We're back to America

That's right - as you all know by now- we're back to America safe and sound and have been for about 3 weeks now! Because we unexpectedly had to leave one week early at last minute, we didn't get a chance to update our blog. I thought I'd post a couple pictures of us in the Blue City and then share some of our pictures of us here in the States. Some of you mentioned that you really wanted us to keep updating our blog. Although it will be sporadic, I will try!

Here's John and I being cool getting ready to watch the new Chronicles of Narnia in 3-D in the Blue City!



Here is the sushi place we liked to go to every now and then. (Except I had to stick with cucumber and carrot sushi due to the pregnancy :(. Still pretty good though.) This was a bowl of rice that made all of John's dreams come true! "Normal man eat 2 bowl rice... you eat 4 bowl!" (Favorite quote from Korean waitress to John).



Can you read this sign? When we fly south to see the doctor for my contractions, we saw this from the taxi. It reads in huge letters, "Diarrhea Clinic". If any of you have ever traveled to this part of the world, you know this is a very necessary clinic!



Here we are in the El Paso airport right after we arrived. My oldest brother, Justin, ran to us and wrapped his arms around us. Man, we sure missed him, and it looks like he missed us too!!! He's one of our best friends too, so it has been a sweet reunion.



After spending a couple days in Las Cruces, we drove us to Farmington to spend time with Dana's family for a week and a half. We also got to visit the hospital there... twice! I was having contractions every 3-5 minutes and was told to go in. Everything was okay so they sent me home. A couple days later they were closer (2-3 minutes) and stronger and was told to go in again! They were not slowing down so they gave me some medicine to help. Now I can take it if I need it... but I'm just trying to really take it easy and drink a lot of water. I'm still having them everyday, but they are not putting me in labor, so I just need to be careful.

On a happier note, I did make it to my baby shower while in Farmington! My mom's good friends from my home church (also my friends too!) threw me a baby shower. It was the most beautiful and awesome baby shower I've ever seen!!! Here are the ladies that hosted the shower. (Left to right: Lonna, Kathie, Me, Cindy, my mom, Mary Lou, Susan, and Melissa).



Melissa and Mary Lou made me this cute barrette and hair bow holder. There was a pink and brown "Made in China" theme. See what I mean about the cuteness?



This is called a diaper cake. Not very appetizing! But so cute! It is in the shape of a cake and stuffed with rolled diapers. Everything in it is will be used by our little girl. Thank you Melissa, Kathie, and Lonna!

Below was the first gift I opened at the shower. It almost made me cry! The reason is because my Great Grandmother, Ma, made it for my baby. However... she passed away about 15 years ago. She gave it to my mom and said, "I want you to give this to your granddaughter someday." I got another sweater and some receiving blankets from her too.

I also got 2 "tummy time" quilts from my other Great Grandmommie that is 99. She's living in a nursing home and is legally blind, but that doesn't stop her from quilting! She did the tops and my mom finished them. So cute! (I don't have the picture here because it's blurry and I have a massive double chin!)

Here is a picture of me bragging to my best friend, Michelle, about the quilt my mom just started me. It's beautiful - she's almost done by now. I've gotten over my dislike of pink and chose pink and brown for the baby room. I'm excited about it.

Here's John at my parent's house starting to unload all the baby gifts. We feel so blessed by my family and friends for giving us these gifts and showing your love for us and Little Loree (still no first name, sorry!)

We then traveled back down to Las Cruces to start moving into the awesome home we're renting. We got to bring along my cat, Penny, that I got in the 5th grade! She's actually very healthy for an old lady. She's lost some weight and is getting that frail old lady body and has recently started to loose her hearing, but that just makes things funny! She did pretty good with the 6 hour drive and stayed at my feet. It took a little while to get used to our house... as you can see in the pictures. This was her favorite spot in the house (she still likes it). Our bathroom curled up on the ledge above the toilet. Weirdo!

We tried to allure her with her pillow and bed, even our bed, but she found her second favorite spot in the house. The laundry basket on top of the dryer. She especially likes it when I'm doing laundry. Again... weirdo! She's now eating really good and follows John all over the house. She's coming out of her shell. I think she really likes it here and it's fun to have her around. Thanks, mom and dad, for babysitting her for the last 7 years while I was in college and overseas! No hard feelings, right?

We finally went to Walmart the other day. I wasn't feeling too good and was having a bunch of contractions, so I sat in one of those little motorized wheelchairs!!! It was embarrassing, but fun at the same time. I didn't get any weird looks like I was afraid of. One elderly man said I needed to go faster - he says when he uses them he goes fast. So funny. We pretty much bought Walmart out because we had nothing. We were there for 3 1/2 hours! Here's John's basket and me in my chair waiting for checkout. Ha ha!

Here's what I look like today. I'm 7 months pregnant, just started my 8th month actually. Do you think I have any more room for 2 more months? I went to the doctor today and had an ultrasound to see if all of these contractions were making me closer to labor then I should be. I was fine and the baby was adorable! She's in the correct upside down position. She weighs 4lbs 10 oz, which is right on schedule. The cute thing is that she has super chubby cheeks!!! She also has some hair on her head already! We can't wait to meet her, but are willing to wait 2 more months so she can grow and be strong when she gets here.