Teatopia

An Arm and a Leg

That's what we paid for gas today . . . until it ran out.

We are having a real crisis here in the south. We depend on the gulf coast areas for gas, and there isn't any. James drove over town trying to find gas so he could fill up a can for later, but there wasn't any.

Here, gas is already about $3.20, and in Atlanta, just over an hour north, people are paying $4 and $5. I don't know what we'll do. I'm certain they'll cancel school soon if things don't change. No gas, no buses running, and no teachers driving. I guess I won't be using any air as I go to work tomorrow. I'm terrified of running out.

James the Great

Have I said lately how much I love my husband? Lately he has meant even more to me than ever before. I truly believe we are meant to be together and I cannot wait to see him holding our child. He e-mails me almost every day at work with messages like "how are my babies?" and "I love you both." Both . . . I suppose in a way we are already two people, although one is currently the size of a raspberry and has no idea how much its mommy and daddy love it already.

I have been wondering how this child will change my marriage. This baby will be the center or our universe-- the center of our marriage. The idea that I am carrying part of James inside me is more precious than anything I have ever experienced. He is inside me all day-- a part of this man I love so dearly. Women are so blessed. Men never experience anything this powerful.

I'm worried that I haven't thanked God enough for this miracle. We are so blessed. Thank you God for allowing me to experience this-- the good, the bad, and the ugly. (The ugly being my sagging, painful boobs, which are too big for their own good. I was a D cup prior to gaining like a pound more on each side. Ok, I've digressed. Enough about my boobs). Thank you God for blessing me with conception in Africa as I had dreamed. It was almost too easy. And most of all, thank you God for allowing me to experience this with such a wonderful man. I cherish him.

Finally, I'm Enjoying This! :-)

Today a co-worker came up and asked how I was feeling. She said "you really looked like you weren't feeling well last week, but you seem MUCH better today!" and then it hit me! I hadn't even realized that I felt fairly normal today (other than my sore boobies and bulging poochy tummy). In fact, I have felt reasonably well since Friday. I am just so glad because I want to enjoy this. Is it possible that the worst is over? I was thinking about the comments I got a couple of posts ago. I want this experience to be something I enjoy every second of, not something I wish away. I have about 7 months to go . . . I should enjoy this time and use it to plan, to think, to dream. In 7 months, things will never again be the same. I am looking forward to using this time to get to know my husband in an entirely different way. I have never seen him so excited about something.

And another thing, pregnancy is great for getting things you want. :-) I don't mean that in an obnoxious way at all. It's more funny than anything. Here's an example:

Before church yesterday . . .

Me: The peanut wants some Indian food.

James: I'm not really in the mood.

Me: Would you deny your child something it wants?

James: But we ate it the other day.

Me: Too bad. The peanut has spoken.

And you know what? By the time church was over, I had changed my mind (those cravings are funny like that) but I'm certain James would've honored the peanut's request.

Deep Thoughts

I have seriously been mildly depressed since watching the last episode of Six Feet Under, which has been called the third BEST series finale ever, and it really was. The writers cerainly carried the show's profound, depressing theme through the last episode. I caught the end of the last episode last night and there was a lump in my throat after a mere 30 seconds. Those damned pregnancy hormones.

This morning in Sunday school (we recently joined a young adults class), I sat with a girl who is due next week and we spent some time talking about pregnancy after class. I felt slightly envious that she will meet her daughter in the next week or so and I won't meet my baby for 7 months. It's silly, I know, because she has had to wait 9 months too. I just wish I could skip ahead, you know?

I have realized lately that this blog is truly only a piece of me. There are so many thoughts and aspects of my life I don't blog about, not intentionally, but because by the time I sit down to write once every day or two, it's impossible to recount every moment. But I try to hit the highlights.

With that said-- and I've others do this and I've never really thought to-- is there anything anyone wants to know about me that I haven't said or posted? Any questions? Now you'll hurt my feelings if I think no one wants to know anything about me. :-)

New Ticker

As much as I loved my giraffe ticker, it hasn't worked in days and it didn't update daily when it did work. I was hoping to find another African looking one, but this one is ok.

If the other website gets on the ball, I'll be switching back. :-)

Soon, it'll be time to post a belly pick. I have a little bitty pooch, but it's something and I know ya'll want to see it, right? :-)

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Last night, we ate at the most wonderful seafood restaurant I've ever been to, The Market. It was my friend Rebecca's birthday, so several of us went out to celebrate. I wasn't feeling so hot, so I just ordered some sides, one of which was a fabulous heirloom tomato salad with 25 year old balsamic vinegar.

When I was in Maryland about a year ago, I went with my aunt to a small organic roadside stand just outside of Washington, D.C. where we bought the most amazing tomatoes ever: purplish heirloom tomatoes. I have never seen anything like them since until last night. Although the tomaotes are red on the inside, the skin has a purplish hue. Wow was the salad good!

Pooch and Almost Friday :-)

Last night, laying in bed, I noticed that the pooch on my tummy I had decided was gas, now will not flatten when I lay down. I am starting my third month next week, so I suppose it could be that I'm starting to show a teeny weeny bit. :-) James was so excited and he kept touching my tummy and rubbing it. And now he wants to spoon me every night so he can hold the baby too. He likes to rest his hands on my tummy while I sleep. He's going to be such a good dad. :-)

I am not in maternity clothes yet and probably won't be for a few weeks, but I am noticing a bit of tightening. I did wear maternity jeans last weekend though and I love them! Right now they are adjusted to a normal size, but because they are stretchy-ish, they allow for my pooch to feel more comfortable.

This week has flown by for me. I am so happy it's almost Friday! This Saturday, my mom is taking my sister and I to Rose Cottage, a tea house I have posted about before. They have the best soups and sandwiches. I guess I'll have to replace my usual pot of Darjeeling for something with no caffeine, like say maybe a Rooibos tea? I'm just praying for no nausea so I can enjoy my food!

Also, James wants to start getting ready for the baby this weekend, which means a task I have been dreading since we decided to get pregnant: cleaning out the office and combining it with the guest room. We aren't ready to start the nursery yet because we don't know what we're having, but we need to at least get a room cleared. James will do the lifting and moving, but I know I need to clean out the room and get rid of things.

A Few Things on My Mind

-- It's difficult to be excited about being pregnant when you feel so yucky. Even with the Seabands, I still feel gicky. I miss enjoying food.

-- We're getting a TGI Friday's! I've always loved that restaurant. What I'd prefer though are more privately owned ethnic restaurants.

-- I miss cooking. I don't feel like planning elaborate meals at the moment, but I'm hoping that will change.

-- I am sad about the ending of the newest Harry Potter book. Really sad.

-- I want to get highlights but I here conflicting things about it being safe for pregnant women. Hmmm . . .

-- I love my husband so much. He is so cool. He will be a wonderful father.

Miracle Bracelets

I have been so nauseous lately, so much so that I haven't felt like doing anything. But then I found my miracle bracelets: Seabands, like you'd wear on a cruise for seasickness. They are awesome! They use acu-pressure on your wrists, based on Chinese medicine. The Chinese are so smart!

Farewell

Any "Six Feet Under" fans out there? I have followed the show off and on for the last several years and have been really into it over the last year. Last night was the series finale. Did anyone see it? It broke my heart. It emphasized something that has been on my mind so much lately-- the circle of life. (can't you just here the Lion King song playing in your head?) :-) After Nate died a couple episodes ago, the family has been trying to move on, and the show ended with Claire leaving home to find her dream and I sobbed thinking about my child, who isn't even born, leaving me someday. Sad, I know. Then, as Claire drove away, it flashed through every character in the show and how they will die. Mothers leaving children. Spouses leaving spouses. Sisters leaving brothers. It was too much for me. It made life seem so short and simple. I must've sobbed for a hour, telling me that pregnant women should not watch anything so deep. I am overly sensitive anyway, and these hormones have made it a million times worse.

Six Feet Under, I will miss you. I need a new show to get into, maybe something a bit healthier. I like "Nip/Tuck", but I'd love any suggestions you may have for another show to get into.

Naked in the City . . .

. . . naked in the beautiful city of Johannesburg that is, in front of the maid.

I almost forgot to tell this embarrasing moment that happened at the end of our trip-- at the very end, as we were getting ready to rush to the airport one last time, fairly sure we had a flight out this time.

We didn't have long to get ready to leave, so James hopped in the shower, and I hopped in the tub right next to it to shave my legs. James finished first and was drying off, when we thought we heard someone at our door. The bathroom door was closed, but we didn't want them to come in our room while we were naked, so James said "let me make sure the front door is locked." Well, when he opened the bathroom door, what we had heard were maids already in the room! James was butt naked and I was completely naked in the tub. I know she saw his wee-wee and my breasts. We were stunned and horrified and she just stood there, equally shocked. We never dreamed they were in the room. Didn't they hear us talking? James slammed the door and we heard them leave. Thank God we weren't in a compromising position of some sort. Remember, we were "trying" to get pregnant folks.

Then, later, when James was downstairs talking to our rep and I was getting the last of the packing done, the same woman came back in! I couldn't help but wonder if she was hoping for another peak at my sexy husband. We still hadn't checked out!

I blamed the whole thing on my husband, who in jumping behind the door so the maid couldn't see him, actually ended up exposing me, as the tub was right in front of the door. I'll never let him live it down. hehe. :-)

You're Going to Think I'm Lying

Get a load of this. I learned in a meeting today that one of my students threatened to stab his teacher to death last year with a pair of scissors. He actually stood behind her when she wasn't looking, scissors aimed at her back, but another teacher caught him and stopped him. When asked if he was really going to stab her, he replied "yeah. Because I don't like her." So, what did they do? Suspend him-- as in "see you next week"! Let me just say that if that were MY class, someone would be gone for good, because if it wasn't him, it'd certainly be me. And I get the pleasure of teaching him all year. He's already tried to kiss me. I guess if it happens again and I offend him by saying no, he could stab me with scissors. Lucky me. Last time, he did it when I was talking to someone and I didn't even know who had done it until he pulled away. It was on the cheek, but it was a little to close to my mouth for comfort. What the hell is wrong with my school system? What kind of administrator allows a student who threatens to kill back in class? He also threated to kill students last year because "he didn't like them." Well tough shit. He needs to be put away.

Sometimes I think I must be nuts doing this for a living. Teaching isn't what it used to be, believe me. I'm not even in a "bad" school. I'm pregnant, tired, and stressed, and although I love many of my students and find them an absolute pleasure to have in class, other times, it feels like hell.

The first time that boy threatens me, I'm gone. I have a baby to protect, as well as my sanity. And I have rights, one of them being to not have to work where people have threatened my life. Lets hope I stay on this kid's good side, because I'm scared.

Friends

I just learned today that a good friend has cervical cancer and she's only 26. She wants kids and is scared this will affect it.

Another friend told me today that she learned she's not pregnant, after thinking that she was after artificial insemination recently. She's been trying for over a year and it's just not working out. Now she needs a series of shots costing $1200. Then is she tries in-vitro, she's looking at 14K. She's really discouraged. Weird thing is, she has a baby a few years ago without a problem. He almost died this summer and when he got well, he told his mom he wanted her to give him a brother or sister. She wants to make his wish come true so badly.

Today I feel sad for my friends.

Worst Storm Ever and Other Ramblings

Today I was caught in one of the worst storms I've ever seen. There was lightning striking all around me-- it even hit a truck in front of me and 2 buildings!

I was so scared I thought I was going to pee my pants (also because I have to pee constantly). I went through a a foot of water at one point and my breaks felt all funny. The car in front of me got stuck in the water and I had to find a back way to class. (My 3rd gifted certification class started tonight-- this is the 2nd to the last one I have to take, but I'll be done before the peanut arrives)

In other news, I am feeling very yucky and nauseous throughout the day. I just keep thinking about what all this is for. I am reading about pregnancy constantly and watching birthing shows on TV. I am just so into it right now! I can't sleep through the night anymore because I have to pee about 4 times a night. So much for rest!

Also, I posted profiles for my doggies on the left side of my blog. Check 'em out!

It's Here!

IT WORKS! :-)

After a day of shopping with my sister, I managed to find time to finally post pictures of our glorious trip to South Africa. I will award special points to anyone who has enough time to actually look at all of them (and I didn't even put them all up!).

I haven't finished all the captions yet, but I will.

Click here to view the album. Oh, and please, FEEDBACK! :-)

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

This weekend I am seriously going to put up pictures from our trip. They turned out beautifully and I hope they reflect all the beauty of Africa. I think of our trip every day and I miss South Africa, paricularly Cape Town, so much I can't stand it. But I have an extra special souvenir. :-)

There are many things I should have done already, but I am literally dead on my feet. I am more tired, nauseated, and sore (my boobs) than I have ever been, so you'll have to excuse my slowness.

I do have a number of things on my agenda for this weekend after I sleep 15 hours tonight (it might be possible), and the pictures are one of them. Please check back soon and pardon me for being so late!

Nighty night!

Reality

Tonight I started to cry because I had a craving for something other than the meat I thawed and now I have to throw it away.

My wonderful husband is at Cracker Barrel picking up two orders of turnip greens. I have officially had a craving for something weird.

My boobs have gotten so big that I can barely button my shirt. I even comtimplated posting a picture of my bulging shirt, but decided not to post sexual pictures of myself on the internet.

I am really pregnant.

Oh, and One More Thing . . .

Please, please say a prayer for my grandma who is having her 3rd knee surgery in just a year. She hasn't done well with the last 2, so please keep her in your prayers. It would mean a lot to me. She is one of the most important people in my life. I've never lived more than 10 minutes from her my entire life and we talk every day, really.

Pregnancy Goodies and Some Good News

I promise now that I'm pregnant I will actually talk about things besides pregnancy, BUT . . .

I just had to tell you about my first maternity store experience. I bought 2 pairs of pants, not because I need them yet, but because I was excited! I want a tummy to put in them! I also bought some preggie pops (see photo above for flavors), ensure for pregnant women, an exercise video with cardio and yoga for pregnant women, and James bought a Consumer Report guide on baby products.

Now for the good news. My friend GFF just found out some unexpected, but wonderful news. We are due 5 days apart! :-)

My First OBGYN Appointment

Today was my very first OBGYN appointment. James came with me and we got a few questions answered. He also did an internal exam and said that my uterus has softened and is starting to expand. :-) They sent me home with a bunch of pregnancy magazines to read and some pre-natals to try. I've been taking the over-the-counter ones since about a month before we conceived, but he wants me on presciptions ones now. He said to choose whichever didn't make me sick, so I guess I'll try the new ones this weekend so I'm not sick at work.

The only thing he said that upset me was that 30% of women miscarry during the first 3 months. I think I knew this, but I didn't want to hear it and wonder if I should've spilled the beans so soon. Oh well. I love you all, my wonderful internet friends, and even IF something went wrong, I'd want to share that too, so I suppose I'm comfortable with my decision. :-)

My next appointment is in 4 weeks. I'll only be seeing this doctor through the first trimester because my gyno just stoppped delivering babies, so he'll refer me to someone else. He says he knows just the guy for me. I thought they'd do the complete pre-natal profile today, but my doctor said not until I go to the next doctor in 8 weeks. I can wait until then. For now, I'm just enjoying this experience.

A Surprise Gift and Drunken Noodles

Today when I got home, I was greeted by a large package on my front porch. Upon inspection, I saw that it was from Lisanne and I immediately smiled! Lisanne has been so kind to me lately-- answering my many questions about pregnancy and just being a good friend. I wish I knew her in real life because I think we'd be good friends. She is such a living person and her son Lucas is quite a cutie!

When I got it inside, I opened it up to find baby stuff! Onesies, a pregnancy journal, baby body wash, ginger candies for nausea and more! I got all teary at her kindness and just thinking about using these products on my little one. I have my first big appointment tomorrow and we're really excited!

After a long first day of school, I felt like cooking, so I made something I was going to make this weekend, but never did-- Drunken Noodles.

Click below for the recipe:



You will need:

2 14 oz pkgs of 1/4 in wide flat rice noodles

1/4 cup veg. oil

12 cloves of garlic (I used 6, didn't want to scare anyone away)

1/4 cup chopped fresh Thai chiles (or fingerhots)

1.5 lbs ground chicken

1/4 cup nam pla (fish sauce)

1/4 cup black soy sauce

1/4 cup light soy sauce

1 tbsp sugar

4 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1/2 cup fresh Thai basil (or you could use Italian)

Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until al dente and drain. Meanwhile, saute garlic and peppers in veg. oil for about 2 minutes. Add chicken, fish sauce, both soy sauces, and sugar and cook for several minutes. Next, add tomato and cook until soft. Mix with noodles and sprinkle with chopped basil. Enjoy!

Poor Us

My "morning" sickness has started already and we had to go to the emergency room because James cut off the tip of his finger with an electric hedge trimmer. I am so not ready for the first day of school tomorrow!

My nausea actually started yesterday afternoon and I knew right away it was the pregnancy kind because I wanted to eat even though my tummy was nauseated. It feels like it used to when I'd take a birth control pill on an empty stomach. I had it again this morning, so tomorrow, I'll be sure to stuff my face with crackers before getting up. I don't want to be sick on the first day of school.

Ok, enough about me and on to my poor hubby. He didn't actually cut the tip of his finger off, but he got close. He has stitches and a bandage. I have never seen so much blood. I know that obviously there are worse injuries where there would be even more blood, I just haven't seen them. He had blood all over his face and glasses even because it was squirting everywhere. (Ok, I know that really was more of a visual than you needed, so I apologize).

Ok, back to me. I don't understand how they determine how far along you are, because there are 2 different ages: the age of the actual fetus (when it was conceived) and another number for how long you've been pregnant. Apparently, you are considered 2 weeks pregnant at conception because of the lunar calendar. I'm hoping my OBGYN can explain on Tuesday because I don't get it. I am only in my 3rd week for how old the fetus is, but I guess I am over a month pregnant. I really don't get it. Either way, it seems early to have sickness, but it's here.

African Bedding for an Africa-Conceived Baby!

Today we went to a store called "That's Our Baby" to get a sneak peak at furniture and other nursery accessories. We saw the cutest bedding! I hope the picture is clear enough to see the little elephants and zebras. The bedding is mostly cream, light green and light yellow and I found the most beautiful light green rocking chair to go with it. If it's a boy, this is what we want. We both loved it so much that we don't want even to look at anything else for a boy's room, and this is coming from the my-baby-will-have-a-Classic-Pooh-themed-room-no-matter-what! I always wanted Classic Pooh until I saw this. It's so perfect for a baby conceived in Africa! Now if it's a girl, I'll probably go with something pink, but if it's a boy, this is it! I can still have Classic Pooh accessories and an African-themed room, right? :-) What do you think of the picture?

The Peanut

It still doesn't seem real that I'm pregnant. It was just too easy! Now, granted we tried really hard, but still . . . I feel so blessed that it happened so quickly. And I also feel guilty. A close friend of mine can't even have children and I almost feel ashamed of my egg-dropping ovaries and long ovulation period.

I swear my stomach is sticking out a bit. It's WAY too early to be growing, so I'm feeling really fat. I think part of it is that I'm bloated. My Lord, pregnancy will give you some gas! I feel all puffed out. When Shokufeh talked about goozes, she wasn't kidding! It's odd, because I don't have any symptoms really-- it's just too early-- but I am much more tired, but this could be from the fact that I've gone back to work and I've had a lot of excitement. I'm just dying to feel SOMETHING. My boobs don't even hurt. But in spite of my lack of symptoms, I know my peanut is in there.

I drive myself nuts wondering if it's a boy or a girl. I know there's no point in wondering. I won't know for months, but still . . . I see all these cute clothes and I'm dying to buy some, but I don't know what to get. I already bought a cute pair of booties, a bib, and a little blanket. My mom bought me a Classic Pooh album to record my experiences and also a comb and brush set. We probably won't buy anything else for a while, I was just so excited that I went a little crazy.

For all you mom's out there, I'm curious, when did you first notice that your waistline was changing?

My Anniversary Present

I can't believe I didn't post yesterday on my anniversary! I've just been so mentally pre-occupied, hmmm . . . I wonder why? :-) We had a wonderful dinner at Carraba's and I got a really sweet card. I actually got my anniversary gift in Cape Town. It's a tanzanite stone with gold elephants on either side and they have tiny diamond eyes. It's a wonderful souvenir, but the more amazing one is the life growing inside me.

The Secret Revealed

I've been hinting for a while that something big was going on in our lives. Did anyone pick up on it? Now, it's time to reveal what's been going on with us. I had planned to create a quiz or think of some really creative way of sharing our news, but I'm just going to come right out and say it:

I AM PREGNANT! YIPPEEEEEE!!!!

Now, I'm not too far along, but I just couldn't keep it to myself. The truth is, we decided about 2 months ago that we wanted to try on our trip, so we did, and I did-- get pregnant that is. I got pregnant in South Africa. It was our smallest and most precious souvenir I suppose.

I've suspected for about a week, so I took a test yesterday morning. There were 2 lines, but the second one was faint. I assured James that this was indeed a postive result, but he wanted more proof. Heck, we can barely believe it now! So, yesterday during my lunch break, I went to my OBGYN for a blood test. A few hours later I called for the result and was delighted to hear that it was definitely positive! I have a little peanut in my tummy!

Now I'm not positive when I'm due, but I know it's mid April. I have an appointment Tuesday to find out my due date and I'll put a countdown up then. My doctor also wants to do an internal exam and set up my first ultrasound, which I am guessing really won't show much but a small placenta and a little umbilacle chord. I just had to share our news with you, my good friends, even if I am only a little pregnant. :-)

Back to School!

Today was my first day back to school. We go back so early down here. I missed posting yesterday, but believe it or not, I was stuck in another airport! My sister and I drove up to Atlanta to pick up my aunt, but she missed her flight and the next one was delayed, so by the time we got her, found her luggage which had arrived on the first flight she missed, we had been gone 8 hours! I was so tired when I got back that I pretty much went straight to bed.

This year is going to be better than last year for sure. I have a better schedule and more gifted kids, but it's still hard to go back. I miss my summer break!