Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Prenatal visit #6
Date: June 28, 2010 = 30.5 weeks pregnant
baby boo's heart rate = 145 bpm
weight = 168.8 lbs
blood pressure = 92/68 (or something like that - still low)
urine = no issues
belly measurements = 29 cm (pretty much exactly where I should be)
- my crazy swollen ankles are just par for the course, especially with a summer pregnancy. Awesome.
- double check: totally clear on my diabetes test
- the baby is already head down! He could still flip around with me being only 30 weeks, but the chances are slim now that he's in the right position.
- discussed the benefits and protocols for umbilical cord blood banking. It seems like such an important and good thing to do, but dude, it's expensive. Around $1000 start-up cost (which you can pay over several payments) plus another $150 or so annually to store the cord blood. Not sure if we will swing it or not, but I think it would be great if we could. A bonus that I learned today is that the stem cells from the cord blood can be used on other family members, including Asher, which means I don't need to feel bad if we do it for this baby and hadn't done it for him.
- My appointments will now be every 2 weeks, so expect more regular belly shots!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Lesson: Asher seems to sleep awesome at someone else's house and not so awesome in the car
Last week we took a 4-day road trip to visit my family in another province. Here's a little recap of our trip!
Greg and I took turns driving down. Turns out this was much better for my back than having to lean over and read and play with Asher in the car for the whole 6 hours.
Asher has never been a great long distance traveller, but he did make out okay in the car this time around. He DOES NOT sleep well in the car though. We got a 45-minute nap on the way down and a 35-minute nap on the way home. Look at this though, can you blame the boy?
We haven't let Asher watch too much TV thus far in his life, perhaps only as much as 30 minutes every week or two, and only for the past 5-6 months. We did borrow a portable DVD player from a friend for the trip though, and boy did that come in handy! Asher watched some of the Cars movie and a lot of a Thomas DVD we had rented, and he loved it!
Our visit was pretty low key. We got to spend time with family... (that's my dad, aka "Pops"!):
...play...
... and visit (both of my grandmother's, or "Great Nanny" as Asher calls them)
... in part to celebrate...
... my cousin who is getting married in Mexico in December!
Greg and I took turns driving down. Turns out this was much better for my back than having to lean over and read and play with Asher in the car for the whole 6 hours.
Asher has never been a great long distance traveller, but he did make out okay in the car this time around. He DOES NOT sleep well in the car though. We got a 45-minute nap on the way down and a 35-minute nap on the way home. Look at this though, can you blame the boy?
We haven't let Asher watch too much TV thus far in his life, perhaps only as much as 30 minutes every week or two, and only for the past 5-6 months. We did borrow a portable DVD player from a friend for the trip though, and boy did that come in handy! Asher watched some of the Cars movie and a lot of a Thomas DVD we had rented, and he loved it!
Our visit was pretty low key. We got to spend time with family... (that's my dad, aka "Pops"!):
...play...
... and visit (both of my grandmother's, or "Great Nanny" as Asher calls them)
We also attended a little family gathering...
... in part to celebrate...
... my cousin who is getting married in Mexico in December!
Congratulations Paul and Aslida! Awww my favorite cousin Paul... I so wish I could be there for the real deal big day! Good luck, guys!
All in all, we ate too much junk food, and did a lot of nothing. It was nice to do that together and be with family though. I was really glad that Asher got to connect with my relatives and everyone seemed to love him to pieces (who wouldn't, really?) Crazy to think that the next trip down will be with 2 in tow. Wow!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Exciting News!
There will be more of this in my future because guess what? I got the results from my official gestational diabetes testing that I did yesterday and I'M NOT DIABETIC!!!! Whoo hoo! Who wants to go for ice cream with me? :)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Our Time Kindermusik Class
I uploaded these pictures a couple of weeks ago of Asher's last Kindermusik class, but have yet to post them - until now! This whole Kindermusik journey has been such a wonderful experience for us! Asher LOVES "Amy's class" as he calls it, and this year he has really come to love music, singing and playing instruments. The first song he ever sang by himself was a Kindermusik song - "I see you, I see you, tra-la-la-la-la-la". I think the structure was so good for him. He learned to listen, follow directions and a routine, and his memory - I believe - improved as well. He experienced so much and tried so many new things. Amy always had great ideas to engage toddlers, and Asher and I continue to play many of the little games and songs and rhymes from our class. We will definitely be back next year!
Here are some pictures of our last class:
Playing with the glockenspiel (not an xylophone):
"Crawl through the tunnel" song:
Playing with bells, and singing one of our many bell songs:
Our wonderful teacher, Amy:
Scarf and dancing time:
Story time with a favorite, "Shiny Dinah":
A big time favorite, "Egg-shaken blues":
Amy and a sad Asher that class is over:
Here are some pictures of our last class:
Playing with the glockenspiel (not an xylophone):
"Crawl through the tunnel" song:
Playing with bells, and singing one of our many bell songs:
Our wonderful teacher, Amy:
Scarf and dancing time:
Story time with a favorite, "Shiny Dinah":
A big time favorite, "Egg-shaken blues":
Amy and a sad Asher that class is over:
What a great experience, and we can't wait to do it all over again!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Happy Father's Day Papa!
To a wonderful husband, and an AMAZING father - thank you! I couldn't ask for a better guy to be the father of my children!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Lately I have been...
... in close connection with my heating pad
... getting up to pee a lot at night
... tired
... thankful for Asher's nap time
... feeling baby boo kick a lot
... dreading my diabetes testing (that's happening on Monday morning)
... loving my husband
... working on a budget
... kijiji-ing
... wondering if Asher is getting his 2 year molars
... hearing a lot of temper tantrums (A LOT of temper tantrums)
... inside a VERY LOUD house
... outside a lot
... anxious to get Asher in his new room (hurry up and finish, Greg!)
... looking to find some fun summer activities to do with Asher (besides the zoo, of course!)
... frustrated with the YMCA's new swimming lesson schedule
... cooking different meals
... craving guacamole
... dreaming about going back to Stone Cold Creamery
... eating some brie cheese
... planning an Epicure party (wanna come?)
... trying to buy local
... preparing for our mini-trip to visit my family in another province
... wanting a good summer TV show to watch
... wishing for a cottage
... missing running (still)
... needing to do some weeding
... hoping we can buy a tree to plant in our backyard (trees are expensive, did you know?)
... working on Father's Day plans
... feeling really connected and so disconnected all at the same time
... experiencing a bit of guilt, but reminding myself of my pregnant limitations
... getting up to pee a lot at night
... tired
... thankful for Asher's nap time
... feeling baby boo kick a lot
... dreading my diabetes testing (that's happening on Monday morning)
... loving my husband
... working on a budget
... kijiji-ing
... wondering if Asher is getting his 2 year molars
... hearing a lot of temper tantrums (A LOT of temper tantrums)
... inside a VERY LOUD house
... outside a lot
... anxious to get Asher in his new room (hurry up and finish, Greg!)
... looking to find some fun summer activities to do with Asher (besides the zoo, of course!)
... frustrated with the YMCA's new swimming lesson schedule
... cooking different meals
... craving guacamole
... dreaming about going back to Stone Cold Creamery
... eating some brie cheese
... planning an Epicure party (wanna come?)
... trying to buy local
... preparing for our mini-trip to visit my family in another province
... wanting a good summer TV show to watch
... wishing for a cottage
... missing running (still)
... needing to do some weeding
... hoping we can buy a tree to plant in our backyard (trees are expensive, did you know?)
... working on Father's Day plans
... feeling really connected and so disconnected all at the same time
... experiencing a bit of guilt, but reminding myself of my pregnant limitations
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
prenatal visit #5
Date: June 14, 2010 = 28.5 weeks pregnant
baby boo's heart rate = 155 bpm
weight = 166 lbs (Which is a 7 lb weight gain this month and 28 pounds to date. Ouch! I have no idea what is shakin' with all this weight gain but I'm not liking it)
blood pressure = 96/74 which is low, but that's my norm
urine = no issues
belly measurements =perfect
- the occasional braxton hicks contractions that I've been experiencing are normal. I had thought it was sort of early for that, but I guess not.
- my gestational diabetes screening test came back and my sugar level was 8.5, which is above normal. Yikes! That means I have to now go for a diabetes diagnosing test to see if I have this or not. The doctors think it's unlikely that I have it since I didn't with Asher, and I don't have any of the risk factors; my high numbers could just be something I ate the day I did the test. We can't rule it out though until I do the diagnostic testing. Awesome. One on hand, I really hope I don't have it for my and the baby's health obviously, and also because trying to follow the diet, especially as a vegetarian, would suck. On the other hand, having it would account for my weight gain, swelling, and fatigue. Either way, I have to drink double the amount of that gross orange drink and get my blood taken 3 times, at one hour intervals after drinking the drink. The kicker: I have to fast for this entire test. Shoot me now.
- I'm also thinking I should consume as much ice cream as humanly possible right now while I still can, in case I do have gestational diabetes. Anyone game for joining?
Monday, June 14, 2010
weekly changes
This past week has been one of many changes in what our daily life looks like. Asher's gymnastics class ended 2 weeks ago, Kindermusik class ended this week, and I also finished up my 2 "working" days a week with taking care of little Marek. Now that his mom is home on maternity leave, she won't need regular care for him.
This process of changing from such a structured and schedule routine - something Asher and I both thrive in - to something more fluid has been sort of an adjustment. I felt a little anxious about that, and sad too, as I really loved our little weekly routine and especially because Asher loved having Marek here 2 days a week. The whole 10-months that I've cared for him have been so good for our family and so good for Asher. I've come to see Asher learn so much from their time together, and the special little friendship they have is priceless.
But this week I've also been reminded that, as with any door that closes, new opportunities are abundant as well. We have more time for many other things...
... trips to the zoo (sorry no pictures yet of that one!)
... play dates with friends (Marek is definitely not out of our life, thankfully!)
... time to play in the sand (or sandbox) and shovel
... time at the park and on the slide
... time to play together and just "be"
This process of changing from such a structured and schedule routine - something Asher and I both thrive in - to something more fluid has been sort of an adjustment. I felt a little anxious about that, and sad too, as I really loved our little weekly routine and especially because Asher loved having Marek here 2 days a week. The whole 10-months that I've cared for him have been so good for our family and so good for Asher. I've come to see Asher learn so much from their time together, and the special little friendship they have is priceless.
But this week I've also been reminded that, as with any door that closes, new opportunities are abundant as well. We have more time for many other things...
... trips to the zoo (sorry no pictures yet of that one!)
... play dates with friends (Marek is definitely not out of our life, thankfully!)
... time to play in the sand (or sandbox) and shovel
... time at the park and on the slide
... time to play together and just "be"
And you know, it's probably a good thing that we change our routine for the summer, because in a couple months from now, it's going to change in a big way all over again!
PS - all these changes inspired me to change up my blog layout too! I hope you like it!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
New recipe time!
Lately I've been on a "try new recipes" kick because frankly I'm getting quite sick of our regular rotation. It's always fun for me to do this, however there's never a guarantee that the recipe will turn out, or that anyone will like it.
Here are 3 recipes I've made over the past week that we've all liked! This is a rarity in my house, so deserves special highlight.
(I'm sorry I don't have pictures - I rarely think to do this when I'm in the kitchen)
Golden Cheddar Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups whole wheat or all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups shredded old cheddar or colby cheese
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
2 TBSP melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
1. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Stir in cheese and apple. Beat together eggs, milk, butter and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
2. Lightly grease non-stick skillet and heat over medium heat. Pour in batter, 1/4 cup for each pancake, and spread into 4-inch rounds. Cook until bubbles form on surface and underside is golden brown. Turn and brown other side.
3. Repeat to make additional pancakes. Serve warm with syrup and fruit.
My notes:
These were very hearty and I like that there's lots of protein, calcium and fruit mixed right in the pancake; this way I know the boys are getting their fill!
This recipe makes quite a few pancakes, but I didn't like them as well leftover.
Feta and Potato Cakes
Ingredients:
1 lb floury potatoes peeled
salt and pepper
4 scallions, chopped
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme (I used dried)
1 egg, beaten
1 TBSP lemon juice
all-purpose flour, for dusting
3 TBSP vegetable oil
fresh chives, to garnish
Directions:
1. Cook the potatoes in lightly salted boiling water for about 25 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Place the potatoes in a bowl and mash well.
2. Add the scallions, feta, thyme, egg and lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Take small handfuls of the potato mixture and roll into balls about the size of a walnut between the palms of your hands. Flatten each one slightly and dust all over with flour. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat and cook the potato cakes, in batches if necessary, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve, garnished with chives.
My notes:
This would be a GREAT use for leftover mashed potatoes. These were so easy and simple to make and tasted really quite good. We served them with a pasta dish we were having, but they would look so cute accompanying just about anything. They would be great with a salad for lunch. I liked this as a different way to serve potatoes.
I found if you flipped the cakes too many times while cooking them they tended to break apart.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Hermits
Ingredients:
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp each baking powder and cinnamon
1/2 tsp each baking soda and salt
1/2 tsp each ground nutmeg, allspice, and cloves
1 cup each raisins and chocolate chips
1/2 cup each chopped dates and nuts (I used pecans)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, beat shortening with sugar. Beat in eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, allspice and cloves; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in raisins, chocolate chips, dates and nuts.
2. Drop by teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 45 cookies.
My notes:
Our whole family likes these! Wow! I know they are still a treat, but I feel so great knowing that there is some healthy stuff in there atleast.
They were easy to make, but the batter is very, very moist. I also found it took more like 15 minutes for the hermits to turn golden brown and set.
Buying a big can of pumpkin puree pretty much calls for a double batch! I haven't done that yet, but I will. I hope they will freeze well. Thanks Christina for the recipe.
Here are 3 recipes I've made over the past week that we've all liked! This is a rarity in my house, so deserves special highlight.
(I'm sorry I don't have pictures - I rarely think to do this when I'm in the kitchen)
Golden Cheddar Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups whole wheat or all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups shredded old cheddar or colby cheese
1 large apple, peeled, cored, and diced
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk
2 TBSP melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
1. Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Stir in cheese and apple. Beat together eggs, milk, butter and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.
2. Lightly grease non-stick skillet and heat over medium heat. Pour in batter, 1/4 cup for each pancake, and spread into 4-inch rounds. Cook until bubbles form on surface and underside is golden brown. Turn and brown other side.
3. Repeat to make additional pancakes. Serve warm with syrup and fruit.
My notes:
These were very hearty and I like that there's lots of protein, calcium and fruit mixed right in the pancake; this way I know the boys are getting their fill!
This recipe makes quite a few pancakes, but I didn't like them as well leftover.
Feta and Potato Cakes
Ingredients:
1 lb floury potatoes peeled
salt and pepper
4 scallions, chopped
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme (I used dried)
1 egg, beaten
1 TBSP lemon juice
all-purpose flour, for dusting
3 TBSP vegetable oil
fresh chives, to garnish
Directions:
1. Cook the potatoes in lightly salted boiling water for about 25 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Place the potatoes in a bowl and mash well.
2. Add the scallions, feta, thyme, egg and lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Take small handfuls of the potato mixture and roll into balls about the size of a walnut between the palms of your hands. Flatten each one slightly and dust all over with flour. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat and cook the potato cakes, in batches if necessary, until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve, garnished with chives.
My notes:
This would be a GREAT use for leftover mashed potatoes. These were so easy and simple to make and tasted really quite good. We served them with a pasta dish we were having, but they would look so cute accompanying just about anything. They would be great with a salad for lunch. I liked this as a different way to serve potatoes.
I found if you flipped the cakes too many times while cooking them they tended to break apart.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Hermits
Ingredients:
3/4 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp each baking powder and cinnamon
1/2 tsp each baking soda and salt
1/2 tsp each ground nutmeg, allspice, and cloves
1 cup each raisins and chocolate chips
1/2 cup each chopped dates and nuts (I used pecans)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl, beat shortening with sugar. Beat in eggs, pumpkin, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, allspice and cloves; stir into sugar mixture. Stir in raisins, chocolate chips, dates and nuts.
2. Drop by teaspoon about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 45 cookies.
My notes:
Our whole family likes these! Wow! I know they are still a treat, but I feel so great knowing that there is some healthy stuff in there atleast.
They were easy to make, but the batter is very, very moist. I also found it took more like 15 minutes for the hermits to turn golden brown and set.
Buying a big can of pumpkin puree pretty much calls for a double batch! I haven't done that yet, but I will. I hope they will freeze well. Thanks Christina for the recipe.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Our "vacation"
This past weekend Greg, Asher, and I rented a cottage from a friend of ours for just 1 night. We really wanted time away, to reconnect and just be our lovely little family together. I especially felt this was important since our family is going to change so much. I want to remember us now, and enjoy each moment that we have together. It rained the whole time we were gone, but enjoy it nonetheless we did!
We had a great little view of some water and lots of trees and wildlife at each meal;
We all did a lot of lounging on sofa's;
We had a great little view of some water and lots of trees and wildlife at each meal;
We all did a lot of lounging on sofa's;
And eating and snacking;
And of course we played with Asher tons, and just soaked him all in;
We did lots of reading, too;
And very close to where you see Asher sitting in this picture, we had a little incident;
Which involved a truck and a face plant on the tile floor, and resulted in many tears, a bit of blood, and this;
Asher had a serious fat lip. Poor guy! I'm happy to report that he is recovering well and the swelling is almost gone.
And of course we played with Asher tons, and just soaked him all in;
We did lots of reading, too;
And very close to where you see Asher sitting in this picture, we had a little incident;
Which involved a truck and a face plant on the tile floor, and resulted in many tears, a bit of blood, and this;
Asher had a serious fat lip. Poor guy! I'm happy to report that he is recovering well and the swelling is almost gone.
Our whole family slept amazingly, and Asher only woke up at 8:00 AM. What a dream!
Asher loved our "vacation" and looking at the "big boat" - a canoe - which we had to do just about every hour. It was such a blessing to reconnect and relax in this way, and we can't wait to do it again in August. Whoo hoo!
Have I mentioned that I love my family?
Friday, June 4, 2010
Bye-bye gymnastics class!
Asher started his first gymnastics class just before Christmas. We went weekly to a parent and tot session, which meant I got to participate with him.
We had a lot of fun during our sessions! Asher loved the chance to run and jump and climb and play - sometimes a little too much! This tended to push me to be creative, and persistent, to get him to participate in the activities he was actually supposed to be doing. I found I really processed through that a lot this year - having reasonable expectations for him as a young toddler. During class I wanted him to have fun and enjoy what he was doing, and I understood that he needed time and space to explore, and that he couldn't be expected to stay "on task" or do everything that was asked of him. On the other hand, I wanted him to learn that it was important that he follow his teacher's instruction and do what was asked of him. So at the beginning especially, our classes looked a lot like me constantly chasing after him and having him participate. Eventually he got it though, and was able to participate in most of the activities asked of him without too much guidance needed from me.
Any given class looked a lot like this:
Running around pretending to be choo-choo trains or airplanes;
Climbing, sliding and playing on the equipment;
Crawling through tunnels;
Walking on the balance beams (usually with help);
Running or jumping on the "tumble track";
Jumping on the trampoline with Mama;
And Asher's favorite, playing popcorn with Monique (his teacher)!
Basically she just has the kids sit on their bums, and "pops" them into the air for a quick bounce. I wish you could hear Asher's laugh for this activity; he loved it!
We had a lot of fun during our sessions! Asher loved the chance to run and jump and climb and play - sometimes a little too much! This tended to push me to be creative, and persistent, to get him to participate in the activities he was actually supposed to be doing. I found I really processed through that a lot this year - having reasonable expectations for him as a young toddler. During class I wanted him to have fun and enjoy what he was doing, and I understood that he needed time and space to explore, and that he couldn't be expected to stay "on task" or do everything that was asked of him. On the other hand, I wanted him to learn that it was important that he follow his teacher's instruction and do what was asked of him. So at the beginning especially, our classes looked a lot like me constantly chasing after him and having him participate. Eventually he got it though, and was able to participate in most of the activities asked of him without too much guidance needed from me.
Any given class looked a lot like this:
Running around pretending to be choo-choo trains or airplanes;
Climbing, sliding and playing on the equipment;
Crawling through tunnels;
Walking on the balance beams (usually with help);
Running or jumping on the "tumble track";
Jumping on the trampoline with Mama;
And Asher's favorite, playing popcorn with Monique (his teacher)!
Basically she just has the kids sit on their bums, and "pops" them into the air for a quick bounce. I wish you could hear Asher's laugh for this activity; he loved it!
We usually did some swinging on rings and bars, parachute play, and different floor exercises as well. I definitely think Asher got a lot out of it. Besides learning some basic listening and following instruction skills, Asher also learned how to do a bridge, a tree, roll like a hot dog, somersault (with help), hold his body weight by hanging onto a ring/bar, and jump! Pretty impressive for a 2-year old.
Our Monday mornings just won't be the same now that gymnastics is over. It was a lot of fun though and we hope to continue some of the activities on our own for the summer!
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