Soda Crackers (and Beef). It's what's for Dinner.

As I approach the end of my first trimester, two burning questions come to mind. One, when will my belly begin to pop? Two, is it really the end of morning (noon, night) sickness? I remember having a conversation with my mom the week I found out I was pregnant regarding the infamous early pregnancy symptom, nausea. My mom delighted me with the utmost reassurance that she had never experienced any morning sickness or resemblance of such in all of her pregnancies. Oh, I remember. Yes, of course. I smiled and relished in hearing all these wonderful things. I felt almost entitled to skip this by-product of pregnancy. Well, hadn't I heard countless times that one's pregnancy is very similar to that of their mother's? Ha! With a vengeance I was struck down about 2 weeks later. In the beginning, the symptoms were mild and deceiving. Oh, no thank you. I'll pass on the latte, my stomach is a little queasy. Before I knew it, I was a ravaged beast one minute; and a bloated, hung-over-like wretch the next. You see, I not only have these terrible bouts of nausea that can make a scrumptious pecan pie look like dried-up fruit cake; I have moments in which the only thing that will keep me from screaming bloody murder is a juicy piece of filet with potatoes. I'm all over the board. It completely boggles my mind how suddenly I can go from mildly hungry to a ravenous fool. Bless Justin's heart. He's always ready to pounce or withdraw. He has the patience of a saint. God knew just what I needed.

Although my growing child will be worth every nauseating minute, I'm ready for the next phase. Bring on the heartburn and backache. So do you have any morning sickness stories, ladies? That's ok, you can share all about your flawless first trimester as well. I won't hold it against you.