The Baby Bump {Thirteen Weeks}
I’m officially in my second trimester now. This pregnancy has really been flying by, but there is a long ways to go yet, and the first and second trimesters usually do go quickly for me, only to be slowed down to a complete crawl in the third (heavy, large, whale-like) trimester. I did end up experiencing some morning sickness (just nausea though, not actually throwing up, thankfully) starting around week eight or so. I just chalked it up to not eating on time or whatever, but when it was happening every single day, usually in the morning, I finally figured it out. Duh… the nausea might just be that whole morning sickness thing… hmm. This is the most sick feeling I’ve ever been in pregnancy, and I’m hoping the golden second trimester comes through for me soon.
I’ve been really contemplating my parenting skills lately and how much refining they need. With a preschooler and a toddler to be around every day, my ugliness and impatience is daily exposed. All the better to learn and grow from, right? Yeah, that’s it. My Wednesday group of mamas that gather weekly has been such a challenge and encouragement to me lately. I’m really loving this little group of woman who share their struggles and make me feel more normal. Anyway, with a third babe on the way, I really can’t afford to just wing it. I am trying to be more intentional in my parenting “moments”, and I find myself quite self-aware these days, almost like watching myself from an out-of-body experience. I see my weaknesses, now I just need to work on them.
By the way, if you were considering leaving a comment to inform me of how very large my belly is and are-you-sure-it’s-not-twins??… well, ahem, I know. Can we just add “you’re-so-HUGE” to the list of things you should not say to a pregnant woman ever? OK, good. I know my belly is big already – I’m told it’s normal for third pregnancies, and my midwife listened to the {one!} heartbeat at my last appointment. Plus, these photos were taken last night after supper, and I’m pretty sure my belly doubles in size between morning and night. I guess my babies prefer their stay in l’hotel utero to be spacious and roomy. I can’t blame them, really. Here’s the whole shebang…
It’s kind of weird that I can’t really find much more to say about my pregnancy thus far. For my first I pretty well thought about it 24-7. Every mundane detail fascinated me. Pretty natural, I guess. This time though, it’s not new and exciting in quite the same way. It is exciting in a different way though… a quiet wonder, a comfortable knowing. The stolen glances down at my swelling midsection, savouring and enjoying the little life that is slowly getting bigger and bigger. What an incredible time – the anticipation is beautiful (difficult at times to be patient, but beautiful nonetheless). I recently watched a video that said that if human beings continued the rate of growth that they have in the first trimester of gestation, they would weigh approximately 2.5 tonnes by birth. No wonder I’ve been tired. Growing people is hard work!
In other random news that I don’t want to write an entire post about… I give you the following bullet points:
* We are traveling to Toronto for Christmas in ONE WEEK! Yikes! That snuck up on me! I am super excited to see family and friends. We live a four-hour plane ride (plus 1.5 hour drive on our end) away, so the visits are always pretty exciting.
* I am all in a dither about the homemade gift thing. I’ve actually done pretty well. We’re doing the advent thing (which I will probably post about soon), and I’ve got Isaac’s afghan almost finished. Half of my Christmas cards are mailed, and half are waiting for addresses. We have plans for a DIY play kitchen that is so totally rad in my mind, but not yet made into a reality, so uh, here’s hoping. I have not yet even started the photo books though, and I’m pretty bummed about that. There’s only like 4 days left before the deadline for shipping by Christmas, and I’m seriously considering just doing it after the holidays, and getting our parents different gifts this year. I just hate to disappoint people in these things, and I’m having a hard time letting it go. We will see, I guess.
* I am STILL so conflicted about “The Santa Thing”, but I think I am coming to a point of decision on it. I think I will blog about it soon, and I’d welcome your thoughts in the comments. Why do you (or don’t you) do “The Santa Thing” with your kids?
* Sometimes I feel pressured to “create meaningful traditions” with our family and have our specific “things” that we do. We must have a plan! So often though I feel like just enjoying the season and what it offers, and just, you know, being together. The simple stuff. The Christmas concert at church. The community’s events. Hot chocolate. Baked treats. Candy canes. Presents. The tree. Snow. The usual. Nothing revelatory or fantastically pinterest-worthy. Just enjoying and relaxing. Does that even make sense? I’m not sure I’m really communicating my thoughts well here.
* Lastly, don’t forget to enter the giveaway if you haven’t already. It’s ending tomorrow, and there are five winners… so your chances are still pretty good if you enter!
You’re right Beth – the traditions will happen if we take time to enjoy each other and do stuff together. I was often surprised by what you kids remembered and said “we do every year” as you got older.
You’re looking beautiful Beth. Can’t wait to see you!
By the way . . . this Gramma would really like to know ahead of time if we’re going to be “doubly blessed”!!!!
Can’t wait to see you too
Three more sleeps 
xoxoxoxo!
The other day we were in a store and some lady asked my kids if they were excited about Santa coming and emma (my 3 year old) said “whose that?” and hannah (my 5 year old) said to emma “you know, the guy who pretends to bring presents.” Then she looked the lady in the eyes and said “Christmas is REALLY about Jesus. You should know him. If you know him, you can go to heaven when you DIE!!!” Probably not what that lady was expecting! lol
We don’t boycott stories about santa , but we did teach the kids from the start that he’s pretend. The truth is that the issue hardly even comes up.
oh, and I totally want to do the elf on the shelf thing next year too!
PS….Your midwife is probably right about the one heartbeat and every pregnancy IS different and I don’t think you are huge at all BUT if there are twins in there, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing either!
It’s true – twins would a blessing. More work for sure, but a blessing nonetheless. I’d rather just know about it ahead of time, haha!
You know, I had the same thoughts about the “Santa” issue, but I got the Veggitales Saint Nicholas movie, and, well, that took care of it for me. The kids know who “Santa” is and I don’t have to pretend he’s flying in the sleigh Christmas Eve
Hmm, I haven’t seen that VeggieTales… I’m off to check it out! Thanks!
re: the Santa thing
We plan to tell Ransom the truth…that every year people play pretend about Santa, and that its okay to pretend…its like a big game with adults! That way it can still be fun without the fear of “lying” or “misleading” or whatever that comes with the Santa thing. We’ll also be sure to tell him that some people really think Santa is real so that he doesn’t accidently spoil it for someone else’s kid.
I think that’s the most common take on it that I’ve heard… sort of a middle of the road compromise. Makes sense.
You look great, can’t wait to see your belly in person!! You have also made me realize at 27 weeks (tomorrow) I have yet to take a belly picture…opps.
As for Santa, we’re compromising. Jason would go without cause he sees no reason to do Santa but I grew up with it & LOVED it. It was just fun. Santa would buy 1 gift & do our stockings (actually my Dad still gives us ‘Santa’ gifts…last year I got a new lens…my Dad LOVES being Santa, he is such a gift person!). So our compromise is that Santa does the stockings & all presents are from Mommy & Daddy.
What?!?! Take a belly picture!! By 27 weeks you must have at least a tiny bump, right?
You’re beautiful, Beth! As always, I appreciate your transparency, especially regarding parenting issues. I’m finding myself more aware, too, and I’m loving it! I’ve recently become really motivated and encouraged by the idea that I’m not just disciplining for any particular moment/offence, I’m training my boys so that they know how to live their lives well now and in the future, and I’m preparing them to be ready for whatever plans God has for them. Makes a huge difference in the level of peace around here, and it’s wonderful!
Regarding the Santa issue, we believe in Santa around here. Santa is fun, we’re continuing the tradition from when Chris and I were little, and I love the magic it adds to the season. Santa and presents are not the focus, however – we always say that Santa brings presents because he’s so excited to celebrate Jesus’ birth…take that as you will
(we say the same thing for the resurrection and the Easter Bunny…) Bless you, Friend!
Joy, I love that take on Santa… seriously, I think that’s brilliant!
I like your bump, I think it is great! I think I just got so used to hearing how big I looked when I was pregnant with Soren that I just didn’t care really any more at all. So I looked big, I know I was, I measured big, so I just embraced it and moved on. Most people can’t think of anything better to say to pregnant mama’s. I like looking pregnant, just not ballon faced. haha
Not sure what to tell ya about the Santa thing, I don’t have super strong convictions either way, I get why lots of people do it, and think it’s great they thought through it. I just don’t think we will.
And I SO hear you about the Christmas seasons and just enjoying the days. I get way overwhelmed by all the possible ‘things’ that could be our traditions, I feel like as the kids grow a lot of that will come on it’s own through the things they love doing etc. without forcing it.
Hope you have lots of fun in ON
I’m going to make a shirt that says “I know I’m big” . I love when people tell me that… especially at the end. I’m like ” really? I thought I was carrying small… you mean it’s not normal to be measuring at 11 months pregnant
”
Ok, actually lol’d for real. Yup. I am SO making that shirt! I think sarcasm is my humour language
with me it’s a close call between sarcasm and bathroom humor. I”m really immature.
I have mostly lost my sense of humor and mostly I just feel self conscious walking around now because people are so loud about my big belly and not so big rest of me….such freedom to discuss my body…in a waiting room, farmers market, grocery store, restaurant, on the street; I am okay with it in small doses but is it really needed to bring everyone’s attention to me? And I DETEST it when people tell me how uncomfortable I look. Do they really think that I need a reminder?
Rant over now.
HA! Loving the body comments!! My word, I HATE the “you’re GINOROUMOUS!!!” reviews (especially when they’re early and I’m measuring under, like, come ON!). And later, you’re so right- like, yes, I need a reminder how large and uncomfortable I am and that the impending exit is on the way. The other great one is, “So any day now right?” And I’m like, “um…nope, but thaaaanks”. OH, or, those itsy-bitsy first pregnancy stinkers who are all, “Oh really, you’re showing already? I’m six months along and my pants are starting to feel snug” Hhahaha
AND
If you order photo books through kodakgallery.ca you still have a week!! (just discovered this last night and am SO excited!)
AND, I have Santa thoughts coming in the next bit. Looking forward to yours
AND…January is a lONG ways away for MTO. You should probably delay your trip so you don’t miss next week
Yup, those first pregnancy stinkers are just as bad – “you’re showing ALREADY? you’re gonna be HUGE!!”
Insert major eye-rolling here…
I’m glad you got what I was saying there… and you have a good point about those things coming naturally as they get older. Thanks for that little bit of wisdom!
I’ll see you Friday, then not ’til January. I’m so gonna miss our little group!!
You look great! I was told that I looked like I had swallowed an over inflated beach ball today…I get a lot of people who missed the memo on telling a pregnant woman how big she looks:).
If only our lives were always pinterest worthy…only kidding…just enjoy life together, it is worth so much more.
I have no real thoughts on Santa for you only a funny and slightly awkward moment from today when both of my daughters gave a woman a blank look when she asked if Santa was going to visit our house, then they both looked at me, so I stumbled around and said that they didn’t really know who that was, and proceeded to say that “you know, the guy with the big red hat…”. Aneliese totally got it but the people in the waiting room laughed and thought I was weird:)…I felt stupid.
Yikes! People need to remember their social filters before leaving the house :/
That is a really cute story, and I actually laughed… I can totally picture it happening too
lookin’ great. I refuse to post a picture yet. Mostly because I’m so sick and bloated it gives a FALSE view
Ha! I’m sure you look fabulous! Can’t wait to see your belly too
Hurray for babies! Summer babies again for us 
Yay for babies! I feel like “thrills” is swarming with pregnant/newborn babies, it’s awesome.
Not to scare you, I have a friend that only ever heard 1 heartbeat, and then at their 20 week ultrasound found out that they were expecting identical twin girls. Their hearts beat in sync. hehe.
I have no idea what to do about the “santa thing”. I’m torn, we never believed in him, we knew that Jesus was the reason for Christmas, not Santa. He was just a character from a story. That being said, next year I want to do the whole “elf on a shelf” thing. How would I go about doing it? And, Rich doesn’t care either way, so he’s no help.
Anyway, your bump looks beautiful.
Ok, that is kind of a freaky story. More so because I am not planning on having any ultrasounds. HA! Wouldn’t that just be “hilarious” if there were actually two?! I asked my midwife about that possibility (of twins) though, and she said that I’d probably be measuring large or they’d hear two heartbeats, or something would tip them off and then they’d recommend an ultrasound, which I’d agree to in that case. Sigh… I’m sure the thought won’t leave my mind until the baby is actually born and I see him/her!
That elf on a shelf thing is so hilarious. I tried explaining it today to my mom’s group and I think they thought I was just weird.