White T-Shirt Experiment: 2/3's Report

Well folks, we've reached the two-thirds mark - now on to the third trimester! It's been a little while since we've provided an update to the White T-Shirt Experiment.  (For those of you who haven't heard of this project, check out the initial description here, and the half-way report here).

Here's our starting point of the experiment:

8 Weeks

Now here is the beginning of the Second Trimester

Weeks 14, 18 & 21

And a slight pause to recognize the discovery of Maternity Jeans.  Look Ma - no zipper!

24 Weeks

And we'll finish with the final week of the Second Trimester:

27 Weeks

As you can see, I am slowly working my way out of the White T-Shirt, but have 12 more weeks to see what will develop.

Finally, here is a progression of the Baby Bump unhidden:

Weeks 21, 23, 24, & 27

Happy Fall, Everyone.

~M

These are a few of my favorite things

So we've talked about the Power of Pickles in deciphering pregnancy (if you missed it, check it out here, which are one of the stereotypical cravings of The Pregnant Species.  However, in speaking with other Preggers out there, I have discovered there seem to be two paths of food desires - those that have strong cravings for unique things, and those that mainly form aversions to food.  I have been a part of the Aversion Clan.

Despite my growing list of Things I Would Only Eat If I Wanted to Taste it a Second Time 5 Minutes Later, there have been a few food items that have brought comfort.  I thought I might share them with you.

YORK PEPPERMINT PATTIES

Have you really eaten a Family Size bag to yourself?

Not entirely - I shared a few... sparingly...

Are you proud of that?

Yes, yes I am. You should always share.

York Peppermint Patties

IHOP

Most desired dish?

Pancakes, hashbrowns and fried eggs (over-medium); glass of OJ. NO MEAT.

Best time to eat it?

Any time really, though I'm particularly partial to 10:30pm for a Second Dinner. God bless you and your International House of Cheap, Delicious, 24-hour Awesomeness.

International House of Pancakes (image courtesy of Google)

SWEET CHERRIES

Quantity consumed per week?

Two pounds, un-shared.

Sweet Cherries (roughly 2 lbs.)

Sweet Cherries (close-up of their deliciousness)

MARGARINE

Do you eat it on its own?

What?!  No, that's silly though I still have 13 weeks to develop new habits.  I have it on pasta, rice, muffins, bread, pancakes, you name it.

Most noticeable side effect? Greasy lip-gloss left behind on my lips after consumption.

Tub o'Margarine

Now, despite listing off these fantastic foods as if I eat them all day every day for every meal and even while sleeping, they can be fast fads that fade.  Who knows how long they'll last, and how much I'll abuse their awesomeness until they're added to the other list.

With this post, I must also announce I am nearing the end of the second trimester!  What does that mean?  According to baby books, iPhone apps, websites, and the general opinion of mothers who have gone through this process, it is the beginning of discomfort, and the general (lack of) coordination of a whale/mammoth/moose/pick-your-favorite-large-animal.  But, we shall see.

I shall leave you then to ponder what your comfort foods are - for the Preggers and Non-Preggers alike.  A summation of baby bumps through the trimesters will be soon on its way.

Happy Craving,

~M

A Tale of Brothers

Over the past few weeks, I have been reminded of the importance of brothers.  As the only girl sandwiched between two boys, I didn't have any sisters until later in life (first step-sisters, then sisters-in-law - both categories are like true sisters now); but, my first experience was with brothers.  I watched Spiderman cartoons, played with He-Man toys, detested the color pink, and tried to keep up with the boys while we played Jackpot outside or played Crack the Egg on the trampoline.

Maggie, Henry & Graham (1990)

Now that we're older, these brothers of mine have grown into men; they are cultured, intelligent, and I look up to them.

2007

2011 (Graham's Wedding)

Many people have asked with this pregnancy, How many kids do you have on planning?  At this point, we are going to see how the birth goes, but we plan on having more than one.  That means that, God willing, Baby H-G will be a brother to someone some day.  It's crazy for me to think this small little baby will be an older brother for a little girl or boy.  And beyond that, he will first be a brother to play with, then a brother that will grow-up (as mine have) and be a companion to talk about life and how time has passed.

Brad and I have been greatly blessed by the influence of our brothers (and sisters), so it will be fun to see those dynamics with the next generation.

Brad & Nate (2008)

Nate, Brad & Stacey (1991)

In other brotherly news, I am saddened to say that my childhood sewing machine finally had to be retired.

My 1960's Singer (not sure on the year)

She put up a good fight:

1. The pedal would increasingly get hotter and hotter to the point of burning my bare or socked foot if on for longer than 30 minutes.
2. Threading the bobbin, a common and necessary task in sewing by machine, became shredding the bobbin as it would slice through the threads meant to be coiled neatly around the bobbin.
3. While sewing at a normal rate, the light would dim, the needle would slow, and the whole sewing process would fade down to a snail's pace as if it was an electric go cart running out of juice.

And what does this have to do with brothers?  Well, allow me to introduce you to my new brother, and a new addition to the H-G family, the Brother SE400 Computerized Embroidery & Sewing Machine.

My Newest Brother

Okay, enough about toys...

How about all of you?  Have you ever stopped and thought about the impact your brothers have had on you?  And not to leave out sisters (as I am one of those) - how have they influenced your life?

Thank you to all my brothers & sisters,

~M