baby update

April 12, 2014

17 weeks, 6 days

This picture already seems outdated now, since I'm 19 weeks.  Life is kind of busy around here right now, so getting regular bump photos doesn't seem likely.  I was hoping for another one on Easter, but that was a crazy day, and no pictures were taken at all!

I figure it is about time (almost half way through this pregnancy? whoa) to jot down some thoughts about being pregnant the second time around.

One thing is for sure, it is much harder to be pregnant when chasing a three year old around, and not just sitting calming at a desk!  Thankfully, though, I had no morning sickness or other pregnancy related issues.  (I've been sick a couple of other times, just regular flus and things - not fun).  The only weird food thing I have is that I can't seem to eat plain avocado (the horror!), but can eat it fine in things, or as guacamole. Go figure. Like with Kyalo, things seem to be going smoothly enough.  No complaints!  One big difference is that I'm fairly sure I started feeling this baby kick around 10 1/2 weeks, while with Kyalo is was probably not until about 18 weeks.  Maybe I just knew what to expect this time around?  

And let me tell you, going to an OB in America vs Kenya?  A whole different ball game!  For one thing, so far I have had ONE doctor, and not the latest visiting OB like in Kenya.  I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks, and the seat was heated, and she apologized that she didn't have the gel warmer!!  The heated seat still seems like luxury to me.  My first real ultrasound in Kenya I almost left in tears because it was so different from my (TV-induced) expectations.  I've been trying to keep expectations low this time around so that I'm not disappointed.  Another big difference is the medical stuff that we do -- lots of lab work, fancier ultrasounds to determine the anatomy of the baby is OK.  My insurance doesn't cover it, but by now I could know the sex of my baby, and if he/she had any abnormalities to be concerned about.

In some ways, I'm missing the simpler experience I had in Kenya.  I miss being able to dash down to the hospital for my appointments, and feeling like this was all a normal, regular thing, and not something to be hyper worried about!

I must admit to a heightened sense of anxiety about this pregnancy, though.  I had a miscarriage in November, and while I was able to get pregnant again so easily, I still get worried with every twinge or moment of pain.  Being sick twice in the past month hasn't helped my anxiety level either - I'm afraid this baby, even if fine now, will suffer the effects of these sickness somewhere in the future.

There are just a few more appointments for me here in NJ, and then I have to find myself a new doctor in Maine.  We move in June, the baby is due in September, so there should be enough time.  I'm telling you, things are moving at lightening speed around here.  Between Kyalo's birthday, Easter, being sick, graduation in a month, the big move, etc, I've hardly had time to think about this baby much!  I'm getting excited - and I know Kyalo is, too.  He still says to me at random times, 'No! I want a sister, not a brudder.'  Let's hope I don't disappoint!