Little nuggets first scan...Hello world!
Well here we go again! Sometimes I still can’t believe that we went through with having another after that first year with Max…I am sure some of you can relate. But somehow you forget ..well not forget…but seem to block out the child labor, 9 months of pregnancy, sleep deprivation, leaking boobs, fussy moments. And all of those really tough moments are outweighed by the smiles, giggles, hugs, kisses and first steps your baby takes. I know it sounds so cliché, but it is so true that they are so worth it! ha.
My first pregnancy was really tough because at that point in my life it wasn’t exactly what I wanted or planned for. But I think I never really would have been “ready”. I loved my life as a pro athlete, I loved having the freedom and flexibility to do what I wanted, when I wanted, to travel, and to spend what I pleased on myself or anyone else for that matter.
And while I do miss certain parts of that life, I sit here and wonder to myself what I did with my time. Life is so much more meaningful as a parent and I think that that purpose does not necessarily take away from your work, social life and other passions, but makes you whole.
What really hit me the hardest was how I had dedicated my life, especially the last 12 years, to fulfilling my dream of becoming a pro soccer player. To see my successful season end in a injury was tough, but to find out I was pregnant just 8 weeks after that was devastating to my passion and what I had lived for up until that point.
I had planned on playing for another year and I think deep down inside I knew once I saw the line on the stick that it was the end of my playing career. I was 32, not young for a pro athlete. My responsibilities outside of what I did as an athlete I knew would probably make it virtually impossible for me to get back to the level I was at and competing day in day out.
I was a player that needed an off season of 2 training sessions per day (2-4 hours/day) of preparation to compete. I am so blessed to have played with some of the best players in the world and really cherish those moments. I think at the time you are so caught up in the moment, in performing at the top level, living your whole life based around training, under pressure, that sometimes you can’t even really enjoy it.
Max has no doubt come into our lives and changed it for the better. We are so blessed to have our healthy 22 month old and another on the way. Being a mom is definitely a big challenge, but its also the most rewarding, amazing thing you can do in life. So here's to our future family of four!
Me, on Max's due date (June 9, 2014) after my last pregnancy run!!
How did you find out you were pregnant?
Well..I was actually in New York the last weekend of January. I was originally supposed to fly back home on Friday night, but Philly had a huge snowstorm the week before causing my college roommates baby shower to be postponed. So I jumped at the chance to take the train from NYC to Philly and head to surprise Kacy at her sprinkle! I ended up totally surprising her (it was super hard to keep it a secret ..ha) and spent the night with her. Sunday morning I woke up and started to feel sick after breakfast. I had already taken one test and it had said negative but it was a few days before my period was due. Friday morning I had also felt sick but put that down to the stress of that days meetings in the city. When I started to to feel sick on Sunday, my period was officially 2 days late..and I thought. Ok. This is it. I could not believe it..Max was a “surprise” and this time it happened after one cycle. Honestly, I wasn’t super excited about being preggo over the summer but I kept hearing about people having difficulty getting pregnant which is why we started trying right away.
When did you officially find out?
I took a test that Monday morning and it said pregnant!
How far along were you?
I think it was 5 weeks
How did family/friends react?
I think some were surprised..some weren’t because I had said that we were going to have another. The best reactions were from the receptionists and nurses at my OB..ha! Let's just say they were pretty surprised after seeing me throughout Max's pregnancy.
First pregnancy symptom:
To be honest with you I did feel nauseous twice in that weekend that I found out I was pregnant but literally have not had any sickness since. So I would really say the fatigue. That was new for me. I had sleep insomnia basically my whole first trimester with Max so this all encompassing fatigue was crazy!
What is your due date:
October 9, 2016
Any names:
A few for girls..boys I am stumped!
For all you mama's to be to, check out some of these articles I've found:
NY Times Article about Exercising while pregnant
Injury prevention for mother runners
Coming next week: Weeks 8-12!
xo,
Alex