I’m still in shock that I was able to go my whole pregnancy without having a sip of coffee. Yes, you heard that right. I went from having multiple cups of coffee every day to nothing. Zip. Zero. Zlich … and hello, caffeine headaches. Wow, did I ever endure some pretty brutal and epic headaches during the early days of my pregnancy.
Some people thought that I was being a bit extreme (and maybe even a little nuts) for quitting the addiction. Even my doctor told me that I could enjoy one cup of coffee a day during my pregnancy. Me, on the other hand? I read too many stories about caffeine and miscarriages. It took us such a long time to view the positive sign on the pregnancy test and I didn’t want a little bit of caffeine to get in the way of us meeting our dream come true. So, I quit. Just like that. Boom. One day caffeine. The next? None. Major ouch.
Every morning, when my husband made himself a cup of coffee I would breathe in the wonderful fumes and try to avoid racing over to the coffeemaker to make myself a cup (or two). Talk about ultimate willpower. I still remember the moment that I admitted my lack of coffee intake during my pregnancy class. I think just about every jaw hit the floor. All of the women in the class were shocked beyond belief. How could someone go all that time without having at least a sip?
After a day of guzzling cup after cup (yes, the baby decided to be a roly poly last night and kept me awake for most of the night), I sit here and am still puzzled at how I went without the little piece of heaven in a cup … for 9+ months.
So, naturally, after all was said and done and I was holding my sweet baby boy in the recovery room at the hospital, my Mom and Dad asked, “What can we get you?” My first response was simple. “Coffee.” I still remember my first sip. It was every bit of amazing that I imagined it would be.
Ever since then, coffee has definitely helped the transition into parenthood a bit more wakeful. Once again, I’m an addict and love enjoying every sip.
As they say, all you need is love … and coffee.
Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer
Ingredients:
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (you can also use the lowfat version)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar.
- Put a lid on the jar.
- Shake the jar until the contents are combined.
- Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
How many cups of coffee do you drink a day?
*Recipe adapted from Food.com.
I am all over this coffee creamer! So yummy!
I gave up coffee during pregnancy too and it was so hard at first because I was working long days in a restaurant kitchen and boy did I NEED that coffee to get me through the day. Luckily the smell of coffee for the first couple months made me want to throw up.
I remember having to make tiramisu at work and just standing at the espresso machine I thought I was going to have to run to the bathroom, this was before I was telling people, I didn't want anyone to notice.
I did have the occasional decaf, but I found that I really just love having a hot beverage in the morning to start my day, so I starting drinking hot chocolate haha not the best substitute, but it filled the need. Now I am breastfeeding and like a new mom I am nervous about drinking too much coffee, so I will allow myself a cup a day,usually in the morning. Although this shot of espresso sitting in front of me at 6pm is going to help me make it to bedtime tonight!
I will definitely be trying this coffee creamer as I have been trying to find more interesting ways to have coffee at home!! I live in France and we do not have coffee creamer!! so no endless rows of fancy flavored coffee creamer at the grocery store like back home.
Sorry for writing a novel! love your blog, keep up the good work mama!
I drink at least a cup in the morning everyday, else I'll be half dying in the office. Thanks for the recipe.
Homemade vanilla coffee creamer is toothsome. I love your post