happy(er) times

well since it is thanksgiving time and the common theme among blogs seems to be "thankful/grateful for..." i've decided to list some things i used to take for granted that i now realize were not so bad afterall, and i am thankful for them (as i EXPECT them to return someday). it seems that pregnancy has drastically altered my perspective...

• my narrow ankles and calves. i used to think i had "chicken legs" in comparison to the rest of my body. but when that pokey-out bone on either side of your ankle is gone - meaning you can't even feel it if you push around for it - you kind of wish you had chicken legs again. power to the cankles (same thing applies to my stomach and most recently, my face/jawline).
  
• sore shoulders. it was hard falling asleep due to sore shoulders and arms from doing hair full-time. carpal tunnel creates the dreaded tingly "pins-and-needles" sensation (if any sensation at all...) where everything from your shoulder-down goes numb. just wish i weren't waking up every couple hours, lifting my arms straight into the air, trying to drain some fluid out and regain feeling in my phalanges. sore shoulders beat carpal tunnel any. freakin. day.
  
• a stuffy nose. remember the days before you were pregnant, and a foul odor bothered you only if it was especially rancid? i long for the days when breath, meat, the smell of detergent on others' clothes didn't make me ill and dry heave.
  
• curves. meaning hips, thighs, and the like. i thought i was ugly and fat (what girl doesn't think that) until my body really started to change. oh, how i long for that body and that weight that i used to think was repulsive and i hated. i miss my shape. and no, round is not a shape. and don't tell me "you're not fat, you're pregnant." sorry - it doesn't work on me.


• getting up early to workout 4-5x a week, and having sweaty hair. i used to be a runner. until the doctor put me on pelvic rest, due to complications the baby was having. i have been OK'd to exercise again, but it is harder to breathe now with a bowling ball in your gut - and running is definitely not in the cards right now, after several months without doing it. heaven help me after the baby comes and i can workout again - i may die then and there. they're going to peel my body off the treadmill, saying, "she just couldn't get the hang of it again."
• uncomfortably losing my breath while exercising or working hard. what is the point in losing your breath just getting up to go to the bathroom (every 20 minutes), or gasping for air when you lean over to try to get your boots or pants off? claustrophobic much?
  

pasty, white skin tone. i used to be tan, like my brother cameron. all these itchy, splotchy red patches pop up all over my arms and legs. i think i've found them all until i get out of the shower and welcome 2 or 3 new patches to the gang. found some new ones on my toes recently. hooray for prescription steroid cream from the doctor! i will gladly take my pasty, not-so-sunkissed skin over red bumps next time, thanks.
i am thankful for all those things i used to have. in all seriousness, this pregnancy has been a blessing. i am so grateful that we have actually been able to have this little guy sent to our family, especially when so many others struggle to have babies or keep pregnancies. i haven't met him yet, but i can tell that i'm already head-over-heels in love. everytime he kicks or gets lodged in my ribcage, i like to think of it as a "mom, it's me... and i love you too." he has had a rough time so far, with a few different health issues - he is such a strong boy and a fighter (got it from mom - annoyingly, dad is a peacemaker instead.) i love my two boys. they are my world. (some pics of jeff talking to and loving the baby belly at a park in october.) sorry this post is retarded. i can't seem to get the hang of making blogger obey me.