"Mama has a baby in her tummy...!"

Yes, it's true. One thing I haven't really mentioned this summer is that I'm pregnant!

I'm due February 16th (my sister Abby's birthday) and tomorrow I will hit the 15 week mark. I am truly grateful to be this far already.

I have been very tired and worn out (hence the lack of blogging lately), I've been extremely hungry and if I don't eat, I start to feel very sick. So it's been this ironic thing--to try to eat when feeling sick.

I've also had to eat very substantial things or eat again in an hour, which after awhile, just gets old. Since Nathan is eating red meat again, we've been having lots of hamburgers, steak and roast beef. I've also been eating alot of bananas, especially before going to sleep (they fill me up fast!) and watermelon, which helps me through the blood sugar crashes. It also helps that it is sooo delicious!!

Strangely, I feel like I have been able to relate to Amos more in the eating department. We both seem to burn through our meals so quickly that it feels like we're constantly eating. I also think that his blood sugar crashes could be inherited from me, as I am very quick to crash if I don't eat and then it's all down hill until someone makes me something to eat or I muster the energy to make something myself, which is what usually happens. (Excuse me while I go make lunch...)

It's been a tough time, to say the least. Although, it hasn't been as bad as it could be--I mean, the nausea has been bad but I haven't thrown up once, so I am glad about that!

Anyway, we're excited. We did try for this one (I'm sure you're all wanting to know!) since we had such a good last year with Amos and getting his health issues figured out. I know that he can still get sick, but there's been a bit of relief that I've felt just in seeing him be healthy and thrive. He's more independent too. He is enjoying doing things like getting water from the refrigerator, helping me make waffles, cleaning up and other random little things. And since he can communicate more freely (which he does), it's sooo much easier to figure out what's wrong and how we can help him.

He is excited about it, as much as possible. We showed him pictures of what the baby looks like right now, nestled in my tummy, and later, he played under my pink flannel blanket, pretending to be a baby in my tummy. After a few seconds in there, he popped out and said, "Here I am! I a baby!" We loved it and felt like he may have gotten it after all. This has also been part of our whole "You're a big boy!!!" push, saying that we have a baby so we just need a big boy now. He seems to take pride in that and appreciate being older and the new things that have come along with that. But we'll see, I guess!

Back when I first felt pregnant, I got into the doctor right away to have blood tested and to get on the right track. It turns out that my thyroid hormone (TSH) level was high again and I was able to get on some medicine for that. When I was pregnant with Amos, I seemed to develop a thyroid condition and have always wondered if that contributed to his early arrival. I have also wondered if it would happen again and sure enough, it did. We're also keeping a close eye on my blood pressure and other things, hoping to avoid an early delivery. I know it's still early, but it's been good to have good care and to be active in taking care of this little life, since I'm technically considered to have a high-risk pregnancy. (Well, I would say it's a low high-risk pregnancy!).

I am seeing a doctor this time. We felt that out of all of our options, that this doctor was the best choice for us. She is supportive of me trying to have this baby naturally and won't resort to a c-section unless it's absolutely necessary. We'll also be planning on delivering in a hospital, again, which given our history, is ok with us.

I, like everyone, am wondering, pondering, thinking about what will happen this time. I have no idea what to expect and keep trying to take things a day at a time. I feel as I did early on with Amos' pregnancy, that Lord willing, we'll make it to term and that we'll get to hold this baby, healthy and happy. If not, we know that from our experience with Amos, that it is the way it is supposed to be, that we will be cared for, loved and comforted through our families and community (which I believe is an extension of God's hands and the means he uses for that care), and that we will emerge all the better for it.

Of course, my hope is that we will get to spend a lifetime with this new life, getting to know them, loving and enjoying them. So pray with us for protection and health as they grow. And I'll try my best to post more updates!!