My First REAL Craving!

James has been complaining because he hasn't had a "real" pregnant wife yet. Ever since I told him the story of our friend, Austen Williams, having a

watermelon dipped in queso craving, he has been waiting on me to want something...well...unhealthy.

As you know, I'm a pretty healthy eater. Instead of cravings, I've had more aversions to foods that I normally eat. In fact, I barely touched meat throughout my first trimester. Anytime he would ask me what I wanted to eat, I would want Subway or a big salad from Chick-Fil-A.

Well, last night...I'm pretty sure I made my husband's day. I saw a commercial for pretzel M&MS. Thinking to myself, "Sweet AND salty....yes please!" So, I sent James to the store, and he was instructed not to come back without pretzel M&Ms.

I only ate a handful. They tasted just as good as I thought they would. Balance and moderation... a handful is not going to hurt. Plus, I think my husband REALLY believes I'm pregnant now. Now, if I could actually start showing...

My Favorite Thump!

Thump, thump....thump, thump...thump, thump....

The sound of Baby Myers' heartbeat has got to be one of the best sounds I've ever heard. Today was my 14 week routine check-up. It was a very quick visit - I came in, gave my regular urine sample, weighed in, heard the heartbeat, and scheduled our next apppointment! But those very few seconds when I got to hear the baby were amazing...I keep trying to replay the sound in my mind.

Because of my anorexic history, I don't really weigh myself. Normally, I just monitor my weight by how my clothes fit...which is pretty much impossible right now! So, basically, I've just asked my doctor to be honest with me as to whether I am gaining the right amount of weight. Today, she said I'm right on target - I haven't gained too much, but I've also gained enough to where she isn't concerned that I'm not taking good care of myself.

On a funnier note, my maternity jeans were in the laundry on Sunday, so I had to wear my regular jeans to church. WOW, that was uncomfortable! I won't be making that mistake again!! Thankfully, I just got an awesome shipment from my good friend, Brooke Allen - she's loaning my 5 pairs of maternity pants! AMAZING! I'm so thankful for generous friends who are willing to share. Thanks, Brooke!

The next Baby Myers appointment is December 7...which is when we will find out the sex of the baby! So far, the guesses are pretty split. The Chinese calendar says boy...do you think it's right?

Changes, Changes, Changes...

So, it's been a while since I've updated...and Baby Myers has gone through a lot of changes! By the end of week 13, Baby Myers will still be tiny (only about 3 inches long)...but be a fully formed baby! I am blown away by how quickly the 1st trimester went by.

Baby Myers isn't the only one experiencing change. I'm loving the 2nd trimester energy everyone told me about! Last week, there were several days in a row when I got up, had my Bible study, worked out, AND ate breakfast all before 7 am! I feel like I am back to normal...at least for me. I'm still going to bed really early, but I don't need naps in the afternoon anymore.

I am having a little bit of trouble getting comfortable at night. I'm a back sleeper, so this whole sleeping on my side thing is a bit of an adjustment. I did go to Bed, Bath & Beyond and bought a wedge pillow, which has helped a lot. However, I still end up on the couch with Bauer for a few hours some nights. He has been a good snuggler. Usually, he doesn't like cuddling when he's sleeping, but I think he knows I'm uncomfortable. It's very sweet.

The changes don't end there. God has given James and I a new ministry assignment. After Thanksgiving, we are moving to Austin, TX to serve at Great Hills Baptist Church. James will be the College & Singles Pastor. We are going to miss our church family and friends here, but we know God is calling us to Austin. Please pray for us during our transition. Specific to Baby Myers, please pray that I can quickly find a new doctor and a great hospital to deliver.

If anyone has ever moved during pregnancy, I appreciate any wisdom you're willing to share!

Those pesky Fisher Price Commercials...

We made it to Week 11 - almost out of the first trimester! It really has gone by so quickly.

By this week, Baby Myers is big enough for me to hold in the palm of my hand. The transparency of the skin is starting to subside as multiple layers of skin are forming. The books I'm reading tell me that Baby Myers is starting to open and close his/her fists, and teeth are forming too! Also, the fingers and toes are beginning to separate, which I'm assuming is probably a big adjustment. After all, the webbed-like fingers and toes were probably pretty useful considering all the swimming they do right now! :)

As for me? I'm starting to show a little bit...even though no one else seems to think so! But trust me - they aren't the ones trying to fit into my normal clothes! I don't exactly look pregnant yet, so I'm stuck in what I like to call "fat girl phase." I just feel like I look like I've been eating a little too much pizza! But it's okay...I'm just wearing looser clothes, and that seems to be working for now at least to keep me comfortable.

As for other adjustments, I cry about once a day, and it's usually about the dumbest things....such as a Fisher-Price commercial. Seriously. I see those little toys and the little ones playing with them, and I'm a goner. From someone who is typically not very emotional, this is a big adjustment!

The nausea is definitely gone by now, which is great. I'm still exhausted and sleeping double my normal schedule, but I'm excited about the 2nd trimester energy that I keep hearing about! Tell me it's true...

This Is What Love Looks Like :)

Can you believe the changes in just 4 weeks? Baby Myers really looks like a human now!

This morning, I went in for my second appointment. After I got a flu shot, my doctor came in, and put the "jelly stuff" on my stomach so we could hear the heartbeat. After searching for several minutes, she finally gave up and sent us to get another vaginal ultrasound.

I was pretty nervous, but she was quick to calm my fears. She said 14 weeks is usually the earliest you can hear a really strong heartbeat, but she wanted to do an ultrasound just for our peace of mind and to make sure everything was fine.

Once the ultrasound tech got a clear picture of Baby Myers, she informed me that my uterus tips backward, which not only explains why they were having trouble hearing the heartbeat, but it also explains the pain I've been experiencing in my tailbone! Having a tipped (or retroverted) uterus shouldn't mean any additional complications in pregnancy, but it may mean that when I'm in labor, I might feel my contractions more in my back than I feel them in my abdomen. I actually think I'm okay with that!

We go back at 14 weeks - then at 18 weeks, we should get another ultrasound where we will find out if Baby Myers is a boy or a girl! I'm so excited to find out!

But let's hear from you....You see the picture. What do you think? Boy or girl? :)

Airplanes & Allergy Woes

WHEW! It's been a busy few weeks!

But the good news.....Baby Myers is doing great! I've really seen a drop in my nausea, so that has been nice. I'm still really tired and sleeping way more than normal, but I'm trying to get used to it!

Now that I am 10 weeks pregnant, Baby Myers is about the size of a kiwi. If we were able to peek inside, we'd be able to see details beginning to form - fingernails and toenails, fuzz on the skin....and we wouldn't be able to see them, but Baby Myers even has taste buds. I still can't get over the developmental changes...and how much the baby has changed in the past 4 weeks.

This past weekend, I traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee to speak at a women's conference at Fairview Baptist Church and did a book signing for my latest project at Cedar Springs Christian Store. Both events were fantastic. (Additional perk: my family lives in the same town! I really enjoyed time with my parents, my sister & her husband, and of course - my precious niece, Katelyn.)

I had always heard that when you're pregnant you're not supposed to fly, but it turns out, that rule was made when they suggested that women not TRAVEL when pregnant. My doctor told me if I normally experience sickness on an airplane, it might be a problem, but I should be fine. The flight there was fine, but the flight back was pretty bad. However, I'm pretty sure it was a rough flight for everyone and it had nothing to do with being pregnant!

As soon as I got off the plane, I sneezed. Welcome home to the allergy capital of the world! So, I've got watery eyes, stuffy nose & ears, sore throat and sinus headache....and I can't turn to my normal Singulair to fix it! I'm praying for a speedy recovery...and trying to do every "non-medication" treatment I can think of. So far, I have allergy eye drops, saline nose spray, sore throat spray, and hot tea. If anyone else has bright ideas, I'd love for you to leave a comment!

My second doctor's appointment is tomorrow! Until then...

Tailbone Pain & Toe Cramps?

I haven't updated my stats in a while, so here is a record from yesterday!

YESTERDAY'S STATS

Nutrition:

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, 1 Oikos Greek yogurt with honey

Lunch: Vegetable soup with wheat crackers

Dinner: Chicken fajita meat, grilled onions & peppers, Baked Tostitos

Post-Dinner: Throughout the day, I snacked on dried cranberries, almonds & a P90X Wildberry Yogurt bar.

Supplements: Beachbody ActiFIT Multivitamin, Beachbody Core Omega-3/Omega-6 supplement, Beachbody Core Cal-Mag, Folic Acid from CVS Pharmacy

Workout:

I took Bauer for a walk in the morning, and I went to 24 Hour Fitness to take a Body Pump class. Loved it! I'm so excited about the full program launching across Texas next month!

Rest:

I slept until about 7:15 after going to bed before 10pm. I'm still sleeping double what I normally do! However, my naps in the afternoon are only about 20-30 minutes now, so I'm able to get more done.

Sickness:

I am really blessed. I still have a carsick feeling that comes and goes, but it's mild and usually doesn't last very long. Maybe I am getting through the worst of it? Although. I am noticing that my muscles are tight, and it feels like my joints are expanding. I'm sore in the weirdest places - like my tailbone hurts, and I'm getting toe cramps. But it's so worth it! :) (Any ideas for alleviating that? I'd love for you to comment below!)

Today, I'm most excited about....

Baby Myers has fully developed fingers and toes! Watching the week by week process in the books I am reading has been incredible. It's such a miracle!