What a Week! 36 weeks

 What a fun and busy week!  I had my work shower on Monday.  We got a lot of diapers for the baby along with a  few other fun things....and got to eat some yummy food.  Then the next day, my other clinic threw a surprise shower for the FOUR of us who are pregnant.  One of the nurses is due the day after me, one of the other doctors is having twin boys (due one month after me), and another doctor is pregnant as well.  Got lots more diapers there. 

(and I THOUGHT I was showing here!)

Thursday was a CRAAAAAZY day!  I mean, it was so not good.  I arrived at work and had a patient waiting for me.  No biggie.  However, I spent a good deal of time talking with the family.  By the time I was done, another patient had arrived.  After that patient, FOUR had arrived - including one that was supposed to come the NEXT day but came early.  Sigh.  I didn't finish morning clinic until 1256.  My first afternoon patient arrived at 102.  In the meantime, the school had called saying that Kate was complaining of her stomach hurting and wanted us to come get her (no, she didn't have fever, she wasn't sick...her stomach just hurt).  So, David got her and brought her to clinic with him.  She was fine!  The saw the rest of my patients and left to go to a meeting that I was 10 minutes late to.  Then, instead of going to get free dinner at journal club as I had planned, I sat in my office and did notes for three hours...leaving with still two left to do.  I got home at 815 that night.  When I got home, I looked at my feet and asked David if they looked puffy.  Yep!  We both agreed they were.  Thankfully, elevation helped.  I think that not getting to eat all day, being stressed, and on my feet a lot had a lot to do with that. 

Thankfully, Friday was much better!  I had an easier clinic day and came home to rest before going to the gym to do kickboxing followed by swimming with Kate.  Then we went to get the infant carrier and out to eat.  Was a good day.  Saturday, we went to the gym again and then to my friend's house to swim and cook out.  Kate had a GREAT time with another friend's little girl who is the same age.  Last night I organized the diapers and we cleaned out the nursery.  Today, David put together the infant carrier.  I'm a little worried because I'm having trouble un-clicking the carrier from the base.  I've heard you get used to it and it's easier with baby in it.  I hope so! 

I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday with weekly visits following that.  Just praying that Mr. Boogie Man (he is dancing tonight!) stays put where he is for two more weeks so I can finish work as planned.  Then we are ready for him.  So exciting!
 
Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 36 weeks 3 days
Fruit/Veggie: papaya, romaine lettuce  - 17-20 inches, 5.5-6 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I'm definitely slower, have a LOT of trouble bending over.  I will say, a lady last Monday told me I was her hero for still being working out.  Really made my day. 

Sleep: Again, not sleeping well.  I think it's just par for the course right now.  Oh well!

Cravings: Um...not really anything.   Still not much appetite.  Cold and sweet things are nice.

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! He's having a boogie party right now!  Getting the nursery cleaned up, baby stuff put together, and spending time with family this HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!!

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, sleeping, being able to pick things up off the floor

What I'm looking forward to:  getting the baby bedding in, spending the day with David and Kate tomorrow, only two more weeks of work!

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. Getting things ready for baby, sweet coworkers

This is when I was Born

So, this past week I surpassed my mom when she delivered me!  I was delivered at 35 weeks.  I also had my last weekend of call at work before going out on maternity leave.  Let me just say, it was a doozy!  I think I got paged in the middle of the night every night and Sunday was just plain crazy!  I was so glad when Monday at 8am came.  No more pager....but hello baby call.  :-)

Sunday afternoon, I had a baby shower from my Sunday School class.  It was really nice.  Several of the girls from class came and some other ladies in church were invited as well.  Kate went and played with her friends while we chatted and opened presents.  I got lots of useful items, some cute clothes, and a stroller.  We were a little taken aback when we found that it wasn't a five point restraint system; however, it does have the infant click system and is a lightweight stroller.  So, I think we're going to keep it.  It is really nice as it is one hand close, rolls easily and steers well.  I like it!

I had my doctor visit on Tuesday and everything seems to be going well.  I don't have another visit for 2 weeks.  I thought for sure it would be 1 week now but I guess not!  So, next visit is at 35 and 5.  Wow!  At that point, I'll have 1.5 weeks of work left.  My little man needs to stay put for at least 3 weeks.  I think we can make it, don't you?!

Tuesday night, Kate started acrodance and seemed to really like it.  I hope she does.  I can't figure out if she'll end up doing dance or gymnastics as she dances all over but was treating her bed like uneven bars the other night.  Who knows!  Wednesday we had church with children's choir starting back.  Then last night I went to a consignment sale where I got both kids (!) some fall and winter clothes.  I am EXHAUSTED!!!  I think that Kate and I will likely go back tomorrow for the half price sale.

Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 35 weeks 1 day
Fruit/Veggie: honeydew melon, bunch of carrots,   - 17-20 inches, 5.25-5.5 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I'm definitely slower, have trouble bending over, and doing knee pulls. 

Sleep: This week has not been a great sleep week.  I have woken up most nights three times.  Thursday night I woke up 5-6 times over 6.5 hours.  ugh!  I can nap great.  Hoping for a good one tomorrow!

Cravings: Um...not really anything.  Eating is hard now. I don't really crave much and sometimes eating is just unpleasant.  I'd still say breakfast with cereal as an added pleasant thing...and ice cream!  Really just cold stuff.  It's hot!

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! We got all of our family pictures this week and I LOVE them!!!  Can't wait to pick some out and order them.  :-)  Kate is loving acrodance, church and school. It just makes me happy to see her happy and thriving.  David and I mentioned that we really like our new furniture tonight, especially the chair and a half! 

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, having energy, not being tired, going full out at the gym, knowing what I want to eat (though David would say I never do anyway!)

What I'm looking forward to:  work shower on Monday, a cookout with friends on Saturday

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. Being able to set up house - new furniture! 

34 weeks!!!

It has been a BUSY week!  Kate started school on Monday and has been loving it.  Then we had work parties, the start of church choir, and back to school night at Kate's school.  Tonight, David is working until 1 am.  I'm hoping we can have a quiet weekend despite the fact that I'm on call.  We have told Kate that we're going to inflate her pool this weekend and hang out.  I hope I get to just lounge in the pool some.

The biggest thing I've noticed this week is that I am SO SO tired!  I just stop at the end of the day...sometimes before.  I think that Wednesday I could have fallen asleep as soon as Kate was in bed at 830!  I even took a nap that day.  I tried to take a nap today but my pager went off about 30 minutes in.  Oh well!  May the weekend bring rest.  :-)

Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 34 weeks 1 day
Fruit/Veggie: canaloupe, savoy cabbage  - 17-19 inches, 4.5-5 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  However, it's a LOT harder...and I think I'm sweating more!  I feel like I slow down more and more each day.  But, I'll keep going even if it is super slow because it's good for me, good for baby, and will help after delivery.

Sleep: Most nights still up at least twice.  Though I have been SO tired the last two nights, I only woke up once.  WOW!

Cravings: Ice cream, breakfast.  The breakfast thing has been pregnancy long.  Ice cream more second half.  But I'm telling you...it's a REAL thing, folks!

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! I'm still in love with our family pictures.  Love that Kate is having a good time in kindergarten.  Our new furniture.  My nursery glider!

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, having energy, not being tired, going full out at the gym

What I'm looking forward to:  a couple more showers, seeing our family pictures,

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. Kate doing well in school.  Being able to set up house - new furniture!

Oopsie!

Recently, I've found a gluten free hamburger bun that isn't a crazy amount of calories.  Seriously!  Those things are at least double the calories of normal buns.  however, I just found one that is about the same and is really good; so, I've gotten that a couple of times for David.  Before I found this one, I would make Oopsie rolls.  It is something that our neurology nutritionist suggested to me.  It uses eggs, cream cheese, and cream of tartar.  They work really well for bean burgers and David doesn't mind them.  The last time I made them, I messed up royally and didn't think they'd work.  However, (after I calmed down!) I poured the disastrous "foam" into a pan instead of making separate rolls and just made a sheet, that I cut into squares.  Kind of Kyrsal-esque!  Anyway, if you are gluten free or low carb, these are good bun options.

Oopsie Rolls from Your Lighter Side

3 large eggs (separated)
pinch of cream of tartar
3 ounces cream cheese, unsoftened (I used Nufchatel cheese)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Separate the eggs and add cream cheese to the yolks. Use a mixer to combine the ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff (if you’re using the same mixer, mix the whites first so you don't contaminate the bowl with yolk). Gradually fold the egg yolk mixture into the white mixture, being careful not to break down the whites. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and spoon the mixture onto the sheet, making 6 mounds. (I actually made about 10 smaller rolls). Flatten each mound slightly.  Place pan into oven and bake about 30 minutes (You want them slightly softer, not crumbly). Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, and then remove to a rack and allow them to cool. Store in a loosely open sack and allow to rest on the counter before use (otherwise they might be too moist). Can be frozen.

Nutritional information per roll (per 6 total):

Calories:85 , Carbohydrates: .6 g, Fiber: 0g, Net Carbohydrates: .6g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7.5

Manly Pancakes

Ever since David decided to do an essentially gluten free diet, he has told me that he wanted to try buckwheat pancakes.  He thought they sounded "manly!"  Well, try as I might, I couldn't find buckwheat flour.  Sure, I found buckwheat pancake mix...but it wasn't gluten free.  Then, we had a Whole Foods open.  I finally made it by and found the buckwheat flour...which IS gluten free.  Then I had to go in search of a recipe.  I was originally going to use this one.  However, some of the ingredients seemed a bit "further" than I wanted to go. So, I ended up just modifying my dad's recipe.  It turned out pretty good!  You definitely need to refrigerate any leftovers.  The color is a bit shocking, but the taste is pretty good.  Only a mild change in flavor from regular flour, in my opinion.  And most importantly, David liked them.  We've had them one other time since.

Buckwheat Pancakes
1 cup buckwheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon oil
vanilla

Place griddle on medium heat and heat pan until a drop of water sizzles.  In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.  In another bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk (or regular if preferred), oil and vanilla (I do about 1 tsp).  Then add the liquid ingredients to the dry and stir with a fork until incorporated.  If it is too thick, add some (regular or almond) milk to thin it out.  Using a 1/4-1/3 cup measure, pour batter onto hot griddle.  Allow to cook until bubbles come to the top and break, then flip.  Cook until done (not long!).  Enjoy!

Weeks 32-33

Not too much to say over the past couple of weeks except that I'm pretty sure Caleb is growing!  My tummy has definitely grown, though I was still able to wear a non-maternity dress to church today. 

I had a visit to my doctor this week and she said that everything looks great.  We should have one more ultrasound to check growth in 2-3 weeks.  Excited about that!  I actually wore the same outfit that day that I wore at 19 weeks.  Um...a little different, huh?!

Wednesday, we registered Kate for Kindergarten.  She is so excited!  We read a Berenstain Bear book about school tonight and actually got her in bed early.  Hope she sleeps well.

Friday we had family/maternity pictures made by Emily Brandt.  She was great with Kate...and, oh my goodness...we got a preview today of the pictures and I am SO excited about them.  Love them and can't wait to see more!  She has a great plan and was wonderful to work with.  HIGHLY recommend her!

Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 33 weeks 3 days
Fruit/Veggie: honeydew melon, pineapple, cabbage  - 17-19 inches, 4-4.5 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  However, it's a LOT harder!  I've slowed down some and can't do somethings.  Tonight I was doing a Jillian Michaels' video that I've memorized...but was having trouble doing some of the things like the warm up that is twisting down to touch your toes and doing a circular "kick over the chair."  Yeah...doesn't work so well anymore!

Sleep: I'm pretty consistently up at least 2-3 times a night.  Thankfully, I fall asleep almost immediately upon getting back in bed.  The only problem is if we are awakened by Kate.  I think it's harder to fall back asleep because I am startled awake instead of just wake up.  Hopefully she won't continue this!  On the other hand, I have decided that this is God's way of preparing moms for baby.  I wake up pretty much on a schedule every 2-3 hours.

Cravings: I really don't have cravings right now though I'm still ENJOYING breakfast stuff and ice cream.  I'm actually having a hard time planning menus because I don't really want anything.

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! Our family pictures.  Saw proofs on four today and I'm in LOVE with them.  I can't wait to see them all...and for our newborn session!  I'm also enjoying not feeling guilty about eating ice cream...though I do try to not eat TOO often!

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, moving easily, going full out at the gym

What I'm looking forward to: BUYING furniture for the house and nursery (pretty sure we know what we want!), a couple more showers, seeing our family pictures...and Kate starting KINDERGARTEN tomorrow!  BIG DAY!

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. That Kate is excited about school.  Finally deciding to get pictures made and doing it.