Oh my goodness, it feels utterly surreal to say this: in less than 70 days, I’m going to be a mom! A BABY! The reality of it still takes my breath away, filling me with an overwhelming mix of excitement and anticipation.

While I did share the initial big news with a delightful gender reveal piñata cake a little while back, and perhaps a few brief mentions here and there, I haven’t truly dedicated time to delve into the full story of my pregnancy. Today, I want to change that. Settle in with your favorite warm drink – coffee or tea for you, perhaps a glass of sparkling cider for me – and get cozy. We’re about to embark on a comprehensive, heartfelt journey through this crazy, amazing chapter of my life, right from the very beginning.

My Unforgettable Pregnancy Journey: A First-Time Mom’s Trimester-by-Trimester Story

The Unexpected Revelation: A Surprise on the Horizon

Thinking back to April, my calendar was meticulously planned. I envisioned a bustling summer, packed with thrilling trips to my first food blogging conferences, culminating in my annual cherished vacation to Mongolia to visit family. It was set to be a whirlwind of activity, creativity, and connection. I was bubbling with excitement, eager to network with fellow food bloggers and embrace my family back home. Little did I know, life was about to become infinitely more exciting, in the most profound way possible.

In preparation for these upcoming adventures, I was deeply immersed in my kitchen, a flurry of culinary activity. My goal was to stock up on a trove of delicious recipes to share with all of you while I was away. For over a month, I worked non-stop, meticulously testing and retesting new recipes, conducting countless taste-tests, and capturing beautiful photographs. This intense period of creation left me utterly exhausted by early May. Initially, I dismissed it as simply being overworked, a natural consequence of my relentless pace. However, a subtle yet persistent feeling whispered that something was indeed different.

One day, as my husband, Garrat, headed into town, I casually asked him to pick up a couple of different pregnancy tests. When we finally took them, both tests left us completely bewildered. The first one, meant to display two clear red lines for a positive result, showed one bright red line and a second, incredibly faint one. We moved on to the second test, which promised a blue plus sign. Again, we saw a distinct horizontal blue line, but the vertical line was barely visible. We were baffled; it seemed both tests hinted at a positive outcome, yet lacked the definitive clarity we expected. Despite the ambiguity, a deep, knowing certainty settled within both our hearts. Garrat’s eyes lit up with an unmistakable joy and excitement, while mine, on the other hand, welled up with tears – tears, I now realize, born from a mix of sheer happiness and a touch of fear. Please don’t misunderstand; I was overjoyed, but the magnitude of the news was also incredibly terrifying!

Without hesitation, I immediately contacted my doctor. They promptly ordered two blood tests, to be taken 48 hours apart, to confirm the pregnancy. I went in for the first test that very afternoon. As I was mentally preparing for the second test two days later, the nurse called. Her voice, brimming with cheer, informed me there was no need for the follow-up test. My levels were definitive: I was unequivocally pregnant! At this point, any lingering fear evaporated, replaced by unadulterated elation. I was beyond excited, quite literally jumping up and down like a mad person!

I had always envisioned having children of my own someday, but the timing never seemed quite right. There was always another goal to achieve, another adventure to embark on. One of the most significant items on my pre-parenthood bucket list was to explore Europe – to stand beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, wander through the historic streets of London, and savor the culinary delights of Italy. I yearned to experience a glimpse of the Old World before settling down into family life. Earlier this year, Garrat helped make that dream a reality. We had an absolutely incredible time exploring London, Paris, and Rome. Fulfilling that dream left me feeling content and ready to embrace the next chapter: starting a family. Finally!

And just two months later, BOOM! We were pregnant! I honestly hadn’t anticipated it happening so swiftly, but now, I can’t imagine our story unfolding any other way. In just over two months, we’ll be meeting our little miracle. Sometimes, I still have to pinch myself to believe it’s real!

Trimester by Trimester: Navigating the Waves of Pregnancy

The First Trimester: A Journey of Exhaustion and Unexpected Aversions

1^st Trimester (Weeks 1-13): My first trimester wasn’t plagued by severe morning sickness, thankfully. However, I was enveloped in an almost constant state of extreme exhaustion, coupled with occasional bouts of queasiness. To combat the queasy feelings, I found that frequent munching was my best friend. This strategy worked out perfectly when I attended the Indulge food blogger conference in Portland, Oregon. The trip was a culinary dream, packed with incredible food experiences every single day. The only real downside? I had to miss out on all the delightful unpasteurized apple and pear ciders, hard ciders, tempting wine tastings, and fresh oysters. (Don’t worry, Portland, I’ll be back for you one day!)

My journey home from Portland took an unexpected turn when a cancelled flight stranded me overnight at the Denver airport. Ugh, it was truly a nightmarish experience. Feeling utterly queasy and profoundly exhausted, with nothing sounding remotely appealing, a bag of sour gummy bears became my unexpected savior. I devoured the entire bag, and almost instantly, I felt a significant improvement, both physically and emotionally. That sleepless night proved to be the roughest patch of my entire pregnancy so far, and it took me two full days to recover, just in time for my flight to Mongolia. Once in Mongolia, however, I was utterly spoiled by my mom’s delicious home cooking and constant pampering. My usual desire to socialize and explore was replaced by an overwhelming need for rest. I happily stayed home, indulging in meals and naps – it was pure bliss.

Surprising Side Effects of the 1^st Trimester:

1. A Chocolate Conundrum: My beloved chocolate, once a source of immense joy, suddenly tasted… bland. I’d take a bite, and it would simply be “meh.” It was incredibly strange for someone who adores chocolate!
2. Digital Detox, Unplanned: I developed an absolute disinterest in reading, working on the computer, or even watching TV. Most digital activities irritated me. Garrat and I had been enjoying “Mad Men,” but I literally couldn’t tolerate the constant drinking and smoking portrayed on screen. We had to take an indefinite break.
3. Blogging Block: Writing blog posts, usually a pleasure, became a genuine torture. Despite having a backlog of recipes ready to share, the desire to sit down and write about them completely vanished. This explains why my posts from June and July were so infrequent and noticeably shorter than usual. Oops!

The Second Trimester: A Return to Energy and Unexpected Cravings

2^nd Trimester (Weeks 14-26): As soon as I crossed the threshold into the second trimester, it felt like a magical switch had been flipped. Everything began to return to a semblance of normal. Well, almost. While I still found myself getting tired more quickly than pre-pregnancy, I largely felt like my old self again. My taste buds rediscovered their love for chocolate, and the aversion lifted. I eagerly started reading other blogs once more, and the arduous task of writing my own posts didn’t seem so challenging anymore. It was a wonderful resurgence of energy and enthusiasm.

Cravings: This trimester introduced a whole new world of cravings. I was absolutely, intensely, and delightfully into fried food! Think crispy fried chicken, golden French fries, perfectly seasoned curly fries – anything deep-fried, I wanted it all! Oh, and soda! While I typically don’t drink soda on a daily basis, during this period, I found myself needing it every day, even if it was just a few sips to satisfy the craving. Again, so peculiar! I’m incredibly relieved that this particular craving has since faded, and I sincerely hope it doesn’t make a comeback later on.

August 26^th marked an incredibly exciting day for us – the day we were finally going to discover the gender of our little nugget! Did I have a gender preference? Yes, I did. For as long as I can remember, I’d always envisioned having a girl. Growing up with three sisters, I felt like I understood everything about girls, yet boys remained a complete mystery to me. However, deep down, I knew I would be overjoyed either way, as long as our baby was healthy. During the ultrasound, it became pretty obvious quite quickly: we were having a boy! After the appointment, my husband and I headed straight to the store and joyfully picked out his very first set of tiny onesies. Aren’t they just the most adorable things you’ve ever seen?

The Third Trimester: Embracing the Final Stretch and Baby Movements

3^rd Trimester (Weeks 27-40): Now, deep into my final trimester, things have certainly become a bit more challenging, albeit in an expected way. My belly has reached truly ginormous proportions, making simple tasks like putting on socks and shoes a surprising cardiovascular workout that leaves me breathless. Lower back pain has become a very real and persistent companion, especially on days when I spend extended periods in the kitchen working on new recipes. However, practicing prenatal yoga has been an absolute lifesaver! I consistently follow routines like this relaxing session and this gentle sequence almost every day. The sense of relief and rejuvenation I feel after a good stretch and yoga session is truly invaluable.

Cravings: Interestingly, I haven’t really developed any bizarre or unusual cravings in this trimester. However, what I do have is a consistently robust and healthy appetite! I find myself enjoying meals thoroughly, ensuring both myself and our growing baby are well-nourished.

My favorite part of the pregnancy without a doubt is feeling our baby move. My little boy is incredibly active, and I absolutely adore watching the wave-like movements ripple across my belly. My evenings often unfold like this: I’ll read a sentence from a book, then instinctively pause to stare at my belly for a couple of minutes, captivated by his subtle shifts and kicks. Then, I’ll resume reading another sentence, only to be drawn back to watching my tummy dance. I also love gently tapping on my belly, and it’s truly magical when he responds with a kick back. It feels so surreal, yet profoundly real and tangible at the same time! I always wondered if it hurt when a baby moved inside the womb, but now, from personal experience, I can confidently say it doesn’t. It’s such an awesome, unique sensation – a feeling of incredible connection and life within – but certainly nothing painful. At least, that has been my joyful experience so far.

Reflections and Anticipation: The Home Stretch

What I miss from pre-pregnancy: If I had to pick just two things, it would definitely be wine and raw oysters! I’m typically more of a red wine enthusiast, but for some peculiar reason, lately all I crave is a crisp, chilled glass of white wine. And those briny, fresh raw oysters? Oh, how I dream of them!

Time, in many ways, is flying by at an astonishing pace. Yet, I also hear from many experienced moms that the last month of pregnancy often feels like it drags on forever. I secretly hope that’s true for me, allowing me to savor these final weeks of anticipation. This entire journey has been incredibly smooth, filled with joy, and most importantly, wonderfully healthy! My deepest hope is that it continues this way for the remaining two months, leading up to the incredible moment we finally meet our son.

Alright, let’s bring this rather long, but hopefully engaging, post to a close.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for being a part of this amazing journey with me! Your support means the world.