Happy Holidays!

If you don't Instagram, you may have missed this pic last week.  I was about 32 weeks when we took this one.  The old stomach continues to grow.  Things are going well.  Just tired most of the time, but I try to remind myself that some women have jobs where they are on their feet all day or are taking care of other kiddos, so I should shut my mouth before I complain.    After next week, my appointments become weekly.  I get one more bonus ultrasound around 35 weeks and weekly stress tests to make my stress isn't stressing the baby out.  I continue to do light cardio/ weight exercises most days and walk my favorite pup every morning, trying to stay healthy for Jimanda.

Otherwise, we are enjoying a quiet holiday season at home with our sweet beast, Trooper Zika.  The baby room is taking shape and we'll be as ready as we can be in January.  Tonight I am making this Meatless Meatloaf recipe that we hope will be yummy!  If I don't blog before Thursday, Happy Christmas!

28 Weeks

28 weeks!

And the password is.....

Diabetes.

(If I knew how to post videos to my blog, I would post a really funny SNL skit featuring Stefan and that line.  It doesn't make sense at all without it.)

I failed the one hour glucose test on Tuesday, so on Thursday I had to go in for a three hour glucose test, which was really annoying.  It involved fasting for 8-10 hours, followed by four blood draws and drinking a glucose drink twice as sweet as the first.  And then not eating or drinking after that.  And just waiting for three hours.  I sat in a recliner and watched the Food Network in the waiting room, which may have been cruel and unusual punishment for a fasting pregnant woman.  But then it was over and they called and told me I passed the second test.  Thankfully.

Technology and Such

Sometimes I like being an 80 year old trapped in a 33 year old's body.  Right now I am updating my paper calendar for the month of November.  I kind of use the one on my phone, but not too much.  I also still use my paper address book.  The only thing I do not do is write paper checks, mainly because I don't feel I should have to pay the bank for a book of checks.  I feel like I'll be thankful if the grid goes down.  You know, if I have to write you a thank you note at that time.  I'll be set.

My phone is also full of photos and I can't take any more pictures or download any new apps.  I am pretty sure that 97% of the 400+ pictures are of Trooper, so I can't bring myself to delete any of them.  Jim tells me there's a way to transfer them to his computer, but I don't feel like figuring that out.  Really, deep in my heart I'd like to go back to using a good old camera.

I love technology, but sometimes it's nice to use paper and pencil.  Or film.

And if you're wondering how baby and I are, we are doing just fine.  Nothing new to speak of except a growing mid-section!  Next week I go in for the exciting gestational diabetes test and in a few weeks we have our first baby class at the hospital (labor and delivery.)  Sorry for what you may witness, Jim.

When You Love Someone, You Buy Them Velveeta....

.... even if it hurts your heart a little.

I am totally okay with kiddo food.  On Friday, I made homemade fried chicken fingers and sweet potato fries.  I was into it.  I used quality ingredients.  So when my lovely husband asked me for hot dogs and mac n cheese, I thought, I can do that!  I make homemade baked mac n cheese and it is wonderful (or so I believe.)  I buy organic, nitrate free hot dogs that are all beef.

And then he asked me for Velveeta Shells and Cheese!  Not Amy's Organic or Trader Joe's.  Nope, the old school Velveeta.  (Cheese should not come in semi-solid form in a pouch.)  As I wheeled my cart around Hyvee, I was worried I'd run into someone I know and they'd think it was a weird pregnancy craving.  To which I'd say, "I wouldn't let my unborn child eat that!!"  But my love for my husband won, and he does eat really well the majority of the time and got a clean bill of health recently.

And I'm making myself my own mac n cheese with organic whole wheat pasta and organic milk.  To each his (or her) own.

Bambino Update

Actually, there's not too much to update!  I am at 24 weeks and feeling good.  My main complaints are acid reflux and feeling really full not matter how much I eat.  And a lot of vivid dreams and missing sleeping on my stomach and back.  But if that's the worst of it, that's not bad!  We went to the doctor this morning and had a 15 minute appointment (urine, blood pressure, weight, doppler.)  The hardest part for me (and I'm sure most women) is the weight gain, but that's part of the deal.  My next appointment will be the glucose test, which am not not looking forward to.  (I already asked if there was an all natural drink, but no, just the gross chemical water.)  Jim and I have both been able to feel the little guy or gal moving around.  Today I also toured my first day care and really liked it.   I am still jogging, working out, yoga-ing etc to stay well.  

We have a few top choice names but have decided we are keeping those to ourselves until the baby exits the womb.  Sorry, dudes, just like the sex, it will be a surprise.  Why?  No offense, but I don't want anyone else's opinions.  (Pregnant women LOVE both unsolicited advice and opinions).  And we also may change our minds the day we see the little kiddo's face.  Until then, you'll just have to hope we really don't name him or her Jimanda.

Jim's really excited to start getting rid of things in the guest room.  (If you don't know him, he LOVES throwing things away.)  We have our car seat, so by the new year we just need to have the pack and play and a few diapers, and we'll be ready!

20 Weeks

There's a baby in there!  We went for our 20 week ultrasound and everything is on track.  Crazy!

In all of my (five months of) infinite pregnancy wisdom, I thought I'd share some suggestions I have for things you should say to someone who's pregnant.  Not necessarily to me, just any pregnant woman you meet.  She will love you for it.  Even if it's a lie, here are some you might try:

"You look tiny!"

"You are so small, I would never have guessed that you are even pregnant!"

"Have you even gained any weight?"

"Do you even need maternity clothes?"

These are just a few ideas for you to gain major points with any pregnant woman.  I would avoid words such as large, huge, twins, big, etc.

And if you are going to tell a pregnant woman story about a friend, I would make sure that it ends with your friend having a really easy labor and a healthy baby.  Maybe avoid stories that end in dead babies.

And remember, it's okay to lie!

Otherwise, we are enjoying the last few days of summer.  Poor Trooper has been very allergic lately and had to go to the vet for a round of steroids.  He is okay now, but has a few open spots that his dad is tending to every day.  Poor pup!

My lovely husband made me pumpkin pancakes and took me to the apple orchard this morning.  What a guy!  I loved the orchard and was able to get about 25 minutes with my dear husband and got him back in the car before any signs of crankiness even set in!  I call that a success!

(Almost) Autumn

The members of the Zika/ DiVerde household have been loving these autumnal days (even though it's still technically summer.)  I am always grateful for time with my lovely husband and after working all week we both love spending time together.  (I hope....)

The weekend was crisp and lovely.  Both Saturday and Sunday morning, my phone said Sycamore had temps of 39 degrees.  Jim turned the heater on when he woke up and I love the smell of it when it is on on the mornings.  (When I told him this, he said, "What?  Burnt chemicals?")  By mid-morning we opened the windows and let the fresh air in.  We took Trooper on a few nice walks and I rode my bike, trying to get in a few more rides before summer officially ends.

I was also very into festively fall cooking!  On Friday night I made grilled cheeses with bacon, cheddar, dijon mustard, and Granny Apple slices.  They were really good.  I also made pumpkin/ chocolate bread.  (I love quick breads in the fall.)  And for tonight, I already cooked some Sausage and Lentil Soup.

I hope you are all enjoying the change of seasons!