How much weight???

This post is mostly for humor... because I just spent a few moments laughing with girlfriends as they discussed their weight gain during pregnancy. One of my friends shared that she gained 80+ pounds during her pregnancy (they stopped weighing her at 80 pounds) and I almost lost the chocolate I was eating (regretfully) because I started laughing so hard. No offense to anyone who has gained that much... but if we are honest with ourselves... unless we are having sextuplets... 80 pounds is unjustifiable :) Luckily this girlfriend was able to lose that weight and can now laugh at her unfortunate situation! And if anyone thinks I was rude for laughing at her... just know she would quickly reciprocate the sentiment if I had gained the 80 pounds! 

So for me...

I'm currently at a 2 pound gain, but seriously weight gain in the first trimester is not necessary so I've decided to start tracking my calories and writing down the weird foods I've been eating. I'll share Monday's menu because it makes me laugh...

breakfast: hunk of french bread and a piece of cheese

lunch: McDouble and small fry

snack: laffy taffy

dinner: Subway sandwich (major craving)

late snack: 20+ really hot banana peppers (BIG MISTAKE) and a pickle

I never eat this poorly but each of those items was a major craving. I had to have it! The peppers were devastating to my digestive system... so I really need to learn how to control myself. The nausea is getting a little better... THANKFULLY! Now I'm just tired tired tired... yawning as I type :) Goodnight!

Baby Peach

Today was my first doctor's appointment. I really like our doctor and the office staff... very relaxed and comfortable. Dr. R was also a Navy man back in the day and was able to do his residency during the end of the Vietnam War. So we are in the hands of a seasoned veteran in both military and medicine! 

So everything went really well... however, baby peach is not as far along as we had anticipated. This actually explains why I had a negative pregnancy test until 7 days after my missed cycle. So our little peanut is only 8 weeks and 1 day today (originally thought we were 9 1/2 weeks along), with little arms and legs and a heart rate of 165 beats per minute. 

It's pretty cool to have a look inside of your own uterus to see a tiny person growing! 

Silent Princess Peaches

I have not been able to write on here for several weeks because I've been harboring a secret. Considering it's my very own secret... it's the only thing I want to write about. Considering the secret is controlling my entire life... my mind could not reach beyond this secret to write about anything else. Now that my family and close friends know, I have the freedom to share my secret! THANKFULLY... because I really need an outlet to share my joys and complaints :)

So here goes... I'm growing a tiny baby in my belly and have been doing it for the past 9 weeks. I had a negative pregnancy test for so long that I've only known about it for 4 weeks. BUT NOW... I know how pregnant I am because of the moodiness, nausea, throwing up, larger (even larger) breasts, nausea, throwing up, cravings, aversions (I will buy a huge box of oranges because it's all I can eat and then decide the next day I can't stand them), fatigue, and nausea. For the record, I want throw up right now... and even while I'm asleep... I will get out of bed at 2 AM to throw up :( YUCK! These past couple of weeks have been really difficult and I'm thankful but looking forward to the next trimester.

Was it planned? Yes! Flip and I decided to place things in the Lord's hands for Fall of 2008 about a year ago. However, we were surprised considering so many sources and friends told us it could take 6 months to a year. For us it was less than a month... and we are excited, ready, nervous, and so thankful for this opportunity. We both want a large family and have done our part to get the show on the road :)

OK, now that's off my chest... I can write again! I promise to dwell on the misery of this first trimester... sorry! Only 3-4 more weeks.

Should You be Allowed to Vote?

So... I took this test (without googling any of the answers) and looks like I am pretty validated in helping to chose our next President of the United States (ahhhhh can't believe we find out tonight)! Take the test... it's fun... and thanks Giovanna... hope you don't mind me stealing your post idea.

You Should Be Allowed to Vote

You got 11/15 questions correct. Generally speaking, you're very well informed. If you vote this election, you'll know exactly who (and what) you'll be voting for. You're likely to have strong opinions, and you have the facts to back them up.

Should You Be Allowed to Vote?

Country Bumpkins in the North

So these days... that I haven't posted on my blog... have flown by. My grandparents visited this past weekend, and we had a wonderful time with them. They arrived on Friday, and we kept them busy until Sunday evening. They are from a small town in North Carolina so Boston was quite an adventure for them. My grandfather has a Southern dialect from South Carolina that can be difficult for the average Yankee to understand. There were a few times I noticed a waitress or sales clerk straining to understand him, and as a last resort requesting him to "say again." All he ordered was a salad with dressing on the side (they are strict vegetarians) for every meal :) 

We went to the Clemson/Boston College game on Saturday (they are HUGE Clemson fans) and Clemson won which made the trip that much better! We took the train home and ended up running into/standing next to Charlie Whitehurst from the San Diego Chargers. My grandparents found that ride to be quite special considering Charlie was the quarterback for Clemson a few years back. Sunday we spent the day in Maine and were able to show them the Bush Estate in Kennebunkport. 

They had a wonderful visit! It means a lot to us when our family visits us from the South... it's a looong trip up here, especially if you're determined to drive! 

Have You Met the Duggars?

The Duggars are a Christian family (reality series on TLC) with 17 children and one on the way. This show is intriguing to me for several reasons: The children are always happy, the family is kind and courteous, the family runs like clock-work, and they do everything to the glory of God. This family may seem odd to some as they appear "outdated," but they are merely conservative Christians. Without saying we should all live exactly like The Duggers... I would like to point out... The Duggars display attitudes and values that should resonate with all viewers rather they be Christian or not. Below is a list of the Duggar Family Guidelines. These rules are truly admirable and worthy of emulation. 

1. Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.
2. Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.
3. Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.
4. Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.
5. Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.
6. Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.
7. Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)
8. Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.
9. Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.
10. Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.
11. Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.
12. Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).
13. Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)
14. Never raise a hand to hit.
15. Never raise a foot to kick.
16. Never raise an object to throw.
17. Never raise a voice to yell.
18. Never raise an eye to scowl.
19. Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!
20. Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.
21. Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)
22. Amendment J.O.Y. - 
           Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.                                                                                                                                         

The Secret to Financial Success... Click Here

I promise you'll be amused if you don't laugh out loud.