Nesting... or not!

I have often heard expectant mothers describe a strange phenomenon, in which they have the overwhelming urge to clean, arrange, rearrange, cook, and in general make the house ready for baby. This, they say, is called nesting. But "this" is completely foreign to me! 

I have no more had the urge to clean like crazy or rearrange furniture, than I have to run a marathon, or slide down a banister of razor blades into a pool of rubbing alcohol... Ok maybe its not quite that drastic. But even now, at 35 weeks, the preparation I have been doing is mostly out of necessity. The reality is this kid is coming and soon. Ready or not... And I think all the involved parties would be much more pleased if we are ready!

The only even slightly nesting-like urge I have noticed, is an increase in my desire to bake... I have always really loved baking and anyone who knows me is well aware of my love affair with the Food Network. Ryan has always wondered why I love watching people cook so much, when we can count the number of times I have cooked in our marriage on one hand! Well recently my passive has become more proactive. It began with some divine lemon ricotta cookies, then picked up speed with a delicious tres leches cake... And the latest creation to emerge from my oven, strawberry lemon yogurt muffins! Because I am so proud of this new development, I feel that it should be documented!  So feast your eyes on this my friends!

We begin with the handy dandy recipe (not as cool as a Handy Dandy Notebook, but then again I am not looking for Blue's Clues!) P.s. Can you tell where my laptop is sitting? Why yes, that is my washing machine... we seriously lack counter space!

Then we need some ingredients... and I am proud to say, we had most of them on hand!

A little mixy-mix and presto!

Bake into these little beauties! 

They totally look like the ones from the pictures in the recipe. Proud? Perhaps!

Add a little lemony glaze...

And try not to eat them all in one sitting! 

Results!

Today was a day. Not like a sunshine and rainbows day (although the weather was quite lovely)! But more like a try really hard to be patient as you wait to find out some really important news, but then said news never seems to come and you get really frustrated and consequently have very little patience for the non-direction-following-driving-you-completely-nuts children you call students kind of day...

Call number one took place at 12:31 (See! I told you I was trying really hard to be patient!)

Call number two... also 12:31 (Patience= fail.)

Call number three... 2:22

Call number four... 2:22

Call number five...2:23 (I can only take so much of this!!!)

Call number six... 2:28

Call number seven... 3:10

And what came of these seven calls and my torn and tattered patience. A big fat nothing!

I left school knowing that my doctor's office was closed and I would not be hearing from them until tomorrow. That is not a good feeling.

In case it slipped your mind, today was the day I was to find out the results of my 3 hour glucose test. In other words, I expected to know the future of my relationship with cake, cookies, ice cream and other sugary goodness for the duration of my pregnancy... Gestationally diabetic?!?!? Come on now.

It wasn't until I got home, and helped my sweet husband activate his new phone that we got to hear the most lovely voicemail ever. Oh Summer, your voice has never sounded so sweet! (Summer is my nurse, you kooks.)

So hear it is::: NO NO NO. This is one gestationally diabetic free lady! Break it down! That's what my body does!... to sugar! Woooo! :)

On a more serious sidenote... for those of you who have, or know someone who has, had gestational diabetes: I know, it is not the end of the world. It is perfectly treatable. Generally it ends with pregnancy, and is no big deal. I also do not mean to be a snooty booty, and I hope I don't hurt any feelings! Peace and blessings ya'll!

Things lately

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. It has seemed like every day is packed with one thing or another. Not really a bad thing, just a busy and tired thing.This lovely Saturday morning my schedule is surprisingly bare, and seeing that I haven't blogged in a bit I will go

ahead and catch ya up on some of the happenings while the food network keeps me company... Stay a while, why dontcha :)

Last week some of my family got the opportunity to go to the temple. Boy how I love that place ---If you are unfamiliar with LDS temples, and would like to find out more you can go here... or here--- and this trip was especially wonderful because it was the first time that my sisters and I got to go all together. Beautiful peace and surrounded by loved ones, I am just not sure it could

get much better.

This trip was also special because it was probably the last time that we will go to the St. Louis temple while still in its district.

Currently the Kansas City Temple is having an Open House. All who want to are invited to tour the lovely building.

I, personally, can't wait to see the brand new temple!

In other news, my little fellow has recently discovered that he can hang out in my side. Naturally, this discovery has brought much testing and trying. Sometimes it feels like he is literally trying to poke right out of my side. Wondering what the coolest and weirdest feeling in the world is?? Let me tell you: Pushing down on the little human inside of you and feeling him squirm all around beneath your fingertips! Amazing.

Our suspicions were confirmed this week. Kiddo does in fact party while we sleep. I generally go to sleep before Ryan and a few days ago, he was resting his hands on my belly while I slept. Gus was just dancing the night away! What a little night owl.

For the most part, we have been showered with good things lately. On less desirable note, this week I received a call from my nurse informing me that I tested right on the line for the glucose screening test. In other words, a longer, more awful test was required to determine if I have gestational diabetes. This delight (dripping with sarcasm) took place yesterday morning. I had to fast (which is pretty much torturous on its own), drink a too sweet drink, and have my blood stolen 4 times. Not to mention the oh-so-entertaining sitting in the waiting room for 3 and a half hours... Results of said test are still to come. Don't worry, I'll let ya know!

I know we are kind of bouncing around today, but like I said I am trying to catch you up!

Husband is gone, away on a scout trip, and I, for the millionth time, am faced with the realization of how blessed I am and how much I truly love him. Next week he will be leaving for more than just one night and I am dreading it. Being the incredibly sweet man that he is, he has volunteered to drive with my mom and sister to Utah! So that means a whole week without my Ryan. I am not sure that survival is possible.

Did you catch the underlying story there??? Next week. Cassie. Utah.

My beautiful, inspiring, dramatic, loving, funny, spiritual, snow-hating, all nanny no fun, adventurous big sister is going to UTAH......... Next week.

I miss her so much all ready that I can't even bare to imagine life without her smiling face for 18 months, but I am so proud of her. Cassie is going to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And what a missionary she will be! The people of the Salt Lake City South Mission are so lucky to have her. But they better not get too used to it! After those 18 months we get her back!!!

Well. The time is drawing near that me and all my girth must be presentable. A beloved family friend is being baptized today! Off I go to begin the unbelievably long process of dressing this baby-bloated body of mine! :)

Hope you enjoyed our time together!

Spring Break...

Last week was wonderful. Spending time with my sweet friends, family, and of course Ryan. Sleeping in, or something like unto it. Lovely weather. Countless walks, and trips to Ava Drug. Getting stuff done around the house.... Blissful.

But oh Spring Break, how you have turned against me. You have completely obliterated any remaining desire to work that I had left. And let me tell you. That sucker was pretty scarce to begin with! Gus and I got so used to your delicious warmth, and your sweetly empty schedule. How could you betray us this way.

Needless to say, returning to work this morning was less than delightful. I am even more grateful now, after the small taste I had last week, that I will be able to stay home with my little guy. Gus is very grateful too, I can tell. He hated going back to work today as much as I did; he was kickin up a storm in protest all day long!

p.s. We finally put the crib together... and by "we" I mean Ryan! :)

My somewhat bonkers decision to..

CLOTH DIAPER!

Whoa baby. Yeah, I said it. I am one of those people. You know, the nuttso people who CHOOSE to become poop scrubbers. At least I plan to be one of those people... Clearly my child is still inside the womb, so for now it is a decision that is currently dormant.

Yes, I do realize that whenever my little guy has any junk in the trunk, I will have to transform from mommy to poopy cleaner and then back in a flash!... But not only have I accepted this, I have fully embraced it.

I realize that cloth diapering is not for everyone, and heck! It might not be for me... but I think it is and I won't know till I try!

I am genuinely excited about cloth diapering.

Cloth diapering and I have had an on-going flirtation for quite some time. I didn't really take it too seriously, I mean why would I. Until my magic pee made the stick say "Pregnant", it just didn't mattered much. But given that I will have a cute little bum to diaper soon, I have given it more thought.

One day, when I was still in my first trimester I found this blog. I devoured the information like it was a fresh glazed donut! Armed with my new-found knowledge of how easy and completely possible cloth diapering can be I began to search the web. I read review after review. I looked on various websites to get a better idea of prices. I talked to my husband and family.

Apparently, besides the most obvious financial benefits (which when you compare, is like $200 versus $2000) there are other unexpected bonuses. Things like less diaper rash, or early potty training.

Can I say again, I am so excited about this. I asked my mom if its weird that I am so thrilled at the prospect of cloth diapering. She went ahead and said yes!

Wanna know my plan??? Huh? Do ya? :)

I plan on using Flip Diapers, with both the Stay-Dry inserts and also Chinese Cotton Prefolds. I am probably going to use disposable diapers for trips and when I am out and about. Its a pretty simple plan, but there you have it!

Cloth diapering here I come! I'll let ya know how it works out :)

A TMI moment, too good not to share.

So. Here we are. I know you want to know what happened to me today. What could possibly be so good that I am up blogging about it at 10:00 p.m. (The p.m. part is very important. It's the part that says its way to late for Kellies to be awake!)

Well. This is it.

I had my very first experience with sneezing and consequently peeing my pants a little. Yeah. Go ahead and absorb that!

I've heard of pregnant women experiencing such a delight, but until today I was not among them.

Its been a long day. My dumb family is going on vacation without me. So I had to say goodbye for ten days to way too many people. (Plus also, I accidentally forgot my waterbottle at redheaded sister's house. May not seem like a big deal to you, but there have been breakdowns about this before.)

So... where do the pee-pants come in? We're getting there.

When all the bags were loaded, prayers said, and kisses given Ryan and I headed home. As is only too common in my life, I had to race to the bathroom once we got in the door. So one would think we were in the clear, but apparently not.

Sitting on my lovely little chair, it happens! Out of nowhere, I sneeze. No big deal right? Wrong. I have never been such a fan of sneezing, silly thing to dislike I know, but whatev... My disdain is totally justified now :) Sneeze is immediately followed by this "What the heck just happened?!?!?!" realization. Yeah. Not joking. Well fine, sneeze. You may win this round but just wait till next time!!! I will not need a change of pants, but you my sneezy friend, you will need a whole lot more!

My first

.... trip to the hospital.

I have never really had any serious health issues. Never any broken bones or severe illness. Thus I have never been to the hospital, for myself. Obviously I have physically gone to a hospital before, but not quite like this.

Before you start to get to concerned, Baby and I are both just fine!

Also. This post may contain some TMI moments, be warned :)

On the way to school today, I started getting really uncomfortable. And when we got out of the car I realized that not only was it uncomfortable it was down right painful! I was having some not fun cramping in my abdomen and lower back pain. It pretty much felt like an awful period. Only part of the pregnancy bit, is.... no periods! So after some phone calls, crying (the waterworks are never far away!), a conversation with my extremely understanding principal, and a little bit of wait time, I was on my way in to get checked out.

When we got to the hospital (after an hour and a half drive), they needed a urine sample. Of course. When you are pregnant, everybody wants your pee! And peeing in those silly cups becomes a mastered skill to be proud of... Well I knew, when I saw that little cup that there was something wrong. Pee should not be grapefruit colored. Long story short, UTI's can cause cramping and there is a chance I may get to experience pain like-unto childbirth a little early. I've heard passing kidney stones is comparable...

The highlight to this exhausting day, our own sweet, silver lining,:::

After I got all settled in my glamorous hospital gown, they hooked up the fetal heart monitor, as well as some other weird medical device (the one that told them that I was having uterine distress, but not actual contractions). What this means, is that for about half an hour to 45 minutes, Ryan and I got to listen to our little boy's heartbeat. Oh the best sound in the world. We could also hear when he moved around. And the cherry on top, our kid has spunk. He did not want that monitor on him, so naturally he kept trying to kick it off. ADORABLE. We got to watch my belly and the monitor do a crazy little dance while our rascal tried to rid himself of the annoyance. Amazing. Watching my belly is sure to be my new favorite pass time.

This is my kid. He makes my tummy big. We are glad he is safe and sound in there!!!

That is my first ever hospital bracelet thingy! I am quite the nerd, this I know, but I am still wearing it. I have never had one of these guys before!

This is my amazing husband. After picking me up from work, comforting me through the whole hospital ordeal, taking me to Burger King (love love love) and getting my prescription... He went straight to work making dinner for the missionaries. I am not sure how it happened, but I could never express how blessed I am to be married to this incredible man.

At the end of this day, we are so glad all is well. Hope your day was less eventful :)