Your pregnancy: 29 weeks
How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas at the Sheraton
We forgot for a minute it was Christmas eve, and when we remembered we scrambled to make it to the Sheraton to watch the carolers. Christmas carolers with accents are interesting to say the least.
We headed downstairs in the Sheraton to the new pub, The Harp. I love it. It's a chain and is should be kind of cheesy, but it's not. I might ask if I can live there. Something wrong with an obviously pregnant woman living in a pub? I think not. It's probably the most "western" place we've been. And not a robe or veil in site. Strangely, that's what made my Christmas eve.
Christmas day we had the neighbors over for dinner. All the food was really good and I think we might have been at the table for two hours of continuous eating. All good old American Christmas food too. Ham, green bean casserole, dill and cheddar biscuits, mashed potatoes, corn bread casserole, pecan pie, Christmas cookies...mmmmm.
I took Perry some leftovers for lunch today at the Corniche. He seems to enjoy the idea of me bringing him lunch to the park everyday. Maybe we'll shoot for once or twice a week while the weather's so nice.
Tonight we head to a get together for Boxing Day. We don't know what Boxing Day is all about, but Perry and the neighbor thought they might show up in shorts and gloves so they're prepared. I think I'll do some research before we head over tonight, or not. It might be more interesting if I don't.
The Zoo
Rides at the zoo....
It's not the tin man that needs to be oiled.
The zoo was interesting. Lots of animals they might have just picked up in the desert, oryx, goat, ostrich and the like. We somehow missed the cat area, we saw a cheetah, but missed anything else. You can literally touch lots of the animals if you're brave. They put up an extra barricade for the cheetah, but you could stick a finger in w/ the emu, ostrich, elephants, monkeys and feed the giraffes.
We thought the 'ride' above was pretty humorous, but they actually have a children's area w/ three or four rides for them at the opposite end of the park from the animals. Lots of room for picnicking too. All of this for about $1.50. Can't beat it.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Rant
This will be, hopefully, my one rant about the locals. It's going to be this way for the remainder of the 2 years, so I just need to get use to it.
The locals of the country don't seem to have matured past 15. It's the most entitled group of people on earth. They drive like they're playing pole position, they throw trash out the window and drop any trash they have on them, they expect you to get out of their way when walking, driving, standing in line, etc. If you were to mention this to them, they would tell you how lucky you are to be in their country and what a favor they're doing you by letting you be here.
Of course, they don't work, so they need us here to continue that tradition. Don't get me wrong, they have jobs. One of the locals took me around the first week I was here to get my health card. I'm told I was very lucky to have this unique experience, because they wouldn't normally take a woman around. He was a nice enough. Young, early 20's, and had as many questions for me as I had for him. I hadn't received my drivers license yet and he didn't think it was a big deal that I sat at home while P was at work. It's only for a few hours anyway, right? Huh? He goes into work at 8 (his words, he didn't actually get there on this morning until about 9:30) works until lunch out of the office getting health card info, driver's licenses etc., goes to lunch, does paperwork until about 3 and then goes home. When I tell him P leaves at 7:15 and doesn't get home until 6:30 at night, he asks me what P is doing. HE'S WORKING BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE DON'T!!! Now this guy is getting the short end of the stick, because he does seem to show up, and many don't show up for weeks at a time. Turns out he was in charge of getting me the previously mentioned driver's license. He had one stop to make to get it and it took him 4 weeks.
There was even a post on a local forum where the lady chewed out some expat about having the nerve to complain about the level of health care here. She told him how lucky he was to even be allowed health care. They cut in front of you in line at the grocery or where ever you may be, in my case, it was some guy at S*arbucks.
We went to the zoo yesterday and it was unbelievable. Partly the zoo's fault, but it's run by the locals. Everyone was feeding the animals whatever they had in their hands...popcorn, plastic bags, candy. Banging on the cages, screaming at the animals and sticking their fingers in any opening possible. I wish I was quick enough to video the lady playing keep away with an ostrich, WITH HER OWN FINGER!! P asked what I thought was going to happen, I was hoping she lost more than one. No such luck.
Natural selection would lead you to believe the entire country will soon be wiped out due to stupidity and inbreeding, but unfortunately, they have enough money to carry on this way for hundreds of years. When the men turn a certain age, (I think it's 21)they are given a plot of land, a house and the equivalent of about $200,000 dollars. They are then given about $7,000 a month for the rest of their lives. The $200,000 is called a loan, but is always forgiven in about 7 years. No interest, no payments made, nothing. Why work?
The locals of the country don't seem to have matured past 15. It's the most entitled group of people on earth. They drive like they're playing pole position, they throw trash out the window and drop any trash they have on them, they expect you to get out of their way when walking, driving, standing in line, etc. If you were to mention this to them, they would tell you how lucky you are to be in their country and what a favor they're doing you by letting you be here.
Of course, they don't work, so they need us here to continue that tradition. Don't get me wrong, they have jobs. One of the locals took me around the first week I was here to get my health card. I'm told I was very lucky to have this unique experience, because they wouldn't normally take a woman around. He was a nice enough. Young, early 20's, and had as many questions for me as I had for him. I hadn't received my drivers license yet and he didn't think it was a big deal that I sat at home while P was at work. It's only for a few hours anyway, right? Huh? He goes into work at 8 (his words, he didn't actually get there on this morning until about 9:30) works until lunch out of the office getting health card info, driver's licenses etc., goes to lunch, does paperwork until about 3 and then goes home. When I tell him P leaves at 7:15 and doesn't get home until 6:30 at night, he asks me what P is doing. HE'S WORKING BECAUSE YOU PEOPLE DON'T!!! Now this guy is getting the short end of the stick, because he does seem to show up, and many don't show up for weeks at a time. Turns out he was in charge of getting me the previously mentioned driver's license. He had one stop to make to get it and it took him 4 weeks.
There was even a post on a local forum where the lady chewed out some expat about having the nerve to complain about the level of health care here. She told him how lucky he was to even be allowed health care. They cut in front of you in line at the grocery or where ever you may be, in my case, it was some guy at S*arbucks.
We went to the zoo yesterday and it was unbelievable. Partly the zoo's fault, but it's run by the locals. Everyone was feeding the animals whatever they had in their hands...popcorn, plastic bags, candy. Banging on the cages, screaming at the animals and sticking their fingers in any opening possible. I wish I was quick enough to video the lady playing keep away with an ostrich, WITH HER OWN FINGER!! P asked what I thought was going to happen, I was hoping she lost more than one. No such luck.
Natural selection would lead you to believe the entire country will soon be wiped out due to stupidity and inbreeding, but unfortunately, they have enough money to carry on this way for hundreds of years. When the men turn a certain age, (I think it's 21)they are given a plot of land, a house and the equivalent of about $200,000 dollars. They are then given about $7,000 a month for the rest of their lives. The $200,000 is called a loan, but is always forgiven in about 7 years. No interest, no payments made, nothing. Why work?
Sand Cat
P was looking for info about the zoo and found some info about these cats. We'd like one as a pet. We wouldn't, but we wanna...
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Weather
is actually perfect here right now. It might reach 80 for a minute, but seems to stay around 70-75 degrees. We took the boat out for a little spin yesterday afternoon and it was even a couple of degrees too cool. It's niiiiiice!
Head of cauliflower to a Chinese cabbage?
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Your pregnancy: 28 weeks
How your baby's growing:By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in he brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
We're doing our best to fatten him up like a Christmas ham. I'm suppose to gain about a pound a week until close to the end. P's keeping a food diary for me to make sure I stay on track. The sonograms all show him as right on target, so if the peeps could just quit commenting about my belly, I think we'd be O.K.
How your baby's growing:By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in he brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
We're doing our best to fatten him up like a Christmas ham. I'm suppose to gain about a pound a week until close to the end. P's keeping a food diary for me to make sure I stay on track. The sonograms all show him as right on target, so if the peeps could just quit commenting about my belly, I think we'd be O.K.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Finally, we meet the big boss.
We went to our doctors appt this morning and finally met with doctor in charge of the OB/GYN unit. I made this appt about 5 or 6 weeks ago, and this was her first avaliable. I feel a bit better about things, but I still think clubbing me over the head and waking me when little buddy arrives might be best.
I start going every 3 weeks now. I guess they don't do the 2 week visits like in the states. She actually scheduled me for every 3 weeks right up to March. The next visit in 3 weeks looks a little hairy. My time is from 9 to 1. That's going to be fun. The rest of them actually have specific times. Aren't I a lucky girl?
She actually felt one of the contractions I've been having. Of course, I can't feel them unless I put my hand on my belly. She asks, "are you feeling that?" I reach down to feel it and she stops me. She wants to know if I actually feel it without touching it. Nope, I don't feel a thing. My cervix is closed, so she doesn't seem too worried about it. She does give me a drug for it that seems to be controversial around here though. It says not to use it in the 3rd trimester due to uterine inertia, which, if I understand correctly, is exactly what she's looking for. An intert uterus. I'm looking for a second opinion just in case.
I start going every 3 weeks now. I guess they don't do the 2 week visits like in the states. She actually scheduled me for every 3 weeks right up to March. The next visit in 3 weeks looks a little hairy. My time is from 9 to 1. That's going to be fun. The rest of them actually have specific times. Aren't I a lucky girl?
She actually felt one of the contractions I've been having. Of course, I can't feel them unless I put my hand on my belly. She asks, "are you feeling that?" I reach down to feel it and she stops me. She wants to know if I actually feel it without touching it. Nope, I don't feel a thing. My cervix is closed, so she doesn't seem too worried about it. She does give me a drug for it that seems to be controversial around here though. It says not to use it in the 3rd trimester due to uterine inertia, which, if I understand correctly, is exactly what she's looking for. An intert uterus. I'm looking for a second opinion just in case.
What's in a name?
This is how our naming conversations go-
K: Oliver's cute. What do you think about Oliver?
P: Oliver? You mean like All of her clothes off?
K: Cole? Cole's cute.
P: ooh-oooh, how about Colt?
K: How about never?
For a boy from New Jersey, he is determined to come up w/ the most hick name known even to folks from East Texas.
K: Oliver's cute. What do you think about Oliver?
P: Oliver? You mean like All of her clothes off?
K: Cole? Cole's cute.
P: ooh-oooh, how about Colt?
K: How about never?
For a boy from New Jersey, he is determined to come up w/ the most hick name known even to folks from East Texas.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Hothouse cucumber to a head of cauliflower
27 week update-
How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?
How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?
The ER
We went to the ER first thing yesterday morning. Lots of false labor contractions. They aren't suppose to happen as often as they were. The doctor said it was secondary to some other minor things that were going on. She addressed those, sent us home and they're gone. We really liked the OB/GYN in the emergency room. No lines, she took her time. We're wondering if we can make our appointments with her?
This morning he wasn't moving as much as I like, but he finally got going. I think I'd only be comfortable with one of those heart rate monitors and a contraction monitor wrapped around me at all times. I don't understand the people who say being pregnant was the happiest time of their life, and there are a lot of you. P says I need to take up yoga. He's probably right.
Knocking on wood, no doctor today. I feel like we're there everyday between glucose testing, false labor, ultrasounds...
This morning he wasn't moving as much as I like, but he finally got going. I think I'd only be comfortable with one of those heart rate monitors and a contraction monitor wrapped around me at all times. I don't understand the people who say being pregnant was the happiest time of their life, and there are a lot of you. P says I need to take up yoga. He's probably right.
Knocking on wood, no doctor today. I feel like we're there everyday between glucose testing, false labor, ultrasounds...
What religion are you?
Stolen from Megan who stole it from Rebecca....
My results from www.beliefnet.com
1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (90%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (89%)
4. Theravada Buddhism (84%)
5. Neo-Pagan (83%)
6. New Age (83%)
7. Hinduism (79%)
8. Taoism (79%)
9. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (75%)
10.Jainism (74%)
My results from www.beliefnet.com
1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (90%)
3. Mahayana Buddhism (89%)
4. Theravada Buddhism (84%)
5. Neo-Pagan (83%)
6. New Age (83%)
7. Hinduism (79%)
8. Taoism (79%)
9. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (75%)
10.Jainism (74%)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Doctor Visit
The appt was fine. Amniotic fluid level hasn't changed. He's not growing as quickly as he was before, but he was almost two weeks ahead 3 weeks ago and now he's right on target or a little bit ahead. And for not growing as quickly according to measurements, he's keeping his weight up. He weighs just over 2 lbs give or take a little. Of course ultrasounds aren't terribly accurate, but we'll take what we can get.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Do you know the way
to our compound? There once was a paved road, but they tore it up because they forgot to run wires, or pipes or who knows... they get it together, they tear it apart.
International book fair
was maybe not so international. It was huge, I'll give them that. About 98% of the books were in Arabic and the books in English were mostly children's books or books teaching another language. P bought a Teach Yourself Arabic book w/ CD. He was practicing in the living room the other day. I thought maybe he was sick. This is a picture of the farm puzzle I bought. I especially like the farmer, his wife, the palm tree and their farmhouse. There's another pic of this on flickr.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
From a rutabaga to a Hothouse cucumber
26 Week update from babycenter-
Hello, Kelly!Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. Her weight will more than triple between now and birth as she rapidly puts on baby fat. She'll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life. It's not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed , to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.
Hello, Kelly!Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. Her weight will more than triple between now and birth as she rapidly puts on baby fat. She'll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life. It's not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed , to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.
Website
From the Houston Chronicle today...www.rottenneighbor.com.
Perry and I had big fun w/ this. There's a lady a couple of streets over who loves turtles and her neighbor complains about the stinky turtle poop in the summer.
Perry and I had big fun w/ this. There's a lady a couple of streets over who loves turtles and her neighbor complains about the stinky turtle poop in the summer.
Pork Smuggling
We've smuggled pork into the country various ways-20 lbs in the checked baggage, some high quality smoked cuts in the carry-on baggage-but today we received a spiral cut honey ham and some pork beans through the mail. The greatest part? The boxes said "Burgers Smokehouse" in large print on the sides of both boxes. I think the blatant approach worked. I can see the guy in customs checking in the boxes thinking, "surely they're not that stupid." Maybe he gave us credit for being so bold....or pitied us for being so ridiculous. I was about to make reservations at one of the hotels for Christmas day dinner. No need for that. We've got pork.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Blog
So we're going to try to keep this updated. The only problem is, I think of a million things to write about while going to sleep and nothing comes back to me the next morning.
No baby updates at this point. I go for another ultrasound on Sunday to check my "liquor" or amniotic fluid as we crazy Americans call it. I'll finally meet the doctor I requested the following week. I think I've seen everyone in the practice but her. I think the visits go to every 2 weeks after that. Excited about that, but not so excited about the hours I'll be spending in the waiting room. I should have brought my Knitting for Dummys and my needles.
No baby updates at this point. I go for another ultrasound on Sunday to check my "liquor" or amniotic fluid as we crazy Americans call it. I'll finally meet the doctor I requested the following week. I think I've seen everyone in the practice but her. I think the visits go to every 2 weeks after that. Excited about that, but not so excited about the hours I'll be spending in the waiting room. I should have brought my Knitting for Dummys and my needles.
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