Pregnancy Workbook Questions and Answers - Month 8

33 weeks
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. (www.babycenter.com)

Bumpin out!

My insurance provider sent me a workbook at the beginning of my pregnancy. I really like it a lot, but I realized I haven't really answered any of the questions in it and thought it would be fun to do on my blog so I can look back on it as well...maybe in my second pregnancy and see how much I've changed (and have grown)! Here are some of the questions in no particular order...

What does balance look like to you? How do you define healthy? Where are you in balance? Where do you see opportunities for personal growth?
Ahh, balance. Bottom line, to me balance is feeling happy where I'm at in the present moment - almost a calm state where life feels weightless - where I'm surrounded by joy. I tend to teeter back and forth between feeling carefree and happy to feeling like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have a lot of people pulling me in many directions, asking me to be places or to do things for them. I'm involved in a lot. I have realized if I say "no" when I want to, I should! I don't need to feel guilty and I shouldn't for saying "no" to someone. It's OK.

However, I tend to ignore that inner voice and take on a lot, not to mention acquire the emotions that go with it all. I'm a people pleaser. I then feel like a chicken with my head cut off because I'm pushing my own stuff aside to do things for others. But I feel like that's what I should be doing, otherwise I'm viewed as selfish. If that makes sense? When I have more time for myself and do the things I really want to do, I'm happiest and healthiest. I have more time to exercise, relax, cook healthy meals, spend time with loved ones. And then I feel like my life is on track - I feel balance! I feel energized! I need to put myself first to really feel happy. Took me until my thirties to figure that one out.

What does it mean to have a healthy pregnancy?
A healthy weight gain, a good amount of energy, good mental attitude and a healthy baby growing inside. If I'm happy, I feel healthy! If I'm healthy, I'm happy.

What special concerns do you have about your pregnancy?
Sometimes I worry about the food I consume. Such as, am I getting enough fish and nutrients? Am I eating too many pesticides, hormones or mercury?? Did I microwave too much plastic and cause chemicals to leak to baby? I also think about the pain associated with baby coming out. I really don't know what to expect either after baby comes out. How will I do with little sleep? And breast feeding. Will I have the patience? Can I do it?

How do you feel about this pregnancy?
Honestly, I've been scared for most of it. Yes, of course I want to be a mother and I was SO excited when we found out, but at the same time I have loved my carefree life so much. I think this is why it took us longer to start trying. We just really wanted to live our life up as much as we could. I've had so much fun doing my own thing on my own time and seeing the world and spending all this time with Karl. Just the two of us. Yet, I know life is about to change in a BIG way. And in a REALLY good way. The closer we get to "birth" day, I get very excited for this change because deep down I know it's for the better and I need it...and I WANT it. Who wants to keep doing the same thing forever - life would get awfully boring that way! This baby is going to change our world in a way I'm pretty sure no words or advice can prepare us for. And I already have this crazy love for the baby I can't quite describe. It keeps getting stronger and stronger. Like I can't believe this is ours... Blows my mind.

What are your thoughts surrounding being pregnant, your health or your future?
The gaining weight part has been difficult because I've worked so hard most of my life to stay fit and in shape. As I gain weight, I feel like I'm becoming unhealthier... But according to my doctor and nurses and everyone who weighs me and takes my blood pressure, I'm on track and uber healthy. I worry it's going to take a lot of work to get it all off. And I won't get to enjoy ice cream as much. Darn! I do notice I allow myself that second or third cookie. Naughty!

What emotions are you experiencing at this time? Do your emotions change from day to day? What do you think about these changes?
There's worry. Lots of worry. Some fear. For example, I don't know how I'm going to be good at both parenting and working. People do it all the time though. Then there's excitement. Then anxiety again. All sorts of emotions. Yes, the emotions do change. For example, I was sitting in church last Wednesday and this calm washed over me and I thought to myself, "I'm ready. I can do this! This is going to be awesome!"

Knowing how your body works and knowing your limitations, how are you going to design your exercise routine while pregnant?
I've been fortunate to have had a personal trainer throughout my entire pregnancy. I played volleyball through 22 weeks. Exercise is my happy pill. I need it. My doctor says since I've been active most of my life, I can continue to do whatever I want. So I do. And it's been great! Yes, I've had to slow down some, but I swear it feels so good to sweat.

What changes have you noticed in your pregnancy? What challenges are you facing?
Weeks 6-9 were pretty tough (the up and down emotions and feeling nauseous in the morning), but after those few weeks I have felt pretty great. The heavier I get, I'm more out of breath and slower than normal. I don't like that. I can't imagine having this weight on me all the time. I've noticed things that I used to fret over or things I used to worry about really aren't THAT big of a deal. Material things don't seem to matter. Drinking isn't the fun thing to look forward to on the weekends. I have a hard time relating to people who are still caught up in all that stuff. And I've realized I need to let things go more. Challenges: Trying to do it all and also knowing I can't do it all. Who cares if there is dust and weird rims of whatever in the toilet bowl.

How familiar are you with signs and symptoms of preterm labor?
Not really familiar at all. I have no idea what to expect... Really.

Are you getting a hospital tour?
Yes! The second week in March! Taking a labor class too. I'm pretty excited about this class.

Where do you feel tension in your body?
I get crazy leg cramps and my bladder area always feel tight and heavy! I notice I can do stair climber and elliptical fine, but when I walk fast, my bladder area hurts! It's harder to get up out of my chair at work. My behind hurts more...like my tailbone. I think it's just because it's not used to holding up this much weight.

What gives you energy? What takes you away from your energy?
Working out!! Being outside! Eating super healthy. Laughing. Sometimes just relaxing on the couch helps! Reading a book. Blogging my thoughts. Writing. Being on a beach somewhere fabulous. And then stress takes me away from it all. And there is stress. I wish I was better at controlling it.

How are you getting to know your baby? What have you noticed about his or her movement, habits, preferences and cycles?
I talk to the baby a lot at night. I rub my belly and ask him/her questions. I wonder who he/she is going to become and how he/she is going to be. Baby moves a lot between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Also, when I eat chocolate, ice cream and spicier foods. Karl says he can feel the baby move during the night, but I don't because I'm knocked out! I've been pretty lucky that I've been able to sleep so well. I also feel connected to the baby during church services. I feel extra grateful and fortunate during this time. The music plays and baby moves and I feel like something close to a miracle is happening inside me...and I get to experience it. I'll never take that for granted.

Do you have any anxiety or fear surrounding the birth process?
Ummmmm...yes. But I can't say I dwell on it. I know it's going to hurt. I've accepted the fact it's going to be tough. But, I'm also excited for the story - our story - and I can't wait to share it (leaving out all the juicy parts of course). Women give birth all the time! If they can do it, so can I. My body was designed for this.

How do you envision yourself as a parent?
I want to mirror my mom in many ways. She was/is an amazing mom. All she did was love us to the point where it was so obvious I knew it and felt it. I never had to question that, and that really is a comforting feeling. I feel so sad when I realize not everyone had this. My mom was so attentive and gave us so much attention...and was consistent. She was so involved. Yet, she never was our best friend. I believe you need to know who the parent is. I worry because I have to work full-time so that means I won't be as good because she had a lot of time to devote to us every day. I have to trust everything will work out though.

What values do you want to share with child or children?
Good manners. Believe in and love God and yourself. Have a strong faith. Always be nice to those around you (because more than likely you'll run into them again in your lifetime). I want our child to have a strong sense of self-worth, a positive attitude, a great personality and confidence in himself/herself and his/her decisions. And the ability to dream and chase them. The sky is the limit. And I want him or her to know our love will never ever run out, no matter who he/she wants to be or become. Oh, and to laugh at himself/herself too. Life isn't meant to be taken so seriously. Be happy. Life is so precious. I also want baby to see how much Karl and I love each other. I think that's important. I remember my mom and dad having those loving moments and how warm I felt. My dad would chase my mom around the house until she kissed him. It was great. Yes, they'd fight and we were also able to see how they resolved issues - they didn't shut us out. I think anxiety in kids stems from a tense, stressful household...or the type of household where everyone pretends everything is OK when it's not. Kids are smarter than we think.

If you could share anything from your experience of pregnancy, what would you tell him or her?
I may have been scared out of my mind, but love trumps all that. Truly you are a miracle in my eyes. Our miracle. Oh, and I can't WAIT to meet YOU!!!! Just don't cry a lot...okay? :) Though, I'm pretty sure I'm going to bawl my eyes out when I meet you.

What steps do you need to take order to live your vision of yourself as a parent? Is there anything you need to heal? Is there anything you want more of in your life?
A flexible work schedule. More freedom. Less stress. For Karl and I to work together as a team and to love each other forever and ever so baby can feel it and see it! Get-away vacations to tropical destinations:) Date nights with Karl. My parents and Karl's parents to be involved. I frickin' LOVE my grandparents.

How do you envision your labor and delivery?
I envision working out on the stair climber and my water breaking. I get to the hospital and baby is born...pain free. And Karl is crying. And then I'm crying and the whole moment is amazing. For real. See, this is how twisted my brain is.

What fears do you have about giving birth? About becoming a parent?
Birth: Something going wrong. Parent: Something horrible happening to our child...the unthinkable. I can't even allow myself to go there because it makes me shiver.

Soooo what do you think? Am I cray-cray?

The good for which we are born into this world is that we may learn to love

- George MacDonald

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Broccoli Pork Stir-Fry

Easy Chinese Dish with lots of flavor!
serves 3
recipe found in Cooking for 2

Easy Chinese dish that tastes delicious!

1 (3 ounce) package pork ramen noodles
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2/3 cup cold water

1 1/2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon white vinegar

4 teaspoons canola oil

1/2 pound pork tenderloin, thinly sliced

6 large fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 cup fresh broccoli florets

1/2 cup julienned sweet red pepper

3 green onions, sliced (white parts only)

1. Set aside 1 teaspoon of seasoning from seasoning packet (discard remaining seasoning or save for another use). Break noodles into small pieces and place in a microwave-safe dish; add warm water. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.

              

2. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, pepper flakes and reserved seasoning. Stir in the cold water, soy sauce and vinegar until smooth; set aside.         

      

3. In a large skillet or wok, heat oil; stir-fry pork and mushrooms for 5 minutes. Add broccoli and red pepper. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender and pork is no longer pink. Stir cornstarch mixture and stir into skillet. Add noodles and onions. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.               

Karl's reaction: "Well, well...well...what do we have here? Is someone cooking with my favorite ramen noodles? Ohhh, this is good stuff babe. I think I need seconds!"

My take: A little salty, but I loved all the fresh veggies! Very good. I was craving Chinese and I knew this was a healthier route. Not too hard to make either!

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Rich and Creamy Tortellini

Rich and Creamy Tortellini
serves 6
recipe found in Taste of Home, June/July 2011

Yummy Italian goodness

My grandma had a ton of cooking magazines sitting on her couch when we were visiting earlier this month. There were a ton of awesome recipes so I'll be cooking lots!

• Cook a 9 oz package of refrigerated cheese tortellini according to package directions.
• I also cooked sweet Italian sausage and added to the recipe for more protein.
• In a saucepan, saute 2 minced garlic cloves in 4 tsp. butter for 1 minute.
• Stir in 4 1/2 tsp. flour; slowly add 1 cup of milk and bring to a boil.
• Add 15 oz. jar of marinara sauce, 4 oz. cubed cream cheese, 2 sliced green onions, salt and pepper.
• Cook and stir until cheese melts.
• Serve over tortellini.

Karl's reaction: "Nice and fluffy babe. I like."

My take: I know this isn't the healthiest but I really liked. I guess it's better than going to Olive Garden...

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Seared Skirt Steak with Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes

Easy Steak Salad
serves 4
recipe found in Women's Health January/February 2011

Yummy steak salad with loads of flavor!

2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 TBS balsamic vinegar
4 cups arugula
12 oz skirt or flank steak
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
I added feta crumble too

1. Heat the oil in a cast-iron or stainless-steel pan (or grill pan) on medium high. When the pan is very hot, season the steak with a few pinches of salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Cook the steak for 3 to 4 minutes a side, until it's caramelized and slightly firm to the touch. Remove it to a cutting board.

2. While the steak rests, lower the heat to medium and add the tomatoes and garlic to the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is lightly browned. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook for 2 more minutes, until the skins of the tomatoes start to split. Remove the pan from the heat; add salt and pepper.

3. Slice the steak thinly against its grain. Divide the arugula between two plates, top each pile with the steak slices, and pour on the tomatoes and pan drippings.

Karl's reaction: "It's OK. I just have a thing with cherry tomatoes..."

My take: I thought this was excellent. Easy. Tasty. HEALTHY!

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Baby Shower #3 - Month 8

32 weeks!
By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb.

Can you guess who got a hold of the camera? Picture taken by Karl...duh!

OK...this was one heck of cool, thoughtful baby shower. Karl's mom (my mother-in-law Judy) wanted to have a shower and invite all her neighbor ladies who are also in a book club together. They even read a book by Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic & Baby in honor of me (this was seriously my kind of shower). Judy and her neighbor Angela decided to plan something for us on a weeknight that would be fun. Boy...did they ever. I'm still blown away by the awesomeness of this shower.

Judy and I walked over to Angela's house. Jim (father in law) and Karl soon followed. My mouth dropped when we walked in. Angela spends a lot of time in Amsterdam (she's a flight attendant) and her house shows this. Everything was so modern and put together. From the bottles of water glowing, to the wine (there was a special non-alcoholic wine from IKEA set up just for me) to the entire special Amsterdam cheese spread to the decor, I couldn't even believe it. I was blown away.

The appetizers were insane!!! All brought in from Amsterdam.

Yes, this glowed a really cool shade of blue! Way to make water interesting (and cool)!

A little wine station in the corner. That's my wine chilling on ice. WOW!

The table set up perfectly! Can't forget the tulips! Lots of fresh tulips!!!

Then Judy added her personal touch to the shower. These are the cutest things ever!

Me and Judy and her diaper cake!!! Look at all those diapers!

This awesome baby carriage is back! So yummy!!!!

Then we sat around and played some fun games. I still have yet to play the same two games at my showers. The first game I had to decide which traits I want baby to have... Either Karl's traits (hair color, driving skills, ears (duh!), chin, nose, sense of humor, etc.) or if I want baby to have mine. That was fun. Then everyone had to guess who I'd pick. Karl of course won AGAIN. He dominates at these baby shower games.

In the meantime it began to snow... a lot...

Snowing on February 20

The second game was a little like Scattegories (one of my fave games). We had three minutes to come up with boy names that began with a C and girl names that began with a K. Then we read them off. If anyone had the same, we had to cross off the names. There were some fun creative names like KeeKee. I actually liked a bunch of them and might have to use one or two.

As Angela and Judy put dinner together, I sat around and talked to a lot of the neighbors. They are the coolest women ever! I'm not kidding. I'm getting so used to everyone sharing their horror stories with me, but these woman kept telling me how awesome motherhood is going to be. I could just tell how much they LOVE being moms and how becoming a mother changed their lives for the better. I knew they were good moms! I SO needed a night like last night.

Listening to all the cool, fun stories of motherhood!

Can you guess how many gummy bears are in this bottle?

An amazing Greek salad. I'm telling you...dinner was awesome!

After dinner, Angela poured everyone an after dinner drink (from South Africa)

After eating a delicious meal of baked pasta, Greek salad, garlic bread and fruit. Angela opened a bottle of this awesome liquor we drank in South Africa!!!!!! I even had a sip! Then the dessert came out. Yeah, there was EVEN more food!!

awesome cheese cake and strawberries. Hellloooo!!!

Then it was time for the gifts! Angela first handed over a photo book covered in cute little African animals to match the nursery. In the photo book was an ultrasound pic of baby Koester and then all the women wrote a piece of advice for me, which was the BEST EVER!!!!!!! Next to their advice was a card full of money. Jeesh!!!!!!!!!

Everyone's advice was spot on! Love love love this!

Then Angela handed over a bag full of goodies. The first bag was a diaper bag full of baby items we'll be using. And then...the best part. BOOKS!!!!!!! Lots and lots of books!!! Like...The Giving Tree!!!

Cutest diaper bag with African finger puppets!!!

Then Judy gave me her gift! She's spent almost an entire year knitting a beautiful blanket for Baby Koester!!!!!!! The blanket is GORGEOUS!!!!!

A beautiful blanket made by my mother in law - Baby K is going to LOVE it!

I can't even thank these women enough for the fun evening, and my mother-in-law and Angela for all the work they did putting it together. The night was soooo meaningful and special. Made me wish Karl and I lived in a neighborhood with super cool people. But most importantly it made me see that I can't go into this alone - people WANT to help and I need to accept that help. Amazing friendships bloom that way! I am just getting so excited for everything!!!!!! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!

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Healthy Dinner in a Pinch

Christie's Concoction
serves 4
recipe found in Christie's head :)

Tasty little dish with lots of veggies

It was Saturday night. I wanted something healthy and didn't have a lot of energy, but thankfully after my morning workout with my trainer, I headed to the grocery store and bought a lot of healthy foods so I could whip something together - problem was I didn't know what I was going to whip together. Karl was ice fishing and it was just me, so I figured I could make something gross and not feel bad about it. Good thing this didn't end up tasting gross!


A pound of Chicken Italian sausage
Two small zucchinis
Baby Bella mushrooms
1 yellow squash
Fresh dill
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Handful of whole wheat spaghetti noodles
Parmesan cheese

1. Chop up Italian sausage into bite size pieces and cook in a skillet. Remove from skillet.

2. Add lemon juice, mushrooms, zucchini and squash. Cook until soft and sprinkle with dill.

3. Boil water and add spaghetti noodles.

4. Add spaghetti and meat to veggies in skillet. Mix together. Top with parmesan cheese and serve.



My take: This was great. Easy to make and tasted wonderful. My guess is Karl would want more salt.

Loved this easy dish!

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Tasty Banana Bread

Banana Bread
serves 12
recipe found on All Recipes.com

Nice and moist banana bread! Yummmy!

I had a few black bananas lying around the kitchen and a huge craving for banana bread. I spent Sunday morning Googling looking for the best recipe. This one had 4.5 stars out of 5 and over 6700 people commented how much they loved it. So why not try baking it, right?

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.               

3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.               

Karl's reaction: "This house smells SOOO good." Karl walked in from ice fishing. "Ohhh, this is good babe!"

My take: I liked this banana bread a lot. I probably put in more bananas than I needed, and I think I could have used more brown sugar, but still really good!!!

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