Halfway Checkpoint

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant (halfway!), and I realized I haven’t written a blog post since finding out that I’m pregnant. So a quick update for all those who care: I am due May 2, we just found out that this baby is a girl (!), and it is true that each pregnancy is very different.

 

With AJ, the first few months are kind of a blur for me, I was very busy with finishing school, working in a restaurant, and then preparing to move to Italy. Other than my growing stomach and occasional morning sickness, I didn’t notice too many physical symptoms. This time was much more stable and easy from an emotional and financial standpoint, but physically was a nightmare from about week 6-16. Luckily we got in most of our Greek vacation before the torture began, but by the time we reached Santorini, I was just up for laying on the beach (and not a bad spot to do so!). After that, it was just all day, constant, morning sickness (what man named it that anyway?), and absolute exhaustion.

 

I am somehow very fortunate that we are going through a transition phase at work, which means that while management is more or less deciding my future, I don’t have too much to do. From a job security standpoint, not great; from a work-stress standpoint, wonderful.  I have a very supportive and understanding boss and colleagues, and in the German system, sick leave is given when you are sick (no worrying about number of sick days unless you cross 6 weeks per year). Pregnant women are extremely well taken care of in that regard here, so that has certainly made things easier.

 

Anyhow, the last 2-3 weeks have been much better, and other than my ever expanding stomach, shortness of breath, and constant hunger (making up for those 3 months, I think) I feel mostly normal. Baby E is growing perfectly, and has a big head just like her big brother. I have started feeling her move a lot, but we still haven’t felt any kicks externally. AJ is very excited most of the time, and asks me every day when the baby is coming out. He was admittedly disappointed to find out that it was a sister, but I’m sure he’ll come around. I was angry at my brother for being a boy right up until he was born, but I got over it.

 

This has certainly been an exciting time for us; last week AJ turned 4 (!), so we had a dino-themed week, with family coming to visit for both weekends. This week, we are preparing for a trip back to the US, for the first time in 19 months! AJ and I fly out Friday morning, and will be there for 3 weeks, so I am looking forward to some relaxing time visiting friends and family. I will admit that I have a list of foods that I have got to eat during my visit (Chick-fil-a, any decent Mexican food, and Johnny’s BBQ being the top of the list J ). I am pregnant, after all.

 

After I return to Germany, I actually only have a couple months left to work before my maternity leave begins (March 21!). I will then be on leave (partially paid) until at least May 2018, so plenty of time to bond with Baby E before heading back to work.  Then Paolo will take some paternity leave, so baby will be 14 months old when she starts daycare. Not too bad, huh? Yes, I pay a lot of taxes, but if you ask me these kind of benefits are priceless.

 

I hope that everyone has a very merry Christmas season, and a happy New Year!