1-4 weeks.

I'm at 14 weeks and I'm feeling fantastic! I've really been watching what I eat and it's making a TOTAL difference in my energy levels and my mood (my husband appreciates that). Of course, I still think about napping maybe 75% of the day, but let's face it- I am going to be tired during this whole pregnancy, and that's that. 

People who don't see me every week probably don't even notice a difference (I can still hide!!) but my behind is growing and I used to have flat, flat, flat abs. That shirt would have been loose whereas now, it clings to my gut. Slowly, but surely, I'm growing. 

I finally picked up the book What to Expect When You're Expecting. I'd been putting it off because 

1. It's a big book-it's intimidating (keep in mind, I've been reading the Game of Throne series, so another giant book was the last thing I wanted to tackle.)

2. I've been so overloaded with baby books that I just needed a break.

..but I am so glad I started reading it because it goes over a LOT of info that I either read 10 weeks ago and can't remember or stuff that I was thinking about and never had a chance to ask my doctor. The only problem with the book is that is basically says everything is bad for you, BUT "if you've already done it, it's okay and there's probably no risk". That makes me a little nervous-the writers don't know how far along the reader is. I wouldn't put in print that "you're most likely okay" for legal purposes. It's a total 180 from the last book I read.

If you haven't yet, check out the book Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven (whether yore preggo or not). They basically tell you "who cares how big the risk is, if there's any risk to harming your baby, you're an idiot for even taking a small chance at all". I like their tough love method better. Of course, I haven't gone completely vegan as they suggested, but I've been trying to cut out meats and to get dairy more and more out of my diet. This book was definitely an eye opener, and as I said, eliminating certain foods has totally changed me. 

Over the weekend, I completed my first ever 5K! It was amazing! No, actually, it sucked because we got 12 inches of snow dumped on us the night before and 1.5 miles of the path was through a park, so there was no trail to plow. We ran through deep snow for a good portion of the race, including a two-block incline. Once I got my feet back onto steady ground, my breathing returned to normal and I was able to speed up to the end. I finished in 33:49, which wasn't what I was hoping for, but considering the snow conditions, I'll take it. 

Ready for my first 5K! (My dog, Cato photobombing the picture.)

Of course, I had people saying "Don't push yourself" "Should you even be running?" "Why didn't you walk?" Never at any point did I feel like I was over-doing anything. The hill sucked, and I definitely slowed down to make sure my breathing and heart rate stayed in line, but I've been training weekly for this event since November (before I was even pregnant) so my body is used to being in motion. The baby is fine. I am fine. And no, I did not drink the free beer after the race. Thank you for asking.

Sadly, this week I did have to pull out some old size 6 jeans. I can still fit into my skinny size 4 jeans (ya know, with that stretchy material) but as for non-stretch denim, my booty just doesn't seem to squeeze like it used to. My 6s fit fine. They aren't tight in any way-except the button when I sit down. I'll be excited to buy my first pair of maternity jeans. An elastic waist sound absolutely amazing. For now, a friend taught me a trick of using an elastic band in a figure 8 through the hole and around the button so when I sit, it gives me some stretch. Totally going to try that! 

And finally, last week (13-14 weeks) I felt the baby kick!!! I felt it about 3 different times last week. The first time I told my husband that I thought the baby kicked. We weren't sure it could happen so soon, so we kinda ignored it (after pushing around my belly for a couple minutes) and thought maybe it was my tummy rumbling. I felt it again a few days later and still wasn't too sure. But the third time, I knew. I know my body and what indigestion feels like-this wasn't it. It felt like a heartbeat or something flickering around down there. It only happened for a couple seconds, but it was definitely a kick. And it was definitely one of the most amazing things in the world to realize "hey, you got a baby in that tiny belly of yours". There are still days where I still can't believe I'm pregnant, so that was a very nice reminder that I'm growing a bean in there. 

1/3 of the Way Down!

Okay ya'll. I'm officially in my second trimester. I have to admit, I lost track of how far along I was. I had my appointment yesterday and they let me know I was 12 weeks and 3 days. So now I'm not going to forget anymore! 

So much has changed in these last few weeks. Cravings have subsided (YES!), nausea is a thing of the past, however I have encountered a 5 day heartburn streak a week ago and exhaustion seems to be a daily struggle. I guess it's preparing me for when I have this kiddo. 

We got some updated ultrasound pictures!!! Oh boy, our baby was so mobile. Our little jumping bean.  We received our results, and I got the best news ever: I am a HEALTHY MAMA! Our baby is at a very, very low risk for downs syndrome-even lower risk than the average 25 year old. To me, that made my day. I struggle every day to be healthy and I'm not 100% perfect and feel terrible when I go on sugar binges, have a cup of coffee two days in a row, or that time I accidentally took Advil when I was 5 weeks along. Every little thing sticks with you and I know I'd never forgive myself if something happened to our little donut baby. 

Our baby now has limbs, fingers, toes, and facial features!

I have had TWO different women within a week come up to me and ask if I was pregnant. Therefore, I guess I'm finally showing. I'd be offended, however they were women in my Zumba classes and they know how skinny I usually am. Having a little belly popping out is bound to spark some questions. And my boobies BARELY fit into my bras. When I go home at the end of the month, I'm going shopping. I'm going to get a picture this week of my progress. 

Also, I picked up this AMAZING book I discovered called Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven. This book is seriously the best thing I've ever read. It's about what you should be eating while pregnant. In fact, it's about what you should be eating even when you're not pregnant. It's very straight forward about health and what you should be avoiding every single day of your life. If you aren't up for someone criticizing what you eat, don't read it, but if you really want to change your habits and be HEALTHY for your baby-or even just for yourself- please, read this book. 

Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. This book is changing my perspective on being healthy during pregnancy. 

So far, I am changing my habits to avoid: caffeine, decaf, sugar, artificial sweeteners (more-so than sugar), milk and meds. I discovered that hot lemon water is one of my new favorite drinks to replace tea. When I'm feeling like crap, instead of popping Tums like Skittles, I'm going to suck it up and deal with it rather than putting chemicals into my body-let's face it, if I can't deal with a small belly ache, how will I ever handle contractions? I'm considering it practice. 

Of course, I am still teaching Zumba anywhere for 4-6 times a week, plus yoga twice a week and running twice a week. My first 5K is coming up in less than two weeks and I am SO PUMPED! Running 5K's was my new years resolution for 2014. I could have easily told myself "I'm pregnant, so I can't work my way up to 3.2 miles." Well, I'm still not quite there and I don't intend to run the entire time without stopping, but I've still been putting in time and am fairly confident that I can keep a good jogging pace almost the entire time :) 

It still doesn't feel real to me. I don't feel pregnant, rather fatter and lazier, but now that I'm entering my second trimester, I'm so excited to reach new levels and new "firsts".