The news is out (at the work place)

I hadn't exactly envisioned it would be spread this way, but news of my second pregnancy was met with gasps, screams and excitement. I had somewhat planned to personally tell a few people here and there at a time, but not this soon. It happened on someone else's big day (my colleague/friend's birthday festivity) so this definitely wasn't the place for me to say anything about my own news. Well how the news broke out was that I went back for seconds on the ice cream, and jokingly, my friend Angelie (a lot of us are friends at work) had whispered to Joe to keep me away... but then he told her I was pregnant and it's okay for me -- he thought I had already told her my news when I actually hadn't yet. So well, with all the people present, I got bombed with questions: "You're pregnant?" "Seriously?" "How far along?" "OMG you really are?" "I thought you were going to wait longer!" and so on :) And it just went on for a while, and all of a sudden a few handful of people had learned it that minute. It still wasn't the right time for me to say anything, but since it broke out the way it did, I just have to accept that this many people know about me now. Which is fine, they'd have found out either way :) 

And when it comes to food and the nasty sensation of gagging...

I can't stand the thought of fresca salsa and chicken (not together, and not separately). In my first pregnancy, this was how I felt whenever I passed by the meat section at Trader Joe's, I would just gag at the thought. I might be able to stomach in some KFC, but that would be on a last resort basis if I had nothing else to eat. I haven't been craving for anything at all, and even when hungry, I don't always want to eat. But once I'm in front of something I would eat, I eat it up. A couple of Fridays ago, I hadn't known what to get for lunch nor was I hungry, but I ended up ordering a cheeseburger with garlic fries, and I downed it so fast! Food is a weird thing for me right now. 

Gerard is moving on up: first eye checkup

Today was Gerard's first eye checkup. At 1 year old, he was well behaved and (our) optometrist was so pleased with the little guy, wishing all babies were just like him! We get this compliment a lot :) A couple of times he did try to walk out of the office when I set him free, but other than that, he was also very amused with the tools for the eye. Doctor checked for early signs of cataract and made sure his eyes were all in working order. His next check up is in about a year. I'm so so so proud of my little guy :) 

Papa calls it a salamander

We had our first prenatal check up today, along with a couple of pictures of the little being. Dr. Rittenhouse was able to get a good shot of it showing the arm and leg buds and a big tail! So papa Egan called it a Salamander. Until we have a formal name, that's what this little one will be called. This was a smooth appointment. For some reason, Dr wants me in for an early gestational diabetes blood test, so when I called the perinatal lab for an appointment, they said it was a bit too early before 11 weeks and they might not be able to get any significant results. But they scheduled me anyway for my 11th week because Dr wants results before I see him again on May 27. We brought future big brother Gerard to this appointment so he could experience this special moment. Though he has no idea what it all means, we can tell him he was there to hear new baby's heartbeat, and we all looked at the live ultrasound together. So that was today! I told my work supervisor about my situation and she responded very warmly. I'm not quite keen on making such a big hoopla about this pregnancy (kind of like my first) so I'll take my time telling whomever I feel like as time passes. Oh but then again, I have a feeling I might just tell one person a day. :) 

First appointment tomorrow

I have my first prenatal check up tomorrow. We plan to bring Gerard with us so he can meet Dr. Rittenhouse now. We are going to see the same doctor for this pregnancy, as my experience with him was enjoyable. I'm curious what we'll find out then. I have a few questions for Doc: what can I do about my sinus problem? What meds can I take for my allergies? What do I tell my dentist for my appointment on Saturday? I do expect him to comment on my diabetes -- this was something they already warned me about when I was pregnant with Gerard. I just have to be on the look out from then on. Well, I have been a bit careless about this. Although I minimalize my rice intake, for the sake of my post-partum dieting. When I say careless, I have been eating a lot of ice cream, candy, and other sugared foods. How can I help it? I love ice cream :) It's hard for me to lean over, and I've been careful about Gerard kicking me in the stomach in bed. Now that he's walking, I have to be extra flexible to catch any of his falls, but I'm challenged with having a growing fetus in my belly! As for new baby itself, I haven't quite experienced the same excitement as my first pregnancy but I'm sure this will change. I'm still on baby high from Gerard, he's my #1 focus right now but I know that new baby will need the same attention. And it will get it, I promise!

Toddling along

Gerard's been more confident with walking today. He's been taking steps here and there, but drunkenly. Today, he was more courageous about it. I'll give him all the time he needs to master it. In the meantime, he needs indoor shoes for my parents' hardwood flooring. His socks are too slippery! He's been such a joy to be around, and I hope he helps me around when his new sibling comes later this year :) We're planning to buy a house this year to make room for the growing brood. Gerard certainly needs his own stomping room. He gets irritated with the small space we have for him. I don't blame him! 

Hello #2

I haven't had my first prenatal checkup yet, but according to two home tests, I'm carrying baby #2. Due date is approximately in early December, which would make both of my kids 1 and a half years apart. Not too bad. So far, only a few handful people know. I plan to call my obgyn this week to set up an appointment. I figure I'd like to have the "baby years" behind me by the time I'm in my mid-30s so I can get my sleep back. Let's get this over with... I'll roll with the zombie nights for another couple of years. It's been very fun, though, this mommyhood thing. It's still hard for me to believe I'm even here doing this, as I never imagined myself with kids at all. Though I love kids, it just never occurred to me that I should have my own. To keep this first blog entry significant, here is a record of my very first symptoms: 1) missed period, 2) cramping, 3) eating a lot, 4) bladder is full in the early morning, 4) nausea. I can say that this has already taken a different road from my first pregnancy when I was indigested and couldn't eat at all the first few weeks. These days, I'm always very hungry -- except today. For some reason, I just had no appetite. I also didn't feel too nauseous in the first pregnancy. Now I've been feeling some really bad ones. I do hope this time we have a girl. :) But it's ok if he's a boy too. :)