Salt and Vinegar

When I was pregnant with Ginny I tasted salt and vinegar potato chips for the first time...they were to say the least one of the most delicious things I had ever tasted as a pregnant lady. I was at a friend's house and politely ate a small serving with my sandwich. The next time I was at the store I bought myself a bag figuring I'd indulge at lunch every once in awhile...well, a few hours later the bag was empty and I went back to the store for some more later that week. 

It became a joke at our house to see how long the bag would last...totally out of character for me to indulge in such a junk food, but at the time when keeping food down was a challenge something that tasted good and remained where I put it was a welcome change. 

The kids hated the smell of the chips, just opening the bag would send them running...and Nick didn't love it either. When we went to a hotel and were overcome by a strong vinegar cleaning odor Murray cheerfully said "Mommy, it smells like your chippies in here!" 

Once Ginny was born I didn't allow myself to purchase a bag...EVER. So, I don't know if I actually only like the chips pregnant...I was always too afraid I'd eat the whole bag in 2 days again...something ok when you're pregnant, but NOT when you're trying to lose the baby weight!

So this October when I found out I was expecting the chips suddenly started calling to me at the store once again. I resisted...for many months I resisted, telling myself I didn't really like them...didn't really need them. Then one day about 2 weeks ago I just couldn't resist anymore. They were on sale again and they found their way into the cart. 


When I arrived home I hadn't even unloaded all the groceries before I opened the bag. The kids eagerly ran over to see if they could get a few chips, a rare treat at this house...until they got close enough to smell them...and then they turned up their noses and walked away from the bag...all of them EXCEPT Ginny that is. She happily reached into the bag and started eating the chips and came back for more. The chips have become a weekly purchase once again, but this time I can't say I've eaten the entire bag on my own...if left within her reach Ginny has often been found breaking into the bag and eating some chips at all hours of the day. Guess it's true that pregnancy cravings continue in the child...Lucy does love sausage and mandarin oranges and Murray can't get enough salad or pb&J...wonder what this little boy will love like that?!? Maybe salt and vinegar chips and mashed potatoes!

27 weeks

Tomorrow I'll be 27 weeks pregnant. It seems like this pregnancy is finally starting to pass me by. Those first few weeks dragged and each moment of the day was almost painful to make it through. Struggling physically and emotionally with a pregnancy is not an ideal situation. But our little guy hung in there with me while the Big Guy did some work on me...and now we're here. Just 8 days away from the 3rd trimester. No more than 11 weeks away from meeting this little man! 

My body must know something is changing, a sense of urgency to begin preparing the things I can prepare. This week alone I've starting collecting baby boy clothes, socks and hats for the warmer weather, I reserved our newborn cloth diaper rental and picked up the car seat we'll be using from a friend. There's more to do and I know nesting will kick in at a later date, but for the time being I'm embracing this pregnancy and savoring thoughts of warmer weather, baby snuggles and the occasional glass of wine. I can almost smell it if I close my eyes and wish it here. Some of the most delightful times in my life have been warm summer nights snuggling a nursing baby or sitting in the 3 season room on a warm evening talking with Nick while passing a new baby back and forth. 

This little man. This little man is proving difficult to name. We have a list, we have preferred names on the list, but no front runner...and to make it even more difficult this time around Lucy is offering quite the opinion. I hope she isn't upset when we tell her the baby's name at the hospital! For that matter...I hope Nick isn't upset when I snuggle this boy in his first moments of life and decide on his name. This baby boy is definitely mine to name! 

This baby boy who I've visited so many times on an ultrasound screen that I'm getting good at picking out the heart, the umbilical cord and the kidneys as the technician does her measurements. Little fingers and toes are always a joy to see and of course that sweet baby profile. While I'm not thankful for why we're having ultrasounds done so frequently, I am thankful for the visits with my little man and the presence he's making in our lives already. It may have taken a bit longer to get here, but this little man has crawled his way into my heart and is there to stay.