Ladies and gentlemen, we have lift off! There is a bump! Look at it! Behold its roundness and bump-like qualities (I am super excited about this bump in case you cannot tell). It looks round in clothes and I actually appear to have a baby rather than a burrito in my belly :D
8 Weeks
26 Weeks
As you can see, I am slowly losing my belly button (top half is still there, bottom half has vanished into the bump). I mentioned it to my dad, and he began weaving a tale of loss and woe of my dear great friend, belly button. Pregnancy is weird.
Here is the bump in clothes! I'm not sure why, but the bump looks way bigger in clothes than in my sports bra and yoga pants. These pictures were taken minutes apart.
This week baby girl is the size of en eggplant and weighs about 2 lbs. One app says she is 9.2 inches, another says 13.6 inches. She can open her eyes and she hears what is going on outside of the womb (she's been able to hear me for awhile now, but now she responds to loud noises). Hubs and I went to see Mocking Jay Part I and she definitely reacted to sudden changes in volume.
Baby girl is super active these days (still mostly at night) and you can easily see her movements on the outside. My cat loves to wrap across my belly, but she doesn't seem to notice the numerous kicks.
Hubs gets to feel her move all the time. He gets kind of sad now though as the time for him to leave draws nearer. Truth be told, it makes me sad too :( We're trying to make the most of our time though. We bought some baby books and we are going to record his voice for some and I'll make videos of others to play for baby girl so she can recognize her daddy's face and voice. If anyone has any other ideas on things we can do of this nature for daddy-baby bonding from afar, I'm all ears.
I had a small scare yesterday evening when I noticed I was bleeding. It wasn't heavy, but bleeding of any kind is not something I want to see during pregnancy. I called my OB nurse hotline and they told me to lay down and monitor the situation. Thankfully, the bleeding stopped rather quickly and I had no other concerning symptoms. I know I have a friable cervix, meaning it is easily aggravated and more prone to bleeding, so the nurse thinks maybe the baby caused some irritation during one of her more vigorous tumbles around the womb. Anyone else experience this kind of issue this late in their pregnancy? Everything is fine now and she's kicking as I type this post :)
Also, I've gotten a lot of input on the registry. What I am looking for now is input on things I have NOT registered for that other veteran moms think I should have and why. Thanks!
We are registered at Babies "R" Us (#54941451) and Burlington Baby Depot (#34080180). They can be found by searching for either my or Josh's name.
This week baby girl is about 9 inches long and weighs about 1.7 pounds. My phone app says she is the size of a turnip, buuuuut it also said turnip around 17 weeks or so. I decided to look it up on the internet (which is always right, the internet never lies >_>) and a lot of sites say she is actually more like 13.5 inches (weight is still on point). Another site says she is the size of an acorn squash.
Regardless of her relative size compared to food objects, she is growing :) Here are my progress pics (flipped the side view around so it lines up with the 8 week pic). Poking out!
8 Weeks
25 Weeks
I did ultimately figure out what to do with my hair for the big fancy to-do. As per usual, this practice run (top row and bottom left) turned out better than for the actual event (bottom right). Oh well.
I need to get a new computer chair. I've been using a padded fold out chair for the last two years, but apparently my back is not having it anymore. One more thing to add to the list for Black Friday shopping!
Update: Last night baby girl was doing some serious acrobatics. I can see her kick from the outside now, so I lifted up my shirt to see what she was doing. My entire stomach was rolling around like a water bed.
I now call complete BS on that "I didn't know I was pregnant" show. Even if these women were medical mysteries who never had periods anyway (or still somehow got them while pregnant), didn't gain weight, and didn't look pregnant, there is no way in hell they felt the baby movement and thought "Gee my Chipotle sure is active tonight!"
Then again, maybe I just have a super active baby. Still, there is no confusing the movement for any digestive function. I wish I could have captured it on camera, it was the craziest thing to watch.
We are registered at Babies "R" Us (#54941451) and Burlington Baby Depot (#34080180). They can be found by searching for either my or Josh's name.
This week, baby girl is about 8.5 inches long (roughly the size of an ear of corn) and she weighs about 1.5 pounds. This is also considered the point where a pregnancy is viable; however, I would like her to continue cooking for another 16 weeks or so ;) Her kicks are visible from the outside now as well! Here are my progress pics. I'm starting to poke out in my lower belly!
8 Weeks
24 Weeks
In registry land, I'm currently struggling with strollers. I want to get a jogger and use it as both my everyday and jogging stroller (because don't nobody wanna store two strollers if they don't have to). Every time I think I found an economical jogger with travel system (car seat and base), the internet reviews come to rain all over my parade.
The only option I've found with good reviews (and sans horrible reviews) is the Bob Revolution Travel System. That biznatch is $547. Any input on jogging strollers that come with a travel system would be greatly appreciated at this point.
I've also been playing around with my pinterest hair board. I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my hair for the big fancy to-do this weekend. I normally wear it down, but I feel like my face is now on the unfortunate side of plump (pregnancy weight, why you go to my face?)
Of course instead of being productive and trying out hairstyles I could actually wear to a formal event, I try out huge hair day styles. Most people call this second day hair, my hair just likes to expand in my sleep and needs to be pinned and braided into some semblance of normal.
So yea, no progress in the fancy hair department either.
I also updated a few days ago with another week of my workouts for those of you who are interested.
We are registered at Babies "R" Us (#54941451) and Burlington Baby Depot (#34080180). They can be found by searching for either my or Josh's name.
This week I got to hear baby girl's heart beat at my prenatal appointment, which is always awesome. I also got to see a doctor who knows how to do manipulations for my sciatica pain. I have another appointment with him in about two weeks. Hopefully he can help get my pain under control.
On a completely different note, here are my workouts I did this week for those who are interested. Last week's workouts as well as some pregnancy rules for fitness that I follow can be found here. Monday
3.25 mile run Tuesday Part I
For today's weight training, I did three rounds of the following couplets in a pyramid fashion. If I append it with 20, 15, 10 then I started with 20lb dumbbells and ended with 10lb DBs. The same idea holds true if you see 10, 8, 5.
I go through each couplet three times before moving on to the next
I thought about including this in the last post, but I figured if someone was looking for just pregnancy workouts, they wouldn't want to read through all my body image whinging first. Here is a look at my workouts from last week.
Keep in mind, everyone's fitness level prior to pregnancy is different. Just because I can do these workouts does not mean all pregnant women can or that I'll even be able to do them a week from now. I talk with my doctor about all of these exercises at each appointment (every 4 weeks). However, my confidence in their understanding of my workout regimen is not incredibly high.
That being said, here are some rules I always follow:
If it starts to hurt or feel uncomfortable, stop.
Always be sure to breathe. I never hold my breath while lifting any weight and I make sure I can talk (not gasping, actual talking) while doing cardio.
No crunches or twisting core exercises (like Russian twists)
I do not lie flat on my back anymore. This is more due to discomfort reasons; however, many doctors suggest not working out on your back after 20 weeks (or earlier depending) so as not to put pressure on some major vein (don't remember the name). This vein supplies oxygen to your baby (I think, it does something important anyway).
There are some other rules I follow buuuuut I don't recall them at the moment. They've become so ingrained at this point I don't have to think about them.
Sunday
Rest
Monday Part I:
12 minute HIIT workout video (with burpee/lunge cardio component). I'll explain any modifications I did below.
Either follow the video above (it is done in real time) or set your interval timer to 50 seconds work, 10 seconds rest. After each exercise below, you perform a cardio component. This involves burpees (no push up) with one lunge (alternating lunges after each burpee). I can still do burpees without losing form or hurting myself. However, I slow them way down. I also start to step my legs out when I get tired.
1. 1 Leg Spider Push-ups ( L&R Alternate)
For the first move, I do not do the push up elevated and I keep both feet planted on the floor. This way, I remove the chance of losing my balance and falling.
2. Squat & Side Out ( L&R Alternate)
For the squat down/side kick, I held a 20 pound dumbell at chest level since I don't have a T-Bar.
3. Side Jump, Push & Knee Tuck ( L&R Alternate)
Again, I do these slow and I step out instead of jump out when I need to.
4. Push Up Jack & Shoulder Tap ( L&R Alternate Shoulder)
I did the first few as jacks, but I was concerned about balance so I switch to just push ups with shoulder taps.
5. Clean & Press & 2 x Shoulder Press
Again, I just used a 20lb dumbbell in place of the T-bar here. Prior to pregnancy I would use waaaay more weight; however, as the pregnancy has progressed, the amount of weight I lift (particularly over my head) has diminished quite a bit. I pay very careful attention to form, and I do not hold my breath at any point.
6. Touch Touch, Punch Punch, 1 Push-up Plank
Her form gets really crappy the more tired she gets. This one does not require any modifications for me (yet, haha). Again, form is key.
Planks, burpees, and push ups are pretty much the only core work I get these days since traditional crunches and twisting motions (like Russian twists) got the nix awhile back. I'm sure my expanding belly will determine how long I can continue doing planks.
Part II
2 mile run
Tuesday Part I: Weight training video
1. Bicep in & Out 10
2. Tricep kick backs 10
x3
3. Bent Over Row 10
4. Chest Press 10 (I do push ups since I can't workout on my back)
x3
5. Shoulder Press 10
6. Bent Shoulder Flys 10
x3
7. Squats & Press – 10 Total
8. Lunge – 10 Total
x3
Part II:
This one requires two sets of dumbbells. Your max (my preggo max is 20 lb DBs), and then a lighter weight you can immediately repeat the exercises with without needing to stop (for me, this is 10 lb DBs). I actually require three unique sets as my triceps cannot kickback as much as my biceps can curl. So I use 20s, 10s, and 8s.
#9 I do standing ski ab hops P90X style, not on the ground like you see in Insanity. #12 I swap out with bird dogs, #16 becomes high-low planks, and #20 I do plank punches instead. Basically, if it calls for a crunch, I do some kind of plank variant instead since my doctor says those are still fine.
Part II
2 mile run
Thursday Part I:
This is similar to Tuesday's workout but with a focus on shoulders and back. I included what weights I used. This one, I don't decrease the weight for all the moves since 20 lbs is kind of a joke for one arm DB rows. I used to use heavier weights, but I've been advised to not use more than my 20 lb DBs.
8 push ups
8 military press (20lb DBs)
8 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
8 in and out raises (10 lb DBs)
8 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
8 military press (10lb DBs)
8 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
8 in and out raises (8 lb DBs)
8 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
Shake it out
6 push ups
6 military press (20lb DBs)
6 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
6 in and out raises (10 lb DBs)
6 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
6 military press (10lb DBs)
6 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
6 in and out raises (8 lb DBs)
6 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
Shake it out
4 push ups
4 military press (20lb DBs)
4 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
4 in and out raises (10 lb DBs)
4 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
4 military press (10lb DBs)
4 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
4 in and out raises (8 lb DBs)
4 one arm DB row (L and R so 16 total, 20lb DB)
Part II
16 push ups
16 alternating runners lunge with push ups
16 bird dogs
16 elbow plank punches
16 reverse lunge with reach
16 good mornings
16 side lunges
16 elbow plank + alternating reach toward the ceiling
16 burpees (no push up)
Part III
10 minute jog Friday
2 mile run
5 minute stretch (and potty break because my preggo bladder is the size of a dime)
2 mile run
Saturday
Rest
This may seem way too intense to some people (or way too easy to others), but again this is based on my fitness level prior to getting pregnant. All of these workouts take me about 30-35 minutes , which is a much shorter duration than my workouts used to be (45-60 minutes). My intensity level is significantly lower than it used to be as well (i.e. 10 minute mile pace vs. sub-8 minute mile pace, reduction in dumbbell weight, etc).
For those of you mommas and momma-to-be's who also did crossfit prior to pregnancy, I found out about this great site from my husband: http://www.crossfitmom.com/. It has excellent suggestions for how to modify certain exercises.
Josh got to feel baby girl kick for real this week. He's felt the little pokes, but I usually have to clarify that what he felt was indeed the baby (as opposed to...?)
However, on Halloween baby girl was super into kicking hard. Halloween was largely uneventful. We had two trick or treaters. TWO. So we had an entire bowl of candy left at the end of the night. I expected low turn out so I only got a small premixed hodgepodge of candy, but I didn't expect just two. So what is a preggo to do when faced with a bowl of candy?
Gorge. Shamelessly.
I think I had 5 of those mini bag of skittles and baby girl went nuts. You could physically see her kicking from the outside, so crazy. Josh didn't see it happen, but I told him she was doing some pretty serious kicking, so he laid his hand on my belly and waited. He's so funny to watch when he's waiting for her to kick. She finally gave one of the super mega kicks and his face lit up, he was so excited.
I also broke down and bought some maternity sweaters. It's weird. All of my pants and shirts still fit, but I just look weird in my regular shirts. As you can see in my progress pictures, I still don't particularly look pregnant. However, my back bows inward a lot more now than it used to, which forces my stomach out, and I am noticeably wider (and who needs a waist line anyway? X_X). I try to be conscious of my posture when I'm standing to minimize my back pain, but I don't know how much success I'm having.
Anyway, regular shirts have a tendency to hang down straight in the back but bow outward in the front with my new stance, so I look significantly bigger in clothes than I do in my sports bra and yoga pants. But not pregnant bigger, like I've let myself go bigger. Not a look any woman particularly wants.
So basically, I feel gross and unattractive. This is something that is incredibly frustrating. I know I don't look gross, but it really doesn't matter how often I say it to myself or Josh says it to me. I still feel like it and I definitely don't like how I look in my clothes. I figured I would give maternity tops a try. They are cut for pregnant women after all.
And what do you know, I feel way better in my maternity shirts. I think they look way more flattering too. Josh agrees, but I'm not sure if he actually thinks I look better or is just trying to avoid being eaten by a hormonal pregnant woman. Then again, he always tells me I look great (smart man, that one).
So without further ado, here are my progress pictures:
8 Weeks
23 Weeks
Lower tummy is protruding more and more each week. Normally, I would be all about this; however, I have to slap on a fancy dress in a little less than two weeks' time for Josh's job. I bought the dress a week ago with the intention that I would expand, so it has some give. That being said, I don't want to feel like a packed sardine in the dress either. We shall see.
Baby stats! This week baby girl is about the size of a papaya (this sounds smaller than last week's spaghetti squash estimate, but whatever). She is still about 8 inches long and weighs 1.2 pounds.
I've added some new items to the registries and updated others based on some of the input I got. I'm still looking for insights on what is a necessity, what is nice to have, and what is stuff I will never use.
We are registered at Babies "R" Us (#54941451) and Burlington Baby Depot (#34080180). They can be found by searching for either my or Josh's name.
Also, I wanted to include an update about my workouts as well since I get asked about them from time to time. However, I didn't want this post to get overly long, so you can check it out here if you are interested.
