1 year; 9 weeks

Ari's 1 year doctor appointment is tomorrow! Although he turned one year old at the end of January, it's taken us this long to get in for his checkup. First they didn't have any availability, and then his doctor took a day off.. on his appointment day last Thursday.. and we had to reschedule. So is life.

I'm really looking forward to this appointment because I have a TON of questions. Anytime I think of something I jot it down so that I can ask everything at once and save doctor visits if possible. I know.. I'm super smart. ; )

Ari is such a big boy now. He is walking like a pro and really has some complex babbling going on lately as well. He loves to read books and especially play with things that make noise.. including the dogs. Archie really doesn't care for him much (he just hides and burrows under blankets for most of the day) but Abita has started warming up to him lately and seeks him out to play. It's really sweet. = )

On to other news. I am now 9 weeks pregnant with our second. (9 week fetus in upper right) So far this pregnancy is definitely different than the last one. I won't go into all the physiological details. The most marked difference is in how I feel. I feel nauseous for much more of the day.. pretty much all day long.. but am not throwing up as much. I have officially threw up a couple of times now though, so I can't say I haven't at all.

I am taking Zofran now, which I also took during my first pregnancy. I am taking about half as much as I did last time (4 mg instead of 8). I still feel nauseous, but it helps me be able to tolerate it and eat some food. My nausea in the evenings has been getting worse, which might be due to heartburn starting to kick in. I'm going to try to stick to the lower dose, but if anything maybe I'll just up it in the evenings.

So far, due to the nausea and the fact that I am still nursing Ari, I have lost about 6 lbs. I'm not super happy about that, but I am at least losing weight less rapidly now that I'm taking the anti-nausea meds. Everything I've read says not to worry too much about losing weight during the first trimester, as long as you're eating healthful foods.. which I am. So, I am trying to relax and trust God. = )

I have to say, being with child.. with a child.. is a whole different story than being pregnant with your first. When I was pregnant with Ari, and I was tired.. I would just take a nap. If I felt sick.. I would just bum around or sleep. Now I don't have that option. I still have to take care of Ari, make his food, bathe him, change his diapers, show him love and attention.

I think that I've grown up quite a bit in the past few weeks actually, having had to put my needs and desires on the back burner even when I'm feeling so sick. My faith has grown also, because I have realized that I cannot do this on my own. God has been so good and is giving me strength, peace and wisdom as I try to figure out how to be a good wife and mother while I'm not feeling well on a regular basis. I am so thankful for how good He is and how much He loves me. = )

In conclusion, I am currently taking Microbiology in the evening, twice a week. This has also been very challenging- trying to pay attention while I'm feeling sick and trying to find study time during the day with a toddler at home. It has me questioning whether or not I would even be able to handle a night/evening nursing program homework load with two kids at home during the day. I'm not sure, but I know that God will give us wisdom about that as well. I won't be able to do the program this fall, now that I'll be giving birth in September, but maybe Fall 2012.. we'll just have to see.

Until the next time I have time to update.. "Not fare well, but fare forward, voyagers."
– T.S. Eliot