Bi-weekly “bump” progress: there’s certainly a liiiiiittle something there but I’m still just waiting to “pop!”

I thought things were supposed to get easier during the second trimester?

So, I was one of the lucky ones the first 12-13 weeks of pregnancy; didn’t have a lick of morning sickness or nausea, just sleepy and peed a lot. Now, I’m just over 16 weeks and find myself with a whole new slew of symptoms. I guess peanut is making up for lost time?

Mood swings
Lower back pain
Round ligament pain
Headaches
Occasional shortness of breath

The mood swings are usually what have the longest duration (poor Noel…and occasionally my co-workers). I haven’t had a bad headache in about a week and a half and the LBP and RLP happen daily, but only for a minute or so at a time here and there throughout the day (but the pains take my breath away).

I’ve also (finally) started gaining the pregnancy pounds. Granted, it’s only been about 6lbs over the 16 weeks (which doc is MORE than happy with), but as most of you may be able to relate, when you’ve lost 30lbs and the scale starts to creep back up, it messes with your psyche and body image and confidence (which then, in turn, exasperates the mood swings).

I didn’t want to become “that blogger” that only talks about being pregnant, but man is it hard when you’re very conscious of the fact that you’re “growing a person” 24/7. Thank you so much for listening.

In happier news…2 and a half weeks until we find out the gender (provided peanut is willing to share the goods)!

I’m having a day.

A day where I feel like everyone I work with is incapable of doing their job right and like I should just do everything. I kind of feel like Jimmy Fallon as Nick Burn’s Your Company’s Computer Guy. MOOOOOVE.

This location of 5 Guys is a WELL. OILED. MACHINE. 10 people behind the counter, all yelling how many people are walking in the door and how many patties they need and smiling and getting things moving during lunch hour. Well done, folks. Well done. I love seeing people happy to do their jobs.

Now give me my beef.

Ugh, this headache!

It came on around 2:00 or 3:00 yesterday afternoon. I was able to go to sleep with it thank goodness, but of course I woke up this morning and there it was, hanging on and nagging. I can’t tell if it’s due to dehydration or hunger or what, so I’m just going to keep drinking my water and eating every 2 hours and see if it helps. Cold compresses seem to take the edge off, too.

Thank goodness I’m working from home today.

Tried to lay by the pool to get some color

30 minutes later, I’m back inside and boycotting clothing.

Baking brownies for tomorrow’s work retreat

All I want to do is eat the batter off the spatula. Alas, down the drain it went instead. Salmonella you are my bitch lover!!

Just placed my first maternity clothing order

…with Noel’s encouragement after he noticed earlier that my jean button was being held closed by a hair tie. Hey, I’m not going to fight him if he’s encouraging me to shop (too bad he doesn’t know I bought some kick-ass heels for the wedding we’re attending in 2 weeks while on lunch).

As for the maternity stuff, I bought things that look like they’ll suit me now AND stretch to be functional in a few months. Between two sites (Pink Blush Maternity and ASOS), I spent less than $150 and got: 2 pairs of maternity jeans, a pair of maternity leggings, a chevron maxi skirt, a maternity cami, and 2 cute cotton tees.

Bargain shopping while pregs: nailed it.

This donut tastes like hot chocolate. This is a good thing. This also may or may not be my second donut today (whoops).

Pregnancy snacks: you’re doin’ it right! This plum, however? May actually fall into the “too juicy” category. What a mess!

Flashback Friday: from a friend’s wedding we went to back in December. Ya’ll just can’t handle my percolator. Kinda hate that the photog didn’t capture that I was doing it in 5” heels…

Happy Hump Day, peepsicles! Hungry peanut is hungry this morning: Omega-3 cage free egg, gigantic organic strawberries, Cheerios Medley Crunch with organic skim (best cereal EVER), and some OJ cut with agua.

NUTRITION!!!! Crushed it.

So I guess in that 30 minutes yesterday, my sensitive pregnancy skin decided to get sunburn. Not painful or blistery…just annoying.

Still feeling like I barely have a bump; I just feel fat lol. Like my arm in this pic? I can’t even.

Pregnancy is a big adjustment for the one they call Fitwatcher.

GUYS! HEY YOU GUYS!

I’m putting on running sneakers and shorts and a tank and…and I’m going to the PARK to hit the trails! Will be walking, not running…but…but…I’M EXERCISING!

Now a days I need to count every small victory of when this actually happens and I obviously have to admit it’s because it’s been happening less often. Early in the pregnancy (like weeks 4-8) I was doing prenatal yoga and going to the gym for light cardio and strength, but then stopped because of some spotting issues (which scared me). Because I was scared of it happening again and thought maybe over-exerting myself was the problem, I really got lazy with exercise and made the excuse that I didn’t want to harm the baby.

Now? I’m getting back to walking and strength “maintenance” training (good for labor)! My goal is going to be to walk (as vigorously as I can) 4-5 days a week for at least 30 minutes and do my “pregnancy friendly” strength exercises (thanks, Mayo Clinic) at least 2-3 days a week. If I complete this goal for a solid week? I get a treat! Maybe a new nail polish or a fro-yo with junky toppings as opposed to fruit. :)

Off I go! The first step out the door is the hardest…

I have the world’s best “work wife.” Peanut’s first onesie is literally too perfect. Cried my eyes out lol. Thank you SO MUCH Becky!!