Travel Often

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” — Rosalia de Castro

Love Deeply, but Laugh Along the Way

"Happiness is only real when shared." - Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild

View Marriage as an Adventure

"Love is a flower which turns into fruit at marriage." ~Finnish Proverb

Fuel your body with GOOD (It's the only one you get)

He who has health has hope; and he who has hope has everything. - Arabian Proverb

Open your Soul to Motherhood

A Grand Adventure is About to Begin - Winnie the Pooh

A New Kind of Love is Born

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Growing Belly - Month 8

31 weeks

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy. (www.babycenter.com)

Belly is growing at a rapid speed

Sometimes I walk by a mirror and a catch a glimpse of myself and I freeze. Omigod. I have a belly. Like...that is a big belly...my belly. There's a baby in there. This is crazy!!! Is that really me? My body? Whoa...

I'm still wearing [some] non-maternity shirts, but I think that's going to be very short-lived as my skin is starting to show under some of my tops. Probably not the classiest look for work apparel. My stretchy work pants from New York & Company are finally getting tight around the waist too. I might have to hang them up soon and invest in some real maternity pants. Sigh.

I survived the evil stomach flu (barely) this past week. It was a rough bug - took about six days to completely feel better and eat again. Poor baby was probably thirsty and starving inside me, but there wasn't much I could do. Karl forced me to drink as many liquids as I could and asked for a temperature update every hour. I called the nurses line twice, which is something I've never done before. I truly thought I was going to die at one point, but all is well now. Thank God. Hopefully that means I won't be getting the flu bug for another ten or so years....

My leg cramps and charlie horses have gone away. Yay! But, instead, the baby is for sure sitting on my bladder. It even hurts to walk, which is the weirdest feeling for me. I did make it through 25 minutes of stair stepper last night and felt like a whole new person afterwards so I was glad I made myself push through. I wonder if I could exercise and deliver at the same time....seems like that would keep my mind preoccupied. All I know is exercise sure makes me sleep better at night.

I've noticed that stress completely knocks me out. I had a real rough day at work on Monday and I could barely keep my eyes open that evening. Trying to do what I can to prevent stress from occurring but sometimes it's out of my control.

Baby is moving quite a bit. I can see an arm or elbow move across my entire belly. Karl says when I'm sleeping, he'll put his hand on my belly and say goodnight to the baby and will get a swift kick. He loves that.

We finally started writing down names for baby, but we haven't settled on any. We feel we need to meet the baby first and see if there's a name that pops in our minds once baby is out in this big world. Not sure if it works that way, but I want to pick a name that fits baby's face and personality.

I wrote a blog for the Star Tribune about all the most recent thoughts I've been feeling. Here's a link to the latest post! A Different Kind of Love.

We spent all last weekend setting up all our new furniture and picking up all the picture frames and heavy objects and papers off the floors and tables in the family, dining room and kitchen. Our house looks like a different place. I'm not sure why we waited so long to do this? Our next focus is the baby's nursery. I was thinking of picking up the crib this week and getting that set up this weekend.

I can't believe there is less than nine weeks to go. I have a feeling these next two months are going to go fast - they will be uncomfortable - but still go fast. Life is about to change in a real big way, isn't it? I still can't fully accept this is happening. I'm going to be a mom. Wow.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuna Noodle Casserole
serves 4
recipe found in Better Homes and Garden (May 2008)
Can't forget the potato chips!


3 cups medium noodles (4 oz.)
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 - 3 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
2 1/4 cups milk
1 12 ounce can chunk tuna, drained
1/2 cup bottled roasted red sweet peppers, chopped
Potato chips, optional

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In large saucepan cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; return noodles to pan.

2. For sauce, in medium saucepan cook celery and onion in hot butter until tender. Stir in flour, mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add milk all at once; cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly, whisking to remove any lumps.

3.  Gently fold sauce, tuna, and peppers into noodles. Transfer to lightly greased 1-1/2-quart baking dish. Top with chips. Bake, uncovered, 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes.
I had to add cheese too!


Karl's reaction: "Could use juuuuust a little bit more salt babe."

My take: I felt like this needed a little bit of lemon and some dill or something. Otherwise it was pretty good!