It's a baby!

We'll be adding a third little angel (or demon depending on the day) to our family at the end of next April. We couldn't be more excited (or terrified). Hooray!

12-week ultrasound photo - we didn't get a print-out from the 16-week u/s

One of the reasons we waited to announce our pregnancy for a while was because I was hoping to share the sex of the baby as well. Alas, it was not meant to be. Due to the ancient technology here in Suriname the ultrasound was just too fuzzy to see if it was a boy or a girl. We don't care which it is but I always think it's nice to know in advance for planning purposes. Maybe next time. Or maybe while we're in Orlando at the end of the month. Do any of you know of a good OB or midwife in that area? If so please share! I'd love to get a nice, thorough checkup from an American doctor while I have the chance.

My medical experiences in Suriname thus far have been, well, slightly terrifying. From the dirty, open-air waiting rooms, to the pediatrician's offices where they don't use those paper sheets on the exam tables to protect patients, to having my blood drawn by a nurse that didn't wear gloves or even wash her hands between patients, let's just say it makes my germophobic side shudder. And to not be able to easily communicate due to the language barrier just complicates things further.

All of the doctors here seem to be located within a hospital facility, which is fine except when you consider all the extra germs that are generally present in a hospital setting. Add in the fact that there are no window panes (since the rooms aren't air conditioned) and you can see and hear all the people walking past the rooms and it kind of freaks me out. I realize that I'm spoiled. I am. We all are in America. Can you imagine staying in a hotel room that doesn't have a/c when it's nearly 100* every day? Can you imagine not having a window to separate you from the bustle of passers-by in the hallway or from the prevalent mosquitos? There would be an uprising for sure. But that's life here in Suriname and I'm trying to accept that. 

That being said, since I don't *have* to give birth here I'm not going to. I will be flying to America sometime next March in preparation of my baby's birth. I'm not excited about the idea of being separated for such a long period. Or about flying for an entire day (yes, nearly 24 hours) by myself with two kids while being 7 months pregnant. Or about living out of a suitcase in a hotel or who knows where for a minimum of three months. But, I will take it over the alternative and count my blessings that it's an option available to me. I will just have to pray and trust that Adam will arrive in time for the baby's birth because that's something I am definitely not interested in going through on my own.

I will get to use the same midwife that delivered Millie and she's fantastic. I will get to hang out with my family and friends in Utah for a few weeks. I'll get to go to knitting night again. My kids will get to see their grandparents and their cousins. I'll get to meet my newest nephew. I will get to enjoy all the luxuries of America that I have been missing for the past almost-9 months. And I can't wait.

On another note, I just have to say how proud I am that I haven't gained any weight yet this pregnancy even though I'm 16 weeks. It's truly unbelievable as I'd gained at least 10 lbs. by now in the past and was already in maternity clothes. I'm sure that will all change in the next few weeks but at least I'm starting out ahead for a change. Really it's all a wash since I still had ten pounds to lose from my last pregnancy but hey, I'll take what I can get. :)