The first morning of my second trimester, I woke up with a new lease on life. I made a huge bowl of organic, slow-cooked oatmeal tricked out with berries (antioxidants!), almonds (protein!) and fresh maple syrup (deliciousness!). And then I puked it all up. The worst part? I still had to eat something. So I settled for a frozen microwave burrito.
Despite that minor setback, I’d say the second trimester of my twin pregnancy has delivered on most of the promises made by the singleton pregnancy manuals: Increased energy, almost no nausea, ability to focus, and a big enough bump to warrant smiles from strangers but not so big that people reach for their phones in case an ambulance is needed.
What I don’t think is normal, however, is requiring an afternoon nap every single day.
Each morning after driving my boys to preschool, I go to my beautiful office and work happily for a handful of hours.
And then I crash. As in zombie crash. As in barely make it home and crawl into bed crash.
I don’t remember it being this bad with my previous two pregnancies. Maybe it’s because I’m carrying twins, maybe it’s because I’m older (I’m 37), or maybe my “scared of the dark” three-year-old is to blame. Or all of the above. But all this napping really cuts down on a girl’s to-do list.
After my daily nap (which I keep trying to limit to 1 hour but inevitably ends up 2), I walk around in a fog for the dinner, bath, bedtime routine. But those morning hours sure are awesome.
Here are the boys waking me up from my nap. Quite the role reversal.
And so it goes. And so it goes.
A few more second trimester confessions:
- Every time I have a doctor appointment, I secretly wish they’ll put me on bed rest. At least that would help me justify the amount of time I’ve spending in bed this pregnancy. But I’m probably not getting put on bed rest for that exact reason.
- (I know daily naps are not an option for every mom — you are superstars and I am in awe of you.)
- I sweat like crazy when I sleep. It’s gross.
- I’m not nearly as hungry here in the late 2nd trimester as I was the first 20-something weeks. Thank god.
- I’ve started to embrace my large size and turtle pace. I think the humility that comes with late pregnancy is all part of preparing us for life with newborns. I get much less done every day, but I’m learning to let go. And that feels great.
- I can still fit in a booth at my favorite diner, but not for much longer.
- I’m starting to feel panicked about getting quality time in with my boys before the babies come. More on that in the next post.
Love the self portrait, the plunger cheek, and your honesty.
Reader Confession: I nap everyday and I only have one kid and am not pregnant :O
Love this post and accompanying photos–but Britta dear, you’ve always LOVED naps! Even pre-babies, Cindy and I would knock loud and then louder on your door for some lecture, only to have you finally emerge with disheveled hair and pillow-wrinkles on your face. And remember that afternoon I met you at the Strand? My first words: “Did you just wake up from a nap?” (Yup). I say embrace the naps for a practice even after the twins are here. Speak to them in Spanish if you need to justify your siestas. Have naps your whole life–just insist on sneaking them in. Naps are free matinees, and mini reincarnations.
I can so relate to secretly wishing the doc would put me on bedrest! There are so many days I claim to hubby that I demand a few hours of it ;O) He always agrees!