Registering for Baby - Month 5

week 18

Head to rump, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and 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. 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, although he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.  (info found on babycenter.com)

I know...seems a bit crazy to be registering this early. I mean, anything could happen yet. I'm trying to stay positive and give all my worries to God. Still hard when really sad things have happened to my friends at 21 and 22 weeks. I hear the super safe zone is after 26 weeks... I have some weeks ahead of me yet. But I do feel baby moving around more and more. Such a great feeling. I so can't wait for Karl to feel the baby! We also asked both our parents to come to our 20-week ultrasound. We moved the date to a Friday so my parents could come. So on December 2, we'll all be checking out baby K in action. Bring the tissues!!!

Back to registering stuff... My mom wanted to have a shower for me back home in Illinois before she and my dad leave for Arizona and we all head to Vegas as a family for my younger brother's 30th birthday! Makes sense, and if invites were going out in December, that meant Karl and I had to get our act together. The rest of November is full of Thanksgiving dinners with family or crazy Black Friday (who in their right mind would want to register then??). So we went to Target and Babies R Us last weekend. But before we could even begin I had to turn to friends and family for advice.

My question: What are baby must-haves?

There are a million products out there for babies (Karl and I were beyond overwhelmed) and I wanted to make sure I was getting the necessities. I'm so over having the house full of "stuff". Life is so much less complicated when there is less stuff and more time for loved ones and adventure. I learned the hard way, thinking cute outfits and fifty different Bath and Body Works lotions and tons and tons of stuff would make life better. Wrong. It's just more to clean or more things to take up space and create clutter.

Anyway, I thought it'd be cool if I post some of the best must-haves that were recommended to us and then once baby is born, go back and pick the top five or ten from the list. And Karl and I got lucky. While at Target, we ran into a mother of six and a mother of two. Both walked us through the bottles, diapers and swings. Both were on the same page with each product, so we went with what they said.

Here are the products in no particular order:

1. Best bottles (was told these prevent gas big time). Both women raved that they've tried every one out there and these kicked butt.

2. Best swing (was told by woman she went out of her way to buy this because it was so amazing and her baby finally started sleeping.)

3. Stroller (BOB - best for tall folks and runners!!)

4. Car seat (Best ones out there that fit into BOB stroller and are ranked high all across the board...I'm going back and forth between the Graco SnugRide 35 and the Chicco Keyfit 30. I can't decide. But I was told to buy an extra base whatever I do because once it's in your car, you don't want it to come out.)

5. Car Seat Accessories - It's cold in Minnesota. Slip cover is a must have (even in April)

6. Baby Monitor - I know times have changed but I hear the video monitor is the best!!! I hear Summer Infant is a good brand.

7. Mealtime
Medela for breast feeding (heard that some insurance companies will pay for this so call and check)

8. Boppy helps place baby when breast feeding

9. My Breast Friend (also helps place baby in good spot for breast feeding)

10. Good Seat to have and for meal time - Bumbo Baby Seat

11. Bouncer - hear these are good to have (by the bed too when you're too tired to get out of bed and go far)

12. Sleep time - Halo Sleep Sack

13. Wrap em up - Aden and Anais have some amazing swaddle wraps

14. Carrying baby - Moby Wrap

Okay moms...what are your favorites and must haves out there? Please share! I'm torn between a good Pack and Play and bath tub right now. Any suggestions? What am I missing? Also I heard that Gerber clothes shrink once washed and Target sells a lot of these. Is this true?
               

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Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

I'm not quite a baker but these were excellent (and kind of good for you too...the real pumpkin part!)

Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
serves 16
recipe found on Babble.com - I think it's a Martha Stewart recipe

Pumpkin Swirl brownies....ummm...yum

1/2 cup butter
6 oz (6 squares) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or 1 cup chocolate chips)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F and butter an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla for a few minutes, until fluffy; beat in the flour just until combined.

Divide the batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl) and stir the chocolate mixture into one bowl. Stir the pumpkin, oil, cinnamon and nutmeg into the other bowl. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan, smooth the top and gently spread with half the pumpkin batter. Drop large spoonfuls of chocolate and pumpkin batter on top, then gently swirl the two batters with the tip of a knife (just a table knife, so you don’t scrape the bottom of the pan with a sharp tip) to create a marbled effect.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until just set. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Makes 16 brownies.

Karl's reaction: You never bake. These are frickin good! I had two pieces for breakfast. So good.

My take: LOVE THESE. For one, they aren't super sweet. AND they are so moist. Really good. Will be baking these again!

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Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Chutney

This was my favorite recipe of the week. Maybe even month. SO GOOD!

Pork Loin with Apple-Cranberry Chutney
serves 8
recipe found in Health Magazine - October 2011

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (2 1/2-3 pound) boneless pork loin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 slices reduced-sodium bacon, sliced into 3/8-inch thick pieces
1 medium leek, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (1 cup)
3 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced (3 1/2 cups)
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon honey
1 small sprig fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Season pork with salt and pepper. Add pork to skillet, turning to brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet (reserve skillet); roast 45-55 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 155°. Remove from oven; transfer pork to a plate.

3. Meanwhile, add bacon to skillet; cook over medium heat until bacon begins to crisp and fat has been released, about 3-4 minutes. Add leek and cook, stirring, until tender (about 8 minutes). Add apples, cranberries, honey, rosemary, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes or until apples and cranberries partially break down and sauce thickens. Discard rosemary. Slice and serve pork with chutney and green beans or broccoli.

Karl's reaction: "Holy cow this is good! What's all in here? Is there bacon in here? This is really good babe. Really good! Yummmmm."

My take: I love this. Tastes a little like Thanksgiving but better to me. I'll be making this again!

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Fettuccine with Shrimp, Garlic and Broccoli

Fettuccine with Shrimp, Garlic and Broccoli
serves 4
recipe found in Fitness Magazine - November/December 2011 - by Anna Berman

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
4 garlic gloves, thinly sliced
3/4 pound frozen medium shrimp, thawed
8 ounces whole-wheat fettuccine
3 cups broccoli florets

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and carrot; saute 5 minutes. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes; cook 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally. 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, peel shrimp and remove tails; set aside. Prepare pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli florets to the pot for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.

3. Add shrimp to the tomato sauce; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until opaque.

4. Serve shrimp and sauce over pasta and broccoli.

Karl's reaction: "Ohhh, you took the tails off the shrimp. This is good. I like it."

My take: I'd make this again. I'd add maybe basil or something...or cheese. Seems like it's missing some type of flavor. Or, maybe I made too many noodles.

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Healthier Holiday Fish

Christmas Cod
serves 4
recipe found in Shape - December 2010 

Christmas Cod....so many good flavors!

2 tablespoons plus
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 white turnip, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
1⁄4 teaspoon pimenton (smoked paprika)
1 bay leaf
1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch kale (about 1 pound), stems and center ribs removed, torn into bite-size pieces
4 4-ounce center-cut cod fillets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved

Instructions
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high; add veggies and half the garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pimentón and bay leaf and cook for 2 minutes, then add beans and cook for about 3 minutes or until just heated through. Add remaining garlic and kale and cook for 4 minutes.

Season fillets with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in a sauté pan over medium-high. Lay cod in pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until a brown crust forms. Flip, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes more; remove from pan.

Divide vegetable-bean mixture among four bowls and top with cod; finish with a squeeze of lemon.
 
Karl's reaction: "This is really good babe. Is this a turnip? This is good. Real good."
 
My take: I'll be making this again for sure.

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Healthy Taco Salad

Flat-Belly Recipe that Packs a Punch

Taco Salad
serves 4 (depending how much you make...below might be just one serving)
recipe found in Women's Health - December 2010

Yummy taco salad - healthy too!

4 oz lean ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning
1/4 cup black beans
2 Tbsp salsa
1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/4 cup chopped yellow peppers
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
2 Tbsp guacamole

Mix together and serve

Karl's reaction: "I would have this for lunch every day if I could. Yum!"

My take: Right now I'm craving avocados so this was delicious. I will make again. Super easy to make.

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Hearing the Heartbeat Round II - Month 5

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.

I'm now entering month five!!! So crazy. And I've gained close to ten pounds. Zoiks. Fun stuff. But I feel really good (just not on the days after playing volleyball at 9:15 p.m.) Just two more late games left until I retire for a few months.

Me (17 weeks) in the bathroom at work taking a pic for my brother

Now, for the cool stuff. Karl and I went in for our second doctor appointment with Dr. Druckman at Park Nicollet - St. Francis.

Things discussed -

1. Is it okay if I start taking calcium/magnesium? My legs have been cramping a lot and that happened last summer when I was low on cal/mag and these vitamins from Lifetime Fitness helped with that. Wanted to check first. Doc says that stuff won't make a difference but yes, I can...and I should drink more water.

2. Do I really have to avoid soft cheeses and some of these other foods I have been reading about? Doc says use good judgement and I'll be fine. I cooked with cojito cheese the other night. And I seem to be okay still....

3. Is it normal to see stars and feel super faint a few times? Yes. This is the week/month in my pregnancy where my body is adjusting to all that. My heart is working harder. Blood is pumping more. Totally normal. But drink more water.

4. Do I need a flu shot? (Karl just had to ask this). Doc says YES. Grrr. I've never gotten one ever, nor have I ever had the desire to. But I had to think about baby here. Sigh. So I did. Arm hurts now. And did Karl? Oh...noooo...of course not.

5. Is it weird for things to come out of me from time to time? Doc says yes and to look forward to more weird yuck. Cool.

After all the questions, we heard Baby K's special little heartbeat and Karl filmed this time!!!!!!!! Listen in and watch. SO very cool!!!!!!

New food cravings: I LOVE FOOD, period. Anything really. I'm back to cooking a lot more and make sure I'm cooking up really good foods. I cooked with parsnips, kale and turnips for the first time. And it's weird but now when I go out for food, I realize I like my own cooking a lot better more times than not. I never thought I'd think that. But at least when I cook, I know everything that's going into the recipe.

Thoughts/Feelings: I'm getting more excited. I have some cool creative ideas for the nursery (hoping my younger brother and dad can help me make this a reality).

Yes, I do get scared and nervous still about the future. I worry about the losing major sleep part and losing that one-on-one time with Karl I love so much. I seriously love our marriage right now. I worry about money and wondering how we're going to afford it all. I worry about our health, baby's health and our parent's health. I want everyone to be around and I know how things can happen in an instant. I pray we all get to build many awesome memories together. I worry about the daycare part, but I swear something is going to work itself out.

But I get happy thinking about the three of us going to the park together or for nature walks. I get excited about getting our families together and just feeling the love and all that goodness. That seems to be outweighing the fears. Even though my pants are getting tighter and I'm slowly adjusting to my side profile, I just want baby to be healthy and can't wait to meet him/her.  

That's it for now! The big ultrasound is scheduled for Monday, November 28!!! But we won't be finding out the sex. Nope! Unless something pokes through...

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