Week 15 Update

Well this was supposed to be a weekly thing, I really hope I can pick up the pace going forward. I'm now officially in the second trimester (was that last week? I'm not sure with these dates). But I do know I'm a full 15 weeks and counting as of today. So here goes!

Weekly Pregnancy Journal Update

How far along: 15 weeks today, baby is the size of an apple

Weight Gain: I think about 5, which according to my app is right on target. Yesterday I was 122, but today I was 122.8, sometimes I think it's bloating but I'm not sure. As long as I'm not gaining too quick, I don't want to he huge (my starting point was 118.4).

Body & Changes: Honestly still nothing major

Exercise: Going strong! Teaching all my classes, ran a 5K today, I start prenatal yoga next week

Clothes:  Regular, although jeans at slightly tight in the button area sometimes at night after I've eaten

Sleep: Fantastic, can't complain, getting really good sleep at night, I have strange dreams most nights though, so odd!

What I’ve been eating: Baby likes ice cream/yogurt, my guilty pleasure!

Emotions: Excited for what's to come

Purchases: Bug spray for zika and also pregnancy belly butter for stretch marks, both preemptive purchases are sitting in my amazon cart right now

What I miss: Coffee (more than wine). I miss the caffeine. I know I can have some but I'm choosing not to

Stretch marks: No belly yet, I was going to order some belly butter though

Food cravings: Ice cream/yogurt! Frozen treats you name it

Movement: Soon I hope, maybe another 4 weeks?

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nada

Have you started to show yet: I think it's all bloating, it's tiny, and only at night, so yeah def bloating

What I’m looking forward to: A cute little bump! And also prenatal yoga next week

Best Moment of the Week: Running a 5K for two! Go us!

We Have a Photographer!

I can cross one more item off my list of things to do before the baby comes, securing a photographer for newborn pictures. I'll never forget when Bridget told me she booked her amazing newborn photographer before she was even out of her first trimester. I think she jokingly said she told the photographer before telling friends and family. But when you've got someone good, you don't mess around. As much as I would have loved to use Bridget's photographer, the thought of making the 90 minute plus traffic ride to Long Island with a 10 day old infant just didn't sound appealing so I began the process of searching for someone a bit more local.

I spent a lot of hours on my tablet looking all over at various local photographers. The process was def different from finding a wedding photographer. These days it's not just about finding a "family photographer" it's about the newborn photography with the beautiful props and styling. When I went for a haircut last month, my hairdresser, also named Rachel, who is also pregnant with her first baby due in September told me about a photographer another girl she works with used, and who she's planning to use as well. She showed me a picture and I loved it.

At first I didn't even think about using her as well bc she's still up by our old house but when I looked around more and more this photographer and beautiful pictures, great prices, and would travel to use for only another $50 more. After I spoke with her on the phone I knew she would be perfect to work with. For our package we're getting 4 different sessions, maternity, newborn, 6 months and 12 months with a cake smash, how could I beat that? And for the maternity pictures she suggested we do them outside in the fall, that just really sealed the deal for me, after I told her how we did our engagement pictures, she said we could def do something similar!

I'm so excited to work with Martha Sobanko for our pictures this fall! I know they're going to be beautiful!! Here's a couple of her beautiful pictures!

 

Baby's 1st Race

I've been very fortunate so far in my pregnancy that I've really been able to do everything I was doing before. I have been careful not to overdo it or push myself too much at the gym, but it really hasn't been an issue. When the opportunity came up that work sent out an email to join Team Samsung and participate in the Eric LeGrand, A Walk to Believe, run and it was being held at Rutgers, I jumped on it. One, it's only a few miles from the house, score on that, I didn't have to travel anywhere, and two, the gym was closed today anyway, which is a rare occurrence so it was a way to get my exercise in anyway.

Although it was less cardio and calories burned than I do in an average class I still managed to run over 3 miles in just over 30 minutes. And I ran the entire course, I didn't have to walk at all. A few years ago I know that def would not have been possible (my knees are killing me now for it, but that's totally normal for me). I had a great pace going of about 10 minutes a mile and I watched my heart rate the entire way. I know I was def capable of doing more and going faster but I didn't push it. I made sure my heart rate stayed under 155 max, my same self imposed max for teaching at the gym. The doctor told me last time as long as I can still talk, I'm fine, which for me at that heart rate is not a problem at all.

Despite the fact that it rained on us for part of the course and also not pushing myself, I managed to complete 3.22 miles in 33 minutes. I know I could have done a little faster pace, but I was comfortable the entire race and enjoyed it, it didn't even seem like work. I was so proud of running the race after at 15 weeks pregnant! It's good for me and good for baby. Double win!!!

Beautiful Blooms

When we moved into our house we had this dreadful mailbox, it looked like a giant green rubbermaid box. To make matters worse it was surrounded by some ugly shrub that just climbed over the bottom and had no personality at all. Although the curb appeal on our house was far from screaming overhaul this was one easy item we knew we wanted to tackle. It's not a close up of the mailbox but you can get the idea from these pictures that I just came across and love, so much fun, us playing in the front yard of our new house.

Anyway, about a year ago, Mike, his Dad and brother tackled the first part of the equation. Getting rid of the horrible green mailbox. We replaced it with a much nicer mailbox that was much more our style. It was my job to then figure out what we should plant around the mailbox. I really did try to look into options and my mom kept bringing me over this perennial book to read and look at, although it's hard to look at it and then go to the store and say I want these. So the space has sat vacant for over a year now, just dirt. Still an upgrade from before but none the less unfinished, until today that is.

We went back to our favorite nursery, although we have been there before and today we really looked around and decided on a plan of action. Now if only I could remember the names of the flowers we got. I do know we got a beautiful clematis for next to the mailbox. Through a lot of sweat, all Mike's, not mine, he planted this amazing garden for us today. We could not be any happier with the way it turned out! Absolutely love it. And now every time we come home we get to look at this beautiful garden when we pull up.