Monday, Monday

Today is Monday. I'm 2 days away from being induced.

I went to the doctor today, and I learned that I'm 2cm dilated and 75% effaced. Baby is moving down into the right place. And, even though I'm being induced, things can still happen between now and Wednesday morning. I feel better now, though, knowing that baby is slowly helping with this induction. He/She may not enter the world on their own, but they are helping it for momma.

But, good things are happening around the house. I'm going to keep busy today. I'm planning on vacuuming and mopping our floors. A ham is baking in the oven as we speak! (And, it smells delightful.) I'll wash some clothes and tidy up a bit. We've had a bunch of snow, so our floors look coated with mud. And, I love our hardwood floors.... it'll brighten up the house for sure.

Once we returned from the doctor, I decided lunch was appropriate.

I can't get enough salads... so that's what I made. And, I splurged with Ranch dressing. It's so good with cheese.

I also whipped up a tomato basil bisque quick-like.

Carmelized onions, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil. Tres bien.

I will keep things updated as I can!

40 weeks

Oh, yeah! We made it! But, baby is not here.

It's been an interesting week.

I worked this week, but I did have a bad day. I went to the Women's Evaluation Unit on Thursday. I was not feeling well at all. It was early Thursday, and I was already swollen. My hands and feet and legs. I had a headache already, and I was having on and off blurry vision. Not cool. They checked me out, but at the time it was kind of scary. I just didn't feel well. No signs of pre-eclampsia- but, boy, did I feel rough.

So, today is my due date. I'm looking at it right in the face, and I'm going to pass it. I'm sure. When they checked me on Thursday, I was still 1cm dilated, and 50% effaced. Ultimately, the plan is Tuesday if I haven't gone into labor, Wednesday they will induce. I'm scared about it, but I'm sure all will go well. I have faith in my doctor, and I know the hospital is number one in maternity services. Adam will be there, and family not too far away.

Yesterday was my last day at work-- that is for my maternity leave. I feel like a huge weight is lifted off of my shoulders. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday, and I'm going to enjoy this weekend thoroughly. We had a celebratory meal last night that was out-of-this-world fantastic. I hadn't had my serving of fish this week, so I decided salmon was the way to go.

I made a sweet coconut rice infused with basil, mint, and lime first. I put the herbs in the coconut milk to sit for about 45 minutes. I'd like to let it go longer, but the longer I stand the harder it gets to walk. So, I started with that. We went to the market, and I bought 10oz of farm raised salmon (I'd rather have wild, but it wasn't at Schnuck's.) It didn't smell fishy-- a good sign. I also bought:

1. Panko bread crumbs.

2. plum sauce (AKA duck sauce.)

3. green onions (scallions).

4. spring salad mix.

5. Asian vingarette.

6. lite coconut milk.

The coconut rice was started. I placed the fish on a broiler pan with aluminum foil and basted the salmon with the plum sauce. It sat for about 25 minutes, too, just resting and soaking up the sweet, tangy flavor of the sauce. I preheated the oven to broil. I made sautéed cabbage with carrots and four peppercorn pepper. Cut the cabbage as thin as possible, and heat in cast iron pan with canola oil. It turns out so flavorful and good.

Back to the Salmon:

The sauce had slipped off the filets, so I spooned it back on. I topped the sauce with scallions and panko break crumbs-- placed the filets in the oven for 10 minutes.

The spring mix salad was tossed with the Asian vinaigrette and added grated garlic and mint.

I enjoyed the meal. It was a perfect meal to celebrate with my husband. We rented some movies, and stayed in. Here's to my growing family!

Menu:

Broiled Asian Salmon with Plum Sauce

Basil and Mint-Infused Coconut rice

Sautéed Cabbage with 4 peppercorns

And

A Spring Salad mix with Asian Vinaigrette.

A Day in the Life

The last 3 weeks I've probably heard everyday at work this question:

"Are you still here?"

I smile and say, "yep."

Every night I go to be early... rise at about 6:40a.m. I make my lunch, my morning coffee/cocoa, and hop in the car. I head to work and being as big as I am now, I have some trouble moving myself out of our sweet Volvo when I arrive at work. I waddle around all day. Walking up and down halls and in and out of offices, I wear myself out. Then, I get home. I take my shoes off, and my sweet husband caters to most of my needs. I've written here how uncomfortable I am, but this is the hardest physical feat I've ever endured.

So, today I'm 39 weeks. The baby is likely the main thing on my mind most of the time. I'm preoccupied. I have baby brain. I'm wondering when this little one is going to grace us with his/her presence and how it's going to feel to hold my baby. I'm excited and nervous and scared. It's awesome.

39 weeks, and I've read that it could go longer than 40 weeks... jeez. I guess I'm just going to go into spontaneous labor. I've had several BH contractions... and some pains that I think are contractions. Nothing official though. No visits to the WEU, no "signs" if labor. I'm assuming that it will all happen on it's own. I guess we'll just wait and see.

Our house looks great. Besides my relationship with my husband, it's something I'm really proud of. We've got food galore. It's clean and posh. Nice environment to welcome a new bundle. 1421 Cutter is ready.

So, here's to another week. We'll see the doc Tuesday, and see what he says.

Night.

37 weeks 6 days

It's Friday! Thank goodness for that.
It's been several weeks since I have written. Our computer has a little charging problem, so I'm having to use it sparingly.
But, here's an update:

Last week at 36 weeks, I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. All my labs came back excellent except my iron. I have low iron, and it's making me tired! Also, we're small for gestation age, but I'm not worried since I've gained 48 pounds. Yes, 48. That does not make me happy, but we'll lose it.

Week 37: No change. BLAH! I'm so ready. Feeling like crap most of the time is not fun. And, I've developed a few small stretch marks. Ugh. I am ready to meet my baby, but he/she isn't ready to meet me or his/her papa.

We did have a sweet surprise couple's shower hosted by my sisters in law and mother in law... and my mom and sister were there! We recieved some cute, cute items. And, we're more prepared than ever.

I will try to post a picture of our baby area. It's rather darling, AND gender neutral! Yippee for not knowing the sex! We did, however, do the ring test. It said boy..... I guess we'll see if it was correct.

Wish me luck these next 2 weeks. I feel like I might not make it.

Brit