Thursday, November 25, 2010

19 weeks- Happy Thanksgiving!

Heath has a hard time not being the center of attention, so he had to get into the picture.  And this is the first pregnancy photo with the new camera, can't you see the better quality?

As I am quickly approaching the halfway mark, I am starting to feel huge.  I know this is way to early to feel this way but that is how I feel.  I am starting to have a harder time getting comfortable when I lay down, sleep or even sit.  My body just isn't use to this yet.  I know everything is growing a lot because I keep having ab pains, the are overall sore or some sharp pains every once in awhile.  It may be uncomfortable but it doesn't bother me too much, it just lets me know the baby is growing even more.
Definelty feeling kicks and movement, it is becoming a little more consistent, but it still varies a lot.
Heartburn is starting to kick in, pretty much after I eat anything.  Don't worry that doesn't make me stop eating, I think I need to get some Tums though. 
I am very excited for it to be Thanksgiving.  I am really excited for the food tonight, green bean casserole and corn casserole, mmmm.  It also means I can begin making Christmas cards and decorating the house with Christmas items without angering Jeff too much.  He obviously isn't as into the holidays as I am. 
This year I am thankful for having a healthy pregnancy and baby so far, hopefully everything still looks good on Monday when we go in for an ultrasound.  Thankful for my husband, and all his help during this pregnancy with working and school.  I am thankful for much more but those are at the top of the list. 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Early Christmas Gifts

The in-laws were very kind and generous in their gift giving this year and gave us a certain amount to spend on a new camera.  This was awesome since we were hoping to buy a new and better camera before the little one arrived in April.  With our allotment we were able to find some good deals online and got a Nixon D3000, plus an extra long lens, plus a Flip video camera (we were also hoping to get a video camera before April).  I really cannot say how great these gifts are and how excited I am to use them. 

Monday, November 22, 2010

Purchases

I have begun the massive project of buying all the baby items I need.  It is a little overwhelming because of all the items that need to be purchased before the baby arrives.  But I have a big long list and at least two moms have looked over it to confirm items and tell me items that should be added, which has been very helpful.  So I have this big long list but I am trying to get items that are budget friendly but still good quality and I am constantly looking for sales.  So far I have found two good sales for two big purchases. 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

18 weeks

I cannot believe that I am only two weeks away from being halfway through this pregnancy.  It is kind of crazy to think how fast time has gone by and how much I have to do before April.
My regular clothes still fit, I just cannot wear a belt with my jeans anymore, but they still fit.  My biggest cravings lately have been meat and salads, which makes me think it may be a boy according to old wives tales.  The bump is starting to look more and more like a baby bump and not just extra flab.  I am starting to feel some movement which is exciting, it is not very consistent but it is there.

On Monday we had our monthly checkup and everything was good as usual.  I gained 4 pounds, which is right on track with what I should be gaining, so I have gained a total of 5 pounds.  We heard the heartbeat, it was at 160 bpm.  And my uterus is up to my belly button, right where it should be.  We scheduled the 20 week ultrasound, which is only two weeks away!  I am excited to see the baby moving around and measuring on track. 

And now I am slowly starting to acquire baby items and clean out the guest room to make room for all the baby items.  That room will be completely transformed soon.  So sorry guest but if you stay with us you will have to sleep on a couch. 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

17 weeks

This is what I haven been waking up with, a small hard bump, but as the day wears on it likes to fade and hide.  But it is nice to know it is there some where. 
Still not really sleeping well, or feeling like I am getting enough sleep.  This week has been busy and school only has three weeks left which means everything is getting crazy with projects and papers. 
I have been alone all week while Jeff has been enjoying New Orleans with my family for my brother's 21st birthday. 
But it finally snowed here!  I am so excited, it has been too long for it to snow.  And as I type this it is snowing again!
My clothes are still fitting but some jeans are getting tighter than others and overall I look like I have eaten too much.  
Cheese is still my favorite thing to eat. 
Looking forward to Monday when we have our next appointment.  At this coming appointment we get to schedule the big ultrasound to make sure everything is good with the baby.  I am also curious to see how much weight I have gained.   

Friday, November 5, 2010

Baby Names

We have names!  Jeff finally admitted to liking both names that I really liked.  But for some reason he just didn't want to decide on them, so last night I made the executive decision that we have names.  Really he wanted me to just keep searching for names I was okay with to see if he was happy with those, ridiculous.  So here they are:

If it is a girl it will be Grace Kaya
And if it is a boy it will be Leland Oliver

Hope you enjoy!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Pumpkin Pasta

We have received lots of pumpkin from our CSA share, so I am trying to find a lot of pumpkin recipes.  We still have four pumpkins left.  This recipe was really good and very simple. 

Ingredients:

  • Salt
  • 1 pound whole wheat penne rigate
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 3 shallots, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 2 pinches ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • Pepper
  • 7 leaves fresh sage, thinly sliced
  • Grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese, to pass around the table

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
  2. While the pasta is working, in a medium skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, pumpkin and cream. Add the hot sauce, cinnamon and nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sage.
  3. Toss the pasta with the sauce and pass the parmigiano-reggiano around the table.

16 weeks

Still waiting to show.  I just look like I can't control my eating.  No major changes otherwise.  I can't really believe that I am this far along, time has gone by really fast.  Regular clothes still fit, which is nice.  People keep asking if we are going to find out the sex and we aren't.  But I have a small feeling it may be a girl based on how I look, which is awful.  I am having troubles sleeping lately, which is awful.  I am tired but I constantly wake up in the night, for no real reason but then have to resituate before I can go back to bed.  My cravings are mostly cheese, I eat a lot of cheese and it is always amazing. 
Jeff is going to be out of town next week, so I am not for sure how I am going to take a picture.  I guess I will have to figure something out, find a place to set the camera on.  We shall see. 
And I think we have finally decided on names!  I will hopefully announce them soon, but need to make sure Jeff fully agrees, it is really hard for him to agree on something.  He can be very indecisive. 

Monday, November 1, 2010

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Pie Squares are a favorite of Jeff's and they are made every Thanksgiving as dessert in his family.  I am a big fan myself, but I didn't' like that the recipe used cake mix.  So I found a recipe that is pretty similar but does not use cake mix and it includes cream cheese, the best ingredient ever.  All these needed were some fresh whipped cream, which I will make sure to have when I make these for Thanksgiving this year.



1-1/3 cups flour
3/4 cup  granulated sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup  (1-1/2 sticks) cold butter or margarine
1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/2 cup  chopped walnuts
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
3   eggs
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin, we are lucky to have lots of pumpkin from our CSA, so we used fresh puree!
1 Tbsp.  pumpkin pie spice, don't have so I used a mixture of ginger, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons bourbon (optional)
a handful of butterscotch or chocolate chips for sprinkling on top (optional)
HEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13×9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides; grease foil. Mix flour, 1/4 granulated sugar and brown sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and nuts.
RESERVE 1 cup oat mixture; press remaining onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min. Beat cream cheese, remaining sugar, eggs, vanilla, bourbon, pumpkin and spice with mixer until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture and a handful of butterscotch or chocolate chips (if desired).
BAKE 25 min.; cool 10 min. Use foil to transfer dessert from pan to wire rack; cool completely.
Can’t find pumpkin pie spice? Simply mix 1 tsp. each ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg and allspice, then use as directed.