First trimester, weeks 4 through 11

So basically, weeks 4-10 went a little like this, as far as physical symptoms go:

The Fatigue: This was my biggest symptom with Truman's pregnancy and also made it's presence known during Wren's. This time? So freaking tired that I had to physically force my legs to take steps. Wanted to gouge out my own eyes because they would not stay open. Could not fight the urge to nap, and actually made time to take one every.single.day (yes, even on work days---I have a pretty fab schedule lately, no?). Collapsed into bed at about 9 pm (ahem, or perhaps 8 pm) and prayed to God that Truman sleeps later than 4:30 am because my energy levels were simply pitiful. Sort of wanted to cry when I had to be productive in the working world but usually, once I'm out and about seeing patients I do a decent job at keeping my eyes open. I really feel like the world's biggest loser of a mom on my days home with Truman because it takes so much effort to keep the child entertained and I had no energy. I found that I can get pretty creative while laying my lazy butt on the couch though, so hopefully I haven't ruined my son for life by letting him watch numerous Elmo DVDs while mommy grows a baby. And thank you, God, for having a toddler that takes fatty naps. I would die otherwise. I think Fatigue was it's worst from weeks 6-10 and then I started weaning myself off naps very slowly.

Nausea: Well, if you do recall, I had basically no nausea with Truman. And then with Wren it was pretty bad by my standards. This time around, I'd say it was more like my second pregnancy because there have been definite moments I talk myself out of blowing chunks everywhere, mostly from weeks 6-9. I did not actually hurl but came close many times, the most interesting of which were when I was working. In patient's homes. As in, I'd have images flash before my eyes where I'd have to ask my elderly patient to use their bathroom and then I'd have to throw up in their 'commode' with raised seat and handles. Or possibly worse---I'd imagine myself running outside and barfing in their front yard. Either option is horrid and totally not professional. But when I'd have a wave I would pray to God with all my might that I could forgo puking at work. So far, so good!

The 'lesser' symptoms:
-Bloat/gas: Um, yeah. Pretty sure there have been evenings when I thought my baby was composed totally of methane gas. Enough said.

-clogged pipes: constipation sent from the Devil himself. I'm sure that kicking my heavy caffeine habit didn't help matters in the cloggage department but whatevs.

-super sniffer: one time I swore that I smelled Doritos while eating an apple. No Doritos in sight, but then that scent rapidly changed to dog farts and I almost lost my lunch while yelling at Henry for tooting. In reality, I don't think I could blame the poor dog for my ridiculous sense of smell. But what a weird symptom, no?

-metallic taste in mouth: this was really only from weeks 4-6 or so and it made me want to brush my teeth 14 times per day. Did I suck on a penny or what? Nasty. This is the main reason that I completely gave up all coffee, too (I know, double check to make sure you are still reading MY blog right now and not some imposter). I have tried some decaff here and there usually it tastes gross to me. Maybe someday I can befriend Starbucks again, my dear lover who comforted me all summer. But for now? Ick. I'll pass.

-irritability/emotional mess: poor Nate. One minute I would be on top of the world, happy as a freaking clam, and super excited about every.little.thing. And the next minute I would start crying and assume that he hated me, that I was losing the baby, and the world was most definitely ending. Emotional highs and lows, plus a absurdly short fuse. I hate that I would take out my deranged hormonal states on my husband and even poor Truman (what?! Why can't you just lay still when I change your dirty diaper instead of rolling in it like a crocodile? The world is ending and I can't take it anymore). Luckily they both still love me and knew that mommy just went through the crazies for few weeks. They hope the worst has passed, as do I.

-sore nips: definitely not as bad as Truman's pregnancy, because I'm pretty sure the old fun bags have been so used and abused that they must not have a whole lot of sensation left in them. But by about week 7 I noticed my boobs hurt when the shower water hit them. And then by week 10 I noticed the girls were plumping up again. Hallelujah.

-dizziness: totally got the room spinning a few times after standing up. Nothing like taking two steps, then stopping to throw your head between your knees to avoid passing out to prove you are pregnant.

-headaches: dude. I'm sure giving up my beloved coffee doesn't help matters here but I was doing totally fine until about week 9 when I started getting ragers in the afternoon. Mostly on work days. Not sure if I'm not drinking enough water or what---but I find that if I treat myself to a little diet soda my headache goes away. Magical!

Overall, I think this whole first tri has been pretty comparable to my other pregnancies. Maybe a little worse with nausea, about the same for fatigue, and definitely a lot harder with a toddler. But I still feel like I've lucked out in the symptom department because I never bowed to the porcelain gods---and really, when you are a headcase like me, making your mental sanity waver by the second when it comes to worries about a healthy pregnancy, it's a good thing I wasn't a total wreck in the physical symptom department, too.

I started actual belly pics at 11 weeks so I might as well make the posts more official at that point---finally feeling more optimistic, and able to write out weekly posts for your viewing pleasure! Remember, in real life I am 14 weeks now so you will have 'catch up' posts for weeks 11, 12, and 13 before the current one at 14 weeks. I know it's confusing, bear with me.

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Eleven weeks: 11.9.11




Size of baby: a lime according to The Bump (or a fig by Baby Center's standards), which seems like the first legit fruit of the bunch compared to teeny poppy seeds, blueberries, and prunes!

Cravings: slamming OJ like nobody's business lately. Never did this before, except while pregnant with Truman...

What I love: having a real bump! Still can't wrap my head around the fact I'm showing this early, though.

What I'm looking forward to the most: Feeling the baby move. And being out of the first tri.

Worries: making it past first tri, plain and simple.

What is different this time around: well by 11 weeks with Truman we had already told the whole wide world. Not so much this time. And of course, with Wren's 11 week mark I believe I was taking that failure of a drug called Cytotec to induce my miscarriage. So yeah, this time it's pretty freaking different compared to both other times at 11 weeks!

Symptoms: This is honestly the first week I can say I have any amount of energy! I haven't needed a nap every.single.day anymore and I can actually walk around the house without willing myself to move every inch. I have noticed my boobs are inflating again (hoo-boy!), I'm gassy and bloated, and really ridiculously emotional.

Sleep: Can't. Get. Enough. May not be napping for 2 hours each day anymore but still love to hit the hay super early at night. And since my beloved toddler enjoys waking at the butt crack of dawn, I believe that might make me more tired during the day. Not waking to pee in the night but when T does wake around 4 or 5 I have to practically sprint to the bathroom to relieve my full bladder.

Boy or Girl: no idea. Not even letting myself attempt to get in touch with my intuition just yet. Makes it seem too real and scary:) I will probably refer to this baby as a boy in my posts, though, just because that is what I'm used to in pregnancy, okay?

Milestones: Apparently, baby is 'fully formed'. Which I guess means that all of the appropriate parts are accounted for at this point?

Best moment of the week: at 10w2d I had an ultrasound that showed a MOVING baby! One that was seriously waving to me, flexing his neck, and wiggling all around. I have never cried at an ultrasound before (at least not from happiness) but came pretty close this time. I wish Nate could have been there to see this little child doing his jig. I think this was also the exact day that I finally started to think positively and let myself get excited about meeting our May baby. Still have to make a conscious effort to remain optimistic but it's definitely getting easier with time.