How I Spent Weeks 8, 9, and 10.

Location: the Couch
Time: 6 PM - 9:30 PM daily
Activities: Moaning, watching the family, napping, TV
Mood: Grumpy (even though the photo is smiley, I felt grumpy) and Un-Enthusiastic
Energy Level: Exhausted, Early Bed Time.

Pregnancy Announcement

We told our parents about their new grandchild using Daniel as a personal announcement. He wore this shirt I made for him that said BIG BROTHER on the back and 11 on the front (for 2011). All the grandparents first though it was a MU t-shirt and didn't realize the meaning for a few minutes, but when they did, everyone was so happy!

Telling the Grandparents

For some reason, we really don't announce, "Hey, we're pregnant."

With our first pregnancy, I am not exactly sure how we brought it up, but it wasn't in casual conversation.  It was a bit formal.

For the Daniel's pregnancy, we waited longer to be sure we could have more proof of pregnancy, proof like 11 weeks into it.  It would be difficult to endure another miscarriage after JUST before telling everyone about it.  So we waited until Christmas and wrapped up little Baby H's ultrasound photo for them.  They were really surprised and delighted.

For this baby's pregnancy, I created a shirt for Daniel to wear.  It said BIG BROTHER on the back and had the number 11 on the front (which is the year he is a big brother).  It looked a bit like an MU shirt, which might be why his grandparents didn't catch on at first.  When they finally read the words on the back, they said, "What do you mean, he's a big brother?  Ah!!!! Ooooo!!".  There were a lot of smiles and it was a total surprise to them all.

8 Weeks

This week I got sick a lot.  I managed to figure out an eating schedule, and I am STARVING hungry by 10:30 AM.  I am so un-hungry at other times, like breakfast, supper, and later in the evening when Dan eats his nightly bowl of ice cream.

I also have figured out ways to take the Zofran that works for me.  Sometimes the dissolving pill makes me gag and then triggers throwing up.  So now I swallow it instead and drink it with a slightly flavored beverage, like Gatorade.  It only works to stop the throwing up and reduces nausea by about half.  So I still feel pitiful, have no appetite, and feel cranky.  So I am not always the most friendly teacher at work.

My energy was low, but I took Daniel on a trip to a new park this week and on two stroller walks.  I think I had more energy during his pregnancy!

Week

Lots more puking.

Many nights on the sofa that start immediately after Daniel's bath because I feel to weak and to ill to do anything BUT sit on the sofa and watch some mindless TV.

Told some family members when we visited them for the weekend, and they responded with such enthusiasm that we realized how shocking it was that we hadn't told our parents or siblings yet!  But we wanted to wait it out for the ultrasound.

On Monday we did see Little Baby H2's heart rate.  It was strong and 156 bpm.  This is about the same as Daniel's at this time.  We did not see any classic baby features... just really a blob with a flickering heart.  I couldn't even tell the direction the baby was facing it was so blurry (wiggling) and shapeless.  We had a great appointment with Dr. Grant, who assured us we will have excellent patient care.  We also decided when I will be weighed - 4 times during pregnancy - so as to alleviate most of the anxiety I felt last time about my appointments.  Because of the MTHFR problem, I will still be classified as high risk, meaning there is an elevated chance of miscarriage and also chance for problems with the baby's development.  However, I am allowed to go back at 12 weeks, rather than sooner, which is October 11th.

First Family Photo: 3 of Us

Taken on September 5, 2010
Baby H2- 6.5 weeks gestation
DHH - 13 months, 1 week
Me - four days shy of being 28

Dear Tiny Baby,

This week was the most difficult so far for two reasons:
1) Keeping you a secret
2) Keeping me feeling healthy


And actually, both difficulties are related!  Having to make excuses for why I feel sick (car sick, tired because I stayed up to late, blaming my fatigue on your active year old brother, touch of a flu) is challenging. 

We had to cover up the pregnancy for a few reasons this week.  First, I went to a friends' wedding and I needed not steal any of her spotlight.  I told a few of her relatives that I care about in hushed tones and accepted their congratulations, but still you were kept on the DL.   

Your paternal grandmother Becky came to stay with your brother, and I didn't tell her either.  She was up for an appointment with our Aunt, and our attention did need to be focused on her medical care. 

Then my parents, your maternal grandparents, watched your brother for the weekend while we were at the wedding.  I took a long nap and didn't tell them about throwing up the dinner they fixed for me. 

I think we've wanted to wait until we know more about you.  How old you are (exactly), how tiny you are, and if there is only one of you.  I'd like to see your heartbeat, too.

I am so physically unwell these days.  I really dislike throwing up and I dislike how being so sick all the time robs me of being happy about being pregnant.  I envy a friend who is 38 weeks pregnant because she has only two more weeks until she meets her child.  Its going to be a long, long period of time and I hope we get something figured out so I can enjoy my life and your life in ways that do not put me in bed for long stretches of time or gagging in front of the toilet.

I love you already.
Bethany

Week 6

This is the week of extreme nausea.

At least I know I am still pregnant.
I do not know if I will be able to hold down anything I am eating.  Its really most unpleasant.

I have had a hard time remembering how terrible it was being pregnant with Daniel Henry.  The rose colored glasses have been kicked aside and now I remember.  


Blech.  That is the perfect word to describe how I feel.