Week 10 has passed. A poster making party is an encouraging sign but I will accept it as something they do to occupy the families until the ship's return is a confirmed reality.

Finally, I get a picture but I cannot see that it is Jared. I must take his word for it.

It was only training but when you first see it before he explains, it does cause some serious concerns. Repair training is something all hands must be proficient with so all must practice. He says it is difficult work dragging a fire hose around inside the ship. If he is required to do it again, he would prefer doing so on deck. 

Another week of pregnancy has passed. We are week 16 and a bump is beginning to be noticed. Maternity clothes are becoming required if I desire comfort... at all. I have become an oil well of sorts. I find myself carrying wipes again to remove the body oil I am profusely producing. Sometimes I believe OPEC will ask me to join them. It seems I will be buying Shine Stopper again. It is somewhat expensive but it prevents me from looking as if I have fallen in a vat of oil.

Chao lei is completely back to his routine. One would think we did not travel anywhere recently. He is excited for basketball this year. What is strange is he is more excited for the Junior Run Club that follows. This I do not understand where his desire to run originates. I am not a runner. If you see me running, try to keep up because something big and scary is chasing me. Jared runs of necessity but complains of it ocaisionally. We have not encouraged running but neither have we discouraged it. We will support him though.

Getting Caught Up

I am thankful for my time away even though it was for a reason I did not prefer. Getting caught up is taking longer than I believed it would.

Chao lei's school work, while not much. took some extra effort. It seems that if it is not done in school, there is no reason to do it at home. Each assignment seemed to be a negotiation on par with North Korean nuclear talks. This was unusual for him. Normally, he enjoys his school work. I am believing his current reluctance is a result of his time away from school. He only required getting caught up as his mother does.

I was fortunate to acquire an OB appointment so quickly on my return. There is nothing wrong, but the gender reveal was satisfying. We will have a girl this time.

Jared is beyond excited. I have already received packages with little girl clothes that he has ordered. Some have been less than... attractive. I give him credit for trying though.Of course, the packages cause me to be curious of when he makes orders since there is only sporadic contact with his son and I through Skype. I will need to question him of this when he arrives home.

Speaking of arriving home, the ship is on week nine with no indications of their return time. They have posted some pictures of their activities. One would believe that in the number of photos they posted, at least one would have had Jared in it. Not so. At least we get to see they are doing well.

School is early in the new term so getting caught up there is easier than if it were the end of term. It is surprising how much students can forget in only a few short weeks. I would not have believed that a review would have been required so quickly.

I am returning to my routine though. I wish I could be as Chao lei and return so quickly to what normal.

I Spoke to Jared...

… and this is what he now knows of the baby's gender...

He seems pleased to know he will have a daughter. I too am pleased.

Eight Weeks... Almost

So. Eight weeks gone and ten more to go to tie the record. I am hoping they do not break it. I am unsure that I would care for being at sea for this long in winter but I am certain I do not care for Jared being gone this long (or longer) at any time of year. The positive of this is it results in a better chance the ship will be home, or at the least home more often, during this pregnancy. Still, I am jealous of the other crews that sit quietly at the docks at the moment.

I am 15 weeks into pregnancy now. The OB clinic had an opening yesterday so I was able to be seen quicker than I thought I could be. Everything is progressing well. It is fortunate for me that this one has not banned any part of my usual diet. Chao lei would not allow dumplings or coffee. I have not gained much weight but it is beginning to become obvious to me larger pants are closer to becoming reality. I suppose a visit to the maternity section at the NEx is in order.

Gender. I know it now but Jared does not. Though parents eagerly ask of it, I remain silent until he knows of it. It is only fair. He is the father. I have decided we will do a reveal after Chao lei and I have told him so I will not post here as some family have been known to visit this blog on occasion. How unfair for him to discover the gender as everyone else, or even after others, does. For now, I must await Jared's limited face time and only the Navy knows when that will be.

I have returned to my classes. The students appear more relaxed at the beginning of a new term than at to end of the last. lol  Appearing to learn is much easier than demonstrating you have learned. Both are important. My most difficult class is English Language. It is a difficult language to master but one may quickly learn enough to communicate. It is my Japanese students who are most difficult. They are very intelligent but worry too much of speaking it incorrectly. I understand their thoughts. I too have had to learn English and its many rules; rules that often contradict each other. Still, one must speak it to learn it and understand their usage will not be perfect but will improve with use. I have more patience with these students because I have more empathy for them. It is difficult enough that the class is generally conducted in English with only some Japanese when something new arises.

Chao lei has resumed his routine and I continue to live the Navy wife life.

New year, Different Life

I closed out my old year by leaving Japan to say good bye to a loved one. I begin the new year by preparing to return to Japan to resume living. Christmas alone was bad enough. Christmas alone and having Father Bing die was almost too much. It was good for me to be here for a time because even now, the ship is gone and Jared is not home.

Chao lei has traveled surprisingly well. He is becoming fond of flying. He has also made himself a part of the Bing family. He does not meet strangers when dealing with other children. He only sees new playmates. For adults, he only looks to me to see how I interact with them to determine if he will. I am happy this is so though it will not diminish my vigilance watching after him.

As of this moment, I would be surprised if Jared is home when I arrive. They have been underway for 53 days and counting. I am hoping this ends soon but have no indication that it will. It is deja vous. Jared was gone much of the last pregnancy too. It is thirteen weeks and missed all of them. What is it that when I am pregnant the Navy decides Jared is needed elsewhere?

Chao lei and I will board a plane tomorrow and endure the long flight back to Japan. It is funny to think I will arrive while missing a day. lol  I will need to schedule an appointment at the OB immediately since I am overdue because of being in Oregon. I must retrieve Yuki the cat. Fortunately, my friend Dorothy has seen to our rent and utilities during my absence so there is that much less for me to see to.

Back to Japan. Back to the Navy.