A Sweet Little Spirit

Week 5: Passing The Test.

I was approaching week six, and still no sign of a period. Was I pregnant???
Yes. No. Maybe so…
A part of me could sense there was a sweet, kindred Spirit developing within me—even as early as 3 weeks.
I had postponed the “dreaded test” long enough and was off to Wal-Mart to see my awaited fate—was I a chosen vessel of the Lord to bear one of His precious children?
Two blue lines indicated this calling divine.
A mother to be, yes indeed!

Mom was MOST excited, as she hollered down the hallways of her work,
“I’M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!”

Tip 1: Start taking Costco Prenatal Vitamins with DHA, which helps promote brain and eye health.

Week 6: What’s that SMELL?!?

Week seven was anything but a piece of heaven.
Nothing beats the, fresh aroma of newly washed clothes on a brisk morning jog. However, there are some poignant odors that I could definitely do without when they are magnified 100 times with my new “Motherly Senses.”
I can do without the smell of garlic, spices, and bad body odors, musty old houses, cigarette smoke, greasy foods…and just cooking foods in general.

Tip 2: Eating lots of “mini” meals every 3 hours, exercising, and bland foods (like cottage cheese, string cheese, fruit, and cereal) help me limit nausea.
*Smelling a fresh lemon seems to help too.

Week 7: The Scare

I had been researching nutrition and exercise for the last couple of weeks and had felt that I could workout as long as I kept my heart rate around 140 beats per minute.
However, I had just gone to cycling class when I started to feel sharp cramping pain and I had noticed some spotting.
After reading so much I knew that spotting wasn’t good—especially a lot during weeks 7 and 8 since those weeks are critical for the baby’s growth (after this time the risk for miscarriage is very low).
Thank heaven for building rapport with the Maternity Support Line and Dr. Terry’s late night doctor!


Tip 3: The 140 heart rate is old news—you can and should exercise most/ALL days of the week. Your HR will exceed this just walking outside.
So don’t be afraid to speak up and ask LOTS of questions! You CAN say NO to anything!

Week 8: Drink Up!

Well, water has always been a favorite with running, but I never realized how vital it is in regulating all of my body’s functions.
Although feeding two thirsty little bodies requires constant drinking and many bathroom visits—I would prefer my water bottle glued to my hand and hourly trips to the bathroom rather than suffering the painful consequences when my body hasn’t been properly hydrated.
I can’t tell you how much more comfortable life is when I have enough water in my system to support my body’s increasing demands.

My body is so thankful when I keep the fluids coming!

Tip 4: Take a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE and also be sure and get plenty of fiber in your diet.

Week 9-10: The Sound of a Miracle

This week marked the first of many doctor’s visits.
With two wonderful candidates, I had decided to go with Dr. Terry at the new Intermountain Medical Center in Murray since they have a newer facility with some of the newer options—like using a warm Jacuzzi bath before delivery—and I LOVE baths! (I figure it may help reduce some of my anxieties).
Dr. Terry has been practicing since 1979 and he lives only a block east of us in Holladay. He is very knowledgeable and will answer ALL of my silly questions!
The baby’s heart first began beating on February 6, 2010, which is a special day for it is Peter’s dad’s birthday.
After hearing such a beautifully, strong heart beat I couldn’t help but think of the wonderful miracles the Lord has blessed me with.
There was magic permeating the room that special day—knowing that I am carrying a sweet child of our Heavenly Father.
What a miraculous blessing!

Week 11: Miss. Mood-E

Going from pleasant to pure pest in a matter of seconds has been one of the greatest challenges for me to conquer.
I will be fine one minute and fuming the next—
And the worst part of it is, I don’t even remember what upset me in the first place! 
This makes it impossible to explain my “untamed” self to my poor husband.
I must trust that the Lord will help me overcome all weaknesses if I turn to him.
[Ashley, Ashley, Ashley], thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing [only one thing] is [truly] needful. (Luke 10:40-41)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Week 12: EXHAUSTED

I had been reading that during your first trimester you are ALWAYS tired. But boy! I didn’t realize just HOW very tired I would be.
By 8pm I am ready to turn in for the night! And no matter if I had 10 or 12 hours of sleep the night before—by noon the next day I am ready for my two-hour power nap!
Peter always says, “It takes A LOT out of you to create a whole other person in there. You need to relax.”

Tip 4: Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to sleep and take naps whenever you need them.


Week 13: Cravings

I crave very random foods sporadically throughout the days and weeks.
There hasn’t been one specific thing that I have had an intense “hankering” for. Instead, I find most of my cravings come from plain foods after smelling something I DON”T want. String cheese, pickles, cereal, cottage cheese, milk, and most anything cold have been major staples in my diet.
Interesting enough, I also started craving more sweets this week, which is weird, since I haven’t felt like sugary desserts for nearly two years.
There must be something in chocolate that the baby was craving this week because that one wouldn’t leave! Sugar-Free Ice Cream…Here I come!

Tip 5: Typically your cravings will be something that your body needs. Your body tries to speak its needs to you. Try to listen.


Week 14-15: Visit #2

Only 4 more weeks until we find out the gender of our little baby! By that time I will be half way through the pregnancy!
This week has been focused on stilling my center—getting back to the basics and having “ME” time.

“Ashley, Ashley, Ashley], thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing [only one thing] is [truly] needful (Luke 10: 40-41)—a Christ centered life. Then everything else will fall into place.

The Lord has said, “I will give unto you a pattern in ALL things, that ye may not be deceived.”
He has shown me the way to go in the past. He will show me the way to go now.

“Let not my heart be troubled—neither let it be afraid.”

Week 16: Renewed Energy

I am beginning to feel much more energy now! I can run and do my daily tasks in 2-3 hours instead of the usual 4-5 hours these past few weeks!

I just have to be sure not to overdo it since I am feeling so much better…I learned this the hard way after a week spent filling my day with to many “To Do’s.”

* But at least we have our garden planted, our food storage restocked for the next six months, and homemade frozen dinners made when the day gets closer!


Tip #6: Be sure to get lots of sleep and have “relaxing” time. You get sick when you don’t! 


Week 17: POPPED!

It is official—I think you can now officially tell that I am pregnant…or you might be thinking I’ve been snitching too many of those cream filled doughnuts!
HELLO, Tummy!
It’s getting harder to paint my toes! I best be teaching Peter!  Soon I won’t be able to reach down that far!

All is well!

Tip 6: People say the baby begins hearing the mother’s voice at 5 months… so I’ve checked out some children’s books like, “I love you forever” and I read them out loud. Silly, yes…but oh well!


Week 18-19: A Week and a Half!!!

Just over a week now and we will get to see the Ultrasound! Is it a boy or a girl?!?! If those old wife tales are true it will be a girl.

(According to the dangling ring test that my sister-in-law, Mindy performed Easter weekend.)
She says we will have a girl, then a boy, and two girls…
We will see if her prediction was right—May 5th!

And if a mother’s intuition is right—it will be a girl!