How She Got Her Name

Although, we told many people that we hadn't decided on a name yet, we have actually known for awhile...we just decided to keep it to ourselves until Savannah made her arrival. Many have asked how she got her name. Her middle name was easy. Mae is my middle name, my mom's middle name, my Nana's middle name and my great-grandmother's middle name...so it was an obvious choice to pass it along. We wanted a name that was southern to represent our time at Ole Miss, and something that was multiple syllables to go with Sparks. We also wanted a name that was common, but not so common that there would be lots of other kids her age with the same name. Chris also really liked "S" names so Savannah it became.

Hospital Stay

We will be in the hospital for about four days. Our stay so far has been great. We could not have asked for a better doctor or care during Savannah's birth and our hospital stay, which is a relief being so far away from home. We are in a private room, so Chris has been able to stay with Savannah and I. Savannah has only gone to the nursery for a bath and her newborn screening. Our doctor has been in every morning to check on everyone and Savannah is checked out by a pediatrician each morning as well.

It is hard to get any rest while in the hospital. Between Savannah being up at all hours, the nursing staff is in and out checking on the both of us. Although, as our stay continues they seem to leave us on our own a little more often. They must be preparing us for our trip home.

Savannah has already participated in Skype phone calls with Grammie, Aunt Kasey, Great- Grammie , Great-Grandpa, Nana and Grandpa. Savannah is very blessed to have such wonderful grandparents (who are all very anxious to meet their granddaughter and great-granddaughter).

Savannah Mae Sparks

Today we welcomed Savannah Mae Sparks to our family. She was born at 12:09 pm. Our beautiful daughter weighed 6.1 lbs and was 20 inches long. She is so tiny but doing great for being three weeks early.

I was scheduled to go to the doctor today to monitor Savannah and schedule a c-section for sometime next week. Savannah has been breech through most of the pregnancy so our doctor felt this would be the best way to deliver for the both of us. Savannah had other plans! My water broke around 7:10 am and contractions started immediately after that. Luckily, Chris was in the shower and had not left for work. What a way to wake up! Since we thought we were scheduling a c-section, we were not at all prepared for a trip to the hospital. As Chris was calling the doctor he was also trying to pack a bag. The doctor had previously given us his personal cell phone number to call...but he accidently gave us the wrong number. We repeatedly called some random guy (who could barely speak English) trying to get the doctor. We finally got a hold of the doctor through the hospital. The doctor had us come in (and yes, we still don't have a car so we took a taxi). Shortly, after meeting with the doctor I was admitted and taken into surgery. Right before we went into surgery, Chris made a few surprise "wake up" calls to soon-to-be grandparents in St. Louis. I am sure none of them got much sleep after that.

What an amazing experience. Savannah is beautiful and healthy, I am doing great and Chris didn't pass out during the c-section, even when the doctor told him to stand up and he showed him several of my internal organs! We can't wait for everyone to meet her!

Ramadan

Today is the first day of Ramadan. Since we are learning as well, I thought I would attach some information that Chris' HR office sent out today. Chris ate lunch behind a curtain and I went to lunch with a fellow Michigander in a restaurant that had all of the windows blacked out. The restaurant was busy but with other Americans and British customers. Everyday is definitely a learning experience.

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎) is an Islamic religious observance that generally falls during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the "Five Pillars of Islam" (the others being: 1. To testify that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammed is the Messenger of God; 2. To pray 5 times a day; 3 To pay alms; and 4. To perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) for those who can afford it physically and financially.

During Ramadan, observant Muslims not only abstain from food, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk, but in general practice restraint from all activities or behavior that are not compatible with Islamic values. Muslims are instructed to behave more patiently and tolerantly than usual and more time is spent on religious instruction and reflection.

Throughout Ramadan, there is an emphasis on communal values: People will invite guests to join them for breaking the fast (iftar). You will find many Iftar tents around the UAE, both private and commercial, as well as many of the restaurants throughout the UAE, were people meet to break the fast together.

After Ramdan, (Eid al-Fitr) is one of the most important festivals in Muslim cultures: children are bought new clothes and people travel to visit friends and relatives.

Although we are not required to fast they do ask that during this month, non-Muslims show respect to those who are fasting and pay attention so as not to offend Islamic values.

It is recommended that everyone (non-Muslims included) follow the tips below during this holy month.

• Do not eat, drink or smoke in public view during the daytime (including in your car). This is considered highly disrespectful. Pregnant, nursing women, and young children are exempt from the provisions, but discretion should be exercised.
• Take extra care about your clothing during the holy month. Skimpy clothes should not be worn at any time in the UAE, but during Ramadan the standards may be policed even more carefully than usual.
• The majority of eating and drinking establishments will be closed during daylight hours, but you can find some coffee houses that are screened from public view.
• Driving may be more erratic than usual, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening, be patient and show tolerance especially during this time.
• Loud music and dancing is considered disrespectful during Ramadan. Please do not play music or dance in public areas.
  
  

It should be an interesting month and definitely a good learning experience!

Public Transportation???

We are still waiting on Chris' residency visa, which means there is a lot of stuff we cannot do yet like get a car, sign a lease, get cell phones, have access to our bank account, the list goes on and on. We have managed for the last few weeks to get by with public transportation.The train system is great and cabs are everywhere. Although, there have been a few hiccups. A few days ago, Chris got stuck on the train going to work due to "technical difficulties". Luckily, he was able to get off and take a cab the rest of the way into work.

Today, I was supposed to meet a fellow Michigander for lunch but spent almost an hour and 70 dirhams (about $20) with a taxi driver that couldn't find the restaurant and with no cell phone, there is no one to call and ask for better directions. I ended up just having him bring me back to the hotel and ordering room service instead! An interesting note about the UAE, is that there are not street addresses. Everyone either has a personal P.O. Box or uses the P.O. Box of their employer. The current address system is based on landmarks and some building numbers. As yesterday proved, this is not a good system when neither the cab driver or the passenger know where they are going!

She's On Her Way

Yesterday at my doctor's appointment we found out that "Baby Girl" may make her arrival about 2 weeks early, so we spent this afternoon trying to prepare. Our "stuff from home" (her crib, etc...) won't be here until the end of the month so we will still be living in our hotel, if the doctor is correct. Today, we purchased a "pack-n-play" (or travel cot, as they call them here). Next on the list is diapers, bath stuff, a car and signing a lease (we need Chris' residency visa to come for the car and lease first!).

Tonight we went to a coworker's son's first birthday party. He hosted a "cocktail party" at Carters, a restaurant inside the Wafi Mall. He is from India so they actually celebrate two birthdays each year. Today was his "calendar birthday", which is not as big of a deal in their culture but very similar to a first birthday party that we would celebrate with cake and gifts. In India, they place more importance on their lunar calendar birthday and when the stars align the same way they did at birth.

(The pictures are of the outside of the mall.)

Baby Girl Update

We are officially one month away from "Baby Girls" arrival!

We have found a hospital and doctor that Chris and I are both comfortable with and like. I am currently seeing the doctor twice a week, just to keep an eye on things. My blood pressure is within "normal ranges" but is elevated in comparison to how it has been running throughout the pregnancy. Baby Girl is also still breech (which she has been since at least week 20), so he wants to keep an eye on her positioning. I had an ultrasound done last week and we could make out her little face!

Today, I also had lunch with a fellow Michigander. We met at Baker and Spice, in the Souk Al Bahr, just outside the Burj Khalifa fountain and the Dubai Mall. Lunch was good and it was nice to chat with someone from home. We spent the afternoon talking about how we missed Buffalo Wild Wings and how to get to Pottery Barn (yes, there is one here!).

We will keep you updated on Baby Girl's arrival!