Take out a pencil, test time again.

Lately, all Grace wants to talk about is the CRCT. THE TEST, the test that will determine if she is ready to be promoted to the second grade. Everyday, she is preparing for this test at school. It seems like our conversations always seem to go back to this topic. Grace is worried that she won't do well. She is a little stressed and she is only 7 years old. I try to comfort her the best I can. Encouraging her, telling her not to worry because she is a great test taker since she scores 95 and up on the practice tests, most of the time it's a perfect score. However, she is overwhelmed.

Like mother, like daughter to be honest. Today it was time for the "Sugar Test". My doctor's office called to inform me of the directions, no eating or drinking after midnight, unless it is water. You know this is pretty simple. My test is 8:30am, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Yet, I still dread the day I have to take THE TEST. Last night before I went to bed, we all had something sweet to nibble on. Grace and I had a piece of cake, Anna ate ice cream, and Andy had a little of both. As I was savoring my last meal before THE TEST, I begin to think about everything I am going to miss out on for the next 12+ hours. Sweet tea, grits, eggs, and bacon, and a glass of Sunny Delight during the middle of the night. How am I ever to survive? I will be dehydrated for sure. Shriveled up to nothing, and when I go in to weigh, I will have probably have lost weight. My baby and I will be deprived.

So I go to bed starving, ok, I wasn't starving but I was craving. I get up the next morning, Andy decided he would cook breakfast. Isn't he wonderful? He asks me what do I want. I remind him again, that his poor baby's momma can't have anything until after THE TEST. The girls come in and eat breakfast, I proceed to the bedroom, so I won't be tempted. Boy, could I use something sweet, salty, and fattening right about now.

I get the girls ready, take them to school, and then off to the doctor's office for THE TEST. It is about 8:20am. I sign in, take out my book, and begin reading. I don't get pass the first page, before my nurse comes out with a cup of orange stuff. Drink up! The cup is huge, the orange stuff is too sweet, I want to gag as I drink up. Now THE TEST begins. I have to sit and wait for the next hour, so to pass the time I read.

When am I ever going to eat, by the time this is over, breakfast will be distant memory, and it will be time for lunch. However, the hour passes quite quickly, and it's time to check my vitals and perform THE TEST.

Vitals are good. My nurse informs me it is time to check my sugar, and she will only have to prick my finger. Ok, I can do this. I am brave. Whoa, that doesn't feel like a prick. I think I am going to be sick, my eyes are closed tight, and my face in a grimace. She does some work behind me with my blood and something else. I dare not look, or I might pass out.

Time for the results...do I pass, or do I have to take the test again. Guess what? No problems with my sugar. Sugar is 98, and Hemoglobin is 12. Relief! Now just a quick visit with the doc, and I am on my way to Hardee's!

All this to say, who knows what, but just as Grace is stressing over her test, I know she will be fine. The same goes for me. I didn't shrivel away, and I didn't lose any weight from my 12+ hour fast. To the contrary here are my vitals this go round:

• Weight: +2lbs
• Blood Pressure: 120/60
• Baby's heartbeat: 140s

So I made it through my test, however, I think I would rather get my brows waxed than have my finger pricked again. Ok, maybe not but they both bring tears to my eyes.

I'm out.

-e

P.S. - I am finally in the home stretch, week 28 and the beginning of the third trimester!