June 12: Belly Rubs
I’ve definitely been warned about other people touching my belly, since the word is out that we’re expecting a little one.
The thing is, I kind of love it. Like really love it.
Maybe it’s because the only people to touch my stomach so far have been close family and friends (not randoms at the supermarket) but every time one of them gently touches my stomach, I feel such a loving energy and I think the baby probably loves it too.
The best belly rub, by far, was this afternoon when we went to visit my great-grandmother. She’s doing some physical therapy at a medical facility, so we stopped by to say hello. My auntie was there with her and the first thing she did when she hugged me was touch my belly and say hi to the baby.
We chatted and caught up while my nana napped, and when my nana woke up my auntie told her that I was going to have a baby and that she was going to be a great-great-grandmother. Sometimes when we talk to my nana she pretends not to hear us, but she definitely heard that one… the look on her face was pure joy. She told me that I have to be careful and take good care of myself. I promised her that I would.
I went up to hug her and my auntie told her that she should bless the baby. My nana said “bless the baby, bless the baby” as she made the sign of the cross on my stomach. She had happy tears in her eyes, and I have them in mine too as I write this. My heart is very full.
My growing belly:
4 1/2 weeks
10 1/2 weeks
Something is definitely happening in there 😀
Weight gained: 5 lbs
Current cravings:
Salt and Vinegar potato chips (I can’t.get.enough)
Sauerkraut and mustard (on a plate, together)
Caesar salad
Oatmeal and berries
Chocolate (finally!! I want it again. Vosges rocks my world, too)
Anything salty or savory
Dunkin’ Donuts (Particularly the chocolate munchkins. As much as I’ve been thinking about this one, I haven’t been able to do it yet)
Aversions:
99% of all foods
Almond butter (whyyyyyyyy?)
Eggs
Meat of any kind (even seafood sometimes- I have to be in the mood)
Cooked vegetables (salad is ok, but cooked veggies are on vacay right now)
Both my midwife and doula have told me that if my body is craving something, there’s probably a reason for it. The baby gets the nutrients first, and I get whatever is leftover, which may be the reason for my major hankering for salty food right now. Every meal is a little more exciting since I have no idea what I’ll want until the time comes, and then after I eat it, I feel like I never want to see it again. Weirdest thing ever.
And I’m loving every second. <3
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Yay belly! I loved that story about your great-grandmother. And I’m really enjoying these posts in general 🙂
you are such a cute pregnant lady! love your family posts!
Salt and vinegar chips were definitely designed for pregnant women.
So adorable, and such a touching story! It’s amazing that you have so much family nearby during this special time.
Watch out for gluten in the salt and vinegar chips (some malt vinegar has gluten, but distilled malt vinegar is g-free). My bff ate baked potatoes with sour cream and chives like there was no tomorrow during her first trimester.
good to know!! i was going to hit up the health food store for today’s bag hoping i can find gluten free 🙂
You look beautiful! I love belly touches from friends/family, too. Now that he’s moving and kicking I want them to feel it! He’s saying hello!
That’s such a cute story! Baby is definitely going to have a loving family to welcome him/her 🙂
i see a bump! thats so awesome
You look great! Sending you more love!! <3
Oh why did you have to say salt and vinegar chips?! Now I’m craving them too!!
Looking great mama 🙂
just writing “salt and vinegar chips” makes me salivate right now
haha! I love reading about your baby adventures! You will have to tell the baby about all of this when he/she gets older. My mom says she loved yogurt (but had never liked it before getting pregnant) and watched Wheel of Fortune when she was pregnant with my sister and I (we are twins) : ) To this day, yogurt is one of my fave foods and I can always go for a little “Wheel of Fortune”.
P.S. I love Salt and Vinegar chips
I LOVE these posts! I am also due the first week in January and as a first timer too, I can’t get enough of these. keep them coming! I would love to hear how it has been getting dressed being that I am up 4 lbs myself and having a tough time getting ready for work. Congratulations-you look adorable!!!!!!
congrats on the pregnancy! I’m also due in January (the 13th) and its my first time as well 🙂 I havent actually gained any weight yet (awful morning/noon/night sickness) but clothes still getting a bit tighter. Luckily I somewhat recently lost weight so I’ve been wearing some old clothes. Good luck!
Congrats both of you. I am also due in January (19th). No visible weight gain yet but Im sure it is coming soon! I do not own a scale so no idea if I have gained any weight yet but so far the pants still fit so a few more weeks I guess. I welcome the baby bump! =)
i welcome the baby bump too 🙂 the only reason i know i gained 5 lbs (don’t own a scale either) is because they weighed me at the dr’s last week
<3
"I feel such a loving energy" <– Awesome way to look at people touching you! Might as well accept all the loving energy you can get, right? 🙂
Glad you're enjoying the process, Gina! I am so happy for you, and I'm wishing you and your family the best!
love it! keep’em coming 😉
Gina you are so adorable — you’re such a cute pregnant lady!
I love the story of your great Grandma — that is so sweet how she blessed the baby 🙂
Too cute!!! 🙂
Aww, your little belly is adorable! 🙂 I love reading about your time spent with your great-grandmother.
It’s a little strange to read about someone liking the belly rubs…I feel like everything I ever see/hear is about people HATING others wanting to touch their belly, haha! I honestly have no idea how I’d feel about it. I think, like you, I would like my friends/family members doing it. Not so sure how I’d feel about complete strangers. I was with pregnant friends at the grocery store once and was astounded at the number of strangers (at least 5) that asked to rub her big belly in the hour that we were there!
that makes me laugh- it’s not like it’s a buddha belly that random people can rub for good luck, ya know?
Sauerkraut + horseradish mustard =Amazing! I eat it all the time…You look so cute in your pics!
Pure perfection Gina!!! You are going to be one of those cute preggos! You are so lucky that your nugget will have known their Great Great!!! That’s amazing.
i know, it’s incredible that they’ll have two great grandmothers and a great great grandmother 🙂
You are GLOWING! Has anyone mentioned this yet? You look so happy and it is emanating from you.
thank you 🙂 🙂
I LOVE vosges. Have you had the goji berry with sea salt?!
no but that might be my next one… i ate a whole bar of the milk chocolate sea salt in vegas haha. and it was gloooooorious
You look fantastic!!! Your nana sounds like a wonderful woman 🙂 And I agree with previous poster, you are so lucky to have so much family around you during this happy time in your life!
You look so cute!
I love these posts!
You look great! I felt like I was showing so much at 12 weeks and couldn’t wait to have a belly. You look like I did though, barely there little microscopic bump hehehe. So cute tho! I loved tracking the pics on my blog. Looking back you will be so happy you did! I popped mostly at around 32 weeks. You will e so cute, all belly I am sure! I read in one of my continuing ed books on pregnancy that pregnant women need more salt which os funny because of water retention later you would think the opposite. However right now your starting to get the double blood volume so maybe that has something to do with it!
I crave saurkraut and mustard on a normal basis…. 🙂
What a sweet post! You look great, Gina! 🙂
You look so so so happy! Can’t believe how much of a bump you have already, it’s so cute! 😀
love belly shots! so glad you’re doing them. I was going to ask if you would 🙂
What a blessing to be able to bridge so many generations of your family together! That story is so touching. Your tiny baby bump is looking adorable!
Awww glad you and your nana shared a special moment! When i was preg with my youngest, we went home to cali to visit and we did the 3d imaging to see the baby and find out the sex. As a surprise i took my grama, her and i were always close and i wanted to share that with her. She loved it!
Your bump is sooo cute! I craved all the salty stuff with both my boys…so maybe you are having a boy? Are you and Pilot going to find out soon or wait till the arrival? I had to know with the second so i could prepare.
Keep the family posts coming!!!! Love seeing your journey!
i’m way too type a to not find out 🙂
LOVE the belly pics! Can’t wait to watch it as it grows- you are such a cute pregnant lady!! You know when people just look super cute pregnant?? YOU are definitely one of those people 😀 Pregnancy looks WONDERFUL on you!
thank you- what a sweet compliment 🙂
LOVE this post!! Your itty bitty belly bump is sooo cute!!! 🙂 YAY!! i’m looooving this posts!!!! i’m not even expecting and i REALLY look forward to them!!
*these haha!
Awww, you look so very cute. I am an emotional nut most of the time and your post about your grandmother also put tears in my eyes…so sweet. Funny that a few of your cravings are what I wanted, things that are tart/sour. I wanted caesar dressing, italian dressing, sauerkraut, lemonade, etc. I saw you had a few of those in there and it tickled me. Maybe that is why you want those salt & vinegar chips!
Blessings to you, Pilot, and the peanut.
Jerri
thank you, jerri!
mmm lemonade sounds really good right now… 🙂
Darling! 🙂
OMG, I’m 18 weeks tomorrow and in my first trimester i craved some of the same things like salt and vinegar chips and Caesar salad (i also ate like a mango a day for about 2 weeks)….and i couldn’t cook meat for the life of me….i could eat it if someone else prepared it and i didn’t have to smell it being cooked but i could not handle raw meat at all!
EEEEEEEEE!!!! This is so exciting! And BTW… your food cravings are my normal cravings (except for Dunkin Doughnuts…eek… hahahaha!!)
How amazing is it that your great grandma is around to see your pregnancy?! You are going to make one hot mom! 🙂
I’m happy that you are enjoying pregnancy so much 🙂 it looks good on you!
That story about your nana is too cute. What a great gift you are giving her 😀
Have you tried the “Food Should Taste Good” brand Lime Sea Salt flavored chips? They are certified gluten free, and taste to die for. The sweet potato flavor is also excellent. I get them at The Fresh Market (which I don’t think they have in the Southwest), but I know they are pretty readily available (my Kroger has them, too).
i love the sweet potato flavor but haven’t tried the lime yet! that sounds delish
You look adorable!!
My friends cravings we’re kinda like yours…she loved Salt & Vinegar Chips and ate them non stop. She also got sick when she even looked at meat. I wonder why that is?
meat makes my stomach churn. even eggs and i usually love eggs!
you are so blessed to be with your family at this time! 🙂 it sounds so exciting and such a happy time for you !! i’m glad to see you so happy!! your mini tummy is adorable!!
i had such an easy pregnancy and only gained 15lbs, I didn’t even get morning sickness. I would always hear people say, “if someone says they love being pregnant they are lying!” I thought that was so weird b/c I genuinely did love every second of it. It’s such an amazing feeling!
Love these posts!! You’re absolutely glowing and these posts are so amazing and fun to read. I hope you do more posts like this with belly bump pics and updates on your pregnancy….so happy for you and I’m so happy we get to follow along with you on this journey 🙂
This post made me totally happy, your joy is contagious.:) You look great!
oooh craving salty foods means baby boy!! 😉 or so they say!
can’t wait to continue to follow you along during this exciting time!
everyone, including myself, is fully convinced it’s a boy 🙂
That’s such a sweet story about your nana : )
you still have a great grandma? woah! that’s awesome!
YAYY baby bump!!! SO adorable!!! Love your lululemon too 🙂 It will be great for pregnancy!! Is it sad that I crave all those foods you put and I am NOT preggo LOL ZOMG munchkins
I LOVE Vosegs! I left you a comment about their goji berri bar a few months ago! So glad you checked it out!
i didn’t just check it out. i ate an entire bar in one sitting last week haha. thank you
Cute belly! I LOVE belly pictures! 🙂
I KNEW your pregnancy pics would be ridiculous cute!! However I am surprised you are showing at 10.5 weeks…but that just means we get see the belly grow for a longer time. So excited for you!
i started showing really early! google said it could be because i have a short torso though 🙂
You look so happy! Congrats on everything going so well so far!
Mmm chocolate glazed donuts. Not exactly nutrient dense but still yummy. I’m studying to be a Nurse Practitioner and usually we tell pregnant patients in the first trimester just to go with their cravings, a donut or two wont kill you if its the only thing that sounds good..Something tells me they aren’t gluten free though..Anyways, love your family posts, hope some of the food aversions start to go away soon!