Cravings and Kickes and Nausea, Oh My!

On September 21 we had our second trimester 19-week ultrasound at a special imaging center here in Fresno. The purpose was to make sure our little baby was developing well and that there were no abnormalities, but for Giovanni and me it was a magical moment to see our child. Giovanni’s mother was still here in California at the time and so we invited her to join us.

The whole process lasted about 30 minutes and they took a ton of pictures to send to the doctor. The technician photographed just about every part of our little one. We were able to see the little face, legs, arms, and toes, even the four chambers of the heart beating, the stomach and the spine. The baby is so cute; Giovanni and I were crying there in that dark little room as we saw our miracle. The little one was moving around so much that the technician was surprised and had to chase her/him around in there to get the photos! She/he was upside down and facing outwards, so we didn't get that typical sideways shot that you always see in ultrasound photos, but there will hopefully be another ultrasound in the third trimester. The technician was able to see the gender at that time (which she verified with another tech), but we asked that she not tell us and instead print the picture with the news and place it in a sealed envelope for us to open later. We wanted the moment that we found out if we were having a boy or girl to be special. All of the ultrasound and blood work results came back healthy for baby and we are giving God the glory. We are trusting the Lord for a happy, healthy, peace-filled baby.

Baby's arms are to the right side and are extended with hands in the upper right corner.

We couldn't get the typical full body shot because Baby was facing outwards.

The head is on the right side with a hand over the face and legs are on the left.

The first 5 months of this pregnancy were very difficult physically for me, but I am so happy to report that I am feeling well now (other than being super fatigued but that comes with the territory) and enjoying this journey. I suffered from severe nausea which was constant all day and all night. I spent most of my time in bed and missed a lot of work and didn’t leave the house very much at all. Giovanni was such a loving and wonderful husband and he took over all of the household tasks and responsibilities and even learned how to cook some meals! He has also been so fabulous in satisfying my food cravings by running to the grocery store at all hours to get me usually ice cream, and sometimes fruit juice, and bread, or to Jamba Juice to get me oatmeal topped with berries and brown sugar (mmm…oatmeal). He has been such a blessing during this time and I couldn’t have done it without his help, love and support.

My Baby Bump at 18 Weeks.

My much bigger Baby Bump at 23 weeks!

We have started purchasing some items for the nursery. We found a change table that is just perfect in a cherry wood and also an adorable bassinet. Giovanni worked hard putting together the change table and our kitty Gatita has tried to claim ownership of both items. She is our spoiled baby for the time being and I don’t think she will be pleased to share her status with the coming little one!

Gatita with the change table before we set it up.

Giovanni putting the change table together.

What a great Daddy he is already!

The finished product has Gatita's approval!

Gatita seems to think that she is the only baby!

The most exciting recent development is that on Friday, October 1^st in the morning I felt our little one move for the very first time. It was a very special and emotional moment for Giovanni and me. We were preparing to leave for an overnight trip to Sacramento to see Joyce Myer when it happened. Such a special moment and I am so happy that Giovanni and I could be together when it happened for the first time. I started to feel the little one off and on since then each day for most of October, and he/she was at first very happy to be kicking me in the bladder most of the time! It was terribly uncomfortable, however very special to know that she/he was doing well and having fun. We were anxious for Giovanni to be able to share in feeling the baby and he was constantly holding my belly waiting to see if he could feel the slightest movement. On October 25^th in the morning I felt the baby moving really strongly and I woke Giovanni up and he felt the baby move himself for the first time. I am so happy he is able to now be a part of this special bonding. The baby is very active now and is settling into a routine of waking and sleeping and you can even see my belly move when he/she kicks.

Our little one is getting stronger and growing each day.