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.