13 Weeks - 19 Weeks

These last 6 weeks or so have been by far the best. I have a renewed energy. I no longer feel the need to take a nap every day. I haven't felt bad much at all. I feel just as good, if not better, than my pre-pregnancy self. I never quit going to the gym but it seems like the last few weeks I have really done great at the gym and felt great doing it. I'm trying to stay in shape. I've been in the habit since High School of working out anywhere from 2 to 4 times a week. Why stop now? Preston and I joined a gym here in Edmond about a year and a half ago and I love it. I still do almost everything that I did before I was pregnant. Just a note for those of you who have an old fashioned idea of what's OK and what's not: Not only is it OK that I work out a lot but it is actually recommended! Here are the exact words from my doctor: "You can do whatever exercising you have been doing for as long as it feels good." A lady at work saw me running outside from one office to another on a cold day and said "Don't you be running!" I just laughed and thought to myself "Man, you would die if you saw me in kick-boxing!" Actually all three classes that I go to at the gym are taught by the same lady that is about my age. She just went on maternity leave. She taught all three classes until one week before her baby was due. Anyway, all that to say, here's my exercising schedule for now: Monday: Step class, Tues: Circuit class (cardio and strength training), Thurs: Kick-boxing, and when we're in town on Saturdays Preston and I go and I usually just do a cardio machine and lift weights. Preston would also like for me to note that he is way too manly to go to my girly classes...he runs, swims, and lifts weights while I'm in class. :)

These last several weeks have also been fun because I'm finally starting to show! Strangers still wouldn't look at me and think I'm pregnant, but for the people that know me they are able to look at me and tell a difference. It also makes a huge difference by what I'm wearing. If I wear maternity clothes I just look like I'm wearing stuff that is way too big. But if I wear something kind of tight I look pg....or at least chubby bellied. The first things that I outgrew were my dress pants and shirts that just come to my belly button. I'm still not wearing much maternity but I wear some of my longer shirts and low-rise pants. By the way, low-rise pants are the way to go at this stage. They're great. Some of my pants that aren't so low I just leave unbuttoned or maybe rubber band them together. Just because you can get something buttoned standing up doesn't mean you'll be able to breathe once you're sitting down! I don't think it will be long until I'm wearing only maternity pants, though, especially to work.

I think in the last couple of weeks I've done the most growing. My doctor may be surprised to see me step on the scale. At my last appointment, 2 weeks ago, I had gained 4 pounds since my appointment 3 weeks before that, making a total of 6 pounds. I'm a little nervous to see the damage next week. I can also tell I'm growing b/c of the pulled muscle feelings I have in my lower abdomen. I read up on it and it's perfectly normal. Ligaments are just stretching, but they will soon strengthen to hold the extra weight. I also find that if I eat too much I feel VERY full and uncomfortable. I guess there is just nowhere for the food to go but out, so I always look bigger after a big meal. This last week I have been more hungry than usual. When I'm working at home in the afternoons I find that all I can think about is food until I go get a snack....at least until an hour later when I start thinking about it again. I just don't keep unhealthy snacks in the house because I know I would eat it!

Oh, and several people have asked me if I have any weird cravings. No, not really. I haven't craved anything much. I used to drink coffee every morning and eat cookies after lunch and dinner. But neither of those sound very good these days. I guess that's not so bad considering I'm better off without both of those!

Here are a few pictures. I'll try to have an updated belly picture on here every week from now until July. Sorry if you feel uncomfortable seeing me in a sports bra. Get over it.