Lay off me - I'm STARVING

So pregnancy, I'm discovering, is an exhausting and grueling exercise. I know I'm only just getting started - more fun yet to come - but I feel like my body is in training for the Boston Marathon.

I didn't believe I was pregnant when we first found out at the end of August. For two weeks I had been going through I severe case of what I believed was PMS. I was bloated, tired, hungry, my back hurt, I was moody, and I knew, I just knew that this month's visitor was going to be a doozy. But it didn't come, and it didn't come...so for kicks I bought a pregnancy test. Totally skeptical I took it - bracing myself for the disappointment that always followed on previous occasions. Almost immediately, two little lines popped up - I was completely dumb-founded. Of course, Erick and I were excited, but it was just so strange after two years of nothing to suddenly have something.

Well, now the fun begins. Since that blessed day I have had a time trying to get used to my ever-changing body. One sister at church told me that it's like "you're climbing Mount Fuji everyday". I would have to heartily agree with that statement. While in San Antonio I had to sit through a day of seminars - by 1:00 I was completely catatonic - by 5:00, I don't think I could've told you my name. I am very grateful that I work part-time because when I go home and eat lunch, I pass out before I even realize what's happening and wake up wiping the drool from my face and wondering why Erick is already home.

Nausea has been my constant companion for a couple weeks now. It comes and goes throughout the day - but thanks to some wonderful advice I have learned how to get the better of it...for the most part. There are times when it just comes up and gets me - and those are the days I feel like I'm dying. It's awful to be sick and tired....and hungry.

Which brings me to my next - food. I can't get enough of it. I feel like such a porker. I just went out and bought a whole mess of healthy snacks - fruits, veggies, crackers, etc. But it is so hard to resist some of the good old fattening stuff. I was having a particularly nasty case of nausea on the road and decided to stop at Sonic for an Orange cream slush ( citrus is supposed to help). Featured prominently on Sonic's menu was their Chili Cheese tots. Suddenly I got a hankering for them - I was good and avoided them - but I kept thinking about how yummy they would be. A few nights later, I made Erick make me chili cheese turkey hot dogs - it was the best meal I think I ever had in my life. Seriously. How sad is that?



I am determined to exercise everyday - and so far have been doing a pretty good job. Even if it's just 20 minutes - I do it. Mostly I try to do an hour on the treadmill or the elliptical - running/walking. It helps with my nausea and gives me a little more energy, surprisingly - though not much. I still am completely drained in the afternoon and usually have to nap, or force myself to do the simplest things.

I have been told that all of this tiredness and nausea disappear at the end of the first trimester. I am looking forward to functioning like a normal human being again. However, I am concerned because already I'm up at least twice in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom - I can't imagine what it's going to be like when the shrimp gets bigger - I may just have to look into Depends.