27 Weeks and I feel…

HOW FAR ALONG –  27 weeks

////

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    I think this week I packed on a couple more lbs due to the baby shower and family in town…I’m guessing 18 lbs total at this juncture.

////

MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Maternity shorts. Regular stretchy clothes in medium instead of small.

////

STRETCH MARKS?-   Ok..this is sad for me to post. I found some tiny white ones on my boobies. I almost cried. Ohhh but they are tiny indeed. I’m holding out hope that no more shall surface!

////

SLEEP?-  Bad this last week. I can’t get comfy because of my heavier belly. I got a new leg pillow. I also just purchased a belly wedge to lift the belly. It’s only going to get worse.

////

BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    The family baby shower! It was SO wonderful seeing my in-laws and Darren’s bro & wifey. I missed them so much. We had such a great weekend filled with LOTS of yummy food and conversation! Darren and I also went to the flea market the weekend before and got anew kitchen table…later we found a chest of drawers for Elsie’s changing station. What fun shopping!

 ////

MISS ANYTHING?-     Sleeping normally. I won’t lie…I am starting to really miss caffeine! I had no idea how much I depended on a random cup-a-joe. Also, Super sweaty workouts. Regular clothes. My golden tan ( being able to tan my back side) I can’t lay on my tummy while preggo. I really need to float in a pool!

////

MOVEMENT?-  The day AFTER my inlaws left she started a new dance routine in my belly. I think it’s some salsa dancing. I feel some brazilian influences in her moves. She is CRAZY!  Before she was just kicking after meals and late at night at the bottom of my belly…but she changed position finally. Now she is kicking higher up and punching lower. Darren and I sat around the other day watching how crazy it looks (YES! You can finally seeee her moving!) It’s so crazy and awesome! It scares me for a second with every random huge maneuver.

////

FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Sweets this last week or so…

////

FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

////

GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

////

SYMPTOMS-    Heaviness in lower belly since she changed positions. My OB suggested I stay on my feet no more than 5 hours at work. Ughhhh. This is so hard to do! I’m tired way earlier now. I have random cramps from ligaments stretching. I also have a bruised feeling on my belly which I found out is from where she kicks the most. Let’s see….Oh…the trouble sleeping. Peeing a lot more again since she is bearing down a bit more on my bladder. Oh joy….

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

////

LOOKING FORWARD TO-  moving OUT OF THIS TINY HOUSE! Our vacation to Siesta Key in just two weeks!!!!!

Extra tidbits of the daily happenings….

Today I went in for my monthly visit to the OB. This was no typical visit. I have been fretting over it for about a month. It was the visit where they screened me for gestational diabetes. I only felt a little anxious because…1.) I hate hate hate getting blood drawn. And I had to get it drawn TWICE today. I nearly pass out every single time.  2.) I have a few people I know that found out they have gestational diabetes even though they are totally fit and active.  3.) Both my parents have diabetes which ups my chance of getting the gestational variety.

So there’s that.

Now I wait until Tuesday  (or they say maybe if I’m lucky tomorrow) to find out if I qualify for 3 months of constant blood drawings and dietary changes. This sounds nightmarish to me. I really hope I passed with flying colors. I’ll keep y’all updated. I will say the doctor said that based on all previous blood work she safely assumes I’m in the clear. I told her “well, I have been eating unusual amounts of sugar this pregnancy, so I wouldn’t be so sure”. She laughed and explained that while that isn’t really healthy, that it doesn’t have anything to do with the results of the test. Apparently, it’s all about how your body breaks doooown the sugar that you doooo eat. Some women just can’t do this properly while preggo, and with some there are no issues. That was a bit relieving. So for all those soon to be mamas out there…if you ate a lot of sugar, just know it won’t affect the test results (unless you already were pre-disposed to having it).

But, don’t run out and rob a candy store or anything. This is not a free hall pass to junk out. It’s just useful info.

Anywaaaay, other than that the visit today was splendid. Elsie’s heartbeat was strong and loud! I love hearing it so much!! I’m also measuring out completely normal for where I’m at in my pregnancy. She told me my weight was completely on track, and that I should plan on gaining about 15 lbs more. That’s 30 lbs total. Which is right on target. The way my appetite is…this should be no problem.  I would have loved to stay around 25 lbs, but there is no way that is happening. I’m just happy to be alive and carrying this little cutie pie so well!!!

Until next time…

xo

23 weeks and I feel…

HOW FAR ALONG –  23 weeks and some odd days 🙂

////

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    At last OB appt it was a grand total of 11 lbs…I’m going to guess probably 12, 13, or so at this point?

////

MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Maternity shorts and one maternity dress. Other than that this week it’s been stretchy old clothes I already had! I did buy a few dresses that have a lot of give, but luckily they weren’t maternity so I can wear them after baby, too!

////

STRETCH MARKS?-   NO. Thank goodness. Let’s stay positive!

////

SLEEP?-  Pee breaks and baby jabs. This week was a little more disrupted than last. Sigh…it will only get more interesting.

////

BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    Darren felt a teeeensy bit of Elsie moving! He said it felt like a little heart beat pulse! I can’t wait until he can feel a huge karate kick from her. Although…that means I’ll be feeling it allllll the time. Also, got some cool registry gifts this week!

 ////

MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. THE SUNSHINE!!! Regular clothes. My golden tan. <—-Still all of that.

////

MOVEMENT?-  Yep! stronger!

////

FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Gone.

////

FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

////

GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

////

SYMPTOMS-    Happiness! Lots of energy this week. Breakouts come and go. I’m getting used to it. Tired early. More pee breaks this week. Gotta practice my kegal exercises more!

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

////

LOOKING FORWARD TO-  moving OUT OF THIS TINY HOUSE! And baby showers!

22 Weeks and I feel…

HOW FAR ALONG –  22 weeks! Time is flyin’!

////

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    I thought 8 lbs…maybe 10 lbs…..but it was 11 lbs. I am a healthy lady!  Growin’ like a wildflower!!!  😉

////

MATERNITY CLOTHES?-     Absolutely this week. In fact, I have to go find just a couple more shirts/dresses today on my day off. The things I thought that would fit have surprised me by not being so comfy. SHOCKING. 😉

////

STRETCH MARKS?-    Nope. I am bathing in creams even though I KNOW that stretch marks are genetic (from what every woman tells me). I can’t help it. It’s an extra reason to rub my belly, and it eases the itchies from stretching. I’ve been hearing that they sneak attack the belly the last few weeks. Joyous news, for sure.

////

SLEEP?-  A couple insomnia nights this week, but no pee breaks! So, in general, a great sleep week! No crazy dreams, either.

////

BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    Feeling Elsie even MORE! She is getting so strong. Also, buying some cool decor for her nursery. It’s going to be so fun getting in there to decorate. We don’t move until late July now, so it’s frustrating having to wait. I’m dealing with this crazy time frame quite nicely, though.

 ////

MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. THE SUNSHINE!!! Regular clothes. My golden tan. <—-Still all of that.

////

MOVEMENT?-  Yep! A lot more!

////

FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Gone.

////

FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

////

GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

////

SYMPTOMS-    Still beaming with happiness on a daily basis. I feel like not much can get me down. DON’T try to test this, please. 😉 I am definitely tired earlier than ever. I huff and puff walking small distances. I am still working out (walking/lunges) every other day. However, I still become breathless at the slightest activity. My breakouts are slowly going away again. I hope they never come back. Other than that…nothing bad!

 ////

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

////

LOOKING FORWARD TO-  Starting our birthing classes May 14th. I know Darren is soooo excited about it, too. Hahahaha. Yea, right.

Belly at 17 weeks!!!

 I took this late last week…and I’ll be honest..I’m even bigger now! Can’t wait to keep posting from week to week. It’s all changing so fast. At least to me! I have a feeling I’m going to surprise everyone and have the biggest belly of all time. That’d be fun(ny). I’m still proud that I somewhat have the top part of my abs. hahaha!

photo-40

photo-43

THIS last photo is from Easter Sunday. I think it’s even bigger than when I took those first 2 photos days before! Growing sooo fast!!!

579829_10152689903790313_375611232_n

15 weeks and I feel….

HOW FAR ALONG –  15 WEEKS and some odd days

////

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    HAVEN’T WEIGHED MYSELF SINCE LAST OB APPOINTMENT. I am thinking I’ve gained probably 5 lbs total at this juncture. Again, could be way more, could be less. (I doubt the less part)

////

MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Not yet! I’m growing to HATE wearing my skinny jeans. They fit everywhere except my belly which isn’t a huge deal except I hate the belly bands. They work but they are a nuisance for me. I have been doing the loop trick on the button with a hair tie, but ehhh…I’m doing mostly stretch pants and dresses anyways! Spring is here after all!

////

STRETCH MARKS?-    NO NO NO! Still uber POSITIVE!! CREAMS GALORE! MUSTELA AND BIO OIL LADIES! Massively applying the creams to my upper thighs and hips and tummy!

////

SLEEP?-  My sleeping is just poopy. I sleep great only if I take Tylenol PM…which I’ve kind of had to do a few times this week due to some crazy pregnancy headaches. Don’t worry, they’re normal! Otherwise, I wake up after every dream for about 20 minutes! UGH! This isn’t fun considering I’m dreaming waaaay more.

////

BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    My handsome huzzy coming home from Austin for SXSW! He had such a fun time and I’m real glad he went. But man did I miss him!!!!!

 ////

MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. THE SUNSHINE!!! Regular clothes. My golden tan.

////

MOVEMENT?-  NOT THIS WEEK! Although, next week I’m supposed to start reaaaaallly feelin’ it!

////

FOOD CRAVINGS?-  PRETTY MUCH GONE!<—-still!

////

FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone!

////

GENDER-   ALL THIS EXTRA HAIR GROWTH? I MEAN…THIS HAS GOTTA BE A BOY!!! <—– STILL feelin’ it.

////

SYMPTOMS-    PURE HAPPINESS! I’m so giddy allllll of the time! I mean, super excited and anxious.  A few uterus cramps on and off from the growth. Apparently week 15-20 is a doozy. I’m gonna feel some crampin’ due to maaajor growing! Headaches like crazy. Good energy levels!

////

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

////

LOOKING FORWARD TO-  FINDING OUT BABY POTUCKS SEX TOMORROW GUYS! TOMORROWWWWW!!!!!!!

Staying in shape while growing a human..

Is this even possible?

I laugh at myself after what I now consider a “workout”.  But you know what? I do it. I have to remember that healthy momma equals healthy baby. Also, I want it to be easy for me to bounce back into pre-preggo shape faster than a microwave minute.

So what am I up to these days in the fitness department? Well, I’m not going to lie, I can be doing so much more (came to this conclusion after googling images/blogs of super mommies on the internet…don’t do this to yourselves).

Here were my health stats PRIOR to finding out that I was going to be a vessel for human life:

Weight– 120lbs at 5′ 4″. I am always teetering between 115lbs and 120lbs…I was on the “heavier” end (haha) because I got pregnant during food season a.k.a. Holiday Season!

Workout routine: I had a membership to my local YMCA which is now been terminated due to baby budgeting. I was at the gym seriously 5 days a week. I always made time for at least a quick 30 minute workout. I was an elliptical machine freak. If anyone decided to ellipticize near me, well, let’s just say  that I made a competition out of it. Pathetic, I know. I loved seeing people look at me like I was crazy (or about to fall off from going too fast).  2-3 times a week I did medium weights and leg workouts. Basically, I was what doctors considered pretty darn fit.

Diet:

I am a health freak, but not vegan/vegetarian/anything that requires LOTS of attention haa 🙂 Sorry Veggie friends. It just seems like A LOT of slicing and dicing.  My daily diet consisted of salads and lean meats and fishes galore! I live right near a Whole Foods, which has the biggest and best salad bar in the world!  I always made a huuuge salad that last me throughout the day until dinner. I always included lean meats/fish on it. I never use salad dressing. I’m weird and love the taste of greens. Sometimes I’d splash a bit of white balsamic if I felt “crazy”. I love fruit and eggs and normally for breakfast would have a variation of that with some Ezekial flourless bread as toast. My dinner was sometimes another big salad or some kind of protein/veggie mix. I was undoubtedly a health nut. I still loved my desserts, though. I always had to have SOMETHING sweet. Mostly dark chocolate or black licorice..mmmm!!! But, that was my diet, y’all. NOT anymore haha.

So there’s that.

Oh- P.S.  Darren and I were super social bugs. We drank out 2-3 nights a week. Not anymoooore! 😦 Well, no cocktails and wine when we are out!

**I’ll post a couple before baby photos for y’all to see where I was comin’ from, and where I plan to get back to after baby and before summer 2014**

OK….So that was BEFORE and this is now! :

Weight: 122 lbs as of last OB appt. Gained 2 lbs first trimester! I’m certain as I type this that I’ve gained another couple lbs. I would put money on it. I’m supposed to gain 25-30 lbs over the course of the pregnancy. I should be catching up this trimester! I FEEEEEL like I’ve gained 10 lbs however. It doesn’t feel pretty y’all.

Workout Routine:  Hahaha. Routine. What a funny word that escapes me. At least it did the first trimester. I have been gaining my energy back the last 2 weeks, and now my friends, I am feeling like I might be starting a “routine” this month. The first trimester all I did was like three 30 minutes walks/week. Without my Y membership, I kinda lost my mojo. I did weights..never. I lost that. I was fearful of hurting myself. I wish I didn’t worry so much that first tri. I would have jogged instead of walked! New mammas are so uninformed. I thought slight jogging could hurt my baby. Well, this last week I started very light jogging again. Still, mostly a walk/jog situation. I do this 5 times a week now, and about 45 minutes each time. I now lift weights 3 times a week…lightly. I do less weight. 8 lbs instead of 15lb weights. Smaller sets, too. AND GIRLS!!….I’ve been lunging like a crazy fool. Leg lunges and lifts all day everyday. haha. I am trying to keep my appendages in shape since I can’t control the middle section. OH, and kegals. Tee hee hee.

 Diet: Compared to what I ate like before I found out I was preggo, I feel like I’ve just lost control. Again, the first trimester is tricky. You have to give into your crazy cravings or else you will just…want to die. I don’t know how else to put it. Darren always made sure I was taken care of. Poor guy. I ate lots of eggs and fruit for breakfast, and then throughout the day I would derail into an abyss of junk, sugar, starch, and transfat. Which is why I am surprised I only gained 2 lbs. Those little walks must have helped some. Well, let me put this out there : I never ever ever ever eat fast food. I have on road trips and that is it. So that helps me out. I did drink a fair amount of water,too!

The second trimester I’m gaining some clarity and losing the cravings. My aversion to salads has gone away. I am back to salad heaven, but I’m still managing my slight cravings for sweets. Diabetes runs in my fam, so I’m extra mindful. My diet consists of any of these …eggs/fruit/nuts/greek yogurt/granola for breakfast. Salads and veggies with avocado dip for lunch.  Almonds/pistachios/pretzels for snacks. Water. LOTS OF IT. Dinner has been on and off healthy. Some nights we get lazy and order something..anything. But, we have been at home cooking a whole lot more. So, lots of lean protein/quinoa/some fish/veggies for dinner. We’ve been mixing it up. Like I said,  3 nights out of 7 we are NOT caring about healthy and we have just whatever we want.  Desserts…..slowly cutting them out (minus figs and dark cocoa and frozen yogurt)!

I hope that this helps preggo babes like me feel like there is a light at the end of the first trimester tunnel. I also am adding another post after this of my fave brands of food that I’ve been munching on. Just remember..you’re normal. Everything you’re doing is *hopefully* normal 😉

Remember- only 300 extra calories/day is all baby needs! That’s like..a banana and a yogurt! Perspective..ahhhh! Keep a food journal if you must.

And stay active somehow. Those little walks can help tons!

xo

Here’s me the summer before baby!photo-36 photo-35