Riding the Public Bus

I had to get to the Burbank airport yesterday to catch a flight (with the doctor's permission) to Sacramento to spend some time with my sister and her family. I know that I could have called friends to ask for a ride to the airport, but I also had this thought that there must be a public bus route from Glendale to Burbank airport. I really wanted to try the Los Angeles public transit and see what that was like. So, I went on line, found a phone number where I can call to get some help figuring out the most direct route to the Burbank airport from where I am currently staying in Glendale. I got the help that I was looking for, found out that if I was willing to walk a few blocks to catch the 93 bus to Sylmar from Colorado and San Fernando, I can get to the Burbank airport in about 35 minutes. So, that is what I decided to do. I packed really light so that everything I need for the week would pack in a small backpack (knowing that maternity clothes awaited me at my sister's) and off I went. It took me $1.25 to get to my destination, I got to see parts of Glendale and Burbank that I normally would not see, and was impressed by the kindness and courtesy that bus riders showed one another as the elderly or the handicapped came on the bus. I was surprised initially that the bus was completely full. There were Caucasians, Asians, Latinos, and African-Americans, the elderly, students, and people going off to work. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Furthermore, the bus dropped me off right at the entrance to the airport near long term parking and I just had to walk across the street to catch the free airport shuttle which took me right to the drop off area. If you can catch a bus or some form of public transport that is convenient, it is a great way to get to the airport!

It's getting more real!

This past Sunday after church, I had my first hospital tour. I went to Glendale Adventist to get a tour of their maternity ward in preparation for what is to come. It was informative and I enjoyed meeting a couple of the nurses and having an opportunity to ask questions. Of course, I wished P was there with me, especially since I was the only one without the significant other there. :( Maybe God felt sorry for me too and decided to let me know that He's with me by having me win the raffle drawing! (j/k! hahaha) I won a nice basket with a book, a can of formula, an onezie, a receiving blanket, a rubber duckie, a stuffed animal duck, a pacifier, a bottle, and snacks for the mom to be! :) Tonight, I went to Huntington Memorial's tour just so that I had something else to compare and I have decided that I like Glendale better. The NICU in Huntington is better equipped, but I think if our baby came prematurely (which I am praying that he will make it to week 36) Glendale's NICU should be more than sufficient to handle it. At the end, I like the fact that Glendale is smaller as a hospital than Huntington, and I loved their rooms. They get lots of natural light and they are big. I also liked the philosophy at Glendale where they try to keep you and the baby together as much as possible, even with a c-section (since I will most likely have to do a c-section). I had thought that after a c-section, I won't get to see the baby for a couple of hours, but I learned that at least at Glendale, unless necessary, the baby will not be taken out of the surgery room but all his prep would be done there and that probably within 30 minutes, I can begin to try nursing him, if I want. I think I prefer that....

My brother and sister-in-law also visited me today. I will become an aunt to another nephew in late January! Elijah will have a cousin who is close to his age. Although poor Mila (my only niece)...she will be surrounded by testosterone for a while (4 boys total). ;) They brought a few items that some people had donated, like a pack and play, a collapsible high chair, and a bag from my sister filled with clothes, blankets, and burp cloths, along with a baby car seat. My sister-in-law also brought a cute little newborn outfit as a gift, which I think will make a perfect return home outfit for Elijah. I haven't bought anything for Eli knowing that he will have plenty of hand-me-downs from his cousins. Anyway, going through the stuff brought back memories of my nephews as infants....they were so small.... how quickly they grow! I organized a few things that I thought might be useful right away like burp cloths, receiving blankets, and some clothes, but the rest, I shoved them all back in the bag. I'll have to reorganize some time. I have heard about pregnant women having the "nesting" instinct. Since I know that this place is only temporary, I haven't really felt any urge to "nest," but actually touching some baby items and doing the hospital tour have definitely brought the reality of Elijah's soon to be arrival to a new level. At one point today, I thought, "Oh my gosh!! I'm gonna be a mom!!" :) I am really excited and happy!

My next to-do: I decided that I want to take a breast feeding class and a CPR class for preparation. I'm not going to do a birthing class like the Lamaaz because without P, I'm not sure how helpful it will be and I think it will be a little weird to go on my own.

Almost Week 28!

Since I have been back in the States, I feel like my pregnant belly has grown significantly!! I definitely look pregnant and the little pouch has become like a soccer ball (although low carrying). I was looking at myself in the mirror the other day and it is true, I definitely have no waist. I am not used to seeing myself without a waist, so it is taking a bit of getting used to seeing my shape much like a square (not that I had much of a curve before!) with a tummy. I had Daya take a photo of me in my maternity clothes to take it back to India so that P can see how much my belly has grown. The other Sunday, I squatted to say hello to a child and I noticed it was hard to get up from that position! hahaha

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday. My placenta has not moved and it is still covering my "os" and I have the same restrictions that I've known since week 20. She asked me if I got all these tests done and I hadn't. So, I have some tests that I need to take. She also referred me to see a perinatologist to get a thorough ultrasound done. I feel like I am in good hands. I am mentally preparing for a c-section at week 37 or 38 or a vaginal birth (in case the placenta does move).

I have been taking it easy as I feel the need for it. I have been noticing that I get tired a lot more easily. I need at least a day to recover from the previous day's activities if it was a full day. I know when I am really tired when even going on the computer feels exhausting! So, I've been scheduling in days to rest and to take regular naps.

P and I are pretty certain that we will be naming our son Elijah Paul Graf ("Eli"). We have started calling him Elijah and it's been fun to call our son by name. I really like the meaning of the name which means, "The Lord is My God." It is our prayer that our baby boy would know and experience the Lord as his God from early on. Elijah has been able to hear his daddy's voice everyday as we talk over skype or on the speaker phone. I have been wondering what he will be like.... I can't wait to meet him. It's getting closer!

Our two worlds....

P and I have been trying to talk everyday. We're also trying to do that without using up all of our friends' minutes (Thanks, Hubert and Jean!!), so it's been a combination of talking after 9pm and using skype. I am really grateful for modern technology even with its frustrating moments. It definitely makes staying connected so much easier.

We've been sharing stories about our experiences thus far being in two different places. P definitely has more interesting stories by far! If nothing else, we are reminded how different the two places are....

I've been enjoying the "pot hole less" driving experience here. No bouncing up and down, jerking back and forth, and hairy moments as the driver tries to avoid the potholes and drive on the opposite side of the road. The suspension in the car I am borrowing (Thanks, Khai and Jen!) is awesome. I remember sitting in a bus in Nepal and choosing to stand up because my legs provided better suspension than the bus itself! :) It’s been nice to be able to enjoy some of the comforts of life that America provides keeping in perspective to be grateful but not feel entitled to have them.

I have gotten so used to drinking filtered water in India that I am still getting used to drinking straight from tap. Each time I wash fruits and vegetables and eat them right away, I find myself amazed that I can do that and not get sick! I have not had an apple without it being peeled until I got here. I've been enjoying plums, granny apples, and grapes. No power cuts, constant flow of hot water, no water pumps, etc. life is convenient in America. It is so quiet here that I feel like I can have a retreat everyday without having to leave my home. The only time I see people walking around on my street is when they're walking their dogs. Sometimes I see elderly people or school students walking, but besides that I am still amazed by the lack of people I see around. I am still getting used the size of the portion of food served here. I am finding that one restaurant meal lasts two meals because I cannot finish it. Perhaps it is because the food prices are high, but I am finding myself buying what I know I will only eat within the week and not buying extras. I think it may have to do with the fact that I am so used to shopping enough for a week at the most in India.

I had asked P what his transition back has been like. He shared that it has been both challenging and rewarding. It's been challenging as usual as he had to deal with some inconveniences that is part of life there--coming back to a house infested with cockroaches, no power, and no phone service, etc. We shared a good laugh together when he shared his experience with purchasing a rice bag filled with bugs unknowingly, cooking the rice, watching cockroaches appear around the rice-cooker from no where, eating his dinner (without the cockroaches) and later discovering that the roaches had made their habitation under the based of the rice-cooker. I was sharing how I’ve only killed two small bugs since I arrived in America. I must say it has been nice to not be bug-free, but I also admit that I miss my geckos.

It's been also rewarding and fun for P. He shared some fun adventure stories and meaningful fellowship he had with the field workers in remote villages. He got to hear many stories of how people came to know our Father and was greatly encouraged. Of course, he also got to practice his Nepali a lot. He’s teaching more regularly at a B’ble school and has received a couple of invitations to speak at different gatherings. He seems to be getting back into a routine there.

We are having a good time exchanging stories of life back here in America and back in India. I think being in two different places and sharing our stories help us realize how different the two worlds are. Having lived in both places, we feel like we have a different perspective and appreciation for what both places have to offer. At the same time, we are more aware of the challenges that exist in both places.

I'm back....

Yes, I've been back in the U.S. now six days. The transition back has been smooth thanks to our sending organization and my home church. All my needs have been taken care of--to a car, a place to live, food in the fridge, a laptop, and even maternity clothes! :) I even got myself registered to vote and I have a temporary drivers license (since mine is back in India). I've been getting lots of recommendation on doctors and suggestions on hospitals for delivery. I have a doctor's appointment set for next week so I will get a feel for her and then the following week, I have hospital visits planned. I am doing well and as far as I can tell, our baby boy is doing well too. His kicks are definitely getting stronger to the point that it is starting to disturb my sleep.

The last six days have been busy. Currently, there is a m'ss'ns conference and the director from India is here as one of the main speakers, so I've been participating in different gatherings and meetings. Once the conference ends and Daya leaves for India, I feel like I will have more free time to visit family and friends. I can't wait to see everyone.

Today, I'm taking the day to rest, journal, read, blog, and enjoy being alone. I am an introvert at heart and I need my day alone to feel refreshed and re-energized. I've been also making sure to get plenty of rest during the day either by going to bed early, having a late morning the next day if I had a "late" night, or having some time for naps. Physically, I feel great.

However, I can tell I miss P a lot! I woke up this morning all excited that I will get to talk to him on the phone. He had called me two days ago while he was on his field visit to check-in. It was really brief because he was using his cellphone and I was on my way out for a meeting. And then, he followed up with an email that he will be back in S'liguri on Friday night and that he'll call me. I think I am starting to become a believer in pregnancy amnesia because I have been forgetting things a lot more easily! Anyway, I somehow had convinced myself that today was Friday night in S'liguri and he was going to call me. I started to get worried a little when he didn't. It wasn't until I sat down to pray and was starting to tell God that I was worried a bit that I realized it was only Wed. here which meant it was Wed. night there! Hahaha I had a good laugh. I can't wait to talk to him. I do miss him a lot. Currently, he's planning to come back early December...

Well, I will not be posting any belly photos for some time because I don't have a digital camera and now, most of my friends can see my belly growing in person. I definitely do look pregnant, although most people have been saying that I look small for being 6 months (26 weeks).

I have a lot more to write about, but I think I am done for the time being...