still off limits?

Last week was my birthday! My last birthday before Hazel (and hopefully subsequent children) arrives. When James and I got married, I made a goal in my head that I'd like to have our first child when I was 27, and look, it's actually gonna happen. I definitely didn't think of that when we got pregnant - at that time, it was more of the "we really want a baby" itch.

So I talked to Dr. Kapur last Monday about my diet. She asked me, "Emily, why have you lost weight?" I thought, Finally, she's going to allow me to eat my comfort foods again! I replied, "Remember how you put me on that diet...?" She made sure I was getting enough protein and carbs (which I am), and then said, "Fine, continue with your ban on sweets and fatty foods." Darn! I did warn her, however, that I was planning on eating chocolate on my birthday, to which she replied, "By all means, binge on your birthday." I knew there was a reason she was highly recommended by other Americans! I have to confess, I took her words a little too literally - I even cheated here and there all week before my birthday. I had a chocolate chip cookie on Sunday, I had three gigantic spoonfuls of this awesome chocolate fudgey ice cream, and I had pizza oozing with cheese. Then on my birthday, look at this list of off-limit food I ate:

• a coffee shop muffin
• a rasgullah (basically a ball of sugar)
• some fried mozzarella cheese sticks from Bennigan's
• a slice of chocolate mousse cake from my neighbor
• a slice of black forest cake from Jaya
• spring rolls and sweet and sour pork
• a big ol' chocolate ice cream dessert concoction

All in one day! And then for the rest of the weekend I snuck bites here and there of the rest of the black forest cake. I couldn't help myself, it was staring right at me every time I walked into the kitchen. On Monday morning, I timidly approached the scale at the gym, and you can imagine my surprise that after all that junk food, I had only gained 150 grams (1/3 lb). At this point in the game, I should be gaining roughly a pound a week.

So my question now is, is all that chocolate still off limits? I'm so tempted to say no way! At least I only have 6 more weeks-ish left. It could be that Hazel gained a lot of her weight early on and is now slowing down. Remember, she is a heavy baby, if the scans are accurate. Or it could be that God is giving my prayers the green light - I've been asking Him that if it's healthy and in His will, that Hazel would slow down in growth to the average size, and have even asked Him if her head could be a certain size, and also her weight. You may not agree with the idea of such specific prayers or think I'm putting God in a box. But my belief is, ultimately He's gonna do what He wants, and already knows my desires anyway, so why not voice them?

On the left is a picture of James and me outside the restaurant on my Day of Gorging. At present broadcast, there have been no explanations regarding the football player stance said pregnant lady is taking.

Here are my 34 week pics. Can you believe my due date is 6 weeks away?! I sure can't.