Pregnancy Bonus? Say What?!

I am ALL about the bonus structure. I like bonus gifts when you win something, bonus points on a game, even bonus questions on a test (yes, I am that nerdy). So you know darn well that I like the bonuses that come from carrying the "Little Bean" around in my bel-bel. Yes, there are SO many things to bitch and moan about that come with the pregnancy package, but I'd like to take this blog entry to talk about some of the highlights or, if you will, the "Pregnancy Bonuses."  Now, you may be saying,  "Karith- you're still so early on how do you even know about this? I mean you're not really even showing!"

 Which brings up the excellent question: What do you do when you don't look pregnant? Answer: Helloooo! You tell everyone & their grandmother so you get the "bonuses".  I don't mean go around with a bull horn proclaiming it to the world unless that's your style. 'Course, I suppose you could start a blog about it-I'm not gonna judge. ;-) But  the idea is to obviously share with the people you love first and secondly with the people who can hook you up. Now understand- the latter group of people will most likely consist of complete strangers. But they're the best ones and they usually just feel good doing something nice for a random pregnant woman.

Let's discuss some of these bonuses shall we? One of the best bonuses that we all should acknowledge is that people are WAY more forgiving of you if you have "pregnancy brain" moreso than if you're just a plain space cadet. Trust me, I've done some stupid flighty stuff the past few weeks- i.e keeping an e-mail in draft form then getting mad  because the recipients hadn't responded. (See more @ "Baby Brain Blogettes"). This isn't just an excuse for being daft- something with your hormones and chemicals in your brain causes mini sometimes major "flake-outs"

 Other bonuses include eating out and getting a touch more of what you ask for- OR if you have an odd request  having it granted without people batting an eye. Say for example at Chipotle- the place I would marry if it was legal to marry an establishment (and of course if I wasn't already married)- I just drop that I'm eating for two and gone are any chinsey portions in my burrito bowl of sour cream, salsa or chicken. Same goes for when you ask for a slightly altered dish at a restaurant- especially at a place that doesn't like to stray from it's exact menu or "do substitutions". If you just apologize for the inconvenience and say, "I wouldn't normally ask for this, but this BABY (point at your abdomen then add a belly rub for effect) is giving me the craziest cravings." By law- Nature's Law of "Not Being a D!€k" They cannot say NO. Even the coldest of waiters will oblige you.
One of my favorite bonuses is that you're not allowed to lift heavy things anymore OR reach up high. So my husband now gets to take the wet laundry and hang it on the line. (When we're in CA we're VERY green). 

 AND now I get to ask some cute young guy (if my hubby's absent) on the airplane to help me store and reclaim my luggage from the overhead compartment. So far people have only been so happy to do so.


So ladies who are in the same boat- the message here is EMBRACE YOUR PREGNANCY as this is just the beginning of some REALLY good stuff to come. And people who are dealing with said ladies, BE NICE. I understand you didn't knock us up, but this is a wonderful, but taxing time in our lives so indulging in little bonuses like the ones I mentioned above can make our day and/or ward off a crying fit that can come on for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

P.S. If you like this and other of my blog entries please vote for me as I've been nominated for a Top 25 Mom Blog of NY. You can vote everyday for the next 10 days here: 

 http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-New-York-Moms-2012?trk=t25_Top-25-New-York-Moms-2012

Food Porn (Yes, as in Food Pornography)

Some people watch the Food Network to get their culinary rocks off. I don't even have to do that anymore. All I have to do is think about the list of foods I would literally pay to watch someone else eat and I get a little um, excited. That said, I'm not normally a voyeuristic weirdo. But this baby is causing some things to change in me. Some stuff I predicted while other things are a complete surprise.
For instance I've always been afraid that when I got pregnant I would crave beer- it was so absurd I used to joke about it. Well, thanks to the law of attraction my fears have come to fruition. NEVER in my life have I been a beer drinker- not even in college. Oh, and before anyone gets their panties in a wad I am still NOT a beer drinker- although I freely admit I don't think there is anything wrong with having a really nice glass of wine while prego once every blue moon on a Tuesday when the Yankees win the World Series. But lately, my darling Aussie husband, CJ, has been coming home with these incredible microbrews and IPA's some of which all I have to do is smell & I salivate. But it's not just beer I would love to have but am restricted from consuming- it's a variety of edibles that I can't stop craving.

 

Here is a snapshot from my Most Wanted Food List.

Brie cheese (and apparently ALL soft cheeses are out of the game for me for several more months) Waaahh!

Any kind of batter - from pancake to brownie mix. Because of the high risk of salmonella from raw eggs that's a no can do.

Any kind of dough- and let's be honest the ONLY dough even worth mentioning is cookie dough. Which means my all-time favorite ice cream is off the market- for the same reason as batter. Those blasted uncooked eggs. Which leads me to mourning one of my favorite breakfast foods...
 

Eggs- Sunnyside up or Benedict. No more sunshine during brunch for me!

Hamburgers or Steaks cooked medium rare or even medium. I'm not a huge red meat eater these days, but BAM- that's gone- out the window!

In all honestly, as much as I lament not being able to consume these delectable dishes I'd rather be safe than sorry while keeping me & "the Bean" healthy. That being said, if I see you out somewhere enjoying a delectable Sunday brunch that includes ANY of the above mentioned items don't look shocked or act surprised when I smack it out of your hands. But also remember, it's not me who did that to you, its the hormones!

P.S. If you like this and other of my blog entries please vote for me as I've been nominated for a Top 25 Mom Blog of SoCal. You can vote everyday for the next 10 days here: http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/Top-25-SoCal-Moms-2012?trk=t25_Top-25-SoCal-Moms-2012

Thanks for the love and support! 
 

I Just Can't Get Enough

Let me preface this by stating that I've never been one to cheat on anything.  From tests to relationships I pretty much run the straight and narrow. But right now at this exact point in my life i.e. my pregnancy I would do just about anything for a Chicken Bowl from Chipotle. 
And I do mean anything. I would contemplate putting the Chipotle name somewhere in my kid's name. I'd consider getting a tatoo with the Chipotle logo on it. And don't let me meet a guy who owns a franchise!!! I do love my husband, CJ- but I'd have to think long and hard about my fidelity when the promise of all you can eat Chipotle Burrito Chicken Bowls are on the table. 
Is it right? Probably not- but who are we to be judge and jury. Let the big Guy in the sky have his say Judgment Day. I'm not worried- I'm sure it will pass. Besides next week I'll probably have a crazy taste for something else and will only want to eat Hush Puppies from Red Lobster. God help me!