2nd Trimester Is Here

I am officially 6 months from my due date as of today. Things that have changed within the past couple of weeks...

It is not uncommon to have to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Unlike R, I never get out of bed. Ever. I have a bladder of steel and unless I am really sick, I will not get up once I am down. Not so much anymore as nature has been calling with urgent frequency.

My belly has definitely popped out. I haven't gained much weight at all, but you would never think that by looking at the tummy. One older teacher at my school commented that I'm not supposed to show this much this early on, and my family has been teasing me that I am having twins. Awesome. Not so much. I will be asking my doctor at my next appointment if my belly growth is anything to be concerned about. A shopping spree is in order asap because my wardrobe has been drastically reduced.

Lower back pains. Not terrible, but they are there. It might be the fact that I'm up on my feet all the time. Or maybe it's the new protrusion from my mid-section. Either way, I will soon be getting regular prenatal massages and starting prenatal yoga.

Nothing much else to report. I wish I could have a lazy day tomorrow instead of going to work in the cold sleet/snowy weather that has been predicted. Having snow while you are at work and trying to teach six and seven year olds and keep them calm = fail. We are heading up to Connecticut this weekend to see some of R's family, so I might as well get used to the weather. So much for the 70 degree weather yesterday.

p.s. Belly pics to come soon!

12 weeks down, 28 to go

This past week I went in for my 12 week appointment. The ultrasound pictures were SO much more exciting than the 8 week pics (thank goodness). It actually looks like a baby now! And hearing the heartbeat was surreal but amazing. Little bean is 2 1/2 inches long and the size of a lime now. There was so much growth in the last month - I could see the arms and legs, the brain, the umbilical cord, etc.



It was bizarre to see the little bean moving around when I still can't feel anything. I tried, of course, to see if they would give me any indication as to what they think it is without any success. Too soon to tell. Boo.

The next ultrasound will be at 20 weeks, so if baby cooperates, we should know if 2 months. It feels like forever from now, so let's hope these next 2 months stay busy and go by fast!

Other than feeling my normal tired self (except for waking up at 8 a.m. this morning - what is that?!?), I have also started to experience lower back and hip pain. Not terrible pain, but it's there. I might "have" to start getting massages regularly soon! :)

The nurse has forewarned me that as I approach the second trimester I may experience heartburn and acid reflux-like symptoms. My baby book also says that it's normal to gain one pound/week from here on out. Ewwww. The one thing that I haven't quite come to terms with is my new size. Not that I'm huge or anything, but I just don't like not being able to wear the majority of my clothes because of growing body parts. I better just learn to embrace it because there is still a long way to go and, I'm sure, more pounds to pack on!

Is it a creature?

Eleven weeks along and the baby is a size of a fig. Some of you may be wondering, how big is a fig? So I thought I would attach a picture to give you an idea.

2 more weeks until the first trimester is officially over! Crazy!

Speaking of crazy, I have been having some crazy dreams lately. I had my first dream about being pregnant the other night. I was 11 weeks along in my dream and was going in for a blood draw (this appointment was yesterday, so maybe that's why it was on my mind?). When I got to the doctor's office, the nurse called me back, had me change into a gown, and then started to inject me with something. I started to freak out because I realized she wasn't taking blood, and then she reached down and tried to manually break my water with her hand. I somehow put it all together that they were trying to harvest a creature that I was carrying, and it had to be birthed at eleven weeks. So of course I bolted from the scene (still in my gown) and the nurses came after me (shots in hand). That is when I woke up. Crazy!

I have my next ultrasound next week at my 12 week appointment, so I'm sure I'll get some new pictures to prove that it's really not a creature after all. :)

This weather we've been having is starting to get on my nerves. Why is it that we have the most miserably hot and dry summer and are now having a miserably cold and rainy winter? No me gusta. Especially when I can't take the kids outside to recess. They are starting to get the friskies and are driving me crazy, but I feel for them (and for me) being stuck inside. I heard our principal got bit and scratched today by two separate kids. At least I don't have it that rough!

My bump, my bump, my lovely baby bump...

I am sad to say that I can no longer fit into my pants without having them unbuttoned and people at work lately have been looking at my belly a lot. It is official - I have a bump. Kind of sad because I know there are still 7 long months ahead, and I hate to think about how huge I will look then. But also kind of exciting because it makes everything so much more real.

The first comment came from a janitor who asked me (in español) if I was fat or pregnant. I tried not to take it the wrong way since I know she doesn't mean harm... she suspected I was prego. But still. Does it look like I ate too many Christmas cookies? The first thought that came to mind was, "I really need to hit the treadmill hard tonight!"

Even a second grader this week said hi to me in the hall and said, "You look like you're going to have a baby."

Well, I guess my secret's out. ;)

The best thing so far about having a bump is I can still wear my pants but wear them unbuttoned thanks to this awesome maternity stretchy band that fits over the waistline of your pants. I hope I can keep wearing my regular pants for a while until I need to graduate to the real maternity clothes... you know, the ones with the pouch. I'm going to avoid the pouch for as long as possible even though I've been told they are awesome and to embrace them. Maybe one day, just not today.

And the journey begins...

I realize I started this blog as a means to describe my South Africa experience, but now it seems that I will be blogging about other things from now on.

For those of you who hadn't yet heard...

I AM PREGNANT!

Yes, it was definitely the biggest Christmas surprise, well the biggest surprise of the year really. I took 4 tests, so the odds of them being a false positive did not look so good. While it wasn't exactly in the plans for 2010, we are getting more and more excited about the little bean that is growing inside me.

When people find out the big news, they usually ask me one (or more) of the following questions...

Question #1: How are you feeling?

Overall, I am feeling fine. I definitely get queasy and have frequent headaches, but I have fortunately not experienced any vomiting (*knock on wood*). The one thing that seems to help is eating every 2-3 hours. Seriously. Every time I feel even the slightest feeling of nausea, I put something in my mouth - edible of course. Saltine crackers have been my saving grace.

My tiredness has probably made up for my lack of puking. Any spare minute I have is usually spent sleeping or resting. Everyone is always saying "sleep now while you can," so I am trying to take advantage as much as possible whenever I can. Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a champion sleeper. I could probably out sleep any of my friends. It's a natural talent, I know... being able to sleep wherever/whenever. Well now that my body has been invaded, I feel as though I could out sleep a hibernating bear. I am always. tired. I've heard this goes away during the 2nd trimester, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is true.

Food cravings - haven't experienced those, probably because I eat so regularly these days. :) I will get in the mood for something sometimes, but not a "I need it NOW" kind of craving.

Emotional ups and downs - those haven't hit either. R better agree with me on this one! ;)

Sense of smell - definitely heightened. My nose KNOWS. I am probably part canine now because of my nose. This has caused the onset of many headaches, but normally I'm just asking people around me, "Do you smell that?" And of course, they usually don't. Case in point: On the first day back at work after the Christmas break I smelled something funky in the room next to mine and asked if there was a rat caught in the trap under the bookcase. (Side note: We have a rat problem at our school. Gross, I know.) My teacher friend didn't think it was anything since she hadn't smelled it and was standing closer than I was, but nonetheless she checked and sure enough ... a dangling tail was poking out of the trap!

Question #2: When is your due date?

August 22nd. So many August babies! My niece's birthday is at the very end of July, and then will be followed shortly thereafter by her new sister/brother that is due Aug. 6th, another friend is due Aug. 8th, my birthday, baby's birthday, and then R's birthday. And that is not including other close friends that also have August birthdays. Crazy!

Question #3: What are you hoping for... boy or girl?

Okay, so obviously we will be ecstatic with either as long as it is healthy, etc., but if we could choose, we are going with BOY. There are more than enough girls on my side of the family and R is the only child on his, so his family name depends on a son.

That's all the excitement I have for now. I'll end with our first pics of the little bean.

Less than 12 hours until take off!

I thought I would share some pictures and an update from Vanessa before I leave tomorrow morning for the airport. :)

The first image is the orphanage BEFORE construction began.



The next two show the orphanage after construction!




I can't wait to get some hugs from some African babies such as these...


And the latest from Vanessa:

You guys are not going to believe this!!!

First before I tell you my story, let me tell you that this morning, I went to see mama and the kids, and check on the construction. First, I have to tell you, I was shaking while on the road to Nyanga. It was a very emotional moment. When I arrived, those little souls just ran and grab my legs. When I met Mama, it was very intense. She is very shy. Xholani was translating all of my words to her, you should see her smile, she is sooooo happy. The building is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! 3 bedrooms and one bathroom with bathtub and toilets!! I met with the builder, check on all aspects that need to be finished such as water connection etc..

This new building will change everything: more space for the kids, a bathtub so they don’t need to wake up at 4am for each to get washed in a plastic basin outside anymore and more importantly, real walls! No leaks, much less humidity, a such healthier environment for the babies. And yes, with this, the social services will be able to provide them with grants. So I hope you realize that this construction is so much more than few walls and windows, it is a brand new life for the orphanage and for its growth. I spoke to Mama about the colors she would like the walls to be: grey, blue, orange and cream white it will be and I promise I did not influence her on the orange!!! Get ready to work hard, there will be lot to do!!! Undercoat + 2 coats. In addition to the deco, they will need:

n 1 single bed for mama

n 2 bank beds (4 beds in total)

n 2 wardrobes which I asked for a quote to the builder.

n one washing machine. You should see how they do the laundry….. by hand, outside,in little plastic container.

I have attached some pictures if you want to show them to the team. The second one is how it was before so you have an idea. The first attachment is a folder with the photos of the new house, and mama, the kids and Xholani who have been following up project from A to Z with us as we needed someone to speak Xhosa. The kids are going to pre-school on Monday so you may not see them in the morning, but they will be back at 2pm and I have heard that they have prepared some dances for us! We will also have breakfast with Mama as she insisted to cook some steamed bred for us as a welcome.

Now I have to tell you what happened after my visit there… I wanted to start looking as some prices for the beds so we can evaluate if we will do have enough to buy them all. So I took a cab and went to different places to compare the prices. The last one I visited, I met with the Manager and asked him to do something with the final price because it was for an orphanage. He gave me a good deal. Anyway, I got stuck there because I did not have any more money to take another cab, so here is this woman in the shop, she asks if I needed any help because I looked very confused!! Long story short, she actually drove me back to the lodge. But before she did, I explained to her our project in the car and she got very touched. So you know what she did??? She drove me to a discount paint wholesaler and helped me discuss with the boss for the pricing. More, she actually contacted her friend so she can donate the curtains for the rooms. And better! She is going to fundraise in her community for the washing machine!!! It is an expense we cannot afford but that is so important though. Anyway, I needed to tell you this because this is all what this project is about. Attracting good people for a good cause, and connect them together at the right timing so their energy is combined for the best. No I am not crazy, things are coming to us and will keep on coming. It is a miracle honestly that we have collected enough funds in time, it is also a miracle that the construction is just over the week we are arriving, it is a miracle that so many people got involved without even expecting it. I could not believe it this morning. Why did I meet this person today and when she was about to leave the store (I could have arrived an hour earlier or later), how she will help now us and the babies and more importantly, how her life will soon be changed too. As she said in the car, she was grateful for our meeting and get to know about the project; she said the past months she only found wrong reasons in her life to not believe in anything, and I guess we were supposed to meet today because she has now found ONE reason to think life is good and each CAN do something about it. She will help us next week to go to a discount place to buy the plastic tile for the floor. This is called magic and I just loooove it! This is only a start guys, just only a start.

Twas 3 days before South Africa...

and I'm not even packed! SO much to do and not enough hours in the day to do it! I *almost* have my sub plans ready for next week, and then I can relax a bit and get my stuff for the trip together.

I tried to explain to my class about my trip. I think it's hard for the average 6 year old mind to understand, but maybe my pictures I will show them when I get back will help.

I want to share an e-mail we got this week from our group coordinator. Vanessa is truly amazing, and our group would be nothing without her.

Ahhhh... 3 days!!!

Austin2Africa volunteers:

I had started a letter for you before I left for Bangkok. I redid it maybe 100 times since and I am still not satisfied with it... How could I ever translate such powerful feelings into words? But then, this morning, when I came to the office, I read again, like every morning, a little sign on the door which, the days before, was just for me another nice and hopeful message posted in the middle of some other posters and such. Today I have discovered its real meaning, and the good timing to have it revealed in me and share it with you was apparently now as it sums up all that I cannot express:

Life is too short to be small.

Think BIG.

Success often comes to those who dare to dream and who work their heart out to achieve it.

My emotions are very intense and honestly unmanageable right now, probably like yours, as I have just realized that I am leaving tomorrow for one of the biggest dreams I ever had since I am little. And what a gift to share this magical opportunity with all of you. I remember being in the plane last year to Cape Town after going to the spiritual Egypt and Jordan and watching the "Bucket list" movie. At a moment, Morgan Freeman asks Jack Nicholson at the summit of the Great Pyramid: "Have you known joy in your life? Has your joy provided joy to others?"... This was just enough for me to understand how much I love and trust my life even though I had no idea where it would drive me.

How can I thank you for that, how could I ever thank you for all the initiatives you have taken to change those children's lives and in the most struggling times while never giving up. I have learnt that a lot can be replaced in our lives, even the things we often think we could not live without. But nothing can replace Love. And this is what you have been bringing every day to those little kids who thought Love did not even exist in such way.

Begin this new journey without expectations, let it guide you, take it all inside even when it will be overwhelming, and live/feel every second of it. This will not change your life, it already had.