Sunday, April 24, 2022- 15 weeks
"I'm going to take a bath before bed," I say, closing my laptop and putting it in my bag for work tomorrow. I make my way to the master bedroom, undress, and place my clothes in the hamper next to my dresser. Entering the bathroom, I turn on the tub, and check the temperature. Waiting for the tub to fill, I turn in front of the mirror, marveling at the still small bump, and realize it's more noticeable with each passing day. I glance at the bathtub and see it's still only half full. I quickly collect a nightgown and my phone from the nightstand; the tub is finally full.
I step in and settle back, selecting a playlist before closing my eyes. I trace patterns over my stomach in the warm water. I can't help but wonder what this little one will be like. A little over five months until they're here, about a month until we learn if they're a boy or a girl. Sheldon and I have been discussing whether we want to know beforehand or be surprised when they're born. I would love to have a little girl to read Little House on the Prairie to, braid her hair, and bake cookies with. On the other hand, I'd love to have a boy, someone Sheldon can share his trains and comic books with.
Before I know it, the water has grown cool and it's time to get out. I carefully step over the side of the time and dry myself, slipping my nightgown over my head. I open the bathroom door to find Sheldon already in bed, waiting up for me on my side of the bed. "Why aren't you on your side?"
"We need to switch sides of the bed," he states, matter-of-factly, sitting upright.
"What? Why?" I take out my earrings and place them on my dresser, watching Sheldon in the mirror over it.
He pats his hand on the left side of the bed, inviting me to join him. "I read you should be sleeping on your left side. Lying on your right side could compress blood flow to the baby. Studies have shown sleeping on your back and right side has a higher risk of stillbirth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and high blood pressure."
I should have known he'd been reading something with how quiet he'd been since dinner. This happens about once a week. I've usually already looked into whatever he shares with me, but I listen to his concerns and explain it's not as bad as he's making it out to be. I sit near the foot of the bed, tucking my leg under me. "I already sleep on my left side the majority of the time. Why do we need to switch sides?"
"You face the center of the bed when you lie on your left side."
"Yeah?" Sometimes his statement of the obvious draws conversations out longer than they need to be.
Sheldon shifts, bumping his foot against my knee. "It's harder for me to hold you when you're facing me."
"You hardly ever hold me in bed." Sheldon's initiated cuddling twice since we moved into this house. "I'm usually the big spoon. Our current sleeping arrangement will allow me to continue doing that."
"But," he starts, I can tell he wants to protest, but quickly closes his mouth.
I rest my hand on his ankle. "If there's ever a time you want to cuddle like that, let me know and we can switch sides." Hesitating, I'm not sure how he's going to react to what I'm about to ask, "But for tonight, can you please go back to your side?"
He quickly slides over, pulling the quilt back for me to climb under. We exchange our nightly kiss before settling in for the evening. I roll onto my left side and inch closer to Sheldon. It's only a matter of time before our child makes this more difficult, but I rest my chin on his shoulder and drape my arm over my husband.
Monday, April 25, 2022- 15 weeks
I finish brushing my teeth and drop my toothbrush into the shared toothbrush holder that caused problems when Sheldon and I first started living together. I quickly wash my face, and open the door leading to the bedroom, only to find Sheldon on the left side of the bed. "Sheldon, is there a reason you're on my side of the bed?" I smirk, suspecting what he's wordlessly asking.
"We discussed this last night. I've heard about pregnancy brain," he makes air quotes as he speaks, "but I didn't think that's a problem for most women until later in their pregnancy. Is this pregnancy already beginning to affect your memory? I know you don't have the eidetic memory that I have, but I thought your intellect would keep this from affecting you."
Now that's something I'd be interested in looking into: does an expectant mother's IQ have any correlation with the effects of pregnancy on memory? "I know, Sheldon. I was being facetious."
"Unless you don't want to. I can move over," he's already starting to shift in the bed.
I rush to the opposite side of the bed, slipping under the covers of the side of the bed I've rarely slept on since living with Sheldon. "Don't you dare."
I move until I find a comfortable position. I unconsciously hold my breath as I feel Sheldon adjust behind me. His body is pressed against my back. He brushes my hair back; I lift my head to adjust so it won't be in his face all night. Sheldon slips his arm around me, his hand finding mine underneath the quilt. I move our joined hands to rest on my stomach. I close my eyes when I feel Sheldon press a gentle kiss to that spot under my right ear that he knows drives me crazy. "I love you, Amy." This is crazy, the man who, on the day we met, I told all physical contact was off the table is holding me in bed. I fall asleep thinking of the past twelve years I've shared with Sheldon.