Baby Update & Trying For Gratitude

I felt like updating how things have been going with baby #2. So far, so good with our little man! But I continue to feel horrible. It has been a long 6 months so far. I hoped that the second trimester would be better, like everyone says, but it hasn't. Some days, it's hard to even get out of bed and I often feel guilty for not trying to do enough with Littlefoot. Poor boy. He's so busy and active and gets so excited to play. At least when this little man is born and grown some, he'll have a live in playmate! In the meantime, 108 days is still forever away. I'm grateful for the holidays because it always means time goes faster.

We haven't had any health issues that are hurting me or the baby so far. My thyroid is still low and they just can't get it regulated, but otherwise all the other things I feel I just have to grin and bear. I developed reflux last week that comes on no matter what I eat and, with that, horrible stomach pains and cramping. The pinched nerve in my back still puts me out sometimes and the headaches, nausea, and contractions just add to all of the fun. I've also only gained three pounds so far because of how sick I've felt. Food and I just aren't friends.

But through it all, I try to remind myself how blessed we are to have a family. When I was first pregnant and feeling particularly horribly, I posted some of my woes on Facebook. I try not to whine on my Facebook updates because I don't want to be that way, I like to be positive, but I occasionally give in. Anyway, one of our friends, who recently suffered a loss in her pregnancy commented something to the effect of "At least you can have a baby". When I read that, it brought perspective crashing down on me. She was right. Despite all the symptoms and everything I feel, we are blessed to have a healthy baby so far. And that I'm healthy too. That we have a vibrant, happy, and extremely healthy toddler.

It's amazing what switching your perspective can do. I still do find myself crying, asking the Lord for strength. There are days I feel so miserable and wonder how on earth I'll make it to March. But in the grand scheme of things, it's such a short amount of time and the end result is an eternity of joy and happiness in our children and posterity.

I enjoy watching "19 Kids and Counting". Despite the fact that I have no idea how they stay sane, I believe they have done an amazing job keeping their kids grounded, charitable, and they are self-sufficient! Anyway, the last episode is where they announced they are pregnant with baby #20. I don't know how she does it...They asked her if she was worried or concerned at all for this baby because of what happened with baby 19 (who was born around 24 weeks and barely made it). She responded with faith saying that she believed the Lord was watching over them and that if he wanted them to have this child, she was going to do it. And while she may be concerned for her own health and what she may go through to bring the baby into the world, that she would do it. Because it was a sacrifice that she was willing to make. After watching that, I realized the same thing. Bringing a child into the world is worth the sacrifices we make as women, going through the pregnancies and all that follows after.

So, I'm going to do my best to keep my head up. To ask the Lord for His help and strength. And to have gratitude for the opportunity I have to help raise His children.