The Day My Life Began...

Saturday, August 11, 2012 was soon to be known as the best day of my life thus far. 

It was a day I felt heartbreak, only to be blessed with the greatest love I have ever known. 

I remember waking up and thinking about Jesse. All the moments we've shared, all the smiles he's given me..... even remembering the last time that I've seen him, and the last things we've talked about...

Saturday morning, I found myself crying. Truly missing him, and then I saw this. 

 

It's been a while since I've seen a rainbow, let alone a nice glimpse of morning rays -- but I knew it was him, telling me not to cry... for he has never given me anything less than an unbreakable friendship.

I love you Jesse. I can never thank you enough <3

After letting go of my sorrows, I found myself enjoying the day. Having a nice lunch with my mom. It has been around 4 days since I've last seen her (Strep Throat).

 

OKAY ---- so I typed out my whole labor experience, only to find it deleted. Perhaps it was a sign to not go into full detail, with negativity and such. But here we go again! (:

My husband took me to get a pedi, to ensure I would have pretty toes for delivery. We were scheduled to be induced Monday, August 13, 2012, if baby didn't come on her own. Aug 13 is actually the day that Richie had asked me to be his girlfriend, so we were happy to deliver then. 9 days being overdue was long enough. I honestly didn't think I'd go into labor that Saturday. 

Like most mornings, I'd wake up with back pain, sore hips, but nothing ever unbearable. It was until we were sitting there in our massage chairs, that I found myself FROWNING in pain. Now, if I'm not smiling, something is seriously wrong. I started timing the pain, calculating that they were approximately 5 minutes apart. I called my mom, stating that I think I was going into labor. Called the doctor, who of course wasn't in town that weekend. :( --- the office then advised me to get to the ER asap --  and that's just what we did --- after the pedis of course. Ha!

I called a close friend, asking her GF if I was having contractions. She too told me to get the hospital! 

We went home, packed our bags, and headed up. 

I remember feeling nervous, excited, and in disbelief that the day has finally come! I'm going to meet my mini!!! Laying in bed, the pain was still bearable, I was 4cm dilated, and pretty comfortable until the doctor came around and broke my water. That's when the contractions came rolling in. I can't describe the pain, I just know, that I NEVER would have imagined that I'd be one of those women moaning in pain. I always found that 'dramatic' -- but my gosh...I curled up as tight as I could, seriously moaning with each contraction. 

Within a few minutes, doctor advised that I was ready to push. Being 5cm, he cut me more. Baby's heart was dropping, and we needed to get her out right away. I remember not being able to breathe, I remember feeling overwhelmed. I remember the doctor scolding me,  "Enough noise. Just push. Next time don't wait so long to have a baby. She's too big for you. Next time at least 39 weeks okay? We gotta get her out. If you don't start pushing harder, we're gonna need an emergency c-section so start pushing.." I remember the nurses updating us on baby's heart. I remember getting angry with the doctor, and pushing with all I had.

And then I opened my eyes, and having a baby on my chest. With no time to react, she was taken from me. To clean up, check-up, do whatever they do with babies.

I remember hearing her first cry. Crying myself. She cried until they brought her back to me.... I held her in my arms, said "Hi Naia" -- she opened her eyes, stopped crying, and stared at me. She knew my voice. She knows her momma. 

 I could finally breathe, for a minute.

Doctor now had to stitch me up -- & I still believe that portion was the worst pain of the whole procedure. He believed I received an epidural -- so he sewed me up without any numbing. But really, if it weren't for this on-call doctor, I don't think I would have felt strong enough to keep pushing. My regular doctor is a big sweetheart.. So it's another case of "everything happens for a reason" -- & for that reason, we are blessed with this beautiful baby girl.

August 11, 2012 @ 20:40

Naia Kealohaonalani Kahanakapu Maiko Salinas 

6lbs 5oz. 20 inches long. 

I still can't believe she's finally here...

I can't believe that together, my husband and I have created such a precious little girl. 

She is such a blessing. I am so in love. 

For 41weeks, I've been in pure bliss. Enjoying every kick & ache, watching my belly grow, just feeling the most beautiful I have ever felt before. She's taught me the power of patience, and what it is to care for others, never thinking twice about "me" -- With her here, I continue living with these traits. 

She's a good baby, a great listener, and I just pray I can do enough to keep her happy and healthy.

She's surrounded by so much love, and I want her to constantly feel that. 

I love you Naia baby, unconditionally.

4 more weeks to go..

 

Once returning home from Okinawa, I started to grow NON-STOP!

I've been told to embrace my pregnancy and reveal it to the world. And honestly, I embrace every second of it... Though I know she meant to wear tight clothing, show off my bump, post it all over facebook. But I'm not that kind of girl. I'm actually SHY when it comes to my pregnancy, and actually, private in general. I'm definitely a girly girl who likes to feel pretty, but It's actually my husband loves attention and will announce everything to the world!

"How are you guys?" 

"Good. We're getting married" or

"We're pregnant" 

Haha. He's the voice I don't have (: Which is funny, because he was NEVER a talker.. we kind of switched rolls. I love it. 

I love every kick. I love the feeling of discipline in what I put into my body. Oh how I'm dying to eat an easy over egg, or medium rare steak -- and I'm just happy I can say NO, knowing it's best for our little baby.

I'm scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow. I'm so excited to be able to see my little baby once more before she arrives! I was actually surprised that I didn't get to see her more. But this is crunch time! I'm so nervous, so excited. I can't wait for my husband to come home and enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy with me. Well, enjoy or wish he were back in Japan, instead of dealing with my craziness. Haha! Overall, I felt I did a good job at being pregnant. I've always been independent, so I never truly found myself overly crazy, but I think that may have something to do with the fact that my husband has been away. With no work, and a lot of time at home, I truly have nothing major to stress me out. 

 I honestly don't know how many times I've expressed, "Time flies" .. but I just constantly hear myself repeating it in my mind. That's why it's so important to enjoy every second with love and happiness. It's so important. 

With that said, it's time to enjoy my Sunday with my mom. I missed her Friday night & all of yesterday. She's been busy with her class reunion. Weekends are always mommy moments, so I'm excited for today. (:

XO - Have a beautiful day all. - Savannah

Crafting Can't Be Rushed (:

Finally finished the last of my orders. 

One thing I've learned about selling homemade things, it isn't easy to take in requests and create them in a rush. It's not like my customers were asking me for them ASAP, but you know, you don't want them to wait forever. 

 

One of these felt critters takes at least 3 hours. I must say, I do love making them though. It's really relaxing. And it's perfect for a preggo woman. Hehe. (: 

I actually have a Marine Keychain request. But I will definitely take my time from now on. 

I'm just so proud to have found something that I enjoy doing. Sure, I'm not really bringing in as much money as my husband, but this is my baby step into the business world of the stay at home mommy. 

Speaking of Mommy... baby bump and I have reached 36 weeks yesterday..

OMG -- how fast did that come? 

She feels so huge in my belly. Constantly moving. I love it. 

It's so bittersweet. I will miss being pregnant, but I can't wait to hold baby in my arms. To meet her.

I just hope she stays put until daddy flies back home! (:

Anyway, time to go back to relaxing. Crafting more. 

XO - Savannah

Hyperventilating(: :Mommyhood is so close!

I've just come home from the doctor. Actually had a very busy day.. but all I can think about right now is my doctor's appointment. 

Baby's heartbeat is good. (: Measurements are good. 

But one thing, my doctor has NO IDEA what this clicking sound is that's coming out of my belly. 

Any mommy's experienced that? Every once in a while, I hear a clicking sound, resembles a bone cracking.... tried to google and seriously, no one knows what it is! Sadly, my doctor has never heard of it either. I promise I'm not crazy. I just hope baby's okay! She keeps wiggling after I hear that cracking, so I'm sure she's fine. 

But here's the exciting news. I've been informed that starting July 9th, after my ultrasound (SO HAPPY TO GET TO SEE BABY AGAIN!) but I'll be visiting the doctor twice a week from here on out. When he said twice a week, my heart literally stopped.. Next week I'll be 36 weeks pregnant, which leaves me with just 4 more weeks until we meet our little baby. Omg Omg Omg! Seriously, how fast has time flown? I swear it was just a few months ago that we found out we were expecting. All I can think about is how I wish, and know my husband wishes, that he could be here for all these check ups, for that ultra sound. I tried to call him but his phone was off. Now that I think of it, I don't know how he would have reacted to my joy.. just knowing he couldn't be there for this moment. More so, after receiving a skype message from him wishing he were home to hold babybump and me. (WAH!)

I'm so excited, I could just scream! Instead I'm doing what I do best, crying (: 

I just can't believe I'm going to meet our baby so soon.

To not have her kicking away in my belly, but to actually hold her in my arms. 

Gosh, okay, I need to go before I cry all over my laptop and kill it. HAHA!

XO - Savannah

Tuesday & Wednesday

Good evening everyone (:
Just returned home from dinner at my moms. I'm so thankful that she's able and willing to prepare dinner for me, even at age 24. It's so nice to have home cooked meals with people that I love. More so because I live alone. I'm also very thankful that her house is just a 5minute drive from mine.

Didn't size my engagement ring yet.. that's a ring snuggie! Haha

I remember one incident, where I was furious and hurt by my husband, for taking his wedding band off before he went out to a night club. Yes, they are just pretty objects, but I truly believe they symbolize commitment. I still glance at my rings, and just feel so proud to be his wife, so blessed to have such love. Yesterday, I took my wedding band to Zales for it's 6 month check up. Who knew rings needed a checkup?! I've decided to take my band off at home, just to save time and embarrassment, because I usually need to use soap to slip this puppy off. But yesterday, my goodness, I needed soap, ice cubes and prayers to get it off! I'm not sure if it's the summer heat expanding my skin, or possibly swelling from pregnancy.. but I could NOT get the ring off! My finger turned shades of purple. Gosh... it was so scary. I decided to ice my finger, hoping to have my skin tighten. I'm not sure if that truly helped, but finally, after a lot of tugging, twisting, and man power, I got the ring off. My finger was so sore. It was quite an experience. I haven't put it back on yet. It's something I've been debating over for quite some time now, just really thinking if I need to take it off anytime soon again. I look at my finger and it looks so incomplete. Ahh what the hey, ring will go back on tomorrow morning (: 

One thing I love about being pregnant, is seeing all the pregnant celebrities. I was always one to catch up with celebrity gossip, but I guess being preggo myself, I find it 10x more exciting to see celebrities who are expecting. 

When I stumbled upon this picture, I couldn't help but smile! For myself, I love to see a man excited to be a daddy. An actual "daddy." I've witnessed too many friends, acquaintances, going through pregnancy and parenting alone. So to see a man take charge and embrace pregnancy as a couple, my gosh... how sexy is that? I'm envious that they can enjoy pregnancy together, but my husband should be home in less than 4 weeks. (: I'm ready for him to help mama out! Haha.

I've set up baby's playpen/crib yesterday, and let me tell you how EXHAUSTING that was! My mom suggested I wait until my husband comes home...but seriously, I was too excited to place it in my room that I had to put it together myself (: I love how easy it is to set up and take down. It's nice and sturdy as well.. We didn't want to invest in a crib, especially when we're not sure if I'll be moving out of Hawaii or not. I really can't believe baby is almost here. Well, actually, I can. She feels so huge in my belly. Constantly moving and causing aches and pains everywhere. But hey, as long as she's healthy, I'll put up with it. 

TOP ROW : 2008, 2009 BOTTOM: 2010, 2011

Lastly, as I couldn't sleep last night, I found myself going through myspace (WOW!) and just looking back on little things from 2008. I really can't believe it's been 4 years since I've found love. And here we are today, growing up as individuals, growing stronger together as one. I'm so blessed to have his heart and just lucky to say I'm still so in love. He's been really busy at his shop lately, haven't talked to him for a couple of days, which just gets me anxious for our next skype date. I'm missing him and loving it! Gosh, I could go on and on with this mush.. But for now, my back is really sore. It's time to lay down! (:

Goodnight XOXO - Savannah

Recaps

My have I neglected my blogger.
Just been dealing with hormonal issues.
But a little recap on what's been going on in the life of SMOS.

1. Mini fights with the hubby. Distance is really hard, been dealing with it for 3 years now, and sometimes, it just makes me really vulnerable. I suppose with a little help from my pregnancy, I found myself lost in negative thoughts. I pulled away from him, when really I should have been clinging on tighter. I had doubts of our future, and I really chose to hold my tongue for a few days, just knowing whatever was bothering me would really rub him the wrong way. But in actuality, I had to voice my concerns. Why? Because I love him so damn much. We talked it out. He said his piece, I've said mine. Now, that book has been closed. I mean, nothing even really happened yet. I'm just worrying based on issues that happened between my parents. I love my husband to death. I'm so anxious for him to come home. So anxious for our baby's arrival. Ahhh.. time really does fly by.

2. On top of distance. I've been really trying to brainstorm cute ideas on keeping my husband connected with baby and I. Yes, he'll be home for her birth, and thankfully he'll receive recruiter's assistance to stay an extra 30 days. But then, he'll head back to Japan and it'll be back to skype for us, until orders are received. I'm so happy that he enjoyed my Daddy's Day gift (slideshow with photos of my belly growing week by week) -- Now I have to think of a whole new bunch of ways to keep us all connected. It's going to be fun! I can't wait.

3. Baby Shower Planning (: -- Okay, I know baby showers are supposed to be a surprise for the expecting mommies right? Though it was my mother's idea, I am actually in the process of brainstorming party favors, food, well, EVERYTHING! Hahaha. I've recently told one of my good friends about my pregnancy, and her excitement just made me cry. I can only imagine how wonderful this shower/party will be. Like my wedding, I was surrounded by so many people I love. Those same people will be at our shower. Richie will be home. It will be wonderful!

4. House Cleaning - This is seriously a never ending process. I'm not sure if I'm a lazy preggo, but I seriously have NO energy to do anything. I'll clean for an hour then find myself sleepy. I compare myself with this woman I follow on instagram, who is about ready to POP, but she has been NON-STOP decorating her new house, lawn-mowing, just an on the go woman! Worst, she posted photos of her excessively swollen feet! I don't know where her energy comes from. I seriously need some of that!

Alright, that's about all I have for now.
XO - Savannah (: 

Baby Slinging(:

 

So my baby sling has arrived in the mail!! (: My husband actually bought one, a large, for him. It's just black, so once I came across this sale (Original $72, got it for free, plus the $11.45 shipping) I knew I had to get it. Only problem, It might be a little too tight. 

 

Here I'm using my little Marine Baby, Luga, as a test.  I found that my BOOBS got in the way... They've grown 2 cup sizes through this pregnancy.. so I'm not sure how comfortable this will be, with my actual baby, because STUFFING Luga in this sling was work. Maybe it'll be easier with this belly out of the way as well? Only time can tell.. we shall see.

  

Hahah my comfy little Luga! 

(: XO - Savannah

Daddy Crafting

 

It's been a while since I've worked on a project. Been brainstorming what kind of "Daddy To Be" gifts I could prep for my hubby.... Well, today my little light bulb went off & I've decided to make him a little slideshow. (: For majority of my pregnancy, we've been separated (aside from April-May which I've spent in Japan with him) -- so I've decided to use all my photos of baby bump and I -- and videos of her kicking around. We'd skype, he'd ask to see belly, but I thought this was a really cute way to fast forward it all, as if it's not going by too quickly already!! -- Being the sap I am, of course I found myself tearing as I previewed the video. I just can't believe in less than 2 months, we'll be meeting our baby girl. 

Time truly is precious. 

Enjoy every minute, every second. 

XO - Savannah 

 

My Active Little Bump

 

(32weeks and 2 days)

These are the moments I love. Sitting around feeling baby moving around within me. I can't help but hold my belly, mentally envisioning a healthy little girl stretching her little arms, kicking her little legs. To know this is so sacred, the bond only a mother and her baby can feel, to know that my love can only grow stronger from here. It's also these moments, where I find myself wishing my husband were here. But soon enough, 6 weeks, he'll be home in Hawaii, ready to welcome our baby girl into the world. 

With Father's Day coming up, I really need to find the perfect gift for our Daddy To Be. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday(:

(Tuesday for my Japan loves) 

PS. Thank you to those who've visited my page. 

Please leave a comment, to let me know you stopped by!

 XO - Savannah

RainCloud Pushing

Today's blog consists of really finding strength in difficult situations. 

Contains fresh emotion. Just need to vent today.

So here I am, almost 32 weeks pregnant. As I was on my honeymoon/babymoon in Japan, I was a little late in taking my glucose test. Of course I went into it believing I would pass. Unfortunately, with my results coming back high, I had to go in once more for testing. This time 3 hrs long, with 4 blood samples. 

Thursday, I had an appointment with my OBGYN, who informed me that yes, I do have gestational diabetes. I will need to monitor my blood sugar for 7 days, and we'll see where to go from there.

 

Here you see my prescription. It requires 4 blood samples a day. 

1 upon waking up. and 3 more, 2 hours after each meal.  

This morning I began testing. Pricking my finger is painful, but for me, the worst pain is the emotional and mental pain.  I've heard its common, but I just feel like I've done something wrong. I feel paranoid about what I put into my body now, knowing I'll have to take a reading on it. Today, I went to the grocery store, picking up diabetic friendly foods. Had cereal for breakfast, made a salad for lunch -- and as I took my reading, my blood sugar level after lunch,was lower than what I've woken up with. I have to remind myself, that these 7 days of testing, is truly a TEST, to see where I need to go from here... I shouldn't feel like I'm starving. It is really hard for me to go 2hrs without eating, or at least nibbling on something... but I need to do, what I need to do.  Upon realizing that I've gone CRAZY, in trying to really watch what I eat, I finally called my husband. I truly believe communication is key, but I thought I could compose myself, and get over it a little, before breaking the news to him. UM WRONG! -- I went hysterical. For the first time I finally let all of my tears out. I just felt bad to let myself get so worked up about it, with him on the other line, getting mad at himself for not being able to be with me. But I am one big ball of hormones, pregnant or not -- I cry a lot. I am blessed to have such a caring hubby. He really is my better half. He's my strength. Assuring me everything is okay, and I really need to remember that... to not let this get the best of me.

31WEEKS & 6 DAYS

Thankfully, Doc informed me that baby's heartbeat was good. He measured my belly and said I was good. That is my biggest concern. My father's side has a history of diabetes, I just pray I won't affect my little one. I feel guilty as her mommy already.. and I know things could be worse. I know I shouldn't stress. I need to accept this, and pray for everything to be okay. To finally let all of my tears out helped. And as I type this, my Naia is moving around. I'm happy she's healthy. It's mommy's turn to make everything good for her arrival. I'm a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason" and " you never receive more than you can handle" I may not know the reasoning behind this yet, but there is one, and we will be okay. (: I just know, I'm definitely making healthier changes! I need to!

 While waiting for my prescriptions, I came across so many Hello Kitty baby things! I'm proud of myself for not giving in and swiping my sad feelings away... Ridiculous enough, all of these items here were no less than $12.50 each. As cute as they were, I couldn't bring myself to buying them. *patting back*

 

Thank you blogger for this little vent session. 

I feel better. (: now it's time to hydrate! 

XO - Savannah