Week 19-The state of Expansion

Woah, what a week! 

Your Pregnancy: Week 19

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

My Body: Whew, growth spurt!  This week we are up 6.5 pounds!  Phew.  It's been kind of strange, seeing my belly go through a "pop" but it's good to see that the baby is doing some much needed growing!  Must be that miracle gro I ate last week.....kidding, kidding.

Cravings: I'm pretty embarrassed to admit it, but this week I am in love with the terrible sodium ridden Salisbury steak lean cuisines.  They freakin hit the spot. I've tried to watch my sodium for the rest of the day, but I've eaten 3 this week!  Greg saw me eating one last night and goes...."Seriously, WHO ARE YOU? You would never touch that stuff before!"  Welcome to pregnancy, babe.  It'll get worse before it gets better!

Aversions: Sausage.  I used to love chicken and turkey sausage, now I can't even stand the smell of it.  I bought a ton of zweigles chicken sausage this fall and froze it because it was such a good deal...well, at least Greg likes it...and I hold my nose while cooking.  heh.

Sleep:Sleeping pretty well this week, aside from a massive amount of mid night potty breaks.  And the vivid dreams are back, full force!  I've told Greg about some of the more bizarre ones, and he just laughs at me.  Oddly enough, most of them contain old boyfriends and high school friends, although not always in the roles I would imagine!  Weird.

Baby Items Bought/Received: Got an awesome baby hiker from my sister and fam (can't wait to test that baby on the trails!) and a few more maternity pieces a la Grandma P.  I think we nailed down our "needs list".  So I can finish that registry-I know you're all dying to buy baby g presents!  (Well, I am at least, but I know I'm biased :-P)  kidding guys, kidding!  Honestly, whatever we don't get for gifts, this garage sale maven will find.  Me and craigslist are already BFFs! 

Best Baby Moment: I was giving a presentation for work at a county DSS, and my boss and a few service providers were there.  I hadn't seen my boss in a few weeks, and he didn't notice any difference....until he saw my side! So here I am giving a presentation and I hear..."awww...lok!" and see both my boss and the service provider pointing at my belly and smiling.  Awww.  Call me silly, but it made me smile!!

Next week is the big 2-0 and a new ultrasound/baby pic!  Can't wait to see how my peanut has grown in the last two weeks!!

Thoughts Du Jour

And here's Monday morning again.  I know the days come with distinct regularity, but it always seems like Monday comes with the speed of a runaway train.  Meh.  Five more days till the weekend, right?  Okay, okay, I'll stop fooling myself.
Anyways....since we're on a rant about Mondays, lets take a minute to travel back to when life was simple, a la Elementary/Middle school.  Remember those days?  When the worst part of the day was what you were wearing or if you had a quiz in math?  Where you got a recess, a gym (why did I not appreciate gym??) and time to hang out with friends during the day?  I miss those days.  Especially lunch periods...when we would trade chips for cookies, play cards, and complain about our heinous teachers.  Such a life.  And then...the magic day once a week when my mom would hand me the 1.25 or .75 (back in elementary school) and tell me to go buy my lunch.  Oh, how exciting.  To get a hot lunch for a dollar,  With an entree, a side, a dessert, a drink...and...soup if you wanted it.  I've always loved soup.  Especially the fancy sounding ones...like garden vegetable.  Chicken with spirals.  Butternut Squash Bisque.  And of course, soup du jour.  Which, now...we all know means...whatever crap they had leftover during the week.  But it's such a nice, exotic sounding name for a bunch of drivel thrown together, isn't? 
So,with that being said, since I have no huge news right now and a bunch of random thoughts twirling around in my head, I present you with a pretty name that encapsulates my brain drivel-my thoughts du jour!
1.  The Oscars-Did anyone watch that mess last night?  I flitted back in forth between the show and a movie (Flight, which was interesting, but I wouldn't waste 2.5 hours again on it) .  I took away a few things....Jennifer Hudson looked gorgeous.....I wish I was Jennifer Lawrence...Anne Hathaway is disintegrating by the day (seriously, I miss her from Princess Diaries...rescue Anne!) ....and Seth MacFarlane really did not live up to his potential.  Meh. Someone tell me what the appeal is to this awards ceremony.  I don't get it.  Truly.
2.  Shopping Cart-From anorexia to foodie talk....I thought it might be interesting to show you my "preggo picks" of the week.  Monday is grocery shopping day in our world, which used to be pretty darn predictable....I'd pick up the same variety of items, set and secure in what we needed for cereals, oats, lunches, snacks, and shopping the sales on produce and meats to fill in dinners.  HAH.  Welcome to being pregnant.  Shopping is so strange....last week, I ended up buying a 10 pound bag of potatoes, two jars of marinara, 3 packages of cheese, and 12 apples because they all...."sounded good".  Greg is forewarned....if he wants normal groceries, he does the shopping.  Lol.  And because he is a sweetie (or doesn't want to shop!) I ended up going again tonight...here were my "preggo picks" of the week:

Mmmmm....citrus, salt and pizza.  All the food groups. 

3.  Flower Longevity-  Remember how I got my pre-valentine's day flowers (actually, I called

 them President's Day Flowers because I got them on the 12th. )  Well, it's 3 weeks later...and this rose is still beautiful!  I don't know where he got them or why my cat hates the taste of them, but go Greg!  I would like to place an order for this rose every year, thank you very much :-)

Michael Muhney, you rock!

4.  Twitter Break Through!  Okay, I'll admit it.  I kinda hate twitter.  I figure everything I'm thinking that I actually want to publish on the Internets....I do on facebook.  I don't need to tweet how work is killing me or the dude in the lane next to me really shouldn't be wearing jammers....(okay, with my new droid...I may partake in a bit of twitter nonsense).  So, basically, my tweets are all...retweets.  I am boring.  But I still do follow some of the cooler people I know, along with some celebs, which is why I enjoy twitter.  I've got my triathletes, my fave companies...and....all the actors from my favorite soap *blushes*.  Well, over the past few months I've been following these celebs, it's pretty obvious who is a jokester, who doesn't actually tweet their own tweets, and who has their head stuck up their....you know what.  Well, one of the actors (Adam Newman, for all you Genoa City fans) is the most hilarious twitter celeb I've ever seen.  His real name is Michael Muhney, and even though I'm not a huge fain of his character (he plays a giant tool on the show, but is clearly a goofball IRL!), his tweets and handles just kill me.  He never uses his name...it's either the "love machine", the "Flux capacitor" and most recently "And the Oscar goes to"....along with tongue in cheek tweets and some cool behind the scenes looks.  Awesome.  Well, on Friday I responded to one of his tweets, and he tweeted me back...which I thought was kind of cool...he tweeted "Thanks, Rae, and keep up the training! #muchrespect".  Until I realized....my name isn't my twitter handle.  And he actually visited my blog to figure out who I am and what I do!  Awesome.  Yeah, I'm starstruck.  It might sound silly, but it was pretty cool doing my 25 mile spin yesterday, watching Y&R and seeing the guy that....for 5 seconds...knew who I was!  Am I silly or what?  (Don't answer that). 

And there...are my random Monday Musings.  Du Jour.  Don't forget the french :-)
What's on your mind today?

Beans, Beans

Announcement time!  I am hereby...banning the world from eating french fries.  I smell them.  I see them.  I am freaking lusting after them 24/7.  Stop the insanity!!  Thankfully, I have my ole roasted potato into fry shapes trick down pat so that I don;t have to gain 40 pounds of fry grease in the next week....and turn my unborn child into a fry head at 4.5 months.  Whew.  But...one can only have so many stand alone fry indulgences.  So, you gotta pair that with something healthy.  And delicious.  And....burger themed.  Hmm.  Smells like it's veggie burger time!! 

Good for your Kidney....bean burgers :-)

1 15 oz can kidney beans
1/2 old fashioned oats
1 egg
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese



In a large mixing bowl, combine beans, egg, oats and spices. Add food chopper/mixer, pulse until fine. Add in flour to form a firm batter. Refrigerate for one hour. Stir in cheese.  Add 1-2 tbsp oil to a frying pan and scoop batter into patty shape, frying on each side 3-5 minutes or until brown. Makes 4 patties.

Perfect for fry accompaniment.  Err...I mean main course.   Yes, exactly.  The best thing about these burgers is that they are so darn versatile....I was going to make black bean burgers but SOMEONE ate the last can of black beans (okay, it was probably me) so I worked with what I had.  Double bonus?  The hubs brought the leftovers to work for lunch the next day and two people asked for the recipe after having a taste (brushes off Nigella Lawson-esque shoulders).  Okay, not really.  About the Nigella part.  Not about the co-workers :-)

Enjoy these on a weeknight where cooking...is just not the main priority!

Week 18- Bump and Grind

Week 18 already.  My, how time flies.  I would say that we are almost to the halfway point....but like most awesome things, halfway in time does NOT equal halfway through the experience!  (Yeah, I said it.  I know, I know).  But, alas, let's talk about the star of the show...Baby G!

Your Pregnancy:  Week 18

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.


Wow.  Amazing to think that our little girl or little boy is all fully formed...and we will still be in the dark about those developments for 20-22 more weeks!  Amazing.  We're still 100% on board with our staying in the dark about the sex, but it's just amazing to think that there's this big surprise developing right in my tummy!  Speaking of that tummy....

My Body: Up 4 pounds!  I feel like some of it is water weight, because my eats haven't been too wild, but it does seem as if my body is really really changing this week.  I think I've hit my first "growth spurt" with Baby G-my waist is up 6 inches since pre-baby, and my tummy pooch is pretty prominent.  Still in normal clothes, but I think my days with my "regular" pants are limited...

Cravings: This week's new craving is...french fries!  Salty, yummy goodness.  I realize that if I actually indulged in those cravings every day (oh yeah, seriously) that I would be doing my body and the baby a big disservice, so I've been seeking out alternatives-the best one so far is to take a russet potato, cut in half, make fry shapes, dust with olive oil spray, salt, pepper, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or so.  They turn nice and brown and taste just like a steak fry.  Delish.

Aversions: Can't deal with yogurt.  Of any kind.  Again.  This is getting so old.  Eat your dairy, little g!  (She/he like cheese just fine, though.  Little spoiled turd.  lol)

Sleep:Not doing so great this week.  This is the week that I have to stop activity flat on my back (oh people, et those minds out of the gutter), so I've been turning on my side, and my tummy just isn't happy.  I think the lil one must have gone through a growth spurt, because she/he is really "filling me up" for lack of a better word!  I feel full all the time, and just kind of meh.  Not really part of my own body.  Sleep doesn't come well because I just am not comfortable.  But what can you do.  Grin and beat it, let the weird sleep start!!

Baby Items Bought/Received: Nothing bought this week, but I got a sweet present from Dad G.-a glider for the baby's room!  The colors fit perfectly with the nursery scheme, and it is super comfortable.  So excited :-)

Best Baby Moment: Baby's room is painted!  I've spent the last few weeks cleaning the room out and getting everything together, and on Saturday Greg and I picked out a lovely pistachio paint color for the room at Home Depot, which they mixed for us.  On Sunday, he painted the room and put together the crib-it's starting to take shape!  When I saw the finished walls and crib, I lost it for a second-this gets more and more real by the day, and I just can't wait to welcome our little peanut!  So excited!!

Stay tuned for next week.....will the regular pants still fit or will it be maternity fashion week?  Oh the suspense....

Runnin' to Reduce Hunger 5k

Happy Presidents Day! Tell me, what are you doing to celebrate today? I would LIKE to say that I have the day off....but I cannot tell a lie. I also will not be planting a cherry tree. But I am in the middle of a civil war series on my kindle and watched a documentary on Lincoln last night....so I think I am being patriotic enough :-).
Pithy whining aside, I was able to take my morning meetings in my jammies, because my boss is awesome. So even though I'm chained to the phone and my laptop, at least I get to stare at the sunshine and eat a home cooked lunch.  Score.  I also got to fit in a nice mid-day run....something I never get to do during the week!
Confession time-I've been really lame about running in the last month.  Since the Ocala half, I've run exactly 4 times...all 4 times on the treadmill.  Granted, the race was less than a month ago, but I need to get back on the running horse.  It's not that I'm too big (but definitely bigger), or too slow (no such thing)...but I don't feel 100% lately.  Or even 90%.  Which is cool, totally understandable and I have no problem with it (HELLO, I have a resident alien causing a ruckus in my belly!) But...I do miss running.  And I think I need to stop waiting for the perfect day-feeling wise, temperature wise, spitting out skittles kinda rainbow day and suck it up and GO RUN.


Logo by the talented hubby!

Today was the day.  Greg used to play football with a guy named Elijah who is really getting into running-over the last few years, he's lost over 50 pounds and dropped his 5k time by 12 minutes, which is super awesome.  Well, he organized a virtual 5k called "Runnin' to Reduce Hunger" that takes place today.  Everyone logs a 5k time, 3.1-3.2 miles anywhere, and phones it in.  No awards or anything, but a nice t shirt and a donation to a good cause for participation.
Well, baby g and I have this goal to run a race every month that I am preggo (on a streak so far-even have one for October and November when I didn't even know!) so this seemed like a good February "race".
During my lunch hour, I laced up my shoes, cranked up my tunes, and headed out.  I mapped a 3.15 course (since a 5k can be 3.1 or 3.2, I figured it was safer that way!) and just went for it.  The first mile sucked big time.  I was sucking wind, cold, and just feeling like I was running through a pool of jello (oh people, get your mind out of the gutter).  Then, my breathing calmed down.  I hit my zen.  Miles 2 and 3 were pretty decent (not easy, I wont kid a kidder, but this was a "race" so I darn well was going to give it my best!) and I "sprinted" the last .17 of a mile (according to mapmyrun, the course ended up being 3.17, so there ya go.
First 5k with lil bean clocked in at 26:48, or at a 8:26/mile.  About 4 minutes off my 5k PR, and at a pace I haven't really even thought of in at least a month....but I usually run longer than 3 miles, so that's my excuse :-P  Not so much any more....my runs will probably stay between 3 and 6 for the rest of the pregnancy, assuming I can run through it!
Bottom line-there's a positive correlation between tummy size and 5k....but one I am perfectly happy to report and embrace.  A big thumbs up for my first virtual race, and baby g gives it....well....a little wave.  Or a kick.  It might be in protest.  But I'm learning how to be a good mom by not giving in to tantrums....I'll just buy some ice cream at the store and it will all be better.  LOL.  I got this mom thing down pat!

Have you ever done a virtual 5k?  What do you think?

Routine or Rut?

Well, hey now.  How is it already Friday?  I dunno, but I'm going to take it and run with it!
How has your week been?  It's another jam packed mess in my world, but I suppose that it makes the weekend come sooner, so I won't complain.  Sound good?  Good.
So, it's Friday.  That means its a wear jeans to work kind of day.  A swimming during lunch day.  A pizza for dinner kind of night.  And a catch up with friends over the phone, skype, or in person kind of night.
Every Friday.
What a rut.  Or a routine?  I was thinking about this the other day....my life is most certainly not set in stone, but there are a number of things that I fall into a routine with....on a daily and weekly basis.
For example:
1.  My route to work.  Same.  Every day.  I know what time I need to leave to avoid certain traffic patterns.  What time i need to hit 490 in order to make it to my deck by 4:30.  And exactly what time I need to leave in order to make it home in 26 minutes.  Flat.
2. My workout schedule-
Swimming-MWF
Running-Tues, Thurs, Sun (this has changed somewhat with BG on board!)
Biking-Weds and Sat
Strength: Tues and Sat

Every. Week.  Sometimes with a T run on Saturdays.  Distances vary, workout schedule does not.  I have changed this up a bit in the last 3 months, but that's out of necessity to this weird alien body I'm lugging around. heh.

3.  Mealtimes-Breakfast when I get to work.  Snack at 11:30.  Lunch at 2pm.  Dinner at 7pm.  Snack at 9pm.  Is my body on a clock?  I doubt it.  But my mind is.
4.  This is pathetic...but even my clothes!  I think I wear the same sweater every Monday.  And I know without a doubt that I re-wear the same 6 outfits all the damn time.

5.  My weekends.  Get up at the same time.  Eggs on Saturday, pancakes on Sunday.  Clean house and run errands on Saturday.  PJs on Sunday.  Same workouts.  Same lunch.  Same, same, same.

I could go on and on, but that's a good summary.  I never really noticed this until a few months ago, when I started changing up a few things...namely my workouts and eating patterns.  Was the old way a problem?  I don't think so, I was happy-but it's kind of neat trying out new workouts based on what my body is feeling, rather than being slave to a set plan.  And eating new foods based on what I am "craving" (I use this loosely), rather than what I normally eat.

Except for pizza on Fridays.  Because, as we know, right now....every night could be pizza night. I wish it was.

So here's my challenge (join me if you will!)  I want to change up one thing about my routine each day.  Whether it be a new way to work, or a new outfit that's been buried in my closet for months....or a new food for dinner...I'm in.  Starting today.  Stuff it, I'm taking the scenic route home.  And I water ran instead of swimming today. 

Change is good!

Do you have a set routine?  Does it work for you, or do you ever feel like you're getting into a rut?

Week 17: Hello, World!

Welcome to month 4!  Seems like yesterday I was jumping up and down over two lines :-)

Your Pregnancy in Week 17
Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Woah.  I looked up this week's "produce" equivalent, and it looks like Baby G is an onion.  Hmm.  I'm gonna go with the whole layers way of looking at it, rather than the stinky way....LOL.

Total Weight Gain: Up 2 pounds.  Seems as if Baby G and I are doing well at the gaining weight thing.  I've been in love with salty foods this week, but also trying to drink alot of water to counteract sodium overload.

I need to stop taking pictures post run...lol

 My Body: I can see bump!!  Mini bump for sure, but mah belly is now sticking out, thankyouverymuch.  Pants still fit just fine, which rocks, but there's for sure a little one in there!  (Apparently my uterus is the size of a melon now, so that would explain the peek a boo!)

Cravings: Chinese food, burgers, and peaches.  Good thing I can make a tofu stir fry, veggie burger and peaches were only 1.50 a pound this week.  Good baby, good baby.
Aversions: Everything mentioned before, and squash.  Dammit.  I roasted a perfectly good butternut squash this weekend....then pureed it into chili because I couldn't eat it.  Lame. 
Sleep: Sleeping super well, and having VERY vivid dreams.  Sometimes this is good (Hello Bradley Cooper), sometimes weird (a strange twist on a WWII reenactment), and sometimes plain scary (players from high school that have NO business invading my REM, thankyouverymuch).  I've been waking up every morning going...okay...what in the EFF was that??  Thinking of starting a dream journal, but suspecting I might be committed if I share with anyone. 
Baby Items Bought/Received: Paint for the nursery.  It counts!
Best Baby Moment: Greg and I went camping at Letchworth Park this weekend, and went for a hike by the gorge on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day, and we had a blast!  As were hiking by the upper falls, I felt...a little flip...like a wave.  Weird.  Never felt it before.  I stopped for a minute, then a tiny flutter again.  I felt little g for the first time!  Just sayin' "hey guys, I'm here!".  Amazing.  Just amazing.  And I'm smiling as I retype it.  I've felt it again once since then, so I'm pretty confident that it was the baby!
What a fun filled week!  Can't wait to see what lil bit brings next week....

Winter Wonderland

Ahh, what a beautiful weekend.  Unless you had to drive on Friday.  Then, I am sorry.  But, Ase from that mess-the weekend was absolutely gorgeous!  Greg and I stayed in on Friday night and got our ducks in a row, did some baking, cooking, and QT together, and then headed out early for our annual winter camping excursion with my cousins at Letchwork Park.  A roaring fire, hiking, cross country skiing, snow tubing, chili, games, and good friends?  Perfect, perfect, perfect.
Check it out!

Now we're back and getting ready for another fun filled week-a bit tired, a bit in need of some heat, but undoubtedly refreshed and happy after a great weekend.  Never thought I would be a winter camping kind of girl....but it is the best!  Have you ever camped in the winter?

Whatever Lola wants....

Well, I think we have turned a corner.  Yep, for sure.  Baby post is still a few days away, but that's okay.  Let's talk food.  Specifically, cravings.
Now, I know that pregnant women have them.  I just didn't really buy into it that I would have them.  First trimester...was about keeping things down.  Fo sho.  I wanted pizza quite a bit (whats with the past tense...I STILL DO) but I think it's because, unless you load it with crap, it's a nice, easily digestible carb.  Everything else....was about what didn't sound horrific, even some of my beloved faves.
Then week 14 hit.  And I waited for food to sound good again.  Second trimester makes everything better, right?  Errr, no.  I could tolerate a few more things, but food did not sound good.
Well, like sweet 16 the age....sweet 16 is the week for FOOD!  I'm not overdoing anything....but I've had a few cravings that have been crazy this week (as in, I never eat this stuff normally!)  but I am so going with it....
1.  Chinese Food.  Oh, delicious.  Greg and I splurge once in awhile, but I decided to do my own terriyaki noodles with tofu and broccoli.  I made two servings...that served 1.2.  Me and little bit.  YUM.
2.  Fruit.  I suppose this isn't weird, but rather than my pre-preggo handful of m&ms as an evening snack (yeah, I have HAD a sweet tooth!) I find myself cutting up an apple, a mango, whatever.  Delicious.
4..  Parmesan Cheese.  Smells like feet, tastes out of this world on tabbouleh, quinoa, and rice.  I think I'm having a thing for dairy......
5.  Wendy's.  Okay, okay, fast food.  But I made do with a small cheeseburger and chili from Wendy's.  That's not too bad, right?

6.  And the DING DING DING winner....came today.  We had a crap tastic weather day in NY, and my boss was kind enough to let me work from home.  Well, I had to go pick up a prescription at the drugstore, so I went out for about an hour around noon....and the radio announcer was reminding us how crappy is was out and to NOT GO OUT...unless you were going for a shamrock shake, which just came out at Mcd's for the season.  Well, my mouth began to water.  Which is odd, because I have never HAD or WANTED a shamrock shake.  But didn't ya know....my car just happen to drive by McDonald's and....well the rest is history.  At least I got a small.  Creamy, minty, cool, and perfect.  Craving satisfied.

Odd....but I'm laughing about it.  I guess whatever Lola...or....Lonnie....wants ......"baby" gets(No, Lola is not on the table for a name!)!  Within reason, of course....gotta practice my firm NO and shake of the head.....lol, or something like that.

For the mommas out there....hit me up.  What was the WEIRDEST craving you had while pregnant?  I'm curious!!

Say Cheese!

Cravings...are so weird.  Now, for the past 15 years (or so...), I've had chocolate cravings.  Sweets cravings.  No prob.  I know that some yogurt will cover a sweets craving, and chocolate dipped strawberries are an awesome healthy alternative to a Snickers Bar. I also know when to just say stuff it and eat the damned candy bar...because sometimes, fruit doesn't hack it.

But the last 10 weeks....have shown me how drastically your body can change.  I dont want sweet quinoa for dinner.  Or oats with fruit for breakfast.  Or even sweet potatoes.

Yuck.

Give me meat.  And potatoes.  And cheese (preferably on pizza).  Who am I?  Oh right.  I'm pregnant.  And highly unpredictable.  Oh well.  I'm still gonna eat cheese.  And meat/.  So to save time, I combined the two.  And because I give a crap about my health and the babies...I'll even try to keep it somewhat healthy.  Really, what else can you ask for?

Double Cheesy Meatloaf (serves 4)

1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1 cup cottage cheese
1 med onion, diced
1 egg
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup barbecue sauce


In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef, egg, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, oats, onion, and spices.  Fold into a loaf shape (it wont be pretty).  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes in a loaf pan (duh, I know).  Remove and drizzle barbecue sauce over top, return to oven and bake for 5 minutes, then broil for 5 to caramelize the sauce.  Allow to sit at room temp for 5 minutes before serving so it doesn't break apart.

Served alongside roasted purple potatoes (looks weird, tastes amazing).  That was some cheesy, proteiny, meaty goodness.  Yep, that's what she said.

Hey, this is a preggo inspired recipe that isn't too weird.  I'll save the pickle ice cream for dessert recipe for later....(kidding!!)

Week 16- Hiding the Evidence

Just a note-I got a few questions on the fact that the weeks specifically call the baby "he" or "she".  Since I get my "fruit" updates from a website, they alternate each week whether they call the baby a girl or a boy, just to keep things equal.  I don't know whetehr it is a boy or girl, and if we inadvertently find out somehow (no, we still are not planning to!) I will most certainly let you know, promise!!

Your Baby in Week 16 of Pregnancy

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

With that said, an avacado.  Holy canoodle.  baby is going through a growth spurt!  As I was grocery shopping this week, I picked up a mango, which is similar in size to an avacado (not a big fan of guac) and showed Greg how big the baby is now.  He cocked his head sideways and goes...really?  Where are you hiding that fruit?  Who knows, baby.  Who knows.  Someday I'll pop...right now I just have no shape :-P  But there's still no doubt I'm a preg-o, even without (much) physical evidence!.....c'mon....there's some...right???

Total Weight Gain: Officially up 1 pound from PP weight!  I am on the positive side!  (And yes, I will bookmark this damn page as evidence that I was once happy that I gained weight.) 

My Body: Thicker.  I know I keep going back to it, but that about sums it up in a nutshell.  Tiny belly protrusion, not much.  Normal pants still fit (and the girl down the hall that is 3 weeks further along than me and been in maternity pants for 2 months is super upset by that.  Oops).

Cravings: Fruit.  Any kind.  I went to the dollar store and bought frozen mango (is that wrong?), pineapple, and strawberries.  I cut up a plate of oranges and apples after dinner and feast.  Yum.

Aversions:  Yeah, I thought this would be fun to add.  Greek yogurt still sucks, same with bananas.  Not too into peanut butter, either.  Wow, I don' even know myself!!

Sleep: Bathroom breaks are still frequent, but if I am smart enough to focus my water mostly before dinner, I sleep more.  Rocket science, I know.  Also a few stressors this week that have kept me up, but I'm trying to work through them with yoga and deep breathing. 

Baby Items Bought/Received: A crap ton of maternity clothes-just to be ready!  I got a killer deal at Old Navy....I'll do a preggo on the cheap post soon!  Also got a few random baby items at Targets 70% off sale, and a great Halloween costume for baby g at kohl's for $1.40.  Sweet!

Best Baby Moment: Since Baby G is now sensitive to light and can make out some sounds, Greg has started talking to him/her a bit, as well as patting my tummy and saying good morning/good night.  My heart may have melted at that one...ok, a lot :-)

Goals: To stop being a wuss and go run the heck outside.  I'm pregnant.  Not made of glass.  And I hate the treadmill!  Time to layer up and get back some stress reduction therapy!!

Worries: Morning sickness.  Still have foods I can't do (this baby hates yogurt and bananas), but it seems my nausea has passed for the most part.  I can only eat small meals, which is fine by me, but....IT BETTER NOT COME BACK!!

Almost to the halfway mark....will I ever look pregnant?  And how am I going to wait 23ish more weeks to meet this little peanut?  I'm so in love already!!

"Soup"er Bowl

I'll come right out and say it.  There's not much for me the first Sunday of February.  It's cold.  I have to go to work tomorrow.  The groundhog either just told us that there are 6 weeks until spring or even longer...which is just great....but....there's still snow on the ground and I have to wear long pants.
Not a fan.
Well, regardless, today is the day where winter is okay.  You go for a nice run, burn off some energy, then do a Super Bowl Party, sit on your ass, watch the commercials, and eat food.  Oh wait, there's a game?  Well, the only way I care about that is if it's my time, and then that's marginal at best.  (Panthers).  I'm just gad the Patriots didn't make it.  And in case anyone cares (which I don't even), I'm nominally routing for the 49ers.  Cause my gramma had a crush on Joe Montana.  And that's good enough for me.
But who cares about the game when there's yummy food?  And what's a Super Bowl Party without Chili?  That's where I stepped in!

Butternut Squash Chili (serves 4)

1 medium butternut squash

1 medium onion
1 tbsp. garlic
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup frozen corn
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can black beans
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. chili powder
4 cups vegetable stock

This recipe can be crock potted, but unless you have it prepped and ready to go by 9am, it'll never be done by kick off....and well....I'm not a mom yet.  So i slept in.  No worries.

Step 1:  Stick the butternut squash in the microwave for 2 minutes (whole) to soften.  Peel skin with a potato peeler (should come off easier when soft!)  Slice in half, de seed, and cut into small cubes.  You can either puree it in the food processor (hides the healthy veggie), or leave as is.  I left it because I have some brave men that will try it! 

The Chili:  Finely dice the onion, and add with garlic to a large stockpot.  Add in olive oil and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.  Add in beans, broth, and butternut squash.  Heat to boil, then simmer on low.  Add in cumin, pepper, cinnamon and chili powder.  Simmer for at least 60 minutes, or until squash is soft.  Add in corn, cover, and let cook for 30 additional minutes.

Delish.  And heart healthy....so.....you can go dig into those nachos afterwards :-P

Score.