Good News / Bad News

My doctor's appointment went well today.  We heard Desmond's heart beat once again and everything checked out consistent as always.  We headed over to the mall for the afternoon and while we were there we thought we'd just inquire about sonograms again.  I was so excited to see that the 3D sonograms were just about the same price as the normal ones, so after walking around and looking at baby stuff for a while I finally convinced Jordan to go back and see what our little guy looked like.  We got in with no waiting and I was so excited to see him on the big screen again.  Excited until all we could see was the back of his head.  He was sound asleep and wanted to be left alone.  We poked and prodded and jiggled him around but he was having none of it.  But we decided to look at the positive side of things...

Good news:
  He's a sound sleeper.
  We were able to see confidentially that he's still 100% boy.
  All of his limbs we there and she said his spine looked really good.
  We could see him breathing and he looked so peaceful.
  We have another chance to try again scheduled for Monday.

Bad News:
  He wouldn't let us see his face and he kept his back to us the whole time.
  He seems to have a strong will.  This is the second time we've tried to check him out and he says no.
  We have to wait until Monday to try again.

And wouldn't you know it, as soon as we left I could feel him doing jumping jacks in there.  It's like he knew all along what he was doing.  That little stinker.  But all was not lost.  We each picked out some little clothes for him, because we still absolutely love and adore him even if he doesn't cooperate with us.

His:

  
And Hers:

I think our personalities are clearly displayed in our choices.  He's gonna be the cutest little fella. And we resisted buying so much more.  There's plenty of spoiling to be rationed out.

But we did snag a few plain onesies to add some of our own creativity to.  I have some fun little projects planned!

But little Desmond...come Monday you better be on your best behavior!

Time Keeps Marching On

Week 30.  Which means only 10 weeks left.  The last week that we are in double digits of weeks left until Desmond comes.  Well, that is if all goes according to the 40 week rule.  At this point I'm open to whatever.  I've already seen that there is so much that is unpredictable in being pregnant.  So I'm not counting on anything.  

I think it's definitely been easier to distinguish that I am pregnant and not just packing on the pounds.  Maybe that wasn't so obvious a few weeks ago, but the bump is definitely there now. I still can't imagine what my stomach will look like in the end.  Maybe it won't be that big...though I already feel huge.  I'm definitely going to give myself a break upon his arrival...but then it's time to get back to work.  Insanity here I come.  Also, if anyone wants to get that for me I'd be forever grateful!  =)  People like to tell you you're getting bigger, so they should like to help you get back in shape too.  Why are there no registries for that!?

I think it finally has caught up to me that we're having a baby.  I know...I'm just slow.  We made the decision to use cloth diapers and I wanted to make sure I got all of my research in before I added them to my registry.  I finally got there today, and all of the sudden it just hit me.  Why diapers made everything feel more real than a crib sitting in his soon to be room did, I don't know.  But it did.  I guess I was thinking about what it would be like to cloth him and change him and I just realized...HE'S ALMOST HERE!  We have another doctor's appointment on Thursday and then after that I go every two weeks.  Which means more frequent visits, because we are nearing the end.  The days feel so long sometimes but the weeks are really just flying by.

I've been anxious off and on this whole pregnancy, but I'm just getting really excited to meet our little boy.  I feel like with each new week I get more and more ready for him.  I have loads of friends who have given birth over the past few months and some that are really getting close and with each one my heart skips a bit and I can't wait until it's our turn.  Your Mommy and Daddy love you Desmond!

And just to leave you with a fun one...

This is when Jordan started channeling Austin Powers and of course I obliged...we try to make the photo shoots fun and sometimes I let down my guard and let you in on the silliness too.  We're pretty ridiculous and nerdy folk.  

Christmas in July

We've been waiting for over 50 days for a box.  A box that contained all kinds of goodies from home.  Stuff we had been collecting and saving up for and stuff my parents were sending our way.  And it finally came!!!  I guess it was good timing really.  It was a good pick me up after our friends left.

 I waited all day for Jordan to come home from work with it!  I was so excited when he came through the door!

And we wasted no time getting it open.  Lining everything up on the counter to see what all we had gotten!

Don't mind the water bottles and other drinks.  They were already crowding the counter.

It's funny some of the things you get excited about.  Like face wash.  I have a hard time finding it here without added whitening agents.  And in this hot climate Dry Idea deodorant is a must!  =)  Things to make my own laundry detergent with.  As well as smells that remind us of home.  And who doesn't love new shoes!!!

Don't let the bump fool you.  I by no means have tiny feet.  They are an 11!!  Which is why I was excited for this box.  Shoes are always hard for me to find, and these boat shoes have been my favorite for a while.

Nothing like adding a little sparkle to your life.  Yes they are shimmery and gold!  And yes they're perfect!  Pay no attention to the mesquite bites and sock lines! 

But I especially love these vintage inspired t-straps!  Can't wait to wear these out on the town.  I think we need a date night my dear Mr.

THANKS AGAIN MOM AND DAD!!!  You're the best.

Montana Meets Manila

As I said in my last post we've had a busy few weeks, but this last one was quite welcomed.  Nothing like some friends from home to help pick you up and keep you going.  We loved having Karson and Josh around for the week and loved showing them this new place we call home.

We laughed a ton and had great conversation and I tried to give them as much boy time as possible.  I did get to join them for a day around the city and it was fun to see it all again with new eyes.  It made me fall in love with this place all over again.

The sun was bright and hot, but that wasn't going to stop us.

We took the LRT and headed deeper into the city.

Taking them to Quiapo Church, Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, (you can read more about it if you follow the link) one of the most popular churches in the Philippines.  We wanted to give them an idea of the Catholic influence here in the country.  It's quite a sobering place.

It was then time for lunch and Jordan wanted them to experience more Filipino culture at a local fast food restaurant called Mang Inasal.  Lunch was pretty much just some meat and all the rice they wanted, which is what makes this place so popular.  He even showed them how to eat with their hands.  I enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich I brought along.  =)

 We headed back to the train station a rode back a few stops to hit up Rizal Park.

It was fun being a tourist for the day and capturing things that have become so much of everyday life.  This guy on the bus was yelling at me to take his picture and thanked me after I did.  I'm probably now fulfilling his wishes by adding it to the world wide web for all of my followers to see.  I love how happy the people are here.

Rizal Park was huge and there was tons to see.  Like this statue of Lapu Lapu, a ruler who was resistant to the Spanish colonization.

And of course much of the park is dedicated to Jose P. Rizal, a national hero who was a prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era and was eventually executed.

It was a fun day of commuting and sightseeing, especially having our friends in tow.  We were so blessed to have them come and visit and loved every minute with them here.  I think they left loving the Philippines just as much as we do.  

Life in Full Speed

We have had a busy few weeks and I nearly missed documenting week 29...but don't worry, I'm here to fill you in!

These past few weeks have just flown by as we have had guests in and out of our home.  It's been fun sharing our life here with new eyes and a few familiar faces.  I'll share a bit more about our last guests that just left in my next post.   I miss them already and how they reminded me of home.

Desmond is growing growing growing and I've definitely been able to keep track of his "routine" over the past weeks.  He's most active in the early mornings and about 9pm he really gets going.  I'm fine being an early riser, but I hope he knows how much his momma likes to wind down for bed around 10pm.

I haven't really loved or hated being pregnant.  I am just in awe of how everything happens and changes and how God forms each and every one of us.  It's so amazing reading about what's happening inside of me.  Though I did liken the feeling of him moving at times to a scene from Space Balls.  Maybe you know the one...
  
Ok ok...all joking a side, I love every punch and kick I feel and wouldn't trade it for the world.  I love knowing he's there, but I'm still holding out for the machine that I could attach to my stomach to view him at home at any given time.  I just can't wait to see him.

We've already discussed going in for another ultra sound just so we could see him on the big screen.  Just another few short months and our long wait will be over.  These are exciting times.

We're just so eager to meet our little boy and each day we grow more and more in love with him and can't wait till he's fully in our lives.  Oh how we can't wait to hold him and hug him and kiss him and love him all over.

Another Milestone!

We're in the homestretch now baby!

And since it's the 4th of July, I thought I'd try to look as patriotic as possible!  Happy Birthday America!  Even though we're not there to celebrate we wouldn't miss an opportunity to get together with friends and cookout!  I'm currently waiting on my husband to arrive home so we can get to the party.  My food is all prepped and we're ready to go!  More to come on that though...back to the baby talk!  

I can't believe we've reached another milestone in this pregnancy, and are now rounding the corner to the end.    

As I said in my last post, I'm really starting to think about and consider just what all we need, (and a big thank you to everyone who responded), because the time is getting oh so close!  I'm really hoping that a lot of things will come naturally or won't be too hard to learn.  As I've said before, I've never been a baby person, so there is a lot of me that kind of fears the unknown.  Is this common with most first pregnancies?  I'm just trying to read all that I can, and soak it all in, hoping I don't forget the really important stuff. 

I'm finally feeling better from that little bout of sickness I had.  It seemed to linger on, but I'm happy to be back at 100%.  I took some time off from working out, but I'm back to it now and trying my hardest to stay as healthy as possible.  If you know me at all, you know what a battle I have been through and just how important health and nutrition are to me.  And I hope to be a good example to other moms, but especially my baby boy.  I'll unpack that more later too.  

Only 82 days (give or take) to go now.  Here's to trusting in all the unknowns and unseens and praying for these last few months to go well and our baby boy to be healthy and strong.  

Calling all Moms & Moms to Be

It's that time.  The time when I start getting serious about this baby coming.  I've thought about it.  I've talked about it.  But time is running out!  He's almost here and there's so much to do.  It's quite overwhelming.

I've headed over to both Babies "R" Us and Target via the world wide web and began making THE LIST.  I've scoured countless sources to try to figure out what in the world to put on there, but I think I need some verbal feed back from some "all ready been there moms" and "my baby is coming soon too moms" to help me out.

So here's the question of questions.  What should I put on there?  What's some must have items that you have found to be of help and use?  And please don't just give me....you don't really need anything.  Just a place to put it down to sleep and lots of love.  I already know that!

I feel pretty good about what I've already got going, but I would just feel more assured hearing some feedback from all of you.  Thanks in advance!  As time gets closer, we're definitely getting more excited.  Jordan says all of the time he just wants him to be here, so he can hold him.  And that always melts my heart.  I know we're covered in the love department!