...and repeat.

Yesterday was my 37 week appointment. Same stuff, different day. Basically...I look the same in the "are we making progress?" department. Still 1 cm and 70% effaced. I think last week I said 60% but I was wrong. My blood pressure was a little elevated but I blame that on work. And being really stinking busy and worrying that it won't get all done. (Yes, I know it won't all get done but at least let me think it will!) The nurse did say it's normal for it to elevate a little in the end.

On another note, I lost 4lbs. Now last week I'd gained quite a bit more than either of us were happy about, but Dr. F and I agree it was mostly fluid. So when I dropped 4 she wasn't as concerned. For one thing, last weeks appointment was at a different location so the scales are probably off. Even still, I can tell that my feet have been less swollen, along with my hands and everything else. I can actually wear my watch. Don't get me wrong, I still can't find my ankles, but they really do look better. So as long as I don't go back next week down another 4lbs we're ok. I quickly told her that I'm not dieting but I'm also not pigging out. And I will say that the inner chronic dieter in me was a little excited. I've never lost 4lbs in one week! But I know it's not good when you're pregnant. So I considered rewarding myself with chocolate chunk cookies last night, but the butter was in the freezer. I'll bake them tonight instead. :-)

All in all we're still in the same boat. He's a big kid - a linebacker according to Dr. F. I wanted a baseball player. She said the positive side to that is there is NO way he's flipping over and becoming breech. For now I'm still working on getting him to come on his own and if he's still comfy by his due date we'll talk about other options. Dr. F said she worries more about his shoulders and abdomen size. Maybe it correlates with my abdomen...

Of course the downside is that Dr. F is out of town until next Monday and I'd really like her to deliver me, if at all possible. So maybe I don't want him to come too early. What a conundrum.

Making the most of a Sunday

Jason headed to Dallas early this morning (like 4:30 am!) for the Cowboys/Redskins game. I've been grounded by Dr. F so I stayed behind to get some things done and decided to use the day stocking the freezer. Lindsey & Adam met me at Chuy's for some creamy jalapeno dip and lunch. After lunch Lin kept me company around Target. Jason has been on me to pack my "go bag" but I really didn't have anything to put in it. I have a hard time finding pj pants that are long and stay long, so I don't really buy them. I just do big t-shirts and shorts. I also needed nursing tanks and new undies, plus a few other things for after he's here.


Once we got home I got started in the kitchen. My list included stew, chicken tacos, lasagna and biscotti. A little ambitious, don't you think? However, with Lindsey's help, I got everything cooked, most of it in the freezer and the kitchen is almost clean. I didn't bother with photos, but here are some recipes.


Stew

• 1 chuck roast, cubed
• 1/2 onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 2 small cans tomato sauce
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 can mixed vegetables
• 1 can corn
• 2 russet potatoes, cubed

Normally I do stew meat that is already cut up, but Kroger had chuck roast on sale this week. The package came with two really nice sized roasts so I froze one and used the other.

Start by browning the meat with the onion and bell pepper, add salt & pepper and any seasoning you like. Once browned, drain off most of the fat. Add all of the canned items and potatoes and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.

Once I finished I realized that I forgot my favorite thing for roast - cabbage. We grocery shopped yesterday and I never thought to buy a cabbage but the whole time the stew was cooking I kept thinking that something was missing. As soon as I spooned a bowl up for dinner I knew exactly what it was!

Lasagna

• 1lb ground beef
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• lasagna noodles
• 1 16 oz container ricotta cheese
• 2-3 cups mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

This is a really easy lasagna recipe I found years ago. Usually Jason is the spaghetti sauce person in the house - he's in charge of dinner for that night. But if we want lasagna that's considered my "easy" meal. Lindsey actually cooked this and as soon as we put it in the oven I realized that I wanted to cook it in an aluminium pan to freeze! Instead I just cooked it in the pyrex dish and split it after - keeping some for dinner tomorrow and putting the rest in the freezer.

Start by browning the beef with salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder, and oregano. ((You can also add 1/2 lb ground sausage to give it more meat)) Add the spaghetti sauce, stir. In a 9*13 dish, layer 1/3 of the meat sauce on the bottom. Arrange 1 layer of noodles next. Note: you do not need the "no cook" noodles. Any will do. After noodles, spread 1/3 of the container of ricotta cheese on the noodles, topping with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat for the next 2 layers - meat sauce, noodles, ricotta & mozzarella cheese. Top the last layer with shredded Parmesan cheese. Pour 1/4 cup hot water around the outside of the dish and cover with 2 layers of foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

Crock pot Chicken Tacos

• 1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 1 container fresh pico de gallo
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water

Pour the package of taco seasoning in the bottom of the crock pot. Add the chicken - it can be added frozen. Top with the pico, olive oil & water. Do not stir. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, turn the chicken halfway if you are home, but if not - don't worry. Remove the chicken and shred, returning back to the crock pot for another 20-30 minutes of cooking on low. Serve with tortillas & cheese or use to make enchiladas.

This recipe has been floating around the Nest for a few weeks and has gotten rave reviews. It is super easy - especially since you can toss the chicken in frozen.

As for the biscotti - I've made it before. It's one of my standards for the Holiday Season. I'm not sure if much of that will actually make it to the freezer...but I have enough pistachios and cranberries that I can easliy make another batch.

36 Weeks and Counting

Yesterday was our 36 week appointment. Because my belly was so confused at 34 weeks, Dr. F had scheduled an ultrasound to get a better idea of how big this baby was. Is the size just me or is it him?

I asked Jason if I could bring my mom along and he agreed. I could not help but laugh at the conversation. When I asked her if she could stay Sunday night and go the response was:

"Yes! Of course! Absolutely! Ink me in - don't pencil me in, INK me IN!"

So yesterday the three of us headed into the medical center for my ultrasound and doctors appointment. The ultrasound went really well. He is squished in there like crazy! And I'm correct on his position. He's very much head down, butt right in the middle of my belly and feet on my right side. And boy was he active. Speaking of, we did confirm that he's still a boy. Just in the last week Jason and I have gotten a little worried that we'd end up with a girl - who'd have to love baseball. To top it off, I had a girl dream last week. ((I kept that part from Jason until we confirmed things.))

My mom was really excited to see the little guy and we got some cute photos:

His face and arm...looks a little chubby!

Kind of hard to make out, but that's a foot and little toes. The foot that keeps pushing against my right side!

Apparently he'd had enough here - he was covering his face. Jason says it looks like he's giving the bird.

After the ultrasound we headed upstairs to see Dr. F. I think this may have been the fastest appointment I've ever had with her! Usually I feel like I wait forever. I was a little bummed that I've put on quite a bit of weight (in my opinion) in the last 2 weeks. She even gave me a scary look...until she saw my feet. Then we both agreed that the weight is all fluid. For the record, my size larger shoes really don't fit anymore. I'm also currently 1 cm dilated and about 60% effaced. But...he's not really dropped into position. I know things can change overnight but I felt a little bit better about work. As in, I'll be here all week and can get some things wrapped up. Recently I'd been having panic attacks about leaving things in a mess at work.


For now the status is that we'll just wait and hope he decides he needs to come sooner rather than later. Mostly because he's estimated to be about 8lbs from the ultrasound. Now, those can be off - I've heard anything from 1 to 2 lbs off either way. So he could be 6lbs...or he could be 10lbs. She said that we won't talk about an induction until I'm 39 weeks and dilated a little more. And she also said that if he's still comfy by his due date we may talk about a c-section. I'm 100% ok with this for various reasons. First, my hip. Second, his potential size. She's been very open about saying that with babies who may be big she'd rather not risk trying a natural birth and ending up with an emergency c-section since it is a higher risk for both mom and baby. I know there are a lot of people out there who probably think this would be unnecessary and crazy. But since it's my kid...and I trust my doctor...I'm ok with it. I believe in 'better safe than sorry.'

Cravings...explained

First - I hit 35/35 yesterday. Funny how that works - 35 weeks down, 35 days to go. Panic mode begins. This weekend I had nightmares about having him early and not being ready at work. I'm not even sure that if he comes on time I'll be ready. But I'm going to try. One week at a time.

I managed to make it through the first 35 weeks or so without any major cravings. I had a few breakdowns in the grocery store buying Fritos and Bean Dip. I don't like Bean Dip - I think it's gross. I've also eaten quite a few sno-cones. But no cravings have been strong enough for me to act on them. As in, make Jason get up off of the sofa and drive to the sno-cone store right now because I need a cherry sno-cone. I'll just get it tomorrow. Or next week.

Recently, though, these cravings are getting a little stronger. I think my body is freaking out knowing that once this kid comes we'll never get good food again. It will be back to fat-free cheese and Smart One's. Here are a few examples. Friday Jason emailed me to ask what I wanted for dinner. I replied: PF Changs. Or McDonald's. Or Candy.

We went to Texadelphia. Just as good. The wait at PF Changs can be too long and McDonald's doesn't qualify for a date meal. We're not in college!!

Then yesterday we went to the mall. I was very excited because on the way back from the mall you pass the sno-cone stand. I only went to the mall for the sno-cone on the way back. Till we were in Macy's and I saw it. A girl walked by with an ice cream cone. One that I knew had come from Marble Slab. So I told Jason I wanted ice cream instead of a sno-cone. Of course, he wanted me to want Dairy Queen but I refused. I wanted a CONE. A waffle cone. So we walked halfway down the mall to the food court to Marble Slab. Only to find out it wasn't where I thought it would be. I think the word to describe my look was "crushed." I stood there, thinking of where Marble Slab had to be and what else would suffice. There really are not any other Marble Slabs close to the house. Would Bear disown me for going to Cold Stone just to satisfy my craving? Would going back to a sno-cone even suffice?

Then...I turned around to mope back across the mall to my car and there it was. On the other side of the food court. Marble Slab. Jason started laughing and said you would have thought I'd seen the Pearly Gates. I was like a kid in a candy store. And let me tell you, that ice cream cone did not stand a chance. It was gone shortly after we got in the car. And worth every single calorie.

On another random note, I think taking Jason to the L&D class was a bad idea. Every time I mention something he asks me what it means. As in, do we need to start worrying? Yesterday I really blew it by saying "there is something seriously wrong with me" in the truck. I had a serious face and I think he stopped breathing for a few seconds. I laughed to let him know I wasn't serious. I told him that the problem is that I could eat McDonald's for every meal. A Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Then he told me that I'm never allowed to say that there is something wrong unless it means I'm in labor. Sorry. But in my opinion, craving McDonald's is a serious problem.

See that?

This would be a photo of a belly that is 34 weeks pregnant...


but thinks it is 37 weeks pregnant.
((ps: it is hard to take a photo of yourself in the mirror!))


I had my 34 week appointment yesterday and my belly is big. I knew that - it keeps running into things all the time. But according to the doctor it also means that my baby might be big. Well, I've been saying that all along! She does think he's head down...and I kind of agree since I swear its his feet that are giving me heck on my right side. My blood pressure is good and I have no protein in my urine. I'm not 100% sure what that means, but I know that if I do have protein in my urine they get worried. Oh, and my weight is right on track. So this belly that is confused and is measuring 37 weeks (3 weeks ahead) isn't because I'm packing on the pounds!

We also did the Strep B test. Again, I'm not positive about that test but I think if I fail it, or well, test positive for Strep B, we have to have a cesarean. Or...I was corrected. It means we'd need IV fluids. See...I guess there are things I need to learn! Maybe I should finish one of those books, huh?


So, the one positive thing about having a big belly is that we get to see the kid again. We scheduled an ultrasound at 36 weeks and Dr. F feels like we'll get a better idea of how big he might be (because those things aren't accurate) and where we are at.


On another note, I subjected Jason to 8 hours of Labor & Deliver class on Saturday. I really thought we'd get more out of it. It was called the "Fast Track" class and I was under the impression that it would cover a little of everything. Like breastfeeding. Instead I enjoyed about 2 hours and was bored for the other 6. We did take the hospital tour and I feel better about that, plus she covered all of the drugs you can get (woohoo!) and what happens to me and the kid for the first few hours after delivery. The rest of the class wasn't very informative but I think that's because I've had so many friends who have had babies that we've covered WAY more than most people do. And the relaxation techniques...we giggled like teenagers. We both have too much of a sense of humor to stay serious during things like that. Now, it might change when I'm really in pain, but for now I just don't see us with dimmed lights, listening to elevator music and counting breaths. I picture us either watching TV (especially if it is football Sunday) or we'll be listening to Metallica.

Shower season begins

A few weeks ago I started a new season in this pregnancy - the Baby Shower Season. It really starts when you make that trip to Babies R Us and stare down aisle after aisle of things you have no idea how to use. Then come the showers! Then you come home with bags and bags of gifts from very gracious friends and family members, go through them, wash the clothes, and proceed to ooh and aah again over how cute the little baseball footed pajamas are. And then comes the thank you notes. I'm way too Emily Post to not write thank you notes, but after the 25th one I really wish I could just call my friends and say "hey - thanks for the pajamas! They are so cute!" My hand would be happy. But my uptight etiquette self would not.

My first shower was hosted by some of my friends here in Houston. I met all of these girls on the Knot years ago. Honestly, when I went for my first Knot GTG (dinner) I thought I'd meet some people to hang out with once a month, get wedding advice, ooh and aah over each others wedding photos and that would be it. I had no idea I'd end up with a group of such close friends!

These girls did an awesome job on the shower!!! Since we're decorating his room in a baseball theme, they took the sports idea and ran with it. All of the food was sports themed (and so good, by the way) and the cake...to stinking cute! Shannon does an awesome job - she also made the cookies for the favors.

The cake had logos from our favorite teams - Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros & Texas A&M. ((and I know from experience that the A&M logo is hard to make!))

Meg was gracious enough to help design the invitations to match our bedding. The girls also pitched in and gave me really cute thank you notes to match the invites as well. AND we got our bedding as a gift! I was so excited and it is now washed and in the crib.

We had a great afternoon just visiting, eating, and doing the oohing and aahing over the cute little baby stuff. It's funny - I spend all day talking to these girls. Well, we all spend all day talking to each other. But it seems we rarely run out of stuff to talk about.

The Hostesses: Viula, Kelly, Shannon, (me), Jess & Lexie - all in our sports gear!

Pumpkin shortage?

I've heard talk on the internet about a shortage in canned pumpkin. I think some even mentioned a shortage in real pumpkins. Oddly enough I've noticed that there are no pumpkins at the grocery store - only at the Pumpkin Patch or the local nursery. I have no idea how much they'll cost either.

But canned pumpkin...I didn't seem to see a shortage there. Yet. We're still quite a few weeks from Thanksgiving. It's because of some crop failure, but I wonder if it has anything to do with the few (ok, maybe several) Pumpkin Spice Lattes I've had from Starbucks this season???

Either way I dove into my first pumpkin recipe of the season this past weekend. I decided a few weeks ago to take something to the church bake sale. I really didn't have time to put in a lot of effort - like doing decorated cookies - so I went for something simple. I saw this recipe on the Nest a few weeks earlier and decided to try it. It was a hit! Jason and I filled up the tray that I'd bought for the bake sale (a cute little ceramic Jack-O-Lantern) and had a few squares left over to try. They were fantastic and Jason had turned his nose up the night before because he thinks he doesn't like pumpkin. Even though he eats the pumpkin roll any time I make it...

Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies from Loves to Eat

• 2 cups flour
• 1 T pumpkin pie spice
• 1 t baking soda
• 3/4 t salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temp
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 t vanilla extract
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 12-oz pkg white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9*13 baking pan with foil, leaving some hanging over the edge of the pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk dry ingredients together. Set aside. In a large bowl beat butter and sugar until combined. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in pumpkin puree (mixture may look curdled). Reduce speed on the mixer and slowly mix in the dry ingredients just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and pour into the baking dish.

Bake until the edges begin to pull away from the sides or until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs (about 30-40 minutes). Let it cool completely in the pan and use the foil to remove from the pan. Cut into squares and serve.