All the photos of our family in this post were taken by Brooke Steineke! If you are in Utah she is a phenomenal photographer who we have loved for three years! Check her out on Instagram and Facebook!
Yep that’s right! We’re having {another} baby! As I thought about sharing our news with the world…the only thing I could do was sing “Oops I did it again…” over and over in my head! {Thanks Brittany}! LOL! But really, there was nothing “oops” about this, and we are very excited to be adding another sweet baby to our family. I’m also ecstatic that I get to blog through this pregnancy and share everything I’ve learned over my years of having babies with all of you lovely people! I hope I can be helpful to all of my mommas (and future mommas) out there!
I would be remiss if I didn’t start by acknowledging the fact that reading pregnancy announcements can be incredibly painful to some. I know this all too well. This is my 6th pregnancy and my 7th baby, of which only 4 are currently alive (one in utero). I know…you’re trying to do the math (it’s hard 😉 ). Between Bethany and Gabe I had two miscarriages, one of which was twins. I have three sweet babies that I never got to hold, three that I have the joy of playing will all day every day, and one that I’m eagerly anticipating meeting in April 2017.
For me, having babies has been a rollercoaster of deep {deep} sorrow and sing-it-from-the-hilltops joy. I adore being a mommy. I adore my babies {all of them}. And I adore encouraging other women who are on the journey of starting a family or in the throwes of parenting.
So…let’s dish about how this pregnancy has been {can someone say doozy} and all things first trimester!
Symptoms
This time around I didn’t feel pregnant until around 6 weeks! Totally different that when I was pregnant with Naomi…I started taking two hour naps like right away…and my husband even said, “do you seriously need a test to tell you you’re pregnant? We both know it.” LOL
But this time 6 weeks came with a vengeance and I feel way more nauseous than I have before (#gettingolder). I have been throwing up multiple times every day, and I am honestly way ready for the bliss and relief of the second trimester to take its effect!
Aversions
Keep ALL the food away from my face and ALL the smells away from my nose. If I could survive without eating or smelling ANYTHING from week 6 to week 15 I would, no joke. I used to eat salads every day, now the sight of lettuce makes me gag. I was at the gym and a man hopped onto the machine next to me who had a very pungent odor. I literally ran out of the gym (in a discrete way so I didn’t offend anyone) to get sick. Being a food blogger has been super interesting during these weeks because sometimes I see pics of food and just can’t handle it.
Cravings
Nothing. (see above). However I did have a day when the ONLY thing I wanted to eat was a soft pretzel with nacho cheese sauce (the fake stuff from a can). Seriously…who am I?!? I’ve also been eating a bagel sandwich with veggie cream cheese every.single.day for lunch. Again, I don’t know this person.
However, I’ve learned through my pregnancies that the name of the game in the first trimester is to survive! Eat what you’re craving (within reason) and realize that balance and normal eating habits will likely return during the second trimester
Exercise
I wake up feeling super sick…but as soon as I get my body moving and some fresh air hits my lungs, I feel a little better. When I’m pregnant I stick to light cardio (elliptical, swimming and walking) and lifting light weights. I’ve had to stay away from the gym and all the smells there (instant pukefest)….so taking long morning walks is about all I can do right now.
My thoughts
Emotions: Honestly I am a mixed bag of emotions. I teeter between feeling crazy excited, to almost panicked! My biggest concern is Naomi! This will be the shortest gap between any of our kids, and Naomi is so super special to me. Having a baby always changes my relationship with the other kids for a little while, because a newborn needs so much of my time. I get nervous about how this baby will impact Naomi, but I know it will all work out!
Remember: Feeling sick and uncomfortable is a blessing. Yes, I said it. Although throwing up is never fun…it means there is a sweet baby growing inside your body. It means everything is going the way it should be. Sickness, aches & pains are all part of the beautiful journey of bringing a new life into this world, and let me just tell you {and never stop telling you} that it is so SO worth it.
My other kids
HELPFUL TIP! DO NOT tell your other children that you’re pregnant until you’re ready for the world to know you’re pregnant. Because of my history I wait until 12 weeks {after two ultrasounds} to make our news public. This time we were wiser and waited to tell Bethany and Gabe until we were ready for everyone to know. Gabbe’s reaction: “How did that baby get in there mom?!” {Hence the uncontrollable laughter in the pic below}!
However, I’m convinced Bethany knew for at least a month before we told her, and she just kept quiet about it. Seriously it was so cute. I could see her little wheels turning sometimes and I just knew what she was thinking. “Why is mom throwing up?” “Why is mom eating 6 pickles for lunch (true story)?” “Why is mom looking for a maternity bridesmaid’s dress?” One day she even said from the back seat of the van, “Mom, if we have another baby I want to name it Isaac if it’s a boy and Ruth if it’s a girl.” Little smarty pants. 
Wearing
I’m still pretty much in my regular clothes! Since I can’t eat or keep anything down I’m having a hard time keeping weight on. I’m not worried (neither is my doctor), and I know it will all change pretty soon!
Early Pregnancy Products
Cocoa Butter Lotion: AS SOON as I get a positive test I run to the store and buy cocoa butter lotion. I grease up my belly every morning and every night throughout the pregnancy. So far it has worked and I’ve made it through 3 babies without any stretch marks {however there is nothing wrong with stretch marks, I think they’re beautiful}!
Prunes: Prunes and more prunes! Seriously people, although they are super crazy difficult to get down {if you’re like me and can’t stand the taste of them} they are a LIFESAVER of the best kind. And I digress…
Other than that I just make sure to have a lot of food on hand that I can eat. I keep crackers by my bed and have found that drinking something like seltzer water helps calm the nausea!
Laughfest!
Four Kids: If you like to laugh (hello!) Pretty please watch this video of Jim Gaffigan talking about having 4 kids.
After watching this little diddy you will understand this story….when I was in Chicago in September I watched this video with my dad and my sister. Later that day I told a different family member I was pregnant and his response was hilarious. My sister nonchalantly turned to me and said, “well, that’s one way to live your life.” I BURST out laughing because that was totally what he was thinking in his head {although I know he’s super excited and loves all my kiddos very much}! 😉
Here are some the pics we used to announce our other pregnancies, just for fun! Also, I have this verse memorized and it has carried me through some of my darkest moments: “Praise O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord be praised both now and forever more…He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children, praise the Lord!” Psalm 113
Naomi’s pregnancy announcement….
And Gabe’s!
Isn’t Bethany just unreal in these photos?!?!
Well that’s all she wrote for now! Do you have any other questions about the early months of pregnancy? Any areas or topics you’d like me to share as this pregnancy progresses that I didn’t include today?
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Rebecca | NOURISHED. the blog
Congrats, Laura!! Such wonderful news and I’m so happy for you and your family. Can’t wait to read more pregnancy updates!!
Laura
Thank you Rebecca! I am so excited and can’t wait to meet this sweet baby in April!
Kristy from Southern In Law
I was SO excited for you when I saw your instagram post! Congratulations times a thousaaaand, mama! <3
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Congratulations Laura! Thanks for sharing your story. Wishing you a healthy pregnancy and all good things to come!
Laura
Thank you so much Jessia! 🙂 <3
Maya | Spice + Sprout
Ahhh! Congrats, girl! This is so super exciting. I really loved reading this post. It was so beautiful, I could really feel the love and devotion you have for your family seeping though the page (or screen 😉 ). I am so stoked to keep following along with your journey here, and I hope the nausea leaves you alone soooon <3
Laura
Thank you so much Maya! I love having babies…(obviously lol)! It’s so fun to see how each new little life adds even more love and fun to our little tribe! 🙂
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health
Gaahhhh omg first of all, CONGRATS!! Your kids are absolutely beautiful and always look so happy and joyful! I’m sorry you’re feeling sick and having all the food aversions!! That has to be worst, especially being a food blogger. I hope those turn around soon and you can go back to enjoying all the foods you love. Your positive outlook and attitude despite the difficult parts is truly inspiring. It’s crazy that we (unfortunately) have not even met in person and I still just KNOW you are an incredible mom and person all-around. Sending you all the love and well-wishes! Xoxo
Laura
Thank you so much Jamie! Things are starting to look up…I went a couple days without throwing up and then today was a different story…but I’ll take any improvement! 😉 It’s just such a different experience because I never got sick with any of my other pregnancies! Thank you for your kind compliments…I really do love my kids (and hubby of course) so much, and being a momma is my favorite thing ever! <3 I'm sure one day our paths will cross in real life...until then I will continue to admire your cooking from afar! 🙂
Jenn - a traveling Wife
YAYYYY! I will tell you that Unisom and B6 were my go-to during the nauseous phase. I was stuck in a tiny hotel for 2 months during the first trimester and everything made me miserable. Not to mention I didn’t have any of MY belongings.
Congrats again!
Laura
Hey Jenn! Thank you! 🙂 I am one of those crazy natural ladies…like no drugs at all during my entire pregnancy or birth! LOL! But I have found that the combination of B6 and caffeine TOTALLY helps in the mornings! 🙂 How are YOU feeling??!
Jenn - a traveling Wife
Honestly?! I’ve been living off benedryl because I can’t seem to get any sleep – my baby must already have a black belt in karate. 🙂 Other than that, things are good. And I completely understand the natural approach. Some things I’ve learned require a bit of assistance though. 🙂
Laura
Aww Jenn I’m so sorry! Sleep is definitely a rarity in the later months of pregnancy….but I really believe it’s God’s way of preparing us for the joys of late night newborn nursing sessions! I think I get more sleep right after my babies are born than the last 2 months of pregnancy! LOL! 😉
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
So happy for you!! Congratulations!!!
Megan
Aw bless. Your kids are gorgeous. Congratulations! This funny thing has happened to me. I used to be completely uncomfortable with children and certain I didn’t want them for a very very long time. But I think God is softening my mommy heart because this post just brought me so much joy.
Laura
Hey Megan! Thank you so much! When I was hitched by 21 I wasn’t sure how I would feel about being a mommy either…I was an educated lady who wanted to take on the world! 😉 I vividly remember one day before I started my job as a high school science teacher…the other teachers were emotional about having to leave their kids and come back to work, so I asked them why they didn’t stay home…God used their responses to light a fire in my soul and I knew I wanted to stay home with my kids! I came home that day and told my husband what happened and he was (of course) totally on board. And every single day my mommy heart grows! The point of this super long story (LOL): God will totally prepare your heart for whatever He has for you in whatever season He has you in! 😉
Beverley @ Born to Sweat
omgoodness!!! First of all – congratulations!! Also i am SO super impressed how you manage three children, run a beautiful blog with delicious recipes, AND look incredible. i can only do one of those things, kind of. hahaha. hope everything goes well with this pregnancy and look forward to reading all about it 🙂
Laura
LOL Beverley! Thank you so much we are so excited to welcome another sweet baby into our family! I have an amazing husband who loves me and our kiddos and is the best daddy ever. I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it without him! For real he’s a total rockstar and I am one blessed lady 🙂 Also….waking up at 5 AM every day to sneak in some mommy time has totally kept me sane over the years! 😉
liz
Congratulations Laura!!!! THis is such a wonderful ray of hope for so many of us. Thanks for sharing!
Laura
Thank you Liz! I continue to pray for you on your journey! Seriously…at one point the doctors told me I would likely never be able to have a child on my own naturally…well three babies later I can attest to the fact that miracles definitely do happen.
Emily
This is so exciting Laura, and I am so amazed and thankful for your sweet attitude of joy despite the hard parts. That is true joy in the gifts that the Lord has showered down on your sweet family. And wow, Bethany is quite intuitive about new babies. <3
Laura
Thank you so much Emily! I always try to see every single part of pregnancy as a blessing and a gift. This time I was really nervous when I didn’t feel very pregnant at the beginning…so when I definitely started feeling it I chose {and keep choosing} to be grateful because I prayed that God would calm my heart and give me peace about the health of my baby! And He definitely has! 🙂
Sarah- A Whisk and Two Wands
Congratulations! I understand the heartbreak but also the joys of pregnancy. I look forward to reading about your wonderful journey and the perspective of how each pregnancy is different from others and even to “experienced” mamas how there are things we know and new things that always surprise us.
Laura
Thank you so much Sarah! My journey to motherhood has shaped and defined me over the years. It’s amazing how much we grow when we face trials and sorrow, as well as the unparalleled joy of holding your sweet baby for the first time! Isn’t it incredible how different pregnancies can be? I have had three kids and never thrown up once…and this little one is making me work for it! 😉