15 Weeks

How far along: Week 15 completed on 4/17/12

Weight gain: ?? Still no idea, though I’m convinced by now it ain’t zero. We’ll see at my midwife appointment on April 27th.

Clothes: Still fitting everything, but I continue to hate any feeling of pressure on the stomach. I tried to wear a belt over a dress for church . . . yeah, that belt came back off within about 3 minutes. And one day after work I was so bloated and uncomfortable (yeah, it could be the fact that I had French fries for lunch 2 days in a row . . . with more mayonnaise than you care to imagine) that I hopped out of the office as early as possible and hit up Target. It was a completely spontaneous trip, birthed by the degree of my discomfort. And there, I bought not one but TWO pairs of maternity jeans. One is a kind of blah-heh but comfy style, but I’ve forgiven it the ‘blah-heh’ part since it allowed me to comfortably eat fries again for lunch the next day (with a salad to balance things out) . . . and fries the next day too. I think I have a problem.

The second pair is a skinnier fit, slightly cropped, with a nice dark wash. As soon as I call forth the gumption I need to spend some time with Photoshop, I’ll be sharing pics of that very first maternity clothes shopping expedition! Yes, I took pictures of myself in the mirror of the dressing room and imagined that all you guys were in there with me.

Hope that’s okay.

The bench area was a little crowded, but you didn’t seem to mind sitting on each others’ laps.

And by the way, you totally loved the little jacket I splurged on.

As you may remember, I had planned on holding out on ALL maternity wear purchases until Rummage, but . . . well, to put it bluntly, that plan went into the crapper.

Sorry for the crude expression. But the word “crapper” kind of makes me laugh today.

Purchases: 2 pairs of maternity pants, 1 body pillow, 1 maternity tank (the striped number featured in all these pics).

Body: In the morning my stomach is pretty darn flat, but as the day progresses and I ingest food, it just gets bigger and bigger. And bigger. The difference from morning to night would be hilarious if it weren’t so darn uncomfortable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But in general, this week has been much better than last week. Seriously better. I have a few queasy moments throughout the day, but they usually pass after a few minutes, or at most after an hour or two. One of my queasiest moments happened Sunday night when I cooked up a batch of Spicy Tuscan Soup. Normally, I consider the smell of onions and bacon and garlic and sausage to be one of the top smells the world has to offer. I basically just lean my face over the pot and inhale the scent over and over again until I’ve rendered my smelling-organs numb and useless for the next 24 hours. But this time, sadly, the intense aromas caused me to flee to the living room and order my husband to take over soup duties. And let me say–it’s a sad, sad day for a foodie when onions and garlic send you running.

It causeth great conflict in the general area of my soul.

And yes, I appear to be laughing in that picture–but inside I’m crying.

Sleep: Awesome! I’m not using the body pillow yet, but I’m glad to have it in my arsenal. And I still can’t stay awake during our night-time reading of Sherlock Holmes, dangit, and I ended up missing out on huge swaths of a really great story this week.

Best moment(s) of the week: What will you think of me if I say “eating fries”? And more importantly, what will I think of myself if I say “eating fries”?

Hmmm. Let’s just not answer this particular question this week, eh?

Movement: Maybe? I was at Bible study last Thursday, my stomach was quite poochy and full of food, I was sitting very still, and suddenly I felt this kind of wiggly feeling when I breathed out. Digestion? Baby? I don’t know for sure, but I do know that I sat there entranced with my hand pressed into my belly and eyes as wide as saucers, imagining that it might be the twitchings of a tiny dancer/pugilist.

There was a repeat of this experience Sunday night as that Tuscan soup simmered and my husband played some blues on the guitar. I asked him to try and feel it–and he could! It was like a very persistent tap-tap-tap in the lower right side of my abdomen. Either I was having very rhythmic digestion, or . . . BABY!!! We both still think it might be digestion, but who knows–it could be a blues-lovin’ little baby, movin’ to the twang of the guitar.

Food cravings/aversions: Have I mentioned French fries? It’s like those skinny, crisp, potatoey delights have completely hypnotized me. Which is the only explanation that can account for eating them at lunch 4 days in a row. 4 days in a row, people! But coupled with juicing and frequent vegetarian dinners, I’m hoping it won’t have too many adverse effects on the Little Wa-Wa. Hopefully my body, in its internal wisdom, knows to send the spinach and carrots to the baby and distribute all the grease to me.

Symptoms: Occasional queasiness/nausea (exacerbated by strong smells), bloating (ugh)–but that’s about it.

Emotions: They seem to be toning down after last week. No new outbursts or anything–I guess I’ll have to schedule a dramatic emotional breakdown this week just to keep you guys entertained.

Hopes and dreams: Seeing pictures pictures on facebook of my cousin Steve and his wife Steph’s newborn, Levi, has been extremely emotional. I can barely look at the images of that tiny little body curled in sleep against his grandpa or daddy or mommy without tears immediately clouding my vision. In particular, a shot of the baby sleeping on Steph’s dad’s chest made me long for the day that my dad will hold our little one. I know that my heart will just melt right away like wax over a flame.

What I miss: Same as last week–having normal digestion that doesn’t call attention to itself. My stomach used to be a mean, clean food processing machine–and it seems to be just limping along right now, in sore need of replacement parts.

What I’m looking forward to: A permanent baby bump instead of this sometimes-here sometimes-not belly that has nothing to do with the size of the baby, but the size of my serving of . . . you guessed it. Fries.

Husband update: Emotions have been happening! The other day he got really upset that pregnancy is so tough on women. It hasn’t been too bad for me, but historically childbirth has been very risky business. And we have a friend at church whose pregnancy has been a nightmare of sickness and headaches. We had to talk it out and work through that a bit–why does God let this beautiful life-creating experience also be a really horrible experience for so many women? Why did childbirth have to get cursed back in the garden of Eden? Seeing my husband process through this was totally unexpected for me, but also precious–he’s a guy who thinks deeply, feels deeply, and cares deeply. That’s what drew me to him all those years ago when we were freshmen at IU–his intensity, his passion, his inquiring mind and his tender heart. His ability to see and feel both beauty and pain. I just love him, and he’s going to be such a wonderful dad.

And in case you were wondering, here he is at 15 weeks.

Lookin’ pretty good there, sweetie. Pregnancy suits you well. And I’ve always thought that vein running down your forearm was especially hot. Keep up the good work.

Hee hee.

Thanks to all you guys again for sharing so much with me and leaving so many encouraging comments!

 


28 thoughts on “15 Weeks

  1. Sarah K.

    I love your updates! I wish I’d been documenting things more. That’s so exciting that you’re feeling little movements! Isn’t it amazing to think about? It was really cool at 20 weeks to see him move on the ultrasound and feel it at the same time. “Oh, so that’s actually a fist punch” or “That’s what a knee feels like.” I can’t wait to read that update! Have you guys thought about whether you’ll find out if you’re having a boy or a girl?

    1. Jenna Post author

      The movement thing is pretty amazing, and I can’t wait to feel it more often. Your 20 weeks experience sounds incredible, and it’s wild that soon it will be my turn to see that too. And YES, we’re totally going to find out the gender as soon as we can–I’m guessing at my appt. in late May? I’ll share as soon as I know. Yaaaay for babies!!

  2. Suzie

    The french fry comments had me laughing! And guess what? I’m posting fries on Friday! 🙂 Love all the pictures and how you are posting weekly, so cool. One of these that belly will begin to show. Glad you’re feeling better too!

  3. Julia Menn

    Ooh, Jenna, how you make me laugh. It truly is delightful reading your stories and experiences. Wishing all the best for you, baby, and husband 🙂

  4. Jesseca

    I love these detailed baby posts! If you’d like a little photography inspiration and haven’t heard of this yet, check this out:

    It’s from a great blog, http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com and he’s a terrific photographer/videographer and always puts good music to his videos. SPEAKING of good music, I listened to your stuff and it’s so my style! I can’t wait for the CD!

  5. Sydney

    So totally unrelated to your post, but I’d love to hear about what you do in your Bible studies sometime. I lead one (on Thursdays ha) and, besides of course studying chapters/books in the Bible, I’m always looking for recommended books for girls groups!

    Great post and love the beauty of a supportive, wonderful husband. 🙂

    1. Sydney

      Oh yes, and I listened to some of your music last night a few times over and love it! You have a God-given talent, that’s for sure. 🙂

    2. Jenna Post author

      It’s awesome that you’re leading that study! Our study isn’t girls-only by the way (though our women’s ministry has once-a-month teachings/gatherings). We usually go through the same text as the sermon and try to dig a little deeper and really apply it to ourselves. We definitely do a LOT of prayer and sharing our lives and burdens with each other–I love that aspect. I’ve never been in such a prayer-heavy study, and it’s been so uplifting.

      1. Sydney

        I don’t know why I didn’t get this notification but I’m just now reading your reply. 🙂 Your group sounds great. Our church has Life Groups, too, that do a similar thing – follow a general reading plan together and the sermons reflect it as well. For some reason, I just felt led to start a little something extra so we do different books usually with occasionally studying wonderful books of the Bible like 1 John. 🙂 It’s also become a super sharing time for us to have other chicas to lean on…
        And now I’m going to figure out why your blog isn’t popping up on my Reader anymore…. Happy Thursday!

  6. kate

    Jenna, can I just point out that you look completely amazingly fantastically gorgeous? The absolute joy radiating out of you has melted any insecurity you had in front of the camera, and you are just. so. beautiful. And tiny, which is why Target maternity clothes fit you, says I after a failed Target impulse shopping trip last weekend. On the plus side, a non maternity shirt and four inch orange wedges fit me just fine!

    1. Jenna Post author

      Kate, you’re so sweet! There were quite a number of awkward shots which didn’t make it to the post . . . but I hope to grow in confidence in front of the camera (I don’t think I’ve ever even posted so many pics of myself on the blog–it’s kind of weird).
      4 inch orange wedges–love it! I LOVE seeing pics of you in the fabulous outfits you create.

  7. Kelly

    I love that your husband is getting photographed, too. It is true that the partner is often left out of something that is truly a 50/50 endeavor if you are very lucky – which is sounds like you are. 🙂

    1. Jenna Post author

      Yes! I totally am. He’s a gem, and we’ve been inseparable now for 10 1/2 years.

  8. Veronica

    I love that you include pics of your husband, always good for a laugh! I’m definitely seeing a little more belly now and I bet that’s exciting–proof you’re pregnant besides all the yucky feelings! Looking forward to your shopping spree pics.

  9. Amy

    Jenna you look so beautiful in these pictures! You’re already getting the “pregnancy glow!”

    On a completely unrelated note, I cooked something for dinner yesterday night that seemed right up your alley – the official name is “Mexican Concoction.” Original, yes?

    Its basically black beans, red beans, rice, shredded cheese, mexican spices, put in a casserole dish and topped with sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, Valentina hot sauce, five or six eggs, and sprinkled with cheese. Pop the whole thing in the oven till the eggs are set and the cheese is melty and gooey.
    Its mainly the eggs that make me think of you.

    Anyways, thanks for the post!

    1. Jenna Post author

      Thank you Amy! And that Mexican dish sounds like something I’d love–you’re totally right! Did you make it up, or is there a link with the “official” recipe, cooking times, oven temp, etc.? I obviously need to make it.

      1. Amy

        No recipe that I know of. It was more one of those lets-clean-out-the-pantry-and-the-fridge dishes. A throw some stuff together and see what happens kind of thing. Very professional. 🙂

  10. Julie M.

    I thought I was the only one that downed fries with mayo – love it! That bump is just around the corner, trust me on this one. You are absolutely glowing in those pictures. There is nothing more beautiful than a pregnant woman. 🙂

  11. Joanne

    MAJOR yay! For all of the happy things in this post. And just think, if you eat fries enough during pregnancy maybe you won’t want them again for years afterwards…so it’ll all even out!

  12. Tonya

    You are BEAUTIFUL! And for 15 weeks, hubby still looks great too! If he is anything like Dale, and if he lives by the “never eat alone” principle, he too will gain 25 pounds of “pregnancy weight” that strangely, does not go away after the birth of baby!
    Hmm! Imagine that?! Dale just now, 9 years later, is losing his baby weight! LOL 🙂

  13. Megan

    So exciting! Maternity jeans are the best. They’re almost more comfortable than regular jeans. Also a body pillow is a must and I wish I had gotten one as early as you…..smart.

    I bet you did feel the baby moving. 15 weeks is early, but since you’re thin you’ll probably feel it earlier anyway. I first felt Kyle move at 16 weeks. I was laying on my back and that helped me feel it more. It felt like popcorn popping, and then just a few days later I could feel him moving all the time, all day. But he’s EXTREMELY active. He pretty much never stops moving. It’s exhausting, but sometimes hilarious how much he just wants to move and go places. Today Andrew strapped him in the high chair and put it up next to the table. Kyle was eating some grated cheese and I was at the counter cutting stuff for lunch. Then I hear Andrew say “what the heck?” and Kyle’s on top of the table with his mouth and both fists full of grated cheese from the bowl daddy was gonna use for his eggs. We started laughing and then I said,”I thought you strapped him in.” He said, “I thought I did too.”

    1. Jenna Post author

      I totally felt the popcorn popping thing last night. I’m so excited for that to become a regular thing . . .
      And Kyle sounds hilarious. I bet you guys laugh so much together.

Comments are closed.