Trying to the Live the Word of Wisdom

The Word of Wisdom is the code of health that Mormons follow. It was given as a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1833. His wife Emma complained about cleaning up after all the tobacco the men would spit on the floor and asked Joseph what could be done. He prayed about it and received a revelation that admonished members of the Church to abstain from alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. This is the part of the Word of Wisdom most people are familiar with, but the revelation includes many more instructions including to eat fruit "in the season thereof" and to eat meat "sparingly" and especially "in times of winter, or of cold, or famine."

As members of the Church, I think we generally do a lot better at the DO NOTs than the DO parts of the Word of Wisdom. At least, that's how it is for me. But since I have a strong aversion to meat this summer and an increased appetite for fruits in season-- especially blueberries, raspberries, and grapes--I feel like (in some ways) I'm doing a lot better at living the Word of Wisdom than normal.

On the other hand, I feel like there's a lot more I could be doing. My diet is definitely lacking in terms of vegetables and legumes. I am in no way the living model of a balanced diet. But it's good to know that God cares about our health and knows what we eat affects how we feel-- even what we do. And it's good to know that that He has given us an ideal to strive for.

The blessings promised in the Word of Wisdom are health, energy, wisdom, and even salvation. Things I need! And interestingly, the revelation also mentions that this health code is given as a means to avoid the "evil designs . . . of conspiring men." With all the crazy marketing these days for diet foods, etc. I'm not surprised.

Now that I've been on a forced "cleanse" of sorts, I hope that when my normal appetite returns, I can make wise choices about what to eat and get lots of blessings in return. :-)

Pregnancy Update

Thank you, friends, for being so excited for me! Here's a little more info:

I am 15 weeks along and my due date is December 14th--although that is subject to change. At my first appointment, I had an ultrasound and the baby measured for a December 18th due date. My CNM (nurse midwife-- more on that later) said she didn't want to change my due date quite yet. So we'll see if they change it when I have my next ultrasound. If they do change it, we very possibly could have a Christmas baby (since most first babies tend to be overdue).

I still feel sick, but I am feeling relatively better. I got a prescription for Zofran (an anti-nausea drug they give to chemotherapy patients), which allows me to eat more food. However my ability to eat a wide variety of foods has yet to return. The only things that appeal to me are fruit, cereal, nuts, bread, cheese (sometimes), and today I got really adventurous and had some french toast. (I guess this may be slightly overstated because I did eat rice and re-fried beans when I was in CA last week. But that was a one-time deal, and I kind of had an uncomfortable night after.)

I've lost 10 lbs. since the beginning of my pregnancy, and I still haven't gained anything back, but I'm hoping I will soon. (Ten pounds on my body isn't a big deal % wise--so not to worry.) But this whole sickness thing is definitely a new experience for me. Never in my life have I had difficulty eating. Never have I had to think, "Dang it! I don't think I had enough calories today!" Never have I thought "I hate food. I never want to eat again."  As my Foodie post of just a few months ago reveals, the true Sarah loves food, loves to think about food, and loves to make food. I only hope I am not so psychologically scarred by this pregnancy that the true Sarah will never return. I want her back!!!!!

On the bright side, I really am feeling better. I've gone stretches of up to 10 days without throwing up. I have energy to do things around the house. And I mostly just start to feel sick at the end of the day or when I push myself too hard. Sundays in Primary are so high-energy, I usually pay for it on Monday. I'm learning how to hold back even when I'm feeling pretty good so I don't ruin the following day.

We'll find out if we are having a boy or a girl on July 19th. I'll be almost 19 weeks along-- so it's a little early for the BIG ultrasound. But my CNM thought we should just cancel my 16 week appointment and move up my 20 week appointment to make my life easier. No complaints here! I am very excited to put a more personal pronoun (he/she) with the baby. Brent and I are thrilled to be the parents of either a boy or girl, but after reading this article about the millions upon millions of female fetuses that have been aborted because their parents wanted a boy, there is a very angry part of me that wants to shout to the world, "I AM PREGNANT WITH A GIRL AND PROUD OF IT!!!"

However,  I look at little boys and think, "I want one!" And I look at little girls and think, "I want one!" So we will be happy no matter what-- as long as it's one or the other, as Brent says. :-) In fact, I think it's kind of funny that people ask our preference. Really, even if we had a preference-- telling them before we know the gender of the baby sets us up to look like fools if we don't get what we "wanted." Besides, it's not like we have control of these things NOR should we-- as the book review above proves. And in reality, I know that when people ask us this, they are really just expressing interest in our pregnancy, which we appreciate.

At the risk of making this post way to long, I'll share one more tidbit--about my health care provider. It's hard to choose a doctor! Especially when you live in a big city, with a renowned medical center. Even within my ward, practically every women has a different OBGYN. And I even have 10+ hospitals to choose from. Crazy! So to make it simple, I researched a few options and decided to try one out and go from there. It was a recommendation from a ward friend who is a mother-baby nurse professionally, and she just had a baby this year. It's a group of 5 CNMs who work in a large practice called the Women's Specialists of Houston. The great things is that they are all women, they all are mothers, and they all have been doing this for years. They deliver in Texas Children's Hospital which has the highest level NICU that exists. And they show up when you show up at the hospital (not just to catch the baby at the end). They are veterans of helping women through unmediated births, but right now I'm pretty sure I'll want an epidural as soon as I can get one. And they are all for that as well.

It's a unique situation because when I say to people "my doctor" (because it's a lot easier than explaining all of this) I'm really talking about 5 different women. I will have appointments with all 5 of them during my pregnancy, and then whoever happens to be on call when I go into labor will be my special woman. I feel like this situation gives them better work-life balance and me better care. My only fear is that if we move from Houston and have more children, no other experience will compare.

If you read this far, you are a true friend indeed. I expect to be back to blogging more regularly and welcome your comments. :-)

My Hero

This man is my hero. For the past two months I have not blogged. I have not cooked. I have barely cleaned.  I have sometimes done laundry . . . but rarely folded that laundry. I have dragged myself to the grocery store when necessary. And I have never done dishes. 

But I have taken a lot of naps. Eaten more pretzels than anyone should consume in their lifetime. And seen the inside of my toilet way too often!! 

Yay for being pregnant!!! Nay for being sick!!! And thank goodness for a wonderful  husband who I couldn't live without.  Brent, thank you for picking up the pieces and helping me through each day!