8 and a Half Weeks!

I had my first Prenatal Doc appointment on Tuesday, April 5th.  On the way there I began to pray to God that there is only one in here.  Since the nausea is so much more intense this time and I feel like I’m showing more quickly, I couldn’t help but think there could be two in there, or more.  Thankfully, the Doc and I only saw one little blueberry all snuggled inside with a blinking little heartbeat.  Thank you!  Thank you for blessing us with another beautiful child!  We are soooo grateful!  Surprisingly the baby is measuring 5 days ahead of what I thought we were at.  This is GOOD.  The due date is now November 15 instead of November 20, so less time to be pregnant and hopefully this nausea and fatigue will go away sooner than previously expected.

I know it is not good to compare pregnancies, but all I know is to compare it to my first pregnancy…  When I was pregnant with Alexa in the first trimester, I was a basket case.  I remember crying hysterically just because George was drinking some wine in front of me one night.  I remember calling in sick to work a couple of times, because I was an emotional wreck.  This time, my emotions seem very steady, but my nausea is worse.  My face seems oilier than normal, which happened the first pregnancy too, and so I've fought off a few zits lately.  I still can't eat any meat at all including fish (which is probably a good thing), but I can eat cheese here and there now.  Seems like I have bad days and better days as far as my nausea and fatigue go.  I began exercising again this week, a little… two days of weights and 2 days of cardio, so far, but that’s far from good enough, so I plan to get a couple more workouts in this weekend.

G is still gone in Europe, Germany now, and Alexa and I miss him tons.  Sadly, when he’s gone for long periods of time like this we actually start to get used to him being gone.

Work has picked up a lot for me between my two freelance jobs and school.  Every day I knock off one or two extra things off my massively long and very important “to do” list… will I ever get all these things done??!?! I’m also determined to learn French and to stay in shape throughout this pregnancy.  Oh, and I’m searching for a new house… a house that fits a family of four… “with two cats in the yard, life used to be so hard, now everything is easy cause of you…” – showing my age.

7 Weeks, 3 Days

I told Alexa today there was a baby inside mommy’s tummy, a really tiny baby the size of a blueberry.  She pointed to my belly, said “baby” and then giggled as if to say, “really Mommy?!?!? There’s a baby the size of a blueberry inside your tummy?!?!? Stop pulling my leg.”

The last couple of days my nausea has gotten a bit better, actually, dramatically better.  In fact, this weekend I ate a variety of vegetables, an egg/cheese/bagel sandwich, eggplant parm, cottage cheese, oranges and some bean soups with no problems at all.  Today I was a little nauseous, but nothing compared to what it was like every day the entire 6^th week.  I hope that was it.  One week of extreme nausea and I’m done for the duration of the pregnancy.  I could totally handle that.  I feel pretty bloated and my energy levels are still very low, but I am motivated and dedicated to kick off a full-on exercise routine beginning first thing Monday morning (tomorrow).  Mondays are always good days to start things.

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
30-45 Mins Cardio (Swim, Bike, Run, or Stairmaster)	45-90 Mins Yoga	30-45 Mins Cardio (Swim, Bike, Run, or Stairmaster)	45-90 Mins Yoga	30-45 mins Cardio (Swim, Bike, Run, or Stairmaster)	45-90 Mins Yoga	Rest
Leg Curls, Leg Extensions, Calves, Interior/Exterior Thighs, Ab Machine Crunches	Abs, push-ups	Bench Press, Tricep Pulldowns, Bicep Curls, Dumbbell Shoulder Press, Back Pulldowns, Back pullsbacks	Abs, push-ups	Leg Curls, Leg Extensions, Calves, Interior/Exterior Thighs, Ab Machine Crunches	Abs, push-ups

*It's important to note when doing yoga while pregnant, avoid hot yoga (bikram), twists, pranayama breathing, full wheel pose, and boat pose (navasana).  Avoid Cobra and lying on the back after first trimester.

I’m still struggling with consistent babysitter help, but I have a plan.  School work and Rybovich work at night and while Alexa naps, use babysitter when I work at Boston Proper during the week, and take Alexa with me to the gym early in the mornings a few days a week.  There’s a gym daycare.  I’m also hoping to get a toddler bike seat for my bike and a jogging stroller one of these days soon.  An underwater iPod case and headphones would be cool too.

Spiritually, I’m struggling.  I’m alone with Alexa a whole lot lately which is a blessing, but it’s also starting to get to me.  When I do have company, it’s common for my company to make comments and observations quietly to me about other people in negative or derogatory way all day long day after day.  I try to refrain from responding or engaging in superficial conversations like that, but sometimes I’m sucked it.  It’s draining my energy and it’s hard to disconnect from it.  Already because of my pregnancy hormones, my energy levels are super low right now, so I find myself moping around shoulders curled forward like a hunchback.  Time to stand up straight, zap energy back into my step and be grateful again.