14 Week Bumpdate

So here we are at the start of the second trimester, and oh what a difference it makes! I'm feeling a bazillion times better in the nausea department, thank the good sweet Lord above. I just got back from a trip to New Orleans and enjoyed every single sun-filled and 75 degree minute (when I wasn't indoors for the work conference that brought me there). And I had my first maternity boutique encounter. Ummm, yeah. About that. No one tells you how overwhelming that is for the first time! Silicone leak guards? Nursing sports bras? Belly bands galore? I'm pretty sure the sweet girl who waited on me had a good laugh after I looked around for a good hour in disbelief, finally settled on a black belly band and high-tailed it out the door. But I did find some fabulous little (or not so little, as the case may be when I wear them) sundresses to usher me (and Baby T) into spring. Bring on the comfy dresses and flip flops!

Since many of you asked for an update before we hit the 16 week mark, (I know, I'm impatient too), here's the latest:

Symptoms: Though I'm trying not to jinx it, I haven't felt morning sickness in a solid week. That means no more preggie pop drops to get me through the workday! Cue the hallelujah chorus. I occasionally feel a little nauseated late at night, but it is so much better than the groan and moan fest I was having every night that I can totally handle it. What I AM feeling is restless. Especially at about 2, 3, or 4 in the morning. I usually get up to use the bathroom and then find myself wide awake for hours afterward, silently cursing Mr. T as he lays beside me snoring away. Last night I couldn't take it anymore and moved to the sofa. Let it be said that pregnant women who find themselves more uncomfortable every night should not be sleeping on sofas. So guess who's gonna get the boot out of the bed the next time? Sorry, honey.

What's different: Holy Burpalicious, Batman! I seriously cannot stop, and I don't know where it comes from. I burp or hiccup after I eat any meal, first thing when I wake up, in the middle of the night, for a total of about 100 times a day. Classy, I know.

Cravings: Oh, Diet Coke. I miss you so. But I still reserve the right to drink one with any of the following meals: Pizza, Anything Mexican, and Cheeseburgers. And let me throw in that if you are in New Orleans, you MUST go to Port of Call and get a mushroom cheeseburger. It is straight up heaven on a plate. And I still love a good baked potato. Mmmm, a twice-baked one sounds so delicious right now...

Aversions: Few and far between, though something that can sound awesome and I am starving for can become disgusting once it's placed in front of me. This happened at La Paz yesterday, when I ordered a chicken enchilada. It showed up and I couldn't even eat a bite. I'm getting a bit better with fruits since my first two um, episodes, of getting violently sick from a banana and a grapefruit of all things. Eewww, and no eggs. I can't stand the smell of them.

Sleep: Oh how I miss my old sleep-through-a-freight-train days. Maybe it's just God's way of preparing me for motherhood, but man, I am a Grumposaurus Rex if I don't get 8 hours. I'm thinking a maternity pillow is in my future. And a king-sized bed so Mr. T MAY be able to stay in it.

I am loving: Seeing a tiny little bump emerge and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on about what's going on inside of me. I can really feel a bump in the morning when I'm laying flat on my back, but that may just be because my bladder is ready to explode. But I still love it, and I am constantly amazed at the miraculous little being God is creating. How cool is that?

I miss: A good night's sleep. You really don't understand how much I love it.

I am looking forward to: Wearing my fun new dresses when it finally warms up! I came home from NOLA and tried them all on for Mr. T the minute I walked in the door, fashion-show style. I found the most amazing maxi dress from Banana that I cannot wait to wear with some new wedges (so much more practical than stilettos!) that I bought at Hemline. Be still my heart.

I'm spazzing about: Well I was spazzing about this pain I was getting in my lower abdomen, until I read about round ligament pain that starts in the 2nd trimester and discovered it was spot-on. They're basically growing pains, as the ligaments surrounding your uterus are stretched to accommodate the growing baby. Another way Mother Nature just does her thing.

Best moment this week: Shopping in New Orleans and buying our first baby book called "Good Night, Nola." Something about that city just speaks to me, and I love that our first book came from the city where I was born!

Milestones: Going from "Ugh, I feel sick again" to "Wow, it feels awesome to feel normal again!"

Movement: Nothing yet, but I cannot wait for that moment! I think I'm going to use a gift a friend let me borrow for the first time this weekend. It's a velcro band that wraps around my belly so the baby can jam out to NeedtoBreathe on my iPphone. Music City Baby, all the way!

It's a...: I'm starting to think girl more and more. But maybe just because the clothes are cuter. I know Mr. T wants a boy because he's already saying "him" when he talks about the baby. But deep down, we just want healthy with 10 fingers and 10 tiny toes!

Exercise: Check! For the first time in two whopping months, nonetheless. I used the hotel gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical one day and 35 minutes speed walking on an incline on the treadmill the next. Major progress from being a total couch potato the last eight weeks.

Diet: Trying to get some sort of breakfast down in the morning, but it's still my least favorite meal of the day. Lots of protein and veggies at lunch, and whatever sounds tasty for dinner. I've also re-discovered my sweet tooth the past week. It started with the white chocolate bread pudding I ordered for room service my first night in Nola. Picture me with a big bowl on my belly, curled up in my bed watching the Bachelor. Now THAT is the definition of a good night.

Goals for the upcoming week: (1) Keep up the exercise because it really does make me feel better and (2) get some organizing and cleaning done around the house. Carpets are being cleaned tomorrow, then it's on to getting all the junk out of the nursery!

Belly Shot: No 14 week belly sticker, so you'll have to wait for the 16 week shot. Rest assured, that bump will be much more evident!