Week 9 – May 25, 2010
Your Body: At about this time, you may look more like a Victoria's Secret model than a pregnant woman. One of the perks, or downsides, depending on the letter bra you started with, is a new, more voluptuous chest. Get used to it. Chances are your boobs will grow even more—and that's even before your milk has come in! Your partner may be fired up about your new curvy shape, but along with an increase in size, you're probably experiencing breast soreness and tenderness. That means it's lookie but no touchie, partner. Your body is going through a multitude of changes. From morning sickness, to breakouts reminiscent of your teenage years, to overwhelming fatigue. The cause? Hormones! While morning sickness does grab all the attention, fatigue is the real first sign of pregnancy. Your body undergoes rapid changes to accommodate your growing baby-to-be. These changes take a toll on your energy level. You may experience exhaustion with your body—and your mind. Thinking about your new baby can bring happiness, but it may also add to your stress level. To maximize your relaxation time, find a strategy for dealing with your concerns. Some women find solace in breathing exercises, while others turn to friends or spouses for extra support. Also, if you've never kept a journal, do yourself a favor and start one today! Because despite the fact that your pregnancy is literally all you can think about right now, as soon as the delivery is over, you'll barely remember what it was like being pregnant (except maybe those weeks you spent with your head in the toilet). Plus, keeping a diary will help you appreciate all that amazing work your bod is doing. If you're going to spend nine months performing a miracle, you might as well document it.
Your Baby: Baby is beginning to move, but you won't be able to feel anything for some time. Baby is growing nipples and hair follicles (although there's still a chance you'll be giving birth to a baldy!) His pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and anus are all in place, ready to poop and pee a dozen times a day when he's born. Your baby's head is half the size of his body and his little chin is tucked into his chest. His tiny tail is beginning to shrink away, giving Junior a more human and less amphibious look. Your baby's arms and legs are now longer and straighter. His/her hands will be flexed at the wrist and will almost meet over the heart. Until now, all pre-babies look the same "down there." This week, however, your baby will begin to develop either male or female genitalia. In layman terms, your baby is beginning to develop her hoo-ha or his wee-wee. While you won't be able to find out the gender of your baby for several more weeks, the version you'll give birth to is being developed right now. Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs about 2 grams (less than 1 ounce).
"Allison, I'm home."
"Bedroom," she replied back. Within a minute Chase was in the room and by her side giving her a kiss.
"I am so sorry I'm late. That crane accident tonight had everyone working overtime tonight."
"Wow, looks like I missed all the action."
"Yeah you did," he told her as he left to change for bed.
"Do you want me to get you something to eat for dinner?"
"I had something before I left. But thanks for asking sweetie." Hearing no reply, he turned around and saw Cameron staring back at him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just…" she said drifting away from what she was going to say.
"What sweetie? What is it?" he asked as he made his way back to the bed.
"I'm just so tired," she said as he pulled her into his arms. "I'm tired of being sick all the time, not being able to eat what I want before it comes back up. I'm just so tired."
"I know you are. But it won't last forever," said Chase trying to soothe her.
"What won't last forever? Being tired and sick all the time, or being pregnant?"
"Being sick all the time. I know it's hard, but it means that everything is okay with you and the baby."
"I know," she commented in defeat. "But I'm so glad you're home. I missed you all day."
"I bet you did. I kept thinking about you as well," Chase said as he gently began kissing her. Deepening the kiss, he slowly pushed her onto her back with him above her. As his kisses began to move south, his arms came into sudden contact with Cameron's chest, causing her to gasp in pain and push him off of her. "Honey, I'm so sorry."
"No, it's not your fault. I should have told you I was feeling sore tonight," grimaced Cameron as she turned away from him. When Chase went to comfort her by gently rubbing her back, he noticed she was holding her stomach with one hand and her throat with the other.
"Are you feeling nauseous again?" Seeing her nod, the only thing he did was pull her into his arms so that she was sitting up some with her head leaning back against his shoulder and his arms gently wrapped around her front. As soon as she was in that position, he carefully began to rub small circles on her stomach. After a while he noticed that Cameron was feeling better and decided to get her something to soothe her stomach. "I'll be right back," he told her as he gently lifted her out of his arms and placed her back on the bed. He came back a minute later with a glass of milk and a cold compress. "Sip this slowly," he told her as he helped her drink it. After she was done, he laid the compress on her still warm forehead.
"Ugh, that was the worst it has been in a while. And this morning doesn't count by the way," she said as she began to feel a bit better.
"And the only case of non-morning sickness as of tonight," added Chase. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he took off the compress from her forehead.
"A bit better," she said as he wrapped the blankets around her. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong."
"Yes there is," she said as she slowly sat up in bed and took his hands in hers. "I know what happened. You have been feeling a bit neglected the last few weeks and decided that tonight would be a good opportunity to get a bit of action."
"It was such a stupid idea. I should never have done that. I hurt you and now I'm kicking myself over it."
"Robert, look at me," she told him. "You did nothing wrong. This pain that I'm feeling all the time will go away eventually and then we can go back to making love. But in the mean time, we're just going to have to take things slowly. Even if it means waiting a little bit longer."
"You're not mad about it?"
"No. I was just a bit surprised and actually enjoyed it. But it was so sudden that I had almost no time to react to it."
"Okay. I don't really mind waiting," he told her. "But I think I have just come up with a way to keep us happy until its okay for us to get some action."
"How?" she asked after Chase had settled in bed as well.
"Come here," he beckoned as he opened his arms out to her. Within a few seconds Cameron was laying next to him with her head on his shoulder and his arm wrapped around her shoulders. As soon as the lights were out and both had snuggled into one another's embraces for the night, they both knew that the other would always be there to support the other when they needed it the most.
A/N: I realize this chapter is short, but I can guarantee that within the next couple of chapters will be even better. Also, if you have the feeling that my writing is a bit "wooden", feel free to let me know so that I can make this story better.
