July 4, 2011

I am starting this blog to keep track of big moments and milestones in our lives.  Today, July 4, 2011, is my husband and my third anniversary (and, yes, America's Indepedence Day).  It is also the day I start writing about my pregnancy and the life of our first little one.

As we start to share our big news with our family and friends (shhh...not everyone knows yet...we're getting there!), I am happily answering a lot of questions about the baby, when we're due, and how we feel about this giant change in our lives.  Here are some answers:

How far are you?  about 9.5 weeks

Due date? early February (for those of you keeping track - yes, it's possible that the baby and I could share a birthday!)

How am I feeling? Okay. Some days, good; some days, terrible.  Nausea and vomiting hit at about week 7. Side note: Morning sickness...a lie.  It's whenever-it-feels-like-knocking-me-off-my-feet sickness around here.

Is R excited? So excited. Just about every night he looks at me, smiles, and says "we're having a baby!"  He's also been wonderful about taking care of me. He gets me water and rubs my back after I get sick, drives to Target after working a 10-hour shift to buy me "the good kind" of ginger ale, rubs my feet even though he hates all things feet, talks me down when I'm crying over who knows what, and so much more.  I am counting my blessings that he's mine.

Boy or Girl? To early to tell, but yes, we will find out as soon as we can.

Cravings? I am anxiously awaiting these, as they will be a happy diversion from the aversions I have now.

Aversions? All things meat, especially chicken and eggs.  I'd write more, but it makes me queasy.
How did we tell the families?  We told my family by making tshirts for my two nieces and nephew that say "I'm the BIG cousin." My nephew, the youngest of the three, had a onesie that said "I'm the little BIG cousin." After all the hugging and happy tears died down, my 5-year-old niece looked at me and said "so, what's the surprise?"  In her mind, she was expecting cupcakes or something equally wonderful (and all she got was a tshirt!).  My 3-year-old niece spent a good part of the evening staring into my belly button, thinking surely she could get a glimpse of this baby in Aunt B's tummy everyone was talking about.  (My sister and brother-in-law are bracing themselves for the questions that might ensue.)
    We told Ryan's parents by putting the ultrasound picture in a frame that said "sneak peek" and wrapping it up as a "belated Mother's Day present."  They, too, were so excited (and surprised!) and are looking forward to their second grandchild.  Because Ryan's siblings weren't there, we had to tell them by phone, which isn't as fun, but it was still exciting to hear their reaction.

Names?  We have some in mind...but we're not sharing. :o)

Showing yet?  No, but I don't think it will be long before I have to start using a hair tie to fasten the button on my favorite jeans! Luckily my sister gave me her maternity clothes, so I'm not totally starting from scratch.

That's it for tonight. I'm off to watch the fireworks from the deck and light the sparklers that I bought as an anniversary present to Ryan and myself.