guidebkShelby and I have struggled for years with infertility. Throughout those years, we always talked about how morning sickness was something that we couldn’t wait to experience. Okay, maybe that is overstated, but we wanted at least some symptom of pregnancy to make it ‘real’ for us. P.rogesterone, L.upron, C.lomid all had their own side-effects, but we desperately wanted a symptom of something other than constant medication. I would always tease Shelby that she better be careful what she wishes for. Wish for a baby, not morning sickness! Shelby would always disagree with me. “No, I really want to be praying to the porcelain god without actually being hung over!”

Our first pregnancy resulted in very few symptoms that Shelby chalked up to “just not being one of those morning sick types of chicks.” Her mom was never sick, so maybe she lucked out, right? Sadly, we never got much farther than 10 weeks (well, my gut tells me that growth stopped around 7) so we’ll never know if the symptoms just didn’t kick in, or it could be that ‘every pregnancy is different.’ I always teased her that when she does end up making a mad dash to the toilet, that I’m going to be there to take a picture and remind her that she got her wish. Every time she looked a little green, I’d run to our office and grab our camera and scream “don’t puke yet! I’m not ready!!!”

On a side note, as we near our 10 week mark, I find myself growing increasingly nervous. This pregnancy, everything has been perfect. Our little gummy’s heart beat has been a strong 180bpm, it’s measuring exactly to the day, and we’ve seen it move on screen, (I still freak out when I think about that) but until we pass our 10.5 week date, I’m not going to be able really start feeling better. We don’t know why our last little bean didn’t make it, and I’m truly scared that we’ll face this again.

At some point this week, Shelby and I thought that her symptoms were leveling off. Her food aversions, and morning (ok, all day) sickness seemed to be getting better. Part of me worries when that happens, I know things change day-to-day, but there are also scary stories about symptoms just disappearing and not coming back. Dr. Google and I have a love/hate relationship. However, Shelby’s morning sickness came back with a vengeance this weekend, and my camera was ready. On Sunday, Shelby bolted passed me and slammed our bathroom door. Suddenly, I was like a tiger, laying low in the grass while stalking my prey. For a few seconds, I felt like the crocodile hunter, ‘oy, look at this beaut. She is definitely with child and looking a little green. Watch as I move in closer for a better look.’ After a few moments in the bathroom, Shelby stumbles out and I finally capture my prey. Luckily for me, it was a little out of focus, otherwise Shelby would have never agreed to letting me post it. As sick as she is in this shot, she looks beautiful to me. I will cherish this picture forever as it is a long awaited milestone, of sorts.

shelby