A Pregnant Textersation

Last night I had a textersation (yes, that's lingo for a text conversation) with my sister Cherish. Cherish had a baby 3 years ago now, and I got to be with her for a few months of her pregnancy. I pledged at the beginning of mine that I would send her a belly picture every week, because she is so far away. So last night, this is what happened after I sent her my 14 week picture:

_______

J: ... I bought maternity pants today haha [yes, this really happened. sigh]

C: hahahahahahahah

J: They are great. haha

C: I know right, totally comfy. And granny panties are the best when you're preggo! Hahaha

J: YEP, GP's are where it's at! Poor Will...

....

J: I cry all the time now and I get really mad at Will for no reason. He's like WHAT'S WRONG?! And I'm like... I don't know!! Haha

C:I remember that! It was mostly because my clothes didn't fit or Kevin ate my marshmallows or I felt fat and disgusting. 

_______

Oh, the little things.

13 Weeks, 4 Days

Dear baby,
I am having a hard time believing that we have already made it through our first trimester together. You have grown from being a microscopic little Zygote with an oversized head, paddle-like feet, and a tadpole tail into a 3 1/2 inch long fetus. Although I can't see you, books tell me that you look similar to a smaller version of your 40-week self that I can't wait to see. Your nose is fully developed (I wonder if it looks like mommy's or daddy's?), you are kicking and dancing and moving around, you are practicing swallowing and breathing, and you have fully functional organs. You have hair. Your tiny little fingernails are visible, and you have the buds of teeth growing in your gums. How did you do it all? I have always thought to have possessed a reverence for life, but nothing can compare to the feeling of having one actually be created within your own body.
When you are born, you will quickly learn how many people have been anxiously waiting for your arrival. With each new week of pregnancy completed, my belly grows a little more and we get a little more excited to finally meet you. You are already so loved. You are going to be blessed with many grandparents. Many more aunts and uncles. Friends and church family and even pets. All waiting for the addition of one little baby- you!
Until then, daddy and I will do everything we can to prepare for this scary, exciting, new step. We will work hard to make your new world one that will help you to grow, learn, and thrive. We pray for you every day. We pray that you are growing strong and healthy while you're still in my tummy, and that you'll continue to do the same when you make your debut into your new world.
I love you already.
-M

Trouble In the Apparel Department

The last week has really done a number on my waistline- thus, my clothing selection. It isn't as if I couldn't fit into my clothing if I tried, it's just that I'd be lying if I said they look good (let alone feel good)! I have found myself in my favorite yoga pants more than their fair share lately.
So here's the question: do I opt to look like I'm lazy (in my oversized tee's and yoga pants) and can't find my way into real clothing, or do I break down and go the the dreaded MATERNITY CLOTHING department?
I've been told many good things about maternity pants. How they are comfortable, they "grow with you", they are oh-so-relieving after wearing those painfully tight, rubber-banded jeans of the past. The thing is, I can't get past the appearance. Why do those stomach bands have to be nude? WHY nude? And those bands aren't the only things that come in nude.
Have you ever pursued the maternity bra section? I'll tell you, I hadn't, until my new pregnant chest became suffocated in all my undergarments. I figured I'd go meander through some more appropriate bra selections online. This little gem is what I came across:

This is a joke, right?

It's like suddenly because you're pregnant, you are automatically mommy-material, therefore all things frumpy and UNsexy. Uh, they do know that I had to engage in some risque activities to get myself in this pregnant state, right? Are they TRYING to make my fetus an only child? Well in garments like this, I am well on my way. A one-way ticket to being THAT lady that wears sky-high underwear and bras with little bows and floral.

I think being pregnant is beautiful, natural and sexy. I just want my clothing to agree!

Week 10

I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that we are already 25% finished cooking our little bean! I know I am fortunate to be feeling like the first trimester has flown by. Can't say I'll miss it much.

This week I am happy to report I have officially said goodbye to:
1. Puking on the regular
2. Feeling nauseous 24/7
3. Being careful not to brush my tongue too far back, for fear of (refer to #1)

And I am also welcoming:
1. A slight increase in my waistline, which is making my jeans slightly snug
2. A little increase in energy, even if it's only for a few hours
3. The return of my appetite!

Possibly the best news that I have to report for this past week is that William and I got to see our little one via ultrasound! It was so surreal, yet it reminded me how real it really is. I know, I'm an oxymoron. It was crazy to see this little human moving around inside of me, complete with four little limbs and a lightning-speed heartbeat. I couldn't help but call my little black and white blob the cutest little baby ever. The doctor agreed. I bet she says that to everyone.

Isn't it cute?

I Wouldn't Exactly Call it Cravings...

More like a mini-crisis waiting to happen.
I think I've been on the phone with Will more than off of it these days, and most the time, the conversation goes as follows:

J: Hi honey, how is work so far?
W: ...
W: What do you need me to pick up today?

But honestly. When I gotta have it, I gotta have it. There were the cherry popsicles. And the General Tsos chicken. And the pickles. And the mid-day super market run for Cinnamon Toast Crunch (which lasted all of about two days).

It would be way too easy if I craved something actually healthy for me. But then again, that would be completely out of character; not that "out of character" is all that out of character for pregnant ladies, so I've heard.

Dreams

I have heard rumors about pregnant ladies and their wild dreams.

Whether it's the excessive amount of gummy worms I've eaten lately or the fetus growing in my abdomen that's lead to these crazy dreams, I don't know, but I am leaning towards the latter.
The other night I had a dream that my sister Jessi, and an old friend from high school Dani (Dani if you're reading this, what's up!) were making Diet Pepsi. Making it. With Brie cheese. They were using the brie cheese to make the Diet Pepsi, and they wouldn't let me help. The funniest part about this dream was that I haven't seen Dani in months, have never drank Diet Pepsi, and haven't had brie cheese in ages. Where does my mind come up with these things!?

Night before last, I had a dream about some family friends, whom I will call the Smiths. I haven't seen or heard from the Smiths since probably the beginning of December. It wasn't a particularly good dream, there was some dying involved (which is why I opted not to include their names- they might find it weird?). The crazy part about it is, I ran in to the Smiths at the grocery store THE NEXT DAY.
Odd. I know. My fetus has super powers.

5 Weeks, 3 days

What an incredible past week!

It started about a week ago. I had a nagging feeling I was pregnant, but it was too early to jump the gun. My period was supposed to come on Wednesday. Alas, it did not come, further confirming my little secret that my sore chest and incessant need to nod off in mid day had already suggested. I decided not to mention it to Will until Saturday, just incase my "time of the month" decided to show it's face after all. Saturday came and went, and I had explained my symptoms including the late period, to Will. If you know Will personally, you know that he is never one to get excited. Literally. Ever. He is extremely level-headed (which makes one of us) and calm. He keeps me grounded. However, this is not what I wanted at a time like this! I wanted him to be just as quick to pull out the First Response as I was. Well, I wasn't going to be persuaded anyway.
Sunday morning: still no period. At this point, taking the test was only a tangible piece of evidence in MY eyes. Will rolled over and put his arm around me, and in his most sweet-as-pie voice says, "So are you going to go pee on one of those thingys or what?" Ah HA, he was excited. Deeeeeeeep down. If there were awards for bed-to-toilet races, I certainly would have gotten it. He, not wanting to miss a beat, sat on the sink and handed me the "thingy" that most of us like to call a home pregnancy test. I peed. I waited. I watched in anticipation as one bold line showed up. I am pretty sure I let out a sound of disappointment a little too soon, because as quickly as the first one came, a second line modestly made its appearance. My grin must have been award winning as well, because I am positive you could see all 32 teeth. Will, being his level-headed self, tried to muffle a smile while he analyzed the test. Let me tell you ladies: men do not like faint lines. He is a man of black or white. He understands neither gray areas or the concept of "a line is a line". So, wanting confirmation, we sat on the couch and I chugged a water bottle. I wasted all of my pee on the first test. Darn it. About 45 minutes later came the time to take test two. Will wouldn't even let me look at it until three minutes was up! Well, you can guess what happened. There they were in all their glory: TWO huge dark beautiful pink lines! It wasn't until now that Will finally allowed himself to get excited. By excited I mean smile, give me a hug, and quadruple check the HPTs.
Eh, I'll take it.

                                                                                     Two, for good measure.