Sleep and Exercise Habits

This week, I've felt a bit better, mostly because I've been getting to bed earlier and trying to take more naps (even if it means sleeping at home during my lunch break and taking food back to work to eat). If I get enough sleep, I feel much better, though this isn't always the case when the animals wake me up around 5 o'clock to be fed.

I'm also realizing that exercising energizes me, so even when I'm tired, I lace up my running shoes and head out the door. Thankfully, it's been a bit cooler and less humid, and I was able to run twice (5.8 miles). I've been running even though my right foot has been hurting me for over a month. I think I might have sesamoiditis, a condition that affects the ball of the foot, right under the big toe. I've been trying to stretch my foot a lot, which has helped, and take it easy when I run. I don't want to stop running, though, because I won't be able to start up again after a hiatus until the pregnancy is over. I'm going to try to run for as long as I can. This week, I also did prenatal yoga for an hour and swam for 40 minutes at the YMCA.

I constantly think that if anyone at work was paying attention to my behavior, they would know something is up. I go to the bathroom every 20 minutes, eat multiple snacks and a large lunch, drink less coffee and more water, complain that I'm tired all the time, and have been especially grumpy and whiny. Fortunately, no one pays that much attention, but I still feel like it's reasonably obvious that I'm pregnant. That's the trouble with keeping a secret, I suppose.

First doctor's appointment

Today was my first appointment with the doctor. They confirmed the pregnancy and estimate a due date of April 13, 2009 -- though we won't know for sure until the first ultrasound. I also weighed 147 pounds (surprising!). I have a new doctor because my previous one left to take a job in New Orleans, but I feel comfortable with him. We talked about my miscarriage and that the chances of having a second one are slim. I was glad to hear it, but told him I wanted to wait as long as possible for the ultrasound because I didn't want to form another unnecessary attachment. The miscarriage earlier this year was the most painful experience of my life, so I'm a bit leery this time about getting my hopes up and my emotions too high.

Dr. Ives said everything looks good and that I'm healthy. I can continue everything I've been doing, except for drinking. I told him that other than having tender breasts and feeling totally exhausted all the time, I've been fine -- no cravings, no nausea. His nurse gave me some prenatal vitamin samples and a little expectant mother package, and I scheduled the ultrasound for Friday, September 19 at 8:30 a.m. Adam will go with me then, so we can see the baby together.

This week I started teaching at the University of South Alabama and Adam started his paramedic program, so our routines have changed quite a bit. I've been exhausted every day and trying to get to bed early. I also ran twice this week (5.2 miles) and rode my bike once.


This week Adam drew this picture for me. Cute, huh?

We're having a baby!

This is what we saw tonight, after being a week late. I'm pregnant! Not sure how far along yet, but I'll be making a doctor's appointment this week.