Week 33 Update

We went to the Doc last night for another appointment to see how things are progressing. I don't have a whole lot to report, except that it looks like these babes will still likely be coming around the first week in April. If I could gather the prayers of the ones I love, please be praying for an opportunity for natural birth! This isn't common here, but I know that with Christ, all things are possible.

As for now, ultrasound and examination didn't give any clues to pre-term labor (earlier that 38 weeks). My body sure has hit some rough road- aches and pains, swelling, fatigue- but I knew this would come. Thank the Lord I have an incredible husband who has loyally been massaging these tired bones every day! I feel like he's the one who needs it, but he insists this is the least he can do!

So, I will continue to keep you all updated as to how things are progressing. We can't wait!!

a play date...

Last week my friend Michelle invited me, along with her daughter Eri, to a local play area. When I walked in, I was immediately impressed.

This is little Eri. She is an amazing little girl...

The entire play area is eco-friendly. Aside from being entirely funded by the government (which is unusual in itself here in Japan), all of the toys are made of wood- you will not find any plastics. The place is spotlessly clean and educational and smells of sweetly cut timber!

Even the ball pits are plastic free! All of these balls are made of wood!

We ate lunch here and Michelle mentioned that if you bring your lunch, it must be homemade and healthy- not fast food, to promote health. On top of that, the center offers classes of all sorts that are free to the public. Not once while I was there did I see any kids fighting or acting aggressive. This facility knocked my socks off!! If only I could find something like this comparable in the States!!

going to work...

Throughout the year, the Lakes hold basketball camps and clinics for kids and adults alike to promote the team and the sport. Ray is always eager to help out, as this gives him the most time to interact with the attendees.

This particular camp was last Saturday and there were 50 kids there; each kid brought one parent, equalling around 100 people. It was a fun assortment of interactions...

32 Weeks and Growing!

Here's my bump at 32 1/2 weeks. I have a doctor's appointment on Friday to see where everything stands, but at this point, the kiddos are growing well, both the same size (but slightly large for a single baby!!), and happy inside their warm nest...

This week has been great- Ray had a rare weekend off, so we did many crafts, preparing our place for the babes, and even headed out for a long walk along the lake...

It's beautiful here...

I've been having a blast doing craft projects. I started compiling the baby journals and also began a couple of crochet projects. This keeps my mind occupied, and also forces my body to relax...

Papa's a little eager...

Commenting on the size of clothes for our new ones-to-be, led to this, a little game of dress up.

I think the kids look like their Daddy...

Bird frenzy...

We took Michelle and her daughter Eri down to the lake to feed the birds some bread. Needless to say, we were bombarded with a mass exodus of pigeons and seagulls. Thank goodness little Eri wasn't phased. And the cool birds, along with outstanding clouds made for some fun photos...

FOOD blog

I went over to Akane's house and she taught me how make banana cake. So yummy!

Ray and I invited Miwa and Mina over and taught them how to make stew. All of the veggies were from local farms!

We had Mina over for a late brunch. Ray made his famous crepes, using fresh berries, yogurt and crushed nuts for a filling. I think this is one of my favorite things he makes...

Needless, we've been eating well.... :)

Games vs. Oita Heat Devils

A victory and a loss... The Lake Stars played hard both games, but ended up in a split.

A tired little fan....

Little Peas at 30 weeks...

So, my 31 week milepost is tomorrow, and here are some pics taken last night. As you can see, the ledge under the belly is forming. I no longer have a belly button. The dark line that runs down the center of my belly is getting darker...

These two beautiful little peas are growing like crazy right now... and I honestly don't know if they'll wait another 10 weeks to show their faces. I pray that they stay in their cozy pod for as long as they can, and yet we are SO excited to meet them!!

I'm still doing rather well, despite some little physical discomforts. I have been trying to make it to the pool at least twice a week, because walking in the water is much more comfortable than walking anywhere else. Please pray for continued strength and energy!!

Shiga's snow, taka and sugar snap peas...

The past week in Shiga has delightfully given us days full of bright sun, accompanied by fat snow flakes. I love the combo of sun and snow, as much as it confuses me where the snow comes from (no clouds!!). Out of our fourth floor apartment we watch the big flakes come down and swirl in the breeze. It makes us feel like we're in a snow globe...

We love the hawks here. They are everywhere, and so surreal to watch fly, their tail feathers acting like rudders to their ships.

Before leaving Oregon, Ray bought me two packages of sugar snap pea seeds (to represent our little peas in the belly). I planted them when we first arrived, but have kept them inside in front of the window, like a little green house. I love my little garden!!! Maybe by the time our little peas in the belly arrive, we will be eating our sugar snap peas!

Sushi with Michi...

Some of you may remember me writing about Michi (Umemoto san) last year- she kind of adopted us foreigners as her project. Last year she introduced me to many new things, including gifting me with her grandparents old kimonos, and taking me to many festivals. This year, she is eager to teach me many new Japanese recipes. She invited myself and the other teammate's girlfriend to make sushi rolls and mochi.

We made vegetarian rolls, with gourd, mushroom, imitation crab, cucumber and egg. Absolutely delicious! February third in Japan is a special holiday where the people invite spring in by eating an uncut, whole sushi roll, while facing South West. This is supposed to bring luck into your house for the new season. They also traditionally throw dried soybeans out their doors to chase the devil away. Such different traditions....

Afterwards we made mochi. She had prepared strawberries covered with black bean paste (back) and then we made mochi out of cornstarch, flour and sugar. This is a VERY popular dessert in Japan. We took the mochi and covered the bean/strawberry. This is a mochi ball.

Tough weekend games...

This weekend the Lakestars took on their biggest rival, the Osaka Evessa. Last year, despite growing close to some of the players and their wives on the team, watching Osaka and the Lakes play was like watching a boxing match. Not much has changed.

The Lakestars lost both their games this weekend. Ray came away with his team's high points on Sunday with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Now with our blog being private, I can now post video (which was outlawed last year!). So here are a few videos and photos from the game. On Sunday I very disappointedly missed a big one-handed dunk of Ray's... so sorry.

Precious fans...

On Sunday, three of the wives of Osaka players came to watch the game with me. Last year these women became close friends of mine. This year, two of them are currently preggers (with one of them sharing the exact same due date!!) and the third woman is studying to be a midwife! They are wonderful people and we had a delightful time catching up!!

29 WEEKS!!!

The countdown has begun- I am actually 30 weeks as of tomorrow, but didn't post a 29 week photo, so wanted to do that before the week was officially over...

These babies are growing so fast now that the lethargia has now set in. I am more tired, more sloth-like around the house, and I'm okay with that, giving myself more grace with the extra naps and tendency to want Ray to do the cooking (which he does ever so joyfully!!). Our peas are becoming stronger too, and have moved up into my ribs. I feel a constant prodding and pushing up under my ribs, at times taking my breath away. You can see hands and feet all over. I like to find a little foot and push against it, feeling he or she pushing back. So surreal. What a miracle!!