Pregnancy Journal: My First Trimester Essentials

The first trimester can feel like you're moving in slow motion...

Finding things that provide comfort and relief is key.

Here are a few things that worked for me.

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As far as food and drink goes, it has been a real struggle.  I'll find something that works for a few days, and then all of a sudden it grosses me out.  These are a few things that have stuck around:

 

We call these "fizzy drinks" in our house.  So many different beverages left a strange taste in my mouth (even water!), I was happy to find something that didn't.  This Peach Passion Fruit flavor has really worked for me.  

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I have really enjoyed eating frozen fruit.  I like having it partially defrosted.  Walmart has the best value here.

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Cereal was huge for me the first few months.  I bought lots of different kinds but Kix was the only type that I never got sick of.  Still loving it.

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I use the term loosely, but I felt essentially bedridden for weeks 6-14.  There were a couple of really bad days when I had to miss work, but for the most part if I wasn't working, I was in bed, usually watching tv.

  I developed a borderline obsessive relationship with Game of Thrones.  I already loved the show, but I rewatched all of the episodes and then started watching YouTube videos that broke down all of the details from each episode.   I mean, if you ever have any desire to talk about GoT, I would love to discuss.  Did you know that there are 4 different methods of resurrection on the series?  

I'm not kidding y'all, nerd alert!

Now I feel like I really understand the anticipation K feels waiting for college football to start.

I already can't wait for next Sunday!

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I have used Palmer's Cocoa Butter since high school.  I started using it because I felt it extended my suntan the best of every lotion I tried.  Now, I'm more focused on the stretchmark benefits.

A tan is the furthest thing from my mind.  K has actually kindly suggested I sit out in the sun a few times lately, I so pale.

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I pull this out of the freezer every night.  It has become part of my night time ritual.

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These are the two baby books I have.  

I have heard great things about Baby Wise and hope to become so myself.  

:)

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And last but certainly not least, these two.

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I wish I had a magical cream or vitamin that made the first trimester better, but for me it was really just taking it one day at a time and trying to stay positive.

I have turned a real corner and feel more like myself every day!

Pregnancy Journal: The Beginning

Now that our news is out in the open and I'm beginning to feel slightly better, I'm hoping to get back in the blogging saddle.  I have been consistently updating Hominy Girl for 5 years and it's not something that I want to see fade away.  I have always loved reliving special moments through my archives and this is most certainly a very special time for us.

So, I'm going to be doing some "Pregnancy Journal" posts for the next 5 months or so...

This post I'm focusing on the first 4 months of my pregnancy, and a little bit leading up to it. 

TTC (Trying to Conceive):
Ok so we all know how babies are made, but I do think that educating yourself on fertility and conception is a huge part of it. 

I began tracking my cycles about 6 months prior to our "trying".

I did not go so far as to start temping or charting, however I monitored my body's way of  telling me it was ovulating.

Without going into many details, I will say that one unique sign for me was breakouts along my right jawline on the day of ovulation. I read that these hormonal breakouts can even be indicative of which ovary (left or right) your egg is released from...kinda cool.  I'm sure this sounds like crazy talk to some, but when you're on the TTC bandwagon, it can be extremely interesting, and that's why I'm sharing it.

Finding Out: 

I took a test 3 days before my period was due and it was a total tease. There seemed to be a hint of a line, in certain lights, when you held it the right way.  And then there would be nothing and I'm thinking "Oh my gosh, I'm losing it!"  K's input: "I don't know, maybe?"...  My mom's: "I mean, yes but no?"

What do you think?

So later, I did what any other crazy woman would do, I instagram filtered the test to see if it shed any light on the result.

Needless to say, I decided not to trust the insta-positive and tested my patience by waiting a full week, until my period was definitely past due, to try again.  It was hard to wait an entire week but I'm glad I did because there was no maddening guess work...positive!

Symptoms:

I found out I was pregnant at 5 weeks.   The first signal something was different for me was extreme dry mouth.  I was returning something at Dillards in the mall and absolutely had to walk to the Food Court to get a drink before leaving.  I was so thirsty that I couldn't even fathom the drive home without liquid.  That was very unusual.  My real symptoms didn't kick in until Week 6 and they turned my world upside down.

I hate to sound dramatic, but if I'm being honest I had no idea how intense my symptoms would be...

Severe nausea all. day. long.

My breasts, so sore it hurt to give hugs.  So so big.  Oy.

Sleepless nights with my mind racing for no reason.  i.e. Laying awake with Christmas carols in my head.

Food Aversions  These were, by far, the worst of it all.  All of my joy from cooking and eating disappeared overnight (and still hasn't returned)

Exhaustion: Straight in the bed after work everyday.  Completely zapped.
Headaches: self explanatory

I have lived what I would describe a never ending hangover for the last few months. 

I am still coming out of the fog of symptoms and I'm really hoping it will lift completely soon.
Of course, of course, all of this is worth it BUT I wish I had known what to expect.

Sharing the News:

I didn't surprise K with the news... He knew I was planning to retest so I ran to him with the results immediately. 

We told our parents that same weekend.

Then we waited until my first appointment at 9 weeks to share with siblings, close friends, etc.  

At a little over 12 weeks, we shared the news with extended family on Easter.  It made for an extra special holiday.  Best Reaction: 92 year grandmother in law.  "I could tell you gained some weight"  :) Give it to me straight, Virginia!

This is my first "online" announcement.

Here is a photo from our 13 week appointment.  Growing like crazy!

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I am 15 weeks today.
Right now I'm really looking forward to our next appointment,  learning the sex, and of course to feeling a little better each day.
I've been doing some very basic registry research and it's really made me want to take a minimalist approach to baby gear.  So. much. stuff.
Also to note, I could browse the baby section all day.  Everything is so soft and smells so good!
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Ok, that's enough for now, 
I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Our Favorite St. Barth's Souvenir

Everywhere we have traveled, we're sure to pick up a souvenir or two.  We don't collect anything in particular, it's more about finding something that fits the particular vacation vibe. These are the things that will go in the curio cabinet, stories to be shared with future generations .  

I can remember stopping into a sweet little shop in St. Jean on our recent trip to St. Barths.  I saw a stack of  books and knew I'd found the perfect thing to bring home.

The timing is now perfect to share it with you...

 Because we are excitedly expecting our first child!!!

He/she is due October 7th, 2016.

 I will be sharing more about my pregnancy thus far later in the week.

I can't wait to blog bits and pieces about our road to parenthood.

 xoxo,

Laura

Sweet Little Moment

I just wanted to share this precious photo my husband snapped on our beach walk this weekend.
It captures the exact feeling I have when I spend time with my little family...
I feel lucky to have a life filled with so much love and sweetness. 

I hope your days have been filled with happy, cheesy moments lately.
<3