In Mourning

I'm mourning the loss of something very important in my life: the ability to sleep on my stomach. Oh how quickly I had forgotten what a terrible night slumber without belly time makes. You see, at only 8 weeks my uterus is already started to expand, even though I've successfully not gained any weight yet. (!!) As soon as I naturally and comfortably roll over in my perfect sleep position my bladder gets compressed. I've even tried angling my legs out at 90 degrees or wedging myself into a side/belly position. To no avail. I will miss you, my sweet stomach, for more reasons than just the ability to sleep on you soundly. I will see you again for sleeping in about 7 months. For non-jelly rolls in about 2 years, and for bikinis probably never. Back and sides here I come.

Goals for Pregnancy #2

1. Gain less than 50lbs. this time. Any number less than 50 will be seen as successful, although the normal 25-35 range would be ideal especially considering I'm starting 10 lbs. higher than I did with #1.
-Meet this goal by starting off trimester #1 with less than a 5lb. gain, making healthy choices, staying away from fast food,
especially Taco Bell, only give into Winsteads once a week, minimal pop and one dessert or less per day

2. Exercise regularly, including walking, weights, elliptical machine, and yoga 5-6 times a week. (I only went for the occasional walk last time).

3. Enjoy the process knowing that the bodily ailments will be over soon enough and that this will probably be my last pregnancy.

4. Try to keep complaining about huge boobs, back spasms, thunder thighs, bat arms, and calf cramps to a minimum except for the occasional rant on this blog.

5. Practice thinking positive thoughts about getting up at night by getting out of bed happily when my alarm goes off at 6:15 each day. Yes, I know this will be much different when it is 12, 3, and 6am, but at least I can point myself in the right direction.

Probably more to come as we go along...

She's Coming Back

You read it here first. Pretty much to the day I lost all my baby weight I am pregnant again! WhooHoo! We are so excited. We got to hear the heartbeat today, and Thomas thought the sound was a choo-choo train. He also wanted to be the one to "color" mommy's belly with the jelly stuff. I think when it is time to find out the sex he will be staying at Grammy's for a few hours. I am 6 weeks along and due on February 12th. This puts Tommy and Baby Lisenby at exactly 2 years and 3 months apart. We can't believe it! Congratulations to us!

French Kiss

Just so you know, Thomas does not kiss with the top of his head anymore. When he is in the mood to give me a kiss he goes for it with a wide open mouth. It is like a huge, slobbery french kiss. Yes, I make-out with my son as often as he will let me. It's the most beautiful thing in the world.

Breakfast Sausage

Thomas said, "Breakfast Sausage" this morning. It was funny.

Another Book Review

I was assigned this book for my summer school class at Rockhurst. Rockhurst's program is focused on social justice, and I am LOVING it. This book is excellent. Finally a book that has made me truly think about my role in society. I want to work in schools to promote justice, and this book accurately describes the state of urban school districts. Why isn't tax money more evenly distributed for schools? Why don't we bus students to schools outside our neighborhoods in order to desegregate? How can I make sure Thomas is around people who don't look like him but not necessarily compromise his education or make him the minority? Are magnet schools a good or a bad thing? These are some of the questions I am asking myself after reading this book. The conditions of urban schools are disgusting...raw sewage, non-working toilets, students standing in the back of classrooms due to lack of space, teachers sleeping through the classes they are assigned to teach, text books 5 and 6 grades below a student's grade level, etc. So much work to do...

Book Review

David heard about this book on NPR and gave it to me for Mother's Day. It is a compilation of essays from different journalists who have either chosen to work, stay-home, or something in-between. I liked the book immediately as it provides an educated angle to what I've been battling with for the past few years. To work or stay home? To work part-time or full-time? To stay home and then go back to work? This book gives insight into all those questions. The biggest thing I learned is that every woman and family has a different system that works for them. I personally want to work and am getting the certification I need to do so. I also value staying home. Many of my friends want to stay home full-time. I didn't realize this was such a hot topic until I read the reviews on the book when I was done reading it. Women are so caddy!