15 Weeks

The past two weeks since I've last written have gone by fast! I'm still queasy in the afternoon and evenings, but also thinking & realizing that I have some food allergies. I've never mentioned it on our website, but many already know that I FINALLY figured out why I was having so many pains for the past year. I have a gluten intolerance. My mom has it and, most recently, my brother has discovered he has it as well. Once I went "gluten free" in December; interestingly enough, we conceived in January. I couldn't believe that gluten was my culprit for the chronic pain for so long. Anyway, since becoming gluten free, as well as pregnant, I am noticing other food sensitivities that I never had before such as dairy and peanuts. Jim keeps saying and hoping, "I hope the baby takes after me and doesn't have all of your stomach and food issues." I totally agree and wish and hope for the same for our baby. I've made an appointment to see an allergist to determine what, if any, food allergies that I have so that I am doing the best I can to make sure the baby is safe. Plus, I don't want to eliminate a food group if I don't need to do so because I don't eat meat so dairy was another protein source for me.

This past week was an interesting week at school. I announced on Monday morning that I was having a baby to my students. I got a LOT of smiles, giggling, jaws droppped, "No Way!", "How do you know?","You don't look pregnant", and "Is it a boy or a girl?" One of my female students is so fascinated and excited by my news that she keeps telling people in school, on our field trips, our cafeteria workers, her bus driver, and is asking if she can come to my baby shower even though she lives 45 minutes away from me. It's so sweet! Other teachers in the school are saying, "Your student tells me that you are expecting; congratulations." All of my students are showing how sweet and protective they are of my more delicate condition when I was very sick on our field trip yesterday. My male student offered to push me in a wheel chair and to tell him if I was feeling like I was going to throw up or faint so that he could make sure to help me. My female student, who can't stop talking about my pregnancy to me and to the rest of the world, told me that I needed to go home and rest so that the baby didn't get sick too. She asked me, "Is the baby going to be okay?" She also told me to stay home from school today. My other female student told me to sit down and not to keep bending over and working. My other student rubbed my arm and said, "Feel better Mrs. Molnar; go home and rest." I just felt so cared about in those moments. It was very, very sweet. Needless to say, I took my students' advice and I stayed home sick today. I'm not quite sure if I got a virus or something, but I haven't been well at all the past few days and I know I needed to stop pushing myself and rest. It's not about me anymore, it's about the baby. I have been known to push myself when I shouldn't have otherwise done so, but I need to stop doing that while I'm pregnant.

I'm always eager to come home from a long day at work. I had to stay after for a meeting on Tuesday and Jim had dinner ready for me on the stove and the dishwasher was emptied. On Wednesday, he laid next to me and rubbed my back while I was curled up in a ball in bed because I was feeling so sick that night. Jim seems to be always making me something to eat or doing something to help me feel better these days. I HATE asking for help and I've always been the type to do things for myself. Sometimes it's hard for me to ask for help or to reveal that I'm vulnerable right now. I'm learning, though, It's coming home to feeling taken care of that is even better than getting flowers, jewelry, or any of the other things that most women want or need to feel loved. Coming home to being thought of and taken care of, in more ways than one, is the most special way that I think I can feel loved. I'm sure it's something that many people could only wish for and I'm so blessed to have Jim. He's going to be a great Dad.

Another highlight of this week is that I received the fetal doppler I ordered last week in the mail. I bought a very cheap doppler from Ebay, but it works! I've gotten to hear the baby's heartbeat every day since I've gotten it. Since there's so many weeks between doctor checkups, I thought it would be really fun and exciting to be able to hear the baby in between our checkups. I still don't feel the baby move, but I am starting to feel very obvious 'sensations' where the baby is inside of my stomach. I know it's just a matter of a couple more weeks when I really begin to feel the baby. I also feel like I'm starting to look more obviously pregnant to myself and others. I'm ready for Ohio's weather to stop raining and STAY warm so that I can get out some cute sun dresses and skirts.

I can't believe it's May and that the summer is quickly approaching. It's going to be a memorable summer. My first Teacher's Paid Summer off and being pregnant at the same time. Can you tell I'm excited for summer break?!!!