Fun Saturday

Well, I am off! First thing's first, The Greatest Show on Birth, hosted by one of the medical centers here. It's a childbirth and parenting symposium. There will be seminars, free food and chances to win free nursery furniture and other goodies.

On my way home I will stop by Knoxville's downtown Market Square for the free HOLA! Hispanic Heritage Festival and Farmer's Market. I am hoping to run across some authentic and tasty Mexican Food, here some live Andean and mariachi music and hopefully just get a taste of home. Maybe if I close my eyes and click my heels three times saying "There's no place like home" I'll be magically transported back to Texas!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday. I will report back if anything extra fun and exciting happens while I am out on my adventure today. Cross your fingers that I find a breakfast taco...wouldn't that be heavenly???

PS..I can no longer say I have made it through this pregnancy without vomiting. Let's just say brushing my teeth this morning was an unpleasant experience, but overall I think I have been pretty fortunate in that regard.

UPDATE: The pregnancy and parenthood expo was very informational. I never anticipated the challenge of finding a doctor in a new place. Casey and I don't really have the extensive social network at this point to get referrals and the the referrals we have had just haven't really worked out.

The expo provided me an opportunity to meet other mothers, doulas, physicians, counselors, etc. Through my conversations with a few mothers and a wonderful doula I was able to gather some feedback about the various birthing centers around town. That was very helpful. Essentailly I am looking for a practice that's philosophy is somewhere between hollistic AND intervention-oriented. I want a healthy mix of natural alternatives and technology. I like the idea of having a doula or midwife but in a hospital setting?? Not sure, still thinking through all the options out there.

I also had a chance to interview the director of one of the women's center, he has been a practicing OB/GYN for more than 20 years and was great to talk to. I can honestly say he was probably the first doctor I have felt comfortable with since this adventure.

Since finding out we are expecting Casey and I have talked to a sleu of physicians, nurses, midwives, etc. and I haven't got "that feeling" with anyone of them, until yesterday. So I am hopeful about finding a practice Casey and I are comfortable with in the coming weeks. Also, as a UT employee I get an additional discout at the university medical center, on top of what my insurance covers. Something to consider for sure.

The Hispanic Heritage Festival was also nice. I enjoyed the familiar smells and sounds. For lunch the fetus and I splurged on some spanish rice, charro beans and tamales....YUM!!! I so missed those wonderful flavors. Unfortunately about 2 hours later my body sent the message that I'll have to go easy on my beloved Tex-Mex for a while, at least lay off the spicey salsa. I bet I could get a way with the occasional helping of spanish rice. In fact I just might make some this week...with some potatos...goodness, I am hungry again.

I met a wonderful family from Arizona who also ventured down to the festival for some familiar comfort food. It was nice to meet some fellow south westerners, we exchanged knowing looks of satisfaction as we savored our meals. The only thing missing was some cold Mexican beer. *sigh*