pregnancy

Baby Names

For the first time with any of my pregnancies, we’re struggling with baby names.

Not a girl’s name. We have a first and middle picked out for a girl. And it’s been easy to think that this *is* a girl, if only because we already know what her name would be.

But, with the ultrasound coming up, I want to at least have some boys’ names prepared, just in case. I’m afraid that I’ll feel some sort of disappointment if I find out this baby is a boy, and have no clue what his name might be. I wouldn’t actually *be* disappointed, because I really don’t care one way or the other, (no matter who this baby is, he or she is a tiebreaker for the family!), but I’m afraid that I’ve focused too much on the possibility of a girl, just because it’s easier.

All of our children have Bible names; this one will be no different. And you’d think that the boy name would be the easier of the two to come up with, since there are so few girl names in the Bible in the first place, compared to boy names. And yet, most of the names we’ve discussed just don’t seem to fit. They either don’t go with our last name, or they’re too boring, or too unusual, (we can’t win for losing!), or have the wrong number of syllables, or just don’t feel like our baby’s name. I know, we’re picky. But choosing someone’s name for them is a big deal!

If inspiration doesn’t strike soon, and this baby is a boy, we may have to name him Frankincense!

Maybe That’s the Problem!

As I was pondering my recent uncontrollable sneezing, I remembered this quote from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine:

“Bajoran women have been sneezing their way through pregnancy for over 100,000 years. You can’t expect me to cure it overnight.” Dr. Julian Bashir

I think I’m on to something, here. Maybe I’m part Bajoran, and this is a perfectly normal aspect of my pregnancy!

Or maybe I’m just weird…

Pregnancy Brain

They say your brain “shrinks” during pregnancy. I’m here to tell you that this is totally true!

I have a small notebook dedicated to meal planning purposes. I write out the week’s menu on one page, and then my grocery list for the week on the facing page. Very convenient.

A few weeks ago, I realized I had no idea where my notebook was. I usually keep it on the counter, (when I’m working on my meal plans), or in the drawer, (any other times), except for when I’m actually shopping, at which point, it goes in my purse.

So, I went to get my notebook off the counter to work on my meal plans for the week–not there. OK, it must be in the drawer–nope, not there, either. Maybe I left it in my purse? No luck. I even looked in the van to see if it had fallen out–no notebook, there, either.

I gave up on finding it–I figured it must have gotten mixed up with the empty grocery bags somehow, and ended up in the trash. In the meanwhile, I was just using copy paper to write my lists, as I hadn’t bought a new notebook yet.

And then, on Sunday, I went to get a loaf of bread out of the freezer. You guessed it–the notebook was in the freezer, under the bread. I really have no explanation as to why, except that my brain is clearly shrinking. I was happy to find the notebook, of course, and also curious to see how the pen that I keep with the notebook would write after spending several weeks in the freezer, (it worked just fine!).

You’d think after so many pregnancies, that this stuff wouldn’t still surprise me. Frankly, at this point, I’m just grateful that I have any brain cells left!

Baby Update

Today, I had my (almost) 14 week doctor visit. The highlight of the appointment was hearing the heartbeat for the first time via the doppler, which the doctor found right away. This was a big relief to me–I’ve had early appointments in previous pregnancies where he had to hunt a bit for the heartbeat, and time always seems to slow down when that happens, as I tried desperately to remain calm. I was hoping I wouldn’t have any reason to panic today, and thankfully, I didn’t!

I also got to schedule the appointment for the big ultrasound for five weeks from now. The children are very excited about this event, and everyone is guessing, (or confidently declaring), what they think this baby will be. We’ve never gotten to share this part of a pregnancy with older children, and it’s proving to be quite fun!

So, everything looks good. With every day that passes, I feel a little more relaxed about the pregnancy, and more confident that things are going well. I had forgotten just how much fun pregnancy is, (especially now that I don’t constantly feel sick anymore!).

Relief…I Think

Toward the end of the first trimester, my thyroid numbers came back slightly off. Apparently, this is not an uncommon problem in the first trimester of pregnancy, just one I had never dealt with before. Anyway, since the second trimester was so close, the doctor decided to take a wait-and-see approach, and re-test me once I was officially in the second trimester.

I got the results back today, and, as the doctor had hoped, the numbers are once again normal. This is good news…I think. I have to admit that there was a little part of me that was hoping the numbers were still off, because at least that would explain my fatigue this pregnancy. It does, along with some other factors, explain the extreme fatigue I experienced in the first trimester, but it doesn’t really explain why I continue to be so wiped out.

I really am I glad I don’t have another issue that needs to be addressed. Healthy and normal is good. But I have to admit, I’m a little embarrassed at the conclusion I’ve come to–I really think this is just the difference between being pregnant in my 30s vs. my 20s, (when all of my previous pregnancies took place). I knew it was inevitable, but I guess it’s true–I’m really getting older! Oh well, at least it happens to everybody…I’m in good company!

Waiting for the Second Trimester

I am anxiously awaiting the start of the second trimester of my pregnancy the way that pregnant women, particularly those who have previously suffered a loss, tend to do. The second trimester tends to be the time when you stop holding your breath, where you start to relax and stop worrying, (as much), about every little thing that could go wrong. At the beginning of the second trimester, you generally let out a big sigh of relief that now the odds are in your favor, and that everything should be OK.

While I am looking forward to that feeling, for me right now, it’s more than just that. I’m really hoping that the second trimester brings the return of my energy, and allows me to see a return to my normal productivity levels. Because I’ve been doing a horrible job of keeping up with the things I’m supposed to do!

The laundry and cooking I’ve been able to mostly keep up with, in that our clothes are washed and clean, but often not folded, and we’ve eaten all of our meals, (well, I haven’t, but that’s because I’ve felt so sick), but there have been a lot of leftovers involved. So we’re clean, and nobody’s starving, which I guess is a good start, but it’s hardly my best work.

The rest of the housework? Total disaster. I’m embarrassed at the thought of even having anyone drop by, because my floors are not as clean as they should be, and I haven’t been diligent about making the children clean up their shoes, toys, and books. It’s all I can do to muster up the energy to do basic tasks these days, like loading the dishwasher and cleaning the bathrooms. I’ve never felt this way with a pregnancy before, and it’s making me very frustrated with myself, because I hate not doing the things on my daily and weekly to-do lists the way I’m supposed to.

Really, the only thing I’ve managed to keep up with well is our schoolwork, and even that’s been a struggle. I’ve been very dedicated to making sure that we get all of our daily lessons done, but I have, on occasion, dozed off in the schoolroom while Turkey and Bunny have been working on workbooks. We’ve managed to get everything done that we *have* to do, and even our electives, through sheer force of will. I sure am looking forward to the time when the sound of my own voice during read-aloud time doesn’t lull me into wanting to fall asleep, though!

Giving Up

I have a confession to make–I’m nine weeks pregnant today, and I’m wearing maternity clothes.

I certainly didn’t want to start wearing them this early. I have a very limited maternity wardrobe, and the thought of making it last for almost 30 weeks scares me a little. But, even though I’ve actually lost weight since I found out I was expecting, (all-day nausea will do that to you!), I just can’t button my pants anymore.

At Wal-Mart last week, my belt actually sprang open and fell to the floor in the middle of the store–talk about embarrassing! And a few days later, the button on my shorts popped right off. At least that incident happened at home. Irritating, but not embarrassing.

So, here I am in maternity clothes. I do have some things from my regular wardrobe that will continue to work for a while yet–mainly tunic-style shirts, and maybe a dress or two. But I’ve had to say goodbye to my regular shorts, pants, and skirts, even though they were all too big on me a few weeks ago.

I guess it really is true that the more pregnancies you have, the sooner you start “expanding!”

8 Weeks

This is the second ultrasound I’ve had so far, but the first where they could really pinpoint the heart rate, which looked great at 167. The measurements were spot on as well.

Everything looks great, but prayers are still appreciated in light of what happened last spring. We’re looking forward to our March arrival!

An Expectant Mother’s Prayer

From the Lutheran Book of Prayer:

“O great God and Father of all who call upon You, magnificent are Your works; I glorify Your holy name. You are my helper; complete what You have begun in me, and keep this child safe from all harm, and daily bestow on us health and strength. Guide me through Your Spirit, and let me be constantly mindful of my privilege and my responsibility as a mother. At all times let me place my trust in You and Your fatherly care, knowing that from generation to generation Your mercy is upon those who lean upon You. I commit both my child and myself to Your mercy and goodness. Relying on Jesus, my dear Redeemer, I pray, give me calmness, patience, and quiet happiness, and make me, in good time, a joyous mother of a happy child, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Reactions

Here’s a summary of the children’s reactions to the news of their forthcoming new sibling:

  • Turkey had the biggest grin I’ve ever seen on his face, then started crying, “because he was so happy!”
  • Bunny, when she wasn’t hovering over me, (which she’s been doing ever since she found out), got out a piece of paper and began composing a list of baby names she finds acceptable.
  • Moose told his teacher the good news all by himself, and also later told all of his classmates (“a baby is coming to our house in October!”).
  • Ladybug promptly offered to share her bed with the new baby, and was quite disappointed (and disbelieving) when told that it doesn’t really work that way. She also said she’d show the baby her stuffed pony, which is quite a generous offer coming from her!

So, the reactions were as we’d hoped–everyone is thrilled! I quite honestly wasn’t sure how Moose would take the news, or if he’d even “get it,” but he seems to, at least as well as any five-year-old does. We were also a little worried Ladybug would be upset at losing her status as the baby, but for now, at least, she’s just excited to get to be a big sister. As for Turkey and Bunny, we knew how happy they would be–after all, they’re old pros at this new sibling business!