A Babymoon in Kona

After much debate, Jeff and I decided to invest in one last hurrah before Miles arrives.  Sure we have done lots of things in the recent years - cruises, trips to Las Vegas, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Iowa, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Cabo San Lucas, etc - but when I stopped to think about it for a minute - most of those trips were with our friends, to visit family, or to celebrate big events like birthdays or weddings.  In fact, the last time Jeff and I took a legitimate vacation outside of CA alone - just the two of us was our honeymoon.  Almost five years ago!!

When I had that epiphany, I was sure we made the right decision to get outta dodge.  We celebrated my 30th birthday at the Tonga Room in San Francisco - a kickoff to the babymoon - and then departed for Kona the next morning. Here are a few photos from the birthday bash:

On the flight to Kona, we were seated next to a young couple with an adorable 8 month old baby boy.  I couldn't help but tell them how cute their son was - big old chubby cheeks and spiky blonde hair.  The mom says "well I sure hope you still think that after this flight - its our first time"  I could see how nervous the parents were to potentially have to deal with an unhappy baby in a confined space. 

Another big eye opener was how fast Jeff and I cruised through the airport once we landed compared to the new parents who looked like a walking caravan with their car seats, strollers, and bags.  Some of them would laugh at us and say "See what you have to look forward to!" This was another reminder that the babymoon was a GREAT idea!

We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid Resort on the Kohala coast and were deliberate about not making any plans prior to getting there - not even a rental car.  I think we got a lot of what we needed which was no schedule, lots of rest, and lots of fun.  We were on the island for four days and spent most of that time enjoying the resort, laying by the pool or beach, snorkeling, taking naps, and eating to our hearts content.  I kept telling Jeff that I wish I could package the experience into an injectable shot that I could just administer to myself in times of need - you know on those "oh so special" days at work?

Here are a few photos of the resort and grounds.

Here are a few photos of the babymooners

Here are some photos of the boy we can thank for Kona 

Mr. Miles - 25 weeks

20 Week Ultrasound & 21 Week Baby Bump

Well, here he is world, our son, Miles David Willits

And here is proud mom - 

starting to look undeniably pregnant at 21 weeks - 

even strangers are pointing it out now!

3D Ultrasound

At about 18 weeks, as a gift from Grandpa Dave and Grandma Karen - Jeff and I got to see the baby in 3D and take a sneak peak at the gender.  This was such a neat experience and Jeff's first time seeing an ultrasound since the baby blob days.  Needless to say - we were excited.

Jeff was CONVINCED it was going to be a girl.  I'm not sure if it was because he was just trying to psych himself up for parenting a daughter or if it was because he secretly wanted a little princess.  I myself wasn't so sure - they always say a mother's intuition is right, but up until the day of, I really had no indication one way or another.

Except, the night before the ultrasound, I had my first baby dream.  I had previously mentioned to Jeff that I thought it was a bit weird how I had yet to have a dream about our baby.  Right before I woke up that morning, I had a dream that we were going in to the ultrasound and in walks this mad scientist looking ultrasound tech ( who was actually one of my PhD customers from work whose primary job is managing a portfolio of work that has to do with dangerous biological and chemical warfare agents)  Insert photo of Duane - nice guy - but a little creepy to dream about him giving me an ultrasound!! :)  So as he is doing the exam, at the end he says "Well, given the baby's curmudgeon like characteristics, I think a congratulations is in order!"  I looked at him and said "So its a boy?" and he said "Yes, congratulations, you are having a baby boy!"  I woke up and told Jeff about the dream and asked him if curmudgeon was even a real word.  I thought so, but had no idea what it meant. That day I googled it and sure enough - curmudgeon means - "a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man". Ha!!

Later that day was the real appointment.  It was so surreal and peaceful.  I got to lay in a comfy bed, in a dim lit room, and enjoy a up close and personal look at the baby.  By now it had distinguishable facial features and  limbs.  Getting to see it move its arms and touch its face was magical.  I think Jeff was really touched as well.  After a few minutes - we got the official declaration - 

it was a boy!  We are having a son!! 
Snakes and snails and puppy tails
 here we come!!

Here is the video from the 3D ultrasound - its a few minutes long - if you hang in there until the end, you'll see him move a bit more and enjoy some godfather like music as well!

He Can Handle a Son..No Problem!

Jeff and I were on a walk with Buzz on the path behind our house one day when we saw a lizard in the grass beside us. I said to him "Aww just think if we have a son, this is the type of thing that little boys live for...catching lizards" Then Jeff said "You know how to get them right?" As his eyes light up and a smile flashes on his face, he picks a weed out of the ground and proceeds to tie it in a neuse. Then he explains that if you slip the neuse around the lizard's head, they will run and it will tighten around their neck and you've got them. Somehow I could see he was channeling his inner child and I realized that he's got the boy thing down - its the tea parties I'm not so certain about :)

15 Week Baby Bump

Here are some belly shots that were taken after we attended the honey and wine (except if you are pregnant) festival with Jeff's sister Kay and her man Eric!

Baby Names.. Decisions, Decisions

After several hours of cruising through baby name books and websites and passing ideas through Jeff whose only words were "no", "ahh, its alright", and "fine", here were the contenders:

Girls: 

Paige

Natalie

Charlotte

Cora: young maiden; goddess of the underworld

Nora

Claire

Sabrina

Serena

Shea: of admirable character; from the fairy palace

Cheyanne

Audrey

Ellen

Leslie

Dana: woman from Denmark

Margo

Meryl

Jayla

Brooke

Julie

Boys:  

Gabe

Zach

Kyle

Graham: from the graveled area; gray home

Derek

Connor

Nolan

Liam: the determined protector

Owen

Drew

Murray

Marcus

Miles: one who is merciful; soldier

Harlan

Lyle

12 Week Ultrasound & Baby Bump

For the twelve week ultrasound, I went to John Muir Perinatal Group for the first tri-mester screening tests. This is where the doctor takes a bunch of measurements around the base of the baby's neck to determine whether we are at increased risk for down syndrome or trisomy 18. I wish I would have had Jeff at this appointment because the baby was projected on a big screen t.v. mounted to the ceiling. It had facial features, a little pot belly, and little feet that it kept crossed at the ankles. I even got to see the arms and legs move and it was just so amazing to watch. More and more this baby was starting to take on an identity of its own.