The Gentle Balance

Well, it's been 18 days since we found out there is a new little munchkin on the way.  It kind of seems like it's been much longer.

For starters, I know I'm further along in this pregnancy than originally thought.  According to the nurse's guesstimate, I am coming up on my 10th week.  Personally, I have a feeling I'm closer to 12 or 13 weeks.  An ultrasound will be the only way to know for sure.  My first prenatal checkup is in 8 days and an ultrasound hasn't been ordered for that appointment, but I called the doc's office & they said there is a possibility that they'll go ahead and do one anyway.  No guarantees, but I'm sure crossing my fingers!

My main reason for thinking I'm further along has less to do with my belly growth (which has been substantial already!), and more to do w/ the fact that I've been feeling what seems to be some pre-movement.  Not actual movement, but that tightness & pressure that happens right before the baby first starts wiggling around.  There is nothing else that compares to that sensation, so I know it's not gas bubbles or some other nonsense.  I haven't felt actual baby movement, but I definitely feel something going on in there.  Even for a second pregnancy, 9 weeks is too soon for this kind of development.  I read online that in a second pregnancy, it's not uncommon to feel flutters or bubbles by 12 weeks and actual movement by 16 weeks.  That goes right along w/ my theory that I'm closer to 12 or 13 weeks.

Within days of finding out I was pregnant, I packed on 2 lbs.  To be fair, I was already starting to gain a little before I found out there was a baby in my womb.  Since then, I haven't gained any more weight but I have gained a whopping 2 inches around my belly.  Yes, you read that right: 2 freaking inches!!

Baby bump as of 7/7/13

 Trinity wanted to be "in charge" of measuring my tummy, so the day I found out I was pregnant, she measured me and then she did it again yesterday.  I about fell over when I saw the numbers.  I"m not dumb.  I've noticed the change in my body b/c I can no longer button or zip my pants.  But holy moly!!  2 inches in 18 days?!  I'm obviously a freak of nature.

Another lovely change has been the nausea.  With Trinity, I had bouts of actual morning sickness here and there during the 1st and 3rd trimester, but nothing too crazy.  With this baby, however, it has been constant nausea for a week and a half now.  Sunday & yesterday weren't so bad b/c it really did contain itself to morning/early afternoon, then faded as the day went on.  I'm hoping for more of the same today, but who knows?!  I can hardly stand the thought of eating the same meal twice b/c the nausea is so strong, just the memory of how I felt either before, during, or after a certain meal is enough to cause me to avoid eating it ever again.  That seriously limits my options, obviously!  The only thing that sounds/tastes good is milk and cheese, which if you know me, you know that's a no-no.  I'm lactose intolerant, so dairy is my sworn enemy.  But I want it ALL THE TIME!  I've been bad & indulged here and there without too many adverse effects.  It's only a matter of time before I tempt fate & really go on a dairy bender & find myself being quarantined by my family.


Despite the obvious discomforts, I really can't complain.  I'm so thrilled to be pregnant again, I can't even put it into words.  I'm a little more anxious about this pregnancy and cannot wait to have my first ultrasound, just to have some peace of mind that the baby is healthy and growing like it should.  Until then, I'm doing my best not to worry myself silly because it won't do any good.  I keep telling myself that just b/c something insanely good is happening to me & my little family, it doesn't mean something bad is going to happen to sort of even the score.  We've waited 5 long years for this moment and I'll be damned if I'll let myself ruin the experience by stressing out on the what-ifs.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to pee again for the 9 billionth time today.  :)