Into my 6th week and trying to stay calm....

One of the biggest challenges with every new pregnancy is remaining calm and stress-free. This is especially true for those of us who have experienced a loss (miscarriage, etc.) in the past. We constantly wonder, "Will this pregnancy last?", "What if I lose this baby too?", "Will everything be OK?", and "How do I know that everything is progressing smoothly?" Stress is not good for you or the baby, so finding coping techniques that work for you is essential.

Now at the completion of my sixth week of pregnancy, I am trying my best to have ME time each and every day. Yoga, meditation, long walks, stretching, massage, and baths have proved helpful -- and quite relaxing. My cat also seems to sense something is different -- he is constantly sitting and nesting on my stomach, even when I take the shortest of naps. They say cats tend to find the warmest spot in the room, and my belly is definitely "heating up" right now!

Since I am CONSTANTLY fatigued, I give into the exhaustion and allow my body to rest, rather than trying to fight it. Yesterday, after a crazy early morning wake-up (2:11 am!) and flight to Florida to see my parents, I collapsed onto the bed twice -- once for a three-hour mid-day nap and then again at 7:30 p.m. I woke up confused and alert at midnight, choosing to read on my Kindle until I felt tired again. The result? Another solid seven hours of sleep. I even slept through my parents' Maltese crying and barking outside my door. Thankfully, I woke up feeling much more refreshed at 7 a.m. and even managed to go on a long walk before the FL heat got far too intense to bear.

Yes, I am listening to my body. I continually crave water, so I drink a lot. I have to continually pee, so I do....seemingly ALL THE TIME. I feel continually tired, so I rest. It sounds simple, but for a normally hyperactive, type-A person like myself, this is a HUGE feat. I continue to be forgiving and accommodating to my body, which is undergoing quite the miraculous series of events right now. I must be grateful, patient, and kind to it -- and myself.

I'm hoping I can figure out how to post pics on this blog, as I want to start showing off belly shots this week. Alas, yes, I just discovered how to do so. Easy peasy!

I present to you my very first belly shot of this new pregnancy at 6 weeks:

Here's to a healthy and happy continuation of "the bean"!