A Different Kind of Obesity

I've been thinking a lot about weight recently. I learn all the time about how major of a risk factor obesity is to the majority of all cancers and other diseases and the complications that occur from being overweight when in the hospital. In my pre-teeny years, I was overweight and super self-conscious about it. I was at that stage in life when I wanted to be well-liked and the object of every pre-pubescent boy's affection. But, this wasn't a reality for me. I was 4 ft. 11 and packed full with 150 lbs. of tender baby fat. And I was tall--much taller than those skinny 80 lbs. girls that dressed in white and pink Limited Too and Gap garb--I wore my sister's Old Navy boy's-wear hand-me-downs. Oh please, my life was wonderful, normal, and joyful. But I think we all are looking for ways to improve ourselves and mine was to lose weight and look like the rest of my friends. 

That happened once I began puberty and field hockey. Lots of running and hormones did me some good and I finally felt good about myself.

I began high school at my perfect weight, but, high school sports and waaaayy too many study halls caused me to end my senior year 30 lbs. heavier than I wanted to be. Well gosh what the heck. Obviously I grew, became more of a woman, blahblahblah. I felt hopeless. Yet, the gods of weight loss threw me another bone and I was soon redeemed by a win-lose illness that required strict diet precautions and proved a painful recovery. I lost 10 lbs. like that and kept it off. Up and down I've gone over the years, but continue to compare myself to that perfect weight back when I was 15. Is that so hard to ask for? I knew this matter was entirely in my hands and so I started Weight Watchers a couple of months ago and loved watching my scale knock a pound off each week. Ahhhh control. But, suddenly, I stopped losing weight. I dieted but still wouldn't lose an ounce and I grew tired of working so hard to have no pay-off. 

Well what the heck!

So, what did I do?

I went to the doctor to get tested.

Tested for what?

Pregnancy.

What happened?

I wound up positive for a pea-sized parasite implanted in my untouched uterus. 

AKA: pregnant. 

So, I've gained 10 lbs. (of baby and me, or something), and although I'm still obsessed with my weight--I'm not pushing out no 10 lbs. baby, sorry--I've learned to listen to my body and give it what it and my little avocado need.

So, how far along am I?

17 weeks on Monday.

Surprise, surprise! 

Were we planning it? Absolutely not. 

Are we wicked excited about it? Totally!

Have I been sick? Nope, not a single day. Queasiness here and there, but I've been so blessed. I'm in a demanding major and I've been able to clean up poo (lots and lots of poo), sit next to a container full of lung aspirate, do several night shifts, and study for ridiculous weekly tests without falling behind. 

Consequently, I'm fat, but healthy, and I'm excited to welcome this knew little being into our family in March. 

So, incase any of you totally missed this:

I'm preggo. The babe is the size of an avocado and kicking like crazy all the time. I just love taking this little one on my last semester of nursing school in the hospital and in all of my daily-doings. It's kind of neat and I feel like I have a little buddy with me 24/7. Better get used to it I guess.

We weren't planning to try having kiddos until this upcoming May, thinking that would be the perfect time, but I've realized that there is no perfect time to have children (while you're married). If you're waiting for it, you'll never have kids. Some say they'll wait until they're more financially stable or able to save more money. If you wait for that day you will never have kids. The more you go about life the more responsibilities and bills you pay and although you may make more money, more of it is shunted from your paycheck to your increasingly more expensive adult life. 

That's the shpiel, that's the latest current event, that's our major stressor but our greatest joy and anticipation. 

We find out what we're having November 1st and we're super excited! My OB is a physician I shadowed last semester and got to know on a professional and personal basis and we just love him. 

Thanks for all those who have already thrown out tons of love and support! We love you all and can't thank you enough for your kindness and selflessness. 

I'll save the belly pics for another day--like tomorrow.