The baby bump

The baby bump, the adorable first visible signs that a growing little life is residing inside its mother’s womb… I have come to realize that the baby bump is only cute on women weighing in at 150 or less.

For myself, a woman much stouter than the average bear – I have the pleasure of having 2 bumps. The “upper bump” is alllll me and despite my best efforts I can no longer hold it in. I lovingly refer to this as “the buffet.” I imagine myself a mamma bear and this is the fruits of my labors, the veritable smorgasbord that will sustain my cub through winter.

The “lower bump” is actually the baby, located squarely in my uterus, where it should be. I somewhat fear my fifth month when according to most, including my mother-friends, is when you actually “start showing.” Yikes!

That’s pregnancy though right? So bring on the stretch pants and lycra dresses! I am mother, hear me roar. As I get to know my every changing, ever curving, ever widening body – I’m secretly planning for my first post-baby half-marathon, jogging stroller and all.

In other news…we’re happily settled back in Flagstaff. It’s good to be back amongst the pines and afternoon summer storms. Last Saturday marked our 5th wedding anniversary…it seemed only fitting that as we start a new chapter in our family that we return to the place where it all began.

Next challenge…find a OB/nurse-midwife we like. We have a list of names and centers to check out and it’s a bit daunting and overwhelming. Out NP in Tucson was so calming and reassuring, I really want to find someone like that. Someone who will listen to me and respect my body, and who has the experience and knowledge of what a healthy, NATURAL childbirth is. Maybe the birthing faeries will send someone our way.

Until next time, waddle on friends.

The nose knows...

I've often been accused of having a sensitive sniffer, however with the onset of hormones galore I find myself almost overly sensitive to assaults to my olfactory. Smells I once enjoyed can be pungent and pseudo-noxious. Smells I do not care for, now force me to vacate the premises until the air has literally cleared.

The same heightened level of awareness seems to have translated to my taste buds as well. The other day I sipping on a cold fountain drink and I swear I could taste the lingering of fungal bacteria in their carbonation lines...needless to say, I did not drink very much.

So for the time being it's back to basics - simple foods, simple smells, gone are the days of incredibly rich and fragrant exotic foods and spices I often yearned for. "Alas, poor curry, I knew you well."

Pregnant Women are Beautiful

I have never been so tired in my life. I'm now 13 weeks pregnant and have known of my pregnancy for 2 weeks...my body is bloating (apparently new life requires growing room) - this is strange and disturbing for a woman who has spent the majority of her adult life learning to accept the size and shape of her body while trying to shed as many pounds as possible to facilitate conception. Oddly now that the miracle of life has taken up residence in my uterus...I dread looking in the mirror every morning.

Nausea and fatigue are now my bosom buddies, along with mild frequent headaches, increased sensitivity to odors (pleasant or otherwise), increased seasonal allergies, and a desire for ice cold milk like I've never had in my life. Sleep is frequent, short in duration, and not all that satisfying. I don't want to feel miserable, I want to feel glowing, powerful and strong - a mother warrior fostering the growth of my unborn chieftain (or queen)...but rather I feel more akin to Jaba the Hut with ever-changing, sometimes odd cravings for food.

I'm excited, so excited, to be a Mom and my wonderful, amazing, supportive, understanding, patient, loving, caring husband is so excited to be a Dad...but the journey to parenthood is challenging. SO glad it will all be worth it in the end...right?