12 Weeks Hugging the Toilet

From 9.22.08 through somewhere around 12.5.08, Luke spent the majority of his time following me around with a garbage can, changing out the garbage bag, taking steps to eliminate odors that triggered more nausea, or holding my hair back. I typically was most sick in the early mornings and the late evenings, which was nice not to be sick all day at work. It's crazy that one day I just wasn't sick, and it gradually got better.

Luke also spent a lot of time with one hand in whatever snack I had on the way home from work each day (usually Honey Nut Cheerios or Honeycomb). I discovered that the smell of hamburger meat cooking usually took away my appetite. There was one night that Luke grilled bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, baked sweet potatoes, rolls, the works. I didn't touch the meat, ate up most of my sweet potato. Luke hauled it away about 30 minutes later in the trash can.

There were several moments when I thought I'd never last if the sickness kept up much longer, and I decided that women absolutely must forget what that feels like or there would never be the second child. I know it will be worth it, and I know I'd do it all again in one instant.