See the Amazing Expanding Tummy!

Here we go! At long last a new belly picture. Today officially makes me 22 weeks pregnant. Unbelievable. I am FINALLY starting to look pregnant instead of like I've been drinking too much beer! What's better, I truly feel pregnant at last. My son is such a wiggler. What a reassuring, blessed feeling. I drank a cup of coffee this morning and I thought the little guy was going to kick a hole in my stomach. And no, for the record I feel no guilt over my morning cup of Joe! Studies at the Mayo Clinic have proven moderate doses of caffeine have no detrimental effects on unborn babies. Moderate doses being defined as under 200 mg of caffeine per day. Besides, after giving up rare steaks, sushi, swordfish, not to mention alcohol and cigarettes, I feel OK about my less than moderate caffeine intake. Of course this all sounds like justification... so I'll just move on.

What I can't get enough lately is the simple, joyful, food that we eat as children. I want peanut butter & jelly for lunch and tomato soup swimming with Goldfish crackers for dinner day after day! OOOO or hot dogs in Macaroni & Cheese and bologna sandwiches! But, I wonder what is causing my taste buds to regress? Sitting here I am envisioning fluffernut sandwiches, Twinkies, and chocolate milk with crushed up gram crackers in it! Ymmm! GRAM CRACKERS!

The good news is I haven't gone overboard with weight gain. Thank God, because it certainly hasn't been because thanks to exercise or will power. I've put on about 17 lbs total, which is probably a smidge more than I should have. I eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and take my vitamin every day... But, I get plenty of pizza and ice cream too. What's a girl to do? My biggest goal for the remaining 18 weeks is to continue with the fruits and veggies and try to beef up my fiber intake. I am terrified of constipation. Thankfully I adore oatmeal and it is still chilly in the mornings here in GA. ;-)

Tums seem to be another staple of my diet. I never experienced heartburn before pregnancy. Man, that can be a doozie! Just extra calcium, right? All and all I am loving pregnancy. Never did I ever feel that bigger was better, but my tune has changed. I love my pregnant body. I feel more like a woman than I have ever felt before. The boobs definitely go along way in that regard! But, seriously pregnant bellies are beautiful! And now that the pregnancy acne is under control, I feel great looking in the mirror.

OK, here is my plug... I had GREAT skin pre-pregnancy. Then all of a sudden, at about 2 months pregnant I got the WORST acne of my life. Worse than middle school, worse than high school. I felt like one giant zit. My OB/GYN suggested Proactiv. I was a little hesitant; there is no place in a 50 mile radius of my home to purchase it, and though not outrageous, it's not cheep. But, eventually my desperation won out and I ordered their basic package via the internet. Two weeks after I started using it started to clear up, and now a month into it I couldn't be happier. I still get a zit or two, but it is no longer a full chin strap of the little red fuckers. I swear I have no affiliation with their company, other than the fact I am truly happy with my purchase! With all the other screw ball changes happening to pregnant body, the last thing I could handle was zits!

PS: My hubby just called as he drove over the Golden Gate Bridge! I am so jealous!