Week 19

Week 19

This is what a 19 week pregnant lady looks like after standing on a concrete floor for 3.5 days...I don't even want to look up how many hours I had worked in the 6 days prior to this photo.  I was so tired I couldn't even stand up straight for the picture.

How far Along? 19 weeks
Maternity Clothes?  Yup...I've got enough basics to get me through a typical work week now.  A new thing I'm struggling with?  Pajamas.  Usually in the cold months I wear yoga pants and an old long sleeved t-shirt. (I KNOW you ALL care!)  It's to the point where if the baby gut will fit in the shirt, my chest will not...or vice versa.  All the mommy blogs/books suggest borrowing from your husband.  Unfortunately for me, The Pilot is a really slim guy.  Even before he knocked me up, I couldn't wear his shirts.  I'm hoping it will warm up soon and I can still fit into some of my old short sleeved t-shirts.  Pajamas that are working?  I have an old (I'm talking circa 2002) pair of yoga pants that fit.  The only reason I still had them was because they had been retired from normal wear and I just hadn't gotten around to throwing them out (sentimental value??).  The elastic is completely shot so when I'm at a normal weight, they wouldn't stay on.  Now that I'm rocking the baby gut, they fit again. I love those pants.

Another note about the clothes...most women would burn their "fat" clothes after significant weight loss.  While I knew I wasn't going to let myself put the 30-some pounds I lost several years ago back on, when I realized a baby might be in the picture, I hung onto a couple pairs of "fat" pants.  They were really the transition pants I had to buy as I was still losing weight.  Those came in handy as I transitioned from not pregnant to "just a little" pregnant.  Even those pants aren't comfortable anymore but they got me through a couple awkward weeks before the maternity pants really started to become an option.

Have you started to show yet?  It's much more prominent as the day goes on.  I don't get that.  I wake up, look in the mirror and to me it still reminds me of my fat days.  By the afternoon/evening, I look prego for sure. 
Symptoms:  The back and hip pain have been awful still.  I've tried to rest more and make some changes at my desk (it's quite a sight) but still no relief. 
Activity:   Blah.  It was another off week.  I had a huge event (my biggest event since becoming an event planner in 2004) at work that ate into my schedule.  I also spent 3.5 days at a giant facility with concrete floors.  I did A LOT of walking.  And I also learned something....baby will punish me for standing on concrete floors for 3.5 days by making it excruciating to get out of a chair or bed the two days after.
Best moment this week?   Non-pregnancy related...successfully pulling off a huge event at work.  And not falling over during it.  I was EXHAUSTED!  Pregnancy related....not having to get x-rays at the dentist.  I've always enjoyed getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist (they feel so squeaky clean!) but I do not handle x-rays well.  Even with the kid-size films, I still struggle not to gag. 
Miss anything?   Deli sandwiches.  Not something I ever really craved before pregnancy...or even indulged in that often.  It's probably more mental since I can't have any deli meat (unless it's been heated to some ungodly temperature).
Movement:  I was always on the go this past week so I don't think I ever was still long enough to feel anything.  I definitely get some weird flutters when I lay down but it happens so quickly that by the time I realize what it could have been, it has stopped.
Food cravings:  I love me some cookies right now.  But then I'll also have a strong urge for fresh fruit and a bucket of water.  I'm hoping the latter will balance out the cookie consumption.
Anything making you queasy or sick?  Not really. 
Gender: We should know in the next week!  I'm started to get really anxious and excited.
Looking forward to:  Finding out the sex!  Getting to the month of April...The Pilot and I both had crappy schedules in March so that means we haven't seen much of each other and that bums me out.
What I'm NOT looking forward to: Say it with me....growing more uncomfortable.
Milestones:  Baby is the size of a mango.  Sometimes the fruit/vegetable comparisons crack me up.  As my BFF (who is due any day now with baby #2) said, at least I'm not being told I have something the size of a pumpkin or watermelon in my gut yet.  Yes, I am very thankful for that in this moment. 

Week 18

 Week 18

How far Along? 18 weeks
Maternity Clothes? Oh yeah.  I even got a lesson this week from my mama on how to sew a hem.  Not sure how I made it 32 years without picking up this skill.  I also learned that a suck at hand sewing and it's much faster to have my mom do it.  :)  Thanks mama.  Now I have black maternity pants to wear to work.
Have you started to show yet?  It's definitely looking like I ate something larger than a sandwich.  I'm probably in that stage where strangers wouldn't dare ask (or would they?) if I was pregnant for fear that it's possible that I've just had a few too many....sandwiches.
Symptoms:  Is road rage a symptom?  Maybe I'm just more protective of myself now that I'm growing a little human but dang.  It seems like every day I drive somewhere, I am surrounded by morons.  Over the weekend, someone completely breezed through a roundabout even though I was already IN the roundabout and had the right away.  Only reason I didn't plow into her?  Because NO ONE in this town knows how to drive in a roundabout (it's 'Merica, not Europe!) so I'm always watching the side streets for morons like this lady.  Seriously though, it's not difficult to figure out a 2-lane roundabout.  Moving on....my back still hurts.  No other new symptoms.
Activity:   I had my most active week since the 1/2 marathon!  There was Pilates, yoga, a 4 mile run/walk and then another 4 mile walk.  Yeay!
Best moment this week?  We went to the doctor and got to hear the heartbeat.  It's amazing how different it sounds just compared to a month ago.  A month ago the doctor had to tell me that the whirling sound I was hearing was the baby's heart.  This month?  It was obvious!  It was loud, fast and strong!  Swoon.  Another bonus?  The Pilot was home and was able to make it.  Even better?  We confirmed that The Pilot will be home for the ultrasound.  :)
Miss anything?  My memory.  Holy moly pregnancy brain is no joke.  I forget where I leave things a lot more often.  I also tend to ask questions only to not remember the answer and ask the question again.  My co-workers must love me lately.  Also, I sort of miss my hair.  I'm still getting used to feeling "naked" since the big hair cut.  :)
Movement:  Just  few random flutters...that may or may not be the baby.  No jabs just yet.
Food cravings:  I had a hankerin' for a tuna and egg salad sandwich this week.  Only problem?  I had never hard boiled an egg before.  Never really had a reason too since previously, eggs were not on my list of favorite foods.  So after consulting the "Joy of Cooking" (a wedding gift!!) and a phone call to my buddy Lisa, I was in business.  I had 4 perfectly (at least in my culinary opinion) hard boiled eggs.  And thus, the perfect egg and tuna salad sandwich.
Anything making you queasy or sick?  Not really. 
Gender: 2 more weeks until we find out!  I'm just now starting to get more and more excited/anxious to find out.  I don't really care if it's a boy or a girl though both The Pilot and I are leaning towards girl simply because we have a girl name picked out already (sorry people, we aren't sharing!).  The other night I had a dream and the baby was a girl...for what that's worth!
Looking forward to:  Finishing up the nursery.  We've made progress and while it's mostly neutral, I'm waiting to accessorize until we find out if it is a boy or a girl.
What I'm NOT looking forward to:  I'll say it again, more back pain.  Sigh.
Milestones:  Baby is the size of a sweet potato this week.  I do love sweet potatoes.

Locks of Love

I donated my hair to Locks of Love back in the spring of 2010.  Locks of Love creates wigs for kids with medical hair loss.  I had always had short to shoulder length hair but I've always had a ton of it.  When it started to get longer (mostly out of laziness), I decided to go for it and grow it out at least long enough to donate the necessary 10 inch minimum.

After I made my first donation, one of my niece's classmates was diagnosed with cancer.  I think between that and my previous donation, the bug was in her ear and she seemed interested in growing her hair out.  I offered that if she was able to stick it out and grow it long enough, I would grow my hair out with her and we could make the "big cut" together.

I was more than ready several months ago to cut mine but her hair wasn't quite long enough yet without her ending up with a pixie cut.  So we waited.  Then I started taking prenatal vitamins and my already thick hair just got thicker and kept on growing.  It was getting a bit unweildy to manage.  Luckily she finally caught up.

I was so proud of her for sticking it out (especially last summer when the long hair was HOT!).  I know it was a family affair since my brother and sister-in-law sometimes had a "challenge" on their hands to keep her hair brushed and out of her face.

This weekend was the "big cut." I was so excited to be getting rid of the extra weight!  I felt like I instantly lost the weight I've gained from baby!  :)

Before....

After....

Is that not the sweetest face you've ever seen?? 
She's 8 and I swear the new hair cut makes her look 10.

After the hair cuts we enjoyed a girls' afternoon together, including dinner with her mom (my sister-in-law) and my mama.  We were teaching my niece the important things in life...such as always taking time for a girls day...and opting in for the ice cream sundae bar after dinner.

I Feel Like I'm in a Snow Globe!

Days in advance, Lisa and I had planned to meet up for a short and slow run/shuffle/walk.  As the day approached, Lisa and I both had stress levels through the roof and by the day we were scheduled to meet, that workout was not a luxury but a necessity.  The anticipation of that workout was what got me through my day.

So the fact that it was about 27 degrees, snowing and windy was not a deterent.  In fact, I gave Lisa's husband some hell because he was running inside on the treadmill when I arrived (this is one active family!).  Weenie!  Lisa and I bundled up and headed out the door.

We did at least a .75 mi walking warm up...though there was no real warming up when it looks and feels like you are inside of a snow globe.  After that we did a run/walk combo for 4 glorious miles.  We vented to each other while getting in some exercise.  Physically and mentally good for us!

That is the also the most I've run since Lisa and Mary dragged me through the Disney 1/2 Marathon in January.  And it felt great.  I've already lost a lot of my running fitness and with my growing belly, I get winded a lot more quickly.  But whenever I felt I was getting too winded, we would walk to rest and then start again.  It was slow going but that was ok.  I think we needed more time just to vent rather than to get a faster workout in.  We probably would have gone another mile if it wasn't for my full bladder or the fact that it was getting colder and dark.

I look forward to more workouts that are just as good for the soul as they are for the body! In fact, I have another one scheduled for tomorrow morning with another wonderful friend, Marcia. 

Week 17

Week 17

How Far Along? 17 weeks (though because this post is a few days late, I'm nearly 18 weeks.  My photo editor was gone on a 4-day trip.)
Maternity Clothes: Still squeezing into a few tops and have had to wear some pre-preggy pants just because I haven't had time to hem the new pants I bought for work.  Can I just throw out there that it's a pain in the a$$ being 5'3"...not quite petite but not exactly regular.  Don't even get me started why women only have 3 lengths to fit into when dudes get exact in-seams.   Moving on...
Have you started to show yet?  I was in our headquarters the other day (I work in a satellite office) and they all seemed to notice.  There were a few "wow, you've popped already."  Not sure if that should make me feel bad about myself or happy because I look pregnant and not fat.  I think it was the "already" thrown in at the end that made me blink.  I'll go with indifferent as I'm still adjusting to my new shape.
Symptoms: Heart burn the second I look at my bed.  And the lower back pain is constant now.  I'm hoping the doctor might say something amazing like, I'm writing you a prescription for a weekly massage...and that she requires it be done during the work day.  I kid....kind of.  Also, hunger and dizziness appeared this week.  I've noticed I'm a lot more hungry and more often lately.  I guess this is due to a growth spurt the little human is going through.  I've also noticed that I can't just pop up out of bed or a chair...or even from stooping down without getting dizzy when I stand up.  It passes quickly as long as I just stand still.  I think that's just something I need to get used to.  I'm still used to jumping up and rushing around.  I just can't do that anymore. 
Activity: The prenatal Pilates and yoga videos I mentioned earlier this week.  There just wasn't time over the weekend to get in a walk/run.  And yes, that makes me very sad and I need to make that weekend walk a higher priority.  I'll blame The Pilot's crew scheduling.  He got a crappy schedule this month and it's really putting a damper on my style.  ;)  I did however meet up with my friend Lisa for a cold 4-miler (more on that in another post).
Best moment this week?  To be honest, it hasn't really been a fun week.  I've been stressed at work so I'm tired and cranky.  My back hurts all the time and I'm still feeling really awkward clothing wise.  I've even noticed I'm starting to get a little more clumsy that usual.  I try to keep my eye on the prize but I won't lie, there are days when this is nothing but hard work, yo!
Miss anything? Standing up out of a chair like a normal person.  After I've been sitting (or laying down), my back hurts sooo bad. 
Movement: I haven't felt much really but the other day at work I wondered to myself why my stomach seemed rumbly...then it occurred to me that it was probably the baby rolling around.  I sometimes forget that I'm not alone anymore.
Food cravings:  Nothing too strong...probably because I've been busy stuffing my face with Girl Scout cookies.  Damn those girls and their cookies!  The Pilot nearly got punched in the face when he started to point out how many calories are in a box of Somaos.  He quickly realized his mistake and backed away slowly from MY cookies.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing this week really.  Though I'm still trying to work on snacking more often so I can avoid heartburn.
Gender: We should know in just a couple weeks!!
Looking forward to: Still anxious for The Pilot to be able to feel the baby move.
What I am NOT looking forward to: More back pain.
Milestones: I'm now harboring something the size of an onion in my abdomen.  I wonder if that's why I was so sensitive to the smell of onion recently? ;)  Also, the baby's bones are starting to harden and all of the joints are now fully functional.  It seems like it was just a couple weeks ago that it still looked like an alien.  These changes happen so fast!  Crazy town.

Stretch It Out

In the past 24 hours I have done a prenatal Pilates video as well as prenatal yoga.  Obviously I'm attempting to keep fit during this pregnancy but there's another reason.  Lower back pain.  It started really early on...maybe around 9 or 10 weeks and continues to get worse.  I've added a small pillow to just about every chair I sit in (including the car!).  For once, The Pilot's job has come in handy (other than, you know, providing income) when he came home with a small airline pillow for me.  It's the perfect size.  So far that kinda sorta helps but ultimately, my back just hurts all the time.  I try to not sit in one place too long without walking around, I've tried a pillow between my knees at night, etc.  Blah.

I'm already over it and I know that it will probably just continue as my belly expands and my posture changes.  I've gotten a few other pieces of advice (body pillow at night, belly support belt) but I think I'm going to talk to my doctor about it this week.  Fingers crossed she will say something awesome like I need a prescription for massages.  :)

As for the videos, I found the Pilates easier but mostly because I've taken professional classes before so I know the proper poses.  While they are modified for pregnancy, I felt like I knew what I was doing.  Yoga is a different story.  I can't seem to breath the right "direction" when they tell me to.  I spend more time watching the screen and trying to figure out if I'm doing it right.  I found a local yoga studio that offers prenatal yoga at a pretty reasonable price...and you can pay per class.  I'm thinking I might go a few times, learn some of the moves and then try it at home.

In the meantime, everything except my back is feeling very stretched out.

Week 16

16 weeks

How Far Along? 16 weeks
Maternity Clothes: After a minor meltdown in the closet (nothing seemed to fit) and after sitting through a week of meetings in uncomfortable pants, I caved and went to a maternity store.  I was wanting to wait until I was bigger and/or find things at the consignment shops but nice looking pants seemed to be non-existent in the used stores.  Despite the money I spent, I'm glad I went.  I stocked up on some basics that should carry me through as I get bigger and as the weather warms up.
Have you started to show yet?  I'm finally starting to feel less "squishy" in the gut and more "round" and actually pregnant.  A few people have commented that the bump is getting more defined.  I've also found myself subconsciously rubbing my belly.  I've always wondered why pregnant ladies did that.  It must be an instinct or something.  Or itchiness.  My belly itches.  A lot.  We were at Babies 'R' Us (now that is a version of hell if you ask me) and The Pilot whispered that he caught another prego lady scratching her belly.  :)  I just told the internets that I have an itchy belly.  Wow.
Symptoms: Heart burn that stops me dead in my tracks and keeps me awake at night, despite medication.  Lower back pain.  Also, my hands fall asleep at night.  I may need to ask the doctor about that one.  I haven't read about that yet.
Activity: a 5 miler!
Best moment this week?  Let me set the scene.  I'm sitting in the front row of a business meeting listening to someone speak about LED lighting (exciting, I know!).  I felt a little something in my abdomen but didn't think much of it.  Then I felt it again and became VERY aware that I was not alone.  It was very distinct that it was not gas or anything else.  It was exactly like they describe it in books (ginger ale bubbling or popcorn popping).  The baby is still so small so it was probably doing flip flops in order for me to feel it so distinctly.  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.  The speaker was probably wondering what on earth was wrong with me...that or I must really LOVE LED lighting in order to be smiling that big.  I was dying to tell someone right then but I don't think the person sitting next to me wanted to hear about the weird bubbling going on in my belly.  I was able to talk to The Pilot for a few minutes several hours later and I blurted it out to one of the other meeting attendees later in the evening.

Miss anything? I would have given anything for a deli sandwich last week (no lunch meat for prego ladies unless it's been microwaved into submission).  The sleep disturbances are still annoying.  I know it's just going to get worse and is only a taste of what it will be like once the baby is here, but I didn't expect the sleep to be this interrupted so early in the pregnancy.
Movement: See "best moment this week." :)
Food cravings:  I haven't had anything really this week but my appetite is slowly increasing.  I finally gained a little weight.  I went through the entire first trimester without gaining a pound.  I was a little worried but the doctor was ok with it since I was carrying a few extra pounds pre-pregnancy.  I've still only gained about 2 pounds but we will see what the doctor's (more accurate, IMO) scale says next week.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing specifically any more but I have noticed if I go too long between eating, I get really queasy.  Also, I get horrible heart burn if I wait too long to eat.  I really need to be eating smaller, more frequent meals but that's hard to do at work.  I was traveling last week and forced into a different schedule so I hope now that I'm back in the office I can keep some snacks handy.
Gender: Won't know until April.  One of my BFFs is having a girl so I think it would be fun I had a girl too and then our girls could be BFFs.  :)  Silly reason, but I don't even have a hunch as to what we might be having.  My doctor voted boy but a few others have voted girl.  Who knows.  As long as it isn't a monkey, I'll be happy.
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby more often...and when the movements get strong enough for The Pilot to feel.  I can't wait for him to feel this so he can feel even more involved.
What I am NOT looking forward to: More interrupted sleep.
Milestones: The baby can now hear my heartbeat and my muffled voice.  That's crazy to me.  The books say to start talking to baby, even if it's just reading the newspaper out loud but that still feels weird.  It's like talking to yourself...but yet someone else is present.  Weird.  :)  I might just have to practice.  Now that the baby can hear, it makes me wonder if it's little developing mind was blown last night during the Muse concert that The Pilot and I went to.  I know my mind was blown.  The baby missed the best parts though, the lights and lasers.  The music was pretty awesome but if you've ever seen Muse live, you'll know what I'm talking about.  Total mind melt.

March Miracle

A March Miracle occurred on Saturday.  Not only did I get in 5 miles but I also made it through those 5 miles without having to stop to pee.  Considering how often I have to pee lately and the fact that it was about 27 degrees, this was a miracle (Ever used a porta-potty when it's that cold?  Not pleasant).

The Pilot joined me and we intended to meet up with some of my friends but I remembered the location wrong and went to the wrong metro park.  Oops.  I'm finding myself making mistakes like that more often and I hate it!!  Pregnancy brain is real, people. 

Despite not seeing my friends, it was still a nice morning for a walk with the hubby.  Our plan was to walk maybe a mile or so out and then come back to make a pass by the porta-potty if needed.  As we headed out though, I was afraid I would wimp out and want to go to the car if we circled back.  I didn't have to pee so we kept going.

Snow flurries throughout the workout.

I reevaluated as we got close to 2 miles.  Before we started I told The Pilot that I'd like to get at least 4 miles in and that if 5 miles seemed feasible, I'd be even more happy.  So as I realized baby wasn't forcing a bathroom stop, we kept going.  And I'm so glad we did because not only did we cross paths with my awesome friend Krista, but I also saw one of my best friends' mama!  She did her first 1/2 marathon and in the fall and is training for her first full.  So excited for her!  She has a GREAT walk form also.  She's training with a local race walking group and as this coach can vouch, they are teaching her well! :)

I felt great until about 3 miles and then my lower back started to hurt.  It's been bothering me for weeks now.  But with only a mile to go, every time I stepped on my left foot, it would shoot pain to my lower back.  I've tried some exercises I found for prego ladies but those aren't helping.  I've reserved a couple pre-natal yoga videos from the library so I'm hoping that will help.  I really don't want to have medical intervention for that but at the same time, it seems to be getting worse.

Anyways, we did in deed get in 5 solid miles!  And to make me even happier, it wasn't all that slow.  The Garmin was barely alive (the cold zapped the battery) but it looked like we were in the 15:00-16:00 pace throughout.  That was reassuring that I haven't "lost it."

I swear I wasn't about to rob a bank, just trying to warm up as we got started!