He's Here!

Dear Friends,

At 1:11am on Thursday morning June 6, 2013 our little man came into this world. Meet Austin Dean, 7lbs 15oz, 22 inches ...

He looks just like his dad and I couldn't be happier about it. Look at that smile.

Okay, okay that's probably tummy pains not a smile. :)

I will be back with recipe posts (COCKTAILS!) and baby updates as soon as I can, this parenting stuff is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Remember when I complained about how hard pregnancy was and wished people would stop telling me to get some sleep because I already wasn't sleeping... well I hate to say it but they were right! Pregnancy is a breeze compared to this.

I'm going to be focusing on this little guy right now but I'll be back as soon as I can. Talk to you soon!

xoxo,

Michelle 

Watermelon and Pineapple Salsa

This salsa was my last ditch effort to get labor going before the induction. I figured, with pineapple and jalapeño we had a decent shot.

Well the salsa was delicious... tangy and sweet but still a little spicy and savory.  It's a perfect summer snack and it's healthy too. I didn't even really want the chips, I just used a spoon!

But it didn't bring on the baby. Sigh.



I am about 41 weeks right now and strangely I think I'm getting used to being uncomfortable. Uncomfortable feels normal to me.

But ... I also can't stop smelling and hugging his clothes that smell like soft baby detergent and happiness.

Nick can't stop giving my belly kisses.

And I can't stop disinfecting everything in the house. Handrails, door knobs, any surface people touch I've been cleaning.



I am so very close to meeting my little boy and I don't think I have ever been as ready as I am this moment. I don't even mind that he is so late. This feels right.

Thank you husband for making me read dog meme Tumblr accounts and laugh harder than I have in weeks. Thank you friends for suggesting that I only read positive birth/induction stories (it really helped calm my fears). Thank you Ericka for coming to visit and gossiping with me so I could take my mind of things.

Thank you all for sending good vibes our way and checking in on us. Tomorrow, we meet our little boy! xoxo 



Watermelon and Pineapple Salsa 
2 cups cubed watermelon (small cubes)
1 cup cubed pineapple (similar size as small watermelon cubes)
2 tablespoons diced red onion
1 handful chopped cilantro
1 seeded and finely diced jalapeño (to taste)
1 dash salt

1. Mix all of your ingredients together in a medium bowl except the cilantro. Let the salsa sit for 15 minutes and then drain out the excess juices that the salt has drawn out.

2. Toss in cilantro gently and serve. Keep chilled.

Happy Due Date! (Weeks 39 & 40)

Whoa! Check out this belly. 

Week 40: Baby is the size of a Jackfruit

Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb.
Full term! Baby's finally ready for the outside world...

Weight Gain: I'm going to be honest. I'm at a 45lb gain. I will lose it though, I will.

How I'm feeling: I'm at 40 weeks today (It's my due date!) and surprisingly, I feel great. Other than some pressure in my lower abdomen when I walk because he is so low, I feel pretty good. Yesterday I had some slightly painful Braxton Hicks and felt tired, today is better though.

At my doctors appointment today they said I was "really soft" but still not dilated. I lost this (TMI alert, don't click this unless you are preggers and need to know for future reference or have already had children yourself, it's pretty gross) and I've been having some spotting so my doctor today said I have a good chance that he will come this weekend! I really hope so. If not I have an induction appointment for Tuesday night. Eeeeeek! So nervous of being induced. I would much rather this little monkey comes on his own time.

Most Major Issues:  Anxiety. Major anxiety. I'm getting nervous knowing that he is coming any minute now. I feel terrible saying so but the anxiety has taken over the excitement. I'm trying to just enjoy my alone/quiet time but I'm feeling stressed out.

I want him to be here with us so badly and I can't wait to see his perfect little face but I am also nervous about SO MUCH. I can't stop reading birth stories on BabyCenter and wondering if I will have a really terrible labor and delivery or an easier one, will my epidural work? Will I end up with a C section? I just can't turn my brain off. 

I really need some help focusing on the positive. I need to work on happy thoughts only.

Sleeping: Sleep is also an issue. I've been cramping up at night and that keeps me awake. Partly because it hurts and then partly because I keep wondering if the contractions are going to start. I know that if he decides to come when I am low on sleep it will be way worse. Sleep is SO IMPORTANT these days. Also if one more person says "Get your sleep now! You won't sleep much later" I might snap. As if I have been sleeping for the past 4 weeks?

Imagine putting a bowling ball in your t-shirt and then laying on your side. The bowling ball pulls your shirt to the side. That's what happens with my belly and it doesn't feel good. Plus the peeing, plus the cramps, still with the heartburn. There is not much sleep going on.

Maternity clothes: Whatever works with an OVERLY pregnant belly in 90 degree weather. Hello heat wave in Washington DC.

Stretch marks: Nope. Although, I do think I might have a few on the bottom of my arms. My arms are so chubby ... I can't wait to lift this baby up and down and work them out :)

Exercise: More walks around the neighborhood. There is a hill and I have to let go of Nick's hand when we start to go up it. I need the momentum of swinging my hands to make it up the hill! I'm sure I look crazy.

Best moment this week: Nick and I went out to dinner last night. I kind of thought of it as our last date night dinner before we are a party of 3 instead of 2. We went to Sweetwater Tavern, one of our favorite restaurants and I had the filet Mignon (soooo good). We got frozen yogurt at Sweet Frog after. It was nice to take my mind off things.

Food cravings: Ice water and cran-grape juice mixed together (lots of ice). I must have drank several gallons of this stuff in the past month. I've been a little sensitive with smells again lately. A little nauseated too!

*** Since this is probably my last update before my little munchie comes I think it's worth saying that I feel kind of bad that my baby updates have been so cranky and negative. For me this pregnancy thing was not that easy. When I read other womens pregnancy updates on blogs, they seem to love it. This one chick recently even said "how can anyone not LOVE being pregnant?" That is totally the opposite of how things have been for me and seems like a crazy thing to say. But ... it's different for everyone. 

I do want to end these pregnancy updates saying that I have also been over the moon excited for my little boy to get here and can't wait to be a mom and all of this will be 100% worth it.

There has never been a baby boy more loved and wanted than this one and I am blessed that I am healthy and that I have had my best friend and husband to stick with me through these past several months.

I can't wait to introduce you to him! Won't be long now :) ***

Spicy Honey Lemon Shrimp

I wanted to name this recipe "Bring on the Baby, Spicy Honey Lemon Shrimp!"

With the kick from the Siracha and the sweet tang from the lemon I thought maybe we had a chance to get things in motion. Wouldn't that have been the best blog post ever?

To bad it didn't happen. Still waiting for our little man.

I really came up with this recipe because I was craving the lemon shrimp they have at Wegman's buffet and salad bar (a monster grocery store here in Virginia). Nick and I used to go there to just to get that shrimp.

Actually ... cute story ... Nick first said "I heart you" while we were eating lemon shrimp for lunch at Wegman's.

We didn't drop "L-bombs" for a few weeks after that but I remember the "I heart you" made my stomach flutter with butterflies. Maybe that's why this lemon shrimp makes me so happy!

They haven't been putting out the lemon shrimp lately though at Wegman's and I was forced to try and make it myself.

My version is a little lighter than theirs and definitely worth a try. You won't be sorry. You will "heart" it.

Spicy Honey Lemon Shrimp (Serves 2-4 people as an appetizer)
1/2 cup Cornstarch
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
1 Teaspoon pepper
15 Uncooked jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (I bought this bag from Trader Joes)
1/2 Cup Coconut or canola oil
1 Tablespoon chives or green onion (optional)

Sauce
3/4 cup Orange juice
Zest of 2 lemons
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Siracha (or more if you like a lot of heat)
2 Tablespoons Honey

1. If your shrimp is frozen put them in a large bowl of cold water and defrost.

2. In a large bowl mix your cornstarch, panko, salt and pepper and garlic powder. Toss your shrimp, a few at a time, in the bowl of panko and constarch until evenly coated.

3. Heat your oil until simmering (not smoking) and then fry about 5 shrimp at a time until they are golden brown on each side (about 2-3 minutes on each side). Set shrimp aside on a plate with paper towel to absorb the left over oil.

4.  In a medium sauce pan add your orange juice, lemon juice, zest of just one of your lemons, sugar and cornstarch. Turn on medium to high heat and whisk frequently until combined and comes to a boil. When it starts to bubble and thicken turn off your heat and whisk in your honey and Siracha.

5. Cut the tails off your shrimp and then pour or coat your shrimp with the sauce. Zest the shrimp with your second lemon. Top with chives or green onion for some color (optional) and serve!

Baby Update: 38 Weeks and in the Home Stretch

This little one, named Natalie, was the start of my baby fever (read about it here) ... and look at me now.  I can't believe we are really about to have our own baby. (You can read more about Natalie on her awesome mom's blog too.)

Most of the women I know that were due around the same time as me have had there babies already. It's so weird when that starts happening! I'm talking to them about where to buy nursing bras and then a day or so later a photo of their beautiful newborn shows up on my Facebook feed. Amazing.

I am thinking of slightly changing up my blog soon. I want to make a section for kids treats and even non alcoholic jello shots and party treats. I get a lot of emails asking for the kid friendly recipe of so many of my jello shots. What do you think?

Week 38: Baby is the Size of a Pumpkin

Average size: 18.9-20.9 inches, 6.2-9.2 lb. Baby might have an inch or so of hair already.

Weight Gain: I've hit it, I'm at 40 lbs. Must. Hold. There. I'm actually 39 weeks today but I wanted to write about week 38 so I don't skip anything. We also had a growth scan last week and found out that our little boy already weighs about 7.3 lbs.

How I'm feeling: Yuck. Not so good. Earlier this week I started having some cramping that felt like period cramps. They were on and off through the evening but then they woke me up having moved into some back cramping at about 3am. I didn't wake Nick. I knew they weren't contractions. They weren't necessarily something I could time, just a constant ache.

Growing up I've had some TERRIBLE cramps. Cramps that make me sweat and the color drain from my face. These aren't like that they are uncomfortable but mild.

I'm hoping it's my little man getting ready and that maybe there has been some progress made. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I will know more then.

Most Major Issues:  I think the hardest part right now is not getting freaked out about all these different pains and wondering "Is this it!?" Yesterday I also had this terrible stretching and tightening pain in my lower abdomen right under the baby bump. It felt like Braxton Hicks but painful and more condensed in one spot. Like a charlie horse in my stomach. Not a nice feeling.

I go back and forth in my head with being ready. One moment I think bring it on little man! I want to meet you! I'm ready for the pain. Then, other times, like this morning when I've been up since 3am because I'm so uncomfortable and tired (my belly felt sore all night and it was hard to sleep through) I think, please not now, I just need to sleep a little first.

Maternity clothes: I gave in and got a few pair of light, light lounging pants to wear around the house and some long tank tops. It's really warming up and I had to do it. I only had longer sleeves for maternity tops.

Stretch marks: Still none ... I'm on my 3rd jar of Palmer's cocoa butter.

Exercise: We went for a walk around the neighborhood last night. I'm hoping that will move things along a little faster. I'm going to try and do it every night now when Nick gets home.

Sleep: I need more. Constantly. Today has been hard. I'm still working from home but I didn't sleep much last night. All morning I was checking emails from my Blackberry so I could stay in bed a little longer. I got some work done but I did fall back asleep. I dreamed that I slept until 6pm and missed all this work that needed to be done. Stressed me out.

I kind of feel like a baby right now myself. I need sleep, food, bathroom, and more sleep, then more food etc.

Best moment this week: I sat in his nursery last night in the glider chair. Nick sat on the ottoman and was reading The Hungry Caterpillar to my belly. Honey curled up with us too.

Nick kept changing the foods that the Hungry Caterpillar was eating to the foods I've been craving and eating and I couldn't stop laughing. I can't wait to extend our little family :)

Movement: Not much room in there but he is still moving around.

Food cravings: Still craving ice cubes and anything cold. I'm thirsty all the time too.

Belly Button in or out? It's flat. A flat "hole".

Avocado and Mango Chicken Salad

This avocado and mango chicken salad is made up of such good intentions.

Intentions to start eating mainly "clean foods" when my little man gets here. Fruits and veggies and whole grains and proteins, things that will keep me full as long as possible and not bother my baby's tummy while I'm nursing.

I originally saw this salad on my Instagram feed I had to have it.

I've started following all the #cleaneating, #fitspo, #healthyfood folks on Instagram hoping they will post other meals that inspire me and keep me focused.

I need to stay focused on avocados, fresh lemon zest, juicy mangos and grapes. Fresh salmon, slow cooked and pulled chicken breast for salads with greek yogurt or olive oil and salt and pepper.

It makes me feel healthier just looking at it!

Unfortunately there are things like Lucky Charms and marshmallow popcorn that distract my good intentions.

"You're still a big ole' pregnant lady and you only have a week to go! Enjoy us now!" they say.

So I do.

But this salad sure makes my plans for later more appealing.

This time last year: Watermelon Jello Shots on a Popsicle Stick

Avocado and Mango Chicken Salad (Serves two)
1 Avocado
1 Mango
1 Chicken breast slow cooked and pulled
2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt (or light mayo if you want)
Zest of half of a lemon
1 Handful red grapes
Juice from half of a lemon
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Cups lettuce or spinach

1. Place your lettuce or spinach in a bowl. In separate bowl mix your pulled chicken with yogurt or light mayo, red grapes and lemon zest, season to taste with salt and pepper. Top your lettuce with the chicken salad.

2. Slice your avocado and mango and arrange on top of salad. Squeeze your lemon juice on top of the salad and drizzle with olive oil for dressing.

Life a few weeks before baby ...

I thought it might be fun to write about how things feel right now in these last couple weeks before our little man gets here.  It's been so surreal lately. That's why I chose to add this "comic book" effect to my photos. It really makes things look how they feel.

This is my desk while I work from home until my maternity leave starts. I feel really blessed that my boss and company are comfortable and even encouraging of  this. I waddle downstairs in my pajamas every morning and get started on things. I also love, love, love my new desk chair. It definitely feels weird though knowing that I won't have to go back into work for over three months.

I've been a freezer meal making machine this week. Here are the chicken enchiladas I mentioned in my last post. I also made Martha Stewart's Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. If you are looking for a good freezer meal or casserole I highly recommend it!

Tonight I will make a beef stroganoff freezer meal.

I've been reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It's the one book that EVERYONE recommends. I don't know how much is really sticking in my brain right now though.

I also have some serious anxiety about breastfeeding. None of the women in my family did it and have all said "Are you sure you really want to do that?" I am also constantly reading on message boards how hard it is and how much it hurts. Super stressed about this. I probably worry about it at least 5 times a day, no joke.



I'm trying to pay more attention to the Honey Bear, after all she was our first baby. I know things must be weird for her too. Here we all are in this new house and mom has a belly that just keeps growing and dad talks to it  like it's a person.

She probably wonders why we seem on edge lately and why I started staying home with her during the day. Dogs are pretty intuitive, she must know something is going on.

Speaking of the new house, I love getting to drink my morning coffee with this view in the backyard.  Sometimes it's the little things in life that make it so good. But I do think that part of what makes this all seem so "unreal" is the new house. We only moved in a little over a month ago.

All of a sudden we live in this nice new house deep in the suburbs. I mean ... when did this happen?

I know we planned it. We saved a ton of money. We talked about it and made it happen, I just still can't believe it sometimes. I look around and I think... where am I? What is going on?

It's common to hear this in our house lately: "Baby ... This is OUR house. We have a nice house!!!"

or

"Baby we are really having a baby!? We made a baby. This is crazy!"

Last but not least... the hospital bag. I've been procrastinating on this one.

Last night we went to our hospital for a tour. Lucky for us it's just 10 minutes down the road. I'm also pretty excited that every room is a private room.

They said I didn't need to pack much but ... I do want my own towel, and what if they have scratchy toilette paper? Not the best time for me to have scratchy TP. (Good tip from a friend)

I also packed: A robe, an extremely loose fitting going home outfit, two nursing bras and a nursing tank top, soothing gel pads for breastfeeding, shampoo and conditioner, face cleaning towelettes and dry shampoo.

I put a note in there that has a check list of the things I need to add right before we go like my phone charger and ipad and hair dryer. Do you think I'll be able to dry my hair on my own? Don't say I won't care how my hair looks before we go home. I will.

Anyway ... this is life lately. It's weird and seems unreal. What's coming next is so unknown. I know it's going to be amazing though and I can't wait to start this next chapter of my life with my loving husband/best-friend.

Stay tuned.