Letters From Baby

I signed up for a website that sends you letters from your unborn baby. I am going to start sharing them. These are the first two letters I received. Very cute!

Hi Mama,

Did you know that a little bit of chocolate every day makes for a
happier baby? And even if that's not exactly true, it sure makes
for a happier mama -- and THAT makes ME happy too!

Joyfully indulge,
Your Chocolate-Covered Baby


Hi Mama,

We found each other! I always knew we would--it's part of a promise we
made a long time ago. Don't be surprised if you recognize me once I
get there -- even if with only your heart.

I love you,
Bambino

Ode to my Hubby

This entry is dedicated to my husband, Chris. I can't help but to think that I would not have made it through this pregnancy thus far without him. When I first came down ill with this horrid morning sickness I wasn't sure just how I was going to handle everything. With Chris working full-time and the kids at school, I was left with no help. It made me feel even more sick just thinking about how the kids were going to get fed, how the laundry was going to get done, and how I was going to be able to take care of Ethan and Noah. Not to mention every errand and business related task that needed to be done. To be honest with you, I was scared.

I know that I went into this pregnancy knowing that there was a really good chance that I was going to go through this. But I think I didn't want to go through it and sort of pushed it towards the back of my mind. But since it is a real fact now and it looks like it won't be letting up for several more weeks, it is time to face it. That is just what Chris has done. Instead of grumbling, he has stepped up and become Mom and Dad. He works all day and comes home to continue working through the evening. I just wanted to mention what happened yesterday.

So yesterday was probably the hardest day so far. The day before was hard as well. But I actually woke up already sick as a dog. Abby of course comes into my bedroom and asks me if I need anything. I decided to eat some crackers before getting out of the bed. I sat up and ate my crackers and Chris is getting ready and telling me exactly all he had done beforehand to make my day easier. I immediately got up and had to get rid of everything I ate. Chris didn't hesitate to stay home and take care of me and the boys. I knew he needed to go to work, but he made no fuss and stayed really busy all day doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of us.

I feel so lucky. I know that he didn't make my morning sickness better, but I felt good knowing that he cared so much about helping me. He was up early and went to bed late. He got up early again this morning and is working. So far I am managing things okay even though I am feeling really bad. I really want to do something nice for Chris once I start to feel better. He really deserves it.

Happy Fetus Day!

No, this is not a national holiday but it is a milestone. Today is a brand new day and my little embryo has graduated into the fetus club! Congratulations Beanie Baby!! Most people will probably think I am completely crazy for such a celebration, but this is huge for me. On a more unpleasant note, my morning sickness is still sticking around like glue. Last night was really a true test for me. For the first time since experiencing this horrible sickness, I went out with Chris. Here is the rundown.

Chris wanted to go out and grab some dinner and catch a late movie. Well, there were several things wrong with this idea but some positive things as well. As much as I love, love, love to go out on a kid-free night on the town, I wasn't exactly feeling "up to it." I sat here all day contemplating on if I should and justifying it as well. With much deliberation I decided it might do me some good to get out of the house for a few hours. I drug myself around and got ready. It is amazing how much you can shock yourself when you actually shower, apply makeup and style your hair. I felt like I just received an Extreme Makeover. I managed to get ready before our appointed time to leave!

We were off to Chili's and then to see Cloverfield. When we arrived at Chili's we were not shocked to see that the establishment was completely packed out! I was actually relieved because I did not want to be in a hot, crowded restaurant. So we left and decided to go to a little place we have frequented many times in the past 8 years we have lived here. We chose to eat at Monjuni's. It is a real authentic Italian cafe. It is little and quaint and the food is really awesome. Even I was getting a little excitement out for the fact that I really love eating there. Our server was really nice and she offered us the special, Shrimp Aurora. It was a dish that the owner came up with one day I guess while business was slow. Chris didn't hesitate to order that. It was their original red sauce mixed with alfredo sauce with shrimp and angel hair pasta topped with provolone cheese and twice baked. It took me a little longer on my decision. Well, for obvious reasons. After about 10 minutes of decision making I finally chose the Homemade Lasagna.

The food was excellent as always. I actually tried a bite of Chris' and it was really good too. We couldn't finish our food but we took some home. The owner of the restaurant joined us. He told his servers that if they sold 3 of the Shrimp Aurora dished that he would give them a free Milky Way Cake. OMG! We tried one of those and it was sinful! I ate more than Chris and that is really saying something at this point. So we left full and ready to go see a movie. Cloverfield was a pretty decent movie. I am sure I would be able to give it a better review if I had felt better. I got really dizzy and hot and had a couple of "close calls." Meaning I felt like I was gonna throw up at least a half dozen times. I actually left the theater and went to the bathroom. I guess I was just stuffy because I didn't actually throw up. I started feeling a little better after we left. Nonetheless we had a good time and it was definitely worth going on for. I am sure once I have finally kicked the morning sickness phase of my pregnancy I won't be such a cheap date. I will be eating more than Chris! I actually can't wait. Ha Ha!

So today I am going to hang out with the kids, eat steak, attempt to clean a little, help Mikey get started on his Social Studies Project and basically just take it easy. I am really excited to be here and at least able to enjoy life.

Is It Over YET?

Call me Mrs. Impatient. The horrible saga of the morning sickness continues. It is like a plague really. I can't help but in a way to feel like I am the only sick person around here. I also can't help but to feel like I am alienating myself from my family. I am in a totally different world anymore. My mind is telling me to get up but my body is telling me don't you dare. I am approaching the 9th week. I get excited just knowing that another week has passed. Everyday my baby is growing and I am that much closer to my 2nd trimester. That is usually when the sickness subsides. Surprisingly I don't have too much to blog about. I have been sleeping so much lately. It is nothing for me to sleep over 12 hours! I usually can't do that even at my sleepiest.

I can only say that my body is definitely working overtime. I bought some food and other items that may help relieve my sickness. I hadn't left my house in about a week so I was very nervous. I did okay but I constantly felt like I was either gonna pass out or throw up right in Walmart. I also had 3 kids with me too. I am just hanging in there because this too shall pass.

The picture of the baby is what my baby should look like at this point. 8 weeks.

Blah, Blah, Blah

From the sound of this title you pretty much know where I am going with this. This weekend was very hard on me. I am still feeling rather nasty this morning too. How can something that is only about an inch long make me feel so nasty? Mystery. I hate feeling nauseated. I would rather go through labor than feel this way. I am currently trying every home remedy imaginable. If that doesn't work then my next step is prescription medication. I really don't wanna go there. I don't take so much as a Tylenol when I am preggo. I don't care how bad my head hurts. I have been getting some good advice from people on how to cope with this. My Mom's advice has been the best yet. The lemons are really helping in the form of lemonade. Blow Pops have been good too.

My loving husband pretty much "took over" this weekend. He orchestrated the kids into doing a lot of things around the house. I could only lay back and observe with my nauseated, pregnant self. He cooked dinner Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I could barely eat what he made because it was all "Southern Soul Food" AKA lots of salt, fat content and spice. Those are 3 things that I cannot tolerate right now. But I managed to eat enough and not have to get rid of it later. I am hoping that in a few weeks this chapter of my pregnancy will come to an end and I will start feeling like my old self again.

Chris is back to work today and I have all 5 of the kids alone. Believe it or not, I was the first one awake. Yesterday I didn't crawl out of bed until 11 am. I figured I may as well beat them to it. I have already eaten so I hope I feel better soon. One thing I have noticed about my last 3 pregnancies is that I have had this horrendous morning sickness in the wintertime. That just adds to the blah feeling.

Feeling Rather Gross

So once again I am layed up feeling nasty. Yesterday was hard and today isn't much better. Not a good time to go on a diet. I am not eating much due to the morning sickness. Nothing sounds good to me. I asked Chris when he goes to the grocery store tonight to get me some lemons and limes. My mom told me that lemons helped her when she was pregnant with me. I am willing to try anything. All I have had today is a hand full of cereal and a glass of water. I stopped taking my prenatals because I think those didn't help the situation any. I am hoping this will improve in the upcoming weeks. I really don't want to be 4 months before I start feeling good again.

Hannah and Abby's birthdays are coming up soon and I really need to start feeling better for that. Chris can only do so much and I am insisting that this time he doesn't get stuck doing it all. He has enough on his plate. This weekend the kids and Chris are going to take care of the chores around the house. I believe after that I can manage things better. I hope so at least. It is amazing how awful you can feel when your hormones are all out of whack. I know it is for the best though because in 32 weeks I will be holding my new baby in my arms and none of this will matter then. But until then I need to stay healthy and strong, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Ugh! Morning Sickness..Blessing and Burden

Yes, that's right. What was I saying in my previous posts? Oh yeah, how lucky I am not to have the horrible morning sickness? Well, from my title here you can see how I am feeling. I have to say that I am challenged right now. Don't ask me how I have the strength to even blog about it. I am not sure at this point. So far no vomiting. But I am really not eating. Uh, that can't be good. I am infamous for this sort of thing. I am trying other sorts of remedies besides the ones I tried in my other pregnancies. Of course the Web has helped a lot. I am getting tons of support and help from women probably a lot less seasoned than myself. But hey, I don't know it all!!! I have decided that starving myself is out of the question. I don't care if I hurl it all up in 5 minutes. I am gonna eat, just not a lot. Morning sickness isn't all bad either. It is also a good sign that things are going well. The placenta is starting to develop and soon it can do all of the dirty work.

The challenge lately has been trying to overcome all of this icky feeling and maintain order here at Castle Cato. Not been easy. Being pregnant alone is stressful at times, but then add 5 kids and a husband into the mix. Yeah. No, but seriously the kids have really been great lately. It is easy in that department this go around. They are suddenly not these "little kids" anymore. They are actually independent and I really have to say that has been great on me. I think in about 2 months I will be able to manage things solely again. But tonight Chris is bringing home dinner. Ahhh, gotta love a working husband!

I am still waiting on the UPS guy to bring my Fetal Monitor. I am so excited about it. I will let y'all know if I hear anything. Should be able to by now. On another note, I have officially made my 1st Dr. appt. He couldn't see me until February 7th. At first I was pretty disappointed because that will put me at 11 weeks. But oh well, I am doing okay as of now, so waiting 3 more weeks won't kill me. Ethan is sick. He has a horrible croupy cough. I gave him some meds and stuck the Vicks Vaporizer in the Playroom so he can get some of that stuff in his chest. I hate it when the little ones are sick most of all. They don't understand it and I feel so sorry for them. I guess you can say we are sickly around here.

Well, I am off to attempt to do something productive. Just nothing in the bathroom..