Settling continued

After 6 weeks of living here in our new home, we are finally starting to feel settled. Granted there are still some clothes strewn about the guest room as we are yet to purchase a new dresser for the master bedroom, but all in all things have come together nicely. I am taking pictures of each room of the house as we get things in order and will post them soon. The girls' rooms were the first to come together, and we love both of their rooms!

Lexie has decided on her own accord that she would now like to be called Alexandria. It's funny because Lexie is not a popular nickname here in the UK and many people have attempted calling her Alex. She is adapting incredibly well. I thought for sure she would tell people they "talk funny" and correct their usage of words such as chips instead of fries. However, she jumped right into using much of the vernacular here, so much so that she thinks everything should have a different name. She will be turning 3 next Tuesday (16 February). While it is hard for me to believe that I will have a 3 year old, it is very natural, as she certainly is acting older. We don't have plans as far as throwing a party but instead I am simply trying to make it her special day, all about her. She gets to choose the menu for the day, which will include macaroni and cheese with peas, her favorite. She has requested white cake with white icing and strawberry ice cream. I am going to make an attempt to decorate it a bit... we'll see how that goes! On second thought, maybe I will let her decorate it herself.

I am currently 36 weeks pregnant and very excited to be getting closer to meeting Julia. Her due date is March 9. We're praying she will come within a week of her due date, mainly because Ryan's mom will be visiting during this time. We are VERY excited to have her here with us! The pregnancy has progressed very smoothly, and everything seems to be moving right on time. I had my third appointment with the midwife today. While I am content with my care here, as I was with my care in the states, I really wish I could find something in the middle. With traditional OB care in America, they push for so many interventions: inductions, epidurals, etc. Here in England, however, such interventions are very much a last resort and can be performed only by a doctor after being admitted to the hospital. If a pregnancy is uncomplicated, it is overseen by only a midwife. While I will be delivering at a hospital, the maternity ward is designed to be run by the midwives, and doctors only see you if complications arise. I inquired today about internal exams, and they perform as few as possible. In America, it is common to be checked throughout late pregnancy. I recall being 2-3 cm dilated with Alexandria for about a month before her birth. The midwives are actually not allowed to do any internal exams at all until 41+ weeks. During labor, there are usually only 1 or 2 checks completed. I honestly do not have a preference for one system over the other. Receiving an epidural during my first labor was my biggest regret, but having so few options this time around worries me as well. I am grateful labor and delivery are such a natural process. At this point I have very few concerns, just the natural anxieties shared by all moms and mums alike.

We continue to attend church in Cambridge, which has become one of our favorite cities. For basic shopping, I either walk to the co-op here in town or we drive to Huntingdon. I am developing a preference for shopping at the commissary on RAF Alconbury, probably because it is very American and gives me a taste of home. This weekend we plan to make a trip to the BX at RAF Lakenheath, the larger and more well known of the bases in the UK. This will be my first trip to their BX, but I am told it is similar to a Walmart. Never did I think I would miss Walmart, but I have.

More updates and pictures coming soon!