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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Salt & vinegar chips are the perfect pregnancy food. It’s the one thing I have consistently craved since the start.
Are you finding out the baby’s sex? Your cravings are similar to mine and I’m having a boy!
we’re totally going to find out.. and i’m fully convinced it’s a boy 🙂
Gina! Congrats on your exciting news! I have followed your blog for some time now…I hadn’t checked it out in a few weeks! I am thrilled for you and the pilot!
Both pregnancies, I craved vinegar and mustard…and I have two girls!
Both pregnancies I worked out. Both babies healthy!
And, I had an aversion to Almond butter with my last one. Go figure!
I will be checking in more often…now, if I can only get to my blog and post something – anything! (Life gets more circus-like with two!)
All my best, Lisa
It is so exciting to follow you since I am just 2 weeks behind you (81/2 weeks). I do not have any bump yet. When did you start noticing a bump? (Although, of course, yours is tiny right now).
Also, Im dying for caesar salad but won’t eat it with the raw egg. Do you find versions without the raw egg in it? I know some people say it is fine but I’m a first time paranoid pregnant person so I am holding out.
As for my cravings, seafood! I had a huge plate of fish and chips with tons of tartar sauce recently and it was heaven!
my little bump showed up almost right away! google said it could be because i have a short torso 🙂
tartar sauce sounds so good!!
So exciting! I can’t wait to be ‘showing’ because right now, especially since it is still a secret, it feels surreal! I need proof! =)
You may also be showing early because you are super fit so any extra bump is going to be super visible especially when you are wearing a tight tank top like in the picture. You look great and I’m excited to follow your ‘progress’. =)
such a great story and you look amazing!!
I’ve heard that if you crave sour things while you’re pregnant that it’s a boy (an old wives tale I know) but it did turn out to be true for me. I couldn’t get enough of the Dill Pickle Potatoes chips, lots of sour lemonade, and of course lots of dill pickles. 😉 I’m glad that you’re enjoying your pregnancy journey food cravings and all. 🙂
You look beautiful mama! I was the same way about belly rubs. I thought I would HATE it but I actually sort of love it. I am going to miss this belly when it is gone (I am due in a month)!
ah! You look great 🙂 Once you start to really pop out- everyone and their Mom will start talking to you about babies/giving you advice. Seriously- the randomest people have stopped to tell me about giving birth haha. I wish I had cravings! I never really had any too strong. Sort of a bummer 😉
How wonderful that your grand grandmother is alive to share in this! And your little belly is adorable. Potato chips and orange juice. Fresh squeezed, and natural potato chips..of course! 😉 try it! It was my earliest craving!
i’m loving orange juice right now too! 🙂
You have the most adorable baby bump ever!!! Rock it mama!
Sauerkraut and mustard?! That is an odd combo! I haven’t a clue what I’ll crave when I’m pregnant, but one of my guesses is salt and vinegar chips!
Pregnancy looks great on you! Are you guys going to find out the sex or be surprised?
we’re totally going to find out
Awww, cute little belly bump!
I crave the exact same foods and I’m not pregnant, lol. I just love salty and sour. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this special time with everyone! I am not pregnant, not a mother, nor do I have any plans to start a family in the near future, but I have loved these posts! You look so beautiful, and happy, and your joy and excitement are contagious! It makes me excited about “one day” for myself!
that made me a bit teary eyed 🙂 you look so fabulous gina, this is so exciting and i’m so happy you are sharing this journey with us!
i’m so glad you’re all enjoying it with me!
You’ve got the glow, lil mama! 🙂 You’re as beautiful as ever! I like sauerkraut and mustard, but just don’t know if I’d like them together! haha My oddest pregnancy craving was white cheddar popcorn with chocolate ice cream, all mixed up together.
thank you 🙂
i’m not sure if i could roll with cheesy chocolate haha
I am 34 weeks preggo and all belly at the moment…seriously I think all the weight I’ve gained is belly weight! I still love people to touch my belly especially cause this little sweet girl usually responds by moving in some way. Blessings to you on your pregnancy…it is a remarkable, glorious experience! (Even though my lumbar spine is not too happy, I can’t seem to sleep anymore and walking around the block is more of an effort than I ever imagined it would be! Ha!)
i hope to gain only in my belly too! we’ll see if it happens 🙂
Cute post! I hope you went to the Vosges shop in vegas, the truffles are out of this world.
i totally did
You look great. I can’t wait to see you grow more. I think fit pregnant women are so cute.
Your almond butter aversion sure would have been helpful during Lent. haha
no kidding!
I’m 15w along right now and I can’t get enough salt and vinegar potato chips either!
You are absolutely glowing! <3
Reader's Request: A post from the Pilot telling us his thoughts/feelings when he heard the news!
i’ll ask him to 🙂
Definite baby bump 🙂 I concur with what Kelly F said above. Not a mom and not any time soon but I love these posts.
You look great and so happy! 🙂
You are about the cutest pregnant woman ever!
you’re looking fabulous!
I had tons of aversions in my first trimester- meat, sweets (what?!?!), and any kind of vegetable.
get ready, in a few months you’ll answer 10 million questions (when are due? boy or girl? is this your first? how did you decorate the nursery? ha!) and get lots of random people coming to cop a feel of the cute baby belly 🙂
I love your belly pics…you are looking so adorable!
And belly rubs…ok I was one of those women who hated having people come up and rub it. I was *so protective* of my belly, I didn’t want anyone near it! lol
And cravings…totally right about the baby first/you get the leftovers, and if there’s a craving, there’s likely a reason for that craving, Your midwife/doula team is spot on IMO with everything I was ever told or read.
Keep on rocking that salt and fermented foods like kraut; good healthy bacteria. I hated nut butter when I was pregnant (gave me heartburn) and also eggs, meat, and anything strong smelling.
Have a great day 🙂
I am loving these pregnancy posts!!
You look even more adorable than usual!! With all three of my girls I craved crushed ice with fresh lemon and lime juice squeezed over it!
Those are some cravings that I can fully support! YUM!!!
Looking beautiful! I am so glad you are sharing the belly shots with us!!!!!
I am not pregnant but you have me craving salt n vinegar chips now LOL!!!
I am right ahead of you, at 17 weeks. Isn’t it so exciting and fun! My bump is getting larger by the day, but I love it. If you are doing ok energy-wise right now, you are going to feel amazing in a few weeks! I’m finally back to my old self!
Salt and Vinegar chips are an absolute MUST for me, too! So funny. And soup and bagels. Isn’t odd what our body craves? I think it’s so neat! Congrats to you guys- can’t wait to see what you’re having….we find out in 2 days!
so exciting you find out so soon!!!
that gives me hope.. i’ve been tired lately, so i’m anxiously awaiting the return of my energy
Ah, you look great Gina, and i love seeing your little ‘bump’ so so exciting. It’s funny, i love the belly rubs too….i am a little ahead of ya, 19 weeks today. Reading your cravings makes me realize i wasn’t alone with mine:)
Your energy will return…but then it gets zapped in other ways, but still so.much.fun!
I LOVE pregnant bellies! I always think they look so cute and have to refrain from telling random pregnant ladies how cute they are- don’t want to seem like a creeper. Even though my pregnant belly was HUGE and painful by the end (short torso too!) I still secretly loved the way it looked. I say “Yay for showing early!”
And, because I have to say it, that little bump is super cute.
Short torso (maybe 2″ from bottom rib to top of hip) here, too, and also a bit painful in late pregnancy. But what I thought was a foot or two pressing into my diaphragm was actually trapped gas in the scrunched up pipes up there, I think. Heartburn remedies might be your friend in the last month.
I HATED veggies in all forms in the first trimester! It gets better though 😀 I can almost eat everything again at 22 weeks, hooray! Just… a lot less of everything. And baby starts considering your bladder a bouncyhouse at some point. But hey, it’s all worth it right?! I crave tons of fruit, which according to old wives’ tales is a sign of carrying a girl, but my boy just defies the stereotype I spose.
Your bump-to-be is cute! You might start showing soon since you’re so slender. Exciting! I started showing around 16 weeks and now shaving is starting to be a hassle, haha.
I picked up some of the books you recommended (or rather, made use of amazon). They should arrive tomorrow! I’m somewhat scared of birth but I’m confident that I can manage without pain meds. However, I’m laboring in the hospital just in case. It’s my first birth, I don’t know what to expect and want to be prepared, haha. If you guys end up having a boy, I greatly recommend “It’s a Boy!” by Michael Thompson, ph.D. I feel so much more prepared for the little bundle now.
My grandmother had a stroke 5 years ago and lives in Germany with the rest of my family (while I live in the US with my husband) and hasn’t left the bed since. We recently went to visit my fam and I got pictures with her touching my belly. She was so excited about the baby! That was one of the most precious moments in my pregnancy so far. I’m glad that no matter what happens, I have those pictures. Thankfully, no stranger has tried yet! I don’t think I’d do too well with that.
It’s nice to see someone gaining “normal” amounts of weight, too. All the pregnancy forums I troll are full of women claiming to have gained 2lbs at 20+ weeks. If it’s true, I don’t know how they do it! Eating healthy for baby is easy, but not gaining is another story. Oh well, good weight either way.
I think you are going to have a girl by the way you eat!
really?? i totally think it’s a boy
So beautiful! Do you worry about the mercury content in seafood, or is that something that is no longer a concern when pregnant?
i do, but the types of fish with higher mercury content aren’t ones i usually eat
Yay! I LOVE bump pictures! 🙂 You really are showing SO early, but it’s probably because you’re so petite! I adore these family posts. <3
you look gorgeous!
i remember how i couldn’t wait to start showing when i was pregnant. best 9 months of my life!! except the part where random strangers would reach out and touch my belly. HATED that part!
can’t wait to see the progression through the months 🙂
You look wonderful, and you look and sound so happy!!
<3'ing on your belly! I love touching pregnant bellies, so I always hope no one minds when I do it. I never touch a stranger's belly though. When I'm with my sister, I am always sitting super close with her with my hand on her belly just in case my niece moves around! 🙂
Gina, I’ve always always ALWAYS loved Fitnessista. Your style of writing totally clicks with me. Ever since you gave us the news that you’re preggers the blog has totally changed….FOR THE BETTER! You seem like such a warm and loving person to begin with and that has always been apparent in your writing. Now, it’s like your love for the little nugget oozes into the writing and we are all feeling your pregnant glow with you. You look fabulous mama and keep on rocking those luon shorts!! Pregnant and all 🙂
thanks girl 🙂
It’s so fascinating to me the food aversions one has when your pregnant. I have another friend who can’t tolerate nut butters right now too. I can’t imagine, but I’m sure I’ll understand when I’m there someday myself.
you look beautiful…and beautiful belly 😉
Hi gina,
You look healthy and happy!…so glad ‘n happy for ya!! 🙂
Would it be rude for me to simply add that your belly looks beautiful, but point out the startlingly obvious: you have an otherworldly butt! Holy wow!
haha! thank you 🙂
So exciting! It’s crazy to think there is a little person growing in your belly! 🙂 Congrats!
you look so great – i love your pregnancy posts!
could you share which lululemon shorts those are? super cute. 🙂
OMG your totally showing already..lets hope its quadruplets..lol j/k!
I have a short torso too.
I also agree with Kyla, i can really feel the love coming from your blog..its like your over-dosing on almond butter + macaroons, times 1000000!
the ultrasound said there is one baby in there. thank goodness haha
Gorgeous : )
An aversion to almond butter????!!!!! OMG. Maybe that will pass…… hopefully…..
i hope so!!
The belly showing: THAT IS SO EXITING! I feel like I’m pregnant with you (which is a little scary since I’m only 18… I have to wait some more years…!) but it’s just so beautiful. There is life growing inside you… crazy.
I read but never leave comments…but I have to say, you can just SEE the joy jumping off your face in the 4.5 week photo! It’s SO cute. Congrats 🙂