Day 18...Ready and Waiting

Today, I finished packing the house. We are all set to move into our new place, so now the hard part is waiting. I am having my husband type this because he loves me very much. A good distraction however has been the thought of starting my first day tomorrow with the children at the Montessori Children's House. As I've said before, I am both nervous and very excited. I'm not sure how well I will work with the children. My husband seems to think that I am going to be phenomenal. Everyone at work seems to have great confidence in me, which inspires some confidence in me. Husband's note: she's being modest; she will be fantastic. The book my lead teacher gave me to borrow has already proven to be an awesome resource. So I am anxious to see how it works when put into action. I think it will be a useful tool when working for both for MCH and Pickle (Husband's note 2: it is going to be a girl; I know it).

That is about it for today, just packing and playing the waiting game. Much thanks to my husband (she always talks about me doesn't she?) for typing this while I dictate to him since I have had a bit much to drink in effort to wind down from our busy schedule. (She didn't know I am adding my own commentary to this. :-D)

Peter Piper is not Pickle's parent,
A parent is not Pickle's Peter Piper
If Peter Piper picked a place for Peppered Pickle
Where is the parent's patience for Peppered Pickle's place?

Day 17...packages, boxes, and bags!

The packing madness has begun! For hours we have been boxing up the apartment, getting ready for the big move. It feels so endless at the moment. I never really took into account how much stuff we have in this little apartment of ours! But as draining as all this packing is, I am extremely excited about moving into our new place!!! It's going to be so amazing! =)

Preparing for Pickle's first place.

Day 16...Did that just happen?

So...I'm not sure how it all worked out but...we got a new apartment today. O_o After loads of budgeting and assessing our finances, along with hours spent searching online for the right apartment deal, we somehow managed to find a new apartment not even 10 minutes away from my work for a little less than $100 more then what we pay now for rent. (Much thanks to my husband for all his wicked number crunching he did the past few days!) The new apartment is much bigger and it has a den which basically works as a small room. It's the perfect room for Pickle!!! =) There is so much more storage space in the cupboards, plus the neighborhood is waaaaaay nicer! The other amazing thing is, the apartment complex was having a special where we only had to pay $99 for any up front fees (application fee, background check...the works) AND they were offering $500 off the first months rent! So for about $350 we are set to move into our new home!!! I still can hardly believe it!

It just blows my mind that, only a couple days ago I was crying my eyes out thinking we had no chance of finding a new and better apartment that met all our needs. But here we are! In one day we managed to find that perfect fit! We are set to move in this coming Friday! As soon as we got home today, we set to packing everything up because, as of now, we have one week to pack up and move out to our new home!

I'm a little sad to be moving further away from my family, but we will still be close enough to visit. But all in all....my mind is so numb with the realization that....we're moving! With Pickle as our motivation, we found a place faster than we ever expected! If I wasn't so exhausted and so utterly confused over the absolute craziness that is life, I would be bouncing of the walls right now. But in my heart, I am ecstatic!

Let the moving madness begin! It's time to start packing for Pickle! =)

Day 15...sleeeeeeepy

I survived my first full week of work and I have to say...I am exhausted! I have already been putting in over-time these past two days in order to help with the final odd jobs around the class. It also didn't help that I cried really hard last night, which usually leaves me feeling drained all the next day.

Of course, to end my first week with a bang, the inner seam of my pants had to rip from ankle to crotch when one of my co-workers unknowingly snagged a thread on my pants and began trailing off with it as I unraveled out into the open. Luckily the tear stopped just before giving a good peep show, so I was able to run back to the classroom, grab a sewing kit from one of the children's craft stations, and stitch my pants back together before my lunch break was over. I was able to get a good laugh from it all and a few of my co-workers seemed to get a kick out of my quick and crafty response. So all in all...I guess my pants ripping worked as an awesome ice-breaker. How much more open and out there can one get?

Other than all that, tomorrow we will continue to drudge through our budget and push on our search for an apartment in hopes to find some sort of balance that will allow us to still have Pickle for when we are planning. It isn't easy, and we may have to settle with a one bedroom apartment for now, but we just can't put off having our baby. It is way too important to us. So we are going to fight the odds tooth and nail, and try to make something work....we just have to.

Our plight for Pickle.

Day 14...it's too expensive to live

My husband and I have been going over our budget, trying to see if we can afford to move to another apartment closer to work so we don't wear down our car and spend too much on gas. But as it seems, it is way too tight on our budget to live in that area. Sadly enough we are in a dead-lock. We either live where we are and spend more on gas, or we live near our jobs and spend more on rent. Either way...we're screwed. If we hope to even come close to saving enough for me to stay at home with the baby, we'd have no flexibility within our budget. This means, no unexpected bills, no trips to the doctor, no going out...nothing.

The thought of putting off the pregnancy until a later time kills me. It's hard enough to wait as it is. But can I really be so selfish as to bring a baby into this world with no means to take care of it? Lord knows unexpected bills will come up, but I don't want to just ditch my baby in daycare and go right back to work. ....I just can't....

So what do we do? I often wonder how so many people I know can just blunder through their lives without any forethought and still manage to pull things off. And yet, here I am taking extra precautions to plan ahead and make things work and I get nothing but more limitations. Is life really not meant to be planned out? Am I suppose to be stupid and just throw all caution to the wind? How could I possibly be a good parent if I were to be so reckless?! I thought this job was a good sign, preparing me for parenthood. Now it seems as if the universe is taunting me, demanding that I put my life on hold and wait. And for what?....money....always money. I hate how much it has dictated my life.

At the moment, it feels as if Pickle is just beyond my reach, stretching his/her little hands out, crying for me to hold them. And I am being forced to shrug my shoulders and say, "Sorry Pickle. Momma just can't afford you right now." :'(

Day 13...Phrases and feelings

There isn't much more to say about today. Again I was just helping with the classroom prep. I'll have a lot of studying to do this weekend about the Montessori Method and how to apply it to the class. I did, however, learn a few useful key phrases today that I could use in given situations. For example: if a child comes to me and starts to complain about another kid doing or saying something negative to him/her, a good way to respond would be, "And how does that make you feel?--Would you like to invite so-in-so to the Peace table to tell them how you feel?--Do you want me to go with you?" Another good example would be: when a child is engaging in hurtful or exclusionary behavior towards another child, I may respond by gathering the children involved and say, "I'm noticing that so-in-so is crying (or upset). I'm noticing your choices are hurting so-in-so's feelings. Do you like to have ____ done to you?" There are many more phrases that I was able to learn and I can see that these "scripts" will come in very handy.

Other then that....today my husband and I were on our way in to work when I looked over at him and....a sudden feeling came over me. The features of his face, the feel of his hand in mine, the sound of his voice...I couldn't help but feel so excited and at peace at the same time. I thought "this wonderful man is going to be the father of my children" and I couldn't feel luckier. Pickle's Papa...my wonderful husband.

Day 12...cleaning cleaning cleaning

I don't have much to say about today other than that I did a TON of cleaning in the classrooms in preparation for the start of classes. In spite of my hands being dry with cleanser and my clothes being covered in dust, I am still really excited about the job.

Also today, we looked at another apartment closer to my work. We're seriously considering moving near our jobs so we don't have such a large commute. Considering the wear and tear on the car, not to mention gas prices, it might be a better investment to move to a new apartment. I'm just not 100% comfortable about moving quite yet...a lot of the two bedroom apartments near our jobs aren't the best prices, so I'm a little hesitant to take the plunge. But at the same time, the thought of getting home sooner just sounds like bliss. Having a two bedroom apartment would also be nice in preparation for Pickle. ^_^

So that's about it for now. Oh...although...I am reluctant to admit I have fallen off track with my diet already. With my schedule changing and time being limited, it's been all too easy to eat a bunch of junk. I guess another perk to living closer to work would be having more time and energy to make healthier food and exercise. Who knows...I guess only time will tell. Hopefully we can find a place for Pickle.

Day 11...This is so educational!!!

It was my first day today working at the Montessori Children's House. I've only been there for one day and already I can tell I'm going to really enjoy it there! The staff is full of amazing people who were very welcoming, and the classroom I'll be working in is one of the nicest ones there! This week is just orientation and setup week, so I'm not actually working with any children until next week. Instead, I spent the day getting to know the staff and assisting with the set up of the classroom for the first day of class.

I am very excited! The lead teacher I will be working with is going to be a fantastic mentor. She has been working there for years and seems to have the Montessori Method down pat! I just know I am going to learn a lot of wonderful new techniques for working with children! I only hope that, in time, I can become as skilled and calm as all the teachers there at MCH.

It's also amazing to see the difference in stress levels at MCH in comparison to working at the alternative high school I spent the last year working for. Everyone at the high school seemed so tired and run-down. Here at MCH, the teachers seem almost younger then they really are! They are so down to earth and centered....they just seem so practiced and calm. It is very refreshing!

I successfully survived the first day jitters!....now to see how I survive my first day actually working with the kids! Patience...dicipline...Pickle.

Day 10...Last Day of Summer Break

Well, since I forgot to blog yesterday, I figured I should write two blogs today to make up for it. Since I put all my creativity into the first blog today, this one will be fairly short.

Today I have been relaxing and enjoying my last day of summer break before I start my new job tomorrow morning. I started off the day buying new clothes for my job. And since then I have just been enjoying the company of my husband and the comfort of our apartment. I'm going to miss being able to sleep in every morning and having the whole day to do whatever I'd like. But I'm not going to miss spending hours each day hunting for a new job, and being home alone all day. Even though I have to get up really early now for work, I am very excited (and nervous) to be working again!

Also, we might be selling our car today. A few months back we bought ourselves a nice new/used car so we can now retire my old college P.O.S. It was my first car, so I am a bit sad to let it go. But at the same time, after experiencing the amazing awesomeness of our new car, I'm not too sad to be done with it. It served it's purpose well, getting me to and from college, but now it's time to part ways.

Other than that...I'm just watching the season fade into the next, anxious to see what fall and winter have to offer this year. And all the more anxious for the turn of the new year when we get to start trying for Pickle!

Day 9...Time is of the essence

Okay, so yesterday I got caught up in everything going on that I totally spaced writing a blog. However, it inspired a new topic to explore: time management for parents. So many times I have seen new parents show up late to an event looking absolutely exhausted while juggling their baby and all the baby accessories, while frantically excusing themselves for being so late. "Jr. hardly slept last night so he's been really fussy all day. We were having a little trouble getting him ready to go." So what can new parents do to manage their time and remember all that they need to do in the day?

Sorting out priorities--
Often times frustration will stem from spending too much time on the unimportant things and not enough time being spent on the thing truly important to you. One good way to avoid the stress of feeling unaccomplished, take a moment to really focus on what it is you want. Only you can determine what is important in your life, so plan your day accordingly. Take control of your time and your life and what is important to you.

Just say "No!"--
Saying "no" can be one of the hardest things to do. With such demand on your time, especially when everyone wants to see the new baby, setting up those boundaries can be one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. Use your priorities and goals to balance the requests for your time and effort. Practice your assertiveness skills and say "no" to the commitments that don't match your priorities. You'll be surprised at how freeing that can be!

Relax--
Don't forget to take time to breath. Each day, set aside at least a little time (perhaps during one of the baby's naps) to relax a little. Tune out everyone else's schedules and clear your mind from thoughts of work, and instead focus on the pleasure of rest and recreation. Notice the rhythm of your days, when you are energetic and when you are low in energy. As best you can, plan your day around your own natural rhythms. Stop and rest your mind and body regularly, even when you think you can keep going.

Keep notes--
A simple but classic way to remember things is to write them down. Make a list of all the things you need and want to do within the day. Then number them from 1 to however long your list is, with 1 being your highest priority, and say 15 (or whatever your high number is) as your lowest priority. Then, not only do you have your list of things to do in writing to help you remember, but you can also keep track of what are truly your more important tasks. Anything else you don't finish from that day can either be dropped or rolled into the next until it has higher priority.

The bottom line is, there is no way to slow time down. But you can set limits to what you take on in the day, allow yourself some time to rest and restore your energy, and hold true to your own priorities--no one else can set those for you.

Pickle priorities and the secrets to bending time.

Day 8...two comes before three

Well, I'm happy to say that, shortly after my last post, my husband and I were able to work things out quite smoothly. But it got me to thinking of the questions I posed yesterday: how does a couple manage their relationship conflict when you have the added stress of a newborn baby? And how does a couple keep the romance alive during and after pregnancy?

From what I read and researched, the number one thing to remember is: you were a couple before having a baby, so it is important to take care of that relationship in order to keep your family happy and strong. Here are a few tips and things to consider when juggling a relationship and a newborn baby:

-Plan a date night without the baby at least once a month. Go to a favorite restaurant, see a movie or just stay in and cuddle.

-Flirt with each other. Send sweet e-mails, text messages or kiss passionately before leaving for work. Or when you're up late at night for a midnight feeding with the baby, maybe write out little loving messages on some sticky notes and place them around the house for your spouse to find in the morning.

-Communicate with each other. Expressing clearly what you want and need with your spouse. You will save yourself a load of conflict by just communicating regularly and clearly.

-Say, "I love you" on a regular basis. Those three little words can mean a lot when stress levels are high. Even in the middle of an argument, it doesn’t hurt to remind your spouse that you love them even though you’re upset at the moment. It’s not easy when you’re angry, but it can help a lot.

-Find time for sex. It could be a quickie during baby's nap or an hour of making love after baby is down for the night--or at least before they get up for a midnight feeding. This may require a late night every now and then, but it's worth it.

-Consider that dads can sometimes feel neglected and left out when he sees how much time and energy the mom puts in towards the baby which can cause a demand for more attention from the mom. Find ways to involve the dad so that he can get quality time with both the mom and the baby.

-Women often struggle with feeling unattractive and tired both during and after pregnancy. After all the physical changes the pregnancy has on the new mom, it's hard to feel sexy. The spouse can help by making an extra effort to compliment her regularly and reminder her of the sexy woman she is under that "mommy" exterior. Women, you too can boost your confidence by taking a little time to appreciate your body. Maybe buy yourself a sexy new nightie--though outer beauty is not the secret to true confidence, sometimes dressing sexy can inspire a little more confidence in your appearance. Have fun with it!

-Sometimes couples need to discuss how to reintroduce sex into the relationship again after giving birth. Use it as a time to flirt and date as if it’s a new relationship again.

The bottom line is: if you support each other and take the time to communicate and appreciate each other, you can work your way through your first steps as new parents. There will be times where you will fight, and sometimes stress will get the best of you. But be forgiving of those moments and remember the loving couple you are beneath the piles of diapers, toys, and cottage cheese covered burp rags. Help remind each other of the great individuals you are and the loving couple you are in order to be the strong parents you want to be. It's okay to help each other out with opening the Pickle jar.

Day 7...a seed of doubt

I didn't really do any research today about babies or parenting. In fact, in all true confessions, I spent the day doing chores around the house, arguing with my husband, and stress eating. Well...so far my stress eating has consisted of inhaling a s'more I made with a stale gram cracker. Bleh! S'mores always sound so good, but in the end, they just taste way too sweet! But I intend on making something deliciously cheesy and unhealthy for dinner. Anyway, with the tension held between my husband and I today (for reasons I'd rather not publish), I find myself asking: how do couples survive the stress of a baby without driving each other away? I know everyone focuses on the sweet, cute, cuddly aspects of babies and how they are "a product of our love," but honestly! When they aren't posing for this year's Christmas family photo, they are crying, pooping, fussing, demanding, crying, drooling, oozing, eating, crying...it's enough to run a couple ragged! So when stress is high and they are both physically and mentally exhausted, how does a couple stay happy and close when they are trying to raise a baby?

When stress is constant, it's easy to turn to one another as an outlet for frustrations. When my husband and I have Pickle, are we going to be overwhelmed with the stress and just bicker at each other? Is Pickle going to pick up on the negativity in the tone of our voices? How will that affect him/her? Is there any chance of being happy in the midst of so much change in our lives once Pickle arrives? Will we even get a moment to be romantic? Or will romance die with parenthood?

I am so eager to have Pickle and experience every moment we'll have as a family. But on days like today, where tension is high, I can't help but question my strength and ability to handle it all. Those Hallmark moments are far and few in between all the day to day stresses. If I can't even manage to resolve an argument with my husband at the moment...how in the hell am I going to raise a baby without it just tearing us apart? Aren't I suppose to have some motherly instinct that allows me to be the neutral, nurturing, calm, level headed mom? I don't want Pickle to come from all this vinegar...so what do I do?

Day 6...Montessori Method

"Montessori is a greatly hands-on approach to learning. It encourages children to develop their observation skills by doing many types of activities. These activities include use of the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and gross motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction."--Wikipedia

Next week I start my new job working as an assistant teacher for a Montessori preschool. I am so excited about this job and all the amazing things I can learn from it. If you haven't heard of the Montessori method before, research it! It is an amazing approach to teaching, where children take part in self-directed learning.

"It is critically important for the teacher to be an "observer" of the child instead of a lecturer. This observation of the child interacting with his or her environment is the basis for the continuing presentation of new material and avenues of learning. Presentation of subsequent exercises for skill development and information accumulation are based on the teacher's observation that the child has mastered the current exercise(s)."

Anyway, I am eager to learn all that I can from this job in order to prepare myself for Pickle. I think my time working there will help show me new methods of teaching and parenting I have never seen before. Just from what I have observed in the classrooms there, this is going to be a god-send of a lesson! How perfect is the timing too?! If the timing goes right, I will be finishing up a full year before I'll be giving birth to Pickle, so I can use that year to really study and practice the Montessori method. Not to mention, almost every teacher there has their kid enrolled in the school. Most of them worked during pregnancy, went on maternity leave, and then came back to work with their baby! This is fantastic because, not only could I be close to Pickle and take care of him/her, but I could enroll them in one the best preschool/daycare out there!

In summary: I really think this new job is going to do wonders for preparing me for parenthood, not to mention open up options for work and daycare after my baby is born. I never did like the idea of placing my child in daycare. I wanted to spend those important early years establishing a strong bond with my babies. But now seeing that there can be a healthy mix of working and still being with my babies!....It's fantastic! So there you have it; Pickle preschool and the Montessori method.

Day 5...ladies first

Today's blog will be shorter, compliments to a pounding headache.

Since yesterday's focus was on the men, I decided to turn the tables today by researching the women's side of fertility boosting. Aside from the same ol' "diet and exercise" routine, I found that it is recommended women start taking prenatal vitamins 3 months before pregnancy. This ensures that the mom-to-be gets enough folic acid, calcium, and iron into her system to help prevent any early pregnancy mishaps. Also, since the prenatal vitamin is basically just a super supplement, it helps with general nutrient balance and over all health, making the woman a happy healthy baby incubator.

The other thing I learned today was that trans fats are a major enemy when preparing for a baby. From what I read, having trans fats can dramatically decrease fertility, so sadly enough....goodbye fried foods.

The rest of the research led to small tips such as: elevate your hips after sex, allowing yourself to relax and remain still for about 10 minutes or more to allow the sperm a chance to swim up stream. The herbal components in decaf green tea (avoid that caffeine ladies!) can be beneficial to fertility rates in a woman. Limit sugar consumption as a part of healthy eating. And the big one...try not to stress! Some women can put so much pressure on themselves in the act of baby-making that, the stress alone can counteract the process. Stress, as it so often does, only makes things worse.

So the bottom line: take your vitamins, avoid anything with flavor (if it tastes good, it's probably bad for you), relax, maybe prop yourself up with a pillow or two, and enjoy the fun part of baby-making....SEX! Pills, pillows, and Pickle, oh my!

Day 4...free willy

So today my focus was on the guy's end of baby making. Today's research was to see what my husband can do to help increase our chances of conception so we can be ready for the time we have planned. I realize that the chances of us actually getting pregnant the first time we try is a slim chance, but if there is anything we can do to strengthen that chance, I want to do it. To sum up what I've learned today; both my husband and I need to be in good health, eat right, and keep our stress levels low in order to have the best chances. But let's face it; eating right and keeping stress levels low during the holidays...[insert Mission Impossible theme song here]...A few funny things I learned though: apparently, if a guy wants his swimmers to be Olympic gold medalists, he has to keep his dangly bits nice and cool. This includes having cool showers, and in some cases, using an ice pack to cool things down. Yikes! I don't even know what it's like to have that anatomy and it even makes ME cringe! Putting his boys on ice?!....they've got to be kidding right?

Also, apparently having even just one cup of coffee can knock our chances down by 50%! I'd hate to see what an extra large energy drink would do! His swimmers would be so buzzed with caffeine, they'd be too busy headbutting each other then swimming towards the prize.

But aside from eating healthy, staying relaxed, and staying cool while swinging fancy free...it seems the guys have it pretty easy even from the beginning. The hardest for the guys (and honestly it'll be hard for myself) is trying to limit sex to every other day rather than every day. When the guy gets a day off in between the fun part of baby-making, he gets a chance to rally more troops and therefore increasing the chances of conception.

So there you have it; a few tips on how a guy can help beat the odds. Pickle Popsicle anyone?

Day 3...to Pickle or not to Pickle?

Today we went to a BBQ at my parents' place. It was a lot of fun. My best friend and her fiance were there, my family, and even my husband's parents came. Everything went great regardless of the fact that, any time I would pick up my baby nephew to play with him, everyone would give my husband warnings about my baby fever. "Uh oh, don't look now but she's comfortable having a baby in her arms!"..."Careful or you guys will be next!" The real funny thing is, no one knows that we are going to be trying to get pregnant in a matter of months! We wanted to keep it a secret. You see, my family is really anxious for us to have a baby, as are my friends. But the in-laws...not so much. The idea of us having a baby seems to scare them. I'm not sure yet if it's because they think we're too young, or that they just don't want to admit their getting older. Either way, we're avoiding the lectures about pregnancy and what it might do to our lives by just not telling anyone our plan. As it stands, we are the only ones who know that Pickle is coming (hopefully) next year. The best part of the BBQ was when my mother started talking to my mother-in-law about how anxious she is for me to give her more grand kids. I watched as my mother-in-law's eyes dilated as she started to frantically exclaim that I should at least wait until I am comfortable with my new job (I start next week working at a preschool...good practice for being a mom right? ^_^) before even considering getting pregnant. Well...too late! Already considered and planned! It will be interesting to see how they take the pregnancy announcement once we do get pregnant.

Everyone else's opinion aside, my husband and I are really excited about trying for a baby next year and that's all that matters. We have done so much planning already; the timing just seems too right. We are ready and that's what is important.

As a side note, I did much better with the diet today! Hamburger with extra cheese?...No thanks. I'll just have a Pickle.

Day two...temptation

Oh sweet chocolate...why must you be so tempting?

So today my will power was put to the test. To begin with, we went to my husband's company picnic. This was a catered event so immediately we were welcomed by mounds of delicious looking food calling my name. BBQ ribs, hamburgers, herb rolls, corn on the cob dripping with butter, and of course a pile of cookies that threatened to seduce me with each velvety chocolate bite. But I am happy to say I was strong! I kept my portions small, avoided the saturated fats, and had only half a cookie. =)

But temptation finds a way. After a trip to the amazing Whole Foods grocery store, where I was surrounded by wine, organic chocolates, various cheeses, and more, I was really feeling the hunger pains. (I know...I'm a drama queen when it comes to my food, but omg! Whole Foods grocery...organic goodie heaven!) However, there was little relief with dinner when we went to my in-law's house and were fed lasagna, garlic butter bread, and chocolate pudding pie. I tried my best to keep my portions low, but when your mother-in-law takes any rejection of her food as a personal insult...well....you learn to make room in your already bursting belly.

I can't say that my diet is starting off on a strong foot, but I'm trying. Baby steps for my baby.

Day one

"What if I didn't know I was pregnant?" I asked my husband late one night while having a drink, "What if I ended up pickling our kid by having too much to drink?"
My husband laughed. "You know you're not pregnant, so why are you asking?"
"I dunno." I shrugged, "I'm just saying, what if I got pregnant and didn't know it? I don't want to pickle our kid!"
He laughed even harder. "You're not going to pickle our kid! You hardly even drink as it is!"
"I just want a happy healthy baby, not a pickle!"

And so the nickname was started. Pickle--the placeholder name for our future baby. After many discussion and research, my husband and I have decided to try and conceive a baby so that, by November 2010, we'll be giving birth to a beautiful new baby! So as a way of logging my experience of preparing for parenthood, I have decided that from today until December of 2010, that about 442 days (a little over a year), I will be keeping a regular blog about planning for Pickle.

Why start blogging now? Well, timing wise, we have a little over 5 months before we start trying for a baby. So within those 5 months, I have to start preparing my body. I have about 20lbs to shed to be at a healthy starting weight, and I have a terrible caffeine addiction to kick. And lastly, I have to somehow wrap my head around the idea that I am going to be a mom. The idea both thrills me...and it terrifies me! In many ways I know I am ready, but I'm not so naive to think I'm going to be 100% ready for whatever little tricks Pickle may have up his/her sleeve.

So here we go! Day one in preparing for Pickle! I have already started a new diet yesterday with my attempts to eat balanced nutrition. I also started my workout plan of at least 30 minutes of cardio, which I'll be doing again later this evening. I have until the new year to drop 20lbs! Ouch! Right around the holidays...this is gonna suck! But from what I read, starting off at a healthy weight can increase chances of conception as well as decrease risk to the baby once I am pregnant. How is that for a good trade: pounds for Pickle!