Grace for a Pregnant Mama

This pregnancy took us by surprise. We were eager to increase our family, but it hadn’t happened for us, so we almost felt like it would never happen. And then BANG! Positive test. I lived high for one week…and then it hit – all-day morning sickness and fatigue. With Annie, my pregnancy had been a breeze. This one is a complete opposite. For almost two months, I would lie on the couch all day with absolutely no energy and no desire to eat anything except beef and French fries. I was sick…I was whiny. I wasn’t Stacy.

What to Drink??

Water made me literally so sick I thought I would vomit. So, I tried drinking tea. Nope, that wasn’t any better. I couldn’t even drink my beloved coffee. Some days, I got by with little to nothing to drink because it just made me feel bad. My wise friend Erin from The Humbled Homemaker told me to just give in and get some Sprite – I needed something to drink. I felt like I was shriveling up inside. For several days, I was hard headed and told her I could make it…and then, in a moment of weakness, I called Barry at work and asked him to bring home some Sprite.

Me, the lady who had been without soda for almost a year, gave in and had a two liter of Sprite – and let me tell you something, friends – that was the best thing I had never tasted in my whole life. I’m sure my body just soaked it right up. Eventually I figured out that I could also drink Simply Orange orange juice and organic vegetable juice.

I wasn’t cooking at all. I was sending Barry to the store for processed bagels, salty potato chips, and Cheeze Its…he was cooking dinner or bringing it home. That’s how I was making it from day to day. I was physically unable to cook. Because this pregnancy took us by surprise, I wasn’t fully prepared – so I didn’t have a freezer stocked with pre-made foods like a good whole-foodie would say I should have had. And if I had, I probably wouldn’t have been able to swallow it anyway. I know lots of people would say “tsk, tsk Stacy. You should always be prepared and have the foods you need on hand.” Sometimes when you’re packing up your entire house to move and then a pregnancy hits, some things have to fall by the way-side for a bit.

Image by ebruli

What to Eat??

How far I had fallen. I was actually ashamed of myself for a while. And then I took off my whiny baby panties and smacked myself. This is stupid. I am hungry. I am thirsty. If water and cooking were making me sick, I was still going to have to eat SOMETHING. I wanted a big, greasy burger from the fast food joint. I wanted French fries loaded with mounds of ketchup…and if I had to smell it cooking, I would hurl. And ice cream – I could eat massive quantities of ice cream, which I was able to make since it didn’t have a smell. Sweet relief – food and drink. I’m so thankful that I finally gave in and ate something.

I came to realize very quickly that there are certain times in life when a Mama needs grace. Grace from God. Grace from her family. Grace from her friends. I couldn’t cook – I needed Barry’s help. I’m not always going to be able to cook a whole foods meal for my family. I want to, but for me it’s not a reality. That’s why the 80/20 Principle is such a huge deal around here. I have to feed my family, even when I feel like crap. If that means that occasionally we have a $1 McChicken, then so be it. And God bless that McChicken.

Image by reid

Grace

I realize that I may be shunned by the Whole Foods community. I know what they would tell me – I should get off my lazy panties and cook dinner anyway – even if it made me yak. You know what I say? That’s dumb. I’m asking for grace from you – I try to do the best for my family and teach you great things about whole foods…but I don’t always eat them.

I always want to keep it real around here. So, I’m confessing to you – I’m not a Real Foodie. I’m not. I won’t ever be. I will feed my family to the best of my ability…but some days, it’s not going to happen. This pregnant mama may need some Sprite and broasted chicken every now and then for the next little bit. I’m coming clean with you. Amen.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

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*This post is linked at Simple Lives Thursday on GNOWFGLINS, at Finer Things Friday on Amy’s Finer Things, at Weekend Whatever on Your Thriving Family, at Pennywise Platter on The Nourishing Gourmet, and at Proverbs 31 Thursday at Raising Mighty Arrows.