1st Trimester

My first trimester, and then some, is complete. Before I say anything else, I'll say this: it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Yeah, I was nauseous every day and exhausted beyond functioning every day, but it definitely could have been worse. 

I had my first prenatal appointment at 7 weeks along with an ultrasound. Then another prenatal appointment at 13 weeks with another ultrasound. I was ecstatic and relieved to see all of baby's essential parts; I.e., spine, legs, head, etc, but we did not get to see the gender. I am thankful for a great Brazilian doctor in the capital and another doctor in the States who has agreed to look over the notes and photos from each appointment, just so we can have peace of mind.

An unpleasant surprise for me was how quickly I began "showing". I was just 11 weeks and I was getting uncomfortable just having my pants buttoned. After not having seen our language tutor for a few days, her oh-so-kind greeting revolved around how I looked bigger, insinuating by patting her cheeks that I must be eating a lot. Not wanting to be equally rude, instead of responding with, "Pregnant! Duh!" I laughed it off and stewed about it later... Maybe even now... Just a little bit though...

So, here I am unable to wear any of my pants, with no maternity a clothes for at least another 3 weeks (when our crate is supposed to arrive from the States). I'm resigned to wearing jersey maxi skirts and feeling Amish, and some days like a Duggar.

For those who are wondering, we will deliver the baby in Johannesburg, South Africa. Waverly and I will head that way at the beginning of October. Until then, we will receive prenatal care here in country and are fortunate enough to have a South African doctor in Ft Dauphin who does mother/baby care. 

Waverly is warming up to the idea of a new baby. She continues to vehemently deny any possibility of a brother and most of the time, insists that the baby is hers. But we have to start somewhere, right? 

Speaking of Waverly, I'm sure this will come back to haunt me one day, until the day that she understands motherhood herself, but I'm actually more excited about this baby than I was with Waverly. Am I the only bad mom that feels that way? I mean, with Waverly I was excited, but I was totally clueless and anxious. This time, I at least have a general idea of what to expect during pregnancy, delivery, and when caring for a newborn. Of course, I'm not so naive to think that I've got it all figured out because I am fully expecting this next child to be diametrically opposed to Waverly: terrible sleeper, high maintenance, and with no sense of humor whatsoever. I figure that way, I can be pleasantly surprised if I'm wrong and mentally prepared if my theory proves correct. I'll let you know.

                                       

                                          15 weeks

Exactly the Reaction We Expected.

It's true: we're pregnant! And we're way excited; Waverly, on the other hand, couldn't really care less and that's quite okay with me. What else would we have expected? Tonight she insisted that her baby was on our crate. Clueless. But we smile and nod and mutter amongst ourselves that her world will soon be rocked.

I believe I'm only about a month along and my pragmatic mind tells me we should wait until the golden 12-week-mark to tell the world about our little bundle of joy. By my desperate, dependent soul tells me that we need prayer every step of the way. We've trusted the Lord with a lot these past six months, we've been more desperate for Him now than in our entire lives, and being pregnant in a third-world country is no exception. 

What about healthcare? Well, we'll find out, won't we? But I am encouraged that I'm not the first ever missionary to carry or birth a baby in Africa. And I am thankful that we have travelled this journey once before so that I can have some peace about what to expect along the way. 

But as you think of us, please pray. Pray that we will have wisdom over the next nine months. Pray that it will be uneventful and maybe even fun. Pray for good health. And please, oh please, pray that Waverly will lighten up. 

3rd Birthday Eve

I fully expected to be at least mildly depressed around this particular birthday. Had you asked me a few of months ago, following my most depressing birthday to date, I would have lamented that there is no hope for future happiness, not even on birthdays. You see, I love birthdays: mine, Chandlers, yours, etc. I love the celebration, the dinner at a nice restaurant, and giving the perfect gift.

Mine was the first birthday we celebrated in Africa, away from family and all of the birthday traditions. I was sad and that's an understatement. I was even more sad thinking about how pitiful Waverly's next birthday celebration would be: Snyder, table for three, at Cafe Mom... Oh, and here's a pair of socks, kid. They were forgotten in the bottom of a suitcase when we moved here. They're just like new!

But I've been most pleasantly surprised with the unfolding of tomorrow's events which do include playtime and cake with local friends and a party with family, complete with invitations. We organized a Skype/FaceTime with each of our families and are looking very forward to having three tea parties and A LOT of strawberry cake, per Waverly's request. Just a little pre-planning and pre-purchasing on our part and we will have a celebration to remember.

So, I'm not sad tonight as we anticipate Waverly's big day. And I'm not sad that she is turning three. Maybe I should be since she's our first-born, but I am excited and... Surprised?
Really, though, I can't believe Chandler and I have kept a small one alive for three whole years, even while crossing an ocean. She's a resilient little being; stronger than I have been on some days. Her life was turned upside-down and, although she expresses her sadness at times, she reminds us, in her own wisdom, that we are where we belong.

She talks all of the time and most days we laugh, but some days we nearly lose our minds. She sleeps in a big girl bed, doesn't wear diapers ever, quotes movies like it's her job, loves to dance, loves to eat, and loves to practice her Malagasy, especially when it earns her a piece of candy. She can't sit still. She has a memory like a steel trap. She's a charmer like her daddy. She has a heart full of love and a big, beautiful smile. Quite often, we look at her and have a surreal moment with the realization that she is ours. The Lord has entrusted us with her and, somehow, we've made it three whole, wonderful years. Here's to many more!