The joys of pregnancy?

Before getting pregnant, I knew that there would be some un-fun things about it.  At least this is what I gathered over the years from friends and family, but I always thought I'd be able to handle things splendidly.  Let me just say that I was humbled.  From about week 6 I began the 'morning sickness'.  Of all pregnancy symptoms, this has been my very least favorite.  And by the way, it never happened in the morning.  I've never done well with nausea.  I knew this would be a difficult part, but I didn't know how difficult.  Feeling nauseated all day every day is not fun.  I really dislike it.  Even taking anti-nausea medication didn't totally take away the uneasy feeling of being sick - all of the time! Then of course the back-lash of taking the medication to make me feel better made me totally and completely constipated! I would try eating things that would agree with my stomach, but those things were definitely not fiber-rich foods.  I ate whatever I could keep down, and as you pregnant ladies know, if you don't eat, you are absolutely and totally ravenous! I've never known hunger like I have in pregnancy - and much more often too.  If you don't eat, you feel sick.  As a result, I have gained about 12 pounds thus far. 
AND, if you eat the wrong foods, you may end up with heartburn, which is miserable too. 

All of these things and more I have experienced in these mere 15 weeks.  I hope I don't sound like a complainer (sometimes I feel like one), but I really am so thankful to have this experience.  I just don't think I ever had as great an appreciation for women that have been doing this forever as I do now.  I could never know except by experiencing it for myself.  I will say that my prayers have become more frequent and more fervent, and my love for dear Dave has grown by leaps and bounds.  He has been an incredible support to me through these times.  Sometimes I just break down and cry because I'm so exhausted, or just exhausted of being nauseated.  He has been so patient with my lack of contributing to doing anything in the house, because once I come home from work all I can do is rest until it's time for sleep.  I love that husband of mine! He loves me mucho even though I'm turning into a hippo.  He's a wonder that Dave Dean. 

All in all, I am a happy girl, and just can't wait to actually feel this baby kicking inside of me (it has been kicking for weeks now, but I just can't feel it).  I can't wait to be a mommy, and to experience a whole different type of joy in the journey of life.  Yay!

Oct. 22nd - impending arrival

And just like that, we're pregnant! Before we got married, Dave and I had decided we would try for a baby right away.  At this age, I had no idea if I would even be able to get pregnant, so we thought we'd just see if it could happen.  I had thought a year or maybe more until it happened.  I have plenty of family and friends that have been unable to get pregnant, and I just wanted to make sure we used every bit of time we had to try.  Only a few weeks after we got married, I got a positive on a pregnancy test, and the next day we lost it.  It was hard, because there was a definite change in how my body felt before and after I lost it.  I was grateful, however, that I was even able to get pregnant.  I really thought it would take longer after that, but 4 weeks later (Valentine's Day), we got another positive.  A few weeks later we went in for our first ultrasound - since I am 36, it is a little more necessary.  We heard the baby's beautiful beating heart and realized this was really, really happening.  Another ultrasound at 11 weeks showed the baby was very actively moving its arms and legs.  It was the most surreal thing to see the movement on the ultrasound screen! I can hardly believe there is a baby within me.  We are so incredibly grateful for this baby and for the chance to experience this - especially when we know that so many have had difficulties getting pregnant.  We almost felt guilt that it was so quick for us. 
Well, things are progressing and we are now at 14 weeks.  We'll find out in two weeks what we are having.  Needless to say, we are excited.  We are nervous.  We are humbled.  We are grateful.