12 Week update

Baby Dinosaur Coco (as our boys say) is 12 weeks and a few days already! It's crazy how fast this pregnancy seems to be going, so I thought now would be great time for another fun little update.

How far along: 12 weeks and a few days

Gender: unknown, and we're planning to wait to find out at birth... but I may cave. I'm so conflicted! Did you wait or find out with your last baby? I'd love to hear.

Nickname: Baby Dinosaur Coco is still going strong

Maternity clothes: Still rocking my Bun Maternity hoodie all the time, but I've also added some Isabel Maternity jeans from good ole Target to the mix. Since I'm also still working as a birth doula, I've picked up a pair of Old Navy's full panel workout leggings for births. I've already tested them out and love them!

Sleep: What is sleep? I kid, but seriously the time change really sucks when you have kids. How does one hour mess everything up?!

Best moment this month:  We had a second ultrasound and of course hearing Baby Dinosaur Coco's heartbeat was the amazing, but showing the boys a photo afterward was probably just as sweet.

Worst moment this month: All of the Navarro guys were sick last week. Luckily I seem to have made it out unscathed other than normal pregnancy fatigue, nausea, and vomiting.

Miss anything: Still skipping coffee since it just doesn't sit well, but I've found some great teas and that's definitely helped me find my morning game again.

Movement: not yet, although I started feeling Cruz around 13-14 weeks so could be sooner rather than later

Cravings: hah! Of course! Sparkling water, lots of spicy snacks and food (not so great when it comes back up though), and menudo.

Queasy or sick: Yes to both

Looking forward to: the second trimester, a break from the nausea, and those sweet baby flutters!

Now if you're like me, and that first trimester fog and sleepiness is beginning to dissipate you're probably ready to start tackling some of your big pregnancy to-do's! For example, the Second Trimester is a great time to:

• Find your Birth Doula! (you didn't think I'd leave that one out did you?!) Start by getting recommendations from other local parents and birth professionals. Also, don't be afraid to meet with more than one birth doula! The consultation and meeting Doulas in person is so important to finding the perfect addition to your birth team. If you're considering things like placenta encapsulation or breastfeeding support, it's also a great idea to find out what additional services are offered by the doulas you're considering. One big plus to hiring a great doula - he or she will be able to point you in the direction of some amazing local resources and childbirth education options that she's most likely already investigated. 
• Explore your local childbirth education options! Even if you're planning to or have already hired a birth doula, taking a childbirth education course is a great way prepare for your birth experience. I like to think of it this way - In college you do TONS of reading, and then during lecture or lab your professor helps flesh out the theories and methods you're learning.They're there to answer questions, and make sure you're understanding the information as best as you can. Your childbirth Ed course and your doula will work similarly in that your doula will be there to help fill in the gaps, answer any questions and put what you're learning into practice for your birth. The second trimester is a great time to plan to begin or take your course of choice. Keep in mind some courses are weeks long so you don't want to wait too late.
• Get familiar with the local parenting resources available to you like babywearing goups, postpartum support groups, and La Leche League meetings (you can attend while pregnant! In fact, I highly recommend it). Lucky for us, here in Orange County we have quite a few free to attend support and educational groups, and we have lots of others which require only a small donation. 
• Start exploring your options for a Pediatrician - for most people this may be determined by your insurance carrier however, most pediatricians are happy to set up phone consultations to answer questions for potential new patients, and some private pediatric offices may even be able to accommodate in person consultations once we pass this busy flu season. Just like with your birth doula, meeting your potential pediatrician is a great opportunity to ask questions about their practice and don't be afraid to meet with more than one.