Week 17: Asparagus Season!!!!

We made it through week SICKSteen!  Those allergies I mentioned in the last post turned out to be a cold and I had all the symptoms of a yucky one.  Including, losing my voice.  Teaching without a voice is funny because half of the kids ask, "Is something wrong with your throat?"  or while the other half say, "Your voice sounds strange."  It did sound strange, and I felt like I was growling instead of talking.  Professional, right?  I love too that last week the baby began to hear outside the womb. He/she probably thinks he's being gestated by an ogre.  

Due to my cold and the cold rain that has taken over mid-Missouri, Kyle and I didn't do too much baby stuff this weekend.  This was also due to Kyle wading through swamps for 4 hours on Saturday looking for birds.  He even saw one of these little guys.  It's a Sandhill crane colt that he spent all of Saturday's dinner telling me about.  I kinda love how he's into anything baby these days.  He's also excited to get the baby swing we bought from a friend this weekend.  He asked me, "Can we go get the swing now so we can put the dogs in it?"  Um, no.  I have a feeling if it were up to him the dogs would try out all of the baby gear well the before the baby is here.  Although, I have to agree that Sissy would look adorable laying the the crib under a blanket wearing a bonnet and using a pacifier.  Hmmm... we may have to try that.

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Although this weekend was full of birds, napping, and garage sales, we were able to get down to business making a baby budget.  I would post it on here, but it's too depressing.  Let's just say we'll get by AND have enough each month to add $25 to a college fund.  It's not much, but at least it's something!

Perhaps the best thing I did this weekend was focus on FOOD.  Last week, Kyle and I ate crap basically all week-mac and cheese for dinner on Thursday (hey, it was organic!), sweet potato fries for dinner on Thursday, and a baked potato on Friday.  I had been eating salads in previous weeks, but I've developed an aversion to salad dressings.  We would buy a dressing, I would have it once and LOVE it, then have it a second time and be thinking about how loathe I was to all things salad.   Which led to last week where the days were low on fruits and veggies- only 3 to 4 servings/day.  One of the many pregnancy books I have but don't enjoy reading, reminded me that this wasn't enough.  So on Saturday morning, I hit up the Farmer's Market with a mission: buy any and all fresh veggies.  Behold the bounty- all locally grown in mid-Missouri!  Swiss chard, asparagus, tomatoes- including heirloom Brandywine!

 Seeing asparagus at the market reminded me how overjoyed I am that I will be pregnant over summer when I will get to enjoy blackberries, peaches, eggplant, and so much more!   After purchasing this BEAUTIFUL produce, I actually planned out meals for the week.  Admittedly, bacon was the main source of protein 3 out of the 7 nights, but all the meals were loaded with veggies which was the main goal.  My worse pregnancy symptom has been thirst.  It's been insane and painful at times.  There are some days where I am just sooooo thirsty- even if I've already downed 60+ oz. of water.  Hopefully the added water from all the fruits and veggies will help with this.  I'm also avoiding Wasabi peas- so tasty, but I think they may exacerbate the issue.

For some reason, I am convinced the baby is a boy.  Seriously, I have no idea why- I fully realize it could be a girl.  It could even be twins.  We'll find out the sex and quantity on June 15 when we go in for our first ultrasound at 21 weeks. Most people have gawked at the fact that we haven't had an ultrasound yet, but I don't really mind.  However, I am SO EXCITED for June 15th at 9:30 a.m.  

There are a lot of good things happening between then and now- including the end of the school year.  Our last day is June 3.  I'm hoping the weather can stay in the 70s and 80s between now and then since my classroom is on the second floor and very much not air conditioned.  While not having a.c. is eco-friendly, it is also torture on days with lots of humidity and 90+ temps.  So here's to hoping for low humidity and moderate temperatures!  

Sorry this week's bump pic isn't as high quality as last weeks; hopefully you still get the idea- my stomach is growing, and I love it.  : )