I just wanted to take a break from creating a fantastically entertaining database of hotels to share the Royal Suite of the Burj Al Arab. I hate to imagine that this would be the best I could do for Baby Ratcliff's babymoon, but in these uncertain times it's just so important to be grateful for what we have.

The Bloat Belly

I figure the number one thing people care about during a pregnancy is the belly - right? It's cute and tells the entire world you're having a baby. Well, I don't actually have a belly yet, but we need a starting point. Today, my skirt didn't really fit, and I thought, "Okay. It's time." Right now, I'm just disgustingly bloated, so that was likely the culprit. I don't really want to miss the opportunity, though. Anyway, here you have our starting point:

8 weeks. I feel like I've gained about 20 pounds, but Derek insists that I haven't. Regardless, I'm not wearing that skirt anymore because I couldn't hardly breathe today. Maybe it's all the Easy Mac... 

I do think I may have already gained a couple pounds because of the lack of running. I still run, but it's a lot harder. After about 10 minutes, I poop out and just start walking. I really want to run as long as I can, and I'm sure I'll have more energy later. I walk a lot, and typically, I'm pretty good at watching what I eat (save the Easy Mac). Today was a bit of an exception: at work, we had cake and brownies for one of my coworkers, so that really tanked the diet.Then, Derek and I had cheese sandwiches for dinner because I've already packed up our pots and pans. Go me! Everyone loves ridiculous amounts of fat and convenience food! 

Well, I'm sure you're sick of me griping about food since that was the topic of the last post. I'll post another, heftier picture in a couple weeks. 

The weirdest thing...

For the first time in what seems like forever, I'm not absolutely starving. Of course, this immediately freaked me out. I feel bloated - especially bloated - today, but other than that, it hasn't been so bad. Typically, I'm starving by 10 am. I should add that when I'm starving, I'm also the world's biggest b word, so don't let me get hungry. Back to the absence of hunger, I wonder if it's my breakfast switch...


Two days ago, Derek realized we had no food for breakfast. Sad, I know, but we're getting ready to move. He runs to Wal-Mart before work, and he comes back with his choice breakfast: double fiber bread and peanut butter. For me, he got

Delicious!

I would not typically eat this cereal. Usually, I'll have Cheerios, and that's good. When I eat cereal, kids, I eat cereal. Giant bowls. Well, I'm thinking I had about 500 calories worth of cereal this morning (maybe more, let's hope not), rather than the 200 I usually have. I'm wondering if that's the reason...

Around 11, I had a brownie from our office sweet supply. We have sweets in this office nearly every other day. It just wasn't that great. Now, I'm eating my lunch - my usual Easy Mac. I know, I know. It's not "healthy."  I want macaroni and cheese, and I want it to be convenient, damnit! Anyway, it tastes okay, but not as absolutely delicious and gooey and wonderful as it usually does. 

We'll see how today progresses, and I'm going to finish my Easy Mac. Maybe it's just new the breakfast cereal and my abnormally large quantities of it.