During the first update, I told you guys I’d probably pop in monthly to talk about this pregnancy.  I was surprised by how many of you wanted more frequent updates!  I kind of thought it was overkill last time, but I’m happy to hear the posts have been so helpful to so many of you.

I still don’t plan to update on weekly basis, but I’ll probably do it every few just so I don’t lose track.  And this way I won’t forget anything!  I love reading the old updates too – fun to see what I was doing at this same point last time around. 

As of today, I’m 15 weeks along, but let’s back up to last week (where we left off).  Here is the growth at week 14 – last time vs this time. 

I’m definitely much thicker through the middle than last time already, but luckily my clothes are still fitting well and I’m pretty comfortable.  I threw up once during week 14 and once again this week (15), but have felt mostly okay otherwise.   

My appetite has continued to be much of the same, although the veggies are slowly creeping back in.  I still feel like I could live off of baked potatoes and soup.  This week I ate an alarming amount of strawberries.  Between me and Cullen, we are working at a rate of a pint per day – good thing I just bought four more!

While last week felt pretty low key and uneventful, I feel like this week has brought a lot of changes.  I don’t think it’s as evident in the photos as it is in real life, but I woke up Wednesday morning and my stomach had literally popped out.  I walked in the door of my friend’s house on Wednesday and she immediately said, “woah baby bump!”

There is no hiding it, although I’m happy that most of my clothes are still fitting well for now.  It’s interesting to read the updates from last time.  By this point last pregnancy, I was already itching to get into bigger, looser clothes because my expanding midsection felt really uncomfortable.  This time I’m holding out as long as I can because it still feels okay, and I know just how long I’ll have to wear them having been through it once before.  I also started this pregnancy at a lower weight than my last, which is probably making a difference.  So far I’m up about two pounds!

I had a 15-week appointment on Monday that was very short and to the point – weighed in, gave blood work, heard the heartbeat, and then sent on my way!  Everything is still looking and sounding good.  Up next is scheduling our 20-week anatomy scan.  As it draws closer and closer, I’m starting to have second thoughts about finding about the gender.  Casey really wants to, but I’m on the fence.  I feel like it might be fun to be surprised!

Other exciting developments this week – my boobs are finally bigger.  Hallelujah!  I was starting to seriously think they had deflated past the point of return.  I think my hair is growing quickly too – time for a trim!

The biggest issue right now related to pregnancy is that I’m still experiencing what feels like crippling fatigue.  Last night I fell asleep at 8pm!  I’m still getting up at 5:30am in order to get some work done in the mornings, and so by the time Cullen goes to bed at 7:30pm, I have nothing left in me.  And it takes every ounce of energy I have to work during Cullen’s naps instead of napping myself.  I am so ready for this supposed burst of energy!

Despite being tired, my workouts are continuing to go well.  I feel so much more motivated and excited to work out this time, mostly because I’m not nervous or worried about any of the physical pregnancy stuff this time around.  My workout of choice continues to be Barre3 classes, and I’m averaging going to two each week.  I’d like to be going to more, but scheduling/childcare makes that difficult, and they are also not cheap – so two works for now. 

I think the class I went to this morning was the hardest one yet.  The instructor said her husband was there, so I think she was being extra tough.  I had to do a few pregnancy modifications during some twists and stretches, but otherwise I still feel like it’s a great option during pregnancy (and otherwise!) because it’s not very cardiovascular, but it’s an intense muscular workout.  I’m happy to have found something that feels like a good fit!

While 15 weeks still isn’t all that far along, I already feel like the weeks are flying by.  Last time I felt like I counted each day, and this time I’m not even really aware of the passing week until Wednesday hits and a new one starts. 

At this point, I’m looking forward to feeling some kicks (so ready!) and having a real belly other than just a thick, round lump.  And even though it’s still very early, I feel like (and look like ) I’m carrying higher this time, which makes me wonder if this is possibly a little girl.  We’ll know soon enough.  Or maybe not!  Still have a few more weeks to decide.

I am coming out of a three day long fog in which Cullen hasn’t taken a single nap, and all waking hours have revolved around a cranky, nap-less monster.  It has been ugly, and many tears were shed on both sides. 

Here we are on Friday afternoon, finally hitting the keyboard at 3pm – as Cullen battled today’s nap for two long hours.  But all is peaceful and quiet now, and I’m hoping he wakes up pleasant, rested, and human again. 

So I told you earlier this week that I wasn’t planning on writing as much about this pregnancy, and then here I am with all these parenting updates I want to share.  But I feel like it has been FOREVEEEER since I’ve written anything about food, which is kind of pathetic.  So today is a bit of a hybrid post – pregnancy meets food!

I’m 14 weeks along now, so just entering the second trimester.  I’ll do a real update for weeks 14 and 15 next week, but for now I thought I’d talk a bit about what I’ve been eating these last few months.  During my pregnancy with Cullen, I survived off of ginger cat cookies, bagels and cream cheese, lemonade, and root beer for many many months.  I was really sick, and any calories I could keep down were a victory. 

I’ve had an easier go of it this time, which has been really nice.  Food aversions are still definitely there, but nothing like last time.  Even though I’m not getting sick as often, it has still been really hard to convince myself to eat more than a handful or so of different things.  And many of the usual suspects from last time are back in full force for round two…

Anything Citrus

Oh, orange juice – how I love you.  I drink a glass every morning, and find myself swigging out of the carton more often than I care to admit.  Anything citrusy and tangy tastes fabulous.  I’m trying to be pretty mindful of my sugar intake this time, so I’m being careful to make sure I don’t overdo it, but man is it good. 

Cold Cereal & Fresh Fruit

This was particularly critical in the first few weeks.  There were days when I would have been happy to eat cereal for every single meal.  And if I wasn’t having to prep healthy, balanced meals for Cullen, I probably would have.  Although there were definitely more than a few nights where Casey asked what we were having for dinner, and I responded with “I’m eating cereal.”  Most of the time my bowl was overflowing with ripe strawberries and blueberries too.  Can’t get enough.

Soup, Soup, & More Soup

I am a huge soup person in general, but pregnancy really seems to ramp up the soup obsession.  Most of my lunches are soup, and I’ve been making a lot of dinner soups for us as well.  My lunch soups are almost all from Trader Joe’s.  On lighter days, I’ve been liking this creamy tomato boxed variety…

But my new absolute favorite is the new TJ’s Minestrone.  I am hooked.  It’s a gigantic 28 ounce can, but I like to stuff myself to the brim and eat the whole thing in one sitting.  It’s really thick and hearty and full of veggies, potatoes, and pasta.  The whole can is about 360 calories and has 15 grams of protein – extra important for pregnant women. 

Carbo-loading

Along with my soup, I’ve also been doing lots of toast and sandwiches.  I’m trying to keep the carb intake under control, but more often than not it’s the only thing that sounds appetizing.  I’ve also added a bit of dairy back into my diet – mostly just because it sounds good, and so little else does these days.  My current favorite combo is a toasted sourdough English muffin, topped with melted Beecher’s cheese (AMAZING!), and sliced apples.  It never disappoints. 

The other favorite?  Bagels and cream cheese – a pregnant woman’s best friend.  I don’t know what it is about this combo that works so well for an unsettled stomach, but there have been days when it’s been the only thing I could handle.

I’m really into the bread and bagels from Silver Hills Bakery.  It’s a Canadian company, so somewhat local to the Seattle area, and the nutrition stats are really impressive.  Bagels tend to get a bad rep because they are usually high in mostly empty calories.  These BIG bagels are 250 calories a piece, but boast an impressive 16 grams of protein!

My other favorite sandwich is one I know I’ve mentioned here many times before – eggs and avocado.  This is so filling, and so healthy.  On this particular day, I was actually planning on putting eggs and avocado on a tortilla and topping it with salsa.  I got the eggs going on the stove and then opened the fridge to discover we were out of tortillas.  Heartbreak!

The other favorite carb?  Baked potatoes.  I didn’t start the baked potato kick until much later into my pregnancy last time, but this time I can’t’ help myself.  Casey is a good sport and indulges me in these several times a week.  I top mine with Earth Balance, a heaping dollop of Greek yogurt, and a hefty dose of salt.  Perfection.

Of course it’s not all just bread and other carbs.  I am trying really hard to choke down vegetables and other protein sources when I can.  Nothing sounds even remotely appetizing, but I know it’s important to maintain balance, so I’m doing my best. 

I can’t believe I’m admitting this because I feel so cliché, but I’ve been really into dill pickles.  I think it’s because they are so tangy.  I can’t stop eating them!  Notice that the jar has one left, that I promptly ate after snapping this photo.

Last but not least, pregnancy thirst is back in full swing.  I typically drink a TON of sparkling water from our SodaStream, but these days I just want regular filtered water.  Hold the bubbles, please.

So that’s what I’ve been eating lately!  Which probably gives you a good idea of why this space has been mostly food free for a few months.  I’m just starting to feel a bit better and more adventurous, so I’m hoping that carries over into new recipes sooner than later. 

In the meantime, I’m off to make potato soup for dinner!  Have a great weekend!