So I’ve been holding out making the “official” announcement on here until we were safely out of the first trimester. I am now 13 weeks pregnant with Little Baby Appiah!
I found out on April 7th. Was I surprised?? Um–yeah….considering that it took quite a long time to conceive. I don’t even know what it was that prompted me to test. I hadn’t been consistently charting my temperatures, so it wasn’t as if I knew I was “late.” I had a general idea of when I had ovulated, simply because of my temperature shift, but I couldn’t pinpoint the exact date. Therefore, I really didn’t know when the infamous “Aunt Flo” was expected.
But that morning I decided to test; maybe because my temp was still high and by that point, it should have been coming down.
POSITIVE!
I went to the bed and woke Kwasi, telling him, “I think I am pregnant!” Of course, just like with Kwabena, he didn’t believe me. I knew he was happy about it, but being Mr. Cautious and Pessimistic, he didn’t want me to get happy about anything until we knew “for sure.”
Here we are, now at 13 weeks!
Kwabena understands that there is a baby in my belly, and often times will lift my shirt and ask, “There’s a baby in there?” Or he’ll say, “Hi, baby!”
In order to make this transition a smooth one, I have been talking to him a lot about the baby, and I got a stack of library “kids” books that center on new siblings joining the family.
I have also been thinking about ways to get him involved in the pregnancy. We took him the 12 week NT screening ultrasound last week. He hadn’t napped that day, so he was wound up and being extremely playful (er–hyperactive and not listening, but generally cheerful). I also have some ideas to help him not feel left out.
It’s going to be really hard for him to not feel left out, though, when the baby gets here. Kwasi and I could simply be huggy, and Kwabena does not like to feel left out of the group hug; he will insert himself into the middle of us, trying to make sure he gets his share of love. So I can just imagine how he might react when he sees another baby sharing his Mommy.
But we’ve got time to orient him to this! And for us to get oriented to having a new little one in the house!
I’m due December 16, 2009, exactly 3 days after my birthday (and 3 days before my mom and grandmother’s birthday, which they happen to both share together). So, should be interesting to see what this little baby comes!
I’ve thought about whether we want a girl or a boy. A girl would be nice because Kwasi is one of four boys…and then along came Kwabena, the first grandson…….A girl is definitely in order. Then again, Kwabena needs a brother. He’s got so much energy (not that girls can’t be energetic, but if you know Kwabena, his energy level is off the charts and probably can only be matched by a boy). He needs a playmate, a buddy, a pal, someone that he will always be able to call on throughout his life. Plus, financially, being able to pass everything down to another boy would alleviate the burden of having to buy 2 sets of things (they can share toys, as well).
This morning, Kwasi expressed that he’d prefer another boy. He said he can’t see himself doing the pink, frilly stuff (oh, but just you wait–a baby girl can make the most manly man become a pile of gushing love). Anyhow, he seems to think he probably would be even harder on a girl–that he would want his girl to be strong and be able to take care of herself and be able to navigate all the bullshit that would come her way (particularly from men trying to take advantage of her in her life.).
I guess we’ll find out at the next ultrasound, July 14th!
As for me……this pregnancy has been such a breeze, just like Kwabena. Absolutely no morning sickness or queasiness. Up until this week, if it wasn’t for the fact that my boobs are a little sore and the 1st trimester pregnancy acne that cropped up, I wouldn’t even have known that I was pregnant! Oh…..but there is the tell-tale sign of a big-ass belly that has sprouted in what seems to be overnight!
I’m not kidding you….I look like I am 5 months pregnant. My belly has popped. There’s no hiding it. The good news is that even though I have gained 7 pounds already, I have gained less weight so far compared to this point in my pregnancy with Kwabena. Last time I gained 60 lbs. This time around, I have refused to gain so much. In the last 3 weeks, I have resigned myself to foregoing all junk food. I have chosen more natural food–lots of fruits, nuts and seeds, and trying to eat more veggies. My sugar cravings have become non-existant. I haven’t been having any cravings, actually. 🙂 Anyhow, I’m aiming for a weight gain of no more than 35 lbs. Much better compared to the 60 lbs I gained with Kwabena!
Anyhow, this is long enough….I think I got it all out 🙂 I’ll be sure to write more often! 🙂
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