She's here..........

 So I took the longest shower in history before we headed out to the hospital.  I knew I wouldn't be having one in a couple of days so scrubbed everywhere and washed everything twice and shaved.
I even had a nurse a few hours ago tell me I smelled great...............so I guess it worked.
I mean who smells nice after childbirth?
So here I am in the recovery room.  This is where I started out and came back to after the birth.
Like my sexy hat.
This is why Dru took a photo, so I can forever be mocked in this hat.
Thanks babe.
We got me all prepped and the spinal guy came in and said he didn't care if Dru was in the room but the nurse was all funny about it.
I said 'Well can he hold my hand?' and they said he'd be on a seat in the corner of the room.  He said if I got hysterical though he'd just let him come up.
So I thought about it and said I'd try and do it on my own and see how I do.
The spinal guy was really nice, so that helped and it was SUCH A GOOD SPINAL.
Apparently I've only had epidurals and that's why Dru's been able to be present at all of them.  I think they're full of crap, but who knows.  I think it's just this nurse man.
Anyway getting the IV in my arm was more painful than getting the spinal.  So that was a relief.
Dru said by the time he came in they were already cutting into me.
No mucking around aye.
They were extremely efficient to say the least.
It was amazing.
I could feel the most this c-section, which was quite strange, but I also never felt nauseated either, which was really nice.
Just a lot of pressure and uncomfortableness.
At one stage I cried cause it was sore and the spinal guy said it was because they had some kinda something right under my ribs.
That's where it hurt.
So they got her out and put her over the curtain for me to see.
She was covered with tons of the 'white' stuff.  Help me out here...........what's it called?
Then she went over to the warmer table.

 Here she is getting checked over and cleaned.
If I just looked left I could see everything that was going on.
So that was nice.

 Dru got to cut the chord.
He's never done that with any of the other kids.
So he was pretty happy about that.

 She weighed in at 7 pounds 10 ounces and 20 and a half inches long

 I look tired and Dru couldn't be more happier.
Look at that face!!
Proud Dad.
He left with Emiko to the recovery room where more nurses checked her out while I stayed putt and got stitched up and then whisked away to see her again.
They had her feeding from me about 10 minutes afterwards, which I was really pleased about and she ate really well.
Once I could feel my legs again they brought me into the room I'm in now and will be for the rest of the time.
I was SO TIRED the whole day.
Like I could barely keep my eyes open.
I don't think I've been that tired in a long time, and I thought I knew tired!!

 I had a couple of phonecalls and the kids and Dru's mum came and visited.
The kids were so excited and took turns holding her.
Well Masaru and Yuki, Takeshi was more interested in the view from my room and jumping on the seats.
He kept coming up to me and asking if I was alright......he'd say 'You feel ok mum'
That's the longest sentence I've heard him say.
So that was kinda nice.
Masaru said he was nervous and thinking about me all morning at school, so he was happy I was ok.
The kids wanted to get up on the bed and cuddle me, so I let them.  They were careful.
I just think they needed to know I was alright, which I reassured them I was.

 Emiko's been doing great.
Good eater, nice and pink and healthy.
Beautiful.
Hardly cries (we'll see how long that lasts aye)
She's just the perfect little girl and we all love her.

 She's my fairest kid.
The other three were darker at the beginning.
She's not dark at all.
So we might have a blondie on our hands.
Time will tell I guess.

So my recovery is going great.
I'll be up and walking today which is really nice.
I'll have my IV out and be a free woman with a lot of pain, but at least I'll be free right!!
Thanks for everyone's well wishes so far.
I may be sleepy..............but I'm doing great.

39 Weeks

So here I am the day before giving birth.

I got a blessing tonight and am hoping for a little sleep, well......... enough to give me some energy to get through tomorrow.
I still feel nervous but am optimistic that things will go well.
I know I've complained a lot this pregnancy,  and couldn't wait for this day, but ironically I'm a little sad.
IS THAT CRAZY?!!
I'm nuts.
I mean it's probably my last so I've enjoyed all the movements today and have looked at myself quite a bit to 'remember' you know.
It's finally here and I'm a little sad about the whole thing.
Go figure right?
BUT....................I get to see Emiko tomorrow and that's gonna be awesome.
I'm glad I'm pregnant and I'm glad I had this pregnancy.
I'm grateful for no complications and for a great doctor.
Here's to moving forward with lifes' next challenges in the months ahead and getting my body back.
Now for the rollercoaster ride of tomorrow.

Feelings

So today is Friday, and I go in super early on Monday to have Emiko.
I saw my doctor for the last time yesterday and he almost seemed excited..................I dunno what that means.
I've received two phone calls from the hospital asking me all these questions and telling me what I can expect to happen that morning and it's kinda all hitting me at once you know.
What you need to know about me is that I don't gain as much comfort from strangers or professionals as I do from people who I KNOW love and care about me OR who have been through something similar and can relate.
I've said this before but no one could comfort me after my Dad died as much as my own siblings, since they're the only ones who knew or at least had the BEST idea of how I was feeling.
It's been the same way with child birth (which is pretty emotional and horrific and wonderful all wrapped up into one messy parcel)
No one could comfort me or reassure me that I was doing a good job or that I was going to be ok MORE than Dru.
I know this might seem funny to some people, but I guess it's the way I'm wired.
When I was on the table with Yuki and the doctor told me he was going to have to remove my ovary because my cyst was simply too big and wrapped around it too much to save it.......................I looked at Dru and asked him if the doctor was telling the truth.  I told him to look and see then tell me the truth.
It was only after Dru assured me that he was telling the truth that I let the doctor proceed.
Mock me as you will but this is how I am.
I remember labouring with one of my kids and crying cause it hurt and the nurses all telling me I was doing a great job but ignoring them and asking Dru if I was doing a good job.
He assured me I was doing great and I felt a lot better and stronger to get through the next one, then the next.
So you see, having a nurse there to hold my hand is only secondary to having Dru there.
It's of little comfort to me, no matter how nice the nurses and doctors really are.
So to make a long story longer.......................this lady on the phone who was from the hospital was telling me what I can expect to happen and said that Dru was going to wait outside while I get my spinal injection to numb me for the operation.
Well, as you can imagine I freaked out and started crying.
The woman on the phone was like 'Ah I can see that you're worried about this, there'll be a nurse there to hold your hand'
I said 'I don't think you understand, I don't WANT a nurse holding my hand, I don't NEED a nurse holding my hand I NEED my husband holding my hand'
She said 'The room is so full there's no room for him'
I said 'If there's room for the nurse there's room for her to move aside and Dru to stand there'
She said 'Alright, alright, you're going to have to talk to the anesthesiologist that morning and voice your concerns to them and see if your husband can be with you'
By this time I was bawling on the phone, Dru was wondering what was going on and I was a mess.
LOL
It's kinda funny and might not seem like a big deal to all of you, but to me................it's HUGE.
Also another thing is Dru is non confrontational.
So what's going to happen on Monday morning is I'm going to have to fight this battle for myself.
Dru assured me he'd help but my hopes aren't high, so I'm going to have to stick to my guns I guess and refuse the spinal unless Dru's there.
Will they say no?
I'm not sure.
Will they force it?
I dunno.
What are my rights?
If I have to go into that room without Dru I'll be sobbing like a small child and they'll have to drag me in holding onto the door casings.
That can't be good for business right?
Surely there's some kind of waiver for 'people' like me?
So now I'm slightly panicked. 
With every child Dru's been there with me every step of the way.
No ones separated us.
So we'll see what happens I guess.
I'm sure you're all going to be waiting around with baited breath to see how it pans out right?
LOL
Apart from that everything seems like it'll be standard.
I need to be honest.....................I'm scared.
I HATE having c-sections.
It hurts.
The recovery isn't the quickest or the best.
I've got mates who've said 'The labour was horrific but the recovery was within hours'
I envy them their recovery.
I'd much rather go through the pain of labour than the weeks of recovery.
But we always think we want what we don't have right?
Maybe the perfect birth is an epidural and a fast recovery?
I dunno.
Listen to me 'the perfect birth' lol I dunno if that even exists right?
My doctor told me after 6 weeks I"m good to go with exersize and the 'normal' life.
That's like FOREVER....................
I remember this one girl in my old ward who was in the hospital for less than 24 hours after her birth and walking her kids to school the next day.
WHAT THE..............................
That'll never be me.
So I need to get over it.
Anyway I hope it all goes well and I do alright and my body can heal fast and forgive me for doing this to it a forth time.
I hope I can feel well and be happy.
I hope my doctors as good as what everyone says he is.
And I hope Emiko is as healthy as what I feel she is.
Dru's mum's coming on Sunday and the kids are so excited it's crazy.
That's good.
Wish me luck................I'm gonna need it.

Journal Entry Sixtyfive

What was your school mascot? Tell about it.

Click HERE to read mine.

Misinformed..........

 For those American's who thought it was just Presidents Day yesterday, I have to tell you that according to my kids you were misinformed.
Apparently it was ALSO 'wear your clothes backwards' day.
And all three children participated.
Masaru woke up and put his clothes on backwards, then he helped Takeshi put his clothes on backwards and when Yuki walked out with her clothes on forwards she looked at her brothers and went in and changed them so they were the 'correct' backwards way.
They stayed like this all day yesterday AND played with their neighbourhood mates like this.
This is why I LOVE having Masaru home............he's my entertainer, go getter, babysitter, organizer and best brother these guys could have at their disposal.

Nesting?

You know how most women go through a nesting stage during their pregnancy?
Well MOST women.................but not me.
But never fear cause there's TWO in this relationship and ONE of us absolutely has been nesting this pregnancy.
So if it's not me...............................that's right folks....................Dru Nakaya is one nesting bird this pregnancy.
Here's the nesting list:
*Cleaned, re-organized and re-did the garage around 4 times  (He also says it's still a work in progress!  It looks fine to me but whatever keeps him happy right!!)
*Re-arranged the kids rooms (already blogged this)
*Re-organized the boys wardrobe (twice)
*Re-organized the girls wardrobe and made shelves for it.
*Helped in the sewing project of the curtain that goes in front of the girls wardrobe.
*Made fantastic vinyl wall hangings for the girls room.
*Cleaned out the hallway closet and re-organized the food, sheets, games in it.  Everything has it 'place' now and if I don't keep to the 'order' I get 'told off' (Personally I don't know how he lives with me)
*Re-organized and cleaned out the fridge.
*Cleaned the oven.
*Re-organized and cleaned out a cupboard in the kitchen.
*Cleaned the washer and dryer (who does this?  Anyone?)
*Re-organized the kids small clothes into boxes rather than the garbage bags I had them in and re-labled them 'properly' cause I just don't 'get it'

He's also kept up with the house work, played with the kids, made dinners, looked after me, organized Masaru's party and already wrapped his presents.

So just because I'm not a nester................doesn't mean there's not some SERIOUS nesting going on in the Nakaya household.
ONE MORE WEEK BABY.
This time next week I'll have a sweet little girl in my arms and she'll smell so good and be just perfect.
WHOOOOOHOOOOOOOO

Oh yeah and LOVE YOU BABE.
You're my REAL life superman.

Toes

 My toes are painted thanks to my mate Tiffany.
So you know what that means right?
That's right...I'm finally ready to give birth.
My feet may look like chubby bricks, but my toes are cute and I'll be seeing a lot more of them once Emiko's born.
Bring on the baby.

Girls wall

 So my SIL came up with an idea to put vinyl on our wall space for the girls room.
We looked at some ideas and came up with this.
With the help of Strawberry Pearl Vinyls and A and J vinyls we have our final product.

 Yukiko

Emiko.
We love it.

 Here's some pic's of Dad making the blocks for the vinyl to go on.  Here they are with primer on them.  He then just painted them black and we have our wall hangings.

Perth

 So my mum and brother went to Perth together to celebrate his daughters 7th birthday with her.
It was also my mothers birthday while they were over there as well, so they got to celebrate that by seeing my OTHER brother on his mission.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
Pretty awesome.

 They had lunch with him and got to meet his neighbours.  Then he had to leave for a baptism interview.
I think my niece would be surprised at how many Uncles she could get piggyback rides from if she came home.

 Anyway they had a great time together.
This was the first time mum got to meet her grand daughter and they hit it off like a house on fire.
So that's good.

 Wanna hear a cool story?

When my brother {above} was over for Christmas my other brother {on his mission} came to Aja's house for Christmas lunch.
While there my brother shared the gospel with Aja's mother and gave her a Book of Mormon and talked about it with her.
Then he left.
Well she started getting the discussions with the missionaries in her area.
Then about 10 days ago she got baptized.
IS THAT SO AWESOME?
Her son {who's 13} is getting baptized next month as well and is attending seminary and the young men youth programme on Wednesday nights as well as church and loves it.
Our family are over the moon and slightly stunned at this awesome news.
Great story right?
Love it.

Valentines 2012

This is the first Valentines I got.  It was from a friend who'd be embarrassed if I said her name.  She delivered it and said 'For your eyes only'  Dru and I thought it was pretty awesome.  So thanks friend who shall remain anonymous.

 Then the kids got some Valentines from their cuzzies.
I thought this was a great idea.  I'm not quite sure how she did it but I like it.  I might do it next year.  Maybe..................alright probably not, but it's cute right?
Then Grandma send them a card and some DVD's and their other cuzzies sent them candy and a little game.  I didn't get any pictures of them though.  I must've been tired.

 Then for 'Family Home Evening' we decided to make sugar cookies.  Dru did the cookies and I handled the icing of the cookies.
I gave the kids 3 each and thank goodness it was only that much cause check out how they turned out!!!
Talk about swimming in icing.
Masaru was the messiest.  Go figure.

 The three musketeers.

 The rest of the cookies.  If you'd like some just come on over and help yourself.

 Dru and I usually don't spend any money on each other for Valentines Day since I was never brought up with it and Dru detests Valentines day for reasons I can't be bothered explaining.
But this year I thought I'd out do myself and get him a little gift.  I got him this cute sticker to put on his Mac.
It's Totoro a Japanese Anime that he loves.
He was OVER THE MOON about it.  So that's nice.  I also got him a cute one that goes by his little mouse pad, but that hasn't come yet.  I'll get a pic when it does.
We were at costco the other day and flowers were a HORRENDOUS price.  Dru said 'Man those flowers are usually way cheaper than that'
I said 'If you buy me flowers for Valentines I'll kill you, what a waste of money.  You can get me flowers when they're cheap and you really need to make an impression on me'
So I got a very nice letter from him, which shall remain private, as well as a 1 hour massage that I can use up till August of this year.  It'll come in handy, I'm thinking, when I've been working out for a couple of months and I'm sore............................it'll be so heavenly.
I've never been to a salon type place and had a massage, so it should be interesting.
Dru got himself one as well so we could go together..........................I was laughing ...................'OH I see you got yourself one as well babe?'
'Yeah I thought we could go together you know, it'd be fun'
I'm like 'Yeah, yeah, sure riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight, this is the gift that just keeps on giving babe'
LOL
Men..............
They were cheap though and Dru does love it and has been a great worker throughout this pregnancy, so I'm not complaining.  I just think it's funny.
Don't you?

Then Yuki got a hold of the camera, even thought I always tell her she's not allowed....................and took some pic's.

 Here's a semi drunk picture of Takeshi.

 Now these next 'self portrait' pictures had me in tears I was laughing so much last night when I saw them.  So I thought I'd blog them.
The 'disgusted look'

 The 'cheeseball' look.

 The 'happy drunk' look.

 The 'awkward smile' look.

 The 'totally smashed' look.

 Another good gift I got on Valentines Day was a nap.
Takeshi snuck one in as well.
Yuki saw us, took a photo, then put a blanket on Takeshi, closed the blinds and watched Dora in the back room while the two of us slept for about an hour.
Thanks Yuki......................I'm not sure about the pic though.........oh well.

Masaru came home from school and did well with his class mates and ate so much sugar I don't know how he didn't throw up.
Also a mate from the ward came over and brought us dinner and cookies and took Masaru for two hours to play with her son at her place.
Now that was a great Valentines gift if ever I got one.
Happy Valentines to us.

37 weeks

So it's not the best shot but Dru took it and I guess I was looking at Dru at the time and this is my face just after him telling me how huge I looked.
I guess 'technically' he didn't say I was huge, he just said 'No, no move to the side a bit so we can see you're hugeness'
Anyway, this is me at 37 weeks.
I've got two weeks left and I'm basically in survival mode from hereon out.
I'm never fully comfortable anymore.............sitting, standing, lying down, it's all kinda the same really.
Masaru's started helping me out of chairs and getting my shoes for me and Dru's been helping me get my pants on and lifting me into our horrendously tall car when I need to get in.
I can't do much at all.
I'm trying to get a nap everyday but that doesn't really happen.
It's hard with three other kids and the stars have to be aligned for me to get one in.
Emiko seems to be doing great.
She moves around a ton and the doctor will see me these last two weeks.
So that'll make three weeks in a row, which has been really nice.
He hasn't seen me much at all and it's been great.  With my forth I just don't wanna go in much and have my hand held, so this doctor has been perfect for me.
I found out that I have to be at the hospital at 6am for my c-section.  I began to complain then thought 'Well really I'll be up anyway so whatever'
I'm nervous about being cut open again.
The recovery is long for me since I wanna be sweating and working out straight away.
I'm dying here with little exersize.
I wonder how long it'll really take for me to be 'fully' recovered and being completely worked by Chris with no mercy again?
I guess I'll have to have a talk to my doctor and find out.
I'll be in the hospital Mon thru Fri and will be loving every minute of it baby.
So if you wanna come hang out, shoot me an email.  I'd love visitors for short whiles.
My feet and hands are getting pretty swollen and even taking a shower is a big deal LOL
I know................poor me right?
But it'll be worth it............................I'm starting to get excited to meet Emiko and see what she brings to the family and have cute outfits to dress her in and another girl to do hair.
She's gonna be pretty special, my baby girl.
Like Dru said 'I hope she's as cute as Yuki cause it'd be a real shame if she was ugly you know.  It can be awkward if one sister is pretty and the other one isn't aye'
LOL
Nice one Dru.
I bet she'll be beautiful and Dru will be just as smitten no matter what, I know it....................sucka............

Journal Entry Sixtyfour

Tell of some financial struggles you have had in your life.

Click HERE to read mine.

I.AM.AWESOME

 Now this might not be a big deal to all you fantastic mum's out there, but for me in my house, this is a big deal.
I saw this idea HERE and thought 'That's pretty cute, I might do that.'
Turns out I had all the stuff here in the house (apart from the chocolate and pencils) and went for it.
Sure my bathrooms need cleaned and the floor swept and the bed made, but these things were put aside for more IMPORTANT valentines day gift card ideas to be done.

 Masaru's teacher sent home a list of girls and boys and their names, 20 in all, and I was just gonna go to the dollar store like I usually do and get the normal cards.
But I guess I got a little craft wind under my wings and did this instead.
Aren't I the best?
I know, I know, you're all applauding right now and I appreciate it.

Get it, get it..............Owl always be your friend?  LOL
Love it.
So this is what I did today.
Oh I also, showered, made dinner and went to an OBGYN appointment.
Things look great.............................well the things that are important at least.
2 and a half weeks baby........................NOT LONG NOW MELISSA!!!!!

Fast or Slow?

So in my faith we fast every first Sunday of the month.
We miss two meals and give the $ we would've spent on the food to the church to help out those in need who are struggling in various areas.
We call this Sunday 'Fast Sunday'
So this past Sunday was Fast Sunday.

Yuki goes up to Dru during church and says 'Dad is today a fast Sunday or a slow Sunday?'
After cracking up we realized we needed some explaining to do.
Love kids.

Little moments.......

Sometimes, it's moments like this that help me realize how much these guys really do love each other.
A big brother's arm around you and cow in hand, makes life a little easier to handle.
Thanks for being a good older brother Masaru.
You're the best and I bet Yuki loved the snuggles, maybe you even did too?

Shower

 So it's my 4th kid, and we pretty much have all we need apart from diapers and wipes and cold hard cash.  But my mate Natalie insisted on doing a shower for me which was very sweet of her.
The last shower I had was with Masaru like years and years ago so it was a nice time for me to celebrate maybe my last pregnancy ever with close friends.
And since I haven't been feeling the best it was nice to do my hair, put on a bit of make up and feel happy for a change.

 So from left to right this first one is Shannon my neighbourhood mate.  Hers and my kids play together all the time and we've become fast friends.  Then there's Kris who's in my ward and taught Yuki at church and happens to also be Nat's mother in law.  Then Sarah who is part of the pre-school group that we do and lastly Nat's mum who's house we had this at.

 Tiffany has been a mate since law school.  It was nice to have her there.

 Me and Hillary who's also been a mate since law school and I'm glad she showed up as well.

 Then Dani and Emily.  Dani's the only one I invited from my church since I feel bad about inviting people and them getting me gifts.  I guess I'm ok with Dani getting me a gift cause I think she's rich or something?  Or maybe it's cause she's my best mate in the church here, that could be it as well.
Emily's husband and Dru were companions in Japan on their mission years and years ago and we became fast friends and she happens to be in Boise and so got the invite.  It was great to see her after a few months and we had a good catch up.

 It was a really nice time with good company and I was spoiled with great things.

 Now I have lots of clothes but you tell me if this shouldn't be added to my collection?
How could you not love this wee outfit?

 Even Nat's grandmother made Emiko something.  How's that for awesome?

 Cute Jacket, always needed.

 Sandra Boynton Books.  Best gift ever!!!
Love her books.

 Cute bath tub that's all fancy.  It's great since I'm pretty sure I threw the one I had out.

 How awesome is this?
Since I've had the BIGGEST sweet tooth THIS was the perfect food to have at a shower for me right about now.

 See that chocolate log thing in the corner?
Yeah that bad boy was a bit of heaven on earth, I'm telling you.

 How cute of an idea is this?

 Beautiful flowers and cookies.

The lady who put most of the back work into it.
Nat had two awesome games.
One was questions that I had to answer and everyone else had to answer and see how close they got to mine.
That was fun to talk about.
Then the other was a list of songs that had baby in the title and we had to listen to a little of each song and guess.
I've never done that before and it was a GREAT and FUN idea.
Loved it and loved spending time with these women and feeling relaxed right before D day.
Thanks guys.
Love you all.