Baby Food

One thing I'm thankful for with Emily is that she hasn't really affected what I can or can't eat. I've heard stories of expectant mothers who couldn't keep anything down except popsicles, for nine months - Ken's mom could hardly eat anything with him except fish, and his sister couldn't eat meat the whole time she was carrying her son. And the kids seemed to pick up on the mother's habits: Ken now loves fish, and Kathi's little boy doesn't eat very much meat.

When I first found out I was expecting, I was sick for about three weeks - that's what tipped me off and caused me to go get a pregnancy test (I'm hardly ever sick!) During that time I couldn't keep much down except fresh fruit. But since the sickness has passed, I'm eating the same stuff I've always loved, more or less. My appetite is much better now than it had been for about a year before I got pregnant, but I do find that if I eat anything very heavy or greasy it leaves me feeling yucky soon afterward.

The cravings haven't really kicked in yet. Every once in awhile I'll get what we call a "hankering" for something, but nothing strange, and nothing that just can't be put off. I didn't have much of a sweet tooth for a long time after I got pregnant; it's starting to come back now, but it's still not very strong.

On the theory that the child picks up likes & dislikes from the mother, I'm trying to teach Emmie early-on to enjoy the foods and flavors that Ken & I love: horseradish, vinegar, hot & spicy foods, cranberry juice, and lots of vegetables. So far she hasn't objected to any of that.

(Since I found out I was expecting, I have not eaten at McDonald's - I refuse to give my child her first taste before she's even born, and the longer we can go after that, in my opinion, the better. But I did grab breakfast there a few times before I knew...I can only hope she won't remember!)