Yum! The Humongous Appetite of a Pregnant Woman...

This is so random and out of the ordinary compared to what I normally write about, but I have to write about my appetite with this pregnancy. I have never in my  life felt like such a glutton!!! When I was pregnant with my first, I pretty much ate two things: fruit and cereal. With this one, I feel like a bottomless pit. Below is the list of random foods that I crave...the grocery store for me right now is like the liquor store for an alcoholic--I just need to stay away.

-Starburts (or any chewy, fruit-flavored candy)
-Soup (I can't get enough--doesn't matter what kind--I just want soup)
-Ramen Noodles (fairly new craving, but so good)
-Ice Cream (do I really need to explain?)
-English Muffins (super toasted)
-Bologna (don't judge me...I just really, really want bologna on a roll with mustard. I've only had it once so far, but the craving is always there! Ha!)
-Hot chocolate with whipped cream
-Orange juice
-Fruit (which I may not be able to count as a craving because pregnant or not, it is my favorite thing to eat)
-Cereal (Multi-grain Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Rice Crispies being my favorites)
-Eggs (I REALLY want them "over easy"--with the runny yolk, but I am afraid of the dangers for the baby, so I have settled for scrambled)
-"Chicken in a Pita" (I only had it once at the Eden Corn festival, but it was SO good that I can't stop thinking about it!!)
-Pretzel Bites with cheese
-Nachos

Yep...and I haven't gained a pound yet, though I try to balance all of these "cravings" with sensible things! Along with this laundry list of favorites, I have experienced acne again for the first time in a long time--Clean and Clear is my new best friend (though it doesn't seem to be working). I have worn my hair in a pony tail most days this summer--partly because I need a hair cut and mostly because my hair is like straw!  I am still battling fatigue, although I am pretty sure that won't subside with a two-almost three-year old and starting back to work full time next week. I've felt tiny movements here or there, but nothing too obvious. I am much more laid back with this pregnancy...much of the stress that comes with being a first time mom is behind me at this point. My biggest anxiety is helping Sammy transition. He will be over three by the time the baby comes, and he is very verbal and very aware of what is going on around him. He has become a bit aggressive over the last few weeks and really wants little to do with the idea of sharing his life and everything in it with another child (though how can a 2 year old really fathom something that isn't there?)!! I am also really hoping to have him potty trained by then. We thought he was ready to potty train a few months back--he was going sporadically and responding to positive reinforcement--but he has since lost interest. I am told this is very normal (by the doctor and friends), and kids--especially boys--will suddenly have interest and potty train over night. It was my goal to have him out of diapers well before the next one arrives, so we shall see what the fall brings...

I am definitely enjoying myself even though this pregnancy seems to be very different from my first. I look forward to the coming weeks and months...only a little over two weeks until we (hopefully) find out if it will be a brother or sister for Sammy :)

Corn and God's Faithfulness...

We are heading to the Eden Corn Festival later on today. Why is this noteworthy, you may ask? The Eden Corn Festival is held the first weekend of August each year. Last year, as we drove to this festival, Dave got a phone call that resulted in a lay off and six months without a job. I remember the "punch-in-the-gut" feeling as we drove on Interstate 90 and heard a sweet woman say, "I'm sorry to bother you on a Friday night David, but I have some bad news..." The funny thing is, I remember having a lot of fun that night...eating corn on the cob, playing games, and yes, eating deep fried cheesecake! I also remember the weeks and months that followed...a moment in the desert waiting for the manna to fall. As I look back over the last year, I feel SO unworthy of the point to which God has brought us. I remember feeling angry and scared, and just like the Israelites, began grumbling. So as we head to the festival tonight, with my ever expanding belly (that I can't believe is expanding so fast) and my little second born fluttering inside, I will reflect on the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the same God who was with us when we heard that news, and he is the same God who is watching over the baby in my womb. He remains unchanged even though I do not. He remains faithful when I am full of doubt. He gives and takes away...still I will say blessed be His name...