vegetarian and pregnant

i tend to make a lot of life choices that causes my family to shrug their shoulders and say, well... leave it to betsy. whether it is as innocuous as decorating my wedding with burlap, refusing a white diamond engagement ring, collecting comic books or something with more lasting power such as majoring in african history, acquiring three energetic dogs, or coloring my hair an interesting shade of eggplant...i have been the impetus of many a raised brow. mostly, my forays into nerd territory, scholarly oddities, hippie sensibilities, or dogmatic causes tends to simply amuse...possibly bewilder...but is generally not a cause for concern.

i think that holding my eccentricities at arms length tends to end in the minds of many friends, family, doctors, and bradley instructors when the subject of me persisting in my vegetarianism throughout the pregnancy is stated...or heaven forbid...i raise this poor unfortunate child as a vegetarian! i have been on the receiving end of some pretty severe or concerned reactions about this...i do understand...most people have not read enough about it to know the health benefits and ease of getting enough protein. some people think i am consciously doing something that is hurting the baby--like smoking or huffing glue. i guess it is difficult for me to explain because i am so passionate about vegetarianism, because i cannot look at meat without thinking of the being it came from...but there was never an option for me to "just add some chicken to [my] diet".

so, for anyone who is concerned, or maybe wants to know more about being pregnant and getting enough protein and other important nutrients without meat, i can answer any questions you might have! believe me, i am being very careful. i kept a food journal to waylay the fears of my doctor. i seek out certain foods known for bringing the big guns to the protein table (greek yogurt anyone?). all in all, i am doing fine, and the baby is growing on target. yes, my kid might be the butt of jokes at the cafeteria...but it will build character. i mean, this child will be the progeny of me and benson...it is almost guaranteed a seat at the geek lunch table anyways!

yes, this child will be blessed...with ultra cool parents

21 weeks

ignore the unwashed face and hair. carrie takes these before the morning walk!