24 Weeks

We had our fourth prenatal appointment today and everything went really well. My weight gain is good and I am probably about as comfortable as I'll be until after this baby is out of me :)

A week ago today (President's Day), early in the morning when I was still half-awake, I started feeling some pain in my side (not uncommon to have growing pains), and when I put my hand down to massage the pain I felt a sharp kick! That was the first time I KNEW that I felt the baby moving. I grabbed Bruce's hand and had him put pressure on to my tummy so that he was able to feel the baby, too! We loved that we both felt the baby together. Since then I feel the baby move often, which I like -- I like knowing that he is well.

We went to a really nice wedding last weekend in Seattle (Bruce's cousin got married), stayed with some of his best friends, and then spent President's Day in Portland with my father-in-law and two brothers-in-law. We got to meet our newest nephew Sam while we were there. Bruce and Sam were cuddle buddies immediately, as you can see in the picture below.

Bruce and Sam (via Amanda's blog)

We were sad that we missed seeing my mother-in-law who was in Connecticut with Bruce's sister helping with her new daughter Daisy (just a few weeks old now!). In March we will go meet Daisy in person and we are really excited!

On my birthday =)

I have always felt that a woman has the right to treat the subject of her age with ambiguity until, perhaps, she passes into the realm of over ninety. Then it is better she be candid with herself and with the world.

Carl Sandburg

Each life that touches ours for good

My sister called me today to tell me about a dear family friend's passing this morning. Our friend Hiro was quite young (in his 30s) and it was a shock to hear the news. I didn't know of his heart condition, as others did, and was saddened to hear of his death.

My mind thinks back to my dear friend Kate who passed away in November 2010. Like Hiro, she was young and a person of pure heart. While I grieve the loss of these friends, I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with them and for the influence they continue to have in my life. They were both great examples of faith and sincere kindness to others.

Hiro - his name means "generous" 

Kate - a kindred spirit

Hiro was in the singles ward with my siblings for years while I was at BYU. He was their home teacher and, more than that, a true friend. Hiro seemed to always include me (and all of my family) in his service to my siblings. Hiro was often at my family's house spending time with us and was always smiling and full of humor. On one occasion I remember him going so far as to bring me a souvenir from one of his trips to Japan - a magnet to add to my magnet collection :) Hiro, as a wedding present to my sister, drove the limo for her wedding. He was consistently thoughtful and generous. I know so many had similar experiences with Hiro.

I'm grateful for each life that touches mine for good and hope to express that gratitude often when given the opportunity. I love you, Hiro and Kate! Thank you for your friendship and may God bless your families who miss you every day.

Related to prior posts here and here.