Healthy Pregnancy

So today I officially enrolled in a pregnancy study. The idea behind this study is that pregnant women should be a healthy weight when conceiving and that they should gain a healthy amount of weight while pregnant. Luckily I was a healthy weight to start with, but I'm afraid of gaining too much weight.

I hear from moms and soon-to-be moms that I should eat whatever I'm hungry for because that's what my body is craving. I'm also not supposed to worry about my weight. Well I can't help but worry about it. I was worried about it before I got pregnant, because lets face it, I got pretty sedentary and have gained about 15 pounds since not being in school, and I do not want to gain any more than that!

My family history shows that the women in my family gain at least 50 pounds during pregnancy and the doctors say I should gain 25-35 pounds. My family history also shows that I may not lose the excess weight once the baby comes. I am scared to death of this! I know that I need to eat more fruits and veggies, but I don't have a clue how to shop for them and I am tired of the same 'ol bell peppers and carrots and bananas. They taste good, but apparently my tastes in food is picky right now. Luckily the only food aversions I've had so far is toward chinese/japanese/korean foods. I do love Italian and mexican like whoa.

Okay, back to the point. I did some testing this morning at the doctor's office. They took my weight, bp and listened to the baby's heartrate (140bpm!). Then I did a stretch to show them that I am not flexible because I can barely reach past my knees while sitting on the floor, legs extended in front of me! Next I did a little bit of weight lifting which turned out to be tougher than I thought! Last, I did a 2 mile walk (around the block 4 times) at my own pace. That took 36 minutes! Geez, I am so out of shape and could use the help of the pregnancy workout group that meets three times a week for an hour. But alas, I was randomized in the control group. I am not going to Vegas anytime soon, because it was a 50/50 chance of getting randomized into the workout group and apparently I'm just not lucky enough!

The silver lining is that even though I don't get to work out, I do get some free yoga classes to go to later in my pregnancy. That's ok, I'll take that!

Hopefully I'll gain a healthy amount of weight that will be easy enough to lose while staying healthy for the baby. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of this study when it is complete!

My favorite text

This is a text message that I received today at 2:30 from my brother:

"I love you too Chelle. And I'm going to miss you as well."

He just stopped by work on his way to the airport. This will probably be the last time he'll be in Texas until maybe this time next year, if he's lucky. He's reporting for duty in Iwakuni, Japan by May 31st. I am so excited for him and this new adventure.

I can't wait to see him again.

I love you, Bubba!

B O R E D but lot's going on...

At least that's the way it is at work. I do have stuff to do, but if I do it, then I won't have anything else to do. I am beginning to get worried that I won't have a job with the way things are heading with a certain creditor. I am very upset at the owner's ex-husband for ruining the creditable business that was established by not paying his bills and creating businesses and credit lines on our company's good name. Because his bills come here, under our name, we're getting into trouble and it's wreaking havoc on all our morale. What can we do?

AIM conversation

Ok, so this is a copy of a "conversation" between Cody and a friend of his who just found out that Cody is going to be a dad. The name has been changed to protect the friend ;)

Shaun (3:52:28 PM): good news, bad news
Shaun (3:52:31 PM): are you ready for it?
Shaun (3:53:38 PM): the bad news is that for the first three months you wont get more than one hour of sleep at a time, youll be constantly irritable and angry, and youll probably come close to being fired
Shaun (3:54:25 PM): the good news is...around month 3, just when you're loading three bullets into your revolver, and contemplating double murder-suicide.......he/she starts sleeping through the night, and smiling a smile that will melt every part of you
Cody (3:58:28 PM): dude, the ultrasound is already melting me some
Shaun (3:58:39 PM): yeah thats cool and all
Shaun (3:58:48 PM): first three months is like Hotel Hanoi
Shaun (3:59:51 PM): (Chi Phi campout for three months)
Shaun (4:00:37 PM): then they smile my man
Cody (4:03:24 PM): so a lot of pooping and spitting up in random places after eating food that doesn't smell too appetizing and hopefully no sherriffs stop by?

The sherriff thing is in reference to their campout that they have with the pledges. I thought this was cute and wanted to share with y'all!

Thank you all for your warm wishings! It is very appreciated by this super scared/nervous/excited mom-to-be!

I'm pregnant.

There. I've said it and you've read it, so it's actually happening.

Our baby is due December 5th.


YAY!

The new job

In previous posts, I have expressed a great disdain for my old job. I loved the people I worked with (except the one I worked directly with) and the company was great, but the job was just plain stressful and it took way too long to get too and from work. That's why when Ingrid offered me a job at her shop again as her bookkeeper, I accepted the position.

This job is way less stressful, can be fun and an added perk is that I get to wear jeans with tennis shoes to work!

Recently though (the past week) I have gotten pretty stressed out. We just re-opened the business in September with very little inventory and a whole lot of debt. The owner won sole ownership of the golf shop in her divorce, but while she was taking care of their deathly ill child out of state, he wasn't paying the bills. Ugh - it is a sad, sad story.

Anyway, we're working through it all. It has been tough. Stupid creditors keep calling and asking for money. GRR!! ;) These guys I work with are great though. I can't give them enough credit. They worked Monday through Saturday without a day off for 3 months until I got here so they could each have a day off during the week. All their hard work is allowing me to be able to pay these vendors more, which makes us all happy!

What's weird is that even though I'm not personally responsible for these debts, I get a nervous stomache while talking to them. I can't wait to be caught up!

This is definitely a more enjoyable job than my previous one! Yay!

I've been meaning to write

I bet you are thinking this is another post about my brother; who just got back from Iraq; who is now in Austin staying with Cody and I; who just got his new orders last week to go to Iwakuni, Japan; who may start dating the girl of my dreams for him; and who I couldn't be happier for. But I'm not.

Instead I will remember April 1, 2001.  I miss my dad and I hate that date. I wish he could be here.  Some days I don't even think about him, but when I do, I have such strong feelings of sadness that he can't be here to see Chris and what all he has achieved.  I wish he could see Tracy and how her life and her kids are so great!  I wish he could be here for Betsy right now because I know she could really use someone to help her through these trying times with her job.  I selfishly wish that he could be here to know Cody.  I know that they would get along so well and that Daddy would really like knowing Cody's family.

When I think back to 8 years ago, I remember just how sick he was and how glad I was that he was no longer suffering.  Cancer truly sucks.

I would like to thank my friends for being there for me.  I know if it weren't for you being strong for me and supporting me, then I couldn't be the support for my family.  Some of you actually read this blog!  Just know that I am forever thankful for your friendship and am deeply appreciative of your selflessness.