10 weeks 3 days

It is week 10! Only 30 to go... ha ha. This week we decided to tell some people about the pregnancy. Hieu broke the news to his family and I let me younger sister and brother in on the secret, as well as my housemates. I will tell my older sister and parents during Thanksgiving as previously planned, and then slowly leak out the news to our friends/acquaintances. Hieu will not be able to be there due to work. :( It was very difficult for me to start sharing our well-hidden secret, but hopefully by next week I will be more comfortable with the idea of HAVING A BABY and not be so nervous to tell my parents. So far everyone seems to be supportive, shocked, but somewhat delighted with the idea of having a new baby around. Hieu and I are still discussing what our living arrangement is going to be. We haven't decided to get married... yet... so I am hesitant to move in with him before there is that deeper level of commitment and sanctity. It will be difficult if we continue living separately though because he will not be able to see me (and the baby when he/she comes) as often as we would like and will not be as available to help out. We still have time to keep weighing our options, so we are not going to rush into making a decision prematurely. Well my pregnancy symptoms remain unchanged from last week. Nausea is worse and even threw up once this past week. I am still severely exhausted, which makes it very hard to get anything done. I really hope that I can start enjoying food and gain an appetite soon, I am still at 129 pounds. Somehow I am supposed to gain 25 pounds in the next 30 weeks... the nausea needs to stop soon for this to be possible! I have been taking Vitamin D supplements and will soon be taking cod liver oil supplements for omega-3 DHA, in addition to my prenatal vitamin. Hmm it would've been much easier just to take the stupid birth control pill... but here we are! I think that I am finally feeling the effect of the extra hormones on my mood and emotions. I am still somewhat ambivalent about having a baby and hope that I become more excited soon. Once it becomes more obvious that there is actually a baby living in my belly, not just a parasite making me sick and tired everyday, then I think my feelings should change a bit. I have always wanted to be a mother and having a family has always been a major goal in my life. I did not picture it happening like this however. I did not realize that the words "morning sickness" actually had meaning behind them of feeling horrible everyday, every hour, that are also associated with strong emotional struggle and loss of self identity when you can know longer function the way you used to. My productivity has decreased from about 150% to 25%, this is staggering and unacceptable to me, but there is nothing I can do about it except wait it out. Anyway, if you are still reading this, thanks for listening. Who reads this besides Hieu and I anyway? I am sure that the picture of my unchanged belly has not attracted viewers, neither the long drawn out complaints of my symptoms. But this is what matters to us at this stage, and after all, this blog is for us! :)

9 Weeks 4 days!

Two pictures this week! Mom and fetus :) The midwife said everything looks good and baby is basically on schedule with growth measuring at 9 weeks, uterus at 9 weeks 2 days. We got to see baby's little heartbeat and squirming quite a bit, it was hard to get a good shot! Head is on the left, and I think the face is captured? Haha not exactly sure. There might be a little foot poking out at the top right corner too. Hieu and I are very relieved to know that baby is doing well and we will be ready to tell our family and friends soon, probably in two weeks. We are scheduled to listen to the heartbeat by doppler in two weeks so that we feel good about breaking the news to everyone on Thanksgiving.
Besides the excitement of our appointment today, nothing else is really new. Same symptoms, they are getting very old at this point. More urgency/frequency to urinate than before, but still nausea, tired but having trouble sleeping due to waking up for bathroom/nausea and just sleeping lighter than normal, some weird dreams, a little cranky sometimes, and it's still hard to find food to eat that doesn't sound bad. I am very aware of smells, especially the smell of my house, people's breath, car exhaust, smoke, food that is unappealing... etc. This little baby is beginning to turn my life upside down... :)

8 weeks 4 days

We made it to 8 weeks! Still no significant belly changes, although I seem to be pudgier I haven't really gained any weight (about 129lbs). I still have many of the same symptoms including constant nausea/loss of appetite, heartburn, indigestion, bloating, drooling, fatigue although I am having trouble sleeping through the night, breast tenderness/growth, and basically not feeling great all around. Even though I was aware of the symptoms pregnant women go through, I never imagined it feeling quite like this... I definitely have a new appreciation for women who have experienced pregnancy, and even decide to have more than one child. I know there is much more to come... I just can't help wishing I could go to sleep and wake up 7 months from now and have the baby in my arms already! The days are going by so painfully slow... One more week until our next appointment with the Midwife, I can't wait!! 



7 weeks 3 days!

Today marks 7 weeks and 3 days for us! I have many of the same symptoms with more pronounced nausea. I am hoping it is relieved soon... but it may be a while before I have my appetite back. Hieu has been very supportive and sensitive to my cravings/nausea/exhaustion. He has been very patient and is trying to understand this crazy process of growing a baby by reading our baby book and by being a good listener. I am not really showing yet in my belly besides being bloated, but my breasts are definitely growing.
I am getting anxious to tell friends and family, but I know I can at least wait two more weeks until after our next appointment with the midwife. We are going to ask for an ultrasound, I cannot wait to see our little baby(s?) growing in there! Stay tuned for more exciting updates. :)

6 weeks 4 days!

Today we are 6 weeks 4 days pregnant! I am finally getting over the cold I've had for the last 5 days that kept me in bed all weekend. New symptoms include being very nauseous all day long (started at 6 weeks), some food aversion and occasional cravings (cheese, steak), bloating, excess saliva, and of course I am still very tired. Thankfully Hieu is back in the US to comfort me :). The scale is beginning to look like I am 129 lbs now, and my belly is not showing anything but bloating. Our little one should be approaching the size of a blueberry soon! I hope to be able to see him/her at our next appointment in 3 weeks.

5 weeks 3 days pregnant!

My boyfriend Hieu and I found out we are pregnant one week ago. Today we are 5 weeks 3 days, you can see my belly picture above! 128 pounds, 5'1. This is our first baby. We are excited, but also nervous and not knowing exactly what the responses of our families and friends will be. We have decided not to break the news until we are about 12 weeks pregnant, just to make sure everything is still going well. So far my symptoms are mild. I am tired a lot, have mild/infrequent lower abdominal crampiness, heightened sense of smell, and some dizziness.
I had my first appointment with a midwife last Wednesday, in which everything was looking good! My next appointment is in one month and we will be able to see more significant changes by then. Hieu was not able to come to the first appointment because he was still in Vietnam visiting family. He is coming home in a couple days though (yay!) so he will be here for the next appt.
These posts are mostly for us to document our experiences, but for those who are interested in following our pregnancy, welcome and feel free to leave positive comments. :)