Strange Behavior

While I figured my body would be going through many changes in these 9 months, I would have never guessed the kind of changes. On a regular basis I find myself stopping mid-action to say "Who ARE you?". Some examples:

1. I eat McDonalds.

Before pregnancy, you would never (okay rarely) find me eating at Micky Ds. Their chicken is obviously not really chicken, their 'healthy' options are gross, and everything on the menu is loaded with sodium, preservatives and other terrible things. I mean, haven't you seen Food, Inc? Or Supersize Me? If I had to have fast food, you'd find me at subway (veggie sandwich on flat bread) or Chipotle (veggie burrito bowl).

Until now.

This happened: I woke up the other morning, and  I was VERY happy because it was one of the rare mornings I felt halfway normal with some energy. I had some OJ and a Cliff Bar for breakfast then headed out the door. On my way to work, I saw those same golden arches I see everyday, but I suddenly had to have McDonalds breakfast SO BAD. Like...if you told me "no" I might have literally punched you. So I squealed into the parking lot, found the drive-through line as WAY too long, and so I marched inside. It may have been my imagination, but I'm pretty sure everyone saw 'crazy' in my eyes and got out of my way. I ordered 2 breakfast burritos and a coke (a coke!?) and it was glorious. I was half elated (I'm finally hungry yay!) and half mortified (a coke?!). Either way, a band of heathens couldn't stop me from that meal.

2. I forget things. (IMPORTANT things.)

The other weekend, hubs and I went back to his hometown in Indiana for a family get together, and we stayed the weekend. It was a lovely time, and as we left on Sunday I made extra sure we packed everything up, because occasionally I leave little things behind. Little things. We get half way to Cincinnati when I wanted to check my text messages. It took be about 30 seconds to realize my phone was in my purse...which was back at the In-Laws'. I was SO mad at me. My co-worker called it pregnancy brain so I'm going with that. Thankfully my Mother In Law is AWESOME and met hubs halfway the next day to deliver my precious articles. Still feeling guilty about that one. Stupid pregnancy brain.

3. I'm suddenly bad at parking.

Being pregnant has impacted my parking skills. Crazy, right? When I park, my car somehow ends up crooked, or not totally in one parking spot. Weird, I know. I'm quite certain I've always been a phenomenal parker. I guess it's one of those random side effects of being pregnant. Yup, never had parking issues before pregnancy. (Don't ask hubs about this...he'll lie and say I've always been bad at parking.)

Pregnancy has made me a bad parker. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

"All the pregnant ladies..." (video)

So around the time I began telling friends and family our news, I came to find out Beyonce (as in the singer) was also pregnant. Apparently, she had a big flashy reveal on the VMAs a few weeks ago. Darn Beyonce stealing my thunder.

Courtesy of socialiteworld.com  

In comparison, my not-so-flashy reveal:

Me: So...I'm pregnant.
Friend 1: Shut up, no you're not.
Me: No, I am. I know I'm laughing but I'm just nervous. I am.
Friend 1: OMG OMG that is so amazing and exciting! When are you due?
Me: Thanks! Due in March.
Friend 1: Did you know Beyonce is pregnant and due around then too?
Me: I didn't even know Beyonce was not pregnant.

(Yes, my friends are WAY more "pop-cultured" than I am.)

So embracing the excitement that Beyonce and I are gestating at the same time... I'd like to share a video. It's a parody of "All the Single Ladies" preggo style. It simultaneously cracks me up and impresses me. Enjoy!

My favorite part is the cake. I totally get that.
And congrats Beyonce!

The 3 Month Hangover (a sad & complainy post)

The only way I can describe how I've felt for the last 10 weeks is a constant hangover. I never ever gave enough credit to those who suffered from 'morning' (all day) sickness. I remember - years ago - rolling my eyes when someone I worked with said they thought pregnant women suffering from morning sickness should get a 3 month sick leave. "It can't be that bad" I thought. Oh do I regret that. I'm miserable and not hungry at all, yet ironically eating every two hours is the only thing that wards off getting sick. If I feel hunger coming on...kiss of death. Guaranteed I'll be running to the bathroom. So I'm forcing myself to eat and all I can eat is bread and crackers with peanut butter. And apple sauce. I'm also pretty sure I have a constant look on my face that resembles someone who just ate a lemon or something really gross. For the first 8 weeks no one knew why, which was even worse. Suffering in silence.

At one point, I wasn't keeping anything down, and the doctor was concerned I was getting dehydrated so she prescribed me this medicine that is supposed to take away the nausea. I was so excited about this I went right to the pharmacy and may have even smiled. The pharmacist, who was a very nice older gentleman, congratulated me and asked if I'd ever used this medicine before.

Me: No but I'm looking forward to not throwing up all the time.
Him: Okay, now, do you have to function during the day?
Me: Um, yes? I mean, I have to go to work if that's what you mean.
Him: Well, this drug can make you EXTREMELY drowsy. It's not always safe to drive.
Me: So, I can't take it during the day??
Him: Well you can cut it in half, and just take half of it.
Me: So I'll be half drowsy and half nauseous???

Dejected, I went home, took the not-so-wonder drug and slept for 12 hours.

Now I don't mean to complain... I realize it is all worth it, and at some point I will feel better. I just never ever realized it could or would be this hard. Some have a better first trimester than others, and for them, I'm happy. Or I will be happy for them, someday. But for now, all I can do is barely make it through the work day, and come home to the dent I've been making in the couch.

I can barely remember the life when I would not only work a full day, but start the day by running 5 miles then go to a meeting or a happy hour or dinner after work. Will that ever be me again? I really hope so.

Oh and lastly I have to give credit to the darling hubs who not only puts up with that horrible 'I-ate-a-lemon' face, but also:
- gets me peanut butter toast at midnight when I feel the kiss of death coming on
- cooks me dinner most nights even when I smell it and decide there is no way I can eat it, despite how good it probably is
- doesn't get mad when I then ask for ramen noodles instead of his gourmet creation
- has been king of the cat litter since the pink line incident

He's really freaking awesome, and I'm so glad to have him around.