Get Well Soon, Daddy!

Rico had emergency surgery yesterday. He'll be in the hospital 5 days and recovery will take at least 3 weeks. My nausea has only gotten worse, even with meds. Rico told me the other day that some scientists posit that severe nausea is an indication of high IQ for the baby. I think this baby is going to be a genius, because my nausea is persistent and awful!

Looks like mommy and daddy are both going to be messed up the first trimester. Well, things can only get better, right?

Do I have to go to work today?

I have a new admiration for pregnant women who work a full time job. My goodness, it ain't easy! My mom asked me yesterday how the baby was doing. I told her s/he must be doing great, because s/he's putting mommy through the wringer! These past few days at work have been torture. I have these comfy sofa's in the library that are constantly tempting me, "Come lie down on us!" That's all I want to do all the time is just lie down. Perpetual nausea has overtaken all other feelings. I can't even tell if I'm hungry, full, thirsty, tired. I just feel one thing... nausea!

A Stone's Throw Away and Even Closer

Babydaddy doesn't get to be around the belly all the time. So I decided to replace my belly ring with one that has his birth stone. I want something of daddy close to the baby all the time. I know it's silly and sentimental, but guess what? I'm pregnant, so I'm allowed. Now let's see how long I can keep it on. : )

Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Tummy

Today I'm 6 weeks pregnant. Boy did those symptoms go from mild to strong fast! We totally skipped moderate. I still haven't actually puked, but yesterday the nausea was so bad, I spent the entire day in bed. Adri says being nauseous and tired is a good sign the baby is developing healthily. That's a positive way to look at it. : )

I'm so blessed to have my mom with me. She made me some chicken soup with lots of noodles. We didn't have any potatoes. I suggested that she go ask the neighbors. She used to do that all the time when I was little. She would ask for sugar, milk, eggs... She's too shy to do it now. Plus, the neighbors don't speak Spanish. I imagined myself going next door and knocking, "Hi, I'm pregnant. Do you happen to have an extra potato lying around that I can have? It's for the baby." But, I couldn't get out of bed. So, I had chicken soup with lots of noodles. It was just what I needed. Thanks, mom!

Bebé, Tu Tía Betty Está Muy Contenta

Anteayer le di la nueva noticia a mi prima, Betty. Se puso tan pero tan contenta. Y ayer me mandó este lindo mensaje.

Querida Rita:

¡Felicidades!

Cuanta alegria me dio la GRAN NOTICIA. Dios escuchó mis ruegos. GRACIAS DIOS MIO. Este es un GRAN MILAGRO. Disfruta estos 9 meses. Este BEBE es UNA BENDICION. Como los padres de este BEBE estan tan felices, todo va a estar EN ORDEN DIVINO. Gracias por compartir conmigo este momento de felicidad. Felicitaciones a Rico. Estoy segura que él va a ser un buen papá. Y tú, una excelente e informada mamá.

Abrazos,

Betty

 

¡Este bebé mío tan deseado va a llegar al mundo colmado de bendiciones y amor!

Betty, cuando vino a visitarme a Praga.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I have been sleeping on an air mattress since last September when I brought my mom to Denver from Miami for a short stay. Of course, I gave mom my bed. Well, the short stay turned into a longer stay, and I am about to hit a 1 year anniversary sleeping on the air mattress. My back has finally said no more! Today, I bought a king size memory foam mattress. I'm so excited to sleep on my new mattress! Tonight will be blissful sleep for mommy. That means baby will be happy too!

Good Morning, Baby!

Early morning is my favorite time of day so far. I wake up super early and remember that I'm pregnant. Immediately, a smile lights up my face and my heart flutters with happiness. And then, alas, I can't go back to sleep. Yes, me, the one who loves to sleep in and hates getting up early.

So, I get up and enjoy the quiet early morning hours. I read about the baby. I have a daily pregnancy journal that describes each day in the baby's development. It's so fun to read about the baby's heart that is pumping 65 times a minute and the tiny little limbs that are beginning to form right now.

The symptoms start to kick in later. Depending on the day, it could be by mid morning or afternoon/early evening. Thus far, it's just been mild cramping, mild nausea, mild heartburn and some crazy emotions. Every once in a while the hormones act up, and I feel a little emotional. But, so far the main thing that I'm experiencing with this pregnancy is joy!

Baby, We've Got Presents!

Tía Nubia was the first to give the baby a present. It’s a bilingual book about Family. This gift is so appropriate considering that 1) I’m a librarian and this baby is going to love to learn and read, 2) the baby’s going to be bilingual, and 3) family will be a very important part of my baby’s life. S/he has a lot of family all over the USA, plus more extended family in the Philippines and in Cuba!

I got some presents, too. Tía Adri sent me a super cool care package with essentials to make the pregnancy go smoothly.

I Told You the Baby Was Coming

“Because when the baby comes…”

“... for when the baby comes.”

These were Carmen’s favorite phrases this summer when I went to Miami in June. And, the baby came in July… well, the baby was conceived in July. And, when we found out I was pregnant she said, “I told you the baby was coming!” Who would have known? Well, clearly Carmen did. : )

Friends aka Family

One of the most heartwarming experiences for me so far has been telling my closest friends that I'm pregnant. The reactions have been varied, but all have one thing in common. My friends are thrilled with the news.

Adri started crying.

Pepa was so excited she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Nubia was so excited, she couldn’t sleep that night.
Faby was very happy for me.

Basi was ecstatic.

Angie was super happy.

Jackie started crying.

These friends know my heart and know how passionately I've longed for this baby. And they shared the euphoria with me of finally being pregnant.

But the first person to find out was actually blood family. My niece, Carmen, whom I love and adore and who has seen me through some really tough times, and who also knew how much I longed for this baby… she was with me when I first discovered I was pregnant (via phone, of course).  She actually had to convince me that I was pregnant, because I couldn’t believe it initially.

Every single one of these reactions has served as confirmation and affirmation that everything is going to be just fine. This baby is going to be surrounded by Tía’s and completely showered with love. And mommy is going to have lot's of support.

Dreaming of Caramel Machiatos

Abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs is not so bad. But, not being able to have sushi, feta cheese and caffeine is a bit much! Yesterday I craved a Caramel Machiato so desperately. It doesn't help that I'm in the first trimester and feeling constant fatigue.

It's worth it, though. I would do anything for this baby. S/he is the most important thing in my life right now. Plus, I'll splurge on a decaf machiato once I hit the second trimester.

Baby, You Are an Answer to Prayer

In February of this year, my friend Nubia went to Israel. She insisted till the day before she left that I write my prayer, so that she could take it to the Wailing Wall. I finally drafted my prayer and gave it to her the night before she flew out. There were four significant requests in my prayer. One was for my house. And, in April I closed on my cute town home with three bedrooms - one for the baby that was coming. Of course, I had no idea when the baby was coming, but I was getting ready.

Another heartfelt request in my prayer was for a baby. If you know me even just a little, you know that having a baby has been my desire for some time now.

I give thanks to God for answering my prayer and giving me this precious gift that is now growing in my belly. Halleluiah!

Baby, Your Daddy Loves You

I waited a few days to process my new reality before I told the babydaddy that I was pregnant. I admit I was apprehensive. After all, this baby wasn't planned. He told me that a bird had pooped on him twice that week, and this was the good news he was supposed to get. That was all I needed to hear to know that he was in, and we were going to be co-parents.

Cheers to the hapa baby!

Daddy's on the left.

Oh Baby, We Were Meant to Be Together

"When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires to make it come true." - The Alchemist


A week ago today, I found out I was pregnant. I was shocked and scared for less than half a day. After that pure bliss flooded my mind, heart and soul. This was it. Here was the one thing that I have desired for so many years... inside me. What a delicious feeling! And, what a miracle!

My life is about to change forever, and I don't plan to look back for one second. This baby is the most important thing to me right now... the light of my life! I'm going to have a beautiful hapa baby, and we are going to conquer the world!