Lately, my toddler has become quite the independent girl. During our bedtime stories, she wants to sit next to me in the glider rather than on my lap. I’m okay with it, because it’s still quite cozy, and it doesn’t affect my ability to do a mean Little Nutbrown Hare or Little Engine That Could. This weekend, however, our collective width surpassed that of the chair. Linnea is not the one who’s rapidly expanding. I actually had to say, “Sorry, honey, but mommy’s butt is too big.”
Yes, folks, Josh and I are expecting Baby #2. I am incredibly happy about this pregnancy, but wow, am I sick. It’s a small (and short-term) price to pay for such a wonderful gift, but it’s still tough to get through the day sometimes.
While I have nausea almost all day, every day, I’m lucky that I’m able to eat. Some pregnant women can’t keep anything down, but I only feel really good in the five-minute period in which I’m devouring the perfect food. The food that I’m craving right at that moment, when everything else sounds utterly revolting, but french fries—ah, french fries—sound like pure joy.
In the past few weeks, such cravings have led me to eat plates full of breakfast potatoes, a bacon cheeseburger, multiple Rice Krispies treats, innumerable bagel sandwiches, a couple of root beer floats, and a chocolate-banana milkshake. That’s just off the top of my head. What’s really disgusting is the weird timing of some of my cravings. I hesitate to share, but here goes. How about some middle-of-the-night beef stew? Or a tuna sandwich, right after breakfast? It makes me sick to type those words, but at those moments, I felt reprieve from my hangover-like malaise.
So, friends, that’s my news. Josh and Linnea are being very good sports as I get through this rough patch, and I am keeping my eye on the darling prize. I had an ultrasound this week, and though I’ve experienced this before, I was still blown away when I saw our tiny baby on the screen, complete with wiggling arm buds and a beating heart.
I love that our family is growing, and, with the exception of trying to find something to wear during this betweener phase, I love that I’m growing, too. Luckily, Linnea has assigned me and my expanding butt our very own chair for watching videos with her. And I have to admit that the timing is quite nice—she’s just taken interest in cartoons, and I think we’ve watched the old animated “Frosty the Snowman” special about five times this week. Linnea spends a good deal of time asking, “Where snowman go?” whenever Frosty isn’t front and center. We’re working on some tricky concepts right now—Santa Claus, a talking snowman, and even a baby in mama’s belly.
*****
Thanks for all of your great comments on my last post about Jordan’s story. I learned a lot!
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I Want to Know:
- What are you craving these days?
- What’s your favorite kiddie holiday show?
Utterly, thoroughly thrilled for you, Emma! What awesome news!
Oh…and I’m craving sushi and sake! Thanks for asking! 
Thanks, Mary! Yum. Sushi actually sounds pretty good right now. Sake, not so much. Might need to find some California rolls this weekend!
The differing perceived food rules for men and women are amazing. Stew in the middle of the night? Perfect! Tuna sandwich for breakfast? What’s the issue? I’ve done tuna sandwich with sliced pickled jalapenos many times in AM – if you get that far then we’ll have something to talk about.
Linnie – what’s in Mommy’s tummy?
Ugh. Pickled jalepenos–I don’t think so!!
YES!!! Emma, I’m so happy for you, Josh, and Linnea!! I hope your sickness is short-lived (I’m sure your fatigue is also off the charts) and that you are feeling better soon. I’m so excited we’ll have another round of babies close together
Excellent timing, I say. Hahaha! Thanks for starting my day off with a big smile and happiness in my heart. CONGRATS!!!
I know! I’m so excited! I am due May 25.
Wonderful news! I’m going to be a Grauntie again. I love the date May 25, 2011. So springlike and something to look forward to after the long winter. Starting off so thin, your body is asking for lots of calories to be strong for the hard work of growing a new life. In Yiddish, “Eppes essen”, eat!
But what is my excuse? When I am emotional, ice cream, ice cream, ice cream. (Add to that some french bread and real butter and I will need a bigger chair, too.)
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Ice cream is usually my go-to evening indulgence, but it doesn’t even sound good right now. I kind of miss it.
I have a feeling that craving will be back in a few weeks!
Right now I’m working against cravings for anything that I think will make me feel better emotionally – and I know that it’s not food! Well, it might be a decadent slice of chocolate cake with fudge-y frosting and an ice cold glass of milk.
I’m really struggling with what you wrote about in the first two paragraphs of “Bound for the Burbs”. I also know this isn’t a permanent state of being.
I’m so happy for you and Josh and Linnie! I am doing my giddy little happy dance for you – well, I’m doing it internally at the very least.
Sorry to hear that you are struggling. That is a tough issue, and it’s perfectly normal to feel that way!
Congratulations to all 3 of you! The second pregnancy is so much harder to handle since you aren’t just taking care of yourself anymore, but oh so worth it. It’s also more tolerable (I think) because you know how fantastic it will be. I hope the yucky feeling goes away soon and you’re just able to enjoy it all.
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Thanks, Shelley! I think you’re right on!
Congratulations, Emma!
Two kids is so much fun…and totally, utterly exhausting.
My early pregnancy cravings included beef flavored ramen noodles and pasta with butter. Everything else: totally disgusting.
Thanks, Sally! I totally know what you mean–anyone aside from whatever I’m craving sounds SO GROSS!
I remember almost that exact same scenario with the glider and suddenly having no room to share space anymore. With both my kids I found the cravings to be stronger during breastfeeding than during pregnancy, but ice cream has always been a priority! Congrats to you and your family, Emma – my love to you all! -Nancy (And Harry is digging all the Peanuts Holiday specials – we like the Rankin & Bass ones too)
Thanks, Nancy! We got out the classic Rudolph special last night. Linnea was especially impressed with the singing snowman.
Just wait for the littlest Wilhelm to be born. Then you’ll be nursing in the glider with Linnie sitting next to you. That’s a tight, but sweet, squeeze.
Craving ice cream. In our 1920′s Encyclopedias at the cabin, it says that Ice Cream is a great way for kids to get their daily dose of calcium. Not sure it’s still advertised that way.
I love most holiday specials.
However we’re currently watching The Little Mermaid for the third time in two days…
I’ve always been a big fan of all things ice cream. I hope that I can muster an appetite for one more pumpkin milk shake this fall. I love The Little Mermaid!
congratulations! yee! so happy for you!
craving? mostly right now, corn pops, honeycomb, and blue bell’s birthday cake ice cream. not altogether, of course.
favorite kiddie holiday show? the one about kris kringle and the mizers. something about santa clause. i don’t remember the name of it.
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Mmmm…Honeycomb sounds pretty darn good. Dry cereal is fairly palatable most of the time right now. I totally remember that Christmas special. Was it “The Year Without a Santa Claus”?
no, but santa claus is in the title! thanks for that! i looked it up. it’s called santa claus is coming to town.
c.c. recently posted..picky revisited
Oh, yes! I remember that now. We pretty much video taped every Christmas special that came on TV back in the ’80s (so we could watch them all hundreds of times).
I’m craving a visit from my cuz!!!! Can’t wait to see you guys… Wine country is still pretty great even if you “can’t” drink.
You are sweet!
I’m not preggo but wanted to say congrats! Few of my friends are though and one craves milkshakes, one craves cheese and other craves nachos. Are you and Josh gonna find out what you’re having?
Thanks, Rosey! Nope–we like to keep it a surprise!
YEAH!!!!! We are all so happy for you! Whenever you get a “Taste of India” craving, PLEASE let me know and I’ll be there ASAP.
Oh, yes. I am sure that I will be craving Taste of India at some point!
Andy directed me to your site and I LOVE IT. You are an amazing writer! I don’t even know you and I couldn’t stop reading…keep it up.
Thanks, Dani! I checked out your blog, and it’s great, too! I love your photos, and you are your fiance sound so excited about your wedding. How fun! BTW, I lived in Storm Lake, IA, during 4th and 5th grades. Hope your road trip was fun!
Congratulations!!! That’s awesome news!!!
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Thanks, Jolene!
Congratulations!!!
I am craving lasagna, which consequently I am making for dinner.
And I love Muppet Christmas Carol, lol.
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Hooray! Congratulations!!
As for cravings I’ve been gooey mac and cheese (homemade) and BBQ ribs. Yum.
Congratulations Emma! Great news – I’m so happy for you, Josh, and Linnea.
I hope Chris and I will get a chance to see you when we’re in MN for Christmas this year!
Congratulations, I’m just checking in and catching up – been travelling so much recently. This is great news, I’m so excited for you (and perhaps a little bit jealous – lol!). Hope the pregnancy goes well and you’re not so sick.
Jade
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Thanks, Jade! I am starting to feel better. 12 weeks now, so hopefully my energy picks up soon!
Well as you know by now, I am WAY behind on catching up on blogs. Man has life gotten the best of me.
But congratulations and I hope you are feeling better soon.
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WOO HOO! Congrats Emma! I am only catching up and seeing this news now, and am thrilled for you guys. And MAN I sympathize with the nausea — I was MISERABLE my first trimester (and a bit beyond) with E& D and its just so hard to deal with all life and parenthood throws at you when you are feeling sick. Hope by now you are feeling better — or if not, SOON!
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Thanks, Kristin! THankfully, the nausea is mostly gone. For the most part, I am enjoying food now.