Can't sleep. I worked tonight to get a test written and some pages scanned to add to the class website. We tucked in early, only to have a friend call just as we were dozing off. After half an hour of tossing and turning, I decided to get up and add the latest photo of Karla.

Here it is:

Big mama #6

It's been a while and I realize we have missed a photo of Karla. The morning we usually take the photo, we headed off to Egypt. I will take one tomorrow morning.

Egypt was an adventure. It was full of ancient and gigantic ruins, but all that was wonderful about the country was eclipsed by the overpowering salesmanship of each and every Egyptian. Photos and a more detailed description of our adventure to come in the travelogue section.

It's been an exhausting week. We got back from Egypt at 10:30 on Friday night and had to show up at school at 7 the next morning. Then all week was an adjustment, getting used to both being back from holiday and going back to the regular schedule after the shortened Ramadan schedule.

We met with our doctor again. Despite having an appointment, we had to wait for an hour to get into the office. We've had to wait for quite a while every time we have gone there this year. Karla got a recommendation from another expectant mother, so we might check out another doctor.

This weekend we had a baby shower put on for us by Jennifer and Jamie, two teachers that we have worked with since we arrived in Kuwait. There was lots of yummy food to eat and we played several baby theme games. I was terrible at the baby product "The Price is Right". I didn't guess a single price correctly, but Karla got three (which tied her for the most correct guesses). People were very generous. A bunch of teachers got together and got us a very nice pine crib and mattress (that turns into a bed later on). We also now have a stroller, some bedding, cute clothes and other odds an ends (including a rubber ducky). When the Christmas break comes we'll head out to finish off the list of baby supplies (since we won't be travelling anywhere).

We also saw "The Station Agent". It won a bunch of awards at the Sundance Festival. It's unusual, but captivatingly so. It slow paced, and says as much with silences as with words (except for the character Joey). I don't think it has a single special effect. It's worth the couple hours it takes to watch.

We visited another hospital - The Dar Al Shifa hospital. It's newly built (a year old) and very near to the school. As we looked around the 3 rooms (Special, Royal and Imperial), I was kicking myself for not bringing the camera. The Imperial room, was actually three rooms. It looked like it came out of a French chateau prior to the revolution - all the walls were paneled in dark wood; heavy gold curtains hung from ceiling to floor; ornate, scrolled couches lined the walls - except for the plasma screen TV hanging at the foot of the bed. There was also a desk and a bar and a second TV in one of the other rooms (in case any of the guests got bored, I suppose). Altogether, I counted couch and easy chair seating for 20.

But, sadly, the room is not for us. Our doctor advised us that the hospital makes up for its second rate medical services with luxurious rooms. We had another doctor's appointment last night (stay tuned for the next ultrasound picture). We talked about the birth plan - and everything went well. Dr. Laila was open to following as natural a birthing process as is possible.