Something strange has been happening to me lately.
It all started with a mysterious urge to go barefoot, especially in the kitchen. Not so strange, perhaps, as here in Japan it's pretty normal to be barefoot indoors.
A little weirder though, was what I was actually doing in the kitchen: despite never having been much of a baker, here I was taking on a miniature baking project.
But somehow the results just didn't satisfy me, and my tastes grew beyond simple carbs. I began to have inexplicable cravings, especially for unusual combinations.
Oddest of all has been the beer belly I've developed. It's especially strange considering I haven't had a single beer in five months.
I'm not sure what's going on here, but it certainly is making life interesting.
Congratulations! You look like you are blooming. I am also a long time lurker on your blog, I lived in Japan for seven years and have loved reading your posts since I returned to New Zealand, super natsukashi! My husband and I are also expecting our first child...in a little over a week. All the best to the three of you and enjoy your pregnancy, the middle part is great!
Posted by: Cat | 2010.05.24 at 06:41 AM
I'm a long time lurker of the blog, and I'd also like to extend my congratulations. I wish you nothing but the best.
Posted by: Hangzhou Hero | 2010.05.24 at 10:05 AM
I'm also a long time lurker here, but I want to say congratulations! I'm so excited for you and your husband.
Posted by: Esther | 2010.05.24 at 11:47 AM
maybe too much of that bread. Should have stick to rice.
(congatulations anyway)
Posted by: joeinvegas | 2010.05.24 at 11:50 AM
Congratulations dear! Been reading your blog for about two years now! You look lovely and healthy! :3
Posted by: Bianca Costantino | 2010.05.24 at 11:57 AM
I have always been lurking at your posts. But this time I want to say "Congratulations" to you and Hideki. Your announcement is so creative. Nice touch!
Posted by: jacqueline chan | 2010.05.24 at 12:08 PM
OH< AMY!!!!!! Congratulations to you and Hideaki!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!
Posted by: Carlyn | 2010.05.24 at 09:57 PM
Congratulations! ^_^
Posted by: Brooke | 2010.05.25 at 12:25 AM
I'm another lurker and one who also married a Japanese, lived in Tokyo and I had my daughter in Japan as well. Being a mother in Japan is the absolute BEST! You will discover a whole new world.... I wish you the best with the pregnancy and the joy to come.
Posted by: Sara A | 2010.05.25 at 09:31 AM
おめでとう！！！
Posted by: Herbert Christy | 2010.05.25 at 01:13 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Charlotte | 2010.05.25 at 10:17 PM
Such a cute way of announcing the good news... congratulations!!!!!
Posted by: Liverella | 2010.05.26 at 12:46 AM
Haha, I love the pickle and strawberry ice cream reference. Congrats to the both (or should I say 3 ^_^) of you.
Posted by: AS | 2010.05.26 at 08:39 AM
おめでとうございます！
Posted by: sara | 2010.05.26 at 10:55 AM
Congratulations! Cute beer belly! :)
Posted by: Marie | 2010.05.26 at 03:20 PM
Congratulations!!!! Look forward to sharing in your adventure. Totally missed the barefoot & pregnant allusion when I saw the first pic, but thought that T-shirt was stickin out a bit too far :)
Posted by: heidih | 2010.05.27 at 04:50 AM
Hi Amy
Congratulations!
Funny how I have never met you but still feel so happy for you!
Best wishes from a friend on the other side of the Globe,
Bee
p.s. I've been following every single post of yours for at least 2 1/2 years and can't leave out on thanking you for all the input and your foreigner/insider view (which helps me understand more about fascinating Japan and it's cuisine).
Posted by: Bee | 2010.05.27 at 07:30 AM
Awww go ahead and drink the pickle juice... you know you want to..
congratulations!
Posted by: gabriella kadar | 2010.05.27 at 12:23 PM
Congratulations!!
Posted by: Pat11 | 2010.05.27 at 09:01 PM
Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Carol in Kobe | 2010.05.27 at 10:41 PM
Hi Ami,
congratulations to you both!! Since 5 years I'm a silent fan of your blog so now's a good time to say a big thank you for sharing all these stories and pictures that keep me connected to my own fond, funny and strange memories of Japan... Wish you all the best :-D
Posted by: Johanna | 2010.05.29 at 12:20 AM
Congratulations! I have no idea how long I've been silently following your blog, but it has been a real joy and inspiration. I know this journey will be a most magical one for you and your husband. All best wishes!!!
Posted by: Sara in Austin | 2010.05.29 at 05:06 AM
Congratulations! I had a suspicion, but hoped for more clarity in time... and now I have it. Many good wishes to you, your husband, and baby-makes-three!
Posted by: Mari | 2010.05.30 at 04:40 AM
I've loved reading your blog for such a long time, and I'm really happy for you and your husband, Amy! Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Michelle | 2010.05.30 at 02:42 PM
another long-time lurker - such nice news and a creative way of sharing it - Congratulations!
Posted by: Leslie | 2010.05.31 at 09:10 AM
congratulations!
Posted by: Alina | 2010.05.31 at 10:18 AM
Wow. Congrats. some great news this is...
Posted by: Cello93291 | 2010.05.31 at 11:05 AM
Ca fait un bout de temps que je lis votre blog, je suis trés heureuse pour vous et votre mari....FELICITATIONS pour cette merveilleuse nouvelle.
Posted by: catherine | 2010.06.01 at 01:43 AM
Congratulations. I live in Canada and my husband is also Japanese. We have a little girl who just turned 7. I have followed your blog since we came back from Japan to live in Canada. This is wonderful news. Your child is going to be Georgeous! Yay!!!
Melissa & Enchan
Posted by: Melissa Spangenberg-Endo | 2010.06.01 at 01:53 AM
congrats! found this blog looking for japanese food pics. bebe gonna be fed good stuff! ^^
Posted by: Thomas Teraoka | 2010.06.01 at 12:01 PM
Congratz Amy ! Wishing u a healthy pregnancy to ur due date. :)
Posted by: Reni Ariani | 2010.06.01 at 08:26 PM
Congratulations Amy and Hideaki! Now Marya will have a playmate.You look beautiful!
Posted by: Esther | 2010.06.02 at 12:15 PM
congrats~~
Posted by: cc | 2010.06.02 at 05:55 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Wu TeongTeong | 2010.06.03 at 06:52 PM
Congratulations! I am so happy for you! I have three now grown and they bring much happiness to life. I guessed correctly. A cute way to announce your news!
Posted by: chrisq | 2010.06.04 at 12:02 AM
I love your creativity! If I ever need to do something similar, I'm completely stealing this from ya!
Congrats to you and Hide!
Posted by: Albany Jane | 2010.06.04 at 03:44 AM
Congratulations :)
Posted by: Heather Meadows | 2010.06.04 at 04:08 AM
Hi Amy!
Congratulations to you and Hideaki!
You look beautiful!
t
Posted by: 1tess.wordpress.com | 2010.06.04 at 10:50 AM
great entry!!! i just came upon your blog and wanted to say that i love your take on things and your pictures are wonderful. have a great pregnancy.
Posted by: Krissy | 2010.06.04 at 11:59 PM
Amy, you and your belly look awesome! That's great news! And thank you for your inspiring blog :-)
Posted by: Chibaraki | 2010.06.05 at 06:47 AM
Congratulations dear, I wish you great happiness and a safe birthing. I love the way you announced it!
Posted by: Lauren Dunn | 2010.06.05 at 12:50 PM
I'm so proud of you, cuzzin, for your dedication to your blog, your family, and now your bump. You look gorgeous, by the way, but that part doesn't surprise me.
I'm happy for the 100+ comments from your admirers, too. What a tribute!
Posted by: Jennifer Craig | 2010.06.05 at 01:22 PM
I knew it! Ever since you said your husband being employed was the 2nd best thing... congrats and welcome to the world of motherhood!
Posted by: idlehouse | 2010.06.05 at 03:21 PM
Oh how wonderful! I've never posted, but have read this blog for years. You look adorable. Can't wait to see this next path you're on, here on your blog.
Wishing you and your husband all the best for a perfect healthy child.
Posted by: Eileen | 2010.06.05 at 11:53 PM
Congratulations, you look beautiful :)
Just love your blog, by the way. Your photos are gorgeous. I've been dying to go to Japan for years (currently live in Thailand, so it's not that far :), and just never seem to make it. Your blog is seriously making me think about getting there next year.
Keep posting about your big belly, LOL. And don't forget to post piccies of what eventually emerges from it :)
Posted by: Britinbangkok | 2010.06.06 at 05:32 PM
Congrats to you both! I got the reference as soon as I read the barefoot part. I bet Marya will be excited to have a cousin.
Posted by: Robyn K | 2010.06.07 at 09:12 AM
I have been reading your blog for some time. I adore it! Congratulations on your funny cravings and beer belly.
Posted by: Genie | 2010.06.07 at 10:30 AM
I just stumbled upon your blog...what a delightful post to announce a pregnancy. Congratulations and enjoy all the wonders of pregnancy and motherhood.
Posted by: Theda | 2010.06.08 at 01:12 PM
I'm a longtime reader who just wanted to say Congratulations!
Posted by: Linda | 2010.06.09 at 12:28 AM
Congrats!!!
Have you joined the Tokyo Preg. group? Very nice, here the site:
http://tokyopregnancygroup.blogspot.com/
Good luck
Cheer!!!
Posted by: Chris | 2010.06.10 at 02:22 PM
Dear Amy, I've been reading your blog for about a year and a half now but I've never posted because I'm shy like that. But this news made me squee and I just wanted to say congratulations and the best to you and your husband and your baby :) This was a really creative way to announce the good news, I'm so happy for you!!
Posted by: Kelly | 2010.06.11 at 01:20 AM
You've gotten the size of two people!
Posted by: Joanna | 2010.06.12 at 07:53 AM
the most adorable thing ever! so, are you going to get wrapped? or have they finally stopped doing that? 15 yrs ago when i was teaching english there, my japanese friends still got their belly's wrapped up on dog day. you basically wear this big elastic belt to help hold your tummy in...like a dog's. it's for easy delivery...like a dog's. ?
Posted by: angelina | 2010.06.13 at 07:27 PM
I haven't dropped by your blog for quite a while--but now I'm glad I did. I always love reading your blog and admiring the gorgeous photography, but now I have something to celebrate with you. My best wishes to you and your husband! Congratulations! You look so beautiful! Cute announcement, too!
Posted by: Gloria Flynn | 2010.06.14 at 07:48 AM
Congratulations!!! Also a long time lurker (not quite as often commenter). Such great news :)
Posted by: Erina | 2010.06.17 at 11:16 PM
Wow, I wish I could respond to everyone, but let me just say thanks to all for the congratulations and comments!
Posted by: Amy | 2010.06.24 at 06:19 PM
what a creative way of sharing ur good news...i too had my baby in japan n it was a great experience...can't think of having my 2nd anywhere else!!! congratulations n looking forward to more posts!!! :)
Posted by: ahona | 2010.07.27 at 02:41 PM