15 Weeks and Feeling Better

I want to use this blog to help me remember this first, exciting pregnancy. But morning (all-day) sickness, travel, work, holidays, friends and family all seemed to get in the way and here I am not having posted for nearly a month! 

Take the tail-end of week 11 and the beginning of week 12 (Dec. 14-15), for example. I had to take the bus into work before our flights back to America, and I spent the whole bus ride trying desperately not to vomit. Then I got off the bus and tried to breathe deeply, willing myself to hold it all in, to think of anything but being sick. Finally, I was scouting for places to unobtrusively upchuck - I didn't find one and proceeded to projectile vomited all over the pavement and sidewalk. After cleaning myself up the best I could (in my work clothes!) I apologized to everyone around me and just kept repeating that I was pregnant. I needed them to know I wasn't hungover! Luckily I got a few sympathetic nods from people who understood those queasy first weeks. 

The day after the vomit episode I hit 12 weeks and was perfectly fine for the next three weeks. This was wonderful timing for our America trip, as it meant I could indulge in all the Mexican food possible. I had a delightful time sharing the news with my friends and family in a variety of creative ways, including my wrapped bump and a youtube video:

I didn't really do much documenting while I was visiting my family, as I was too busy seeing everyone and running around like usual. I did get to buy maternity clothes (too much fun! especially with the bump pillow!) Why didn't anyone tell me maternity stuff is so comfortable? I am never changing out of my comfy jeans again! No buttons, no problems!

Bump pillow! Can't wait to actually be like this!

Me in 3 months?

 My dear family friends were so incredible and threw me a last-minute baby shower. I felt so surrounded by love and happiness, it was a wonder I didn't sob all the way through (perhaps my emotions are a bit more in control now?) We played sweet games, chatted, ate yummy food, had delicious cake, made onesies, and laughed and talked for hours. 

 

Lovely quilt for baby!

Luckily things are still quite simple for me with a tiny bump, although I have passed into the exciting second trimester! I don't really feel more energetic, but I'm happy to be eating normal food again. I want it to both go slower (I'm loving growing a sweet baby!) to wanting it to go faster (I can't wait to meet my sweet little snuggle baby!). I've just gotten my next scan date - the anomaly scan - for February 8th so I'm really looking forward to that. Things seem to be ticking along just fine - no problems or concerns so far, and I'm just so happy to be here. I never thought I would be, and sometimes it feels like this must be a dream and it couldn't be happening to me! But here I am, rubbing my slightly protruding tummy and thinking about all the wonderful moments to come.

9 Week Update

So much has happened since my last post, and I can't believe I am already up to 9 weeks! I don't want it to all pass in a blur, so with a few free moments today I wanted to add some memories.

First, at 8 weeks we paid to have what's called here a "reassurance scan". They do an early ultrasound for you, so you can relax a bit at the beginning of your first trimester. I nearly cried when I saw that little heartbeat. It was my baby! A real baby! 

Since that appointment I've begun to dream about my life in June, when Baby Shippy is due to arrive. I'll get to be a mommy to a precious little soul, and there is nothing I want more!

Getting to that moment, however, is seeming to take an eternity. I am so so grateful to be pregnant, and everyday I think that I am the luckiest person in the world. And then I get nauseous and weepy and exhausted all at the same moment - and I still feel incredibly lucky. 

But just to remember these past few weeks, I wanted to write down more of my feelings/thoughts. I am trying to cherish every moment, even the difficult ones!

So last week the only thing I could think about was my scan. I was counting down every moment to get there and I was desperate to see Baby Shippy. They told me to have a full bladder so it was easier to use the ultrasound, so I drank and drank and drank. My husband came and picked me up at work so we would be there on time, and I waddled to the office. They let me in early because I looked so uncomfortable. The woman who started the ultrasound said my bladder was TOO full, and she let me run off to the loo to empty about half of it. After I returned, much relieved, she squirted the cold gel on me, wriggled around the wand, and there s/he was! Our little bean! With a strong heartbeat and a bit of movement, the US technician told us everything was looking good. I was measuring at 8 weeks, 1 day (I thought I was 7 weeks, 6 days, but we're not going to quibble over such a small difference). I could have stayed in that room and stared at my baby forever. It was concrete then, something finally real that I wasn't just making up. We paid up, got the pictures printed, then headed home. I ate an apple in the car to stave off the ever present queasiness, but it didn't work. The last 10 minutes of the car ride was a constant battle of trying to hold it all in until I got home. I made it, just barely, and the apple came right back up. Yuck, apples do not play nicely on their way out! I ended up with a very sore throat and then a cold that made me feel miserable on the Thursday and Friday after. The problem with being a teacher is there is no time for sick days, so you just carry on!

Last weekend was quite relaxing for us, and then I pushed through another week. The nausea comes and goes, but the worst part for me is food aversions. I don't seem to want to eat anything really (most especially healthy veggies!). I need cold food that doesn't smell, and popsicles are my friend. This isn't very useful at the moment being winter and all, but I'm coping. I also find if I don't pay attention to eating then it goes better, like I'm tricking my body into thinking I'm not REALLY eating so it's okay to ignore it. 

More than anything I want to get into the second trimester so my fear of something happening to my baby goes away. Although perhaps I should just get used to this fear, because as a parent you are always worried about your child - right?