Marshalls Abroad

baby marshall Life pregnancy

Baby’s First Photo + 10 Things

1. How Far Along: 15 weeks! Our little babe is currently the size of an orange… though feels much bigger to me! Especially when I glance down at my once flat stomach that now looks like I’ve been downing way too much beer and burgers.

2. Funny Moment:  Blacking out at our first appointment after I reassured the corpsman that I was totally totally fine giving blood… 6 viles and 2 minutes later the room was spinning, Cam was sprinting to get me a glass of water, shouting at the top of his lungs at a male nurse to hurry up!! infront of a room full of marines, while the poor corpsman carried me across the hall to a bed. We laughed so hard about that after I came to.

3. Cravings: I’ve mostly just had food aversions to everything under the sun. Thankfully that’s going away. Except for ground meat and kale. I can’t even look at kale! I’d make a grocery list in the morning of what sounded appetizing and then a few hours later would be wanting to vomit at whatever I’d bought.

4. Weirdest Craving: Not exactly a craving, but at my worst, the things that sounded best to me were foods made up of sodium. And soda… which I stopped drinking in high school. Really, anything fatty, salty or cheesy had my name all over it.

5. Weirdest Food Aversion: CHOCOLATE!! I couldn’t believe it either. I went nearly two months not eating or wanting it at all. It has honestly been the first time in my life I haven’t had a sweet tooth or been a chocoholic. It’s slowly coming back. Just in time for Lindt Easter bunnies.

4. Cooking: Did not happen for weeks and weeks… did any of you notice the lack of recipe posts? Sorry… (;

5. Sleep: Lots of it. Naps too. And thee craziest, craziest dreams.

6. Kicks: Not yet! Maybe soon, baby?

7. States or Okinawa for the Birth: We plan to have our little babe here on Oki. Starting out life as a traveler like his or her parents. A new hospital was just built on one of the Marine Corps bases with American docs..  docs like this awesome girl.

8. Alcohol: Missing red wine and draft Orion beer. Though I have to drink a gallon of water a day per our doctor because of the intense heat and humidity, so I don’t exactly have much room for other liquids! Is that the same if you’re pregnant in the States?

9. Emotions: Still somewhat under control! Phew. I tear up in sweet movies or stories, worship at church… but that’s all normal for me. I keep preparing Cam for the emotions and crazy hormones that are no doubt a comin’. 

10. Cameron.  Never thought I could fall more in love with him, but I am. And he teaches me so much about unconditional love. He’s been so patient with me, helped me with everything, said I’m beautiful when I’ve been sick and anything but, has taken me to get frozen yogurt about 20 times in the past two weeks, makes me laugh so hard… and sometimes just simply asks what he can do for me. I am so so so sosososos thankful for him.  Our little baby, you have the best and most loving man for a daddy.

If any of you mamas have any recommendations for anything — favorite maternity clothes, nausea remedies, etsy shops, books, etc… I’m all ears! (:


Comments

  1. Jay says

    I faint every time I give blood. I have no idea why and every time I try to reassure myself it won't happen but it does. I've got a pretty good routine down now though 😉

    As for books – when some of my best friends found out they were pregnant, I did quite a bit of research as I wanted to send a little gift. They all raved about The Pregnancy Bible afterwards so it must have been a success!
    http://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Bible-Complete-Guide-Parenthood/dp/1554073804

  2. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says

    This is so exciting. You two are the cutest and what a beautiful relationship to bring this baby into.
    As for recommendations? Well I have had three kids and was only sick with my daughter. I found pregnancy pops were good (just a hard candy like item) or things with ginger in it.
    The best to you and I look forward to future baby updates.

  3. Candice says

    I am so freaked out to give blood..I can only imagine that I'd pass out too, yikes.

    And seriously the cutest parents award..definitely goes to you & Cam! Baby Marshall is going to be one lucky little one! 🙂

  5. ~Seth and Nancy~ says

    I was the same way with salty things…pretzels & cheese were my friend and I didn't want anything to do with sweet stuff or coffee (very unusual for me). Lemonade, lemon drops and Lemonheads helped my nausea some. It really is neat to see how God can bring you closer to you spouse through the process of growing your family. Hope the 2nd trimester brings you a little relief!

  6. ALICE says

    I just had a baby 6 weeks ago. And I'm so completely exhausted that I can't think of anything helpful to say. Especially about pregnancy. I seem to have some sort of birth related amnesia. I don't remember being pregnant at all. I can just recall that googling symptoms is always a horrid idea and as for books, I liked more sort of memoir books.. Like Waiting for Birdy, Letters to a Young Mother, Operating Instructions by Anne Lamont ( I can't remember the whole title), Ina May's Guide to Childbirth ( It's about natural home births and it was helpful to me even though I had a very unnatural hospital birth via c section), and Raising Bebe.

  7. Jenna says

    So so so sweet… and amazing! Glad the nausea is starting to calm down a bit. I'm just so happy for you guys 🙂

    xxx
    Jenna
    ps I can't give blood – without a doubt faint before they even put in the needle. Such a baby 😉

  8. ALICE says

    Also FYI, I had fainting spells throughout my entire pregnancy, including one dramatic occasion at the opera. I thought " pregnant women fainting" was a Hollywood stereotype that only really happened in movies but no. Apparently it happens to real people too.

  9. suzi knight says

    Hiiiii,
    First of all I just need to pop up and say hello, as I have casually been sitting here without speaking for a long time now. I thought it's about time I should leave my first comment, and say CONGRATULATIONS to both of you, and I look forward to following along with your journey!

    Suzi x

  10. Kate @ Daffodils says

    I never read any books, just stuck to weekly updates on babycenter. I found all the 'experts' to be confusing and overwhelming, so we went old school with advice from our moms and instinct 🙂 Im sick with all my babies (I throw up through the entire pregnancy, yuck) so my doctors always told me to just eat whatever I was craving! But salty things are a big one for me: pretzels, olives, chips, saltines, chinese food… all sound tasty to me. I also eat a lot of cereal for dinner. Poor Kev doesn't get many good dinners when I am pregnant! Ginger candies and gummy prenatal vitamins are life savers too.

  11. Emily says

    I am the same way with giving blood – that it's compulsory that I lay down. Congrats on your little baby. I think it's great you've decided to have this little one abroad – I totally wish we were in the same position.

  13. Lauren says

    I'm so happy for you! Reading this just makes my heart smile. Just try to embrace the junk food crave for now…baby wants it so enjoy!

  14. Zoë says

    It's so great that you're documenting this – I'm sure baby will love to learn about your experience someday! Glad to hear you're feeling good and keeping the laughter and love plentiful 😉

  16. Elena says

    I forgot about the CRAZY dreams! wow haha! I loved our first ultrasound. Ours was at 8 weeks and you could already see the little heartbeat and see our little guy moving. Such a wild time. I LOVED my Leachco pregnancy pillow. It is shaped like a U so you can toss and turn all night and still be comfy. I got most of my maternity and nearly all of my baby clothes from other military wives for either free or really cheap! Does Okinawa have a Bookoo website? It's an online yard sale for the base. Check it out. Have you tried ginger water for nausea? just boiled water over fresh ginger, helped me in the early weeks. I'm sure you're going to hear this a lot but take every nap you can because they will never be the same once baby comes 🙂

  18. Lynn says

    During pregnancy, you need extra water because of the extra calories that you are consuming and the additional blood that is being produced. Water is used to make plasma, which is essential for making the 45% increase in blood you and your baby will need. It also helps make the amniotic fluid that cushions and surrounds your baby.

    Drinking more water can ease some of the common discomforts that women experience during pregnancy-including headache, constipation, hemorrhoids, uterine cramping, heartburn, nausea, and bladder infections. Strange as it might seem, the more water you drink, the less likely that you'll retain that water. That's great news if you're plagued by pudgy fingers and swollen ankles!

    Drinking water is the best way to meet the body's fluid needs. However, other food sources can be used to help supplement, such as fruit and vegetable juices, milk, and soup. Do not use tea, coffee, and soda to hydrate your body. They contain sodium and caffeine that can have a diuretic effect. This will then increase your water need.

    Sorry for the novel. Congralutaions to you and Cam you both are going to be great parents.

    Lynn~tlpierce06@gmail.com

  20. nesscetera.com says

    I went through everything you just mentioned when I had my daughter. I'm usually good about cooking but that first trimester, I was just not feeling it. I was tired and wanted to nap. I would gag at the smell of raw meat. Anything I made I'd be disgusted by it when it was time to eat. Everyone kept saying saltines and ginger for the nausea, but like you I just wanted bad food. Sounds like your body is settling down though, so that's good!

    I missed alcohol too, along with sushi, delis meats (mostly proscuitto), unpasteurized cheese), etc. But having DD is totally worth it, plus I gobbled that up as soon as I got home from the hospital 🙂

    Nausea remedies – try ginger tea or candy.

    Books – read "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn"

    For stretch marks – it's pricey, but it worked for me, Elemis oil.

    Maternity Clothes – I didn't want to buy maternity clothes. I found jersey dresses or cotton with stretch helped a lot. Also oversized button ups with belts to accentuate your waste. Don't shy away from your husbands closet. 🙂 But also try Asos, TopShop, Gap, Old Navy maternity sections. They're decent in price.

    Good luck!

  22. Britt @ The Magnolia Pair says

    We are pregnancy twins! Haha, I passed out my first blood draw too! My face turned ghost white and then I was gone. I have a severe needle phobia, and coming from the queen of passer-outers, I will say it gets better. I actually am now not too scared anymore. I think my mind is just elsewhere and not concentrating on the pain anymore.
    And nausea, oh girl, I feel ya. Besides zofran being my best friend, I always tried to drink a cup of water and 5-6 crackers before I even lifted my head to get out of bed and that REALLY helped! Hopefully you get to feeling better very soon 🙂

  23. lauren jean allece says

    Eeeep! I'm just so excited for you guys! I saw Kate's comment up there and, though I don't have personal experience to rely on, a lot of my friends swear by ginger candies to keep them feeling a little bit better during pregnancy. Trader Joe's has some great ones that even I keep on hand when I have a headache – let me know if you need a care package 🙂 And you know that once baby Marshall arrives you've got a red wine source in Oregon to help you celebrate!

  25. Sarah Burton says

    Giving blood is thee absolute worst. I about faint every time I see a needle, let alone have to give blood. I'm so so so excited for y'all! Glad to hear the sickness is going away 🙂

  30. Taylor says

    It's been a. Few days since I've checked your blog and I see an ultrasound?!?!?! Congratulations!!! This is amazing amazing news, and I am so happy for you and cam!

  31. Sheila@TheFailteHouse says

    Hahaha, I had a good laugh reading your post about passing out and Cam running for water – that is a good story for the little one, one day 🙂 Shows what beautiful parents you both already are – hooray. As for no chocolate – I can't even imagine feeling that way;)

  35. Leslie says

    I was sick thru my whole first trimester…..and now I am 32 weeks and meat still grosses me out! Try ginger gum for the nausea! That was about the only thing that gave me any relief. I got some at an asian market here in Houston so I am sure you won't have any trouble finding some over there 🙂 Also, try drinking a coke! A few people told me that the syrup that is used to make coca cola would help and sure enough, it did!! I would drink one can of coke a day and it helped SO much! Congrats again 🙂

  37. Lauren says

    I'm not a mother, but I've delivered a few babies and my only advice is to not overthink the perfect delivery. So many mom's stress over natural versus drugs, or feel if they had a c-section they missed out on an experience of motherhood..raising the baby is what makes you the mama! Whatever you decide for the delivery don't let anyone make you feel bad for your choice or tat you don't "care" enough. You will end up with a healthy, beautiful baby in the end (all God's plan) and that's all that really matters.

  38. findyourway2011 says

    I am so far behind on this EXCITING news, so first off- CONGRATULATIONS! That little baby is going to be blessed with two amazing parents, and your family is going to be the cutest! Secondly, the chocolate thing is crazy… I can't imagine not wanting any! Hopefully all the random cravings/aversions will cease so you can eat delicious, healthy food for you and that precious baby! Praying for you during this exciting time!

    -Mere

    http://readtravelbecome.com/

  39. Denise Lopatka says

    awwww i love this sweet post! isn't it amazing how our husbands just shine and continue to amaze us throughout this experience? love it!

    i hope you are feeling better! definitely keep something on your stomach at all times but don't eat big meals. that helped me 🙂

  41. Dee says

    I have two beautiful kids (3 and 2) and I could go on and on with items that are must haves, but I want to leave you with a piece of advice that I am so glad I received: take lots of photos to document your pregnancy, because both you and your child will enjoy looking at them together in the future.

    XO,
    Dbyrne1[at]gmail[dot]com
    BeautyMustsforMoms.Blogspot.com

  43. Anne says

    I liked the book Your pregnancy week by week…much more so than What to Expect When You're Expecting, but I have that one too. BeBand (from Target) was a must after my first pregnancy…I'm tall and my maternity shirts were never long, especially when my belly got rounder and rounder. 😉 Nice to wear postpartum too, when nothing really fits. 🙂 Tums Smoothies were also a necessity. And don't worry too much about the cravings/aversions. Eat what sounds good. All be well again after baby comes. 🙂 Congratulations, again!! So happy for you both.

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