38 Weeks and Counting - Month 9

38 weeks

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. (babycenter.com)

Holy smokers! I'm 38 weeks.

When we saw the fill-in doctor this week (a female), she said that most women deliver the week before or the week after their due date!! I have this feeling it will be next week, but my feelings have been off too - maybe it's more wishful thinking than anything. I have decided baby will come out when baby is ready. I don't really want to be induced. Plus, I had a coworker tell me I'm way too small yet. But I'm measuring 37 centimeters now. So it's not like I'm uber small or anything. I think it's the height that's throwing everyone off. Anyway, here's the latest....

Car seat has been installed and approved by an Eagan Police Officer/Car Seat Specialist

My health...and all those pains and aches
I know I shouldn't complain. I've been very lucky. I feel great, but I have noticed more aches and pains if I do too much. Even when I go on a 40-minute walk, it's not long before my back and neck are killing me and even my feet. Can't say that normally happens. But I love the way the fresh air makes me feel and it's nice to get my heart rate up. So I push through. Plus, I'm up about 35 pounds - I really don't want to add on anymore pounds. But the scale showed no weight gain this week...even after making those Better Than Sex Nutella Chocolate Cupcakes... I will post the recipe for those soon.

My massage lady is a genius. I've been drinking about 6 ounces of milk before bed and NO leg cramps. I am getting up every hour to use the bathroom though, which makes me pretty tired throughout the day, but thankfully on the weekends I've been able to take a couple naps. And I have no idea how I'm so focused at work, but I am. I'm cruising through projects. I'm on a mission not to leave anyone hanging and to get as much done as I can.

I can really feel baby move. I swear yesterday he/she physically grabbed one of my ovaries in his/her hand and squeezed! Ouch. It's just so crazy to see parts of his/her body move across my stomach. As of now, no stretch marks....fingers are crossed they don't decide to show up anytime soon.

I see cellulite. Like...even when I'm standing. I'm not even pressing my skin against anything - the cellulite is just there, staring at me in the mirror. That's tough for me, but I know after baby is out, I can fix that. I'm not used to it though, and it's a hard pill to swallow.

I'm now down to working out hardcore only one day a week, as in sweating up a storm on the stair climber and the rest of the week I'm walking. I kind of feel that the sweat fest helps keep the bloat away. And I was hoping working out would make labor go faster, but the doctor said it mainly will help me get in shape faster after delivery and I'll heal a lot faster too.

Me! 38 weeks. Getting pretty ready these days!

Nesting
Oh, man, I've been nesting. I spent all day Saturday doing laundry and dishes, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning out the fridge, washing the edging around all our windows, baking...washing the strollers. You name it. Boy, was I sore after all that though. I think I have one more weekend of intense cleaning in me and then I'm done. I still have to hit up the freezer and our bedroom. Why is it every other room is clean but our bedroom? Anyone else have this problem?

Car Seat Installed
I met with a super cool police officer/car safety check lady in Eagan over my lunch break on Monday. Since car accidents are the number one reason for children's deaths, I wanted to ensure I had our car seat installed properly. I need that peace of mind. Plus, it's free! I got a major high-five from her when she saw we had the Chicco Keyfit 30 (which I didn't realize is pronounced 'See-Co'). She said that is the number one car seat out there for safety and installation!!!! YEAH!!! Trust me, I've done a lot of homework and research on every piece of product we registered for and have brought into our house. Yes, it's more expensive. Always seems to work that way, doesn't it?

Anyway, we spent about an hour going over all the specifics and she walked me through everything. I feel really good about that.

But I will say as I was filling up with gas, I looked through the window and stared at the empty car seat, realizing quickly that a body will be in there...soon. Oh, how life is about to change is so many ways. I also thought this as I was getting ready the other morning. I have my routine down to about 20 minutes... And my husband sleeps as long as he can. But soon we'll have to factor in a baby. How will that change it all? Will the hubby start springing out of bed all of a sudden? Hmmmm. Change is so good though. Scary. But good.

Thoughts/Feelings up to this point
I met a great friend in college while at UW-Whitewater. We played volleyball together. She texted me as soon as she found out I was pregnant to tell me she was due just a week and a half before me. Well, the minute she was induced on Monday night, she was texting me play by play. Karl couldn't believe she was doing this, but I could and I loved it!!! Over 30 hours of texts and I received her final one that she had a 8 pound 7 ounce boy. I loved every second of it. I thought all those updates and texts would make me nervous or more fearful...even when she said that volleyball conditioning didn't hold a candle to pushing a baby out. It was just a really cool moment. I've accepted the fact this is going to be painful and it could be quite long. But I know I can do this. I'm probably not going to like it, but something wonderful is going to come from all the hard work.

That's about it. Our next appointment is next Wednesday and who knows what that'll bring. Every day I wake up wondering if today will be it, but then I kind of go into work mode and forget that I'm ready to go any day. My life always seems to be so crazy, busy that it's hard to focus on baby and when his/her shining moment will be. I'm more worried about getting everything done on time so I can be that devoted parent. It's kind of fun. I feel like we're on the brink of something big... Just a matter of time.

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Doctor Visit at 37 Weeks - 9 Months

37 Weeks

Your baby is now considered full term, even though your due date is still three weeks away. If you go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb. He weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. (www.babycenter.com)

37 weeks and counting!

Karl and I returned from our 37th week check up today. Happy to report, all is well. Blood pressure remains around 96/54 to about 106/56. I tested negative for Strep B. Yay. Very minimal swelling in my legs and hands. Weight gain is still up. I'm getting close to Jessica Simpson's weight gain. Yikes. Thank God I'm tall. Oh, and our baby's head has dropped since last week. I had everything checked and the doctor noticed a change in the baby's placement (as in dropping lower), but our baby is still snuggled in me pretty tight. My belly is measuring about 35 centimeters at 37 weeks, which the doctor said is great.

In our baby pool I said I'd be going into labor on April 6, which would be next week. That just seems nuts to me right now. No way. Me, becoming a mom in a week?? Say what? I've decided I want to change that. Our doctor is going on vacation next week. My brother Mike is going on a mission trip to Peru through Easter. My sister-in-law Kelly is going to Colorado. And my parents will be finally getting back to Illinois from Arizona. Soooo...the timing wouldn't be the most ideal if baby decides to show up next week. But when baby is ready, baby will be ready. Again, trying to keep that open mind!

Changes in the past couple of weeks... Lots of pain going on in my bladder area since last Saturday. I went on a walk and soaked up the wonderful sun and fresh air, but when I got back, I felt like I pulled every muscle in my groin and the pain kept getting worse, moving on to other areas. And it hasn't quite gone away since. Just feeling lots of stretching going on.

Lots and lots and lots of trips to the bathroom. Like, every hour on the hour. The past three nights I haven't had the best sleep, but I still have a ton of energy. I'm plowing through tons of projects at work just to make sure I have everything in order and done before I have to leave at a moment's notice. And the house is pretty clean.  Except for all these gnats all of a sudden. How does one get rid of them?

Those nasty leg and foot cramps are back. It never fails. I work out at the gym hardcore and that very night the leg cramps come on with a vengeance. I did get an amazing deep tissue massage at a new place in Shakopee last week and the massage lady told me to drink 4-6 ounces of milk right before bed. I did, and the cramps actually went away. I think she might be on to something!

Also, during the day I have been feeling a lot more tightening going on, almost like it's that time of month, but nothing too painful. Enough to notice though. Body must be getting ready.

We scheduled our next three doctor appointments. That's it - just three more until the big day...if that. I can't believe this!!!! I have a ton of emotions flooding me on a daily basis. Sometimes I feel like I'm in denial. Not sure what that's about. And I keep having dreams of a baby boy...

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Enlightened Egg Salad Pita

Delicious Egg Salad Sandwich

Enlightened Egg Salad Pita
serves 4
recipe found in Shape, January 2012

Really easy to make and so tasty!

6 large eggs
2 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1⁄4 teaspoon curry powder
1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
4 whole-wheat pitas
4 lightly packed cups baby greens
1⁄2 large English cucumber, thinly sliced

1. Place eggs in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water by 1 inch, and bring to a boil over high. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let sit for 11 minutes. transfer eggs to a large bowl of ice water and let cool for 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard, curry powder, and salt in a medium bowl; season with pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, and chives.

3. Peel the eggs; discard 2 of the yolks. Coarsely chop whites and remaining yolks and combine with yogurt mixture in the bowl. (Mixture can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated.)

4. Slice the top third off the pitas and discard (or save for snacking). Stuff each pita with a quarter of the greens and the cucumber slices. Spoon a quarter of the egg salad into each and serve immediately.

Karl's reaction: "Kind of cucumbery, yet fresh."

My take: Wasn't sure if Karl would notice the curry (since he hates curry) but he didn't! Score! I added some yellow mustard for more flavor.

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Tuna and Olive Pasta Salad

Quickest dinner ever!

Tuna and Olive Pasta Salad

serves 4

recipe found in Health, April 2012

A delicious tuna dinner

8 ounces (1/2 box) whole-wheat penne pasta

1/4 cup store-bought pesto

1 (6-ounce) can oil-packed tuna, drained

1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives

I added grape tomatoes

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water; reserve 1/4 cup pasta water. Drain pasta, run under cold water, and return to pot.

2. In a bowl, whisk together pesto and 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water; toss with pasta, tuna, olives, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in pot. Chill, if desired; serve.

Karl's reaction: "I like this a lot!"

My take: I liked how fast this was to make. Tasty too!

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Nursery is Complete - Month 9

week 37

The Nursery is Done!

Karl and I are so excited to have the nursery done. We totally love it. Sure, things got moved around some from what we had first thought to fit the crib, but the room is still really cool to us. I walked upstairs the other day and saw Karl sitting in the new glider looking around the nursery. He just smiled at me. I didn't really need to ask what he was thinking because I could tell by the look on his face.

Baby Koester's nursery is complete...just need him/her in it:)

Life is about to change majorly for us, but in a really good way. And before we know it, there's going to be an actual body filling the room. I can't quite wrap my mind around it all yet. Sometimes I wake up forgetting I'm pregnant and then soon realize I'm just a few short weeks away from having a baby. The house now is so quiet and soon it's going to be filled with shrieks and crying spells.

I'll be changing our little baby over here... a lot...

And sometimes I'll go for a walk and see all the little kids running around in the neighborhood and get really excited to play with our baby soon. How fun to go on walks and just enjoy being a little family. Or I think about family get-togethers and how fun they'll be. Our baby is going to be so loved by so many people.

So excited to read all these books to our little bundle of joy

Yes, a huge part of me is still scared because I don't know what to expect and I know change is coming. Change is always scary. But I can't say there was a change that happened I didn't grow from or look back on and think, that totally ruined my life. It just takes time to adjust and I need to remember to give time....time. Because this baby is going to such a great addition - I know it!

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Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo

Quick chicken recipe with flavor

Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
serves 4
recipe found in Better Homes and Garden

Tasty chicken!

4 small skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Salt and pepper

8 ounces mushrooms, halved

1 tablespoon olive or cooking oil

1 lemon

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 10 ounce container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce

I also added in zucchini

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In large skillet brown chicken and mushrooms 4 minutes in hot oil, turning chicken halfway through.

2. Meanwhile, shred 2 teaspoons lemon peel; set aside. Slice lemon. Add broccoli and lemon slices to skillet. Cover; cook 8 minutes or until chicken is done (170 degrees).

3. Place chicken and vegetables on plates. Add Alfredo sauce to skillet; heat through. Serve with chicken. Add lemon peel and pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Karl's reaction: "Ohhh, this is good. What's in this? I like the alfredo sauce a lot."

My take: Too easy not to make again! Very good! 

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Perfect recipe for St. Patty's Day (or a Sunday dinner)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
serves 8
recipe found on All Recipes.com

Awesome dinner!

4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces

10 baby red potatoes, quartered

1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces

4 cups water (I used 2 cups of water and 2 cups of beef broth)

1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

6 ounces beer

chopped up garlic

1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped (I put this in for only 20 minutes at the end!

1. Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker, pour in the water, and place the brisket on top of the vegetables. Pour the beer over the brisket. Sprinkle on the spices from the packet, cover, and set the cooker on High. (I did 6 hours on high and that was good enough!)

2. Cook the brisket for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour.               

Cooking it up in the crock pot

Karl's reaction: "Could have used more carrots but the corn beef IS AWESOME. Okay...and maybe add some mushrooms."

My take: Holy tasty. A little on the salty side for me, but really good. The meat was incredibly tender.

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