28 Weeks

This is my "ok enough pictures" face

Major events: Another doctor appointment with a new doctor, getting sick :( getting ready for vacation :), creating baby registry 

How far along: 28 weeks 1 day

Baby size: A kabocha squash or Chinese cabbage (around 2.25 pounds)    

Weight gain/loss: Gained around 18-20 pounds... yikes! 

Clothing: So happy to go shopping last week for maternity clothing. Finally feel better going out not wearing the same shirt over and over again.   

Stretch marks: Don't see any... still using oils

Sleep: Sleeping with C-shaped pillow. The leg cramps and charlie horses have begun... and hot flashes. The joys haha 

Best moment: Beginning to feel and recognize body parts I'm feeling such as feet and heels. Always love seeing my healthy little prince!  

Missing: Good sleep and cute clothing

Foods: Mexican... want tacos and nachos. Missing fair food back home.   

Morning sickness: Doing pretty good!  

Mood: Still holding it together! Excited about vacation. Did have two blow-ups at Shawn over McDonald's fries and him eating the last Reese's peanut butter cup!  

Looking forward to: Vacation in Crete!  

We went to our next check-up and have a new doctor who we LOVE. She was funny and caring, and explained everything. They measured the baby and he is right on track. All organs look great. The funny thing to us was that when the doctor measured his femur, she said he was a "tall" baby. Well if you know Shawn and I, you know that is funny. We didn't get any pictures because he is bigger now and his face was hiding. 

24 Weeks

Major events: starting work, adjusting to life abroad, shopping for baby stuff, doctor's appointment

How far along: 24 weeks 0 days

Baby size: corn or cantaloupe    

Weight gain/loss: gained around 10 pounds 

Clothing: Kanduras to work and an abaya... so comfy! Maternity clothing as nothing fits!  

Stretch marks: still none... slathering on the lotion

Sleep: I now sleep with a body pillow and c-shaped pregnancy pillow. Back hurts a bit at night. Go to bed freezing and then have hot flashes at night. 

Best moment: first doctor's visit in the UAE and seeing the big boy moving around, kicking, and sucking his thumb. Also, buying his stroller and highchair

Missing: clothing and some American things like Mac and Cheese and grape jelly

Foods: back to loving ice cream (yay... Baskin Robins), salsa and chips, oreos, and really want some sushi! 

Morning sickness: still not much... had a random bout of it the other night and then fine. A little acid reflux has started.  

Mood: pretty good... no big mood swings. Surprisingly not very stressed even with starting a new job. 

Looking forward to: a little vacation coming up, creating baby registry, planning baby shower, and joining a yoga class. 

So I guess they don't normally give you ultrasound pics here. They looked at us a little funny when we asked. This is the only one we got. It is a close-up of the face. You can see the nose, mouth, and chin. The hospital is beautiful though!!! 

20 Weeks

Major events: moving halfway across the world in the last few weeks. Started to really feel baby about 2 weeks ago. This week: getting paid and going shopping :)

How far along: 20 weeks 5 days

Baby size: a small cantaloupe    

Weight gain/loss: gained around 7-8 pounds 

Clothing: don't fit into any pants anymore... I have popped!  

Stretch marks: none... yay

Sleep: not sure if it is the hotel bed I have been sleeping on for 3 weeks or the pregnancy but have a lot of back aches at night/morning

Best moment: having things come together this week (apartment, money, healthcare) and feeling my little man bumping around in there 

Missing: my stamina. Can't walk around too long anymore haha.

Foods: trying all kinds of new stuff. Finally got my sweet tooth back... yay cookies and ice cream. Love me some apple juice! 

Morning sickness: barely any at all now! 

Mood: very relaxed due to basically being on vacation for 3 weeks

Looking forward to: moving into our new place, starting school, and our first baby appointment here overseas.  

Side note: It has been so great feeling the baby move. Shawn has been able to feel him and even see my stomach move sometimes. Baby loves to move first thing in the morning, around lunch and dinner time, and when I lay down at night. I think he knows when it is time to eat :) We also have had so much fun picking stuff out for his room. We got an adorable used crib as well as wardrobe and storage. All bright colors. I will post pics as we begin to set things up!  


  

Boy oh Boy

Well it seems that most of you were right... it's a BOY. I am amazed at how many people predicted that. I really had no clue. I kept having all these dreams where  couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl, but we are both super excited. 

We had a level 2 ultrasound done on July 30th. It lasted almost an hour and they went from head to toe. It was really pretty amazing. They pointed out all the bones, parts of the brain, major organs, chambers of the heart, and we even got to watch the blood pump through the heart. Of course there was also the money shot... and there was no question about it... definitely a boy! Although I am super excited, my first reaction was pretty funny. Holding Shawn's hand, I looked over and said, "I don't know what to do with baby boys... we he pee on me!" Shawn laughed and just told me to make sure my mouth is closed when i change his diaper. HA! So far I have all nieces and was a nanny to little girls. This will be an exciting new adventure. 

On my birthday, July 31st, we had a gender reveal party at Outback with our family. I spent all day baking pinata cookies. They have a hole in the middle where you put candy. I stuffed them with blue M&M's. hat night at dinner, we had all our family bust their cookie open at the same time. It was a lot of fun... and everyone was super excited. Before hand, we made each person pick a blue or pink straw for their prediction of the gender. Only one person picked pink... I think that's crazy. Oh, and the same thing happened at Shawn's work. He brought in a cookie for co-workers but had them guess first, and only one of them guessed girl. Guess the poll worked! 

At dinner Shawn's family gave us some really cute onesies to take with us. They make me want to see the little man soon!! My mom is taking me shopping to pick out a "coming home" outfit from the hospital as well. Usually we wouldn't be buying this stuff so early, but with moving we have to do it now. It makes me think about what he will look like. I can't wait to see his tiny ears and toes! Still have a while to go!!!!

Mu mom and Tori also got us a ton of really cute outfits. Will have to post pics later. It will be fun packing them all!!!! 

Shawn and I also did some shopping before me leave. I want to use cloth diapers and after some research decided to go with GroVia. I know a lot of people think we are crazy, but we know it is the right decision for us. We wanted to buy a few here to try out, that way we will know and be able to order from over there. Our first stop was Babies-R-Us, and I finally got to use an expectant mother's parking spot. I was sooooo excited! Yet, no diapers there.

We then found a shop down the road and had success. We bought a starter kit with the cutest diaper shells ever. I am in love! I also purchased a Thirty-One bag to use as a diaper bag for only $10 and a breast pump from the hospital for only $35. Our baby boy is filling our suitcase up fast.

My cousin had her baby girl... Alana on July 30th as well. Here is Shawn getting some practice in:

So the big question on everyone's mind is names. Although we have it narrowed down to a few, we are going to keep the final decision to ourselves. I will share a few options with you. Middle names is a completely different story... but we have time!! 

Options: 

• Rhys: (pronounced Reese) a name I used when working in the Outer Banks for my male character, it combines Ry (Ryanne) and Sh (Shawn). Means enthusiastic
• Nolan: an Irish name as Shawn is of Irish heritage, meaning noble
• Jeremiah: a name I have always liked, meaning exalted by the Lord

This will be my last blog here in the US. Looks for updates on my big adventure on here as well as my travel blog! 

16 Weeks

Major events: another ultrasound and heartbeat, IT'S A BOY, received tickets to travel overseas, and my birthday

How far along: 16 weeks 4 days

Baby size: an avocado  

Weight gain/loss: gained 3-4 pounds 

Clothing: starting to pop... so either stretchy or using a band for my pants. Loving the long flowing skirts  

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: great... so tired at night!! 

Best moment: great ultrasound from Duke, finding out it is a boy and telling our family, and discovering Shawn will travel with me

Missing: sweets (still don't want), any beverage (still hard to drink a lot of fluids)

Foods: obsessed with salads, fruits, veggies, and slushies. LOVE my Roo cup!! 

Morning sickness: still getting better day by day

Mood:excited about the big move but a little overwhelmed also

Looking forward to: the big move, shopping for my little prince! 

16 Week Ultrasounds:

profile

mouth open

footprint

He's an avocado! 

12 Weeks

Major events: another ultrasound and heard heartbeat, 4th of July week

How far along: 12 weeks 4 days

Baby size: somewhere between a lime, plum, and peach 

Weight gain/loss: gained one pound (from 8 week appointment to 12 week appointment) 

Clothing: anything stretchy. Fav. outfit this week is a flowing green top (short dress) and black tights. Wore maternity pants (xs) to movie.  

Stretch marks: none

Sleep: good, just sick at night. 

Best moment: watching the baby jump around on the ultrasound. I was laughing so hard it was hard for the tech. to keep the thing on my belly. Also, hearing that everything looked good at the genetic doctor. 

Missing: food still

Foods: getting a little better. Pizza, chicken tenders, taco salad, waffles, and lots of crushed ice! 

Morning sickness: slowly getting better. Still worse at night and still there. 

Mood: pretty rested, a little overwhelmed getting ready for the big move! 

Looking forward to: 16 week appointment to find out gender, seeing family this weekend

12 week ultrasound

The couch, the computer, and me

School is out, I feel sick, and so I spend a lot of time on the couch with the computer. This has given me time to browse baby ideas online... so I though I would share.

But first... take our gender poll

Boy or Girl?

• boy
• girl

Acepolls

The first thing I have been looking at is nurseries. Because we will be in the Middle East when the baby is born, I have been looking at nurseries to fit that theme. Most likely we will buy used stuff since we will only use it for about a year. I am not shipping stuff back to the States. It is still fun to look, and maybe we will do something like this when we move back. Here are some I like:

           I love the camel in this one! 

           Like the map, mural, and love the giraffe! 

             Not Middle Eastern but still like

I also have been planning a gender reveal party. I am so excited that we will find out the gender on my birthday... what a special gift! We decided we will go down to Wilmington that night and go out to dinner with family. I want to do something fun and special. I definitely want to have some sort of prediction. Don't forget to take our gender poll above!  Here are a few ideas:

 I like the cookies and the cupcakes! 

Finally I have been looking into names. There are a few names I have loved forever and a few new ones I have come across. Here are some ideas:

Girls: Juliana, Emory, Asha, Kaylin

Boys: Gabriel, Jeremiah, Rhys, Roran, Keagan, Nolan