There's a lot of advice out there. A million books, websites, weekly emails. Everyone around me has had kids. Anywhere I turn, I can get words of wisdom, suggestions and anecdotes.
But I'm learning that the best advice comes from listening to my own body. I know I need to eat, I know I need to eat things that are good for me, but sometimes my body is just not interested in whole grains and baby spinach. So tonight I gave into the guilt for a dose of home, with oven-fried chicken and mashed potatoes. And for the first time in several days, I had a full meal! Looks like it's back to my roots (and the butter) for awhile. Thank God for Paula Deen...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
It was bound to happen sometime
In the span of 48 hours, I've experienced cravings, aversions, morning sickness (in the evening and afternoon) and fatigue. Talk about a cocktail!
We had planned fajitas and 'ritas (no alcohol for me!) for cinco de Mayo, and Dandy our grillmaster cooked up a storm. Unfortunately, nothing at all seemed appetizing to me. I tasted my key lime pie this morning while making it, and immediately felt queasy. Oscar has one kind of treat that makes me want to throw up. It's amazing how quickly things can turn around! Today I started craving comfort foods, like chicken pot pie and macaroni. Still very thirsty, and drinking lots of water. I made the margaritas for my friends tonight and the smell of the alcohol was definitely overwhelming. Seems as though the body is pretty smart, turning you off of stuff you're not supposed to have!
It's almost 11pm and I'm finally eating for the first time since breakfast. I'm DEFINITELY not the kind of girl to miss a meal, so let's hope this passes quickly!
We had planned fajitas and 'ritas (no alcohol for me!) for cinco de Mayo, and Dandy our grillmaster cooked up a storm. Unfortunately, nothing at all seemed appetizing to me. I tasted my key lime pie this morning while making it, and immediately felt queasy. Oscar has one kind of treat that makes me want to throw up. It's amazing how quickly things can turn around! Today I started craving comfort foods, like chicken pot pie and macaroni. Still very thirsty, and drinking lots of water. I made the margaritas for my friends tonight and the smell of the alcohol was definitely overwhelming. Seems as though the body is pretty smart, turning you off of stuff you're not supposed to have!
It's almost 11pm and I'm finally eating for the first time since breakfast. I'm DEFINITELY not the kind of girl to miss a meal, so let's hope this passes quickly!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Another appointment!
I had my almost-10-week appointment today! I had to wait a long time, thanks to someone who came in 45 minutes late, and someone else who didn't have an appointment at all. Then again, life in the army is "hurry up and wait", so I'm pretty used to it.
No blood this time! Just a finger prick and pee-in-a-cup. All my test results from last time came back fine, and this time the sonogram showed what is starting to look like a baby! I saw a tiny, fluttery heartbeat and little legs! Our baby is approximately 3 cm long, and really DOES look like a kidney bean!
Which means I called my brother, my parents and Sam to give them the good news. Apparently "we're having a baby" or "you're going to be an uncle" aren't specific enough, as my dad and brother both asked, "Who?" It's exciting to finally be able to share it though!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Mood swings...not just for PMS anymore!
Due to the ridiculous amount of hormones coursing through my body, I have started to feel the mood swings. Luckily, they're (currently) not directed at anyone, just sort of up and down. Good mood, bad mood, irritability. I don't think my current sleeping habits are helping either. What used to be middle-of-the-afternoon fatigue has turned into an all day affair. I go to bed late because I can't sleep, then wake up late. Or, if I wake up early, I'm back in bed after a shower because I'm completely exhausted. I guess building a tiny little life is hard work on my body!
Our baby is almost an inch long at 9 weeks, and its "tail" is gone. Thank goodness! Tomorrow is my second OB appointment, so I'm pretty excited. Hopefully that means good news, more pictures, and a phone call from Jay to check on us. The weeks seem longer when I don't talk to him these days. We're almost at the one-year mark, so three months to go!
Consumer reports, baby name book, What to Expect..., there's a lot of reading involved for having a baby! But it's a nice change of pace.
Nausea also seems to be the name of the game in the past week. I've only actually gotten sick twice so far, my body is pretty picky about what I put in it though. Seems like nothing actually settles like it's supposed to! They say it eases up after the first trimester, so come on week 13!
Our baby is almost an inch long at 9 weeks, and its "tail" is gone. Thank goodness! Tomorrow is my second OB appointment, so I'm pretty excited. Hopefully that means good news, more pictures, and a phone call from Jay to check on us. The weeks seem longer when I don't talk to him these days. We're almost at the one-year mark, so three months to go!
Consumer reports, baby name book, What to Expect..., there's a lot of reading involved for having a baby! But it's a nice change of pace.
Nausea also seems to be the name of the game in the past week. I've only actually gotten sick twice so far, my body is pretty picky about what I put in it though. Seems like nothing actually settles like it's supposed to! They say it eases up after the first trimester, so come on week 13!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Jay is a fan!
Jay has decided he really likes Pregnant Jessica. Apparently I'm more direct, better at making decisions and less apologetic at making those decisions that are good for my family. I have less tolerance for attitude and co-dependence. I am much more focused. I guess I just realized I've been taking care of other people for a really long time, and now it's my turn to focus on my family. I love my family, and my friends, but I'm a little more cautious about what I offer to do. I mean if there ever is a time to be selfish, I feel like this is it!
Do you know how hard it is to get 35 grams of fiber daily?? Yesterday I actually consciously thought about every single thing I ate, and tried to count up the fiber. Good thing I had a late-night bowl of cereal, otherwise I wouldn't have made it! Still not much in the way of cravings, not any more than usual that is. I'm really hoping not to turn into a beast. Only time will tell :-)
Do you know how hard it is to get 35 grams of fiber daily?? Yesterday I actually consciously thought about every single thing I ate, and tried to count up the fiber. Good thing I had a late-night bowl of cereal, otherwise I wouldn't have made it! Still not much in the way of cravings, not any more than usual that is. I'm really hoping not to turn into a beast. Only time will tell :-)
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What the experts say, 8 weeks
This is what babycenter.com says about my baby at 8 weeks...
Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. His arms have lengthened, too, and his hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart. His knee joints have formed, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.
The human body is pretty amazing!
Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. His arms have lengthened, too, and his hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart. His knee joints have formed, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.
The human body is pretty amazing!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
8 weeks (and a few days!)
Well I just got back from my trip to the states. Man, was that hard! Not only NOT telling everyone, but trying to eat right and get enough sleep and stay hydrated was NEARLY impossible. I had a small bout with what I thought was morning sickness, but I think it was more of my body just rejecting what I ate since it only happened once.
I did pick up some fun baby books (baby names, marriage after baby, etc.) and found the PERFECT baby book. I looked at about 20 and kept thinking, "This is just not what I want!" before I finally found one. I also picked up baby's first pair of Carolina pajamas; boy or girl, this kid's a Tarheel! I figure everything else can wait until Jay is home, and until we know if we need a pink or blue hat!
I'm finding the constant reminder of pregnancy so far is indigestion. Bummer! I'm hoping that being back home and being on a better schedule with sleeping and three normal meals will help balance that out. I registered for a baby website today that will send me updates on what's going on in my belly every week. It also has topics of interest based on how far along you are, so I love it already. Thanks Lauren!
I made my first trip to Babies 'R Us and I will NOT be going back without Jay! I can see how I could spend all day (and all our deployment money!) in that place. It's overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. I feel like I've known FOREVER that I was pregnant, and that at the same time, nine months isn't nearly enough time to prepare for a baby!
I did pick up some fun baby books (baby names, marriage after baby, etc.) and found the PERFECT baby book. I looked at about 20 and kept thinking, "This is just not what I want!" before I finally found one. I also picked up baby's first pair of Carolina pajamas; boy or girl, this kid's a Tarheel! I figure everything else can wait until Jay is home, and until we know if we need a pink or blue hat!
I'm finding the constant reminder of pregnancy so far is indigestion. Bummer! I'm hoping that being back home and being on a better schedule with sleeping and three normal meals will help balance that out. I registered for a baby website today that will send me updates on what's going on in my belly every week. It also has topics of interest based on how far along you are, so I love it already. Thanks Lauren!
I made my first trip to Babies 'R Us and I will NOT be going back without Jay! I can see how I could spend all day (and all our deployment money!) in that place. It's overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. I feel like I've known FOREVER that I was pregnant, and that at the same time, nine months isn't nearly enough time to prepare for a baby!
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