2022 is off to a great start with me finishing the first trimester of our second pregnancy. Haruki will have a baby sister end of May this year! I think this is God & Buddha’s plan after all, and that although a little late, we are still very close to complete our family of four. Having 2 under 2 is a bit overwhelming just to think about, and a lot to process sometimes, but we’re truly enjoying these life-changing moments. COVID hasn’t completely ended so unfortunately Jon hasn’t been able to see the little peanut on the ultrasound screen or hear her heart beating yet. Hopefully soon!

I pray everyday that this baby girl will grow strongly and be born into this beautiful world when she’s ready too. When I first had a positive pregnancy test, I was spotting, just like in the past. My thought (so was my mom’s) was that this wouldn’t work, that it would be like previous time when we conceived naturally but it ended up being a chemical pregnancy. My OB couldn’t have a better answer for me, rather than the cause of spotting is undetermined, that it can be the body’s trying to adapt, or to reject the embryo. I could do nothing to help this little soul beside resting and keeping a positive mind. So I did, as best as I could. And she made it, as healthy as she could. The spotting kept going until week 9 and then stopped, just like that. I will be forever grateful.

Another true hope is that this time I will have my mom here with me when baby girl is born. Having Jon’s parents during Haruki’s first month was absolutely amazing and my heart warmed witnessing the love they have for this little human who’s just arrived. But I made me miss my mom 1000 times mores, and longing to have her here to help me through the days and nights, and to enjoy her homemade meals. Nothing fancy, just a regular meal like countless meals mom has put on our table in the past 30 years.

Another downside is that we won’t be able to take Haruki back to Vietnam for this Tet holiday, for the safety of everyone. But, Minh is getting married this year so it will be so busy and exciting at home with all the preps! I so wish I could be there to see my little brother getting married to his high school sweetheart.