Whoa baby!

The bad news is that I did not get a Christmas baby and I don't think I am going to get a New Year's Eve baby either. However, he will be happy I am sure to not have to share his birthday with a major holiday and that's okay by me.

Baby Vernon and I feel the same..no better..no worse and I am just trying to keep busy and of course sleep and rest whenever possible. He is still pretty active and moves a lot around 11:00 each night. The only new symptom really is that the last couple of nights I have woken up to one (yes only one) painful contraction. That one is just enough to excite me into thinking LABOR, but then after a few minutes goes by I realize that it is not in fact labor at all and I go back to sleep.

The good news is that we went to the doctor yesterday and all is well.


Blood Pressure: 120/74

Weight: + 1 pound (for a total of almost 30 pounds gained to date)

Baby Heart rate: 132

Effacement: 80%

Dilation: 1 cm

Baby's position: Head down..sunny side up (hopefully will turn on his own)

We also got an ultrasound to check the baby's weight....are you ready for it????


7 pounds 8 oz!!!!

The weight is just an approximation I know and could be off in either direction up to a pound.

But still, I was and am still just so amazed that there is a 7 1/2 pound human being growing inside my body. It really does make all the aches and pains worth it. Chris and I both feel truly blessed and in awe of it all.

oh my aching...

How am I feeling?...I am fine...or at least that seems to be the only way I know how to verbalize how I am when asked by family and friends. I am going to try to dig a little deeper for this post.

I am currently walking about 2 miles a day, very slow, like 17 minute mile slow, (I used to run a 7-8 minute mile), and not for the reason you would think. When I am walking too fast all of a sudden I feel a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, (the kind of pain that stops you in your tracks). Apparently these pains are completely normal, and are either round ligament pains, or the baby pushing down pains, or they are Braxton Hicks contractions. Either way, slowing down or stopping is the only thing that works..so that is what I do. 2 miles seems to be my current limit.

Another problem I am having is leg pain. The only comparison I have to the ache is the feeling you have after you have pushed yourself to your limit on a long hard run or bike ride. And I have not been running or biking anywhere!

I also am having sharp abdominal pains if I sit in the same position for too long. Luckily, I am not working right now and can really get up and move around or change positions when necessary. I have only noticed them when Chris and I try to watch a movie that requires me to sit for more than 1 hour at a time. Walking slowly and/or standing seems to help and the pain usually subsides. My mom and I went to a movie this afternoon and I had to get up 3 times because of the pain. I am curious to see on Wed. if those pains are dilating me or if they are just practice contractions or ligament pains.

I am sleeping pretty well considering my state. I seem to get a good long night's sleep every other night and am not getting up as much in the middle of the night as I was last month.

I still have indigestion pretty bad and have to eat small meals pretty much all day just to stay full.

My only other complaint is that baby verno likes to stick his butt out on the left side of my stomach all the time. That side of my stomach is so sore it is tender to even the slightest touch.

The nesting continues... all of the Christmas decorations are down and I have started baking and freezing random items, and even cleaned out my trunk yesterday in 30 degree weather.

Chris is nesting too.. he cleaned out his side of our closet yesterday and came up with 3 large bags full of donation clothes.

I watched a DVD on how to breastfeed yesterday and bought two more pairs of stretchy pants that I hope to wear the first few weeks the baby is here.

And today I forced myself out of the house to get a pedicure and to see a movie with my mom since there won't be many movies or pedicures when baby verno gets here! My next appointment is Wednesday and Thursday is a Full Moon. Rumor has it that maternity wards fill up and babies drop when there is a full moon!

37 weeks 3 days

Baby verno and I went to the dr. today and are seeing some progress!

BP 120/74

Weight: + 0 (yeah)

Baby Heart Rate: 145

Cervix: 80% effaced and 1 cm dilated

Full Term and Calm

I am quite surprised at how calm I feel. Everything is washed, folded, packed and ready for our little one to arrive. I thought I would be more afraid....but maybe that comes later. The only real problem now is that I am still really sick and so is Chris. I am hoping that yesterday was the worst of it. I slept much better last night than the night before and am hoping that is a good sign.

The constant phone calls have started....everyone wants to know how I am, if I am dilated, do I think the baby is coming early,...etc.

Don't get me wrong, I am lucky to have such caring family and friends, so I guess what I am wondering is do they really expect me to know when he's coming? On the other hand, it is true that I am also obsessed with all the "signs of labor"...I have looked at them countless times in the last week as if I might be confused as to what's wrong when I actually do go into labor HAHA!

The baby still moves quite a bit and I am no more uncomfortable than I have been the last 9 months minus the extra sickness I have right now.

It is amazing carrying a child and I feel honored to be able to do so. Chris and I daydream every day about him and as Chris says can't wait for him to come out and play!

36 week appointment

Today was my 36 week appointment and I am officially 36 weeks and 3 days today according to the estimated due date. I am still fighting this cold/sinus infection with tylenol and zyrtec, and am not sleeping very well. The cold is slowing me down and apparently making me eat more since I gained 4 pounds in the last 2 weeks. (And I am pretty sure there is no chance the baby gained 4 pounds in 2 weeks.) I don't recall eating more than usual and I am still walking every day. (I guess I need to give up chocolate). I am officially down to the last few weeks, and I am scheduled to see the doc every week now until D-Day. Here are my stats from today's appointment.

BP: 120/84

Weight: up 4 pounds (booo)

Baby's Heart rate: 152

Baby's position: head down, but not dropped all the way yet

Measuring: 36cm---36 weeks

Cervix: Closed

And the doc went through signs of labor with me so that we will know when to call and go to the hospital!

Sick and Pregnant

I really thought I was going to make it to the end of my pregnancy without getting any non pregnancy related sicknesses..no such luck. Chris and I are both sick with colds/sinus infections, and are just praying we both get better before our little one gets here. Did I mention I miss Advil and Alka Seltzer Cold Plus?

36 weeks and counting

Here's what it says about baby this week at the online site I read.

Your baby is still packing on the pounds at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

Here's what it says about me,

Now that your baby is taking so much room you may have trouble eating a normal size meal. (True) Smaller more frequent meals may help. (They have except I have been eating more chocolate as a result)

You also may be feeling practice contractions and pressure in preparation for labor. (Also True)

Everything seems to be on track although I am hoping that our baby boy will be a mommy pleaser and show up perfectly healthy and earlier than the estimated due date.

Top Ten

Ten comments that should never be uttered to a pregnant women...and yes, there are real people behind all of these comments.

1. You are huge.
2. You look like you are going to pop.
3. Looks like twins.
4. Any day now right?
5. I can't wait for when you start waddling.
6. You are being irrational.
7. You shouldn't have made that test so hard.
8. I am glad to see that you are eating for two.
9. Hurry up, you are walking too slow.

and last my favorite....

10. Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?

Enough Already

I feel like the last two weeks dragged and 5 weeks seems like fo----ever to me at this point. I know that 5 weeks is nothing in comparison to the last 35 that I have so patiently endured. (haha) But at this point I am ready to say ENOUGH ALREADY.

As you can tell I have reached the almost full term and very irritable phase. Chris said to me today, "I hope the baby has a good attitude," (in reference to how bad my attitude has been the last few days). In my defense I am swollen, exhausted, breathless, and sore most of the time. In his defense, he brought home a dozen just because I love you roses last night.

34 week update

Things are good health wise. My blood pressure has been normal, my weight is on track, and I have been feeling...well...pregnant I guess. Sleeping is an issue mainly because my little one kicks for about 30 minutes starting at around 11:15 each night. Once I fall asleep (around 12:00 usually) I awake to pee at 1 or 2, and if I am not exhausted I wake again at some point later in the night. Luckily, as I mentioned before my classes are mid-day and go into the night so I have been able to sleep in when needed.
I haven't been to prenatal yoga in awhile and am wishing that I could keep it up. I have lost a lot of my flexibility, and my muscles feel tight and sore by the end of the day. The problem is that it is offered only once a week on Saturday morning. And lately we have either been busy or I have been too tired.
I have noticed minor swelling this month in my hands and feet. Standing or sitting in one spot for longer than 30 minutes makes me very uncomfortable, although moving around and changing positions frequently seems to help.
I am still walking/waddling (wishing I was running) almost every day outside while the weather is good. I usually make it between 2 and 3 miles before one of two things happens... I have to pee, or my stomach muscles start cramping and I have to slow down. It takes me 30-45 minutes. I am wondering if that maternity belt they sell would help.
The indigestion was so bad last month that I started taking extra strength Zantac twice a day. It's quite hard to describe because it's not indigestion from eating too much or from eating spicy. Not to be gross but it's like throwing up in your mouth and constantly feeling as if the food you ate hours ago is coming back up your throat. At my last checkup my doctor prescribed 24-hr indigestion medication. I have to say it has helped tremendously. I still find it odd that I am taking way more meds than I ever did pre-pregnancy.
The nesting has started! I scrubbed my shower today with bleach first, then oxyclean, and finally vinegar to get the grout clean (a trick I saw on hgtv today). The nursery is done, and my hospital bag is partially packed (meaning it's out of the closet and contains a breast pump, my pajamas, and the baby's going home outfit.) The only thing left is washing everything which I hope to do when school gets out in a few weeks. In the meantime, I still have a Christmas tree to put up and tons of Christmas shopping to do. January 11th can't get here fast enough for me!

3D/4D ultrasound

The 3D/4D ultrasound was amazing! It is so cool that you can see your baby's face. If I do say so myself he is adorable and we can't wait to meet him.

The Diabetes Test
The gestational diabetes test was the same day as the ultrasound. I got up at 7:15 and starting drinking my orange sugar drink. I had to drink it all in 5 minutes and half way through I really thought I was going to puke. I will say that making sure that the drink is cold is key to keeping it down. So as soon as I finished the drink, showered, and got dressed we were on our way to the doctor's office. We had to make it there within 1 hour of finishing the drink to have my blood drawn. I was nauseous and had to pee the entire way and it took us 15 minutes longer than usual because of 8:00 traffic. Thank God we left earlier than usual. We made it on time and the nurse took my blood first thing.
A few days later we got the results...my iron levels were normal and no diabetes. I feel so blessed to have had no major issues thus far and hope to deliver a healthy boy in about 8 weeks.

Baby Shower

Jennifer hosted a fabulous baby shower for us this past weekend at her house. I feel so blessed to have such thoughtful and giving friends and family.

Thanks

I am reminded through several dear friends experiences this past week that I am truly blessed to be carrying a child.

For all my complaining this has been a healthy pregnancy thus far and I am grateful.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Nursery Pictures

Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Elizabeth for all their help painting and putting things together! I just love it!

30 week update

Unfortunately the morning sickness has reared its ugly head the last couple of weeks. No vomiting yet.... just nausea and slowed digestion. (This may be a good thing since it will keep me from eating everything in sight.) The ravenous hunger has subsided and hopefully there is not too much weight left to be gained.

Baby Verno is flip flopping and stretching all the time and is currently still sideways (head on left and feet tucked under). I am told that he will turn on his own into the head down drop position sometime before he arrives (hopefully).. My mom has a bit of a horror story about my sister being in the breach position and a large nurse sitting on her stomach in the delivery room trying to turn my little sister's body around. Whatever the nurse did..it worked because Miranda did not come into the world via C-section.

Chris is and has been on a diet for the last two months and has been working with a personal trainer. When I say diet I mean absolutely no white products..no sugar unless natural...no flour unless wheat..no chips..no ice cream..no dessert. Just lean protein, wheat bread/wraps, veggies, and fruit. Guess what I am cooking right now?? Homemade 100% whole wheat pita chips for my husband to have with his lunch this week.

As a result of all of this I have eaten all the junk food in the house or have had to throw it away.

I am curious as to why the two extremes with husbands...some put on the pregnancy weight with you..while others decide to lose weight and be healthier.
Why not just maintain?

I am glad that my hubby chose the latter for his own health and well being. On the flip side I am a bit envious of his muscular figure, and of his weight loss............just not enough to give up my baby or my daily dose of chocolate.

29 weeks

11 weeks to go!!!

24 week belly shot

I am a month behind on this I know..but we still don't have a camera and I am tied to disposables for now.

28 week dr visit

There were a few nights this month where I woke up with tightening in my stomach. I felt like I needed to stretch it out... like a leg cramp or something, and the last few days I have been feeling a little crampy. Of course I told the doctor all this and she deemed it necessary to check my cervix (tightly closed) and put me on a fetal monitor for 20 minutes during my visit today. There were no contractions during that 20 minutes and the baby's heart rate was normal as well.

Everything else was good..blood pressure was fine still, and I am now going to see the doctor every two weeks with the next appt. being the gestational diabetes test and the 3D/4D ultrasound session which will be very cool. Thanks for all the prayers last time. This week I am humbly requesting that you pray that I don't puke the orange drink and have to drink it again.

Emotional September

This was me last month. Crying about everything. The good news is that I have been free of tears for a little over a week now. It's nice to know I am not losing it and that these emotions are normal.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy

My dad bought me The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy at a yard sale. I would highly recommend it to any first time pregnant lady who needs a good laugh or some inside information that only a friend would divulge.

I wanted to share the Top 10 Greatest lies about Pregnancy from this book with you.

10

Lamaze works.

9

Morning sickness is gone by lunch.

8

Maternity clothes are so much cuter now.

7

You will have your pre-pregnancy body back in 3 months especially if you nurse.

6

Lotion/Oils prevents stretch marks.

5

Pregnant women have the most beautiful skin and hair.

4

"I swear, Your face hasn't changed at all."

3

Pregnancy brings a man and woman closer together, (yeah you and your obgyn!)

2

"You haven't gotten big anywhwere but your belly!"

1

Pregancy only lasts nine months.

26 weeks

Here's what the online site I read each week says about the baby this week.

How your baby's growing: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Here's what is says about me this week:
If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief.

I will officially be at the end of 6 months on Oct. 11. I can't believe that there are 3 months to go. I am so ready to meet my little boy!

The last month has been different. I am really starting to feel pregnant physically. The baby is moving a lot and I am bigger than I was a couple of months ago. I am less flexible already and am starting to have trouble putting on my socks and shoes.

My legs get tired if I stand for more than an hour like they used too after a hard run. I get tired by the time my night class meets on the days I work and I tend to rush through the lesson on days I don't feel up to it.

My heart beats fast after climbing a flight of stairs, and I can't seem to comfortably run anymore. I have been officially forced to walk.

Cleaning my house wears me out like you wouldn't believe and trying to clean a bathtub with a big baby belly is a joke. Even mopping makes my back hurt.

I don't wear heels or sandals to work anymore because standing on concrete in heels or no support shoes is a back breaker for even non pregnant women.

Chris is concerned I am going to turn into a prune since I am currently taking a long hot bath at the end of every day.

I bought a new round of shirts last weekend as all of mine are too short and completely inappropriate for work. I was able to get a couple of maternity shirts online on sale at Gap and Old Navy Maternity, and bought a couple of larger sized shirts on sale at J Crew.

And I have been eating everything in sight. I finally had an appetite this past month and as long as I had my zantac I could pretty much eat as I pleased as long as I stay away from onions, and or fatty foods. Luckily, dessert has always been my thing and believe me when I tell you I have over indulged. I am starting to think that my baby might actually come out and ask for a Reese's peanut butter cup or a chocolate chip cookie.

My next dr's appt is next week and we will officially be in the third trimester then. Pray for no high blood pressure and no high blood sugar!

almost 24 weeks

If anyone wasn't sure before that I am pregnant, then they are now positive. I am huge. Or rather.... I feel huge. Or both. I am noticing that strangers are starting to notice and I catch many people staring at my belly which I find a bit creepy. I am glad that so far, no stranger has attempted to palm my belly.

Rain Rain Go Away

It has been the rainiest summer/early fall I can remember. I am definitely a sunny weather person and all this rain is starting to get to me. Normally I could embrace an occasional rainy day and can, by staying in, curling up to watch a movie, or read a good book. Rain however is no fun if you have to be out in it.

I have already told you of my parking experience at SWCC and it hasn't changed much. This week I managed to get an employee spot 2 out of the 4 times I had to park. Even if I manage to get a close spot I do have to walk quite a bit to get to the building that I teach in. As I said earlier, normally this would not be an issue were it not for..............................................................................

Maternity Pants.

Actually I shouldn't call them maternity pants because they aren't actually made for maternity wear. I happened to find a pair of Khaki pants at Dillards with an elastic waist (great!) but with no drawstring.

BIG MISTAKE

Picture the big pregnant lady trying to walk to her car in the pouring rain pulling a luggage bag full of school supplies, holding an umbrella, all while her pants are slowly falling down to her knees with every step she takes.

I had to stop every 5-6 steps to tuck my umbrella under my chin all while my bag and the bottom of my pants were getting soaked just so I could pull up my pants that were quickly creeping down.

By the time I got to the parking lot I was ready to just take the pants off and walk in my underwear to the car. Not to mention there were students everywhere of course this whole time who I am sure thought I was a crazy person stopping every 10 ft to hike up my pants to my breasts. I have learned a valuable lesson through all of this..and will not be wearing those pants in the rain again.


This week's fun pregnancy facts:

I got my first leg cramp this week. It only lasted an afternoon. According to the Internet this happens due to potassium and calcium levels being out of whack.

The heartburn is back, I had one really bad night where nothing worked and I was up until 2:00 a.m.
I am now taking mylanta and zantac almost every day. And I have to remember to stay away from onions and tomatoes as a combo.

The 2 best things about pregnancy at this point (besides the baby of course) are the long healthy nails, and the bigger boobs. I am already up a whole cup size,(I had to buy new bra today), which I am thinking is crazy...because I keep hearing that they are not even as big as they are going to get when I am nursing.

I am already feeling fake contractions (tightening that doesn't hurt) my doc says I should drink 3 cups of water when that happens. I find it amusing that the answer to everything is drink more water, take a tylenol, or eat more fiber.

My most recent pregnancy paranoid thought is that I need to buy a mattress pad for my bed. My fear is that my water will break while I am asleep and ruin my mattress. (Yes I know there is not a good chance of this happening) I also know that my husband will notice and hate it if I cover my mattress in plastic the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy.

The nursery is slowly coming together...pics to come! It's looking really cute.

The baby is moving a lot more now. Mostly at night when I am trying to get to sleep. He must be training me for the future. :)

22 weeks 4 days Dr. visit

Today was my 22 week visit. As you know at my last visit we had an ultrasound and normally would not be scheduled for another one until the 3rd trimester. Lucky for me the machine ate my DVD recording of the ultrasound last time so I got to have another ultrasound today. This time I took my mom with me. This was her first time ever to see an ultrasound since they didn't do them back when she was pregnant with me or my sister. It was amazing! We are so lucky to have a son.

As for me the doctor said my weight and blood pressure was fine, and she measured my belly for the first time. I forgot to ask what the exact measurement was but she said it was good too. I asked her about the flu shot and the H1N1 shot. She said that I should get the flu shot today (which I did), and that the H1N1 shot was not available yet but could be in October. My mother asked if it was safe. She said that she believed it was if the CDC recommended it. She also gave me an informational handout on the H1N1 virus and told me to call if I experienced flu like symptoms or if I was in contact with anyone who had the flu.

Picture takin'

My mom borrowed a camera from a friend of hers so that we could try it out. The lens on our old camera is broken and we need to get a new one-- especially for pics of the new baby. I thought this one took good pictures, it's a non digital Cannon EOS rebel K2. My only complaint is that it's not digital of course, and I am not sure of the brand new price in digital form. I am sure it is pretty pricey.

The first two pics are of flowers in my backyard, the second of ginger bread cookies I made, and the last is our dog Job (named after Job in the bible). He's blind and lately very protective of me in my pregnant state.

Just bragging

My husband Chris was voted the #1 Favorite Local Sports Radio Personality,
Favorite Local Sports Radio Program and Favorite Sports Blogsite this year at the 2009 M awards. We attended the 12th annual Sports Ball last weekend to celebrate his achievements at Minglewood Hall and had a great time. The proceeds from the Sports Ball went to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Memphis Inc. Congratulations Chris! We love you and are very proud of you!

Baby Verno's a kicker

The baby's kicking and moving around a whole lot more. Chris felt his first little kick Friday night. Amazing and Unforgettable!

the maze

This semester I am teaching at two campuses. I am teaching in the afternoon at my regular campus and I picked up a morning class at the Union campus which is downtown. This is proving to be a mistake on my part. I took the class for the extra money but it is turning out to be more of a hassle than a blessing.

This is how the first day of school went on Monday. I left home early, it was a beautiful day, I had actually slept 9 hours, gotten up, ran, ate breakfast, showered, and put on full makeup (for me that's mascara, eyeshadow, and lipstick), I even managed to fix my hair. I was in a great mood and ready to start the first day of school off right.

I left at 9:15 knowing I needed to be early to find my new classroom and get set up.

All was well until I reached campus at 9:50 and realized that there was no parking. No, I am not talking about employee parking...I am talking about any parking at all. I drove around for 30 minutes and even looked on the street. There were people parked everywhere and no parking signs everywhere as well.

So I did what any pregnant women would do in my position..I parked illegally in the employee parking lot with my legal parking tag. I parked on a curb, not blocking anyone or anything. My class is from 10:50 to 12:20.

Once I parked I found my classroom pretty easily and immediately realized that I am not in a Math building...which would be fine....except that I had the smallest chalkboard on the planet..no garbage can, no eraser, no overhead projector....nothing. Keep in mind in the math building they have dry erase boards, real projectors, and document writers...way more advanced than what I was dealing with.

I just sighed and decided not to worry about it until I talked to my department head.

I had a few minutes before class so I walked down to the adjunct/evening office and asked if the student worker could call and get an overhead projector for me, and possibly some more chairs since there were only 15 desks in my class and 20 people registered. He was very nice and said, "OF COURSE!".

Class started and 5 people sat on the floor in the hot windowless cave I am teaching in.

30 minutes later the student worker came to me with a note and said he was sorry but that he couldn't get anything and that I should contact this lady on the post-it he handed me. The woman on the note was my department's secretary at the other campus, one of the 5 people I know who work at SWCC, and what is even funnier is that she has nothing to do with overhead projectors or chairs at the Union campus.

I left class feeling a bit defeated, reached my car, and found a $15 parking ticket and a we will tow note.

I emailed my department head and he agreed to try to get me some chairs by wed. class, no promise of an overhead or any tables or desks for these chairs. In his defense he tried to request me a different classroom, and was DENIED.

I knew at that point that I was going to have to resort to my own devices in order to make this all work out.

Fast forward to this morning, I am checking my email and I get two emails from the president of the school. One says that the Union campus is crazy and that I should be patient with students about being late to class because of the parking, haha...and the second email is an encouraging letter on how we should be working extra hard to retain the 13,000 students we have this year. Funny she expects students to want to attend a class that is in a hot, windowless, technologyless, box with too few desks and chairs. Can you hear me laughing????

Anyway, today I missed my morning run so that I could get to school early enough to basically get my own overhead projector and chairs and desks even though really the extra desks weren't going to fit in the room because it is TOO SMALL for 20 people.

Today I left at 8:45. I got there at 9:15 and there was no parking again. I asked a campus police officer who was standing in the full parking lot what I should do mainly where I should park legally..he shrugged his shoulders. So I drove 1/2 mile down union and parked at MLGW and walked dragging my rolling suitcase just praying I wouldn't get another ticket.

Once I got to school it took me about 5 minutes to find one large table and a couple of desks. My plan was to move out two small desks and put in a large table and jam three people there, and I was hoping to squeeze in 3 more desks somewhere. These people were already practically sitting on top of one another.

After that it took me about 10 minutes to find an overhead projector on wheels, (I promised my mother I would not try to carry one all over campus..they are quite heavy and I still had my rolling bag and purse to carry), which would have been great, had I not been on the 3rd floor of building F.

At that point I thought I was golden. I was stuck in the tiny room but at least I could teach the first lesson today using the overhead.

So I am sure you are dying to know what could possibly be wrong now.
Well, my building is E and my classroom is on the first floor. I know you are thinking what I did which is that I will take the elevator to the first floor of F and get off and push the cart to building E outside which is not that far from building F..maybe 40 yards.

Nope....not gonna happen because there are steps to get outside and inside both buildings which I cannot go down pushing a cart. So I asked a nice man what I should do....he said I should go back up to the third floor and ask someone up there how to get to building E using the crosswalks between buildings....seemed easy enough right???

From F I went to A to B to E which took at least 15 minutes and I got on the elevator....took it to the first floor which was the gym...there were two exits... one with stairs and one that led outside..my only option at this point... one of the two or get back on the same elevator. I chose the outdoor option. I get outside and see about 50 stairs at a steep incline and a main road behind me and realize that the main road route would take me an hour if I could even make it all the way around the campus again pushing this cart, and of course you can't push a cart up stairs.

A young lady saw me staring at all those stairs contemplating and took pity on me and said she would help me carry it up all those stairs. I almost said ok but then remembered the baby and decided to go back inside and get back on the elevator....but I couldn't because I was locked out.

Luckily the young lady waited to see if I got in..she saw that I was locked out and had to run up the 50 stairs around and in the building to let me in. Thank God for her!

Once I got back in I got back on the elevator and went up one level and finally made it to E on the first floor with a new set of directions, and to my room with only 5 minutes to spare. I had some male students carry and cram in one table and one desk.

Luckily three people didn't show today, so we had enough chairs, and only one person fell asleep during class....

Still no babymoon

The past couple of weeks have been rough, luckily school starts on Monday, so at least I have been able to sleep through some of it. The running turned to walking or the elliptical machine at the gym this week. It was just too hot and I didn't wake up early enough to beat the heat. The sickness has come back this week and along with it plenty of frustration and some tears. Although, Chris was very sweetly waiting for me with a wet washcloth at midnight the other night, which of course just made me cry harder.

Mostly the sickness is from eating which is something that I used to enjoy. I don't seem to be able to eat anything rich or prepared in a restaurant ---fast food or four star if it's fattening or full of salt like... french fries, Huey's cheeseburger, Fleming's Filet Mignon, or Memphis style barbeque...I can't seem to stomach it. It taste great going down but I end up paying for it later. I really thought this would happen later when my stomach is the size of a grapefruit. I am worried what I will eat then. As for the tears they are probably just a result of rising hormones and frustration about not feeling good. Chris asked me the other night if pregnancy was what I expected...and
of course my answer was no on so many levels.

The negative first:
I really expected to love every aspect of being pregnant, and that disappoints me.
I have been sick most of my pregnancy up to this point and have had few happy, energetic, feeling good days.
I find that I am worn out quickly and sore from any type of physical work.
And of course there is the occasional anxiety "Are we really mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually ready for this?"

The positives now...
I love my baby more than anything in this world and I am so excited to meet him.
We have a wonderful supportive family that will guide us through this process and we will learn a lot along the way.
I know that we are capable because if we weren't God would not have blessed us this way.
My hope is that all of this will be forgotten when I meet my first-born son.

2 years

My 2 year wedding anniversary was yesterday. Chris and I celebrated with dinner out last night at Fleming's. Confession: I did miss the wine though.

I can't believe how fast the last 2 years has passed. I am so lucky to be married to such a supportive, loving man.

Halfway there

My soon to be nursery is currently a junk room. It is filled with furniture that fits no where else in the house, old algebra and geometry tests, old teaching notes, file boxes, sports memorabilia, and anything else that I haven't felt like carrying up the stairs to the attic in the last year. And as you can see is currently a goldish yellow. I thought about going with a neutral that I wouldn't have to repaint but decided to go with a traditional light blue. I am hoping to paint this week. The crib, changing table, and rocker are here (still in the box of course) just waiting to be opened and put together. I am most excited about the rocker that I will be rocking my baby to sleep in a few months.

There were 2 consignment sales this past weekend at a church and a the agricenter. We got some great stuff for very cheap including a high chair and and a baby carrier (both practically new). Chris thinks Mom and I have gone a bit crazy with all the baby stuff, (being I am only 5 months preggers) but really I have always done things way in advance. I had papers done in college weeks before they were actually due. Plus, I figure why wait?

School doesn't start until next week, so I have all week to start decorating or at least planning. I am supposed to teach up until Dec. 16. I am already worrying that the baby will be early and I will have to deal with final exams and grades and a newborn all at once. Although since I am worried about it I am sure he will be like 2 weeks late...just to mock my eagerness. Only God knows.

As for me I have been feeling a bit more energetic lately..not as many naps, but that is probably because I have been getting like 9-10 hours of sleep each night.

I haven't had any crazy cravings like pickles or anything, and haven't actually puked in 3 weeks.

I am having a lot more trouble running for some reason. I think I am just adjusting to the breathlessness, the extra weight, and the lower blood pressure.

I have had some back pain this last week, and the headaches come and go. I am already halfway through the bottle of Tylenol I bought when I found out I was pregnant. I miss Advil. :(

I am still standing and sitting too quickly....I am stubborn but slowly figuring out that it doesn't hurt if you do it slowly. I have felt little kicks, pokes, and jabs on the inside the last week or so but none that Chris can feel yet. I can't wait for that day!

I can't believe that I am halfway there only 20 weeks to go!

A small gift

Chris got Pei Wei for lunch after our doctors appointment today...His fortune read, "A small gift can bring joy to the whole family." Perfect right?

That small gift weighs 8 ounces today and is doing great! Two hands, Two feet, two kidneys, a perfect beating heart, a stomach, and a very intelligent brain. I know...I know... an ultrasound cannot tell my baby's IQ but I can't help but be proud and overjoyed that he is healthy. That's right! IT'S A BOY! Chris and I are just thrilled and can't wait to meet our son. Now I have to go because I have to start dreaming up the perfect nursery for my little boy.

Feelin' Good

Finally! I woke up this morning feeling good.

I am 18 weeks today and looking forward to the next doctor's appointment. when we find out the sex of the baby! The good news is that we may find out sooner than I thought. The lady that sets the appointments at the doctor's office says I can call and get in on a cancellation possibly. Maybe I will know by my next post! This screening is not only for the sex but to check my baby's fingers, toes, organs-- basically his or hers overall health. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we have a healthy baby...boy or girl.

Honeymoon period????

This past weekend my sister and her fiance came into town for her birthday. We had a nice dinner out with family. I am hiding my baby bump in this pic...:)

Tonight is my last night of summer school and I am looking forward to a short break before the fall semester starts. My poor husband hasn't had dinner cooked for him in over a month and I am glad I will get to eat dinner before 8:30p.m.

Pregnancy update:

For the most part the all day nausea is gone and I haven't actually thrown up in a week...(I am not holding my breath on that one though).

I am still trying to run however lately it seems to have turned into walking some ...and jogging some (then again it is 95 degrees outside), and as noted in a previous post I am going to try to do yoga once a week.

I have been pretty forgetful and distracted (as is expected I am sure) though I am worried my students question my intellect and sanity at times.

My clothes do not fit and it is a challenge to find something that I feel good in on a daily basis.

When I hit the end of 17 weeks the first and second night I had heartburn and indigestion. The first night I had watermelon as a snack before I went to bed and a cup of hot tea. The second night I had my dinner too late because of school. I tried milk and tums. I slept 6 hours the first night and 4 hours the second night. By the third day I was exhausted and annoyed. I eventually found that if I cut off drinking and eating 3 hours before bed and if I take extra strength liquid mylanta that I can sleep heartburn and indigestion free.

I have heard from everyone that the second trimester is the best time in the pregnancy. Someone called it the honeymoon period of the pregnancy. I beg to differ at this point...however I haven't felt Baby Verno move yet so maybe when that happens I will feel differently.

Here's a pic where you can see my baby bump...does it look like a girl or a boy???This pic was taken the same day as the other one. I am 16 weeks and 5 days in this photo.

Yoga?

I am currently bored with TV, and staying in, so today I decided to try something new. I was surfing the net earlier this week and happened to stumble upon a prenatal yoga class at Midtown Yoga that started this morning at 9:00 a.m and ended at 10:15a.m. The instructor looked harmless enough from the website picture and the class description said that it was for beginners, which was perfect for me.
Normally I would not be interested in this type of exercise. I am an avid gym goer, and runner, and typically the classes I attend are high intensity total body workouts like kickboxing, or spinning usually. I have never been to a Pilates, Yoga, Weight lifting, Zumba, or Aerobics class. My thought was that these classes were boring and too easy. And secretly I have always thought that I would not get a good enough workout doing them, and that I would have to run also. Two hours of exercise a day is a bit much even for me.
With all that said, now that I am pregnant I am having trouble keeping up the same intense workout. I can't run for 50 minutes every day as I used too and my doctor asked that I keep my heart rate below 145 during exercise. I almost laughed when she said 145 since my heart rate is usually in the 160s for a good portion of my workout. I am digressing. So, back to the class.
I told you that I haven't ever been to a yoga class... which is true...however I did try yoga at home once with a DVD. This was a disaster. It felt great while I was doing it, but I overdid it of course and couldn't even sit on the toilet the next day without almost bursting into tears. Who knew that stretching could be so strenuous? So you can imagine that I was a bit nervous attending the class today. But actually it turned out great. There were only three people in the class (so the instructor was able to help us), and I got to bond a bit with some other pregnant ladies. It was fun, and more challenging than I expected. When I left I felt relaxed, and happy, almost as if I had just had a massage. As for whether I am attending the next prenatal yoga class or not...the verdict is out until tom. ......when I try to sit on the toilet.

16 week check up

My 16 week appointment was today! Baby Verno and I are doing well. I was going to post a picture and let you try and guess the sex, but our camera is currently broken... so that will have to wait till at least the next post.
I am officially showing and down to a couple of pairs of pants/shorts. One of my students (female) asked me after class this week if I was pregnant...she is the only person who has noticed and had the nerve to say anything. I guess the other 25 people in that class just think I am getting fat.
Since I am down to a couple of pairs of pants, my mom was kind enough to take me shopping for maternity clothes. We got some great stuff. Thanks Mom!! It was nice to put something on and not feel like I looked fat or like I was trying to squeeze into something that was too small.
The next dr.'s appointment is in a few weeks and is the sex screening ultrasound which will be recorded on DVD. (how cool is that?)
What's your guess?
Chinese Birth Chart says Girl
Wedding Ring test (to and fro) says Boy
I have been craving meat, milk, lemons, oranges, cherries, melons, and bananas.
Heartbeat was 159 at 8 weeks, 155 at 12 weeks, and 154 at 16 weeks.
I am carrying low.
Stay tuned for a pic.....

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

The last few days I have been craving biscuits. To me there is not much better than a hot homemade biscuit fresh from the oven slathered in strawberry preserves or sorghum molasses. I remember as a kid going over to my granny's house where she would make me one of two things for breakfast---buttermilk biscuits with room temperature butter and molasses, or cinnamon toast.

Now, I love to cook and bake, but I am someone who appreciates modern convenience as well. I admit that for the last few years I have been buying Pillsbury Break and Bake cookies, and Pillsbury Southern Style frozen Buttermilk Biscuits.

About 6 months ago I made chocolate chip cookies from scratch, which I haven't done in years. I haven't bought Pillsbury cookies since. I was surprised how much better they were than Pillsbury (who happens to make a great, easy cookie), and it really didn't take that long.

I wondered if this may be true for other items we all have gotten away from making from scratch. There is currently a trend towards buying local, and towards foods with less preservatives and shorter ingredient lists. Organic is the new thing. To me organic doesn't have to mean a pricey item bought at the local Trader Joe's or Whole Foods Market. Organic to me means growing what you can at home, buying from your local farmers, eating at home more, and making things from scratch for better health. This buttermilk biscuit recipe has only 6 ingredients-- all of which I already had in my pantry and fridge. It took about 20 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to bake. And they were way better than the frozen ones.

Recipe is below: (Makes 5 biscuits) Serves 2-3 people

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cold vegetable shortening
3 tablespoons of cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup well shaken buttermilk
Butter for greasing pan

Preheat oven to 425 F. Line one baking sheet with parchment paper or grease with butter. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt by hand. Add the shortening, and butter and mix with your fingers or a fork until it is crumbly. Add the buttermilk and mix with your hands. The dough should be a moist ball when it is ready to roll. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough 1 inch thick. Add more flour to prevent sticking. Using a 3 Inch biscuit cutter cut the dough into rounds and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Note: I cut the recipe I found in half, but of course you can double it for a family of 4. If you don't have a biscuit cutter use a clean can (I used a clean tuna can).
Happy Baking!

Snoogle

So I have been having trouble sleeping since I became "with child". By trouble I mean one of two things, either it's "pregnancy insomnia" caused by any or all of the following; hormones and morning sickness, or anxiety about birth, parenting, finances, etc..., or I sleep so deep that I fall asleep in an uncomfortable position and stay in that position all night thus causing me to wake up and not be able to lift my arm in turn causing me to not be able to run or walk. Of course, I find this highly irritating.

Naturally, I am complaining about all of this to my best friend who so wisely recommends to me the Snoogle pillow. Now, let me preface this by saying that I did see this pillow before my friend recommended it to me, and I thought at first that this was possibly another pregnancy gimmick. I am getting ahead of myself.

The first pregnancy "gimmick" I bought was a tummy sash. I thought it would help me wear my jeans a bit longer by acting as a belt.

They called it "our solution to your mother's rubber band," which I thought was quite clever. I meant to ask my mother if she used a rubber band to hold her pants up in her early pregnancy days but haven't yet.

Anyway, this turned out to do as it said it would. It smoothed things out and keep my one size too small seven jeans up and looking good.

However, it felt like a girdle. And it was hot and maybe too small for me. I honestly don't know why any woman who is pregnant would go near this product. I was miserable for a least 2 hours before I decided that the $30 spent was going to have to be $30 lost.

As you can imagine I was a bit hesitant to spend $50 on a pregnancy pillow at this point since I am only 15 weeks at this point, and probably not near as uncomfortable as I will be in about 3 months. But I convinced myself that since I have refrained from buying any pregnancy books up to this point, that the Snoogle could and would be an investment, and my husband agreed that if it helped me sleep well then it was worth it.

So, I went to Babies r Us, bought the Snoogle, brought it home, and unpacked it. I was shocked at how well Snoogle justified it's $50 price tag with this amazing diagram.So last night was our first night with the Snoogle and I have to admit that I did sleep well and did not wake up with a sore shoulder or arm....which was fantastic..so thanks best friend..and Snoogle!!!!!

Books, Books, Books

Reading is and always has been one of my favorite things to do. When I was a kid my mom would take me to the library every week, and I would check out the biggest stack of books that I could carry. Every summer I read countless books. By the time I got to high school and college the "reading for fun" thing became obsolete. I had way too much reading to do that wasn't for fun. Since I finished graduate school a few years ago I have been reading like crazy. The books that I like are typically funny, happy, romantic at times, and easy to read. I usually browse the nearest Barnes and Noble until I find something I like, take it home, read it, and then buy every other book I can find by that same author.
Some of my favorites over the past few years have been.
Jennifer Crusie, Sophia Kinesella, Emily Giffen, Stephanie Meyer, and Jennifer Weiner.
Those that had the most impact were;
Remember Me? by Sophia Kinesella
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophia Kinesella

Something Blue by Emily Giffen

The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer

All of Jennifer Weiner's Books are great but if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be Little Earthquakes. I loved it before I was pregnant, so I am looking forward to reading it again.

I just finished two more great books this summer that I really liked. The first was a bit heavier than what I would normally pick up, but turned out to be unexpectedly funny.
1. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
This book is about family, home, life and being in that middle place where you are a parent and a daughter at the same time.
2. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.
This is a beautiful story about two best friends and their journey through three decades of friendship. It will take you back, suck you in, and make you miss your best friend. It's quite a long read but well worth it.

I am looking for my next book, if anyone has any recommendations send them my way....

Pregnancy update:
---still puking once every couple of days hoping that will end soon.

--sleeping better at night and not napping as much

--got a detailed bill for the pregnancy from the obgyn for the next nine months and was shocked at how much it costs just to give birth with insurance.

--bought my first pregnancy bra....by pregnancy bra I mean I bought the ugliest, most comfortable non under wire bra I could find at Target 1 size up from my normal size.

--still trying to run every day...but I am really walking most of the time because it is 100 degrees and humid.

13 week update

At this point I think everyone knows that we are expecting. It has been fun telling everyone and starting to plan for a new baby. I have already bought a few things that I just couldn't resist, and we have started saving money for baby items that we know we will need in a few months. It is very exciting. My 3 month check up was last week and the baby is doing great so far. The doctor says that I am doing well too.

As for the pregnancy symptoms they have not been exciting or enjoyable at all. At my first doctors appt. I found out that I was 8 weeks along. The doctor asked how I was feeling and my response was nauseous, tired, and moody. Her response was "Well, I don't have anything for moody, but I can give you some nausea medication." She also listed some other items that were supposed to help nausea, like arm bands, vitamin b suckers, etc... so I decided to try the meds. (they are a godsend)
At the time I had only been sick about 2 weeks.
I am now 13 weeks and 1 day and still getting sick which was confirmed this morning. (bummer) Last week was the worst week so far, for those of you that have been pregnant will know,that the only food I wanted was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had three last week.
I still find it interesting that many people told me to try eating crackers before I get out of bed, because unfortunately this has not worked for me. I guess this is the proof that every pregnancy is in fact different.
While nothing has worked in the morning when I am sick, I have found a few things that work for me during the day and at night. Peppermint Tea, Gatorade,
lemon heads, and graham or animal crackers.
I haven't had any really strong food aversions yet, not strong enough to make me puke at least, but I have eaten things that I used to love and have found them to be not as good as I remember.
So what have I been eating?
Well that poses an issue as well with all the pregnancy restrictions.
I knew before I went to my 8 week appt that I could not eat raw fish, that I had to limit caffeine, and that I had to take vitamins.
What I did not know was that I can not eat tuna at all which was one of my lunch staples. I also found that I can have cooked fish only twice a week. In addition to that I can't of course have much coffee (which might have been the hardest thing besides the tuna). If that wasn't bad enough I also am not allowed to eat deli meat unless it is steaming hot (gross), and any soft unpasteurized cheese is not allowed either. In addition to that I don't really like red meat, I only eat it maybe once a week, and fried or spicy foods tend to irritate the baby as well. On the up side all sugary snacks seem to sit well with me, which could be considered a plus except that I don't want to gain 100 pounds and I do not want to get pregnant diabetes either.
So I can eat chicken, pork, or cooked fish twice a week, any vegetable, any fruit, any bread, and I am supposed to limit sugar, and increase my calcium, and protein intake for the baby.
So I have been eating a ton of fruit, a ton of chicken, specifically chicken and brown rice or chicken and baked potatoes for dinner. For lunch I have been eating a lot of chicken salad. I have been drinking milk, eating yogurt, and cottage cheese when I can and have had the occasional bowl of ice cream. As a result of all the sickness and food issues I haven't gained much weight yet, though I am told it packs on in the second trimester. I also have been told that when the sickness ends I will be able to eat whatever I like, which I am very much so looking forward to.

A Wicked July 4th

Last night for the fourth of July my husband and I went to dinner and after to see the Broadway musical Wicked at the Orpheum. If you are not familiar with it Wicked is the untold story of the witches of oz; the wicked witch of the west, the wicked witch of the east, and Glinda the good witch. The star of the show was Marcie Dodd who played the lead Elphaba (the wicked witch of the west). She is fantastic, and rightly so since she plays Elphaba currently in the Broadway company of Wicked. Glinda's character is played by Helene York and she is everything you would expect of Glinda and more. Glinda has a beautiful soprano voice, is blond, and wears dresses that sparkle. Both are surprisingly funny in an Amy Poehler way. Overall the show is fantastic, the costumes were great, the singing, the musical score,..I can't think of a thing negative to say about it. It was also very kid friendly (I would say ages 8 and up), and the story has a great lesson for middle and high school kids. So, that is my ringing endorsement of Wicked. If you have the opportunity you should definitely go and see the show!
Before Wicked Chris and I discovered what we now call the hidden gem of Beale Street. Above BB King's is a hidden gem of a restaurant. I have been downtown many times in the last 3 years and never saw this restaurant. If you aren't looking for it you'll miss it, because there is no street side entrance. You have to go up a staircase from the street or into BB kings and upstairs to find the restaurant Itta Bena. I would describe the atmosphere as intimate, swanky, 1920s ish, and very cool. It's fine southern dining on Beale street, with reasonable prices, and the best she crab soup. The menu is southern contemporary cuisine with items such as Shrimp and Grits, Filet Mignon, and Grilled Halibut. They have a great bar, piano music, and an extensive beer and wine list. If you want a quiet place to grab a drink on Beale, trust me, it is unlike any other bar on the street.

Corn on the Cob

Today I spent my morning with 40 ears of corn on the cob. Corn has always been one of my favorite veggies. I grew up in a small town outside of the big city I now live in where my mom and dad had a huge backyard garden. Every year they grew corn, tomatoes, watermelon, peppers, squash, and cucumbers, just to name a few. My mom and dad would pick the vegetables, can, and/or freeze them for us to eat year round. So you could say that my dad's sweet corn, sweet pickles, and tomatoes are among my top comfort foods, along with my mom's roast beef.
At the end of June each year my dad brings me fresh corn and tomatoes from his garden. The tomatoes are so delicious that you could eat one like an apple. Chris and I will be having BLT's for the next two weeks. Tomatoes are what I call a low maintenance veggie, you just wash 'em and slice 'em. Fresh sweet corn however is a high maintenance veggie. First they must be shucked (outside of course in July heat with flies swarming so there are not tiny silky hairs all over your kitchen). Second they must be thoroughly checked for worms and bad spots (gross I know).

Third they have to be blanched in hot water, cooled, and last stored in freezer bags on the cob or Tupperware cut off the cob.
Now I know to a normal person this sounds like a lot of work for a vegetable that you can buy for $2.00 a bag in the frozen food section at Kroger. And I will say that you are right... it is a lot of work. I put up about 40 ears of corn today and it took me about 3 hours total from start to finish including clean-up. But I will tell you that there is nothing better than my dad's sweet corn on the cob or off the cob to comfort me year round.

The child within

As you can probably tell from this photo or if you already knew, I am expecting my first child in about 6 months. My husband and I are very excited and can't wait to meet our new baby! I find this cover to be hilariously out of date. It was a book given to me by my mom when she found out the news. It was a thoughtful gift regardless of the clearly 80s cover since this is the book my mother read when she was pregnant with me. No what's to expect when you are expecting for her!

So how did I find out I was pregnant?

Well, it's funny because the top signs for pregnancy are what they have been for many years.

1. Missed period
2. Sore breasts
3. Nausea
4. Frequent urination
5. heartburn
Oh and the famous disclaimer: Every pregnancy is different, lots of people don't have any trouble at all.

I even remembered my friends and mother mentioning one or more of these symptoms. I'm not sure though that I ever really thought about the fact that you could experience all and many more symptoms at the same time, or how extreme they actually were.

So, I have devised my own list so that if by some chance I become crazy or forget what it felt like in the first three months of my pregnancy.

1. Marathon runner's fatigue.
I am a runner and this is the only way I can think to describe it. I felt fatigue as if I had run a marathon that day. (Keep in mind I currently work, and run 3-5 miles 6 days a week.)
2. Sore breasts.
So sore that it's excruciating to even wear a bra much less run in a sports bra. (which I did)
3. Nausea/morning sickness. ( most days in the first 3 months)
morning sickness is not always in the morning and could last all day. This is nausea that is only treatable with pregnancy prescription pills. Eating a few crackers did not help nor did sprite or ginger ale. It woke me up every morning and was there some nights before I went to bed as well.
4. Vomiting. ( I know pregnancy is so glamorous) It was only in the morning for me, and it didn't seem to matter whether I ate or not. I actually threw up sprite and crackers one morning.
5. Increased sense of smell.
I first noticed the smell thing when I magically could smell my students gum as if it was right under my lip.
6. Slowed digestion
now this one was interesting for me because I always thought that the pregnancy symptom with digestion was heartburn. (I haven't experienced that yet, I hear that will come later.) With me, it was a constant feeling of being full as if I had just eaten a huge meal. This did keep me from overeating which is a plus.
7.and last Moodiness.
All the books say that moodiness is expected. Your body is adjusting to all the hormonal changes and happy days and sad days are expected. For me this was one of the hardest symptoms to deal with. I am someone who is active and likes to be in control. The moodiness made me feel out of control at times and that was and is frustrating. Luckily my husband is very understanding and can recognize when the hormones are talking, so he hasn't left me yet.

I believe now at least that pregnancy and labor is as God said in the bible and in the book my mother gave me.

John 16:20
And Jesus said, "Your weeping shall suddenly be turned to wonderful joy. It will be the same joy as that of a woman in labor when her child in born--her anguish gives place to rapturous joy and all pain is forgotten."


Forgotten being the key phrase here. This explains why every women I have ever spoken to about pregnancy describes it as a wonderful and amazing experience. The truth is that it's not easy all 40 weeks, but it is worth it and every horrible symptom is completely understandable. I am currently taking care of another human being inside of my body. Now I think it was silly of me to expect it all to be a breeze.

Best Low Fat Chocolate Cake Ever

Like most women I am addicted to chocolate. I confess I indulge in chocolate every day. On any given day you will find in my house, homeade chocolate chip cookies, milk chocolate candy bars dipped in peanut butter, hershey's kisses, brownies, Muddy's bake shop cupcakes, snickers, milky way bars,..the list goes on and on. Therefore I decided in the spirit of better health, that I should try to find a low fat version of something that resembles chocolate. Not any of those fake low fat desserts full of carbs, artificial sweeteners, and high fructose corn syrup, but something good and good for me. So I went to Target and bought The Best Life Diet Cookbook by Bob Greene. At first I was put off by the recipes in this book that did not sound delicious to me...Roasted beets with horseradish, Warm Pea Soup, Leek and Mushroom Breakfast Pie...I mean come on, I refuse to sacrifice flavor for fat. Alas I reached the dessert section where the common diet cookbook culprits are fruit, ricotta cheese, and more fruit. This is what I found.

Whole Wheat Couscous Pudding (seriously who wants wheat for dessert?)
Grape crumble (made with olive oil, honey, grapes, oatmeal, and fat free milk)gross
Summer Pudding ( made with a whole wheat wrap, sour cream, and fresh berries) gross again

As you can imagine I was greatly disappointed until I saw two recipes that I thought I might actually like. Lemon Oatmeal Cookies, and at last..drum roll please....Chocolate Cake.

The headline above this recipe in Bob Greene's cookbook speaks the truth.
It Reads:
Forget about death by chocolate-these individual chocolate cakes are a smart way to indulge.

Trust me they are great, and they got a thumbs up from my husband Chris as well.
Honestly, they remind me of those oversized chocolate muffins people buy with 500 calories and 25 grams of fat. These are super easy to make and keep in a airtight container at least a week.

Recipe below: Makes 5 muffins (I doubled it of course for the week)
1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons Canola oil
2 tablespoons Hersheys unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 cup water
Pam Cooking Spray

1. Dump everything in a bowl and mix by hand until the lumps disappear about 1 minute.

2. Coat a muffin tin with cooking spray. Pour the batter into individual cups.

3. Bake at 350F about 20 minutes or until the muffins pass the toothpick test.

Nutritional information:
Calories:180
Protein: 2g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 13 g
Total Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Calcium: 4 mg
Sodium: 164 mg