22 Weeks and Feelin’… Grouchy
I had to call and apologize to my husband again this morning. If you read the blog pretty often, you probably picked up on the fact that heโs the sweetest most amazing man ever, and Iโve been a grouchy punk one more than one occasion to him. I hate it :/ This morning, I was fast asleep and had just hit the snooze button to sleep 10 more minutes โno matter what time I *want* to wake up, I always hit snooze at least once- and he rolled over to give me a hug. With a groggy, squeaky voice I said, โStop, youโre smashing me.โ So rude.
In all fairness, he did this to me:
๐
Why does being preg make you (or me, rather -haha) grouchy? Maybe itโs the lack of sleep โI canโt get comfy to save my life- the hormones, or the extra work that everything takes, but itโs kind of a bummer. I try to keep it under wraps most of the time, but sometimes the crankiness comes out. [I cried over a salad for goodness sake]
This week, the baby is the size of spaghetti squash (11 inches!) and Iโm finally feeling real, legit kicks. They magically appeared about 2 days ago and Iโm obsessed with them. Last night, I laid on the couch with my hand on my belly and felt the little nuggette kick away for a good half hour. Tom finally got to feel it, too, and while I think it weirded him out a little, I also think he really loved it ๐
Notes:
-Cravings and aversions have been pretty much the same (lots of fruit, salads, smoothies, spicy and cruncy), but Iโve added chicken back into the mix. It started to finally sound good to me again, which is interesting because my midwife said my iron levels were borderline low. Iโm hoping that my 1-2 servings a week, along with the veggie sources of iron I usually eat (beans, quinoa, leafy greens, dried apricots) will keep me from having to take an iron supplement (which Iโve heard less than fab things about).
-Weight gained so far: 14 lbs
-I got to stop wearing my belly band for now! I originally started wearing it to hide my swimming pool bellybuttonโฆ however, my โinnieโ is well on its way to becoming a temporary โoutie.โ To wear my pants and shorts, Iโve been rocking the hair tie trick (just loop a hair tie around the button hole and then around the button a few times).
-Iโm starting to think of pregnancy like a triathlon, which is funny because Iโve never done one and I canโt ride a bike or swim. But hereโs my philosophy:
Part 1, first trimester = the swim. Scary land of unknown, and you spend the entire time anxious for it to be over and praying you make it. [Especially if you canโt swim, like me] First trimester was an apprehensive time for me. All of the what-ifs were constantly crossing my mind, and while I was so thankful and over-the-moon excited, I tried to be cautiously optimistic. I was glad for it to be over.
Part 2, second trimester: the bike ride. Iโd imagine this would be the easiest part of a triathlon? Sandwich anything in between running and swimming (yodeling? haha) and Iโd probably think it was โeasier.โ ๐ I feel like Iโm pretty much coasting through the second trimester. My energy is pretty good โI get tired earlier than normal and need to rest more, but I cooked for 50 people this weekend so I think thatโs a win- and Iโm focused on enjoying this part of the ride as much as possible. We started our registry, the nursery and things are starting to fall into place.
Part 3, third trimester: the run. Iโm guessing that third trimester is going to feel like a distance run: long, slow, heavy.. yet temporary. Iโll probably be uncomfortable and starting to get anxious, but then it will be over and weโll be holding our little girl. Just like the triumph of a long race, it will be a thousand times more worth it.
Break out the chia seeds to help up your iron. I have severe iron deficiency anemia, and the prescribed iron pills make me SICK. Lately Ive been feeling better. Ive stopped taking the iron pills, and instead I consume chia pudding and I make my green juices with oj no added calcium, for better iron absorption. Try it! How are u doing with your prenatal vitamins? Those usually have quite a bit of iron it, so if you can handle those you should be able to handle the iron supps. I on the hand couldnt so didnt.
good to know- thank you!
Love the tri analogy!!
I’m one of those people that issue disclaimer warnings about how cranky and antisocial I am when I wake up. Seriously: my fiance boils water for the french press…. I wander in…. make my coffee….. and smile. He then assumes ‘all clear’ and asks how work was last night, lol.
haha, i love it!
Many many iron supplements I tried made me sick but I’ve had great success with Garden of Life Raw Iron (you can get through iherb.com). So if all else fails you might try that.
Is it really true that I am not the only athletic/fitness-oriented person who doesn’t bike *or* swim? I have always felt like such a loser/freak for it but both just terrify me from a physics perspective!
WOW, you are looking fab. You’ve really *popped* that baby bump ๐
I used to take iron supplements, if you do have to, I recommend Slow Release FE capsules. The reason so many people have issues with iron supplements is because it’s too much at once, the slow release kind never bothered me.
Love your baby tips! I gotta remember all of these for [a couple of years] when I’ve got a bun in the oven ๐ The hair-tie trick, great idea! P.S. I have iron deficiency anemia and having to take iron supplements [or when it gets way too low, having an iron infusion] is no fun… The pills are really rough on your stomach and the infusion messes you up in all funny ways [florescent urine, “metal mouth,” etc.}- hope chicken is all you need!
You are just gorgeous! I hope that someday when I am pregnant…I look as good as you!
This could not be more accurate. I am pretty sure the 12 weeks post-baby is a marathon. I love your blog and family posts!