32 Weeks

Gender: Girl 

Weight gain:  At my apt. last week I was 60.4 kgs (132.5) lbs so no weight gain from last time. Although my BabyCenter app tells me that the baby will be gaining 1/2 lb a week until the end of the pregnancy... she's definitely growing! 

Maternity clothes: Yes. The weather is warming up here, so I will probably be trading in my leggings for maxi dresses.

Stretch marks: Still in the clear

Belly button in or out: Outtie

Sleep: All over the place. If I wake up once in the middle of the night, it's really hard for me to turn my brain off and go to sleep! I've been reading a lot during my crazy insomnia spells... at least I'm doing something productive?

Best moment this week: Laying in Sawyer's bed with him reading Trains Go over and over again before nap time. He's just too sweet.

Worst moment this week:  Feeling exhausted and worn out. I went on a decluttering/organizing spree and between that and chasing an active toddler around. I barely sat down until 8:00 pm every night. 

Miss anything: Sleeping on my stomach, having a beer after a longgggg day, bending over without grunting (ha!)

Movement: She's still pretty busy in there. I literally felt her feet poking me all the way by my back today. 

Cravings: Still sweets... especially chocolate, fruit (strawberries), apples, and Chinese food? Good thing we live in China! I'm starting to think about those yummy Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs... mmmm

Queasy or sick: Feeling ok minus the acid reflux that's been in full swing. Tums are my friend. 

Looking forward to: Hopefully having a bit more downtime this week and of course counting down until our spring break in a few short weeks! 

Two Nights in Taipei

Last weekend we had a fast and furious trip to Taipei. I had a two day conference for work and Kurt and Sawyer tagged along. We had an interesting beginning to our trip. As we were checking in, the airline rep. wouldn't accept my doctor's note (the same one I used for Bali explaining that I am fit to fly) forcing us to go see a doctor at the airport! 
Side note: As the rep. is explaining this to me, Sawyer's on my hip and I'm wrestling him with my one free hand as he's doing ninja moves to escape (apparently my mommy cat-like reflexes weren't enough to convince the rep. that I was "fit to fly.") 
I was not a happy camper, since I had my mind set on a blueberry muffin from Starbucks and this interfered with my grand plans. After paying almost $100.00 for a doctor to literally hold a stethoscope to my belly and ask me the first day of my last period, I was presented a doctor's note that was deemed "acceptable" to the airline. Needless to say, I never got my blueberry muffin :( Luckily, we got to our gate, just as it was time to board. 

 The flight was only about an hour and twenty minutes... not too shabby when flying with an active toddler. Sawyer is obsessed with all things transportation, so he was in heaven when he saw all of the planes and trucks whizzing by when we were waiting for our flight. 

Our first night we ate at a popular restaurant that's been around since the 80's. In the window, you can watch the chefs prepare the dumplings from scratch. They were hands down the best dumplings I've ever had! We take our food pretty seriously when we travel to a new country ;) 

Some of these pictures are repeats from my Instagram. I didn't get a chance to take too many photos since it was such a quick trip. Kurt and Sawyer explored the Taipei Zoo on Saturday while I was at the conference. It was only 2 USD to get in, and Kurt said it was huge.  

We loved the little bit we saw of Taipei and would love to go back to explore more of Taiwan. I love how the city was set up. It reminded me of Hong Kong, but much more laid back. Strangers were helpful and kind. We couldn't believe that cars actually STOPPED for us and let us cross the street (something we are not used to living here in China. Even when we have a green cross-walk, we have to double triple check both ways before crossing). It was also nice being able to understand the language (ok...to a degree) since it is also Mandarin. 

Taipei American School was huge and reminded me of a real US high school (brick building with a retaining wall around it)

Taipei American School

Overall, I'm really glad we were able to see a little bit of Taipei. My conference was great and I took away a lot from it (always a plus). I am glad to be back and am looking forward to Chinese New Year coming up since we will be staying home and just relaxing.