Thankful

I am not sure if I have mentioned on here before that my doctor here only allows his mom's-to-be to gain 8 kilos (about 17 lbs) during their pregnancies, but since I'm tall, he said I could gain 9 kilos (almost 20 lbs).  They mentioned it several times in the beginning of my pregnancy and as I was getting closer to 9 kilos, the nurses would give me "looks." I knew that just 20 lbs is a ridiculously low amount to gain in a pregnancy, but I was still a little self conscience about it.

A couple of nights ago, I was looking online about all the drugs I may or may not get when I'm in labor and how that will affect my celiacs.  I have to be very careful about medications I take, because they love to hide that gluten anywhere they feel they can get away with it :)  One of the things I kept seeing over and over again is how common it is for babies of celiac mommies to be underweight at birth and/or have organ problems because they weren't able to get the nutrition they needed when their little organs were developing.  It really hit me then, it doesn't matter how much weight I gain during my pregnancy, or how above average little Zoe is when she is born, I am just so thankful that she is able to gain all the weight she needs.  I am thankful that every ultrasound has come back showing that all of her little organs are in perfectly normal condition.  And the fact that she is extra long just goes to show how she has been able to get the nourishment she needs!  It really is a miracle!  It has been a pain and constant worry this whole pregnancy, trying hard to stay completely gluten-free, and worrying about every little thing I put in my mouth.  But it has all been worth it for little Zoe to be big and strong!  Now that I am getting close to the end of my pregnancy and just about home free, I feel like my emotions or view of it all is changing from constant worry to thankfulness.  It is quite a freeing change as well!  Of course once she's born, I'll have two mouths to worry about keeping gluten-free, but I am thankful that God has protected her from the times that I have accidentally eaten gluten and that He has kept me from so much gluten during this pregnancy :)

Maternity

Here are a couple of more maternity pictures that we've taken

This photo set up didn't turn out quite like I would have liked it too.  All of the Bibles that we have are quite small, so it's really hard to read the passage Psalms 139:13, "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb."  I thought it would make a sweet picture.  I still like it even if it is hard to read, I know what it says :)

Photo Session

Andrew and I were able to go out for a little bit yesterday evening and take a few maternity photos.  It's a little more difficult to find the time for pictures now that it is Ramadan.  Outside pictures anyway.  Sunset is the best time of day to take pictures because of the lighting, but it is also the time when everyone is at home breaking their fast of the day.  It's kinda nice because the streets are totally empty, but it also means that you can't get anywhere unless you walk and everything is closed.  We took a few of these pictures in a nearby parking lot right before the guard locked it up to go home and eat, and the rest we just took on the street corner.  We didn't have a whole lot of time, so there is not a huge variety, but I really love the pictures that we got.

Isn't my husband a great photographer?!  www.lightlyfocused.com

Crazy Crafting

I love a good sewing or craft project.  Here are a few of the things that I have come up with lately.  Thanks to Pinterest, I have a lot more available for craft ideas :)

Several weeks, or maybe a month ago now, when I made Zoe's little bear hat, I made several other flowers to make headbands with.  A couple of weeks ago I was finally able to purchase some elastic at a market in a refugee camp (not the only place to purchase elastic, but I was there so I got it).  I was able to put these flowers on headbands.

I can't wait for her to wear them!  Also, in a recent package from my amazing cousin, Laura, I got some really cute fabric.  We had some friends recently leave the country, and in getting rid of things, they gave me their hard baby wipes case.  Surprisingly, I have not been able to find any hard baby wipes cases here.  The case they gave me was blue, so the fabric my cousin sent me was perfect for it!

I covered the case and made a little bag for diapers and things.  I want to make a changing blanket out of this fabric also, so they will all match, but I need to head down to the market and try to find some batting or interfacing to use with it.

On Pinterest, I found this really cute shoe tutorial.  After I made the earlier headband, I realized it matched the onesie I made before we knew if little Zoe was going to be a boy or a girl, so I decided it needed to make her some little matching shoes to complete the outfit!

The whole outfit

Aren't the little shoes so cute?  They may be a little big for her when the rest of the outfit fits her, but oh well, it was a learning experience and they're still cute.

Finally, several weeks ago, I worked on this little project for Zoe.  Baby bassinets are so expensive and in all likelihood she would not be able to sleep in one for very long because she will be so long.  So, rather than go out and buy a bassinet we might be able to use for a month or so, we decided to improvise and make something ourselves.

We purchased a laundry basket (a surprisingly difficult find here, most laundry baskets are the round ones or oddly shaped).  I then drew up a diagram and Andrew took it down to our pillow guy, who made a little mattress and bumper for it.  He knew straight away what it was, and we got to learn the Arabic words for those things as well.  Once we got those back from him, I made little covers for everything and voila!

I know, the pillow is a bit ridiculous, but he made it, so I made a little case for it, and it looks cute in there for now.

The pillow man didn't exactly follow my dimensions, so it's not quite as good of a fit as I would like, but all things considered, I think it turned out pretty well.  It will be nice to have in the beginning.  There is no extra space in our bedroom for a bigger bed, and we'll be able to tote her around the house if we need to :)

Well, I believe I am officially all caught up on my crafts as of late.  Hope you enjoyed it!

30 Weeks!

Well, I am 30 weeks pregnant now!  I can't believe how quickly time flies by!  I am definitely getting bigger and bigger, but I have yet to get any stretch marks and for the most part, I have not been very uncomfortable.

I look forward to little Zoe's arrival.  I have read several books, but I still have no clue what I'm really in for, especially in another country and culture.  It has been fun making her little headbands and hats and things.  Every now and then the thought enters my head:  What if she's born and it turns out she's really a he?  He'd be wearing a lot of pink for a while :)  I feel pretty certain little Zoe's a girl.  I'm carrying her high up like a girl, and her heart rate is always pretty fast like a girl as well.

Little Zoe is quite the mover and kicker these days.  Maybe it's because she's so long, but she's constantly moving in there.  I love feeling and seeing her move around, it makes me even more excited for her to be here!

Pregnant Creations

Since I have been pregnant and over the morning sickness, I have found a renewed love for food.  I know it's obvious because I'm pregnant I would want to eat, but it is pretty discouraging and frustrating eating Gluten Free.  And since I'm pregnant, I have to be even more careful that I don't accidentally eat anything with Gluten, which means I only eat in my house, what I cook.  Having Celiacs Disease really does take the joy out of eating.  You always have to worry about how it was prepared, could there be anything, a preservative, a thickener, something I've never heard of with a crazy name that contains gluten.  You have to make from scratch literally everything that you eat.  But, lately I have enjoyed putting in a little bit more time and effort to make something that tastes good and reminds me more of the good ole days when I could eat whatever I wanted :)

Here's a little something that I made for a get together

Beach Weekend

Last weekend we headed down to our old city for a beach getaway.  We stayed at one of the nice hotels in the tourist area of town.  Even though we were at a tourist hotel, most of those tourists were from Saudi Arabia or other parts of our Country.  There were a few scattered Europeans, but for the most part, it wasn't quite the typical beach getaway we love and enjoy in the States.  We were also able to spend some time with some of our good friends from that town and enjoy a few meals together with them.

Andrew excited about being at the beach

When we go to hotel beaches I get to wear my swimsuit, but I usually wear leggings with it in an attempt to be more modest but still get some sun :)

Some ladies enjoying the pool

Andrew's best friend here came out and spent one day with us at the beach

Enjoying a refreshing Watermelon juice

We had a lot of fun!  We went sort of for Andrew's birthday which was yesterday and to see our friends as well as have some time relaxing :)

We celebrated Andrew's 29th Birthday at Fudrucker's with some friends

28 Weeks ~~ Already in my third trimester!!

Well, this was all a bit random, but I hope it got ya'll all caught up.  Happy 4th of July!!!