34 week (8.5 month) appointment and more Nippon baseball

Peanut nailed another appointment!  Since Dr. Sakamoto does ultrasounds all the way through the pregnancy (not typical in the States) we got to see that his head, stomach and arms remain measuring on the 34 week marker but his legs are 2 weeks ahead of schedule!  Think we have a long legged Scott Jr. turkey in the oven...

Peanut has continued to gain weight and is now 5 lbs 11 oz., however I have managed to lose a few pounds from all the walking around.  He is still in the same breech position but Dr. Sakamoto recommended a yoga move to help him turn.  Ironically, I already do this sort of "downward dog" pose from my knees at times to release back and hip pressure.  But Dr. Sakamoto said we still have a 70-80% chance of him turning so a natural birth remains very likely.  I, however, think he is a bit stubborn like his daddy and may stay breech.  Either way, we're all healthy, happy and will make it work out.

We took a tour of the Seibu Catholic Hospital with Sister Barbara.  Sister Barbara is an adorable little 70+ year old British nun who has been living and working in Tokyo for over 20 years.  She was extremely kind, nurturing and knowledgeable.  The hospital was also extraordinary.  The birthing wing is brand new and the Japanese nurses were sweet as pie bowing and smiling at us throughout our tour.  There is even a sliding glass window where we can drop Peanut off when we need sleep, help or just a fresh diaper.  I look forward to utilizing the New Mommy drive-thru service!

I'm still waiting for the clean "nesting" stage to set in because I have been uncharacteristically messy (sorry to report Mom).  Thank God for our cleaning service once a week cause our apartment is in disarray every other day of the week.  I've preferred to do anything but pick up: lay with the A/C on high and fan blazing at my feet, walk around Tokyo, shop with the ladies, eat any kind of sweets I can get my hands on, play Words with Friends on my phone, read in coffee shops or go to baseball games.

 My friend, Liz, and me in a cake making class.  The lesson was in all Japanese but still fun!

I managed not to burn the building down and make a yummy rice cake roll.

After weeks and weeks of searching I finally found pancakes in Tokyo!  They were both cute and tasty.  The Japanese normally have salty foods for breakfast, not sugar, so it was a difficult mission.

Scott has managed to attend all 5 possible baseball stadiums in Tokyo!  So far I have 4 of the 5 stadiums under my belt.  We saw the Chiba Lotte Marines lose at home in the QVC Stadium to the Hanshin Tigers.  The QVC Stadium is a big outdoor field.  It's about an hour and half train ride from our apartment but is near Tokyo Disney and right along the Tokyo Sea.  It was an exciting nail biter of a game.  We even experienced a 5.7 level aftershock during the game.  The Stadium shook a couple seconds but the fans never stopped cheering and the game never missed a beat.

 Chiba Lotte Marines - QVC Stadium

 Instead of the 7th inning stretch in the States, the Japanese do a "Lucky 7" by singing a song and then releasing balloons in the air.  The opposing team also does this but in the 6th inning.

Scott tried to add his American rally cap mojo to help the Marines but without much luck.

We also got out to the Seibu Dome to watch the Seibu Lions tie with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.  Since the trains are the main form of transportation in Japan and close down in the late evening the games will end in a tie, if need be, in the 12th inning so everyone can get home.  But the postseason games will go until the 15th inning and if still tied then they will re-schedule the game to be re-played.  

The Seibu Dome is my favorite stadium so far!  It's about an hour train ride but is a neat half dome with a ceiling cover but open air sides so you still get the gorgeous lush greenery views and fresh outdoor breeze.  Plus they have more American style music in between plays, Western sit-down toilets and TONS of food options including my favorite mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins.  Yes, sweets are my top priority.

 Seibu Lions at Seibu Dome.  Check out the lush outside greenery between the fans and advertisements.

 Seibu Dome with open air sides

Scott is the only one of his friends to make it to all 5 stadiums.  The Seibu Dome was the final one.  He says, "There can only be one" as a joke because the other guys had to work this day.

We look forward to our next 36 week doctor appointment on Friday, June 24th (my sister Michelle's birthday!) and in the meantime are enjoying our short lived free time with just the 2 of us.  Please remember that we love to hear from you so don't be strangers and send us your updates too.  We love and miss you all!

 Scott has managed to squeeze in some Tokyo fishing, but sadly no catching.

I also went in this tiny, tettering boat in the rain...for all of 2 seconds!  Scott is the only die hard fisherman.

Just to give you perspective on the train stations.  This is Harajuku station near Scott's work.

And this is Shinjuku station near our apartment during NON rush hour time!  There isn't room to breathe during peek times.