Pregnancy complications? Nooo, not meee!!!

Just as soon as I opened my big mouth to say the pregnancy is going well, all hell broke loose. First the braxton hicks - up to 6 or 7 per hour. I went in to be monitored, they sent me home. Then this excruciating back pain, which I equate to back labor. I went in, they gave me vicodin, they sent me home. The next day, the pain was still there, but worse. I went in, they gave me percoset, and determined it must be kidney stones... kidney stones???? Well, I had no idea that eating a bottle of tums and not drinking enough water could be so hazardous. So they sent me home on the new med. Then, the next day, all that fluid I forced down came rushing up and out, from both ends matter of fact. So now I risk being dehydrated because the percoset makes me vomit. This time, they gave me all kinds of anti-emetics. I chose the Zofran, which is working quite nicely. It's hard for my family to believe that I, who only takes tylenol in the case of a severe headache, am now taking pepcid for the reflux, percoset for the pain, and zofran for the vomiting brought on by the pain med. Lord help me!

Now about the kidney stones, they happen more frequently in pregnant women than I ever knew. It's not caused by too much calcium as many think, but by too little H2O to aid the kidneys in flushing out toxins, but a heavy dose of calcium doesn't help the situation. Also, the weight of the baby can lead to poor elimination as well, which is all a great recipe for stones. And I was lovin' those tums - reminded me of georgia white dirt - glad I can't get my hands on any of that! Anyway, kidney stones hurt so bad that I don't really notice the contractions anymore. And the meds all make me sleepy, dizzy, and downright useless. Needless to say I haven't been to work since this started, and probably won't be going back at this point according to the doc. Not sure how many stones I have, as they would have to do an xray to confirm that, and that's not recommended, as I have no symptoms other that severe back pain. That means there's at least one stone there and it's not big enough to block the flow of urine or cause bleeding. So the plan is to flush it out with aggressive fluid intake. That means getting up all night to pee, and sleeping all day due to the combination of a lack of a good nights rest and meds that make me sit up here looking like a heroine addict. Wow, how things have changed for me in just a week.

Just keep me in prayer that the(se) stone(s) will pass soon so I can come off these meds, and stop feeling this pain - if I miss a dose by a few minutes the pain starts all over again. I've hardly eaten anything for fear of vomiting, and lack of an appetite as well. I guess I had some nerve thinking I would have TWO problem free pregnancies!

Oh, and about how big I am, turns out I have a greater amount of amniotic fluid than average, which makes for a twin looking belly. So I go in next week to be checked out again for that. With 9 or less weeks to go, things can only get better from here, right???

Pregnancy update... we'll welcome the new baby in 10 weeks, or is it 8?

I've given serious consideration to slapping the next person who says "daaaang, you're big! There's no way you're gonna make it to November!!!" But then, just yesterday at my monthly doctor's appointment I learned that I may be 32 weeks, rather than 30. So that would put the due date closer to October 23rd or so, rather than November 8th. Hmm, glad I haven't slapped anyone yet. My doctor hasn't actually changed the due date, but I suspect she will. Also, not one person has looked at me and said "it's a girl, right"? They're all convinced it's a boy. So if I get a bunch of girl stuff, and it turns out it's a boy, do I have a case to sue the ultrasound tech? She promised me a girl! Somebody's gotta pay to replace all the girl stuff!

The pregnancy is going actually very well, other than the reflux, anemia, swollen feet and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position. All of that is manageable. No gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa, stretch marks, praise the Lord. I must say that I've been truly blessed.

The late night feedings have stopped. I think I ignored the hunger warning enough times to teach the little one to just go to sleep instead cuz the kitchen is closed. That helped to slow down the weight gain a bit. Right now I'm about 5 pounds less than I was when I delivered last time, with no desire to go beyond 5 more pounds. Wish me the best with that. I've got some fishnets I still want to wear next year. :)

So thats the latest on me, and my big fat belly.

Culinary Olympics

Just wanted to share this bit of info passed on to me by a "friend" on myspace. Do they televise the culinary olympics? I would love to watch...

International Culinary Art Competition
By JULIETTE ROSSANT


If you can't wait for the Bocuse D'Or competition in January 2009, check out the other culinary Olympics this October.


The USA is fielding a team of six chefs to battle it out in Erfurt, Germany in the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Art Competition, known around the world as the “culinary Olympics,” October 19-22. Teams from over 50 nations will be competing against the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Culinary National Team USA. The international competition takes place every four years in Germany since 1900.


Unlike the Olympics - China won't be competing. According to ACF's National President John Kinsella, ACF Culinary National Team USA's biggest competitors are: Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland and the wild card--Scotland.


ACF Culinary National Team USA members: Edward Leonard, CMC, American Academy of Chefs (AAC), ACF Culinary Team USA manager and executive chef, Westchester Country Club, Rye, N.
Y
Richard Rosendale, certified executive chef (CEC), ACF Culinary National Team USA captain and executive chef/owner, Rosendales, Columbus, Ohio
Joachim Buchner, CMC, executive chef, Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, MD
Jamie Keating, chef/owner, The RiverMill Event Center, Columbus, GA
Melissa K.
Root, pastry chef, Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro> in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, NV
Daniel Scannell, CMC, executive chef, Carnegie Abbey Club, Portsmouth, RI
The American team won a gold medal for hot-food cooking in 1980, 1984, 1988, and 2004.


GO TEAM!

Congrats to Aaron McCargo, Jr. the Next Food Network Star

I must admit that I purposely didn’t follow the Next Food Network Star very closely this year – more about that in a minute. However, I did see the submission videos of the contestants prior to the airing of the first episode. I instantly picked Aaron out of the group as my favorite to win. No, I was not real impressed by his microwaving a frozen burrito, wrapping an egg crepe around it then topping it with jarred salsa. I’m not sure who would have been impressed by that, other than perhaps some kids who’ll eat anything with cheese in it. However, there was something about his personality that got my attention, which didn’t happen with a single other contestant.

As far as my not following the show, after watching the submission tapes I was left dumbfounded as to why my tape wasn’t one of the chosen ones. I mean, they liked the tape well enough to give me not one, but two callbacks. And then… nothing. Not a peep out of the Food Network. So I figured they found some people who were really the bomb in the kitchen and in front of the camera. And then I saw the videos, which I have to say in my opinion, most of them sucked.

After getting over my initial pissed off-ness and boycotting the show for the season, I decided to watch the finale. This time, not only did Aaron’s pilot come off with even more confidence and personality, but his food actually was appealing. I’m now walking around as proud of him as if he were my own brother. I’ve come to the conclusion that this was obviously Aaron McCargo’s year to shine. And this is my year to be big and pregnant, one last time.

I may consider throwing my hat in the ring again, as that is my ultimate goal like thousands of others, to have my own cooking show. My video submitted for this past season can be viewed at myspace.com/culinarytherapy. I made grilled ground chicken kabobs and served them on a bed of couscous and orzo. Feel free to critique it as you please. I need to develop a leathery tough skin if I plan to sit before the Food Network judges in the future. That’s what Aaron did, and it paid off big time for him. Congrats bro!

World Breastfeeding Week 2008

World Breastfeeding Week 2008 has arrived with a very timely theme, “Mother Support: Going for the Gold”. With the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics only 4 days away, this years theme has me picturing a new Olympic category – breastfeeding on the move. It would involve women running track with baby securely in tow in the latest baby sling or pouch from places like rockinbabysling.com or modestmums.com. I mean if women can participate in a high heel marathon, why not breastfeeding on the move?

This celebration week always makes me reminisce about my own experience with breastfeeding. It was scary to look down and see that I had one breast that appeared to be twice the size of my baby’s head, and the other was half the size. What the heck was I doing wrong? I was allowing her to choose her favorite, the one that had the most milk flowing, far too often. I eventually learned how to fix that problem – pump and rotate.

I happen to have a lactation consultant in the family who provided the most valuable info of all – the secret of the cabbage leaves. Just when I was about to give up due to the pain of engorgement, she instructed me to break out the cold cabbage leaves. What a relief! Now, when I’m in the hospital and have the rare occasion to provide some sort of diet education to a new mom to be, I ask if they plan to breastfeed. If they do, I share that gem of info with them.

There are too many benefits and joys of breastfeeding to name, but I can discuss a few of my favorites. Breastfeeding is the greatest free meal plan ever created. To me, that alone should be enough to want to take advantage of it. Not to mention, no heating or bottle washing necessary, no trekking to the kitchen in the middle of the night, and all the antibodies your baby needs right there at your disposal. Let's also not forget the fabulous boobage that only a breastfeeding mom can sport. And of course the personal bond that you share with that beautiful little person who can look up at you like no one else on earth can, as they dig their sharp little nails into your flesh and eventually start to look away while gripping your poor nipple making you scream in pain. It’s just one more wonderful perk of being a mom.

For more info on breastfeeding, my favorites include:
http://www.lllusa.org
http://www.mommytoo.com/blackbreastfeeding.htm
http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Happy feeding!

Bedtime Routine for 2 Hungry Girls, and One Just Plain Nosey

This is the first time in about a month that I’ve gotten my 4 year old to go to bed, and stay there, before 10:30pm. It’s my fault however. Ever since the pregnancy I’ve had this overwhelming desire to sleep in. Now usually little miss missy is my alarm clock, greeting me at bedside with a whiney “mommy I wanna watch Noggin” at about 7am. And if I don’t hear from her by 7:30, my internal alarm clock goes off. But these days, my internal clock is broken, and she has taken complete advantage of it, sleeping in as late as 9am! Now on the other end of the candle, the little one inside my belly gets ravenous at about 11pm. And I’ve found that if I ignore her, she wakes me up at about 1am claiming to be starving to death – apparently she’s going to be dramatic like her big sister.

So last night, after getting little miss thingy to bed at 9pm without a fuss, I retreated to my computer, very pleased with the smoothness of the nights bedtime routine. Now will somebody please tell my why, at 10:30 or so when I head to bed myself, do I find miss thingy sitting with her ankles crossed, reclining comfortably on my pillows and watching Law and Order of all things, in my bed, with a big ol’ smile on her face? Needless to say I was both shocked and annoyed. I mean, that’s the spot where I lie and watch tv until I’m delirious, and have my late night snack, neither of which I’m interested in sharing.

So this morning I got us back on track. With the help of my gorgeous pit bull son Tyson, I woke up bright and early at 6:00. This gave me ample time to get breakfast ready and wake up sleepin’ booty. Now you would think it would be difficult to get a sleep deprived 4 year old out of bed, but not this one – all I have to do is say the magic words.. “Your breakfast is ready” and she springs out of bed like a kangaroo. I guess the love of food is hereditary.

So tonight, after a long day on little sleep the night before, miss missy was more than happy to go to bed at 8:30, and I was more than happy to escort her there. Now I’ve got to work on this hungry one in my belly. But in the meantime, I’m off to the kitchen to get my favorite good-for-mommy-and-baby-too snack, peanut butter and graham crackers with low fat milk… YUMMM.