There's A Reason, Honest!

I know I've been MIA for quite some time - almost three months!  But I swear, there's been an honest reason for it.  Let me give you a little preview....

(This scan was from early December, so it's a bit out-dated.)

Turns out I've been housing an adorable little parasite for the past 15 weeks!  I found out over Columbus Day Weekend and life has been consistently changing ever since.


It was the Monday morning when I found out that I was pregnant. This was certainly exciting news! My husband and I had just started officially trying to conceive at the end of July, so we were a bit surprised that I "fell pregnant" (love that UK term) so quickly.  I'd been fully prepared to have to try for at least six months, if not longer. I don't know if it's ever possible to be ready for pregnancy or having a baby, but I'm doing my best. 

(This photo was taken on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - Week 4 Day 0, if my due date is really June 19, 2012)

Yeah, I'm really not looking like that anymore!  I think my chest is about triple the size, and my belly is easily that or more!  My belly showed much earlier than I'd expected, which I attribute to my change in eating and exercise as much as to the little critter.  But more on that in future posts.

This is my first pregnancy and I've been determined to have a happy and healthy pregnancy. I'm already in the "high risk" category, as I turned 36 at the start of October.  I've been checking on things with my doctor since my first appointment at 5 weeks.  The doctors are wanting to keep an eye on my kidney functioning, just to be sure that everything stays okay.  To date, I've done 2 24-hour collections and everything seems to be fine.  In addition to the possible risk factors, I'm aware of wanting to properly manage my weight throughout this pregnancy. I know it's easy for me to put on weight - about four years ago I was at my all-time high of 189 and I don't plan to stay or return there after this baby! 

Someone once asked me "Why do you bother with losing weight when you're just going to get pregnant and get fat again?" That has stuck in my head and provided me with extra motivation. I'm not going to stress about the number on the scale but I do want to be aware of my weight, my health, my nutrition, and my overall well being.  I'm not exercising or eating like I had been and really am not following any specific plan for the moment.  But I'm wanting to figure out a way to navigate these new circumstances - balancing all the different needs and demands, both for myself and for baby.

With this new chapter in my life, I think it's time for my blog to have a new chapter as well ... Enter the Tough On Fluff - Pregnancy Version!

(Next doctor's appointment is in 2 days, so here's hoping for a healthy check-up!)