For both of my pregnancies which got to the point of being tested for this dreaded thing, I was sure I'd probably test positive.
I crave nothing but junk food -- especially sweets... and especially chocolate. And I have very little willpower. Ergo, I figured I was due diabetes.
But, for the second time, I am gestational diabetes free! And I'm so grateful! It would be really hard for me (although probably better for me...).
I'm a huge carb eater on top of the whole sweets thing, so yeah. I'm glad.
What are you grateful for today?
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Monday, March 2, 2015
My Beband
At 26 (almost) weeks pregnant, my midsection has started to expand quite a bit. Which means my maternity wardrobe is now in full-swing. But I don't have the largest maternity wardrobe. I mean, I kind of think I shouldn't have a large selection of fat clothes I could be totally comfortable in while carrying around an extra 20 or 30 pounds. It may lead me to some serious contemplations of filling said fat clothes when not pregnant ;).
Anyway, so my maternity wardrobe isn't huge. And my Sunday maternity wardrobe is even less so. I think I own one maternity skirt. (Perhaps I'll rectify this soon, but I'm a cheap person when it comes to some things, and I buy my maternity clothes at thrift stores. So I have to be happy with what I can find there ;)). As a result, I still use some of my non-maternity skirts. That have zippers.
Ordinarily, this would not be a possibility. I'd take a picture to prove that, but let's just say it ain't cute. Pretty much, I have a skirt I can't zip at all now. And while it obviously won't fall off in my rotund state... I think it's be kind of noticeable if I wore an unzipped skirt. Except for the wonderful creation of the beband!
This stretchy little wonder is designed to go over your unzipped clothes, camouflaging their unzipped state, and feel nice and snug against your ever-expanding tummy -- stretching, since it's nylon or spandex or something. And, since it's black (mine is at least), it's pretty easy to match and make it not look like you're wearing something to hide the fact that you can't zip up your pants (or skirt...). So it makes it possible for me to not have to buy more maternity clothes if I don't really want to. And still give my one maternity skirt a break.
It's a beautiful thing.
What are you grateful for today?
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
The Smell of Jergens Lotion
Is that the most ridiculous thing ever for which to be grateful? Perhaps.
But I love this scent.
Even more than I love the smell of vanilla, Juliebean ;)!
Perhaps it is the nostalgic in me... I remember this scent from my childhood, because my mom used the Jergens lotion, and that smell of cherry and almond just stuck with me and has always been a smell I could smell all day long and never get tired of!
The soap in the bathrooms at the Seattle Temple smells like this. And it always makes me smile when I wash my hands and smell that wonderful cherry-almond smell.
And yeah, it's a small thing. But sometimes it's all about the small things that make us happy :).
What are you grateful for today?
But I love this scent.
Even more than I love the smell of vanilla, Juliebean ;)!
Perhaps it is the nostalgic in me... I remember this scent from my childhood, because my mom used the Jergens lotion, and that smell of cherry and almond just stuck with me and has always been a smell I could smell all day long and never get tired of!
The soap in the bathrooms at the Seattle Temple smells like this. And it always makes me smile when I wash my hands and smell that wonderful cherry-almond smell.
And yeah, it's a small thing. But sometimes it's all about the small things that make us happy :).
What are you grateful for today?
Thursday, February 5, 2015
The Library Hold System
I've been grateful for the library in the past, so I can't do that again.... Well, I could. Because I seriously love libraries. A ton. For a lot of reasons.
But tonight, was sitting here online putting books and movies on hold. And it occurred to me how awesome the library hold system is.
True, the "hold" policies change from library system to library system. Here we are able to put movies on hold as well as books, etc. But regardless of what the rules are, it's just awesome. I'm able to put books on hold I will be reading for the book club. I'm able to make requests for a variety of movies -- both older and newer -- for myself and my little bug. And I get them! For free. Sure, I may not be as up-to-date on the movies... But I'll still get to see them. And free beats 13.00 any day of the week for me!
Anyway, I think it's just plain awesome that we can make requests for library items which ensure our ability to utilize said items at some point. So super convenient!
What are you grateful for today?
But tonight, was sitting here online putting books and movies on hold. And it occurred to me how awesome the library hold system is.
True, the "hold" policies change from library system to library system. Here we are able to put movies on hold as well as books, etc. But regardless of what the rules are, it's just awesome. I'm able to put books on hold I will be reading for the book club. I'm able to make requests for a variety of movies -- both older and newer -- for myself and my little bug. And I get them! For free. Sure, I may not be as up-to-date on the movies... But I'll still get to see them. And free beats 13.00 any day of the week for me!
Anyway, I think it's just plain awesome that we can make requests for library items which ensure our ability to utilize said items at some point. So super convenient!
What are you grateful for today?
Sunday, January 18, 2015
A Healthy, Happy Little Girl
This is pretty random. And I sometimes think I'm a crazy person. But for some reason, I was lying in bed late last night and the soul-crushing thought came to my mind: what if our little girl wasn't healthy? What if she had an incurable, terminal disease?
Am I the only crazy person who does this? Probably.
But as I thought about that, it's because I know it's a reality for some. A very hard and sad reality. And in that moment, I was incredibly -- and almost beyond words -- grateful that my precious girl is healthy and happy. She learns and grows and runs and plays and laughs. She sometimes drives me to the brink of losing my sanity. But then, I think she's supposed to ;).
I do not know what the future holds. While I hope never to face a trial such as a terminal illness in my child, I know that it is possible. It scares the jeepers out of me, honestly. And so I push those fears aside, and embrace the now. And feel grateful every moment for a healthy little girl who is so full of life. A little girl who brings me infinitely more joy than I knew possible.
What are you grateful for today?
Am I the only crazy person who does this? Probably.
But as I thought about that, it's because I know it's a reality for some. A very hard and sad reality. And in that moment, I was incredibly -- and almost beyond words -- grateful that my precious girl is healthy and happy. She learns and grows and runs and plays and laughs. She sometimes drives me to the brink of losing my sanity. But then, I think she's supposed to ;).
I do not know what the future holds. While I hope never to face a trial such as a terminal illness in my child, I know that it is possible. It scares the jeepers out of me, honestly. And so I push those fears aside, and embrace the now. And feel grateful every moment for a healthy little girl who is so full of life. A little girl who brings me infinitely more joy than I knew possible.
What are you grateful for today?
Sunday, January 11, 2015
9:00 Church
Yes, I know I may receive some hate-mail from other members of my congregation for the fact that I am grateful for 9:00 church ;)... But I'm okay with that. Because I still get 9:00 church for another 50 weeks!
So, our church building has two congregations meeting in it every Sunday. One attends at 9:00 in the morning and the other at 1:00 in the afternoon. Typically, our congregations change back and forth each year and swap times -- just to keep things fair. But, due to circumstances that just were, our congregation has spent the last 3 years attending at 1:00. This year we got to change! True, the reason for the change means we had to say good-bye to an awesome family, and that is a sad part. But the part of us having church at 9 has been, for me, a much anticipated event!
I just love having morning church; then having the rest of the day to come home, relax, and -- most importantly, get my toddler her afternoon nap! I don't know why it is, honestly, that I am so in favor of having morning church. I just know that I am :). Probably because I'm a creature of habit, and pretty much my whole life until I moved here in 2008, I attended church with start times between 9 and 9:30. It's just what is normal for me.
And sure, I love my sleep as much as many (and possibly more than most). I especially love morning sleep, and being in my pajamas for a long time before I get moving. But something about morning church just resounds with me -- and I think I'll always prefer it, even if it means no sleeping-in (which hasn't been happening with a toddler lately anyhow ;)) and no pancakes in the morning (who has time when you sleep!?!).
So, I apologize to my friends who may not share my enthusiasm that, for the next 50 weeks, our ward will be up early attending church. But I'm still grateful ;).
What are you grateful for today?
So, our church building has two congregations meeting in it every Sunday. One attends at 9:00 in the morning and the other at 1:00 in the afternoon. Typically, our congregations change back and forth each year and swap times -- just to keep things fair. But, due to circumstances that just were, our congregation has spent the last 3 years attending at 1:00. This year we got to change! True, the reason for the change means we had to say good-bye to an awesome family, and that is a sad part. But the part of us having church at 9 has been, for me, a much anticipated event!
I just love having morning church; then having the rest of the day to come home, relax, and -- most importantly, get my toddler her afternoon nap! I don't know why it is, honestly, that I am so in favor of having morning church. I just know that I am :). Probably because I'm a creature of habit, and pretty much my whole life until I moved here in 2008, I attended church with start times between 9 and 9:30. It's just what is normal for me.
And sure, I love my sleep as much as many (and possibly more than most). I especially love morning sleep, and being in my pajamas for a long time before I get moving. But something about morning church just resounds with me -- and I think I'll always prefer it, even if it means no sleeping-in (which hasn't been happening with a toddler lately anyhow ;)) and no pancakes in the morning (who has time when you sleep!?!).
So, I apologize to my friends who may not share my enthusiasm that, for the next 50 weeks, our ward will be up early attending church. But I'm still grateful ;).
What are you grateful for today?
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Baby Taps
I can't believe it's been 2 months since I last expressed gratitude here. My life has certainly been filled with gratitude-worthy moments and things and people. I've just been busy! But I do need to make sure I'm taking the time to count my blessings, and so today, I choose to write here again.
I write this with hesitation, because I know many wonderful women who long to feel what I am about to describe. Women who have never had the opportunity to carry a child. And women who have lost babies at various times during pregnancy. And so, my comments are not meant to be cold or callous as I relish the feeling of life growing within me.
I truly am grateful for being able to feel our unborn baby inside. For I am a worrier by nature. And feeling the little tiny bumps -- which require that I lay still and focus with my hands on my abdomen at this point -- reassure the worry-wart in me. From the days I first start feeling these taps within, I start seeking them every day. I did the same when I was pregnant with our little girl.
And they never get old. They always make me smile. And I sometimes even laugh as I will sometimes feel the baby respond to my putting pressure on a specific spot (the baby usually taps there, then I press again, and the baby taps again).
I remember the first time I realized I was feeling my baby move within when I was pregnant with Lynnaea. It was a weird and marvelous experience all rolled into one. It was not at all what I had anticipated. Somehow, before I'd experienced it, I thought I would anticipate the movement -- that I'd know it was coming. Almost as though the baby and I were connected mentally, and not just physically. Which, of course, isn't the case. I never know when the baby will move or kick. And even the feeling of it is different than what I thought. Amazing and wonderful, but different. Just proof for myself that sometimes what we expect isn't what happens -- and that isn't necessarily a bad thing at all ;).
I am always awed by the amazing miracle that is pregnancy. And I know I am imperfect and flawed. But I am grateful to have the opportunity to carry life within me. It is an honor I cannot fully describe. A humbling experience.
What are you grateful for today?
I write this with hesitation, because I know many wonderful women who long to feel what I am about to describe. Women who have never had the opportunity to carry a child. And women who have lost babies at various times during pregnancy. And so, my comments are not meant to be cold or callous as I relish the feeling of life growing within me.
I truly am grateful for being able to feel our unborn baby inside. For I am a worrier by nature. And feeling the little tiny bumps -- which require that I lay still and focus with my hands on my abdomen at this point -- reassure the worry-wart in me. From the days I first start feeling these taps within, I start seeking them every day. I did the same when I was pregnant with our little girl.
And they never get old. They always make me smile. And I sometimes even laugh as I will sometimes feel the baby respond to my putting pressure on a specific spot (the baby usually taps there, then I press again, and the baby taps again).
I remember the first time I realized I was feeling my baby move within when I was pregnant with Lynnaea. It was a weird and marvelous experience all rolled into one. It was not at all what I had anticipated. Somehow, before I'd experienced it, I thought I would anticipate the movement -- that I'd know it was coming. Almost as though the baby and I were connected mentally, and not just physically. Which, of course, isn't the case. I never know when the baby will move or kick. And even the feeling of it is different than what I thought. Amazing and wonderful, but different. Just proof for myself that sometimes what we expect isn't what happens -- and that isn't necessarily a bad thing at all ;).
I am always awed by the amazing miracle that is pregnancy. And I know I am imperfect and flawed. But I am grateful to have the opportunity to carry life within me. It is an honor I cannot fully describe. A humbling experience.
What are you grateful for today?
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