The Perfect Fit?

I am convinced that a man was in charge of developing sizes for maternity clothes--specifically the pants. I say this only because if a woman were in charge of sizing pants they would come in more sizes than small, medium, large, or extra large. What is wrong with a pregnant woman who wore a size X pants before getting pregnant continuing to wear a size X pants (plus the elastic band) while she is pregnant? Instead, she gets lumped into a group of women who, like her, used to be a specific size but are now part of the gray area known as "small."

My frustrations stem from a weekend spent looking for a pair of maternity jeans only to realize that I will never during my pregnancy find "the perfect pair" of jeans that aren't too big in some places and too small in others. However, I did find one pair that are as close to perfect as I think I will get. They are just a tad big, but I am a pro at shrinking things in the dryer, so I will have to work my magic and see what I can come up with...

The One that Got Away

Caleb and I decided that we want to buy a "vintage" dresser to put in the nursery. A good, solid piece of furniture that can double as a changing table. I am just looking for a dresser with character that is made of actual wood so that I can repaint it the way I want. Well, my mom found just what we were looking for on Craigslist. (She claims this Website is even better than going to local garage sales!) As luck would have it, the dresser is located in Bolingbrook--even better. Well, I emailed the person selling the dresser and, not more than 36 hours after being posted on Craigslist, I found out the dresser had been sold. Bummer. I guess it is time to go back to the drawing board. Good thing we still have some time to spare!

How Bad is this Stuff, Really?

So at my next OB appointment at the end of the month, I am scheduled to be tested for gestational diabetes. I am not worried about the test results, but I have some serious concerns about the actual test... more specifically: drinking the mandatory drink prior to the test. As Caleb and I were sitting in the waiting room prior to our last appointment, another pregnant chick was called back to the exam room, and I overheard the nurse ask her how her "cocktail" tasted that morning. Cocktail? Really? Sign me up! It wasn't until we had our turn in the exam room that I realized exactly what this "cocktail" was. My nurse gave me a plastic bottle with 10 oz. of what resembles Orange Sunkist soda. She gave me strict instructions on how to prepare for my test, and finished her instructions with the following: "I highly suggest you drink this liquid very chilled and very quickly." Ok. No problem, it's just like soda, right? Well after reading the information on the "Glucola" (catchy name for what seems to be a death drink!) bottle, I have serious doubts as to whether I can stomach this stuff... I mean this drink gives specific instructions on how to "enhance palatability." Not a good sign. But it gets better. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting. Great! I have not felt nauseous at all during this entire pregnancy, so this will be the perfect opportunity for me to lose my stomach. By the end of our appointment I had completely come to dread my next visit to the doctor. My fears were confirmed when the receptionist saw me toting around my "cocktail" and looked at me with this completely pathetic and sorry look on her face and said, "Oh, you have to drink that next time you come in?" Yes, I have to drink it! Why else would I be walking around with this stuff?! From what I have been told it is just a very sugary drink. To that I say: Why can't I just eat some Laffy Taffy and down some Pixie Stix prior to my appointment?! I wish I could have a sample to try prior to the big day just so I know what I am getting in to. But that is not an option. So I am looking to all of you pregnant or previously pregnant women out there who can give me some background on this drink. Is it really as bad as it seems? Any tips to making it more "palatable"? HELP!

I Swallowed a Beach Ball

By request, here is a profile pic of the little guy at 18 weeks. Three weeks have passed since this picture was taken and during that time I have officially outgrown 99% of my non-elastic pants. Not to worry: I have devised a system consisting of rubber bands and safety pins to keep from having to buy official, elastic-up-to-my-armpits maternity pants. However, my mom visited me this afternoon with two bags full of maternity clothes (thanks Mom!), and I have to admit, they are pretty darn comfortable. I fear that once I experience the comfort of elastic maternity pants, I will never want to go back to normal pants again! I will post a more recent picture of the bump soon so be on the lookout...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We went to the Cubs game last night with our friends Kyle and Meghan. It was hot and humid as you can see by the glow on our faces (that's not just the pregnancy glow on my face). It was a good game--a lot of ties and lead changes--but the Cubs eventually lost in the 11th inning. Bad news was that we couldn't sing the "Go Cubs Go" song after the game (traditional song played after every Cubs home victory), but the good news was that the Brewers lost too so we are still 4.5 games up in the division. Wrigley field is such a fun and nostalgic place to be, and we recommend seeing a game at the friendly confines if ever you are in town.

Side note: Doesn't Caleb (a former Cardinals fan) look great in Cubs gear?! It took a little bit of time and some coaxing, but I finally converted him. I'm sure he will look back on this as one of the best decisions he ever made!

Point to Ponder

Since Saturday, our little guy (what I will refer to the baby as) has been holding a nonstop dance party in my belly. Not only can Caleb and I feel his movements, but we can also see him kickline his way across my abdomen. It's a weird feeling, but exciting to know the little guy is having a good time in there!

But experiencing these movements has made me think about something I have never fully understood: How can a woman give birth to a child without ever having known she was pregnant? As if the increased appetite and fatigue and rapidly expanding waistline aren't enough of a red flag, how can some women claim they never felt the baby moving around? I am completely confused by this. Perhaps these women are wiser than I think and are doing this for media publicity?! Hmmm...

Goodbyes and Hellos

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer (though it is hard to believe that is the case when it is a steamy 100 degrees outside). Summer passes by the quickest of all seasons, and I never feel as if I accomplished nearly as many things as I thought I would. The most important task I always set out to do but fell way short of this year was to get a nice bronzy tan. I guess that will have to wait until next year as I say goodbye to the summer sun.

But with the end of summer comes the beginning of fall, and we all know that means-- college football season... More importantly (for some), Hawkeye football. Caleb and I are headed out to Hawkeye Country in a couple of weeks to tailgate (and hopefully go to a game). Maybe there will be a little bit of that summer sun left in the sky and I can work on getting that tan that I haven't gotten yet. If not, there is always sunless tanner and the long wait to next summer.