On November 18th I had the first ultrasound and heard the heartbeat. It started to become real.
We tried to keep the pregnancy a secret and not tell anyone... but I think it was too hard for Dan. I wanted to wait until my next Dr appointment to really be in the clear of any chances of this baby not sticking. So we kept quiet during thanksgiving and at birthday parties and brunch clubs and even holiday parties. While I might not have had a bump to hide, it is really challenging to find a dress that is flattering at about 10 weeks as my belly was certainly not flat anymore. We didn't tell anyone until we were almost through week 11 - even if a few friends had guessed by that point.
Right around the 10 week point it became quite clear that I was getting a little preggo belly. I was in yoga pants and a sweater standing in the kitchen, getting stuff of the pantry shelf for dinner, when Dan stopped in his tracks and did a long double take on his way to take the dogs out potty. So, I am expecting to have a huge bump with this pregnancy.
{10 weeks 6 days - maybe the draping/knot across the waist wasn't as helpful at minimizing as I thought it would be...}
And might I say, that I think I have previously been way to hard on myself regarding my weight and body. Now that I clearly have something extra in my midsection I finally realize that it was quite flat and tone before becoming pregnant. :)
At my Dr appointment on the 19th I heard the heartbeat again. My Dr said that it was very unlikely that she would be able to hear it with the doppler thingy before starting but there it was as clear and strong as can be. Of course I laughed which messed up the doppler thingy. And now it was time to tell people. Announcing that you are pregnant has to be one of the stranger things to say. I am completely excited and comfortable with being pregnant yet it is weird to say it.
The first trimester went well. I think. I had only the slightest hint of nausea in about week six when I didn't eat breakfast before leaving the house. As long as I ate breakfast before heading out and had a snacks periodically I was fine. The el train was quite unpleasant sometimes. I normally have a strong sense of smell and of course it is super-sized right now... the mix of smells from people on the train sometimes has been unbearable, making me wanting to jump off the train. Instead I stand there and try to stiffle my disgust with people, trying to nonchalantly breath through my scarf.
Fatigue was the big one for me... I fell asleep on the sofa at about 8pm every night... 11 or 11:30 is closer to normal and I usually need at least 15-20 minutes after lights out to fall asleep. I am pretty sure that I have never been so tired. It wasn't unusual for me to do something random while half with it in the evenings... like putting my vitamins in the fridge.
In terms of moodiness I think it has been pretty mild. Sure, I cried when I spilt something once (it spilled because I was so tired I was uncoordinated), I might have teared up at tv shows, etc. Most of that was in the 6-8 week range. By week 10 I was feeling pretty good. Overall I think that I have been feeling more mellow than usual. I am not letting things on to do lists bother me, I am going with the flow much more than normal. I am happy and content. Oh and certain songs on my running playlist make me kind of weepy when I think about adding them to the birth playlist.
The only thing I have developed a food aversion for is coffee. Just don't like it at all. Hoping that changes after the baby is born as I loooove good coffee. The cravings have also been pretty mellow. The only things that I have felt like I have-to-have are apple juice which changed to orange juice and fruit.
Pretty early on (maybe 7 weeks?) I started waking up at 4:30am to go to the bathroom, every couple of weeks it gets earlier. And I always need to get a drink of OJ before going back to bed. No problems falling back asleep.
I have been trying to maintain a workout schedule. It was hard in November. That was my most exhausted time but I did the elliptical machines and lifted. After NYC I went for a run with Dan and it was terrible... I didn't have enough energy. I decided to give running a try again late November and finally hit my stride. Omg did it feel good. That little three mile run felt like such an accompliment. Granted, I went from an "easy run" pace of 7.2 mph to 6.0 mph but it really feels great. I am hoping to keep running, at whatever pace I can sustain, as long as possible. After a run I feel strong and my head feels clear. I want to keep my lifestyle one of being fit and healthy during and after pregnancy.
Oh and we have decided to wait until birth to find out the baby's gender. I think it will be so fun to have that be part of the big arrival announcement. Before getting pregnant I would never have thought I would do that... I usually want to know such big things as soon as possible for planning of course. But I am really excited about waiting. Maybe being pregnant is bringing out the secretive side of me. And they have the rest of their life to wear pink and blue... bring on the green and gray!
In the last couple of weeks Eddie has started to get extra protective. When I take them out by myself he stares down and acts kind of aggressive with every single dog regardless of how tiny they are that comes in our general vicinity. He rarely ever starts that kind of behavior unless provoked. He has always been protective of me so I assume that this is his reaction to the pregnancy. Shelby has been slightly more needy... but that is okay as I will take all the beagle snuggles I can get.
Other first trimester milestones/moments... Bought first pregnancy books (Mayo Clinic's week by week and a pregnancy diet focused cook book) at week 11. We signed a lease for a 3 bedroom townhouse to have enough room for this kiddo in week 12. Also in week 12, I bought the first item for the baby - a watercolor painting to go in the nursery. It is of sprouts. We also booked a babymoon vacation to Belize. I have gained four pounds.
{13 weeks - "good luck trying to hide that at work"}
Overall, I am surprised with how at ease I am about being pregnant. I thought I would be a bundle of nerves. But I feel patient and calm. I am excited about getting a real baby bump and amazed that there is a little person growing inside me (I know it isn't a new concept but something about it actually happening is crazy).
So I think that is it for the first trimester thoughts and musings.
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 6:07PM 
