Fringe Benefit (by Jessica)

It's been a while since I posted last, but with good cause. After wrapping up the summer bootcamp, I was asked to become a mentor for the fall bootcamp. I accepted with great pleasure (especially because that means that I can attend the bootcamp at no cost) but also because I know that I am the type to be extra motivated to "lead by example." As a teacher this has always been my M.O.

Little did I know at the time, that one of the fringe benefits of my healthier and leaner lifestyle over the summer was that Alex and I are now pregnant with our 3rd child! For those of you who have known us for a long time -- YES this is a GOOD thing! After much thought, discussion and consideration of our future, we decided it was now or never. With Alex's acceptance of a 5 year contract, we know that we are here for a while. Izzy will be going off to Kindergarten in the Fall, and Sami is getting more responsible and able to help out more around the house. I have a job that is flexible and work with a staff of people who are all like family. It seemed like the perfect time.

I am due on my sister-in-law Naomi's Birthday (May 21st) and that is perfect too since Alex's school year will be coming to a close, and most of the family will either be off or more available for the summer months. Now, I just need to get past the crippling nausea/exhaustion stage and into the "invincible" stage of pregnancy that should start right around Thanksgiving.

In the meantime, I am still a mentor for the bootcamp, which started 3 weeks ago, and which has been even more fun than the first with everyone watching out for me and patting my recently bulging belly affectionately. I am the only participant who is not competing for inches lost. Everyone agreed that I was exempt from having my waist and hips measured! :)

Nonetheless, I am finding it to be very challenging to restrict my calories and sugars etc. when I need to eat every couple of hours to keep the nausea to a minimum. While carbs are good for my stomach on the inside, they are not so great for the belly on the outside. The good news is, this stage is temporary, and my doctors have advised me to continue working out normally as long as I don't over do it.

In case you were wondering, the girls are also ecstatic, and Izzy has made it her business to inform everyone she meets that "her mommy has a baby in her belly!" The only snag is that both girls have decided that they only want a sister. I told them I would do what I can, but no guarantees. With our family's track record the odds are not in our favor!

I know that Jamie posted her ultrasound pictures, but my doctor is not that technologically advanced. Suffice it to say we have pictures of our 6 week "grain of rice," and our 8 week "lima bean." Our next shot at 14 weeks should be a little more "Tweety bird-like!" Even after the first 2 kids had weekly ultrasounds, Alex still has no clue what he's looking at, so don't feel as if you have missed anything! :)