Update and Belly Photos!

Hello everybody that reads my blog (hi mom!) Sorry for being so MIA the past few weeks since John got home!

Just a little update about what's been going on in our lives...

• John has been back for about 3 weeks and I've been soaking up every second!!! He left to visit some of our friends and supporters in Oklahoma City.  They are VERY involved with Sierra Leone and loved hearing the updates of all the cool things going on there in the past 6 months.  Crystal, Brandon, Shanna, Jerome, and Greg... thank you for being so wonderful and hospitable to John while he was visiting!  And no Crystal we aren't sharing with you our baby's name! lol!
• Last week I worked a day at my mom's dental office doing hygiene.  I've been trying to work a little but everything I had lined up to work fell through.  I even had purchased some maternity scrubs to use but this is my first opportunity to use them. I HAD A BLAST!!! I really LOVE cleaning teeth.  I know that seems weird to most people but it's not just the "cleaning of the teeth" that I love (although thats a big part of it) I love the interactions I have with people and learning about their lives.  Its definitely a lot easier in the US because 1)American's teeth are generally cleaner 2)Everyone here speaks English
• John started to do some consulting/contracting work for his boss at Patriot Towers where he worked before we moved to Sierra Leone.  His office is VERY supportive of the work we are doing in Sierra Leone (the boss Dale even wants to visit us soon and work on some projects).  They are also very flexible with John's schedule as baby time approaches and we have obligations with friends, family, and supporters.
• Yesterday we went to a crash course birthing class at Paradise Valley Hospital and did a hospital tour.  It was great for us to visit and ask questions.  I am shooting for a birth au naturale (without drugs) so I had lots of questions about support in that arena.  Many times, hospitals and nurses would rather give patients an epidural because it makes patient care/management easier for them.  This hospital seems to be really supportive of whatever you choose. 
• John and I are reading a book called Husband-Coached Childbirth.  Its the "Bradley Method" for those of you who have heard of it... Its about the husbands taking an active role in coaching the wife through a natural childbirth. 
• Below are some pictures of my growing belly (beware... bare belly shot so shield your eyes if it is too much!)

Me after my day of working in my maternity scrubs... in my 33rd week.  7 weeks from today left to go!

Tonight my cousin Stephen is doing a maternity photo shoot for John and I.  I will post pics of those as I get them.  Hopefully they will turn out better than my home shots lol!  I often feel silly about posing for shots unless I'm smiling so hopefully he will be able to coach me.  My 'serious' looks end up looking angry, confused, or constipated haha.