Help! I've been invaded

I'm sure you think I'm talking about the little creature that is now growing in my belly but actually I'm talking about myself. I actually feel like I have been invaded by ME!

Weird I know.

But here's the deal. This body that I'm in is not myself. Way deep down inside I am myself but I'm now living in a body that is no longer mine. Huh?

It's a swollen, off balance, awkward, achy, leaky (let me clarify that one....this body likes to leak a lot of salty tear water from it's eyes at any unknown moment), very small brain capacity (can't remember what it was doing to do 2 seconds ago) and has another living growing creature in it's belly that kicks, punches and rolls all around.

All of this is part of a former version of what I used to look like in the mirror.

Ok, I might be getting a little out there but really...it's one of the strangest things that some of us women are so lucky to experience in our lifetimes. Yes lucky...in what other circumstance could we go through such dramatic and sometimes very uncomfortable changes and know that it is also one of the most wonderful, amazing and miraculous things that only we women are so lucky to experience.

Don't get me wrong...I do have many moments where I feel beautiful, blessed and changed for the better in many ways. I mean it's not only your body that changes through this process but also your entire being. I'm still working it all out but I have to say this is also a spiritual journey that is going to forever change the person I am. More details on that at a later date.

That being said...still I've gone and invaded a body that was once mine and... it's just plain WEIRD.

And we have movement!!

Finally...I've been waiting and waiting for the day to come that I would know that it's not just gas or hunger grumblings going on down there. Over the last week  (week 19-20) I've been feeling the baby move off and on each day. When I was trying to find info on what it would feel like it was almost always described as flutters. I have to say that yes that does seem to be the case. However, the majority of the time it just feels like air bubbles or a small finger brushing across the inside of your belly. It's so hard to fully describe or explain it but my mom was right... You will know it when you feel it!  It's so exciting and kind of weird at times but is really starting to make this whole experience REAL.

I know Tony was starting to feel a little jealous and wishing he could enjoy and experience that moment as well but I really wasn't sure how long it would be until it was strong enough to be able to feel it from the outside. We'll surprise surprise...this morning he got to feel his baby for the first time!! It was an extremely strong fluttery vibration that happened twice. The look on his face almost brought mine to tears. Now that is a special moment that I will never forget. It was even more exciting than the first time I felt it!

I've been trying to pay attention to what's going on with me or around me when I feel the movements and I do have to say that a lot of the times it really seems to pick up when Tony is talking or laughing really loud. I think the baby already knows it's daddy :)

What was it like the first time you and/or your spouse felt your baby move that first time?

Am I really pregnant?

With exception of all the "symptoms" I've been feeling I still don't think my brain is fully wrapped around this whole idea that there is a growing baby inside of me. When will it kick in? Maybe when the baby actually kicks me! Ha.

Many women experience pregnancy differently but I thought I would share what I've experienced so far for you other 1st time mothers that are as new and as boggled by this whole experience as I am.

I thought I was a lucky one that was not going to get sick....ahhh...did I speak too soon or what!

At week 5 and through the first part of week 6 with the exception of cramping and sore breasts I felt great. Then the second half of week six until now (starting week 8) I have developed what I now know is "Morning Sickness". Never having been pregnant before I thought morning sickness what something you felt once a day and you just got sick and threw up. Well maybe for some that is the case but for me it has been an off and on again nausea of my entire body. It's not subject to just one time of day...it lasts all day long. I'm still cramping here and there, swollen and sore breasts, nausea, headaches, serious exhaustion (that has me couch bound all day long for the last week and half), crazy-ass dreams (wasn't expecting that), peeing what seems like every 20 mins (probably once and hour or so....and that started just after week 4...way earlier than I ever thought would happen) oh and last but not least-constipation...lovely.

I know there is no way I am eating enough but man is it hard to put anything in my mouth. Ginger ale or Ginger tea helps, the cracker thing....ummm...not so much.

I can't wait for the next trimester to come and that I'm one of the lucky ones that will feel better once week 13 or so hits!

So now I'm starting week 8 and here's what's happening:
(don't forget to go to www.allnaturalparent.com where I got the info and amazing images!)

• Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week your baby will have already

             completed 1/5th of the journey 'til his birthday!

• The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already!

• The tongue begins to develop

• Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.

• Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds!

• The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short

• Baby's length (crown to rump) is 0.61 inch (1.6cm) and weight is 0.04 ounce (1gm)

**Find the above info/images at www.allnaturalparent.com

Start of Week 6

Today I am starting week 6 of my pregnancy. It's so interesting to me to know exactly what's happening

with the development of the baby each week. Below is a breakdown of some of the things that  happen

during week 6.

The arms and legs continue to develop - These limbs are stretching out more and more. Later on you will be feeling those feet and elbows up close and personal right in your bladder!

Brain is growing well - Did you know that over the course of the remaining months that your baby's brain will develop over 100 billion neurons? This is just the beginning!

Lenses of the eyes appear - If you could catch a glimpse inside, you would notice your baby's appearance becoming increasing like a newborn's.

Nostrils are formed - The position of the nose seems to shift into its proper place as well. Soon, the nerves running from the nose to the brain appear.

Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.

Pancreas - Your baby is now equipped to deal with digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and glucagons the body needs to function.

Holy Cow!

So that theory that some pregnant women can become lactose intolerant is NO JOKE!!

I am a vegetarian and a huge cheese lover so I've always wondered what it was like for people that can't eat dairy. Well now I know....and thankfully I was able to figure it out right away. My insides were turning on me only shortly after eating cheese a few days ago. That didn't fully clue me in though. It wasn't until the next day that I just had to have my all time favorite creamy pasta dish that it hit me....

I'm goings to have to end my affair with dairy....I'm sorry Fettuccini Alfredo but we no longer are going to be able to be together. It's not you...it's me....I'm going through some changes in my life right now and I have to let you go. I'm so sorry. LOL.

Oh well...this is the beginning of the changes we all make for our kids I guess!

Did anyone else experience this change?
Did it go away after you gave birth or did it stick with you?