Classic Church Comedy

If you expect church on Sunday morning to be good, clean and wholesome... think again!

Yesterday, Ricky and I were late to church. All of the pews in the sanctuary were full. So, I thought let's go sit in the balcony (as Ricky always wanted to do anyway). Granted there is no elevator. I was wearing a skirt, thus Ricky had to scoop and carry me upstairs.

Once we safely hit the top of the landing, Ricky set me down to get his bearings and figure out where to plop me. A man in the second row saw us and moved to give us his seat. Thankful that it was only one step up, Ricky swept me up again.

As he set my feet on the floor, I whisper in his ear, "Ricky! My skirt is falling!" Thinking I'm overreacting, he dismissed my comment for the moment. Until he saw my skirt. Around my ankles. I'd like to say the congregation was praying and heads were bowed. But alas, that would have been too convenient. I was our side of the balcony's spectacle. I tried to sit down, my legs wouldn't bend, women ran over to help dress my unclothed half, and I could not stop laughing. It was so hysterical! I hadn't even seen something that funny happen in church.

Yes, I eventually got covered.
Yes, I should have been mortified.
Yes, choir members from on-stage mentioned seeing us in the balcony.

Little did those poor, innocent families anticipate a strip-tease at church that morning!

Ricky is Having a Baby!

And he is showing!

I wanted to briefly tell you how Ricky is handling the pregnancy.

First trimester: "I am lovin' being pregnant! I get to eat a lot all the time. I get to relax and watch movies. AND, I get to take frequent naps. This is great!" Ricky's words; Ricky's enjoyment of my misery. But hey, at least someone is enjoying being pregnant.

Second trimester: Let's just say the insomnia (RLS and leg cramps, too) and frequent hormonal changes in wife are starting to take a toll on Daddy.

Seriously though, he is a great support and I couldn't make it without his TLC.

Also, I can now announce that Ricky has been keeping his own blog (not on family life): http://writingsofricky.blogspot.com/

Romanticism, in Pregnancy

What does every teenage girl and young woman think of when they hear the word "pregnancy"?

Easy: big belly, cute clothes, gifts, and finally being able to eat whatever she wants (and lots of it)

The other day I had some friends stop by for a visit. One girl asked, "So Aidan, what is it like being pregnant?"

"Miserable."

I saw her face fall from a wishful eagerness to a timid solemnity. I frightened the poor girl and didn't mean to. Had I become the balloon-popper, hope-crusher? I felt horrible. I just answered quickly and honestly, never thinking otherwise.

This got me thinking about how females completely romanticize pregnancy from the time we are adolescents. Yes, even I! Just like how we romanticize marriage. We only see the roses and hear about the thorns but don't understand until experience comes knocking.

I'm not dying, but I do feel like I've been pretty miserable (physically, of course) thus far. However, if this is what bringing a life into the world is like for me, I will gladly do it! It's just not the fun and games pre-pregnant women dream of.

Let me make one disclaimer: Yes, there are many women who have wonderful pregnancies. Like my mother, who described our pregnancies as night and day. She only knew the bright side, until now.

Disillusionment has been dispelled.

Good pregnancies. Bad pregnancies. No matter, gratitude prevails.

Hormones Gone Rampant

Sadly, the streak ended Thursday night. Yes, I "spilled my groceries." I ran some errands on Thursday, thinking in my mind that I was up to it. However, I came home exhausted, dizzy, headache-y, and just plain sick feeling. Guess my body wasn't ready for a big outing.

I am so ready for these "raging hormones" to calm down! Here are just a few of the "fun" side effects from all the hormones:

• Insomnia (every night, robbing hours of good sleep)
• Restless Legs
• Headaches and dizziness
• Allergic reaction to deodorants (odd, I know)
• Dental problems (sensitivity, brushing induces gagging/vomiting)
• Acne (not pleasant for someone who doesn't wear makeup)
• Sore, tight muscles (my legs and feet feel full of knots that won't be massaged out)

As many already know, I was craving/eating food that I don't normally eat for most of my pregnancy so far. Thankfully, that somewhat subsided, and I went back to my healthy diet on Monday. Yay! Also, I am trying a no-sugar pregnancy, which means I've been abstaining from white and/or refined sugar (like desserts) since mid-April. I mostly use fruits, honey or stevia to sweeten :) Ricky has joined me to show his support. So far, so good...

2nd Trimester is here (to stay)

Praise God!!!

Yesterday was the beginning of the second trimester, and we are so thankful. Although the other symptoms are hanging around, I am glad to say I have not vomited in a week!! Woohoo! I think the bucket is starting to get used to its new (and clean) lifestyle ;) I'm getting bigger, and my mom commented that it's probably because I'm keeping my food down!

Also, my gum line has been SO sensitive lately. Brushing hurts. My mom said that many women have dental problems during pregnancy because the baby is stealing all the calcium. So, I started drinking a calcium powder in water. I am about to head to the semi-annual dentist appointment, so it's good timing for me :)

I'll post again soon because we have more news...

The 1st Ultrasound

This one is from above, so you can see the head and arms and hands.

Last Friday, August 7th, we went to a big appointment. First, we met with the genetic counselor and opted out of getting any genetic tests. Second, we got the first detailed ultrasound (pictures are above). Third, we got to meet with the high-risk OB/GYN who will be following me, as well as a general OB/GYN doctor. They are both female, so Ricky can breathe easier ;) She didn't say too much but wanted to wait to hear from my cardiologist, since that determines much of how we will proceed. I have mild cardiomyopathy and a few other heart troubles (not too bad though). I get an echocardiogram and meet with him on August 27th.

Also, they moved the due date up to February 19, 2010 because the baby measured 12 weeks. The due date has moved from the 26th to the 25th to the 23rd to the 21st to the 19th! Maybe this one will stay :)

She also mentioned that I am going to get many ultrasounds throughout my pregnancy, since I must be followed more closely. So, lots of pictures to come! Maybe our baby will be photogenic :)

Our next ultrasound is scheduled for September 3rd. If the baby cooperates, they may be able to determine the gender, as best they can...

11 Weeks

...and showing?!

Okay, okay. I don't know if I should be embarrassed or not, but I started showing a little at 8 weeks. I moved into stretchy, maternity clothes at 9 weeks! Buttons do NOT work. For those unaware, a pregnant woman typically doesn't start showing anywhere from 12-20 weeks. Yikes!

These pictures above were taken Monday, August 3rd, which is about 11 weeks.

The nurse practitioner said maybe I started showing early because I was so slim... I like that reasoning :)

Medical Leave

I guess my nerve disease and the pregnancy are not combining too well so far. The first trimester has honestly been pretty miserable. Nausea 24/7, vomiting almost daily (which brings other problems not to be mentioned), back pain, pounding headaches, stress and most significantly: EXHAUSTION (a.k.a. extreme fatigue times two). Talking is even tiring and nauseating. All I can do is lie down or recline (some) ALL day. Needless to say, I have felt very boring, unproductive and pointless for a long time now. BUT, I do have a very important purpose right now-- I am giving LIFE to our baby!

Anyway, as of last Thursday, July 30, the doctor approved Medical Leave (of FMLA) for me, which can last up to 12 weeks. Working full-time was getting unbearable with everything else right now. For the past week, various friends from our church have come to help take care of me while Ricky and my mom are at work. (There's nothing like the Body of Christ.) Ricky's mom comes this weekend to stay with me for a month. It will be a blessing to have her here. It's still undecided what happens after that.

Most popular question: Do you plan on returning to work after Medical Leave? Yes, I do plan on returning, God-willing.

The "Mini-Ultrasound"

Although they say this doesn't count as the first "real" ultrasound, here it is... with our beautiful baby! I was 10 1/2 weeks when this was taken, but the doctor said our baby measured over 11 weeks-- BIG baby :)

Unfortunately, Ricky had to miss this appointment but my mom was with me. I couldn't see the screen but she could. She got to see the heart beating and the baby moving and floating around! So exciting!

The first intensive ultrasound is scheduled for Friday, August 7th.