Still Here…

Hi guys!

Just wanted to let you know that I’m still here, and still pregnant! Today marks 40 weeks and 3 days.

Last night I went to my last doctors appointment where I was told that I still have not progressed.

(TMI ALERT)

Although my cervix is softening, there is no dilation and the cervix is still closed. The doctor believes that at this point I will surely need to be induced, so that’s what I’m expecting at this point.

Basically, unless I surprisingly go into labor on my own beforehand, I’ll be induced on Monday at some point. Better party it up this weekend!

I’ve been keeping busy at home doing little errands and organizing things. Yesterday I rearranged the pantry and cleaned out the fridge. I’ve also been cooking some good meals for us.  This weekend I even made my first ever loaf of bread. I used this recipe. SO EASY!!

And man, it was PERFECTION.

 

Today my big errand is going to be some grocery shopping for the week and some cooking. Most likely a little cleaning will find it’s way into there as well. This is of course all contingent on whether or not I can remove myself from the couch. I’m currently stuck in a 2006 Real Housewives of OC marathon vortex on Bravo.

 

Have a great day, and I’ll keep you posted here or on Twitter.
Follow me @FoodinRL

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Week 39 Pregnancy Update

Still hanging out at 39 weeks and 5 days! Guess this little girl is just too comfy to come any earlier than we expected.

I’ve been really enjoying being on maternity leave so far and I think I’ve been making the most of my time. I’ve been running little errands, doing some cleaning, cooking good meals, and relaxing. Yesterday I got a mani/pedi and today I took a nice long bubble bath and it felt great.

I haven’t been sleeping all that well at night, but it’s not a big deal since I am able to ease into my days and relax if I feel tired.

According to my doctor’s visit on Tuesday, things have not really progressed in the “going into labor” department. I have another appointment on Monday and I’ve been scheduled for an induction just incase she does not come before next weekend. If I don’t go on my own, I would go in on Sunday, Feb 5th for the application of a gel that softens the cervix. Most likely it won’t do the trick immediately and I will go home. The following day I would come in and they would start pitocin and the official induction.

I’ve never heard of this gel process, has anyone else?

Around the house things are ready to go. Just waiting for someone to come and make use of them.

As for me, I feel about the same. A little slower perhaps, but not bad at all. The extra rest is doing me good.

(can’t even fit in the doorway)

As far as food and eating goes, my appetite is about the same, I’m not hungry as often, but when I do eat, I want to eat more. It’s been nice making meals at home instead of packing food for work. I’ve especially been enjoying long and leisurely lunches with lots of fresh ingredients.

My current favorite sandwich (toast, goat cheese, spinach, avocado, tomato and salt). I also can’t get enough grapefruit or frozen peaches. Both are delicious all the time.  Another thing I’ve added to my diet is Raspberry Leaf Tea.  Contrary to popular belief it does not induce labor, but it is good for strengthening the uterus and pelvis to prepare for delivery. Not sure if that’s all proven either, but it tastes good, so I don’t mind drinking it.

Guess that’s about it from me! I’ll do my best to keep you posted if anything else changes. Until then…
Previous weekly updates can be found HERE

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Unseasonal Tuesday

Good afternoon!

Before I get into today’s events, let’s start with a quick dinner recap from last night since I actually took a picture of it.

 

Turkey tacos with a side of Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salad and some chips for dipping. If you haven’t tried this salad yet, I highly recommend you do! It’s delicious and really easy.

Breakfast this morning was also quick and easy. 2 whole eggs, 1 white, toast with margarine and grapefruit. I’ve really been craving citrus lately and this hit the spot.

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in the Philly metro area it is unseasonably warm. I stepped outside sans jacket only to find that I actually needed to also be sans sweater (and open the windows in the car). I’m usually the type of person that enjoys my seasons and yes, that includes winter as well. When it’s January, it should be brisk and cold. But I am certainly not minding the sunshine. I do wish it was a bit colder though. (I know, I’m weird).

 

Today I ran one major errand in the nice sunshine. I had some returns to make at Kohl’s. I rarely shop at Kohl’s mostly because it’s pretty far from my house but today I made the trip. After standing on line for about 15 minutes, I finally got my merchandise credit. $50- that I’m going to store away for when something comes up that I need. No sense in spending it now since there isn’t anything on the list.

 

After Kohl’s I had to make an emergency stop at the grocery store to pick up my latest obsession.

I don’t know why, but I can’t get enough frozen peaches. I eat them when they are still frozen and they are oh-so-good. As far as pregnancy cravings go, at least it’s a healthy one!

 

The rest of the day looks like this:

- Ordering some photos from Snapfish (There is a coupon for 99 prints for 99 cents until tomorrow!) Use code: 99Prints at checkout

- Eating a late lunch

- Doctor’s appt at 7pm

 

Hope you are having a nice day!

Does anyone else out there actually LIKE the cold weather?

Do you shop at Kohl’s?

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Rigatoni alla Norma

I’m happy to report that I actually ate a salad for lunch (not just bread and cheese).

Baby spinach topped with goat cheese, walnuts, cranberries, croutons, balsamic, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

However, the toast I originally planned on was replaced by a delicious slice of leftover pizza from this weekend. (I took a few bites when it was still cold before heating it up)

 

Anyhow, back to the original point of this post. Rigatoni alla Norma!

 

When traveling through Sicily a few years ago with my family we were introduced to a pasta dish called Penne alla Norma. From what I understand, the dish is named for Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini who wrote the opera "Norma".

 

It’s not anything too crazy, it’s a very simple dish in fact. Yet at least once a day one of us ordered it when were out. You may have even seen this dish on menus of Italian restaurants here in the US. I don’t see it that often, but if I do, chances are I’m ordering it.

 

Penne alla Norma is basically pasta, sauce, eggplant, and basil or mint. Sometimes when we ate it in Sicily there was mozzarella in it, sometimes there wasn’t.

 

Last night I had a craving for a warm and comforting pasta meal. I was also in the mood specifically for rigatoni. I quickly did a search for rigatoni alla norma recipes and found a real winner on Epicurious. I used this recipe, and followed it pretty closely except for a few modifications.

 

Rigatoni alla Norma (adapted from this recipe)

• 2 pounds eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup olive oil (I didn’t use a cup, I basically just coated the bottom of the pan as needed)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (I also added 2 large garlic cloves)
• 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or use 24 to 26 ounce bottled sauce)
• 1 pound dried rigatoni
• 1 pound cold mozzarella (preferably salted fresh), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• About 1/2 cup of fresh basil, chopped

Toss eggplant with 2 teaspoon salt in a colander. Drain 30 minutes. Rinse, then squeeze out excess liquid and pat dry.

Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry eggplant in 3 batches, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. (I did use the 3 batch method, but it took forever and next time I’d probably just cook it all at once in a big enough skillet making sure not to crowd the pan)

Discard all but 2 tablespoons oil from skillet, then sauté onion (and garlic) with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until golden, about 8 minutes. Stir in sauce and eggplant and simmer 5 minutes (I also added about 1/3-1/2 cup of pasta water to make the mixture a bit looser- the sauce was very thick)

Meanwhile, cook rigatoni in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 6 quart water) until al dente, then drain. Stir together pasta, sauce, most of the basil, and half of mozzarella in pot.  Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and basil. Bake until cheese is melted and golden in spots, about 45 minutes. (I baked this for about 20 minutes and it was perfect). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

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Maternity Leave- Day 1

Yay! I’m on maternity leave! Can I please burn the black maternity pants I’ve been wearing 4 days a week for the past month? (You think I’m kidding, but I’m not.)

 

I know that some women feel that they would go nuts being home all the time waiting for the baby to come, but I’m the opposite. I’m really happy to have this extra time at home and I’ll take whatever days I can get. I’m just soaking up the relaxation and flexibility that I have right now. I know I will meet my little girl soon and I am not trying to rush anything. So you won’t hear about me eating habanero peppers or bouncing on a trampoline to induce labor before it’s time.

 

What I’ve done is to schedule a few small activities for each day this week and leisurely get around to doing them. I also plan to cook nice dinners for Joe and try and keep the house neat.

 

Today’s agenda items we’re:

1. To go to the mall to return a sweater for Joe before the receipt expired and use a $10 rewards card at Pottery Barn Kids that also expires this weekend.

2. To hit up Trader Joe’s for some food and dinner ingredients.

 

Mission accomplished!

 

At Pottery Barn Kids I was excited to find these pacifier holders on sale from $8.99 to $5.99 each. I bought two and they cost me only $2.70.

At Trader Joe’s I picked up a whole bunch of things (and subsequently needed 10 bags to make sure they were light enough).

 

Produce

Snacks

(These I actually got a the regular store yesterday- I’m looking forward to trying the new flavors)

 

Something new

And I also got dinner ingredients. Tonight I’m making turkey tacos and Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad on the side.

 

I’m about to sit down and eat some lunch now- a spinach salad topped with lots of goat cheese. I got this 11oz. log at TJ’s for only $4.79. I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I’m also going to have a piece of toast on the side. Have you guys tried this bread? It’s delicious and makes the best toast.

Come to think of it, I’ll be surprised if I even end up with a salad and not just bread and cheese. But we’ll see…

 

Hope you are all enjoying your day! I will be back later with another post. I want to share with you a recipe that we tried last night for dinner that was a real winner!

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38 Week Pregnancy Update

Yes, I realize that my blog content has been all baby updates and little to nothing else. I’m sorry for boring you guys, but honestly I just haven’t been up to much except for work, home/rest, eat dinner, repeat.

 

My meals have not been all that exciting either and I’ve been too lazy to take pictures of my food. I hope that once the baby is here that I will be a better blogger. I’m sure I will feel like writing about my post baby body progress and what life is like with a newborn. Hopefully that will be interesting to those of you still reading!

 

So here I am at 38 weeks. Feeling pretty much the same at this point except a bit more tired. Sleep at night has become VERY choppy. Let’s just say that I’m really looking forward to when work is over and I can relax at home during the day. Just one more day of work!

 

Over the next week I plan to run a few errands, but overall, I feel pretty ready and my to-do lists have decreased immensely. The nursery is pretty much done at this point except I’d like to add some stuff on the walls.

 

Here’s a pic (including Joe’s feet on the bed- he’s worked so hard to help me get this room together!)

At my latest doctor’s appointment I was not dilated but slightly effaced. Sounds to me like things are on par with my predictions that she will NOT come early. I’m due the 29th but I feel like she will arrive on February 3rd. Not sure why.

 

I’m excited but still patient for my little girl to come. It has made it a bit harder because many of the bloggers due around the same time as me are now new moms! Congrats to Gina, Kjirsten, Heather,Alison, Bethany & Shanna on your new arrivals. I think I’m next!

Anyhow- here is a pic of my current enormous bump that is moving and shaking all the time! My little one loves to stick her butt up in the air and it creates a huge point in the middle of my stomach. I love watching it, and I think this will be the part of pregnancy I miss the most.

Other Stuff:

Days Until Due Date: 10

Doctors Appts Left: 2

Things I can no longer do: Call my mom without her thinking I’m in labor

Size of my ankles and feet by the end of the day: Enormous

Current Cravings: Cheese, Peanut Butter, Apples

 

I wonder how many more updates are to come! Any due date predictions?

 

Find Previous Weekly Updates HERE!

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36/37 Week Pregnancy Update

Hi!

I’m exhausted and need to hurry to a doctors appt- so here are the highlights from the past two weeks of pregnancy- in the briefest way possible.

Best News: Baby is head down!

Worst News: Beyonce stole my baby name, damn.

How I’m feeling: Big and tired and most recently…swollen.

Days left of work: 7, thank god. I decided to end 3 days earlier than planned.

Days till due date: 18

Cravings: Whatever is not nailed down or has melted cheese on it.

 

36 week pic (notice the fun couple in the background, I was watching House Hunters)

37 weeks

(sorry this is so grainy, my camera stinks)

 

Hope you are all having a great week!Check out previous updates HERE!

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Obligatory New Years Post: Post Baby Body Plan

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is enjoying these first few days of January. Something about the start of a new year, a new month, is so refreshing. I know everyone makes fun of the false promises made in a New Years resolution, but I completely understand that mentality.

Don’t we all enjoy a fresh start?

I actually don’t quite feel the same way this year since I’m still pregnant. I feel that the start of 2012 is more of a continuation than a new beginning and the “new beginning” will occur at the end of January/beginning of February when my daughter arrives.

Still, I thought I’d offer up some obligatory New Years resolutions in the form of my Post Baby Body Plan.

Up until recently I haven’t thought too much about “getting my body back”. Well, okay that’s a lie- I have thought about it, but I’ve also been in denial about the work I may have ahead of me. It would be great to believe that I will be one of those people that will lose all of the baby weight quickly, but I’ve never been one to lose weight quickly, so I think it’s going to require some serious work on my part.

But how am I going to find the time to commit to working out and eating right ? Lately, all I hear from everyone is that my life will be impossibly busy and I’ll be so exhausted that I’ll be lucky if I remember my own name. It’s discouraging, but I know I’ll find my own way. I also don’t have extreme goals of running a marathon by summer or getting back into my pre-pregnancy jeans after a month.

My Post Baby Body Goals:

1. Be Kind to Myself- This is number one for me. And I think it will actually be the hardest of all of my goals. I tend to be really hard on myself and critique my body more than I should. I look at pictures of myself pre-pregnancy and I’m now just realizing that I like what I see. Wish I could have been more appreciative of my body at the time. Also, pregnancy has showed me how absolutely incredible my body really is. I need to respect and honor it, give it time to heal and recover. I will have goals and expectations, but I am going to treat myself as I would a friend…with kindness and understanding.

2. Join Weight Watchers

Yes Jennifer Hudson, you’re a good spokesperson. But more than that, I think Weight Watchers will be a good plan to help me lose the weight because it’s based on eating real food but it still provides structure and guidance. I think it is going to be hard for me to get back into a routine of counting and measuring, but I know I need to do so in order to lose the baby weight.  Not only do they have a plan designed for nursing moms, but they also have an online program and there is a child friendly express meeting in my area. I think I’ll start with the online tool and then attend meetings when I’m leaving the house more.

3. Get exercise in whatever form works

I don’t have any specific fitness goals for right after the baby is born, except that I want to move more. At this point I have not been working out for at least a month and these days I can barely walk without discomfort. I can’t wait to be able to move without pain.  Once cleared for exercise, I plan to get walks in with the baby (at the mall, or wherever), do on-demand short workouts at home, join Stroller Strides, perhaps join a Zumba class through the township, and ease my way back into short runs on the weekend when Joe can watch the baby (I’ll have a running stroller thanks to my sister, but I have to  get an adapter and also wait a little to run with an infant, especially in the winter). Long term I’d like to try out P90X or P90X2.

So there you have it. My post baby “get my body back” plan.  I look forward to sharing with you how things turn out.

What are your goals for the New Year?

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