You know you're 31 weeks pregnant when...

You know you're 31 weeks pregnant when...

-while walking in public places, everyone's eyes instantly dart to your belly and linger there as if they've never seen a pregnant woman in their life

-simple tasks such as putting on socks or pants suddenly become an impossible feat that requires an immense amount of concentration, balance, and coordination 

-climbing 10 stairs=climbing Everest

-5 rolls of toilet paper are gone in one week (small bladder, big baby laying on bladder...)

-you obsessively ask your husband if he really cooked the eggs all the way through (to ensure no chance of salmonella) 

-a little 8 year old boy attempts to inconspicuously take a picture of your belly at  Costco 

-you spend more time researching what kind of mattress is safest for your baby than you spent researching for that 20 page research paper in college

-you check your pregnancy app at least 4 times a day to see how many weeks you are and how much longer you have to go until D-day

-loud sounds like motorcycles driving by suddenly signal  to your brain impending death and trigger the fight or flight response

-EVERYTHING in the entire world is highly toxic and deadly to your baby. Spraying febreeze, cleaning with bleach, dusting, deli meats and hot dogs, scented body lotion, sunblock, ibuprofen and tylenol, McDonalds, oxygen in general...these are all toxic substances that will surely cause severe birth defects/miscarriage if inhaled/applied/eaten even just once while pregnant.

-along with the last bullet point, googling "Is _____ safe during pregnancy" becomes an involuntary autonomic body function second only to breathing.

-in the morning you've got a cute basketball for a belly, but by the evening you look like an undiscovered planet

-fashion schmashion

-every single physical ailment you experience must be related to or caused by pregnancy right? You find relief and "proof" by googling phrases such as "headache, pregnancy" "increased appetite pregnancy"  (ok these are normal) but then progress to "eye twitching pregnancy" "right middle toe pain pregnancy" "elbow tingling pregnancy" "lazy eye pregnancy" "eyelashes wont curl pregnancy" "cant figure out my camera pregnancy" ...and the searches just get more and more ridiculous and obviously unrelated to pregnancy. (but oddly enough there is always ONE person on a random message board that has experienced the exact same weird symptom you have...)

-going from a laying down to sitting up position or even rolling over requires the same force as lifting a beached whale off of the shore
-buying baby clothes becomes a serious bank account-depleting addiction. You walk into a store thinking "I'll only look, just for fun." But then you leave with 3 new onesies or rompers that were the cutest thing you have EVER seen. (and this process repeats itself each week). it's not possible to "just look," people. BCAA, we meet every Thursday night at 7. #babyclothesaholicsannonymous

-if one more person rubs or touches your belly as if there's a magic genie in there you  WILL bust a cap. 

-And last but not least, 

           your heart feels like it's going to burst because you love your little one so much.

My hunk and I finally had an official date night in Odaiba, one of my favorite places in Tokyo. It's been surprisingly hard to spend time together because he works a ton, is studying for the GMAT constantly, and I usually work evenings. We spent the day walking around the beach area at the Rainbow Bridge, snacking on inarizushi, taking maternity shots, browsing the huge mall and babies r us, and ending the day with a stunning sunset :) I'm trying to cherish these last few months we have alone time together before our sweet little one comes along. 

Here's some maternity shots we took while walking around Odaiba. Not sure why, but I looked abnormally HUGE. I was only 30 weeks but I must have been retaining lots of water or baby boy was positioned in a way that made me look ginormous...

Kolby made me take a pic here...

Kolby said this one was his fav in all seriousness...so this one's for you babe.

Funny how I don't look that big from the front...

Had to get a night shot....the bridge lights up and it is absolutely stunning.

Found this little minion and wanted to take him home...#minionobsessed

MAJOR props to my hunk for taking all these shots. He did a dang good job :)

S' ABOUT TIME yall! Baby boy has finally decided to wake up and start kicking. I feel him kick consistently throughout the day and it is SUCH a relief. I was really convinced I would just never feel kicks and get to enjoy that part of pregnancy. After lots of tears and frustration, I finally went to the doctor due to lack of kicks for 2 days and she said he was moving around just fine on the ultrasound...they even did a non stress test and as soon as they put that belt on me he kicked a ton. Go figure. This little dude likes to play games I guess :) Since that appointment, he's now taking things a little more seriously and has realized it's no fun to have a stressed out anxious mommy. Or maybe he was kicking this whole time and now he's finally big enough for me to feel it? He's already weighing in at a whopping 3lb 10 oz at only 31 weeks...that's almost 4 pounds people. He still has at least 9 weeks to grow in there. If he keeps it up he will be 9 lbs by the time he's born...all the more to love right? :) He still doesn't kick too hard, he's definitely a gentle soul :) My ribs and bladder remain unscathed.

On another note, I'm a little freaked out. I was reading through a random mommy blog the other day and realized there are so many things I don't have...I made a list before we visited the U.S. last month and bought tons of baby stuff there....we already got his crib, clothes, burp cloths, bottles, pacifiers, baby tylenol etc etc so I thought I was totally ahead of the game. But then I'm reading all this stuff about how this special snot sucker and lanolin nipple cream are MUST haves. How would I even think of this stuff on my own? The hardest part about all of this is that they don't have a lot of this stuff in Japan. The few things they do have are crappy brands and rediculously expensive. So I have to hurry and order things on amazon so my mom can bring them when she comes to visit next month. Living in Japan and figuring out this pregnancy thing sure makes things ten times more complicated and difficult, so I'm trying my best to keep a positive attitude. I know there will be a million things after he's born where I think DANG why didn't i think of that? And then panic mode will ensue because I can't  just conveniently order things off amazon and have them here in 2 days or swing by the nearest Target. Most amazon products don't even ship to Japan. How did people in the pre-amazon and pre-Walmart/Target world survive? 
                   Also, there are no prenatal classes in English here in japan. Ughhh. So I have had to do a lot of self teaching through reading med school textbooks, you tube videos on breastfeeding and Lamaze, blogs...if anyone knows of any good resources online please send them my way! And if you have any suggestions of "must have" products for babies and moms please let me know!

Note to future panicking self: most important thing is that baby boy arrives safely and is healthy and loved. 

How far along? 31 weeks!

Baby’s size: Standard charts say he should be around 3lbs but he's just about 4 lbs :) atta boy!

Total weight gain: 15 lbs

Maternity clothes? lots of maxi dresses and skirts 

Best moment this week: watching the sunset with my hunk at the rainbow bridge :) And seeing baby boy's lungs "breathe" on the ultrasound!

Miss Anything? At this point I'm just really missing the english language, especially at doctors appointments.

Movement: HALLELUJAH we have a kicker finally. And I feel his hiccups everyday. So adorable. 

Food cravings: craving tons of sweets (for breakfast lunch and dinner) and not sure why. On the upside I have noticed my appetite has decreased which is good for everyone's sake.

Anything making you queasy or sick: let's just say I have had to change cars on the train numerous times due to many people's lack of personal hygiene. (Deoderant is not sold in Japan...nuff said.)

Gender: oh BOY am i glad he's a boy. I keep seeing little japanese girls who scream and cry about everything and think "keep calm, you're having a boy"

Symptoms: I still mysteriously have no symptoms except a bladder the size of a pinhead.

Looking forward to: seeing my little bun this week on the ultrasound

And here's me at 31 weeks! (is it just me or do I look wayyy smaller than all those previous shots taken at 30 weeks..?)

P to the S, I do plan to write about beauty products I love, favorite recipes, healthy eating, life shortcuts, money saving, fashion(stifle your laughs please) and new mom stuff in the future. But right now I'm just trying to get used to this whole blogging thing. And pregnancy :)

Peace, love, & little kicks.

-Kolby, Brinley, & baby boy

I'm not fat, I'm pregnant...

Kolby just returned from a week long business trip in Detroit, and boy was it a rough week without him! I’ll explain my second bleeding episode/hospital visit below. Luckily, I was able to stay busy working teaching English, reading my new book “The Happiest Baby on the Block” which I LOVE, reading an obstetrics/gyn book for medical students cause I love learning about this stuff (and because I want to be a labor&delivery nurse in the future), and also taking time out to read to my lil guy : )

WEEKS: I'm 29.5 weeks along! Baby boy is almost in his thirties!

BABY IS THE SIZE OF: A butternut squash! He weighed in at 2 lbs 13 oz this week. Way to grow lil guy!

MATERNITY CLOTHES: Um, it is 80% humidity here in Tokyo and excruciatingly hot, so t-shirts and basketball shorts it is…let’s just say Kolby is a saint for putting up with my lack of fashion.

SLEEP: A little restless at night, but always manage to get 7-9 hours :)

MOVEMENT: My least favorite topic.  I’ve had a few nervous breakdowns over this, wondering everyday if I should go the doctor and make sure he’s ok. This little dude just hasn't been a kicker. I know my placenta is in the front and all, but shouldn’t I be able to feel something at 29.5 weeks?! Every time I have gone to the doctor, they say he’s perfectly healthy and moving around on the ultrasound. Thankfully the last 2 days he’s kicked A LOT more (or maybe it’s just that I can feel it more?). I sure hope he keeps it up cause his momma can’t take any more worrying! I have still never felt the infamous kick in the ribs or bladder…just sweet little nudges. Boy do I love this little boy! 

BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Feeling him kick the past 2 days has been such a relief and joy. Also Kolby finally getting home and bringing me treats from the U.S.!

MISS ANYTHING: Sleeping on my stomach or back…I just can’t get fully comfortable on my sides. I also really miss running and lifting weights. And I reallllly miss my job as a nurse in the NICU.

FOOD CRAVINGS: Teddy grahams dipped in betty crocker vanilla frosting. Life-changing.

ANYTHING MAKE YOU QUEASY: Nada.

WEIGHT GAIN: Ah the dreaded weight gain......Warning, I’m getting up on my podium and giving my own version of a TED talk. Here goes nothin:

Now, help me undastand somethin. Why are pregnant women so sensitive to being called fat or huge? I mean, of course you’re bigger because you have a BABY growing in your stomach. And your blood volume increases by 40%. And you get a little extra fat storage everywhere in preparation for breastfeeding. But you’re not fat…you’re pregnant for goodness sakes. And it’s expected to gain weight…so why do women worry so much about how fat they are during pregnancy? You shouldn’t say “I feel so fat,” rather, “I feel so pregnant.” Of course there is a healthy limit to weight gain…you don’t wanna go crazy…but I see all these skinny pregnant girls saying “oh my gosh I’ve gained 18 pounds, it’s horrible.” Ummm no it’s not, it would be horrible if you DIDN'T gain any weight and your baby starved. Pregnancy is simply beautiful. I have never felt more beautiful, confident, or special in my life. Even on days where I know I don't physically look good, like when I have no makeup and basketball shorts and my hair slicked back in a ponytail…who cares? I’m growing a sweet little boy in my stomach, and I know HE certainly doesn’t care how I look…in fact he probably appreciates my increased fat stores that will help him grow. He’s probably happy that I chose to sleep in another hour and rest instead of stressing to get ready and look perfect for the day. He just wants a mom who will love and cherish him! So for goodness sakes, prego girls please, be easier on yourselves. Focus on the fact that you are creating and giving life to a precious little boy/girl who depends on your body for survival. Your pregnant body was not designed to be the sexiest, skinniest, best looking thing on this planet. It was designed to support and bring life into this world. Our bodies innately know how best to support our little one, so let’s let them do their thang without complaining! And one more thing. Let’s please not compare ourselves to other pregnant women. I see all these fit pregnant girls who eat only chicken breast or salmon and veggies and quinoa everyday and show off their gym/yoga selfies and look more toned and skinny than I ever will…but every individual pregnant body is different. Some women can’t stomach perfectly crafted green smoothies and salmon during pregnancy. Some women eat fairly healthy and still gain excessive weight. Some women can’t work out past the first trimester. Some can’t work out at all. Some worry it will harm their baby. Some simply feel sick all the time and are too tired/nauseous to work out. And ladies that is PERFECTLY OK. Do what you think is best for your baby and body. No one can argue your maternal instinct. Shoot you guys I eat cookies for breakfast sometimes and it makes me happy. Therefore making my little babe happy as well :) I don't even know what the heck quinoa is.  And i know a woman who ate a McDonald's cheeseburger almost everyday of her pregnancy because that's what she craved, and her child turned out perfectly normal and healthy. (I wouldn't advise this though). And if you are one of those super healthy fit green smoothie drinking pregnant girls, more power to ya. Our bodies know what we need. So take away message, let's not compare ourselves or call ourselves fat....instead let's give ourselves a break cause HECK we are pregnant and deserve it. This was not meant to sound mean, just a friendly reminder about where our focus should be, the purpose of pregnancy, and how sublimely beautiful it is. :) I love you all, really.

HAPPY OR MOODY: Only moody when I don’t feel him kick for 6 hours and I become slightly neurotic and paranoid. If any other mommas have babies that don't kick often please contact me so we can start a support group...but seriously...

SYMPTOMS: Ummm still ZERO symptoms. No heartburn, no leg cramps, no swelling, no nausea, no food aversions, no back pain, no headaches, no painful kicks, no trouble breathing, no constipation, no hemorrhoids, no lightheaded or dizziness….just NOTHING. Am I really pregnant? I always tell Kolby that I’ll finally believe I’m pregnant and that there’s actually a baby in there when I hold him for the first time. Cause seriously NOTHING about my body has changed. (Besides my belly being significantly bigger of course). I did get super emotional when I heard a song that was so beautiful it made me cry. It’s called “I need you” by M83. It was love at first sound. And then I heard it again while watching Divergent...it plays during the scene when Tris hang-glides at night over the city. It makes me feel infinite, to say the least. Take a listen and you wont be disappointed:

M83- "I need you"

LOOKING FORWARD TO: My ultrasound this Friday! The one good thing about Japanese healthcare is that I get ultrasounds every 2 weeks in my third trimester. Before that, I got ultrasounds once a month since I was 5 weeks. It’s great to see my little guy so often! And they are only $10 here. Yay for cheap healthcare! But boo that it’s slightly low quality…

FUNNY MOMENT: Realizing that Kolby is the one experiencing “nesting.” When I came back from the U.S., he had completely set up the crib with all of little one’s baby clothes neatly folded and books and toys organized. What a cute husband :)

Have I mentioned how much I love this little guy? He’s already brought so much love and joy to my heart, I just can’t imagine how much more it will be when we actually get to see and hold him. 

Here's some pics from our maternity shoot when I was 25 weeks along. Shoutout to SLICE photography for doing such a great job:

Criblove

If you're really bored, you can read my second hospital visit story below. 

Love you all! 

-Kolby, Brinley & baby boy

Second hospital visit due to bleeding :(

So once again I started bleeding a tiny bit again and freaked out. Unfortunately, only one person at my doctor’s clinic speaks English, so when I call to ask if I can come in, it’s very difficult to communicate…usually when I have a concern, Kolby calls for me (since he speaks Japanese fluently), but he was in Detroit and didn't have wifi so I had no way to contact him. After a while I was finally able to communicate to the clinic that I was bleeding and wanted to be seen. They told me to come in right away and I rushed there in the pouring rain on the 40 minute train ride.  When I got there they did an ultrasound and said baby looked great. PHEW. This little guy has given me too many scares! He must like all the attention :) My doctor (who thankfully speaks some English) then proceeded to tell me that my urine tested positive for a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). She gave me some antibiotics, and immediately I asked “ Are these safe to take during pregnancy?” (Because Japan has all kinds of weird drugs that aren’t approved or used in the U.S…..) She replied “of course!”  I went home relieved to have a diagnosis, then thought maybe I should double check to see if this drug really is safe…I have had bad experiences with Japanese doctors so it’s always smart to double check what they tell you to do. I googled the antibiotic and turns out it’s not been proven safe in pregnancy. It has never been tested before…It’s not even approved by the FDA in the U.S. and some Japanese people left comments on message boards saying it was bad for their baby or they had horrible side effects. So yeah I’m definitely not putting that toxic stuff in my or my baby’s body. I mean, I don’t even allow myself to take Tylenol, even though it’s considered safe by all doctors. I just don't want to risk anything for this little babe.

I called the doctor to ask if there was a different antibioitic I could take, and she said nope that’s the only one we use in Japan. Wow. Really..??? As I thought about it more, I realized that since I had given my urine sample on the same day I had bleeding, maybe blood/mucous tainted the sample and it wasn’t accurate and I didn't have a severe UTI after all. I didn't have any other symptoms like pain, fever, dysuria…so I asked if I could come in to give another sample and made sure it was a clean sample this time. I also drank lots of water. Well, it worked…the doctor said my urine looked much better and that I should keep drinking tons of water and go to the bathroom often, and that alone may clear it up. (Nursing school taught me that large amounts of water flush the bacteria out of the bladder). Since then I have been drinking gallons of water so hopefully I get good news at my appointment this Friday. I’m so grateful I have a medical background and degree in Nursing. This knowledge has come in handy so many times in Japan since doctors don’t seem to know what they are doing sometimes. I actually told her to check my urine for a UTI a week before all of this happened because I was going to the bathroom too often (even for a pregnant woman) but she said “If you had a UTI you would have pain, so you don't have one.” This is so NOT true guys. Thank goodness I’m not medically naïve. Overall, being pregnant and delivering in a foreign country is insanely stressful, but baby boy and I are determined to get through this together!