21 Weeks

This week has been a flurry of activity. Josh's parents were so kind and bought us a mattress for the crib.  This of course prompted us to take the plunge and finally buy a few things for the baby.  We got a mattress pad and sheet for the bed and an Ergo carrier for hiking and being outdoors.  I knew I wanted a soft shell carrier but was undecided as to the brand.  The great deal we got on it really sealed it for us.

From Wisconsin we headed down to Illinois and found even more things for the baby.  This time though we were raiding my parents house.  They gave us a bath tub, safety gate, rocker, books and a crib.  I am so thankful my mom thought to save all these things.  The funny thing is there's even more here!  Toys, clothes, etc.  We just couldn't fathom taking it all.

Besides stocking up on baby gear, I also got some great maternity clothes this week.   I found a new pair of pants and some basic t-shirts.  I think I may be set for now but as the summer gets into full gear I may go searching for another sun dress or two.  I don't really fit into my pants anymore and am loving maternity tops to my old ones.  I'm sure I'll get sick and tired of the same old things soon though and try to fit into my regular stuff.

Baby Bast's movements have gone from flutters to full fledged kicks this week.  Last night I swear he or she did a scissor kick in there because I felt it in the front and back! Till a day or two ago Josh hasn't been able to feel it.  Its as if the baby gets camera shy as soon as he puts his hand on my belly, but last night he definitely got kicked.  It was a sweet moment getting to share that with him for the first time.  He could finally feel what I had been feeling for weeks!

Overall I still can't complain.  Despite packing up for this move and being on my feet way more than I should, I feel great.  I am starting to feel a tad big but I know its all relative.  We're still pretty much halfway there and that feeling isn't going to go away anytime soon!  My sleep-related hip pain is next to gone.  Although I resisted getting one of those Snoogle pillows for pregnant women, Josh insisted and its just great.  Yes its still massive and yes its awkward in the bed but it works.  I'll give it that.  Its also supposed to have many other positions so I should be able to get our money worth out of it.

We're still looking forward to the upcoming ultrasound.  In about a week we find out if its a boy or a girl and see how everything is going in there.  I think finding out will make it even more real for us as well then we'll be able to start thinking names too.

Woah belly!

Happy 6 Months to Us!

I can't believe its been 6 months since we got married.  Where has the time gone?!  So much has changed in the past few months; We found out we were expecting, we moved back to the States.  Its been an exciting ride and I wouldn't want anyone else along beside me.    I can't wait to see what He has in store for us the rest of the year!

Over the past 6 months I've watched my love for you grow more than I ever imagined and I expect as the years go on it will only get bigger.  I hope we always remember these past few months with joy and I can't wait to celebrate many more of these anniversaries with you.

20 Weeks

WE'RE HALFWAY!!  This week has been pretty eventful.  We checked into the hospital on base and tried to get some medical care for me.  Needless to say the nurses and docs weren't happy that I hadn't had any medical care to date.  I was asked a hundred questions and they took 7 vials of blood.  Unfortunately (due to army scheduling) I still wasn't able to get an ultrasound or get into the OB/Midwife clinic at the actual hospital before leaving for our upcoming trip.  The earliest they could get me in was the first Monday in June.  In fact they are so booked that our 20 week scan is for 1am!! (I just may be sleeping through it) What was even more frustrating was the docs seemed to be mad at me that they will be "late" in getting their traditional 20 week appointment in.

Oh well, I'm trying not to judge the entire system on this one incident.  I'm sure once I get established in the clinic the care will only improve.  I am already impressed by the amount of pregnant women on base and the fact that they have a midwifery department!

Besides being poked and prodded, I feel pretty good.  Sleep is becoming harder to come by as I keep getting up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.  My hips are still hurting so I think its time to break out the pillow between the legs again.  I also had one of my veins on my leg bruise.  It was getting bigger with the pregnancy and just before my doctors appointment seemed to burst so to speak.  Compression tights are the last things I want to wear so I've been doing tight leggings and elevation.  Both seem to be helping.

The belly has definitely grown this week and I finally feel pregnant.  With the bigger belly has come some itchy skin but I think its mainly the lotion I switched to.  I tend to have sensitive skin to begin with and this lotion isn't agreeing with me.  My brand of choice has been Bio Oil and I can't wait to pick up my new bottle tomorrow!

This week Josh and I went into Baby R Us to get a better idea of some of the products I've been researching online.  Needless to say it was a bit over whelming but very helpful.  We scoped out the cribs and then spent a few hours in the stroller aisle trying to figure out how to fold and unfold the units.  Despite being information overload it was really helpful to get hands on some of these products.

Josh also treated me to a few new wardrobe pieces.  Fewer and fewer of my clothes are fitting and I really needed some maternity wear.  I have issues with the amount they want for clothes you'll only wear for a few months in these name brand stores so we ended up in a Ross.  I got a pair of capris, pants, two t-shirts and two dresses for less than $80!  I also ended up getting a few new bras that will carry me past the delivery.

Overall I still feel pretty great, I am so excited to head back up north and visit with our families.  Its going to be a busy but fun two weeks.  I'm hoping this energy boost keeps going through the move and getting settled here.  Even though I probably won't be able to do any of the heavy lifting, I'm ready to unpack boxes and discover our things again.  (Two weeks is too long to live out of suitcases)  Most of all I am ready to find out if we're having a boy or a girl.  We've held off buying any baby things or talking names till we know and the excitement is getting to me.

20 weeks

Our New Home

When I started looking at rental homes in Fayetteville, I had an extremely optimistic view of what the process was going to be.  As far as I could tell there were TOO many houses that met our requirements, TOO many choices.  This would be a breeze!  I emailed realtors and copied down addresses so that when we arrived we could get right to it.

The backyard

After the first two days of looking (9 houses in), we knew we had to rethink our process.  Although seemingly fine on paper, the houses were run down and didn't completely meet our needs.  Our biggest issue was location.  I thought I understood the area but after looking for a few days we were able to hone in exactly where we wanted to be.  That night I did a quick search on a military housing website and quickly found a few houses that met our criteria.  It was definitely a refreshing change of plans.

The next day was like a whole new search.  Every house met our criteria and we just needed to pick one.  Our last house was the one.  Sitting on one acre of land its in a very quiet neighborhood just north of town.  Its brick exterior gives it a lot of charm while the inside is still modern enough for me.  We love the screened in porch and can't wait to spend summer nights out there.  The best part is its only about a 15 minute commute to base for Josh.  This was really important to both of us.  A short commute means he doesn't have to get up super early for PT and can quickly be home in the evenings if need be.  Definitely perks when the baby comes!

Our new house

We move in the first of the month and I can't wait to get our things in there.  This house will be our home for the next two years.  Its where we'll welcome our son or daughter and where we'll become a family of three.  I can't wait to start making memories :-)

The living room

Life Lately

I'm kind of upset with myself that I haven't posted anything yet on our new lives here in North Carolina but its just been so busy.  We've been running here and there working on just getting settled here at Fort Bragg.  Although at times it was a tad stressful, I think we made it through mostly unscathed.

Some of our accomplishments thus far:

-We found a house!  We're hoping to sign the paperwork tomorrow.  Early mother's day present to me!

-We found a car!  We got a 2010 Jeep Cherokee and we love it :-) Its the perfect size family car but still has the power Josh was looking for.  After being in Kenya and having our car Lucy we weren't ready to downsize too much.

-We've scheduled our moves.  There's little we can do on this end to move our things quicker over here from Kenya.  BUT we've turned in the paperwork and can only pray that they get on a plane soon.  I'd love to have them sometime early June.  Wishful thinking I know...

-We've put in the paperwork to move my things.  I can't tell you how excited I am to have my things again.  Yes I learned to live without them and yes its a tad materialistic but I am happy to have some of my clothes and kitchen gadgets with me again.  Oh and pictures...I'm missing my photos.

-We've seen the doctors.  Josh was able to schedule an appointment before we fly again but will probably need to follow up when we get back.  I walked in to the doctor's office and they flipped.  19 weeks and you haven't seen a doctor!!  I was whisked away for blood tests (7 vials people), urine tests, and yep a pregnancy test.  I'm still laughing that despite the belly and the fact that they could hear the baby's heartbeat they needed to do a test.  I told Josh I was a little scared I wasn't going to pass :-)

Today we're hoping to do a few more things.  Phones.  Some window shopping.  etc. This transition has been a bit stressful but I'm starting to realize that that's maybe just how it is with the military.  We'll just keep moving forward and making Fayetteville our new home.

19 Weeks

Another week has flown by and we are now practically at the half-way point.  Baby Bast decided to make sure I remembered he or she was in there.  After being quiet for a couple of days, the movements are back in full force.  Josh has tried to feel them but they usually stop by the time he puts his hand on my belly.  We're getting more and more excited for our next appointment and finding out whether its a girl or a boy.

Thankfully I've had a ton of energy this week as we've spent most of the week looking at houses and cars.  I think we've been to a total of 12 houses (more on that later) and looked at two vehicles. I have really loved looking at the houses and thinking about which room would make a good nursery.  Its a hard decision picking a house that we will bring this child home to and become a family of three in.

I probably wouldn't notice I was pregnant if not for this belly that is making its debut. This week I'm loving the belly bands a friend of mine gave me.  They are basically a spandex band that goes around your middle that you can use to hold up jeans that don't button any more.  At first I thought I would hate the feeling of not buttoning my pants. (News flash:  my jeans haven't fit for weeks) BUT after trying these things I love them.  They really make you feel like your pants one won't fall down and two like they are maternity jeans.  I know they aren't going to work forever but they are a good temporary fix at the moment.  I'm only kicking myself now because I let the movers pack all my jeans except one pair because I thought I couldn't wear them.    

I feel kind of lame but otherwise there's nothing new to report.  No weird symptoms or cravings.  The two of us are doing great :-) I'm still super excited to visit with family in the next few weeks.  I think after all this house hunting and running around both of us will need a vacation.

Sorry for the bad quality shot but its starting to finally be a true belly.

The Last Day

So this is it.  Our last day in Kenya.  Surprisingly its been somewhat calm thus far.  Buddy made it safely last night and doesn't seem too affected by the long drive from Kisumu.  We're just doing a little rearranging and repacking then headed out to where he is staying to get him ready for the long flights.

I feel a little redundant but I keep feeling like its not really happening.  That we're headed back to the states for a visit rather than for good.  I'm sure it will eventually feel real like when we sign the lease on our new place or purchase our new car but for now I am in this state of "unreality" (is that even a word?).

Tonight we will travel from Nairobi to Amsterdam and then from there head to Atlanta.  After processing through customs and immigration its only a short flight to North Carolina.  I'm praying that everything goes smoothly, not only with Buddy but for us as well.  Josh's back has been hurting him lately and well you know I'm growing another human being :-)  I'm hoping that we get good seats with lots of room to get up and move around and if any airline chooses to upgrade us well that would be even more of a blessing.

Well I'm not sure when I'll have internet again or the time to post but I will try to update when I can.

Goodbye Kenya!  Its been grand....Here's to a new adventure!!

Week 18

Its been an extremely busy week as we've closed the chapter on our lives in Kisumu and spent the rest of the week finishing up things in Nairobi.  I have nothing really to complain about.  Second trimester is rocking my socks and I am loving every minute of it.  My sleep has been getting better.  I can definitely see the difference when I switch mattresses   I'm hoping that with all the traveling we'll be doing in the next few weeks that I'll be ok.

I had a little bout with some itchy skin on my belly this week but it seems to be clearing up.  I know this can be normal as your skin starts to stretch but I think it was just a lack of sheets on our bed in Kisumu with the movers taking everything.

I'm also feeling a ton of movement from Baby Bast in there.  He or she loves to make their presence known especially when I am sitting still.  I get the occasional strong kick that I'm assuming I only feel when they are right next to my skin but mostly just feels like someone is doing cartwheels in my stomach.

Food wise I am still craving my spice.  Nairobi has been a bit of an indulgence and I think I need to moderate myself a tad.  I still am only up 2 pounds but the belly seems to keep getting bigger.  I am always hungry and usually can't get "too full".

I am really looking forward to getting some new clothes when we get to the states.  Finding bottoms that fit is really frustrating.  I'm really missing my jeans and am hating how my non-maternity leggings are too tight on my stomach.

As we're getting closer to half way, I've been thinking more and more about the labor portion of the pregnancy.  I'm getting a tad nervous and have about a million questions to ask my sisters and mom.  I am also starting to worry about getting everything prepared before the baby comes.  I'll be more than half way there when we get back to N. Carolina and will still have to set up the house.  At least it will just be another room to set up in the sense we won't have to re-do things or find alternative homes for other pieces of furniture.  BUT this is life right?! (or so Josh loves to remind me)  We'll figure it out and it'll be fine :-)

Think the outfit makes me look bigger than I actually am this week.