Pregnancy & Me: Part 3
A Journey...
"Making the decision to have a child - it is momentus. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone
Sometime in 2019 I made up my mind to have my last child. I said, "Next year I'll do it" then the global pandemic hit and I was definitely not going in or near a hospital so my plan was delayed a bit, no biggie! Fast forward to 2021, I said it again, "Next year I'll do it". After talking it through with J, he got onboard my runaway train and I stopped my birth control regimen in February of 2021. Call it intuition, but I just knew I was pregnant from July lol but I didn't take a hpt (pictured above) until 1st September 2021 that confirmed it.
The first trimester was so rough. We were fully engaged in virtual teaching๐ฉ๐พ๐ป ๐ฉ๐พ๐ซand while I taught, gave it my all, I didn't like it lol. I remember during one particular class I turned my camera off, ran to the bathroom with my phone and was bringing up my insides๐ซ. I'd unmute and say "great job" to the students then mute again and go back throwing up ๐คฎ. Morning sickness definitely lasted more than the mornings. Then worst of all, my dad was in hospital from 24th August and passed away from complications of COVID-19 one week after I took the hpt so I never got the chance to tell him I was pregnant as we could not visit him in the hospital and I figured I'd just tell him when he gets back home...I was devasted to say the least, we all were.
16th October 2021, a day before my bday. At this point, I only told my immediate circle that I was expecting.
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Once I was safely past the first trimester then we decided to make it known that we were expecting. Like, I really couldn't conceal it any longer anyways because my tummy started to show at 5 months ๐คฐ๐พ
I love reasearching and I did just that to find a unique way to announcement my pregnancy that really spoke to vibe. My sister, Donnette, came through ๐ฏwith the concept I wanted. The pictures came out great!
Our Pregnancy Announcement Photos ๐ท ๐
I tried to stay as active as I possibly could. At 7 months, my sister and I along with my 8 year old son Liam, went to tour Clifton Heritage National Park. Carrying the extra load coupled with wearing a mask almost daily was taxing on my breathing. I enjoyed any opportunity to be outside without a mask to breathe freely. A Saturday well spent learning and exploring.
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8 months in I did my gender reveal and maternity shoot in one. Once again, thanks to my sister Donnette, for her ability to execute my vision perfectly. I knew what I wanted but wasn't exactly sure how to pull it off. I explained it to her and she was like "I got you". Super grateful and extremely satisfied with the outcome.
Here's a look at my gender reveal & maternity shoot
I am officially a boy mom๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ
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A co-worker and I both gave birth to baby boys in the same month so our department had a baby shower for us before we left for maternity leave. Such a sweet sentiment, I truly enjoyed it.
I worked up to 11 days before giving birth, my coworkers are a joy to work with. I was thoroughly surprised on my last day at work before my maternity leave with gifts, food & drinks, music, laughs and great memories. I couldn't have asked for a better send off. I appreciate them all so much ๐.
The medical professionals that tended to us were just that, professional. They made MY stay in PMH easy on my body and mind. I had such mix thoughts and feelings going into the hospital from what was in the news and media but my doctor assured me that baby and I would be ok and not to dwell on those things. I prayed and my family & friends prayed for us to get home safely and we did. God is good ๐๐พ.
Pregnancy in itself is a lot to deal with without having to worry about COVID 19. When I saw my son's little face, I was still trying to catch myself but, it was all worth it. He was here, all 7lbs 8oz of him, we were both alive and well and we went home the next day๐คฑ๐ฟ. Now, here we are 8 months later with my little family of 5 still all well, thriving and happy ๐ฉ๐ฟ๐ค๐จ๐ฝ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ง๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฃ.