Since I’ve been pretty much MIA for the last couple of months, I thought I’d share with you the highs and lows of the First Trimester.
One of the toughest things about the first trimester was not only the worrying and unknown, but also not being able to share what was going on with me. I’m pretty much an open book (duh), so having to keep quiet about the most central, amazing part of my life was a challenge. I wanted to write but there was just too much sleeping to do. So, I’ve been storing up my thoughts for a while…
I’m going to keep it real. I’m not going to be one of those fashion bloggers who announces her pregnancy and then can still magically fit into her size 25 skinny jeans and make it all look so easy. Nope. It’s hard. I have a layer of fluff I don’t normally have. I am breaking out like a teenager. I haven’t worked out in 2 months and I am breathless when I walk up the stairs. I’m craving potato soup and candy corn.
And, mamas. One more thing…
It’s an interesting dynamic, trying for so long to get pregnant and then the long-awaited pregnancy. It’s almost as if once we get pregnant, we are expected to cherish every moment. BECAUSE WE WANTED THIS! And God knows other women are struggling and yearn to feel that first wave of nausea and pure exhaustion that indicate pregnancy.
But here’s the deal…
You can be grateful down to the bottom of your soul and marvel at the fact that your body is creating life. That you have 2 heartbeats inside of you. That somehow, you are blessed.
And you can also feel absolutely shitty. You can be scared and filled with guilt and doubt because you’re afraid you will fail and something will go wrong.
BOTH can be true.
Go easy on yourself. You can accept that this is the tough part. That the good will come later, but for now, it’s HARD and can even be downright brutal at times. Hang in there. You can also know this too shall pass.
Because in a couple of years, you will only remember the beautiful parts. The hard parts will dissolve like the bubbles in the stale ginger ale on my bedside table.
I woke up like this. (No, really.)
A sick baby girl who just wants to snuggle.
Never not lying down.
Attempting to sleep off the Mom Guilt.
Thank God for my dear husband. He has picked up the slack and then some.
Nothing a little Play-Doh in the eye can’t fix.
When baby girl wants to be just like mama. <3
Daddy to the rescue with a makeshift car and a puppet show.
Find more first trimester thoughts, tips, and worries from all three pregnancies here!
August 18th, 2016 at 7:28 am
Aww the first trimester is tough and I did it with a toddler that would rub my back when I was over the toliet lol. It all passes so quickly. Hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy
August 18th, 2016 at 8:12 am
I completely felt like this after my last pregnancy. With an early m/c in between the boys, I knew I should cherish each moment, but I was so SO sick, the first half, it was the pits too. Hugs mama, hope you’re feeling better soon!! You’re totally right that we can be grateful, scared, and sick of being sick all at the same time.
August 18th, 2016 at 9:02 am
I love these photos – thanks for sharing. The first trimester was the hardest for me, feeling like crap and not being able to tell everyone why. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is easy peasy!
August 18th, 2016 at 9:10 am
i seriously have no idea how people who get sick in the first trimester keep it together. i am so not a whiny person, but i can promise you if i was sick for 3 months (or MORE) i would whine!! a lot. i only ever got sick once or twice with each of my 4 pregnancies (no, not saying that to brag…more to say GO YOU!!!) the exhaustion in the first trimester WITH another child to entertain is tough!! hang in there! as you know, it’s totally worth it in the end. 😉
August 18th, 2016 at 9:30 am
I am pregnant too right now (10 weeks). The 1st trimester is brutal, and I agree with you that there are a lot of mixed emotions even though you want everything to go well with the baby. I have to take progesterone during my pregnancies which really amps up my nausea and tiredness, but I am making it through. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it when I hold that tiny, precious baby in my arms. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy! -Melissa
August 18th, 2016 at 9:49 am
My first trimester has always been the toughest in both pregnancies. Hormones going crazy and I was feeling sick most of the time. But.. it is all worth it! 🙂
August 18th, 2016 at 11:13 am
Loved this read, Suz. While I can’t relate, I love life’s different perspectives.
August 18th, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Yup, relax and keep it real. That’s the best strategy.
August 18th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Both of my first trimesters were difficult. I had zero energy because I didn’t want to eat and I didn’t want to eat because everything made me sick. It was a vicious cycle, but I got through. Wishing you a much happier second trimester!
August 18th, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Aww first trimister is a bitch – lovely read. xx
August 18th, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Sending you lots of love, mama! Raising a toddler and growing a baby is most definitely NOT for the weak. Happy to send you some Chi town love from my neighborhood to yours!
August 18th, 2016 at 8:34 pm
My first trimester with my son sucked-absolutely sucked. Morning sickness out the wazoo and nothing helped!
August 18th, 2016 at 8:46 pm
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better! Being pregnant was so easy at 24, not so bad at 30 and just downright brutal at 36. There’s a reason people have babies when they’re young. 🙂 I suffered thru morning sickness and terrible exhaustion and still worked three 12-hour shifts on a busy med/surg unit. There were SO MANY days I just wanted to die. I asked myself why I chose this so many times … it took 6 years and two miscarriages to get my last baby and I still had days where I couldn’t find any joy in being pregnant. That being said, it got better somewhere in the second trimester and now it seems like a distant memory. I’m so glad you have a husband who picks up the slack, mine did too and it was a lifesaver!
August 18th, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Keep it up Mama! The first trimester is not for the light of heart!
August 18th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Prayers and hugs for you!!! My first trimester WITHOUT another baby was absolutely hellacious every single day. It is so rough. You’re not alone! And it is way too true that despite being grateful and blessed for the gift in your belly, it doesn’t make it any easier. No more mom guilt! You’re doing a great job; if she wants to be like you, you’re doing something right!
August 19th, 2016 at 4:10 am
Aww you got this mama xxxxx
Love the play dough on the eye pic hehehe!
August 19th, 2016 at 8:41 am
The first trimester is hard! No need to sugarcoat that. I dealt with morning sickness for the first almost 6 weeks with both my boys, so I feel you!
August 19th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Oh girl! First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! What a blessing! But I completely understand your sentiments in this post. I was just there a few months ago. It’s SO HARD. No matter how grateful you are to be pregnant. Hang in there, hope the 2nd trimester is bringing some relief 😉
August 19th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Being pregnant with another small child at home is really tough! My two youngest are thirteen months apart, and it’s truly all a blur. I feel for you, mama!
August 19th, 2016 at 4:10 pm
You rock Suz! Even lying down with nausea – easy to say, but you’ll get stronger with less nausea – around the corner. Thnx for pics. Esp cute is baby girl imitating you on couch. Know it’s hard. That husband of yours is a keeper no?!! He also has good taste in cars?
August 20th, 2016 at 7:01 am
First of all, congrats!!!! I can’t even imagine feeling horrible while still having a toddler. I hope it starts to get better. On another note, I’m loving your couch (and the pictures on it!). Can you tell me where it’s from? Love how deep it is!
August 23rd, 2016 at 9:14 am
The first trimester is hard, especially when you have a toddler! I totally agree… mothers need to take it easy of themselves. That’s my mantra… just have some grace. XOXO
August 25th, 2016 at 7:23 am
[…] fill you up. I’ve kept them on my nightstand during the early days of both pregnancies. 6. Sleep Mask – Sleep. Sweet, sweet sleep. I have such a love-love relationship with sleep. I need it. I […]