Seeing as the most exciting parts of my day included a one hour nap and a cry from pain in the shower, I don’t have much to say. I couldn’t muster much more energy after that shower. Darn personal hygiene and social decorum to look presentable at church tonight. For that reason, this post will be short and sweet. I know you all are likely sick of hearing the ailments of this pregnancy. Believe me, so am I. But that’s all I got for a post right now. A need to vent. Please forgive me as I wax poetic about this once again. I promise it will be the last time…for at least a good while.

I miss my cheer and energy. I hate feeling lazy. I hate being grumpy and I know it has happened more often than normal the past 7 months.

I miss my “happy place” body. Yea, I said it. I don’t feel poorly about how I look right now. I don’t analyze my size or bemoan extra softness. I still feel beautiful. I just miss feeling fit and having the ability to do things I can do in that non-pregnant, back in the strong workouts body.(And I can’t believe how small she was only a bit over a year ago!)

I miss wine. ‘Nough said.

I miss sushi. ‘Nough said. Well, besides that Peter will be brining me some for dinner sometime after delivery. Yes, in the hospital. I wonder if they will allow him to bring in some wine too? Hmmmm…..

I miss sleep. Yea yea yea. I won’t get much following the birth with a newborn. But at least the sleep I do get will feel comfortable. Stomach sleep, how I miss you.

I miss smaller boobs. Yea yea yea. Those will get bigger for awhile afterwards too thanks to nursing. But at least there will be an end in sight.

I miss not knowing what sciatic pain was. Oh, dear heavens, ignorance really is bliss when it comes to that.

I miss craving healthy food. I still eat it, and ultimately enjoy it, but I don’t love it. I miss loving it!

I miss pain medicine. I don’t take it very often, but when I do I usually need something stronger. Tylenol just does not work for me.

I miss control of my bladder. Going to the bathroom one zillion times a day and having to take care when sneezing, laughing, or coughing gets old real fast.

I miss my mind. I forget things so easily. I lost a flip flop today. I still have no clue where that sucker went. I had them both on when I sat down on the couch, then one when I stood up. How? How?!

I miss the freedom to be me. Plain and simple. I miss being me.

• What would be the hardest thing for you to deal with for 9 months?
• Don’t forget to ASK ME ANYTHING for the Q + A series in November!

Good morning! Or whatever you call 11 am. I’ve already been up for 6 hours. Likely longer, in fact, since I did not sleep much at all last night. I maybe got 3 or 4 hours total. I laid down at 10:30 and was up by midnight tossing and turning from the worst lower back, hip, and sciatic pain I have ever felt. On the bright side of this oh so fabulous pregnancy, my blood sugar levels are perfect and I don’t have gestational diabetes. Yay!

I really do feel thankful for that. And for hot tea, Tylenol, and a daughter willing to let me chill on the couch until I can move again without wincing. You know, until she needs something. So an entire five minutes at a time people! Woo! I sure do love her though. Despite the fact I almost considered still going to Power class because it could feel easier on my body than the up/down/up/down of chasing after and helping her.

What? Did I say something wrong? Oh, you’re just reminding me of that whole role model thing? Thanks. I needed that. 😉 In all seriousness though, I am taking a rest day today because I know my body does not feel up to doing much. I always remind myself of the fortune of this pregnancy and the child it will bring. And I will enjoy my day, even though there is no rest for the weary mother. So now we shall move on to this morning’s sleepily written post: my favorite oat concoctions!

As you may know, I set up a place for you all to easily ask me questions for the Q + A series I hope to do in November. I also realized this morning that I typed the link incorrectly, so I apologize to the the 20 or so of you who clicked and found a missing page in the past few days. HERE IS THE CORRECT LINK if you feel inclined to ask me a question. I’m an open book, so ask away. You can also post a reader’s request topic there, as someone did requesting a post on my favorite ways to eat oatmeal. And here we go!

I make my oats the same way every day I have them, which is most days because they are easy, versatile, and delicious. I always make my oats hot. I do not do overnight oats. Something about the texture bothers me. I do the eyeball method, so you will have to bear with me here. I add about 1/3 c oats with cinnamon to a microwave safe dish and then add enough water to slightly cover the oats.

I microwave (yes, microwave – I’m the notorious lazy cook remember?) for 4 minutes at 50% power and it always gives me the perfect creamy consistency. At this point, I add my toppings. I add any variety of the following that sounds good on a particular day: sliced banana, berries, sliced peaches, “baked” apples, dried fruit, coconut, nutella, honey, peanut butter, greek yogurt, maple syrup, maple almond butter (thanks to Janetha!), pumpkin, and on the rare occasion some protein powder. I’m sure I have forgotten some favorites in there too. Below are some of my favorite combos:

Berries + Nutella

Pumpkin + Maple Almond Butter Parfait

Greek Yogurt (usually strawberry or honey flavor) + Peanut Butter

Dried Fruit, Honey, and Peanut Butter (a current obsession for the whole lower volume eating need)

Banana, Coconut, and Peanut Butter (although I bet this would be amazing with Pineapple Chobani instead of the pb)

• What is your favorite oat topping combo? Or, if oats aren’t your thing, what is your favorite go to breakfast?
• What’s your favorite tea? I’m loving me some black chai vanilla right now. So calming! And hot!