End of Summer

I'm sad to see summer going, but the weather hasn't been that great, and sitting inside NOT spending money has gotten a little monotonous.  I've read a lot of books, and much to Cody's chagrin, I now have to read for a while so I can fall asleep at night.

Our karate kid is in sync with our little dog.  6 AM sharp is the wake up call.  That could be a good thing in a few days here.  All the little movements are becoming more and more noticeable as the weeks go on. 

At my last Dr's appointment I was upset to learn there was an even more extensive list of things you need to "avoid during pregnancy".  That list now includes, but is CERTAINLY NOT LIMITED to: coffee (caffeine actually - how do they really think you can keep track of tea, coffee, chocolate, diet/regular pop etc. intake?  Caffeine fuels the world - but you have to quit), sushi, smoked meats, deli meats, soft cheeses, alcohol, soy (or plant estrogens - whatever else those are in), lots of tuna, lots of kinds of fish actually.  And THEN I was told that I SHOULD eat fish once a week - no more - no less, red meat, often but not every day and lots of protein. 

At this point I am wondering how on earth you are supposed to GAIN weight (I'm sure I'll eat these words soon) when all you can eat are vegetables and fruit (watch those pounds just pack on), chicken and turkey (both of which I used to love, and now loathe.  I am an oppressed omnivore. 

I  used to like cooking, now I hate planning meals and grocery shopping.  I have however found many tasty renditions of an egg/well-cooked turkey bacon sandwich with lots of veggies.  All I have to say is poor Cody.  He actually stopped at the grocery just to pick up a package of bratwursts this week. 

Were there not healthy babies born before any of this was studied?  I certainly don't think any of my ancestors or relatives are horribly disfigured or failed to thrive because their mother ate sandwich meat, or drank coffee AND had diet pop.    But how horrible would it would be to get listeria from sandwich meat?  I could never forgive my self.  I'll stick with these wacky eating rules for the next 17 weeks and then... Bring on the good stuff - I'm sure they have some weird diet for breastfeeding too.

This week was the first time strangers could tell I was pregnant and commented.  It feels nice to look pregnant instead of looking like I have a penchant for fast food, or a beer gut.

                                                        22 weeks and finally a sunny day!

Welcome

21 Weeks

Welcome family and friends!  I'm so far away from many of you these days, I wanted to post all of the exciting changes that are happening to our little family.  Cody, Lil' Smokie and I are expanding our little brood on December 26th, 2010.  We've been told it's a little boy!  I'm officially outnumbered.  I guess that's fair since girls outnumbered boys 4 to 2 growing up.

If my husband is any indication of how energetic this little boy is going to be, we just might be in for it.  He's not happy unless he has projectS on the go.

We recently started going through a baby name book and highlighting the names we liked, so that we don't sit together and just shoot name choices down.  It's amazing how tainted some names can be for you by the time you are 26.  Some names I used to love, I could never use because of people I have meet/know.   Anyway, Cody highlighted "Hannibal" as one of the names he liked.  My heart sunk; this just may be more of a challenge that I thought.  What seemed like an eternity later, and after a strong and convincing defense of the name, the next morning he told me it was a joke.  PHEWF.

I start work again in a couple weeks and am anxious to get as much done for our arrival as I can before then.  The school year comes on with a BANG.  September jumps right into reading assessments and curriculum objectives, Health Committee and Choir.   First report cards are handed in 9 weeks after the school year starts.   Then there's the swimming week... (which I love, but have not done with grades one and two before).  Oh, and have I mentioned that this year we are writing and performing our own Production to be put on in early December?  Health Committee also puts on a big to-do 'Haunted House' at Halloween and plans a school Wide Winterfest (super fun outdoor winter carnival).  I think there is enough work done at our school from September to December 17th for the entire school year.

The more I think about it, the less guilty I feel about spending my summer in Houston relaxing, and at home walking the doggy and going to the gym.  I do truly appreciate these luxuries while they exist.  I imagine next summer will be quite different.

XOXO

Lil' Smokes is lying at my feet right now, keeping the warm and cozy.  This sweet little face is in for some changes too.  He's a spoiled rotten wiener dog with a heart of gold.

Or Lil' Smoke Monster says 'hi' to his Texas buds!