big news

we've got some big news in the baldwin home.  baby number 2 is on the way!  we are so excited, and feel very blessed to welcome this little baby into our crazy family.

i'm almost 15 weeks along, so i'm due the beginning of february.  we also found out last week that we're having another little girl! (cody's excited because that means less clothes/toys etc. that we'll need to buy this time.  i'm sure i'll find things that this little girl has to have).

this pregnancy has tested me more emotionally, physically, and spiritually than anything ever has.  with mae, i was pretty sick for about 18 weeks.  with this little one, i couldn't keep anything down.  i had lost so much weight, they almost had to put me in the hospital.  they put me on three different medications to stop the throwing up and the nausea.  i haven't thrown up in about 3 weeks (woohoo!), but the nausea is definitely still there.
 i was so bad in the beginning i couldn't get out of bed, or take care of mae.  it was the hardest thing i've ever experienced to not even be able to take care of my child.  i felt worthless.  i think i survived those first few weeks on priesthood blessings alone.  luckily cody's mom was in texas, and came to help us for a week before we went to virginia. it was a blessing to be home for a month after that so my family could help with mae.  i couldn't have done it without them. 

my mom even bought a ticket to fly back home with me, and help us get settled back in.  she is amazing.  i was so anxious about coming back and doing the day to day by myself, but she helped me realize that i could do it.  and that it's okay if mae watches a movie and i just lay on the couch (which honestly is sometimes the most i can handle in the afternoon). 

i still have some rough days, and times of day.  i still struggle each day to have faith in Heavenly Father's plan, and to know that there is a reason that i have this trial.  but, i'm trying to just take it a little bit at a time.

as far as cravings go, there haven't been as many as i had with mae.  i'm eating a lot more cheese than i normally do.  mostly, i'm just grateful that i'm eating and keeping it down.  i am definitely bigger this time around.  i'm still in my regular clothes, but i have a little baby bump already.  i didn't have one with mae until around 18 weeks.  and being pregnant while you have a toddler is a whole new experience.  between the two of us there are guaranteed to be a few meltdowns each day, but we're figuring out as we go.

i have to most supportive, amazing husband.  he has been so wonderful throughout this entire ordeal.  he is the most understanding, compassionate man.  and i am so blessed to be able to raise this family with him!