At this half way point I thought I would take a few minutes to commemorate those few items that make pregnancy easier...and dare I say - enjoyable.
So far, in this pregnancy, I noticed only one true food aversion: cow's milk. When I bring it too close to my nose, my stomach turns. Along with alcohol, I haven't had milk the entire pregnancy. Luckily, I don't seem to have the same reaction to ice cream, yogurt, and most cheeses however. Almond milk is my preferred milk substitute. It froths beautifully, can be used in place of cow's milk in most sauces, comes in great flavors and sizes, and tastes great.
After almost 10 years as a pescatarian, I decided to eat land animals again when Jason and I began trying to conceive . Jason joined me as a carnivore while recovering from a back injury a few months later. We were hesitant carnivores at first, eating meat only one or two meals weekly and typically limiting our intake to fish and fowl. Then in May, I decided to try a "raw" diet with my sister-in-law, Sara. We were having a great time devising recipes, trying new foods, reading about the benefits of raw, and planning raw dinners. About 2 weeks into our raw experiment I HATED all things vegetable and all things raw. What? What was going on? The foods were delicious and loved and fresh. Then Jason and I started running out at 9 pm for 5 Guys burgers! We did this 4 times in one week while I was supposedly on a raw diet. I was feeling awful and guilty but all I could think about was when I would get my next double cheese burger and pile of hand cut french fries. The Sunday after eating 5 Guys all week, I took a pregnancy test. It was positive, I stopped eating raw (duh!), and I also stopped eating 5 Guys (for the most part) - to be replaced with grass fed, hormone free steaks from New Leaf (our local co-op). OMG, I freaking love steaks. I want filet, NY strip, London broil, sirloin, rib eye and I like them grilled, broiled, with Bearnaise, with mushroom sauce, in stroganoff, ...well you get the point. (Adam and Jamie: when you visit after the Geneva comes bring oysters and beer! If this were a blog about things I miss oysters and beer are numbers 1 and 2.)
So, with all the eating and growing and eating and growing some parts are growing faster than others. My first order of business was to explore the intimates section at Motherhood and Target looking for a bra that would accommodate my expansion. Of course at that point boobs were the only thing expanding and the sales people looked at me a bit skeptically - maybe I just felt self conscious and unsure of myself. Either way I needed help. Thank goodness for girlfriends (Dorian and Camille, thank you) who pointed me immediately to the Bravado website. Camille almost laughed at the suggestion that I would find anything at Target. She promptly threw everything she thought I would need into an envelope and got me started on the path toward breast comfort. She was right. *Spoiler Alert* This may be too much information (but whatever, my blog right?) At this half way point I comfortably fit into a maternity 38 F/G. Ummm...Wow. Investing in a really good maternity bra and support tank was the best advice I received.
Continuing the discussion about clothing that rocks, I must include compression hose. I prefer them without the actual hose part - just the shorts and over belly support band (as seen in the picture below). These smooth all the lumpy parts and keep the belly secure and stable. This helps during moments of unexpected jostling such as when I crack up laughing in front of my class and my belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly. I prefer to laugh with dignity thank you. Therefore, all moving parts must remain secure. Yes, I love compression. If I say, I love my "girdle" this is what I'm talking about.
As you all know, I have the best husband on the planet (Matt and Michael, check your rear view!). I came home one afternoon and the snoogle was waiting for me. Oh, how I love my snoogle!!! Sometimes I let Jason touch it - with his hand only. I considered trying to cram the snoogle into my suitcase to take on a trip. It didn't work. This handy dandy pillow supports all things flopping while encouraging the optimal left side propped sleeping position. If anyone is wondering what to get Jason for Christmas, the snoogle is a good idea. He sighs longingly as I nest comfortably.
Literally as soon as we had a positive pregnancy test Jason began reading, "The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads to Be". For those of you who know Jason well, it will come as no surprise that pregnancy is just one more life stage requiring management. Good, I'll just relax and eat - he manages. Every couple of weeks he reads me a chapter or two describing what's going on with the baby, what is (supposedly) going on with me, and finally an exploration about how he feels about this whole process. He knows me well enough to filter material from the book that I will scoff at or that will scare me or that will require a credit card. It's nice. I get all of the good and none of the bad. When I come across a topic that requires more information (such as birthing, or brain development, or parenting) I, of course, do my own research but honestly, I don't want to know every little detail of every little symptom I could possibly have. This is just too much pressure. I don't care that 90% of women, fetuses, fathers, experience whatever. I also don't care that my developing fetus is slightly above or below normal. Thank goodness for this happy little book that Jason trusts which supports his urge to manage and allows me to remain blissfully ignorant of what anyone else is going through.
Finally, as I'm sure is apparent by now my absolute number one favorite thing to have during pregnancy is my awesome husband. Quick story: Last week I went to Las Vegas for an academic conference. I had a wonderful whirlwind trip with my friends and colleagues (especially Amanda and Pina!!). We drove across the state together, flew across the country, walked all over the city, played black jack, saw naked ladies, dancing fountains, tame lions, and movie screens that stretch for blocks. It was amazing. Along the way I picked up some swollen ankles, infected blisters, and sheer exhaustion. Funny thing about pregnancy I can't tell when I've crossed the line until I am waaaaaayyyyy over it. Amanda and Pina were great. They found the airport nurse and brought me medicine, bandages and Starbucks. By the time I got back across the country and the state, I was a mess. After not seeing me for 4 days and sending me to sin city alone, Jason came home from work excited and enthusiastic to hear about my trip. Ha! No. I took one look at him and burst into tears. My ankles were the size of my knees and my blisters were enraged. He calmly put me in bed (with my snoogle of course) elevated my feet and packed bags and bags of ice all over my ankles and feet. He then kissed me through my snot and tears and calmly told me that he loved that I was his wife and let me sleep for the next 4 hours. When I woke up he brought me Thai food.
My absolute favorite thing, and what makes pregnancy enjoyable, is knowing Jason on a new level and teaching myself to trust him not only as a husband but also as a father and a nurturer.
