Happy Halloween!

Even though I've been very lazy this fall (with good reason, I believe!) and haven't gotten out any harvest decorations, I'm definitely feeling in the mood today.  I love handing out candy to cute little trick-or-treaters.  I love the excitement that next year we'll be dressing up our little boy.  And I love making something special for those extra-special trick-or-treaters!!

And, yes, eating some for myself too!

Happy Halloween!

Sisters

While getting ready for church a few Sundays ago, picking long strands of hair off my sweater, I realized something: I really do miss living with my sisters.

We all have our own husbands, houses, jobs and various hobbies.  We all go to different churches.  We run on different schedules and even have different priorities in our lives.

But we all love each other.  :)

However, not having a sister to pick those loose hairs off my clothing is something I definitely miss.  Among other things.  Like drinking coffee together at the table in the morning before work.  Or borrowing clothes.  I miss always having a girl to talk to about anything.  True, we're always just a phone call (or a text, or an email) away.  And I love that we're still so close.  But it's not the same as living in the same house.

I am so blessed to have sisters that love and support me no matter what.  We have the kind of relationship where words aren't even always necessary.  We cry, we laugh, we understand.  And I wouldn't trade my sisters for anything!

I love you girls!!!

*Disclaimer* Photo stolen from my Mom's facebook.  Taken a long time ago!

The End...Beginning? of an Era...

I'm stepping outside the classroom.

For the first time in eleven (eleven!) years my main job will not be teacher.

I may fill in from time to time.

I may cover vacations, sickness and other time off.

I may or may not go back after I have our baby.

But for now, it's the end beginning of an era.

I'm a little sad, but also a lot excited.

Leaving something behind, but also starting something new.

Who doesn't love change?

Ha.

Me!

It's a...

In case you're living under a rock. 

Or, ya know, aren't my friend on facebook...

Here is the answer you've been waiting for!

Yes, it's true, we're having a BOY!!!

It was so much fun to announce it this way!  I hope other people do this, because I want to be able to go to a gender party!!

At our ultrasound we got to see our babies boy's 4-chamber heart, 2 sides of  his brain, arm and leg bones, and, of course, boy parts!

He was 12 oz. and his heart was going either 149 or 147 bpm...I can't remember!! 

He was a wiggler, and she had trouble getting some head measurements because he kept moving!  I didn't mention to the ultrasound tech that I had just guzzled orange juice to assure an active baby.  I was afraid he'd be too modest and we wouldn't find out the gender!!

I have pictures I need to scan.  Unfortunately, she wouldn't print out the boy parts picture.  She said she couldn't, wasn't allowed to.  I was upset about that, and I don't understand why...but believe me!  We saw it with our own eyes!!

Teaser

Hmmm....which color shall I add...

;)

Picture this...

...a beautiful baby, bursting it's way into the world to meet his or her Mommy & Daddy.  This is the song that will be running through my head as I hold my new little munchkin and bawl my eyes out.

Click here to view video!

Apparently they don't want their video embedded anywhere.  But go take a listen.  And picture that moment...

At This Moment...

I am dreaming of a baby.

I am wondering if it will be a boy.

Or if it will be a girl.

I am wanting to know...

...but not caring what the end result is.

I am wishing I felt more movement.

But trusting that all is well.

Can't wait to see my baby on screen.

Can't wait to bake a cake.

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

afternoon snack

I had a wonderful mid-afternoon lunch today.

Of course, I didn't eat all the cookies.  Only 2.  Or maybe 4.  But I did drink all the milk.  

Potatoes are all peeled for dinner.

We're having chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits & corn.

I'm feeling quite domestic today.  All our laundry is done and our sheets have been changed.

I even cleaned the toilet.

Now I'm going to watch the Yankees kick some Ranger butt.  Again.

October 15th

This day has been set aside for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance.  It's kind of funny to think about a day set aside for that purpose.  I'm sure most other mothers of angel babies, like me, don't go a day without thinking of their precious babies.  I think this 'Day' is more for other people to be aware.  Or maybe to make us feel validated.  I'm not sure.

Regardless, today is a day I will spend thinking of my two babies in Heaven.  I will light 2 candles in their memory.  And I will be in prayer for all those other mommies I know who have lost a baby too soon.  If you have shared your story with me, I'll be praying for you today.

Healing does come.  It does get easier.  But it is nice to have a day set aside just for our precious little ones.  <3

How I wish that it would snow...

Well, I don't really wish that it would snow.  But I love that song.  And last night I had a dream that it snowed!  I guess it's all this nor'easter talk.  Thank goodness we're getting it in rain and not snow!

Although...I have the next 3 days off, with no major plans, so being snowed in would actually be pretty okay with me.  I could bake an apple pie and make some cookies and...clean.

The other day I saw a bird die.  Actually, I saw a bird get murdered.  By a car.  There were two birds chowing down on something in the middle of Route 7.  A car coming towards us was coming really fast, and I was waiting to see the birds fly away.  Well, one did.  The other one?  I actually watched it get blasted by the bumper of that car.

When I let out a huge gasp John was like, "Don't worry, I saw the bird fly away."  That's when I pointed out there were 2 birds there, and only 1 flew away.  He didn't care too much.  Obviously, it affected me!  :)

Today was Panera for lunch and Panera for dinner.  And there's enough broccoli cheddar soup left for tomorrow's dinner too!  (Along with yummy bread...)  Now - Milk Duds for dessert.

Baby Stuff

I got to hear my baby's heartbeat again today.  :)  I don't think I'll ever get tired of that!  The heart rate was 153 beats per minute. 

(8/13/10 - 166bpm; 9/9/10 - 163bpm; 9/13/10 - 155bpm)

I gained a *modest* 3 pounds in the last 4 weeks.  Which puts me at one pound over my pre-pregnancy weight.  My doctor said it was a good weight gain.

My stomach measured 17 inches.  It was 13 inches 4 weeks ago.  The baby belly is definitely making itself known!

Let's see, what else?  She told me to get the flu shot.  (I'm not going to.)  She told me to sign up for a childbirth class.  (No, thank you.)  She told me to schedule my gender-identifying ultrasound.  (We've decided not to find out the gender.)

JUST KIDDING!  (Well, about the gender atleast!)

My 20 week ultrasound will be Friday, October 22 at 11am.  I'll be 19 weeks and 2 days.  We are so excited to find out if we're having a boy or a girl!!  Then we'll officially be picking a name, and registering too!

Tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks!!!

Sunday Musings

I should really drink coffee more often.  I used to be a hard core caffeine-aholic.  I'd prepare coffee the night before so that it was dripping while I hit my snooze just one more time.  I got to the point where I was drinking 3 or 4 cups a day.  That may not seem like much, but for me it was.  The 2 weeks before I found out I was pregnant (when I was pregnant, but just didn't know it yet) I tried to drastically reduce the amount of coffee I drank.  The day I found out I was pregnant I went cold turkey.  True, they say a small amount of coffee (2 cups a day) is okay in early pregnancy.  But caffeine is also connected to early miscarriage.  So I quit.  Now, every once in awhile I'll get a cup from Dunkin' Donuts when I feel like I really need it.  This morning I really needed it!  And my chore list is reaping the benefits of the added energy as a result! 

Dishes, all done.  Laundry, well on it's way.  The bathroom will be soon to follow.  Although I'm out of toilet bowl cleaner.  I guess I'll just scrub it anyway.  Anyone know of a substitute TB cleaner?  Maybe I'll toss some vinegar in there.

We had a really great service at church this morning.  I enjoyed the music a lot, and was really inspired by the message.  It was a good reminder that we are not called to mediocrity.  We don't get to say, "Okay, God, I've come this far.  I'm done."  God doesn't draw this line in the sand and say, "Make it to this point, and you'll have done enough."  As our special speaker this morning said, you should push yourself as far as you possibly can, then wake up the next morning and try to go even further.  (Loosely paraphrased!)  How often do I go even an inch outside my comfort zone to help someone else or to point them to Christ? 

And oh my goodness.  I think I just felt my baby move!!!  Don't know for sure...but I think I did!!!

John worked 16 hours between last night and this morning.  He's snoozing on the couch next to me while the Giants are playing kicking butt.  The washer is beeping at me, so my couch time is done for a little while.  Back to chores.  I love Sunday afternoons.

Southwest Love

It's been quite awhile since I've cooked dinner.  Apologies to the hubby...but I work long days, and with the tiredness and the nausea, cooking has been the last thing on my mind.  And he's so understanding.

But yesterday I found this recipe and have been basically dreaming about it ever since.  Unfortunately it's not something that John will like.  I mean, he might, if he would try it...but he definitely won't try it. 

So anyway, I came home and fed Zoe tonight, then headed to the market to get what I needed.  I bought some things I've never bought before!

I chopped up some red bell pepper and green onion and cooked them up for a few minutes until they were tender. 

Then I added in frozen corn, black beans, diced jalapenos and some spices.  I also added the chicken.  The first ingredient I had never bought before.  The recipe (from http://www.allrecipes.com/) called for cooking up a chicken breast.  I chose to buy some canned chicken (think tuna section) to save some time and hassle.  I will do it this way all the time!

Next I removed it from the heat and added some cheese.  I love cheese.

Now I preheated my deep fryer to 375 degrees, and prepared to use the second 'first time ever' ingredient: Egg roll wrappers!  I put about 2 T. of the mixture right into the middle of the egg roll wrapper and rolled those babies up.

A few minutes in the hot tub, and I was in Southwest Egg Roll HEAVEN!  These were seriously amazing!!!!  And the best part?  I have half of them in the freezer for another day!  (Or, you know, later tonight when I have a craving for more!)



Chocolate Bar

Oh, the day we had!

Yesterday I went with Kristen and Chrystal to Cafe Fleuri at The Langham Hotel in Boston.  And let me tell you: it was so worth the trip!

Every Saturday (September through June) from 11am to 3pm they have a Chocolate Buffet to end all chocolate buffets.  Here are some pictures of the yumminess!

Plate #1: Homemade chocolate filled pretzel, hazelnut truffle, toffee with chocolate and walnuts and my favorite, mocha creme brulee.

Plate #2: Chocolate brownie with chili pepper, chocolate crepe with fresh berries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, chocolate crossiant bread pudding with caramel sauce and peanut brittle.

Plate #3: Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups (Cold Stone-style) with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and cherries, and yummy cotton candy!



Plate #4: Dulce de leche, papaya and chocolate mousse, pretzel truffle, boston creme pie and caramel mini tart.

 

Plate #5: I was pretty full by this point, but I just had to have another mocha creme brulee!

 A few pictures of the Cafe:

And yes, we are definitely going back!!

16 and a half...

So my sister stopped by for a little bit tonight with my adorable niece.  She took one look at me and said, "I should take a belly pic for you!"  Well, that wasn't the first thing she said, but she did say it!  I guess that just goes to show how fat I'm getting!  Her comment, plus all the belly rubs I got at church today!

I've been feeling pretty good, pregnancy-wise lately.  Still taking Zofran once a day, and if I eat anything greasy I definitely don't feel well after.  But for the most part, I don't have any problems.  I'm still battling a cold that I thought was getting better...until the coughing started.  I really wish I could just have a cough drop...but that's on the restricted list.  So I'm surviving with Luden's throat things (which don't do a lot) and Halls Vitamin C drops.

I'm in the beginning stages of trying to plan a fun way to announce the baby's gender to our families.  It's gonna be exciting!!!

And here, ladies and gentlemen, is my 16.5 week belly pic!  Taken by Christine.

Yowza!  :)