Saturday will mark the end official end of the first trimester and the start of what many tell me will be my most beloved trimester. These first 13 weeks have been full of ups and downs and while they've been relatively lovely, I'm looking forward to the next trimester. Looking back at this first trimester, I've experienced all of the following and then some.
Week 1—3: The "pre-pregnancy awareness" days. I went about my daily routine, oblivious to the happenings (or about to be happenings) going on inside my body. I knew Josh and I were ready to begin the journey towards parenthood, but I had no idea it would happen in July of 2006.
Week 4: I knew something had changed at this point. It would still be a few days until the confirmation tests, but I just had that gut feeling. My breasts felt like they had been trapped in a vice and I was suddenly exhausted. All.the.time. Just two days after the start of week four I ran out and got the test that changed our lives forever. We were thrilled and wanted the world to know, but it would still be another week before we would start spreading the news.
Week 5: The official news breaks. First to my parents and then to Josh's. After that it was a free for all. My Mom would shout it from the rooftops and I had to be sure Josh and I got to our closest friends before they heard it from someone else. This was also the week that the ugly side effect known as morning sickness reared it's head (and decided to stay around for way too long). The first real episode was from the dishwater in the sink one morning. An odd thing to make a person gag if you ask me. Definately, not fun.
Week 6—7: In just days we would leave for a much anticipated vacation in Arizona. Morning sickness is at it's worst so far and I'm really concerned about the flight out there. I did not want to be the girl who threw up on the plane. I armed myself with Seabands© and a plethora of dry snacks and gingerale for the plane ride. It worked and we made it to AZ without incident. This, however, is where the "fun" ceased. We had a decent time—swimming, being with our friends, etc.—but I was miserable the whole week. It was so hot out there (in the 90's by 8 a.m) and we couldn't do much more than sit in the recycled central air. I was nauseous daily and had to nap every afternoon. I never threw up while we were there—or on the plane ride home—but it took everything I had to keep me from doing so.
Week 8: Absolutely miserable and praying for the morning sickness to stop, I wondered how people could stand to go through this more than once. I guess you forget and 6 weeks of morning sickness is nothing compared to the rewards you reap when it's all over. I turned 30 this week. Despite the fact that I couldn't drink a margarita or three to celebrate, it was a wonderful birthday. Josh threw the surprise party for me and so many came out to celebrate. I also told work that I was pregnant this week. They were thrilled for us. I'm lucky to work for such a great company that is not only accomodating, but very family oriented. Even this past Friday at our Fall Planning & Development meeting they mentioned to the entire staff & faculty, via part of our "Lots to Celebrate" powerpoint slide, that Josh and I were expecting our first child.
Week 9—11: Two words. Morning Sickness. Thankfully the eleventh week marked the end of the dreaded daily gag/vomit. I don't miss it at all.
Week 12: We had our first ultrasound & early screen blood work. The blood work came back normal and all appears to be progressing well. The last week or so has also found me altering my wardrobe with a few pairs of maternity pants and tops making there way into my daily life. I can still wear quite of few of my regular tops—and oddly, my pre-pregnancy jeans still fit—but it won't be long until I say good-bye to all of them. I'm starting to really show and have noticed that I'm even beginning to walk different (I think my uterus may have tipped). Earlier in the week I found a chart with my measurements from October 2005. I was astonished to see that my waist is a whopping 8 inches bigger than it was just a year ago. Baby has lots of room to float around right now.
Week 13: The wee one is now three inches long and weighs just an ounce. So, where have these 5 extra pounds come from? I haven't had any noticable "must have now" cravings, but if I'm hungry for something, I satisfy that desire. Josh has been great and for weeks now has taken over bathroom cleaning duty. I seem to be completely over the morning sickness and feel great being pregnant. I hope to hear the heartbeat again at my doctor's appointment on Tuesday, more than anything I'm just happy things are progressing nicely.
Here's to the next 27 weeks.
