We recently made it Facebook official and announced that we are expecting our fourth baby boy in 2019. We are super excited and have been overwhelmed with all the support and love from our family and friends.
I have to tell you though, the decision to try for another was not an easy decision. We had three kids in a span of two and half years and there is going to be about a seven-year difference between our youngest boy and the new baby. I also had my first son at age 27 and my twins were born at age 29. Being pregnant at age 35 has had its differences for sure.
I’m older so I’m wiser right? Not really. Things have changed so much and I have no clue what to expect during this pregnancy or what I need with a new baby. I feel like I’m starting over with all the new gadgets and things I’m told I should have for this baby.
On top of that, this baby wants different things than my other babies did during my pregnancies. My love of food has changed, yes, tragic I know! Those who know me and follow me know that I love my food and trying new things. I especially gravitate to Asian foods like Laotian and Vietnamese cuisines. Let’s just say this baby is making me want very simple foods, which has really let my Instafeed suffer.
If you’ve noticed I haven’t posted food pictures as much because, in my opinion, the foods I have wanted to eat don’t look too appetizing to a camera. Well, the best part is my appetite is back. First trimester for me this time around was a little rough, I was sick whenever I ate and it was a definite love-hate relationship with food. Even my husband has been disappointed because my cravings have been non-existent or non-appetizing to him.
It’s not all about food, I feel different this time around. Being 35 adds a different layer of caution with my doctor, especially with the added risk of me getting high blood pressure this time around. This means more frequent growth scans to ensure baby is growing as he should. It also means making sure I’m feeling good and strong enough for this pregnancy and delivery.
The social aspect has been different too. My husband and I decided to wait a lot longer to officially announce the pregnancy. Maybe it’s because we are older, but we were more cautious about who we told and when. We have been more private with this journey this time around and really only talking about it when asked.
Now, you can see my pregnant belly, but even that is different for me. To me, I think it’s obvious, but I have noticed that not a lot of people comment on it. There are looks, but everyone has been really shy about asking me if I am pregnant. I’ve gotten to a point where if I see a curious look, I just say it. I’m surprised that the most common response has been that they thought I was but did not want to say it because they didn’t want to assume.
This is different from my previous pregnancies. People were not shy in coming up to me and asking me and talking to me about being pregnant then! I think in today’s environment, there are a lot of families who have lost a little one or are struggling to have one. I appreciate the respect that I feel that others are providing to me and (I hope) to others, as they navigate this pregnancy journey for themselves.
What hasn’t changed is that time is flying by so fast! At already halfway there, I feel like I just found out I was pregnant and am still digesting that we are adding another baby to our family. It still feels a little unreal that we’ll have a newborn in April. I keep wondering what it will be like having older kids around while starting over with diapers, feedings, and the inevitable sleep deprivation. Am I ready for all of that? I wonder this all of the time. But I know it will be just like with our other sons. When the time comes, you do what you feel like you should be doing. I’ll enjoy the experience and time with my newborn as much as I have with my older boys.
This time it’s been different for me in a lot of ways, but I think every time can’t be the same; you could be older or just in a different stage in life. Feelings are the same for me: excited, fearful, worried, and joyful… I have gone through a whole gamut of emotions and thoughts each time I have been pregnant. It is just part of my overactive mind, it’s rare that my brain turns off.
In the end, we are so blessed to have the family and friends, both old and new, in our lives. They are supporting us during this time and will continue to support us after baby boy is born. My village gets me through everything. I know, in the end, I’ll be holding my new baby and powering through whatever comes at us. My family is strong and we can get through anything that is thrown at us.
