I'll Have Seconds...

Here is our next Question & Answer session between your editor Ester and I because thankfully I have made it to the second trimester!

Enjoy another one of our candid conversations between a mom-of-three and a struggling mom-to-be!

R: Okay, so you were totally right. When my second trimester started at 14 weeks, my nauseousness and fatigue started wearing off. By the time I returned back from Ohio and week 15 started, I felt like a completely different person, more like myself again. Are you psychic?

E: Yes. (okay, okay, maybe not, but I convince my kids I am all the time.)

R: Now that my palette has returned back to normal and I'm not eating like a fourth grader, I'm loving getting back into my routine of green smoothies and salads. Any other foods I should try out this semester now that I can stomach them again? 

E: Shrimp, lots of shrimp! They say it's brain food for the baby!  

R: Uh, should I have been taking child classes already? When do I start that kind of thing? 

E: Now is a great time to start. I'd check your delivering hospital and with your Doula for classes that they offer. I'd recommend an infant First Aid/CPR class, breastfeeding class, and a 'taking care of baby class' to start off.  

R: Oh yeah! And those things called nurseries and baby registries, when in the hell should that fun begin? 

E: I wouldn't wait to much longer. Registeries can be overwhelming so I'd suggest by making notes of specific things your mommy friends love. Then, plan to start your registery once you have a list started of some must haves.   

R: I know you recommended the book Baby Wise. Are there any other books or DVD's I should check out? 

E: 'Happiest Baby on the Block' DVD is great resource too. 

R: Now lastly, be straight up with me. I know this euphoria has to end at some point. What can I expect from the third trimester?

E: The third trimester is the 'Oompa Loompa Season.' Sleep will become even more uncomfortable, walking will become a waddle, bathroom breaks will increase ten fold, sitting for more than ten minutes will not be an option, and foot and back rubs will be mandatory.

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Workout

In reading up on the things I should do during pregnancy, everyone and their mother stressed the importance of working out. My doctor also said it was important to stay active because of my past problems with circulation. (That damn blood clot will always come back to haunt me.)

Luckily, I was already in a pretty good routine pre-pregnancy. I am a total Tracy Anderson devotee. For those of you who don't know her, she is responsible for creating the bodies of people you may have heard of - ahem, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many, many more. 

I had been doing her Metamorphasis DVD's religiously five days a week since March of 2015 and continued with her Continuity program. When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately switched to her Pregnancy Project. 

Even though the first three months of my pregnancy were tremendously tough, doing Tracy's Pregnancy Project actually made me feel better. It helped with the nauseousness and I actually looked forward to doing it four to five times a week. 

What I love about this DVD set is that there are nine different DVD's for your nine months of pregnancy. Also, Tracy was pregnant as well so I felt totally comfortable that the exercises I was doing each day were safe for me and the baby. 

You wouldn't see me caught dead hoisting huge weights above my head normally, let alone while I was pregnant. (Let's be honest, that requires waaayyyyy too much of my energy, and during my zombie-like state it was definitely not in the cards.) So, I just stuck to walking the dog twenty minutes along with doing Tracy which ranged from 35-55 minutes a day. 

Lord knows my diet went down the tubes the first three months, but sticking with this workout gave me a peace of mind that I was doing all I could to be healthy for me and the baby. 

Everyone has different preferences and routines, but I just wanted to share with you all what I've been able to keep up with and enjoy during my pregnancy. Although, I'm sure you will all werk it out any way you choose to!

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Mother Knows Best

She has a way with words this one. I only had to wear a full leg cast from birth until 3 years old and then had to walk with shoes with a bar between them, but I think I turned out just fine! Although, I guess the verdict is still out on that one...

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