Thursday, June 27, 2013

36 weeks { bump }

So I'm a little late in posting my 36 week re-cap of this pregnancy... but honestly, at this point, I'm not sure what's new. I'm tired... hot... and still pregnant. Appointments with my midwife, are weekly now... and what's crazy, is that I actually thought she was going to make her grand appearance during the "Super Moon" that we had last weekend. No lie. I was having regular contractions and tons of abdominal/back cramping... it's just that they were about 10-15 minutes apart. According to my midwife, it's pretty normal. She actually made the comparison to a marathon... she questioned me, "Would you run a marathon without practicing/training?"... um, no. "Think of labor/delivery as a marathon, and braxton hicks as the training."... okay, got it.

Little girl has decided to continue baking, and we still have some time left, before I'm going to try my darndest to evict... something about going passed my due date, in this dead heat of Oklahoma, does NOT sound too fun... I guess I'll take it one day at a time... okay, and I'll try and be as patient as I possibly can.

Everything is looking great though. Blood pressure is low, weight gain is normal (I'm up 30lbs), baby dropped a lot since last week (boy I can feel it in my pelvic area), and I have an ultrasound scheduled to check fluid levels and her size on July 5th.... so I sit back, and just wait... and sitting I have done a lot... all I am is exhausted these days. Even taking a shower requires too much energy for me... oh, and lets not even get started on how I've exhausted certain pieces of my wardrobe (like my blue and white skirt in the pictures below). I SO don't want to go out and buy anything new, not when I'm so close... and this skirt has been matched with about 10 different tops that I have. It fits me the BEST, and is the comfiest, and I pretty much live in it.

All the complaining aside, I couldn't be more thankful for this opportunity for my body to experience this... I never thought it would actually happen... and it is actually happening... God is amazing. I have now carried this baby to "full term"... when I was never ever able to carry a little one further than the first trimester... and I'm in awe of how this little one has just planted herself, and grown... in me. God is amazing, I can't say that enough.
















Cravings: ICEY anything... icey pops, icey water, icey tea... you get the picture.

Turn Offs: coffee still...

Daddy's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: "You're so beautiful pregnant... but that doesn't mean we're doing this again..."

Charlotte's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: We're walking around the "home goods" store on the Air Force Base, and Charlie sees bunk beds... she runs over to them, and states, "I'm going to sleep on the top, and baby is going to sleep on the bottom... we gonna buy these beds Mommy.".... We have a few years to go until that happens, but I will not say no to that dream little one.
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Monday, June 24, 2013

Barefoot and Pregnant...

... in the garden.







There is no place I'd rather be... even with a day filled with Braxton Hicks contractions (we're either getting close, or I'm blaming it on the Super Moon) and cramping... we got our strawberry plants in the ground, and a few rows of carrots and cucumbers planted. Now to watch them grow grow grow... or head to the hospital, who knows! 


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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Some Form Of "Nesting"

We're all sort of going into "nesting" mode over here at the house. If you stopped by, you would see some form of it. Between setting up baby girl's "room", crafting/sewing decorations, hanging up clothes, etc... it's happening... whether we want it to, or not. She'll be here soon enough, and then we'll all be too busy just staring at her cuteness...









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Friday, June 21, 2013

In the Dirt.

Even with a big huge belly... nothing is keeping me away from my garden... This weekend we have plans to add 2 more raised beds (for squashes, cucumbers, watermelon plants-the ones I picked up from the market that are mature already, etc.) I can hardly contain my excitement about getting my fingers in the dirt... yes, it's not for everyone... and honestly, I never thought it would be for me... but look at that, things have changed. Maybe I'm getting old or something! Or maybe I just know how delicious fresh yummies from the garden taste.

Just wanted to update you on how all my early seedlings are doing... they've taken off, and I've loved watching them grow and enjoy their space these last few weeks. They're like my very own little kids, in a sense... again, I must be getting old.



I'm trying to get Charlotte excited about "gardening"... but I'm not sure if this girl has it in her or not... what I do know, is that I tried to make "harvesting" fun for her... told her to take off the hat, and catch all the beans (as I tossed them over to her!) ... that, she LOVED. She's also a big fan of just playing in the dirt, and watering... I'll take whatever I can get.



I've been cutting back all of the yellowed leaves, to help the plants grow stronger/taller, and send all the nutrients and water up to the important parts, like the flowering parts and green leaves. So far, so good... 

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Thursday, June 20, 2013

35 weeks { bump }

Well... I'm here.. going into my 36th week of pregnancy... and was told at my midwife appointment on Monday, that I'm measuring well into my 37th week... you know, that little way of using the flex ruler over your belly to see how big you truly are? Yup, my midwife has me measured right at the beginning of 37 weeks right now... and I watched her sort of do a slow motion shake, because up until now, I've been spot on with each measurement. I think it's also because I haven't gained much weight, and again, as I hear all the time, "it's all belly". Since I have gestational diabetes (even though I have my blood sugar controlled perfectly), they're obligated to do one more ultrasound. So next week sometime, I should be heading to check in on "baby" one more time, unless she comes sooner. They want to check all my fluid levels, and see how big her parts are and what not. To make sure she hasn't gotten TOO big. She doesn't think it'll uncover anything... she's still predicting between a 6-7lb baby that's uber long... and delivery in the beginning of July. We'll see how accurate her predictions are (wink wink). She might just enjoy the little nest she's created in my womb SO much, that she'll be late. Who knows! It's crazy how much of a guessing game it is.

But since I have been having BH contractions (and slight cramping in my back and abdomen) and I'm considered "full term" based on my size... she said she'd let me deliver if she came along right now. One thing that was awesome, she definitely didn't do an internal check on my cervix.... as she said, she refused to "disrupt the peace"... the last thing she wanted to do, was start my labor when my hubby was flying. So, the only way she'll check... is if something questionable is going on... then she'll take a looksy... for now, baby continues to bake a little longer.

I did the drive to Dallas with Charlotte last week, and we picked up baby's crib and a few other things to prepare her room... my bag for the hospital is nearly all packed... really, I still question half the things I'm bringing along... and I'm preparing Charlotte for some time away from Mommy and Daddy (however long the pushing takes!)... she's THRILLED. Our co-sleeper is all set up and ready, clothes is washed and hung or folded in baskets... and necessities have been purchased. She can come now, and we'd be ready... but... if she holds on a little longer, we'll have more order around the house... but who needs order, right?
















Cravings: There's nothing better, than crunchy ice... seriously... I munch on it ALL DAY LONG. I've been drinking tons of water and some blue gatorade (for electrolytes). I've noticed that my body wants TONS of proteins these days as well... 

Turn Offs: coffee... so sad.

Daddy's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: "Just stay put a little longer girl... " (I think this comes out of his mouth, EVERY TIME I breathe a little heavier, or get him to massage a part of me, or when I complain about the cramping...).

Charlotte's thoughts on the pregnancy thus far: "I can't wait to meet my sister, sweetie, she's going to be cute." ..." I think sister is going to take baths with me."... "I think she's going to like oatmeal just like I eat oatmeal, but not the peach one, because that's my oatmeal." 
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

i.love.my.family

I didn't write up a post on Father's Day... because honestly, this past weekend, I was too busy soaking up the time with my sweet family. We're counting down days now until we get to meet the newest member of our clan... and we are all excited. We had a great weekend, celebrating Daddy and celebrating Charlotte (she's been ours for 2 years now, can you believe it?) and just loving on one another.  It couldn't have been better...

I love watching the kind of man my husband has become since Charlotte has entered our lives... the PERFECT Daddy for my little girl... in all ways. I'm even more excited for him to love on our newest as soon as she makes her grand appearance... there's something about a Daddy for girls... that just makes my heart happy. I know I'm not the only lady in his life, living in what's going to be a house full of girls. I'm okay with that... I don't mind sharing him... he's exactly the kind of guy I hope my girls grow up wanting to marry themselves... that is of course, if Daddy ever lets them talk to boys.

I couldn't resist sharing all these special moments that Allison from Poetry and Prose Photography captured for us a few weeks ago. i.love.my.family.  Now, how am I to choose which ones I should hang on our walls?  I can't wait for her to capture us all... all 4 of us, once this little lady makes her debut.












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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Summer Recipe: Parsley Pasta

With having picked up some yummy snow peas at the farmer's market last week, and an over abundant amount of herbs that keep growing like weeds... I knew I needed to create a yummy dinner last night... something fresh and new.  One of the herbs that's growing like crazy, is parsley... it's just HUGE and although I use a little here and there for certain dishes, it's never enough cut back.

Parsley is probably one of the easiest herbs to grow... but because the seeds take an UBER long time to germinate (4-6 weeks)... I decided to play a more mature one bought from the local nursery. Like most herbs, cutting will stimulate growth (seriously, my plant is growing like crazy), so always cut off the older growth first.

A lot of recipes call for parsley... often times they ask for dried... but adding fresh makes the recipe that much tastier. I created a simple... I mean super easy recipe with some last night, that I think you all will enjoy.

Grab about 3/4 cup of parsley, wash it off and chop it up finely... while you're doing this, boil any type of pasta. I used some three cheese tortellini... and I can't imagine using anything else for this recipe. Because I had snow peas on hand, as well as grape tomatoes... I sliced and diced about 1 cup of each and then left them in a strainer after giving them a good rinse. Once the tortellini noodles were done cooking, I poured them over the peas and tomatoes and let them rest.

In a saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter (I bet you can use olive oil and have it taste just as yummy).  Add 2 tsp of minced garlic, all of the chopped parsley, and about 1/4 c. of chopped red onions and stir in. Let this cook for about 2 minutes or until it starts to boil/bubble... add salt and pepper to taste. 

Move noodles, peas and tomatoes over to a bowl, and stir in your parsley butter sauce... add salt and pepper to taste, and it's finished!


We cooked up some grilled chicken on the side that was marinated in a sun dried tomato dressing, sliced it up and added it to the pasta for some protein... delicious. Seriously... I've never been one to enjoy being in the kitchen, but having fresh herbs and other yummies makes it SO easy to feel inspired to cook. 
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Friday, June 14, 2013

Made For Us

Dear Charlotte,

Let's add another year to it... Happy 2nd Gotcha Day! Wow oh wow, to watch another year fly by, seems crazy and exciting all at the same time. Last year when I wrote to you, in this post, I said that it's all about those "moments"... and how Daddy and I would try and pay attention to each and every one of them, not to miss anything. I'm fairly certain this last year, we've been amazed by all the moments... you have grown... leaps and bounds little girl. We shake our heads in awe of that growth almost every single day. Your language has exploded (especially since we moved back to America), you're well over double the weight that you were when we first met you, you've adapted to so much change- a little sister coming soon, the move to America, making new friends... Charlotte, you were MADE for us... to be our daughter.  You were created to be a military child, there's no doubt about that. Not only did you adapt so easily, but you welcomed all the change... and there's not many that can do that.

I'm fairly certain Mommy and Daddy complain about how much energy you have all the time... but secretly, we're just jealous. We wish we could "go go go" without exhausting ourselves, or overdosing on caffeine... somehow your energy never runs out. Even when you sit down to watch a movie or listen to a book, you're wiggling.  I know that most of that energy, is because of your love for life... and we just adore that about you. You never meet a stranger little one... you converse with just about anyone/anything that'll listen... wait, scratch that... they don't have to listen... you just talk... and talk... and talk. Most of the time, we wonder how a little one has so much to say... but you do... and usually we just say, "That's our Charlotte..."... oh you are "ours".  We can't say that enough.

Your heart is like no other that I have met... it's compassionate beyond what I would ever imagine a compassionate heart to look like. It's that love of life, that reflects then onto your love for others. There's this song, "His Kind of Love", that talks about God's love for us... "There are no words, no phrase I could create. There is is no melody that I could make. How do you sing about a love so deep? Without thinking like you missed something. I could try, but I could not explain... How do you ever try to comprehend this love that knows no limit...I could try, but I could not explain...." Mommy and Daddy are amazed at how limitless your love is... and we truly pray that you come to know Christ's love... knowing His love, you'd be unstoppable sweet girl.



















We are so excited to see what this next year will bring... we're sure it won't be silence (you still don't get Mommy and Daddy's sarcasm, but hopefully soon you will) !

You are such a blessing to us... Keep on celebrating life precious child,

Daddy and Mommy (and soon to be baby sister).
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Thursday, June 13, 2013

To the Farmer's Market We Go...

Last week, the Wednesday Farmer's Market started back up here in OKC... and I knew, that I needed to head there this week... I love farmer's markets, but sometimes it's super tough to get to the ones on Saturday, because that's usually family time. So I was itching to go to Wednesday's market, when I heard that it FINALLY opened. There weren't too many vendors, but just enough to pick up some yummy local stuff... seriously, EVERYTHING is either made/grown in Oklahoma... most near the city. I think my best finds were leafed and already washed kale, a beautiful red cabbage, and 80cent watermelon plants (I didn't get seeds in the ground soon enough, so I needed to find plants that were already well on their way to flowering and maturing). The only thing I could see that the market was lacking, was fruit... but it's typical, because nothing is really "in season" here in Oklahoma at this moment. But overall, it was so nice to just buy local grown items... gets me so excited to harvest my own garden.








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