A Baby detour on the Band Trip...

Well, it is time for me to come clean to all of you in Band & Blogland!!!  As I mentioned back in October, I got unfilled when I got the flu and haven't been filled back up since (I've been kind of quiet about that). And while it was the flu - bigtime -  it was also another reason - i.e., the "Baby" detour!  I am very excited to share that I am pregnant, and our family is going to be "The Fogler 4" at the end of June!!!  (My actual due date is July 1st, but it will be a scheduled C-section so I assume it will be the end of June sometime)  When I saw the doctor that day, she basically said "see you 6 weeks after the baby is born and we'll restart the process!" It's been an interesting 10+ weeks...  I found out very early that I was pregnant, and without going into too much detail, suffice it to say that the first trimester was a bit tough and an emotional rollercoaster in the beginning.  A few of you know the whole story and again, thank you for all your support through this journey!  Thankfully things have settled down and quieted, and everyone is healthy.  I am 14 weeks and in my 2nd trimester, and all in all feeling good.  I had the 5.5 cc's removed from my band in October, and have gained about 10 pounds so far.   What is interesting to me about this whole banding experience, is that even though I have been unfilled, at times I still can tell the band is there.  I've gotten stuck at times - especially in the morning, or when I eat too quickly, and I am DEFINITELY going to have to re-learn all the tricks of the trade when I get refilled after the baby is born... especially the "not-drinking-with-meals" thing, because I have to drink a TON... As most pregnant women are told, "hydrate, hydrate, hydrate"... but my doc basically said to drink that much x3 because my blood pressure is very low and that is one of the only things that will help it.  And, protein is still king - have to really focus on getting in the good protein and fruit/veggies and not be detoured by my constant Cinnamon Life cravings! I have had a few mixed emotions (of course, NOTHING to do with the raging hormones!) about being pregnant post-band... As I think I put in an earlier post, as much as we both want another child, personally making the choice to get pregnant after getting banded took a lot of thought and prayer... Selfishly, I struggled with gaining weight after I lost 80 pounds, but I kept (and keep) coming back to the fact that THANK GOD I have this amazing tool that will help me continue on my journey after the baby is born.  And I am SO much healthier now...   So a few weight/band related pregnancy thoughts: THEN:  When I was pregnant with Lucia, I started at 265 and ended up (weigh-in day of my C-section) at 304 (GULP! I tried to block that number out from my memory).  NOW:  I started this pregnancy at 199 and hope to only gain about 30 pounds.  I am already up 10, but I think a lot of that honestly has been a bit of my own fault of making some not great choices over the holidays THEN:  When I got pregnant with Lu, I had to special order maternity clothes in 2x and 3x.  You couldn't find them in stores to try on, and had to hope that I could find SOMETHING cute.  Most of it wasn't.  NOW:  I am able to buy XL maternity clothes right off the rack, and have been able to borrow from friends, go to Goodwill... all very exciting!  And a good portion of it is pretty cute too! THEN: Pre-band, I was considered borderline high-risk because of my weight and all the possible complications.  NOW: It is just my age that puts me in that borderline category! THEN:  Last time, you really couldn't tell that I was pregnant (vs. just fat) until I was about 6 months...  NOW:  I am beginning to show already although have been able to hide it pretty well... but I definitely needing bigger pants!

That is all for now - I've been wanting to share for a while, so I am glad that I finally have the chance too!  Thanks for all the support all of you have given me these last few months that I've been kind of quiet - it really means a ton.  I fully intend to keep blogging, but some of the material may change... but I still and will continue to count on all of you as I take this 9 month detour on my band journey!!!


Happy New Year!