Home ยป Hello, 3rd Trimester!

Hello, 3rd Trimester!

Baby Shea 1

That second trimester wasn’t full of all the high energy pregnancy enjoyment I was promised, but it was a time to enjoy being pregnant with far less worrying than the first trimester.

My second tri was also a time to appreciate my maxed out health insurance deductible (fertility treatments = $$!!) and attend a lot of appointments to manage uncomfortable pregnancy side effects, like carpal tunnel and back/sciatic pain that won’t quit. Despite the OB’s prediction of, “Oh, it’s only going to get worse.” at 12/13 weeks…it didn’t. I probably feel better now, in the beginning of my 3rd trimester, than I did at the beginning of my 2nd trimester.

My first bump shot:

bump

Details!

  • How far along: 27 weeks, 3 days (88 days to go!)
  • Most surprising thing about pregnancy: It is DRAGGING. Everyone says it flies by, but I swear these have been the longest 6+ months of my life. I am so ready to meet this baby girl!
  • What we’ve been doing to prepare: A lot! The nursery is about complete (check it out on Instagram – I’m in love, especially with the chandelier!). I plan to do a whole post on all that’s in the room, where I got it, etc. We have a name picked out (Shea) – I’m glad we’re on top of this one. We both love the name and I love calling her Baby Shea all the time. I’m reading a ton about bringing baby home, breastfeeding, and everything in between. We have a daycare picked out and we’ve toured, etc…I just need to finish up the paperwork. Our registry is complete and the shower is the 16th of August 🙂
  • What I’ve missed most: An ice cold IPA after work on Fridays. Ahhh…those are the best. At least pumpkin beer will be in season after I deliver 😉
  • What people keep asking me: “How are you feeling?” People are always SO nice to you when they know you’re pregnant. I’ll miss being doted on, that’s for sure!
  • Weight gain to date: About 17 pounds. It fluctuates some with water retention.
  • Favorite things to wear: Sundresses or maternity pants/jeans with an empire waist tie – I like showing off that bump! However, I’m always anxious to crawl into my XL men’s boxers and loose tanks come evening time…or anytime I can get away with it.
  • Keeping active: It’s been a challenge, that’s for sure. I am managing about 3 moderate-to-light workouts a week and I’d like to get this up to 4 days/week to help maintain appropriate weight gain. Biking is my friend as it takes some pressure off my lower back. I’ve done some water walking in the lake on the weekends and I’m playing tennis 1-2x/week still, but my carpal tunnel strongly disagrees with that decision. I’ve found walking to be the most taxing on my back and as much as I was hoping to incorporate a bit of running, my heart rate goes too high too fast to really be able to do much with that. I do core and strength training once/week with a trainer still. I think I need to look into prenatal yoga between now and the end…sooner rather than later.
  • Cravings & what I’ve been eating: No cravings to speak of. My diet has been a mirror image of my pre-pregnancy diet – a little bit of everything with about 90% of it being good for me and the rest being a splurge 😛 The cheese fries I had a few weeks back SOOOO hit the spot, though. I will say, homemade fruit crisps (heavy on the fruit) have been a bit hit as of late.
  • What baby item I cannot wait for: Socks and huge headband bows. I mean, c’mon…could that stuff be any cuter? I’m also excited for the practical stuff – mattress and sheets, pack-n-play, swing, monitor, car seat, etc.
  • How do I sleep? On my side, with my snoogle, with just a sheet, and LIKE A ROCK. Snoring. I haven’t hit the stage where I have to use the bathroom every 10 minutes and I hope I don’t get there!
  • Is Mr. Prevention excited? I think he’s getting there! Like most men, I imagine, he has a “different” way of showing his excitement. After dinner one night here recently we were sitting on our porch just relaxing. He looked at Lily and looked at me and said something like, “This is good. Our family, our house, ours jobs…you’re pregnant. Everything is good.” It’s not much, but it was huge coming from him 🙂 He’s a man of few words! Sunday at the beach, we were also watching Shea kick and he could visibly see my stomach bulge with her movements – he thought that was pretty neat. He loved the 3D/4D images and there were even a few videos they took, too — one of her “talking” (or so it appeared) and another of her moving her arms in front of her face. Awww!
  • Do you have a middle name yet? We’re 90% sure the middle name will be Olivia. Elizabeth is also in the mix, however.
  • Fears?: Quite a few, but none related to the baby herself or giving birth. I’m nervous about my return to work and that work-life balance. I want to be a rock star mom and a rock star employee. I’m fearful that I won’t make time or won’t find available time to continue doing things I love (hockey, running, tennis, blogging, etc). I hope that doesn’t sound selfish — I have just always admired moms who have hobbies and take time for themselves. I think it makes parents better parents, if that makes sense. I’m nervous over Mr. P and I finding our groove in parenting that we can both contribute and neither feels like the other should be doing more/less. Lastly, I’m fearful that if Shea comes early, I’ll have to return to work before the new year and… 🙁 I really want to come back after January 1, but I know there’s no controlling that one. The unknown is just…blaaah.
  • Birth plan?: None. They don’t ever seem to pan out for moms. But I would like an epidural! I’m no hero!

Busy week ahead, go time!

Be well,

sig4

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10 Comments

  1. Angela R
    July 14, 2014 / 8:37 am

    So exciting! You’re right about maintaining your hobbies. It is important to do things for you, but you may also find new things you enjoy together. If you haven’t already look into a jogging stroller and stroller exercise classes. That would be a fun way to incorporate Shea into your workouts. Make sure you talk to your husband about your needs. Maybe you can go play tennis while he gets some alone bonding time with the baby. It is very important for husbands to feel like they are needed too.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      July 14, 2014 / 5:16 pm

      Angela, great advice! I know I wait to my breaking point to voice my need for help and I must not do that!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. Emilie
    July 14, 2014 / 9:01 am

    Sounds like you are doing absolutely awesome! Wishing you a comfortable and healthy 3rd trimester. Try not to stress about going back to work yet – you’ll be stressed enough when the time comes and you have lots of time before that has to happen. I think the only 100% thing you can count on is that this baby will change everything! But it’s wonderful ๐Ÿ™‚ Best wishes.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      July 14, 2014 / 5:15 pm

      Ha, so true Emilie…so true! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Lizzie
    July 14, 2014 / 11:37 am

    Congratulations again! So excited for you! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      July 14, 2014 / 5:12 pm

      Thanks Lizzie!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Lee
    July 14, 2014 / 11:13 pm

    I worried about losing my hobbies and not having time for myself after becoming a working mom. It’s different, but it’s definitely still possible.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      July 15, 2014 / 6:48 am

      Hi Lee! ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ How are you? Appreciate your comment! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Grammy
    July 15, 2014 / 11:02 pm

    Your daughter is beautiful. You’ll figure out how to balance everything when she gets here. Really.

    • Nicole, RD
      Author
      July 16, 2014 / 7:21 am

      Awww, thank you so much! ๐Ÿ™‚ Made me smile!

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