Letters to Baby: Sans Sweets

Dear Baby:

I had a great day yesterday (the beginning of Week 12), feeling mildly nauseous in the morning but energetic the rest of the day. Perhaps a turning point?

I’ve established a pretty groovy morning routine. I wake up between five and six and down an entire bottle of water, a huge feat for this generally aqua-deprived girl. I light a couple of candles in the bathroom and turn off the lights. Pandora’s “Deep Relaxation” mix is cued up on my iPhone. I step into the shower and allow the warm water to wash over me as I verbalize the things I am grateful for. It has become my morning spa experience and I feel refreshed as I step out into the cool air beyond the bathroom door. I’m ready to take on my day, at least until the first signs of pregnancy symptoms appear.

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I eat my first breakfast of the day: a half of a grapefruit and plain yogurt dressed with lemon or vanilla and a sprinkle of cane sugar. Then I take care of the dishes and spruce up the kitchen. If I’m feeling extra peppy, I’ll throw a little laundry in too. This may all sound a little mundane but I haven’t established much of a routine until you came along and I have to admit, I love it!

I’m embracing the domestic goddess within.

I’ve been working from home during the week – going into the office once or twice for meetings – and that’s been a huge blessing. I get a lot of work done throughout the day and rest when I’m feeling punky. My burgeoning appetite has me rummaging through the kitchen hourly so having access to a stocked pantry and fridge is a major bonus.

Speaking of food, historically speaking, I am a sweet tooth, indulging in hot fudge sundaes and lava cakes on a daily basis. I have also been known to splurge occasionally on a mocha. Chocolate and ice cream are in my DNA.

So imagine my surprise when I walk by the freezer hourly – stocked with chocolate peanut butter ice cream – and I don’t even flinch. Nor have I plucked a handful of chocolates from the cookie jar. For the most part, I am not craving or eating sweets. I pine for strawberries, raspberries and refreshing grapefruit. I dream about cheese drenched enchiladas (which I finally had the chance to enjoy last week and they were everything I fantasized about and more). I eat spoonfuls of raw almond butter, crunch on red bell peppers dipped in hummus, enjoy the saltiness of blue corn chips smothered in a four layer dip, savor daddy’s macaroni and cheese and buttermilk pancakes and enjoy a daily fruit and vegetable smoothie, amongst many other things. I’m eating well and surprisingly, I’ve only gained two pounds during the first trimester.

To look at my expanding midsection, you’d think there are more than two extra pounds packed in there and that you’d be larger than a lime. But alas, I can’t argue with science. All I can say is this: I love my baby bump.

I’m excited to see what this day brings, symptom-free or otherwise. Here’s a precious video to end on, a look at what I’d like your bath experience to look like:

Yours lovingly,

Momsy