It's the little reminders

I would be lying if I said that my slowly increasing body size wasn’t on my mind daily…if not hourly. I’m pretty sure the next time someone (especially a man) reminds me that weight gained with a baby is harder to lose, I may snap. I usually smile politely, nodding. However, next time I might land a “And you think I’m not conscious of this very fact with every 10th of a pound that shows up on the scale?!” Instead I usually reassure them of my knowledge of this fact by explaining my gym schedule and what the actual DOCTOR has explained. Typically this sends them into the “Don’t overdo it” discussion. It’s a never ending cycle.

However, this whole issue came speeding into perspective at my most recent trip to the gym last night. Jp was in a ridiculously goofy mood and after trying to get going on the glider machine while laughing so hard I was crying, I finally began the cardio portion of the workout routine. Not two minutes in I had a sharp pain in my lower abdomen. Taken by surprise, I quickly got off the machine and stretched a little longer before attempting again. 10 seconds into the restart it happened again and kept cramping. So I went to the locker room and sat for a few minutes before giving it one last shot. No go. It made me really nervous, but also sad because I want so bad to keep fit and keep the routine up. Jp offered the explanation that possibly it was the expansion and pulling of all those tendons and muscles to accommodate our growing pea pod. A call to the nurse today confirmed it. I told her I was shocked that it was that sharp and painful and she explained how much it varies for each person and pregnancy. My next appointment is this Friday and that helps to know they will be checking everything out. But I realized I spent the first trimester looking towards the goal of completing that 12 weeks and feeling so relieved to enter the 13th week with everything going well, that I completely relaxed when I actually started week 13. I was shocked last night at how comfortable and confident I had gotten in 3 short weeks, and how precious completing each week really is. A very real reminder that there is a real, live little person growing in there….and that the increasing body size is for that baby we hope to hold this coming September….makes those tenths of pounds not so horrible.

We get our second “communication” with that little person this Friday when we hope to hear the heartbeat a second time. I think I will be that girl who cries every time I hear it. AND Friday will be the completion of week 15. I am beginning to love Fridays for reasons I didn’t see coming :)