Packing on the Pounds

(With Lily Photo Courtesy Ryan MacDicken)

I’ve had trouble finding the time to get my latest blog up. Chasing my little girl around is exhausting and when she naps that’s usually when I try to catch up on everything else (housework, emails, etc.) or sleep but it’s 10:30pm, we got back from the Club Northwest Annual Meeting a half hour ago, she’s in bed and I’m amazingly not feeling sleepy yet, and I have a tub of Tillamook Grandma’s Cake Batter in front of me so what better time to get you up to speed.

                I’m going to rewind a bit to the month of February and have you take a guess as to how many miles I ran that month? Give up. Zero. Yep. Zero. I also put on 10 pounds. You may be thinking I should back away from the tub of ice cream but right now it’s helping me not feel nauseous. I’m hungry all the time and don’t make the healthiest of choices during these moments. But everything in moderation right?

                I think you may be a little confused or know where I am going with this. In January I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. The second addition to our family is due September 20^th. At the end of January I had a day where I was feeling really gung-ho and ran to the track with Levi and Lily and did some sprints, plyometrics, jumps, etc. The next day I noticed some spotting. There was one other thing I did that day but you’re not my Doctor and I don’t want to be too personal. ;) It spotting wasn’t much and was dark in color. I emailed my midwives and was surprised to hear back from them that evening as it was a weekend. They did not seem concerned and gave me the option of coming in. I decided I would be fine but the next day I asked them about my RH status. I am RH negative and during pregnancy you typically need a Rhogam shot in case there is any of your and the baby’s blood mixing, which can happen during childbirth, miscarriages, etc. Levi is RH positive. If my baby is positive and our blood was to mix, my body would produce antigens against the baby’s, viewing it as a foreign invader in my body. When I mentioned this, my midwives changed their minds and had me come in to get a shot. They also had me do an early ultrasound (7 weeks) to see if the baby was ok and where the bleeding was coming from.

(Practicing to be a big sister)

The ultrasound technician found the baby quickly and I saw the little heart beating. What a relief. She also saw that I had a slight bleed in my cervix. Everything checked out ok. To be on the safe side one of the midwives told me to stay away from impact activity. No running, no weight lifting until my next appointment which was a month away. I agreed. Now they didn’t tell me no exercise but having the two main things I do cut I found myself pretty much doing nothing. Well I guess if you call walking with Lily to the park something, and caring for a toddler, then there’s that.

I honestly don’t know how much exercise I would have done even if I had been cleared. It’s March and I was cleared to resume my normal exercise activities but I am struggling. This pregnancy is so different from my first. My first was a breeze in comparison. I didn’t have any nausea but this time I feel sick 24/7. I had one day where I threw up 8 times (5 of those were in one hour). Luckily I have only had one day that bad. I am through the first trimester and I think things are getting a little better. I know only feel nauseous in the evening on. Hopefully that will go away too.

Food is the one thing that helps with the nausea. This may seem weird because most don’t feel hungry when sick. I am hungry all the time. It is getting better now but up until about a week ago I would eat breakfast then an hour or so later feel so hungry I would get sick and feel faint and have to eat again. This would go on all day. The things that worked the best for my nausea and hunger were French fries, salty foods, carbs, basically anything that you wouldn’t deem the healthiest choice. I still ate my vegetables and healthy foods but I also ate a lot of everything else.

All the hunger probably didn’t help with my showing right away. There is no hiding this pregnancy. At 6 weeks a friend saw me and knew I was pregnant and I was wearing a baggy shirt. At three months I don’t fit in any of my regular clothes. I look about 2-3 months farther along, as compared with my first pregnancy, than I am. At the meeting tonight I walked in the door carrying Lily, a diaper bag, her portable high chair, and wearing a very loose long sweater dress and immediately upon walking in the door my friend noticed. I’m wondering how big this belly will get? Hopefully this growth slows down or I may not be able to walk soon, lol.

With my first pregnancy I was able to get out and run, almost every day in the beginning.  I am so exhausted this time I struggle to get the motivation. I am sure some of it has to do with having another child to care for but either way I think I am more tired. I am sure six months from now I will be looking back thinking, “I didn’t know what tired was!” When I’m caring for a newborn and a toddler but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

(Lilyana patting the baby)

Lilyana is 19 months old today and she has been doing great so far. She pats my belly and gives the baby kisses. She likes to say “Sister!” to tell me she is going to be a big sister. She’s really good around other babies and always tries to kiss and hug them. I think she is going to be a good big sister. She has started potty training and I am hopeful that by the time the next baby comes she will be out of diapers, or a lot closer to it!

I’m not sure what will be in store for me post baby #2. 2016 is an Olympic Year but I’m really not sure how training will be with a toddler and an infant. I will take things a day at a time. If things are going well in training, great, then I might have another run at the Trials but if it’s too much for my plate I am perfectly content with my role as a Mother. My number one priority is my family and I trust God to help guide me in the direction He sees fit.