A word from my “chubby” sister

Hi there. This is Erin’s sister Melissa checking in. I had my 20-week, level II sonogram yesterday and all is well. We saw all the organs, two hands, two feet…and a little pee pee. We are having another boy and I think it is great (although I did tell my husband, Ysrael, we weren’t stopping until we had a girl!). Our son Andrew, on the other hand, was a little disappointed. He thought for sure he was having a sister. We wound up telling him about the pregnancy a couple of weeks ago because he asked if I had a baby in my belly (I am five months but look like I am eight months). I got the whole thing on video and it was really cute. He is so excited. But when the doctor told him it was a boy yesterday he told her it was “the worst day ever.” I am not sure why he wants a sister so badly but I know he is going to love having a brother–you should see how cute he is with Alex.

With all the good news of a healthy baby came a wake-up call for the “chubby” (as the doctor called me) mommy. I have already gained 16 pounds. When I was pregnant with Andrew I gained a total of 18–and I started out 30 pounds lighter. Because I was 30 pounds overweight to begin with this time I was hoping 20 pounds would be my limit. I think I already blew that. Now that the weather is getting nicer though I am determined to walk my dog every morning and I have to start eating right. It’s not easy during tax season though. I am working late hours, there are constant goodies around the office (yesterday there were four boxes of Girl Scout cookies and a box of assorted Entenmanns’s donuts right outside my door!) and we are getting take-out every night. No more excuses though. I need to cut out the bagels, the huge portions of last night’s left-overs for lunch and start eating healthy. The problem is I am hungry all the time. Do you guys have any healthy snack suggestions? I need some help!

–Melissa

Photo: Karen Pearson