Day by day...

I'm counting the minutes and hours in each day until I can sleep and have some relief from this sickness. I'm currently writing to try and distract myself. I'd had a couple of days that were pretty tolerable and I dared to think my body was starting to get used to the idea of a little one inside. But no, that was wishful thinking. Today was a pretty rough day. Unfortunately, once I throw up, my body seems to remember throughout the whole day and for some reason, likes repeating itself.

During more positive moments, I think about the fact that we're at twelve weeks and the magical day of feeling "normal" should be fast approaching... :) This week the Shmu is the size of a plum. I have another doctor's appt. this Thursday and I'm excited to get another glimpse, even if just through a doppler for the heartbeat. There's something so magical about that heartbeat. It helps remind me what I'm so sick for! I can't wait!



In case you'd like the cliff notes: As we move into the second trimester, the baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all the baby's systems are fully formed.

For a more detailed account (I'm thinking grandmas and great grandmas here... :) This week, our daily pregnancy journal tells us that Shmu's thyroid, pancreas and gall bladder have now completed their development. The baby's intestines are now in the abdomen in their rightful place. The muscles in the walls of the digestive tract will become functional this week in order to begin "practicing" the movements required to push food from one portion of the tract to another.

11 weeks down!

This week our Shmu is the size of a lime. Wow, are we growing here! Shmu currently has a 1:1 ratio between head and body and has skin so transparent, that you can see blood vessels through it. Hair follicles, nail beds, and tooth buds are forming this week. Sources say that my uterus should be the size of a small grapefruit by now, although I have yet to notice. I take pictures every week, but have yet to post one until I think someone other than myself would notice a difference! So for now, the only thing reminding me of the reality of this pregnancy is my nauseous stomach. I really think we need to pour more research money into finding a reason and cure for morning sickness. I'd be the first to donate! :) 

I feel blessed!

In spite of feeling miserable both day and night for the past 5 weeks, I feel blessed. I've learned some things about my husband, or rather grown to appreciate new things in this new phase of our life together. 

Rudy's picked up my share of the work around the house, prepared his own food as well as spent many nights running around the town picking up whatever sounded good enough for me to keep down. He's been by my side as my comfort and my strength and I don't think I could have made it through any of this without his support. Best of all, he's ran the errands, answered the constant requests and even offered to do more than necessary... all with a great attitude. As I've watched his selflessness and tender care, I've been in awe of the man I married. I'm even more in awe thinking about the kind of father our child is already blessed to have. 

On a particularly rough day for me, one that started with me leaning over the kitchen sink and ended up with me having to leave school during the middle of recess... Rudy surprised me with a beautiful bunch of daisies and a card for Mommy (encouraging to her be strong) and a card for Shmu (welcoming this little life - from dad). Both were precious and just what I needed. 

Here's my Ru...

Our little olive!

Little Shmu's grandmas are very interested in the progress of their little blueberry. So, I thought I'd update on its growth and fruit/food status... 

Our little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like a baby! My pregnancy journal says that this week little Shmu will: have a fully formed upper lip, the retina of the eye will be fully pigmented, external ears will be completely developed, and taste buds will begin to form. Just to name a few things, of course!

Our 5 Year Anniversary!

We made it to five years! Woohoo! Although it hasn't been an easy five, we're more in love and stronger than ever. God is good. To celebrate the day, I wanted to take Rudy back to a place we had gone for dinner on our honeymoon in Maui. We both remembered it to be one of the best meals of our life and I was delighted to find one located five miles from home. Being so sick, I had to talk myself into going all day long and was determined to make it.  I hadn't told Rudy where we were going and I don't think he had even seen this place since Maui, so it was a nice surprise! After two bites of my $30 meal, I was done but enjoyed being out with my man. We think we'll go back every five years and make a tradition out of it.

           December 27, 2008