To my beautiful child,
Hi! It’s so fun that I can sit here and write to you…and you’re in my belly! You feel so much closer. Your heart is now beating and that is AMAZING to me. I can’t believe that we put you into my uterus 2 weeks and two days ago, and your heart is already beating. You’re so small but you’re so alive.
What symptoms am I feeling now at 6 weeks?
1. Nausea. It’s not that bad yet and I can function normally, but I have to make sure that I eat regularly.
2. My belly is already getting bigger! This is something that I didn’t expect so early on. I’m sure that if anyone else looks at me, they wouldn’t be able to tell, but I definitely can. I am in love with a good pair of stretchy pants. They have my name written all over them. I can’t tolerate anything tight around my waist, so when I wear do wear jeans, I twist a hair tie around the button hole and connect it to the button so I have some extra room.
3. I’m tired and I love taking naps. Today after church, I took a 2 hour nap, and I could have kept sleeping but I forced myself to wake up so that I could sleep tonight. Growing a baby takes a lot of energy.
4. A few of the nurses at my fertility center have told me that this side effect could be from the progesterone suppositories that I have to put in my you-know-what every night, but I’ve had quite a bit of spotting. It’s random. Some days I don’t have a lot of of it, and some days I have quite a bit. It’s typically a brown or pink color and quite watery. It makes your mama nervous!! I know this is TMI, but I’m recording this whole experience, so you get to read about mama buying panty liners at the grocery store. It’s all for you, baby!
I was sitting in church today and started cramping a little bit and it was making me so worried that I was going to have a miscarriage. It stopped after a few minutes…maybe just gas or something? So glamorous, I know. I have to remind myself all the time to not live in fear of miscarriage. It’s hard because we want you here with us so much! It’s hard not to worry about something that means more to you than anything, but worrying doesn’t help, so I just have to focus on being positive.
As I was sitting in church today, a man gave a talk about his mission in Peru. He and his wife had just returned on a senior mission trip for 1.5 years. He was talking about the differences in lifestyle of those who live here, and those who live in the small villages of Peru. He talked about how the young missionaries that go to serve in Peru dream about the things like donuts that they’ll get to come home to in America, and those missionaries who come from the smaller villages in Peru will go home to dirt floors and won’t have running water. It really got me thinking about how incredibly lucky we are. We have hot running water, warm homes, carpet, and so much opportunity. My heart is so full with gratitude.
I also looked around at all of the families that love each other and I thought what a great plan God made for taking care of each other. Family. I saw an adult brother put his arm around his adult sister as he was holding her baby. I saw a cute little girl poking her head between her loving mom and dad to look around her. We are put into families to take care of each other and love each other like no one else can. It’s such a Christ-like love. What parent doesn’t think their children are amazing and want to help them reach their full potential? I think that the whole family unit is such a special concept.
Later on in young women, the lesson was about how we can have joy, even in our trials, and that going through certain trials is the only way that we can gain characteristics that we need. I believe this 100%. I know that I had to go through infertility to appreciate motherhood as much as I do now. I think we all need to learn something different and that’s why we have different trials. They’re hard and not fun to go through, but I’m grateful for them and I know that we have help from our Savior.
Alright, let’s leave you with something funny. I had an intense donut dream the other night. Yes, you read that right. I had three boxes of donuts; two boxes of glazed and one box of variety. I was in great distress because I wanted the box of variety donuts all to myself and I didn’t want to share them with your dad. I knew he would choose to each from that box though. My dream mixed with reality when I heard your dad get up for his shower in the morning and I was SO RELIEVED that I would be able to eat the box of variety donuts all by myself and not share with him. I felt like I had just won the lottery. OH MY GOSH! Ha ha hormone takeover! The amount of joy that selfishly hogging the variety box of donuts brought me is embarrassing.
You’re worth it!
xo
Mama
Your daddy was sick today…so this is our Parcell Sunday Selfie 🙂 He stayed home from church and then we relaxed at home.
We have gotten to spend lots of time with your sweet cousin Isla! I hope you are as sweet as her. Please be as sweet as her 🙂 (okay, fine, I’ll still love you if you’re not. You got me).
Your dad is so cute with her and loves to her hold. I can’t wait to see him hold you!!!
Woke up at 8 am yesterday, had a bowl of cereal, went back to bed until 10:30, had your dad give me my shot at 11 when I rolled out of bed, and made a smoothie.
Anonymous says
January 11, 2016 at 3:22 amI hope your cramping and spotting is nothing serious hope you're ok.Have you had any heavy period or had major cramping I'm just concerned that's all.
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:27 pmNo major cramping at all! I think I'm good 🙂 Thank you for your concern! xo
Anonymous says
January 13, 2016 at 10:01 pmYou're welcome how has your spotting been have u been spotting a lot
Jenica Parcell says
January 14, 2016 at 2:11 amStill spotting but not a ton!
Sara says
January 11, 2016 at 3:33 amHopefully your cramping and stuff is nothing to serious maybe it was just gas lol
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:28 pmI think it was ha ha 🙂
Sara says
January 13, 2016 at 10:00 pmHaha
Erin Fairchild says
January 11, 2016 at 4:29 amI hope your hubby feels better soon!
Her Heartland Soul
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Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:28 pmThank you!! 🙂
Dominique Garcia says
January 11, 2016 at 6:36 amYou are going to be such a good mommy. You know what family is all about! Love reading your letters to the little one. xo
http://www.writingmotherfashionista.com
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:28 pmThank you so much! xo
Ashley says
January 11, 2016 at 5:23 pmMy OB said cramping is totally normal It's just your uterus stretching out (it's also called round ligament pain). I had cramping every day until I was 6.5 weeks along…and now get it at random times and I'll be 10 weeks tomorrow. Hope your hubby feels better. I agree with you…family is everything!
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:28 pmYeah it kind of feels like stretching!! It's hard to describe. Thank you for writing me to reassure me!! xo
Anonymous says
January 12, 2016 at 8:00 pmI had cramping up until I was 8 weeks pregnant. Sometimes I even had to take Tylenol for the pain. But it was all normal and now I have an 11-month old baby boy! So I wouldn't worry 🙂
Anonymous says
January 12, 2016 at 8:02 pmI had cramping up until I was 8 weeks pregnant. Sometimes I even had to take Tylenol for the pain. But it was all normal and now I have an 11-month old baby boy! So I wouldn't worry 🙂
The Followell Family says
January 11, 2016 at 9:40 pmMy cousin actually bled her whole first trimester so don't be too worried.. Your hcg numbers look great!!! Do you know if there is one or two in there yet? We are also working with the ufc.. I have one miracle with them already.. I should be triggering today or tomorrow.. Good luck with everything.. I can't wait to see your first ultrasound picture!!!
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:29 pmThank you so much for writing me! We find out on Friday if there is one or two. We can't wait!!! So exciting! I hope everything goes well for you this round too!
The Followell Family says
January 12, 2016 at 3:06 pmMy guess is two????
Anna Gregory says
January 12, 2016 at 4:52 amTry not to worry too much woth the cramping and spotting unless its severe. I had both of those happening for a few weeks at the beginning but it turned out baby was just burrowing himself in real good to the uterine wall. It cleared up by the end of week 7. I love following your journey and am always praying for you and your family.
Jenica Parcell says
January 12, 2016 at 2:36 pmThank you!! It's so on and off. I appreciate you letting me know! It's not severe at all so I'm thinking I'm good 🙂 Thank you!