While we all wait...

Things are going much slower than I expected. They decided to use a different drug than Pitocin to try to start labor more naturally as they felt it was better for both the baby and I. It seems to be working. I'm having contractions about every 5 minutes that are a somewhat painful. An hour or so ago they weren't really painful, so I know something is happening. If things don't continue progressing with this drug, they will eventually use Pitocin and/or break my water. We will post when we have more news...or if lots of time goes by, we'll post to let you know how things are going.

Our room here is wonderful. Because it's an end room, it's a lot bigger than the other rooms. The staff has been great. The food leaves a little to be desired, but it is a hospital. Thankfully we brought some of our own food, and starting tomorrow we have friends bringing in dinners. Here are a few pictures taken in and from our hotel room this afternoon.


















The view from room 1212.






















Sporting my cool hospital pants.


















This afternoon's "snack". So, it looked like chocolate soup. Nope. Red bean soup. I almost didn't even try it. I'm glad I did. It was about half sugar and very, very yummy!


















We have passed time by playing games and watching movies.

DD + 5 -- A little news...

We talked with the doctor this afternoon, and she feels like it is safe to go ahead and induce labor. I'll go to the hospital at 8am Monday morning. Hopefully labor won't last too long and we'll have some good news by the time all of you in America are waking up. We'll post something as soon as we are able to. Please keep all of us in your prayers!

DD +4

Well, little man is officially later than Vera was. Sitting around waiting is getting more and more difficult by the day. There are only three more days until Matt's parents leave. I had arranged childcare for Vera if the baby came early, but never considered that I'd have to arrange it if he was late. It's official. Even if I go to the hospital tonight, I won't be out before they leave.

Here are some pictures we took at the park this morning.

DD +3

...and waiting...

Good News and Bad News

The good news... Everything with baby looks good. The doc feels quite confident that he's not as big as was previously estimated by ultrasound.

The bad news... If he doesn't come on his own, the earliest I would be induced is the day AFTER Matt's parents are scheduled to leave China!

Yes, I'm Still Pregnant!

Three days to due date...

















My good friend Emily is no longer pregnant. Her son, Josiah Nicholas, was born on June 20.

Book Worm

We have had a hard time getting Vera to do anything by read lately. As I post this, she is sitting on the floor of Baby Bo's bedroom reading books. Her bedroom floor is covered in books that she has been "reading" today.

While we all wait...

I guess that if I don't post anything, you might think I've had the baby. Not yet. Six days from due date. I, like pretty much every mom would be at this point, am hoping he comes out of the oven a little early, though. While we all wait, here are a few pictures taken recently.

We went to the park a couple of weeks ago and rode paddle boats. I let Matt do all of the work.






















Staying hydrated with Chinese "Gatorade". This kid can sweat!























A couple of picks of the area around the park...


































I need a standing belly pic to show just how big my belly really is, but this is the best I've got for now. At least you can see my belly button sticking WAY out! I'm ready for that thing to head back to it's home! Who doesn't like feeling a baby swim around in mama's belly?

I HOPE HE WAS WRONG!

I had my 38 week doctor appointment yesterday. Part of that was an ultrasound to make sure everything is still looking okay. The ultrasound technician was an older man who seemed to be very skilled. We asked him if he could determine an estimated weight of the baby. "Oh, no problem. That's easy. 3.75kg." I hope he was wrong! 3.75kg is almost 8.25 pounds! Vera was only 7.25lbs, and she was born four days late. I did read online that after 37 weeks, the accuracy of birth weight estimates decreases, so I'm hoping he's not as fat as they say. I sure hope this pregnancy doesn't last much longer!

Too Long!

I know it's been forever since I posted! I'm posting a BUNCH today to make up for it. The quick version of what's been going on...

--We've moved the guest room, gotten rid of the playroom, and given the baby a bedroom. Everything is neat and organized.

--I've been doing a LOT of cooking trying to get as much as possible into the freezer so that I don't have to do much cooking after the baby comes.

--I'm twenty days away from the due date. Yesterday at my doctor appointment the doctor said, "If you haven't had the baby by next week, we'll do an ultrasound." The idea that he could even be here before next Tuesday is overwhelming! I'm not counting on it, but it did help me realize that I am full term and will have a son very, very soon.

--For now, I'm just trying to stay busy and enjoy these last days before I have on more person to take care of.

Enjoy the next FIVE posts!

Vera and Daddy Wrestle

This video makes me laugh every time I watch it. I especially love how quickly she moves on in the end. Hmm... Someone comment. Is there a video here or not? I can't see it, but that might be because it's blocked for me here.

Mics Pics

These are a few misc pics around the house.

















This is Vera's old playroom. She still thinks it's hers! She's "playing buttons" on the bed...

















...and cleaning the buttons that fell under the bed!

















Reading on the bed.

















Vera has recently started "helping" me in the kitchen. Here she is helping me make banana bread one morning.

Baby Shower

My good friend Emily and I had a joint baby shower last weekend. I'm due June 24. She's due June 30. Here are a few pics from the shower.


































My stomach looks huge in this picture! All of my shirts are getting too short!






















Vera and Morgan. Morgan watches V every once in a while so that Matt and I can have a quiet dinner out.

















Lots of presents for the babies.























V and I.

Happy Children's Day!

June 1 was Children's Day. We spent the morning at a park with many kids from the O.
















One of my favorite nannies and favorite babies! Aren't they cute!

















Vera with the director of the welfare center. We realized at one point that she was "missing". Turns out he picked her up to go play!






















Who do you think enjoyed it more?

Future Hope Teacher Retreat

A couple of weeks ago the Future Hope teachers had a two-day training retreat at Gu Lang Yu, a small island just off of Xiamen's coast. Vera and I spent an afternoon with them.



















Getting off the ferry.

















All of the teaching staff.

















Vera and Daddy "riding" a horse.

















All of the male staff.

















Vera and Daddy at the top of Sunlight Rock, the highest point on Gu Lang Yu. Xiamen Island is in the background.

















Another pic of the two islands. We live in the center of Xiamen island.
















After climbing Sunlight Rock we went to the aviary. Vera didn't want to get too close...

















...but this teacher didn't mind. Yes, she's putting an umbrella in the birds mouth!

















We finished the afternoon by playing on the beach.