I've been itching, wanting, coveting to make this announcement for, like, three months now and following all customs and traditions, it is now finally time to let all loved ones and friends know that YES, WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!
The funny thing is that I've long trained myself to dismiss any hope that I could be pregnant. It has been really disappointing to miss my period, feel "different" and end up negative on a home pregnancy test. The fact that I had a miscarriage in 2010 makes it even harder. So the past few months, I have consciously avoided any thoughts of having a baby.
What's weird though is that Gary knows me more than I know myself, apparently. Last August, he stopped by Walgreens after dinner and told me to buy a home pregnancy kit. I said no, we're wasting money (these tests are not cheap I tell you), I'll just get disappointed, I'm not even feeling anything...But he was dead serious about it. After a dialogue that sounded more like a dad telling his kid to eat her veggies, I finally stepped into the tub and tested myself.
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| The best surprise EVER. |
So how's my pregnancy so far? Interesting, to say the least. The moment I stepped out of that bathroom, our roles have been reversed. Gary suddenly became the domestic diva that I was; and me? I instantly became the other half that didn't need to worry about dinner or what toiletries we need to buy. AND. I. LOVE. IT.
Gary seems to be loving it too. I guess it's the feeling that he has a family to protect. Or that another life will be depending on him. Or that he's seeing a little Gary soon. Maybe all. My pregnancy really does feel like magic. We have never been happier or more connected. I've never felt more loved, and I have never appreciated how really good a husband I have until now. Gary studies full time, works full time and reports for his Army duties one weekend per month all at the same time so we could give the most to our new addition. He does all this, yet I still feel that I have his 100%attention 24/7. How he does it, I have no idea!
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| Love at first sight. Our baby at 6 weeks 1 day. |
As for me, I'm lazy, and grumpy, and just having a ball being a spoiled, fat brat. I make demands and they are always met to my satisfaction. Seriously though, it has not been easy on me either. While I have only one or two occassions of vomitting, I was always queasy and had to battle with my gag reflex non-stop. I didn't and couldn't eat the first three months of pregnancy. I always loved to cook but that all changed. I suddenly couldn't bear the sight of my own kitchen. I didn't (still don't) eat in the dining area because I could see the kitchen and it makes me want to throw up. And if Gary so much as puts a spoonful more than I asked for, I will just not eat from the plate that he gives me. My lower back hurts most of the time, and I also get headaches, which make me irritable. When I really get difficult, Gary jokingly tells me, "You can't bring me down!" LOL
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| A pea in the pod. At 8 weeks. |
Yesterday I went to my third prenatal checkup with Gary. He normally goes inside the maternity room with me. The past two sessions, we saw the baby through ultrasound. This time however, the doctor asked for a urine sample from me and before I could even grab Gary to go see our doctor, I was already led by the medical assistant to my room. There was no ultrasound session scheduled for that visit. Which is for the best I guess since Gary was excitedly, patiently waiting outside thinking he would see our baby when I actually wasn't even going to get him anymore. My doctor is Dr. Wakako Nomura. She's been very pleasant and sensitive of my needs from Day 1. Yesterday, she just listened to the baby's heartbeat through a fetal Doppler. I got to hear it too, and she described it as "fast, strong and healthy." We still wish we were able to see our baby at 13 weeks through ultrasound but knowing that he's fine is really more than enough.
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| Excited parents-to-be. PHOTO BY ANDREA BRENHOLZ |
We still have a long way ahead of us but my only prayer is that the baby's healthy and that I have a safe delivery. Oh, and that Gary still takes care of dinner ad infinitum. Okay, I'm not gonna push my luck. Just healthy mommy and baby is fine. :)
