First Appointment

The Alpengeist. My favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

Photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/4dzx8ch

The time since this BFP has been a real roller coaster. A balancing act, if you will, between being happy and being worried. I'm happy to report that the spotting that was of concern last time I posted has thankfully not returned. My symptoms are still pretty much non-existent though, which I suppose I should be thankful, for but its got me worried. Since the spotting on the 7th I've only had minor nausea and have gone from a waterfall downstairs to a desert. My doctor says thats normal, as does the book she recommended What to Expect When You're Expecting (WTEWYE) by Heidi Murkoff. Dr. Google concurs.

I'm really excited to have made it to my first doctors appointment. I didn't get that far last time. It was kind of surreal being there though, particularly when they gave me paperwork to fill out and I was answering questions with myself listed as "Mother". Kind of reminded me of when we first got engaged and the vendors referred to me as "The Bride". I digress...

The first appointment went well. I was able to pass their pee test (Yahoo!). I got a chance to talk with my doctor. Mostly she just answered questions and asked things like when my last period was, what immunizations I've had, if I was taking prenatal vitamins...things like that. They took some blood samples before I left, from what I could translate from the lab order it looks like it was to make sure I am good and healthy.

The doctor did give me a bit of concerning news. Apparently with my insurance (Tricare), my doctor has to put in a referral to herself to continue my prenatal care. Tricare can refuse her referral and have me go to military clinics and hospitals instead. I'm crossing my fingers that doesn't happen.

Oh and the doctor said that if I get to stay with her office (we should know next week), that she wants me to have an ultrasound around 6 weeks. I'm sooo hoping that gets to happen. My previous loss was at 5w1d, so to see things are on track soon after that point would be amazing. Not to mention there would likely be a heartbeat then. We shall see though, this is all up in the air waiting on the verdict with insurance. I have no idea what the u/s schedule is at the military hospitals...will cross that bridge when I come to it.

If you all wouldn't mind keeping Baby Cactus Bud in your thoughts in the coming days I'd appreciate it. This weekend we'll (hopefully) be passing the gestation when the previous loss occurred. I can't begin to tell you what a huge step making it past that point will be.

Before I forget, I want to send out a big welcome to the two new buds, Determined Bud and Buttercup Bud. I'm looking forward to getting to know you both. Best of luck!

Worried

I had a minor amount of spotting last night and don't think I've felt symptoms since yesterday afternoon. Thankfully the spotting seems to have stopped, but this is still way too similar to my miscarriage experience for my liking. With the miscarriage, I had some pretty bad back cramps followed by spotting which gradually worsened over the next day...followed by the floodgates opening and all question of a viable pregnancy disappearing. After the back cramps, I never felt another symptom.

Thankfully I haven't had bad back cramps this time around and the spotting was so much less...but the fact that the symptoms are seemingly gone is freaking me out. I'm trying to remind myself that this early on (4W3D), its totally normal for symptoms to not be present. I'm also trying to remind myself that not all spotting leads to bad news. Early pregnancy, particularly after a loss, is such a huge mind game.

I'm waiting on a call back from my doctor. I have my first appointment with them tomorrow. I'm hoping they can clue me in as to what the cause of the spotting might be. Not sure what else they could do. I guess they could run betas, but I'm not sure I'm ready to hear the results if they aren't good.

Edited to add: I finally heard back from my doctors office. Only took them 5 hrs and a second call from me (eye roll). They say just to come in as scheduled tomorrow. Not surprising given its after 3pm here already. I'm looking forward to getting in there and getting on the road to perhaps getting some answers. I'm also looking forward to asking them to check on a possible infection (UTI or yeast...feels like somethings going on).

Thankful I Was Wrong

Its been a roller coaster few days.

On Thursday I had some cramping. Figured for sure it was AF about to come. She usually shows up within 24 hours or so of cramps like that. I've been keeping an eye on the length of my luteal phase as its its right in the gray area of being too short and requiring treatment. Thursday was 9 DPO, meaning AF would be holding true to form by arriving at 10 DPO.

Friday morning I woke up to more cramps. Pretty notable ones at that. I also woke up to a temp that made my chart look like this:

Talk about a temperature drop before AF showed up! The whole day I was just waiting for her to make an appearance. Telling myself that it was alright, November is a fine month (My Birthday!), and that although this was the last chance for me to deliver a child full term before I turned 35...that it would be fine. It would work out. I was honestly more concerned about the luteal phase issue.

AF never did show.

This morning, my chart looked like this (below). I also woke up to a feeling of deja vu as there were little twinges in my uterus. These are really common in early pregnancy, and I remembered them from the pregnancy I lost at about 5 weeks back in November. Needless to say a test was taken.
Positive.

Apparently those cramps were implantation cramps and the drop in temperature an implantation dip.

I've never been so happy to be completely wrong about something in my life. Mr. CB and I are surprised as we thought for sure this month was out, but are thrilled. According to my LMP, the EDD should be October 15th. I didn't ovulate on CD14 though, and when I plugged in my ovulation date it said the EDD would be October 18th. Since the two are so close and I'm pretty sure my OB will go with the LMP one until a dating ultrasound, that's what I'm sticking to for now. It being 3 months to the day from the EDD I had for my loss (July 15th) is a little freaky, but honestly, as long as the baby comes home healthy and happy I don't care what the due date is.

I'm such a mixture of emotions right now that I don't even know how to begin to describe the thoughts in my head. I'm excited, scared, anxious & hopeful all at once. I kind of feel like I'm running the gauntlet. Just trying to get past one obstacle at a time. There are so many things that have to go perfectly to result in a take home baby in the end, I'm just praying that things are going right in there.

Outed

Today marks, OFFICIALLY, the beginning of Week 4 of my pregnancy.

Huzzah!

At Mr. Cherry Bud's insistence, I have stopped peeing on everything in sight, which is unnerving and freeing all at the same time.

We haven't told my parents yet, but we bought them a little red bib at Target that says "Baby's First Christmas". I tried to find a picture, as it is super cute, but apparently Target keeps all it's Christmas bibs on online lockdown. So whatever.

This week has been an exercise in secret keeping, which is a herculean task if you are me. I have kept the news from my parents, who we will present with super cute bib on Sunday, but to date, I have told the following:

The Nesties on my local board - One of them was stalking my chart and knew already, which makes me feel important and loved. I am one of three on the board who is delivering in August. It's going to be a sweaty summer here in the south.

My librarians - I checked out "What to Expect when You Are Expecting" and was given the third degree. I do love them

My sister - We were decorating my mom's Christmas tree. My exact words were "Don't react. At all. I'm Pregnant.". She started crying and I said "Quit it! It's a secret!!"

A girl whose name I don't recall who sang at a Christmas party at which I was also singing - Because she doesn't know anyone I know and can't be a liability. So there.

Happily, no one has outed me on facebook, which would be disastrous.

a total champ/failure at secret keeping,

The Little Beta That Could

Beta #2 is back. Not good news, but not necessarily bad.

HCG is at 67, progesterone at 17.5

They wanted to see it go up to 80, but the nurse told me that because the numbers are lower, sometimes there is a margin of error when they test the blood. In actuality, my numbers could be higher (yes, they could be lower too, but I'm trying not to think of that).

So I will go in on Tuesday to have my 3rd draw. They want my numbers to be around 220. That seems like such a large jump from 67, and it makes me extremely nervous.

My only symptoms right now are fatigue and sore BBs - no nausea and I'm still able to to go the bathroom (TMI?).

So again, its a waiting game for the most impatient girl in the world.

Pregnant.

Oh wow, I never thought I would see this day! Monday was our anniversary (11dpIUI for me). I tested for kicks and also because I am a moron and of course saw the same old stark white BFN on a FRER. I also had cramps and a backache and was feeling overall despodent and pathetic. I even though of asking DH if we could postpone our anniversary dinner since I was in such a sucktacular mood. I drank wine quite liberally since I was pretty much convinced that there was no way in hell I was KU. We did end up going out and having a lovely time. Literally, as soon as we left the restaurant, I got awful cramps and started to feel very ill. My stomach got super bloated and I had vomiting and diarrhea (sorry if TMI) throughout the night and the following morning.

I felt like a miserable basketcase and noticed my skin was breaking out a little, too -- great, I have a stomach virus AND I am super PMSy I thought. Awesome. My temps were staying consistently high, but since I was certain I was sick with some GI virus, I was convinced this was some evil tease caused by my "illness" (ahem, pregnancy). Yesterday morning at 13dpIUI I could once again no longer resist my primal urge to pee on things, even though I was still convinced I couldn't be pregnant (but pg or stomach bug, a POAS addict like myself could not be talked down from peeing on something with a 98.8 temp at 13dpIUI).

What I saw was quite the curiosity--a vague hint of a vague hint of a vague hint of a faint (evap?) line. I shoved it in Mr. Blueberry Bud's face for him to scrutinize and he told me he did see the faint shadow to which I was referring but that was definitely a negative pregnancy test that he was staring at. BFN or not, I had never seen anything quite like it before, so it was slightly suspicious.

Fast-forward to 6AM this morning, as I was poised to see that my temp plummeted to 97.5F...BUT it was holding steady at 98.8F. Again, convinced that this couldn't really be it after being used to so much disappointment, I half-heartedly POAS. I am not sure why this morning was so different, but for the first time ever, I didn't anxiously hover over the test to see it develop. I walked away, checked my email, and calmy returned 3 or 4 minutes later. My hand shook as I saw that second clear line, the second line that I was so convinced I would never get to experience after so many stark white BFNs. I didn't cry or scream, I just walked over to DH with the pee stick, shaking, and said "I think I'm pregnant?" Our EDD is 6/30/10 based on the day of IUI and O. Today I had my first beta drawn (14dpIUI). It was 42, which is not really great, but I am praying for good news next week when I have my second beta drawn and I am so, so grateful to just have gotten this far. It feels like a miracle.

Affirmative

Beta #1 is in!

HCG is at 44 and progesterone is at 14. Since my progesterone is still pretty low, they have upped my dosage of devil pills to twice a day.

I go back on Friday for my second draw to see if my numbers double. They didn't the first time, and I'm scared to death it will happen again.

Right now its all about milestones. First, to make it past Friday. Then, to make it past 6 weeks. Finally, to be able to make it to December 20th when I will be in my second trimester.

I'm trying not to get my hopes up right now, but I am trying to be positive.

Here's hoping this is our sticky baby!

4 weeks, 6 days

The past six days (since my +HPT) have flown by. Mr. Magnolia Bud and I are thrilled, and we're starting to believe it's real. I wanted to share my observations from the past week with you all.

1. Bloat only gets worse! I had to use the hairband trick last weekend to get into my jeans--but once I had it fastened, boy were they comfy! [A note: I went out and bought two BeBands last night, just in case I need them sooner than I hope to--white and black.]

2. I've read a lot of newly-pregnant women on the Bump say that they're hungry all the time. I'm not. I was a pretty clean eater before, and I've cut out all the junk now (well, except the snickerdoodles Mr. MB made me last week!). I'm finding that it's hard to get all the protein I'm supposed to be eating, along with all the fruits & veggies. I don't have food aversions, unless I can count just not wanting to eat much. I actually made a little chart that I keep with me so I can check off my food groups. I really just want to do everything for this embryo in my power to help it stick around.

3. Every time I use the restroom, I still check the TP for spotting. I never knew it was possible to worry so much about someone so teeny. Seriously. Size of a poppy seed.

4. One of my coworkers asked me flat out yesterday if I were pregnant (he does this from time to time--he was making a joke about doulas). I'm feeling pretty good about my lawyering skills since I was able to turn the question around on him and get him talking about pet parenting instead.

5. Mr. Magnolia Bud has been incredibly excited and supportive this entire journey, and he told me something last weekend that made me even more excited about this pregnancy and going through this journey with him--he had been following my chart, and every day would ask how my temp was that morning. The day I got my BFP, I told him that my temp went down (it did a little), and he was just like "oh, ok." After I got my BFP, he told me that even though he was nonchalant, he was really sad about the temp dropping. He teared up a little when he told me that. I think he's a keeper!

Lots of love and baby dust!

-Magnolia Bud

Answers!

On Friday, after 8 days of negative tests, (on 15DPO), Mr. Magnolia Bud and I found out what was up! I tested (again) after work, and the first test was clearly positive. So were the second, third, fourth, and fifth...all different brands.

Baby Magnolia Bud is on the way!!! S/he will be here on/about June 2, 2011, and we are both over the moon with excitement and anticipation!

I learned my lesson about early testing--I think I used 13 internet cheapies in those 8 days, plus at least six early response tests. With Baby #2, I really need to learn what patience is!

I'm really looking forward to sharing the pregnancy part of this journey with you. Thanks to all of you for your support over the last month that I've been sharing our story with you.

Lots of love and baby dust,

Magnolia Bud and Baby Magnolia Bud

BFP!!!!

So I wasn't going to POAS until Saturday morning at the earliest. That didn't last. I've been so cranky and irritable the last couple days. This morning before taking my shower I remembered that I had a couple OPKs sitting around. I know some people have luck using them as HPT, so I decided, why not? I tested and then took my shower. When I came out I noticed two very solid lines. Being I had a digital test sitting around, I decided to confirm with that. After waiting for what seemed like forever, pregnant showed up.
DH and I are excited, nervous, scared and thrilled. Baby Daisy Bud is due July 20th. :)

God's Grace

Image Source

I have always loved this portrait, it says so much about being thankful for the many blessings that God has given us and the ultimate grace and love that only He can give. After much apprehension this weekend, I had to have our pastor pray for us. We went to see him before Sunday school and told him of our news. He was excited. We thanked God for this blessing and prayed that this unborn child be given to Him and to watch over us as a family and keep us safe and strong. I feel 10 times better just saying that prayer with our pastor. We gave him permission to tell his wife only and I'll be eating lunch with her tomorrow. She is super excited for us too! It will be nice to talk with someone the next 2.5 months.

Faith, Love and Baby Flutters

Mrs. BrainyBud

Filled with Emotions

I wanted to wait until AF was due to test again, but after the second BFP today, I feel that I can share with this blog..... I'M PREGNANT!!!

On Thursday (10 DPO) we tested with a Dollar Store test that didn't seem clear, so we waited until lunchtime and tested with a digital Clear Blue Easy HPT and there it was "Pregnant."

I am filled with emotions from being scared to happy to depressed to elated. I hope the meeting with our pastor will help me renew my faith today. He will be the only person that will know until, hopefully, Christmas. Today, I am 4 weeks and 2 days pregnant with a due date around Mr. Brainy Bud's 28th birthday in June. He is so happy about the baby. He will be a great father. He is already the best husband!

I still can't believe it happened on cycle #1.

Faith, Love, and Baby Flutters
Mrs. Brainy Bud

Still waiting . . .

I'm really trying to be optimistic, I swear. I'm just having a hard time relaxing at this point. I'd like to get some blood work, maybe see a heart beat, something that can give me hope that it's ok to look at maternity clothes, or, baby books even. I just don't want to get all into this and then get disappointed if something happens.

I'm hoping this will get better as I get through the 1st trimester, but, I think it's true when they say that you're never really out of the woods. I think I'll be worrying about my child every day of his or her life! So . . . even when pregnancy ends, the worrying won't.

I go to the doctor a week from today - I'll be 5 weeks and 5 days. I'm hoping that the cysts I have will have shrunk or done something. I've been having some horrible pain on both sides (where my ovaries and their cysts are) the past few days. Today has been fine. I'm not sure if pregnancy is aggravating the cysts or if the pain was always this bad but I drowned myself in Advil to mask the pain hehe!

Wish me luck that I get to see a heartbeat (even though I know it might be too early . . . I'm still hoping)!

--Book Bud

I think it has finally sunk in

It has been three days since I got my BFP and I think it is finally starting to become reality. I am thrilled and terrified at the same time. I was certain that this cycle was a bust when my temp dropped dramatically on Tuesday morning. I allowed myself to have a pity party all day and come to terms with the fact that Cycle #10 was right around the corner. Then on Wednesday morning my temp spiked back up and when I told Mr. Hopeful Bud this he said I should go POAS. I knew I had a couple digital tests but didn't want to waste them on a BFN so I dug through a drawer and found one regular HPT. Ran down stairs because we have only one bathroom right now due to home remodeling. The second line showed up almost immediately and I barely made it safely up the stairs because I was running and shaking so badly. When I found Mr. Hopeful Bud and said "We're pregnant!" His initial response was "Oh good!" Then we hugged and he told me how ecstatic he was and "I knew your boobs were getting bigger." And they have, I already need new bras. That is scary! I have since taken two digital tests to confirm and BFPs on both! I can't wait to meet Little Hopeful Bud. I have not stopped thanking God for this amazing blessing. We have told parents, grandparents and a few close friends and family. I know that a lot of people wait until they are out of the first trimester but neither I nor Mr. Hopeful Bud are good at keeping a secret, especially when we are so excited and want to shout it from the roof. We also decided to share the news because God forbid "if" something was to happen we would definitely need the support and love of our family to get through it.

I called my doc to make an appointment and she doesn't want me to come in until I'm 8 weeks, so October 26th is our Early Pregnancy appointment. It can't come soon enough. I can't wait to hear Little Hopeful Bud's heart beat. I can only imagine that it is going to be the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.

So as of today, I am 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Little Hopeful Bud will be joining us around June 10, 2010. As of right now the only pregnancy symptom I have is swollen breasts. Morning sickness stay away . . . at least until we get our upstairs bathroom completed, which should be this weekend.

I pray that those of you that are still hoping and praying for a BFP that it comes soon.

So now what do I do???

While I'm waiting for my 8 week ultrasound??? I'm driving myself crazy waiting and of course worrying. The problem with having pregnancy problems and miscarriages in the past is that no matter how hard you try you can't help but worry more than you normally would. Looking back now I am so thankful as to how oblivious I was to the possible dangers and problems that could occur during pregnancy with little Faith Bud! I went for my second beta test on Saturday but the dr office was closed on Friday and today so tomorrow is when I get my results. I couldn't stop worrying last night. Here's to praying we see high numbers that are doubling every 48 hours!

Little Faith Bud asked this afternoon if the baby was still in my tummy or if Jesus was going to take this baby away too. It took all I had to not burst into tears. I just told her the baby is still in my tummy and we can only pray that Jesus lets us keep this baby. There is a "mantra" of sorts for women who have had miscarriages in the past. It goes "Today I am pregnant and I love my baby" . It's times like this that I have to remind myself to fall back on my faith and trust God. It's not as easy as it sounds!

The waiting game...

really stinks! lol. We are now 4 weeks & 2 days!!! I made our first appointment to see baby faith bud!!! We don't go in until October 8th though! I was hoping they would see me sooner but alas more waiting! I guess we've waited this long then what's another month right? Nothing really new to report just yet. I definitely have the beginnings of m/s & food aversions! I can't eat anything sweet, which for me is hard, because I have a serious sweet tooth but it just makes me sick! And I have been craving meat! Meatloaf, burgers, pork chops, you name it!

On another note so far I LOVE the new Dr's office. I spoke with a nurse yesterday when I scheduled my appointment and she gave me some good pointers on beating m/s, suggested I take an additional folic acid supplement to reduce the likelihood of another m/c and answered all the questions I had. I know I've had a baby before but it's been a LONG time since I had a healthy pregnancy!!! New Dr is sending me for a new Beta today & again on Saturday. Should have all the results by Monday.

Mr. Faith Bud has decided he doesn't want to know the sex of the baby.... I'm not totally convinced on that. I'm a planner & feel like I HAVE to know everything! I guess once we get to the 20 week ultrasound we will decide! We have decided on a theme for the nursery though and it will work either way! We are doing a jungle animal theme. If it's a boy it will be more Monkeys & if it's a girl most likely more Giraffes & Elephants. I am making all of the bedding and things needed for the nursery. I ordered a few books from Amazon & can't wait for them to get here. I also have a few patterns for baby outfits that I'm going to try my hand at. I can do basic sewing but I'm thinking of taking a sewing class to improve. Mr. Faith Bud & I found some amazing mechanic fabric & a dresser that looks like a mechanic tool chest (Mr. Faith Bud is a mechanic) but that will only work if he changes his mind about finding out the sex!

Here's a picture for your humor!

Still on cloud 9

and praying & hoping I never come down! I just still can't believe we finally got our BFP! I'm already having some symptoms but that is really no big shock for me. I can't really take BCP's because the Progesterone makes me nauseous, moody and a million things in between. So it's no surprise that I already have some serious mood swings. I'm pretty good all day, great energy, good mood... until about 6:30 every night! Then I need some food & a nap and will bite someones head off if they get in the way! I have already started looking at baby furniture online, which Mr. Faith Bud thinks is CRAZY. Ha Ha. I am already pretty sure we will be having a boy. With little Faith Bud I had the same feeling from early on that she would be a girl and it worked then.... Maybe I'm on to something. Also according to the Chinese chart little Faith Bud was meant to be a girl & baby Faith Bud should be a boy.... I don't think I really believe that stuff but it's funny to look at! We make our first appointment tomorrow and they should be doing an ultrasound at that appointment, which should be at about 6 weeks. I can't wait!!! Here is a picture of the bib I got to tell DH... except I couldn't keep the secret & ended up telling him before he got home!

Blighted Ovulm...

is the cause of 50% of first trimester miscarriages in which the baby either never develops or stops growing in the first trimester and then reduces to tiny pieces. A woman’s body recognizes abnormal chromosomes in a fetus and naturally does not try to continue the pregnancy because the fetus will not develop into a normal, healthy baby. This can be caused by abnormal cell division, or poor quality sperm or egg. Unfortunately, in most cases a blighted ovum cannot be prevented, however it is very rare for a women to experience a BO twice in her lifetime.

This is how the placenta and Embryo should begin to look like:

A perfect sac at 5 wks 4 days:

A sac at 6w 3days, but the embryo is developing at a slower pace:

Same embryo at 8 weeks:

and here is how a Blighted Ovum sac looks like... empty:

I would have never suspected that there was anything wrong with my pregnancy since I had all the pregnancy symptoms from increase in appetite, peeing like a race horse, dead tired by 4 in the afternoon and how can I forget the cravings for food that I never eat... cucumbers!! At times I am kind of relieved that this occurred early in the pregnancy where we never heard the heartbeat or saw the embryo, because I do not know how I would accepted the fact that my unborn baby was not developing and there is nothing that we can do to help it being further along in the pregnancy.

My heart goes out to those woman who have suffered a miscarriage in their 11th, 18th even in their 20th week. You ladies are so strong and I wish nothing but the best for you.

We are praying to start trying again next month and hoping to have a sticky baby.

Knocked Up Abroad

Disclaimer: This post was written on August 11th. I am now 6 weeks 1 day pregnant and will follow up soon!

Today I am 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant (based on my ovulation date) and I go in to my general doctor for confirmation of my pregnancy. I am still in a state of shock that everything has happened so quickly! Allow me to introduce myself and fill you in on my conception story…

My husband and I (who I will refer to as Mr. Expat Bud) got married on the rainiest day of the year in 2008, September 13. Since that day our life has been a whirlwind in the best way possible! Two weeks after we recited our vows we made a big move across the Atlantic to Dublin, Ireland.

Dublin, Ireland - City Centre

Mr. Expat Bud has dreams of completing his PhD in Irish History and what better place to do so than where it all happened? Fast forward several months and we’re still in Dublin, loving life. I was fortunate to get a job in my field (marketing) and Mr. Expat Bud has about 8 months (conveniently!) left of his program. We decided about 6 months ago that I would get my Mirena IUD removed in May and begin trying for Baby Expat Bud! I didn’t get my first visit from AF for about 5 or 6 weeks (which seemed like forever!) But after I did I had a nice, short, 27 day cycle – not pregnant yet, though! The following month (July) I decided to chart, and used OPKs and Pre-seed. Something must have worked because after returning from a weekend away in Cork I got a very faint line on a Target brand HPT (I was 10 DPO)! Mr. Expat Bud and I tried to remain calm as the line was indeed very faint and I’ve read some bad reviews on Target brand tests showing false positives. The next morning we got the confirmation we needed in the form of a digital Clearblue Easy test. Time to celebrate!!

Since then we’ve been marking the days off the calendar, waiting patiently to get out of “the danger zone” first tri. There are days I am so incredibly ecstatic and day-dreamy about the little one growing inside me, and there are days I freak myself out with statistics and horror stories; though I try to snap myself out of the latter mindset as soon as I find myself going there.

I am looking so forward to sharing my journey with all of you. It will no doubt be an interesting ride. It’s one thing being pregnant for the first time, but a whole ‘nother story when I’m going through the ordeal in a foreign country!

Cheers!

Expat Bud

P.S. For those that don't know what an expat is (I didn't before I became one!), here is the definition, courtesy of Wikipedia:

An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence. The word comes from the Latin ex (out of) and patria (country, fatherland).