The Business of Being Born

I was set on the idea of a midwife-assisted birth long before I saw this video (couldn't embed it, sorry), but it was still very informative for me. If you are expecting or trying to conceive, I highly recommend watching it. Being informed never hurt anyone.

Spreading the News

I told Mom and Angel about the upcoming baby today. Mom is so excited I think she's going to pass out! Angel was a little more subdued about the news... but she knows my stand on the kid thing. I'm sure when it gets down to it, we'll all be a bit more excited... even Mom.

I'm planning on holding off until late March (around the 12 week mark) to tell anyone else. Mom and Angel have been sworn to secrecy until then, as well.

Ugh!

I think I may be pregnant again. I haven't said anything to anyone... except Ross, of course. We haven't confirmed it with a test yet, but all the symptoms are there: late period, swollen breasts, heartburn, nausea, and extreme exhaustion. With what happened last time, I'm hesitant to tell anyone until we get past that three month mark (which is why this post will be private until I reveal the news). I will tell Mom and Angel once we have a positive test, because I know they would both be upset that I didn't tell them if the pregnancy continues.

It's a great thing that I had set the resolutions that I did. I'd even started taking a multi-vitamin just to make sure I was covered on nutrients. Giving up soda last pregnancy was wicked, but I think the head start this time will make it easier. I also feel stronger and more energetic with the dietary changes. That will be a plus!

I plan to maintain a modified version of my fitness plan throughout the pregnancy. Obviously, I will increase my calorie intake, but I will not be surprised if I lose a bit of weight rather than gain.

Sticking to the Resolutions

Fifteen days into the new year and I'm still doing very well. I haven't had a bit of soda and I've been able to avoid eggs in pretty much everything but the vegetarian sausages I had for dinner the night we surprised Mom for her birthday. I've even ended up cutting out a lot of sweets from my diet. I didn't even have a piece of Mom's birthday cake... but I did put some of the leftover peanut butter frosting on a graham cracker. I've mostly filled my sweet cravings with fruit and juice. I survived the theater soda trap, too. They serve a sugar-free lemonade!

My workouts haven't been very consistent, but I've been busy with a family genealogy project... transcribing a story written by the daughter of the first of my maternal grandfather's family to come to America. It's been an interesting read. I'm retyping it from bad photocopies so that we can include it with our other findings. Aunt Vicki, Mom, Grandma and Grandpa have been working on it for awhile now.

Ross is thinking of trying to switch positions at work. His company is doing really well, but his department has not been affected by all the new contracts. He's bored out of his mind lately. Every night when he comes home and I ask how his day was I always hear, "Long and boring. Spent most the day sitting on a stool and playing games on my iPhone." I completely understand him wanting to move positions. I hate to sit around all day, because it makes for a very long day.

Well, when I asked Ross what he wanted for his birthday, he told me he wanted the mate to the sock I gave him for Yule. Guess I better get to work... I haven't even finished the cuff!

Caffeine & Egg Free (Almost)

On day nine without eggs... day five without caffeine. Funny how giving up those are far harder than giving up meat was. I feel really good about it. I can do this. Next step is the dairy. That will probably be next year's resolution. So, my long-term goal is vegan by 2012.

I should clarify that I've given up eggs cooked straight up and in any baked goods that I make. I am still working on the purchased goods. The tough part there is always the mystery ingredients... and the hubby that thinks I'm insane and also insists that we use up what's already in the house. LOL

The caffeine has been easier to give up this time. My withdrawal headaches normally go on for days and I finally give in and crack open a Dew to relieve the pain. This time, the headaches only lasted two days. I've been drinking a lot of water and juice, which I think is helping. Tonight will be the first challenge. Ross and I are going to the theater and we always order a gut-buster soda to split. I'll have to order (or sneak in) a bottled water and have Ross keep the soda on his far side.

Keeping Busy

Well, I still haven't finished those mitts or Ross' socks. All that knitting for the last several months was horrible... way too much sitting and not enough of my usual activity. I've been focusing more on not sitting around. I am keeping the knitting to just before bed... when Ross is reading.

I spent most of yesterday cleaning cupboards and closets. The closets had gotten a bit out of hand because I wasn't spending much time folding and hanging laundry... I was just putting the baskets of clean clothes in the closet. I folded and hung six baskets of laundry yesterday, while washing and drying all the curtains, sheets and pet blankets. I also reorganized and wiped out all of the kitchen cupboards and bathroom cabinets. Even my desk got an overhaul. I'll leave Ross' desk for him to deal with!

I'm also getting back to my old workout schedule. I was knitting while on the elliptical and Wii, but with the knitting set aside I can get a much more intense workout. Today will probably be the usual two hours of elliptical (one done already) and half hour on Wii Fit. I also plan to play DDR for half an hour or so.

I've quit drinking soda... again. I'm on day three and the headaches are gone already. It's normally the headaches that make me break down and drink soda again, so I am very hopeful I can finally do it this time.

Funeral and Mitts

Taking a road trip tomorrow. I just wish it were under happier circumstances. Aunt Bonnie's funeral is tomorrow evening in Madison and I'll be traveling down with my mom, Uncle Pete and Aunt Phyllis. Ross won't be coming along because he has to work. If he takes off tomorrow then he will lose all of his holiday pay. It's just not worth $900 for him to attend the funeral of an aunt of mine that he met once. It has been a long time since I've been that way. It will be good to catch up with some family that I haven't seen in awhile... well, since my Aunt Marge's funeral last year at Christmas.

Brown and Blue Mitt

I'm working on a pair of mitts to go with my brown bomber jacket. I'm hoping to have them done by tomorrow. I'm almost done with the first one. Because I'm working with a hand-dyed brown and blue cashmere/wool blend, I decided to go with simple ribbing. I liked the fit of the Hedgerow Mitts that I made previously, so I am using that pattern but omitting the texture stitch. I didn't want the busy yarn to clash with the busy texture. I'll be making this pair considerably shorter in the arm, a little shorter in the thumb and on a smaller needle than the last pair to get an even better fit.

Another Loss

My aunt Bonnie passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. She was the wife of my dad's brother Pat, who also died of cancer. All of the wives of my dad's brothers died of cancer. Most of my uncles and my dad died of cancer. Actually, many people on both sides of my family have died of cancer. There's a definite trend in my family... if heart disease doesn't get you, cancer will. I intend to put a stop to this trend (while remaining alive, of course)!

Rest in peace, Aunt Bonnie.

New Year, New Beginnings

I suppose this will be the usual resolutions for the new year post. This year I will carry on my annual new year resolution to get fit and healthy. This year it will involve getting serious about tracking calories and a steady workout schedule. I also resolve to stop hiding who I truly am. From now on, if someone doesn't like the way I act or think, it's their problem... I will not change who I am to match what others expect me to be. Only my opinion of myself matters. That's about it... simply a new beginning for body and mind.