I have a confession, I am obsessed with the state of my belly at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I realize that I am pregnant and my body will be changing and growing, but I am only at week 8 and I’ve already gained 20 pounds. Granted, a portion of this might be holiday weight, but it’s still freaking me out. At dinner with Todd’s parents the other night, I told them that the reality of being pregnant probably won’t hit me until I start showing. Todd gave me the “baby, you’re already showing” side-eye.
So, naturally, I set out to find out just how normal it is to show at 8 weeks. Most women chimed in with irritating answers such as “oh, I didn’t show until the end of my 2nd trimester” and “I totally lost weight in the first 10 weeks.” Determined to prove that I am not a freak of nature, I turned to the Internet. Heather “I was 20 pounds underweight and lost an additional 10 pounds at the beginning of my pregnancy” Armstrong was absolutely no help. Then I found this first trimester belly photo gallery which illustrates what I knew deep down all along–women’s bodies handle pregnancy in a multitude of ways.
So, hopefully I can get over myself and be thankful that I am not puking out of my nose. Still, I am certain that my 8 week belly is not the result of an expanding uterus, but an overindulgence of M&Ms and mac and cheese. And with that, I am off to do some yoga.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Your little belly looks lovely!
I say keep up the yoga, continue to be thankful for no vomiting, and when you hit your second trimester, get some pregnancy massages! :) Congrats! I’m so excited for you.
Oh my goodness! I will be watching your blog over the next 9 months for sure! I hope you’ll keep up baby posts a long with the rest of your gorgeous style posts! Congrats on the upcoming arrival!
(PS: This is Lindsey of Lost & Fawned. Your jewelry is in the mail! I adore your blog and I’m so happy to have met you!)
I reckon since you can’t have (much?) wine, or soft cheese you are missing out on loads of calories – well I know I would be anyway so I think it will balance out.
I always imagine that when I’m pregnant, I will totally take advantage of the fact that you’re totally not meant to diet at all. No doubt I’ll gain a bazillion kilos and never look like Heidi Klum post baby. If I have to give over my body to someone else for 9 months there’s gotta be a silver lining somewhere.
You look GORGEOUS though Penny, how exciting. Can’t wait to see the belly photos as the little one gets bigger.
You’re a hoot, what I have learned after having my 2 girls is that you shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else. My 1st pregnancy I gained almost 55 lbs, preggers in the middle of summer and assume much of this was water weight gain based on the size of my cankles. :) 2nd pregnancy I gained about 25 lbs. So, my advice is don’t worry about it. Stay active – yoga, walking, swimming, eat right, and be happy! I enjoyed “almost” every minute of my pregnancies and my girl’s are extremely happy, healthy, and gorgeous!!
some thoughts. nothing coherent because as i enter my 30th week, i’m back to wanting to sleep 24/7. oh, and there is a baby eating my brain…
i also gained some weight during those early weeks but it evened out between week 10 and 16 due to the day long, low level nausea and general food aversion.
i’ve never had body or eating issues but i will say approaching 150 lbs. has been pretty terrifying. i found myself counting calories and restricting food which made me feel totally crazy and like a horrible mom. now, i only weigh myself at midwife visits which allows for a positive discussion of the gain instead of the negative though process i was suffering when weighing myself alone.
everything i’ve read seems to indicate that all women gain differently and all women show differently.
with 10 weeks to go i can’t imagine getting any bigger…
congrats to you and todd. pregnancy is an insane experience! be gentle with yourself and with each other. and, have that glass of wine if you really want it.
Girl please, you know you are beautiful, and you are going to just get hotter as you go along in your pregnancy.
P.S. I own those same pj pants and are wearing them now. So comfy!
Girrrrrrl, I look like that on a good day.
ENJOY. :)
I wouldn’t compare myself to anyone, your body will do what it needs to do. I am normally a good eater and was afraid that when I got pregnant I’d balloon, but unfortunately I had major food aversions/morning sickness. Not pleasant at all. As long as you eat your good healthy foods while also indulging your cravings once in awhile, and maintaining some sort of activity you like, you should not feel bad about your changing body. For me, I think a woman’s pregnancy is pretty awesome!
Penny, you look great. I’m sure the M&M’s balance out with your normal healthy eating habits. I’ve read walking and yoga are great ways to prepare your body for everything that being preggo entails. Good luck!
All the people I knew who lost weight at first did so because of incessant puking. They gained back and then some once they stopped.
WHAAAAAT? OMG!!!!!
congratulations!
we need to chat. email me!!!!
XO!