11 weeks

So today I'm exactly 11 weeks along with baby #4!  The picture above was actually taken at 8 weeks, though, so exactly 3 weeks ago.  I haven't changed much since then. ;)  Well, I am definitely getting rounder in the middle, but not so much that it would be super obvious in a picture.  For this pregnancy, I am planning to take a picture every 4 weeks, so my next one will be next Saturday.  I've never done this before (on a monthly basis), so it'll be fun to "watch" me grow. :)  I'm also planning to take each picture in the same shirt--or at least a black shirt, maybe short sleeved for summer, if I can find one?--so they'll look kind of similar each time, with (hopefully) just the obvious belly growing.

I know some of you are waiting for a midwife appt. update!  I met with my midwife, Sherry, this past Monday for my first checkup, blood work, etc.  My weight was up 5 lbs from my starting weight, and my blood pressure was 137/79.  It was really fun to catch up with her and I spent 1.5 hours there, getting all the starting paperwork done, blood drawn, exam, etc, and just doing some visiting, of course. :)  The most exciting part was that we DID get to hear baby's heartbeat!  I had not expected this, at only 10 weeks, 2 days . . . with my last two babies, we didn't hear heartbeats until much later.  So it was really neat that we got to hear this one so early.  It was in the 160s so far--it'll be interesting to see how that changes or not in the next months.  I am excited to be planning another home birth (Lord willing!), although I admit I am a little nervous, too.  It's just been so long since my last baby, and I am not sure what to expect.  I will be hoping and praying for another quick and straightforward labor, and we'll see what God has in store. :)  My next appt. will be May 19.

One of the hardest things for me this time around (I'm being painfully honest here) is the thought of gaining weight again.  I was hovering at a healthy weight after losing 15+ lbs almost 2 years ago, and I was thankful I'd been able to pretty much maintain for over a year.  I was buying smaller sizes and happy with a smaller shape . . . the thought of getting big again, even though I KNOW it is for a good reason, has been difficult.  I realize this is complete selfishness!  I am still working on adjusting my attitude. :)  It's easy to "say" that I won't gain as much weight this time around, but it has been hard to actually put into practice because I've been so, so hungry.  Between weeks 5-8 especially, I would get such intense hunger which would in turn bring on nausea, that I would just have to eat whatever sounded good, as quickly as possible, to help myself not feel sick.  In the past few weeks that has eased up a lot, and so far I am still fitting into most of my regular clothes, so I am grateful for that. :)  I am also grateful that I started out at a lower weight this time, than with either of the last two pregnancies.  Like I said, I know this is selfish thinking--there are much worse things I could be dealing with!!!  Just keeping it real here, and if you guys think of it, this is one way you can pray for me.  I want to make sensible and healthy choices with my eating and exercise habits, while also remembering that gaining weight is important to grow a strong and healthy little one. :)  A couple of my short and long-term goals in this area are:

• Be able to stay in regular clothes until around 15-16 weeks (the end of May)
• Gain between 20-30 lbs. with this pregnancy (35 is normal for me, so I would be okay with that too :))
• Exercise regularly.  I think this is a big key for me in staying healthier.  I've been aiming for 3-5 times a week on the treadmill, going at least 1.5-2 miles each time.  Mostly I just walk briskly, but I've added in a little bit of running--usually a quarter or half mile (broken up with walking in between, if it's the latter). 
• Make sure to drink plenty of water, and later, pregnancy tea.  I don't want any UTIs this time!!

On the other hand, there are fun parts that I am enjoying--things like buying a few new clothes!  I actually will need some summer maternity stuff this time, so that is different and fun. :)  I have been scouring Pinterest for DIY maternity ideas too, and am planning to make a few things later on.  I am really hoping to keep myself looking a little more "put-together" this time around, even on days when I'm staying home, so I'm trying to come up with some cute outfit essentials that I can mix and match.  Last year I read Embracing Beauty, by Trina Holden, and was really inspired in the area of style and beauty as a mom (whether pregnant or not).  She has some great ideas for maternity style, and I'm excited to hopefully incorporate some of them!  (You can read a brief review of this book, along with some others I enjoyed last year, at my regular blog here.)  

I am also super curious this time around about whether baby is a boy or a girl.  And no, we don't plan to find out ahead of time--as usual :) --but I have a lot of people around here who are hoping for a girl, including my grandmother and other relatives!  I hope no one is disappointed. :)  I actually had the feeling from the beginning that it will be a girl, but statistically for our family, a boy is more likely . . . and of course I will be happy either way.  Julia, however, is definitely rooting for a sister! :)  

Well, I have made this update LONG enough, that's for sure!!  Probably the next one will be a shorter. :)  I'm planning to update monthly, or maybe a little more often if I think of something interesting to write about.  Thanks for joining me on this journey!