…auf weidersehen, good-bye…Song of Music, anyone?? This will be my last post for this week, but I will be back for a few posts at the beginning of next week before heading out for trip #2. So, please…don’t cry for me Argentina bloggie readers, the truth is I never left won’t leave you. Okay, okay. I’m done with the musical lyrics. Be thankful you can’t hear me sing them. That would assure you would never come back here ever again and I don’t want that because…

Now, I’m really done! If you can’t already tell, I’m feeling a bit better today. I don’t know what is up, but the past couple of days I have been feeling way more energetic in the morning. Normally I wake up already fatigued, but this week that has not been the case. I think it may be because I am succumbing to naps and getting more hours of sleep at night. If it allows me to feel like my normal self until lunchtime I will be certain to get that extra sleep! I do still feel like crap by 3 pm and still have taste-buds that are all sorts of wonky, so it’s all relative.

Just because I am not at my best, however, doesn’t mean I can’t still always do my best under the current circumstances. It would appear that since being pregnant I have just succumbed to the “eat whatever I want and not give a tiny rat’s @$$” mentality. Well, I guess that would be partially true, because I do always eat what I want and what I enjoy over what I “should” anyways. Now, the things I want (or to clarify, anything that isn’t on the “I simply CANNOT eat that right now” list) aren’t always as wholesome and nutritious as I like. So, what’s a gal to do? Recognize that it’s okay and still choose the best options of those that appeal to me as often as possible. I never believe in force feeding yourself something for any reason, pregnant or not.

Since the “I simply CANNOT eat that right now” list I mentioned above is fairly limited, I have been eating pretty much the same things day in and day out for the past few weeks. And there is some sort of semblance of healthy living in the meals, so I go with it. It helps balance out the Mexican & DQ so I’m not in maternity clothes at only 2 months pregnant.

Although, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. They may not be the most attractive, but those stretchy waistbands are heaven! Moving on now…

A typical day for me goes something along the lines of waking up at 6:00 hahaahaha 7:00 and reading my Bible/praying before rolling out of bed in time to get Makenzie up. Then we quickly get dressed and eat breakfast. My breakfast of choice lately? A honey wheat bagel with cream cheese and some homemade local grown strawberry jelly…thanks to the sis-in-law. Oh, and the requisite prenatal vitamin on the side.

After breakfast, I determine if the gym is a go. I always get dressed in my gym clothes so that way it is easy to head out to the gym if I am feeling up for it. Since my get-more-sleep revelation, I have been making it to the gym per my normal schedule. Yesterday I did spin, today I did Power, and tomorrow I am hoping to get in some Kick. After the gym, I come home and refuel with a big banana.

Bananas are typically one of my least-favorite fruits, but not now. I HAVE to have one a day. Mmmm, bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S! I couldn’t help myself!!!

I spend Makenzie’s morning nap getting my blog post organized for the day and doing other little household chores. Then, once she wakes up it is time for some lunch. My lunch adoration these days? Grilled cheese and soup.

Yes, it is crazy hot outside in Georgia most days right now, but I still want soup. I am in L-O-L-O-L-O-L-O-V-E with soup. They may not be homemade (I may be crazy to eat it, but I’m not stupid enough to be slaving over a hot soup pot in Georgia heat people!), but they will do for now. In all their sodium-laden glory. And it is a way to get some semblance of veggies in there. While we’re at it, I even get some veggies in with my one daily handful of these babies.

I kid. I kid. I know potato chips aren’t a veggie! They still are good though. And salt + vinegar chips speak to me these days. I don’t feel bad. One handful won’t kill me. Just like one bowl of cereal a day for my afternoon snack won’t kill me either.

Mom’s Best Naturals Cinnamon Squares is the cereal of choice right now. I don’t know why, but kiddy style cereal is a nonstop craving of mine during pregnancy. I don’t foresee this bowl going anywhere anytime soon.

Amidst eating all of this, M & I do lots of playing before the 3:00 slump rolls around. Then we resign to the couch with piles of books and 20 minutes of Elmo’s World. I am so proud of her. She knows over half of her letters now. A, B, C, D, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, S, T, W, X, Y, and Z! I guess pregnancy sickness does have it’s benefits because she just soaks up time with her mommy and her favorite alphabet book. All I have to do is answer her on each page when she asks “Whassat?” and she gets it so fast. I love my little bookworm!

After all that fun, and the occasional torture of reading Panda Bear, Panda Bear What do you See? a thousand times in a row (the most repetitive, dull book EVER but she loves it), it is time for dinner. Last night we opted for lasagna and I snuck in one of the 3 or 4 veggies I actually like right now -- sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes (OH TOMATOES!!!), and peas.

Not too long after dinner, I chill on the couch and then go crash in bed. There you have it! It may not be perfect and I know there are better foods and options for things, but I’m giving my best effort and feel good with it. Now, it is time to say goodbye since I will be packing all day tomorrow and heading to bed early for our early start to Indy. Have wonderful weeks and I will see you all next Monday! 🙂

• Can you eat soups or traditional cold-weather foods during warmer months? Or what about eating icecream in winter?
• What is your favorite flavor of potato chip and your favorite kiddy cereal?

Hallelujah it’s Friday! I don’t know why Fridays are still so exciting to me, but they are. Even more exciting is I don’t have much going on this weekend besides a fun lunch date with Lindsey tomorrow. I do like being busy with fun activities on the weekend, but since I know the next 3 (likely 4) weekends are going to be chock full, I want to take advantage of the down time. What are your plans for the weekend?

Last night was our special night. We went out to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary. I’m very thankful for a mom who lives close by and can handle the Mster while we’re out. She was happy to have time with her Nana.

For our date, we opted to keep it simple since we were both tired and figured it would be smarter to save a splurgier dinner out for when we’re in Daytona and it’s on my G-Pa. He gives every married couple $100 to go out on him one night down there. Smart move, wouldn’t you say? 😉

For our chill anniversary date we hit up my all time favorite Mexican joint – Cheeky.

Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. One…would be for their chips and salsa.

The BEST salsa out there. No joke! I am very particular about my salsa and this stuff amazes me every time. It is so fresh and the perfect combo of chunky, but still saucy. I think my entire dinner could be right there.

Two…would be for the two fish tacos I ordered. I have mentioned before that the only way I eat fish is either in sushi form or in Cheeky fish taco form. I don’t know how they do it, but they do it well.

Yes, that would be two FRIED fish tacos. I have no shame. 😀 Along with a bowl of refried beans. Even those are more tasty than normal. Another thing I adore about Cheeky? Their portions aren’t insane. Those two fish tacos are actually pretty small compared to the standard you would find in other Mexican joints. And the beans were maybe a 3/4 c serving? I ate most of my plate and was perfectly satisfied. I really don’t think I have been gaining much of anything so far in the pregnancy…and I credit that to eating appropriate portions of food. I know I’m not eating at the top of my health game, but I’m still not overeating. I am still mindful and definitely don’t live by the “eating for two so I stuff my face” rule. My clothes still fit the same and I still wake up with a normal looking (aka not bloated to high heavens) stomach. That’s all I can go by though, since I refuse to worry about weight even when pregnant. It’s all good to me. 🙂

After such a delightful dinner, we opted to hang out awhile and walk around the shopping area in which the restaurant is located.

It’s a beautiful little area with plenty of flowers, waterfalls, benches, statues, and of course stores. Including one of my favorites that I sadly had to pass on by.

We managed to entertain ourselves for awhile in a couple of stores. One was called Charming Charlie and had tons of interesting jewelry and accessories. As well as some of the cutest little girl stuff that I would love to buy M.

Another stop that entertained us for awhile was the Barnes & Noble. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I can get lost in a book store for a long time. I perused the shelves and snapped pictures of books I want to find at my library to read. I think that might be frowned upon, now that I think about it. LOL

I also found a book that I will NOT be picking up, library or otherwise…

The Doodles Diet. This would be a diet book that gives you a bunch of “placemats” that show you how to DRAW some of those indulgent foods (like french fries, ice cream, chocolate cake) instead of eating them. That is just ridiculous!!! I think if I tried to draw my favorite foods instead of eating them I would just end up more frustrated by my lack of artistry and then still hungry from my placemat full of food I can’t eat because, after all, paper is NOT on my diet. HOW did this book get published???!!!!

After being thoroughly confused by the above, I chose to pull out a coupon for a BOGO Gelato instead of a pencil for creating my own “ice-cream”. We topped the night off with a delightful sweet treat. I ordered a small Cappuccino gelato that was the perfect size.

It’s literally a 1/2 cup serving, but takes forever to eat thanks to the little spoon you get with your cup. Perfection! It’s true that if you eat slower and more mindfully the food is more satisfying. So with a happy tummy, and even happier heart from knowing how blessed I am to have Peter in my life, I headed home to dive into dreamland next to the man of my dreams. The date was just our style.

• What is your favorite thing to do on a date?
• What do you think are important things in a successful relationship? I think friendship, understanding, support, forgiveness, and allowing each other to be your own person are vital. I also think both of us having a deep faith in God strengthens our bond a lot as well.
• What is the wackiest diet you have ever heard of?