After many rainy hours in the car (I think we drove through seven different storms!), we’re back home, safe and sound. Amazing how it felt both strange and familiar at the same time. After five weeks, I suppose that’s to be expected.
Our grass has grown–hurray!! But it was not cut enough while we were gone, so it’s needing a little attention. Boo.
Things are generally very cluttered and still not unpacked, since we just returned, but I’m okay with that tonight. I just want to sit on the couch and not pack or unpack anything. In fact, I just sent Jason on a water and (healthy, additive-free) ice cream run.
How am I feeling?
- I’ve had some somewhat scarier pregnancy-related things happen this past week. I will give more detail after I’ve seen a midwife on Thursday and sorted things out. At this moment, the baby is kicking in my belly again, and I’m reassured.
- According to the scale at my parents’ house (we don’t have a scale at our house), I still haven’t gained a pound. I’ll be interested in what the scale at the birth center says. I’ve always said that I don’t mind if I gain 50 pounds or 10, as long as I’m eating the best quality & variety of foods possible, with 80+ grams of protein, and avoiding junk. Unfortunately, with five weeks of menus that were totally out of my control, my intake has not been the quality or quantity that I would like (too much refined, white stuff, especially sugar, and not enough veggies or protein). So less-than-stellar food intake + no weight gain = slight concern on my part.
- My uterus has spread out more. Since 12 weeks, it has grown up rapidly toward my belly button (stunning me with twin thoughts again), then slowed the upward growth a bit to take the time to fill out sideways. The same thing happened in both of my previous two pregnancies. I don’t know why it surprises me. It is a combination of the way my body is and the way my baby lays.
- I have had to pee much more frequently these past few days. Frequent urination is not one of the pregnancy symptoms I typically experience until later on in gestation.
- When I first started feeling strong, sustained, consistent movement (15 weeks), it was on the right side. Today, it is on the left and front.
- Maya and Ellery enjoy giving the baby impromptu hugs and kisses. It is very sweet. Ellery, especially, cannot kiss my belly without also hugging it. The two go together, of course.
- Maya continues to talk about twins. I don’t want her to be disappointed, so I try to casually mention that I’m pretty sure there’s just one in there. My mother, who has a typical Asian grandmother’s interest in both boys and twins, hasn’t helped any. She keeps bringing up both topics to Maya and asking her what she thinks I’m having–one boy, one girl, two boys, two girls, one of each…
- Today, I’m not sure if it’s a boy or girl. We have been referring to the baby as “he” more often than not. But both Jason and I embrace male pronouns as gender neutral, when appropriate, so that might not mean anything.
- I’ve been having frequent headaches. I think had this symptom in both of my other pregnancies.
- I get heart palpitations about 3-10 times a day now. Not rapid or heavy heartbeat, but rather the kind with the flutter or punch in your chest (PVC), probably a premature heartbeat. Sometimes it takes my breath away or makes me cough. As far as I’ve been able to research, this is harmless to both baby and me. If it bothers me enough, I can ask for medication to manage it, which I will not do unless I find out that I need to for the health of the baby. My brother-in-law, the cardiologist, advised me to get a monitor so the cause of the palpitations can be discerned. I will ask my midwives for further advice on this.
- I’m more easily tired and irritated lately. I try really hard to avoid both, especially the latter.
- I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed tonight!
simply serina 
welcome back home. there is nothing like your own bed – especially when pregnant.
i remember getting those headaches. that was my first pregnancy sign with emma. i had one like it last week and started thinking i was pregnant again – but i’m not!
“But both Jason and I embrace male pronouns as gender neutral, when appropriate.” You go, girl! (And guy.) I thought I was the only one left in the world (besides my immediate family) who understands that male pronouns have both a specific and a general purpose. Why is that so hard to grasp? When others say “duck” they don’t generally exclude drakes, do they?
Glad y’all are home safe.
I’m referring to our baby as “he” most of the time too, even though we won’t know boy or girl until August. We’re with y’all on that point.
Hope your midwife appointment goes well.