Well, y'all. It's my third rodeo. My third time in the 2nd trimester. I'm 18 weeks along this week and things seem notably different this time. Maybe it's my war-torn and useless immune system (a warning to anyone who gets pregnant in the fall with a preschooler!) that robs me of any desire to gorge on food 24 hours a day. Maybe it's those two marathons I ran last year. Maybe it's these two kids I chase all over kingdom come instead of taking NAPS (oh I would love a nap). Maybe pants are vanity sized and low slung to the extreme that pregnant women can get away wearing a regular size 10 into mid-pregnancy.
But for some odd reason? I'm still wearing mostly regular clothes. Namely my pants. My jeans. And not just my fat jeans. MY SKINNY JEANS which are actually SKINNY JEANS. With a belt even!
This sweaterdress is probably the least flattering maternity thing I own. But oh DUDE is it comfy. So. This is the largest version of myself right now, as the eye beholds.
This all is very odd to me because I am generally known as the largest pregnant woman on planet earth. With Syd (who weighed in at 10 pounds, 7 ounces) my entire body was pregnant. My FACE was pregnant. I could barely move by the end, and that weight - mostly Taco Bell might I add - was HARD to lose. With Elijah (who at two weeks early weighed in at 8 pounds, 13 ounces), I lost the weight more quickly, and I think it's because I retained a lot of water with him. At this point with him my rings were getting too tight and I couldn't get some of my shoes on. And you'd better believe I was in ALL maternity clothes at 18 weeks in my pregnancies with my other two kids.
People keep telling me I look so great and can't believe I'm already almost halfway done! I wore a t-shirt to school dropoff the other day and a mom stopped me and said that she couldn't even tell I was pregnant! It's all going to my head people. Last night I ate a Kit Kat and THEN a Twix bar because "OH NOES! I AM WASTING AWAY!" I have gained like three pounds (only) and I want an award. It's like I DON'T know that I'll be up to 204 pounds AGAIN by June (I am holding out hope that I won't be. I am hoping and trying to be careful to NOT gain 15 more pounds by my checkup in 2 weeks - oops Kit Kat and Twix bar - which is pretty much what I did with Elijah). I know none of this matters. It only matters that I'm healthy and the baby's healthy, and that it's weird that I crave veggie burgers. But I will say, it's NICE to be able to wear the clothes I have this long. It's nice to be able to get around. It's nice to only have minor, manageable hip pain now and then if I've been on my feet all day.
I sound like such a rookie. The 2nd trimester is great. I'll see you in a few months when I'm whining my face off about being fat and uncomfortable, ok?
OK.
You look super adorable. :)
And I cannot believe you are 18 weeks already.
Posted by: HereWeGoAJen | Friday, February 08, 2013 at 05:23 PM
You look great! I hope if I ever have a third it goes this well! Of course, if I have to run two marathons, it's probably unlikely.
Posted by: Jesabes | Friday, February 08, 2013 at 05:37 PM
I think that sweater dress is totally flattering, and I was going to say that before you mentioned it at all. In fact, I wish I had a non-maternity version.
You look wonderful and I wish continued good health through the rest of your pregnancy. Can't wait to see the new little guy/girl!
Posted by: Julie | Friday, February 08, 2013 at 05:58 PM
You look great! And maybe this pregnancy will be different. I gained 40 with Kalena (and was HUGE) then only 27 with Will.
Posted by: Elsha | Friday, February 08, 2013 at 07:01 PM
I kind of want to flick you in the forehead. But it's coming from a good place. From a fellow pregnant woman who has lost ten, gained 14 back quickly once she started eating and is now holding steady. But man I FEEL FAT AND HUGE AND SLOW AND CAN'T BREATHE. So I will live vicariously through you for a while.
Posted by: larmar | Saturday, February 09, 2013 at 02:10 AM
You look adorable! I'm glad you're feeling good. I was slow to gain this time too- I think having 2 other kids to distract us from The Foods helps, heh. I had only gained like 2 pounds by 20-something weeks. But I'm sad to say that at 32 weeks, I've caught up and I've gained 25ish now, with weeks to go. But, whatever. This is the Last Time I'M Doing This, right? (YAY COOKIES.)
Posted by: Jen | Saturday, February 09, 2013 at 04:20 AM
Wow! You look so cute! I'm excited for you :)
Posted by: anne nahm | Saturday, February 09, 2013 at 09:22 AM
That's a blessing, with my 3rd I was showing right away!! you look lovely!!
Posted by: Katia | Saturday, February 09, 2013 at 05:36 PM
You look completely amazing! I would be so excited to look like that NOT PREGNANT!
Manda! ROCK!
Posted by: A'Dell | Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 07:04 PM