The Journey: A surprise announcement

So Jason and I got the surprise of a lifetime when I found out, just 10 months after our wedding, that I was pregnant! It was such exciting news to both Jason and I, as we knew that it was just a part of God's perfect timing. Just weeks after leaving Nigeria, we were moving to a new city, starting a new job and starting a family. Nothing could prepare us for this next adventure, but our faith and excitement for our new life!

I will follow my friend's take on this update, by doing a baby FAQ's that I always get when I tell people that I am pregnant. I want to make sure and document this all now before things get hectic with vacation and nursery decorating and the holidays.

- I am due on January 7th. This could change as we get further along in the pregnancy, but for now I am hoping that it only extends the due date and does not push it up any earlier. I realize that babies do not always come on time, but just a week early would be New Years and 2 weeks early would be Christmas! that is so crazy to think about it could be this year when my little one makes its debut.
- I found out on May 5th. I decided to take a test just in case, since that evening was planned full of margaritas with my sister to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
- I actually waited 2 days to tell Jason, he was not happy about that. But I really didn't believe it myself so waited until I was able to go to the doctor to confirm that there was in fact a little fetus inside me. And Jason was so excited! Nothing creative, I told him on FaceTime and I couldn't stop laughing so he thought I was just joking. But he soon realized it was real and was happy, although one of his first comments was that we were gonna go broke, haha!!
- If anyone asked us when we were going to have kids before this happened, Jason would always say in the next couple of years but we were in no hurry. I have always wanted kids so for me it was that I just didn't want to be pregnant in Nigeria.
- I have been definitely been missing the alcohol and sandwich meat but I think it might be a little easier that we live over here. I always smell Jason's wine when he has a glass at night and have found a couple little carbonated drinks that I like. But since alcohol wasn't served hardly anywhere during Ramadan and there are so many Muslims here, most restaurants have excellent choices for mocktails and juices. Also, since we don't really have any friends over here yet, I haven't had to hide the fact that I am pregnant while out drinking. In fact, when one of my Lagos friends visited, I turned down a glass of Dom Perignon and she immediately asked if I was pregnant. She knows me way too well to turn down a glass of champagne for ANY reason!
- We are definitely going to find out the gender and I am so excited!! I really can't buy any clothes or crib bedding or decorations not knowing because it seems that everything is so girly and boyish. So let the baby spending being soon! (I know J is super excited about that, hehe)
- We have definitely thought of names, but waiting until we find or the gender to get real serious about it. J thought of a plan to come up with a girl and boy name each week so we each have a list of what we like and we can compare and cross things off as the time comes closer. He actually spent an hour the other day researching names online and in a little book I bought to come up with a couple of ideas. Its so cute to see him getting excited about stuff like that! I have been doing a little family research in order to get more details on great grandparents and such on both sides of the family to try to use a family name if at all possible, as that would be my first choice.

- I think the only thing we are worried about is our baby inheriting the thick, frizzy hair of both J and I. I think this poor child is destined to have big hair, no matter what!

- I really haven't had any strong cravings for anything. The first trimester, I think that most things just didn't sound good to me. Luckily, I was never sick, however I did just want to carb load and still don't eat much meat. I do miss all my favorite places in Houston and Waco, and I desperately want that food whenever I see someone posting about it on Facebook. We are planning on going back in October and I know that that is when I will gain all my pregnancy weight! Gotta love the good ole USA.

- When asked if I am going to have the baby overseas, the plan as of now is yes. I found an American doctor here that I like and there is a brand new women's hospital that is so nice and clean. So yes, I plan on giving birth here in Abu Dhabi as long as everything goes as planned. And our little one will still have an American passport but will be a dual citizen here in the UAE, pretty cool.

- I am really only nervous about the baby being healthy. So much stuff you read these days on the internet about babies born with so many problems, that I just pray this little lovebug will be a healthy happy baby. Otherwise, I am just super ready for the baby to be here. I just want to hold and love on it, I really don't care if I am ready with all the essentials because I know that we could get that all in one day if needed. So yeah, not much preparing going on here, just waiting anxiously for the arrival.

- Ever since we first found out I was pregnant and downloaded the Cute Fruit app, Jason has called the baby "blueberry". It sure has grown since then and its crazy to think how small it once was. But J says that it will always be a little blueberry to him :)

- My mom asks me everyday to show her my belly. But honestly there is not much of one yet especially first thing in the morning. It still looks like I am just fat, so I say I am ready to look like I'm actually pregnant but I know that I will soon be wishing that the bump wasn't so big again!!

- I have been pretty lazy since moving to AD, but it works out well that I am not working and get plenty of sleep and slowly shop for our house and getting everything all set up. I feel good and am getting into prenatal yoga and pilates. But the last month here was Ramadan, so much of everything shut down and its been a little slow to get out and meet people.

So overall, we really just feel blessed that we get to expand our family at this time and our looking forward to all the adventures that 2015 will bring for our little family of 3!!!