Tuesday, August 29, 2017

SURPRISE: We're expecting baby #3.

That's right, our little family of four is growing! While I am beyond excited about our completely shocking news, Papa Saigh is slowly digesting the fact that we will welcome another baby into our family.

Holy sh*t, is right.

I'm sure you're wondering if this was planned.

Um, not one bit. However, if you know me, you know that I have always wanted a dozen children. Papa Saigh on the other hand, has always been content with two. I've been trying to convince Papa Saigh to try for a third for over a year now, while he's been busy researching vasectomies.

Oh, the irony.

But here's the thing... We haven't been using birth control since we had Jimmy. So, while the news of Baby Saigh #3 was a huge shock, it's not like it was an immaculate conception.

I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant, and our new little love is due on March 23rd (my brother's birthday)! I've been blogging since the day we found out about Baby Saigh #3, and now that the dust has settled, we're so excited to share our news!

5-6 Weeks Pregnant

I got what I thought was my period, and then it stopped. I didn't really think anything of it until about a week later. I was getting ready to go work the red carpet for the Starkey Gala, when it dawned on me that I still hadn't gotten my period. I had a random Dollar Store pregnancy test from a TV segment on The Jason Show (random, I know), and decided to pee on it. Within seconds the second line showed up.

Papa Saigh made me buy a second pregnancy test to make SURE the results were accurate.


Holy sh*t balls.

I seriously had to think back to figure out how this was even possible. Then, I had to figure out how I was going to tell Papa Saigh. He was sleeping (it was his morning to sleep in), and I couldn't keep it in any longer. So, I woke him up and said, "Good morning! I'm going to give you this (pregnancy test), and let you just absorb it all...".

He looked at me in bewilderment and said, "You're kidding right? We can't do this."

Well, Papa Saigh, we're doing this.

In all honesty, it took Papa Saigh a good week before he started to see the silver lining of this shell-shocker. I don't blame him. It's a total game-changer. While we're still figuring out how we're actually going to handle life with three kids, we're both pretty excited about Bub #3. We decided to wait to tell Linna, even though she saw and picked up my positive pregnancy test and asked what it was. I told her it was a water quality test.

Now that's quality parenting at its finest.

7-8 Weeks Pregnant

Well, I feel like I'm carrying twins. My stomach is swollen, I'm starving, nauseous, and so tired. I went in for an ultrasound and got to see our tiny little surprise. He or she had a heartbeat, and everything looked great. The best news that I got to deliver to Papa Saigh after that appointment... It's just the ONE baby.

My boobs are starting to get even bigger, and they're incredibly swollen and painful. Not as bad as I remember with Jimmy, but taking my bra off is no longer the highlight of my day. During week 7, I started having some brown discharge when I wiped, which totally freaked me out. A few of my mom friends told me they had the same thing happen to them, and when I called my OB they assured me that what I was experiencing sounded normal (no cramping, red blood, back pain, etc.). The discharge stopped after a couple days and hasn't returned. I remember having something similar happen when I was pregnant with Linna, although it was later in my pregnancy, and it turned out to be a kidney/bladder infection.

All I want to do is nap, which is a little hard while I'm chasing two small kids around this summer. I'm also dealing with a very painful Planter Fasciitis in my right foot. I need to get that sh*t figured out before my belly starts throwing me off balance. Yeesh.

9-10 Weeks Pregnant

Baby Saigh #3 at 10 weeks.

I'm still super tired, but at times my pregnancy symptoms have seemed to disappear for days, and then return. This, of course, freaked me out, but then I'd bite my tongue when my symptoms returned.

Woof.

I feel like I was more pukey when I was pregnant with Linna, but my boobs were sorer and I was more exhausted with Jimmy. So again, this pregnancy is different than my other two pregnancies. Maybe I'm having a puppy this time?!

When Jimmy goes down for his nap, I lay on the couch with Linna and close my eyes for 15 minutes. That's all I need, and Linna watches a show when I do this. I'm also overly emotional this week. I was listening to "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys in the car the other day and started tearing up, thinking about my oldest being a "strong young lady". I'm typically an emotionless human. I also got emotional thinking about telling our kids about this baby. Everything is making me sappy these days.

We decided to tell the kids about their new sibling this week. I put the 7-week ultrasound photo in a frame, wrapped it up, and wrote a message from #3 to Linna and Jimmy. Here's the video of how it all went down...



I'm pretty sure Linna thought the gift she was getting was a pool, and she was WAY more excited when we told her that she and Jimmy would be getting bunk beds next year after the baby is born. Jimmy was more interested in his toys. Go figure.

I had my 10-week ultrasound on Monday, and the baby is measuring 10 weeks and 4 days. His or her heart-rate is 175 beats/min. Linna got to come with us to see her new baby brother or sister. She said the baby looked like jello.

Linna has been really excited to tell people about her new sibling, followed up by the even MORE exciting bunk-bed news. I'm definitely showing, so I'm actually relieved to FINALLY let the cat out of the bag.

Here we go!

* Make sure to follow our InstaStories (@MelissaSaigh) for daily updates on this pregnancy, and the craziness that is our everyday lives.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Linna's final thoughts as a 5-year-old.

Every year (starting at age 2), I've recorded a video of our oldest right before she goes to sleep on the eve of her birthday (I'll do this with Jimmy too). I ask her questions about her current favorite things, and then ask her to give her "final words/thoughts as a __-year-old". She loves going back to watch these videos, and so do I.

Here are the videos starting from age 2, through age 5. Her little voice has changed so much!

Happy 6th birthday, Linna!

(Linna, age 5)

(Linna, age 4)

(Linna, age 3)

(Linna, age 2)

Monday, August 7, 2017

To my almost 6-year-old.

My how time flies. Tomorrow, our first-born will turn 6 years old! And this fall, our baby girl will be in first grade. She's the little love-bug that inspired this blog nearly 7 years ago, when we found out that she was growing inside my belly.

Miss Linna, you are a sensitive, creative, sassy little lady, that truly keeps us on our toes. This year has opened my eyes to the reality that you are 100% your mother's daughter. Your wit, sass, and argumentative personality will serve you well in life, but also drives your mama crazy. You are quite the little diva, but also have an incredibly loving soft-spot for your baby brother. I know how much he annoys you, but your love for him is truly heart-warming. Your baby brother is your biggest fan, and you are his first role-model, teacher, and best friend. I wish you could see how lost he is when you aren't around.

Your love for learning, curiosity, and desire to follow the rules, while still pushing the limits, will take you far in life. You're so kind to everyone you meet, and I hope you continue to spread that gift. The giggles and laughter that come out of you every day are infectious. Your jokes and stories are always surprising, and give life to our home and family. I love that you want to marry me and live in our house forever. I hope this never changes.

I think you're really going to find your place on the dance stage this year, as well as in the classroom. While you're losing a handful of your kindergarten classmates to different teachers this year, I have no doubt that you will make new friends, and keep the old. You'll all be back together sooner than you know. I am so inspired by your thirst for knowledge, and your interest in the Chinese culture and language. You're the "spice" that brings together our "Asian-American" family.

Look how much you've grown, kiddo!

We are so proud of the little lady you have become, and are anxious to watch you grow even more as a 6-year-old. But seriously, slow down. How are you 6?! I hope you always keep your innocence, your baby face, and your love for your family... Especially the love you have for me.

XO,

Mama