Well, either the first trimester, with all of its glorious symptoms, is drawing to a close or my body is just on strike from the slothfulness and fattening foods I have been imposing on it. Even though I won't reach the second trimester benchmark for another week and a half, I can see the energy boost that every book has promised me as the proverbial "light at the end of the tunnel." Although by month 7 it seems that my slug alter-ego will re-emerge, it looks like I may get a few month reprieve- hooray!
This week has been pretty fabulous so far. It started with our monthly visit to the OBGYN on Monday afternoon. The doctor says that everything seems to be going well, that my blood work looks great, and -oh yeah, WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!! Holy moly, I cannot begin to describe (and it's probably useless to try) the emotion of having that chilly goo on my lower abdomen and feeling the pressure of the "magic wand" as I'll call it. Ivan and I held our collective breath as the doctor searched for our child and all we could hear was static. Then, suddenly, a loud woosh-woosh-woosh-woosh filled the room and intense feelings of relief and love and awe washed over me. A little heart (just one, phew!) beating inside of me. Like, when Ivan and I are hanging around on the couch together, there are three hearts beating - there are three of us in the room.
I mean, clearly I cried. I wonder how tiny that little heart is, because the baby is lime-sized this week! A little seed inside the lime? It is mind-blowing to consider.
So that was Monday. You can't really beat that, but things have been continuing in a positive fashion. Tuesday... wait for it.... I went to the gym. Somehow, after my faculty meeting, I felt compelled to go. Mind you, I have been packing a gym bag and bringing it with me to school everyday for the past 6 weeks, and then having to bring it back into the house unused, "walk of shame" style, each day. But something made Tuesday different (okay, it might have been the mani/pedi I promised myself and pre-booked for immediately afterwards) and I went. It was a wonder that I was even able to find the gym anymore, but find it I did and I changed into my (now much snugger) workout clothes. Being stuffed into that spandex, it really looked like I had a little baby belly. (Still just the lovely "thickening," which-by the way- my mom's mom, our family's beloved "N" confirmed this past weekend is definitely happening. Mom and N actually said it at the same time. N asked if I was showing yet and I said, "No, I'm just getting fat," and they announced in unison, "NO! You're THICKENING!" But I digress).
It had been a long time and at least 10 pounds ago that I had taken a dance class in that studio of the gym. But I stood in my usual place and even held my own through the routines. All the while though, I couldn't help but crack up at the changes in my body, imagining a split-screen of myself 6 months ago in the same spot in the same clothes. To me, I look like a different person, but I have to confess- I thought I looked kind of adorable! I could picture a little more what I'll look like as I'm farther along and it really tickled me. Also, I felt my whole perception of the class change.
I'll admit, I'm a little competitive, especially when it comes to things like being an awesome dancer at the gym. (I know, I'm sick). The thing is, there is always a girl there who looks like a straight-up Barbie doll and she is amazing. She has long, thick, wavy, blonde hair, a KILLER body, and crap, can she dance. I've always known that I couldn't compete with her physique-wise, but that didn't stop me from trying to at least always be on par with her dance-wise. I don't know how she feels about me- most likely I am not a blip on her radar. But for me, every Zumba class was a Dance Battle.
Well, she was there on Tuesday, and I couldn't have possibly cared less about what she was doing and what she looked like. It was like my priorities had finally popped into place, or maybe it's just now I actually have something WORTH caring about. All that mattered is that I had a little friend doing the workout with me, who was grateful that my body was actually moving for once. The endorphins kicked in immediately and I was able to remember just how much I truly love to work out. It was a euphoric feeling that would have been tough to beat, except that the manicure and pedicure that followed were even better.
Wednesday, inspired by Tuesday's workout and the fact that I had cute nails once again, I woke up early to do a Pregnancy Fit DVD. Now, I think that it is important to first understand that the last fitness DVD I had done was the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. JM does not mess around. Even though she kicked my butt into INCREDIBLE shape, I wanted to die every minute of every workout. She really just is a crazy person and she and her abs are not to be trusted. So what a shock to the system to have this tiny, bubbly little cheerleader of a fitness instructor, who you kind of just want to hug because she's so cute, as the one taking me through this workout.
The level of exercise was great- I felt challenged (not surprising, considering my most used muscles as of late have been those used exclusively for chewing) but not exhausted- it was just enough. I felt energized when it was over and I went to shower with a smile on my face and sweat on my brow.
Before I leave the subject of the DVD, though, I have to mention one more thing. It's always interesting to see how the person in the video is going to address your glute muscle. You have your standards: butt, tush, and glute, the tough ones will say "ass" and the sexy ones will say "booty." Guess what this girl called it? You'll never guess. Buncake. Read that again. Buncake. The first time I heard it I thought, "No, I can't have heard that right." But I did. The thing is, the girl is so adorable, you begin to think it's adorable too. "Wow, I really CAN feel that in my buncake!" The other thing is that a buncake sounds kind of delicious. "Buncake? What's that? I don't know, but I think I could go for one right now..."
So I also go my hair colored on Wednesday (completely approved by my doctor, of course) and I'm starting to look a little more pulled together. I might be imagining it, but I even think my skin is cooperating. It's less unsightly than normal. All of this is in anticipation for tomorrow- Friday... the day we announce to the world that we are expecting (and the day YOU can tell anyone you want as well)!
In preparation for Friday I have: 1.) talked to my union rep about maternity leave and how to deal with work-related stuff 2.) spoken with my principal and supervisor to give them a "heads up" and 3.) started to make cupcakes. In our school there is a tradition of bringing in delicious treats for your own birthday, engagement and baby announcements, and other fun events. So last night, after getting my highlights, I made a ton of mini-cupcakes (I told you I got an energy boost!) and today I will ice them and try not to eat so much of the icing while I do it that I make myself sick, which is the usual drill. I'm planning on bringing them into the faculty room tomorrow with a sign that says, "B has a "cupcake" in the oven... Baby H will be arriving in April!" I'm soooooooooo excited- for people to know, to tell my students, and to have cupcakes. I'll take a picture and try to attach so you can see.
It will be a lovely way to end the work week- and kick off an AMAZING weekend of RU Homecoming festivities- seeing friends, tailgating with family, and on Sunday...apple picking!!! And of course, apple picking most importantly means... Apple Cider Donuts. I mean, is there a greater feeling than to kick off and then close the weekend with two different and equally delicious pastry items? I don't think so. Now, if only I can find a recipe for a buncake.
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