25 weeks

Dear Paapu,

This week you are about 1/2 your birth length and you are also knocking on 1.5 lbs!!!!  Way to go kid!!!  You are a growing, kicking, dancing, man-food loving machine!  I am so blessed to get to carry you this season of our lives!

Paapu... did you get that?  It's true... it seems like everything your daddy likes to eat, that I have not liked thus far in life, I am now craving!!!  There is a local dish here that your daddy loves & until the past 2 weeks it was the last thing I wanted to eat.  Now... I could eat it everyday!  And... buffets... never been a big fan, I have always liked my food cooked for me, but not lately!  I know you are your daddy's child :)  This makes him very happy!

Have I told you get that your grandparents are coming to meet you?  Both sets!  My parents, your Nana & Grandpa, and your Daddy's parents, your Nana & Grand-dad!  I know their names are very much the same but you will not have any problems keeping them straight once you get to know them.  Your Nana & Grand-dad will be here just a couple of weeks after you are born!  While your Nana & Grandpa will be here soon after.

Here in South Asia once the baby is born the Nana will take care of the mom & baby for several months.  But she doesn't just help take care of the mom & new baby... she will also helps clean the house, cooks food for everybody, and anything else that needs to be done.  Amazing!  I am sure both of your Nanas will all they can do to love on you & us :)

I love you dear baby!
Grow well!
Your Momma

The Festival of Lights

So this festival, here in South Asia, it like... well 4th of July, Christmas, & New Years 

all rolled into one!  This Hindu festival traditionally celebrates the returning of the god Ram from his 14 year exile away from his kingdom, he was welcomed back with lights.    

Our neighbor's daughter is studying in America... but came home to celebrate this festival with her parents & family here.   Most people will tell you it is for the worship of Laxmi, the goddess of fortune and wealth.  Most people do ritual worship to Laxmi and Ganesh on this evening, hoping for wealth, money and success in the year to come. 

It is several nights & days in a row of homemade & locally bought fireworks

shot off in the road directly in front of your home!  Some will also tell you the lights and fireworks is to keep out evil and bad spirits from entering the house.

Most folks even put individual candles or oil lamps outside their homes to guide and welcome Laxmi to enter their house.  I was told it is the darkest night of the year, so they try to make sure their house is very well lit, which also is the reason for the fireworks. 

Just down the street...

24 weeks

Sweet Baby,

How I love you!  This has been quite a big week for you!  Did you know that you are now at the age/ size that if something were to happen there is a very good change you would still come home with us?  It's true... all the major body forming work is done & now you are in the process of thickening up & filling out!  You have even gained (approximately) 4 oz from last week & are now over a foot (ish) long!  Yay for you!!!  You & I, sweet thing!  I feel bigger almost everyday, which is good for you, but several times this week your daddy as told me I'm small & ask when I am going to get bigger!  I have been told... our time is coming little one!

This week is Thanksgiving, Paapu.  Which is a huge American holiday... where people gather with their friends & families to share a big meal, including Roast Beast... I mean turkey & lots of other goodies!  Since we have some friends coming here to stay with us we made some great strides over the weekend on your room!  Your was-black dresser is now white & some other simple decorations have finally been placed!  Sadly though... the rocker/ glider chair we got for you is now gone.  We kept talking with the company we got it from, since is has been broken since we got it, and they came & got it!  (with a refund) Which means we get to go get another one in the next couple of months...  I just hope we can get a proper new piece without these problems.

Did you know that where we live in South Asia most all pregnant women go back to their families home while they are expecting?  It is true, especially with their first pregnancy.  Our friends here have been shocked that I am staying here with your daddy this entire time!  Here, the momma goes to her mom's home (your Nana) at 2 months along then will stay in that home until the baby is 3 months to 1 year old!!!!  Without the daddy!  I can understand in some ways... life is is hard & many women do a great deal of physical work... while they stay with their mothers they still work in their parents home but much less.  They are also fed good & get more resting time.  But gosh.... it seems so hard & crazy for me to think about not being with your daddy for that long of time!  I do love him so very much :)

We love you little one & are enjoying your movements & kicks!  Your daddy finally saw one of your belly-bouncers the other day!  He was finally looking at my belly at the right moment & you delivered a proper kick!  Maybe you will grow up to play football... or dance ballet?  Either way we love you & look forward to meeting you!

I love you!
Grow Well-
Your Momma

What are you thankful for today?

This is something we keep in our home...

we should always be thankful for the many simple or great grand & wonderful things we have in our lives!

We pray that each of you are thankful today...

today I am thankful for my amazing husband, our sweet kicking baby, a nice home, a job we love, and friends to share today with!

What are you thankful for?

Amazing

Oh... what a fine Mullet...

Our driver the other day was all party from where we sat!!!

Before & After - Part 1

The Living Room

I don't know if you remember or not... 

but when we moved in the paint in our new home resembled a well done Easter Basket.

Quickly we were able to remove the Easter Basket effect but

 it has taken me quite a while to make it feel "homey."

This is the current view from the corner of the room.

Look!  Pictures on the wall!  

(You should be really impressed... 

with concrete everything it takes a LOT of work to get anything on the walls)

I may of done this on purpose.... but see the line of clocks on the wall?

Now we don't have to think or grab a computer to find out what time is it at home!

(Btw... our local friends were SHOCKED that all of America is not the same time! :)

From the arch... looking back...

Can anyone name these places?

(Hint - we did take these pictures!)

23 weeks!

Sweet Paapu!

Gosh I love you kid!  Can you believe you are 11 inches from head to rump & over a pound in weight now?!!?  I can :)  I love that I have the amazing blessing of carrying you, feeling you move & grow & growing with you!

Most folks around us are the "don't ask... don't tell" type of pregnant people.  Especially since most folks around us probably think the white lady is just putting on some weight, next to no one has asked about you.  But there are a few who do know, who are very excited & ask all the time!  We already have your language tutors set up sweet baby!  Our amazing language tutor, her family, Brad's friend, & our house helper already know they are to only speak our new language with you!  They are so very excited too... because of course you should grow up learning it as well... so they say!  :)

Sweet Baby your room is starting to come together!  All the major players are now in place.  Your wall decal is here, thanks to Chickfila!  Really, several owners of different very yummy restaurants in America came to do a business leadership training here.  A few even came from Arkansas!  So that is a huge blessing in itself.  We now have some paint to brighten up your dresser and the last of your canvasses are at the framer!

People talk about "nesting" when you are pregnant & expecting a new baby.  I am starting to feel this urge but this is absolutely crazy to the people here.  The very fact that you will have your own room & bed is ridiculous!  The people who are in our home the most have come to expect that we, the whiteies, are different but the fact that you will not sleep in the same bed with us until your are 10 y/o is very surprising to our friends here.  Our language tutor has 2 kids, ages 7 & 4, and they still sleep with her & her husband every night!  This is just part of some of the things you will learn & experience growing up in South Asia.

We love you Paapu and are so excited to know that you are growing making your way more into our lives every day!

Grow well sweet baby-
I love you!

Your Momma

What do you need?

... they got it!

(sometimes.... kinda)

Can you keep up?

This is from my storying group a few weeks ago...

lets see if you can follow along :)

Snack Anyone?

22 weeks

Sweet Paapu,

You are such a sweet blessing baby!  I love feeling you more throughout the days & nights :)  You are so fun already!  When I wake up to turn from side to side in the night you are so often there... kicking to remind me of your sweet presence!  I love it!  Finally, a few days ago you kicked at the right time & location for your daddy to feel you as well!  We are so happy to know you are growing & active!  You are already 12 ounces to 1 lb now & 7 inches from head to rump!  I have to say, I am hoping you get your daddy's long legs to go with everything else :)

This past week we had our 21 week ultrasound.  I have you tell you... Paapu I was really praying that you would be as immodest as possible.  Mainly so we could find out exactly who you are!  I'm sure you don't know this baby, or care, but it is illegal to tell the gender of the child where we live in South Asia.  Sadly that is because the abortion rates are so high, even when the parents do not know the gender :(  Either way, sweet baby, you may of been very immodest but the doctor reading the ultrasound was so quick we never even got a glimpse of your legs!  However we did get to see your sweet arms, hands & fingers along with your feet & toes, & your little spine... and maybe my favorite your fast sweet little heart beat!  You, however, did not seem to be fond of getting rolled on & pressed on by the ultrasound wand because you turned your head & covered your face with your hand!  Even after a walk around & a snack you were in the same position!  But it is okay Paapu, we are already in contact with a hospital in Thailand so that we can see who you are in only 6 weeks!

On a very similar note, your Aunt Tiffany & Uncle Josh found out you will have a girl cousin!  They were very shocked but so very happy with the news!  Pink balloons and all!  They had a very fun sounding party... you can even see it here if you are curious to see their reactions.  Since we will be in Thailand I plan to celebrate with a Starbucks!  One day you will probably drink & enjoy coffee just as much as we do, sweet baby, and then you will know what Starbucks is as well!

I love you so much sweet baby!

Keep growing & kicking!

Love,

Your Momma

20 & 21 weeks! Half way to BABY!

Paapu,

Sweet baby you are rolling in at 9 oz now & about 6 inches long!  Wow!  You are also able to hear what is going on around us now... how fun is that?  You hear the loud noises that I hear, my heartbeat & tummy growl when I'm hungry, but you can also hear your daddy & I now too!  We are excited to be reading to you & praying for you where you can now hear us!

Last week we were in the BigCity, we ate good, got to visit with friends, & got to see the place where we are finally going to get to meet you in person!  It really is a nice place, especially for South Asia!  And guess what... Paapu... we finally got to hear your heartbeat there!  So fast... 145-149 beats per minute!  Wow!  I think they will take very good of both of of there :)  But this week is rather busy!

Your dog came today!  Just this morning, her name is Bungie & she is a very sweet 1 y/o yellow lab!  I know you will be good buddies!  With Bungie also came several things for you sweet baby!  You now have a crib, mattress, moses basket with stand, & a carseat/ carrier!  Yay!

This week marks the half way point in your time in your current home!  In just about 20 more weeks we will finally get to meet you & hold you in our arms!  Just within the last week I have got to feel you move more & more!  Several times throughout the day!  Which I really do love!  But really, your timing is very funny sometimes... last night when I laid down it was like you had just woken up & where ready to dance, flip, kick & play!  It made me so happy :)

I have found something that you do not like however... which was very sad to your daddy & I... the local food!  We went out to dinner the other night with some friends to one of our favorite local restaurants and my goodness... you were kicking & I was so sick the entire night.  :(   Don't worry baby, I won't be eating that again for a good long time!  O

I love you so much!
Your Mommy