Thoughts of a soon-to-be mom
I’d like to believe that the rain brings good news to our life as husband and wife. It was raining during our wedding. It was also raining on the night when we found out I was pregnant.Joshua and I are finally expecting our firstborn. Oh what joy when I saw the two positive lines on the pregnancy kit! I had to wait for a few minutes first before I told my husband. The moment I saw the result in the bathroom, I cried and praised God for the greatest gift a married couple can have.
Saying the good news to my husband did not happen as I always planned it. I thought of showing him a pair of little shoes with a note saying “See you soon, Daddy”. Instead, I sent him an SMS with that message while I was pretending to be asleep. When he finally received it, he just went to my side, hugged, and kissed me and asked me if it’s true.
“TALAGA!!??”, he asked. I answered smiling, “Yes!” He was shouting the same way he did when I gave him my “Yes” when he was courting. He could not contain his joy. Tears fell down his cheeks as the cool summer night rain poured.
We prayed. We thanked God for the gift we’ve been waiting for, for months. We had been praying to have one since our first year anniversary. We wanted to spend our time together as husband and wife, to savor the days together before a little one is given to us.
Indeed, God honored our desire and gave us a precious little gift only a month after our first wedding anniversary. I could still remember my wedding article when “we are both looking forward to the time when God will bless us with one in His own perfect time”. And surely, He did.
I was openly telling my friends and even the young people at church that I wanted to have a baby this year. I prayed a lot…
To tell the truth, I was frustrated. I could not understand why the desire to become a mom suddenly grew stronger. I knew God would bless us with one but the question of when was left unanswered. The week before I went to Bangkok with my mom and friends to visit the Viscas, I took a pregnancy test to check. I got a negative result. But little did I know that God was already doing something inside my womb and it was just too early to tell. My sister Renee told my mom she thought I maybe pregnant because when she first saw me she noticed something different.
True enough, I was already pregnant last February but it was only on the last week of March that we found out. On one Sunday, as I spoke before the youth, I ran out of breath. Even my best friend Antonette noticed this. I also started feeling always exhausted and sleepy. During a lunch meeting, I unusually was repulsed towards the food. And like a true pregnant woman, I began to crave for green mangos.
And so I finally took the test later that rainy Wednesday night. Our prayers were finally answered. But then, I had to make sure. We went out again that night to buy a second pregnancy kit so I could check the next morning. We celebrated a little by buying some food at the nearby Wendy’s. Suddenly, I was very hungry!
The second test gave a positive result as well. I was a bit anxious but a Voice was telling me not to worry. We went to the doctor Friday before we went to HongKong and before we finally told our parents and other friends. We could not forget seeing their faces when we told them the news. I had casually told my parents the day before. Dad said “Ayos!” while my mom still wanted to make sure. The next day, we called them again and they were both joyful. Dad Tem was in Cagayan de Oro and was shouting with so much glee. Mom Emi could not believe when Josh told him “Magiging lola ka na”. She turned to me, hugged me, and happily congratulated me. Our siblings were very happy too. Sam and Dea were jumping while Enoch was all smiles. Ate Renz was very happy too when I called her.
It was weird but I always knew I’d be a mom when at 25. Last year, during Mother’s Day, I felt that I’d be joining the moms next year. And here I am now, writing about it. God is good!
I’m on my 12th week of pregnancy now. I’m proud to be getting big because I have a baby growing inside me (although I hope I won’t grow big like Sharon Cuneta). Morning sickness usually comes at night. I’d feel nauseous, dizzy, and hungry all the time. I have cravings that need to be satisfied no matter what. To date, I already vomited five times.
It has been six weeks since we found out we were pregnant. We proudly told friends and the church about it. How blessed I am to feel that the people you love are happy that I am pregnant. The first Sunday I went back to church, almost eveybody who knew congratulated me. They were happy and almost all started giving me and my husband pieces of advice. I felt the love of the church. The support they’re giving is something all pregnant women should have. I guess that’s the prize we get for waiting for God’s perfect timing. I realized that because we waited on God and we got pregnant within the bounds of marriage, God was honoring us as well by showering us with the love, respect, and prayers from our community. I just felt the joy deep within the hearts of the people we love and the people who love us.
It has been a trying time for me but I was blessed to have a very supportive husband. Even if he’s tired from a full day’s work, he would still gladly take care of me during my weakest hours. He’s been very patient and understanding of my situation and I can never thank God enough for that. I believe that pregnancy should be a shared experience between a husband and wife. What we have right now gives us more reason to love and care for each other.
This may not be an easy pregnancy. I do, however, realize though that I have a loving husband and a supportive family and community. How I wish other women could experience this – to get pregnant only within the bounds of marriage. My advice to the young women and wives, wait for God’s perfect timing. I can’t tell you when that is but you’ll just know in your heart if and when you seek God with all your heart.
To the young men, my advice is to be patient. Wait in purity because the Lord will honor the desires of your heart if you honor His will.
It’s good when you are not keeping secrets. And it feels so much better when you can tell the whole world you are expecting a child. With head held high, it’s good to know that you’ve pleased God and that the baby inside of you is given by God under the right circumstances, that is, within the bounds of marriage. I remember a pastor saying that “children must come only after marriage, made not before”.
Psalm 127:3 says “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him”. I believe that God has already given me and Josh with a beautiful reward: this baby inside my womb. We praise God for this gift! It has brought us and the family closer together. It may not be that easy with all the nausea, cravings, and the vomiting but I believe that everything will be worth it. Six months from now, I hope to be writing a different story when “motherhood finally becomes me”.
My husband Josh and I, together with our families and friends, can not wait to see the baby. I know it’ll be a tougher six months. You’ll see a heavier, bigger me. I have to endure all the ridicule, pimples, sleepless nights, cravings, and hours of labor but I know God will be with me, with US. I ask that you continue to pray for me, for Josh, and the baby. Pray that I’ll have a safe and healthy pregnancy. I know I will, because I have the support of my husband, family, friends, the church, and of course, our gracious God.