Rob and I are excited to finally let you in on a growing little secret: Dessa is going to be a big sister! The baby is due October 7 and we are completely overjoyed.
It has been incredibly difficult to keep the news a secret from our friends, family, and all of you and we are so relieved to finally open up and share this new chapter of our lives. We told Dessa about the baby a little over a week ago. I don't think she understands anything that's happening, but she knows that there's a baby in Mommy's tummy and she often pats my belly or tries to give the baby kisses.
Dessa has been such a great little helper around the house, especially during the worst moments of nausea when all I could do was curl up on the sofa and watch her play. She has also been incredibly sweet and nurturing to her baby doll; I am certain that Dessa will be a wonderful big sister when Baby Gavin arrives this fall.
As for me, things are looking up. I already have quite the baby bump, and I'm happy that the nausea and exhaustion are beginning to subside. I've been eating a steady diet of carbs and cheese for the past 6 weeks and my palette is finally beginning to include vegetables once again. I'm also happy that sunshine and warm weather have begun to make regular appearances so Dessa and I can resume our daily walks and get a little exercise.
Rob, meanwhile, has really basically transformed into some sort of superhero husband these past few months. My nausea always seemed to peak in the late afternoon, just in time for Rob to arrive home from work. The poor guy usually didn't even have a few minutes to kick up his feet before springing back into action. Rob has been cooking most of our dinners, handling the nightly cleanup, and taking on most of Dessa's bedtime routine. Our daughter has always been a Mommy's girl, but it has been sweet to watch her bond with Rob in new ways while I laid on the couch and tried not to toss my cookies. This season has been a good transition for Dessa because she will need to rely on Rob even more once the baby arrives.
We aren't planning to learn the baby's sex ahead of time and are looking forward to a fun surprise when we finally meet the newest member of our family. As an expectant mom over the age of 35, I pray every day for a healthy, full-term baby and we welcome any prayers you have to spare as well. We have so much more to share with you in the coming weeks as we prepare our hearts and home for a new addition.
Thank you so much for Erika Christine for capturing such beautiful images with our sweet, silly, and headstrong little girl. Life is about to get a lot more interesting for the Gavin family and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Gail says
April 8, 2019 at 4:21 pmCongratulations! I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 4:24 pmThank you so much for the congratulations and the prayers – we greatly appreciate them both!
Anna says
April 8, 2019 at 4:47 pmMany congrats on this new blessing. Praying for a healthy little one!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 4:23 pmThank you so much, Anna.
Kristin says
April 8, 2019 at 7:32 pmCongratulations! I suspected this was the case :)
I’m impressed that you are so open about the realities of your situations. Wishing you all the best and hope you feel more “normal” in the next trimester!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 4:23 pmHi Kristin, thank you so much for the congratulations and the sweet comment. Thankfully, I am already feeling FAR better and I’m looking forward to the next several weeks.
Courtney Weikert says
April 8, 2019 at 8:48 pmCongratulations!
Diana Walters says
April 8, 2019 at 9:49 pmAwesome news!! Congrats on your transition to a family of four :)
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 4:22 pmThank you so much, Diana! We are very excited!
Kate Gosling says
April 8, 2019 at 11:24 pmCongratulations! Prayers for you and growing baby Gavin. Looking forward to enjoying lots of sweet photos of all 4 this fall!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 4:21 pmThank you so much for the prayers and the congratulations!
Beth Laughlin says
April 9, 2019 at 1:38 amWhat happy news!!! I enjoy your blog so much, and one of the last ones I read, I thought….. there is going to be a new baby!! No, it had nothing to do with a “bump”, Maria….. it was just a feeling!! :) I am so happy for you all and wish you all the very best!! October is a wonderful month…. :)
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:16 pmOh my goodness, Beth, that is crazy. I can’t believe that you just KNEW! We are very excited (especially now that I am starting to feel a lot better) and can’t wait for what’s to come <3
Tirzah Bourque says
April 9, 2019 at 7:33 amCongratulations!! What an exciting time. I will be praying for a smooth and healthy pregnancy!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:14 pmHi Tirzah and thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your prayers.
Dawn says
April 9, 2019 at 9:05 amCONGRATULATIONS!!! And yes, no matter the gender, we wish you and Rob and Dessa a healthy and happy baby! Take care of yourself!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:10 pmHi Dawn and thank you so much! We are over the moon excited for what’s to come and I’m trying my best to take it easy this pregnancy :)
Emily says
April 9, 2019 at 10:06 amOh, how exciting! Praying for you guys!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:09 pmThank you so much, Emily!
Andrea says
April 9, 2019 at 12:02 pmCongratulations on your growing family!
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:08 pmThank you so much, Andrea!
StephTheBookworm says
April 9, 2019 at 12:51 pmCongrats! I just had my second in September. I LOVED having a fall baby (my first was in the winter).
Maria Gavin says
April 11, 2019 at 1:08 pmA winter baby would be so hard! I’m glad to hear that you loved having a fall baby. Dessa was born in July and I felt like that was the PERFECT time because we could go outside and I didn’t worry about it being too cold. I hope I love having a fall baby too!
Haley says
April 13, 2019 at 10:31 amCongratulations!! It has been so fun watching your family grow and hearing all of your sweet stories. My first pregnancy was in-sync with yours with our son being born in September 2017, and now we have a second on the way due October 12th! I completely relate, it is a new level exhaustion getting through the first trimester! So excited for your journey and wish you all the best!
Maria Gavin says
April 15, 2019 at 5:04 pmOh my goodness, that is SO fun! Congratulations to you as well! I hope you’re feeling well and that you continue to get a little more energy each day.