Baby on board!

For those of you that don't already know, I have some exciting and life changing news!  I am pregnant... expecting our second child! It was a bit of a surprise, but we are all excited to meet the new baby boy who is due to arrive in about 12-13 weeks.

I was recently remembering that four years ago I was enormously pregnant with my son, Evan (who was born the end of September), and how miserable I was. I had gained 60+ lbs with Evan (who was only roughly 7 of those lbs), and even though I was happy to have incubated a healthy and beautiful baby, the weight gain was not only physically uncomfortable; it was emotionally hard for me too.
The weight came off so slowly that I questioned if I would be able to do it again especially if it meant that I would have to put on those extra baby making lbs. This may sound vein, but the truth is; body image and weight loss are things that I struggled with since I was 14yrs old, and baby or no baby, it is difficult when you feel heavy and uncomfortable in your own clothes and skin.

When I discovered I was pregnant this time I initially panicked at the thought of being heavy, but reminded myself that there are a few things I have learned, and could now do differently to feel good, no matter what size I was.

1. Love my body regardless, and appreciate how well it provides a growing space for my most precious cargo, AND not compare myself with any other pregnant women and their weight gain, or loss.
2.  Move my body, even if it is only 30 min a day. A little exercise and movement really helps to physically keep the baby and me healthy. I didn't exercise very much through my first pregnancy, and this time I am moving more, and feeling physically and mentally much better.
3. Continue to eat clean whole foods and lots of veggies, but also not to beat myself up for enjoying summer treats like ice cream! *

While thinking about these 3 things that have helped me tremendously throughout the last 6 months, I thought about how loving our bodies more, moving our bodies, and eating real food are all important, pregnant or not.

I believe all of these things  have helped me tremendously during this pregnancy. I am currently 27 weeks, and happy to say that I weigh now the same as I did at only 19 weeks with my first pregnancy. I am feeling great, and hope that that continues as I enter into my 3rd and last trimester!

I look forward to sharing more with you over the next few weeks and before you know it I will be announcing our newest addition!

*(It is important to note that even though I may have had my fair share of treats, I believe that being pregnant shouldn't mean that you eat as much and whatever you want. It is crucial in my opinion, while growing another life; we eat the best foods possible.)