Weight gain

Leave it to doctors to have a chart or graph on how much you should weigh. Grrr. One is supposed to gain 25-30 pounds during pregnancy. I have gained 38lbs. Oops.
I blame the Ovaltine I drink every morning with my well-rounded breakfast. I guess its time to accept milk as it is, and drink it without the chocolate fix. Or perhaps their chart is unrealistic, much like the chart they have for non-pregnant people.
This might explain the clothes struggle. I ordered some maternity pants, we'll see if I can fit into them. If not... I guess I'll wear pants after I start breastfeeding. I hear you burn weight breastfeeding.

Hiccups

We've officially reached the hiccup stage. "A gentle rhythmic jarring in the abdomen" lasting a few minutes to half an hour or more. He seems to be getting them two or three times a day...some days more. It's an odd sensation that I feel on my end. It makes me giggle knowing what it is. :)

I'm okay. Really?!

Seems like once a month a ball my eyes out. It's like my well-being gets hyper aware of everything going on in my life. The worst part is I end up sending out either emotional filled messages or humor-laced messages to cover what I'm feeling...all while crying. Then by the next day I'm back to being the strong, courageous, and glowing woman that I know I am. Which is comfortingly confirmed by my friends.

A couple of days ago I was struck by this monthly phenomenon.

Babies like yoga

I love my yoga! I wish it was offered more than twice a week! I have attempted to follow a video or do it on my own, but it is not as motivating. Regardless, it has been the best thing for me! I feel great and still have amazing balance, not to mention increased flexibility despite the huge belly I'm sporting!

This morning a little someone in my belly joined in the stretching while I did my own. It made me giggle and throw off a few of my stretches. Luckily my breathe, gentle sway, and stretch of my body lulled him back to sleep.

Feeling good and bad

I feel sexy and confident thus far in my pregnancy. But lately I've been trying to shop for pants... ha ha! what a joke. I used to squeeze into tight pants and only had to get the large because I have always had hips. But now...oh...wow... I think I'm carrying a little pregnancy weight in my thighs!

Oh well, my plan is to actually enter the weight room at the YMCA (I never go there now) after my pregnancy and work on the issue. Anyone wanna babysit while mommy toughens up of her thighs?

Belly picture with a little art!

I took this picture of myself next to an artist's sculpture. I thought we belonged together.
Because I am nude (not naked, there is a difference) I have posted it at this link so as not to offend anyone.
http://picasaweb.google.com/katy.sketch/PregnancyNudeWithArt/photo?authkey=8zzRcx958qQ#5241162242006146114

Clothes make a woman

I'm officially a woman. yep, that's right, I can no longer shop the junior department for clothes...even though the style in season is "fitting" to my pregnancy as the racks line themselves with extra long shirts and empire waists and stretchy material. My shoulders have become to broad for the large size and my legs a bit womanly in the thigh area to squeeze into any pants that have some stretch to them. I should have known when I started shopping the size 6 in women's early this year, skipping the size 2 and 4 before I was pregnant.
Unfortunately women's trend isn't so maternity supportive... I actually have to shop online for maternity wear now. Thank you Old Navy for carrying maternity wear cheap! Yesterday I did luck out with a local hip store and snag a few pieces that I can fit into for the next month or two for work.

Boys or men, you sleep the same

Have you noticed that men generally sleep in the same spot every night, whereas women take up the whole bed and move about? Seems the same goes in utero. A woman carrying a girl has a tummy of disproportions. A woman carrying a boy has a nice round stomach like she stuffed a basketball under her shirt like she did when she was 6 years old imitating the pregnant teacher or mother.

My little boy has taken to wedging himself to the very bottom of my tummy, stretching across my bladder (the perfect pillow apparently)! I feel the weight pull down as he curls up in his burrow. Often I can rub his back when he rolls over on his side, pushing his back against my hand.

Watching videos can make one ....cry?

I recently watched a couple of birthing videos. I cried each time!? Not sad or fearful tears...but a range of emotions...its beautiful (and seemingly painful).

One friend asked me if it was because in one of them the partner was there being so supportive. "No, I don't think so," I replied. After all, I have a generous friend who's stepped up and offered to be my partner, I just hope he gives back massages like in the video!

If you'd like to see some amazing videos or just see what the heck made me cry, visit: http://www.babycenter.com/video
I watched the Natural Child Birth video.

In truth, I watched almost them all, although I couldn't bring myself to watch the c-section. No, thanks.

Now, that I think about it, I might have cried watching the cute baby get a bath!? Gee, I'm not emotional? Anyone want to take me to a movie? You bring the Kleenex, I'll buy the popcorn!

Nipple cream

Nipple cream has to be the oddest thing. It feels like a blend of vaseline and honey that doesn't wash off easily. But I have to admit its a nipple-saver in this heat!

On a funny note, I think I made the lady at the drugstore turn a little red when she asked if I needed help and I replied, "Nipple cream." She hurried me over to the baby section and pointed to the obscure spot it was placed in.

The bad and the good side of pregnancy

Bad: I can't tie my shoes. I might need to buy bigger underwear. I have to pee every hour with urgency then again five minutes after peeing. My feet hurt and have grown a size and a half!? There goes all my cute shoes (plus side = shoe shopping! what girl doesn't love that?!)

Good: My boobs look great and fit into the boob cubbies in clothes now! I have a better excuse to wear a dress in the daytime. Yoga still feels great, is easy, and I even have better balance! I crave healthy foods. I crave ice cream and eat it cause I must need it! I get to watch and feel the amazing experience of someone kicking and move about inside of me!

So far I have had...

...A smooth pregnancy where I feel amazing and look great, but am plagued with random moments of emotional upheaval, spawned by the uncertainty of key roles.
I'm past the halfway point and starting to "nest". I need answers, I need child care, I need baby items, I need the nursery to be put together.
I'm thinking "nest" is another word for "need". Much like I need some ice cream right now.

Contact!

Last night he was restless... I could feel with my hand and see with my eyes his kicking, stretching, and punching. But the most amazing moment was when I pushed gently on my tummy and he pushed back, I could feel him with my fingertips!

Need versus cravings

I can't say that I've had any real strange cravings. But what I have had is a NEED for things I used to eat or drink only occasionally:

Orange juice
Milk
Apples
Ice Cream (although my intake of ice cream always increases in the summer)

If I don't have these items available in the house or on a daily basis, I freak out.

These items I can survive, but within a day I need them again:

Bananas
Peanut Butter

At least they are all healthy choices!

Kick, kick!

The kicks are still small, but it's so exciting to feel them throughout the day! When I have a moment to sit down, I can't help but place my hand on my tummy and hope to feel a kick or two to remind me there's a reason my ass and my tummy are getting so big!