me miss papa and mama is 20 weeks

A. left for germany for a week-long business trip last friday. JG misses him, and so do i. but we are making the most of it, and having fun just the 2 of us (bebi2 makes 3). A. flew thru paris so he got a day and a half to hang out in the city, and luckily, esther is back in town. but jealousy is in check, since i think he ate and had enough fun for all of us. he's back home on saturday, a day before his bday, so we can celebrate all together. JG wants to throw a surprise party for him. he's really into surprises right now.

went in for bebi2's 20 week check up last thursday. here are the scans! bebi2 is growing at a steady pace - not too big, not too small. they seem to be really hung up on baby and mama size/weight here in japan...of course. average japanese mama weight gain is 18 lbs vs american mamas at 25-30lbs! evil tiny japanese women...me? who cares? as long as things go back to the same afterwards. but bebi2 was ALL OVER THE PLACE during the echo, it was nuts! the technician lady had a difficult time getting the readings. but as you can see (split screen images), the spine is straight and gorgeous, heart beating strong, ribs so cute, and all fingers and toes present! watched her/him opening and closing mouth, pumping fists, and kicking mama's uterus with gusto. even stretching those legs out, resting her/his feet up on the uterus wall. that's my baby!

weather got crazy in tokyo over the weekend, and we had massively huge winds pound us for a day and a half! there was a beige haze over the city from all the dust, and flights and even trains were grounded. JG kept saying, a tad worried, "maybe this is a tornado, and a typhoon, and a storm and hurricane all together!" hope this means spring is finally here! hope you are all getting some spring love where you are as well!