Late Introduction

I wasn't quite sure how to start this blog, and once I had started I realised I hadn't introduced myself or even really set the stage at all. Hmmm... where to begin? I am a 23 year old South African who moved to America this year March. Usually I would be defined by something else... most probably art... as I have my diploma in Graphic design and would consider myself kinda creative:P But these days I am defined by something totally different... I am a soon to be Mother... being 35.5 weeks pregnant with my first baby.

Its been a HUGE challenge... one I didn't expect to go through in these circumstances at least. I am currently living with my father and step Mom in Texas... we moved 3 months ago from beautiful Baltimore, Maryland! The weather has been incredibly hot... hitting the mid 40s most days and being pregnant in that heat... man oh man, it was bad! We have been in the process of getting a mobile home since we arrived, and were staying in a tent for the past 3 months... how I managed to not break down and sink into a spiralling hole of depression Im not quite sure! All I can say is that I relieved we finally got the house... and let me tell you that its the little things in life you really miss. For example: a flushing toilet, a basin to wash your hands in, hot water to have a bath, air-conditioning... and a proper bed!

So besides all the dramas that came with living in a tent... frogs jumping on me at night, finding a snake under the bed, the unforgiving heat and Tropical Storm Hermine, I also found out that I couldn't stay in the country longer than a year and I couldn't work. With the help of some wonderful ladies I met at the Pregnancy Crisis Center and the Gabriel Project, I have been able to get prenatal care, materials for the baby, and been able to register for the labour and delivery at a wonderful hospital in town. Also my family and friends around the world have sent me parcels and basically supplied me with clothes for the first 3 months of this babies life... I feel so overwhelmed and blessed to have this much support.

I have been waiting my whole life to become a mother, and even though this isn't the ideal situation, every baby is a blessing and a gift from God... and I cannot wait to start my adventures with my little leah. I know I have the experience... and I defiantly have the love and determination to raise her well!

These days I am getting really big and wobbling around the house, feeling rather emobile due to leg cramps and back ache:( But not much longer now and I can take this pregnant suit off and say hello to my old body... who I miss more and more everyday! I am moving back to SA in Feb and really looking forward to seeing everyone again. So, I think that set the stage well... you now know a little more about me and where Ive been... now just to wait and see where we end up:)

This is the tent I lived in for 3 months...

And this is our beautiful house now:)