That's right! It's announcement time.
This is the LAST and FINAL time I will ever get to make such an announcement. So here goes...
A new addition to the family is on its way!
#3 is making its debut at the end of summer.
It doesn't even seem real yet. I haven't had a moment to savor or enjoy this pregnancy. I've been in survival mode since Christmas. Even if I had the funds to afford more kids (I don't), I would never do this again. (Never seems like a strong word though, huh?) This pregnancy has been very hard so far. It's been horrendous. I know I'm blessed. I know that feeling sick during early pregnancy is a sign of great baby health. But it's been vicious. VICIOUS! I don't know how I endured.
I'm finally starting to climb out of it. I'm feeling more and more like myself everyday. But it's been a slow bounce back. I just want to feel like me again. And with a few more weeks time, I will be there!
My symptoms kicked in FAST. Week 5 they began. January 6th. A Friday. I remember it quite distinctly, the telltale signs began to show themselves. By Wednesday of the following week it was full blown morning sickness. Which, by the way, is the cruelest label ever. So misleading. It should more appropriately be called "all-day sickness."
What have the past 9 weeks been like for me? The constant feeling that I needed to throw up, but without anything actually coming up. The sensation of nausea looming over me at all times. On several occasions I would just force myself to vomit, intentionally, to have a momentary sense of relief. But it was short lived and the nausea would set back in. I was severely dehydrated, but didn't want to drink water because it bothered my stomach. I started buying ice from the coffee shop next door just to get through the day.
I had the non-stop urge to brush my teeth and tongue. I couldn't stand the taste or sensation of my own mouth. (I had this with all 3 kids. This is really the earliest symptom of pregnancy for me.) I carried a toothbrush with me everywhere I went.
I would get intense cravings for food, relying on in-the-moment take-out splurges for nourishment. And following the meal, I would never ever want that food again. One and done. It would be the best thing ever, until I finished eating it. Then it quickly became the most grotesque of food options. I'm not sure I will ever be able to eat at Tokyo Joe's ever again.
On top of the tummy troubles, I was exhausted, lethargic, and lost interest in everything that used to bring me joy. All I wanted to do was lay in a bed in the dark and listen to a fan blowing. But 4 and 2-year-old boys don't allow such things. I had to shut my office door on several occasions to close my eyes for just a couple minutes, just to muster up enough energy for the next task. And I did all of this quietly and secretly, without anyone knowing I was pregnant. Silent suffering.
I stopped doing everything I loved. There was no motivation to cook, blog, photograph my kids, or even stay awake. I wanted to fall into a deep sleep for 2 months and wake up with a baby bump.
Somehow I survived. But I'm not going back there again. I wonder if pregnancies are like hangovers. The older you get the harder they are on your body. I don't need an epidural during labor, I need one for the 1st trimester!
I am now 14 weeks along.
And I'm ready to start enjoying this last baby adventure!
