Time for Some Answered Questions

Finally some time to write!

I haven't written since October, mostly due to the fact that our apartment doesn't have internet, but also because I was constantly sick and didn't feel like doing anything except lying in bed all day. 

It took everything I had to just get up and get to class, and most of the time, I didn't even make it to that.

I must say, thank you to all the friends who were concerned. 

I got tons of advice that covered anything from 

"Eat more liver!" to "Get tested for mono. I bet that's what you have." to "You need more sugar and iron."

I also had many kind-hearted people telling me they were praying for me.

So thank you, really.

But it turns out that all the yucky symptoms were just evidence of a big, wonderful blessing.

Over the holidays, Tucker and I let the world know

we'll have a sweet little dark-haired, dark-eyed (probably, at least) baby joining our family this July.

We are so excited!

Yes, it was fast.

Yes, people have been asking lots of questions.

I'm finally starting to get to the point where I feel comfortable answering, at least to friends.

I know other people's reactions and judgments shouldn't matter, but I'm just still getting used to it.

I'll write about it at some point, hopefully sooner than later.

For now, I'll answer some of the easy questions.

1. Have I been sick?

Heavens, yes.

My first symptoms were extreme dizziness and migraines. Everyone kept reminding me "Don't lock your knees!" but I'm an opera singer for Pete's sake! I've sung since I was 3 years old, and I'm a member of a very demanding, renowned touring choir. And I've never once felt faint on stage. I don't have a habit of locking my knees. So where the heck was this dizziness coming from? Migraines I was familiar with, but these ones started spreading. I'd start with a headache behind my eye, and within hours it would spread down my spine to my lower back and hips. I came home from a choir concert one time and couldn't move my neck or back. When Tucker tried to help me lie down, I burst into tears and was stuck in bed all the next day. The nausea started around week 7 or 8. I ate an apple one night, and within minutes, my tummy told me that was a bad idea. Luckily, it's calmed down a bit, and morning sickness usually only occurs in the morning if I wait too long to eat anything. The dizziness and migraines haven't been a problem for weeks.

2. Do I have cravings?

Again, yes!

Although I haven't had any weird ones. My favorite thing right now is hash-browns and eggs with cheese, hot sauce, and ketchup. Mmmmm. I've avoided eggs for years, but right now, they're delicious. I also love spicy things (that's pretty normal, I guess), and anything big and juicy with cheese almost always sounds good. Pizza, Taco Bell, hamburgers, mac&cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches....... Yummy.

And in case you're judging, my doctor told me to pack it on with the carbs and calories.

I did have salad a couple times this week, and that was also really yummy, so it's not all junk food.

And I drink a heck-a-lot of gingerale. This is mostly for the nausea, but it just always sounds way better than milk or water (don't worry, I'm drinking tons of water too). There was a sale recently, and we scored a deal on four 12-packs. As of now, I'm almost done with the second box.

3. Are we going to find out the gender?

Hmmmmm.....

Here's the thing. In my family, every single child was a surprise except for the last one - a sister.

 And in Tucker's family, every single child was a surprise except for the last one - a sister.

So what do we do???

We haven't decided yet. We've got until sometime in February to figure it out.

Part of me really, REALLY wants to know.

But a surprise would be fun, too.

Tucker is pretty convinced it's a girl.

I haven't felt one way or the other, but he's starting to sway me a bit.

4.  Do we have any names in mind?

Kinda.

Mostly, we like to argue about them.

Tucker likes very traditional names.

I love names with a foreign twist or literary influence or ones that haven't been used much in the last century.

We have agreed on a couple, but we'll keep the discussion open until the baby is born.

Maybe I'll post some of our favorites a little later but maybe not. 

Good thing we've got some time.

And last for today...

5.Am I showing yet?

A little!

If people don't know, they probably wouldn't be able to tell. 

Plus, there's always the idea that girls just gain some weight after they get married. 

I assure you, mine is pregnancy weight (6 lbs so far!).

Pants are a little tighter (but still wearable). Shirts don't fit quite as well.

 Hips and tummy are a little more rounded, 

and my waist, which was never very hour-glassy to begin with, 

is filling in as my guts are shoved out of the way to make room.

If you push right below my belly button, you can feel something extra in there.

Any more questions? :)

I've got a really great schedule this semester, so blogging will definitely be more frequent. 

Check in for updates on our little family!