Before experiencing the joy that is pregnancy, I heard stories of weird cravings. Ice cream and pickles, anyone? When I was pregnant with Karina, the cravings were very real. Initially, it was crushed ice, then it was frozen snickers bars, and it finally culminated to hot dogs...and no, it couldn't be just any hot dog, it had to be from Pink's, and it had to have chili and bacon. AND I had to have it when I craved it; if that meant getting into my car at 2am...so be it. Sure, I craved the standard pickles too, but I never mixed them with ice cream.

When I was pregnant with Cristian, the cravings were different, but still there. With Cristian, I craved Mexican chile sauce and it had to be HOT. I could eat spoonfulls of it. Straight. Yup...I'm that Mexican.

I also had food aversions. Before having my kids I LOVED In-N-Out Burgers; and yet, when I was pregnant with each of my children I couldn't even smell them! Another aversion was eggs...and oddly enough, both my children LOVE In-N-Out burgers AND eggs. So, do these cravings and aversions mean anything?

Some people say that craving ice means that you're low on iron. Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that a shortage of vitamin B can trigger a craving for chocolate. But if people craved what the body needed, wouldn't we all be eating more fruits and vegetables, instead of...say, cement or dirt?

So my question is, did you have any interesting cravings during your pregnancies? What were the theories you heard associated with your cravings? Did you indulge your cravings? Please share!

Thanks for posting this diary, Jen! Reminded me of the two times I was pregnant...and HATED IT! You also reminded me of my weird cravings, such as frozen snickers bars and Pink's hotdogs. Sure, you might not consider a hotdog to be such a weird craving, but try driving to Hollywood at 2a.m. just to satisfy it! - Gloria

Well dear MTers I've reached that point, the time in my pregnancy where I can't see my toes. The realization hit me the other day when I was in the shower. I looked down and all I could see was my huge belly. First a sigh. Then a giggle. Yes, I am one of "those" women that love being pregnant. Now don't get me wrong, I don't love everything about it - personally I could do with out all of the nasty heartburn that I've been having. This is a special time in my life and I am trying to savor the experience - the good, the bad, and the funny.