Some Applause for Pregnancy (Can't Complain Too Much!)

Last week I had a few complaints about being preggers. Don't get me wrong-- this has been by far the most rewarding and exciting time of my life! I have actually loved being pregnant! It may not always be a bed of roses, but the end result is still pretty sweet. And while it's been pretty difficult the last couple of weeks, and I expect that to continue until the Best Day Ever, there are some things that I totally love about baking this baby.

First of all, the thing I know I will miss most, and it almost makes me sad to think it's almost over: watching her move. Will and I laugh a lot when she really gets going. I can imagine her dancing to "Everyone is Kung Fu Fighting" in there, because that's what it looks like sometimes. Or sometimes my belly goes lopsided, or square on one side. That has been by far my favorite part. 

Second, the food. When I'm not preggers, I try to stick to a pretty strict diet; and I think it may be a little difficult to go back to that. For five months prior to my pregnancy, I had completely cut out starches, sugars, dairy, and carbs. I was only eating greens, fruits, and proteins. I won't say that it was easy, but I got used to it and my body changed A LOT after a couple of months, for the better. If I ate anything with fats, my body wanted nothing to do with it; rejected it immediately. I know I can't do that again for a while-- breast feeding and all that, but I definitely will be having to think twice again about that piece of cake or something from Sonic.  Which brings me to my next favorite thing about being preggers--

Sonic ice. Oh my gosh. Sonic ice could create world peace if everyone knew of it's delightfulness. I graduated from buying Route 44 (with extra ice) several times a day to out-and-out buying the full ten pound bag. The ten pound bag cost about the same as just one Route 44, so eventually I had to take the cost effective way. I can make my own tea, just give me the ice! It's so soft and chewable; and if you're in public and have to have a crunch (but know that it's extremely annoying to some people, namely my mom), you can take a mouthful and let it melt down just enough to a snowcone like consistency, and you're good to go. Yum. The people at our local Sonic (who have come to know me quite well) tell me this is actually quite a common phenomenon, pregnant women and their Sonic ice. I bet they'll make a killing in the next nine months with the recent popularity of "Shades of Grey." Haha. 

The nursery. Sometimes I just go in there and sit in the rocking chair for an hour, looking at everything, trying to imagine what it's going to be like. It's so peaceful. Will and I had a lot of fun turning our study into Hayden's nursery, and I think it's a room that she will enjoy playing in when she gets a little older. Being in there makes becoming a mom that much more of a reality.

Speaking of, another favorite thing has been watching Will get so excited. He has waited as long as I have for this baby. He loves putting together all of her things; swings, bouncers, pack and play, stroller, entertainer. He talks to her all the time and reads her books. I love that he has a pregnancy app on his phone so he knows what's going on with my body and how he can help me. Though he travels often for work, he is putting his family first and not traveling at all this month so he can be home to help me and ensure that he's here when it's "time." And though he initially was not that excited for the Lamaze class, he did it anyway, with gusto, and actually ended up enjoying it. His camo diaper bag was one of his birthday presents, and I think it was his favorite out of them all. He's really proud of that daddy diaper bag. I know how lucky I am to have someone with me who is so supportive and is as excited as being a new parent as I am. I love him very much.

And, though there are many more things that I have loved about being with child, I have really enjoyed how it's brought my family-- my whole family-- together. It's been a while since we had something big to celebrate. Though my wedding was only two years ago, nothing brings a family together like a baby. It is so wonderful that my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are so thrilled and excited, and they have all gone out of their way to be so kind and thoughtful; always thinking of us, calling to check on us, etc. Sometimes life can take you away from what's most important, and Hayden has reminded us all that being together is what matters. I love my family. 

Later today we'll be going to see Miss Hayden on her 3D ultrasound, and I can hardly contain my excitement to see what she looks like. Will is coming home from early to be with me as we get our first glimpse at our little girl's face. Two o' clock can't get here fast enough. I'll be blogging a picture this afternoon or tomorrow; so hold tight until then. :) Thanks for checking in with us, friends. 

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Extra! Extra! Sonic Saves Life of Pregnant Woman With Strange Side Effects

Well, I'm just going to name a couple of side effects; I'm sure everyone is in agreement that they do not want to hear about my husband's favorite side effect: mood swings. That may not turn out so pretty.
But the ones I find most annoying thus far are these....
First, the given. The excessive use of the restroom; which is ridiculous. I've never had to pee every 5 minutes (and I mean that literally) in my life. I won't go into detail on this one because who wants to read about that? But it is highly annoying, especially throughout the night. I'm sure the matter is not helped by the next annoying side affect: excessive thirst, again especially throughout the night!!!! It. Is. Bonkers how thirsty I get; an unquenchable thirst at that! Remember the jug of apple juice? Oh yeah. All night long, baby. My mouth becomes equivalent to the Sahara. I contribute this to a couple of theories. One, I am already what I call a "thirsty person." I almost always need some form of liquid in my possession. Two, this matter is exacerbated by my near obsession with Sonic drinks. Something about that styrofoam cup and their ice, which is perfection, make a drink taste better. They have all the Zero drinks, Diet Dr. Pepper, and make fabulous unsweetened tea, in which sometimes I choose to add 3 Sweet N Lows to the large or Route 44 (but I don't always- depends on my mood.) I have literally had to force myself to drive by Sonic and stare straight ahead on numerous occassions- the fact that they have "happy hour" making large drinks only $1.07 until 8 am and then again between 2-4 pm can make this quite difficult at times (Sonic is a HUGE favorite among teachers and several other teachers I know have a Sonic addiction as well. That large can last me until noon or sometimes longer, making the tea awesome because it doesn't get iced down, it only gets better. :) I myself find it quite sad and hilarious that I pass two Sonics on my way to work and would try to alternate which one I stop at for drinks so the one girl working every morning (Taylor) at my favorite Sonic did not think I was crazy. Like, she knows it's me when I order in the morning. "Good morning and welcome to Sonic, this is Taylor; may I take your order?" "Yes, can I get a large unsweetened tea with 3 Sweet-N-Lows, please?" She thinks, oh, gray Lexus girl again. Is this the day for my weekly tip? (How do you tip for a drink that is $1.07? 100%? I don't think so. A quarter? Stupid. She gets a tip on Friday for all week long. I think we have an unspoken understanding.) Anywho, that unnerved me for whatever reason. I don't want to be the Sonic Psycho. Now that I've set you up, I will get to my point, because I sense I'm getting off on a tangent (I know my mom is smiling here, because tangents are something I do really well, especially with stories ("wrap it up, Ashley".... I just want everyone to have all the details) and Rummikub. At least once a game I have to adopt an unwanted tile because I've dissected and carelessly thrown back the tiles in a desperate attempt to win.  ..... See, tangent again.) Back to the story. Annoying pregnancy habits, namely excessive thirst, and Sonic. There IS a point, I promise you. So, once again, my nightly curses rear their ugly head. I have already drained several water bottles next to my bed and having exhausted all options that I prepared, I make the trek downstairs to the kitchen. Due to this annoying habit and the fact that I haven't gone to the grocery store in, oh, a day, there is nothing thirst quenching in our refrigerator. Usually I have a 2 gallon pitcher of some kind of Crystal Light in there (one of the best things EVER invented in my book-- 5 calories? I'll take it! We have a winner, Bob!), chilled water bottles always, and lately some kind of juice. I drained the apple juice yesterday like I'd been through a drought (now I know how my lawn felt this summer), the water bottles that I previously destroyed upstairs were the last that were cold (and I'm not opposed to room temperature water, but come on, chilled is always better), and there was no Crystal Light made. It's 3:08 am and I'm not making any. All that was in there was orange juice, which is not in any way hydrating. At all. I took a swig to make sure, and yep, definitely not hydrating. I was about to settle for a room temperature bottle of water when.... (palms to the sky singing in a church choir vibrato) ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! What do I spy behind the jar of salsa was.... a red straw. A red straw that was attached to a large styrofoam cup that held yesterday's Sonic tea with 3 Sweet-N-Lows. And that Sonic tea still had half a cup of perfected ice intact. It was like a Glorious Appearing. Thank you, Lord! This was the answer to this pregnant lady's prayers! It was delightful. I now know what Will Ferrell meant when he said, "It just tastes so good, once it hits the lips." However, that all has led me to my third annoying pregnancy habit, insomnia. Though I can not contribute it solely to pregnancy because it does plague me on occassion, the constant getting in and out of bed does not help matters. Which is why I'm blogging at 5:20 in the morning. But, alas, I will do my mother a favor and wrap it up here. Enjoy your thirstless sleep.

PS At least I'm not eating soap or dirt..... what's up with that? Now THAT is psycho. So get over it, Sonic girl.

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