One Week

I can't believe our sweet baby girl is already a week old!

We are so in love and couldn't be happier. Yes, we're tired. Yes, we're a bit overwhelmed. But it is totally worth it.


I still can't believe we are parents. I'm so happy to be on this journey with my very best friend. I absolutely love seeing Jim as a dad. He is so great with Jane.

Jane is sorting out her days and nights and is on a pretty good schedule. Eat. Poop. Sleep. Eat. Poop. Sleep. Squawk. Squawk. Squawk. Eat. Poop. Sleep. Or something like that. :-)

She is changing so much every day, it is crazy. All ready I feel like time is going by WAY too fast.

Now for some pictures from Jane's first week of life: 

Hanging out with Aunt Laura

Getting ready to go on our first outing.

Daddy and his girls.

Worth the Wait

She came 9 days late, but it was absolutely worth the wait. Miss Jane Elizabeth was born on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 1:32pm weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 22 inches long.

On Thursday morning, around 5:00am, my water broke. I took advantage of the fact that I wasn't having contractions yet and got a shower, did my hair, and put on make up. If I'm going to give birth, I at least have to look good while doing it, right? Funny what goes through your mind.

We got to the hospital a little before 7:00am. By this point I was having some mild contractions, but nothing bad. At 7:30am they gave me a little Pitocin to get things going. They weren't kidding. Things got really intense, really fast. I was terrified of the idea of getting an epidural. So my plan all along was to just see how labor went. If it got bad enough, I would get one. Within an hour of starting the Pitocin I realized I was going to need it and need it fast. So they started the IV fluid and I just had to wait it out. You have to go through about 1.5L of IV fluid before they will give the epidural, but they said I should have the epidural in about an hour. I remember looking at the clock, it was around 9:00am, and thinking, can I make it until 10:00am? It was the most intense hour of my life. Any fear I had about an epidural was gone. Just before I got the epidural the doctor came to check my progress. I was about 6cm dilated. The doctors and nurses were all a little surprised with how quickly that happened. And I realized I had made it more than half way through labor without an epidural. Once I got the epidural I was like a new woman. I was able to actually enjoy the birth of my sweet baby girl. By 12:30pm they said I was ready to start pushing and one exhausting hour later we had our baby.

God is awesome and we are so thankful for this healthy little baby girl.

Wasnt' kidding. Got all dolled up before we left for the hospital.

This labor thing isn't so bad.

I take it back. This sucks.

Post-epidural: This is much better.

It's a GIRL!

First family photo

7 pounds, 12 ounces

She's got her Daddy's feet.

Daddy's little girl. This just melts my heart.

Black Bean & Quinoa Bake

Is it labor-inducing? We'll see.

Is it tasty? Absolutely.

I'm finding it hard to go grocery shopping these days. Our diet is based on lots of fresh produce and I HATE throwing out food. So how do you shop when you don't know when you will be going to the hospital and knowing you will be there for at least 48 hours? It's challenging. I've been making almost daily trips to Kroger. I end up standing in front of the bananas that I use in our smoothies every morning wondering if I should buy 2 bananas for the next morning, or will I go in to labor and end up having to make banana bread in few days. It's funny, I know, but that is honestly what goes through my mind.

Today I'm tired, and annoyed that I'm still pregnant, so needless to say I didn't make it to Kroger to buy the fresh things we needed for a nice, healthy dinner. Thankfully I have a well-stocked pantry and had all the makings for one of my favorites, black bean & quinoa bake. We always have quinoa and a can of black beans on hand. I also happened to have half a bell pepper in the fridge, but I usually have half bell pepper chopped and in the freezer from previously making this dish.

So here's what you need:

1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1.5 cups grated cheddar cheese
salt & pepper, to taste
olive oil

And here's how you make it:

Pre-heat your oven to 375 F.

Saute onions and bell pepper in a little olive oil with ground cumin, salt, and pepper until soft.

In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, sautéed veggies, and 1 cup of cheese. Place in a lightly oiled baking dish (approx. 9x9), and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

Bake for 30 min., or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.

And that's it. Easy, easy, easy.

Enjoy!

Baby Update: Not sure how much longer I can wait

41 weeks and STILL pregnant.

I'm trying hard not to get frustrated, but it is getting really difficult. I'm not a patient person to begin with, and this is just getting a bit ridiculous. Although it will never get old seeing the look on people's faces when they ask me when I'm due and I say 7 days ago. It's priceless, really.

Yesterday I had an appointment with an ultrasound and a non-stress test to check on Baby J. The point of these tests was to make sure there wasn't a medical reason we needed to induce sooner than the 28th. (I'll be 42 weeks on the 29th, and they don't let you go past that. So if Baby J doesn't come by then he or she will be getting an eviction notice)

Everything was perfect with Baby J. Thankfully we were able to keep Baby J's gender a surprise. Yes, I really, really, REALLY want to know what we are having, but I've made it 41 weeks without knowing. So what would be the fun in finding out now. It is very funny though that 20 weeks ago I was begging the ultrasound tech to let me know, and now I was begging her not to tell us. It's like a cruel joke, but it will make sweet Baby J's birthday that much sweeter.

Baby J did great on the non-stress test too. They hooked me up to fetal heart rate monitors for 30 min. and when I felt the baby move I had to click a button. They are checking that when the heart rate increases it is because the baby is moving and when the heart rate decreases it is because baby is resting.

Based on the results of the test and ultrasound Baby J is good to hang out for a little longer. And after talking with my doctor we all feel good about giving Baby J a little more time. My doctor said only 5% of women make it to 42 weeks without going in to labor. So the odds are in my favor that any day now I will go into labor on my own.

I'm fine with waiting (though it is not easy) because it is Baby J that signals my body he or she is ready, not my body signaling it. Plus conditions are not favorable enough in my body at the moment, so inducing now would mean a really long and hard labor for me. Yuck.

I go back on Thursday for another non-stress test and exam. Hopefully Baby J will decide to come before then!

Baby Update: Still Pregnant

Here's me at 40 weeks.

It's official. I'm going to be pregnant forever.

Okay, I know that isn't possible, but it sure feels like it. I'm 40 weeks and 3 days pregnant, and the last few days have felt like an eternity.

So what's the plan? The plan is just to wait. I'll have a few tests done on Monday, an ultrasound and a non-stress test, to check on Baby J and make sure he or she is okay to hang out for a little longer. If everything is good to go we'll just wait some more. If Baby J still hasn't come by January 28 we will induce. They don't let you go past 42 weeks, which is fine with me. I really don't want to be pregnant for 10 more days! Yikes.

Now for some stats. Only 5% of women deliver on their due date. About 50% deliver after their due date. And, the average for first time moms with a healthy, normal pregnancy to deliver is 40 weeks and 3 days. That's today for me and the day is still young. :-)

I'm fully confident that I'll go into labor on my own any time now....hopefully. In the mean time we're enjoying these last few moments as a family of 2 (plus Libby). But really Baby J, we're ready to meet you so hurry up please!

Make Ahead Favorites

To help us get through the first couple weeks of Baby J's life, whenever it is that he or she will make his or her appearance, and all the adjustment that comes along with that I've been busy stocking our freezer with some of my favorite make ahead meals in perfectly portioned packets so we can just heat and eat with no effort or thought.

Here are a few recipes that are easy to make and freeze beautifully:

White Chicken Chili

Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Buon appetito!

Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

I love soup. I eat soup for lunch probably 3 times a week, at least. What I don't like are salty canned soups that are full of preservatives. Homemade soups are so easy to make, freeze really well, and are much cheaper than the canned variety.

Here's my recipe for chicken & wild rice soup:

1 roasted chicken (you can buy a rotisserie chicken, but I like to roast my own. It's super easy and has way less sodium that way. Just rub it with a little butter and pop it in a 375 F oven for 1.5 hours.)

1 onion, diced

1 cup carrots, sliced

1 cup celery, sliced

1 cup wild rice

3 cloves garlic, peeled and whole

1 tsp. herbs de provence

2 T olive oil

64 oz. chicken stock

While the chicken is roasting, set Crock Pot to high. Add olive oil, onions, carrots, celery, and herbs de provence. Cover and let cook for one hour, stirring occasionally. Add wild rice and chicken stock. 

Once the chicken is done roasting and has cooled enough to handle, pick into bite size pieces. Add to the Crock Pot.

Continue cooking on high for 4 hours, until wild rice has "popped."

This soup is great to keep in the freezer. I portion it into quart size bags and freeze on a flat surface, like a sheet pan. Once frozen you can easily stack the portions in the freezer for space saving storage. If you are going to freeze some of the soup, do it immediately. Don't let it hang out in the fridge for a few days, then freeze. And, don't forget to write the date on it. As a general rule of thumb I like to eat frozen meals within 6 months. (Though this never sticks around that long).

Apple-Butternut Squash Soup

This tasty concoction is the perfect winter soup. It's thick, it's hearty, it's healthy, and it's soup-er easy to make.

Here's how you make it:

1 onion, diced

4 apples (I like gala), peeled and diced

2 butternut squash, peeled and diced

2 T curry powder (mild)

2 bouillon cubes (I use the Not Chick'n brand)

2 T olive oil

2 cups water

In a dutch oven, lightly sauté onions until translucent. Add curry powder and cook for 3 more minutes.

Add butternut squash, apples, water, and bouillon cubes. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for about 45 minutes or until squash is very soft.

Transfer to a blender and puree. It might help to do this part in 2 batches. Be careful, hot ingredients in a blender can be explosive. 

If the soup is too thick for your liking add a little extra water. 

This soup is great to keep in the freezer. I portion it into quart size bags and freeze on a flat surface, like a sheet pan. Once frozen you can easily stack the portions in the freezer for space saving storage. If you are going to freeze some of the soup, do it immediately. Don't let it hang out in the fridge for a few days, then freeze. And, don't forget to write the date on it. As a general rule of thumb I like to eat frozen meals within 6 months. (Though this never sticks around that long).

White Chicken Chili

My mother-in-law made this tasty white chicken chili a few months ago when we were having a family chili night on a busy game day weekend. Since I'm deathly allergic to tomatoes, chili is a dish that is really never on my radar. When I tasted this [tomato-free] chili it was love at first bite.

Here's my adaptation of her recipe:

1 roasted chicken (you can buy a rotisserie chicken, but I like to roast my own. It's super easy and has way less sodium that way. Just rub it with a little butter and pop it in a 375 F oven for 1.5 hours.)
1 onion, diced
2 small cans of diced green chilies
3 cans of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and left whole
64 oz. of chicken stock or 2 bouillon cubes with 8 cups water
2 T ground cumin
1 T dried oregano
2 T olive oil

Pick the chicken, both white and dark meat, into bite size pieces. Set aside.

Dice onion and lightly sauté in olive oil until translucent. Transfer to a large Crock Pot. Add diced chilies (don't drain), cannellini beans (drained and rinsed), garlic (peeled and whole), chicken stock or bouillon and water, cumin, and oregano.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

This soup is great to keep in the freezer. I portion it into quart size bags and freeze on a flat surface, like a sheet pan. Once frozen you can easily stack the portions in the freezer for space saving storage. If you are going to freeze some of the soup, do it immediately. Don't let it hang out in the fridge for a few days, then freeze. And, don't forget to write the date on it. As a general rule of thumb I like to eat frozen meals within 6 months. (Though this never sticks around that long).

The Waiting Game

I'm 39 weeks along now and have only one week until Baby J's due date on January 15, but really Baby J could come any time.

I'm feeling all kinds of emotions. Mostly excitement, but there is definitely a little fear of the unknown creeping in.

On a positive note, I'm quite enjoying my last few weeks of pregnancy. The baby has dropped so much that I don't have those little feet in my ribs any more, and my horrible heartburn has all but disappeared. I am slowing waaaay down though and I think I've got the pregnancy waddle down pat.

So until this baby decides to come it's just business as usual. I'm still working and just trying to keep checking as much off my never ending to-do list while I can.

Hopefully the next blog I write includes our new arrival! :-)

The Nursery - Take Two

What's better than designing a nursery once? Designing it again, of course! :-)

Here's the final product. Now, all we need is a baby! (Plus a few extra pictures on the walls, but those will have to wait until after Baby J makes his or her big debut.)

The dresser/changing table, plus Libby. She loves hanging out in the nursery. 

The crib and the giraffe. We'll add some of Baby J's newborn photos to the
wall once he or she arrives.

I picked up these little prints in Ireland on Baby J's first international trip.