A Road Map to Motherhood

My rediscovered love of food has me worried about getting stretch marks. After three kids, my mama's stomach looks like a road map, so I've slathered my belly and back with virgin coconut oil or shea butter each night before bed - which I've heard may help prevent them. By the time I'm done, I feel like a basted chicken ready for the oven! While I was "basting" myself one evening, I noticed tons of green veins in my chest and breasts. Speaking of a road map, it looks like I've got a green one across during my first two pregnancies. I didn't think my breasts would start getting ready for the baby until much later. My breasts have definitely increased in size and weight significantly,(which I totally enjoy everytime I’m pregnant) and colostrum begin oozing from nipples.

This is your body's way of gearing up for breastfeeding. As my baby grows, hormones are released that trigger the change occurring in your breasts. You may also notice a significant change in your nipples - they usually grow larger and darker. Eeeewww!

I had no morning sickness even during my first two pregnancies. Being pregnant gives me the license to pig-out... I can't stop eating! If I don't eat I get hot-tempered or feel dizzy! Weird part is I have put on weight easily and Its really showing! When I gave birth to my first (Alec) they had to induce me due to the amount of amniotic fluid 2weeks early. I had an epidural when I was 3-4 cm and when I got to 5, even if it was taking awhile my doctor made it a normal delivery.

Even when i gave birth to Ashley (my 2nd) was like my body revolted, i just took a bath, carried my bag and asked my father-in-law to bring me to the hospital, when they checked me about an hour later I was fully dilated and baby Ashley was right there. I pushed 3 times and she was born. Had hope that delivery is that easy.

Need some SLEEEP…zzz!

Pregnancy for me is really just a nine-month training camp for the mom like me to learn to survive with no sleep, or atleast to function while perpetually exhausted. i should know...my third baby!!!

My first trimester, I was tired regardless of how much sleep I got, then when I finally started feeling better, I had to make hourly trips to the bathroom all night and suffer through wicked heartburn. And I just cannot seem to get comfortable!

Exhaustion Sets In

Oh...My....I'm so tired. I feel like I've been hit by a ton of bricks. I can barely pull myself out of bed in the morning and I stagger through the days as if I've been drugged. I took a long nap last Saturday.
SEX is a thing of the past, and exercise is completely out of the question. All I want to do is sleep. My entire focus each day has become finding a time and place when I can grab a few winks.

Sweet tooth? Cravings?

I have been overtaken by my first obsessive pregnancy craving: milk & fresh melon or avocado with milk (sounds weird?, gross?) & Berry-filled donuts. I bought it from the mall each afternoon i drop by my way home.

Such an expensive habit! I hate to admit it, but I've downed three a day the last few days and the craving shows no signs of abating. I could eat them all day. Unfortunately, there's a store conveniently located across the street from my office.


In fact, if I crane my neck, I can see the store from my building…there it sits, tempting me all day. I may have to keep working until I deliver, just to support my habit! Such an insatiable (and potentially budget-destroying) cravings?