Musings on the second trimester:
As the storm began to clear (the storm of nausea, hormones, fear, excitement, etc), the physical sickness passed and almost simultaneously, I started to get what I thought was a belly, and couldn’t wait to get into some super cute maternity clothes. The pregnancy was getting exciting…forget babycenter, the second trimester is full of action! I couldn’t wait for the day that someone actually brought up the fact that I was pregnant to me, rather than me bringing it up to them. I remember exactly where I was when it happened…a Marriott Residence Inn on Long Island the first weekend in May. I was exactly 19 weeks pregnant and wearing some sort of T shirt that obviously highlighted my bump. The receptionist didn’t even look nervous or hesitant when she asked me when I was due, and I knew in that moment, I had arrived. Somehow, knowing that the entire world around me knew what was going on gave me such a sense of relief and accomplishment.
And then it aaaaaaall began. Registering, preparation for baby showers, and some serious nesting. I can’t believe how consumed we were (and kinda still are) about getting this nursery ready) because, obviously, the most important decision I have to make about my child’s future is what curtains she should have and whether wood blinds or roman shades would work better in her room.
I personally loved my second trimester. I felt like those cute little cartoon pregnant women on greeting cards and gift bags. Still sporting a cute wardrobe and always in heels; energy was no issue (nor was back or foot pain). I was totally super-pregnant-woman.
And how could I forget the best thing to return in my life after week 12 – FOOD! During the first trimester, it was certainly a four-letter word, but once the sickness passed I took on the world of food with a vengeance, so as to make up for lost time. I wouldn’t say I’ve had actual “cravings,” but some things I gained a particular affinity for included: grapefruit juice, limeade, peaches, LifeSavers sweetmints, CEREAL (love it, Cheerios especially), cheese quesadillas from Taco Bell, and, well, cheeseburgers but let’s be honest, that’s no different than before I was pregnant. Aaah yes, food had re-entered my life and quite frankly, me and food couldn’t have been happier together.
To top it all off, I quickly learned that the world around you, even in upstate NY, is much kinder to pregnant women than to the average Jane or Joe. They smile at you (after they look at your belly-that takes some getting used to…the belly-staring, and I guess the smiling too). They open doors and offer to carry things. And more often than not, they ask when you’re due, what you’re having, and if you have a name picked out. Yes, it can be somewhat annoying but if I’m honest, I ask those identical questions when I meet a fellow preggo.
But the weeks rolled on, the belly grew, and before I knew it the sun was setting on that season of my pregnancy. And before I knew it, it was upon me…the third trimester…
(to be continued)
