Clumsy Mumsy

In addition to be the world's worst cook lately (e.g., burning bacon, brewing coffee in the filter portion of the coffeemaker, dried out dinners, etc.), I guess I need to submit to the fact that I'm also a pregnant klutz. Yesterday, although not my first trip or spill while pregnant, I fell down the stairs. Ok, half the stairs, but still a good four or five of them. I should have known better - let's see I didn't hold on to the railing, was in a hurry, arms full of bags having just come in and tromped down the stairs full force to let Mr. Maximus out of his crate. Out of nowhere it seemed like some invisible force just cut my legs out from under me. I didn't trip, or at least I don't think I did, my legs just crumpled up underneath me. As I tumbled head first towards the basement stair's first platform (thank God for a turning staircase), I could feel my shins hit the first step, then bounce down, my knees landing HARD onto the staircase platform. It was one of those moments where time seems to just stand still. You know it's happening, yet you are somewhat numb to the pain. Then, the pain hits - excruciating pain. I had tried to put my hands out to catch myself but my kneese took the brunt. Or should I say mainly my left knee. I sat there in a fetal position (ironically) for a minute or two scared to move, thinking what if I broke or sprained something. Yes, wimpy girl hurt that bad. I had my cell next to me thank goodness but with only one bar left. I decided rather than turn into "I've fallen and I can't get up" woman, I'd attempt to go back upstairs. I did and assessed the damage. I have a pretty badly bruised, blood blistered left knee that's swollen and extremely sore and some other very sore points on my shins and ankles but OK. Baby's still jumping around, so I think we're good there. I packed some ice on it yesterday, and bandaged it up...

The moral to the story: Hold on to the railing, moron.

Here's a clip from Babycenter.com about clumsiness during pregnancy: http://www.babycenter.com/0_clumsiness-during-pregnancy_224.bc.

So, I guess this means reconsidering yoga sessions as I get bigger huh? Or maybe even now.

The Food Fight

In what seems to be a futile attempt to sway Baeleigh into eating more healthful foods, Baeleigh displays above one of her infamous faces when deciding that she doesn't like something. For the past month or two, Tommy and I have tried to concentrate efforts to introduce more veggies and homecooked meals to Baeleigh. Until now, we have relied heavily upon PB&Js, lunch meats, cheese, yogurt, Chef Boyardee, etc. And, although some of this is OK in moderation, we've decided it's time that Baeleigh eats what we eat. At first read, this probably sounds like we're just plain lazy, but it is actually quite difficult to have a child eat what an adult eats. You try selling salmon with lemon and capers to a 4 year old. Baeleigh also has a quite different dinner schedule than Tommy and I have. This is the crux of the reason why she tends to eat her own separate meal, and more than likely with "G" (Tommy's mom).

Don't get me wrong, G is fantastic. She has helped us out tremendously with picking Baeleigh up after daycare since Tommy and I both work later schedules making it difficult to pick up by 6pm. But, G is also a "grandparent" - you know the ones that like to spoil your kid rotten, fill them up with candy and them sending them back home to you. G's also not so fond of my organic or at least minimally processed and low-fat philosophy for our family. She's certainly come around in the last few years but we're definitely still predominantly Lunchables, Meals-to-Go, and Hi-C drink laden. At least the McDonald's visits have been considerably reduced.

I've tried to start things off easy with Baeleigh (e.g. some carrots - like TWO baby carrots cut up) and mostly milk or water with meals, but she practically folds down epileptic on the floor on me. We've had several pick-ups from daycare now where the first thing out of her mouth is, "Mommy, am I eating carrots for dinner?...because I don't like carrots" and it continues pretty much the whole car ride home. She squirms as I cook them, winces when I set them on the table, gags as she places a small bite in her mouth until she melts down into tears, head on the table. It's a freakin' carrot, already!! I tried some Hamburger Helper Enchilada and a spoonful of corn last night. Surprise, she chooses the option of going to bed over eating ANY of it. So, here I am, being beaten by a 4 year old with our daily food fight. With her happily retiring to bed in lieu of eating what's for dinner, what's a mommy to do? I'm practically ready to pull my hair out. So, today, the lunch special was once again....dinner from last night. I figure the kid's gotta get hungry enough eventually, right? I feel like such a mean mommy, but I think it's the only way I'm gonna break her. So, today, mommy 1, Baeleigh 0. She ate it, begrudgingly and slooooooooowly, but she ate it. As a treat, she got strawberries.

Next step is convincing G to no longer feed her dinner. Or at least me trying to make something more healthful that she can heat up in the event that dinner's pushing past 7:30pm. So, that's my plan of attack. Pray for me!!

Namaste, Baby

Not so long ago, I used to LOVE going to hot yoga classes. I had asked at the time if it would be OK for me to continue going to class once I was pregnant. Sounds crazy but those classes are very addictive. A good yoga class can provide an inner peace, a general calm, a resetting of your priorities within the chaos that is often my life. If I had a realy bad day, I knew going to yoga would release all that tension and I could go home to a great night's rest. Why wouldn't I want to continue my practice?

So, you can imagine my surprise now that I am pregnant how many excuses I make as to why I can't go. So much so, that I'm now 17 weeks along and haven't been to yoga once. I'm too tired, I have too much to do, they aren't holding prenatal yoga classes, etc., etc., etc. Last night was the first night that I went. And, I decided since it had been a while that I'd try just an all-level yoga clas, not the typical hot yoga class that I had enjoyed. It was most definitely a challenge. For one, I have to modify some of my asanas because being pregnant I'm not supposed to twist or do any inversions. For two, I needed to honor and respect the fact that I was no longer at the level I once was in strength, endurance or balance. Perfect example: chaturanga. This asana requires a good amount of strength and endurance, especially during several sets in a row. Cobra is sort of an alternative to this, but your thighs should graze the floor. Imagine my surprise when I realize 1) how difficult it is for me to even muster the strength to do the push-up like move, and 2) that my belly is already uncomfortable smooching into the floor. So, I sort of had to modify it into a girlie push-up, butt in the air. I was a little bummed at that, but ultimately I submitted to the fact that I was there and doing what I could do. Just going through the process, I was still able to feel that inner peace in the end.

But my pivotal moment in the class was as I lay on my back, stretching our legs out with bands and feeling Baby start its little "bump-bump" dance. Like "Hey, Mommy, I'm here and I'm excercising too, see.....". And, as I placed my hand on my belly, this was the first time that I could feel Baby through my belly. Strong but light. That moment in itself, although hard to describe, was worth it to attend the class.

Most people find it hard to believe that I'd feel movements so early, but I do. Tommy being one of those skeptics. So, last night when I got home, laying on the couch, Baby started bumping around again. I told Tommy to quickly come over and feel the baby. I was afraid he'd miss it, but sure enough Baby thumped a few more times. His eyes just popped open, "oh, my Gosh, that's pretty hard." He just smiled. It was a really great night.

The Blossoming Belly

This was Baeleigh's expression as Tommy took the first pics of my blossoming belly. Says it all doesn't it. Sort of like the Flintstone's commercial - 16 weeks....and grooowing! I've added a "Pregnancy Pics" link to the left for those that want to follow the expanding belly.

Baby loves dancing in my belly, and always at the most opportune times. I had some late public meetings this past week. And, as I operated the PowerPoint, I guess Baby decided it was time to do a little dance. Reminds me of the Ally McBeal shows with the dancin' baby --- ooga-ooga -ooga-chucka-ooga-ooga-chucka. Through the whole 30 minutes of presentations as I leaned over to advanced the slides, I couldn't help but smirk as I felt Baby dancing around in there, having a grand ol' time. There were a couple of slides, where the presenter had already nodded at me, and I suppose my mind had drifted off to giggle at the movements.

As for cravings, this baby is similar to Baeleigh in that I LOVE carbs (mayonnaise bread..I can see Tommy cringing now), cheese, Coke, and tomatoes (though this one LOVES caprese salads, not necessarily the fried ones I ate with Bae). I have to say there are some new cravings as well - lots of raw veggies, apples, pickles. Mmmmm, pickles...I think I need to go search the fridge now.