The 2nd Trimester!

We're pregnant!  This last week we announced to friends that we're expecting!  It would've been a challenge for us to keep this secret much longer because I already have a very obvious bump!  I chalk it up to my super short torso.  I've had a love hate relationship with my torso for some time, but at least I have one!  Apparently our baby has nowhere to hide anymore.  I love looking down and seeing a little baby bump, because it reminds me this is real even though sometimes it seems too good to be true.  Tomorrow marks the start of my 14th week!

A little pregnancy update - up to this point:

Morning sickness is starting to subside- more like "middle of the night" sickness.  Although I never actually "ralphed", I sure felt like I might at times.

I have been so surprised at just how tired I feel.  I didn't workout for the first 11 weeks because I had no energy.  I had so little energy I didn't even care that I wasn't working out.  I have read so much and heard so much about feeling fatigued while pregs, but MAN!  I've been so so tired.   It hits me the strongest after I eat lunch, and it feels like someone punched me in the face.  The good news is I feel like my energy is coming back.  Yay!

I have cravings (I'm sitting here with a pint of Haagen Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough as we speak).  Thayne knows this better than anyone.  I have to be honest, I didn't really think pregnancy cravings were real, along with a lot of many other wonderful things that come with being pregnant.  BUT THEY ARE!  I crave pickles.  I've always loved pickles, but lately, I've been in love with pickles.  The other night we were on our way home from dinner and as we passed a grocery store, I told Thayne to hurry and turn in because I needed more pickles!  He came out of the store with a jar of crunch dills, and I know we'll need another jar in about a week.  Ahh pickles.  Other cravings include, Sonic Cranberry Slushes, burgers and fries, cheese, string cheese, cheese pizza, cheeseburgers, hotdog on a stick with cheddar cheese, and anything Cafe Rio with cheese.  At this point, I should just buy a block of Tillamook cheese and start nibbling on it.  There have been a few nights I have been laying in bed and looked over to Thayne with a request for something.  He's been so sweet and happily gotten up to get whatever it is I'm craving.  I'm hoping maybe I'll maybe start craving less fried food and the healthier options might start sounding good again.  Crossing my fingers! 

Sometimes it's hard to breath.  Shortness of breath is real when you're pregnant.  And I hear it only gets worse the bigger you get.  I've become that annoying person that all of the sudden decides they need big deep breaths every 20 seconds.  Again, this usually is after eating, but still it's an adjustment.

With everything pushing on everything else inside my tummy, my bladder appears to feel the most squished.  I used to drink diet coke in bed and didn't need to get up once during the night.  Now it seems it doesn't matter what I do, I'm guaranteed to get up three to four times a night.  This has been a wake up call, literally!  I can't complain, because at the end of the day I am grateful our little baby is growing.  It can take up as much space as he or she wants!  His/her comfort is more important than mine!

I've had a little bit of back pain.  I'm just going to chalk it up to having a weak back.  I know I need to focus on strengthening my core and my back muscles more.  It's always been a challenge for me.

I'm drinking less caffeine.   While I haven't completely cut out my beloved Diet Coke, I've made a conscious effort to cut back.  I've been surprised that Diet Coke doesn't really sound that good to me anyways.  Straight Coke is what sounds good.  I guess I'm looking to consume as , many calories as possible.  I'm learning to love water more and more, and I especially enjoy it with a fresh lemon.

There are lots of other little surprises pregnancy has brought so far.  Again, I am just happy and grateful.  We are already so in love with this little one.  Sometimes I try to think about what he or she will look like, or what their interests will be.  I can't wait to find out if it's a boy or a girl!  I wonder if they'll take after their mom or their dad.  I hope as I continue to grow and as the baby does, our bond will become more and more real.  I look forward to feeling the baby move, and can't wait for Thayne to feel the babe.  I've thought about singing to our peach sized baby, but I'll be honest, that's hard for me, mostly because I am tone deaf.  I guess for now I'll continue rocking out to the radio to and from work, and maybe it can hear voice that way. 

I can't say enough how blessed we are and feel to be carrying a baby.  We can't wait to start growing our family, and look forward to summer 2013 with so much excitement!  Here's to baby T!