THREE THINGS I MISS DOING DURING THE FIRST HALF OF OUR PREGNANCY

Time flies so fast. We’re half way through with our pregnancy and baby is now 21 weeks and 2 days old. Fave (will create a blog entry for this nickname) is healthy and doing good in mommy’s tummy.   

Looking back, it is just amazing how God prepared both of us in such a time like this. If you have read our About Us page, you probably know that we got married in January 2019. New house, new work, new life for both of us – everything is new.  Similar to many newly married couples, we are a bit overwhelmed with the many things happening, adjustments that should be done, priorities needed to weigh, and dreams we want to fulfill. Nevertheless, from the smallest of plans to the grandest of dreams, we feel that it is such an exciting season for us!  As Proverbs 19:21 says, many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. This is our declaration in our journey together, that we will just follow Him and let Him be the center of our marriage.  

As Proverbs 19:21 says, many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

My wife and I decided to focus our first year of marriage solely as a couple. Build each one up, support each other, and, of course, enjoy the perks of being a married couple. We discovered that we’re pregnant with Fave by the end of 2019, the best Christmas and New Year’s gift from God! When Fave came, it is a complete turnaround. Priorities were adjusted; our actions and decisions should always be in favor of Fave. It gives us opportunity to see life in a different lens, and God is continually building us as we start our own family. 

To cut this long introduction short (because I don’t know where it is going :D), here are the things I miss doing during the 1st half of our pregnancy. 

1. Travelling 

My wife, Rheyn, had minor spotting during the first weeks of her pregnancy. This set the tone for everything that we are doing. We need to be careful and protect Fave in any way possible. I miss travelling but no regrets. As a married couple, we travelled together to Bali, a dream destination to many. We also had our local travels in Coron, Palawan and Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol. Prior to our wedding, we also explored Kalinga and Apayao, together with our friends. I miss travelling, but I will not trade this season for anything else. Those scenic places can wait until we can bring Fave with us.  

2. Cooking Passionately  

Yes, I do a lot of works in the kitchen. I can actually sleep there. I won my wife’s heart through cooking great and delicious foods, but it is a different story when Fave came. Hormones keep on attacking my kitchen! My very place of comfort and love language cannot work in the same way as before. My wife does not like the smell of sautéed foods. Actually, all foods that are cooked in our kitchen. It breaks my heart, but that’s how it works. Pregnant women’s preferences for food really change a lot!

One time I opened a container of cooked shrimps for breakfast. We brought if from Batangas; her mom prepared it for us. Know what happened? She rushed to the toilet when I was opening it, and she did not eat a proper meal that morning, just bread and banana. The funny thing is she used to love shrimps! We both love seafood! So that’s only one story. Well, I learned to accept it later and move on. During the first trimester (and until the fourth month), we ordered food or bought them before going home so that she would not smell anything from my cooking. She is now on her 2nd trimester, and I can cook a bit already. 

3. The Gift of Marriage

Sexual relationship is important in marriage. It is a form of physical intimacy, a blessing of union that deepens the bond between two persons. When we became pregnant, the doctor advised us not to have contact for the meantime. Fave is quite sensitive so we sacrifice the gift for now. I thank the Lord that after our marriage, we got all year round to enjoy it. 🙂 

I think the gist here is to seize your season. Single or married, working or still studying, cliché as it may be, but really, life is short. The current pandemic made us realize that we should really make the most of every time and opportunity that we have. No need to rush things. No worries, no regrets, just pure love for yourself, family and the whole world. I may be missing these three things during this pregnancy, but I am enjoying what we are going through right now. See, there is beauty in every season. We just need to appreciate it. Until next time!