"You're going to have the baby in Thailand?"

Yes, we are.
So many people back home had questions about Fuad & I having our baby in Thailand. I think since so few people I know back home have actually been to Thailand, it's hard for them to wrap their head around birthing and raising a baby anywhere else but the U.S.
We have found a Ob/Gyn who came highly recommended by several American teachers at my school, she speaks very good English (which is important) and although the experience of going to the doctor here is very different than in the U.S. I wouldn't say that different makes it bad...different could be better.
From the recommendation of one of my former American teaching colleagues (who birthed 2 children here in Chiang Mai) I watched the movie "The Business of Being Born" and felt appalled by the birthing situation in the States, with the disappearance of midwives & home births, and the increase of c- sections & induced labors (sometimes so the doctor can make in home in time for dinner) I found that in some ways I'm grateful to be here...removed from that "business." I just discovered last week that the use of epidurals is illegal in Chiang Mai, I was initially shocked at this information and although I didn't want one anyway, I have to admit there's something comforting in knowing that it's there if I wanted it.
Check out this movie if you have the time and are interested, it's full of information that was new to me.  (Thanks Karina)


Things are going well with the pregnancy. Especially now that the 1st trimester has passed with its nausea & exhaustion and I feel good. I had an appointment last week when I returned from the States and heard the baby's heartbeat, which was going strong at 150 beats per minute and in 3 weeks we return for the gender reveal ultrasound! I can't wait!
Baby "stuff", at least the kind of "stuff" Westerners like is much more expensive than you would pay at home, so we brought back 2 suitcases filled with stuff just for baby. I carried on a pac n' play, we shipped a infant rocker (which arrived today) and Fuad is sending the car seat. My folks will also be bringing some stuff when they come in February.
Otherwise I'm just adjusting back into my work schedule and savoring the joy of telling my students our exciting news. Some of them are stand-offish when they discover the news and others have this beautiful grin that spreads across their face & I love it! Today with a class of 3rd graders we talked about how the baby can hear our singing and the guitar as I play it in front of my belly...sharing with my students that the baby hears everything that I hear & feels everything that I feel was an amazing moment for me. For all these years (this is my 13th in fact) I've taught & nurtured other people's children and now I get to experience the joy of nurturing my own. I tear up as I write this...
Then one student informed me that I probably shouldn't sing or play too loud.
The other exciting news was my maternity leave. I get 60 days paid, I can add on my 15 sick days & 5 personal days (paid) and if I wanted more time I can add on an additional 30 days (un-paid) and still hold my position when I return. The 80 days paid is more than enough to get me through and I'm so grateful to have this amount of time (paid!) to be with our new baby! The school has a nursery for staff children so when I return to work, I'll be able to take the baby with me and since there are currently 5 families expecting, it's going to be a full house!