born.in.japan

Making the Announcement

When we found out we were pregnant, back in July, we had already planned to take a trip home in September. Luckily for us, that trip coincided with the end of our first trimester, and so we decided, for the most part, to wait and tell people in person.

And, let me tell you, I’m so glad we did.

Being able to be here, live, to share those reactions of surprise and joy and excitement has been priceless. Seeing the looks on peoples faces, rather than having them simply describe their emotions on the telephone, has been awesome.

And, the way we decided to tell people, by wearing clever pregnancy related t-shirts, has been quite fun. Largely we have let people figure it out, sometimes we give them hints, like, “What do you think of my t-shirt?” Watching as the realization unfolds is actually quite humorous.

My sister’s reaction was one of the best. We had just seen her for the first time in more than a year. She didn’t notice my little belly or the oven on my shirt. So, finally we asked her what she thought of my shirt. Trying to be polite, she told me it was cute. Then, she was asked what it meant, what it said. She looked confused, and started fumbling out-loud trying to figure it out. “Hot buns, bun in the oven….” Once she said “bun in the oven” her jaw dropped and she repeated it. Then, with a very excited tone she threw both of her hands in the air and yelled “High Five!” There were high-fives and hugs all around. So great!

There are still many people to tell on our little tour, the most important being both of Aaron’s siblings. It should be really fun to continue sharing the news and spreading the word, and now that more people know it just seems SO real!

Latest Ultrasound

Here’s little R at 11 weeks. On the ultrasound we were able to see a healthy, growing baby who is now about 37mm from head to bottom. There was a head, two arms, and at least one leg (we only saw one, but we assume there are two). The heartbeat was quick and steady. And everything looked fantastic! Guess we will really get to bring home this little squirt in a few months!!!

Knocking on Wood

Yesterday and today, so far, have been awesome. I have felt like I have a wee bit of energy, despite not getting quite as much sleep as I have been getting lately. I haven’t had the urge to vomit or the nauseous feeling that has plagued me for most of the past month and a half. I didn’t wake up having to force myself to eat something, instead I enjoyed my glass of milk and morning fruit. I haven’t been constipated, in fact, I have been quite regular. All things are good, and I feel great.

Which makes me knock on wood. I know I am just about out of my first trimester (I am 11 weeks) and into the infamous second trimester filled with bliss, happiness and relief, but I am still not ready to admit that perhaps my morning sickness and fatigue are really leaving me behind. It has only been two days since I vomited, so it hasn’t been very long, but I am glad to feel the way I do right now. In fact, for the first time in a long time, these good feelings aren’t making me worry that something is wrong. Instead, I am just appreciating it, soaking it in, and hoping that it lasts.

We go in for our third doctor’s appointment today. We will have our third ultrasound (they are routine at every visit here in Japan) and I couldn’t be more excited to see our little R. The last we saw the baby it just looked like a blob and was only about a centimeter long. This time, it should be about 2.5 inches and is supposedly (according to the pregnancy books I’ve been reading) quite active. I am really looking forward to seeing something that resembles a baby today.

This is just such an exciting week. We see little R today, hear his/her blessed heartbeat, and then, on Friday, we get to go home to America to share our news with everyone that doesn’t know. I am so excited about everything that it is hard to focus on the work to be done, and not just sit here daydreaming blissed-out baby and family thoughts.

Changing Shape

I have now finished my 10th week and I am starting to notice my body changing shape. I feel like I can’t suck in that little pooch that has developed in front. And I have had a few people point out my changing appearance. It feels really good to start to see the changes, rather than just feel them.

We have been doing belly pictures, really there hasn’t been much to see. But after this weeks shot I looked back at all of them. I really think there is a difference. No, it doesn’t look distinctly like a baby yet, it looks more like I have had a few too many doughnuts, but it is apparent that something is happening in there.

Here, take a look for yourself.

That’s me during week 5. Very shortly after we found out I was pregnant, so it is mostly my normal, natural state.

And here’s me just a few days ago. During my 11th week. Nope, nothing really drastic, but I can see and feel the difference already. Pretty incredible, actually!

I know the new design is a bit blah, looks just like our other site, but for now it is fixing all the formating issues I was having. Hopefully we can spruce it up a bit here soon. Until then….

I Don’t Know What It Is . . .

about my evening commute that is making me so sick.

Today, for the third time this week I have vomited after my commute. I feel that I have explored the wide-range of locations available to vomit, I have chosen a favorite. And now, I am ready to be done with it.

Today was a low moment, it was my first vomit-in-public. Shortly after getting off the train and beginning to walk home, the urge came, it was an urge I couldn’t fight and so I scurried over to the nearest drainage ditch where I was able to, somewhat discreetly, toss my cookies. High class!

I am really hoping that this blog doesn’t degrade into “Danielle’s Adventures in Vomiting” because that would be really sad. I hope that I have other, more exciting, tales of pregnancy to share soon. For now, it is just the sick. I am getting a little bigger and wider, too. Some of my other symptoms are starting to go away, thankfully, like the frequent urination (this is supposed to happen towards the end of the first trimester as the uterus moves up and out of the pelvic cavity).

And, thankfully, I have started liking ice cream again. What a relief!