Monday, September 28, 2009

Thank the Lord for good family and friends

Now that it has been almost two weeks since my last post, I've decided to give you an update. There actually won't be much of an update. Things have been plugging away the same as before. Nauseous, breaking out, tired, hungry, and maybe a little whiny. I keep waiting for the queasiness to be over, but as of yet there has not been any relief.

I keep waiting for the cravings to kick in so I can send Eric to the store for pickles at 2 in the morning, but they haven't shown up either. I haven't been eating as well as I should have in the last couple weeks, so if anyone has fun easy ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet, please let me know!

The last post I wrote was a little bit of a downer about all the bad things in the world that we bring children into, so this time around I thought I would be more positive.

One of the greatest blessings we have that I'm so thankful for are amazing family and friends to help us through this stage of our lives. Both of our families are very excited and have been nothing but supportive for us. It doesn't hurt when Eric's mom brings us new stuff for the baby every weekend after she's done with the garage sales. I don't know what we'll actually have to buy new when the time comes. As this is the first grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides, I don't think we could have happier relatives. And I know they are all there for us, no matter what we need or how far away they are.

Along with these great families, we have wonderful friends. The ones who already have kids are answering any and all questions we have about child rearing, the ones who are pregnant along with me are there to commiserate and advise, and the ones not yet to the family stage are just plain excited for us. I hope we are as good of friends to others as these people are to us. Even when we seem to be "ignoring" them. We just have to spend a lot of time at home because I haven't been feeling well. (Hopefully that will change soon! Both the sick part and the non-socializing part.)

I don't know what we would do without all these amazing people. Yes, we could make it on our own, but they make it a lot easier, and more fun because they are around us, supporting us. So thank you to all you out there. You know who you are, and more importantly, we know who you are.

And yes, we will be calling you for babysitting duty!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Week 10 Update

Sorry for the lack of posts the last week. I've been tired and queasy and not up to the task of dragging myself to the computer to type. Thankfully I'm feeling better tonight, so you all get a post!

(And actually today officially begins week 11, but I thought I should let you know how week 10 went first.)

There wasn't much excitement around our house this week. Primarily the ordinary housework, go to work, relax time. I swear if I wasn't queasy 90% of the time, tired 80% of the time, and using the bathroom every hour I wouldn't even think I was pregnant! Oh, and there is the breaking out like a high schooler, moodiness, food cravings, and other assorted pregnancy symptoms. I don't understand the stories about women who don't even know they're pregnant until they give birth!

One thing that did really hit me this week is something I'm sure all parents go through. Wondering about bringing a child into the world. I mean, between all the pain and suffering we go through, the possible surgeries, the losses we sustain in our lives, the day-t0-day grind, why would anyone want to be part of this? I think it was mostly my father-in-law having surgery last week that really made me think. He came through great and hopefully will feel a hundred times better once he's through recovery, but what if something had happened?

I've been fortunate not to have a major loss in my life thus far. But just the thought of not having someone there, of losing them forever really makes me pause. Of course we still have children and continue to grow our families but I think it's something that comes more the the foreground once you know you'll be bringing a child into the world and subjecting them to all of that.

Okay, enough with the heavy stuff. Now on to what I'm sure is everyone's favorite part of the blog (although I know it's not mine!), the pictures:

There is no obvious changes yet, but we want to stay faithful to our week-by-week update. And just to show everyone that Eric is not gaining any sympathy weight, feast your eyes on this!
Not quite the same Buddha we all used to know and love, huh? He has done an amazing job of losing the unnecessary weight and keeping it off. Hopefully he can inspire me to lose the baby weight next year. But of course, safely and not in a hurry.

I think that's all for now, I'll try to post again soon. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Week 9, Post 2

Thanks to everyone for the great response to my blog. I know you haven't all left comments, but just hearing that you're reading it inspires me to keep going.

Hence this, the second post.

I said in the first post that I didn't seem to be having too many symptoms, right? Well one that I am having over and over again is FBT (aka Frequent Bathroom Trips). These FBT have now progressed in the last week to include the infamous ENITMOMPSFBT (aka Every Night In The Middle Of My Precious Sleep Frequent Bathroom Trips). And as it usually does, my feet on the cool linoleum and just having to get out of my comfortable bed for these trips wakes me up enough that it takes me a few minutes to get back to sleep. So while I lay there, praying Eric will stop snoring, I usually start to compose blog posts in my head. And at that time they are always brilliant, riveting, and full of amazing insights. Sadly by the time I get up the next morning, all these awesome thoughts are gone from my head. And so you are left with this.

In the great tradition of many pregnant couples before us, Eric and I have decided to do weekly pictures to follow the physical changes pregnancy imparts on a woman's midsection. As such, here is the first set, taken on the Saturday night of week nine. (We're not even officially parents yet and already are weekend nights are going down the tubes!) (I can't believe I'm really going to post these on the internet for anyone to see, but here goes.)

In addition to FBT, I have now another symptom of pregnancy to add to the list of having experienced. Luckily I don't mind this one nearly as much. On this long Labor Day weekend I ended up taking four naps totaling between 5 and 6 hours. While I've been slightly more tired the last few weeks, this was the first time I actually was tired enough to sleep during the day. Unfortunately, I do have to go back to work tomorrow, which is going to greatly impede my naptime. I'm hoping I'll either have time for a catnap during lunch, or right away when I get home, or that maybe the tiredness will restrict itself to the weekends. Sadly, I don't think any of these options are very likely.

I think that is all the updates for now. Hope everyone had a great long weekend and I'll post again in the next couple days!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Not Quite the Beginning of the Beginning

Well, here it is. After having been pregnant for the last 9 weeks, knowing I'm pregnant for the last 3, and contemplating this blog for the last few days, I've finally sat down and started.

I want to use this blog to keep friends and family (both those we see a lot and those we don't) updated on the pregnancy. Unfortunately, I'm a procrastinator and somewhat lazy, so I'm going to depend on my husband and your enthusiasm to keep me going on it.

The title for the blog came from a friend of Eric's who coined the term "Niesling". We both thought it was appropriate and funny enough to be included.

As I said, I'm approximately nine weeks along. And sadly, I have been experiencing the wonder that is morning sickness for most of the time. I don't actually get sick, I'm just queasy and uncomfortable almost all day long. Except after lunch and dinner, which it's nice to get some relief. Thankfully I only have three weeks left until the second trimester starts, so hopefully the nauseousness will go away like all the women I've talked to say it does.

Other than the sickness, and frequent bathroom runs, I haven't felt too much different. Okay, there are the occasionally dizzy moments, and I can't concentrate very well in the morning, and I'm constantly hungry, but other than that...

I have not yet been to see the doctor. I did go in the Monday after we found out and saw a CNP. They did all the blood tests and such, and have not called me, so I'm assuming all is well until I do see the doctor. That appointment is scheduled for Wednesday October 7th. Don't worry, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

Also, we do plan to find out the gender, and will be telling everyone who wants to know. Why just add to the stress of delivery when we can know now and decorate accordingly? (And let my mother-in-law know so she can plan her shopping accordingly as well. And anyone else too. :) )

The funny thing about this is we have two couples that are friends who are also pregnant right now! Unfortunately they do not live close so I have to depend on email and facebook to ask them my questions and commiserate.

Hm... Is there anything else I need to tell you in this post? Well, I haven't had any cravings yet. Unless you count the fact that as soon as I think of a food (Chinese food, chocolate chip muffins, yogurt, etc) I immediately want to eat it and will not stop thinking about it until I do. Eric is not digging this part of the pregnancy, but has agreed to start going on my food runs when I hit the second trimester. Only 3 weeks to go!

I hope you guys find this interesting and feel free to email me or leave questions in the comments and I will answer them!