The Family Graham is Growing!

Want to know who the first person we (ahem, RG) told we were going to have a baby?  BEA.  The day we found out I was pregnant, he told our very chatty toddler a secret we needed to keep under wraps for months.  I highly recommend not doing this as toddlers loveeeee to tell all to anyone at any moment. I had an appointment after work that day and Randall took Bea out for dinner and told her the news. As soon as I walked into the restaurant to meet them Bea screamed out “Mama I’m going to be a big sister!”  I cried (pregnancy hormones are FUN!) and then panicked at who else she was going to tell over the next several weeks. 

But now that we can share it with everyone, I’m so excited and relieved!! I forgot how difficult it is to keep a secret like this for this long! So there you have it. I’m growing a human once again and here’s how it’s going so far.

I did an early detection test as I’d been having some weird symptoms and it lit up like a Christmas tree right away. I immediately told RG. We cried and hugged and it was one of those really special family moments. Growing from a family of 2, 5 years ago, to a trio 3 years ago and now a family of 4. I was then, and I am now, overwhelmed with so many feelings. Mainly just so damn grateful. But with a really healthy dose of TOTALLY. FREAKED. OUT. I oscillate several times a day between total joy and excitement to total fear and panic.  When I have those moments of ‘how are we going to do this?’ I try to remind myself so many others have done it, some in very challenging circumstances. And for countless reasons, we are endlessly fortunate.

Physically I’ve been feeling not too bad! Exhausted for sure, but that’s just feels like a natural state of being at this point. Definitely a little moody (sorry, family), more nausea this time around and aversions to different things. The smell of coffee for example, is barfville. And the sight of raw meat, or even if I think about it, makes my stomach turn. For a couple of weeks I only wanted to salty things. Plain chips. Popcorn. Breton crackers. I was also eating subway sandwiches (extra pickles and mustard) at work WHICH I’VE NEVER DONE. Pretty sure that raised some eyebrows. Also the craving for licorice all sorts is back! I ate a ton of them when I was pregnant with Beatrix.

My doctor warned me my belly would most likely show earlier this time. I had no real bump until 18 weeks with Bea. But with this pregnancy, I noticed a tiny little pop around 11 weeks. I’m excited to experience pregnancy again and I know just how lucky I am to be able to.

A few things have changed since I was pregnant 3 years ago.  I’ve already had 2 ultrasounds (one at 7 weeks and one at 12) and I was offered the option of the NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) blood test which I took.  That wasn’t something I knew about with Bea. 

I’m sure you guys will have some questions, so send them my way!  Here are a couple you may already have so I’ll answer those now:

When is the baby due? January 2020

Will we find out the sex? HELL YES

How long will I be off work? Not sure yet

Will we have any more kids? No way José. 

 

As BabyG2 (working title) and I continue to grow, I’ll be sure and keep you updated on how we’re doing. And as always, thank you for all the love and support. It means so much to all of us.  

Big Love,

Danielle, RG, Big Sister Bea and BabyG2