25 Weeks

I can't believe I only have 15ish weeks left until we add another member to our family. October flew by and with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner, I know she will be here before we know it.

For posterity's sake, I wanted to write a little bit about my pregnancy so far. I feel like I've already forgotten about some things that I probably would have wanted to write about. I guess that's what I get for being a secret keeper.

It took us quite a bit longer to get pregnant than I anticipated. My body was pretty out-of-whack. We kept thinking I was pregnant when the 38, 39, 40th day of my cycle would come around and then I'd get a visit from my monthly friend at the worst possible moment. It felt like a slap in the face month after month. I was grumpy and bitter and frustrated. Then, I would feel horribly selfish and my heart would ache for those struggling with devastating bouts of infertility. I tried to remember how lucky I was to have already been blessed with a child but I had a hard time understanding what the Lord had planned for our family. After several months, I went to the doctor and had some hormone testing done (which was actually around the time I got pregnant) because I didn't want to wait forever to try and see if something was wrong.

The morning we left for our summer trip, I took a pregnancy test. I think I was at about day 45 of my cycle, but I had learned my lesson and was too nervous to take one any sooner. We were thrilled and relieved but nervous at the same time. I knew I wouldn't be able to have a doctor's appointment until I was about 16 weeks and I was worried that something might go wrong.

We didn't intend to tell anyone until we were able to see a doctor, but by the time we got to Utah, I started having a lot of really bad days(I only had one bad day on our trip to San Diego and I just played it off since nobody knew I was puking). We went ahead and told Sam's mom but her grandma radar had already informed her. I was so grateful to be at my mother-in-law's house while I was sick. I wasn't a particularly fun guest, but it was nice to have someone cook meals for my family when I couldn't even think about eating anything and to have people to play with Abby when all I could do was lay in bed. Sam was so supportive and got to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Abby, which I think was really good for them.

I was feeling mostly better by the time we returned home. I had actually lost some weight and kept getting comments from my friends about how skinny I was looking. It was hard not to laugh when they would ask what I had done during the summer to lose weight. (Oh, you know, just don't eat anything and when you do, puke it up!)

The past few weeks have been going pretty well. I have had some problems with back pain, but not as bad as I had it with Abby. I have been having a hard time sleeping already which has been frustrating. My circulation is really bad and I am constantly losing feeling in my extremities. But, I get to feel my sweet girl wiggle around and that makes it all worth it.

My belly hasn't been growing as fast as I anticipated. I actually think I'm smaller than I was with Abby at this point. That might change quickly if I keep eating so many treats. Dang that Halloween candy that KEEPS being on sale. I've had to make up for the time I lost during the first trimester when most sweets were totally repulsive.

Sorry about my lack of head in this picture. The self-timer and I weren't getting along very well.



When all is said and done, I know the timing of things is what was right for our family right now. I'm not really sure why and I don't know if I'll ever understand but I have faith that my Heavenly Father knows me and knows what's best. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to bring children into the world. I know everyone doesn't get to have that experience and it breaks my heart but I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for those women just as he does for me.