Growth Spurt

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Evening, friends!  I’ll admit – I’m still grinning from ear-to-ear over your kind reactions to our baby news.  And I really needed the extra bit of joy because today was a rough day.  I swear I can tell the days the spawn experiences a big growth spurt because I feel significantly worse.  I read that the baby grows nearly 0.4-inch during Week 8 and 9.  Something is definitely happening in there.

 

During these growth spurts, I picture crazy hormones shooting forth from his/her tiny fingertips like Spiderman’s powerful web, making me feel nauseous and tired and terrible.  

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That is probably the most unscientific way to look at it, I know.  But seriously.  Major web shooting today. 

 

The one thing that REALLY helps, however, is going for a run.  It’s nice that one thing that is good for me (and the baby) actually makes me feel better. 

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I did three glorious miles.  I think the 5K is going to be my distance for a while.

 

So many people have asked how healthy eating is coming along and, truthfully, it’s been pretty good.  I don’t want some of my old favorites anymore (yogurt! bananas!) but overall, I’m eating pretty similar to before the pregnancy.  My doctor told me that, by the second and third trimester, I should be eating an extra 300 calories a day, but it’s not necessarily to up my intake in the first trimester.  So I’m just focusing on eating as much whole, natural foods as I can; eating whenever I’m hungry; drinking lots of water; and minimizing junk foods.  I’ll admit that it’s weird to eat ‘for someone else’ instead of just based on what I feel like eating.  My diet certainly hasn’t been perfect, but I’m trying… and I’m hoping it’s enough!

 

Lunch:  brown rice, white kidney beans, kale, and mushrooms.  I ended up dumping salsa all over it because it was too bland.

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Snack was sunflower butter toast and a pear:

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And snack #2 was this Naked Berry Blast smoothie – consumed while shopping for supplies for the Girls on the Run practice 5K, which is on Thursday.

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And for diner, I made a crockpot vegetable and bean soup.  I’ll post the recipe if it’s tasty enough!  Planning to eat it with crackers and cheese.

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On that note – I’m going to pull on pajamas and crash on the couch.  Weeeeeee!

{ 66 comments }

 

  • Amanda November 8, 2011, 7:42 pm

    I like your spiderman comparison. haha It’s a good visual. 🙂

    Hope you feel better and your veggie & bean soup turns out great!

  • Army Amy* November 8, 2011, 7:47 pm

    I love crock pot cooking! It’s so easy!*

  • katie @ KatieDid November 8, 2011, 7:53 pm

    I’m so excited about all the pregnancy and baby updates in your future! Already loving reading about how its affecting you, I find it so fascinating!

  • S @ Ess and Jae V.2.0 November 8, 2011, 7:56 pm

    OK, seriously, you are still eating all healthy food? No french fries anywhere? chips? icecream? Good for you – and congratulations. Loving your posts!

    • Caitlin November 8, 2011, 7:57 pm

      Hahah nooooo. I said I wasn’t being perfect. Today was a good day though.

  • JenRD November 8, 2011, 8:01 pm

    I know you are still probably catching up on the hundreds of wonderful comments from yesterday, but just in case mine got lost in the bunch, just wanted to suggest a great book on eating for two: “Feec the Belly,” by Frances Largeman-Roth. I learned all sorts of cool things, such as how egg yolks contain choline, which help fetal brain development. “You, Having a Baby”by Dr. Oz is also a really interesting read about how your behaviors and actions, good and bad, impact the developing fetus. Anyway, I hope the nausea goes away soon! The second trimester will be better. In the meantime, try ginger tea or ginger chews from Trader Joes.

    Jen

  • Laura November 8, 2011, 8:01 pm

    I like the spiderman comparison… but it also scares me. No babies for me! That is also my favorite Naked juice flavor. I strayed from it this weekend and was severaly disappointed.

  • Emily November 8, 2011, 8:02 pm

    Hope you feel better soon! Looking forward to the recipe!

  • Penny November 8, 2011, 8:09 pm

    I wish your baby could be born with the husbands English accent. 🙂
    Also…… I want you to know that every time I have predicted a babys sex, I have been right. I have a 5/5 winning streak. All that being said…..I’m thinking BOY for you. 🙂
    hahaha! I’m such a boob.

    • Eliza November 9, 2011, 3:13 am

      haha a boob

  • Lauren November 8, 2011, 8:27 pm

    I know how crazy I get when my hormones act out so I can just imagine how insane it must be when your pregnant. You’re entitled to a few of these days during the process. 🙂

  • YummySushiPjs November 8, 2011, 8:33 pm

    The gross feelings will get better! You’re eating beautifully, and since you’ve always been a healthy, balance eater I don’t think you need to worry too much about eating for the baby as well. You’re already doing all the right things. Awesome that you’re running too! Keep it up as long as you can, but listen to your body. Nap alot. I could pretty much sleep from weeks 5-9.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 8, 2011, 8:34 pm

    I had the worst nausea with Max (my second). I never threw up, but ugh, the dull feeling of vomiting would never go away. I got those seasick bands for your wrists and I would push them on the pressure point to try to make it go away. I hope you feel better soon. Little HTP is taking all the good stuff from you now and leaving you with all the crap. They sure do start out little stinkers!

  • erica November 8, 2011, 8:40 pm

    it cracks me up that you call the baby “the spawn”. lol.

    and i love the spiderman references! hilarious! i’m so excited you are taking us on this crazy-wonderful journey with you!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 8, 2011, 8:41 pm

    so happy to hear the little bambino/a is growing big and strong in there!! that’s crazy that you can already feel little things going on.

    glad running is helping with the crazy hormones!

  • Katherina November 8, 2011, 8:45 pm

    I’m glad you included the salsa part, because I think it’s so weird how it’s uncommon to spice your dinners! I cook my rice/quinoa in either broth, chili powder or cumin. I sautee veggies in lime juice and coconut or sesame oil! I never see bloggers’ recipes call for any type of spice which is a bummer because it’s such an easy addition.

  • Eve November 8, 2011, 8:51 pm

    Congratulations!!! That is such fabulous news. Having a child is the best thing ever, and I’m more in love with my 18 month old daughter than I ever could have even dreamed of. The 2nd trimester is the best and you’ll be there so soon!

  • shelly November 8, 2011, 9:05 pm

    Have you tried stewing the kale with your white beans (and onions and garlic)- that’s one of my favorite meals ever. It’s especially good topped with a squeeze or lemon and/or parmesan.

  • Priyanka November 8, 2011, 9:07 pm

    Haha I love the spiderman comparison 🙂 My liking for food changes by the hour, its funny but thank goodness I am not craving anything that is fried.

  • Heather November 8, 2011, 9:20 pm

    Congratulations again, Caitlin! Question for you: are you planning on sticking with a vegetarian diet throughout your pregnancy? I hope so because I’d really like to see what types of food/meals you eat as you progress in your pregnancy. I’ve been a vegetarian for 8 years and my fiance and I hope to start trying for a baby next summer (we’re getting married March 31 of next year 🙂 I know some women bring meat back into their diet when they get pregnant and that’s just not something I plan to do, so I’m curious what your approach will be 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP November 8, 2011, 9:26 pm

      Oh yeah. 100%. I don’t plan on ever eating meat again. I am taking an algae-based omega 3 supplement since I cannot get it from fish!

      • Heather November 8, 2011, 9:33 pm

        Awesome!! And thank you for mentioning that supplement, I will need to get that! I’m so excited for you 🙂

        • Krista November 9, 2011, 1:12 pm

          Caitlin, you might want to ask your OB about taking an iron supplement in your second trimester. I’m a vegetarian and am probably always low on iron since it is common with women. But it goes up to 50% of women when we are pregnant! I got anemic with my first pregnancy, and with this second pregnancy I got really weak and felt horrible around week 25 and realized after much research it must be iron. Started taking the supp and am feeling great and passed my 28 week blood test for that! Just a suggestion for another veggie. =)

          • Heather November 9, 2011, 2:20 pm

            Thanks for posting this, Krista 🙂 Something I’ll also keep in mind.

  • Savannah @ Sweet and Savvy November 8, 2011, 9:24 pm

    I LOVE your super scientific explanations of baby growth ! 🙂

  • Sana November 8, 2011, 9:35 pm

    Can James and Maggie tell that you are having a baby? Like do they snuggle with you more?

    • Rachel Starr November 9, 2011, 12:52 am

      My cat totally knew I was pregnant before I did! She was all up on my belly, helping to “cook” the baby 🙂

  • Hotpotatokate November 8, 2011, 9:40 pm

    Well done on maintaining your healthy diet. My first trimester diet = total epic fail.

    I swear I can feel growth spurts too- through weeks 8-13 or so, I would have SUPER sick and tired days followed by SUPER hungry days, and then I’d be back to normally sick and tired again. Weeks 8-11 were the PITS. But they were also the weeks I was starting to relax and get excited, so they were awesome too.

  • Carrie H November 8, 2011, 9:42 pm

    Ahhh, Caitlin, I just read your news! You have ALWAYS been an inspiration to me — I ran my first(and only, haha!) marathon inspired by you in 2010, and I am SO SO happy for your new baby news!! I stopped taking birth control myself after visiting my sister in Kenya in Africa in August, and Sunday I got my first non-chemically-induced period in 10 years! My husband and I decided I’d stop taking BC at the end of August in Switzerland … We’re not really trying, but you know, not not trying either want my body to get on track so we can soon. My husband also found out in the past few weeks he passed the bar exam after law school and we finally (after six months) got an offer on the house we’ve been trying to sell in our old town. Anyway, long way to say I hope I follow in your footsteps soon. 🙂

    Congratulations! You and your husband will be fabulous parents, and thank you so much for sharing with all of us. We zll love you!!!

    • Carrie H November 8, 2011, 9:44 pm

      Okay, I meant we’re trying to get my body back on track, and that we all love you! Silly excited typing!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen November 8, 2011, 9:42 pm

    It’s crazy how .4 of an inch can make your whole body feel off. It’s so tiny! love the spiderman comparison. haha

  • Katie November 8, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I am SO excited for you! Congratulations!!! I didn’t know today when I saw you, but more Libby’s pumpkin will be coming your way now : )

  • Amanda November 8, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I hope your crockpot soup was awesome, I love easy soups like that!

    Are you ready for all the unwanted advice from well-meaning friends?? haha, have fun with that :))

  • Alexa @ SimpleEats November 8, 2011, 10:07 pm

    I’m sorry you’re not feeling your best…looks like you’re doing everything to stay on track, though! Hope the soup was good!

  • Lindsay @ biking before bed November 8, 2011, 10:07 pm

    Congrats on your news! You will be a wonderful mother. I heard a very interesting podcast this morning about how chefs eat during pregnancy and how they raise their kids around food. You should check it out!

    http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf/gf111105bison_burgers_austra

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife November 8, 2011, 10:23 pm

    Cracking up with that picture of spidey webs. HAHA.

    Hope you feel better soon! Enjoy your yummy soup 🙂

  • Jen November 8, 2011, 11:03 pm

    Can I just say that I LOVE that red crockpot?! I have 2 crockpots and they both have terrible ’70s type designs on them (even though they’re both only 6-7 years old). I bought another one a few years ago that was all sleek and stainless steel on the outside, but I found that it cooked alot faster on low than my others do so I got rid of it 🙁 Hope your soup turned out deliciously! (is that even a word?)

  • K November 8, 2011, 11:33 pm

    Caitlin, congratulations! I am 16 weeks along and I love following along with other women! Sounds like you are in a great place physically and emotionally, given where you are in your pregnancy. The thing I love most about being pregnant is that I never, ever feel alone. I hope you feel the warmth of everyone around you – and especially the little one inside you. Even in a pitch black room in an empty house, there is always the feeling of a tiny little second conscience beating just below your heart. Enjoy your pregnancy as best you can and I wish you the very, very best!

  • Lani November 9, 2011, 12:28 am

    Congrats to you and your husband, Caitlin! I look forward to reading updates on your journey to mommyhood. Even though I don’t “know” you, I know that you will be a great mother! 🙂

    PS: Btw, I ran the Nike Women’s Half last month and it was so fun! Thanks for the encouragement.

  • Chelsea November 9, 2011, 12:51 am

    Ohh I hope that recipe was tasty enough because it LOOKS like it!

  • Rachel Starr November 9, 2011, 12:58 am

    Weeks 6-10 can be tough! My runs we’re the only time I didn’t feel nauseous during that time. Between that & the sheer exhaustion, it can be hard to power through. Just keep at it & you’ll be fine 🙂 I’m currently 25 weeks w/ #2 & still doing 8-10 miles a week. It’s not always easy but it’s worth it in the end.

  • Laura November 9, 2011, 1:01 am

    Do you think you’ll completely abstain from gluten during your pregnancy? Only asking because my cousin, a food scientist, has been doing a clinical trial on the effects on children when they inevitably eat gluten themselves after not being “exposed” to it in the womb, and although I don’t know any details, I’m sorry, it sounded like it can be a bit problematic with allergies later on. A lot of the ‘elimination’ fad diets (not saying that’s what you’re personally doing, just as a whole) are causing problems for little kids now, because their mothers were cutting out so many basic building block foods.

  • Stephanie C November 9, 2011, 1:31 am

    Okay.. I have so many questions! I’ll start with two..
    1) Are you ready for all the advice you’re about to get?! I read your sentence about running and it making you feel better and I thought “Oh no.. someone’s going to comment that she shouldn’t be running.” I guess because of all the comments TW blog gets, that’s where my head goes 😉
    2) Have you guys decided whether you’ll raise your kid vegetarian? I had this discussion with my husband and we’re not even close to having kids.. so curious about your thoughts!

  • Khushboo November 9, 2011, 1:35 am

    I’m glad you’re still able to run- such a great mental escape! What stage in pregnancy do you have to start doing only low-impact exercises?

  • Corrie Anne November 9, 2011, 1:56 am

    I’m curious about that recipe! Hope it turned out great. 5ks are awesome!

  • Rachel November 9, 2011, 2:05 am

    No doubt that Panda Puffs are a pregnancy staple. Hope you’re getting your daily requirements! 🙂

  • Erynn November 9, 2011, 3:04 am

    Hi! Congrats! It will be very interesting to follow your pregnancy because I am just a few days ahead of you, I will be 10 weeks on Friday 🙂
    I wanted to ask a favour, could you please, please, please, do some posts about getting enough protein during pregnancy while being a veggie and also could you talk about any additional supplements you may be taking? (Such as Omegas).
    I ask because I live in Spain (but am Canadian) and my midwife thinks that for my baby to be healthy I need to eat meat. 🙁 I don’t want to listen to her, but it sucks because I don’t have anyone help me out with being a vegetarian while preganant, and I have been a vegetarian for 15 years, so I am not about to change! However, I have the thought nawing at the back of my mind, that if anything is wrong with baby it will be my fault because my midwife said, “If you don’t want to eat meat for you, do it for your baby!”……talk about a guilt trip! A HUGE thanks in advance!

  • Eliza November 9, 2011, 3:09 am

    Congrats on the babyHTP.
    You guys are going have such a cute bub.

    That soup sounds yummy. Soup is so nutrient dense because you don’t lose the nutrients from the veges like you would if you cooked them seperately. And sooo yummy. Soup is good for the soul too 🙂

    My questions about the bub; obviously not asking what names you have in mind, that’s nosy ..but are you a fan of traditional or modern names? I like names like Hope and Grace. And Daisy and Faith. And I like names like Spence, Max and Harry and Charlie for boys. And Chester.

    Also, will the baby/child be raised a vegetarian?
    I think I will raise my future children as vegetarians as in, I wont cook meat, but if they choose to eat meat at friends or if their father (my future husband?) ate meat I wouldnt force them not to.

  • Jessi @ Quirky Cookery November 9, 2011, 5:07 am

    I was late to the baby announcement, so I’m putting my congratulations here. So excited for you!

  • Coco November 9, 2011, 6:14 am

    Hah. I love the spiderman reference!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 9, 2011, 7:32 am

    Hahaha the spiderman reference cracked me up!

  • Jamie @ FoodinRealLife November 9, 2011, 8:35 am

    Sounds like you’re doing great! Starting at week 8 or so I couldn’t even think about eating a veggie. It broke my heart and made me feel like a bad mom, but there was no way around it.

  • Katie of Cabbage Ranch November 9, 2011, 9:31 am

    Spidey-hormones are totally the greatest way to think about that crazy early-pregnancy hangover feeling. Especially love your pic. Ha! Hang in there!

  • Mel @ Post Grad Mel November 9, 2011, 9:33 am

    Haha, I like your interpretation of the baby’s crazy, fast growth spurts. Also, I think it’s awesome you’re still running. Keeping in line with the movie references, I was reminded of the Sex and the City movie when Charlotte was elated that she could run without harming her baby!

  • Sheilah November 9, 2011, 9:57 am

    Hi Caitlin,

    This is totally unrelated to your post, but I just read about a new TV show that I thought you might be interested in knowing about and maybe mentioning in the blog – a new Lifetime show called “Starving Secrets” that follows women with eating disorders. There is more info here: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/11/08/tracey-gold-on-her-eating-disorder-tv-series-starving-secrets.html
    Just thought I’d let you know. Have a lovely day!

  • Liz November 9, 2011, 10:39 am

    Just wanted to say, I read on your previous entry that you thought your little one is a boy. I am 32 weeks right now with my first (a boy!) and I swear I knew from the second the test showed up positive that it was a boy and well…I was right. 🙂 My OB/GYN said that a lot of women guess correctly on their first due to “mother’s intuition” and their thoughts aren’t clouded by wanting one sex or the other like it might be for the second baby. Obviously not scientific info but still kind of fun to think about. Perhaps your intuition will be correct, too? 🙂

  • Amber K November 9, 2011, 12:46 pm

    Wow, it’s crazy to think about just how many things change once you’re pregnant. Glad that running helps you feel better!

  • Jess November 9, 2011, 1:08 pm

    Don’t worry too much about eating perfectly. If you’re craving something, give in, of course within reason. I had to have chocolate every day and my daughter is perfect!

    Get ready to not like old standbys. I found even thinking about tofu made me gag. It’s ruined forever.

  • Ashley @ Good Taste Healthy Me November 9, 2011, 1:44 pm

    I hope to read a lot more about the effects of the baby. I absolutely love these updates! Kids are about 4-5 years away for me but I’m excited and can’t wait!

  • Carrie @ No More Tomorrows November 9, 2011, 1:51 pm

    When I was pregnant, I was a retail manager. That meant 8 hours on my feet, running a store. I didn’t have time to be running to the bathroom to hurl. Peppermints saved my life and my sanity. I carried them with me all the time and I was constantly sucking on them. It worked for me. Other things I heard (that didn’t work for me but did for friends) was ginger ale and also one friend told me red hots worked for her, those little red tiny candies, also called cinnamon imperials.

    I got used to the morning sickness. I never thought I’d be one to be very sick because I never ever have stomach issues and hurling, but I did get morning sickness. I’d wake up in the morning, pay omage to the toilet gods and then be fine for the rest of the day as long as I had peppermints.

  • Katie November 9, 2011, 4:01 pm

    I admire you for being able to eat your veggies, run, AND travel! I am 10 weeks along and it’s all I can do to get out of bed, (maybe) shower and get myself to work. Good for you!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel November 9, 2011, 4:58 pm

    I don’t know if I can take all these pregnancy posts–they make me so EXCITED for you! And it’s only been a few days since you announced! Ahhhh can’t wait to hear about how you and the baby progress.

  • Abbie November 9, 2011, 6:30 pm

    i love that you are doing a presentation there, my best friend from england moved to america to study at Quinnipiac Uni. I feel so connected to you what with your husband being English and now you are there, cheesy I know!! ps congrats on the baby 🙂

  • Stephanie Clement November 11, 2011, 6:05 pm

    Hi! So, congratulations again 🙂 (I cried for ya [happy tears] when I read the news!). So, I just wanted to ask about your “not perfect” diet. To me, it seems like you eat very consciously and very balanced and isn’t that what it’s all about? If there was such a thing as “eating perfect” wouldn’t we all gear up towards it? To me, I think it is literally impossible to “eat perfect” because eating is 80(ish)% physical nurture but also, and perhaps inadvertently, 20(ish)% mental nurture? I get kind of antsy when I read healthy living bloggers say that because I think it truly is important to feed the mind (ie: give into the occasional craving). Otherwise, eating would be a chore and not a great way to experience a interesting and creative part of life! Anyways, long ramble….I think you eat wonderfully! You’re healthy, beautiful, and GLOWINGGG so you must be doin’ something right! Loads of love to all three (well, five!) of you!! 🙂 My very best!

    • Caitlin November 11, 2011, 7:40 pm

      Thank you sweetie pie.

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