Well..the big news (as most of you probably already know) is that I'm pregnant! I'm almost 14 weeks now, and honestly I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by. I realized I so diligently posted each week of Jackson's pregnancy, and I want to do the same with this sweet baby. I think it'll be fun to chronicle the similarities and differences. But before I talk about the difference/similarities so far...let me share the story of how and when we found out I was pregnant.
The truth is, we had been trying for many months to get pregnant with this sweet baby. Although it had been several tries, I (thankfully) wasn't at the point of utter hopeless or frustration. As anyone who has tried for any amount of time to get pregnant knows, it's a journey. It's a faith journey really. It's recognizing that you can do all you can do, but ultimately God has to perform a miracle. And His timing is perfect, and it can't be rushed. So thankfully, in February, we got another miracle.
I had been so very sick for a few days. I had a fever, and was on the couch. I didn't want to take any medicine because I knew there was a chance I could be pregnant. By the 4th day I had started to feel better, and that night for whatever reason, I wanted steak SO badly! I thought it had to be because my iron was low or something because I had been sick. I talked Adam into going to get me steak nachos as like 9:30 that night. AND they were AMAZING. That should have been my first clue, but it wasn't. Then a few days later, I woke up that morning and just knew. I had the same thing happen with Jackson. I woke up on a Sunday morning with him and just knew. And this time, I woke up on a Wednesday morning and just knew. It's strange how that happens, ya know. We can buy millions of pregnancy tests hoping and praying they come out positive, but when we actually get pregnant, we don't even need one. Or I didn't anyway. I totally, absolutely just knew. That afternoon I took a pregnancy test to confirm, and while Jackson was eating lunch, I read a clear "positive" sign on the test.
I was overwhelmed and cried, and was so excited. I ran into the kitchen swooped Jackson up, danced him around and told him he was a big brother! I immediately tried to come up with a creative way to tell Adam, but that plan was thrown out the window immediately when Adam got home. I couldn't hold it in. I was sitting on the couch with Jackson, and he walked in, sat down with us, kissed me, and asked how my day was. I just started crying. I was so overcome with thankfulness and excitement, so my creative plan became a simple, "I'm pregnant", which was creative enough for Adam. :) He was so excited!
That was February 8th. About 10 weeks ago! I can't believe that much time has passed! whew!
I thought it would be fun to show a current belly shot, and the pic from Jackson's pregnancy at the same week. You can tell that I'm showing slightly more this go around (and my belly expands even more by the end of the day). Here I am at almost 14 weeks...the current shot is on the left, the one with Jackson is on the right.
So far, this pregnancy has been as care-free as Jackson's. I haven't gotten sick, or had any super crazy cravings. I did crave steak for a few days at first (counting the steak I wanted before I knew I was pregnant). And I've craved coke with this one just like with Jackson. And chick-fila haha... One difference is that I've been waaay more tired, and instead of waking up at 5 am hungry with Jackson, I've been more hungry in the afternoons. Well, actually I've been more hungry in general with this one- a lot more hungry. And I've had more heartburn.
But other than that, it's been very very easy. I'm actually super excited to know the gender because I think it will make it more real for us! We find out in about 4 weeks what the baby is, and I absolutely cannot wait. We don't have names yet, but I think this time we are going to wait to know the gender before we decide.
As far as what Jackson knows...well he knows there is a baby in mommy's tummy, and he prays for baby when he says his prayers. But he obviously doesn't really know what's happening. But I look forward to watching him learn and grow and realize that he is going to be a big brother!
We are so so thankful that God has blessed us with another sweet child, and I am so thankful that I get to do what I know I was created to do-be a wife and mommy. So it makes my heart swell with joy to see our family grow. Most of you prayed with us through Jackson's pregnancy, so if you are reading this, I ask you to please pray with us through this pregnancy as well. I can't wait to meet this sweet baby!
~Monica