29 week development

Here's what's going on in there according to Babycenter.com...

How your baby's growing
Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Holy Hyperlink!!! Look what I learned!!!

Dude, this is so embarrassing. Today, for the first time ever, I learned how to do what every other blogger in the universe knows how to do....reference another blog with a hyperlink. It's like I just hit spell check for the first time ever and realized, "Oh, that's why other people's blogs don't contain misspellings!"


So, if you would like to celebrate with me by viewing my very first successful hyperlink to a past entry, you can do so by clicking here...see? isn't it fantastic???? It takes you directly to the entry I'm talking about! How fantastic is that? I can't stop! You'll notice me nonchalantly mentioning a former blog entry about the cake I've eaten in a weekend....and what's this? If you click the mention, it'll take you there? To the precise blog I refer to? Why hasn't anyone else thought of this? Oh? They have? I'm a late bloomer? Oh well, that makes once in my life that late bloomer applies to me!

Maybe you can't understand my excitement. That's okay. I know my adult education cannot possibly be as exciting to others as it is to me, but seriously, I can reference away until the cows come home! Or since we don't have many cows in Laguna, until the coyotes come home!

Cook's Illustrated Classic Brownies

If you've been following my blog , you know that before baby I enjoyed cooking. Now that I"m expecting a little new person, my love for the kitchen has changed to be a love for baking. In fact, I think I mentioned all the baked things I ate in a given weekend a few weeks back?

Well, my latest bake fest began when my neighbor showed up with a grocery bag full of lemons from their lemon trees. I started out making lemonade, but then realized I could bake nice lemony goodness, too! That's when I baked the lemon pound cakes, and then the lemon squares. After those were gone, I made more lemonade, again and again. I still have lemons! and this at a time when this girl loves citrus, so the timing couldn't be better.

After the lemon fest, my taste buds asked for something rich and chocolatey. I remembered a recipe for brownies in one of my Cook's Illustrated...they claimed to be an "adult" brownie...and no, they don't have pornographic or illicit content. They are less sweet, and more rich. Just what the little one is asking for.

So within the past week, I've made the following recipe twice. Once as a thank you to my neighbor for all the lemons (yes, I kept half a dozen for our tasting pleasure), and then I made them again to take to a dinner party at a friend's house. They were a hit both times, and I think possibly the best brownies I've ever had. So without further ado, here's the recipe.


CLASSIC BROWNIES
MAKES TWENTY-FOUR 2-INCH SQUARE BROWNIES
From
Cook’s Illustrated

Be sure the test for doneness before removing the brownies from the oven. If underbaked (the toothpick has batter clinging to it), the texture of the brownies will be dense and gummy; if overbaked (the toothpick comes out completely clean), the brownies will be dry and cakey.

1 Cup (4 ounces) pecans or walnuts, chopped medium (optional)
1¼ Cups (5 ounces) cake flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking powder
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into six 1-inch pieces
2¼ Cups (15¾ ounces) sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 325 degrees. Cut 18 inch length foil and fold lengthwise to 8-inch wide. Fit foil into length of 13 by 9 baking dish, pushing it into corners and up sides of pan; allow excess to overhang pan edges. Cut 14-inch length foil and, if using extra-wide foil, fold lengthwise to 12-inch width; fit into width of baking pan in same manner, perpendicular to first sheet. Spray foil-lined pain with non-stick cooking spray.
2. If using nuts, spread nuts evenly on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside to cool
3. Whisk to combine flour, salt, and baking powder in medium bowl; set aside.
4. Melt chocolate and butter in large heatproof bowl set over saucepan of almost-simmering water, stirring occasionally, until smooth. (Alternatively, in microwave, heat butter and chocolate in large microwave-safe bowl on high for 45 seconds, then stir and heat for 30 seconds more. Stir again, and if necessary, repeat in 15 second increments; do not let chocolate burn.) When chocolate mixture is completely smooth, remove bowl from saucepan and gradually whisk in sugar. Add eggs one at time, whisking after each addition until thoroughly combined. Whisk in vanilla. Add flour mixture in three additions, folding with rubber spatula until batter is completely smooth and homogeneous.
5. Transfer batter to prepared pan; using spatula, spread batter into corners of pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle toasted nuts (if using) evenly over batter and bake until toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into center of brownies comes out with few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes (Andrea’s note: it usually takes my brownies about 45-50 minutes to achieve the right doneness). Cool on wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours, then remove brownies from pan by lifting foil overhang. Cut brownies into 2-inch squares and serve. Store leftovers in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.)

Top Chef: Wedding Wars

This week, they open the show with Spike and Andrew rolling around in bed together mourning the loss of Mark. I already miss Mark, too...but I wouldn't roll around in bed over him.

Next, Antonia points out that they're down to the final eight, and for the first time ever (what, 100 years? no, like, umm, 4 seasons, counting this one...hardly a pivotal point in television history if you ask me) women are equally represented....4 girls, 4 boys left...Now it's Nikki's turn for her thought provoking insight. Nikki says, "Being a woman, you have to be a fighter...a competitor...you have to!" Go girl...you tell 'em!

So the Quickfire Challenge...Padma ups the anty and reveals that the Q.C. will no longer provide the winner with immunity from elimination, but it will provide the winning team with an advantage in the competition.

They draw knives to choose teams, and on one team, we have Stephanie, Antonia, Richard, and Andrew. The other team is rounded out by Nikki, Dale, Spike, and Lisa. And the challenge is....my favorite challenge ever!!!! Relay races!!!!! I looked at Hung with new eyes last season as he conquered chicken after blessed chicken like he was cutting warm butter with a Samurai sword.

The challenging tasks are 1) peel and supreme (segment)five oranges 2)clean and turn two artichokes without breaking the stem 3)clean a monk fish and produce two fillets and 4)make one quart of mayo from scratch, with no mixer or processor.

Nikki "you have to be a fighter" immediately flashes back to cooking school nightmares of making mayo from scratch, and reflects that it's possibly the most horrible task ever. Dale is exhausted by her drama and asks the camera "why is she still here". Nikki jumps on the grenade ever so reluctantly and will do the team the ultimate favor of making the mayo...but let's just be clear, she hasn't made mayo in, well, forever.

The competition begins...it's Angry Lisa versus bitter "Single Moms Rule" Antonia...they supreme oranges like no ones business. In the end, anger reigns and Lisa kicks Antonia's Single Mom butt...stopping to pat herself on the back for the "huge lead" she provided her team with. Next up is Andrew versus Spike turning and cleaning two artichokes...in the beginning, it looks like Spike is going to kill the challenge with his approach to cutting all the leaves of with his chef's knife...he can't see why anyone would take the leaves off one by one. Spike's in the lead...until, oh my lord, he broke a choke! A broken choke! That doesn't count! Start all over on your second choke! So now it's Andrew's turn to shine and he pulls out all the stops...what's this special technique? He uses a veg peeler to peel the stalk....brilliant! He catches up to Spike, regardless of Lisa's huge angry lead, which she mentions one more time just to make sure we know that she did her part and the icky man ruined it for her. "The lead I provided it gone!" Lisa says smugly to the camera. Now that we have a tie game, Richard challenges Dale to a monk fish butchery. Can I just say after seeing monk fish, I don't think I'll ever order it...it's hideous! And the poor guys who have to clean it! In the end they tie, and Lisa angrily reminds the camera "the lead is literally gone!" Yes, Lisa, we know. You're the best. Everyone else sucks. Thanks for reminding us. Finally, we get to the dreaded mayo making challenge...it's Nikki "the ultimate fighter" versus Stephanie "just get the job done". Things start out slow on both sides as Stephanie concentrates on building her base. Her mayo begins to stand up, but Nikki "the fighter" is having no luck. Stephanie's technique appears superior in that she starts out by slowly dripping in oil drops at a time as she whips the egg yolks and oil with a whisk, while Nikki seems to be just pouring away, and has created a sloppy oily mess. Nikki takes a break...the fighter/competitor's arms hurt! All that whisking is taking a toll! How will she survive! In the end, Stephanie reigns victorious and claims the title! The team is big bundle of unified, happy, jumping people. Dale hits the locker in his losing dismay and yells F***!!! Alright Dale...calm down...it's a relay race. Too bad you couldn't have done all the challenges yourself, but sometimes you have to work on a team! (A little foreshadowing perhaps?)

So next up is the elimination challenge...they announce rather than restaurant wars, this season, the big competition is Wedding Wars! The bride and groom show up and announce their wedding for 250 people is tomorrow and oh, yeah, they own a wedding venue and a restaurant themselves, so they better not try anything sneaky because these are people who know food.

The winning team from the QC is allowed to choose who they'd like to cook for...this is their "advantage" that they've earned from winning. Richard steps in and says "the wedding is about the bride, so let's cook for her". You could hear a cricket hop in my house...what!? You're choosing the bride? As your advantage? Dude, seriously, that takes guts! I mean, seriously, I've known some serious bridezillas in my day, and choosing the bride is not going to give you a competitive edge. Spike asks the camera "are they kidding" while Andrew reveals he has a culinary boner...can he say that on tv?

The groom likes Italian food. He bonds with Nikki over their Italian ideas and palates. She tells him she couldn't agree more with everything he says and the team looks to Nikki for leadership...they talk about a bruschetta appetizer, he also likes Lobster, Scallops, Chilean Sea bass, and wants a German chocolate hazelnut cake. The bride likes fried everything, meat & potatoes, comfort food. A girl after my own heart! She also mentions cake is her very favorite food ever (Maybe we're twin souls!) and she wants a nice layer cake and likes chocolate and lemon.

Andrew suggests chicken nuggets. Antonia let's us all know about her Single Mom culinary superiority by telling the camera "you can tell Andrew has only been cooking for 5 years...you never do fried anything on a buffet...it doesn't stay crisp". Okay...that makes sense, but do you have to be so mean and condescending?

Nikki "the competitor" knows what to do. She is the leader, or at least everyone on her team thinks so. She immediately detests working with Dale because he doesn't like one of her hor douvres ideas..."he doesn't work well with others" she says to the camera. Dale tells the camera their team is a hodge podge and no one really likes each other on their team. Spike says he just wants to support Nikki "the fighter's" leadership and win.

Nikki "the fighter" takes the lead in creating the menu. For appetizers, they decide on bruschetta, assorted flat breads, and for the buffet, they'll make home made tortellini, mixed vegetables and cheeses, fillet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and orecchiette with ragu.

On the bride's side, the team works together to come up with the menu...for appetizers, they'll make pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, short ribs with blue cheese in phyllo...yum!!!! And on the main buffet, Andrew gets to make his famous mediocre crispy chicken to Antonia's more experienced chefly dismay. They'll also serve brisket, fillet mignon, creamed spinach, and potato gratin. Oh, and Stephanie "roll up your sleeves and get 'er done" will do the brides layer cake....dark chocolate and lemon with lemon filling. Okay, I'm already preferring the bride's side and I don't even get to taste it! Lisa "full of rage" tells us "we're so f***ed if the cake isn't right"...that's the right way to look at the challenge!

On the groom's team, Nikki proves herself to be the most un-leader leader ever. They ask how she'd make the beets, and she tells them, and then they ask if they should be whole or cut, and Nikki replies to do it however you want. Wow! She's really being a fighter...a competitor! She has to! Meanwhile, Dale's working his tail off playing catch up and is bitter. He's got his hand in everything!

Over on the bride's side, Andrew is getting bitter about Richard asking questions and throwing out ideas...but to be fair, it's now 2 a.m. and everyone is beyond tired.

On the groom's side, Lisa "full of rage" says Dale's doing a 1/2 ass job on everything and Nikki agrees and says she's concerned about his philosophy. At this point, Spike takes over the Chilean sea bass so he has something to claim at the judges table...up til now, I'm not clear on what he's been doing while Dale runs around and tries to do everything. Huge tension on Team Groom!!!!

Nikki's tired...Antonia "Single Mom" is talking gibberish about being in the army, Richard is still strangely awake looking, and Andrew has stopped talking altogether. It's 5:30 a.m. and no one has taken a break to sleep in the back room.

At 7:30 Tom C. show up looking chipper and clean and refreshed to check in with the chefs. He feels the Italian menu is easier but eludes to the Bride's team as being the stronger team and more up to the challenge.

It's now time to transfer the food...the wedding starts and everyone is on edge...they haven't slept in over a day. Now can I just say, how good does Stephanie's cake look????? And she doesn't know what she's doing????

The appetizers are served. Advantage, team Bride!!! They all mention Dale's crustini is too thick and too crisp and too messy. He's in the kitchen with all his fingers in the leaking dam so he has no idea, and this time does not hit a locker. Dale's now in charge of making all the hot food...the beef, the pasta, etc., is all on him and he has no support in the kitchen...he's very angry.

The judges are preferring the Bride's food, and find the Groom's food uninspired. Both cakes, however, were impressive, and Lisa's hideous battleship groom's cake was delicious, and Stephanie's cake was simply beautiful.

After being up for over 36 hours, it's time to wrap it up in front of the judges. They call the Bride's team...Andrew owns up to the chicken and spinach, although Richard was quick to own up to the strange star anise component. The judges complimented them on the cake, the pizzas and the brisket specifically, and award the win to Richard. He quickly gives credit to Stephanie for the cake and the decide to share the title and the prize. Good for them!!!

Now the groom's team is called in...these poor bastards...I mean, how tired can you be. They've given it their all for two days and have lost the challenge, and now somebody has to go home. Lisa stares furiously at Padma and the judges as they attempt to get to the bottom of who was responsible for what. Nikki "the fighter, the competitor" was quick to unfight and uncompete by saying she was NOT the leader of this group, to the judge's and her teammate's surprise. Then "the un-fighter" is quick to qualify with "sure, everyone looked to me for everything, but I'm not claiming this"....WTF????

Tom C. slams everything from the butternut squash tortellini to the dry crusted pizzas, the overcooked meat, and the flavorless horseradish.

Dale and Spike almost throw down. Dale "I did everything and you guys did nothing" rolls his eyes dramatically and is truly upset that he's going down with this losing culinary battleship. Spike calls him a little bitch. Gayle compliments Spike's Chilean sea bass.

The judges break it down after the contestants leave the room. Spike made the only memorable dish, but it wasn't enough of an effort considering they worked for over 24 hours in the kitchen. Dale did work hard, but did nothing notable. And Nikki "you've got to be a fighter...a competitor"...she just didn't assert herself (she didn't fight!!!! Oh, the irony!!!!) at all, and this was her chance to shine. Lisa in all her rage is not a part of the discussion because she made the mysterious and all revered magical dessert of flour, eggs, sugar, chocolate and baking powder...what's it called? Oh yeah, it's a freaking cake. Why all the drama over cake?

It's go time. And Nikki, it's time to pack your knives!

American Idol Commentary by my friend Sonia....

Below is my friend Sonia's account of what happened on American Idol last night...you know, the big top 4. Well, I thought Sonia's commentary was so right on that it actually saves me the time of doing a play by play because I agree so whole-heartedly with her assessment. However, I do reserve one difference of opinion noted below.

Here's what Sonia emailed...

--God, I'm so bored with the show now! I basically had the TV on mute until David Cook started singing. You're right--let's just give him the title of AI and end this thing! Speaking of David Cook, I didn't like his "Hungry Like the Wolf" performance at all. I really like him but I felt like he was shouting and he was so throaty and he ruined a great song! I guess I should give him a break though since he's more than proven himself over the course of the show.
My opinion: I agree...horrible song selection...out of all the songs in the hall of fame book, he chooses Duran Duran HLTW? And he proudly states that this song was released the year he was born...1982. Umm, as much as I love you David, you just totally irritated this pregnant old lady. I remember sleep-overs at my friend Christie's house, and we would drift off to sleep in her double bed gazing up at posters of Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and the whole D.D. gang....and we're talking multiple posters. One above the headboard, one to the side of the bed, one at the foot of the bed...I was....11! I also wasn't in love with the arrangement. However, I must say that Dave totally redeemed himself with his thoughtful analysis of what the judges had to say. Dave Cook is the only one in this competition that seems to really listen to what they say, and not take criticism personally...I love that. His statement, "I could have done so much more with that song" was excellent.

Second song was better. David Cook is great. Just give him the title already.
My opinion: I agree. Give him the crown. Make him king. Just don't make me watch this show anymore...I'm bored!


--Sayisha looked amazing but her Tina Turner rendition was so high-pitched and she sounded so breathless and I found myself appreciating the REAL Tina Turner all the more! Thank you Simon for being the voice of reason! I can't understand why Paula and Randy liked it.
My opinion: I agree, totally. Sayesha is a lovely girl with a rocking body and she looks great on the stage...but I think she's "working it" a bit too much these days...it's as if she discovered her sexuality on the show during the show tunes week and now wants to allure the audience with legs and smiles rather than her voice. And don't get me wrong...the whole music industry is filled in with these types of performers...not everyone is a powerhouse and sex does sell. But I'm just over Sayesha. Sorry. I agree with Simon.

Even when Sayesha sings a real soulful song (still sounded too breathless), I just don't believe her. God, why is Paula crying? Has she heard the freakin' original? What the hell is wrong with her? And maybe I'm being too picky but when Sayesha compared the Civil Rights movement with her appearance in the top 4 on AI?! Christ! I know more about the Civil Rights movement than she does, I guarantee. Oh God...now Simon agrees with Paula!!! I take back my comment about Simon being the voice of reason. Oh God! Now Sayesha is crying! She'll probably be in the top 3 now. WTF! I'm sorry, I just don't buy the tears.
My opinion: I couldn't agree more, dude! The civil rights movement is parallel, in her mind, to her sexual awakening and making it to the top 4? Is someone becoming a legend in her own mind or what? Step away from the puddle Narcissus!

--Okay, Jason wasn't great but I'll take him over Sayesha ANY DAY because at least he's original.
My opinion: Okay, this is where I may slightly disagree. Umm...I hated Jason's performances this week. And I was rooting for him since the beginning of the season....I've always found him somewhat adorable. But lately, I've been trying to figure him out...like, why does he seem so vacant, why doesn't he seem to apply one bit of any of the judge's input? Why hasn't he attempted to make one single song "his own" by changing the arrangement, etc.? Does he take a Xanex before stage every time? (I experience the same vacancy when I take Xanex on an airplane...or maybe it's the wine that I wash it down with?) Then, it struck me. The dreadlocks, the Bob Marley....DUH!!!! He's stoned! That's it! And as a former teen pot smoker (or experimenter, however you'd like to categorize it), I can't believe that I didn't see it before. I mean, how old am I? How far removed am I? But that's not really what we're talking about today, is it? Let's just say between Sayesha and J.C., I don't really care who gets booted first...I'm totally over both of them.

Okay, so Jason wasn't great again with Mr. Tambourine Man but I'll take his furrowed brow over Sayesha's tears any day. I hope he ends up in the top 3 just because Sayesha should have been kicked off a long time ago.
My opinion: I have equal opinions of both these days. I'm just as annoyed with J.C.'s high-pitched whiny singing, brow furrowing, eye closing, bar stool sitting, acoustic guitar playing ass as I am with Sayesha's booty shaking, short skirt wearing, tear-streaked dramatic interpretations!

--David A. was good but not great. I found his performance very American Idol-ish--like, if a contestant is going to sing "Stand by me" on AI then they're going to sing it the way David did. And then there's the glimpse of the creepiness inside him I saw last week. But the fact is the boy is very talented and his rendition of the Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road" had me tearing up so I can't despise him.
My opinion: Dude, maybe I'm just in a critical mood today, because I was more annoyed with his pre-recorded interview than anything...he sings "Stand by Me" to his dog in his room? If that story isn't planted by his stage-demon Dad, I don't know what is. How much more boy-next-door, Americana, wholesome and pure can this boy portray himself? Oh! He managed to make it slightly even better by singing to his dog in his room at home while meatloaf and au gratin potatoes are cooking downstairs in the kitchen while the whole family prepares for game night...Monopoly tonight! wooo hoo! Now...regarding the performance. He's talented. He has a beautiful voice. But this boy is made for the stage. I can totally imagine him having a Tony-filled career on Broadway...but a music contract? As in, people running out to buy his records? I don't think so.

--Love me Tender...I didn't like the arrangement of this song at all. The original has such a great melody--why did they change it. If David didn't sing the words "Love me Tender" I would not have known it was the same song. The judges liked it. I didn't get it at all.
My opinion: I couldn't agree more. As the sister of a full blown Elvis fanatic, I just can't support that performance. My brother could write a thesis on why every choice he made in this interpretation of Love me Tender was the wrong choice...but I'll just settle for I didn't love it.

*Can't wait to watch Top Chef tomorrow! My opinion: There's a reason Thursday morning is my favorite time of the week. Tivo catches my favorite show Wednesday night at 10 (way past my bedtime) and serves it up to me on a delicious platter for my viewing entertainment with my coffee!!!!

No one ever told me it might hurt!

My belly button....hurts!

Especially at the end of the day when, well, everything else hurts. But especially my belly button.

So last week at the doctor, I asked her why this is...with a smile and a furrowed brow, Dr. K told me my lucky news....1 in 10 of us pregnant girls have painful belly buttons.

She examined me make sure it wasn't an umbilical hernia, which if that were the case, I think the irony might kill me...I made a living selling hernia repair surgical mesh for a lot of my career, and the idea of hitting up one of the surgeons that I formerly called on to help me out with my umbilical hernia is just a downright awful thought! She deduced that I was hernia free---thank the baby Jesus---and had some sort of bundle of nerves left behind inside my belly button from birth...as in, when my belly button closed itself up, it left a nerve bundle in there...come to find out, a very sensitive nerve bundle now that I have my little girl pressing up against it night and day. In fact, I think she might actually be aiming at the sore spot sometimes...trying to figure out if she can press her big toe or elbow into the little area that the nerve bundle lives. But probably not...that wouldn't be so nice, would it?

And did I mention...my "innie" is an "outie" now? This isn't that new...it happened weeks ago, but I thought since we were on the highly fascinating topic of my belly button, I'd throw that little detail in there too. Dr. K didn't give me a percentage of women that this happens to, but I suspect it is a larger percentage than the little nerve bundle thing. I just hope that the whole thing goes back to the way it was...I never knew my belly button could be such a point of interest in my life.

And while we're on the subject...one of these days I may actually post a picture of what my former belly button piercing looks like now that I'm pregnant...the old skit from Saturday Night Live of the mom's with lower back tattoos that have grown and stretched and faded comes to mind. Anyway, if I ever feel particularly exhibitionist, I'll post an image of this lovely pierce-hole...maybe it can be a deterrent for teenagers everywhere!

Baby Bump...28 weeks

This is what happens when you feed your baby cake every time she wants cake...

27 week ultrasound photos

I thought I'd post some new ultrasound photos from my ultrasound last week, since it's been forever since my last photo.

Then I went to get them out of my purse, I realized I had already misplaced them...sad...I've already lost the memories of her 27th week. Bummer. Then, I realized I put them somewhere safe...in my "Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood" book. Yeah, see? I'm not going to be a terrible Mom after all! Here they are!

This is a profile of her little round head. So cute.


And here's an image of her full face...the alien shot that my ultrasound tech seems to be so fond of capturing!

28 weeks...the final frontier

This week I enter the third trimester...wow...the second one was really long. I didn't realize before I was pregnant that the first and third trimesters are 12 weeks, and the second trimester takes up the slack and is a whopping 16 weeks...who knew? I mean, doesn't the word trimester seem to point to three equal portions? Not so, apparently.

Anyway, I'm now preparing for Alia's arrival in earnest. I have signed up for breastfeeding classes as well as caring for baby classes at the hospital...I have made a screening appointment with a pediatrician recommended by my OB. I even met one of my Mom girlfriends at Babies R Us last night and worked on my baby registry. Seems like time is going to start flying!

Nesting is now a daily activity...yesterday I finished planting a little garden on the back of the house. Previously, this area was a dump site...old broken pots, plants in various stages of death and dying, yucky broken outdoor stuff. You know...the stuff you keep meaning to throw away but every time you attempt to do so, there's a big scary spider, or worse, a reptile of sorts, crawling on or around the junk? Well, procrastinate no more...the area has been reclaimed and is now un-scary!

This shot is probably the best at showing the whole collection, although the little jade plant in the front is a space holder and doesn't really belong in this group of plants...the pot doesn't really match. Long story short, the pot that really goes there is having a drainage hole drilled and as soon as that's done, I'll be able to plant the last of the four planters.

This planter turned out well...I like the mix of grasses with the weird little succulents...they have such personality!

Here's another planter...I think the middle plant looks like something you'd find in the depths of the ocean.

And here's what you see from my office window...so much better than the former pile of junk. Why oh why didn't I take a "before" shot to truly demonstrate just how much better this looks? (Probably disgust and embarrassment!)

Today's OB appointment...27 weeks and a few days

Thursday I had an appointment with Dr. K to check in on little Alia. I had an ultrasound and a doctor visit. It was nice that Ajay was able to get done with work in time to join us.

First, I had the ultrasound. We went in, me anxiously nervous but very excited to see my girl, and at the same time just hoping that everything they see is a-okay and healthy. First, the stenographer scanned for the heartbeat. At first I didn't see it, which I think may have made my heart stop for a moment...but as she moved the probe around my belly, I saw the elusive movement and instantly was able to exhale again.

Today's ultrasound was an attempt to measure how big the baby's head, torso, and femurs are, as well as my amniotic fluid measurement. Then with the estimated numbers, they compare my little baby to the average sized baby at this time. At this stage of the game, it is only an estimate, and not really accurate, but Alia seems to be a big girl! At almost 3 pounds, she's in the 88th percentile for babies her age. We saw her in her classic pose...one hand behind her head, one knee crossed over the other...I swear this girl is going to be born to lounge. She also got the hiccups while we were watching her. Talk about cute! Oh, and the amniotic fluid level looked great too.

Lately I've noticed that Alia's weight is getting too great for me to lie on my back beyond a few minutes...I have been trying to sleep on my left side for a long time now, but only now have felt the effects of the lack of circulation back to the heart that happens when lying on my back...apparently this squishes the vena cava closed and keeps blood flow from returning to the heart. My appointment at the dentist earlier this week was proof of this phenomona, and as a result was pretty trying...I had to keep lying on my side to get my circulation going...and the ultrasound this week wasn't much different. When it was over, I was totally light headed when I sat up.

Let's see...what else...

Oh! I think we have an E.T.A.! We're going to try to have Alia on July 21st. This is the date that my mother in law got from her astrologer in India. It's supposed to be a very auspiscious day for us! We'll see if Dr. K can arrange that day.

Also, I did get the results back from the second gestational diabetes test and guess what! Not even a blip on the radar. She thinks the first test was a total outlier. So all the talk of giving up cake regardless of results? Out the window, my friend!