I'm pregnant

Editor's note: It seems just about everywhere you look, somebody's pregnant. Each year in our state, more than 17,000 women give birth. In an effort to catch some of the baby craze, we're spending a week on the subject, starting with a few women who haven't been asked many questions lately that don't relate to their bellies. Look for the series through Friday here in Island Life.

By Tanya Bricking Leach
Advertiser Staff Writer

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Baby week This story is the first of several this week on babies and pregnancy. Coming tomorrow: The latest in maternity fashion. Tuesday: If you're a Joshua or an Emma, an Ethan or a Mia, welcome to the club. Find out which names were the most popular in 2003. Wednesday: Baby showers don't have to be boring. Find out how to lighten one up. Thursday: Should you pay attention to all those warnings? Moms-to-be talk about nutrition and exercise. Friday: Find out what baby products moms can't live without.

Somehow, Parkes, 30 weeks pregnant and still finding enough energy to chase after a 3-year-old, is holding herself together. Pregnancy is helping her keep a positive attitude.

"From the start, I've felt good," said Parkes, a nurse from Mililani. "I love being pregnant. The whole miracle of it all, it's just amazing."

The joy and exhaustion of motherhood is apparent to Parkes and other women who discussed how they're feeling during the last stages of pregnancy.

While the first weeks brought sore breasts and nausea for some, the last weeks are bringing not only backaches and bloating but the overwhelming feeling that they could pop at any moment.

"I'm excited," said first-time mom Charelle Bradley, 17, of Wai'anae, who's due next month with a boy. "I can't wait to see my baby. But I'm just nervous."

Penny Benzon, 35, of Liliha, is more calm and relaxed this time around. She's also ready to release the little guy in her belly.

"It's my fourth boy," she said. "We were trying for a girl. We're not going to keep trying."

This has been an easy pregnancy for Benzon. She's felt so good that colleagues have scolded her for lifting boxes. She says she'll be glad to getting back to moving furniture without the pregnancy police being after her. And with four boys, there will be no shortage of activity.

Parkes is looking forward to Father's Day, when she'll send her deployed husband pictures from a thermal-image ultrasound that gave her a peek at her baby with more clarity than the two-dimensional scans most doctors use.

For our baby series this week, moms-to-be discussed everything from fashion to fitness.

Not every out-to-there woman we approached agreed to be photographed or talk about what it really feels like to be pregnant.

But more than a few wanted to share the excitement.

Today, we're not trying to answer any big questions on the mysteries of life. We're just basking in the glow of a few women experiencing life changes.

WEEK 31 Mom to be: Penny Benzon, 35, Liliha How She's Feeling: "I haven't gotten sick," said Benzon, whose fourth boy is expected July 20. "So this one's been very nice, very gentle to me." Her diet: "This time I'm cutting back on the rice and some of the sugars," she said. Exercise: "My children play sports," she said. "So I walk around the field at least three times a week while they're playing."

WEEK 30 Mom to be: Amber Parkes, 30, Mililani How She's Feeling: Fine, physically — but emotionally, she's not sure how much of what she's feeling is because of her hormones or because her husband, David, is on a one-year deployment in Iraq. Diet: She's a nurse familiar with food warnings for pregnant women, and she treats them as guidelines. "I have cheated, had sashimi twice," she said, "but only, like, one piece each time." Exercise: Yoga and chasing after her 3-year-old.

WEEK 35 Mom to be: Charelle Bradley, 17, Wai'anae How She's Feeling: "Tired," she said. "I've been pretty much tired and run down." She was sick much of her first trimester, and instead of morning sickness, she experienced it at night. She's had trouble sleeping. Diet: "I've been craving Twix lately," she said. "Today I was craving Buffalo wings. The two things I keep craving are kalua pig and cabbage. I could eat that every night." Exercise: She's been too tired to be overly active, but her baby boy is compensating. "Every kick amazes me," she said.

Tanya Bricking Leach writes about relationships for The Advertiser. Reach her at tbricking@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8026.