Pentecost

Today my husband commented that it was just like me to get stretch marks in time for Pentecost. It took me a little while to get this (I can only see them in the mirror, as they are below the visibility mark, like my feet) and realize that they are shaped like tongues of fire. So we've got the "current nursery" decorations down, at least.

Bunny and I are interacting more these days. He kicks (or orples, or does something in there to attract my attention) and I pat back. If I've been paying proper attention, he wakes up and moves around about every two hours or so, and does move more when we dialogue. It reminds me of the petition for "captives" even more, since it's like two prisoners on either side of a wall, trying to communicate. "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face-to-face."

And Fr. Peter has finally felt Bunny kick. He doesn't seem all that interested in putting his hand there, but he'll keep it there for a while if I put it on my tummy. For whatever reason, Bunny usually stops kicking when his father's hand is there, but when he does kick big enough to be felt outside (as opposed to my viscera—thanks, kiddo), his father's face lights up and delights me.

Wee Cozonac

This is the twenty-first cozonac of this year's batch, in my husband's hand. He is a dedicated baker, who kept baking on Holy Saturday even when Dr. Tim and I went to the beach. Maybe next year he will have a helper in making messes in the kitchen. (I did separate most of the 50 eggs required this year. Before ditching him.)

First Pascha

After the church was darkened at midnight, the candle of Pascha raised by my husband, singing, "Come receive the unwaning Light!" and we all went in a joyous procession outside, each candle burning brightly in exultation, we went into church to hold the festal Divine Liturgy. After the singing of the first set of the Paschal hymn: "Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death, and on those in the tombs bestowing Life," a chanter began another hymn: "This is the day of Resurrection..." which ends in the Paschal hymn. After that hymn's pronouncement of "Christ is risen!" I felt the baby move for the first time.

Psalm 139 (LXX, 138): 13-16

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

New Doctor

I am so much happier with the new doctor's office. At today's appointment I was told that today I am 11 weeks, 3 days, with a due date for September 19 (a birthday of one of my nephews).

Today I feel more pregnant than I have so far. Rounder, or something. A little less scared. We have an appointment next week for an ultrasound and a discussion with the doctor about the results of tests and whatnot.

Oh, and they gave me a goodie bag, complete with BOOK, prenatal vitamins, and an appointment book. I haven't even finished going through the bag yet. Also, everyone was super nice. I am very happy to have switched doctors. (Peterbird says, "Yeah. Me, too. ... The whole atmosphere seems more professional.")

Greek Festival

We're in the middle of the Greek Festival here at Holy Trinity. I haven't been able to keep my mouth shut to certain people, so I have been receiving congratulations at various decibel levels, from the hand-on-the-shoulder whispered one, to the shrieking, jumping-up-and-down, and hugging one.

Several of the clergy couples have pointed out to me and Fr. Peter that, with the assistant priest usually staying only a few years here (it's currently something of a "training parish"), the birth of a "priest's kid" or PK is relatively rare. I hadn't thought about that, considering that I was in a building at seminary where people started asking what was in the water.

I've switched doctor's offices since last time, since (1) I made an appointment for everything, which turned out to be a $35 OTC pregnancy test, and (2) they waited until I asked them to tell me that what I had been told was a molar pregnancy last year was actually an "abnormal pregnancy," i.e., a miscarriage. So I got a recommendation from another parishioner, and after looking online, I realize that the new doctor's office has the highest ratinigs and best reviews of OB/GYNs in the area. When I mention the name to other women parishioners, they recognize the doctor's name and agree that that's a good office. I sure could use all the prayers I can get, though.

Fasting while Pregnant

After reading up (some more) on the rules of what is allowed and what isn't allowed for pregnancy, it seemed to me that it was simply exchanging one set of eating rules for another.

I wasn't prepared for not being able to lick the bowl after making brownies. :( Maybe I'll make a lenten batch of brownies next time.

First Prenatal Visit

Dn. Virgil and I went to the doctor this afternoon. I am, indeed, pregnant, so all the previous posts which had been drafted but as yet unpublished will be published today. Due date: January 14, 2008.

Oh, and due to the extent of the rods in my back, the doctor does not think I will be eligible for an epidural, but later on I should talk to an anesthesiologist about a patient-controlled anesthetic. I made Dn. Virgil take notes, although I find it difficult to read his handwriting (and he did it in purple). I weigh 138 pounds so far.

I really like this doctor: she passed the warm stethoscope test.

So the focus is on eating (yay!), sleeping, and exercising, in the pregnant part of things.

St. Isidore of Chios

We went to Orthros this morning, and Dn. Virgil brought our icon of St. Isidore of Chios which had been given to us by our koumbara (who is from Chios).

We were helping Paul at the chant stand: Dn. Virgil on his right side, and (to outward appearances) myself and John Daly on his left side. Dn. Virgil leaned over to Paul: "Don't you think this is a little unbalanced? Three people on one side and one person on the other side." This was a little unfair to Paul who hadn't quite woken up yet. I could see him look on each side, and wonder why he should be counted on one side or another, since he was in the chair. I leaned over: "Paul, I'm plural." He nodded; obviously, we have inculcated him to our weirdnesses. Then he looked at Dn. Virgil's grin and did a double-take at me and his jaw completely dropped.

When Dn. Virgil asked permission to tell Paul, I had thought he was going to tell about the icon, since we had arrived after Paul. Sneaky husband.

Dn. Athanasios came by and congratulated us, and reminded us that "Athanasios" makes a good name. :)

St. Isidore of Chios, and you, dear reader, please pray for us.

P.S. I also find that the baby falls under the "captive" category in the petitions.

Mother's Day

Well, now the word is out, somewhat. Although I had told one person a day for the first three days, I managed to resist after that. Until Sunday morning. I really wanted to tell, especially when I moved to be next to Dna. Vassi ... and then Georgia (and her six beautiful children) came on the other side. However, I figured it would be best to wait until after Liturgy.

As Fr. Nick Triantafilou was passing out the antidoron, someone reminded him that it was Mother's Day, so he stopped the post-Liturgical chanting to wish all the mothers a happy mother's day. So I turned to Dna. Vassi: "I have a secret." Her eyes got big, and I nodded, and then was engulfed in a hug.

I found Jenny outside, and told her that she had been right at the swap meet. She was confused, so I reminded her that when I was holding some baby things for Dna. Vassi, and she asked me was I pregnant, and I had said no ... I was wrong.

By then word had gotten around a bit, and I was being congratulated by Amelia, and Dna. Vassi came up looking worried: "Was I not supposed to tell?" I assured her that it's fine as long as the people getting the news are also requested to pray for us.

The whole Liturgy felt as though it came right after the first "Christ is Risen!" of the year.

Pregnant

After the first pregnancy test's "fairly sure" there were two lines, we decided to wait until this morning and try the second test. We have told a select few (or have been unable to restrain ourselves ... okay, just me) who have congratulated us and said that home pregnancy tests were reasonably accurate.


I am still a little scared, and will wait for the doctor's appointment before I believe. However, I would like to tell his mother and my mother ... and tomorrow is Mothers' Day. And I should get medical histories ...

Please keep the three of us in your prayers.

In the beginning

It seems like everything is beginning.

Usually, I am pretty regular.


So when I didn't get my period yesterday, and 32 days had passed since I had started most recently (which had been the longest between-periods in the past 10 months), I considered buying a home pregnancy test. I wasn't ready to hear a "no," so I passed up the first opportunity.

However, I mentioned this to Dn. Virgil, and suggested that he go buy one. So after we went to the library, we went to the grocery store. He parked and started walking to the store, and I realized that, alone and in his anderi, he might get even more funny looks buying a pregnancy test than if I went with him. So I took my little chicken self and ran after him.

We came home, and he said, "Why not?" So I took the test. I went out and set the timer for three minutes, and made him go back in with me to see. There were two pink lines, although one was faint (the directions said it might be faint, and I have been drinking lots of water these days). So there might be three of us.

I got the card of Pres. Shyla's ob/gyn this morning at chapel (6:30 am Orthros & Divine Liturgy), and called this afternoon, getting an appointment with another doctor in the same office. I'll go in on Monday afternoon.

I am excited and fearful. I feel the way I do when I walk away from the chalice after communing. I am not quite ready to commit to saying, "I am pregnant," only: "I had a positive result to a pregnancy test."

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us sinners.