Pregnancy is a Piece of Cake!! Or Not...

So, I totally got busted by my doctor last week! During my last appointment my doctor had asked me what I ate for breakfast that morning- and after a painfully long pause--I then sheepishly replied… “Cake!!” This response was of course immediately followed by a scolding, that more or less resembled me cowering with my tail between my legs and my doctor standing over me waving her finger, while hitting me about the snout with a rolled up newspaper!! Okay, that really didn't happen, but for dramatic purposes... Let's just say that it did!! Apparently, my blood sugar levels have been a little on the high side, thus beginning the portion of my pregnancy, that I will now bitterly refer to as "The Great Cake Ban of 2011!!".

Yes, it is true!! No more cake for me! Well, let's be reasonable, the doctor did say that I need to WATCH my sugar intake! So that to me would translate to--limited cake! After all the baby really likes cake and of course it is what I have been craving! I am being a responsible parent and making sure that what little cake I do consume--needs to be washed down with a glass of milk! Therefore creating a more balanced diet!

In all fairness--I have been doing a lot better! After my scolding--I have only had one piece of cake (with milk!), this is opposed to the week before my doctor's appointment where I had more or less devoured about 3 boxes of the Little Debbie's Snack Cakes! So you see there is improvement!! Also, this past week instead of cake for breakfast--I have opted for a healthier breakfast which consists of a bowl of Multigrain Cheerios and a banana! And I have been consistently eating more healthy snacks, such as low fat Cheez-its and grapes!

I am by no means perfect! But for the sake of my health and my baby's health--I vow to do better with my diet and watch my sugar intake! And by extension, making the remainder of my pregnancy a piece of cake!! I mean piece of fruit!! I meant piece of fruit!

Fat like Pudgy

Me and Pudgy

Okay, so I am fat! I get it! Maybe it is because I am almost 8 MONTHS PREGNANT!! But that doesn't mean that people have the right to remind me of this on a daily basis! Recently, I have become the subject of much public commentary and scrutiny! Now mind you, I am not talking about my well meaning friends and family who are just as excited as I am about this baby! I don't mind it when they point at me and say in an excited fashion "oh look you've popped" as they rub my belly and squeal in delight! It doesn't bother me! In fact I am quite proud of my baby belly! Especially when people say... "Oh look at your belly! You look adorable!" It actually kind of makes me feel good about myself!!

I am talking about the comments that I have recently received from people who--I honestly don't think they were thinking before they opened their mouths! And really, I am not trying to be bitter! In some ways I have to laugh about this--because otherwise, I just have no response...

Here are just a few of the comments that I have received:

"Oh look at your belly! Are you sure you are not having twins?"
"Are you sure you are not farther along than what you think?"
"You are due in April? Wow! You are big! April? Are you sure?"

And my personal favorite:

"You are due in April right? Because you look like you are about to go any day now!"

Seriously! Who says that?

I just don't know how to respond when people say things like this! The only thing that goes through my mind is... "Wow! Did they really just call me fat?"

Personally, I think an appropriate response would be for me to punch them in the face! But, "society" kind of frowns upon that! So I am left standing there feeling kind of awkward and dumbfounded! Not really sure what to say! I honestly don't think these people are trying to be rude! At least I hope not! I think they are trying to be funny--but, word to the wise... DON'T PISS OFF A PREGNANT LADY! We are very vulnerable and EXTREMELY HORMONAL and very self-conscious! And I bet you if I did punch them in the face--there would not be a jury in the world that would convict me!! So tread lightly people!

Now having a big belly isn't all bad! There is an upside to this... Like I said before... I am very proud of my baby belly!! And, it has proven quite useful, both in form and function! For instance, when I am walking down a crowded hallway people tend to pull over to the right. It's as if I am an ambulance complete with sirens and red flashing lights, people feel as though they need to make more room so I can pass! When I am in line trying to get food, I immediately get bumped to the front! Nobody wants to be responsible for making a pregnant lady wait for her meal! I get first dibs on the bathroom and I get to sit down whenever I want to. The term "standing room only" no longer applies to me.

Also, in terms of function, my belly makes a handy tray table where I can rest my plate while I am eating! And, it is the perfect place to prop my book while reading!
So you see, I don't mind my baby belly! And more importantly--it isn't everyday that I get to be fat like Pudgy!!

I Think Therefore I am...

I know, I know, it has been quite awhile since I have last posted anything on my blog! But, in my defense I have been quite busy with, well you know... Creating a person! Excuses aside, I am back and ready to post! So what's new? On our last ultrasound Mitch and I found out that we are having a baby boy! We are very excited and I couldn't help but post this latest picture of our little guy in the "thinking man" pose!

Which got me to thinking about the amazing feats that this baby goes through on a daily basis! Even in the womb my baby has already started to reach milestones! I mean isn't that what life is all about? Striving to reach major and minor milestones... From the day you are born you are working toward achieving specific goals in life. A baby reaches several of these milestones in their very first year! From day one they are working towards such milestones as eating solid foods, to sitting up, to crawling and then eventually walking and talking!

But just recently I realized that it starts even before they are born! I don't know why it took me so long to figure this out--I guess I just never really thought about it! But now that this is my kid--I have to say that I am quite proud of my boy! I am just now reaching 26 weeks and according to Web MD and What to Expect when you are Expecting, he already weighs almost 2 pounds. He can now hear us when we talk or make loud noises, he can taste what I am eating, his eyes are beginning to open, and his little lungs are developing capillaries that will help him take his first breath.

He may not be walking yet, but everyday he is taking small steps in his development that will help prepare him for life. And I can't help but notice that he has already perfected being cute! Just take a look at the picture above... Although, I am somewhat worried about that thinking man pose, I think he has already started plotting, in which case, Mitch and I are in some serious trouble!

A New Development!

Our Baby







Pudgy

So I just wanted to share the news that Mitch and I are expecting a baby in April! We are very excited and very overwhelmed at all of the new changes that are happening within our lives! As you can tell from my last post about camping and campfires, our lives have changed dramatically! Just recently we went from talking about our next camping destination, to our next doctor's visit! Now instead of browsing for a new tent, we are looking at strollers and cribs! And we couldn't be more happy! This has already changed our lives in ways that I can't even begin to describe!

Nothing in life could have prepared me for the mad dash to the bathroom, when experiencing a bout of morning sickness (morning sickness that lasts all day, mind you!) to the weird and inexplicable cravings at odd times of the day! I have experienced everything from eating salad at 7am or grapes at 3am, to driving erratically around Billerica and Wilmington in search of a chocolate milkshake!

But let me tell you, this was all worth it when we got the chance to see our little baby on the ultrasound! It is one of the best things we could have ever seen in our lives! We got to see our baby waving to us and sucking his or her little thumb! And it was so cool to see it's little heart beating!

This is only the beginning, I know! I am now in week 12 and hopefully (fingers crossed!) my morning sickness is starting to subside! During our 18 week ultrasound we will get to find out the gender of our baby! And let's not forget about the inevitable weight gain! I have already starting eating- like I am eating for two! I am so going to be fat like pudgy!! So on that note, I am now going to the kitchen in search of yet another snack! But I promise in my future posts, to keep you all posted!

The Campfire Effect!

Photo by: Mitch Collins

One of my favorite things to do, especially when I need to get away from life and it's inescapable roadblocks, is to go out to a campground and have a campfire! There is just something about a campfire that whenever I am feeling slightly off kilter, it always puts me back to center! One of my favorite places to go camping is the Minuteman Campground in Littleton, Ma. I have always loved this campground! The campground itself is set far enough back from the road that the traffic from 110 is a distant memory! But, still within walking distance to a Dunkin Donuts (a very important distinction!) And if you are so inclined, it is within perfect stumbling distance to a sports bar! Or I should say, the sports bar is within stumbling distance back to your tent or cabin! That is another reason why I like this place! They have cabins! Not that I don't like tent camping! I actually love it! But cabins are the perfect remedy if you are just trying to get away for one night! Besides, whenever Mitch and I go camping, inevitably it rains! So it is nice to have a reprieve from tent camping once in a while!

The cabins are really nice! They have electricity, heat and air conditioning! No bathrooms though! The smaller ones, are capable of sleeping about four people comfortably! They cost about the same as an average hotel room for the night, but you get the added bonus of being able to have a campfire! Have I mentioned that I love campfires? A campfire just allows me to think! If I have specific problem that I am trying to mull over, or if I am trying to make a decision about something, a campfire is an excellent tool! It provides the perfect setting for open discussions, or quiet reflection! Not to mention great food! There is nothing better than hot dogs or hamburgers cooked over a campfire! And let's not forget S'mores! How can you not love life when you are in the midst of consuming S'mores?

Being around a campfire and a campground is just one of the best things in life! It always makes me feel better! I love being surrounded by the sounds of nature, the smell of wood burning from your campfire as well as from other campfires in the campground! I love sharing the laughter and camraderie along with the heartfelt and philosophical conversations between family and friends! What can I say? I'm a happy camper!

The Essentials of Bird Watching

Photos By: Mitch Collins

Mitch and I have recently gotten into birding! We have always been outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying such activities as camping, hiking and kayaking! What can I say? It's in our nature! But this past year since we have received our new camera, we have had a ton of fun going out and taking pictures of various nature scenes and wildlife, but birds seem to be our favorite! While we were living in Florida, we had a variety of birds living in our very on own backyard! We have gotten some great pictures of some Barred Owls, Osprey, Red Shouldered Hawks and those rare tropical birds, known as Cardinals! But I must warn you, birding is serious business and you must be prepared! We are still very much entry level birders and are still learning as we go! Here are a few tips that we have learned along the way!

The most important thing to remember while you are out birding is to make sure you have all of your equipment! There have been many times where we have set out on a birding adventure and have forgotten one piece of equipment or another i.e, the camera or back up batteries or lunch! Binoculars are very important to have as well! You may not be able to see the reason now, but trust me! At some point in the distance you will understand! And just as a point of reference, I suggest you get a bird book! I have heard that you are not real birders, unless you have one! True story! Anyway, when birding, it is also essential to have a hat! Mitch and I are partial to the brand Tilley! I love these hats they are so cool! Oh right! They are also really durable and stuff! But the best part of this experience, my most prized possession, is my vest! I love it! You really don't need a vest to go out bird watching, but it kind of makes me feel like the Crocodile Hunter and I really wanted one!

So there it is! The essentials of bird watching! Everything you need to fully enjoy the bird watching experience! Well, almost everything! I suppose some birds would be helpful too!

Relocating Can be a Moving Experience...

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both..." For it has been almost two years since Mitch and I packed up our car and chose the road that would lead us to Daytona Beach, Florida. A road that was designed specifically to achieve an education, but lacked the forethought of a contingency plan, such as having a job or even a place to live. I think in the beginning it was the idea of the "open road" that was appealing! Lending an opportunity for exploration, a chance for adventure... To choose a path that was not yet taken (maybe at the time we were reading too much Frost, I don't know!) but looking back the only thing I can remember with certain clarity is the overwhelming fear of it all!

I think my biggest fear in this looming scenario, was not having a place to live! I was terrified that our new address was going to be The Blue Cobalt on Daytona Beach, Mile Marker 15, C/O Life Guard Station 6 or something like that! A fear that was compounded by the fact that the Weather Channel kept forecasting hurricanes for Florida. A fear that was further compounded once we arrived in Daytona Beach and were checking into the Suburban Extended Stay! I distinctly remember wincing as the gentleman handed us the key and Mitch looking at me and saying "Don't worry! It's only temporary!" And indeed it was only temporary! For we were able to secure an apartment and were in residence the very next day!

Shortly thereafter I was able to find a really good job and Mitch was able to complete his school and gain some experience in his field! So the question everyone keeps asking since we have gotten home is "Was it all worth it?" I feel the only way to answer this question is with a resounding yes! Because even though this journey didn't turn out to be everything we had hoped for, it also didn't turn out to be everything that we had feared!

We were able to find a place to live and a job that I really liked! I had an opportunity to experience something new and work with some really wonderful people! We had the chance to live in a really cool place and see and experience things like shuttle launches and getting up close and personal with alligators, things we would not have done otherwise! We were able to spend some time with my wonderful sister, Holly and her really great family, whom I am going to miss so much! We shared some really great holidays with them and had so much fun during our various family get togethers! I can't wait till we can visit with them again!

The other question that keeps hovering is "If you had the opportunity, would you do it all over again?" I think given the chance I would and for the exact same reasons that I listed above. I think knowing what we know now, there are some things we would do differently, maybe, who knows? We went down to Florida, so that Mitch could go to school and get an education, but I think we both received an education in the process! We learned a lot about life and ourselves along the way! We learned that there are choices you have to make and consequences with each direction you choose to take. The biggest of these consequences, we learned, was that we missed home. We will always remember Florida, but we are also quite happy to be home, so for now, "I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."