Hey Humble Readers...
I'm running a bit behind these days. It's been a long week already (went back to work on Saturday) and I'm finding my energy is just tapped these days. I will get caught up with you all soon.
Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post... I think I have found the diaper bag I want. Now, can any of you help me find some basic green crib bedding? For under $300? That's your mission!
Here's the update...
How far along? 29w0d
Maternity clothes? Yup, no more bella bands for me.
Body Oddities? Oh so freakin' gassy! It's embarassing. Fatigue is overwhelming at times. I don't know how much of it is the pregnancy and how much of it is the GD.
Sleep? Not terrible, but I still tire easily. It feels like my sleep isn't as effective as it should be.
Best moment this week? Being on vacation for most of it. It was great to be able to take the time to do what I needed to around the house.
Worst moment? I've had some more incredible round ligament pain. There was one day that I almost fell over when I stood up because it was so bad.
Movement? I have a very busy little Halfling. With the exception of today, he/she has been all over the place. (I had to take some tylenol last night after work, and I think that made the Halfling a little sluggish this morning)
Food cravings? Not craving a whole lot these days. Just obsessing about the things I can't have. I've planned my first meal after coming home from the hospital after delivery. Sushi, a slice of chocolate cheesecake, a venti light ice non-fat chai latte, and maybe a glass of Siegerebe (my favourite wine).
Rings? I think they just might stay on for the duration.
Gender? Not going to find out, but I think it's a boy.
Intense Dreams? Not many this week, at least not many I remember. A couple of nights ago I dreamed about being in labour. Not the full on pushing, but sort of starting out.
Medical Concerns? High blood pressure (on 50mg Trandate/Lobetalol, 3 times a day... bp holding steady at 130-ish over 70-ish), Gestational Diabetes (closer to getting it under control), on prescription Zan.tac for heartburn.
What I miss? being able to bend over and pick something up off the floor without worrying about if I can get back up.
What I look forward to? MATERNITY LEAVE!
Emotional State? Generally, this past week has been a good one. But, today has been a rough one. I am really feeling uninspired at work, and I don't want to be the kind of person who checks out mentally before they are done physically. I'm tired, and I would much rather be doing things around the house to get ready for the baby.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
What Are They Smoking?
Good Evening Humble Readers...
Ok, so I'm starting to get pretty excited about baby gear. I've been holding back, out of a certain level of fear. But, I'm starting to get past that.
Tonight I started looking for a diaper bag. I know I don't want a generic Wa.lm.ar.t set up. I want something cute, maybe a bit trendy. Something practical and fun at the same time.
I did some online snooping, and I found this...
Ok, so cute right? Maybe even beautiful... but can you guess how much it costs?
Go ahead and try... and remember, it's primary purpose is to haul diapers, of both the clean and dirty variety.
.
.
.
Got a number in your head?
.
.
.
Yeah, so it's $400! (I'll wait for you to get back up on your chair)
Maybe I'm cheap. Maybe I'm not fashion-forward.. But I think a diaper bag that is almost twice what I paid for the crib... that's just a little exessive. Back to looking...
Ok, so I'm starting to get pretty excited about baby gear. I've been holding back, out of a certain level of fear. But, I'm starting to get past that.
Tonight I started looking for a diaper bag. I know I don't want a generic Wa.lm.ar.t set up. I want something cute, maybe a bit trendy. Something practical and fun at the same time.
I did some online snooping, and I found this...
Go ahead and try... and remember, it's primary purpose is to haul diapers, of both the clean and dirty variety.
.
.
.
Got a number in your head?
.
.
.
Yeah, so it's $400! (I'll wait for you to get back up on your chair)
Maybe I'm cheap. Maybe I'm not fashion-forward.. But I think a diaper bag that is almost twice what I paid for the crib... that's just a little exessive. Back to looking...
Kitchen Adventures: When Being Lazy Pays Off
Hey there Humble Readers...
This recipe makes a ton of food. I had one 9x13 casserole dish filled, and had enough left over to use a smaller, shallower oval casserole (was enough to feed us both last night, with leftovers). I'm planning on freezing the larger pan and saving it for a night when I don't feel inspired.
As always, the amounts in my recipes are never exact. Go with your gut and your personal taste.
Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole
1 med cabbage, chopped or shredded
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound lean ground pork (if you don't like or can't use pork, just add more beef)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 med onions, diced
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1 lg can tomato sauce (about 3 cups, plain)
1 cup beef stock
a few dashes of worchestershire sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp parsley or cilantro (I've been on a cilantro kick lately... love it!)
4 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (optional... I don't think it needs it, but mom always puts bacon in her cabbage rolls)
In a large skillet, brown ground beef and ground pork together until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add onions and garlic to meat and saute for a couple of minutes. Add in worchestershire sauce and all herbs, spices, and bacon (if using). Stir to combine, then add in cooked rice and mix well.
In a bowl, or large measuring cup, combine tomato sauce and beef stock. Pour half of it over the meat & rice mixture, and stir well. Now would be a good time to taste test the mix, just in case you need to adjust the seasonings.
In a greased casserole dish, spread a layer of cabbage, then a layer of the meat mixture. Spread another layer of cabbage, and another layer of meat. Top with a final layer of cabbage. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the casserole. Cover tightly with foil, and bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. I uncovered mine for the last 20 minutes. When it's done, allow it to stand for 5 minutes or so before digging in.
If you try it out, please let me know what you think.
(Hey! I just learned from Kristin over at Dragondreamer's Lair that Show & Tell is back. Suzy from Not A Fertile Myrtle is hosting it now, from Thursdays to Sundays. So, Humble Readers, click over there and join in the fun... after you read this post of course!)
While my grandmother would be appalled, I am very happy with how last night's dinner experiment turned out. It was easy and came out very yummy. I combined a couple of recipes (including my mom/grandmother's recipe for cabbage rolls) and then threw in my own twists.
While my grandmother would be appalled, I am very happy with how last night's dinner experiment turned out. It was easy and came out very yummy. I combined a couple of recipes (including my mom/grandmother's recipe for cabbage rolls) and then threw in my own twists.
One thing to keep in mind... you need to plan your time accordingly. The rice in the recipe needs to already be cooked, and you really shouldn't use instant rice in this. I started the rice cooking, and then started the chopping and other cooking.
This recipe makes a ton of food. I had one 9x13 casserole dish filled, and had enough left over to use a smaller, shallower oval casserole (was enough to feed us both last night, with leftovers). I'm planning on freezing the larger pan and saving it for a night when I don't feel inspired.
As always, the amounts in my recipes are never exact. Go with your gut and your personal taste.
Lazy Cabbage Roll Casserole
1 med cabbage, chopped or shredded
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound lean ground pork (if you don't like or can't use pork, just add more beef)
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 med onions, diced
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1 lg can tomato sauce (about 3 cups, plain)
1 cup beef stock
a few dashes of worchestershire sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tbsp black pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp parsley or cilantro (I've been on a cilantro kick lately... love it!)
4 slices bacon, fried crisp and crumbled (optional... I don't think it needs it, but mom always puts bacon in her cabbage rolls)
In a large skillet, brown ground beef and ground pork together until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add onions and garlic to meat and saute for a couple of minutes. Add in worchestershire sauce and all herbs, spices, and bacon (if using). Stir to combine, then add in cooked rice and mix well.
In a bowl, or large measuring cup, combine tomato sauce and beef stock. Pour half of it over the meat & rice mixture, and stir well. Now would be a good time to taste test the mix, just in case you need to adjust the seasonings.
In a greased casserole dish, spread a layer of cabbage, then a layer of the meat mixture. Spread another layer of cabbage, and another layer of meat. Top with a final layer of cabbage. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the casserole. Cover tightly with foil, and bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. I uncovered mine for the last 20 minutes. When it's done, allow it to stand for 5 minutes or so before digging in.
If you try it out, please let me know what you think.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Random Insanity
Good afternoon Humble Readers...
Thank you so much for you kind words on last night's post. I really appreciate all your support.
*****
So, here's the current scene in the hobbit hole.
That's my entryway and kitchen. (And, yes, that's the crib in its box in my living room.) Yikes! As it turns out, it's likely going to be a two day job. They had to chop our old furnace into pieces to get it out. Thankfully, I was at a doctor appointment while that was going on. Like everything in our condo, the furnace room is small, so it makes for cramped work spaces for the guys doing the work. It will be great once it's done, but this sort of thing just sets me on edge. The one installer is very talkative, so I've heard all about his BIL who lives with him and the drama that has taken over his house.
*****
As I mentioned, I had a doctor appointment today. It was with Dr. B, my regular family doctor. Dr. U is on vacation, but he didn't want me to go a week without a check in about my insulin and blood sugar numbers. My interaction today with Dr. B reminded me why I wish that Dr. U was a regular GP and not just an OB. Dr. B is not very supportive or encouraging about anything. He made the usual "we need to make sure you don't gain too much weight" comment, even tho I am still below my pre-pregnancy weight by a pound and a half. He took my blood pressure (130 over 70), and commented that "even though it appears normal" he's sure we'll have to increase the dosage on my meds sooner rather than later (he said that same thing when he first put me on the lobetalol, 10 weeks ago). He was also fairly condescending about my blood sugar numbers. He was "very concerned" that my fasting sugars are still so high (averaging 6.9-7-3 most days), and then clucked and hmmmm-ed over my food log. Yes, I have allowed myself a few treats here and there, but for 90% of the time, I have been very good. Anyway, the new plan is to add a morning shot of the long acting insulin to see if we can get my baseline blood sugars down, and then things should fall into place. Should...
*****
I came across this article today... I think it would freak the tar out of me if I saw one of these speed bumps ahead of me.
*****
On the menu tonight: Lazy cabbage roll casserole. We'll see how it goes. I've only ever made traditional cabbage rolls, so this seems a little odd. But if it works, then I won't have to spend a ton of time burning my fingers making 'real' ones.
*****
Autumn is definitely here. Trees are turning colour dramatically. It's been rainy and brisk all week. A year ago this time it was still hot and dry. So much for my hopes of a late winter. *sigh* Oh well... it's been making me think of turkey and pumpkins... Thanksgiving is a month away (for those of us north of the 49th parallel) and I'm looking forward to cooking a big meal.
Thank you so much for you kind words on last night's post. I really appreciate all your support.
*****
So, here's the current scene in the hobbit hole.
That's my entryway and kitchen. (And, yes, that's the crib in its box in my living room.) Yikes! As it turns out, it's likely going to be a two day job. They had to chop our old furnace into pieces to get it out. Thankfully, I was at a doctor appointment while that was going on. Like everything in our condo, the furnace room is small, so it makes for cramped work spaces for the guys doing the work. It will be great once it's done, but this sort of thing just sets me on edge. The one installer is very talkative, so I've heard all about his BIL who lives with him and the drama that has taken over his house.
*****
As I mentioned, I had a doctor appointment today. It was with Dr. B, my regular family doctor. Dr. U is on vacation, but he didn't want me to go a week without a check in about my insulin and blood sugar numbers. My interaction today with Dr. B reminded me why I wish that Dr. U was a regular GP and not just an OB. Dr. B is not very supportive or encouraging about anything. He made the usual "we need to make sure you don't gain too much weight" comment, even tho I am still below my pre-pregnancy weight by a pound and a half. He took my blood pressure (130 over 70), and commented that "even though it appears normal" he's sure we'll have to increase the dosage on my meds sooner rather than later (he said that same thing when he first put me on the lobetalol, 10 weeks ago). He was also fairly condescending about my blood sugar numbers. He was "very concerned" that my fasting sugars are still so high (averaging 6.9-7-3 most days), and then clucked and hmmmm-ed over my food log. Yes, I have allowed myself a few treats here and there, but for 90% of the time, I have been very good. Anyway, the new plan is to add a morning shot of the long acting insulin to see if we can get my baseline blood sugars down, and then things should fall into place. Should...
*****
I came across this article today... I think it would freak the tar out of me if I saw one of these speed bumps ahead of me.
*****
On the menu tonight: Lazy cabbage roll casserole. We'll see how it goes. I've only ever made traditional cabbage rolls, so this seems a little odd. But if it works, then I won't have to spend a ton of time burning my fingers making 'real' ones.
*****
Autumn is definitely here. Trees are turning colour dramatically. It's been rainy and brisk all week. A year ago this time it was still hot and dry. So much for my hopes of a late winter. *sigh* Oh well... it's been making me think of turkey and pumpkins... Thanksgiving is a month away (for those of us north of the 49th parallel) and I'm looking forward to cooking a big meal.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Remembering & Pondering
Greetings Humble Readers...
I'm in an odd place right now.
Emotionally, I'm feeling better about a lot of things... certainly more positive than I was a couple of weeks ago. Physically, my body is cooperating more, and other than being a bit stiff after painting the other day, I'm feeling good. While my blood sugar isn't great, it's certainly not swinging as much throughout the day. I'm feeling much more in control... as much as one can when their body has been taken over by a rambunctious Halfling.
And yet... all is still not right.
I know what it is. I know why I'm antsy.
It's September.
Last year, I had our impending NYC trip to distract me (which sort of worked), but this year is different. This year, I have been attempting to distract myself with all the 'nesting' stuff... the painting, the cooking, the busyness. But it's not working.
Two years ago today, my world began to crumble. My innocent belief that a positive pregnancy test would equal a baby in 9 (or so) months was shattered.
Emily Hope, our first angel baby, slipped away as quickly as she came into our lives. No, I never got to hold her, I never felt her move within me, and I don't really know for sure that she was in fact a she, but she was mine... ours. For eleven brief weeks I was the happiest I have ever been.
Saturday will officialy mark the two year anniversary of the end of my first pregnancy. And I will admit that I have been a bit stressed about facing this milestone in the midst of this happy time of expection.
What would she have looked like now? If she had been born on her EDD, right now she would be 17 months old. Hard to imagine.
I can't sit here and let the memory of the grief I felt then overtake me. Thoughts of her, and of Olivia Noelle our other lost one, are still sharp edged. I know they will dull over time, and not be so hard to handle. But do I want them to become dull? There is my quandary.
I don't want to be sad. But I would never want to forget either. I am thankful for Emily's brief presence in my life, because she brought me a different experience of love. And I don't want to forget that at all.
I'm in an odd place right now.
Emotionally, I'm feeling better about a lot of things... certainly more positive than I was a couple of weeks ago. Physically, my body is cooperating more, and other than being a bit stiff after painting the other day, I'm feeling good. While my blood sugar isn't great, it's certainly not swinging as much throughout the day. I'm feeling much more in control... as much as one can when their body has been taken over by a rambunctious Halfling.
And yet... all is still not right.
I know what it is. I know why I'm antsy.
It's September.
Last year, I had our impending NYC trip to distract me (which sort of worked), but this year is different. This year, I have been attempting to distract myself with all the 'nesting' stuff... the painting, the cooking, the busyness. But it's not working.
Two years ago today, my world began to crumble. My innocent belief that a positive pregnancy test would equal a baby in 9 (or so) months was shattered.
Emily Hope, our first angel baby, slipped away as quickly as she came into our lives. No, I never got to hold her, I never felt her move within me, and I don't really know for sure that she was in fact a she, but she was mine... ours. For eleven brief weeks I was the happiest I have ever been.
Saturday will officialy mark the two year anniversary of the end of my first pregnancy. And I will admit that I have been a bit stressed about facing this milestone in the midst of this happy time of expection.
What would she have looked like now? If she had been born on her EDD, right now she would be 17 months old. Hard to imagine.
I can't sit here and let the memory of the grief I felt then overtake me. Thoughts of her, and of Olivia Noelle our other lost one, are still sharp edged. I know they will dull over time, and not be so hard to handle. But do I want them to become dull? There is my quandary.
I don't want to be sad. But I would never want to forget either. I am thankful for Emily's brief presence in my life, because she brought me a different experience of love. And I don't want to forget that at all.
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