Folks keep asking me how I've been feeling throughout the pregnancy and "terrific" is the honest answer. Even with the first trimester nausea and exhaustion, I really can't complain about how things have been going - something I try not to mention to my pregnant friends who are looking to commiserate about their first trimester woes.
Morning sickness never really slowed me down (and by "morning" sickness, I do mean a dull nausea that followed me all throughout the day). It was pretty manageable as long as I took occasional breaks and kept some tasty treats on hand at all times - Frosted Flakes, frozen lemonade, and soft pretzels from the Holyoke Mall pretty much fueled me for the first several weeks, in addition to the occasional Charleston Chew and ice cream run. (Thanks also to those tasty treats for all of the excess weight gain!) :)
I did develop some food aversions in the first trimester - some of which have followed me into the subsequent weeks. Potatoes of all kinds (baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, french fries, potato chips, hash browns, etc.) have been completely off the table since about week 6. Even now, I often can't even stand to be around someone else who is eating them.
I had a rough time with several other foods and smells at first, but those aversions seem to have subsided at this point. The most prominent ones that come to mind were the smells of Molly's dog food and of pasta cooking (strange, I know, especially since I was able to eat the pasta once there was sauce on it). Thankfully those days seem to be behind me now.
One of my odd food cravings has been tomato sauce. I've always loved tomatoes and have been known to eat a can of stewed tomatoes for lunch or dinner, so this craving shouldn't have come as any big surprise. Now, though, I've gotten to the point wherein I often go through the Pizza Hut drive-thru for an order of breadsticks just so I can dip them in the tomato sauce. Other than that, I can't say any of my cravings have been particularly odd - so far, anyway...
I did sleep a lot during the first trimester. Although I managed not to fall asleep at my desk every afternoon (which I attribute to rarely being at my desk during the day), I was ready for bed by about 7 or 8pm every night. Dave was often amazed at how much I was able to sleep, especially given how late I often stayed up before baby was on board. While driving back to Massachusetts from Florida at Christmas, I probably slept 80% (if not more!) of the time we were in the car.
Now that I'm in the second trimester, I'm feeling even better than before. I have my energy back and, other than sporting a giant belly and having the occasional backache (which prenatal massages really help alleviate!), I pretty much feel like my old self. I've managed to continue going to the gym, although I have had to slow down my work-outs a bit. Instead of running or doing the elipticle and pilates 5 days a week, I often just have to walk on the treadmill. I haven't been too hard on myself for that, of course, because I'm just glad to be making to the gym in the first place!
As the third trimester approaches (unbelievable how quickly this is going!), I am worried about the heat of the summer. While I've never before been one to complain when it's warm outside, I do think this summer will be a different story. We had a few hot days a couple of weeks ago and my hands and feet were already starting to swell - oh well, I'll just have to spend the next few months being thankful for air conditioning!
