lole for this reminder!

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

For whatever reason, I have decided to create a blog. I'm not sure what I am going to gain out of this, but at this time it seems more appealing to me than frequenting friend sites such as Myspace or Bebo. Call it daily inventory if you will, 'cause I don't know what to call it yet. Anyway, the beautiful sunny day in Hawaii has just started for me so I have to get a move on. Can you believe it's OCTOBER already? Sheesh.