Now that I am about halfway through this pregnancy, I’ve started to let myself think that there might be a baby at the end of this hell rainbow. When I’d be throwing up for the bajillionth time before breakfast, or watching a nurse struggle to find a vein for an IV I’d think, “I’d better get a baby out of this.” Now when I’m in these situations I’ve started thinking, “This baby better be awesome.” It’s a small change, but with my history, it’s a significant one.
As The Acrobat’s kicks grow stronger in my stomach, I’ve been commenting on them more often. Annabel thinks it is amazing that he is kicking me and I don’t get mad, since she is (obviously) forbidden from kicking anyone. I told her that soon she’ll be able to feel the baby kicking too, and that blew her mind. Now when I mention the baby moving, Annie will run over and put her hand on my tummy. “I feel him! I feel him kicking!” She can’t, but I can’t wait until she actually feels a kick. The expression on her face will be priceless.
Since Annie has been clinging to me lately, she’s been witnessing more of me getting sick, taking medicine, or giving myself a shot. These were all things I tried to shield her from at the beginning of the pregnancy (especially the vomiting), but she started to think I was literally hiding from her, and that’s not what I wanted. So now she sees everything, and asks lots of questions. For the way her mind works, I think that’s best. I’ve been able to explain to her that I did all these same things when I was pregnant with her. After her vaccination last week, she was very concerned about my daily shots. “Mama, I don’t want you to get a shot for my baby brudder.” I told her that I had to get a shot for her every day, too, and that the shots made her grow big and strong, just like they will for her brother. Now she says, “Mama, time for your shot to make my brudder strong!”
Telling Annie about what I did when I was pregnant with her has led to lots of “Tell me a story about when I was in your tummy,” or “Let’s talk about when I was a baby.” I’ve shown her lots of pictures of when I was pregnant, and videos of her when she was a fresh newborn. She can’t get enough of the stories, and thinks it’s hilarious that she used to be unable to talk, or that she pooped in a diaper. I’m like, “uh, you pooped in a diaper two weeks ago.” Tiny details.
Watching Annie get excited about her new sibling has easily been the best part of this pregnancy. But it would be the best part even if this was a completely typical pregnancy. I’ve waited a long time to witness one of my babies transition into a big sister, so watching Annie has been a dream come true.
Jenn says:
And….YOU deserve to have that experience with Annie. I know things are going to work out great with your little boy and I can’t wait to meet him too!!!! Hang in there Mama….you’re doing a GREAT job growing a strong baby boy!!!
Laurie says:
Pretty sure you Spohrs make awesome babies! As my husband tells me when I whine about my exhausted, 35-wk self, “The best part about pregnancy is that it will eventually be over.”
Connie says:
Every story about Annie just makes me smile. Although now I am a little leary of pregnancy horror stories because we just found out we are expecting our first baby. We don’t even have an appt yet (Feb 19th). They sure don’t rush you in there.
I literally cannot wait to see Annie with her “brudder” the Prince. Those pictures will be awesome.
Desera says:
Favorite photo yet!!!! You look beautiful!
monica says:
Annie will be the most awesome big sister evuh! She is just preciousness personified.
Maris says:
Glad everything is going well with the pregnancy. Annie is so cute. You remind me of poppy Montgomery here
Karen says:
Could you POSSIBLY look any more beautiful than you do in that picture? God. That’s a keeper.
Alison says:
Had to comment on that picture – you look stunning!
Rebecca says:
My youngest is such a helper when I’m sick or need to poo. It’s amazing how he can hone on either one. I’ll be in the bathroom alone one second and the next he’s next to me rubbing my back and saying, ‘Everything will be okay mommy’ Which is cute and I do love because they are only little once and for such a short time.
Glad to hear things are moving along.
Laura says:
Awww…you were at Jayonei Moore’s event? How were the swag bags? I was hoping so bad to go except with being 36 weeks pregnant, my husband dust want me to venture that far by myself…and he doesn’t “do LA.” I “met” you at her Giggles and Hugs event a few years ago with Matt.
Adrianne says:
Aw, what a sweet big (and little) sister she already is! I’ve literally taken thousands of photos of my daughter and made a photo book of her first month. I can’t wait until she starts asking questions about herself as a baby and I get to relive all of those moments as I tell her:)
Also, you look amazing! I’m so inspired by your attitude toward all of the difficulties this pregnancy has presented. Half-way there!!!
Christina says:
OMG. Thank you for your sense of humor through everything. “This baby better be awesome” – lol.
Sarah says:
Yay! So happy things are progressing in this way. The Annie questions are adorable. As I near my second month of bed rest (yay! No labor!!!), I have been known to say “this baby better be cute”. I like the absurdity of saying it when clearly I’m doing whatever I can to keep him safe. In the early stages, if someone commented on a pregnancy symptom (such as my personal trainer explaining why I was so tired and out of breath), I would then mutter “stupid baby” just for the reaction. (after all I went through for my little IVF pumpkin, it was pretty obvious that wasn’t my true feeling, but it was still funny to see their faces). Anyway, yay you! This post made me really happy. Enjoy the kicks, I can’t wait to hear about Annie’s reaction!
Michele Parker says:
You. Look. BEAUTIFUL.
Donna P says:
Have to agree with all the other comments, you look amazing in that photo! Annie will be the most awesome big sister ever. She will be so enthralled with her baby brother.
Annalisa says:
I have to admit, I might have done a spit take on the diapers bit.
Katrina says:
I’m so glad you are able to share this experience with Annie. Her comments are so cute! She is going to be the best big sister ever! I can’t wait for the post stories of the two of them together. I’m having fun with our new pregnancy, too, in that we don’t have any “babies” this time, since our youngest is now 4 and a half….so all the sibs know what’s going on and they are all enjoying this pregnancy with me, especially the 4 year old. And my 6 year old doesn’t remember when the 4 year old was in my tummy because he was barely two when she was born, so it’s been a neat experience for him this time around, too. Everyone is looking forward to their baby brother
I’m due anywhere between May 22 and May 29 ~ maybe we will have our babies on the same day! Hey, it could happen
Jill says:
I, too, am in the middle (well, near the end) of an HG pregnancy–my 5th (with three miscarriages among the “healthy”–ha, that’s hilarious–pregnancies). In this one, I’ve been hospitalized for a total of 11 days, spent about 6 months completely in bed, on a Zofran pump now since late August/September and still have to rest for two or three days if I go out for one day. I completely understand how you feel about this “rainbow”. You don’t want to wish it away and you want to enjoy the good parts (the baby moving, the ultrasounds and that’s about it) but you really, REALLY want to move on to not being sick, not being tired, not saying “No, I can’t go there” or “No, I don’t feel like playing” or “No, I don’t want that fabulous pizza just bring me my 5,000th serving of rice.” We HG moms are strong though and will get through it!! For me, it should be about 7 weeks or so!!!! YAY!!!!!
Kelly says:
I love this.
My oldest daughter waited almost fifteen years to become a big sister. Although there is a fourteen year age difference between my girls, it has been so special for me to see my oldest daughter finally become a big sister.
I can’t wait to see Annie with her brudder.
Molly says:
Wow, I teared up at that last sentence. I’m so glad you get to finally experience Annie’s relationship to a sibling, since she didn’t get to meet Maddie.
Tara says:
This is awesome! Annie is going to be so compassionate and such a great big sis. What a precious time for you all. I’m so happy, I’m teary!
JT says:
Heather, I am so so happy you (and Mike and your families) are experiencing one of your girls becoming a big sister. What an amazing feeling and you all deserve it!
Glenda says:
You look amazing & Annie will be a great big sis a d helper!!!
Amy says:
Sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time with the acrobats pregnancy and hoping things get much smoother for you very soon. So excited for you, Mike, Annie and Rigby as well as your extended family and friends who are no doubt thrilled for you all!
Sue says:
What an absolutely beautiful photo of you and the princess!
Auntie_M says:
Preciousness!! Swells my heart with joy!
Love the picture accompanying this post.
Everything about this post is just … precious!