Roasting and Toasting the Mason Baby-to-Be

The word's out... I'm pregnant and we're expecting to have another little mouth to feed around November 20th - just in time for Thanksgiving! At this point, being pregnant has finally sunk in and I'm no longer really in that 'surreal' frame of mind. I'm still nervous, anxious, etc., but now that our little peanut is no longer a 'secret' to the rest of the world it all just seems a bit more real.

Pregnancy has been good to me so far... which I am very appreciative of! I've had 'morning sickness' that lasted all day (but have only thrown up once!) and am now only feeling really queasy when my tummy's not full or I'm really tired. I think (hopefully) I'm almost finished with that phase and will soon move on to the next... maybe it will be heartburn or leg cramps... or a combination of the two. It's so odd to me how my body has reacted to pregnancy... I guess I've always been the type that feels that I can control how I feel by my actions... well, that's totally out the window. And I'm actually loving every minute of it! ha!

Many of the foods I used to LOVE to eat... I can't stand the thought of (except watermelon - which I cannot get enough of!). Apparently milk is a total turn-off for a pregnant Amanda - which at first was difficult for me because I LOVE cereal - mostly because of the milk! I don't want to think about chicken... or salad, pasta, fat-free cheese, Boca burgers, hotdogs, etc. I'm hoping that my aversion to these once loved food items will subside the further in my pregnancy I progress. For now I tackle meals one day at a time. If something sounds good... I eat it. Normally, afterward it no longer sounds good to eat anymore. (Except for potatoes.... which I could eat pounds of and never tire! - which is totally funny, because I never ate them too much before!)

I've still kept up my exercise regime... however, now I just bike and walk and plan to start swimming again this summer... no running, weight training or conditioning training for now. I'd rather stick with stuff I can do outside and have complete control over. I know some of that other stuff is safe, but I'd prefer to stick with what I'm comfortable. I try to walk or bike for at least an hour each day... at least 5 days a week. Nothing too strenuous.... but I just want to make sure that I take care of my body so my body can take care of the baby.

I only gained .5 pounds between weeks 8 and 12, which concerned Sam and me at first - but the doctor said that was completely okay - especially since I had not been throwing up. Sam looked at the doctor and said 'well - I can't believe that because she eats like a horse!’ I had to laugh - a lot - and agree with him. My eating habits have totally changed... and I do eat much more than I did before I became pregnant.

Sam and I are both so incredibly excited. We've been trying to have a baby for about 3 1/2 years... we've dealt with a lot of issues along the way but have always known that God would bless us with a baby when the time was right. We just pray now that that Mason baby will be healthy, happy and at home with us by the end of November.

Be prepared for a barrage of blog posts in the future.... as we now have a whole new chapter in our lives to share....

The Proud Daughter...

You know, it's interesting how the older we get the more we are able to truly appreciate how spectacular our parents really are. I learned several years ago that my parents were almost always right (I did say almost:) when giving me advice and direction while I was in high school and college. Over the past several years I've also realized that my parents can be both parents and friends (now that I am older and no longer disciplined by them! :). But the thing I think I can change the most is how clear it is to me that I am SO very proud of both of them and that they need to know that. When I think about all that they've been through, how they've raised 2 children, found success in their careers, and still managed to share a close bond with their families, I am truly overcome with awe and wonderment. My only hope is that when my children are grown, then can someday look back on Sam and me and share those same feelings.

This past year has brought about 2 very important career transitions for both my mother and father.

My Dad was the first to receive a promotion and was named the Northeastern District Fisheries Biologist. He's worked with the Department of Fish and Wildlife for as long as I can remember and he's now the head honcho of his division/district. He knows his stuff and all of his hard work and experience has paid off! Those who know my father, you probably can tell he's a rather humble and laid-back man; therefore, when he received his promotion you could tell he was happy, but of course he did not make it out to be such a big deal (even though it REALLY was). I think that's one of the things I love the most about my father - he's okay being just who he is. He does not need accolades or pats on the back to know he does a great job... those are just icing on the cake! I am so very proud of him.

My Mom's career accomplishment has occurred most recently. On Monday I went to silently support my mom at a public forum (basically a public interview). As I sat and listened to all that she has done as a professional educator I was actually overcome with emotion... I've known her for almost 28 years and I think that night was the first time I had ever really realized just how much she has devoted to students... how much she's done... how many different aspects of the educational system in which she's participated. I've always know just how much she LOVES her job... teaching... and the students, but I saw it all in a completely different light. I saw her that night as more than just a Mom who was a teacher and then a principal... I saw her as a professional... and I was so very proud of all that she has done and will continue to do.

Weekend Excitement!

First-of-all, Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mother's out there... mostly to my Mom, my Nonnie Jane, Mamaw Cornett and Mother-in-Law Mason!!! Also to my sister of course, who's a great mom to her kiddos as well! (And too all of my friends who are Mommies as well!)

It's going to be a great weekend for Sam and me! We're going start our weekend festivities by going to eat with some friends and their kids tonight (let's keep our fingers crossed that the food's good at the restaurant!). Sam and I do not eat out too much; therefore, when we do go it's always something to look forward too - as long as we can eat something relatively healthy!

Tomorrow Sam has to attend Commencement, which comes with the territory of being a college instructor, but I'm going to skip it and go yard-sailing instead. Wish me luck, because I'm normally too anxious to go by myself... let's hope that I make it to at least 2 before freaking out!

Once Graduation is over, Sam and I are going to Flemingsburg to celebrate Mother's Day with his step-mom and then we're off to Cincinnati to attend a Reds Game!!!!! I LOVE watching baseball live... and it's even better when we have free tickets! (My only disappointment is that we won't be able to spend time with family while there - due to the late game and having to return for Sam to work the lights at Church on Sunday.) Never-the-less, I'll be happy to spend some time with Sam, as I have not seen him a single night this week...

Then on Sunday we'll round off our wonderful weekend by celebrating Mother's Day with my Momma! The best Mom in the world!

What could be better than spending quality time with family and friends.... nothing! :)

I hope all of you have a FABULOUS weekend too!