Saving My Life Right Now

There's a little trend going around the internet right now, because it is February, and February is cold and hard on even the non-pregnant. It's just this: share the little things that are saving your life right now. Anne Boegel (a popular book blogger--yay books!) wrote:

The idea comes from Barbara Brown Taylor’s wonderful memoir Leaving Church. In it, Taylor tells the story of when she was invited to speak at a gathering, and her host assigned the topic: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.”

It’s a good question. Most of us know what’s killing us, and can articulate it, if asked. But few of us pay attention to what’s giving us life. The question invites you to do just that.

So, we're all well aware of what is getting me down. Here are the things that are saving my life:

1. Big kids putting Juliette down for her naps & bedtimes.  One less trudge up the stairs when I'm feeling so ill. And also, a sweet little bonding opportunity for them which was a happy accidental side effect.

2. Sleep. Partly because I'm tired. Partly because it helps me keep food in my body. Partly because it is the only respite from the nausea. Partly because it helps me feel less nauseous afterward. It is healing and rest, and I am thankful for the mornings Steve is home and lets me sleep in, and for my afternoon naps, every day. And for early bedtime. And for our bed, and our duvet, which are a few of the only things that feel good.

3. A very specific list of foods, which Steve lovingly keeps me stocked with. He doesn't even question it, just asks what he can get me when I go to the store. So far, reliable foods include:

Cantaloupe
Waffle Crisp, Corn Flakes, and Corn Chex cereals
Apple juice
Egg bagels with butter
Rice with butter

4. Steve's SUPERDAD powers. He is ON TOP OF IT. He's parenting. He's cooking, shopping, cleaning, doing laundry. And preparing our home to go on the market. Oh, and also he still goes to work. He is rocking it. And most of all, he is so generous, sweet, and loving. I know this is a huge life balance shift for him, and he has been so gracious and tender with me.

5. The Chromebook. We got an inexpensive Chromebook so I can work from the couch, and it has been immensely helpful. I've been doing some freelancing from the sofa, and also working on our taxes and occasionally some family history.

6.  Streaming TV. In the first two weeks of being sick, I watched every available episode of HGTV's Fixer Upper--both on Netflix and on HGTV.com. I've also been dabbling in Downton Abbey's final season, and Steve and I have been watching X-Files and Person of Interest for a little bit in the evening.

7. Zofran. It hasn't killed the nausea, but it has made a difference. And every little bit helps.

8. A huge nest of pillows & blankets in my bed. I'm not comfortable very often lately, but the pillow nest is pretty close.

9. Spot It. We've been playing this a lot as a family. We all lay on the floor together. It is fast paced and fun and short, and both the big kiddos can play it with appropriate card-handicaps. We've been enjoying it a lot. Sometimes the littler two even split the deck and play it solitaire-style side-by-side on the sofa.

10. Maternity leggings. I don't know why, but all clothes touching my stomach feel terrible, except the two pairs of soft, low-rise Old Navy maternity leggings I bought when I was preggers with Jules. So I have been wearing those every day and oh, they are just the best.