20 Weeks: Thank You Notes to People I Don't Know

I've been writing lots of thank you notes lately. It is always such a sweet collection of moments, sitting at the table reflecting and feeling thankful. I love when the stack of notecards I keep in our desk starts to dwindle. It means I've had lots of opportunities to be thankful.

That said, there are some people I don't know who I'd like to thank, too. People who have made this pregnancy easier, better, or happier. Today's post is dedicated to them. Let's begin.

To the inventors of the remote control and the creators of Netflix: Endless entertainment, zero moving my pregnant belly. Thank you.

All online television and Pinterest: Same sentiments. You guys rock.

To the people who brought leggings back in style for people over 8 years old: You were right; I was wrong. Thank you.

To Costco: You know I couldn't do this without you. Thank you.

To the person who decided to add the "crushed ice" option to refrigerator ice dispensers: This is the second pregnancy when tiny bits of ice have felt like the greatest treasure, treat, and delicacy. What would I do without you? (Cry more.) Thank you.

To the farmers who grew the sunflowers I bought from Harris Teeter: $4? Really? How did you guys know how badly I needed a little sunshine-flower pick-me-up last week? You do amazing work. Also, I love knowing that there are people out there whose jobs are to grow sunflowers. Totally makes life in general happier to have that thought.

To whoever figured out that Unisom helps (a little) with morning sickness, and to the scientists behind Lexapro: Wow. You guys. No words. But, super, super strong work. Thank you.

To everybody over at the production of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and Honeywell security systems: Thank you for making my morning nap possible.

To LEGO: Come on, you didn't think I'd forget you, did you? Thank you, thank you, thank you, for saving my children from their pregnant mother.

And, finally...

To the 1980's: Thank you for the baby name book we have used to select names for all of our kids, and for being the initial timeframe in which leggings came to be. Again--I was wrong, and I'm totally willing to own it. Though I do think the upgrade to jersey from spandex was a win.

xo,
love,
Jamie

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.