Now I'm the one who looks like an alien...

Ultrasound #5

Went for another ultrasound today! And got a lovely 3D picture of our adorable little one playing peekaboo.

It is a bit freaky looking I'll have to admit, but what a great chance to see her cute big cheeks and tiny ear. Technology is amazing.

We found out early on that there are 2 veins in the umbilical cord whereas normally there are 3, so the doctors have been paying extra attention and taking extra ultrasounds just to make sure that the baby is growing properly. It turns out she is growing more than properly, weighing around 2.5 pounds already, which is 10% more than average at 26 weeks. They predicted she would probably be almost 9 pounds at birth if she comes on time. But I never really expected that we would have a small baby anyway, since I was pretty enormous (10 pounds) and Morten wasn't small either. So, no surprise there.

We also found out that she is most definitely a girl. We knew that with about 90% certainty before, but this time they were 100% certain on that. Good thing we already bought lots of pink dresses!

Next week I've got to take some tests at the hospital, go to a consultation with the midwife, and then we will go on our babymoon to Vienna!! I'm so thrilled about that I can't even begin to say. It will be nice to forget everything for a while and just hang out in a cool city with my awesome husband, who by the way did the laundry, cleaned, and left me a really sweet note today "just because." What a guy!

Danish Creatures

Living more in the "countryside" now than before, I have been enjoying all sorts of new wildlife.

For example.

The other day, coming home late at night, I saw a porcupine meandering through the bushes outside our apartment. I immediately assumed it must be a very rare occurrence to see such a creature (I had never seen one outside the zoo before), so I excitedly called Morten over. He ho-hummed and told me they are as normal here as armadillos or possums in Texas. Ok then.

We also spotted a hare the other day. Not a rabbit, a hare. Running accross the road. Complete with extremely perky ears. It made me want to go read the Redwall books again and start saying "wot, wot!" at the end of every sentence.

Recently, I also had a not-so-pleasant encounter with an overgrown spider. We live on the second floor and I'll have to say we do manage to keep things pretty clean and uncluttered for the most part, but there it was, a giant spider in the bathroom. Any time I mention my distaste for spiders in company with danes, one of them is sure to point out that spiders in Denmark never bite, and most people pick them up and play with them as children. Though that is not very comforting, I guess spiders are still better than roaches. So, comparing Texan and Danish wildlife, I do most definitely prefer the Danish version.

"Serious scrappers"

Things are coming along, pregnancy-wise. I'm 25 weeks into it, and can hardly believe that means (roughly) 15 weeks left. Little "___" kicks me all day/night long, especially when we are hungry or I am making too much noise. We have thought about some names already but I won't jinx it by writing them here.

I have been discovering the many joys of pregnancy, both expected and unexpected. I can't wait to get to know her but at the same time there's still so much to get ready. I've been a bit overwhelmed lately with all there is to do - the usual work/chores/social/church/family obligations, as well as the growing responsibility of "taking care of myself." Most days I would rather just skip that one altogether but Morten is very good at helping me remember to take my many vitamins, get enough rest and exercise, tend to the bizarre ailments that come along with pregnancy, and stop stressing out.

The last one is something I could still stand to learn a lot from the Danes about. They are very serious about relaxation. They can work very hard but they are also very serious about family time, vacation, and their hobbies.

For example, last weekend I went to a scrapbooking festival with my mother and sister in law. It was the third time we have been to the bi-annual event together but again I was impressed by the people there and their dedication to their hobby. Most Danes have never heard of scrapbooking, but those who claim it as their own spend a great deal of time and effort on it. We showed up half an hour early for the 9:00 event, which I thought was a bit excessive, and it turns out that scores of ladies from all over Denmark and other countries, of all ages and walks of life, had already showed up before us with at least two heavy bags of "supplies" in tow, all lined up and ready to go in and start "scrapping."

It made me resolve, once again, to always give myself time to do the things I enjoy so that I will have much more mental energy to do the things I "have" to do all the rest of the time, and be better company for the people I care about.

I should end this post before I start babbling...or is it too late? Ok. The End.