this is madness

First: I am so hot, right?
Second: This picture encompasses all that I am feeling, both emotionally and physically.
Mostly physically. Thank you, worst sinus infection of my life.

Why must pregnant women get sick on top of being nauseous, achey, exhausted, dizzy, short-tempered, fat, and ugly?

I know, you are thinking, "Not all pregnant women are that way!" Well, I am all of those. If you catch me on a really good day (meaning: showered, make-up'ed, and hair done), I may not seem so bad. But catch me the other 99% of the time at home in my PJ's, and this is what you get. I have the acne of a middle-schooler. My face gets rounder by the second. I'm retaining every ounce of "forceable liquids" (doctor's orders) possible. I lay on a heating pad for at least an hour every night, hoping to relieve the achey back that keeps me from falling asleep despite the utter exhaustion and nightly routine of sleeping pills. I'm mostly a prisoner to this body.

And now I'm bogged down by my semi-annual sinus infection. 

I must end this rant on a positive note: I'm so grateful to have children. I'm so grateful Steve is in town this week to help me not die. I'm so grateful that it is the holiday season. I'm grateful for an endless list of things -- just know, that.

Carry on, and remember to be grateful for your health above all else.