Because it's been a while!

Because I've been stressed

Because I've been busy   

And

Because I've been lazy tired

Baby Beckman or "Mini Mel" as Mark likes to call her is doing great!

She's starting to look  like a real person!

Being pregnant is not a glamorous thing. I am a bit in awe of people who choose to do this multiple times. It's been five and a half months and at this point going through this once seems like enough!

I pee all the time! OK, I've always had to pee all the time so this isn't much different but now it seems to be with much more urgency. I feel like I should carry my own personal porta potty with me.

I also have been tootin' like a choo choo train. What, you think I am going to sugar coat things? Heck no! If I have to deal with it you can to if you decide to read my blog ; )

It's a good thing Mark is used to my flatulence. We surpassed the "honeymoon" phase long before we were married.

I also had my first bout of heartburn.

I proceeded to take some Pepto Bismol to ease the pain. Of course after I took  said indigestion relief I found out that was NOT one of antacids ok'd for usage during pregnancy. Ugh! So many rules to follow!

I guess I will have to stock up on Tums and Rolaids so as to harm my baby with the dreaded bismuth subsalicylate.

I am off to lie in bed to eat Cheetos and watch "The Real Housewives of New York" so until next time...!

Baby Blues and Boobies!

I realize I haven't updated for a while. To be honest, I haven't had much to share.

I am however getting a bit frustrated that I continue to just look chubby sans a baby bump. Is there still a baby in there? Tomorrow will be 5 months and you would think I would be showing a little bit more wouldn't you? No, I don't want to be huge but at least a little baby bump would prove I was pregnant and not just chunky!

Another gripe are those two things attached to my chest that seem to grow larger and larger everyday. I am not at the maternity clothes stage however none of my shirts will fit over my beasts breasts! Which brings me to ponder who are these crazy women who PAY to engorge enlarge their mammary glands? Crazy is what I call it!

Do you have that in a larger size?

Now on to something happier....FOOD! Something I plan to enjoy wholeheartedly until I pop that little girl out. After that, well, I don't even want to think about that! Here is a little pictorial of some of the yummies I have enjoyed lately....

Crab Cakes at Fishbar

Yummy sausage stuffed peppers courtesy of Chef Mark

Dole Pineapple float at the Redondo Beach Summer Fest

Patriotic cake pops courtesy of yours truly

Father's Day and Beyond!

Since Mark was nice enough to honor me on Mother's Day I wanted to return the favor on Father's Day.

I want Mark to be able to shoulder baby duties "in-style" without feeling over-run by girlie things so I got him a "manly" diaper bag.

He thought it looked like a briefcase/computer bag. Score!

I than told him I was going to take him to a surprise brunch. After watching numerous food shows in which Mark always remarked "I've never had chicken & waffles" when they featured chicken and waffles I decided it was time to take Mark to an LA landmark...Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles!

Chicken & Waffles!

Gotta have cornbread & biscuits & gravy...what carbs?!?

Verdict is in: He loved it!

This week I took a drive up the coast to see some accounts I have up North. It's not necessary for me to go up there too frequently so I figured I should get another trip in before driving such a long distance becomes too uncomfortable.

Pismo Beach Pier

Hee Hee

It's nice to diverge from the norm sometimes. The drive up was very pleasant and it makes me wish I had more time to spend in Paso Robles, SLO and the surrounding areas. So beautiful although being in wine country is a bit hard on me right now! ; )

The drive back was a bit harder. I left SLO around 2pm and was supposed to arrive home a little after 5pm but thanks to traffic didn't finally trudge in until quarter to seven. ERRRRRR!!!!!

Sugar and Spice or Snips and Snails?

So...the question we longed to have answered was "Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice or Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails"

or...

And the winner is.....

I guess the Beckman curse tradition continues. We are so excited and just can't wait to meet her (and mommy can't wait to shop!)

Weekly Re-Cap

Last week somebody had a craving. That craving was for Olive Garden, but that somebody wasn't me. It was Mark! Hey when you have a craving, you have a craving!

So Sunday night we headed to the OG. We aren't food snobs or anything but we try to avoid chain restaurants. Every once in a while though you just can't help yourself and you need some of those delicious breadsticks!

You just can't get these anywhere else!

Tuesday Mark and I  had a golf date. We need to play more often! It's actually quite enjoyable! Unfortunatley I just realized my phone neglected to capture any of the pictures I took so I will just have to tell you that the birds that attacked Mark when he went to search for my ball in the weeds were quite hilarious!

FaRgo

I spent the last few days in Fargo. I arrived at Hector airport Sunday afternoon and was shuttled straight to my grandpa and dad's place. After getting up at 4 a.m. for the flight and not having eaten all day I was STARVING by the time I arrived at the house. To my astonishment there was NO food in the joint (unless you count beef sticks and pepperoni slices as food...I don't!). My dad offered to get some burgers to grill. Yes, please! You don't leave a pregnant girl hungry!

Monday was spent visiting and I took a LONG walk to the river and through Lindenwood Park. Delightful!

I was also able to spend some time with my grandpa on a very special day...Memorial Day!

Awards!

Before dinner I went to visit my grandma who ended up in the Fargo hospital.

For dinner we went to one of my all time favorites...Mexican Village!

You changed your chip! I am NOT happy about that!

Tuesday I was able to escape drive to Fergus Falls and visit mom and Dennis. We went to dinner at Zorbaz where we met my grandpa, Pam & Myron.




Zorbaz did not disappoint!

 Albeit way to short a visit, I headed back to Fargo Wednesday morning just in time to meet my high school friend Chey and her adorable daughter Taya for lunch.

That evening grandpa wanted to take me to one of HIS restaurants...it was going to be Denny's but we ended up at Mom's Kitchen. I can't say I was to upset about this as I was able to enjoy one of their heart attacks on a plate Cheese Frenchies. A sinfully delicious battered and fried grilled cheese. Don't try to ask for the recipe, they won't give it to you!

Thursday had me back at the airport on a plane headed back to Cali. I couldn't wait to see that wagging tail and smiling face...and I was excited to see Riley too ; )

YogaWorks?

I decided to cancel my YogaWorks membership. I thought yoga would be the perfect replacement for Bootcamp but it turns out that I don't have patience for an hour and a half yoga class and although I love the hour long BarWorks class it pains me to go from a stuffy office or car to a stuffy studio. In other words...I NEED to be outside in the FRESH air!

The thought of coming home and taking a long walk on the beach with my little pup makes me a lot happier : ) I think it makes her happier too! I think I am spoiled having lived so long in an environment where you can be outdoors nearly year round. I just can't fathom being stuck in a gym!

Happy Little Pup Pup

In other news, I thought I was being health conscious by buying Hansen's natural diet cola to replace my Diet Coke fix. After having one every afternoon this week I noticed that I wasn't getting the nice little caffeine kick I need mid-day. Upon further investigation I noticed that they are caffeine free. Caffeine free! What kind of show are they running over there at Hansen's? I know it's all natural but mama needs her buzz!
I am now in search of a new caffeinated but natural beverage. Any suggestions are welcomed!

No Caffeine? That's Bull S*%$!

Furthermore, after YEARS of nagging encouraging Mark to try the magical benefits of Sinus Rinse he finally surrendered while suffering through a horrible case of allergies. It didn't kill him and he said it actually helped...for a little while. He may even try it again!

Mission Accomplished!