Nyoka's Surprise Baby Shower...

Nyoka's co-worker's, Felicia and Gina Marie, had planned a surprise baby shower for her that took place on 26th of August 2005. The two had been planning the party for awhile and keep it hush hush from her.

It was a memorable day. Since the party was going to be at the wrk space, the planners had to work around her so that she did not find out. According to my source, it was a very hectic day. The party was to start at 1200. So plan was to have her supervisor call for a special meeting with Nyoka and only Nyoka. This was the chance for the party goers to make it happen. The room was set up and the decoration was beautiful. Of course I knew of the party and I had to keep it from her. It was really easy, I just played dumb.

Apparently when her supervisor was talking to her, she gave Nyoka bad news aout people leaving sooner thatn expected. Nyoka's maternity leave would be cut short becasue of lost of man power. This worried Nyoka. So her supervisor said, "lets go find the business manager."

They were walking toward the party room. Her supervisor opened the door and we all yield, "SURPRISE!!!" You could see tears coming down her cheeks. It was a very good time.

Such a BEAUTIFUL cake. Compliments of Gina Marie and helpers. The cake was very delicious.

She was very happy with the gift that the baby received

A Fun Day in The Sun...

I had planned on taking Heath out on the quad and dirt bike for some fun in the sun. Saturday, 27 Augst 2005, was a perfect day. We made plans a week prior to going. I was counting down the days and I'm pretty sure Heath was doing the same. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday came and gone. But Thursday and Friday seemded to linger on and on and on and on.

It was Friday night and the time was coming soon. Heath had mentioned that he wanted to leave at the crack of dawn, literally. He said he wanted to leave about 0400-0430. Boy I'm sure glad we left at that time. Anyways, I couldn't sleep and was very anxious to load tha bikes up and go, but it was not time.

Finally, morning came and the alarm was sounding off loud. Nyoka was nugging me to wait up. Apparently the alarm was going off for about a minute and she was nugging me very minute of that minute. I finally woke and was very excited because the time had come. Oh yeah it was 0300 in the morning.

Around 0345, I opened the garage and was waitng for Heath's arrival. At last the man of the hour is here. We can get the bikes loaded up. I can see that Heath was really excited about this morning. He had mentioned to me that he could not sleep either and that e went to bed at 0100 that morning. Poor Heath only had a couple hours of sleep. He said it was well worth it.

WE were on the road around 0430. We arrived at Ocotillo WElls around 0630. Like I had mentioned before, I'm sure glad that Heath suggested that we leave at 0400. On the drive up we felt the temperature changed from cold, cool, warm, and then hot.

As soon as we arrived, we unloaded the bikes, put on riding gear and faces and began to ride. Heath started off riding the quad because that's what he felt comfortable with. And I of course rode the dirt bike.

We rode for about 1 hour and then we headed back to camp. We rested, and drank water. I asked Heath if he wanted to give the dirt bike a try and of course without hesitation, he answered , "YES!" He started riding around the camp so that he could get a feel for it. he did that for about 10 minutes. You could see that he was have the time of his life on the bike. So we then headed out on a ride. He rode the dirt bike while I rode the quad.

This time out, Heath wanted to find some jumps and I agree. We finally found a decent mound that we can use for some mondo big air fun. I had brought my video camera along and got some really cool video of Heath getting some mondo big air. it was great. Of course, he mixed it up with no handers, no hnader landing and some gnarly tricks. He took on big burms and big hill climbs. Boy he was having loads of fun.

Well here are some pictures. Enjoy.

Heath on Suzuki LT 250R chilling out in the HOT blistering SUN!!!

Heath on Honda CR 125R wishing that it was cooooler than 105 degrees F.

This is Ocotillo Wells. The desert wasteland that we rode on. We almost died of HEAT EXHAUSTION!!!

Heath's" Riding Adventure

6 Months in...

Look at how proud she looks to be a mommy!!!

Here is a picture of Nyoka at her 6 months and a couple weeks. Like I promised, I'll post pictures of every month till she delivers.

Yesterday we had our 31 week visit and everything checks oout fine. The baby heart beat was in the 130's, which is normal. She also gained so weight, but I won't post that. she'll probably strangle me if she found out that i posted her weight. I'll just say that she is on track with the average weight gain. It is a very exciting time because she only has 9 weeks till she gives birth.

A Couple of nights ago while I was laying in bed next to Nyoka, I placed my left hand on her belly and the baby kicked soooooo hard. I thought that the baby was going to bust out of the womb. Then it started to move like ripples in the water. It was so neat and exciting. Of course she is used to it but, everytime the baby moves, Nyoka gets really excited. Like a child in a candy store excited.

Ultrasounds of baby...

Here are some ultrasound pictures of the baby. Hope you enjy them as much as do.

Ultrasound taken 15 June 2005.

Ultrasound taken 27 April 2005.

5 Months into the pregnancy 

5 Months in...

This is what Nyoka looked like in the 5th month of the pregnancy. She is so cute and every excited about taking the picture. We're thinking about taking pictures of her belly for the remaining of her pregnancy. Here she is wearing a Hanes undersgirt with a cream drew string capri pants. Her hair was styled by you guessed it Nyoka herself. Her eyewear is from the John Lennon collection. Background is a matted black drop.

Nyoka and Tam 10 July 2005 

A new beginning

23 Aug 2005

Well, this is quite exciting. This is a cool way of keeping in touch with family and friends around the globe. I am sure glad that The Wilhoits and The Sharpes introduced the Blog to us. This way Heath can read up on how Nyoka's pregnancy is going and seeing how pregnant she gets. Even seeing the baby boy or girl.

Here's alittle bit about the Duong's. Nyoka and I meet in Okinawa in 1999. It took us almost a year to get together. I think she was playing hard to get, (so say's her aunt). Anyways so we got together but, we didnt know when we got together. I rememer sitting on a concrete bench by the ocean in Okinawa in December. I turned to her and said, "so, what is next in our lives." Well it wasn't those exact words but, it was something like that. We were talking about if we could call each other boyfriend and girlfriend. We both agree it was time to do so. The next question was, what was the day that we got together. We both looked at each other with confusion. We both know we started dating after Halloween and before Thanksgiving. So with confident, I said, "November 15!" The date was after Halloween and before Thanksgiving.

We grew fond of each other and had lots of fun. Spent the nights over at each others room, when we weren't suppose too. Stayed out late walking the sea wall and eating at out door restaurants in Okinawa. Rented hotels and cabins...well you know. We did what all couples in love do, have fun and enjoy each others presences. As I looked into her eyes and held her hands, I knew that she would be the one that I marry.

It was getting time for me to leave Okinawa and go back to the states so that I can attend Surgical Technologist School in San Diego. What surprised me next was that, she turned to me and said, "did you want me to go to San Diego with you?" I was thinking in my head, is she for real? She wants to follow me to San Diego. Right then and there I knew that I was definetly going to marry her.

So she followed me to San Diego and we got married on 15 Nov 2001. Now we have a little new on the way. It has been an exciting and unforgettable journey with Nyoka. I plan on continuing the journey with her for the rest of my life.

Of course there is a lot more to the story of Tam and Nyoka. I just gave you a really short version. To get the full story I would have to write a novel. At least now you have an idea of who we are.

Catch you later...