The second time around

When my first daughter was 2 months old, I found out I was pregnant with my second baby! I must have taken the home pregnancy test at least 6 times, just to make sure I wasn't getting a false positive. I finally accepted the reality that I would have two babies. As I sat there and cried, my husband laughed hysterically.

After 6 1/2 years of marriage our first daughter came to us by way of adoption. She fit into our family perfectly, despite how quickly our lives were turned upside down. We really had no preparation for her coming. We finished our paperwork and the adoption agency told us we could expect about a two year wait before we would have a baby. She was born 3 months later. Then came the news of another baby. After the initial shock, I started to experience all that came with being pregnant while caring for a newborn. I felt I handled things fairly well, but I never had that incredible in utero bonding experience so many women talk about. I was honestly so wrapped up in taking care of the baby I had and didn't give too much thought to the one on the way. In fact, I loved our first child so much, I looked at the new baby like she would be sort of an intruder...I actually wondered if I would love her as much.

When I think about that now, I laugh and think how silly I was. When the baby was born and placed in my arms, I experienced an incredible feeling of love surging through me and instantly I felt a connection to my sweet new daughter.

If you are pregnant now and don't feel the way you think you should, don't worry. Not everyone has the same emotions and experiences, and you can't compare yourself to another. We are all so different and every pregnancy is so different. I do hope you enjoy that time that you get to house that little human in your body and nurture it and nourish it. It is such a sweet miracle to be able to be pregnant... It can be tough, at times, but it can also be so thrilling and beautiful. I wish you well on your pregnancy journey...

Be well! 

BHW