Being Pregnant

This is my THIRD PREGNANCY, and each stage still seems so new. This pregnancy seems all its on. Most of the time it flies by and at the beginning I kept forgetting I was pregnant. Where as now, as I get to the end, I have a constant reminder that I can see and feel, no matter how busy I am. My body is very good at telling me now, slow down!

While pregnant with Bella I started a pregnancy journal, and I have continued it this time around.

I have recorded a few things that differed during this pregnancy with symptoms, cravings, and routines.

1. My morning sickness was not as bad as the first time around but definitely worse then the second but the upside is it didn't seem to last as long it did with the other two, started at 9 weeks and lasted till 16 weeks. I have had a few relapses but for the most part I am finally over that stage. 
   
2. Exhaustion has been much more manageable then I guessed it would be. I worried that with two toddlers I would never be able to keep up. But it has actually been the opposite, I have been so blessed, when my pregnancy is the hardest at the beginning with morning sickness and all I felt energized and spirited maybe just with the thrill of knowing I was growing a little one deep inside of me. Now as I am at the end the exhaustion is catching up with me a bit, but luckily Shea has been able to be home more than ever and is helping tremendously. Lately I am out around ten and up around 8 with toddlers tugging me out of bed, except Tuesdays and Thursdays when I wake up at 6:30 to get a head start (the kids have school-preschool and toddler lab) and I enjoy some "me" time. I am taking full advantage of a strict nap schedule so that both kids go down at the same time, leaving me with some time to relax and more than likely sleep! 

   

   One day away from 31 weeks

3. I started feeling baby a lot lower, especially in the beginning. In the past I carried high and felt baby high from the start, this time everything is low. Or that is how I feel. In some ways it is such a relief the painful rib kicking that I experienced with my other two is non existent, although in my second trimester baby did love my lowest right rib and made me think she was going to break it with all the movement she did, but before I knew it she moved on. I rarely feel her around my ribs now. Since I am feeling lower I am having a harder time with pants. With my other pregnancies I wore normal jeans throughout the pregnancy, until the last month. This time my bump is low and jeans are painful!  I am not going to lie I am also gaining a little more weight then I did with the other two so that may have something to do with it too. Finally time to splurge on some maternity pants, I bought some for my second trimester and have some now for my third trimester too. The Belly Band I bought when I was pregnant with Bella is also being well used :)
4. Back pain is something I have had to endure each time I was pregnant. It is hard comparing it from one to the other. But from what I remember Connor's was a constant ache that just never seemed to quite be relievable. Bella's was more off and on but still achy. This time around I have an achy back after doing bending down chores (dishes, picking up toys, etc.); but for the most part my back is okay except for a shooting nerve like pain after I've been sitting down for a little while. Which is relatively common considering the growing uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve in the lower part of the spine. I've thought about going to a physical therapist that a PA from my doctor's office recommended, but haven't felt its really necessary. The PA did tell me though that she had that pain each pregnancy and it got progressively worse, so maybe with the next pregnancy I will see someone at the beginning to avoid that. 
   
5. I am loving using Bio Oil to prevent/reduce stretch marks. I love the smell and it really seems to help with the itch that comes along with the growing belly. When I was pregnant with Bella I would itch so bad my belly had little scratch marks on it. This time I rarely notice an itch at all. I am also trying to stay extremely hydrated because I know hydration in and out is also key to keeping your skin happy. 
6. With Connor I craved veggies, and with Bella I craved chocolate and fruit. This time around I am all over the place. And much harder to please. With several off and on cravings. A few of my favorite foods have been: Papa Murphy's Veggie Delight Pizza with their Cracker Thin Crust and white garlic sauce (mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, and cheese- yum!), Wintergreen Lifesavers, fried foods, fruit, German pancakes and brown sugar,  jalapeño chips, chocolate, STRAWBERRIES, TOMATOES, and probably a whole bunch more depending on my whim. My appetite was low during my first tri, high during my second tri, and now it is up and down; making dinner meals difficult (especially since meat is usually not alluring). 

One day away from 31 weeks