Hang in there, baby...

This morning we had a bit of a scare--no pregnant woman ever wants to see blood during her pregnancy... especially blood that is coming from her! Whatever caused it may never be known, as it has yet to reappear. Just for safety's sake, though, I'll be going in for a check-up tomorrow to make sure everything is OK. I'm pretty confident that it is, but the peace of mind I'll get from hearing it will be helpful. And the bonus? I might get to see you again!

So until tomorrow, little one, hang in there, OK? We love you so much... everyone is waiting and so excited for your arrival... but not for at least 23 more weeks!!

Finally, a belly picture!!

I took a picture of my belly at 4 weeks and 7 weeks just for reference, but they're nothing special to share. But this past week I've "popped" and so I felt it warranted the beginning of belly pictures. Instead of a cute "bump" I've got an all-around belly going on, just like I did with your big sister. Now that I'm actually showing, I plan to take a photo weekly so that I can document my growth with you!

13 weeks

In just a matter of days, I will be 1/3 through my pregnancy. I can hardly believe it!

The word is getting out now, that we're patiently waiting for your arrival. You big sister knows, Grandma and Papa know, your uncles know, several of my friends know, my boss knows, my coworkers know... your Vo and Tio and Tia will find out on Sunday...

It's so exciting to finally be able to talk about you with other people!

I'm not digging the photo of the shrimp above, as I'm allergic to seafood and the sight and smell of shrimp has always made me gag... but for your sake, I will leave it up. (See what a good mom I am to sacrifice my own comfort for you? Hahaha.)

Big Sister Day

On Sunday we had the much-anticipated "Big Sister Day" for your big sister, Bebe. We went to church first thing in the morning, then when we got home I cooked chocolate chip pancakes and Canadian bacon (at her request) and potatoes O'Brien (at Daddy's request) for a delicious brunch. Then, after a little bit of relaxing (we were so full!), we drove to the beach--only to get there and discover it was windy and cold. Your big sister took off for the water, touched her toes in for a second, came back to the sand and started to dig, and then declared it was TOO COLD and wanted to go home. So we did! After all, it was her day! When we got home, she opted for the swimming pool instead. Daddy took her, while I stayed home and rested--I'm not much of a swimming pool person. Then I made a special dinner for us all (spaghetti and meatballs, again, her request!).

When dinner was over with, we gave her two presents--one was a "Big Sister" shirt and the other was the book I'm Going To Be A Big Sister. She didn't catch on right away, and then when I told her she was going to be a big sister, she was like, "Now? Today?"

What really made it real for her was when I showed her the ultrasound photo of you. THEN she understood, although she's a bit confused that she doesn't see me "fat yet."

After gift-giving we called your Grandma and Papa on the computer to tell them. Grandma understood right away when your big sister showed off her shirt, but Papa's reaction was a little bit delayed. It was funny!

Then we snuggled on the couch and watched Toy Story 2, and right before bed we read her her new book.

She told everyone at school yesterday about you--and she is so very excited! I can't wait for you to meet her. I know you'll love her as much as we do.

12 weeks

It's hard to believe that my first trimester is coming to an end soon. Only 10 more days left of it! Eight weeks ago today I found out that you'd be joining our family, and some days I still have a hard time believing it. Sure, I've got symptoms (waking up to pee at night, feeling hungry ALL THE TIME, etc.) but the reality hasn't sunk in quite yet. I'm still wearing my regular clothes (although maternity pants do feel more comfortable, I feel like I don't need them yet)... I'm still going about my daily life just like anything else.

I was telling your daddy the other day that I think the reason why this pregnancy feels so much different, and why it feels so unreal still, is because I'm in such a different place now than I was 6 years ago when I was pregnant with your big sister. I was only working part-time, I had a lot of idle time/down time when your daddy was at work or at school, I didn't go out much... and so I had a lot of time to talk to her, think about her arrival, obsess about parenthood, worry, etc. But this time around, I've got so much on my plate--working full-time, taking care of your sister, the normal housework, plus our big vacation to Brazil and then our move made time pass by quickly.

But there's also another reason why this all feels so unreal still--and that's because I was starting to believe that I would never, ever have another child. You're a dream come true, really. One that I'm so lucky to have.

Nameless.

By this point in my pregnancy with your big sister, Daddy and I had chosen a boy name and a girl name for her. Now, I know that no two pregnancies are identical, but I was hoping that by this point in time we would have names chosen for you as well. I feel like having names for your sister helped me bond with her, and although I DO feel connected with you, I wonder if I would feel more bonded if I knew you had a name... even if it will still be 28 weeks or so until we find out which name will be yours.

With your big sister, though, the first girl name out of my mouth Daddy loved and the first boy name out of my mouth Daddy loved. It was easy! At least I can say the same about choosing a boy name this time around--the first name I said, Daddy loved. So I guess you're not COMPLETELY nameless... but I would feel much more settled if we had a girl name chosen as well.

Daddy told me to give him a list of 10 girl names I liked and he would choose from them what he liked... well, he narrowed it down to two... but the two he narrowed it down to are ones I LIKE but don't LOVE. So I'm continuing on my quest to find the "right" name... and it is driving me crazy! Daddy says we have time... I KNOW we have time! But the longer we go without a girl's name, the more tempted I am to find out if you're a boy or a girl when my 20 week ultrasound comes around... because maybe all this worry is for nothing!

I've actually gotten to the point where I've requested a baby name book from the library. I used to laugh at people who used those things. I figured baby names were just innate... but I guess not anymore!

I'm content with "Dois" for now, but hopefully we will choose something soon, so I can feel a more settled.

Music of my heart

I've always loved music. It "speaks" to me and my emotions in so many different ways. When I was pregnant with your big sister, whenever I thought about parenthood, the words of the song "The Man Who Would Be Santa" by Vertical Horizon always came to mind: All I want is for you to have, a life you love and live. Take from me all I have to give, 'cause you are in my heart.

As for you, right now Michael Buble's latest song, "Haven't Met You Yet" is being overplayed on the radio. I'm not a big fan of him or the song, but there's one line than makes me think of you every time that I hear it: I promise you kid that I'll give so much more than I get-- I just haven't met you yet.

I can't wait to meet you, but I will wait patiently, as you grow and grow and grow.

11 weeks

I found new "comparison" photos that I like so much better, so I switched them all out in old posts and will continue to use these from now on.

Look how big you've gotten! From the teeny tiny poppy seed 7 weeks ago (that was so tiny compared to a quarter that they didn't even show the whole quarter) to now the size of a fig! (Your daddy, by the way, LOVES figs. But not as much as he loves you!)

When you were measured on the ultrasound it said that you were 4.19cm from the top of your head to your butt. I took out a ruler yesterday and saw that that's about the size of my pinkie finger! Still so tiny, with a long way to go, but growing quickly!

Now that I've seen you, it's hard not to tell the whole world about you! We're patiently waiting as we plan a "big sister day" for your sister next weekend, and then once SHE knows we will tell everyone else.

I love you!

Well, there you have it...

This morning was a rather LONG and drawn out morning... we were up early and couldn't get back to sleep, we were trying to keep busy as we anxiously awaited seeing you... we arrived at the doctor's office 15 minutes in advance (as we were told), only to discover my doctor was with another patient having an emergency C-section. We waited a very LONG one hour and 15 minutes for her to arrive! During that time I made some observations:

1) The picture on the ceiling in the ultrasound room is the same one that was there when I was pregnant with your big sister 6 years ago.
2) Standing on a scale causes me to break out in a sweat, even when I know my weight is OK.
3) Paper gowns are not fun. Ever.

Your daddy and I talked a lot. About babies, about plans after you arrive, about what we'll do differently, etc. It was nice to have that uninterrupted time, honestly.

And then finally, the doctor arrived! And after a hello and a brief sentence or two, there you were on the screen in front of us! We got to see you AND to hear your heart beating. Your daddy kissed me on the forehead and had tears in his eyes. It was such a great moment.

You are already competing with your sister, it seems--she was always a little on the small size when it came to measurements. You, however, are a little on the big side. You are measuring 5 days ahead! Daddy was so cute, he kept asking the doctor, "Is that OK? It doesn't mean problems? Is it normal?"

For me, I take it as a good sign... it tells me that my restricted diet (which I've been worried might affect you) isn't hurting you one bit! I also gained some weight, and that (to me) is a positive sign.

I went to work right after... and wound up being an hour later than planned. So I wound up telling my "big boss" about your coming arrival. She is excited, and congratulated me--our department has been VERY busy this year, with 2 weddings and 3 babies (well, 2--including you--have yet to be born)! I had planned to wait to tell her, but I just felt so guilty for coming in so late. Of course it will still be a little bit longer before I tell my supervisor and everyone else.

And now we are planning a "Big Sister Day" for your big sister. She doesn't quite know that, though--we're going to do whatever she wants, all day on the 23rd, and at the end of the day we'll give her some big sister gifts and tell her about you. That's what I'm looking forward to next!

I love you so much already, Dois. I'm sure you know that, as I tell you constantly. But I just want to say it every time I think it.

10 weeks

Yay! It's MAY! The first day of May, all I could think was, "We get to see Dois this month!" and now here we are at 10 WEEKS! In just 5 days, your daddy and I will finally get a peek at you. We are so excited!

From everything I've read, the next 3 weeks of your life are filled with many, many new changes and developments! Your vital organs are going to begin working in sync with each other, your fingernails and "peach fuzz" will begin to appear, and your arms and legs will become bendable. Just reading about these things blows me away... how wonderful and truly amazing God is. How something... someONE... comes from two things that are so small you need a microscope to see them!

I am so, so blessed to be carrying you... to be your protector and your guardian as you prepare to enter this world. I promise to take good care of you, always.