Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad

I've been craving things that are cold and refreshing lately. Pudding, frozen coffee drinks (decaf, of course... ok,  you got me, half-caf...), etc. Needless to say I've been dying to make this cucumber tomato salad since I saw it on Pinterest. So good, so healthy - it really hit the spot. I imagine I'll be making a lot of it this summer. Oh, who am I kidding - I'm not going to be making a lot of anything this summer. Other than breast milk (hopefully!). But you, dear friends, can make it for me and bring it over in exchange for some baby cuddles. You're welcome for that.

Oh, and the biggest shock? This is a Paula Deen recipe! A Paula Deen recipe with NO BUTTER! What is the world coming to?

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
  (you could do this little trick if you want to be fancy)
  
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
  (Paula recommends Vidalia but I had a white onion in the fridge and it worked just fine)
• 1 tbsp (or more, to taste) dried parsley
  (Paula recommends 2 tbsp fresh parsley, but there are only certain herbs I'm willing to spend money on to keep fresh in the house, only to throw it away a week later because I didn't use it, and parsley is just not one of them)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix everything (EVERYTHING) together in a large bowl
   Use a glass bowl if you have it, because this salad is pretty and colorful!
2. Let sit in the fridge for 10 minutes or more
   

Hooray! Bring it to your next cookout or pair it with some grilled chicken breasts for dinner. This serving size makes quite a bit for two people, so you can probably serve it for several meals (and, in my opinion, it's great as "leftovers")

How the heck are we at 30 weeks already?

1. How far along?: 30 weeks 1 day! Oh my gosh, I am 3/4ths of the way through my pregnancy, that is JUST PLAIN NUTS.

   

   Taken this morning...
   Don't worry, I put a shirt on over that tank
   Let's be honest, no one wants to see that

2. How big is baby?: According to What to Expect, she is now the size of a head of lettuce - let's just hope her head isn't the size of a head of lettuce ... ouch! She is about 18 inches long and should weigh 3lbs 2oz. Her heart rate was in the 140s yesterday at our appointment, which is great (it's normal to slow down as they grow - she used to be in the 160s), and my belly is measuring at 31 weeks which is perfect!

   

   This old man looks nice.
   Maybe I'll let him hold the baby when she's born...
   IF he washes his hands and brings me a casserole ;)

3. Weight gain?: 13 lbs. Praise Jesus! I was so worried at how fast I was gaining (after not gaining for so long) but somehow I've only gained a pound since my last appointment four weeks ago. Grace said to me yesterday, "I honestly don't know how you can eat as much candy as you do and only gain one pound!" - she's right. I eat so many sweets, it's disgusting! But delightful (especially all this Easter candy - big thanks to my mom and mother-in-law!)
4. Stretch marks?: Still none, let's hope it stays that way. After searching drug stores and Ulta, I ended up back at Bath & Body Works for their body butter. It smells good and feels good, and it appears to be working so far, so why mess with a good thing?
5. Maternity clothes?: Still running through my new-to-me wardrobe passed down from Sloan, which is a Godsend because nothing else in my closet fits me. Easter Sunday was such a struggle! I ended up in an elastic-waist white skirt from Old Navy (that I've had for years) and a long cardigan that, I later found out, stuck out below my belly. Cute, real cute.
6. Sleep?: Dr. Segal confirmed that the coughing is most likely reflux, so he said I can take a Pepcid before bed (in addition to the one in the morning) and it should help. I tried it last night and I slept better than I have in awhile, so here's hoping that's the trick!
7. Best moment last week?: I love our doctor's appointments, and I'm actually kind-of excited that we now get to start going every two weeks. Hearing her sweet heartbeat and being told that we're both right on track is so reassuring. Non-baby related, church on Easter was really nice!
8. Food cravings?: Fried fish - what? So weird. I'm blaming this on the brain development she's experiencing this week. 
9. Symptoms?: My hips / butt / thighs get so sore if I sit for too long, especially if I'm crossing my legs, that I kind-of have the pregnant girl waddle when I first stand up. I'm sure that's adorable (that was sarcasm, it's not). Heartburn is still kicking my ass but they say that means she'll have a head of hair so that's a perk. 
10. Exercise?: Week two of doing virtually nothing (although getting to and from work from the parking deck is exercise in my book!) because we were in between yoga sessions for one week, and tonight we have a meeting with a pediatrician. But I'll resume next week and can't wait to meet the new girls in my class!
11. Gender?: 
12. Movement?: Her movement appears to be less frequent and less strong than it used to be. When I feel her, it's often a "one-off" type wiggle or kick, and a lot of times it's been so far toward my back or so low that it can't even be felt from the outside. I feel bad because Ben hasn't really gotten to feel her in awhile, but I hope that means she still has lots of room! Also, the hiccups. At least once a day, she gets them, down in my hooha. Really kid? In an important meeting? I guess there's nothing I can do for her (or me!).
13. Belly button?: Another week and it's still in. I'd consider this another blessing!
14. What I miss?: Sushi - with my fish cravings this week, I'd prefer to be eating something raw and healthy than the fried greasy goodness I consumed Monday, but I'll suffer through ;)
15. Labor signs?: Other than the fact that I'm pretty confident her head is down, none. We want her to keep cooking until June!
16. What I'm looking forward to?: My shower this weekend - nothing beats getting spoiled by your mama, especially when pregnant!

    

    Just for fun: 10 weeks, 20 weeks, 30 weeks
    For the record...
    I can still wear the jeans I'm wearing in the 10 and 20 week pics

    
    

Recipe: Banana Pudding

As much as I love traveling up to Virginia and spending Easter at my Grandfather's house, it was admittedly very nice to stay in town this year - especially since we got to attend our new church's Easter service! Did I mention yet that Ben & I recently became members of FUMC-Cary? Because WE DID, and it is such a welcome relief to finally end the great Eckerson Church Search, and to do it before our little one arrives.

Anyway, we were spoiled with two Easter meals this year; one at Ben's parents in the early afternoon, and one with friends in Raleigh. I decided an appropriate impromptu contribution would be banana pudding, mostly because I've been craving pudding lately and banana pudding seemed appropriate for spring time. I found the skeleton of the recipe on Pinterest but now I can't find the reference page, so I'm sorry for not giving credit. Lucky for y'all, the recipe is simple enough that I could remember it - and I had almost all the ingredients already in my kitchen!

Ingredients

• 5 bananas, sliced
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tub fat-free cool whip (you know, to counteract the condensed milk)
• 1 box nilla wafers
• 2 boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
• 3.5 cups milk

Directions

1. Pour cold milk into large mixing bowl
2. Add pudding mix to bowl, beat or whisk until mixed thoroughly
   
3. Combine pudding with condensed milk and cool whip, try not to eat this deliciousness by the spoonful
4. In a large class bowl, layer nilla wafers, bananas, pudding mixture, and repeat until pudding is gone - I did a layer laying down, then did an extra layer standing up around the edge of the bowl for a pretty effect
    
5. Top with a pretty design of cookies and bananas if you're fancy like I am
6. Chill until ready to be eaten (but it can be eaten right away!)

 So easy and delicious! It's such a nice spring / summer treat and it only gets better as it sits in your fridge. Personally, I hate artificial banana flavored foods, so I use vanilla pudding instead of banana pudding and it's still enough flavor from the fruit itself, but you could definitely use whichever you prefer.

29 week update

1. How far along?: 29 weeks 1 day
2. How big is baby?: According to What to Expect, she is now the size of a butternut squash. She is approximately 17 inches long (head to feet), same as last week BUT weighs about 3.1 lbs. We've passed the 3lb mark, and to that I say Get It Girl! (L, not me)
   
3. Weight gain?: Next appt is Tuesday, so we'll find out then. Cross your fingers I'm still under 20lbs please!
4. Stretch marks?: Still none, Praise the Lord. I bought new cocoa butter lotion from the drug store this weekend (finally ran out of my amazing-smelling body butter that my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas) and after I put it on, I hate it. So that's going back to the store - any suggestions for what I can replace it with? I didn't see the Burt's Bees stuff which everyone raves about...
5. Maternity clothes?: Enjoying all my new-to-me clothes from Sloan, many of which are belly-friendly (see below - linen dress from Boden!)
6. Sleep?: Oh my gosh, y'all, this coughing. I can't. It's been going on for over a month and it's only getting worse. I keep the Chloraseptic Spray by my bed (dr says it's safe!) but that's not enough, so hopefully they'll have some remedies for me on Tuesday (which, I should mention, is my 30 week appointment. 30 WEEKS! that is so long. I have been pregnant for 7.5 months WTF?!)
7. Best moment last week?: Since I just posted on Sunday, not much has changed or happened. I spent two hours on Monday night setting things up in her closet (and already ran out of hangers) which was so fun and made me feel like I was actually accomplishing something for her room.
   
8. Food cravings?: Anything and everything.
9. Symptoms?: Not sure if this is a symptom, but girlfriend has gotten the hiccups several times recently. This was cute the first couple times, when I could see my tummy rhythmically bouncing (it also made me feel so bad for her), but now her head must be very, ahem, low because the hiccups are quite uncomfortable. I guess the good news about that is that I'm not worried about her being breech? 
10. Exercise?: I signed up for another 8 week session of pre-natal yoga, starting next Wednesday. My good friend who's due the week before me is still running and I am so impressed by that, because I can barely make it up the stairs. But, I can kill it on some 90 second wall sits.
11. Gender?: I'm sorry, did you miss the closet full of dresses and rompers? We are in so much trouble if she suddenly grew a penis in the past 2 months.
12. Movement?: Again, movements are still pretty gentle. Either she's tiny or just has plenty of room still because I'm so big. Either way, the movements are rarely annoying or painful, and she often moves at the exact moment I start to worry about her which is so sweet.
13. Belly button?: Still in. Cross your fingers for me, y'all. It's not looking good.
14. What I miss?: Sleeping through the night. Might as well kiss that one goodbye.
15. Labor signs?: None.
16. What I'm looking forward to?: I have a shower at home next weekend that should be really fun! Not looking forward to the four hour drive by myself, especially since the last three times I've driven through Richmond by myself, it's been POURING rain.

A Monday Quickie

Get your minds out of the gutter! Just a quick post in case anyone out there needs a Monday pick-me-up. Saw this on a friend's blog and couldn't help but share! Here's the NIV version, but I like this one better; it reads:

"Be Strong. Take Courage. Don't Be Intimidated. Don't give [the opposition] a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down, He won't leave you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Nothing is to big for Him, y'all. Amen?

I almost missed it: 28 weeks

1. How far along?: 28 weeks 5 days
2. How big is baby?: According to What to Expect, she is now the size of a small cabbage. She is approximately 17 inches long (head to feet) and weighs about 2.9 lbs.
   
3. Weight gain?: I broke down and stepped on the scale in our bathroom yesterday. Of course, I don't know how it matches up with the one at the doctor so I really have no idea how many pounds I've gained ... 15? 16? 20?! We'll find out next week.
4. Stretch marks?: Still none, Praise the Lord. I asked Ben to check me for stretch marks this weekend, and he asked what exactly he was looking for, so I'd say that's a good sign.
5. Maternity clothes?: Nothing new purchased in the way of maternity, but a dear friend had me and another friend over last night to raid the clothes she was purging - so I have new-to-me clothes!
6. Sleep?: I go back and forth on this. I feel bad to complain about sleep because at least I'm not uncomfortable, but the coughing and heartburn is making it hard to fall asleep most nights (and I know it's making it hard on Ben, too). Then I wake up around 4-5 am to pee many mornings. The nice thing about my sleep lately is that it's been so nice we've been able to sleep with the windows open!
7. Best moment last week?: Oh my gosh, y'all, we found a freakin dresser. The most wonderful, most perfect dresser in the entire world. OK, whatever, I don't care if it's perfect, I loooooove it. And I was so relieved when we found it, I was literally brought to tears. AND Ben finished re-doing her closet. What a productive week it was!
   
8. Food cravings?: Anything and everything.
9. Symptoms?: It's getting difficult to put my shoes on. Expect to see me wearing my rainbows quite a lot over the next 2.5 months!
10. Exercise?: I signed up for another 8 week session of pre-natal yoga, starting next Wednesday.
11. Gender?: Can I just take this one out?
12. Movement?: I've started being able to feel her stretch, which is really adorable to me, especially in the morning. Lots of rolling / gentle movements, which aren't uncomfortable. A few friends and coworkers have been able to feel her move lately, it's so fun to share that with someone else!
13. Belly button?: Still in. Cross your fingers for me, y'all.
14. What I miss?: Being able to eat anything without heartburn. Ugh!
15. Labor signs?: None. Cross your fingers on this one, too! We want this little one inside until June.
16. What I'm looking forward to?: Hanging her clothes in her "new" closet!!

    

    Don't hate on the barbie arm

    
    

27 Weeks: Welcome to the Third Trimester!

Monday at around 12:02am I was checking my WTE app and announced to Ben that I was now in the third trimester. His response was "what does that mean?" - excellent question. I'm not totally sure. But I'm there. Here's what it means for me (and L) so far:

1. How far along?: 27 weeks 3 days
2. How big is baby?: According to What to Expect, she is now the size of a head of cauliflower - which for some reason is hilarious to me. She is approximately 16 inches long (head to feet) and weighs about 2.5 lbs. A friend from college had her baby this past week at 30 weeks and she weighed 3 lbs 4 oz. Not that I think (or hope!) our little girl comes that early, but it's nice to know that if she does, she'd probably be ok. In the mean time, I'm sure Nicole would love your prayers for baby McKenzie!
3. Weight gain?: I'm not going to weigh myself at home, so I'll continue to naively assume it's the same from my last doctor's appt which is ... *gasp* 14 lbs. I honestly can't believe it. And then I look at my giant belly and can't deny it either. It makes me so so depressed that I try not to think about it. But don't worry, it hasn't kept me from eating everything.
4. Stretch marks?: I think my belly button is getting a stretch mark. Or at least some weird red lines. But hopefully that's it!
5. Maternity clothes?: I bought two pairs of shorts and two tops from a great consignment place, 9 in Style, last weekend. If you're in Raleigh, this gal and her sister started a little business out of her house and they have adorable, nice maternity gear for much less than what you'd pay in stores. I also had a sweet friend loan me two pairs of shorts that are SO comfortable.
6. Sleep?: Still awful. But now I think it's more baby's fault than the sickness. I am finally feeling mostly better, still coughing occasionally at night but nothing too bad. However, I find myself waking up at around 5am most mornings to pee. Thanks a lot, kid. And to all of you who have said "get used to it" - I know, I know. But I'd much rather listen to all the women who have said "sleep while you can!". Because I do looooove sleep.
7. Best moment last week?: Non-baby related: date night with Ben. We hadn't had an intentional date night in so long, and the weather was so nice, so we left work a little early (5:00, haha), went shopping and then tried out a new place by our house, which we really enjoyed. Baby related: getting the crib put together!!! So excited. And my sweet mother-in-law bought us a crib mattress, and waterproof sheet. I bought some Dreft baby laundry detergent (Ben's response: Baby's need their own detergent?) so I can wash her sheets this weekend and have one thing checked off my list. One thing out of 100.
8. Food cravings?: No real changes here. Even though nothing jumps out at me, it doesn't stop me from eating all. the. time.
9. Symptoms?: It's hard / painful to bend over now. And the iron pills (oh yes, despite not having gestational diabetes, I do have low iron) are making me slightly constipated, so that's not awesome. I've been having bouts of light-headedness in the mornings this week which makes me think my sugar may be a little low as well.
10. Exercise?: Our yoga session ends next week, and I am really hoping to be able to sign up for a few more classes. Our co-ed soccer team started up this week and I am really sad to not be playing.
11. Gender?: Can I just take this one out?
12. Movement?: Sporadic during the day, active at night and becoming more active in the early mornings. The other night, we had a horrible thunderstorm and it woke me up at 5 (that, and the little one dancing on my bladder). She was going NUTS. I kept saying "surely she can't hear this thunder" but maybe she could feel the vibrations? Or someone else suggested that perhaps my heart rate was increased and she was responding to that? Also, I noticed last night that it's no longer a situation of "she's on this side" or "she's up here" - that girl is all over the place! She's getting so big, I'll feel a tap on my left and then feel a tap on my right moments later. And I felt a foot (in my ribs, nonetheless) for the first time! It was so weird.
13. Belly button?: As I mentioned, getting some weird stretch-mark / vein type things, but still in. Do all belly buttons pop out? I'm really hoping I'm one of the lucky ones whose stays in, if that even exists.
14. What I miss?: This nice weather is making me miss drinking bad. I just want to sit on a porch and have a beer! I did have a tiny glass of champagne yesterday at Pub Thursday, and felt my face get flushed. It's not OK to feel tipsy while you're pregnant, right?
15. Labor signs?: No, thank goodness! Here's hoping those stay away for awhile. I had a conversation with a coworker this week about her labor / delivery experience, and she verbalized some fears I had been internalizing - what if I don't know I'm in labor? It's weird to think about, but I do!
16. What I'm looking forward to?: Non-baby related: NC State plays Kansas in the Sweet 16 tonight! It's so late, so hopefully I'll be able to power through and not fall asleep at the sports bar. Something about 100 drunk fans makes me think that won't be a problem. Baby related: looking for a dresser this weekend. My mom ordered us a dresser from Target.com and it showed up cracked. Word to the wise, don't buy furniture from them. We're having the worst time trying to return it!

I made Ben take this one at a slightly different angle
I was tired of feeling like I was looking down
But the belly's still big, so not much changed