Gender Reveal...it's a Girl!

This Saturday, we got to celebrate with family and friends to announce Baby T's gender.  We feel so very blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.  Thank you to everyone who helped make the day special (even those who weren't able to attend!)

Gestational age:  19 weeks.  Baby is about 6-7in long and weighs 11 oz.

Maternity clothes: Ordered some things off ASOS Maternity, but I think I am sending them all back.  European sizing is weird!

Stretch marks/Skincare:  Started using my Clarisonic again.  The charger had stopped working, and Sephora replaced the entire thing for free!

Symptoms:  Still feeling great with lots of energy.  I do occasionally feel nauseous after I eat, but it's nothing to really complain about.

Exercise:  Crossfit classes 3 times this week and two shorter CrossFit Mom workouts at home.  Workouts are feeling better these days, but running still sucks the air and energy right out of me!

Nutrition:  Splurged quite a bit with the party, etc, but looking forward to getting back on track this week.  Nevermind that our church small group is trying out Gus's Fried Chicken and I have journal club at Capers on Tuesday....

Sleep:  Sleep is still pretty great.  Get up once (on average) a night to use the restroom.  Everytime I do, I think how this is practice for sweet baby newborn girl.

Weight gain:  Have gained 10 lbs total.  Trying not to think about the number!

Movement:  Movements are getting stronger and stronger and definitely still moreso right after eating.  I love it.

Starting to show:  Yes!  Had 2 strangers ask me this week if I was expecting.  Will definitely be making the change to maternity clothes soon.

Doctor's visits:  Had our Anatomy Scan this week, and everything looked completely normal.  I cannot say how thankful I am for that!  Baby is a GIRL and is measuring a week ahead in length...guess that's no surprise!  The ultrasound tech kept saying how happy she looked in there.  She had a smile (or smirk) on her face the whole time.  We even got a DVD of the anatomy scan, and I am surprised to say I have only watched it once :)

We finished the weekend off with a wonderful sermon at church on suffering.  75% of the church had responded that they had gone through a major crisis of suffering within the last one year (my husband and I included).  The sermon was such a great reminder that no matter what you are currently going through or have gone through, it all serves to bring glory to God in ways that we may or may not ever understand. 

 "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." Romans 5: 3,4

Four Year Anniversary and 18 Weeks

We celebrated four years of marriage on August 17.  Tommy surprised me with pearl stud earrings that I've been wanting forever. Yay!  It has truly been the best four years of my life and I am so thankful for this man!

17 Week Update

17 weeks:  Baby is an Onion

 

Gestational age:  17 weeks

Maternity clothes:  The above maxi dress is a Target Liz Lange purchase that I am loving.  Have made several other purchases, but for some reason I decided to try to hold off wearing until September 1.

Stretch marks/Skincare:  No stretch marks.  Still using Mustela and Belli Elasticity Oil as much as I can remember.

Symptoms:  Feeling great.  Eating smaller meals more frequently helps keep my reflux at bay.

Exercise:  Crossfit classes 5 times this week.  Still taking it slow, but it feels great to be in the gym.

Nutrition:  Doing pretty well with a few non-paleo treats this week.  I am anemic, so I am having to start an iron supplement in addition to my pre-natal, which I am not excited about....

Weight gain:  Found out at my last appointment that I have gained 5 lbs. total.

Movement:  Yes!  Felt movement at the end of 15 weeks, and it was the best feeling I've ever experienced.  Now baby loves to move after I've just eaten.  Energy!

Starting to show:  I definitely think so.  More and more each day!

Looking forward to:  Anatomy scan in a couple weeks.  I am praying everything looks good.  My quad screen was normal last week, which was good news. Also looking forward to the gender reveal party two weeks from today!

I have also started a baby registry and am going to work on a budget for baby stuff as well.  It's crazy how much stuff a little tiny baby "needs."

15 Week Update

15 weeks:  Baby is a Navel Orange

So blurry!

14 Week Update

Not sure why these are so blurry...

14 weeks:  Baby is a lemon

 Gestational age:  14 weeks

Maternity clothes:  Not yet.  I have purchased a few things that I am anxious to wear.  I also have a wish list of things to hopefully get me through till the baby comes (a few dresses, basic tees/tanks, black skinny pants, faux leather leggings, tunics).

Stretch marks/Skincare:  No stretch marks.  Started using Mustela in the mornings and Belli Elasticity Oil in the evenings.  May try out the Mama Bee Belly Butter and Bio Oil products in the future.  Same facial skincare regimen as first tri.  Since it's summer, I'm really wanting to use some self-tanning products, but I'm trying to hold off as long as possible.  All my research says they are safe to use, but it seems not worth a risk just to be less pale.

Symptoms:  Feeling so amazing!  Sleeping well, having tons of energy.  Having some reflux if I eat too much.

Exercise:  Crossfit classes 4 times this week, walked one day.  I'm getting used to being the last one in class to finish the workout.

Nutrition:  Trying to eat paleo as much as possible, but not strictly.  Loving the fruit, trail mix, and LaraBars.  Also, huge accomplishment this week:  I was able to eat roasted broccoli again!

Movement:  No, but I cannot wait!  I'm trying sooo hard to feel it, but nothing so far.

Starting to show:  slowly.  Still waiting for a pop.

Right now, I am researching strollers.  I'd welcome any advice!  Have heard great things about the Baby Jogger City Mini.  Starting to realize how expensive all this baby stuff will be...yikes!

First Trimester Favorites

For me, first trimester was filled of all sorts of emotions:  exhaustion, anxiety, queasiness, and almost flu-like symptoms.  All the sudden, you may question everything you eat and do.  I found Babycenter to be a great resource, as long as you don't get trapped in the message boards--everyone's input is just confusing and will really freak you out!  Some of my worst weeks were also complicated by the fact that I was on a surgery rotation that was exhausting in and of itself.  Below are some things that helped me get through.

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

(F)

A)  Larabars are a quick and easy, semi-healthy, semi-paleo snack.  With all the food and smell aversions in my first trimester, having something easy that actually sounds appealing is so important.

B)  Belli skincare products.   Pretty much all acne products are off-limits during pregnancy, but I felt safe using these since they are designed specifically for pregnant women. I am still using the Pre-treatment scrub and Acne spot treatment, and really like them.

C)  A good Tervis or water bottle.  Staying hydrated is so, so important when you may be nauseated and not able to eat much.

D)  The Snoogle!  Basically an adult Boppy, this pillow has helped get me used to sleeping on my side.  

E)  I would highly suggest putting away all your tight fitting clothes during the first trimester.  With all the bloating, good peplum or flowy tops will make you feel much less self-conscious.  (Even though no one else can even tell you aren't having the flattest of stomach days).

F)  For all the CrossFitters out there, this website is fantastic.  It has stood the test of time and has thousands of mom-to-be followers.  It has the most straight forward recommendations on dos and donts during each trimester of pregnancy that I could find anywhere.  I did not feel comfortable going back to CrossFit class until the end of my first trimester, and CrossFit Mom's daily workouts were great (although I was only managing to do 2, maybe 3 a week).  I also want to throw it out there that pregnancy has really made exercise much tougher on me.  My pulse will sky rocket after doing anything and I feel much more winded, so I have taken the intensity down greatly.  I think keeping in mind that your heart is now pumping enough blood for two and giving yourself some slack is important.  Just do whatever activity you can!  I happen to love CrossFit, and feel so lucky that I have been able to continue so far.

-Lauren

First trimester: check!

Hello!  As I am journeying through this pregnancy, I thought my family (probably mostly my mom) may be interested in how things are progressing.  Since we are so many miles away, a few blog posts may be the best way to show the growing bump.  Like so many couples, we have suffered heartache on the path to starting a family, but I think Husband and I can both say that it has only served to strengthen our faith and glorify him with this precious growing life.  We have learned so much about patience and faith in His timing.  Oh, this is so very hard at times!

Photos taken by Mitzi Penick Photography.  Thanks, Mitzi!

The precious at 11 weeks!

At my best friend's wedding in Dallas.  Pregnant but didn't know it!

10 weeks:  Baby is the size of a prune (PS-the lady at Whole Foods refused to charge me for one single prune, and I then felt the need to explain why I was purchasing one prune....she made me promise to come back in her line every week when I bought my fruit so she could follow the growing baby.  Gotta love Whole Foods!)

11 weeks:  Baby is a lime

12 weeks:  Baby is a plum

13 weeks:  Baby is a peach

Starting to see the tiniest bump

During my first trimester, I searched all my favorite blogs looking for tips.  It's so ironic to me that one of the hardest times of pregnancy must be suffered alone because you cannot yet tell anyone!  Therefore, I could not find a lot of info.  I thought I would give a rundown of my experience.

Total weight gain:  None.  Think I lost some muscle and gained some in my belly.

Maternity clothes:  I wish.

Stretch marks:  No, and I cannot find the motivation to start using my products.  I have purchased the Mustella and Belli Elasticity Oil.  Will hopefully start them soon...
Also along these lines, I did have to alter my skincare regimen.  I stopped using my Retin-A micro, Effaclar Duo, and salicylic acid face wash as soon as I got my positive pregnancy test.  I then switched to using Purpose cleanser and Finacea, both morning and night.  Finacea is category B, and stems from a naturally occurring derivative, so I felt safe using it.  I have continued to use a physical sunscreen in the mornings (have been using EltaMD UV Clear).  I also added in Belli facial scrub and Belli acne spot treatment.  Both of these products are designed to be safe in pregnancy.  All of these things really have done a remarkable job at keeping my acne-prone skin in check despite all the crazy hormones.

Symptoms:  This gets a little more interesting.  At 5 weeks 6 days, I was planning dinner and realized that nothing sounded good.  That was the start of the aversions.  Basically, I could not eat anything I used to....especially vegetables.  The mere thought of them made me sick and want to cry at the same time.  This got progressively worse till around 11 weeks.  There was one night when Husband was being a normal, healthy person and decided to roast some broccoli and sweet potatoes (two of my previously favorite foods), and I had to lock myself in the back bedroom and plug my nose.  I sent him a text asking if he was trying to suffocate me.  I was extremely sensitive to smells and beyond tired.  It became normal for me to go to bed at 8:30 before having to get up at 5:45.  Then all the sudden, around 11 weeks, everyday got a little better.  Husband could eat in the same room with me, I could look in the fridge without gagging, and I was feeling better.  Thank goodness!  I was able to add veggies back in slowly and taper off the frozen meals.  Success!

Sleep:  In the very beginning, I was having early morning awakenings where I would wake up at 5:00AM and be unable to go back to sleep.  This soon went away and overall, I slept well.  Used my Snoogle throughout my first tri.

Exercise:  Had to take a few weeks off in the very beginning because of a crazy busy schedule.  I then would try to get in 2-3 Crossfit-ish workouts a week.  Crossfit Mom (www.crossfitmom.com) was a lifesaver at first.  I was very nervous about the things I could and couldn't do, and this website was very reassuring.  I followed these workouts at home or the gym until I felt comfortable telling my coaches and fellow Crossfitters at class around 13 weeks.  First tri, I tried to keep my heartrate down as much as possible.  Basically with any movement, it would sky rocket.  I stopped doing situps and took the weights way down.  I mostly just did the workouts with an empty olympic bar.  I always tried to remind myself that this is a time to stay active and healthy.  It is not a time to worry about PRs or making training gains.  It took me a few months to be able to turn off my competitive nature.  Now that it's off...working out is really fun again!  Also, still wearing all my same workout gear.  I think my Lulu tops and shorts will work well for quite awhile (they're so stretchy!)

Best moment:  Hands down, it was seeing the flickering heartbeat at our 7 week ultrasound.  What a glorious moment.  Second best was hearing the heartbeat with the doppler around 9 weeks at home.  (I have a doppler that I use constantly for reassurance).

Told friends and family:  We told family really early and slowly told friends and extended family before announcing to the world a little after 13 weeks.  That was a huge leap of faith for me.  For some reason, I was so worried something would happen after we told everyone.

Miss anything:  deli meat, sushi, and having an occasional glass of wine.  I have cheated on the first two.  I've eaten heated deli meat and had cooked sushi (cali roll and a shrimp tempura roll, and I just asked the chef to roll it separately from the raw stuff).

Movement:  No, but I cannot wait!

Starting to show:  just barely in clothes, but much more noticeable in workout gear.

Baby is a:  ??girl??  We shall see...

Belly button:  In

Rings:  On

Happy/moody:  Very happy, extremely thankful.  Very anxious.  Can cry pretty easily....usually at happy thoughts!

Looking forward to:  Feeling movement.  Anatomy scan.

I think that's mostly it for my first tri.  I logged many hours on the couch and in bed, and am so eternally grateful for my supportive husband who kept our lives going.  It's such a relief to make it through the first third of pregnancy, and I feel blessed that everything seems to be going very well.

-Lauren