This past month we have finally started to feel more at home here. Our little house is now comfy, not cramped, the heat and bugs are bearable, I feel more ownership in my job, and even though our social life is still not quite satisfying, we no longer feel bewildered by the Dominican approach to friendship. I have started cooking more and better meals, working out more regularly, and Patrick and I are loving all the time we get to spend together, and the little routine we have developed of reading the upcoming week in pregnancy each Sunday, taking walks down farm roads, and our morning commute together, only 100 yards from our house. My early pregnancy symptoms have pretty much gone away, and I feel less worried on a day to day basis about the baby's health now that we are in week 15! Also, having shared the pregnancy news with everybody was such a relief, and I have started to see how this could be a very positive community to be a first time mom in. ( I know that's a dangling modifier or something, but who can be bothered to say "in which to be..."?)
My first prenatal appointment was awful. I went to the most highly recommended doctor in the region, and she was one step above putting the laboring woman under general anesthesia. Many shocking details I could go into but I just hate to relive it. We had pretty much decided by that time that we weren't comfortable giving birth here, or having a newborn here, and this appointment sealed the deal. I will becoming home to have the baby! This makes things a bit tricky with work though, since I will have to leave for Colorado between 30-32 weeks (November), spend a month and a half with out Patrick before he comes for Christmas and baby's birth, then stay in CO another 8 weeks, Patrick would leave after 6 weeks, so at least 2 more weeks apart. Then I would head back to the DR with the baby, and start work again, after having been gone four months. Its not the most ideal situation, Patrick got teary eyed thinking of missing those last weeks of pregnancy, and I am worried the baby will come early and he won't be home yet. There ARE some up sides, namely baby's health and my health, having family close for the birth, and all that time with friends and family!
It is pretty hard to imagine having a baby here at all. When I pictured life with a baby, I thought of being a stay at home mom, being a part of mom's groups, stroller walking groups, trips to the park, baby music class, homemade organic baby food, a pretty nursery, and competent doctors. Life with a baby here would be NOTHING like that. We haven't looked hard for a good pediatrician, so we still might find that. However, if we were to leave the DR for good, I wouldn't be able to stay home with the baby. We sold everything we own, including our cars, and there is no way we could start over again on one salary. HERE, I could work from home in the morning, have a two hour siesta from 12-2 and have a babysitter for the afternoon. Patrick would be able to spend that siesta with us and all that family time is so appealing. Also, even when we are in the office, we are less than a five minute walk from home, so we can check in on the sitter or if we just have to see that baby! Finding someone we trust to stay with our baby will be hard, but assuming we can find good medical care and a trustworthy sitter, how could we pass up the opportunity for that schedule?! When it comes down to it, time with our baby far outweighs the mom's groups, music classes etc... and who knows maybe I can start a mom's group here!
whew! TMI? Maybe.
I didn't include any pictures in the last two posts, so here are some randoms!
