We had our 24 week appointment today. I've gained a total of 8 lbs. A little on the low side, but the dr. didn't seem too concerned. However, even if I gain a pound a week from here on out, I still won't reach that "magic" 25 lb mark.
I just don't have a big appetite. And my stomach is still pretty uneasy, especially in the morning and at night. This morning, I even threw up for the first time since 19 weeks (minus the stomach flu episode). It caught me off guard. I thought I'd gotten past that.
I'm measuring right around 23-24 weeks. My uterus is now well above my belly button mark.
Sienna was kicking away, and beating around 150 bpm.
I have a new symptom: heartburn. I've never had heartburn before. I didn't even recognize it at first. I thought I'd swallowed something that was stuck in my throat. After a few days (yes, it took me that long), I thought, hmm, maybe this is what heartburn feels like? The burning in the chest, throat, etc. Yup, I think so.
I made my appointments for the rest of the term -- about 12 of them! We also start "birthing" class in April.
Tygh and I went out for Valentine's dinner last night and had a blessedly honest conversation. He said he just cannot be in the room with me when I start delivery. He'll be there up until I start pushing, and then he'll excuse himself until Sienna comes out and is "cleaned up." My husband has a very queasy stomach when it comes to this kind of stuff. When Brae was born, he was hovering in the corner most of the time, in a chair, head down. I was the one who cut the cord.
Sure, it's not how I pictured delivery -- I wanted my husband there, cheering me on, cutting the cord, etc. But, that is just not going to happen. And it's okay. Really. I'm honoring his wishes. So, instead, my mom and my sister will be there, each holding a hand, and urging Sienna into this world.
I praise and thank God for this amazing gift of pregnancy and getting a chance to just experience it. I finally feel at a place of peace and rest and settlement. I feel content. I'm looking forward to her being here, and enjoying something new -- a lack of wanting. A lack of wanting to be pregnant. A lack of yearning to move beyond infertility. I haven't experienced that since January 2007. I want that "me" back. I will take with me the post-January 2007 me, especially the closeness and intimacy I have with Christ that I didn't have before. I will take with me new gifts of empathy. A testimony. A surrender. But, I want (and my husband wants) to return to a more carefree lifestyle. One where growing our family does not consume our lives. I'm excited to move to the next season of life.
Brae update: Our son is a phenom. I kid you not. That boy has some SKILLS when it comes to basketball. We had a friend over the other night and he was in shock at how a 2-year-old can jump and shoot a basket (a high one) with one hand. He said we need to get a video and put it on youtube.
Potty training is another story. The boy is just.not.interested. He doesn't care if he craps his pants or has a wet diaper. I know boys take longer, so I'm not stressing. Maybe when he sees his "baby Sienna" (as he calls her) get her diaper changed, he'll realize diapers are for babies.
His Spanish is really picking up. The "experts" say that if a child learns 2 languages before age 2.5, their primary language lags behind a little bit at first, and then they catch up. Then, if you try to introduce a second language after the child starts reading, all hope is lost that they will ever truly be bilingual as second nature.
It's hard to say whether Brae's English is lagging behind. I know most boys are slower to speak and form sentences than girls. But, according to where the books say Brae is supposed to be at right now, he's surpassing it. He can recognize just about every letter in the alphabet by name(in English). He speaks (short) sentences. And he understands if you give him direction in English or Spanish.
I love that boy.
First, the boy is a phenom! He has skills for sure. We took B to a basketball game the other day and she cried the E.N.T.I.R.E time and all I could think of was Brae. Love that boy. Second, I love that you said 'craps his pants'. You make me laugh. He'll train when he's ready, he's too busy hoaning his b-ball skills.
ReplyDeleteThird, I think you are an amazing woman and God has grown you so far and so wide that it's hard to recognize the woman you were before this beautiful journey of surrender.
Oh Tygh - at least he knows his limits. It will be different than you imagined, but just as amazing to have Jess and your mom there.
ReplyDeleteI miss you guys. This post makes me miss you all a ton. A ton a ton. I think it's time for me to make my way over your way and give you all big hugs.
haha poor brother.
ReplyDeletethis is all just so exciting and i can not wait until D-Day!!!
Just a little comment on the potty training that I learned the hard way with our daughter. Don't push the issue! I did with my daughter because I felt she was ready, she was at that age, her friends were etc.... it took FOREVER and I think because I pushed the issue a little too much (coupled with the fact that at 23 months old her brother joined the picture! Be prepared for regression when the new little one comes along.) Anyhoo with our son I took a different approach, when he is ready he will let me know. I thought he was showing interest so we bought big boy pants and tried, after a couple of days of accidents I decided he just wasn't ready and put the big boy pants away. A couple of months later he started showing more interest so we pulled out the big boy pants again(I didn't use pull ups with my son I did with my daughter and I have to wonder if that was some of our issues!). He did FABULOUS, we had very few accidents,and he was potty trained completely including nap, and bedtime within a month. Wish you all the best! Good Luck:)
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you're already talking about the delivery! It's going by so fast! You are an amazing mom!
ReplyDeleteSteve and I had the same conversation! I wanted him to at least stay in the room and 'not look' so to speak. Unfortunately we never had to cross that bridge. I know the Lord will bless and honor you both for a)T's honesty and b)your response and support of him..
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet your baby girl! God is so good!
I had no idea how heartburn felt until I was pregnant also! It's good to give your husband some space with being close at the delivery and let him come around at his own pace - he may just surprise you ;).
ReplyDeleteAs for the potty training, I echo what happymomof2 said. We pushed Genna sooner than she was actually ready and it just took even longer. She showed early interest when she turned 2, and I misinterpreted that as readiness. She is finally dry during waking hours and most of her naps, but I feel it'll be a while before we get the night time down. I'm sure she'll get it soon enough. Genna will be three in a few weeks.
I wouldn't worry about your weight gain (or lack thereof). As long as your uterus is measuring on track, then baby is getting what she needs. Eat what you can and try not to stress about it.
I know how you feel of wanting to get to the season where family building doesn't consume your lives. I think we are getting there. I'm not sure how much of all this we can/want to keep going through. If this next cycle doesn't work out, we'll take a long break at a minimum.
BTW, I'd love to see a video of your phenomenal son!
Hello Friend! It was so good to read your post the other day. I actually started writing a comment, but got distracted by a little girlie who begged me to crawl back into bed with her for a few minutes. How could I resist?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your Sienna is doing well! I love hearing you talk about delivery day- so optimistic and hopeful for that wonderful day...even if Tigh doesn't stick around for the whole amazing event.
I'm right there with you on potty training. My little one really isn't interested. I figure she'll get interested soon enough and then we'll go after it. Ok- I'm secretly hoping that she trains herself!
Talk to you soon!
K