Since I just started this blog today, I'll post the letters that I've been writing to our new baby for the last few months.

December 25, 2008
Hi Baby,
Well, today is Christmas Day and I am 11 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy is very different than my first one with Kallen. With Kallen, I hardly ever felt nauseous and I only threw up three times during my whole pregnancy. One or two of those times were probably more in result of a migraine headache than the pregnancy itself. With baby number two however, I feel nauseous every day! I have not thrown up, but I feel like I’m going to multiple times throughout the day…every day. I know it’s not a well-balanced diet, but for about the past two weeks, the only real food I’ve been able to stand is bread or other carbs, fruit, and milk. Today even, it’s Christmas, and I don't even want to look at the elaborate spread of food on the table.

I just weighed myself and although I don’t weigh regularly, I think I’ve gained 5 lbs. It is night-time right now, and I think I tend to weigh more at night, so I’ll try to remember to weigh first thing in the morning to see if my weight is the same as it was tonight.

One other thing that was very obvious tonight was how emotional I am. My hormones are in overdrive making this baby and every time I see something remotely sad or happy or emotional in any regard on TV, I immediately tear up. I try not to full-fledged cry, but some of these baby shows on TLC get me every time a new baby is delivered. I look forward to the rest of my pregnancy, especially when I will be able to feel kicks. I’m excited about bringing a new baby into our family.

12-29-08
I had my first midwife appointment today. I’m 12 weeks pregnant. Tata, Kallen, and Mamady came with me to my appointment. We all got to hear your heartbeat and Kallen got to hold a little rubber baby that is the same size as you are right now. It was great to hear your fast, healthy heart. It made this pregnancy seem more real.

1-28-09
I went alone to this midwife appointment. I told my midwife that I think I might be farther along than 16 weeks because I’ve been feeling you kick since about 12 weeks. I thought that was too early. I told her about how it doesn’t feel like butterflies fluttering in my tummy. It’s more like little thumps and always has been with you. You are a strong little baby! She said that everything still indicates that I’m 16 weeks, but we’ll know more after my ultrasound.

I’ve actually lost 2 pounds which is weird because I finally feel like I’ve gotten my appetite back. Before, I was too nauseous to eat. Now, I’m eating healthy, still throwing up some, but feeling a lot better. So far I’ve gotten sick 7 times in this pregnancy. My midwife said she’s not concerned right now, but if I haven’t gained weight at my next visit, she will be.

2-8-09 (17 weeks pregnant)
Tonight, I was lying in bed with Kallen watching Elmo and I told him that the baby kicked me. He said, “Mama, we don’t supposed to kick!” I thought that was cute. He’s said that before when I told him you were kicking, but I forgot to write it down then. I had to explain to him that it’s ok for you to kick me because it’s your way of saying hi to us. I demonstrated on his tummy with a little thump so he knows what I mean when I tell him you are kicking. He wanted to tell you “hi” back and asked me if he could thump my belly to tell you hello. I told him he could and he got a kick out of thumping my belly.

2-10-09
Make that 8 times that I’ve thrown up.

2-15-09
Now I’ve thrown up 9 times. Yuck! I had a migraine, threw up, felt better.

2-16-09
Uh, 10 times. Make it stop! Today, Kallen has a stomach virus. With my already sensitive gag reflex, I sometimes have a hard time tending to his tummy issues due to my own. Let’s just say that today was pretty gross!

2-26-09
I went to see the midwife yesterday in Tyler. Not much new to report though. I’ve gained about two pounds. I was concerned because I didn’t think that I had gained any weight this time. We listened to your heart beat and I got to see the little rubber baby that represents a baby at 20 weeks. You’re about the size of a mango… the internet was right. I am extremely eager to find out if you are a boy or a girl! I have two more weeks to wait until the 3D/4D ultrasound that I scheduled. The people at the ultrasound place said that really, any time after 25 weeks is the best time to get good pictures. I’ll only be 22 ½ weeks pregnant for my ultrasound, but there is no way I could wait any longer to find out the details about you. Besides, this way, I'll have my whole spring break to shop for my new little baby!