you asked. I'm answering: pregnancy edition PART 2

Thank you again to all of you who asked questions and had curiousities about my pregnancy and pregnancy in general. I seriously had SO much fun thinking about how I was going to answer each question and really enjoyed responding. To read PART 1, click here. Below is PART 2, the final part, of my Q&A...

Lia asked...

I'd like to hear more about your eating habits + exercise while pregnant. Do you count calories?

I wish I had a great response for you, but I don't. I have always been one to eat what I want, and that hasn't changed since becoming pregnant. I have always loved fruit, vegetables, protein, whole grains, frozen yogurt, candy, potato chips, organic milk, water... and none of that changed while pregnant. Everything in moderation... I'm a firm believer in that. I've gained a normal amount of weight throughout my pregnancy - I'm not low or high on the weight gain. Just right where I should be. Maybe I'll share my total weight gain once my pregnancy is over...

Breakfast: Whole Grain English Muffin with peanut butter and either honey or grape jelly or Vanilla Almond Special K with fresh blueberries

Lunch: a combination of - leftovers, tuna sandwiches/pasta, pasta salad, green salad, extra sharp cheddar and a red apple, Amy's frozen meals, Lean Pockets and anything else I have laying around the kitchen

Smoothie: handful of spinach, peeled and cut carrots, 1 container of vanilla or key lime pie Greek yogurt, 1 banana, frozen blueberries and unsweetened almond milk... as much as I love these smoothies, the items I add to it are for the benefit of my baby (and myself)

Dinner: turkey or regular burgers, steak, chicken, anything from the crockpot, lots of pasta, brown rice, pizza, take out, big salads, anything from Trader Joes (orange chicken, BBQ beef, meatloaf, spinach salad, flatbread, etc)

Dessert: Not every night and I gave it all up for Lent, but when I want dessert I eat low fat vanilla frozen yogurt with fudge magic shell or Oreos and milk

Caroline asked...

What will you miss about being pregnant?

* Feeling so comfortable in my skin knowing that I never have to suck in my stomach, care about eating a big lunch before putting on a bathing suit, etc. As females, we pick at ourselves, so I'm having the best time embracing and flaunting off my changing body.

* Knowing that I am the only person who is with our baby all-day everyday. I just love having him all to myself!

Lindsay asked...

Do you get annoyed that most conversations now are about pregnancy and/or life with a little one?

Not at all! I actually haven't talked about my pregnancy with friends endlessly because most of my friends do not have children, therefore they haven't asked me a lot of questions, don't know what to ask  anything that's really pregnancy related. Yes, we talk about it, but not in detail. Most of my friends who are moms don't live near me... and those are my friends that I go into detail with. But everyday talk? That's pretty much saved for Bryan and my mom. 

#1 advice you'd give a newly pregnant lady.

I don't know if this is the best advice, but it's what comes to mind... Don't let your pregnancy change you. Don't start dressing like a frumpy "mom" just because maternity clothes are comfortable and you feel "fat". Don't act like a bitch to your husband just because being "moody" is a common symptom. Continue to have a social life and do things that you've always loved to do. The world doesn't stop turning just because you're with child, so don't act like it should. Try to be conscience of your actions, your words to others and your wardrobe... you will enjoy your pregnancy so much and so will your husband. I mean, when it's all said and done, you want him to still like you and find you attractive, right?

Do you at all wish little man was growing up in so cal?

Yes and no. Providing for our children is why we moved out of California. It's sooooo much cheaper here in NC than it is in CA. Our children's quality of life will be better for it and we'll be able to spend more time away from work with them here. BUT we are southern Californian's through-and-through... you can't spend nearly 30 years living in 1 state without it shaping who you are. Bryan and I both don't like the fact that our kids won't be growing up as Californian's, but we will go on yearly vacations out there and they will know how special the west coast attitude, way of life and outlook is. It will shape them one way or another :)

Sunkissed and Southern asked...

Do you work out? You look great, so I'd love to learn for down the road one day!

I haven't worked out at all throughout my pregnancy and my body shows it. I have cellulite on the front of my thighs. Front! I didn't even know that was possible. My ass is wider than ever, but I'm taking it all with a grain of salt. I chose not to work out. And I will have to work my behind off once the baby comes because of it. I have walked consistently throughout this pregnancy and I hope that will help a bit, but working out just hasn't been a priority like it should have been. Over the past several months Bryan and I have cancelled our gym memberships and put a good amount of money into constructing the perfect home gym for us, so I'll have no excuses not to get my pre-pregnancy body back once our little guy arrives and I'm cleared to work out.

Whitney asked...

Where did you do your research when you first found out your were expecting lil man? books? blogs? internet?

I honestly have no clue. I'm still not sure I've read a book in its entirety. They're just so... boring. Lol! Blogs have helped with preparing for my registry and what I really need once our baby is here. I honestly think that the best information I've gotten... on a daily basis... is from my mom. That women is so clued into what's current in 21st century pregnancy's and babies. Plus, she knows me just about as well as anyone does... she knows what kind of advice would annoy the crap out of me, so she doesn't give me that kind of advice. She's not a "let me talk about and bore you with how it was back in my day" kind of woman.. she lives in the present. My mom was a wonderful mother and she raised 2 well rounded and productive children. I really respect her opinions and advice and love bouncing ideas off of her. Other than that, I have a few girl friends who I respect an endless amount, and they are always there to offer advice and answer any and all of my questions!

How did you keep from getting overwhelmed with all the info out there? or did you?

I never got overwhelmed. It's not really in my personality to let information overload overwhelm me. People have been birthing babies and raising children from the beginning of time. I got this ;)

Did you watch what you ate carefully? what about exercise?

See above.

What's something you wish you had known going into pregnancy?

That it is truly possible to enjoy it. I've always been told that I'll probably have a pregnancy much like my mom's pregnancies... and I was scared. Scared for what my life would be like while pregnant... wondering how miserable I would be. My mom didn't like being pregnant and she puked for 9 months straight. I'm happy to report that my pregnancy was completely different than hers, but I wish I would have realized that it could be from the very beginning and appreciated it more.

Do you have a birth plan? are you going to do an epidural?

See PART 1 for my birth plan. As far as an epidural goes... there is no question. Yes, I will be having one :)

How long are you getting off for maternity leave?

Maternity leave? What's that, hahaha?!! Being that I work on a contract basis, I actually don't have the luxury of maternity leave, but am hoping to be back to work by the end of summer.

Fran asked...

How do you know for sure that you are in the right place career wise to bring a baby into the pic? Or maybe its one of those if you wait for the right time it will never be the right time? So you just make time?

I know people say that there is never a "right time," but I disagree. Bryan and I did our best to really enjoy a few years together, travel, save money, build a foundation for a family. Then I heard my clock ticking... loudly. Lol! It was time :)

CMae asked...

Your current job required you to travel a ton. Will you continue to have to travel with a new born at home?

This is the 40 million dollar question! I really love to work and I love what I do. It's important to me that I don't give up all of my interests and I want to contribute financially, to take some of the burden off of Bryan. Everything is up in the air right now... We'll see how it all pans out!

Nat asked...

I would love to know what's surprised you the most about being pregnant? 

* I have to say that I was and still am completely surprised that that overwhelming motherly quality didn't kick in with me yet. I expected to be a blubbering fool when it came to this pregnancy and my baby, but I'm not. I'm taking it like a champ ;)

* Some of the symptoms that come along with pregnancy totally caught me off guard. Thanks to the extra blood coarsing through my body, I've had broken blood vessels all over my collar bone and arms for 9 months now. Not full blown bloody noses, but bloody snot everytime you blow your nose? Oh yes, this happens. Puking while brushing my teeth during the 1st trimester? Who knew this is so common! Panty liners? Oh yes, I never knew how necessary these were either. I'll leave it at that...

* There was a time when I wasn't included in a girls night because I can't drink. I wasn't even invited, but others were invited right in front of me. Umm, news flash. I don't need alcohol to be able to go out with friends. It sucked and I felt left out. Plain and simple.

* Moms of young ones are soooo judgy! My friends are not like this, but I have come across some moms who are curious to get to know you just so that they can judge you, your pregnancy, your outlook on motherhood and parenthood, etc. It's so mean-spirited and hurtful that I began distancing myself from mom's I don't know well... When they ask me how I am, I simply say "good" instead of confiding in them the highs and lows of where I'm at in this pregnancy. I suppose I should have just done this from the beginning :)

Nicole Lynn asked...

You and Bryan seem to have a great relationship and obviously have been together a while without children. Have you and him thought of ways to keep your love alive when the baby arrives? Carve out anytime for just the two of you? Any marriage classes or advice from others that you can share?

Yes! We've thought about this a lot. I'm not sure it's something you can plan out, but our marriage is such a priority to us. Neither of us grew up in a broken home or with divorced parents and we don't want that for our children. Taking care of ourselves individually and our marriage are so important to us, for us and for our children. It comes naturally to me to care about Bryan's well being more than my own. Lucky for me, Bryan, naturally, cares about my well being more than his own. It comes from a subconscious level... we don't have to try to put the other one first, we do so naturally. Because of this, even when we're not caring for ourselves we're always cared for by each other. And we tend to think we're a great team. I only see us becoming a better team once our little guy arrives. As far as marriage classes... no, we've taken none, but I wouldn't be opposed. We'll have some eager and loving babysitters in town this summer, so carving out some time for ourselves to stay connected will happen, no doubt!

Now that I'm pregnant, I think of this a lot. My husband and I are like you and Bryan in a lot of ways as far as being together a while and being eachother's best friends. Things are sure to change some after baby. So I'd love to hear what you two are doing/will do, if this is something you two think about too?

Bryan and I were in the baby's nursery not too long ago and he asked me to marry him. I said "yes" :) Of course I'm nervous for things to change, but truly believe it'll be for the better. Bryan was born to be a father and I can't wait to watch him in this role. I foresee myself falling in love with him all over again...

***

That was so much fun! Thank you to everyone who asked questions. I'm planning on making a book out of all of my pregnancy posts and this one might be the most informative and fun to look back on of them all!!