There is no photo to go along with the post, for good reason.
Pregnancy #3 has been no joke. Truth is, for the past 3 months, I have never been so sick in all my life. Here's a little history... With my first pregnancy, I was constantly very nauseated and got sick once every morning like clockwork until the day I was 16 weeks along- and then it magically shut off like a light. With my second, I was nauseated most of the time and had some very loud and embarassing gagging, but never got sick at all. Then it tapered off and gradually ended around week 17 or 18.
So it is understandable that we were all quite shocked when this one actually knocked me flat. Think... steamrolled, cartoon-style flattened. I have been couch-ridden since about week 6. I haven't been ANYWHERE except to pick up my son from school and go to my doctor's appointments. I was haggard, yet looked better than I actually felt.
I began actively hating the term "Morning Sickness", since mine was every.single.waking.moment.of.my.existence.worst.nausea.ever.in.the.universe sickness. But to be fair, it wasn't ALL bad, there were exactly two days during those months when I didn't vomit at all. Score!
I mean, I was positively glowing... from the sheen of sweat brought about by the 4-5 times a day that I threw up everything I'd ever eaten in my life. We're talking everything but my memories people. I tried every prescription for nausea, vitamin B6, sea bands, ginger (gag), you name it, and... nada. My nurse said, be careful with the Phenergen, it usually knocks people out. Hah. No dice sister. Couldn't even really tell if it did anything for me at all.
Oh, I found ways to cope. I took to eating pickles, which I spent my entire life loathing up until this point. Also, I would eat mustard with a spoon, straight out of a bowl like it was yogurt. Something about the vinegar held off the nausea. Also, I slept with a tiny fan blowing directly on my face and wore icepacks on my head in the evenings when the temperature of my face blazed to what I swore must have been 300 degrees. I am thankful that I didn't have it as bad as my poor mother, who was violently ill for all NINE MONTHS of her 3 pregnancies. To this I say, she is made of sterner stuff than I am.
I was helped tremendously at week 14 when I felt those first precious little thumps, letting me know that there REALLY IS a tiny person in there, and that makes all that misery worthwhile.
I must express a tremendous thank you to my husband, who was an absolute hero. He took the kids to school everyday, brought me almost all my meals, worked all day, then came home and fed the kids, cleaned them, did dishes, laundry, and everything else that needed to be done. WITHOUT A SINGLE COMPLAINT, and still looked upon me with compassion. And on top of all that, put a cold washcloth on my neck and held my hair back while I got sick. That is what I mean when I say the word LOVE.
Also, a big thank you to Nana & Granddad, for picking up the kids on Wednesday nights and bringing them back home fed, bathed & ready for bed. That was such a help !!
My sweet children were way more understanding than I had any hope to expect. They showed such kindness and genuine concern for my well-being, and they were so glad when I didn't actually die like I thought I might. I know, drama right?
I now realize how much I take "feeling good" for granted. Generally, that's just how I always felt, I was a 6 mile a day runner. Healthy & strong. Then, I felt like I was going to be sick forever. and ever. Weak was my new normal and I hated it. I was reaching for that 16 week mark like it was a life preserver. And it kinda was! I'm at 17 weeks now and am finally feeling more like myself.
Now that I am feeling better, there is so much that I want to do!! Like... see the sunlight, or stand up without vomiting. I think I'll start with trying to fluff-out this Patty-shaped indention in our living room sofa. :/
As a disclaimer, I should point out that pregnancy is one of the most wonderful miracles a woman can ever experience, and just because my body overreacted to all those hormones- it does not mean that others will. (Regretfully, I believe I've scared the living daylights out of more than a few ladies.)
Anyone who is reading this, if you are newly pregnant and I ask you how you are feeling... please lie. Because when every other pregnant lady I ask feels "fantastic", I feel genuinely happy for you for a second... but then I also want to kick you in the shins just a little. Just keeping it real over here.
Now to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy...
pancakes for everyone!!!
Avery loves a birthday, even when it's not hers.
A birthday celebration wouldn't be complete without his very own crown.... King for a day!
I asked Reilly what kind of cake he would like for me to make for his birthday, but he said he would much rather have a Molten Chocolate Cake than anything I could make. :/
Making a sweet wish...
and.... Demolished.
Gift time!
LEGOS !!!
Avery & her best friend.
His favorite thing in the world... Beyblades!!!
My birthday boy.
Great birthday... 2 thumbs up !! Thanks so much everyone !! Can't wait for the swim party next!!
