I’ve noticed a trend lately. I don’t know the technical term, but in my head, I call them belly pictures. You know, lovely photos of pregnant ladies (and, sometimes, their husbands and other kiddos).

These photos are beautiful. They really are. And before this thing is over with, I might actually be convinced (by my talented friend Hilary, most likely) to have some photos taken myself.

But until then, the only belly pic you’re getting from me is that fat cat up there.

ANYWAY.

Now that I’m into my second trimester I thought I’d give you all a little update about what’s going on over here on my side of the computer. BECAUSE IT’S CRAZY, PEOPLE.

Or I’m hormonal and emotional. Go ahead, you pick.

First of all, I’m happy to say that the all-day nausea and inability to keep food in IS GONE. Mostly. You know.

About two weeks ago, it was like a switch was flipped and OH, HELLO! There’s my appetite. After weeks of not being interested in food, all of a sudden, I WAS STARVING. And pretty much still am. The food aversion – to food in general, not to anything specific – is still coming and going.

Except when it comes to Little Debbie cakes. I know. I KNOW. Gross, right? Heh. No way. THEY ARE DELICIOUS GOODNESS, and you should NOT take them from me. (For the record, I’m trying to force down as many fruits and veggies as possible to combat the processed sugar. And, FOR THE RECORD, I’ve actually lost 10 pounds in the past eight weeks. As I told my Weight Watchers friends, apparently I should’ve tried pregnancy a long time ago!)

So that’s the situation with me and food. (Because yes, I do think you’ve been wondering.)

I’m not nearly as exhausted as I was about a month or so ago. But this baby is definitely kicking my night owl habits. If I don’t get eight solid hours of sleep, I am WORTHLESS the next day – and I’ve noticed, sadly, that’s when the nausea returns. So, earlier to bed and naps whenever I can, that’s the key.

(Although, it’s strange. And maddening. Just like when I was pregnant with Annalyn, I’m suddenly unable to sleep well, consistently. WHAT THE HECK? This is when I NEED SLEEP. I need it to make a baby. I need it to store up for those newborn days. I NEED IT. Please consider this my formal protest.)

And, last but not least in the pregnancy department, I’m going back to my doctor next week, two weeks sooner than expected. At my last checkup (a week ago), my blood pressure was a little high. And since my pregnancy with Annalyn ended in severe pre-eclampsia and an emergency C-section at 33 weeks, the doctor was concerned. So we’re checking in next week and then we’ll know if we need to do anything about it.

Obviously, I was a little upset by this – but more than anything, I was relieved that my doctor immediately took it seriously and began coming up with next steps to make sure what happened last time doesn’t happen again. I’ve been so very nervous about a second pregnancy – and afraid my doctor wasn’t as worried as I am. Her reaction last week put my mind at ease.

Of course I’ll be even more at ease if next week’s check shows my blood pressure is normal…like normal. (The only time I’ve had high blood pressure is during pregnancy.) And what would help that? (Other than exercise and a better diet? Yes. Shut up. I’m working on it, oatmeal creme pies excluded.) LESS STRESS.

Oh, what’s that? Do I have any stress in my life? WHY YES, THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

We’re hoping to sell our house before the baby comes. Which means for the past six weeks – and especially the past two or three weeks – every spare minute we’ve had has been spent decluttering, cleaning, repairing, building, painting and otherwise frantically making this house look like something people would want to buy.

IT’S THE WORST.

My friend Jenny just got her house listed (and is more pregnant than I am), and we’ve been commiserating. She’s informed me that speed cleaning before a showing THAT ENDS UP BEING CANCELLED is actually the worst. I don’t know about that.

CLEANING IS NOT REALLY MY THING. And the result of that? Lots of work to do now.

See, I surface clean when I have to. But deep cleaning? Um, yeahhhhh. That’s not so much happening around here. Until now.

And MY ARM IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM ALL THE SCRUBBING.

But we have our listing appointment this afternoon, so at least the urgency of checking things off the Make the House Look Nicer Than It Really Is List will lessen a bit. YES, I get it – preparing for showings will be stressful. But now that the house is (almost) all fixed up and sparkly, I’m ready for people to come see the place!

Hopefully people with deep pockets (or generous banks – do those exist anymore?) since our lovely little starter home has lost an outrageous percentage of its value since we bought it 10 years ago. *SIGH*

Stress? WHAT STRESS?

So, that’s what’s up over here. What’s up with you? And who has the Swiss cake rolls?

Photo by Jsome1