5:00 AM the air conditioner in our room starts spraying water (a.k.a., our air conditioner's water broke)
6:45 we leave for the hospital, it's less than 5km from our villa but it's rush hour and Craig ends up taking the bumpiest possible route.
7:10 arrive Al Ahli Hospital
7:42-8:00 CTG fetal monitoring
~7:50 heplock (really should have taken a picture, this thing was huge!)
8:10 exam by doctor (2cm dilated) and prostaglandins gel injected (must lay down for 1 hour)
8:22 ampicillin allergy skin test (read in 15 minutes)
8:42 check ampicillin test: OK
8:45 ampicillin injection
9:25 begin another CTG; starting to get a few contractions
9:45 visit by doctor: instructed to walk and eat
9:57 walking the halls, Craig starts timing contractions
10:30 walk some more
10:50 back to room for snack, Craig drops one of the water cups from the fridge (a.k.a., the water from the fridge broke)
11:30 Craig hears a "snap" and I announce that I'm getting new shoes: my water has broken (third water breaking of the morning, I'm now calling my sandals "placandals" (placenta+sandals))
11:50 Doctor exam, 6cm dilated and meconium in fluid; will transfer to labor room.

We waited a while (maybe 20 minutes?) for the nurse to bring the wheelchair and then she took us in the elevator to go down one floor and come back up to the floor we were on (she must have had a long night the night before!).

The delivery room was not as relaxing as the recovery room we had spent some of the morning in. Basically the nurses and a doctor sat down and watched me have contractions.

The doctor who delivered Sarah was not Dr. Rizvi and I'm not sure why but I sure do wish it had been. This doctor decided that the middle of a contraction was a good time to argue with me about tearing versus an episiotomy so there I was trying to breathe through a contraction saying, "I've already discussed this with Dr. Rizvi and I'd much rather risk a tear than have an episiotomy." Then the doctor wanted to know why. I'm not implying I know more than a doctor about labor & delivery, but the current thinking at home is to tear rather than cut so that's what I wanted and it is what I did with Anna. So frustrating. This doctor also kept asking if I'd like my epidural now and we kept saying I didn't.

The fetal monitors were really irritating me when labor really got going as the pressure from them was just too much during a contraction and it seemed a nurse was always trying to adjust them. I complained about them a lot and by the end I had ripped them both off out of sheer irritation/frustration.

It seemed like whenever I was getting a break from a contraction, the nurses or doctor would touch my stomach and it seemed to start another contraction. Also the doctor was not gentle with internal exams and when I complained she said, "well most people have an epidural so they don't feel it." If I had been in my right mind I would have pointed out that because I didn't have an epidural, she needed to be more gentle but I just complained (and loudly) each time.

Generally speaking, I feel like labor this time (from 6-10 centimeters) was easier than with Anna because it moved along faster and there was less time in pain. The 2-6 cm was harder this time around since I was able to do that in the comfort of my own home last time but 2-6 cm was still not horrible in the hospital as I had feared. I know I also screamed a lot less this time around and that is maybe because there was less time between 7-10 centimeters but I also really focused on what I had read in the Bradley book my mom sent about relaxing through contractions. Of course the closer it came time push, I was unable to relax at all. This time I had quite a bit of lower back pain during contractions but counter-pressure wasn't doing the trick for that so finding a position that worked (I didn't really feel like I did) was difficult.

The doctor (yes, she really did spoil the whole experience, I'm afraid!) does not have a normal speaking voice and yelled everything. I asked her to stop yelling at me and she'd yell back, "I'm trying to help you" and I (think) I said something along the lines of "yes, I know, but please do it quieter" (I'm apparently terribly polite, saying "please, "thank you," and "I'm sorry" during the hardest parts of labor). The doctor never stopped yelling and I found it really discouraging because I felt like I was being yelled at.

At any rate, it was finally time to push (although I didn't feel the urge until several forced tries into it) and it was such a relief to know the end was near. We're not sure how long I pushed but it was less than with Anna. I haven't gotten details, but I think Sarah's shoulder was presenting awkwardly and that might have been why I had the lower back pain. It is amazing the instant relief you feel when that slippery body comes out! Craig said the cord was wrapped twice around Sarah's neck and that she was blue when she came out. They whisked her away (to the other side of the curtain) to clean her, etc. and Craig stood so he could see both of us. Then we heard Sarah cry and then I got to enjoy delivering the placenta and getting stitched up with not-quite-enough local anesthetic (which I also complained very loudly about and decided that I would be complaining about this doctor to my doctor (my doctor is the lead OB for the hospital... oh why was she not there?!) although I'm not sure what good that will do.

The nurses took Sarah to the nursery and Craig went with while I was getting stitched up (it seemed like 30-45 minutes, at least!). When that was complete, I asked to have Sarah come back to me since they told me I had to stay in the delivery room for recovery for 2 hours and I had not held Sarah yet and wanted to nurse her as soon as possible. After about five requests, the loud OB finally got my request through. Craig and Sarah came back and we stayed together the rest of the time.

Sarah Elinor Martin was born at 2:30 PM in Doha, Qatar, weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 inches long. She is amazing and adorable and, so far, is nursing really well. Hair color looks a little reddish to me but Craig thinks blonde. We'll see how it grows in (Anna's was hard to tell for the first several months if it would be reddish or blonde). It is all a little surreal to me and I think it will be until we get settled in at home.

(Mat won the baby pool with Tanya coming in a close second.)

Posted by Becky at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I have gained 34.5 pounds during this pregnancy.

I did have a few contractions today, but nothing regular or time-able so I'm just hoping that at least I'll show up tomorrow a little more dilated and a little more effaced so I don't have to do all the work at the hospital. It's really strange knowing that tomorrow is the day that we get to finally meet our daughter. I am trying to focus on the excitement of meeting her rather than my disappointment/fears of being induced.

We go in at 7 AM and they'll start the antibiotics for the Group B Strep and then they'll start the induction. I'll try to post as soon as I can after Baby Girl arrives but there isn't an Internet connection at the hospital so it will probably not be until after we get home on Tuesday.

Posted by Becky at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Just reporting that nothing is going on. No contractions, nothing of interest. I'm resigning myself to the induction on Sunday (7 AM Sunday in Doha is 10 PM Saturday in Denver) and am trying to think positive thoughts about it.

Posted by Becky at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The full moon didn't send me into labor but when I woke up in the night with my regularly scheduled (3-5 AM) insomnia, I had some pretty major pelvic/hip stiffness/pain. Anna & Anita played and I went for a walk on the treadmill and after about ten minutes things loosened back up and I felt better again. However, I slowed my pace from 5 km/hour to 4.3 km/hour because anything quicker was uncomfortable. I'm not sure if I'll make it back to the treadmill the next two days or not, I want to but might decide that rest is the best thing before labor at this point.

Distance: 1.39 miles
Time: 30:24
8:40 AM
treadmill

This Week:
Miles Walked: 3.51

Totals Since 3/25:
Miles Walked: 19.44

Posted by Becky at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since I tested positive for Group B Strep, I did not get my membranes stripped today. We did, however, decide to do an internal exam since last time around I had easy contractions that got me to 6 cm dilation. I am 2 cm dilated and not effaced but Baby Girl's head is "half-way" into my pelvis. Dr. Rizvi said this is different than talking about "stations" as after your first child, babies don't tend to "drop" before you are in active labor. Anyway, I had been feeling like Baby Girl was lower the past few days so at least that was confirmed! I don't feel like there is a risk of her turning around again at this point. I need to keep walking and squatting to keep her moving down though!

We talked a while about the Group B Strep and what it means for me and Baby Girl during and after delivery and I feel a lot better knowing that we are all on the same page. The hospital follows the ACOG and the British equivalent's guidelines so I really shouldn't be worried, but I think it's just being in a different country that makes me more nervous about procedures than I might be at home.

Dr. Rizvi said she was concerned about Baby Girl's size, thinking she might get "too big" if we let her go to 41 weeks so she ordered an ultrasound with the tech down the hall. (I remember last time around, Dr. Reed kept saying I was going to have a "big" baby and Anna was 7lbs 14 oz. I also realize thereWe did get some video of that and I'll post if if there's anything interesting to see.

Here are Baby Girl's stats based on the ultrasound:

• Heart rate 131 bpm
  
• Estimated fetal weight 3829 grams (+/-574 grams) [8.4 pounds +/- 1.3 pounds]
  
• and the different measurements (head, limbs, etc.) put her due date at May 4

Based on all of this information, Dr. Rizvi recommended that we schedule induction for when I am 40 weeks: Sunday, May 6 (doctor's due date from the early ultrasound was May 6 and my original due date is May 5 since I am sure of when ovulation occured, etc.). Of course I could go into labor before that (and I hope I do—tomorrow is a full moon!) so I can avoid any complications that may arise from induction but I'm also comfortable with the induction date since I am sure of the dates and know that 40 weeks is accurate and Baby Girl has had enough time on the inside to be well prepared for her life on the outside.

An advantage to getting induced would be that I will for sure get the antibiotics in time (although as we discussed with Dr. Rizvi, it is not a huge deal if I do not get them within the 4 hours before birth, Baby Girl will just need to be observed for a full 48 hours before coming home). The other advantages are the super cool birthday of 05/06/07 and that Anita will be here to help with both kids for more time which will be fantastic.

By this time next week we will be home with Baby Girl: I hope we're ready!

Posted by Becky at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're getting down to the wire so get your votes in for the baby pool! (Link on the right.)

Posted by Becky at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was 90 degrees already by the time Anna & I were ready to get out of the house (9 AM) so I decided to just do the treadmill tonight instead of getting out in the sun & heat. Unfortunately it was little stuffy in the gym so I am not sure if I did any better (I guess at least the sun wasn't beating down on me).

Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: 30:15
7:00 PM
treadmill

This Week:
Miles Walked: 3.2

Totals Since 3/25:
Miles Walked: 13.81

Posted by Becky at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

She flipped! I am so relieved. Now I feel like I can relax a little. I tested positive for Group B Strep so now I need to go read up on what that means for me & Baby Girl. Now I just need to focus on getting this little girl to come on her own without an induction.

I gained a lot in this last week (total gain is now 30 lbs) but my blood pressure was good (104/69). I will get an internal exam next week and also get my membranes stripped. Thankfully Anita will be here and can stay home with Anna for that appointment since today we had to wait an hour and a half to see the doctor. Thankfully Craig was with, but I think Anna is a bit more squirrelly when he is around so that made it a bit harder in some ways.

Posted by Becky at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just can't believe it when I look at the ticker on this site and see there are only 14 days left until the due date! It seems like the days are really flying by now. I only have a few little things left on my to-do list before Baby Girl arrives.

I have spent the last few days reading up on turning breech babies and c-sections. I'm still trying to think positive thoughts that Baby Girl will turn on her own and have only tried playing music down low where I want her head to be so far (she really liked the music from Baby Einstein's Playtime Music Box). I wanted to try swimming today but the pool was too cold to get fully submerged (they cool the pools here rather than heat them) . I got my belly in but Craig thinks I might have just scared her to my spine... Maybe we'll try to go in the afternoon tomorrow.

Craig got the base for the infant seat installed in the middle seat of the car so we can seat five people in the car while the grandmas are in town and we all want to go out (still assuming Anna will be civil to Baby Girl, of course).

Craig asked Anna who was in mommy's tummy yesterday and she responded, "Baby Sister [name we have chosen]." I am really anxious to see how she reacts when Baby Girl actually moves in with us in the next few weeks.

For now I am compiling questions for Dr. Rizvi about the c-section procedures here and just hoping that Baby Girl has turned by Tuesday's ultrasound (I have no clue how to tell what is what on my own so I don't know if she's changed position at all).

Posted by Becky at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Craig is back from yet another trip to Korea (this last one was a last-minute thing) and he is staying put! Anna & I were happy to have him back this morning to say the least. He's got jet lag and I've got pregnancy insomnia—all part of the training for some sleepless nights ahead of us!

Posted by Becky at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This one is kind of hard to see: you are looking at the top of her head, the two dark spots are her eyes with a nose in the middle.

My biggest "fear" with having another child is that Anna has been so (relatively) easy that we're going to have a wild child for our next. Baby Girl had been sideways for a while, then she was head down two weeks ago. Today she is breech and I hope this is the extent of her rebellious side. Dr. Rizvi said she could still turn back around so I'm hopeful. I'm also going to research what I can do to encourage Baby Girl to turn around the right way.

I only gained one half pound over the last two weeks and my blood pressure was 107/66 today. I have been feeling some contractions over the past week or so, so I guess that means my body is thinking about getting ready at least. I'm trying to not stress out about Baby being breech for now and will just read up on what I can do about it and see if she's straightened herself out by the time I have my appointment next week.

Posted by Becky at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

With Anna at 37 weeks (I had gained 34.5 pounds). 22 February 2005. photo by Adele

With Baby Girl at 37 weeks (I have gained 24.5 pounds). 14 April 2007. photo by Craig.

As usual (thankfully!), nothing new to report. I have random complaints but nothing too major. I've been waking up between 2-4 AM the past few nights and have just been wide awake but somehow I'm muddling through the day OK. I have my doctor's appointment on Tuesday (which Craig is now not coming to) so I'll be back with a report after that.

Posted by Becky at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Anna & I were glad to have Craig back today! It's also nice knowing that he will be here until at least my mom gets here in June. Now there are just a couple more things to get to on the calendar until Baby Girl's due date (doctor's appointment(s), start of music class again, and then Anita's arrival).

Posted by Becky at 7:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's a good thing babies can't see very far the first few weeks or else Baby Girl would be pretty frustrated and overstimulated by all of the clutter in the "office" portion of her temporary room. I still have a bunch of stuff in the Pack n' Play to keep Gertie out (I caught her snuggled under the Boppy in the moses basket in the bassinet attachment of the Pack n' Play last week). I have no worries that Gertie will steer clear of this room once it is occupied by a teeny-tiny person in a few weeks.

Posted by Becky at 7:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I guess I've been "nesting" a bit this week. I have Baby Girl's room mostly ready to go. Anna is even calling it "Baby Sister's Room" instead of "the office" now. Anna has become obsessed with some of the baby toys that are in the room and I am letting her play with them but I remind her often that they are Baby Sister's and she'll have to share with her when she gets here. I know this is too abstract, but I hope in repeating it often before Baby Girl arrives it won't be too hard to grasp once she is actually here. We'll see.

Anna really likes reading Bunny Cakes and one of the lines in the book is "Max's sister, Ruby" and Anna, when she recites the book always says "Max's baby sister, Ruby." I even asked her if we should name Baby Sister [our name choice] or Ruby and Anna chose Ruby. Anna very rarely choose our name choice but will refer to Baby Sister by the choice randomly as well. Serves me right for changing it on her so many times!

I washed all of Baby Girl's clothes (up to 3 months-size) yesterday and put them in the drawers in her room. I've put a stash of burp cloths and bibs downstairs and just need to set up the changing area downstairs. I bought some shades for the side-windows of the car today at Mothercare that will hopeufully fit my car (I am surprised that tinted windows isn't more standard here, actually) so that Craig can move Anna's seat over to the side this weekend (she will sit on the passenger's side and we will attempt to put Baby Girl's seat in the middle at least for when Nana & Grandma are here or as long as Anna can be civil to her right next to her in the car).

I still have a few odds & ends on my list of things to acquire for Baby Girl but, for the most part, I'm feeling pretty ready. I'm in the middle of re-reading all of the baby books I liked from last time (Baby Wise, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, What to Expect the First Year, and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child). I've also re-read The Birth Partner and Craig has been reading that as well (since I am counting on him to get us through this giving-birth-in-a-foreign-country-thing unscathed! He will finally make it to my appointment next week and meet my OB.

Posted by Becky at 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today was the second playgroup and only two other moms were there. The others had legitimate reasons for not coming (family in town, previously scheduled doctor's appointments, child up all night, etc.) so I hope it was just a fluke and that next week has a better turnout. Of course people will start traveling for the summer soon, so I'm just hopeful we can keep the group together come fall!

Anna had a good time and I think it was helpful that there were only three other kids there so it was a little less chaotic than last week at our house (and she didn't have to share any of her toys which is always easier!). She talked about it a lot on the way home so that is always the best review for an activity (she's still talking about Family Fun Day and riding the camel and the pony).

The mom who hosted today is due two weeks before me so I'm really counting on her labor & delivery experience to go well to psych myself up for the same (she is delivering at the same hospital with the same OB). I think now that I'm definitely having Baby Girl here I'm beginning to panic ever so slightly about unknowns due to delivering in a foreign country. It will be OK, I know, but sometimes the imagination can get the best of you. (Besides I can't really base my anticipated experience to Kirsten's because this is her third, she is going for her second VBAC, and she is planning to use drugs for pain-relief: basically nothing at all like my situation!)

Posted by Becky at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My appointment actually started yesterday. Anna & I had to stop in to the hospital to get some bloodwork done in advance of today's appointment. Since I am getting toward the end of the pregnancy I'm booking my appointments two weeks out instead of four weeks out which means I'm not getting the coveted 8 AM appointment time anymore. Today's appointment was for 9:45 AM (got in to see the doctor around 10:30). Next time I have the fabulous appointment time of 10:45 and I hope I get in before noon! Hopefully Craig will be able to join me on that one (although Anna is such a patient little kid and really easy to bring along on these appointments so I just can't complain about it).

I piled on the pounds between the last appointment and this one, however, my total weight gain is only 24 pounds which is good. I finally remembered my blood pressure this time, it was 116/65. Baby Girl is head down and Anna said "there's Baby Sister" when she saw her on the monitor during the ultrasound.

I asked Dr. Rizvi all of the questions I had from the tour that weren't answered and I was happy with the answers which is good. I mentioned to her that the woman who gave the tour seemed confused that I didn't know which days I needed to book my room yet which made me wonder at what point we will start talking about induction. Dr. Rizvi says their policy is to not go over 41 weeks. At home it was 42 weeks but I am feeling fine with 41 weeks. I just hope I don't make it that far because I would like to avoid induction. I will start getting internal exams at 39 weeks and my next appointment is on April 17 (37 weeks 3 days).

Last night I finalized the hospital bag checklist and the birth plan/birth preferences document. Now I just need to print them and gradually start tossing things in the suitcase. Just three more weeks before Anita gets here so Baby Girl is "officially" allowed to to come any time after that.

Posted by Becky at 1:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went on the hospital tour today to check out the labor & recovery room and the delivery room. I tried to ask the woman who showed us around some questions but apparently I need to ask my doctor and if she doesn't know I guess I'll have to ask the ladies on the message boards! The woman giving the tour seemed confused that I don't know what day I'm coming in to have the baby—this makes me nervous that I may be induced sooner than I would like. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Baby Girl is as kind as Anna was to just come on her own the day before the due date!

Anyway, the rooms seemed nice and we will go for the VIP Suite. (We didn't get to see the Royal Suite because it was in use, but the VIP Suite seemed pretty nice.)

As for big sister Anna lately, she won't put her hand on my belly for more than a second when I ask if she wants to feel Baby Sister kicking. She has an auto-response of "she's sleeping" no matter how much I try to convince her that "no, she really is kicking and wiggling! Come feel!"

Posted by Becky at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When people have asked me this week how much longer I have to go and I answer, "six weeks" they kind of look at me like, "wow, you're going to get bigger?" Sometimes I feel huge and other times I don't. At any rate, I am finding this reaction kind of funny because, for the most part, I really don't feel that huge yet. I also think I scared the three guys at the gym the other night walking in with my big belly and hopping on the treadmill.

Today I guess the nesting urge took over as I simply couldn't stop myself from setting up some stuff in the office for Baby Girl. I put the Pack n' Play with bassinet and changing table in, the rocker with stool, and I filled the Elfa drawers with diapers & wipes, blankets, and some clothes. Baby Girl is going to be sleeping in the office (after a brief stint in our room, I am sure) when her grandmas are in town for the first two months so I don't know why I haven't set it up already, honestly. I need to clean up some office clutter and then I'll take a picture of Baby Girl's first room, sad as it is (I really wish I could just set up her actual room but that won't happen for a while!).

Anna seemed okay with all of this, she hung out in the room with me while I set it up and put her Daddy Cat in the bassinet and wanted to read on the chair. I kept talking about Baby Sister and explaining the situation with the room although I just can't say how much she "gets" it.

I think the next things on the list are to wash Anna's old clothes and the new stuff I've purchased for Baby Girl; print out the packing list for the hospital bags; print out the birth plan; move Anna's car seat over to the passenger's side and install the car seat base (we're going to try it in the middle if it fits); and drag out the swing and bouncy seat.

Posted by Becky at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anna & Craig set out to accompany me to my doctor's appointment this morning but Qtel called and said they were waiting for us at our house so Craig took Anna back with him and I did my appointment alone. Craig won't be able to come to my next appointment so he's not going to meet my OB until 37 weeks or so! We are planning to go on the hospital tour next weekend though so that is good at least and Craig did get a look at the layout of the hospital if nothing else.

I passed my glucose test again this morning so I finally don't have to take that again. I talked to my OB about what I would like to have happen (barring complications, of course) and she said to just print it out and bring it with me when we come to have Baby Girl. Basically my list of requests is this: no medications (hep-lock OK in case meds do need to be administered) and no episiotomy.

I also talked to her about not admitting me just because I'm 3 cm dilated. I went over what happened with Anna and explained that it was 4 days from 3 cm to 6 cm and I don't want to check in just to have labor augmented . With Anna although my contractions were not miserable, now I know how they were different than non-productive contractions so I'll know what to watch out for. No, I don't want to give birth at home or in the car so I will be safe and reasonable, but I also don't want to introduce drugs into the picture when I've done such a good job of not introducing drugs for the entire pregnancy!

I feel much better about our "plan" and will still get checked every three days or so starting at 39 weeks and that is just fine by me.

I have gained 20 pounds so far.

Posted by Becky at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Sorry for the face I'm making; it was bright outside! My profile at 32 weeks (photo by Craig).

Baby Girl & I have been having quite the week! For three or four days I have been contemplating stopping in to the doctor because she was not moving as much or as intensely as before. Today she was finally back to kicking and rolling around with intensity. However, while waiting to get on the bus for the mosque tour this morning I really felt as though I was going to pass out. I went into the club house and lay on my left side for a few minutes and it passed. However, after a few minutes on the bus, I felt like I was going to throw up! So, I went to the back of the bus and laid on my side for the rest of the ride to the mosque. Luckily we were able to sit down at the mosque and after about 30 minutes of sitting there I felt pretty normal. Once home I had a decent lunch and took a good nap and felt nothing strange at all. Since she's still kicking up a storm and I feel fine again, I am not going to stop in to the doctor but will mention it all when I go in for my next appointment.

In other news:

• The faucet on the kitchen sink is getting shorter: I have to stand sideways to do any hand-washing of dishes now.
• My belly button gets a little irritated if I my pants don't have a full belly-panel.
• I'm having a harder time bending over and getting up off of the couch or floor.
• Anna is learning to walk through the parking lot now (holding my hand, of course!) instead of me carrying her through as I just can't carry her that far anymore.
• Anna picked out an elephant from H&M to give to Baby Sister when she gets here. Baby Sister is going to give Anna a six-sided puzzle that I think Anna will have fun with.
• I am starting to notice a bit of swelling in my fingers and toes at the end of the day now. (Nothing major and I probably just need to elevate my feet and drink a bit more water each day.)

Posted by Becky at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Nothing new to report and no real pregnancy complaints: just heartburn, ice cream cravings, and general fatigue (exacerbated by extreme snoring from Craig, Anna coughing, and Gertie meowing in my face throughout the night). Thankfully, this pregnancy is as uneventful as the last one so far. I hope to keep it that way! There are a few things that are actually going better this pregnancy than last time but I'll just take mental note and write about it later so I don't jinx myself!

I really need to get the gym and start walking and preparing my body for labor & delivery. I'm just so comfy on the couch and it is hard to convince myself to get up with Craig in the morning and go over to the gym while he gets ready for work, but I need to do that. I guess I'll have to start up my workout log again to keep me motivated knowing that my loyal readers are expecting me to get those five walks on the treadmill in each week.

Like I mentioned in the previous post, I have met a few women with due dates around mine which is really nice. Hopefully we will be able to get together and share war stories after our little ones arrive (they are all going to the same OB, too).

I will hopefully get Craig to take an updated profile shot this weekend.

Posted by Becky at 8:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Vincenta (not sure how this is spelled) did a great job cleaning today. Of course, compared to the limited cleaning I was doing, just about anyone could do a good job! She was here for five hours and it seems to me we are getting a pretty good deal for weekly service. She'll be here every Wednesday from now on.

After we showed Vincenta around, Anna & I went out to the playgroup we had been going to but missed for the past few weeks for various reasons. I met a woman there who has a daughter one month older than Anna and is due with her third child two weeks before Baby Girl's due date (her other daughter is 4.5 years). I now know three other moms with kids Anna's age and due dates between now and August. I am hoping that I can set up a little playgroup with at least a few of these moms and then post an ad in the Mum's the Word newsletter if we want to get some more moms in on the action. Of course I'm kicking myself that I didn't give/get this new woman's phone number but we'll go back to the playgroup next week and see if she's there again.

Posted by Becky at 8:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I got up early to have breakfast so that I could go to the doctor first thing before they got busy (my instructions were to eat breakfast and then have my blood drawn two hours later). My numbers were in the middle of the "normal" range this time (I asked this doctor—not mine again—to show me the numbers because I didn't like that they told me "normal" last time and then my doctor sprung it on me that it was actually a point higher than normal) but they want me to repeat this test when I come back in three weeks just to be on the safe side. I got to see Baby Girl again, of course, but only a quick glance.

I combined this visit with a visit to Anna's (& Baby's) pediatrician which I'll post about separately so we were there for about two hours total. Part of the problem is the process of paying for tests, etc. You check in and pay for your visit. Check in to another desk and wait for your visit. If any tests need to be run, you have to go back and pay for them at the first desk and then return to the doctor/lab to have the test administered. I don't understand why they can't just have you pay at the end when everything is done. I think my credit card was charged 3 or 4 times today (between my and Anna's appointments and tests/shots).

This past week I've been experiencing labor & delivery jitters. I think with less than 10 weeks to go until the due-date this is normal. I also think we need to go on the hospital tour so I feel more sure about what is going to happen (or at least where things are going to happen!). I have a list of questions for my doctor that I will bring with to my next appointment and hopefully I will like her answers!

I'm also really ready to get Baby Girl's room ready but that can't be done until either we move to our permanent assignment or until I get back from Colorado this summer! It is a very frustrating feeling; like I have no control over the situation. I'm sure Baby Girl will end up sleeping in the pack & play in the office after a few weeks just to get her out of our room. Anna slept in the same room as me until six weeks only because Craig was out of the country for weeks 3-6!

Also, Craig did talk to someone at work and although we have been told we qualify for our bigger place now, this person says we don't qualify until after Baby arrives. Same as with the Baby Shipment. This really makes no sense at all. It would be about three million times easier to move all of our stuff before Baby arrives than after. It would also be nice (especially for first-time moms who don't already have all of the baby stuff) to get that Baby Shipment before Baby arrives. As it is, she'll probably be 2-3 months old by the time it gets here! I am going to attempt to re-set my expectations really low and just plan on moving and getting the Baby Shipment after we get back from the US this summer. If anything happens before that then that is just a bonus. Still, the whole thing is rather frustrating.

Posted by Becky at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went grocery shopping this morning and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Pampers Cruisers and Baby Dry (in Anna's size) next to the local version of Pampers (Active Baby and Let's Go). I snatched up a package of each although I never used the Baby Dry at home. There was a big empty space on the shelf and I can't help but wonder if I missed out on some Swaddlers for Baby Girl (the New Baby just aren't the same as Swaddlers!)... Now I will be sure to walk down the diaper aisle each week just to check.

Posted by Becky at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Baby's face at 29 weeks 3 days.

I called the ultrasound place at 3:30 but the line was busy for about ten minutes or so. When I got through, the receptionist told me I was "number eleven" and that my appointment would be between 6:30-6:45 but the doctor was behind so it might be a half hour wait. Coordinating with Craig was big hassle as he was in a meeting and his car is in the shop and I knew it was not going to be a good idea to bring Anna to a late appointment (bedtime is 7:30).

At any rate, I got there and ended up waiting a little over 30 minutes and then saw the doctor. She measured Baby and said that everything looked just right and she tried to get a 3D/4D scan of Baby's face but (how I understood it) there was not enough placenta between the ultrasound machine and Baby's face. So, I have to make due with the one shown above.

This machine was better than the one at the hospital but it is not what I was wanting in the 3D/4D appointment. I wanted video, several 3D/4D photos, etc. Of course I wanted to hear that everything looks good, but I wanted to see more of Baby! The doctor did confirm that Baby is a girl so I feel less paranoid about a surprise in the delivery room (not that I was really nervous about it, but it seems you always hear stories of that kind of surprise!).

After the scan was done, I was asked to wait ten minutes while the receptionist typed up the report for my doctor. Ten minutes later, I was called up to the desk to pay 300 Riyals so I handed her my credit card. They only took cash and I couldn't get out to an ATM (assuming I could find one easily) and back before they closed so I left the report with them and and will return in the morning to exchange the report for the cash. I guess that's part of my Americanism coming out: it didn't even occur to me that I might need to pay for the appointment in cash! At least they were nice about it (not like there was anything they could do at that point anyway, I just didn't have the cash!).

Posted by Becky at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Anna accompanied me to my doctor's appointment this morning and I was relieved that we got in right away and we were out within thirty minutes—unheard of at my Texas doctor's office! We got to see Baby again and everything looked good. I asked the doctor about going on a tour of the hospital and she said Craig & I can just come whenever is convenient and someone will show us around. So we'll get that taken care of sometime in the next few weeks.

Last time I did the glucose tolerance test, waited around for 30 minutes for someone to tell me the results were "normal" and everything was fine. The first thing the doctor mentioned this time was that my result was one point above normal and she would like to do another test to be sure I don't have gestational diabetes. I'm confused why the first person said everything was fine and if it wasn't why wasn't I told to come back earlier? I think my doctor just likes to be on the safe side. At any rate, I am going back next week to do another test. I am to eat breakfast and then get the test two hours after. Now of course I'm nervous about failing! I'm definitely cutting (way) back on sweets this week and need to get back into exercising. (My workout shoes & clothes are in the sea shipment!) I guess, at this point, that's the best I can do beyond hoping for the best!

I asked her if this hospital offers 3D/4D ultrasounds and she said no, but referred me to see someone she highly recommends. So I am to go this week so I can bring the results back with me next week. (There were some measurements at my 17 week scan in the US that they technician couldn't confirm because I guess the timing was off so she wants that checked.)

I called the ultrasound place and they said that I needed to call back at 3:30 this afternoon to see if there is a time available. They don't make advance appointments, just same-day appointments. If I can't get in at a good time today we'll have to try for Sunday afternoon or sometime on Monday since Craig is in meetings tomorrow and then we have the sea shipment to deal with on Thursday. I'll make another post after the ultrasound.

Posted by Becky at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As usual, nothing new to report. I realize this is a good thing!

Not that I'm wanting the next 79 days (or so) to go by fast, but I'm really getting super excited to meet Baby Girl! I can't wait to see what she looks like, get to know her, and experience all of the fun baby milestones with her. I think seeing our airline tickets with her name on it made a big impact on my thinking of how close it really is to her arrival.

I have another doctor's appointment on Tuesday and am trying to get a hold of the 4D guy to schedule that ultrasound but am not getting anyone to answer the phone. I'll check with my doctor on it on Tuesday to see if my hospital does it or if she has the current information for this other doctor.

I have gained 12.5 pounds during this pregnancy from the week I got the positive pregnancy test my most recent doctor's appointment. I'm almost a little nervous to see how much I've gained in the last three weeks though; I have a feeling I just got off to a slow start with the weight gain and these next 11 weeks will see the pounds pile on!

Posted by Becky at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not going to lie and say that I think Anna "gets" what is going to happen around May 5 of this year, but she is so sweet I have to share this story. We were sharing some ice cream at lunch this afternoon and I said, "Baby Sister really likes this ice cream, she is kicking inside mommy's tummy!" and Anna put down her ice cream spoon to put her hand on my belly and feel! I know Baby kicked while Anna had her hand on my stomach but Anna wouldn't answer me when I asked her if she felt it or not.

Posted by Becky at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Craig is in the process of making our flight reservations for this summer and the agent told him we couldn't use "Baby" for Baby Girl's name on the reservation (although now I'm wondering what they would have said if we didn't know if Baby was a girl or a boy??) so Craig gave him a name and Baby Girl has a reservation with one of the names we have discussed. The agent assured Craig that we could easily change this if we need to (and why do I not believe that?).

No, I'm not going to reveal what Craig named his daughter today, sorry.

Posted by Becky at 10:10 PM | Permalink

Anna didn't want to take off her sling (with pig inside) at all when we showed her what it was for.

Profile at 27 weeks, 6 days.

I ordered a Hotsling for me & Baby Girl and thought the one they made for kids was so cute, I ordered Anna one, too. She took to it right away, even before I could put mine on (with baby doll inside) to demonstrate. Of course I am having a hard time determining if mine fits properly since my belly is in the way, but I think it will be right. I hope that this will help me keep up with Anna while keeping Baby Girl close to me! I do have the Bjorn and the Ergo carriers for when Baby Girl is older but I liked the sling idea for its lack of bulk and different positioning, especially while Baby Girl is still tiny.

Posted by Becky at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I bought a love-seat for Anna's room on Saturday and was told it would be delivered today at 1 PM. Can you guess what time it came? 1:15! I will take a picture of it once it is set up in her room. The chair I had in Anna's room in Texas will go in Baby Girl's room since it has an ottoman and I wanted something that would fit all three of us (me, Anna, & Baby Girl) in Anna's room.

Word is that Craig's company is moving everyone from two compounds (not ours) into a new one starting next month and that once those moves are complete, people in wrong-size housing are able to move to the new compound (that includes us, we qualify for a four-bedroom villa). So, maybe we'll be moving to our permanent villa in March/April? I just hope it is before Baby Girl arrives (except that we are actually closer to the hospital now). I just don't want to have to deal with packing & unpacking after she gets here since I know I'll be worn out! Of course we haven't been told anything directly, this is just the general word on the street. I'm afraid I'm already getting my heart set on this new villa though as there is a gameroom on the second floor which would be really nice to have!

Last we heard from Texas was that our sea shipment arrived in the UAE on January 28 and should arrive in Doha within a week. We haven't heard anything else but Craig is trying to get an update from his favorite customs guy today.

Now, I just have to summon up the will to call Qtel back (was told on Sunday that I would get a call within two days to schedule installation).

Posted by Becky at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not much new to report this week besides the typical stuff. Belly is bumping into more things which, I guess, means it has grown a bit in the past couple of weeks (will try to get a new profile shot up this weekend). For a while now my belly button has been getting shallower and when I sneeze/cough it is an "outie." Just a matter of time until it is out completely, I guess!

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that we still haven't settled on a name. We'll just have to keep looking.

Posted by Becky at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I finally met my doctor today and I really liked her. A bonus is that she speaks English very well so I didn't feel like I was straining to understand each thing she said. I told her about going in to the OB to get my membranes stripped with Anna and already being 6 cm dilated and how both my mom and sister had pretty quick deliveries with their second kids. So she said that at 39 weeks she wants me to come in every three days and once I am 3 cm they will admit me to the hospital. Part of me is OK with this plan, part of me is not. I mean, just because I was 6 cm when I went in for Anna doesn't mean that it was a quick trip from 3-6 cm. I told Craig that I am definitely going to be taking walks (on the treadmill so as to not get far away from home at all!) before those appointments so that at least I will feel like I've done as much as I can to help things along at home.

I did get to see Baby Girl again but they don't give you a printout so I can't share it with you. She is measuring on track and everything still looks good. I also passed my 1-hour glucose tolerance test.

Now on to the details of the visit: My appointment was for 8:15 but I also had to do the glucose tolerance test so I arrived at 8 AM wanting to get started on the test so I could leave at 9:15 or so (Craig stayed home with Anna for me since we knew this would be a longer appointment). I went to the OB desk and they said to go to the main reception to check in. I checked in and paid for the OB visit. Went back to the OB desk, they gave me a piece of paper to bring back to the main reception to pay for the glucose test. Why couldn't they have given that to me in the first place so I could just pay once, I do not know.

Someone took me over to the room to drink the glucose drink and when that was finished I went back to wait to see the doctor. (The receptionist tried to convince me to wait to see the doctor until after my glucose tolerance results were in but I said I'd rather just see the doctor now than wait twice.) I still had about thirty minutes to wait for the blood draw when I was finished with the doctor so I sat on a couch and just rested. Got the blood draw and was asked to wait for my results, they would be back in 15 minutes. 35 minutes later I met with some other random doctor and was told everything was normal. So, I was there for two hours and it would have been longer if I had listened to the receptionist to wait to see the OB until the results were in. I am so glad I didn't have Anna with me, but Craig was super late to his meeting because of all of that.

I go again in three weeks (2/20) and don't anticipate such an ordeal since it's just a regular checkup without any special tests being run. At some point, Craig & I need to get a tour of the labor & delivery rooms so I'll try to remember to ask about that next time.

Posted by Becky at 8:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

99 days to go; can you stand another name poll?

Posted by Becky at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Just another week until I finally meet my new OB! Names are still up for discussion, but I think we are settling into one more than another now. I've stopped obsessively reading my baby name books and the Internet for ideas and alternatives.

Every once in a while Baby will kick while Anna is up and around so I ask her if she wants to put her hand on my belly and feel Baby Sister. She snaps her hand over very quickly but doesn't seem to pay much attention to Baby's kicks or just doesn't notice them. Surely she doesn't "get" it, but I really think she's going to be an adoring older sister (with some jealousy at first for sure when Baby is demanding all of my attention).

Anita has her tickets to come out about a week before the due date so hoepfully she & Anna will have a good chance to bond before Baby arrives and suddenly Anna & Anita are new best friends! Of course I plan to set aside time to spend with Anna alone but I know it is going to be a great help having Nana here and then Grandma after that.

The current plan is that Anita will come for a month (that is set!--no turning back, now, Anita!) and then my mom will come for a month (with a week in between to give us a break from someone else in the house). The rest of that plan is that Anna, Baby Girl, and I will fly back with my mom to Colorado and stay there for a month (spending half our time with my family, the other half with Craig's). Craig will come for part of that trip and fly back with me and the kids (this way I don't have to do either flight alone with the girls).

I am feeling some anxiety (dread?) about both traveling with a 2-year-old and an (approximately) 8 week old and living out of suitcases for a month. However, I don't think we would plan to come out again until next summer if we don't come this summer so it seems to be the only thing to do even if it is exhausting and stressful. It will be really hot when we get back to Doha in August so it's not like we're really going to "escape the heat" but I can't help but wonder if it's just a bad idea. I know I really wasn't thrilled about traveling with Anna until she was about one year old so I'm a little worried that it will be the same only worse with two kids to think about.

I'm trying to tell myself Anna should be easy (once she's over the jet lag) because she'll have just spent the last two months bonding with Nana & Grandma so she'll be fine hanging out with them again. Baby Girl won't have to worry about jet lag since she'll still be up in the night (and so will I). And, of course I want to see my neice and nephews and for Anna to see her cousins again. (And yes, we want to see aunts & uncles, too!) I know I'll really want Opa & my grandma to have the chance to meet Baby Girl right away, too.

I guess I know making the trip is the "right" thing to do even if it's not all fun. Hopefully I'm imagining worse than reality will dish out and, in the end, I'm sure I'll be glad we made the trip.

Posted by Becky at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I really think this is the last poll because I think we've made a decision. But, I can't seem to drop one name and shout the final choice from the mountain tops just yet. I'm curious to see what your opinions are on our final two; I'm pretty sure we can't go wrong with either choice and maybe when she is born, she'll just look more like one or the other? Perhaps this is a case for the 4-D ultrasound!

Ella Caroline: Ella for Eldora, Caroline for Carolyn. We changed the middle name to Caroline from Carolyn as previously posted. I love Ella for its simplicity but I worry it will date Baby Girl as a child born in 2007 since it is not truly a "timeless" name. (I should clarify that it's not the popularity of the name so much as the trendiness of the name. Right now on the social security list it is at the same spot as Anna, but the data for 2006 won't be up until probably right around the due date.) I love that it is for my grandma & Craig's grandma quite obviously (as Anna Adele is quite obviously for grandmas Anita & Adele). She could go by Caroline if she felt like she was trapped in a sea of Ellas & Ellies everywhere she went.

Margaret Elinor: Margaret because we both really like it, Elinor for, get this, all four great-grandmothers: E for Erma, El for Eldora, Elinor is a form of Helen, and Elenore is Carolyn's middle name. I love that! We would call Baby Girl Margaret, not a nickname (although we do like Meg). She would also have nickname options with Elinor if she wanted (Ella, Nora). I love that Margaret is timeless and I think it goes well with Anna. My only question is if Margaret Martin sounds okay or if the Mar-Mar part of it is a little too much.

Posted by Becky at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I got a call from the hospital tonight saying my doctor is sick, did I want to see another doctor tomorrow or reschedule with mine. I decided to reschedule since I would really like to meet the doctor I plan to deliver this baby with! I will go on January 30 now.

We're down to two again: Ella vs. Margaret (and we've been teetering on Mary as well, but I think Margaret sounds better with our last name than Mary).

You've heard my speil on Ella. What do you think of Margaret? We wouldn't plan to use a nickname, at least initially. The ones we do like are Meg and Greta (but can't really use Greta since it is awfully close to Gertie). I have never looked at the M-names in my baby book (not even for Anna) because I was avoiding alliteration. Then I started noticing a lot of nice sounding alliterative names and took a look. We both really like the name Margaret: it is timeless, goes well with Anna, and there's even a flower named Margaret Martin.

The other thing I've been thinking a lot about is cloth diapering. From what we've purchased so far here with Anna, the diapers are nicer in the US. We're still buying Pampers but they are just different. I'm planning to send a bunch of newborn, size 1, & size 2 Pampers Swaddlers in the "Baby Shipment" we get through Craig's work and then start on medium-size cloth diapers. There are a couple of girls on the message board I am on that use cloth so I'm hoping they can provide me with some good tips. I've already found a lot of good info and am trying to decide what styles & brands I want to try. Craig is a major skeptic but my bet is that he'll be just fine (even with the poopy ones).

Posted by Becky at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Not a whole lot new to report this week (this is a good thing, I think!). Baby Girl has been very active, sometimes I think she's more active than Anna was at this stage, but it's really hard to say. It's fun and it's gotten to where I can see her kicks from the outside. She has jabbed Gertie once now, too (Gertie just does not get that she can't sit on/poke her paws on my stomach no matter how often I push her off to the side).

My belly button is disappearing already, it seems to me this happened much later last time, but, of course, I started showing a lot earlier this time, too. I sent myself a pair of full-belly panel jeans in the air shipment which I am loving right now. I also sent my body pillow so I am sleeping much more comfortably as well.

Today, as of this posting, we are down to two names again: Caroline Eldora and Ella Carolyn. I don't suppose it would be the end of the world to go to the hospital with two names, but for some reason, I'd really like to pick one and start using it now (although we did not do that with Anna, I think that Anna is the reason I want to start using Baby's name now).

According to My Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby Girl is almost 1 pound (455 grams) and is 8 inches (20 cm) crown-to-lump length; about the size of a small doll.

Posted by Becky at 8:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have taken the poll off since there weren't many votes yet and we've changed the list again. We really need to make a decision on a name for Baby Girl so that I can move on with my life! It is an all-consuming obsession that was waning until I got my baby name books in the air shipment... Anyway, here is the current list (in alphabetical order):

Caroline Eldora: For great-grandmas Carolyn & Eldora. I like Caroline for its timelessness. We wouldn't use a nickname.

Ella Carolyn: Again for great-grandmas Eldora & Carolyn. I love Ella but am concerned that it has risen so fast in popularity recently that she'd be just another Ella (lumped in with all of the Ellies, too) and that her name would be dated (like, say, Jennifer from the 70s).

Sarah Harmon: Even though it has no family ties, Sarah has been at the top of my list since we found out we were pregnant. I really like the timelessness of it and I also really like how Anna & Sarah sound together (although I realize that's only relevant for about 16-18 years of their lives). Since Sarah is not a family-name, I like Harmon (my maiden name) for the middle since there must be some family significance in Baby Girl's name.

Posted by Becky at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Our air shipment arrived this morning. They said they'd be here between 11-12 and came at 10:45. Anyway, I'm so glad it is here! I think Anna was a bit overwhelmed seeing so much of her old stuff here. She was probably most excited about a cat pillow, her Lego box lid (so she could pretend it is a changing pad), her train, her books, and her soft chair.

I spent her nap building her kitchen that I bought for her in October in anticipation of this move. She loves it and she was spent a lot of time cooking and baking with it. I put it in the kitchen so she can cook while I cook (I really don't like how the kitchen is separated from the living area in this house, but that's the style for the other villas I've seen here, too).

Craig spent part of his day procuring a car for me. He test-drove the Sorento and made a verbal deal with the owner and all sorts of transactions need to happen before the car is actually ours but I'm excited because it was basically in our price range (a little higher, but on the low-side of high), it's relatively new (I've never had newer than a 2001: the Matiz in Korea!—at home the newest was my 1999 Saturn (that didn't even have power-steering!)), and it supposedly has a few bells & whistles. I hope I like it when we get it!

And, in baby news (I suppose), my back is killing me today. I don't know if it was unpacking (there were only ten boxes), building the kitchen, or just running around non-stop but I am in a bit of pain when I get up to walk. Hopefully I can take it easy the next couple of days and my back will feel better.

Posted by Becky at 8:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was attempting to keep a separate journal for this pregnancy, but as soon as I announced the news on this blog, it has just been easier to do everything over here. So, I've moved all of the earlier entries over to this site and posted a link on the right (under archived sites) to this current pregnancy's entries. So, for those of you that I shared the other journal with, you no longer need to check the other site, it's all just going to be over here from now on! (There were also a lot more entries over here that had tidbits about Baby that weren't on the other journal so now everything is nice & tidy in one spot.)

Posted by Becky at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo by Craig

There isn't a whole lot new to report this week but I've gotten a few really strong kicks lately. So strong I didn't think it was possible. Is Baby saying "stop eating so much junk, mom" or is she saying, "eat a little more of that yummy Baskin Robbins you've been indulging in"?

Anna has referred to Baby as "Ella" twice now... Does Anna know something we don't? I am still waffling—every time I think I've made a decision the other name starts looking more attractive... We might just have to bring two names to the delivery room with us at this rate.

I did manage to find some full-panel maternity pants at Carrefour yesterday which is a great relief as only one pair of pants I brought with me is feeling comfortable anymore. I know I have one or two more pair of pants in the air shipment, too.

Posted by Becky at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This poll is simple: which name do you prefer? Feel free to leave comments!

Posted by Becky at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I've already posted most of the stuff going on this week with Baby for the most part, but wanted to get my "official" weekly post in anyway. She has been giving me some pretty good kicks lately which is a lot of fun especially now that they can also be felt from the outside. Surely it will feel like only a couple of weeks have passed when I complain that they're getting too strong and painful!

I have been experiencing more lower back and sciatic nerve pain partly because I am in desperate need of my body pillow (air shipment) and partly because Anna has been clingy the past few days and wanting to be carried up and down the stairs instead of walking up and down like she had been doing so well last week (even doing portions on her own holding only the railing and not my hand).

Right now I am feeling pretty certain that Baby's name choices are down to Elena or Ella with Carolyn as middle name and if Anna would just say one of those names I'd let her decide which it is! Anna will not say any baby names but she will say any other random word we throw at her and she can say "hip-potomus" so I know she could say Elena or Ella if she tried, I think something deep inside her knows Baby is going to take away a lot of mommy & daddy's time when she first arrives; although I know these girls will have a lot of fun playing together when Baby gets old enough to keep up!

I've also been getting a lot of headaches lately and I'm not sure why. At first I thought it was lack of sleep and not staying properly hydrated. I feel like I'm on track with sleep & hydration now though so I'm just not sure what the deal is. I haven't had to venture down the road of actually taking a Tylenol or anything, but have come close. Hopefully they'll stop (I had frequent headaches during the beginning of this pregnancy, too).

I have to say that I am getting super excited for May to come and to meet our little girl though. I am planning to get a 4D ultrasound done here and am going to go online to try to figure out what the best timing is for that. I will try to get Craig to take a new profile picture of me soon.

Posted by Becky at 7:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We went to Christmas dinner at one of Craig's co-workers tonight. They are British and Christmas dinner is a big deal. There was shrimp & salmon for an appetizer (I gave Anna mine) and then turkey, potatoes, parsnips, brussel sprouts, broccoli, stuffing, gravy, & cranberry sauce for dinner. There was a trifle and a chocolate cake for dessert. We were all stuffed after dinner and I am not sure I have felt Anna's belly so hard before!

Anna really did a great job at this adults-only dinner party. It probably helped that they had plenty of Christmas decorations and a dog. We did have to leave before coffee because it was already 7:30 (her bed time) and we thought we had better go before Anna left a negative impression on her hosts.

When we got home, Anna was still pretty wired from the trifle and cake so she stayed up for quite a bit longer so we could do a video chat with Grandma, Grandpa, Rachel, Mat, Jacob, & Sam. Anna seemed to really like talking to Grandma and I think she may have finally "got it" toward the end of the conversation. (We did video chat with Nana & Papa last night where Anna demonstrated her play-doh-container-stacking-skills. She liked it when Nana & Papa cheered when she knocked the stack over.) Hopefully we'll be able to do the video chats regularly so that she will know everyone when we come back to the US to visit and when they come out to visit us here.

Baby Girl is really kicking tonight—I guess she liked the Christmas dinner as well! Craig was definitely able to feel her kicking tonight where it was a bit less obvious to him last week. Once they're more consistently strong, hopefully Anna can get in on the action, too (although Baby is most active typically when Anna's finally gone to bed and I can relax!).

We got another batch of Christmas cards in the mail today, it's nice to feel loved when we're far away!

Posted by Becky at 9:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anna randomly asked "where's your belly" (she still hasn't straightened out the "you" and "me" thing so she is still "you")? After she found hers, she wanted to know where mine had gone. She lifted up my shirt and I reminded her that her baby sister is in there but we can't see her and that sometimes we'll be able to feel her move. She got really close to my belly button, looking in, so I asked her "what do you see?" and she replied "baby sister." So cute; I realize she doesn't really get it yet, but it's fun to think of her as a big sister.

Any time we ask her to say one of our name choices, Anna won't say anything (and usually she'll repeat anything you say to her) so she's not helping on a name choice either.

After my baby name books arrive (air shipment, thank goodness!), I am really going to scour them (again!) and then hopefully we'll be able to make a decision.

Posted by Becky at 8:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another contender for Baby Girl's name right now is Elena. We are pronouncing this name a certain way, but I'm interested to hear your initial instinct on the pronunciation to get a feel if Baby Girl will be correcting people her whole life (although is it that often that people read your name before you say it to them in introduction? first day of school each year, resumes, telemarketers...).

Posted by Becky at 9:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Craig took the morning off of work so I could go to my first OB appointment without Anna (thank you, Craig!). It was really quiet there this morning and I went from desk to desk as instructed and then met with the OB right away. This first trip cost 970 Riyals (about $266 USD) so we will definitely be submitting receipts to our insurance unlike in Korea where it was so cheap it wasn't worth the hassle!

It was pricey today because I had to get blood work done (the mom at DQ yesterday had pre-warned me that they like to be very thorough, perhaps a little bit too much) so, even though I told her I had the MMR vaccine in the US as a child she wanted to check that along with a couple of other things they didn't check at home in the blood work.

Anyway, I didn't get in to see the OB I wanted because she doesn't come in until afternoon on Mondays, apparently. I saw another woman who seemed fine though I will see the original OB I had planned to see at my next appointment (January 16) just to at least meet them both.

The OB asked the same general questions as at home and seemed really surprised when I told her I had no pain medication for Anna's birth. I told her I'd like to do the same with this one and that I'd prefer to not have an episiotomy and she seemed fine with that so that's good news there. There was an ultrasound machine in the room so we took a quick look at Baby to check measurements. That was an unexpected bonus! No pictures to take home though.

Overall, the hospital looked really nice and the staff seemed friendly, helpful, and everyone spoke English. The building itself is only two years old. I got a sheet that outlines the costs for delivery. I'll have to go back to Anna's medical records now to see how much she cost (something I've wanted to figure out anyway, but all of the bills came at different times and I never sorted through them, just paid and tossed them in her file). Here are the costs for "normal delivery + normal baby care in nursery for 2 days" (costs go up with vacuum/forceps, c-section & baby care for 4 days; and also not included in the package is circumcision (we were wondering if they did that at all), hearing test, epidural, radiology, and some laboratory tests).

Double Room 6,500 Riyals [$1,785 USD]
Single Room 7,300 Riyals [$2,005 USD]
VIP Suite 8,400 Riyals [$2,307 USD]
Royal Suite 10,500 Riyals [$2,884 USD]

(Royal Suite with c-section is 20,000 Riyals [$5,494 USD])

I'm sure I'll be briefed on the differences between the Double Room, Single Room, VIP Suite, & Royal Suite. We'll see which one Craig springs for.

We also have to remember to put in the bag for the hospital Craig's and my passports and ID cards, and our wedding certificate "this is very important for the baby."

I know the prices state "normal baby care in nursery for 2 days" but I'm pretty sure I've read that they encourage keeping the baby with the mother and that they are very pro-breastfeeding (I did see a lot of posters around the offices this morning) so that is encouraging. I am really happy with the experience I had in Texas with Anna's birth so I hope that this is somewhat comparable.

Oh, and the hospital is very close to our current villa so I hope we don't end up somewhere on the opposite side of town! With my dad missing my birth because he was parking the car and with how fast Sam came out, I don't want to deliver in the car on the way to the hospital! Although, I hope I didn't just jinx myself into a really long, long labor, either!

Finally, I have been feeling Baby move a lot since we arrived in Doha and Craig even felt her one night last week. It's nice to have that daily reassurance!

Will have to add Baby's weight & length from Your Pregnancy Week by Week after the air shipment arrives. According to the scale at the doctor, I have gained 2.5 pounds since the week I got the positive pregnancy test.

Posted by Becky at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I can't guarantee that I won't have more baby name polls so here goes the first one.

Ella Carolyn is one of our top name choices right now. Ella is for my maternal grandmother, Eldora; and Carolyn is for Craig's paternal grandmother, Carolyn. [Anna Adele is named after Craig's mom, Anita, and my mom, Adele; so I really like the idea of honoring two more wonderful women in our families.]

Feel free to offer other suggestions in the "other" field or post comments in the comments section of this post. As you can gather from my questions, I am a little concerned about the similarity of Anna & Ella together and the popularity of Ella right now.

This is by no means a declaration of our baby name choice, simply a survey of opinions to see if anyone has any insights or drawbacks to this particular name choice. We reserve the right to change our minds on any name choices until we are filling out the birth certificate.

("Other" was Corrine's comment: "LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!" so actual result was 79% "Ella Carolyn is lovely"; 0% "I don't like Anna & Ella together"; and 21% "Ella is too popular right now")

Posted by Becky at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have been feeling Baby Girl move more since we made the move. I think I am finally not stressed out now that we are out of the house and what's done is done (packing/storage-wise). Still not very strong or consistent, but I'd say I've been feeling her every day.

I need to get info on making an appointment (or just walking in) next week. I hope that the doctor's visits are not a huge hassle and that I like this first doctor I've scoped out. I'll be sure to post about my visit when I go in.

Something I've been thinking a lot about during my sleepless nights is Baby's name. I just don't have super strong feelings about any names. I want something that is timeless, is internationally-friendly, feminine (but not frilly!), and goes with Anna & Martin! Seems like a tall order but I'm sure the name is out there. We have a small list going now, but I'd be interested in any suggestions anyone out there has for us! Maybe I'll post a poll later on when we have solidified our choices more (although your votes wouldn't really count in our final decision-making, it would just be fun to see what you think!).

I don't have my Pregnancy Week by Week with my right now (it's in the air shipment) so I can't tell you length & weight this week. I'll try to remember to come back and update it though.

Posted by Becky at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

View from area to right of entryway.

From back of dining room toward family room & front door.

Into the kitchen.

Into the laundry/utility room (bathroom to right of stacking washer & dryer in back is the perfect spot for the litter box!).

From the back door in the kitchen toward the front door.

From the kitchen door; main powder room on left.
I spent Anna's "nap" cleaning downstairs so I thought I'd better take pictures. Tomorrow I'll try to get the upstairs and outside.—and I'll try to post them during her nap as well, we'll see.

She did it! Anna slept from 7:30 to 8 AM when Craig woke her up this morning. Just like at home. Unfortunately, she didn't take a nap this afternoon (not totally unusual for at home, but I would have thought she'd still be tired from this past week and not revert to no napping so soon). Doubly unfortunately, I woke up at 2 AM and couldn't fall back asleep until about 6 AM. I did not take a nap this afternoon but "accidentally" fell asleep this evening after I put Anna to bed and Craig was out getting my cell phone (so cute, I'll have to take a picture!).

We went to the Qatar medical offices where we had to do the tests for our residency permits. This is where they repeat all of the tests that we had to do back home because apparently doing them once wasn't good enough. I had to bring Anna with me to a separate ladies' side while Craig was escorted through the process on the men's side by two of the guys from his sponsoring company. He says that they ushered him to the front of each line so they breezed through.

The ladies' side wasn't busy, but since I was on my own, I was probably slower because I didn't really know what I was doing and Anna was not necessarily cooperative. One of the guys from Craig's work wrote that I am pregnant in Arabic on my form so each station I stopped at asked how far along, etc. At the station where you're supposed to get an x-ray, the lady said that since I am pregnant she would just do the TB skin test (same as they did in Texas) but that the injection wasn't available today so I have to go back tomorrow (and then probably again on Sunday to have it read). This caused a bit of an uproar with our hosts when I came back out without my stamp but there was nothing to be done. I'm just glad that I got out of the x-ray as I was worried I'd be back there by myself demanding a lead apron that they wouldn't give me or some other horrible thing.

Anna is having quite the time with everyone wanting to interact with her: she does not like strangers! She always turns to me and says "mom!" really loudly and then sometimes the strangers (waiters/people in Craig's office/people at the medical clinic) back off and other times they are (annoyingly) persistant, like they're going to win her over. Ha! She hasn't totally freaked out on anyone, but a couple of people today thought they were helping me by trying to pick her up and hold her while I was getting my blood test or whatever. They quickly put her down when she let them know she didn't like it!

Also, Anna was offered (and I accepted because I didn't want to be rude) two bags of cheese curls (one puffs and one crunchy—both generic versions) today and she loved them. Her diet hasn't been the greatest since we started packing in Texas, but this was really bad. Luckily I actually had time, ingredients, and the appropriate number of clean dishes to cook a meal tonight (chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli) so we'll get her the right stuff again in spite of Qatari-hospitality.

I had no problem getting from Craig's work back home this morning after we were done and I am planning to go back tomorrow without him and I feel like I can get there without too much hassle. It's actually probably a bit easier without the use of street names and just counting roundabouts and stoplights. I just tell myself, "straight, straight, left, straight" and then I'm there! No worrying about remembering the right street names. My trip tomorrow is longer but since I've done half already with Craig (and rode as a passenger for the other half), I'm not too nervous. I need to make a CD with some music Anna likes for the ride though because I haven't found a decent radio station to listen to yet and she gets antsy a few roundabouts before we get home.

Posted by Becky at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The angle looks a little funny, but this chair reclined completely flat. It took Anna a while to find a comfy position! Photo by Craig.

Wednesday morning I met the cleaning ladies out at the house and while I was there, a Realtor & a couple stopped and asked if they could take a look at the house. They were there a while and asked a few questions that made me think that they were interested. Later in the morning after I went back to the hotel & Craig, Anna, & I were driving back to the house, our Realtor called to say that that couple wanted to make an offer on the house! The house sits on the market for one and a half months with absolutely no action for three weeks and then someone makes an offer on the day we're leaving? Crazy.

Anna & Craig slept in until 9 AM and after we showed Anna that the house was empty and said goodbye to it, we went out to lunch and then got everything together for the airport. Gertie was easy to catch but this time she hissed at me (I guess the rushing around clued her in that this was a bigger deal than the last couple of times I've had to catch her last week (to go to the vet for her travel certificate and to move to the hotel). She complained a bit in the van to the airport and I was glad I thought to put the locks from our new suitcases on both zippers to Gertie's carrier as she did try to claw/chew her way out a few times.

We left the hotel a little after 1 PM. The international terminal was crazy but many thanks to Craig's work for forking over the money for business seats for all of us as we got helped at the counter quickly by waiting in the business line (I felt awful for all of the other parents with kids in the longer line so I really appreciated this more than I think I may have in the past).

Nothing too remarkable to report about the airport. Anna had fun looking at the airplanes from the terminal and getting a bit of exercise before we boarded. Craig sat next to Anna on the plane so I had it pretty easy with my new motto of "live and let Craig" whenever Anna was squirmy or fussy. Really, she was great though and we didn't even get out any toys on the plane (something that's never happened when it has just been me & her). She had her pig that she sleeps with and her pacifier but she couldn't convince herself to give in to fatigue (no nap today!) until about 10:15 PM. I did not sleep at all on this flight, but Craig & Anna slept about two hours. I guess I just couldn't relax or get comfortable enough.

Gertie did not like take-offs or landings but was relatively complain-free for most of the flight. When we got to Frankfurt we had a bit of a time finding the Lufthansa lounge but it was worth it when we did for a little bit quieter and more relaxing space to wait for our next flight with a cat and a toddler with only two hours of sleep behind her. Anna pretty much kept her pacifier from the time it was given to her—I was glad that it was able to provide her such comfort and am nervous about weaning from it in the coming year.

Really for as much waiting and little sleep we all had to put up with, Anna was a fantastic traveler. She had moments of irrationality, but so did I! Gertie wouldn't take a drink when offered (I was kind of glad since she hadn't used the bathroom for so long but I didn't want her to be super-dehydrated, either).

Anna fell asleep pretty soon after we got on the plane to Bahrain and slept for another three hours. There was a time in there after the three hours where she obviously still wanted to sleep but couldn't get there and I was holding her (I sat next to her for the first part of this flight & I slept, too!) and I had to have Craig take her because the only position Anna wanted was really uncomfortable for me & Baby.

I felt Baby moving a lot more during our travel day than I had for most of the time we were moving. I think because finally I was able to slow down and relax a bit. It was really nice to feel her and I'm looking forward to more regular movement!

Our flight from Frankfurt to Bahrain was delayed by about 45 minutes (after we were on the plane) but since we were all exhausted it worked out fine. This was an instance where it was better to have to wait on the plane than off! We stayed on the plane in Bahrain and were delayed a bit again because both the Bahrain & Doha airports were busy and we had to wait in line for takeoff and for a space on the tarmac in Doha.

Customs was smooth sailing and all of our suitcases came off just as we walked up to the baggage carousel (it helped that the flight from Bahrain was pretty empty!). We had to wait a bit for a bigger car to take us and our six checked bags, the cat, Anna's carseat & stroller, my backpack, Anna's diaper bag, and Craig's carry-on. We had a ton of luggage!

The drive to our villa was find since we arrived at 11:30 and traffic was light. Anna seemed excited to check out the new place and she helped me get Gertie set up in the laundry room with food, water, and litter. We got Anna's room set up and she was ready to hop in bed after a snack and some books at about 12 AM. I heard her cry/fuss a bit around 1 or 1:30 AM (we were still up unpacking a bit, etc) but didn't end up having to go in to her. She is still sawing logs at 7:40 AM as I write this now! How I have been blessed with an awesome sleeper!! I really hope Baby Girl takes after Craig this way, too!

Our villa is nice although the decorating style is definitely not my own; it is very formal and grand. I'll take & post some pictures soon.

Our rental car just arrived and I guess we'll start getting ready to get out and about to get to know our new city! I'll post again later with some pictures and more first impressions.

Posted by Becky at 7:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's a Girl! There is a foot sticking out toward the right of the picture.

Head on the right

Fingers

Toes

Head on the left, knee on the right.

It took the technician a little while to determine Baby's gender because legs were crossed, cords were in the way, etc. But after a bit of persistance, the tech said she got a great shot that shows Baby is a GIRL!

Now we can really get serious about choosing a name.

Posted by Becky at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We're going in tomorrow for the ultrasound!

Posted by Becky at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I decided to get my act together and really scour the message boards for OB recommendations in Doha and finally emailed our friend for her recommendation (Ilona had a baby in Doha in March). I came up with two names and one was the same doctor Ilona used and liked. So, I'm starting with Dr. Rizvi and considering Dr. Maha as a back-up. The hospital Dr. Rizvi is at is also supposed to have some good pediatricians so that is a double bonus. The hospital is private so Craig will be able to be in the delivery room with me (my number one concern). I feel like having this plan is a major load of stress off of my back.

I also stocked up on my favorite nursing pads (should have a one-year supply) and got a few things for Baby at Super Target this weekend that I don't want to do without in Qatar.

I feel pretty good for the most part, but I carried Anna home from the park Sunday and my sciatic nerve was really hurting that night when I was trying to sleep. It feels better than Sunday night & Monday but it is still bothering me; hopefully it will feel better in the next couple of days, but I guess that means I can't really carry Anna much (not that I have been, but I'll be more conscientious about it!).

Your Pregnancy Week by Week says Baby is 4.3 to 4.6 inches (108 to 116 mm) long and is about 2.8 ounces (80 g) this week.

Posted by Becky at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As I expected it would be.

The photo I paid for. Photo by Santa Plus.

Riding "Rosie" the Cat on the carousel at the mall. Photo by Anita.

Anna & Nana.

Although it goes against my principles, we hit the mall first thing this morning to see Santa before Thanksgiving. It really bothers me that the stores can't wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas decorations, but it would bother me more to wait in a really long line to see Santa when I know Anna won't enjoy seeing him anyway. We were third in line so the wait wasn't long, but Anna really did not want to sit on his lap as you can tell! She enjoyed the flashing reindeer nose he gave her though. Later on, while we were still at the mall, I asked her if she wanted to sit on Santa's lap again, she said "all done." There's always next year (and won't that be fun to try and get two kids wrangled on Santa's lap).

Of course no trip to the mall is complete without a ride on the carousel. I really need to find out if there is a carousel in Doha and if so, where it is. Anna chose to ride the cat and the nice older lady who was running the carousel today told us the cat's name is Rosie. We were the only ones on the ride this morning!

After that, I stopped at Motherhood Maternity to use the gift card from my Playgroup friends (thanks again, guys!) to get a few 3/4-length sleeve shirts for wearing in Qatar and Anna & Anita went to the Germ Tree for a bit.

We ate lunch and then drove Anita to the airport. We won't see her again until April/May when she comes to visit in Doha. I know Anna & Anita will be best friends by the end of her stay that month!

Posted by Becky at 2:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had a few more evenings of morning sickness last week with a really bad night on Saturday but really not much since then, thank goodness! Crossing my fingers that I am past that stage for good now.

I had my 16 week appointment this morning and nothing terribly eventful happened. I'm measuring right at 16 weeks and Baby's heartbeat was 146. Anita came with so she got to hear Baby's heartbeat. I had the rest of the blood work done for the Integrated Screen and set up my appointment for the gender ultrasound. I'm going at 8 AM on November 29 and I'm super excited to find out! We haven't scheduled our shipment yet, but it should be after the ultrasound so I'll know whether to send all of Anna's pink clothes or put those in storage to go through when we move back.

I found a good blog with information on delivering a baby in Doha and it looks like if we go to a private hospital, Craig can be in the delivery room with me. The site listed all of the hospitals in Doha so now I'm going back to scour the message boards to see if any of the highly recommended doctors are at the private hospitals. I hope we can get set up with a doctor that we like on the first try so it's not a long & drawn-out search. I plan to go for my 20-week appointment shortly after we arrive (around December 15).

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is 4.1 to 4.5 inches (93 to 103mm) in length by the end of this week, weighs about 1.75 ounces (50 g), and is close to the size of a softball.

Posted by Becky at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anna decided the lid to the Lego box was a changing pad for the pig the other day and then today she dumped out the Legos and made the box into a crib/cradle for the pig. She put the pig inside, picked it up and started swaying. So I started singing "Rock-a-bye-baby" and we played this game for a long time. She wanted to take turns "changing" her diaper on the changing pad and sitting in the box. She requests this game by saying "play rock-a-bye-baby."

Of course, she was not always gentle with the pig, but we've got time to work on that.

Posted by Becky at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry added on 4 January 2007.

Still feeling not-nauseous over here! Just a few evenings of mild nausea but nothing compared to the past few weeks. Now my back is starting to hurt a bit and my sciatica is starting to act up, too. I am not carrying Anna up & down the stairs much because she wants to walk so that is probably helping me a bit in the sciatic-nerve department. I am still tired and taking naps a lot of days but I seem to be sleeping a bit better at night this past week, so that is really good news! I'm getting even more anxious to find out if Baby is a boy or a girl but I'll practice being patient (now I know where Anna's impatience comes from!).

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is 3.2 to 4.1 inches (80 to 93mm) in length by the end of this week and weighs almost 1 ounce (25 g).

Posted by Becky at 6:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My parents came down Friday & Saturday so I took the opportunity to get a haircut and get some new maternity pants (all of the ones that fit so well last time around are just too snug). My mom made a duvet cover for Anna's comforter (for when she moves to her toddler bed) and she hemmed all of my new pants. I am planning to bring my sewing machine to Qatar with me and maybe, just maybe, I'll figure that thing out (it's threading it that makes me break out in hives) so Anna won't be as domestically challenged as I am.

I didn't take a single picture of Anna with her grandparents, I guess because I had two photo sessions this weekend and I was all photographed-out. These were my last two sessions though so suddenly I feel a lot less stressed out than I did last week (I have decided to not book any more since we are supposed to get our visas any day now). All I have left is a bit of editing and ordering to do.

Posted by Becky at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

Dare I write it out? I have felt like a normal person the past three days! Still incredibly tired/worn out but not nauseous! Yay! Every once in a while I think I feel a little tapping from the inside but it's nothing consistent enough for me to feel confident that I can feel Baby yet. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll get to start feeling that regularly.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is 2.6 to 3.1 inches (65 to 78 mm) in length and weighs between .5 and .7 ounces (13 to 20 grams). Baby is about the size of a peach. My weight stayed steady from last week so I don't think I'll be losing more now, especially now that I'm feeling better.

Posted by Becky at 11:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Skelator Baby! (head on the right: Baby is looking at you!)

Profile shot (head on the right).

I had the ultrasound and blood-draw for the Integrated Screen this afternoon. The ultrasound tech looked at the baby forever, gave me two pictures, and then gave me a quick tour of the baby (I couldn't watch the screen while she was doing her measuring). Oh well, what little I saw was pretty cute. Baby was stretching and wiggling and rolling around a bit.

I hate to jinx myself, but last Thursday was probably my worst evening of morning sickness so far. I also had several headaches last week. This week, although I'm still not back to eating necessarily the same things as Anna & Craig, I feel a little less nauseous around food. Except that on Monday night Craig was making something in the toaster oven and just the smell of the toaster oven heating made me have to go upstairs for a while to get away from the smell. The past couple of days have been more about heartburn than nausea (although some nausea is still there).

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is almost 2.5 inches (61 mm) in length and weighs between .3 and .5 ounces (8 to 14 grams).

Posted by Becky at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had my doctor's appointment this morning. My mom and Anna came with so Grandma got to hear the heartbeat (165 bpm). We got in relatively fast but by the time we were done with the doctor, we'd been there one hour.

My family doctor on Monday really thought I should get the flu shot and he said I should ask the OB about it and she also suggested I get it. I have never gotten the flu shot before so I didn't really want to, but since everything I read says it is recommended for pregnant women and both doctors acted like they thought I should, I said OK.

I asked my mom to take Anna downstairs to get a change of scene while I got the flu shot. A few minutes later, the nurse came in to administer it, asked which hip I preferred and said it might sting going in because they keep it refrigerated. As soon as she took the needle out and I felt the vaccine going in I felt really nauseous so I told the nurse, walked over to the exam table for steadying, and the next thing I knew I was lying on the floor with three nurses and my doctor standing above me.

They gave me a juice drink and listened for Baby's heartbeat again. Baby had apparently moved behind the placenta because they had a pretty hard time finding it. The nurse that was with me when I fainted was pretty shook up and was still shaking when she insisted on walking me down to find my mom & Anna. I felt fine but I don't know that I really convinced her of this.

Anyway, I don't think I'll be getting the flu shot again. I think I'll just keep taking my chances like I have been all of these years.

In pregnancy news, I have been feeling nauseous a lot and I have been getting a lot of headaches. I think the headaches are from not sleeping well and stress about our move as I am definitely hydrated. Not too much I can do about it but try to relax. Fortunately, Craig has been really good about taking over with Anna when I need him to.

Also, according to my home scale, I have lost 3.5 pounds since October 2 where I was not gaining or losing before that. Hopefully I will be able to eat regular meals again soon. I think last time I was pretty much done with this at this point, but I'll have to go check Anna's journal to be sure.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is 1.75 to 2.4 inches (44 to 60 mm) in length and weighs about .3 (8 grams)—about the size of a large lime.

Posted by Becky at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The two things we need to go to Qatar are medical clearance and Visa approval. Anna & Craig are finished with theirs (I just need to pick up Anna's records from her doctor) and I went in this morning. The company provides a letter with a list of things we're supposed to have done and then Craig's (company) doctor verbally added a couple of blood tests and a chest x-ray. We asked my OB about the x-ray and she said it was fine as long as I wore the lead apron to cover the baby. My regular doctor, however, would not do it unless he had it in writing from the company. I'm not terribly excited about the x-ray during pregnancy but it sounds like the only hesitation on the family-practice doctor's part is that I'm still in the first trimester. So I'm waiting for him to call back after he talks to Craig's work, hopefully sometime today.

I am procrastinating sending out my mass email about Gertie. I guess I'm in denial but realistically I know I need as much time as I can get to find her a good new home.

Posted by Becky at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

I spent Saturday & Sunday feeling nauseous in Colorado, too. I spent a lot more time on the couch than I wanted to. Luckily Anna was in a good mood so she didn't seem to mind and the new toys were distracting her from me. Sunday night my mom went to the grocery store and I asked her to get some Luna bars for the next few days (I didn't bring any with me). Monday I had a Luna bar first thing when I woke up and I felt great the rest of the day. Same thing Tuesday. Not sure how or why, but I'm going to be eating a Luna bar first thing every morning for a while. I guess Saltines weren't enough to get me going for the day and since I usually have a Luna bar right away at home, it would explain why I felt so much worse in Colorado for the first several days (minus the virus-day, of course).

Otherwise, nothing much new to report. I still have not gained any weight nor have I lost any. This is fine by me except I have very few comfortable clothes. I guess I'll have to get some new maternity pants because the ones from last time feel too tight already when last time they were falling off at this point.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is 1.25 to 1.68 inches (31 to 42mm) in length and weighs close to .18 ounces (5 grams) and is about the size of a small plum.

Posted by Becky at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Grandma & Grandpa with all three grandkids.

Jacob, Sam, & Anna checking out the cockpit.

Anna at the controls.

I got super sick on Wednesday night through Thursday so I spent about 35 hours in bed while Anita took sole care of Anna for me. In a way it was good that I got sick while I was at Brian & Anita's because I don't know how I could have cared for Anna on my own that day. Too bad we had to cancel our dinner plans with the rest of the family though as I was still not feeling well by the time dinner rolled around.

Friday I felt really nauseous (morning sickness) so we didn't do much when we got up to Grandma & Grandpa's house. Saturday I felt a little better and we went out to the airport to take some pictures of the kids on Grandpa's airplane. I later determined that I needed to eat more than just Saltines for my morning nutrition upon waking (I had been eating a Luna bar at home but didn't bring a week's supply with me to Colorado). Too bad I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday feeling miserable before the revelation on Monday morning after I ate a Luna bar and felt mostly great the whole day!

Posted by Becky at 7:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

Anna & I flew up to Colorado on Wednesday and then I caught some sort of stomach virus and spent all of yesterday in bed; only getting up to throw up and re-fill my water cup and cheerios bowl multiple times. Thankfully I wasn't alone as I really don't know how I would have taken care of Anna—and I would have exposed her to whatever I had even more. A day like that makes me wonder how I'll care for two kids at once, but I have a feeling that, if I'm not sick, it won't be as bad as yesterday!

I felt a lot more nauseous today than I have in a while, but at least the virus seems to be done.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .9 to 1.2 inches (22 to 30mm) in length by the end of this week—about the size of a medium green olive (is that specific enough for you?).

Posted by Becky at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are expecting our second child! Baby is due May 5, 2007 and we went to the doctor last week to see him/her via ultrasound. The doctor says everything looks good and I'll go back again in a few weeks for my next appointment. For now we're planning to have the baby in Qatar unless I can't find a practice that I'm happy with there. I'll post an update each month after my appointment here.

(This would be the reason for the sudden lack of workout posts in late August: it has either been too hot, or I've been too tired/nauseous to continue running. I'm hoping I can start walking again once I hit the second trimester.)

Posted by Becky at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

We had a great first appointment! Craig & Anna were able to stay to see the ultrasound (I was a bit worried that Anna would get too impatient since it was so close to her bedtime) and we saw and heard the heartbeat: 188 bpm. It was fun to see Baby wiggling but mostly it was just the heart pounding away that was most exciting to see since Baby's so small right now we can't see a lot of detail. I do wish we could have gotten some video, but I'll have to be content with the four pictures we got. I go back on October 20 for my next appointment.

Posted by Becky at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was posted on 4 January 2007.

Wow, I feel awesome today! I'm eating and pretty comfortable (am also wearing my maternity jeans so I'm sure that helps!). However I did have to reschedule my doctor's appointment because the doctor will be out of town on Monday. Now I'm going on Thursday evening. Craig will go with, but he & Anna may have to go home early depending on how long we have to wait and how well she sleeps that afternoon. I'll be 8 weeks & 5 days for the ultrasound.

Posted by Becky at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

I don't remember feeling this miserable last time around. I remember feeling sick but not uncomfortable. Maybe I have just forgotten since it has been two years but I'm really hoping that this discomfort & nausea "only" lasts until 11 or 12 weeks like last time. I know I have often felt like I "really enjoyed being pregnant" so I have to assume that my second trimester was pretty awesome because this isn't much fun at all. At least I'm lucky and not actually throwing up. Just considering it every time I serve Anna a meal. Maybe that's why this feels so rough: last time I could let Craig fend for himself. I don't have that option with Anna three meals a day and a lot of what she eats looks & smells terribly disgusting to me.

Okay, enough complaining. Even though I don't feel the best right now, I do realize how lucky I am to get to feel like this. We were super lucky to get pregnant right away both times and I truly do appreciate it and I'm thankful for it.

I am looking forward to the ultrasound next week. It doesn't look like Craig will be able to go though since he is planning a trip to Qatar for that week. I'm disappointed in that and am considering taking one of my friends offers to take care of Anna during the appointment but I'll think on that a bit.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .56 to .8 inches (14 to 20mm) in length by the end of this week—about the size of a pinto bean.

Posted by Becky at 5:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

The nurse's appointment at the doctor on Wednesday was a waste of time. First of all, seven weeks into my pregnancy, I really should have had some knowledge-intervention already if I didn't know to take my prenatals, stop drinking & smoking, etc. Second of all, they should have just asked me the things the nurse asked me on the form and had me mail it back and asked if I needed to talk to the nurse. They could have mailed me the giant tote-bag of samples and magazines (or told me to come pick it up if I wanted it). It really wouldn't have been so bad if Anna & I hadn't waited for 30 minutes in the lobby for a five-minute appointment. At any rate, I did learn that I'll get an ultrasound at my appointment on 10/2 which is really more than I had anticipated so I'm looking forward to that.

I would say that, although I have been feeling sick, I have not felt as sick this time (so far) as with Anna. It's not constant but it comes and goes. I also got some Preggie Pop Drops, something I really wanted to try last time, but since we were in Korea, it wasn't an option. They seem to do a little something to help with nausea. My worst day so far was Monday 9/4 but I'm getting some Saltines right away in the morning and that is helping a lot.

I had to go out and buy some maternity shorts last week because my other shorts (the ones that were too loose on me the week before the pregnancy test) are too tight and my jeans are a little looser, but still tight, and too hot for September in Texas.

Anna is tolerating me really well. If I'm feeling nauseous or super-tired during the day, I can lay on the couch and she will either play on her own so I can watch her or she'll bring me books to read to her while she stands in front of me on the couch. I did actually make it out on a run yesterday. I had been keeping a 10:50 mile/minute pace before I was pregnant and yesterday it was closer to a 12 mile/minute pace. It felt really good to get out though so I hope I can keep it up a little while longer.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .44 to .52 inches (11 to 13mm) in length by the end of this week (Baby's size has more than doubled from the beginning of this week to the end!).

Posted by Becky at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added 4 January 2007.

And now I think I'm hitting a bit of morning sickness. It is not full-fledged yet, but I've been feeling a bit "uneasy" since about Wednesday or Thursday. Definitely more-so when I'm hungry (which is more often now). So far I've been fighting it pretty well with my favorite weapon-of-choice when I was pregnant with Anna: Ginger Ale. It's amazing how that stuff works so well.

I didn't find a difference in falling asleep at night if I do or do not take a nap during the day, so I'm not going to fight it during the day and just get rest while I can. I have been finding myself getting frustrated with Anna more easily because of the missed sleep which is not fun for anyone. Luckily, I've had Anita here this week to change things up for us. And Craig & I went to Boston alone this weekend which was a great break from being home.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .08 to 016 inches (2 to 4mm) in length. The heartbeat can (occasionally) be heard by doppler this week. I'm not sure if they'll try to listen for it next week or if they'll wait until my October appointment for that.

Posted by Becky at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added 4 January 2007.

I think I am hitting the extreme fatigue stage now. I've taken a nap every day for the past four days. However, the last two nights I had trouble falling asleep at night so I'm trying to not take a nap today and see if that works out better for me. I'm feeling totally wiped out now though!

I am having a hard time not telling people we're pregnant yet. People ask about a second baby a lot more now that we have one kid than they asked about a first before we had Anna. I am having to lie directly to people's faces and I don't like that. However, another part of me thinks I am only five weeks along and I just don't need the whole world to know at this point. I might have to tell a few of my girlfriends that I see a lot though because after consistently turning down wine for a few weeks in a row, people definitely start getting suspicious and I don't want anyone to come straight out and ask me if we're "trying" or if I'm pregnant because I feel like I'm the worst liar and I also feel really guilty about it. I'm going to a mom's night out tonight and I believe there will be wine available. Tonight, if questioned, I will say I'm going for a run in the morning (which I really should do anyway!), which I think is a totally valid excuse.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .05 inches (1.25mm) in length. This book says that the central nervous system and muscle and bone formation are beginning to take shape, and that the skeleton is starting to form. Several other sources indicate that Baby's heart starts beating this week, which is pretty incredible!

Posted by Becky at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry added on 4 January 2007.

I am so used to putting Anna first that I have to constantly remind myself that I need to rank myself an equal priority right now (although since she complains louder, I'm sure she'll still be first for a while). We went on the train ride at the park today and we sat closer to the front than we should have because I could smell the exhaust the whole way. My first thought was that this wasn't good for Anna but then I realized that it's not good for me and Baby either. Same with something we were eating at lunch today, I picked out a deli turkey sandwich and I wondered if it was really OK for Anna to eat but remembered that I probably shouldn't be eating it either. When I was pregnant with Anna all I had to think about was me and Anna. I guess this is part of the adjustment of having two kids already. Anna has to wait for me to go to the bathroom more often already, too. I realize she will probably be a pretty different kid by the time Baby arrives as well.

I don't feel very different this week than pre-pregnancy except maybe getting tired more easily. I haven't hit extreme fatigue yet and no morning sickness yet, either. It probably doesn't help that I took last week off from running so that I have to kind of start all over there, too. My current plan with exercise is to keep up running as much as I can until it gets uncomfortable. I am keeping an eye on my heart-rate and am having to stop and walk several times during a run to bring it down. I am taking care to not get overheated as well. Luckily there is a lot of shade on the trail that I run on or, on weeks like this when Craig is out of town, I wouldn't be able to get out with Anna in the stroller. We will probably end up going to the Y soon, but right now she's got a runny nose/looks like she's teething so that will probably wait until after Anita goes home (Anna can stay here with Anita if I go to the Y next week!). I am disappointed that I won't get to run the 10-miler this October, but I can make that a goal for after Baby now.

For the record, I bought some disposable gloves and am changing the litter myself this week, although I am not excited about that at all. The nurse said it was fine to do as long as I washed my hands afterwards (which I am doing, too), but I remember last time I asked the doctor and she said "no way!" So, I'm not sure if I'll continue to do it myself or if I'll recruit the neighbor next time Craig is out of town.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Baby is .014 inch to about .04 inch (.36mm to 1mm) in length.

Posted by Becky at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 4 January 2007.

I made my doctor's appointments because I had to call and ask about going to the dentist and changing the cat litter (and no sign of my period today and I've had several more positive tests so I feel like it's really happening). My first doctor's appointment is with nurse and is just an interview. That is on September 20 (I'll be 7.5 weeks). My first appointment with my doctor is on October 2 (I'll be 9 weeks). It was definitely much more satisfying to just walk right in to the clinic in Korea! It feels like such a long time to wait! I have no real idea what to expect either, I'm guessing they'll listen for the heartbeat at the October 2 appointment.

My partial crown has really started hurting this week when I drink anything (cold or room temperature) so I have to go in and have them look at it next week. I needed to ask the doctor what is/isn't allowed medication-wise first though. Also, Craig is going to be out of town next week and the cat's litter box needs to be changed. Either I hire the pet sitter to come out three times ($45), ask the neighbor kid to do it, or do it myself and am very careful to not breathe anything in or get anything on my hands. I'm not ready to tell the neighbors and I don't necessarily want to fork over $45 for three litter clean-ups. I suppose the other option is to kick the cat outside for the week, but I don't think she'd make it five minutes!

Posted by Becky at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This entry was added on 1/4/2007

I have been foolishly testing too early all week, going to different stores trying to find the one that would give results the earliest. (I think it was a little too liberating to just pick one out without asking the pharmacist like in Korea). This morning I got a positive result! And I got another one this afternoon. I have a few more tests that I can use up so I'll keep testing until I run out—it's more fun when they're positive! I will wait until Monday to call the doctor's office since my period isn't actually due until Friday and I'll feel better knowing that I at least missed that before I set up a first appointment.

I am planning to send a photograph of Anna holding a big sister sign to the grandparents and aunts & uncles, but I think I'll wait until later to tell other people although I'm not entirely sure how long I can hold out.

Baby's due date is May 5, 2007 and although we're not entirely sure where we'll be at that time, I'm hopeful that everything will go as smoothly as last time and that one of the grandmas will be able to be with us.

According to Your Pregnancy Week by Week, "Baby is only a group of cells that are multiplying and growing rapidly. The embryo is the size of the head of a pin and would be visible to the naked eye if it weren't inside you. The group of cells doesn't look like a fetus or a baby... During this first week, the embryo is about .0006 inch (0.150mm) long."—simply amazing!

Posted by Becky at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)