Halfway There!

Wow! It's hard to believe that I'm already 20 weeks pregnant and we are halfway done! Our little man will be here with us before we know it! This week baby is about the length of a banana, but still weighs less than one pound. Crazy to think about how much his weight will increase before he's born. I've been feeling great and feel so blessed with a fantastic pregnancy so far. My weight gain is on track with with my doctor suggested and I usually have good energy. At times I experience heartburn, back aches or leg cramping, but nothing very serious.
Tomorrow Josh and I head back to the doctor for a fetal growth scan with an ultrasound technician. At this appointment baby will be measured and they will also take a good look at his brain and heart to make sure that everything is developing the way it should be. I'm hoping that we can get a good ultraound picture, as the ones we've had before haven't been great. He tends to be camera shy, unless it's time to show his boy parts. He has NO problem showing that off for the camera- HAHA!! I will be sure to post about the appointment and post any pictures we get.
I've been keeping busy with my English tutoring, spending time with friends and taking zumba (dance) classes every day. It's getting harder as time goes on ,but I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. My doctor jokes that little man will dance before he walks because of all the dancing I'm doing now- hehe! Josh works a ton (like normal) but always enjoys his flying and is trying to get as much flying in as he can before monsoon season hits. During monsoon season it's often too rainy to fly.
My mom arrives in Korea in less than  month! Can't wait to show her around and also just relax and hang out together! When she is here two of my sweet friends are throwing me, Josh and little man a baby shower that I know will just be fantastic. They are both really creative and crafty. Plus, they both already love baby so much already. I know it will be a great day and I'm really looking forward to it. Mom and I will also go tour the DMZ (border of North and South Korea) and see the play 'Wicked' with friends. She will also come to zumba classes with me- fun!
I've been feeling baby boy move around and kick a lot the past few weeks. He's extremely active. Last night Josh has able to feel baby kick for the first time- so excited! We were eating cookies and drinking milk while watching a movie and baby kicked...hard! Seeing Josh's face light up when he felt that for the first time was really exciting!
We have just a few months left in Korea and are trying to enjoy it as much as we can. We have lots of friends moving in the next month or so, so we have been going to lots of fairwell parties and trying to spend as much time with everyone as possible. I've been working on the what to pack/ vs. what to get rid of process. Getting rid of excess crap and clutter is a bonus of moving every few years, I suppose. We've decided to ship all of our things before we leave Korea. That means that we will be in our house with minimal things (no couches, no tv, a small amount of kitchen supplies, a suitcase of clothes for each of us etc.) for about 4 weeks, but our things will arrive in Alabama BEFORE baby, and that's a huge plus. Hopefully we can have the house partially set up before his arrival.
Well, that's all for now. I'll post more after our appointment tomorrow. Here's hoping the little man isn't camera shy tomorrow.... :)

20 weeks and halfway done!

Pregnancy photos- week 18

Before leaving for the doctors apointment to see if baby is a boy or girl

So excited to find out if we are having a son or daughter!

YAY! So excited and happy that baby is a boy. After going to the apointment and taking these pictures we realized we must have already "known" that baby was a boy because Josh and I were both dressed in blue! Good sign!

Josh is just thrilled to have a little buddy!

Baby Brown is a BOY!!!

Josh and I are so excited to share that we are having a baby BOY! We found out yesterday and it was an amazing moment I'm sure we won't ever forget. We went to a Korean clinic in Seoul to find out the gender of baby. We had no idea how to get there by car so we took the subway. When we got there we were surprised to see that one Americsn midwife worked at the clinic and she was really helpful in helping us with out paperwork. The clinic is actually a natural birthing clinic and she said that lots of Americans choose to have their babies there as opposed to on base. Anyways, it was nice to have someone to communicate with and was so helpful! We waited about 20 minutes and went in for the ultrasound with a sweet Korean woman who spoke very limited English. She measured baby and looked at the brain saying that everything was growing correctly and is the size it should be at this stage. It was hard to get a good picture through, because baby was face down with its head down low and toes up by my belly button. She asked if we wanted to know the gender and said, very anti- climatically, "baby is boy." I was crying, of course, and asked her if she was sure. I was just so excited and wanted confirmation. This confused her. I said "100% boy or maybe girl?" This confused her also. Anyways, we couldn't see any boy parts because of baby's position, so we weren't entirely convinced. We were SO happy, but didn't want to text any family yet in case we could be wrong. So, I ate a small snack and walked around the clinic for about 30 minutes, hoping to get baby moving around a bit. We had a consultation with Dr Park and I told her that I wasn't confident in what the ultrasound technician told us and she kindly offered to give us another quick ultrasound in her office. The screen on the wall was HUGE. Well, all my walking around and Chex Mix eating worked because baby was laying lengthwise and was no longer face down. Immediately he spread his legs as if to say "There is NO way I'm a girl.... See? All boy!!" This was particularly hilarious because the screen was so big!! So, now I can confidently say that baby is 100% boy and we are thrilled!!! I have been saying baby was a boy since the beginning. In fact, about two days before our apointment I said to Josh, " What if baby is a Girl? I've been so convinced that baby was a boy that I haven't even considered having a girl!" Josh was saying baby was a girl but on the way to the apointment he said, "I really hope baby is a boy. I just want a little buddy." It is such a special feeling to know that baby is not just "it" anymore. Josh and I have been looking at Coug gear online and I've been planning things for the nursery all morning. I also started working on a baby registry. It's such a special and exciting time for us. I would post pictures from this ultrasound, but they are pretty horrible. We have lots of baby's backbone and a nice large picture of baby's man parts- ha! We also have a 3D photo but baby needs to get some body fat before those pictures look good. He's not even one pound yet. I have another doctor apointment in 3 weeks for a fetal growth scan and I'm hoping to get a precious little side profile picture of baby boy. Oh, and in other great news I've been feeling baby move around. I've felt that I was feeling kicks and movement for a while now, but wasn't entirely sure. Last night I was watching the Bachelorette (don't judge!) and definitely felt babys strong kick!!! Incredibly exciting!! Sending lots of love and hoping you're all doing well. Thanks for sharing this great journey with us!! :)

Hi everyone! Hope you are all doing well. Josh and I have been been great. Josh continues to work all the time, but thankfully enjoys his job. The weather in Seoul has been hot and the humidity will appear soon (yuck!) We've been busy doing fun activities with friend and enjoying the last months we have as just a family of 2. I've been feeling great and we both feel so blessed that this pregnancy, thus far, has been problem-free.
Next Tuesday (the 29th) we are heading to a Korean clinic to find out if baby is a boy or girl. The Army clinic scheduled baby's fetal growth scan and gender ultrasound for mid-June (I would be almost 21 weeks then) but the Korean clinic will tell you baby's gender as early as 15 weeks for just 70,000won (about $65 US dollars.) When we have the appointment I will be 18.5 weeks along and the doctors said there should be no problems in seeing baby's gender. Let's just hope baby's not shy and we can see boy or girl parts! We are both so anxious and excited and I am sure it will bring us to another exciting part of pregnancy! I am so excited to start shopping for nursery decor and sweet little baby clothes once we know babys sex.
Here are the photos we've taken over the last few weeks:

16 weeks pregnant- Happy Mothers Day

17 weeks pregnant- that belly is growing!

Baby Brown Photos

I am now 16 weeks pregnant! Tomorrow I have another doctors appointment and we should find out baby's gender in 2-3 weeks. We are both so excited to know the gender. I'm excited to start buying baby clothes and planning a nursery as well. I've been feeling good and, for the most part, the morning sickness has subsided. I still feel nausious at times, but not nearly as often.
We've been taking some photos and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post them. Our lives sure get busy quickly around here. Here are the photos we have so far. My belly is growing a bit, but I feel that in the last 2 weeks or so it's stayed the same size. I am sure that soon I will really start showing a "baby belly" and not just look like I had a big lunch! :)

9 weeks pregnant- on my birthday

Josh's first baby purchase- sweet baby socks

11 weeks pregnant - on my way to a party with friends. It was so hard to not tell anyone I was pregnant, as almost all of the women there were moms and good friends!

On my way to Josh and my anniversary dinner on April 10. This morning we had an ultrasound and heard baby's heartbeat for the first time. What an amazing moment. It was truly one I'll remember forever. Seeing baby do a sumersault and hear the heartbeat was so wonderful. We celebrated our second anniversaryt that night at a delicious restaurant in Jeonga, South Kore!

14 weeks pregnant

14 weeks pregnant- on our way to a birthday party

15 weeks- going to the Army Aviation Birthday Ball in Seoul

15 weeks pregnant- Celebrating Stephanies birthday

15.5 weeks pregnant

And baby makes 3!

Yes... I'm pregnant! Josh and I are so thrilled and excited. I'm 13 weeks along right now and I'm feeling great. I've had a few bouts with morning sickness, but nothing unmanageable. Overall I feel like I'm having a great pregnancy so far!
Josh and I found out I was pregnant at the end of February, but chose to keep it private until our anniversary in April, when I would be 12 weeks along. It was hard to not tell anyone, but it wss a really wonderful time In our marriage to have such wonderful news just between the to of us.
We scheduled an ultrasound and appointment to hear the baby's heartbeat for the morning of ou anniversary. Seeing baby and hearing that heartbeat for the first time was just amazing. Baby was incredible active and the doctor said I must be the exercising and Zumba classes I've been taking (ha!)
After the appointment we called and texted all our family members to share the great news before posting it on facebook to share with our friends. What a memorable anniversary!
Next week we have another ultrasound scheduled to look at baby more closely. The doctor wants to be sure that the due date is correct. As of now the due date is October 26th. Then we have another apointment the middle of May. We should know baby's gender at the end of May or beginning of June. So far I really like my doctor here, but baby will not be born here in Korea.
Baby is due the end of October but we are set to leave Korea in the middle of September. So, baby will be born in Alabama. We will be moving back there for Josh to take some aviation classes then start his new position as an instructor for the BlackHawk course. He will be teaching new aviators how to fly- a fantastic opportunity!
Well, I think that's about all for now. I will upload photos soon. Have a great day!! :)

Big Changes

It has been way too long since I've posted a blog, so I will try as best I can to include everything. At the end of February I finished my time at BIS. Leaving was bittersweet and I miss the kids and my coworkers. However, I don't miss the workload and stress. I love being home when Josh comes home from work and having the evenings together. I love having time to clean the house and not be rushed, relax and make dinner every night. Ive been having fun trying new recipes, spending time with friends, exploring Seoul and walking around our neighborhood now that the weather has been getting nicer. Not having the stress of that crazy job is wonderful!!
To keep myself busy I've been taking a Zumba class twice a week which has been really fun. I'm also teaching kids four days a week. I teach one kindergartener named Jun who is very advanced. His spoken English is really impressive and be learns quickly. I also teach two middle school girls, not together but in separate classes. Both girls are just learning English so it was a bit rough at first, but they are developing reading and speaking skills quickly. It's a fun process seeing them learn so quickly and gain confidence. I also teach a class of four kindergarteners. Two kids are four and the other two kids are five. This class is super fun because the kids are a bit crazy and their English is so minimal. So, with a mixture of English and Korean we manage to have a fun time. So far they know their ABC's, the happy birthday song, can count to 11 and know all the primary colors. It's fun but I always feel like I need a nap after teaching that class! Ha!
Teaching these classes has been fun and a great way to keep busy and not get bored at home all the time. I'm also really thankful for the extra income. Only in Korea would parents pay crazy amounts of money for private English lessons!
Josh has been working a ton, like normal. We are planning a trip to Thailand next month which I know will be a much needed break for him. He's overworked, for sure. :( We plan on going to Phuket, Thailand for about a week in May, so I've been busy learning about the area and planning our trip as well. Can't wait!
A few weeks ago Josh and I celebrated our to year wedding anniversary. Such a wonderful day! We had a delicious dinner at the same restaurant we went to on Valentines Day. How blessed we are to have each other. It was a great day!!
And.... The biggest news of all is that I'm 13 weeks pregnant! Surprise!! :) I will write a new blog post all about it and I will add some photos later as well. We are so thrilled and can't wait to be parents to our little one! :)