Mommy Mondays: 25 weeks

Traveling when pregnant is a totally different ball game.   For a couple of different reasons.  The first is that it gets more uncomfortable.  Size is only part of the issue.  There's also the constant need to pee.  And round ligament pain. 

The second problem is trying to figure out what to pack when your size is changing.  Or when you're traveling to a place with a vastly different climate.  Do you buy a maternity coat or bathing suit for a weekend trip knowing you won't be wearing it again?

The third problem is trying to navigate a new area when you're not sure how you're going to be feeling or what you're going to want from day to day.

But, like everything with pregnancy, you can rise to the occasion or be mired in doubts.  On our trip last week, this is how I handled it:

#1 - Travel discomfort.  Let's just say I did not handle this as well as I probably could have.  We planned on the red eye.  I am fantastic with red-eyes.  I can (and do) sleep anywhere. The car, airplanes, sitting on the couch for a minute after dinner.... The only problem with this is when you're flying while pregnant, you're supposed to be getting up at regular intervals and walking around, to help prevent DVT.  I figured I'd chance it.  I put on compression socks and planned to sleep.  The second problem arose when Oppo-baby decided to take this "sleep" time as time to play rock-um-sock-um robots with my uterus.  I didn't sleep a wink during the flight because I was so uncomfortable with the beating I was getting from within.

#2 - What to pack.  I always have this problem when I travel while pregnant, I always bring something "just in case" I get bigger than I planned at the time I pack.  This trip had the added complication that I was traveling from California where we don't get snow, to the North East where they sometimes do in February.  I have "cold weather" coats - beautiful wool peacoats, but none of them close over my frontal region any more.  So I invested in a maternity puffer jacket.  I waited forever to buy one because I really didn't want to spend money on something I would only wear once, but I ended up buying it and leaving the tags on, figuring I could return it if I didn't need it.  You guys heard about Winter Storm Neptune?  Let's just say I lasted exactly 12 hours before ripping that tag off.

#3 - Planning for the unplanned.  I packed so many snacks for this trip!  Things that were easy to travel with - granola bars, yogurt covered raisins, fruit...  And I also mapped out all the restaurants around the hotel so I would know where to go if that insane hunger arose.

In general my traveling while pregnant philosophy is "it is better to have and not need, than to need and not have."  After all, the last thing you want when you're pregnant is to be uncomfortable.

Total weight gain/loss: +15

Next Appointment: March 2.
Maternity clothes? I had one of THOSE moments this week where I had to go to court and had nothing to wear.  I decided to go with one of my skirt suits, since most still fit pretty well with a bella band.  This one is now in retirement.  The jacket hit at just the wrong place, making every shirt underneath look sloppy.  The skirt has a kickpleat, and due to the weird rising and pulling based on the way I have to wear it with my stomach it just felt awkward.  What's funny is that despite how not flattering I felt it was, my boss commented that I looked really nice that day. 
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: Sleeping great at night, but having a hard time sleeping in the morning.

Best moment this week: I ordered my very first thing for the nursery!  A crib skirt and valence.

Movement: Yes.  I'm obsessed with watching my stomach move too.  And this week Thatkid got a chance to feel a kick for the first time!  And what kicks - I wouldn't be surprised if I gave birth to a full grown soccer player.  They hurt and take my breath away. 
Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions: Nothing
Gender: Not finding out

Belly Button in or out: In.  But it never popped last time, so I'm not expecting it to this time.
What I miss: Sleep!

What I am looking forward to: Finishing up Thatkid's "big boy room" so we can figure out the furniture situation for the nursery.

Contractions: Not this week

 Milestones: 

- All the nerve cells are now on the surface of the baby's brain!

- First baby items bought!

- Baby can feel vibrations and hear people talking.

- Baby can make coordinated movements with hands and feet, make a fist, grab hold of toes