Time is Flying By... and Another Shower :)

Last week, I did hear a few terrifying tales, and some good tales, of childbirthing, breastfeeding, etc. It was wonderful though. It makes me feel excited to be on the brink of that experience.

33 weeks: Baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (like a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Our O.B. says we're growing along well. I've officially gained almost 20lbs now. Wow. And I still have about 7 weeks to go, during which I'm supposed to gain about a 1lb a week, which should put me at the average 25-30 lbs of weight gain. Fun. Starting in February, we see her once a week until it's time.<
I'm feeling fine except I've been feeling a bit more lightheaded lately, especially in the mornings but after I've eaten. For part of the week, my heartburn miraculously diminished... but now it's back in regular force; Tums are starting to taste even better. Also, ouch, my upper abdomen (right below the pectoral muscles) really hurts most of the time. It used to feel like a sunburn but now it feels like pulled muscles and it's sore to the touch and to the motion. My O.B. says this is due to my ribs widening. Sitting up is becoming quite a challenge and I mostly just have to roll onto my side then push myself up with my arms. It's tough flipping over or getting out of bed at night because certain movements stretch my sore muscles, wow and it feels like they're tearing.

The week flew by... it helped having Monday off (yay!), though I ran errands all day and felt exhausted by the end of it. Work is getting into my busiest time of year, mainly preparing for this conference in San Diego which starts on my due date. But it's also busy because my other work doesn't stop just because I'm engaged in this project. Until I go out on maternity leave, I'm going to be slammed all day every day. But... that's a bit how I like it, I can't lie.

My sweet mom threw me one more shower for family, coworkers and her wonderful Bunko friends and we had a very nice turnout. I love to feel all the love and support but I always feel a bit awkward being the center of attention and wanting to spend time with and acknowledge everyone who's there and let them know how much I appreciate their presence, and their presents, but there's only so much time. Alas. I was excited my family and a few coworkers even braved the winter weather and drove over the pass from the valley for the shower. It was really special to have them there. While we were at it, we had a little early birthday party for my dad too. And again, failed to take pictures...

But I do have recipes to share. For the shower, I made lemon bars (sorry, they were boxed, but um... I may have to make again soon, delish), rice crispy treats (because I'd been craving them all week! Turns out 1- they are super easy to make = uh oh, and 2- Matt doesn't like them so they are all for me), "blue" velvet cake balls (they were kinda teal, oh well) with white chocolate, and a mozzarella asparagus/cucumber/tomato salad, which actually turned out really well.

Asparagus Mozzarella Salad

  Here is my modified version:

• 1 small block of mozzarella cheese, cubed
• 1-2 cups grape tomatoes, halved or whole
• 2 cucumbers, cubed
• 10? stalks asparagus, trimmed and cut to 1-in pieces
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced

In saucepan, boil 1/2 in water and add asparagus. Cook 3 mins until softer yet still firm. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Transfer to large bowl and add other ingredients.

Dressing (I doubled this so I'd have enough to adequately coat):

•  1/4 cup olive oil
• it calls for 2 TB balsalmic vinegar but I tried red wine vinegar first; no, it definitely needs balsalmic so I probably had double the vinegar of the recipe
• I used about 1/2 tsp garlic salt instead of garlic clove and salt because I didn't have garlic
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• it calls for 2 TB lemon juice but that seems like a bit much to me

Whisk dressing together and pour over salad; toss to coat.
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Cute game from shower... we played a "Newlywed" type game in which my mom asked Matt questions, he answered, then I had to guess his answers. Guests predicted how many I'd answer correctly. I thought I'd do better...

1. How many diapers does a baby need each day?
• 10-20
• I thought he said: 10-15


2. What baby item will be most helpful?
•  baby wipes
• I thought he said: diaper pail (because he's a clean freak)


3. What memory growing up do you hope to recreate with your son?
•  watching Celtics games
• I thought he said: playing basketball outside


4. Who will be the first to hear the baby cry at night?
•  I will
• I thought he said: he will (but actually I will)


5. Who is going to cry more when the baby is born- Gretchen, you or Carsen?
•  Gretchen will, then Carsen, then me
• I thought he said: I will cry most (probably true)


6. Where would you like your first BIG family vacation to be?
•  Las Vegas!
• I thought he said: Boston


7. What was Gretchen's nickname as a baby?
•  I don't know
• I thought he said: either Little Missy or he wouldn't know


8. What was your nickname as a baby?
•  I don't know
• I thought he said: he doesn't know


9. If you could ensure that you pass on one of your best traits or skills to your son, what would it be? 
•  my jump shot
• I thought he said: his 3-point shot


10. If you could ensure that Gretchen passes on one of her best traits or skills to your son, what would it be? 
•  Since it's a boy, I can't say her good looks... I'll go with her loving heart and sense of humor
• Since it's a boy, I thought he said: my kindness


11. Of Gretchen's quirks, which would you NOT want Carsen to get?
•  Loud snoring ;)
• I thought he said: my story telling (btw I do NOT snore; he claims he said this because it was funny and I'd know it wasn't true. It seemed like a trick question to him.)


12. Of your quirks, which would you NOT want Carsen to get?
• Procrastination
•  I thought he said: ADD