13 Weeks

The baby and I are at 13 weeks today. I am so happy we're past the 1st trimester! I can definitely tell the changes in my body now: the soft bulge in my belly, fingernails growing like crazy and let's not even talk about my hair! LOL! Everything's growing and that's good. 

Last Thursday, Josh and I were able to listen to the baby's heartbeat. The midwife assured us that the heartbeat is quite strong and everything seems to be going well. Yay! I am still fighting fatigue and nausea--I'm really praying that those symptoms will fade in the next few weeks. It's definitely no fun when foods you usually enjoy makes you sick. I get quite sad when I have to pass up meat, although Big Macs seem to settle pretty well in my tummy. It is so weird! 

Today, Josh went to a Star of Excellence luncehon and was able to get off early. He promised to bring me something to eat on his way home and I really hope he finds some dessert along the way. I am craving cake, donuts, pies... anything sweet except candy! Hopefully it won't last too long so I don't look like a hippo by September! :)

My Thoughts

Well, the baby is 10 weeks and 1 day today. I can't believe how the time is passing, though I know I still have long ways to go.

I wonder if being pregnant makes you think a lot more. I've been up early every morning and I can't seem to stop thinking... thinking about the baby, money, housing, blah blah! Things that I don't really have any control over and I do pray about them, but ugh, my thoughts are out of control! I think it's mostly because my hormones are going crazy and I'm getting irrational and emotional (which REALLY doesn't help!), hehe! It has been really encouraging to talk to other moms so I can gauge how I'm doing-I've been really happy that everyone has been so willing to share with me.

Sometimes as I'm laying at night, I feel so overwhelmed with all the things that I think I should be doing or should have done. I feel like I've never been this tired, even when I used to stay up all night with friends or at college! I think one day last week, I dropped Josh off at work at 8am, came home went back to sleep until 1pm, then fell back asleep (after picking Josh up) at 6 and didn't wake up until the next morning. Strange! I suppose I should store it since I will be needing it after the baby is born.

Well, I think I'm done with the tirade for now. :) I'm looking forward to March--it seems like a lot of things are happening that month. I have another appointment on the 5th, Josh's B-day is the 6th, and I have a recital on the 7th! I pray that everything goes well.

8 Weeks

So, Josh and I went to see the midwife yesterday. I'm exactly 8 weeks pregnant, which means that Wee One is due September 17th! LOL-all the cousins so far will have to celebrate their birthdays together!

Wow! What an experience. We were in our appointment for 2 hours, but the time flew by SO fast! I had a physical, we tried to listen for the baby's heartbeat, but he's too little yet-so thankfully we were able to get an ultrasound that day! Yay!

It was amazing to see him in my belly, still so little, tiny...his little heart was beating so fast! I couldn't stop smiling as we looked at him. Josh will put up the ultrasound pics on his blog, but I wanted to put a color one of a baby in its 8th week. That's what he should be looking like, with a big head, body and little itty bitty arm and leg buds. He's less than an inch long 1.0+ cm--just a wee little one yet.

Seeing him made this pregnancy more real than when we took the test and have it turn positive. It definitely made me more emotional and love the baby even more than I already did. I am awed by the responsibility that we have of raising our baby--keeping him safe, caring for his physical, emotional and spiritual needs. It also makes me pray harder and more often than I ever had, knowing that God has gifted us with this child. It's such a beautiful thing--at this moment in time, I feel as though our lives are so full--I feel overwhelmed!

I'm still hungry and tired all the time, but the nausea seems to be receding its ugly little head. I only hope that it continues to stay away. I so detest being sick! Anyways, I can't wait until the next appointment-that's when the Wee One's going to be exactly 12 weeks! He'll actually have arms and legs!

HUNGRY!!!

I am hungry ALL the TIME!!! Hungry when I'm sleeping so that I will wake up, hungry when I wake so I have to get up...hungry every hour of every day. I never knew how much time eating took! I'm not having cravings, I just eat whatever is in sight. :) Everyone I've talked to assures me that it is normal, but I just wonder...

Thankfully, I really enjoy fruits and vegetables. All the articles I've been reading really pushes those food groups, so apples, oranges, bananas, and V8s have been my in-between-meals snacks. I'm hoping that the hunger pains will slow down soon, but who knows? I'm interested in seeing how much more my body changes between now and the next 7 months. Even though it is still early in the pregnancy, I'm already counting down the months to see the Wee One. I have my first appointment with the midwife in 2 1/2 weeks. I'm praying that everything is good and the baby's growing well and is healthy. Josh and I've already picked names, but I wonder if we won't decide on something else once we see him/her. Before I was pregnant I was hoping for a boy, but now I will be happy with a healthy baby no matter what gender.

I am very tempted to go out and shop for baby things. We've been going to a few stores looking at cribs, strollers, car seats...I even looked at diapers! LOL! I wish we knew what gender the baby was so I could at least buy one outfit, but that won't be for some weeks yet. As all of you know, waiting is NOT one of my attributes. :) We'll be sure to let all of you know once we do find out! :)

Well, I am absolutely amazed by the fact that we are going to have a baby. Josh and I have been trying since May of 2008...not too hard, but still, every month was a disappointment when Auntie Flo (LOL) arrived. It was when we finally gave it up to God--praying that we will be patient and wait on His time rather than ours that it seemed to happen. Funny enough, we didn't know for almost two months that we were!

I'm very grateful that it seems to be going really well. I have nausea throughout the day, but never throwing up-just the uncomfortable feeling that lasts for a few minutes. As I've been reading about the development of the baby, the cramps I've been having is my uterus stretching. I will be more at peace about that after I see the midwife. I'm not quite sure about the due date because I can't remember when my last period was, but it definitely was before Thanksgiving. I'm thinking I'm between 6-8 weeks. We'll know more when I get an ultrasound. I feel so overwhelmed! I feel joy and fear at the same time, praying that everything is going well, that we would be good parents, making sure to eat right...books and internet are SO helpful.

I'll post again after we see the midwife and get an ultrasound. I can't wait!

X-Mass Approaches

Well, I tried to put pictures to this, but the computer is not cooperating with me.

Anyways, I can't believe Christmas is just days away! This year has gone by so fast--so much so that it doesn't seem like it is Christmas time. I am having a difficult time trying to get into the "mood". I usually love this time year--getting ready to entertain, buying/making gifts, decorating...but all I'm feeling is the stress and crankiness! I think it is because I haven't seen friends or family in a while. After all, what is all the hustle and bustle without loved ones? :) I am praying that I will be in the Christmas-cheer by Christmas.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone and having a wonderful time. It seems ages since we were all together last and though I love being all grown up (...hmm, are we ever all grown up??), I miss seeing family and friends everyday. Josh and I are counting down the days to have the Warren Brunch and exchanging gifts and just hanging out. Can't wait!

Marriage Retreat

Josh and I went to Faith's Marriage Retreat this past weekend. It was a great experience and a great time to just spend time together with each other and other couples.

At first, I was really uncertain about whether we should go...I felt like we would be the youngest couple there--and we were. We also were the only couple without kids. However, after the first few minutes, it was much more welcoming.

It's amazing how God's timing works. At the retreat, I thought how Josh and I had it "together" now, since we had to work through so many issues the past year. Well...guess what? The work's never over! I learned just how arrogant and prideful I was (lol) and that there is SO much MORE to work on. I didn't feel overwhelmed, but rather excited at the propsect! Wow! God does work miracles...haha!

I am so thankful we went and I feel like God has revealed so much to me over that weekend. I hope and pray that His Spirit continues to work in our lives and our marriage to glorify Himself further.

The biggest lesson I learned was no matter how righteous I feel in my anger toward Josh (when we have a fight), he and I are more alike in our most sinful moments than I would ever be righteous. Even if I am right, the suffering of Christ on the Cross is more important than my indignation of being wronged. Wow!