30 weeks!

Had my prenatal visit this morning.  Waited 2 hours to see Margaret.  That's what you get when you want the best midwife in Atlanta.   I got on the scale backwards so I couldn't see it.  So, instead I began analyzing the "clicks" to be sure I wasn't to far up.   Either I'm 300 lbs or I'm still under 200.  Verdict is still out...

Baby is doing fine.  I'm measuring right on target, which is weird for me.  I usually measure 2-4 weeks ahead.  That's just my style.  So, hey, maybe this kid won't be too late after all.  I won't hold my breath.

I got to get a shot in my butt.  I'm RH negative so I get a rhogam shot so my body won't produce antibodies and eat my baby  :).  Amelia was absolutely fascinated by it.  She was all up in there watching the nurse give me the shot.  So funny.  Then the midwife let her measure my belly with the tape.  She loved it.  I swear she'll be a nurse, doula or midwife.  She loves taking care of things like that.  Very concerned and task oriented.  And loves babies...in utero.  Not so much when they're out.  LOL

Amelia protested her afternoon nap.  Ya know how they fall asleep in the car and then won't go back to sleep in their beds?  Well, that sucks.  So now I'm about to put my walking shoes on and head to the park where there is a 2 mile trail and then a playground at the end.  I'll let the kids run around until dinner time and then we'll come home.  It's all about survival.

Tonight's menu is white chili with homemade whole wheat bread.  I'm going to set the bread maker before I leave and set the chili I already made out to thaw.  I LOVE not making dinner!

Kept true to my word

I went on a walk tonight.  I ended up driving to my SIL's house to pick up some baby stuff she was giving me.  She lives an hour north of me, so the kids and I just made it a road trip of sorts.  It was fun.  But I was tired by the time we got back home.  So I rested.  Went to chiropractor after dinner and then came back and loaded the kids in the strollers and we had a family walk.  

Tomorrow is my prenatal appointment.  I'm taking both kids with me since it's fall break and they don't have school.  God help me....

Today's agenda

1.  Sit on my ass til 11 ish.

2.  Take kids on a walk at some point.

3.  Eat (like I need help remembering that)

That's about all I can think about right now.  Kids are on Fall Break from school so I've got to get creative this week.  I see some playground visits in my future.  And where there is a playground, there's usually a trail of some sort for walking.  Two birds with one stone. 

Fat face has kicked in.  But I think I already mentioned that a few days ago.  Now Fat Knees have flared up.  I swear, why can't I be one of those pregnant chicks that have those cute little legs throughout their pregnancy.  Like an apple on two sticks.  I'm more like an apple on two corn dogs.  My legs just grow.  I don't get it.  Especially with all the exercise I'm doing.  But oh well.  I think my body retains water like a fiend.  I'm that girl that drops 35 lbs immediately after delivery.  But I'm also that girl that gains 50 lbs.  

At this point I have no clue what I weigh.  I cannot weigh myself.  And I do not look at my weight at my prenatal appointments.  I cannot think about numbers right now.  All I can think about is making healthy choices and maintaining some sort of fitness.  I know I can lose it afterwards.  Especially since I lost the bulk of my weight without exercise at all.  Now I have the habit of exercise to help me.  Who knows, maybe by summer I'll be back in my size 4s!  Maybe...

Back in the groove..

Kids are back! Now where can I ship them off again??? :) No, we missed them like crazy and are very happy they are home with us. And they've been little darlings which is suspicious. But I'll take it!

I've officially organized my fridge with my frozen meal stock supply. Lots of options for the next week.  I'm also rekindling the romance with my bread machine. I think I'll just make my own bread from now on. It's incredibly easy (which earns me no granola points) and cheap! We're getting 'die hard' on eliminating eating out. It's just too much money and I'd rather save that and the gas it takes to get there.  We had church this morning and then I came home and got to work on some more cooking to freeze.  

When Amelia wakes up from her nap I'm planning to take the kids on a walk in the neighborhood and stop at the park to play.  Trying to get some exercise with the kids, other than finding time to do it when they're asleep.  No excuses, right?

Here's a small photo series of my cooking/freezing day:

Thawing this out to bring to my neighbors for dinner.  They're smoking beef tips and I'm bringing my casserole as a side.  And some homemade white bread.

Made some quiches.  One on the left has sauteed green onions, green peppers, and canadian bacon.  Everything else is the same as the basic Tomato Basil Recipe (minus basil).  The one on the right is the basil quiche.   My husband and kids LOVE quiche, so I can never have too much.
Cleaned up my freezer a bit.  I froze all the soups/stews flat on a cookie tray so that they'd stack compactly.  So my middle rack has all my frozen meals in it.   That's actually 6 meals there!  Not counting the two quiches I have cooling to freeze.
And...my fridge.  Nothing particularly cool other than it's fun to look at what people's fridge is stocked with.  Can you tell we like eggs?
And my beloved bread machine.  Been a nice companion over the last few weeks.  It's saved me from buying coffee cake and breakfast breads at Starbucks.

Thursday...

Thursday morning, last day of freedom before we pick up the kids.  I just took Penny on a walk around the neighborhood.  I actually had to put a jacket on!  I love this Fall weather.  I walked 30 mins.  I need to calibrate my Nike iPod to walking so that I can track my mileage.  I only have it calibrated for running.  And THAT isn't happening for another few months.  

I'm meeting a neighbor friend for tea at her house this morning.  Then afterwards I'm going to make a bunch of meals to freeze for next week.  I bought all the ingredients yesterday.  

Here's the line up:

Tomato Basil Quiche

Broccoli and Rice Casserole

White Chili

Enchiladas

Chicken & Dumplings 

Pumpkin Pie

Hello Dollies (for my friend that just had her baby)

I also made some Apple Walnut Coffee Cake in my bread machine.  I'm going to take it with me for tea.  :)

I'm on a roll.....

Went on a walk with the dog!  30 mins.  Check!

Getting creative with fitness...

Well, after much thought and a hard look at finances,  I've decided to cancel my YMCA membership. :(  As I'm sure you all know, I LOVE the Y.  I have an obsession with the Y.  But given my current state of pregnancy- I can't take advantage of the classes, which are the real reason I go.  The classes have become too much for me and my back.  So the times I go I've spent on the elliptical or treadmill.  And I have a treadmill here at home.  That and I'm really enjoying the weather and my walks outside.  So, I'm going to say "good bye" to the Y until this little one inside me is old enough to be in the childcare and do well.  I'm shooting to run a 10 k in March.  So I'll begin training at 6 weeks PP.  That means lots of outside running.  So hopefully by next Spring I'll be back in classes at the Y.  In the mean time, I'll think fondly of it in my heart.  :)

My plan now is to walk a little each day.  Some days more intense than others.  But movement is key for me.  If I stop moving, my body is stiff.   I need to get some dumbbells, as that's the main thing I'll be missing from the Y.  I have 5 lbs, but I use 8 lbs too.  Beyond that, I'm going to come up with my own little fitness plan to finish out this pregnancy.  Like my blog says- Quitting is simply not an option. I will not let canceling the Y membership set me back on exercise.  I have a couple prenatal yoga DVDs I want to make use of too.  

Change has always been good for me.  

As far as food.....  I'm craving bread and cheese.  Constantly.  I made some raisin nut bread in my bread maker the other day and it's all I want.  A slice with a little butter and I'm happy as a clam.  I'm also craving milk.  I'm not a big milk drinker, so it's strange that I'm pouring a whopping glass of milk and downing it twice a day.  At least it's skim....  Guess baby needs some calcium.  You'd think the massive amount of Tums I pop would be suffice.  

Today I'm going to rest a little and then take the pup for a walk.  2 miles.  Then I'll come back and do some strength exercises and stretching.  I need to research some good stretching for my ribs and lower back.  It feels stiff and I'm hitting that phase where I can't breath easily.  Stretching would be good for me.

Tracker so far:

Breakfast:

Slice of raisin nut bread

Butter

Grapes

Snack:

Grande Mocha (skim)

Lunch:

Grilled cheese with salami

Bread and Butter pickle

Chocolate pudding

Snack:

Raisin Nut bread (ahem)

Dinner:

Not sure yet. 

Gas, traffic court and APs

Last night Ed and I took the dogs on a walk in the early evening.   Then afterwards we decided to have a spontaneous romantic dinner at a local Italian place.  We figured since we were childless, it would be fun to just go.  You mamas know that just doesn't happen after chillren.  Ed eats his Lemon veal over pasta thingy which was MUCH better than my Eggplant Parmesean (Kelle- remember those days?  Doesn't work!).  Luckily I had my fill of garlic knots.    

Anyway, I  had a quarter of a tank of gas in my car and had traffic court in the morning and was supposed to drive up an hour away to my sister in laws to pick up some baby stuff.  We figured I better fill up now than, in the morning.  Everywhere we went was out.  OUT.  EVERYWHERE!  We live downtown and ended up driving all the way out to the suburbs to find a place.  Well, actually we didn't find a place at first.  In fact, we wasted my entire 1/4 tank of gas trying to find a place.   Only two places had gas and were completely swamped with cars lined up down 4 lane roads.  It was so weird.  Ed kept saying it was so creepy.   We decided to wait in line at one place, which ran out of gas while we waited and then two people ended up fighting for the last pump.  It was then that we realized that we should stop by his parents house who were close by and see if they had some gas for the mower that could get us home.  Luckily they did.  So we head back downtown and miraculously find a QuickTrip that had no lines and plenty of gas!  Very strange.  We filled up.  

I get in bed at 12:30am and my alarm goes off at 7:00am.  I head out to my $*^&(^#$@$@ traffic court appointment.  You see, a few weeks ago I was backing out of my driveway and bumped a plumbing truck that was park directly behind my driveway.  No damage to his car at all. Small scratch on mine.  He INSISTS on calling the cops.  I get a ticket.  So this morning I show up and realize I have to plead No Lo as pleading "not guilty" (by reason of no damage) will result in a court date around my due date.  So...after 3 hours of sitting and waiting, I get to make my plea and pay $235.  Great.  Just great.  That's $235 I need right now.  Ugh.  Not only that, but the elevators were broken and I had to walk up and down 5 flights.  I was huffing and puffing like a cow in labor.  In fact, the court officer was very sweet to me and I think it's because he thought was seriously about to pop as I waddled in.  Anyway, these scenarios only bring out what my CAM friends call "The Plap."  Pregnancy induced rage.  I have no idea why we call it the Plap- but it feels right.  

I'm counting those damn flights of stairs as some APs earned.  At least I'll get something out of this day.  

So far I've had some homemade Raisin Nut Bread I put in the bread maker last night.  3 slices.  One of them with cream cheese.  And a glass of skim milk. That's been my breakfast and snack. I'm too tired to make lunch.  I'm going to take a nap and hopefully I'll wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed.  I have some cleaning to do.  

Thought I'd share

Me and the kids on the chair lift at the Tweetsie Railraod this weekend.  Bird's eye view.  (Shepherd was putting his feet up in my ribs to be a part and all...)

Got back from the mountains last night.  My mom and step dad decided to keep the kids a week so Ed and I are home alone with the dogs.  SCORE!  We go back up next weekend to get them.  I've never been away from both kids this long.  Little emotional as we pulled away, but now that I'm sitting here with my coffee and both dogs draped over me on the couch, I'm enjoying it. :)

 Today I plan to run a few errands.  It's a good thing the kids are gone this week because I had no idea how many things I had to get done this week.  I've got prenatal appts, chiropractor appts, court date (remember than dumb ticket I got when I dinged a car in my driveway???), and general house stuff I want to get done while the the kids are gone.  Phew.

I'm about to take our dog Penny on a walk here in a minute.  I'm going to do 3 miles I think.  It's so nice out and I really want to get out in fresh air and listen to my iPod.  My lack of frequent exercise lately has resulted in a stiff body.  It's amazing what happens when you stop moving.  Your body seizes up.  Then exercise seems like more work.  I'm anxious to get moving again.  Baby is growing and riding up into my rib cage.  I can't breathe as well.  Fat face officially set in this week.  You know what I'm talking about.  I thought I might get away with it this time around.  Nope.  My lips are already starting to swell.  Pregnancy botox I call it.  Oh well, I'm embracing it.  It's the last time I get to have a baby in my belly.  I'm trying to really enjoy it and not feel to anxious about the changes happening to my body.  

I'll post my tracker later.  So far just Fiber One pop tarts, 1/2 cup coffee and a glass of water!

Off to walk...

Last minute get away...

My mom called Ed last night and asked him if we wanted to come to the mountain house this weekend.  I think we may take her up on it.  Free vacation!  (sort of)  It's nice visiting family because you don't have to think about cooking/buying meals or getting through the day.  We're going to try and leave this afternoon if we can find someone to watch our dogs.  

I also love the mountains because there are great trails that are really nice to go walking on.  I love being in fresh, cool air.  And the kids LOVE seeing their grandparents.  My mom has this tradition where every time we come visit her, she lays out new toys on their bunk beds in their room at the mountain house.  We get there and the kids jet to the room like it's Christmas.  They are so spoiled!  That's what JuJu's are for I suppose.  

I stayed OP yesterday and plan the same for today!  We always grill out when we got the mountain house, so I'm sure I have some good options there.  Just have to avoid the pantry where all the processed junk is.

Okay, now I have to go pack and clean.  I have this thing where I need it to be clean when we leave town so that when we come back it's nice and clean and there's nothing to do.  Unfortunately our garbage disposal is clogged and there are dishes waiting.  

Vacuuming has GOT to earn me some APs, no?

My dinner challenge

I may be born and raised in the south, but I've never made fried chicken or mashed potatoes from scratch.  I'm been craving comfort food, but don't want to go spend the $$$ on it at a take out place.  So I got out my cook book and had everything I needed to make a southern dish.  

Chicken and Mashed Potatoes from scratch!  I used skinless, boneless chicken breast and fileted them  to thin them out.  And a little broccoli to counter act the "fried" part.  I cut one breast into bite size chicken nuggets for the kids and gave them some honey mustard to go with.  Family loved it!  

Here's my tracker for today:

Breakfast:

Fiber One pop tarts: 190

pineapple: 60
1/2 cup coffee: 30

Lunch:
Whole Wheat BLT with turkey bacon: 262
Baked Lays: 120
more pineapple: 90
Coke:90
pudding: 120

Snack:
Spiced cupcake with a little bit of vanilla icing (made for a friend, but I had to try!): 318
Mocha: (home mix): 90

Dinner:
fried chicken:350
mashed potatoes:237

gravy: 45
broccoli:80
Decalf iced tea: 30

Total: 2102

Just got both kids off to school.  Love the days it's not my carpool!  I'm taking the dog and going walking.  2 miles.  My usual path.  It's overcast and grey outside.  I love it!  LOL  It's so nice to get some relief from the heat.  I'm eager to hook up with my ipod and move.  Carefully.  :)

I haven't had breakfast yet.  Unless you count pineapple and coffee.  I'll make a bagel here in a sec and then head out.

I'll update my tracker in the PM!  

Let's stay OP today, okay?  Whose with me?

28 weeks...

All that talk about walking...

So my best friend had her baby last night!  Amazing birth.  I'm in awe of her.  First baby, 26 hours of true labor and all natural.  She was so strong and labored so fearlessly and calmly.  It was a couple pushes shy of being a waterbirth until the baby got stuck and the midwife suggested she get out to help turn her.  Worked like charm and little girl was born into her mother's arms.  I cried like a baby.  Like, the embarrassing sort of crying where everyone is happy and smiling and here I am snorting and sobbing.  My friend is like a sister to me, so I was a bit *attached* to this baby.  

So, that said- no gym visit yesterday!  :) Instead I got a lot of strength exercise massaging and supporting my friend.  One thing I found so cute about it was that she wanted HGTV on at all times.  In between contractions she'd watch it and zone out.  By the end of the birth we were all up to date on way to improve our homes and increase market value.  Granite, granite, granite.  I wonder if I'd like watching TLC in between contractions with this one.  Maybe a little John & Kate Plus 8?  Maybe not...

Today I feel like I had 10 shots of vodka last night.  Feeling completely hungover.  Birth does that to me.  And other doulas I should add.  I got home at 2:30am and up with the kids at 8:30am.  I kept thinking I needed a cheeseburger and coke....but then realized I actually don't have a real hangover.  So I had a turkey sandwich and baked lays instead.  

Tomorrow I plan for cardio.  30-45 mins of walking I think.  It's nice out and the leaves make me happy.  

Follower?

Hey- real quick.  I added a new feature to this blog.  If you follow this blog, add yourself!  :)  Over there-------------------->

Busy!

I've been very neglectful of my blog lately.   Just busy and not really on the computer much more than 2 mins at a time.  My day planner was literally chucked full of stuff this week.  Thankfully next week is mostly blank.  :)

My foot is healing quite well!  I've been on two walks this weekend.  I tell you what, have your bff be 41 weeks pregnant and trying to get herself into labor.  That will result in lots of calls to go on walks!  I wear an ankle support and that really does the trick.  I'm hoping that this week I can get back into my routine at the Y.  Last week was just crazy and I felt like I was in the car 24/7.  

I've had this bug to start running again. Obviously that isn't going to happen until I give birth, but it's given me a new goal for postpartum.  I'm going to give my body 6 weeks to adjust to everything and then I plan to slowing work back to my runs.  I'm thinking I'll register for a 5k, then a 10 k about 3-4 months after I deliver.  Just to get me a focus.  I do well with having something to work towards.  

I had an amazing opportunity to receive a free 1.5  hour pregnancy massage.  Atlanta School Of Massage was hosting a workshop and they need some pregnant ladies so they could put what they learned to practice.  It was amazing.  I had two people working on me for a full 1.5 hours.  I tell you my lower back and hips were feeling so good afterwards.  Such a release.  I gave the women my number and they're going to call me if they need to practice.  :)  

Okay, that's all.  Just wanted to update.  Went to the grocery today, so I've got healthy choices here in the house and plan to get my groove back this week. 

Today my back is killing me.  Pinched nerve.  I had to clean the kid's rooms, so I got on all fours and crawled around helping Millie put toys away and do a puzzle.  The chiro says it's probably responding to all the limping I'm doing.  Speaking of my foot, it's feeling so much better.  Bruise and ugly, but a world of difference.  I can walk on it, but I have to be careful of twisting on it.  I'm having custom insoles made.  Tomorrow the Chiro makes the mold and then I get them in 3 weeks.  Apparently I have horrible arches and never knew it.  Thus, contributing to sprained ankles.  Anyway, so I figured I'd lay off "pounding" exercise until I get the insoles.  

In the mean time (and don't kill me) I'm going to the YMCA today to do some light swimming.  I'm mostly going for my back, not exercise.  I need to wade around in zero (sort of) gravity.  And, hey, if I manage to wade and paddle for 30 mins then I figure that's a good exercise!  I promise though, this is definitely more of a therapy for my back than exercise.  I won't over due it.

Here's my food so far today.  (Minus the points as I'm hurrying to post so I can get a nap in before Fischer gets home from school)

Breakfast:

3 blueberry waffles:

1/2 sliced banana

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp syrup

Snack:

Left over mocha from yesterday

Lunch:

Sliced carrots

Sliced cucumbers

1/2 cup hummus for dipping

1 bunch of grapes

1 coke (craving)

***plan for the rest of the day***

Snack:

Yogurt w/ granola

Hand full of pistachio nuts

Apple

Dinner:

Crockpot Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich

Baked Beans

Steamed Broccoli w/ lemon juice and Mrs. Dash

Snack:

Small bowl vanilla ice cream with almonds and chocolate syrup (operative word being 'small')

Tired of resting...

Never thought I'd say that!  The idea of mandatory rest sounds divine when you're in your daily routine, but it's the most boring thing in the world for me right now.  I've been on the couch since Thursday night, icing my foot every hour.  My mother in law took the kids all weekend, which was an amazing surprise and so helpful!  She's great.  They're bringing them back here in a little while and I'm excited to the see the kids.  :)

I've been determined to nurse my ankle back to health so I can start back walking sooner than later.  I still have to wait a week before any exercise.  But I'm just glad I can get up and move again by tomorrow.  Yeah!

Unfortunately sitting around being bored leads to bad eating habits.  Yesterday was not my best day.  I ate junk.  I just felt icky and wanted crap.  You know those days...  Anyway, today is a new day and I started it off with lots of water and some cereal and fresh fruit.  I think Ed is going to grab some lunch for us when my in laws get here and I'm shooting for a salad of some type.  

I think when I get the clearance to exercise again I may start off with swimming.  I've been wanting to start that and just haven't done it yet.  And it will be minimal impact on my ankle with maximum benefits cardiovascularly.  No excuses right?

Back to couch lying and watching Tv......

Sprained Ankle

So I loaded my kids up in the car to go walking at the park and I sprained my ankle stepping out of the side of the van.  Balled like a baby.  Ed was gone, but thankfully the guys working on our roof came to my rescue.  I was wailing.  I heard an audible crack.   Bless their hearts, they asked me if they should call an ambulance.  I cracked a smile and said the baby is fine.  I think they thought I landed on my stomach or something.   Anyway, I've been icing it for an hour.  It's swollen, but doesn't hurt as bad.  Haven't tried walking on it.

So much for my APs.....

Plan for Thursday...

I figured my meal plan for tomorrow.  Figured I'd post it since I have it all written out.  This planning stuff is making it much easier to stay on target.... We have playgroup tomorrow so I'll pack the lunch up.  I may go to the ymca in the afternoon and do a sculpt class OR swim laps in the indoor pool.  Haven't decided.  

Breakfast:
2 Nature's Own Whole Wheat Sugar Free bread: 100
1 scrambled egg: 101
1 tbsp Blueberry preserves- 51
1 tbsp peanut butter: 105
calories: 357

Snack:
mocha: 174
Banana: 80
calories: 254


Lunch:
1 cup Quinoa and Black Bean salad: 370
Broccoli: 63
String cheese: 80
calories: 513

Snack:
1 package Smart Pop: 91
granny smith apple: 65
red raspberry leaf tea w/ 1 tsp cream/sugar: 40
calories: 196

Dinner:
Beef stir fry: 158
onions: 30
green pepper: 15
water chestnuts: 50
1 cup brown rice: 216
Teriyaki sauce: 75
calories: 544

Snack:
3 reduced fat oreos:150
1 cup non fat milk: 80

calories: 230

Total: 2094

My Meal Plan..

I've been on babyfit.com  lately and I'm really liking the meal plans.  Probably because I'm so tired of thinking about what to eat.  I just want someone to tell me.  And odds are, if no one tells me, it might end up being a Chick-fil-A milkshake.  

Here's a sample plan I'm trying today:

Breakfast:

1 cup Nonfat milk with 1/2 cup Granola and Bran flakes: 300

1 Banana: 108

1/4 cup Blueberries: 15

calories: 423 

Lunch:

1 cup Quinoa and Black Bean Salad: 370

Romaine w/ yogurt ranch dressing: 80

15 baby carrots: 38

1 nectarine: 61

calories: 549

Snack:

3 cups ff popcorn: 91

non fat mocha: 174 (I added this- ha ha)

calories: 265

Dinner:

1.5 cups Whole wheat pasta: 296

Turkey sausage : 140

Salad with ranch: 80

Slice whole wheat bread: 128

1 cup non fat milk: 80

calories: 724

Snack:

Red Raspberry Leaf tea with 1 tbsp cream and 1 tsp sugar: 40

Banana: 108

calories: 148 

Total: 2109

That's the plan!  Lots more fruit than usual.  I'm so bad at eating fruit regularly.  **update*** I went on a 2 mile walk.  Felt good.  My back is handling it quite well since the chiropractor visits.  

Earned some late evening APs

I'm too tired to post my tracker.  Let's just say it involved Nilla Wafers....

Went to the chiropractor and then walking this evening after dinner.  Walked 2 miles.  

Here's a dish I made tonight to use through out the week:  Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

I also made some Tomato Basil Quiche which is a family favorite.  I always made two so I can freeze one.  Only 5 pts per serving.  

I'm trying to get back to cooking/preparing meals one day a week to make the week easier to stay OP and eat in  (NOT OUT!!).  :)

This weekend has been so busy I haven't had a chance to earn APs.  I had planned on going on a walk Monday, but I got too involved in cleaning out our office and organizing stuff.  Nothing like having your own business and having stacks of papers all over the desk and no filing system.  My poor husband is organizationally challenged.  I have to step in every so often and then he's good for a few months.  Anyway, I cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed, went through ALL our past files and resorted them and threw tons of stuff away.  THEN went grocery shopping.  Felt very good to get that done.  Unfortunately I wrecked my back in the process.  It's my own fault.  Thankfully I see the chiropractor this evening.  

Ficsher goes to school in 30 mins and I'm having a friend over for a playdate this morning.  Then later I plan on going to the YMCA to get some cardio in.  

I got a ton of stuff at the grocery.  Do you ever have grocery runs where you start out reasonable and then end up putting all kinds of things in your cart? It's like you're totally rational and ubber healthy in the produce section, then the middle isles pull you in and you're frantically throwing boxed, processed yumminess into your cart faster than you can think.  Somehow I ended up with reduced fat vanilla wafers and oreos.  I guess the 'reduced fat' was my last bit of rational left. I have not broken into them yet.  I cannot tell you the gravitational pull milkshakes have on me lately.  I bought the oreos and some vanilla icecream to make a mini milkshake.  As opposed to driving to Chick-fil-A and dropping 15 pts on one.  I think the intense heartburn I have at night makes me want a milkshake..... Or at least that's my theory. Anyway, in my rational thinking I did buy some stir-fry beef and veggies.  That's on the menu tonight for dinner.  

I've seemed to have leveled out on my weight gain and just the way my tummy looks.  It seemed like I was just growing and growing every day there for a while.  Now I feel a bit of a plateau.  I'm still pulling my size small maternity capris on.  They are tight, but damn it I'm in them!  Everything else is now medium.  I remember in my last pregnancy I was already in XL at this point.    

Next week I'll be 27 wks pregnant.  Wow.  In some ways it's gone by slow and in other ways- really, really fast.  Now I'm really focusing on balanced nutrition and exercise.  Both of which I cared nothing of my previous pregnancies.  I'm also really loving my daily ritual of drinking the Red Raspberry Leaf tea.  I've never been a tea drinker, so this is a big deal for me.  If I wasn't drinking a big cup of coffee, it was a big glass of wine.  Ha ha.  I put two bags of the tea in a big coffee mug at night.  Cream and sugar, of course.  I'm enjoying the ritual.

I'll post my tracker later if I have time.  So far I've had a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese and coffee.