For many of you who follow my journey on Instagram, the hashtag #fatpants has become a familiar and much-loved fixture, especially when I share those irresistible, indulgent recipes. It’s a playful nod to comfort food and the joy of not taking ourselves too seriously. What you might not have realized, however, is that this seemingly lighthearted hashtag quietly evolved from a simple jest into something profoundly meaningful, signaling a much deeper, more personal endeavor behind the scenes. The real truth about my #fatpants journey reveals that I was, in fact, actively working to gain 15-20 pounds, and for a reason of paramount importance to my family and future.
Over a year ago, my husband and I found ourselves sitting in the office of our trusted physician, Dr. Haskett. The purpose of this visit was to discuss the very hopeful, yet also very anxious, possibility of expanding our family with another baby. For those who recall previous posts or have followed our story, you’ll understand the underlying concerns that prompted this significant conversation. Dr. Haskett’s guidance was clear and strategic: the best course of action would be for me to gain a substantial 15-20 pounds and rigorously begin a regimen of prenatal vitamins. This proactive approach was designed to allow my body to build up vital reserves and create an optimal environment for a healthy pregnancy, especially given the unique challenges I’ve faced in the past.
The journey to intentionally gain weight proved to be far more challenging than anticipated. For months, I dedicated myself to this task, a task often perceived as simple by others, but one that required immense focus and consistency from me. It’s ironic, perhaps, that gaining weight for health can be just as difficult, if not more so, than losing it. My body tends to lose a considerable amount of weight during pregnancy, which necessitated building a robust “buffer” of strength and nutrients. Simultaneously, because my body endures so much throughout the gestational period, I needed to ensure I was in the strongest, healthiest state possible. Balancing these two objectives — packing on pounds while maximizing overall health and well-being — was a delicate act, demanding a simple yet profound sacrifice of my usual habits and an unwavering commitment to our ultimate goal. Every meal, every nutrient, was a step towards preparing my body for the incredible marathon of pregnancy.
So, We’re Expecting!
And now, after much anticipation and quiet preparation, it’s time to share the incredibly joyous news that has been filling our hearts: I am currently nine weeks pregnant! This journey has already been a tumultuous one, marked by significant challenges, but each passing day brings with it an immeasurable blessing and a profound sense of gratitude. We are still pinching ourselves, utterly amazed and thrilled that we are truly expanding our family. It is a miracle that words can barely capture, a testament to hope and perseverance. The thought of welcoming another precious life into our home fills us with unparalleled excitement and a deep sense of wonder.
However, in the spirit of complete transparency and honesty, I must also share the unvarnished truth: this pregnancy has been incredibly difficult from the outset. I am currently battling a severe condition known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, or HG. For those unfamiliar with it, HG is far more debilitating than typical morning sickness. It manifests as extreme, relentless nausea and persistent vomiting, making even the simplest acts of eating or drinking an agonizing ordeal. The constant struggle to keep anything down, even an ice chip, is incredibly frustrating and physically draining. My body fights back against nearly all intake, leading to severe dehydration and profound exhaustion. To combat this relentless battle, I am frequently connected to IVs at the hospital, often three times a week, in a continuous effort to rehydrate and mitigate the vomiting. It’s an exhausting cycle, leaving me feeling hollowed out and utterly depleted, both physically and emotionally. Yet, despite the immense hardship, we draw strength from our past experiences. We have endured this twice before, and we know, deep in our hearts, that we can endure it again. Our unwavering focus remains on staying positive, holding onto hope, and taking each challenging moment as it comes.
What This Means For The Blog
You might be wondering what this incredibly personal journey means for the future of the blog and the content you’ve come to enjoy. Rest assured, we anticipated that this period might be challenging, and we took proactive steps to prepare for it. Well in advance of this announcement, we meticulously planned and scheduled a robust lineup of posts. We also reached out to some incredibly talented and supportive fellow creators and industry experts, who have generously contributed a fantastic array of guest posts. My sincere hope is that you will continue to stick with us through this unique chapter. While my energy levels and ability to consistently produce content have been severely impacted by HG, making it quite difficult to work with my usual intensity, I am fully committed to sharing glimpses of our journey as much as I possibly can. I will do my absolute best to stay in touch, connect with you, and keep the creative spirit of the blog alive, even if the pace and format might shift slightly in the coming months.
This community means the world to us, and knowing that we have such fantastic and supportive readers is truly a source of immense comfort and strength. It was precisely because of your unwavering encouragement that we felt compelled to share this deeply personal and vulnerable journey with all of you. We believe in transparency and the power of shared experiences, even when those experiences are challenging. So, as we navigate the turbulent waters of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, our daily mantra is to try and stay out of the hospital as much as humanly possible, focusing on small victories and cherishing every moment. This entire experience is a test of resilience, faith, and patience, but it is ultimately a journey towards the most wonderful outcome imaginable. We are incredibly excited about the impending arrival of our new baby and are counting down the days until we can hold them in our arms. Hooray for a baby! Thank you for being a part of our story, for your understanding, and for your continued support as we embark on this beautiful, challenging, and utterly miraculous adventure. Your engagement, comments, and messages of encouragement truly make a difference, helping us to feel connected and less alone during this intense period. We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue along this path, embracing every twist and turn with hope and determination.