Heya, fam!
I usually post “Lovely Meals Lately” on Wednesdays but since life has flipped upside down this past week, those posts will likely be on pause for a while until things gets more “normal.” I may continue to post more lifestyle content on Wednesdays depending on how things go. Writing continues to be a creative outlet for me, and I’m endlessly grateful for that.
How I’m Feeling Mentally
How I’m Feeling MentallyI was admitted to the hospital Monday evening for a 4-ish week stay due to my vasa previa diagnosis. I have a c-section scheduled for January 4th when I’ll be 36 weeks (that’s the max they’ll let me go), so I’m sending out all the good vibes that he keeps cooking in there until then and that my time here is very uneventful!
I feel super comforted here surrounded by wonderful doctors and nurses who can get lil man out safe and sound if he decides to make an early entrance. Hopefully he’ll arrive like his mama…fashionably late!
I’d gotten in a really good groove hibernating at home, balancing the restaurants, getting in recipes for the blog before baby comes, and overseeing our bathroom renovation. If Jeff (or anyone) were allowed to keep me company in the hospital room, this experience would be another ball game. He isn’t allowed to stay with me until I deliver.
The good news is that I’m not at all on bedrest; and I am allowed to meet hubs (or a friend) outside for about an hour. I can also meet him at the Panera that’s super close to the hospital, so that is definitely something! I feel really safe since no students are on campus right now plus the no visitor policy…it’s pretty empty everywhere minus hospital staff.
I was handling the impending hospital stay pretty well up until this weekend when the reality of leaving home for a month really sank in. Jeff and I both got super sad, but then he suggested a Backstreet Boys dance party and I felt WAY happier!
Many of you have asked how I’ve stayed so positive throughout this experience. I’m focusing majorly on gratitude for this healthy baby and how easily we got pregnant, but know that what you see online is just a small glimpse of what has been a very disheartening time for us.
I woke up Sunday, the day before I was supposed to leave, with a horrible stomach virus. It started with crazy painful cramps that had me worried I was going into labor! After chatting with my doc and realizing it was GI related versus my uterus, it eased my mind. I ended up vomiting all day (luckily it held off for my lovely virtual baby shower!) and eventually it subsided late in the afternoon, endless Gatorade and saltines later.
Did I mention I got my first ever nosebleed as we were walking out the door to go to the hospital? What a time to be alive!
My limits have definitely been tested these past few weeks, to put it lightly. Every time I think “why me,” I have to reframe my thoughts to “why not me?” Perspective is everything.
Nurses and doctors are checking in on me constantly so between that, FaceTime with friends and fam, and all the normal work I have to get done for Alchemy and this blog, I’m staying busy and trying to keep some structure to my day for sanity’s sake. The love from our family and friends plus the support from this online community have truly made this change SO much easier.
I’m praying to be moved to a room with a window here soon. I need natural light! My sweet roommate is only 18 years old and had her water break at 20 weeks, so that was a serious dose of perspective on how lucky I am to still have baby in my belly at 32 weeks.
I think weekends will be a bit harder when my drive to work wears off, but I have plenty of books, shows, coloring activities, etc to keep me entertained. I’m really just trying to stay positive so stress is low for baby!
It’s not easy being pregnant period, let alone during a pandemic. It varies by hospital, but with hubby not being able to come to any prenatal appointments nor stay with me til I deliver, it’s been a real challenge. Then there’s post-baby when Covid will likely be peaking and I won’t be able to have friends and family visiting like normal. It can all feel really isolating.
To any mamas out there going through this alone, a friend sent me this sweet video and it really uplifted my spirits. And on the bright side, at least when everyone is cooped up inside anyway, we’ll have the sweetest baby to snuggle!!
What I’m Eating
Breakfast right now is a bunch of non-perishables I packed from home (oatmeal, cereal, banana, apples, pb, bagels), Alchemy Meal Prep for lunch, and a wildcard for dinner (bless Jeff for bringing lasagna, salad and garlic bread last night!). I’ve worked at this hospital and I know the food isn’t the greatest, so you know I came prepared.
Since food is one of the few joys in my life right now, I’m trying to keep eating things I love! Being in the restaurant biz definitely makes the hospital food dilemma easier, so I’m thankful for that.
It’s so weird to wrap my brain around not cooking for a month and then not being able to do much when I get home either given the surgery. I’m just embracing the required rest! Luckily Jeff is whipping out Hummusapien recipes to keep us fed (he’s bringing buddha bowls tonight!) and my mom will be visiting when baby arrives. She’s a great cook and a baby whisperer, so that will be a huge burden lifted for us!
(My plan to do my hair and makeup for the shower clearly didn’t come to fruition, LOL.)
Sending virtual hugs and so much gratitude for your uplifting messages. Love you all dearly!
Thank you for sharing that video! Wow, moved me to tears. I am due in July and sending you so much love, good resting, healing and I am excited for what is soon to come. As challenging as things are it just helps me appreciate the good which can be equally as sweet. Thank you I have been following your recipes for years! Praying for a speedy recovery and a happy and safe birth for you.
Awww how exciting!! Thank you, Lauren 🙂 You have so much to look forward to!
You amaze me, Alexis. You, your sweet baby boy and Jeff are in my prayers. I can only imagine how tough this is for you. Take a deep breath. As you said, you are safe. January 4th will be here soon:)
My daughter discovered Alchemy when she was a sophomore at OSU. She is still at OSU, now in her third year of graduate school (PharmD program). That said, I have been following you, dining at Alchemy every time I come to Columbus, and making your delicious recipes for the past 6 years.
I have been a Type 1 Diabetic for almost 50 years. I recently recommended your website to a FaceBook community of Type 1s looking for plant-based recipes. I just wanted you to know that you and the work you do reaches far beyond Columbus and has a positive impact on others.
Thank you for being you!
You’re so sweet, Denise–thank you for your kind note! It warms my heart that you love Alchemy and that you’ve been making my recipes. I’m so grateful for this community!! XOXO
Sending best wishes for a Happy Chanukah and a happy, healthy, peaceful few weeks. Stay brave. Fingers crossed.
Thanks so much, Alison!
Keeping you in my prayers that the time will pass quickly and all will go smoothly with your surgery so you can cuddle that sweet baby Boy!! You have so may prayers going up, I am sure. I hope that gives you some comfort.
Thank you tons, Maura!
Sending you good vibes and positive thoughts. Your positivity is inspiring.
Thank you, Jennifer!!
Gah I’m tearing up for you reading this. It takes loads of strength going through pregnancy at all, but superhuman strength going through this with added complications PLUS during a pandemic. Sending lots of prayers and good vibes for your strength and that little man stays put. PS–aren’t pregnancy nosebleeds the weirdest thing?!
So weird, yes!! Thanks for the sweet comment, Alison 🙂
Good luck to you. I am sure you will have a wonderful and healthy baby . In a few months you will only remember the joy your son brings you and not the hiccups you had to face during your pregnancy. I will think about you and praying for a smooth delivery. Stay strong!!!
Love that mindset, thank you Faith!
Thinking of you and your sweet baby boy. I was hospitalized during both of my pregnancies as well, but in foreign countries with much different health systems – in Ireland there were eight of us in the maternity room, I felt like I was in a sorority house. I hope you continue to keep your mind occupied and that you have a very uneventful four weeks in the hospital. XOXO
OMG 8 people?! That is crazy! Hope all is well, Tiffanie 🙂 XO
Sending love and positive thoughts. You are an inspiration. All of this will be worth if when you hold your little bundle for the first time 🙂
I also got a massive nosebleed when I went to the hospital to have my first; the hospital front desk initially tried to send me to the ER because they thought I was injured! Sounds like you have tons of good support but please holler if you would like a meal train set up for now and/or after baby arrives (and don’t already have one). We initially thought we wouldn’t want one but it ended up being a lifesaver, and our friends were really awesome about following our preferences. Sending lots of luck for a smooth and easy hospital stay!
Good luck sweet girl!
I can’t imagine having to have a roommate during all of this too! I forgot that this is a reality in bigger cities. Wishing you well. It will be a holiday season that you never forget, that’s for sure.
I think it’s a public/teaching hospital versus city kind of thing! Not entirely sure how that works, though. There are three private rooms so I’m thinking one will open up while I’m here…fingers crossed!!
A good BSB dance party sounds like the BEST way to destress. I think I might be due for one myself haha. I am definitely one of those people who is inspired by your positivity throughout all of this, and I am grateful that you are sharing it with all of us! Goodness knows nothing in my life is really that hard right now, but I have been feeling down and seeing the positivity that radiates from everything you write is really helping me to shift my own perspective, so thank you for that! I wish you the best of luck with your hospital stay and for a relatively low-key birth!