Pregnancy Brain

It has already been one of those days. I forgot my lunch (dang it). I know exactly where it is...on the table, at home, packed and ready.

Since being pregnant, I feel forgetful about a lot of things. These things range from completely burning our supper on the stove to not remembering things I am about to say (don't worry; I won't forget to eat lunch!).

When I am around "moms," they say "just wait, this is only going to get worse." Many women complain about pregnancy brain, but there is little research out there to say if it is really a such thing (those researchers better watch out, us pregnant ladies are going to get them)!

Research suggests that women have a lot on their minds when pregnant and are generally tired, which in any circumstance effects memory.

I've had to begin writing down to-do-list and schedule appointments just to remind me to pay a bill. I'm sure this is only preparing me for when the little one comes. I probably will have sleep deprivation for the next 30 years!

If you are interested in this topic further, here are a few articles:
WebMD
Babycenter

16 Weeks-baby bump, baby bump, where are you?

Here's me at 16 weeks in my Easter dress. The dress isn't materinty, but I think I can wear it for a large part of the pregnancy. It's an Ann Taylor Loft dress. I found it on clearance back in February for $20 (what a deal)!

Hands or no hands, I don't think you can see the baby bump all that much in the picture, but it is there (ask my pants).  In person you can tell (kind of).  As one person told me to my face, "if I didn't know you were pregnant, I would just think, wow, Meredith has gained some weight!"  Got to love those comments.  I know there was nothing meant by it, but when you already feel fat, you just don't want to hear that!

Here is what babycenter.com had to say about week 16.

"Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails." 

Just in case I needed a reality check about being pregnant without the cute baby bump...I just got one (literally)!  There is nothing like starting out your day with vomit in your hair!  I'm going to love smelling that all day.  I tried to wash 1/2 my hair in the bathroom sink (at work...no less), but yuck! The joys of pregnancy!  So at least I will "smell" pregnant even without that cute baby bump!

Blue Water Slushy = My Slurpee = My CRAVING

There is nothing like a gas station slushy!  I have been pulling into a gas station about once a week to get a Blue Water Slushy (I don't know if these are blue water drinks or if the gas station is called Blue Water, but that is what the cup says).  I grew up on going to Kmart and getting an Icee for being good, so I am no stranger to these awesome, turn your whole mouth red, brain-freezing drinks.

I seem to have a craving for these lately.  I really crave sweets and cold items.  Drinking ice water during the day gets me through work, but on the ride home, I "need" a slushy!  It feels like a treat since I have cut out soda (except when going out to dinner), and since we really don't have a working ice maker at our house (another story).

On Friday, we were at a friend's house.  On our way to get in the car, I told Nick to take me by Sonic to get a slushy.  When we turned on the car, it was 10:30, so I thought it was ok (not really) to just go on home.  When we got home, I drank some sweet tea.  I guess that hit the spot (not really), but I still "needed" a slushy.  Well, the story doesn't continue to tell you that we jumped back in the car to hit up the local gas station.  We just went to bed.
However, I thought about wanting a slushy all weekend long, and then yesterday (when I was by myself) I wheeled into the gas station at the corner of Folly and Hwy 17 to get a SLUSHY!  Let me tell you, I didn't just get the small; I opted for the EXTRA LARGE!
The very nice cashier and I are two more stops away from being on a first name basis.  The first time I went there, I filled the cup up way too much causing a huge mess on the machine (I cleaned it up...). The second trip, she had a difficult lottery customer a head of me, and she used me as a vent source.  Then this time, I thought I cleaned up my mess, but my cup was a mess when I sat it on the counter.  She kindly wiped it all up for me (I felt like a two year old) and told me that if I got this on my clothes, it wasn't coming out!  Next time, we are going to trade phone numbers and ask about due dates (She's a Mrs. Pregnant too).

So, I tell you all of this to let you know that the cravings are silly and make you feel crazy.  I think this drink has a ridiculous  amount of sugar in it.  I'm going to ask Dr. Villers if I can sub a Slurpee for my 28 week glucose test instead of drinking that yucky (I hear) orange drink! 

I know this is a while a way, but I've marked my calendar for this already! 
July 11th - Get a FREE Slurpee at 7 Eleven on Slurpee Day 2010

Kmart-Free Folic Acid to Expectant Mothers

The March of Dimes and its national partner, Kmart,  are helping educate women about healthy pregnancies. Kmart pharmacies across the U.S. will provide one free month of folic acid to expectant mothers. From March 28 through May 1, customers can obtain folic acid when they fill their prescription at their local Kmart. Additionally, over-the-counter folic acid is available as part of this promotion.

Thanks Renee for sending this info to all us Mrs. Pregnants!

And the Winners are....

Jen W-Eating Well When You're Expecting book

Liz Schreiner-What to Expect Before You're Expecting book


Thanks to each of you that entered the give away, became follwers, and fowarded this blog to friends.  I hope to do another give away soon.  Look this week or next on Soirées & Shenanigans for a give away (I've ran this give away by a few people, so I think you're going to really like it!). 

My First Trimester Screening Video (Professional done!)

As many of you know from reading, I had my First Trimester Screening a few weeks ago.  I posted a video I took of the results and a clip of the actual ultrasound.  Well, MUSC is using some of my flip videos for a section on their website call "My Story."  Of course "My Story" is "My Pregnancy."   Some of my videos will be posted on MUSChealth.com's video section (Click here).  Check out the below video.  It captures other parts of the ultrasound/first trimester screening that I didn't post originally.

Happy Easter everyone!  I hope your weekend is filled with lots of fun, love, and family! 

Oh! Don't forget about the give away! Click Here!

Hosting My First "Mrs. Pregnant in the Lowcountry" Give Away

It is my BIRTHDAY!  Yes, I have the pleasure of being an April Fool's baby, and no, there isn't a joke I haven't heard regarding it!  I thought since it was my birthday, I would host a "give away"...actually two! 

I have two books.  One for you ladies who are pregnant and the other for you ladies who would some day like to be pregnant (so I hope I've got something for everyone)!

Click Here to review the Eating Well When You're Expecting book.
This book is a step by step guide on eating right during your pregnancy.  It even has a ton of recipes!

Click Here to review the What to Expect Before You're Expecting book.
This book is "a step-by-step" guide to making a baby, including prepping for conception, boosting your fertility, and adjusting your lifestyle, timing sex of baby success, and more."

Both of these book are by the same author of the popular book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

So, you're probably wondering how to enter....Here are all possible ways!
(I'm not going to chase around to see if you have done these things below.  I'm going to take your word for it...just remember "Girl Scouts Honor" (that's with three fingers!))
1 entry-Leave a comment stating which book you would like (if you want both books, comment twice on this post)
1 entry-become a follower of Mrs. Pregnant in the Lowcountry (leave another comment on this post stating you are or have become a follower)
1 entry-head over to my other blog, Soirées & Shenanigans, and become a follower (leave a comment on this post stating that you have done this)
1 entry-spread the word about Mrs. Pregnant in the Lowcountry by emailing this post to a friend (click the envelope at the end of the post), post to your blog, Facebook or Tweet this post (leave a comment on this post stating which or all that you have done...an entry for each).

Give Away closes on Sunday night.  The winner will be announced Monday AM (winner, please send contact info when you're announced)! I will use a random number generator to pick the winner!  Good luck to each of you!

**book can be mailed to anyone in the continental US.