More Baby Goodness

I'm so over this whole Dubai trip. Really. Just...over it. This latest visit has certainly not enamored me with the city, and I have had pain in the ass thing after pain in the ass thing happen since I've been here. Plus, I woke up last night with the worst pain in my stomach ever. The doctor on speed dial (aka Triad 1) assured me it was probably reflux, but damn, it was the worst reflux I have ever felt. Four Tums didn't even put a dent in it. So it looks like it may be Pepcid and sleeping sitting up for a while.

Enough with the bitching, because I tend to get on a roll if I indulge myself...so onto happier things!

I don't think I mentioned it earlier, but we had another doctor visit a couple of weeks ago. This one ended up being the BIG ultrasound, as they say, although I didn't know that until we were in the doctor's office and he started the ultrasound. It was a treat to get more than a couple minutes' glance at the wee one! We had made the decision to switch doctors while we were in the US over the holidays, so this was our first visit to the new one. We really liked him; he was thorough and explained everything we were looking at on the ultrasound, plus he gave us all the ultrasound photos on a CD to take home. But the best part were the 3D photos. I had imagined that those would not even be an option in KL, as they are just now becoming more mainstream in the US, and are an extra charge typically. So I figured that it wouldn't even be an option for us, but halfway through the ultrasound, he clicked the mouse a few times, and there our little girl was in 3D!

In other fun news, I feel the baby move on a regular basis now, and I have to say, it is the GROOVIEST FEELING EVER. One of my favorite things to do is lay there and just feel her wiggle all around.

And another fun baby-related tidbit...we have decided to take a trip to Singapore in a couple of weeks to look for nursery stuff. We've looked all around KL, and while we can find some things relatively easily, there are other items that we just need a larger selection to look at before making a decision. You know, because I'm so good with decisions...having MORE options is REALLY going to help with that. Yeah. But I am the kind of person who wants to see all her options before deciding on something, and I am just not happy with the selection of the three bouncy seats that we have seen in KL. Is that so wrong? So off to Singapore we will go, where the stores have a larger selection, and (hoping against hope), the prices might be a wee bit better. We are primarily going to look for nursery furniture. We can only find cribs in KL, with the occasional plastic changing table, and sorry, but I'm not paying $550 US for a plastic crib. I'm just saying. When the saleswoman told me the price, I felt a little rude for my snort of laughter, but are you freaking kidding me? It's PLASTIC. There's supposed to be some lovely furniture in Singapore, though, which I'm totally jazzed about. Our car packing skills will be put to the test as we cram half of Singapore's nursery inventory into the teeny MyVi.

Can I Get Those With a Side of High Fructose Corn Syrup?

You know you are pregnant when you are in one of the largest shopping malls (Mall of the Emirates) in one of the shopping meccas of the world (Dubai) and, while the stores aren't doing much for you, the food outlets make you GIDDY WITH ANTICIPATION.

Aside from all the restaurants and fast food outlets, there was also a Baskin Robbins, Marble Slab Creamery, Cinnabon, an awesome crepe place that I love, candy stores with bins of fruity, chewy goodness dotted all along the walkway, and best of all...

Krispy Kreme.

As in, the Krispy Kreme that you cannot find anywhere in Southeast Asia. As in, home of the major pregnancy craving that I have had - that being, the Chocolate Covered Donut with Sprinkles. They had so many other kinds too - way more than the stores in the US - including one with a filling like a Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Now, I ask you, how can you top that?

So, instead of drooling over shoes, purses, and overpriced sunglasses, I did my drooling over every sugar laden confection I could find.

I have to go back tomorrow.

My Desert Packing List Doesn't Normally Include Galoshes

What do you get when you cross a city built in a desert and 105mm of rain in 48 hours?

A really solid argument for a city drainage system.

I arrived in Dubai last night, not knowing that it had been raining pretty solid for a couple of days. Apparently, when this happens, all hell breaks loose because, well, it's a desert and thus, their infrastructure isn't really prepared for rain - much less a lot of rain.

I guess my first clue was last night when, on the way from the airport, we saw several cars stalled on a flooded feeder road. This morning, it was still raining, although not particularly heavily. Those of us used to driving in Houston (which also can't brag about its drainage system) thought nothing of it. But like I said, when it rains this much in a city with no drainage system, it doesn't take much. Most people couldn't even make it into work. I had a crap time trying to get a cab when the car and driver for me didn't show up. Then, once I found a cab, I couldn't find a freakin' working ATM. Finally, the front desk of the hotel brought me some cash, and I was on my way. I got all the way out to work, only to come back to the hotel after finding out my meeting was cancelled.

As it turns out, schools have been closed for days now. I've heard of snow days, but rain days? Speaking of snow, it's supposed to snow in Saudi Arabia this week.

It's also in the 50's here. Not only did I not think to bring an umbrella to the desert (silly me), but I also brought no jacket and only one long sleeved shirt.

I used to always check the weather before packing. But living in KL, where there is no point in checking the weather (because it's the same every day) has thrown me off my game.

Happy New Year!

Well, hello hello! It's certainly been a while! All in all, it was a lovely visit to the US, once all that pesky work stuff was out of the way. We got back to KL on Friday, and ever since then, I've been jet lag's bitch. Last night was a little better, so hopefully I will be adjusted just in time to head to Dubai (and a four hour time difference) next Tuesday.

To recap, there was much shopping, MUCH eating, much visiting doctors, much family time, much time driving the various Texas interstates, and oh yes, did I mention the eating? There were also many firsts - my first maternity shopping experience (shudder...more on that later), the first time someone took the leap and asked me when I was due (I've finally moved out of the the Pregnant? vs. Beer Gut? phase), the first time I put on a "grown up" bra, and on the day we were leaving, I felt the baby move for the first time!

Next post: All the jacked up pregnancy symptoms that no one ever tells you about. Oh, and I'll throw in something non-pregnancy related as well, for those of you that quickly grow weary of hearing about hemorrhoids and the wonders of the Boppy.