More preggo photos, courtesy of Tommy Shih

Got some more pix back from Tommy.

Mobile Posts

I always wondered how Simon would post entries on his blog when he was away from his computer. Here is my attempt at a mobile post.

This begins the 2nd week of official baby waiting for us. Miko is at home, relaxing and enjoying the days prior to our baby girl's arrival. I have felt lots of movement over the weekend and it seems like our baby is still having a good time in mommy's womb.

We cannot wait to meet our little girl. Check this site for updates upon her arrival. We'll post the important "stats" as soon as we are able.

I took a nap today and can't sleep. I guess this is good preparation for what is to come, lots of late nights.

-L

39 weeks...still...

Just wanted to give a shout-out to our friend Tommy, who is an extremely gifted photographer. He took a couple shots of us in front of the Montage in Laguna Beach, one of which you see here. Please check out his website if you have the chance:

http://www.tommyshihphoto.com/

As for baby Yosh, she is just still hanging out in my tummy...Not much to report.

No signs of labor whatsoever. Therefore, as I've said before, I am enjoying this time to myself as much as possible. Everyone has so wisely advised I make the best of this time, as I won't have it again. So, I'm doing just that. Here are some of the things that I have done to keep myself busy:

1. Sleep. As much as possible

2. Washed all of baby's clothes, folded and organized everything for her

3. Figured out how to use the fabulous baby sling my BFF Amy MADE FOR ME!

4. Figured out how to use the Baby Bjorn

5. Started filling the diaper bag with essentials

6. Put up the safety bumper on the crib and put clean sheets on the mattress

7. Figured out how to use the baby monitor

8. Prepped the bathroom with all the baby accessories for her first sponge baths

9. Figured out how to use the baby jogger and the regular stroller

10. Met with the CHP to learn how to properly install and use the infant car seat in both cars

11. Started cooking some meals and using our new Food Saver to freeze them for later

12. Walked Nalu miles around the neighborhood. I think he is a very happy dog these days.

13. Laundry. Plenty of it!

14. Finished any errand that Landon needs done

15. Cruised around the local malls. Not buying anything, just there to walk to get some exercise in an air conditioned space. There are so many moms and kids in the malls during the weekday afternoons!

16. Read the baby books I got as gifts. Actually, I'm doing quite a bit of reading these days. I read "Raising Baby Green" which is great, and the Dr. Sears Baby Book. I've finished "What to Expect While Expecting" and am on to "What to Expect The First Year".

17. Organized the home office

18. Created the phone tree for when baby is born

19. Worked on my scrapbooking

20. Attended water aerobics classes and yoga classes at the gym. Met new friends there.

21. And the rest of the time, just I just lounge in my glider, listening to Hawaiian slack key music. My new favorite. Next to the Baby Einstein CDs I got as gifts.

Will keep you all posted! Thanks so much for all the prayers and well wishes!

-miko

39 weeks

Still no baby...ho hum.
No progress from last week, per the OB doctor.
She's just hanging out in there, enjoying her cozy space.

I myself am making the most out of not having to work. I think I have cleaned every room in the house 3 times. My mom was here the last few days just to hang out and make sure everything is ready for baby. Thanks to her, and to all you generous folks who helped us get what we needed to take care of this little girl, I think we're all set.

I don't know if I can get any larger. It is definitely more difficult to walk compared to just a few weeks ago. Still trying my best to exercise, hoping that will help her arrive at least on time. Today I went to water aerobics and then cruised the mall for a while just to get some exercise in an air conditioned environment. It's hot today!

Will keep you all posted, but for now, baby appears to be staying put inside my tummy. =0)

-miko

Last day at work!

Finally, it is here! My last day at work!
Can't believe it...seems like just yesterday I was telling my superiors that I was pregnant...
My coworkers are like family to me, as I've been with my company for almost 3 years. I will miss them very much, as I am not certain if or when I will return to work. I plan to be a stay-at-home mommy, if at all possible. Or at least split stay-at-home duties with Daddy. =0) Whatever we have to do to raise her ourselves. =0)

On a sad note: our dog Nalu, being the stinker he is, downed a whole container of dessert that contained raisins. Apparently grapes/raisins can be lethal to dogs. He was hospitalized for the last 24 hours and treated per the Animal Poison Control regimen for toxicity...thousands of dollars later, he is alive and doing well, with no signs of trouble...and I have the lovely task of administering the IV fluids to him here at home. Landon wasn't going to touch those needles. Thankfully I know something about human IVs, which helps, and I am very thankful the vet was willing to compromise with this home regimen, saving us major $$. It's a good thing I'm off of work now. I have to keep an even closer eye on that guy. I can't even begin to describe how awful I feel that this happened. It was completely my fault that this poor little guy nearly died...and I'm going to be a mom in just a few weeks! Ahh...my aching heart!

Hopefully all goes well and he will fully recover within the next few days, as will I, from the shock of this all...

I'm at 38 weeks now. Ready for baby to come! Surprised with all this stress about Nalu that she's not here yet...=0)

-miko

Our baby girl's wardrobe

Just wanted to share with you all how beautiful and expansive my baby girl's wardrobe is already...and she hasn't even made her official debut yet!

And we wanted to again extend our heartfelt thanks to you all who built this wardrobe for her. She will be one snazzy-lookin' little gal and I know I will have a blast dressing her in those adorable outfits.

I posted some pix below to demonstrate just how full her closet already is:

Baby attire faves:

Landon's favorite: a matching outfit that says "Daddy's little girl"
Landon's second favorite: a onesie that says: "Daddy's wrapped around my finger"

Miko's favorite: the newborn hats that look like the top of Pooh's head
Miko's second favorite: a purple onesie with simply the word "adorable" across the front.

Nalu's favorite: anything baby-related that squeaks. You should see his eyes light up.

Baby Shower #3!

We were blessed enough to have a 3rd baby shower! This time: So Cal friends and fam. I've called So Cal my home since 2000 even though I'll always be partial to Nor Cal, particularly the Bay Area. =0). My 2 sisters, their significant others, and my 2 college roommates, Tiffany and Erika, all coordinated this shower on our behalf, along with help from my brother Logan. We had so many family and friends come, from all walks of our lives: church, past churches, school, work, past work jobs, Team in Training, neighbors...It was a true joy to celebrate with them. It had been several years since we'd seen many of them, so thankfully we managed to get in enough time to make our rounds to speak with them all.

It was a very warm day that afternoon, but thankfully we were in an air conditioned room! I was exhausted after that day, just from the heat and from the excitement of getting to see everyone. Baby and I slept for a LOOONNGGG time after that event. Many thanks to EVERYONE who made this shower possible and to those that came to celebrate with us! -The Yoshidas

David and Logan setting up.

Activities for the guests!

USC Pals!

Crossroads Church pals

Evey!

Our cake!

Baby Shower #2

Got some pictures back from the second baby shower I had...which was a total surprise! My work colleagues threw me a beautiful shower last Friday, much to my shock...I thought I was going in the conference room for a meeting with the VP!!! I've been with my company almost 3 years, and my heart was so deeply moved by this huge surprise...they sure went all out! My work colleagues have become my extended family, so it was truly a blessing to be able to share the joy of our baby girl with them. Many of them are skilled in arts and crafts, so our little girl received several handmade gifts that I will treasure always. Handmade blankets, burp cloths, and hats...Gosh, I will miss my work crew very much when I leave. My last day is Friday 9/19...already!

37 weeks

I just wanted to share this great pic Landon got of our baby boy...cheering on the Trojans alongside us yesterday. My mom bought him this toy a few weeks back and it has quickly become his favorite. We often catch him just like this: prancing around the house with it around his neck...I've been taking it easy lately, resting at home more, and was blessed enough to be granted work-from-home status these last few weeks before maternity leave, so it's been Nalu and I holding down the fort. I now have a better sense of what he really does all day while we're at work. Bark at people that walk by the house, lick crumbs off the floor, and of course, sleep.

This will be my last week of work. Then my mother will come down and stay with us until the baby is born. I hope I at least get a few days off next week before she decides to come just so I can get some things finalized. We are getting so close to meeting our baby girl! I'm excited, and to be honest, ready to just have this baby already! I'm not nervous at all, really, and that probably comes from my faith in the Lord, as well as my history as an OB nurse...but regardless, I hope everything goes smoothly, and that labor is quick!

-miko

Hamachi Kama

Tonight on the way back from my weekly trip to Torrance, I made a stop to wait out the traffic. Here's some of the raw materials I came back with.














Here's the finished product.

Hamachi-kama (collar of yellow tail) which was sea-salted, then broiled at 500 degrees for 10 minutes.


I also picked up some ahi to make some spicy tuna rolls with cucumber, avocado and green onion.

Oish-kat-ta!

Fantasy Football

This weekend, our annual love affair with the NFL began. Each year, 10 of us get together to form a fantasy football league, complete with live draft prior to the season start. Most of us are friends from the Punahou days. To be honest, it does give us a way to keep in touch, some in California, Hawaii and New York.

The big news over the weekend was Tom Brady's season ending injury. Sorry to Matt and Tommy...

No, that is not Tom Brady, but Matt Cassel, a product of the U of Southern California!

Go Trojans! Fight On!

Baby Coming Soon

Tonight I was able to feel our baby girl moving a lot! Felt like she is getting ready to move out to the real world...

We'll find out tomorrow if Miko is making progress and if she is effaced at all or dilated, etc. We do know our baby is head down (as of the last appointment) and hopefully is still in that position. :) This weekend i have a daddy bootcamp, where I will meet other new fathers, and those who are experienced. They will share their tips and thoughts with us...the rookies.

I found this photo online...I believe it is in Del Mar. The sight rivals some I have seen growing up in the islands. Hope you all enjoy it as much as i do.