28 Weeks: Margaret is a PC

We have officially hit the third trimester!  Congrats Margaret!  We celebrated with ice cream.  She loved it.  

I don't have an expanding belly picture this week because I was lacking a photographer, but next week is going to be a huge change!

- The best part of hitting the third trimester mark?

I obviously don't mind walking from my far away parking spot most of the time, but when it is raining or really cold, the benefits of parking close are priceless.  I am thankful that there aren't many other people at my job who "planned" on having a Christmas baby, so those spots are almost always open.  

- I met with my wonderful mid-wife yesterday afternoon.  She said that Margaret is perfect.   Her head is down (which can change and isn't an issue until around 32 weeks).  Her heart rate was between 150 and 160.  She was as active as ever.  She already can count to 10 and say her ABC's....

- I also had my glucose tolerance test yesterday.

I packed the syrup with my lunch and set a timer on my computer to go off when I needed to drink it.  I know lots of people complain about how sweet the syrup is, but I have been training for this moment my whole life with candy.  It didn't bother me one bit.

- I am disappointed to tell you that Margaret is a PC.  When I type up my posts in the morning I sit with my computer on my belly.  Yesterday she kicked so hard that my computer moved!  She must really hate Macs.  

- When Dan got home I told him he could feel her move if he waited long enough.  After a little poking around, she finally started fighting back and the look on Dan's face was one I will never forget.  I may have cried.  It was so awesome seeing him be able to interact with her in a way that I have been able to for so long.  The downside?  His hand will not leave my belly for the next 12 weeks.  

- We are starting to paint the nursery this weekend. My amazingly wonderful awesome aunt is coming in town and she is going to work her magic.  

- My family is having a baby shower for me next weekend.  After putting it off, I finally went to Target last night to register.  My aunt told me that the 20 things I had on my registry from online shopping wouldn't cut it.  I always thought I would look forward to registering, but when it comes down to it I feel so greedy.  I look at the prices of everything and feel like if I register for something I am saying that I expect someone to spend that much money on me.  So, every time I clicked that gun (which was around 80 times) I said a little, "I'm sorry."  I still have to go to Buy Buy Baby tonight after work.  

Other items on my baby to-do list:

• Figure out if Margaret should be on my or Dan's insurance
• Pre-register for my hospital delivery
• Find a pediatrician 
• PIck out a breast pump (thinking of looking on Craig's List)
• Become independently wealthy

Food

These egg muffins are pretty darn convenient.  Eggs are great protein in the morning, and they keep me full until lunch time.

Lunch was the little bit of leftover chili we had from the night before.  The more mustard the better.

Dinner was chicken stuffing casserole with corn.  

Thought for the day:

Questions for the day:

If you are a parent, what gift given to you at your shower helped you the most with your bebe?  

If you are not a parent, what is your go-to baby shower gift?  (Mine was the bumbo, which was recalled.  Of course.  Sorry for all those babies out there I could have unknowingly harmed.)

Would you buy a breast pump off Craig's List?

 

 

Insomnia

For the past 7 months I have looked forward to having insomnia during the last trimester.  I just knew that if I couldn't sleep I would be ultra-productive and do things like start decorating and organizing the nursery, clean the carpets, or re-sort my pantry.

Instead, I am using my new found time to catch up on all my favorite TV shows and read.  

I also am up to date on all the blogs I read and my fantasy football team is good to go this week.  

Unfortunately, the nursery still looks like this.

Welcome to our after travel dumping grounds.  

The good news is that I am all caught up on my FPU homework (and extra credit) and I have re-developed my healthy addiction to The Office, New Girl, Castle, and The Parenthood.  

I should clarify that I am still sleeping, but my hours went from what used to be 8:30 to 5:30 to now 11 to 4.  When I go to lie down with Dan in bed, I am simply not tired.  Then I wake up to use the restroom around 3:30ish and usually can't go back to sleep because Margaret is moving or I can't get my pillows situated correctly.  

Maybe if I make a to-do list I will get a few necessary things done before this baby arrives.  Maybe.  

Eats

Egg muffins + a piece of toast with honey apple butter for breakfast.

I finally restocked my grapes and cottage cheese stash so my lunch made me oh-so happy. I also had an apple, carrots, and some wheat thins.

Our friends Ashley and Brady came over for chili night and Dan made the chili perfectly.

Chili always tasted better with beer. 

 I can't wait for leftovers.  

Thought for the day

Questions of the day

What do you do when you can't sleep?  What TV shows are you watching right now?  Any new ones this season I should check out?

Man Food

Although Dan and I usually agree on what to eat for our evening meal, he typically scoffs at my breakfast or lunch and says that they "dont't count."  That they need more substance. One of the many reasons why for the past few years Dan has eaten his breakfast and lunch from a gas station or fast food restaurant.  (Just typing that makes me cringe.)

Now we are turning our lives around.  In an effort to save some moola and extend my baby daddy's life, I have been waking up early, making him breakfast, and packing him a lunch. So, you can imagine my frustration when I looked at our online bank statement yesterday and saw $9 spent at KFC.  

Seriously?  We may have slightly tarnished our not-fighting-about-money record.  

But, after our discussion, what it finally came down to was that he was still hungry.  The sandwich and chips that I packed him just weren't cutting it.  He works really hard for long hours, and he ran out of fuel.  If anyone can sympathize with being hungry, it is me.  

I need to up my game.  Dan drives a truck for a living and doesn't have time to take a lunch break, so whatever I pack him has to be eaten without silverware and can't be heated up.  That really limits my options.  

This morning his breakfast was an everything bagel with cream cheese and two egg muffins that I made last night and zapped in the microwave.

I had just bought sandwich stuff, so I made him TWO sandwiches, and added some grapes and some cookies I had made the night before to the chips.  

Hopefully that will keep him going until 6 tonight.  

When he left he gave me a big hug and a kiss and said that he really appreciates everything I do.  

Sure, Mr. KFC, sure.  

Here are some other ideas that I have besides sandwiches:

• tuna or chicken salad and crackers
• wraps
• soup in a thermos (for the Winter)
• crackers, summer sausage, and cheese

Obviously the list is pretty short.  Does anyone have any other suggestions of cold, portable lunches with substance?

Girl Food

My favorite breakfast - a portable fruit, Greek yogurt, and All Bran parfait.

I had a few left over hard boiled eggs, so I made egg salad for lunch.  

Dinner was leftover steak, cauliflower, and orzo rice deliciousness from the night before.

I also ate some ice cream while Dan and I did our FPU homework.  

Thought for the day

 

Financial Peace University

On Sunday, Dan and I attended our first class of Financial Peace University.  

As I said before, the only budget we have had the past few years was to not bounce the checking account and with Margaret arriving sooner rather than later, we decided we needed a game plan.  

However, up until now I have been soley responsible for our house's money management.  Dan just gave me his check, swiped the card when he wanted something, and went on his merry way.  So, you can imagine his resistance to any change.

I want to be clear.  Dan wants to be better with money in theory, but isn't all too crazy about the actual action of anything changing.  That is why I thought this program would be perfect.  

Instead of me telling Dan what he needs to do, that he can't buy something, or shouldn't do something, Dave will.  Perfect.  This will keep our not-fighting-about-money-record squeaky clean and will guide us into making decisions together.

Also, don't let that pouty face fool you, after about 2 minutes into the class, Dan grabbed the workbook and pen from me and was taking his own notes - even filling out more than the blanks.  I would have been happy if he stayed awake the entire class, so of course I was super impressed.

The class was about 2 hours long - a video combined with a small group discussion.  I went into this thinking that the class would guide me in doing something I already knew how to do.  However, I actually learned a few things that I never knew.  Love it.  

This week was pretty much an introduction into why we should do this program, and went a little into the basics of saving, with homework of starting a budget - which we plan to do tonight.  

I am excited for the next 8 weeks, and will let you know how it goes.  

Food

Breakfast and lunch were my typical cold packed combo - pineapple and cottage cheese, peanut butter and chocolate overnight oats, carrots yumminess.  

Dan grilled steaks for dinner while I made cauliflower and orzo rice.

We made the amazing discovery that the remote works from outside, so we watched the first few minutes of the football game while finishing up dinner.  It took every single one of those Aaron Rodgers sacks for me to win my fantasy football game.  Thank you Seattle Seahawks defense.  

Genius or trashy?  I will let you decide.  

Thought for the day

(My dad used to say this to me when he gave me money.  Funny.0

 

 

 

A Different Type of Plaza Art Fair

When anyone mentions the word "art" around Dan he will immediately start gushing about how the plaza art fair is one of his top five favorite things to do.  (The other four on the list vary depending on the season, his mood, who he is talking to, etc. but the plaza art fair is always there).  

He looks forward to it all year long and I agree that the plaza art fair is amazing, how couldn't it be?

The region's best art + Kansas City's best food + the brink of Fall weather = a good time EVERY time.  

Also, our house is almost exclusively decorated from our art fair finds the previous years. 

Dan and I had made it a tradition that every year we would buy something from the plaza art fair.  However, this year two things happened.  

One, we just returned from a pricey trip to Hawaii and anytime I return from a trip, I am always in money saving mode.  More on this later - but I hope to stay in money saving mode for quite some time.

Two, we met my sister's family there.  I was so happy she brought Kauffman and Hallaway - it had been more than 2 weeks since I had seen them and that was not acceptable.  I was going through withdrawal.

However, it appears that just about everyone else in Kansas City likes the plaza art fair just as much as we do.  It was the most crowded I have ever seen it, making maneuvering between stands by myself difficult.  Therefore, pushing a double stroller from place to place was virtually impossible.  

So, we enjoyed the art from the sidelines, grabbed some food, and danced to music.  We had plans to meet friends, but the idea of pushing through the sea of people was so overwhelming.  (Sorry Liz!)

We didn't purchase any art, but we still had a great time and came home with a much more valuable item.  

Having Kauffman stay the night gives me a little preview of how much I am going to enjoy full time motherhood.  

We watched Disney movies, rode the tractor, played on the swing set, built Leggos, sang songs, cuddled, threw the ball, kicked the ball, you name it, we did it.  We even were able to see a rare Chiefs win!

A wonderful weekend and great start to the week.  

Thought for the day

Something To...

I don't have much to say this morning, so I thought I would let others do the talking:

Here's something to:

• Make you laugh: The Parent Rap  (Dan and I are already trying to make a second version.)
• Make you aware: To Everyone I know During this Election  (While this article is about politics, it isn't about one side or the other, it is about everyone.)
• Make you smile: 21 Pictures that will Restore Your Faith in Humanity
• Make you want to take action: Cease Fire: The Mommy Wars (maybe I should say it made me want tot take action
• Make you want to visit me in Belton: Tate Stevens video from the X- Factor.  This guy is from Belton and Dan grew up living right next door to him! 

Food

 

I woke up  yesterday with a strong craving for garlic salt, so had no choice but to make garlic toast for breakfast.

 

 

Lunch was more fruit with cottage cheese.  Grapes with cottage cheese may be my favorite food combo to date.  I packed peaches and yogurt for a snack, but instead ate half of a Panera pumpkin pie bagel a coworker gave me.  

 

 

I devoured a caramel apple when I got home - the only thing left was the empty carton of caramel and the apple stick.  

 

 

We went to our friends' house for dinner and enjoyed a wonderful relaxing evening while chatting over some really good lasagna.  

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Thought for the day:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Becky

Look what the awesome guy at Trader Joe's customer service counter gave me yesterday.

I was so excited about getting my $15 worth of groceries back until I got home, opened the bag, and found the note.  I could have gone my whole life thinking that it was the cashier who didn't hand me the second bag.  

But no, Miss Becky had to be so specific in her note and inform me that I left the bag in the friggin' cart outside.  Thanks Becky, for making me feel even more inadequate.  

Let's all hope and pray that I don't leave Margaret in the cart outside once she is born.  Maybe I should just play it safe and not take her out of the house. 

In other non-important news, I made my every 6 month trip to the dentist and had my teeth cleaned. I always hold out eating and drinking anything as long as possible - I want to savor that sparkling clean feeling.  

Eats

Breakfast and lunch were pretty typical - almond butter and jelly sandwich with banana for breakfast and then peaches and strawberries with cottage cheese for lunch with carrots and a fiber bar for my afternoon snack.

Dan and I wanted to watch the NFL football game last night because I am slightly addicted to Fantasy Football, but we don't have the NFL network, so somehow we ended up at Buffalo Wild Wings.  

They were having a $0.60 wing special, so Dan thought that meant he could order 30. So did Brad.  They had a few wings left over.

Thought for the Day

One Bag

There are moments in my life when I get so frustrated with myself I want to scream.  

Yesterday, when I left one of my two bags of groceries at the Trader Joe's 25 minutes away from my house, was one of those moments.  

In my defense, I bought about 12 items, and for some reason the lovely cashier (who was playing 20 questions and distracted me) decided to separate them into TWO bags, when normally they try to shove as many things into one bag as possible.  I was so proud of myself for bringing one bag and busy filling out the raffle ticket for bringing my own one bag (while answering 20 questions) that I walked out the door and didn't think about the lightness in my hand of my one bag.

UUUGGGHHH.  

Once I discovered my mistake and finished stomping my feet around my kitchen (literally), I relaxed and realized the bag I left didn't contain any essential items for dinner (we had Courtney and Eric over last night).  I made my own cocktail sauce for the shrimp cocktail appetizer (ketchup plus loads of horseradish and a little lemon juice) and had to use Canola oil instead of olive oil, and everything was fine.  

I totally circled everything on my receipt that I left.  I plan on going there today and begging for some  olive oil.  Wish me luck.  

Fruity Day

Breakfast - granola (with way too much dried fruit that I picked out) plus Greek yogurt, a beautiful peach, and some mango jam from vacay.  

Lunch - cottage cheese, grapes, and strawberries with a granola bar and carrots for a snack.

Unfortunately, that reusable bag didn't get rinsed out all the way in the washing machine and my carrots tasted like soap, so I had to throw them out.  

I made pork, onions, and mushrooms for dinner with roasted sweet potatoes as a side.  Below is a beautiful picture of the leftovers.  

Courtney brought caramel apples for dessert.  I wanted to tip that tub of caramel up to my mouth and drink it.  

I was in heaven. 

Thought for the day