Expectation
So I've been thinking a lot about expectation and babies this advent season. Less about incarnate deity and more about that we in the Clawson household are expecting baby number two due this next July. So it has very much been a season of longing and hope of the more immediate kind for us.
My official due date is July 4th (and yes I am fully aware of the irony there). I know its not considered kosher to announce stuff like this before the end of the first trimester (I'm a few weeks short), but we mentioned it in our Christmas letter so I thought I might as well tell the whole world. And I desperately wanted a public forum to complain in. Sorry.
The last seven weeks or so of this haven't been all joy and longing, more accurately they have been constant round-the-clock severe "morning sickness" (or Hyperemesis Gravidarum to use the official name). Basically I have been constantly sick since the start of November. Even on medications I can barely eat, I can hardly drink, I've lost over 10% of my body weight, been hospitalized for dehydration, and am so weak and nauseated that I have to spend almost all my time reclined on the couch. Needless to say, life around here has been a tad bit stressful. But the point is to do whatever I can to control the sickness so it doesn't develop into the same complications as it did in my first pregnancy – pre-term labor, 3.5 months on strict bedrest, and a 6 weeks premature baby. We gambled on the chance of there being no complications this time around and so far aren't doing so well.
But we, and Emma, are nevertheless very excited. Emma insists that it will be a "girl baby," but we shall see. Names are still very much up in the air, but we do have our list of possibilities. And following that last post on naming trends those possibilities include both the trendy and the unique – and yes there is another LOTR name in the mix as well as a couple of names of Pagan deities to round it off nicely.
So Advent 2007 has been about joy, hope, and expectation, but with hefty doses of misery, worry, and fear. There is still a long road ahead and I pray that no further complications develop (I really really don't want to do the bedrest thing again). We would appreciate your prayers as well. But above all, it is a time of celebration that I wanted to share with friends here.
(and I so promise not to turn this into a pregnancy blog 
)
julieclawson(at)gmail(dot)com 
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the news. What an exciting time for you. I will pray for relief from morning sickness.
Congratulations! You blog well to be sick as a dog! I can empathize. I'll sure be praying for you all- especially that this time around will be easier o you and the baby. Did the morning sickness ever end in your first pregnancy?
Well, well, I wondered about that names post. Huge hug and congrats for you guys. I will pray for your health and comfort.
I had to do bed rest with both boys (12 weeks and 18 weeks, respectively), and I tell you it's a lot different with a 3 year old than without…focusing more on the "rest" than the "bed"…but I coped pretty well with the help of some good people in my life. So I'll pray for that for you, too.
Congrats, indeed. We, ourselves, are expecting number four in June.
It does add to the Advent flavor, doesn't it?
Congratulations!! So excited for you! I don't know what it is about July 4th–my sister-in-law and good friend at church are due that same day too! I was pretty sick throughout my whole pregnancy with Derek and got tired of people giving advice…so I won't give you any advice.
Just hang in there and we'll be praying for you.
Julie,
Congratulations! I will pray for strength and health for you and the baby and for relief from the morning sickness so that you can more fully enjoy this time of expectation.
Awesome news!! Many congratulations to all of you!
You're surprisingly upbeat considering the circumstances! I guess you know from past experience that it's all worth it in the end. Nonetheless, I admire your spirit. God bless you!
Thanks all.
Julie! Congratulations to you all!!!
Congratulations Julie. I'll be praying for the morning sickness.
Congratulations! May the season awaiting the advent of baby be full of not only hope, joy, and love but also peace, in every sense.
Congratulations Julie!
Congratulation! My wife's due with our 2nd end of May, and just got over her morning sickness (why don't they call it 24-hour sickness?) a few weeks ago. Despite your assurances, I wouldn't mind more pregnancy posts from you.
Congratulations, Julie! I will pray with you for health. I know it can be especially hard when you have another little one that needs your time and attention.
congrats!!