I can’t believe I am already in my third trimester—honestly there were moments that I didn’t think I would make it and even a scare when I thought little Roo wouldn’t either, but the human body continues to amaze me!! The second trimester was filled with miracles, endless prayers, many rough moments when I really wanted to give up but also sweet moments feeling little Roo kick and dance, sweetly reminding me she’s in there.

The extreme queasiness, exhaustion and “drugged” like feeling continued until about 22 weeks and then one day, I all of a sudden felt like myself! I only got about 3 weeks of that high energy blissful feeling, but I was thankful for those moments.

Pregnancy has been beautiful in the sense that it has taught me to trust, encouraged me to rest and be ok with not getting things done but also been insanely difficult for me.  Despite putting a smile on my face, I haven’t felt good at all and that is emotionally and physically draining.  I am truly so thankful our sweet little girl is healthy thus far and have felt all your prayers and encouragement daily.

Stephen has been the sweetest, taking such good care of me and my bed time “fortress of pillows” as he says! I am thankful he was home during the time I felt slightly better as he was deployed the first trimester and will be again most of this third trimester/birth.  

To anyone going through a difficult season or rough pregnancy, I encourage you to stay strong, but also be realistic about your current status and never once feel guilty for saying this is rough!

Second Trimester Recap

Being ok with not being “happy”

To be really honest, I see smiling pregnant women or pregnant women who claim they feel so great and I do have pains of jealousy, but I keep reminding myself that my story is mine.  

I feel like society tells us to enjoy this blissful time, and honestly it’s been nothing blissful or wonderful for me, but I am ok with that.  I’m ok with accepting these past months have been some of the most difficult, both physically and emotionally, of my life.  I’m ok with not enjoying life right now, and I don’t feel for one second I need to put on a fake facade of happiness.

This does not mean that I don’t love this little one growing inside of me or that I am incredibly thankful that God allowed my body to become pregnant.  

I’m simply ok with accepting this rough stage of time.

Scare at 17 weeks

Due to type 1 diabetes and being high risk, we decided to go through with some genetic testing, something I previously was very opposed to.  I felt that if something was wrong, knowledge is power!

We had our first fetal echo (heart exam, which is usually the biggest complication for Type 1 diabetes) and that went perfectly, which was a huge answer to prayer!! For the next 24 hours, I felt a peace that I hadn’t felt the whole pregnancy.  I felt that little Roo was going to be ok.

Well, the next day we got a phone call saying our baby testing very high risk for a birth defect.  It was worded to me that you aren’t just at risk, it’s a high likelihood.  My husband had just left to work in Germany for the week and I sat at my computer paralyzed and sobbing.  We texted a few very close friends and family and asked them to pray for the situation.  It was a rough, rough week and I cried for days straight, but I knew in my heart God was forming little Roo perfectly.

Both my husband and I firmly believe that God is going to give us the perfect baby HE wants for our family and no matter if there are complications tomorrow or when the baby is a year old, that is God’s plan.  Ultimately, I have no control over that, but just have to trust.  

Little Roo will be perfect just the way she is and we hope to provide her the best possible life!

After an in-depth ultra sound revealed Roo was in fact a girl and seemed to be just fine, we declined further testing or intervention to find out for sure.  Stephen and I had a peace about that and although there still could be a complication, we are choosing trust and prayer over worry!

Type 1 Diabetes & Blood Sugar Drama

My blood sugar has been more difficult to control since being pregnant, but by no means unmanageable.  Despite having to eat a lot more carbohydrates, I still feel like it’s been really good!  My A1C last month was actually the best it’s ever been in almost 8 years of having this disease.

Then 24 weeks hit and I could not control my sugar levels.  No matter what I did, no matter what I ate, it was simply out of control.  The emotional stress that put me under did NOT help the situation either and I now see that was a big contributing factor.  

During pregnancy, due to hormones, blood sugar is much more difficult to control, especially for someone that does not have a fully functioning pancreas, and for a few weeks, I put way too much pressure on myself.

One night, it dropped so low, I could have died.  I battled it all night, thinking I had gone upstairs to have my husband take me to the ER but actually fell asleep.  The next day we went into the ER and thankfully little Roo’s heart was still beating strong.  She’s a fighter for sure!!

I was able to get an emergency appointment with my endocrinologist and high risk OBGYN specialist and they really helped calm me down, saying your numbers are not going to be perfect, but overall your health is just fine! Spanish doctors are seriously amazing and so comforting!!

With Type 1 and pregnancy, you honestly have to take it one day at a time, because it changes every single day, even if all other factors remain the same.  If I learned anything in those 2 rough weeks, it was that trying to be perfect is only going to make the situation more difficult to manage.  Giving myself grace and making adjustments to do the best I can is the only want to survive!

Exercise

Walking has become a huge part of my daily routine, and something that I have chosen to prioritize above keeping a house clean or my to-do list.  Walking has really helped my back pain and is one of the best (and sometimes only) way I can keep tighter control over my blood sugar.

I try to get one long walk in per day as well as 3-4 mini walks.  It is so good to give my brain a break and soak in some fresh air too! Libby prances right next to me and those have been some peace-filled moments fo me!

Pilates has also been amazing and truly helped my back and core!  At 29 weeks, I switched to yoga as although my belly is still pretty little, many of the positions aren’t safe at this point and feel incredibly awkward!

Creating a “non-toxic” nursery

Honestly, I haven’t had the energy to really think about baby girl actually being here, but at 26 weeks, I figured I should start planning!! I started creating a list on Baby List, just to help me keep track of things.

Choosing as many organic and non-toxic items as possible is a huge priority for us and I will be sharing all my favorites in just a few weeks, so stay tuned!

What I’ve been loving…

Natural Calm Magnesium Powder: This has been a game changer for me during the second half of this trimester.  I have dealt with horribly leg and total body cramping and this has really helped.  It also keeps digestion running smoothly which is so to feel a little less “full” during pregnancy. (Raspberry lemon is delicious!)

Celtic Sea Salt Electrolyte Powder: Most days I feel like I can’t get enough water, and my husband keeps telling me I’m gulping down water like we are going to run out.  I mix this in with a bit of magnesium powder twice a day and it has made a noticeable difference.

Ancient Minerals Magnesium ‘Goodnight’ Lotion: This was a first trimester favorite and still is today.  I have a horrible time sleeping and this has really helped at night time.

Primally Pure Baby Balm: I was recommended to use this for stretch marks by my fabulous friends at Primally Pure.  I’m not stressing about stretch marks as it is a natural part of pregnancy, but am doing what I can to help the situation.  I love the light smell and feel and can’t wait to use it on baby girl!

Weleda Pregnancy Oil for Stretch Marks: My mom loves this brand and introduced it to me years ago.  I have been rubbing this oil everywhere and LOVE the light scent!

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides: I was finally able to start eating more protein about 22 weeks, but have been adding this in copious amounts to my decaf coffee or herbal tea.  Collagen is great for a pure and complete source of protein, bone support as well as great to help the elasticity of your skin and stretch marks.

Lululemon Align Leggings: Honestly I’ve never been a big lulu fan, but these leggings are life changing and I even have 2 pairs!  They don’t fall down, and I hate having to constantly pull up leggings, and aren’t see through.  I’m obsessed! I bought two pairs—one a size bigger and one two sizes too bigger.

BKR water bottle: Constant thirst has been a big issue for me during pregnancy and I feel like I need water all the time. I love this one because it easily fits in a smaller purse and has a nice handle that I can take on walks with me.

Naps: The pregnancy “drugged” sort of exhaustion has been rough and it’s a type of tired I simply can’t push through, so I have been enjoying naps whenever possible!

Cute non-maternity dresses: The weather has warmed up a bit so I invested in a few larger dresses, that would be great post-baby too.  Since, I won’t be wearing maternity clothes for too long, and they honestly aren’t that cute, I just went a size up in some loose dresses— this Stateside Stripped Dress is my favorite and a few dresses from Free People!

Craving

• High quality dairy: About 22 weeks, I felt like I couldn’t eat enough dairy, and that for sure was my body signaling me I needed it.  I have been loving yogurt and granola, good quality cheeses and this homemade French onion sour cream dip with vegetables.
• Spicy foods
• Caesar salad and ANY salad with LOTS of vinegar
• Avocados and guacamole
• Decaf coffee: Coffee freaked me out until about 22-24 weeks.  I went off all caffeine last June and saw my energy improve so much so I have only been drinking a small amount of Swiss Water Process decaf coffee.  Personally, I think that all caffeine should be avoided during pregnancy, and I know some might disagree, but that is just what I have decided is best for me.

Other Baby Posts

• Expecting Baby Roo
• FIRST trimester recap
• Episode 56: Giving Yourself Grace in Navigating the First Trimester
• Eventually Finding Beauty in Miscarriage