20 Weeks

Well, here I am! Halfway! Hard to believe. I've been feeling pretty good this week. After the initial shock of the feet swelling incident, I got over it. And it hasn't happened since, so that's good! Not much else to report other than we are in full swing with end of the year madness. Parties, preparations, the works. We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow so hopefully I can post an ultrasound picture!

Bummer

There things about pregnancy that I really think are not going to happen to me. I know, I know, I am a naive first time mom. But it actually helps me panic a little bit less if I live in my delusional state as long as possible. One of the things I was convinced was going to pass me by was swollen feet. I figured the yoga, all the walking I do, and (stupidly) that my feet and ankles have always been on the bony side (and my high arches have actually been causing me a lot of foot pain lately) would somehow protect me from this "inevitable" side effect. Yesterday I got my wake up call. I spent a lovely day at the pool with Amanda and Pete and then with the Westmorelands later in the day. I love being in the water these days, it feels great on my legs and sore feet. Afterwards, I walked to the market, and then back home. I made dinner and then Ira and I were playing a game of cards. I was sitting in a chair in lotus, like I always do. I got up to get a drink and it felt like my feet were falling asleep. Not entirely uncommon when I forget how long I've been sitting like that. Anyway, I looked down and my toes. The area just below my toes, and the toes themselves were all puffy! What?!! Not me! So I took a shower, rubbed on some peppermint foot lotion and decided to lie down with my legs up the wall. It seemed to help a little bit. This morning, they still felt a little funny, but looked better. I did a little online research and the one thing they tell you to avoid? Being outside in hot climates. Great. Well, I guess I'm going to have at least 3 more weeks of swollen feet. I wonder what's next?! Yikes!

Hey 19!

A little Steely Dan reference for you. And this baby will be forced to learn all the words to all the Steely Dan songs, just as I did had to as a child. By "force" I mean it was on all the time so I had no choice! Anyway, 19 weeks, 21 to go. The baby is the size of a "large heirloom tomato" this week, very specific! The belly is growing and changing for sure. It's becoming more and more prominent and looking more like a basketball every day (another sign it's a boy?) This week the senses become more developed so I'm going to be singing and reading and playing music a lot from here on out. I can't tell if I'm feeling the baby yet or not. I'm feeling things for sure, but I just don't know if it's the baby. In the next couple of weeks things should be more clear. The next doctor's appointment is next week, another ultrasound so hopefully the little stinker will be still long enough to get some good shots!

A little scare...

So a few days ago, while doing my typical bakery/market run I had a bit of a scare. I walked to the bakery and everything was fine, it was hot, but I was ok. Then, walking to the market from the bakery, which is a little longer, I started to feel my heart beating really fast. I didn't panic, but I walked a little faster to get to the market and into the AC. I hurried through the store and then while walking back home, it just got worse. I came home and called my mom (an RN), she asked me some medical questions and then told me what I thought just wouldn't happen to me. I need to slow down. I'm almost halfway through the pregnancy now and my body is working harder to support me and the baby. That coupled with the heat makes it really hard. So later that night while walking to teach yoga, I slowed my pace down and I was fine, no palpitations. Sigh. So this is it. I'm a real pregnant lady now. Everything else is ok, still getting those obnoxious allergy attacks and headaches every few days, but I'm kind of used to them now. Just trying to sty cool til I go home in 27 days! The belly is getting bigger, but I'm going to wait until next week when I hit the 20 week (20 WEEKS!?) mark to post some pictures. Stay tuned!

18 Weeks

I can't believe that in 2 weeks, I'll be halfway there. I think the 2nd half will go even faster than the 1st half since I'll be home for 2 months of it (June 14th!) The baby is 7 ounces and 5 and 1/2 inches long, as big as a bell pepper. I'm sure he's still moving around like crazy in there, but I can't feel anything yet. There are lots of times I think I feel something, but I'm just not sure. I know it takes first time moms longer, so we'll see! Feeling pretty good, but still getting some NASTY headaches. Hard to tell if it's the baby or the air outside...

fruit

I feel like this pregnancy's theme is fruit. The website that I look at each week that tells me how big the baby is, often compares him to fruit. And that's all I feel like eating. More on that in a second. Last night's sleep was the worst it's ever been. You can read about it here. I know there are a lot of friends and family who read both blogs so I don't want to be redundant. Anyway, back to my obsession of the moment. I just can't get enough. All of my meals and snacks are 80%, if not 100% fruit. Especially peaches. They are really good right now and I think what I'm craving is the juiciness of them more than anything. It's not the greatest thing to be craving, honestly. I know it's a very healthy thing to be craving, but in terms of "stocking up" it's just not that practical. I'm going to say that I eat somewhere between 25 and 30 peaches a week. That's at least 4 trips to the market each week to get fresh fruit. And that doesn't include the apples, bananas, locuts, and strawberries, nor the occasional dried apricots and prunes. I'm sure once I get back to the States next month, it'll be all sushi, pizza, and Domani Star, but for now I'm happy with my fruit.

17 weeks

I can't believe I'm 17 weeks already! There have been moments of this pregnancy that have dragged a bit but things have been picking up lately and I know it'll only be a matter of time before I can feel this little guy (I think it's a guy) kicking and swimming around in there. I can't wait! The baby weighs about 5 oz. and is the size of a turnip. The lower part of my abdomen has been getting harder and if I lay on my back it's REALLY hard. Some things have been getting difficult. I had to drop one of my beginner yoga classes because it's getting too hard for me to demonstrate things. After I teach I tend to have a sore lower back from adjusting people during class. Sleeping has been awful. My mom thinks it's my 2nd trimester energy going haywire. Whatever it is, it's annoying. I'm not even that big yet and I can't seem to get comfortable. I'm up at least once a night for a couple of hours (that doesn't count all the times I'm getting up to pee) I'm just trying to roll with it and get sleep when I can, that's what I'll have to do after the baby is born, right?! In other news, the sandstorms are so bad for my sinuses that it's been an indoor week so far. Sigh. I'll get out again someday!