Limitations

It is soooo frustrating to be pregnant and not able to

a) help enough with the move
b) stop complaining and whining that I can't help enough with the move
c) feeling I physically cannot do what I want to do and know NEEDS doing
d) NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THE GOOD DRUGS for this awful cold that sprung out of literally nowhere between 3 pm and 6 pm tonight.

See? More whining. It seems to be a symptom of late second trimester, Aimee style.

No, That is NOT What's In There?!

Anyone else continue to marvel that newborn babies are actually what is inside there...
Making you fat?
Giving you heartburn?
Making you rage at your husband?
Making you cry in front of your husband?
Making you eat the Taco Bell?
Sometime making you throw up the Taco Bell?
Making you tired and crabby? Swelled? Nervous? Not sleep? Waddle? Struggle with back pain? Do acrobatics with pillows? Stress over doctor appointments? Constantly schedule doctor appointments? Gain 25, 35, 45 lbs?

Seeing four newborns in as many weeks has reminded me that what is in, really does come out. It's not just a belly and a backache. It's not an eggplant, rutabagas or whatever fruit-of-the-week the BabyCenter e-mails describe. There's a baby in thar!

A pink, wrinkly baby that blinks, breathes, eats and poops. That pressure I feel in my rib really is BABY FOOT.

Ok, frankly, you babies are freaking me out. Time for bed, and I'll just ignore the "indigestion" kicking me in the ribs because tonight, you, baby, are blowing mama's mind with how NUTS it is that you're in there, growing into a real working person, in my big old Taco Bell filled tummy.

What Helps with Killer 2nd Trimester Heartburn AND Out-of-Town Husbands?

Ice cold milk and FIVE Chips Ahoy cookies.

Hey, you can't leave one guy alone in the jar.

The REAL Definition of Trouble

I almost felt my petty whining about traveling woes bite me in the butt, when today I was worried about something more serious - worried that my b.p. was spiking and here I am, X number of states away from home and doctor.

All day I had a headache, which I never have and which docs tell you to watch for. As day wore on, I felt "odd" - kinda puffy, kinda swelled. Just off.

I also felt my sight was a bit blurry, however, that's hard to sort out of the 10 hours hunched over laptop screen.

After debating all day, I decided my course of action would not be calling my doctor, but first, finding a drug store to take my b.p. at one of those free machines. Off to the Rite Aid, which thankfully after 4 tests in a row, confirmed my b.p. is just fine. WHEW.

Tho, it did flip me out when the first reading was high. But next three were normal. Guess it was all the excitement of taking my first public b.p. test that elevated the first?

Anyway, I don't know if I felt better or worse today when my good friend Renae (after I emailed her this was going on today, but before I took b.p. test) said she was worried about me out here by myself. I appreciated the support. But I wanted to say nah, I'm fine.

But really, I'm not answering just for me, I'm answering for little girl too, and so being tough sometimes just feels wrong. Yet being a worry wart does, too. It's such a hard situation to navigate when to call, when to not call.

Anyway - point being, I took a step and feel confident that I am fine and she is fine. But I sure as hizell am glad I'm headed home tomorrow.

The Very Definition of Trouble

...Me plus on site cafeteria (which very much resembles a "buffet") plus a traveling, lonely, semi-stressed, 110% pregant state of mind.

Do you think my doctor meant, don't gain more than 25 lbs in one TRIP? Because even that may be trouble...o' pizza bar, o' dessert bar, o' hot grilled sandwich maker guy...

If I look bigger when I come back, you are right. Just keep it to yourself.

***UPDATE: I was dreaming of egg salad the other night. And what am I munching right now after visiting the on site caf for lunch today? EGG SALAD SAMMY, BABY. Ask, and ye shall receive...

Differences

It's hard to remember exactly what's different between my pregnancies. But here are a few things I've noticed:

She kicks more and more frequently than Matthew. Foretelling of awful one hour nap, one hour awake pattern?

My ligaments feel much more sore and stretched. Guess hauling a 30 lb struggling toddler and two laptop bags this time around isn't conducive to nurturing my "delicate condition." Unlike last time, when I spent an average of 3 hours a night watching TV being waited on my my husband. Then another 10 hours a night sleeping, going to bed at 8:30 or 9, and waking up at 7:30, regularly.

I am overall, LESS of a lazy bones than I was with Mathew. Despite my fears about being totally overwhelmed with being pregnant, having a kid, moving and working... most days, I am somehow accomplishing more than I do usually.

It's not to be a contender for the SuperMom awards, I assure you. Not my style - I am more of a "yep I give up, I'm not perfect, secret's out. Flip it to Idol, I'm going to get more ice cream" type usually.

It's just out of sheer necessity of having to keep up at work, raise my son, help sell my house, and help purchase a next one. And you know, clean and dress myself. It's taxing as hell and May's going to be intense. But, it's reassuring that when push comes to shove, Momma can get some sh*t done even 5 months pregnant.

Let's hope that momentum continues at least through early third trimester. After that I take no accountability for not being super, or even effective. I will only take accountability for going to work, coming home from work, hugging my son, putting him to bed, driving to doctor appointments. And eating lots and lots of ice cream in my new house filled with rooms of unpacked boxes and hideous paint and wallpaper projecgts left untouched.