{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

The inside of our small freezer

Pure heaven! :)

Oh how I love thee... (20)

...let me count the ways.

This week Michael and I will be celebrating 4 years of marriage.  There are many things I appreciate about him.  Obviously--this is post number 20 in the series and there are many more to come.  This time I decided to not go as "deep" as I always do.  

One of the things I love about him is how stinking cute he is.  Seriously, he's a hottie.  I remember when he asked me out.  I posted on my (old) blog "A boy likes me, a cute boy actually likes me!"  I felt (and even told him at one point) that he could probably get any girl he wanted and was shocked when he chose me.

His eyes are beautiful.  His muscles are yummy.  His smile is adorable.

What can I say?  I married up! :)

Note: I really wanted to post a picture of him from a few years ago--six pack in full effect and bulging arm muscles that I would repeatedly make him show off.  I knew he'd kill me though, so all you get are the pretty eyes and the oh-so-cute smile.  Sorry! ;)

36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: for weeks 33 to 36 (month 8) the baby is the size of a honeydew

As of Tuesday the 31st she was 6 pounds, 6 ounces

 I'm guessing she's at least 7 pounds by now... maybe even 7 and a half pounds.

Total weight gain/loss: +30

Gender: It's a girl!  Olivia Grace is on her way!

Movement: She's making big movements daily.  Michael and Olivia have conversations.  She won't be moving at all and he will talk to my belly.  Suddenly she will kick or move (right where his head is).  He'll talk.  She'll kick or move.  If he sits quiet for a bit, she stays still.  It's pretty cute.  Most times when Michael feels movement he says "Whoa!" because it's always pretty big and strong.

Sleep: My sleep wasn't the best this week.  I'll be tired and go to bed and then lay there for a long time...well, besides getting up every half hour to pee.  For whatever reason, when I first go to bed, I end up getting up a ton in the first two hours.  I'm back to napping every day when Little Man does.  I'm wondering if that's why I can't sleep at night, but I just can't help it.  I'm so tired during the day.  Sometimes I sleep during school time too.  I guess my body is just preparing me for when she's here. :)

What I miss: being comfortable... Everything is much harder to do now.  I just recently started having trouble getting in my car.  It feels like such a chore!

Cravings: watermelon, jello, dessert (any kind really)

Symptoms: swelling!!!
I bought two pair of flip flops in a bigger size and even they get snug when the swelling goes up.  I have a feeling the swelling is here to stay.  I'm hoping that's what's up with the weight gain too.  I've read a lot of places that if you are gaining that much at the end (I've been gaining a pound and a half a week for about a month now), that it's most likely water weight.  Hopefully that's the case, because it will be easier to get off.

Fun Purchases: We ordered a few things for our newborn picture session.  I also ordered more bows from etsy.  I've really been wanting something monogrammed, but have yet to find what it is I want.  Also, I bought this bag.

I'll probably get another bag at one point, but I'm just not sure what or when. 

Surprises: I was surprisingly pleased that my blood pressure wasn't out of control at my appointment.  I was expecting it to be high and to be put on strict bed rest.

What I'm looking forward to: Obviously I'm looking forward to meeting my baby girl.  Besides that, I'm really excited about our newborn picture session.  I can't wait!

Dates:

June 17--36 wk doctors appointment

June 22--37 wk doctors appointment
June 28-INDUCTION! 

TWO WEEKS LEFT!!!!!!

Baby Care Class

Sorry for another picture-less post, but this was just too cute to pass up.

Yesterday we attended our last hospital class before the birth of our little girl.  This class was a 3 hour "baby care" class.  I didn't sign up for it at first.  It was about changing diapers, feeding and burping babies, giving newborn baths, and other basic infant care.  I figured that I had it all pretty well under control, even though I've never been soley responsible for a newborn.  I planned to just teach Michael what I knew.  After some thought, I figured it might be better for him to learn from someone else.  I don't want to be his "baby boss".

We showed up at class and there was a baby doll on our table.  Each doll was swaddled in a blanket with a diaper laying on top.  Michael was immediately intrigued.  He started checking out the diaper.  I made a comment about it not looking like a newborn diaper.  Then I saw a 1 and pointed out that it was a size 1 diaper.  Michael must not have heard me.  Either that or he didn't understand.  The 1 was on the right side of the diaper by the velcro tab.  He started looking around at the diaper.  Then he said, "Where's the number 2?"  I couldn't help it.  I had to laugh.  I told him that the 1 was the size.  There was no number 2. He said, "Oh, I thought it had step by step numbered directions."  LOL!  We both got a good laugh.  It's understandable.  He doesn't know about diapers--YET!

The class started.  There were 8 couples in the class.  The teacher began talking.  Everyone was sitting and listening.  Everyone, that is, except my dear husband.  No.  He was unswaddling the doll... checking out the diaper... talking about the eye color of the doll... moving her hat around... re-wrapping it in the blanket... holding it...  Can you tell he's a little excited?  I finally had to tell him to pay attention!! :) 

He spent the whole ten minute break smiling from ear to ear telling me how excited he is for Olivia to come.  He's going to be such a good daddy! :)

Pesto Chicken and Bow ties

This is the recipe I sought out from my sister.  It's quick, easy, and tasty.  We like pesto, and I knew this dish would freeze well.  I believe my sister got this recipe online.  The official title is "20 minute Creamy Pesto Chicken and Bow Ties".

What you'll need

3 cups bow tie pasta, uncooked

2 T butter or margarine

1-1 1/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed

1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup prepared pesto sauce

1/2 cup milk

The recipe says that it is 4 servings at 377 calories a serving.  I have made this for 3 teenagers, Michael and myself and still had leftovers.  It would have to be 4 large servings.

I decided to double this recipe, so the following pictures are double what the ingredients above say.  (Really, I wouldn't have had to.  I just wasn't thinking!)

1. Bowl water, cook pasta as directed

2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, melt butter and cook cubed chicken

3. add soup, pesto sauce and milk to skillet, bring to boil and cook on low for 5 minutes

4. Stir in pasta and heat through

Serve!

Little piece of Bethany trivia--I love blue jello! :)  I've been eating lots of it these past few weeks!

We ate what you see on the plates and then we froze 3 ziplock tupperwares that probably could serve 4 people each.  We will be eating lots of Pesto Chicken and Bow ties in the coming months! :)

Lazy

I'm having a lazy Friday morning.  Originally, K was going to take off.  Then it turned out she needed to go in for a meeting between 10 and 1.  Thankfully, I got to sleep in.  I just have to go pick up Little Man from school, feed him lunch, and play for a bit before my weekend begins.  I'm extra thankful since I had to stay late last night.  (One reason there wasn't a post for today.)  A pedicure is in future for this afternoon!

I've had a "Friday Flashback" post in mind for the past two Fridays, but for whatever reason I have yet to get around to writing it.  I think it's because I know it will take some time.  It's about someone I hold near and dear and I want it to be perfect.  So... I keep putting it off and you get this mess of a post instead.

3--That's the number of Saturdays left before induction day.  I feel like I need to fill them appropriately.  So far they are filling up with things like baby care class and a haircut/hair dye for me.  While necessary, those things aren't quite the "big fun hoorah" I was looking for.  Any suggestions?  What did you do with you final free days?

The diaper bag dilemma has yet to be decided.  I'm thinking of ordering the backpack one.  It can convert and be carried another way, so it's sort of a win win.  Also, there is a brand new Vera Bradley store in our mall (not a store that carries Vera, but an actual Vera Bradley store) and I am considering going there to check out what they have.  I'm not sure if I'll get the actual "diaper bag" since it's almost $100--even though lots of people have raved about it.  I'm pretty sure other (cheaper) bags would work the same.  We'll see.

Well, there you have it.  My lazy Friday morning thoughts.  18 days!

Yesterday's Doctor's appointment

I know you've all be on the edge of your seat waiting to hear about yesterdays doctor's appointment! :)  The good thing is, I was not put on bed rest.  I just have to keep doing what I've been doing--no sodium, drink lots of water, and put my feet up as much as possible.

Here's the scoop:

• My blood pressure was 138/86.  Just so you don't have to scroll through old posts to see what that means... the top number went down (from 144 last time), but is still considered high for me.  The bottom number went up (from 80).  I recently found out that the bottom number is more of a concern than the top number and that if it goes over 100 that is a serious danger zone!
• I had to lay on my left side again.  The nurse came back in about 10 minutes and it was 107/72 (I told you I have low blood pressure normally!)
• The nurse practitioner said that as long as it goes down when I lay on my left side (and I don't get any other symptoms like headaches that don't go away or blurry vision), then we are in the clear.  She said it becomes a concern when I lay on my side and it doesn't go down.
• No protein in my urine, so that's good!
• I am measuring at 40 weeks.  I am 35 1/2 weeks, so I stayed at 4 1/2 weeks ahead.
• Olivia's heart rate was in the 150's, which is good.
• I was tested for Group B Strep and will find out if I have that in a few days (which, for those of you who aren't familiar or haven't had kids recently, is very common for the mom to have--it just means that you are put on antibiotics during labor)
• I had my first internal exam.  First she said I wasn't dilated at all, but then she said maybe a fingertip.  My cervix is still thick and long, but starting to soften.  She said I might be about 50% effaced.  Olivia is still high.  I didn't think she had dropped yet.

As of right now it looks like things are still on track for the induction.  My next appointment is June 17th.