Day 1 Maternity Leave

Today was kind of productive depending on how you look at it. I cooked 2 whole meals, uh exercised and watched lots of cooking shoes kind of, I also made brownies and attended the neighborhood book club. Not sure what I did the rest of the day. Oh yes I talked on the phone a lot. Here is my food, I should probably get a fancy camera and learn how to take better pictures if this becomes a habit.
Pumpkin Pie Pancakes:
Mix:
1 cup of whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
sprinkle of nutmeg
1 Tbsp- 1/3 cup of brown sugar
Mix:
3/4-1 cup pumpkin
1-2 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1/3 cup of canola oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
Combine and cook on preheated medium-low to medium skillet, these take a while but are so worth it especially with whipped cream

Dinner I was clearly feeling my Greek Blood when this popped out
Mizithra Pasta:
brown 1-3 cloves of diced garlic in
4 or more Tbs of Irish Butter
add package of cooked whole grain pasta and
Mizithra cheese, I used some I found at Fresh Market but Whole Foods offers better tasting cheese

Tomato Cucumber Salad:
4 Roma Tomatoes
1/2 cucumber
olive juice from Costco Kalameta olives (red wine vinegar and olive oil I believe)
oregeno
chop, pour, mix= yum

fried zucchini:
dip zucchini in egg and then Italian bread crumbs, fry in olive oil over medium head, flip when browned and than place on paper toweled plate.

I would post my brownie recipe but there were none left to photograph so you will have to wait, it's one I developed in order to get my father to eat sweets, he never did before mwhaha, but one day I brought him these and ever since he would kindly hint that it would be ok if I brought him some brownies when I visited, it's mainly cocoa and butter, I heard cocoa induces labor and wanted to bring something to share at book club, perfect combo.

I also had an insightful day reading The Book of Mormon, I finally realized that Laman and Lemuel they didn't have to come along, for those not familiar with The Book of Mormon there is an accounting of a family who is commanded by God to leave Jerusalem before it is destroyed. The whole family goes but Laman and Lemuel are these 2 brothers who are always whining about their riches and all that they left behind. They are continually smacked into shape as they have Heavenly visitations and then they beg for forgiveness and do OK for a while. Anyway I used to always think of these two as just really bad people but then it hit me they didn't have to go, if they were really bad they would have probably just stayed in Jerusalem, anyway so they were people who just continually questioned God, questioned their previous spiritual experiences, and complained a lot. It really motivates me to just walk forward with faith! Once I've made a choice especially when I have thought it over and prayed about it and felt led and guided by God, not to look back or to worry, murmur or wonder, you make your own life and you can't live in the past or wondering what if or with regrets, if you know the choice you made was the best you could move forward and move forward in Faith trusting God! Living this way always makes me feel happy. I remember when I felt to move from Colorado to Utah things didn't go exactly as I planned and I occasionally wondered if I was just stupid or what, tuition was more expensive, nobody knew my name, I gained 3o pounds, and the guy I had been dating ended up treating me like crap. I remember taking comfort in The Book of Mormon through this time and knowing there was a reason I was there but there were times I wondered. Eventually I made friends, the weight came off and I met my husband, none of it was what I expected but it was all so much better! Anyway I hope you enjoyed my Book of Mormon moment, walk forward in faith and don't look back!

French Kiss Anniversary

Today was the anniversary of many things, first of all 3 years ago today TJ took me to Liberty Park in the evening we played in those water canyon things and ran all around, and then we stood on the bridge and he asked me if I trusted him, he made me do that trust exercise and fall backwards, and then he kissed me, this time a bit more than the one from the weekend before, OK so it was our first french kiss. So to celebrate I told him I was going to take him somewhere. The past year the bridge was closed due to an oil spill. He figured it out and said he was going to take me instead, so we had a little picnic, so fun! I really didn't trust anyone down there to take a pic, besides TJ, so we just set up the auto timer and now look at us 3 years later waiting for our son. Awww. We also saw this mommy duck with her 7 ducklings, double aww!
So today also marks my last day at work at iFreedom, it was supposed to be Friday but I just panicked and wondered what I would do all day at home, in the past this has never been a problem for me but I guess after 2 1/2 years it's a hard habit to break, especially when you spend more time at work than anywhere else. So I showed up today after my boss already submitted my maternity leave paperwork, everyone is afraid my water will break there, and I am tired of hauling around there but I never get sick to telling everyone, yes I am still pregnant and still here, and he is due Thursday. I left early but I am tempted to go back tomorrow but I'm going to try to focus on enjoying sleeping in. I'm also panicking about loosing my paycheck, we lived quite comfortably with it and now I am working on distinguishing between wants and needs, it's really good for me, I've been pretty spoiled my whole life.

I also heard today was the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

The Wee Connolly is pretty crowded but he is good to me, I can feel his bottom in my left side and he is bent at the waist from what I can tell with his legs going across, I can't wait to hold him and love him and tell him what a good baby he is, he only kicked my ribs for a couple days, now I think he sometimes gets his foot on the outside of them, kind of strange and hard to breath but really usually he is just smooshed up I think in a position similar to this. TJ packed his bag today he is convinced he is coming everyday, I am convinced he will be growing up to manhood in there!

pregnancy woes

So all in all I feel great but it's been a rough day of pregnancy. First I tripped while running and all should be happy to hear that I even thought as I purposely rolled onto my upper arm that contained my ipod, I knew it was either ipod or baby and instinctively I chose to land on the ipod, fortunately neither was injured. I did end up with a nice bloody raspberry knee haven't had one of those for a while! Next as I'm trying to throw a couple curls in my hair in the 2 mins I have before I headed out the door I burn my finger, it doesn't seem to bad till about 8pm when it grows a giant blister. Back to the morning, I ran out the door and was treating my knee wound while TJ drives me for my OB check up, we see my sister-in-law. Imagine her eyes, TJ driving toward hospital, 39 week pregnant Liz with leg on dashboard, haha I can't stop laughing, it's like h is head was sticking out or something. A few texts cleared things up. At the Doctors BP was low, dilated to a 3, scheduled induction date in case, not so bad. Numbers on the scale and asking a nurse who lost her twins if she had children BAD! So I mosey on to work, where I manage to work as little as possible and eat my lunch by 11 am. Followed by some french fries and a hot dog throughout the day I puffed up like the michelen tire man or whoever that guy was in ghost busters. I came home slept woke up hungry ate some ice cream. TJ took me out to share a Chipotle burrito watch Rio in 3D (first time I watched a 3D movie, I can't wait to see the one about animals we saw in the previews, like our glasses?) and toss the football around so fun! Feeling motivated to get the baby out and start some PX96 and running!

First Kiss

Today marked our first kiss 3 years ago on my doorstep on 21st South and 1661 East. I had finished running the Wasatch Back that day and the night ended with a white rose and kiss from TJ on my doorstep. Sigh it was dreamy! Today also marks the summer solstice what a great day to be the longest day of the year the one full of the most light, I was kind of hoping baby would make his appearance today I've even had some contractions and some moments where it really felt like he was going to bust out. I finally realized what a contraction is, I just thought our baby was pushing his bottom out all this time!

The Toga

I've really thought this my whole pregnancy but tonight I actually tied a blanket around my neck and made a toga, I think it should be like the pregnancy uniform for all pregnant-kind, so comfy! So I just took 2 corners and crisscrossed them and tied them in a not behind my neck but I could go for something like this! The second one is more how the blanket toga turned out and no worries no plans to leave the house in one but really I think this is ideal for comfort! And if I could tone down the last dress add some sleeves I really think I would make it my pregnancy uniform!

More midnight rantings!

So it's not quite midnight but close enough! I spent all day Tuesday trying to figure out how in the world to go about finding a bassinet mattress. First I went to Hancock fabric where a deathly ill woman bless her soul tried to help me, she must have not noticed the 10 ft distance I kept from her, all they had was a piece of foam that was too small yet she kept trying to sell other stuff to me and hacking. I went to Joanne's again and they had foam for $30 a yard, really, Walmart and Kmart almost got me to buy a foam bed mat to cut up but it just didn't feel right. So after some R&R trying on Tom's at the mall I finally decided to check Babies R Us, I had checked online with no luck, but walah there it was and for $20!

I resisted the temptation to buy Tom's, but when I came home TJ said he would pay me to do his homework, I tried to negotiate with some Tom's and he ended up doing his homework. Is that aloud spouses doing homework? Confession Time: Once when we were first married I stayed home from work to do his math homework, really math just sounded more exciting than work, but don't worry since then I just support!

My thoughts today mainly centered on, I have no idea who this little person living in my tummy is and I don't think I really fully believe he is coming. I think about my needs so much will it be possible for me to think about this little guys needs all the time and push mine aside. Normally I do whatever I want whenever I want but things are going to change, most of me really wanted this but there is this Independent streak that thinks goodbye spontaneous Liz.

I'm 38 weeks today, I should have taken a picture, I wore my uniform dress to my friend Heather's wedding, randomly I met her husband before her, and then her and I became good friends and they found each other and now they are both in a wonderful relationship together hoorah!!! It makes me so happy, they are so good for each other!

So 38 weeks, I felt some twinges of pain at work today for about 1 1/2 hours, my coworker was convinced I was going into labor, but they stopped and the baby is still in! Maybe he'll be here for fathers day, my presents for TJ are kind of practical and lame, but who can top that a baby??? At my appointment yesterday he measured right on. My Dr was impressed with my fitness level, I popped right up after he listened and measured Hudson without any help. He said everything looks great except I have group B strep, I'm not sure I should share that but I guess it's just a colony of bacteria that grows commonly in people but is dangerous to babies, before I thought it was like an STD or something, and was in shock when he told me I had it,(OK I knew it wasn't an STD but really I didn't think a monogamous person would have it). So I have to get an IV, I HATE IV'S, and my Dr asked me if I was allergic to Penicillin, I had no idea so I called my mom and she said I have never had it because I had some reaction to egg whites so they wouldn't give me penicillin. I eat eggs all the time now so I have no idea what is going on here.

The Bump: Hudson is squished his bottom is up to my ribs and he guards his space well if I rest my hands he always kicks back. This morning at work he was churning my stomach with his legs, I wanted to vomit. He is getting really strong! I still can't tell if I get Braxton Hicks because my stomach is hard all the time! He is still dropped and dropping more and more. My blood pressure was little higher this week which stressed me out but the Dr said it's lower than most peoples and still in the healthy range. I attribute this to my new sweet tooth and lack of sleep as I can't go to sleep with anything out of place, nesting I guess. I also found that there is a 10 pound difference from the scale at work and the scale at my Drs office, so I have only gained 35 pounds, which makes sense, since I started weighing myself on the scale at work, which funny enough sits right by my desk. So a couple months ago I started to inform everyone it was 10 pounds off, which made most people stressed, finally it has been confirmed that the scale at work is correct by many other people who weigh them selves regularly and even athletes who always have to know their exact weight. What is my Dr's scale doing to pregnant women so rude!!!

Cravings: Ice cream everyday!!! Fresh fruit! Cheese! Candy! Real healthy I know!
Aversions: Today I ate Chinese Food and didn't get sick! So none that I can think of! I'm not brave enough to try cabbage again.

Clothes: Things are getting tighter, I just rotate through what fits and stretch what is snug. My legs look large so I'm not digging shorts but I still wear them and feel like an Amazon Woman!

Best moment: Hmm, life feels perfect to me when my bed is made, the house is clean, there is fresh fruit to eat and clean cold water to drink, and thanks to Heather, fresh flowers on the table!

Looking forward to: Meeting Hudson!

Missing: The Wasatch Back, really I think I should have run it!!! It starts tomorrow, I could have delivered next to Echo reservoir in the middle of the night and named him Echo, sound better than a bright noisy hospital room right?!

Sleep: I can do it anytime for however long or little!

Latest baby buy ok it was more like a splurge, but it was the last thing we needed, so I ordered the Bamboo Swaddlers from Aden + Anais, you might think the original ones are soft, umm touch these!!! I figured since we are set and I am going to hopefully have more future children this was a good buy and I had to have the super cute design of course so I ordered the last ones from this store www.contemporaryconcepts.com

20 hours

This summer my husband is taking 20 credit hours of school, yikes! All of them are online but one so pretty much all I do these days is watch TJ type and clean the house and think of things to do for our baby and TJ. I've gotten so bored I've started studying his homework so I can help him study. I have a huge list of things to do but after like 2 hours of running errands I just want to hibernate, I draw too much attention, little boys gasp in horror at my belly and grab there mom's, dad's try to guess how far along I am digging themselves in holes as one mad said "wait are you pregnant", me "no I'm just fat" him "you look huge, let me guess 3 weeks away, I mean I can tell you are normally cute and small, not that you aren't cute now, is that your husband he is going to beat me up" (actual conversation at Fresh Market with Mr Budwiser sagging pants himself and now I am only going to Costco and Sunflower market where do these people come from?), and if I try to do something like hike or run I get "oh good for you, glad you are wearing rescue colors", or "look at that ball of sunshine", or "are you trying to get him out", really it's no wonder most pregnant women park it on the couch. With no internet access I get stumped and that letter I needed to look up an address for well that is the last thing I want to do when I finally get my hands on my computer! I should really make this private or have a separate blog for my random rantings, my intentions for this one was mainly cooking and crafts but that hasn't really happened. Although I did make a cute fathers day card tonight I will have to post a picture. And isn't that the point of a journal to get all your mindless rantings and ravings out on so that the rest of the world can think you are perfectly normal. The baby is getting really low and I'm feeling calm except I am worried about his name, I love Hudson but what if it doesn't fit him, his back up name is James, but I feel like I need to reread through every baby name just in case. Ahhh!!!!! What if he comes tonight and we name him Hudson because I was too lazy to reread the baby name book! Then there are all other kinds of decisions like circumcision, I don't want to make that choice for him! It seems like the trend is headed down really quick except for in UT and with good reason because there is no good reason to do it, do I circumcise him to fit in here or not so that he fits in elsewhere, and why is it even about fitting in anyway, frankly that little piece of skin freaks me out but is that a good enough reason to cut it off? That's probably all that is keeping him in right now fear of circumcision! Then there is the adorable bassinet my sister-in-law lent us. We need a mattress for it the Dr OK'd the egg carton material but I went to buy some today and it was $40, seriously, we mine as well buy a whole new bassinet, but don't worry I plan on persisting on and finding somewhere that sells by the yard instead of a delux queen size pad. I just feel incapacitated without the internet to look up stores and call them and I am too tired and Salt Lake is not shopper friendly everything is spread apart and I live by nothing. On a good note I was able to find the matching book end for Hudson's books and I ordered this adorable print for his nursery. Sadly it is coming from London so I had to pay $2.00 extra for shipping but really totally worth it if you ask me. Anyway I think I got most of my ranting out except for the huge black bumble bee trying to nest by our window, that is freaky! Oh and really what is the deal with my cravings, early on it was all healthy food, now all I want is chocolate, candy, and ice cream. I've still managed to eat healthy but I've added desert between every meal somebody help me!

37 weeks

I've reached the point of denial now, for about two weeks I was ready for him to just be here, now I'm convinced he's never coming and I'm not sure I believe there is a little human in there. Today I went to the Dr he was actually delivering a baby so my nurse practitioner Erin who I LOVE checked me. This might be a little too personal but she has been amazing my OB before her would just go for it relaxed or not and one time I almost kicked her and I never went back, it hurt! After my traumatic old OB Erin helped me relax at my first appointment with her she has the gentlest touch and I completely trust her and am able to relax now, it's a great experience in comparison to my old Dr whom I will not mention so tempted though.
Anyway the bump:
He's dropped really it happened the day I took this picture, the day I turned 37 weeks. Today Erin said I am dilated to a 2 and 50% ephased, I feel good about that! After I went to work and my coworkers well some of them are convinced that he is coming soon! He's still in his pattern of a couple days of wildness and a couple days of sleeping, he a funny kid. I think he just gets excited and wears himself out and then takes it easy for a couple days. He is also engaged in my pelvis to a -2, it starts at -3, and than +1 would mean his head is coming out!
Food:
Cravings- Calcium, one day I had a spinach omlette, a spinach salad with cheese, nachos, almond butter toast, milk, more nachos, a quesadilla, and ice cream, seriously this kid must be growing some solid bones! Besides that fruit and chocolate have been my next favorite!
Aversions- For some reason vegtables haven't been sounding as delish as normal but I still try to pound them and incorporate them in all my meals.
Fashion:
My maternity clothes are feeling a little snug although some of my favorites aren't maternity clothes like this downeast shirt it's the bomb for pregnancy, now that Hudson has dropped my Old Navy maternity jeans cut in a better spot again. My feet always start the day in regular shoes and end up uncomfortable so now I choose sandles or to go with my bigger shoes, for any lady out there who battles which size shoe to buy, when in doubt go up! I always fit in 7 1/2 or 8 and the 8's are great but anything smaller is a lost cause for now!
Best moment:
Snuggling TJ soon we will be 3 and it is exciting but I am trying to soak up as much 2 time before as possible!
Sleep:
I still sleep great, rolling from side to side hurts, my main complaint is I can't get enough sleep and fall asleep pretty much anytime I sit/lay down, at work I often just go lay on a couch for 15 mins and pass out. I have only gotten through my hypnobirthing CD 1X without falling asleep, ever, no matter what time I do it I konk out!
What I miss:
my old clothes, bending has become nearly impossible since Hudson has dropped, the Wasatch Back! Today I had a great run, I started to think maybe I could still run it next week, but I don't think I would feel the same way in the middle of the night running 10 miles, or running up a 45 degree grade.
Looking forward:
Having the house completely in order and being a mom and seeing TJ as a dad!
Symptoms:
A little achy and tired!

June

June is one of my favorite months! It marks not only warm weather, finally but also 3 years from when TJ and I started dating, our first kiss, and may be our first babies birthday we shall see. I don't know what I would do without my best friend in my life. Here is a picture from June 2008 and one recent one, from our trip to Mexico.

Baby Bedding Final

Dadadada
I finally picked baby bedding, it all started with a trip to Target where I found one piece of the set and fell in love, I purchased the changing cover pad which was originally $14, when I got to the register it was $1 wohoo, then I went on line and decided to wait till after my last shower but today I got an email with a sale and was able to score a $115 set for $72 and

it included free shipping, the best part is I love it! The pictures really don't do it justice but here it is!