Hermanus news, gallstones, and something wonderful!

It's been so long since I posted here. There's much to tell but I am glad I took that hiatus. I think I needed to switch off and restart everything. 

Mark finished in Hermanus after 4 months and had to go to Vreedenburg for 1 week thereafter. He was gone a total of 7 months for this whole year!!! WOW! Still hard to believe. But he's home for now and enjoying some time off from work and spending it with Matthew. Unfortunately, I have to work through, so no leave for me but I am trying to make up for it over weekends.

Remember that gallstone the doctor found last year when he removed my appendix? Well, it's started giving me problems. I have had 4 attacks (pain so bad) so far and ended up in the ER twice already. Here's hoping things improve. I've found my trigger though, red meat. Cutting it out seems to lessen the frequency of the attacks. I am supposed to have an operation to have my gallbladder removed in January (must still make an appointment) but I have to speak to the doctor about that because........

...... In other news..........

In the top pic, the test on top was taken 22 December and the bottom one taken 23 December. The digital was taken on 24 December. I am about 5 weeks 5 days. I wanted to wait a while before even mentioning it to anyone but I am so excited!! What a super special Christmas gift!!!

Haven't had bloods taken yet and not sure if I should even do it. I have almost no symptoms this time around. Just some sore boobs now and again and slight nausea when I don't eat. This makes me so tempted to keep peeing on a stick :) Also, I wanted to put this on my blog as soon as I could so that I can start keeping track of everything and compare to my first pregnancy. :) 

I have forgotten so much and it's only been 3 and half years since I fell pregnant with my first. I can't remember which websites I used, what I went through last time, and so on. Need to find a way to remember :)

Mark and I are so happy that we have another baby on the way and that Matthew will be a big brother soon. The families are all excited and can't wait for this baby's arrival.

So I'll start with a preggy update that I will be doing once a week. 

Preggy update #1

How far along? 5 weeks 5 days (think I'm going to be doing this on a Wednesday from next week - to count from day one of the week)

Total weight gain? None yet. Here's hoping I can keep the weight gain to 7kg's or less like the last pregnancy.

Maternity Clothes? Nope, not yet. But my tummy does feel a lot bigger than last time. 

Stretch Marks?  Only the old ones. But I have started with my tissue oil and moisturizer. 

Sleep: Sleeping good. No problems just yet.

Best moment this week: Telling Mark and the family that Matthew is going to be a big brother. And seeing how happy and excited Mark has become.

Miss Anything? Not yet. But I am so going to miss my smokes. 

Movement: Nope, nothing yet

Food cravings: No cravings yet.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Certain smells and textures. Like bread, I can't eat bread at all.

Gender: Don't know. Must still discuss with hubby if we are going to find out

Labor Signs: Way too early for that

Symptoms: Sore boobs, slight nausea when I don't eat, bit of cramping now and again (just feels like I must get af soon)

Belly Button in or out?  Still in for now

Wedding rings on or off? Still on but not sure for how long :)

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: The coming weeks, months. Knowing what to expect like the first scan, first movements, feeling those hiccups

Baby Name? No clue yet

Thoughts: Very happy about where we are at the moment. As a couple and as a family. I think this is something that we needed but when the time was right. I can't wait to see Matthew interact with this baby. I can't wait to have hubby rub my big belly and talk to his unborn child. Having been through this before, it's nice to know what is in store (more or less) and it's not so scary this time around. I feel more confident this time, although saying that, I am scared shitless already of how I am going to manage with a 3 and half year old toddler and a newborn baby. But we will manage and overall, I am just excited and so very happy!