Now in San Antonio, Texas!

So sad that I did not get to blog for over a year!  A bit cliche but time flies when you are having fun!  Okinawa was our best duty station.  We were heartbroken to leave but military life left us with no choice.  A lot has happened since my last blog.  First big change is my one year old son!  He was born October 3rd and he is one of the many blessings we have.  He is adventurous, curious, and active.  In other words, naughty!!  ha!  LOL I guess some people were not joking when they said boys were different.  Nonetheless, I love him to pieces and he completes our little family.  :) Second big change, we are now in San Antonio, Texas!  Chris flew out here first and we followed shortly after in November 9th.  My first impression, quiet!  I don't know why and I'm pretty sure it is the opposite but maybe it was the side of town we were in or I am just adjusting.  House hunting was frustrating but we found a place in Selma.  The house still needs work for it to start looking like home.  Until then, I am excited for what this new duty station holds for my family.

My Baby Is Growing Up!!!

Lana goes to a Montessori School Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 12PM.  Her first week was not bad at all.  I guess she figured that it was fun.  The second week; however, was torture for myself and her.  She went through the clinging stage where she did not want to let go of my hand.  She would cry as soon as I parked the car in front of the school.  One morning, I had to stay there until 8:30 because she was hugging me the whole time.  I felt absolutely horrible for having to put her through this, after all she was only 2 years and 4 months at the time.  I spoke with the school director and she assured me that Lana was doing just fine.  A little cry here and there was really normal.  She had trouble following directions and this frustrated me because in my mind, my daughter was smart and always followed MY directions.  I had to accept the fact that one of the reasons she is going to this school was not only to learn academically but also to socialize with other children and be able to listen to other adults other than Mommy and Daddy.  This went on for about a month.  I remember speaking to a couple of parents who have kids that go to the same school mentioning that their kids went through the same thing.  And then they told me, that the time will come when they will no longer even acknowledge that you dropped them off to school.  That was a scary thought.

This week, the school has a new student.  Her mom looks exactly how I looked when Lana first started, same with her daughter.  I just think to myself, "we went through that."  Then today, my most dreadful thought came true.  As I dropped Lana to the door, she grabbed her lunch box from me and quickly said, "bye mommy!"  I insisted on a hug but all I kept getting from her were those two words.  She looked as if she was embarrassed that she had a clingy mom!  It made me want to tear up, but I walked away like a big girl and told my baby goodbye.  *SIGH*

Okinawa Orchid Festival

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the the annual Okinawa Orchid Festival in Nago (northern part of Okinawa).  The festival was held in the Tropical Dream Center within the famous Churaumi Aquarium, the third largest aquarium in the world.  It was orchid heaven as the festival showcased over 10,000 different species of beautiful orchids.  It is a definite must go to event when in Okinawa.  

Baby No. 2

Last Friday, I found out that we are expecting baby number 2!  After three pregnancy tests, the third one finally gave in.  I guess we were checking too early and maybe I just knew, it is my body after all.  Besides, it's not like if we weren't trying to have a baby.  My husband and I both agreed that this year would be the time for a second baby considering the age gap with our first daughter.  The three year gap that they will have is ideal for our family.  

Symptoms.  Before I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Lana, I experienced some severe lower back pain.  I remember I couldn't even bend my back to clean our dining table.  I religiously complained about morning sickness.  Why is it even called morning sickness when it can last throughout the whole day?  It should be changed to A.D. sickness:  ALL DAY sickness!  Thankfully, that only lasted for about 4 months or so.  I had a crazy experience.  I wish I was introduced to this world of blogging then.  It would have nice to read through blog posts of a newly expectant mother and everything else that came after which NO ONE really tells you about.  You can read all the books you want, buy all the things you think are necessities but nothing can exactly prepare you for this wonderful, chaotic world of motherhood until you see and hold YOUR baby.  

Anyway, back to my symptoms for this current pregnancy.  Actually, nothing too crazy.  I have lower back pain but not as excruciating as from the first.  I have weird food cravings.  I like matching my dishes according to the type of cuisine like either all Japanese dishes or all Filipino food.  Or if I'm cooking a meal, I can't have all the dishes to be fried.  Something has to be saucy or there has to be some type of soup to go along with it.  Well, now I just want to eat everything.  I often catch myself having thoughts about food throughout the day.  It's just more exciting now, you can eat all the food you want (with health in mind of course) and have an excuse to get fat because you are eating for two.  Lastly, I am having the worst mood swings!  I feel really bad for my husband Chris because I lash out on him a lot.  One second I'm so happy to see that he just came home from work.  Thirty seconds later, I'm extremely annoyed because he's trying to kiss me hello while I'm trying to prepare dinner.  Then I realize he must be tired from work so I go over and give him a kiss.  Ten minutes later, I'm back to being annoyed because he just can't keep his voice down from playing around with Elana.  *SIGH*  It just goes on.  lol  At the end of the day though, nothing else really matters but to be with family and those who love you.  We are truly blessed.