Week Ten
Baby
is the size of a strawberry at 3-4 cm.
is starting to move around though it can’t be felt.
has tiny little fingernails forming.
has all vital organs.
has a stomach that is producing digestive juices.
has little teeth buds forming under the gums for those teeth that will come in when he/she is around 6 month old.
has little bones and cartilage forming to make his/her knees and elbows.
Mom
is craving chocolate and rich ice creams (when she’s normally a fruity and sour sweets kind-of girl!)
has a record breaking ability to smell a freshly opened can of soda from across the table.
keeps sneaking peeks at her barely growing belly in the mirror. It’s still pretty small but noticeable to her!
is positive the gigantic water bottle she is carrying around at social events in place of wine is giving her away. Everyone has to know…or is that paranoia just the hormones?
has some fatigue and rare spurts of nauseousness but never enough to be sick (thankfully).
Dad
is making mom feel extra pretty with her changing body and always making her laugh.
is on top of calling for every appointment or question in Dutch.
is having fun visiting friends who have just had babies, too and keeps saying he had no idea he was so ready for a baby.
is full of crazy Dutch name ideas that are absolute “nooooo”s (haha sorry, babe).
Life
Mom and dad are engaged! Mom was totally surprised (even though she had known for awhile that it could be coming, as they had looked at rings in New Zealand and Germany while on holiday over the last year). Dad waited until he found the perfect one which he stumbled across while on a layover in South Africa. Right when he saw it, he knew it was the one, so he had the whole crew help him get it back to Holland safely. It was just what mom had always wanted but even more perfect was that it’s setting was unique, set to represent the South African flower. Then, while on a layover in San Francisco in May, dad secretly flew to Portland to ask grandma and grandpa for mom’s hand in marraige. So sneaky!
Grandma, grandpa, oma, and opa now know all about baby! They found our together after a beautiful day of sailing and bbqing. There were lots of tears and hugs of joy and excitement!
Mom is back from having a lovely time in London with mom, dad, and Sarah. Sarah is off to Scotland on a solo adventure before meeting Johnny’s family in England!
Mom is getting excited for a new school year and another bunch of Kindergarteners; ready for a year of more balance and less hours with baby on the way.
Dad is flying all over the world- Taiwan, Singapore, South Africa, Peru, Ecuador, and more! The time difference is difficult and sometimes he’s a bit alone so he’s always so happy to be home.
The house search has started for mom and dad, with a very slow but excited intention for 2020! We can’t wait to have an extra room for baby and for guests to come meet baby!
Lessons Learned
Climbing to the top of a narrow, steep, winding staircase of a church tower is to be avoided when pregnant. Oh. my. goodness.
Pack healthy snacks, loads of healthy snacks, everywhere you go (or you’ll end up buying every waffle, chocolate, and fresh croissant in town).
Your love for baby is unconditional from the very beginning. This can best be proven by how easily the acceptance of your beloved caffeine and wine disappearing from your life settles in.
The boob growth is outrageous- though definitely to be celebrated.
Pregnancy is sexy. Take in every beautiful moment.