Kelso Kids: Third trimester is here! ~ November 2, 2013

12 weeks and counting...

This has not been the easiest of pregnancies,
yet I've never met a woman who has claimed to have had an easy one. I'm pretty sure she would get smacked.

Compared to my pregnancy with Nora, it has been very challenging with constant illness and chasing her around simultaneously. We never thought we would have a child so we're glad to have had both experiences but I'm very thankful to be well once again...at the moment (knocking on wood, pitching salt...). And I now know what people are talking about when they mention the following: morning sickness, all day sickness, heartburn, vertigo, constant sinus infections, a penny taste in your mouth, food aversions, smell aversions, round ligament pain, sweat gland infections, body acne, pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome...you get the idea.

I've always had insomnia so I expected the further lack of sleep and I know that we'll be the sleep-deprived zombies that we are for a few years more. What I didn't totally comprehend was how different the pregnancy would be not only in my experience but in the behavior of our baby in utero. The first month was the tip off. I basically wanted to eat like some degenerate fratboy all day. Anything healthy essentially resulted in either nausea, diarrhea, or at least heartburn. I loved the smell of beer. Those of you that know me well know that this is truly bizarre. He wanted me to eat meat and starch nonstop. I craved pie of all types during Nora's pregnancy and this time is no different but I could eat Reese's peanut butter cups nonstop if you let me. No surprise that the gestational diabetes diagnosis came early this time.

He kicks differently, hates raw vegetables or fruit still but he doesn't get hiccups, and he sleeps a lot! Every time I sit or lay down he goes to sleep. What wakes him up? Nora. The moment she is up singing in the morning he stirs and starts kicking in response. If I nap with her, he moves to be closer to her and she pets my stomach to get him to respond. I feel like a living science fiction novel.

We're interpreting his behavior as a positive omen of them being good friends. Nora is practicing taking care of "(her) baby" and is convinced that he's going to sleep in a basket that she's designated for him in her room. Neither of us will be surprised if they end up sharing a bed someday. She even acts out family scenarios with her dollhouse miniatures and apparently the four of us are going to be in one bed. Jamie didn't see the humor in that one.

I'm grateful every day for having Nora and in amazement still that I'm pregnant again. After many disappointments and hard passages for us as a family, we're parents and in shock that we will be twice over. We couldn't have made it through these past few years without the love and support of family and friends. The mothers I've met since Nora's birth have created more than a wonderful network of friends for Nora and entertainment for us. They've become family and a life-line during the insanity of new parenthood. I'm thankful for all of them and their families. In particular, our friend Nicole.

She and her daughter, Evie, have been friends with us since both of our girls were less than a month old. Evie and Nora have become fast friends and argue like siblings. Trying to kill each other and then seconds later hugging and cuddling. They will always have each other as sisters if we have it our way.

Nicole's friendship has been a tremendous support and has allowed me to see the humor when I thought I couldn't and continue to try and be the mother I hope to be for Nora. So when she offered to throw us a shower I was more than flattered and very excited to get a chance to see old friends that I hadn't been able to see in so long and recent ones that, like Nicole, have made being parents that much more enjoyable. Thank you to you all for the shower and being there for us. Seeing you all was gift enough and the presents still blow us away. Lots of cool stuff and much appreciated!