April 8 - 17 weeks

Our baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — their lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. He/she weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom. The baby can move their joints, and their sweat glands are starting to develop.




PB is about the size of a turnip.


At this point, I'm sometimes feel a bit off balance. As my belly grows, my center of gravity changes, so I have begun to occasionally feel a little unsteady on my feet. People have been telling me for weeks, that they didn't wear heels when they were pregnant. Well, I have been determined to still look cute while pregnant. However, flats seems to be more and more common lately... I also get nervous walking down the stairs; I am always sure to hold on to the rail and go very slow. I have missed a step a few times, almost causing an accident, but I stopped myself prior to tripping. I recently read that my eyes may dry out faster, which seems to be a constant problem of mine. I used to use eye drops daily, but about a year ago, I stopped doing that as they seemed to have gotten better. I may need to see my eye doctor soon to see if I need to get that Rx filled again. I was thinking it was just my allergies...again!

I received a call from the doctor this morning, with the results from last week's lab work. They did a screening for down syndrome for the baby and tested my thyroid. The down syndrome screening came back negative. This was the second test for this, but they said it was completely separate than the first one. Nonetheless, both were negative!! However, the thyroid test came back borderline. Hyperthyroidism refers to the signs and symptoms which are due to the production of too much thyroid hormone. My doctor wants to put me on a low-dose medication to see if that helps. Since thyroid medications are essentially identical to the thyroid hormone made by the normal thyroid gland, a woman with an under active thyroid gland can feel confident that it is perfectly safe to take thyroid hormone medication during pregnancy. She is going to keep a close eye on this, giving me a Rx for 2 months, and will test me again in June. At that time, she will decide if I no longer need it or if we need to change the dosage or Rx type. I have done some reading on thyroid problems during pregnancy, but trying not to do too much research and get more worried than necessary. I will go pick up my Rx today after work and we'll take it from there. I already have questions to ask my doctor at next month's visit in regards to hyperthyroidism, Graves' Disease, etc. I am praying that everything gets under control with this medication, so not to put me at high-risk...

Wednesday, I go to see a Pulmonary Specialist to make sure our baby is getting enough oxygen. Our doctor expressed concern about my asthma reacting this way at 17 weeks, as it is only going to get worse the further into the pregnancy we get. I am getting short of breath very easily. I also have experienced some dizziness, which I'm thinking could be related to the lack of oxygen. She ensured me that using an inhaler more frequently or daily is okay, especially if the alternative is my baby and me not getting enough oxygen! The risks always outweighed with the harms.

Last night, Michael and I decided how we would find out the gender of the baby. We are still working out details to decide how we will notify all of the family. I am thinking we will have some sort of get-together the weekend after we get the news, April 26-28. So if you're family, save the date! And hopefully today, I will get around to calling the hospital to book the appointment.

Lastly, this past weekend was very special for our little family. After 4 1/2 years of dating, my parents and Michael's parents FINALLY met! He is from Deer Park and I am from west Houston, so there was always the distance...and never really an urgent need to get together. Now that we have an extra special reason, it was even more of a reason to happen. Michael's parents drove out to Katy on Saturday afternoon, they got to see the apartment and catch up with us. Then my parents arrived and everyone met and mingled over crackers and cheese. I had picked Lomonte's Italian Restaurant for dinner. It is one of Michael and my favorites, plus my family has been going there for years! It was a really special night and everyone got along great! I feel so blessed for our family, and hope that these get-togethers will happen much more often now.

Papaw, Mamaw, Grammy & Grumpy

April 4 - "16 Week" Doctor's Appointment

Our third doctor's appointment was this morning at 8 am. So glad that our doctor is only half a mile from the apartment. I must say I did a good job finding her!! She is a great doctor, and I love that her office is that close to home! No ultrasound this week, but we did get to hear the heartbeat. It took awhile - she wasn't finding it at first and I was getting worried. My face must have said it all; she told me it's like finding a needle in a haystack. However, she ended up finding PB off to the left side of my tummy. That was cool, because the other night I thought the left side of me was where he/she was hanging out. Now I don't know if they move that much from left to right at this point and it was just coincidence, or perhaps it was that motherly instinct already kicking in and me knowing where my child was!

I had a whole list of questions for her and I fired away, right after listening to the heartbeat. She had lots of good answers for us. She said it was too early to be thinking about some things like breastfeeding (which I have been thinking about a LOT) and a birth plan (it's nice to know your options, but having a long list of "musts" may result in disappointment). She said we could go to some classes to get educated if we want, but it is still pretty early. I asked about going to a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy, she said at this point she did not think that was necessary. I expressed my concern of getting gestational diabetes from eating too much fruit. She said she didn't think that would be a problem, but suggested I get the "What to Eat When You're Expecting" book for more information. She also was not too concerned with the fact that I had not gained an ounce since my 12 week appointment! Considering I had a few extra pounds to start with, I am still providing plenty of nourishment for me and the baby! I feel (and look) like I'm gaining weight; I honestly thought the scale was going to be plus 10 today! However, she said it's probably due to the changes in my diet and said it is nothing to worry about. So that easily justified our trip to the donut shop after the appointment, because I had some weight to gain and kolaches to consume!

I asked her about the due date, since at our last appointment they said the due date looked like September 6 based on the baby's size. She thinks that since we did not have an accurate date of my last cycle, that it was could have been off to start with. So she picked a date in the middle of September 6 and September 16 (our original due date) and decided on September 11 as our EDD (estimated date of delivery), which means I'm now 17 weeks pregnant! It's like I jumped a week. :) This also means that is one less week we have to wait to find out the gender of our first born! We got our doctor's orders for the anatomy ultrasound and are supposed to go in 3 1/2 weeks. Michael and I have talked more about how we will find out the gender. I don't want to find out in the exam room of a hospital - I want it to be something fun and pretty. I also would like it documented (someone taking pictures) so we can have those reactions/facial expressions captured and able to look back on years from now. :) Maybe even have our parents there with us... Again, we are still discussing our options. I just can't believe that we'll know the gender in less than a month!!!!

I once again had to give blood, which I am starting to get used to. I have given more blood since January than I have in the past 20+ years of life! Additionally, I really do not care for that laboratory - it grosses me out and the employees don't seem to like their job too much. I was tested today for my thyroid and another form of down syndrome. There was a girl in the waiting room named "Ashley Ashley" - she said she married a guy who just happened to have the same last name as her first name. You can't help who you fall in love with, but that's definitely a conversation starter that has got to get old!

Speaking of names, I have been thinking more and more about baby names and I thought I had my favorite four. After discussing them with Daddy last night, it turns out he doesn't like one of them...and I can live with that, there are plenty of other names for us to choose from. :) So I revisited my list...and I think it grew more!

One of my other coworkers just returned from maternity leave. She had her baby at the end of January. She stopped by my office and we talked for awhile about babies. She was full of good stuff too! She told me to be sure and take as many receiving blankets, diapers, wipes and pads from the hospital as possible! You're paying for it all - might as well! She also told me some of the ugly facts that no one told her about - I will refrain from mentioning that stuff here, for those of you who still want to have children one day! :) She stressed on the quantity of diapers and wipes you will go through, even suggested the possibility of having a diaper/wipe shower! She also gave me a heads up about our insurance, the company's maternity leave and how much I can expect to pay out of pocket once the baby is here and all bills come in - about $4000! That ain't no joke.

I would be lying if I said I was not scared. That being a mother in less 6 months didn't have me thinking non-stop about how my life is going to be forever changed. I always heard that there is never a "perfect time" to have children, that if you wait for the time to be "right", you could be waiting "forever". And the fact of the matter is, that people all over the world have been having children for centuries. We are so much more knowledgeable these days with more educated doctors, medical advances and testing. I consider myself blessed! On a closing note, we both ended up agreeing that if there are 16 year olds out there popping them out, then the two of us grown, responsible, hard-working adults are more than capable of bringing a child into this world without a problem (But really, I'm not sure how some people do it...I'll probably never understand)! God bless all parents...including those of us "to-be"!

April 1 - 16 weeks

Getting ready for a growth spurt... In the next few weeks, our baby will double in weight and add inches to length. Right now, PB is about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Legs are much more developed, head is more erect than it has been, and eyes have moved closer to the front of the head. Ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of the scalp has begun, though their locks aren't recognizable yet. He/she has even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, the heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as oour baby continues to develop.

They say I will be able to feel the baby move anytime between 16-20 weeks. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more (and since this is my first baby, I might not be aware of the baby's movements until 20 weeks or so). The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks the baby will grow stronger and I'll be able to feel them much more frequently. I think I may have felt one of these "flutters" on Saturday. I was laying on the couch, and I felt something in my lower abdomen. It's so hard to tell if that was the baby moving or not, but I'm thinking it probably was. Once the little one gets a little bigger and stronger, I am sure I will have no doubt that it is he/she that is beating me up from the inside! I had Michael put his hand on my little belly last night and we tried to figure out if we could feel anything. Michael said he felt a heartbeat - but we weren't sure if it was his, mine or the baby's. I'm pretty sure it was mine...that or the pulse from his fingers! I can't wait until we can both feel the baby moving together! What an exciting experience. :)

Michael and I agreed the mood swings have been less frequent lately, although I was pretty emotional on Sunday. I don't know what it is, but once I start crying, it is REALLY hard to stop the tears at that point!

Ordered a 3 month supply of my prenatal vitamins via mail order today, and a couple pairs or maternity pants. Sitting at my desk today, I was tempted to unbutton my pants. They fit, but after sitting for awhile they become more uncomfortable and am thinking they are only going to get more snug! They say the baby will double in size over the next few weeks. So amazing that just a couple months ago, PB was the size of a sesame seed and in about a month, he/she will measure about 10 inches from head to heel!! Wow...what a miracle?!

March 31 - Easter

I was in charge of deviled eggs this year, because everyone knows how great they are! :) Well, since we had 20+ people planning on going to my aunt's, I figured we needed quote a few. I got two trays and ended up boiling 22 eggs, which would make 44 deviled eggs! Sheesh...the time and energy it spent to make those, I sure hope people enjoyed them! Me feet were killing me at the end of that process. Although I did discover a neat trick on Pinterest. Pull your eggs out of the fridge and get them to room temperature, then use a push pin (or in my case, a safety pin) and poke a hole in the top of the bottom of the egg. It doesn't crack - don't worry. Then drop eggs into boiling water. It helps make them easier to peel. Here's a link to the whole list of directions for "No Fail Boiled Eggs". You're welcome!

So this was Michael's first year to participate in the Hassig Family Easter egg hunt. He had to pull most of the weight, since I'm growing a baby inside me, I'm unable to run and get aggressive as I used to with the egg hunt. I was confined to the porch and Michael was let out into the yard with Jen and Mike. We did pretty good. All the eggs are filled with change - nickles to quarts. No pennies this year, but also no dollar bills! We put in in the coin jar at home, that's our side savings for PB. :)

I think PB did better this holiday than we did. He/she is already racking in the gifts. Jen and Mike gave us a Babies R Us gift card and a 3-pack of bibs. Mom and Dad gave us "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" book and a personalized baggie that has ducks and says "PB" on the front. It looks like it will be the perfect size for travel wipes.

All of the family was full of sweet words and congratulations for Michael and I! As this was the first time most of them had seen either of us, since the announcement. Sadly, some of them may not see me until Thanksgiving, unless they make it to a shower this summer. Still so crazy to think that this was our last Easter without a child, and that by Thanksgiving and Christmas we will have a little one with us! :)

I have lots of friends and family that have been full of information and support, especially my cousin, Kelly. She has been super helpful! She is full of useful facts, great advice and tips that you don't usually read about - I have her emails archived for later in the pregnancy and after the baby is here so I can revert back to what she said. She has graciously offered us some baby stuff that they never used or no longer need, and we plan to go get that soon. I can't express how much we appreciate all of the valuable advice, kind words, love and prayers that we are receiving from everyone. Keep it coming - we can never have too much, especially the prayers!!!

xoxo

March 28 - 15 Weeks

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). PB is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer than arms now, and can move all joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, they can now sense light. If you were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, they're likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for PB to taste at this point, but they are forming taste buds.



15 weeks, PB is growing fast...already the size of an apple!



I am starting to feel more of a baby bump making its way out. I am still in my normal clothes (for now), just looser clothes feel a little better. I have had a lot of nasal congestion lately, and come to find out it's not just my allergies and increase in pollen in the air. There is a common condition among pregnant women called "rhinitis of pregnancy." I have suffered minor nose bleeds, but have heard from fellow mothers that it lasts throughout the entire pregnancy. I am seriously considering seeing a pulmonary specialist, as my asthma has also been flared up lately. I get short of breath suddenly and worry that is only going to worsen as the baby continues to grow. Conveniently my doctor's husband is a pulmonary specialist AND he is located in the same building as her. I plan on asking her for more advise at our 16 week appointment next Thursday.

Oh my goodness...I'm almost 16 weeks. Time is flying by. I can't believe Easter is almost here and March is coming to an end. In four short weeks, we shall know the gender of our little PB! How exciting?!

On Tuesday night, my mom and I ate at Kim Son. Surprisingly, PB did okay with the Chinese food...and I think the sauce that came with the egg rolls may have been fish sauce. So luckily everything went well. Afterwards, we attended the Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral downtown and helped distribute the Chrism oils for all the parishes in the diocese. This is the 2nd year my mother and I did this. It is a blessing to be in the same church with all of the priests and deacons from around the diocese, along with the blessing of the oils. It was beautiful...despite the fact that it was super crowded and very warm. I don't know if PB enjoyed it as much. I suddenly felt faint and thought I could pass out. I leaned back into the pew and my mom fanned me with the program. I felt better. The people around us were concerned for me and so sweet - one lady gave a cough drop to me! lol Such a sweet gesture, but not really curing the problem at hand. :) And another lady had a bottle of water - that helped. I made it through mass and was able to still help with the oils. We stopped for a blizzard at DQ on the way home and I was up way past my bedtime - 10:30! Eek... That's super late for me these days.

I was also excited this week to finally get my Hallmark book in the mail. Last year I entered, AND WON, a Hallmark contest for a "Thanks, Mom!" book. One of my 3 entries was chosen to be published, along with 84 other letters and stories to or about moms. It was really special for me to win and receive this book at this time in my life, since it was my childhood dream to write for Hallmark....and I just found out I'm going to be a mom myself soon (I'm so emotional these days - I'm tearing up again just writing about it). My mother is my best friend and I can only hope I have half the impact on our child as my mom did on me...

I am officially a published auther of Hallmark!

Love you more, Mama!



My name and picture are also in the book. Check out page 93!

So excited to see all of the family on Sunday. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter! 

March 18 - 14 Weeks

Monday morning and at work before 7:30. Let's just say I didn't sleep well last night. I have a busy week at work too with a couple big events. Plus Grandmere may be released on Wednesday and if so, she'll be going to my parents' house from there. Lots of big changes, but we are praying for the best! Yesterday she had a really good day. That makes me so happy and hopeful! I really want her to meet her great-grandchild, but if for some reason it does not happen, I already know how much she loves him/her!

I had a pretty busy weekend. Michael went to the farm with his family - it was his mom's birthday and his niece & nephew's first time to go there, plus it was their Spring Break. They have some land in northeast Texas - plenty of room to fish, hunt, 4-wheel and so much more! I spent the weekend in Katy. On Saturday, I cleaned up around the apartment and went to see Grandmere. My parents were already there, sitting with her outside, since the weather was amazing. From there, my mom & I went to get pedicures - I was way overdue! I went to Sam's for a few things, then Babies R Us - to shop for a Baby Shower gift for my close friend, Tasha. I knew I should have ordered online, as I ended up getting a bit more than expected...not to mention the two maternity tunics I got for myself. Clearance AND buy one, get one free? I couldn't pass that up! lol I went to the dollar store after that and finally left, once my basket was full! I was ready to eat dinner and go to bed. Sunday, I was up at 7 am. I updated my baby calendar and did a few chores. Then, I started preparing lunch - my parents were coming over at noon. I made beans, deviled eggs and deer burgers! After eating, we went to see Grandmere and then I went to Katy Mills to do a little shopping. I haven't done any shopping for myself since Christmas - and even then it was all stuff for the apartment. I got some new shoes and few outfits - all stuff that is completely practical for a growing tummy! I headed home with my shopping bags, sore feet and an aching shoulder and back! I had a quick dinner and was getting ready for bed, when I heard the door downstairs open. I thought I was going to have to run and get a knife from the kitchen, thinking someone picked the lock and was breaking-and-entering! I said "hello?" and...Michael said "Hi!" I was so relieved...and super excited! He said I sounded upset when we talked and he wanted to come see me. :)

PB is now 14 weeks - only 6 more weeks until we find out the gender. Yay!!!

This week's big developments: Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck their thumb (which he/she may have been doing in our last ultrasound)! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. Kidneys are producing urine, which releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process that will continue until birth. He/she can grasp, too!

In other news: PB is stretching out. From head to bottom, measuring 3.5 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1.5 ounces. The body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body (legs still have some lengthening to do). He/she is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over their body. Our baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though I can't feel tiny punches and kicks yet, our little boxer's hands and feet (which now measure about .5 inch long) are more flexible and active.

At 14 weeks, PB is about the size of a lemon - over 3 inches long!

March 11 - 13 Weeks

So I know I have been slacking with the blog lately, but I haven't forgot about it. I had big events on Thursday and Friday last week, so I was swamped with work stuff. Friday I was done about 2 and went straight to my parents' house. I had a late lunch and kicked my feet up to relax. Then we had potato soup for dinner (specially requested by me; made by mom) and I fell asleep on the couch. Michael woke me up and told me to go to my old bed...we were going to stay the night! He went to his old room and we both got a good night sleep.

For some reason after I got dressed Saturday, I felt "more pregnant" than ever before. I don't know if it was the dress I put on (which in not maternity wear) or if I ate a lot on Friday...or if my tummy finally "popped" but I just felt like I had a bump. Michael and my parents all agreed that it was noticeably different than Friday. Weird... After homemade blueberry pancakes, my mom and I ran errands together and had a lot of fun. Our announcements came in the mail, so mom helped me get those ready to send out. Dad was sure to get them to the post office by 4 pm, so they would be delivered on Monday. I don't think that they'll make it to Alaska as quick as say The Woodlands, but eventually it will get to all the family and some close friends!! Yay. :)

I still don't think I'm craving anything "weird", but have noticed myself snacking on trail mix quite a bit. I had Michael buy raisins and m&ms to go with the peanuts that were in the pantry. I filled up a gallon size bag with it and I have a stash at work as well! I have not noticed a consistency of foods that make me nauseous, but it's not often, so I think I'm pretty lucky. I still have bad headaches, but they come and go - not the end of the world! Tylenol is not the greatest, but my OB allows it and it helps some. My pants are getting snug and it's getting more uncomfortable to wear jeans. :(

As of Saturday, we are now 13 weeks. Fingerprints have formed on our baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head -- which makes up just a third of the body size now. If we're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Our baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce. As I start the second trimester, most of our baby's critical development will be completed and our odds of miscarriage drop considerably. :)



Fingerprints are new this week, and they're one of a kind!



March 7 - Morning Sickness

Yesterday was our 12 week appointment. We saw our little wiggle warm, heard the heartbeat and confirmed there was only one baby (no twins)!



Coolest ultrasound picture EVER. Our little one is waving to us!

 I thought morning sickness was supposed to subside after the first trimester? I wonder why mine is just starting! This morning PB must have been moving around like crazy. After getting ready, I had to make a run for the bathroom... I have been nauseaous a few times, but this was the first time for me to really get sick!

At the appointment they measured PB and based on his/her size, they estimated the due date would be September 6th! Since my OB was out of the office, they would wait for her to make the final judgement. They said it could be they had the due date wrong from the beginning or maybe they will pick a date in the middle. OR...I'm wondering if it's just a really big baby!? I mean...I weighed in at 9.5 lbs, so it is likely for me to birth a big one! Eek...

Everything else is going well. I gained a total of 3 lbs in the first trimester. Not too bad. The norm is between 1-5, so I'm right in the middle!

The day that started with us hearing our baby's heartbeat ended not as great as it began. We got two bills in the mail for bloodwork, that insurance does not cover...those totalled over $1100! Whew...I had to take some deep breaths. We knew the tests were optional but wanted to do them for the goodness of our 1st born, but I thought they wouldn't be over $200 at most. Well, I now know to check with my insurance before just signing my name!

Nonetheless, we are happy to know that everything is on track at 12 weeks and our little one (or very big one) has a healthy, beating heart and ten little fingers already waving to mommy and daddy!

March 4 - 12 Weeks

We are now at 12 weeks!!! Oh my goodness. Goodbye first trimester. People say that the fatigue, nausea, etc should start to fade during the second trimester...before coming back with a vengeance in the third trimester. So that I am excited about...if it is true for me!

Our PB is now the size of a lime - holy Pete! That is much bigger than a lentil bean...and I feel like that was just yesterday!

The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and the mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod at my tummy, the baby will squirm in response, although I still won't feel it. The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder. From crown to rump, our baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.



At 12 weeks, synapses are forming in our baby's brain.



My mom arranged dinner plans with my parents, her parents, Michael and I. I was finally ready to tell Pa & Ga!!! We had just been so busy, especially with moving Grandmere around, work, etc. Timing just hadn't been right.

We got to their house and said our hellos and gave hugs. Then, right on cue, Ga asked me what I wanted to drink. I said "nothing" and she said "no wine?!" I responded "No thanks" and she said "Oh, because of Lent?" I said "No, probably for a little longer than that." She looked worried and questioned "What! Why? What's wrong Jaime?" I said "Well, I'm having a baby!" She paused and then said "Are you serious?" I confirmed and she smiled from ear-to-ear saying "Get up here and hug me right now!!!" I got off the couch and gave her a big hug. I looked at Michael and my mom, both had tears filling their eyes. It was such a sweet moment. I said "Who knows, maybe you'll have your first great grandson?!" She said she didn't care if it was a boy or girl, this was the best news, it just made her day!

She asked us a few questions to get up to speed on everything, and I informed her that announcements would be sent out next week so she had to keep it a secret for a few more days. She said that was no problem!

After dinner, Pa grabbed my hand and cheered! Then said "Congratulations Jaime. We are so happy for you!" That melted my heart. They know this wasn't the way we thought things would happen, but they recognize the blessing and are embracing it with us!

I can't wait to Ga reading the blog and show her the pictures from the ultrasounds! :)

March 2 - No More Chinese

Spent the whole day with my parents. They were having a garage sale to clean out some stuff and get rid of some of Grandmere's things. I made over $100 in some old junk that I had in the garage. I was glad to get rid of it and happy to make a few bucks! It was a beautiful day, but pretty chilly and when the wind kicked in, it was even colder. After we took the stuff that didn't sell to Good Will (2.5 trips later), we decided to hit up a Chinese Buffet for dinner. It was quick and easy, and we were all exhausted. Michael loved it, no surprise - wings, sushi, crab legs, etc. I grazed on some chicken dishes, green beans, egg rolls and frozen yogurt for dessert. Nothing too crazy and certainly no seafood.

I went to bed as soon as we got home, and two hours later, I was up with the WORST stomachache ever! I was in tears. I guess PB doesn't like Chinese food. That or maybe I just ate too much. However, with the way I felt, I may be okay with not trying it again for the next 6 months. The next morning I was fine and back to my normal self.