Catherine Gacad

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First Look at Baby

Here is our inch-long Baby Gabella (Gacad-Barbella). I am 10 weeks along and all signs are good. Another big sigh of relief after the ultrasound on Friday. Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our precious little one.

baby gabella

There are so many emotions: joy, gratitude, excitement. I wish I had the energy to feel all those things fully, but I am so damn tired too. Like permanently exhausted. I am definitely out of sorts, but hoping this exhaustion will pass after the first trimester. I was a no-show to three events that I committed to over the past week, I can barely stand. Sorry to everyone I flaked on. I swear to you I was in bed, drooling on my pillow.

I’m also so hormonal that my teenage acne has resurfaced on my forehead and back. And my mood swings are terrible which means I really should not hang out with normal functioning human beings.

Take a look at this list of dos and donts from my medical team. These come directly from either a registered dietician, a nurse practitioner, a reproductive endocrinologist, or an obstetrician. While some of them seem pretty draconian, keep in mind we’ve suffered from two miscarriages so we are all on high alert.

Take prenatal vitamins including fish oil

No smoking

No alcohol or drugs

No caffeine

No sex

Limit exercise

Avoid petting animals

Avoid sick people

No hot baths, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms

No unpasteurized milk or cheese (Let me just say that all the best cheese is unpasteurized.)

No unpasteurized juice (So all those new trendy juiceries popping up all over the city – yup, can’t have any of that.)

No deli meat, bacon, or sausage

No raw or undercooked meat, fish, or eggs

No dressing made from raw eggs

No sprouts

Limit all seafood because you really have no idea how much mercury is in the water

No herbs or herbal teas

Do not eat food heated by microwave

No leftovers

No flying

Aim to gain 40 pounds since I started out underweight

I swear I’m not complaining, but let’s just say this list leaves very few pleasures to enjoy in life. Anything for my little baby bean.

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  2. I so remember that list from when I was pregnant and had that same thought of what is left to enjoy! But seriously, look at that sonogram picture of your little baby. Such a wonderful sight and so happy to see it tonight. So very happy for you and just hope you start to feel less tired. Both my girls made me more nauseous then anything. Never threw up, but seriously felt so sick to my stomach all day for weeks on end. But it did pass and finally around the half mark, I started to feel more like me again. So, hoping that it will happen real soon for you, too 🙂

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  3. That’s quite a list. But considering what you’ve already been through, it’s a small list to give up for a healthy baby! Continuing to send good thoughts your way!

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  4. Hurrah! Congratulations (I must have missed the earlier announcement.) I am sending up a prayer that you regain your strength and stamina, and that all goes well as your baby grows.

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  6. So exciting! Your baby is beautiful! The overwhelming fatigue will get better in the second tri-mester but in the meantime, just continue giving into it. You need rest. Plus, if you are napping there is less time to be tempted by the taboo food and activities!

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  8. Sleeping and reading were not on the list, so do both of those and follow doctor’s orders! Thanks for sharing the ultrasound photo; I can already tell that your baby is gorgeous.

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  9. Oh the things we mommas do for our little ones! 🙂 But oh the joy you’ll have when you hold that precious, beautiful, healthy baby in your arms for the first time! Continuing to pray for you and your baby’s health and for supernatural strength for you as well!! Blessings to you and your family Catherine! Btw…what a gorgeous picture! 😉

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  10. Soooo happy for the two of you. So happy! Glad to “meet” the little one. Add “don’t stress” to that list! Many blessings to you and the family.

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  11. Aw!!! How wonderful!! So glad you shared the ultrasound picture with us.

    The only one on your list that confounds me is the microwave caution. I’ve never heard that one before.(that would take some doing for me) All of that list will be more than worth it about 9 months from now. 🙂 Congratulations!! –Lisa

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  13. HUGE congratulations! And yeah, I remember that list. I actually cried at my doctor’s once because I wanted to eat sushi of all things. The list is totally worth it though. Totally. I’m so happy for you!!

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  14. So happy for you. I wouldn’t have guessed no food heated by the microwave. I guess you will be sitting with your feet up while your hubby heats your food on the stove. Also, noticed it doesn’t say you can’t eat sweets, since you have to gain 40 pounds you might as well have some fun.

    Seriously though, I am still praying for you and Gabella.

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  15. Ohh I am so happy for you friend! I have been praying for you! That list is long, but think of all the things you can do. Sleep a lot, have that wonderful hubby of yours take care of you, read, and just relax. And I agree with the above comments, enjoy a few sweet!

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  19. I’m here smiling as I look at the ultrasoundpicture of baby bean. What a blessing, Catherine. The list is draconian, but look at what you’ll have at the end: Gabella! Yay! We continue to pray.

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  20. Yay, Catherine! I’ve been a bit out of the blogging world lately, but you have been on my mind. The first thing I did when I came to your blog was look for some “news”. I could not have found better news than an ultrasound picture. So happy things are progressing so well for you and baby Gabella! Big hugs!

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