Good Things

I have discovered some things that are quite useful at 20 weeks pregnant. There are, of course, the obvious ones, such as chocolate cake, pickles, back rubs and warm baths, but I have found some to be rather unexpected.

1. Empire Waist tops. See this nifty red polka-dot top? It's not a maternity top, but it sure works as one. I actually bought this top a few years ago and wear it often and now it has made its way into my new rotation.

2. Kind words from friends and family. Oh, this has been quite helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who this applies to.

3. UGG boots and Yak-Tracks. I love my Uggs. My Grandma got them for me for Christmas a few years ago, and after I figured out how to wear such trendy and cool footwear, they pretty much stay on my feet all winter. They are warm and comfy and appropriate for work. The Yak-Tracks were Dan's idea. He saw last winter exactly how klutzy I could be when ice and snow arrive, so we got these. They're like tire chains for my boots and they really work well. If you worry about slipping when winter comes around, I highly suggest you pick up a set.


4. Cheap jeans and the ugly belt. I was between jeans, meaning my regular jeans were too small and my maternity jeans were too big. I bought a Bella-band, which works great for slacks, but I don't yet trust it to keep my jeans up, so, off to Ross I go. Ross is wonderful. Racks and racks of cheap, discounted clothing. Most of the time, it's a bit disorganized, but if you've got the time to really dig, you can often find a really good deal or two. Ross did not fail me. Jeans in a size bigger than normal for $5.99? Awesome. I've pretty much been wearing them everyday. Since they are too big, I keep them up with the ugliest belt in my closet. Yes, it's ugly, but it's the only one that will fit my baby-belly, so it gets worn.






5. The Good Husband. Do you have one of these at home? If so, please go hug him right now. Maybe I'm biased, but I tend to think that this guy is pretty dang wonderful. He is the giver of foot massages, back rubs and soft tummy rubs. He says sweet things like "You don't even look that pregnant." He is the lifter of the heavy things, the dumper of the trash and the one that makes sure I have plenty of blankets on my side of the bed.

Okay, now I'm going to ask you all for help. For those of you who have been there, done that, what was handy for you during your last-half of pregnancy? What do you recommend I go out and get right now?

7 Random Facts about me...

My sister, Jen, tagged me on her blog. So now I have to post seven random facts about myself.

1. Right now, we're watching American Idol. No, this is not something we're proud of, but we'll own up to it.

2. I am 18 weeks pregnant, and as of this very moment, I have a grand total of zero baby items. I'm not freaking out about this, but I bet if by week 30 I still have no baby things, my freak-out switch may be flipped.

3. This is the most recent scrapbook page I created. It's an ode to morning sickness. Dan says it's by far the craziest page I've ever made.

4. I just finished Jane Austen's "Mansfield Park." It was amazing. Have you read it? No? Well, you should. Go to the library and check it out right now. "Sense and Sensibility" is still my fav, but the tale of Fanny Price is a good 'un. What are you reading right now? Share please. I need some good book ideas.

5. At my 10 year high school reunion, I was unofficially voted "Most Improved." What does that mean exactly? How should I take such an honor? Oh well, an award is an award. I'll take it.

6. I'm kind of a crazy work-aholic. I have three jobs. My regular job at the lab, ushering at Cougar basketball games, and doing investigations for custody cases in our county. No, I'm not superwoman and keeping up this schedule has been tough during the pregnancy. I know in the next few months, I'll need to scale back and once Baby Bean is here, I'll need to cut back even more. All you working moms who do it all, please share your secrets. Inquiring minds need to know!

7. I am a world champion sleeper. Seriously, if sleeping were an Olympic event, I would have several gold medals on my wall. Dan is amazed that I can sleep in automobiles, airplanes, our uncomfortable futon, heck, even the floor if I had to. I am hoping that Baby Bean inherits my sleeping ability. Us parents will really appreciate that.

Okay, so now I'm supposed to tag others to post random facts about themselves. Since Jen tagged me, I can't tag her back. So I'll pass this on to Angela. so Ang my friend, you're up.

Update

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Bean is healthy and growing. The heartbeat was, to quote the good doctor, "very strong, very good." So that made me happy the whole rest of the day. There is something very comforting in hearing the whoosh whoosh of the heartbeat. Since I have started feeling better and stopped hurling up my dinner in parking lots, my weight has started going up. This is a good thing. I am getting back on track to where I should be for being 17 weeks along.
Okay, I am now just writing to all the ladies out there who have ever been pregnant. Did you have crazy weird dreams? I have always been pretty good at remembering my dreams, but ever since I've been carrying a growing child, it's been insane. For example, last night I dreamed that Dan was the President of the United States. Cool, right? No. Not cool. The paparazzi followed me around all the time and was very critical of everything about me being pregnant. If I ate anything, talk shows would debate on whether my eating habits were healthy enough. If I talked to other mothers about birthing plan options, every talking head would go on TV and rant and rave about how the First Lady was making a bad decision. If I bought a brown stroller, someone on TV would say why a green one was so much better. It was a terrible dream, actually, more like a nightmare. I've had other dreams (triplet boys, a little girl with long braids, and a baby who started talking right after birth) but this latest one is by far the strangest. So, if you've got a minute and want to share, I'd love to hear your crazy pregnancy dreams.