A Long Overdue update.......30 week Pregnancy Recap!

How far along? Today I am 31 weeks! However, this update will be a 30 week recap, seeing as how my 31st week has just begun!

Total weight gain? As of week 30, I was up a total of 14-15 lbs

Maternity clothes? Yes and No. In terms of pants, I am living in my GAP 1969 skinny maternity jeans (LOVE!!!!) and various pairs of non-maternity black leggings. As for tops, I have a few maternity shirts but I'm still squeezing into some of my longer non-maternity tops :) Still able to wear my normal scrub pants at work, but tops are a different story!

Stretch marks? None, yet. Still trying to be diligent about using lotion/bio oil everyday. 

Sleep? Not too bad during week 30. The previous 3-5 weeks is a different story though......INSOMNIA!!

Best moment this week? Finishing up the sewing of baby boy's crib skirt and nursery drapes!

Miss anything? Wine, eating without getting heartburn and fitting into my non-maternity skinny jeans!

Movement? This little man doesn't stop moving!!! Constant kicks, rolls, etc. I LOVE t!!!

Food cravings? Tortilla chips with cheese! I seriously could live off these things!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Just that damn glucose drink that is used to test for gestational diabetes! Which BTW, I FAILED the 1 hour test! I was totally shocked, as was my OB. Just took the 3 hour fasting glucose today, but have yet to get the results. Keeping my fingers crossed I don't have GD!

Gender? Still a boy, I hope. Haven't had an ultrasound in a few months though...

Labor signs? I don't think so? FTM here...

Symptoms? Big belly, braxton hicks contractions, heartburn, and slight swelling of my feet after a long day at work.

Belly button in or out? In, but just about "flat"

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody? Mostly happy, but I do have my crabby/emotional moments.

Looking forward to?  Having a few days off for Christmas/New Years, Hubby's Christmas party, and organizing baby's nursery!
 

19 Week Pregnancy Recap...

How far along? Today I am 20 weeks! Halfway there! Yipppeeeeee! The picture above is from yesterday 
Total weight gain? As of today I am up 10 lbs! I think I am right on track, but will ask my OB on Wednesday.
Maternity clothes? I actually haven't worn any "maternity clothes" yet, unless you count the belly band. Still in my normal scrubs for work, and I have been sporting a lot of tanks with jeans/shorts (using the hair tie trick....no way in hell I am buttoning those bad boys!)
Stretch marks? None, yet. Attempting to be diligent about using lotion everyday. 
Sleep? Awful! I can't even talk about it. Uhhhhhh.....
Best moment this week? Ordering our crib!!!!
Miss anything? Sleep!!!!! Oh, and wine :)
Movement? Lots of little flutters! It is so fun!
Food cravings? None really, just packing it away like a truck driver!
Anything making you queasy or sick? If I don't eat something every few hours, I start to feel nauseous and weak, but I'm good otherwise. 
Gender? He is all Boy!!!!!
Labor signs? Nope!
Symptoms? Huge boobs, big belly, acne. Fun stuff :)
Belly button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Happy or Moody? Mostly happy, but I have had some bitchy/crazy moments :)
Looking forward to? Starting on the nursery!

Just what I NEEDED!

......More makeup!!!!

I couldn't let my $15 off $50 Sephora coupon go to waste!!!! After work Monday evening, while it was POURING rain here in Phoenix (something that rarely happens), I ran into Sephora and bought these two beauties!!!

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I have been wanting these two products for quite some time now, and this was just the perfect excuse to purchase BOTH!!

I'm trying to talk Zack into putting them under the Christmas tree so that they count as a Christmas present (so I don't feel as guilty) but he is not feelin' it and insists I just use them! Poor me huh......

But now the question in......what do I buy with my 20% off everything coupon (with very few restrictions) from Ulta!?!?!?!

Acne: My Story

I used to be the girl with the perfect skin. I think I had a total of about 5 pimples until 8 months ago.


Last February/March, 3 months before my wedding I decided to stop taking my birth control (Yaz) because lets face it, I was getting married and thought that Z and I would be starting a family in the next year or so and I wanted to flush out all the hormones (Yes, I realize that this is "unnecessary"). So I stopped the pill , my period returned to the normal 28-30 day cycle and life went on. The hubs and I married May 7th, and by the grace of God, my face was clear!

Two weeks later, the acne came on full force. Within 2 weeks, my chin/neck area almost looked like I was developing some sort of rash. I honestly thought that I was having some sort of allergic reaction to the masks that we have to wear at work (I'm a nurse). I almost wish I would have taken pictures of my face to document the tragic time, but I was seriously, VERY upset about it. I immediately went out and bought every face wash, acne treatment, face mask and makeup I could get my hands on hoping that something would cure me. Two months later, my chin/neck area looked the same (terrible!) despite all the creams and treatments so I made an appointment with a Dermatologist. I only wish I would have done it earlier, saving me stress and mucho $$$$ on stuff that didn't help at all. She looked and me, touched my face and then said "you have the classic case of HORMONAL acne."

She put me on two oral medications and two topical creams and within 2 weeks my face had improved dramatically. Because My face was so irritated, she suggested I take an oral antibiotic, Solodyn for the first month in addition to resuming my previous birth control pill Yaz. In my opinion, these were the 2 key treatments. The two creams she suggested were Acanya for the morning (applied to affected areas) and Atralin for the evenings. Because this can be very irriating to the skin, she suggest I put a pea size amount on my finger and spread evening on my face. When I went back to see her a month later, my face looked significantly better so she said to discontinue the antibiotic and stick with everything else.......until 1-2 months before I plan on TTC.

My face is looking pretty good these days, now that I have been using the creams and Yaz for 2 months, but I'm terrified to stop them at any point!!!

Feeling a bit lost

In more ways then one.

The "least" important being my wardrobe. I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. While packing for our weekend trip to Tucson to visit the in-laws this evening, I came to the conclusion that I kind of hate all of my clothes. I can't seem to pair anything together that I feel comfortable wearing.  Every few months the hubs and I go through our clothes and pull together a few bags for the Goodwill, but this time I'm tempted to just pack up 50% of my wardrobe and say good-bye! So tempting, but then what if I miss those clothes in a few month. uhhhhhhh.......

The "most" important reason being, I feel lost in my career. I'm a nurse. I work for a good company and make a decent living, but is this what I want to do for the rest of my life. 40-50 more years. Some days I think, sure....every day is a little different, I have job security, I like working with people, blah, blah, blah. Then other days I think, what can be my way out of here? Do I just need to switch departments? Switch hospitals? Should I go back to graduate school for my nurse practitioner, in hopes that I will find something I'm a bit more passionate about? I'm just lost. Part of the problem is, I feel like Zack and I should start the process of TTC, but if I go back to school, how I will juggle baby, work and graduate school. I need to make a decision.....like now.

uhhhhhhhhhhh

Headed for........SPAIN!!!!

Z and I are headed to Spain in just a few days! So much to do before Friday! In addition to the usual packing, I have come up with a little "to do" list before the big day.

Wednesday: getting shellac on my fingers, wash one load of laundry, cook yummy potato soup for dinner 
Thursday: spray tan, another load of laundry, cook spinach tofu pasta recipe for dinner
Friday: Happy hour with Z's co-workers then PACKING, PACKING, PACKING!
Sat: 5am.....Airport!

And keeping with my recent vow to eat less meat and more tofu, here is the spinach tofu pasta recipe I mentioned above compliments of  www.eatmedelicious.com

Spinach Walnut Pesto with Smoked Tofu & Whole Wheat Rotini
modified from Quick-Fix Vegetarian

makes about 1 1/2 cups, serves 2-3 when with pasta

3 cups fresh spinach
3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup firmly packed fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup walnut pieces
1 tbsp freeze dried basil
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil or walnut oil

1 block of smoked tofu (about 8 oz)

Cook your favorite whole wheat pasta (I'm sorry I can't remember how much I cooked, but if you have leftover you can make pasta salad?).

Meanwhile, steam the spinach over boiling water for 1 minute, or wilt it in a covered bowl in the microwave for about 3 minutes. Mince the garlic with the salt in a food processor. Squeeze any moisture from the spinach and add to the food processor along with the parsley, basil, flax seeds and walnuts. Puree until smooth. Add the olive oil gradually and process to a smooth paste.

Cut up smoked tofu into squares or small strips. In the pot that you cooked the pasta in, add the pesto and the tofu. Heat over low until tofu is hot.


Sounds yummy!!!!

 

Tofu

After reading a disturbing article on American meat and poultry this week, I've decided to attempt some recipes using the other "meat"........tofu!!!

Here are a few of the recipes I'm planning on trying this week, compliments of eatmedelicious.com

I'm never one to follow any recipe exactly but here are the original versions.......


Curried Tofu Salad
Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Daily Special

1 cake of tofu, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
1 red bell pepper, seeded and minced
1 green bell pepper, seeded adn minced
1 celery stalk, minced
1 tbsp green onions, minced
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp curry powder (note: The recipe suggests 1 to 2 tsp)
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

In a serving bowl, toss together the carrots, bell peppers, celery, green onions, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, curry powder, and lemon juice. Stir the dressing into the vegetables and set aside in the refrigerator.

Mix the tofu into the vegetables and add salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least an hour, to allow the flavours to emerge. 

Pad Thai
Adapted from ExtraVeganZa

Serves 5-6

2 tbsp rice vinegar
5 tbsp reduce sodium soy sauce
4 tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 cup ketchup

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb firm tofu, cut into small cubes
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups carrots, sliced (original recipe uses sweet potato which take too long to cook)
1 red pepper, diced
1 broccoli crown
1 cup (1 can) water chestnuts, sliced
1/2 lb rice noodles, cooked and drained

2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed (plus more for serving as desired)
2/3 cup peanuts, toasted and chopped
1/4-1/2 cup green onions, finely chopped

In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, peanut butter and ketchup. Stir together thoroughly and set the sauce aside.

In a wok, add olive oil and saute the tofu, garlic, ginger, chili, salt and carrots for several minutes, stirring frequently to prevent them from sticking to the pan. When the carrots begin to soften, stir in the red pepper, broccoli and water chestnuts. Continue sauteeing for several minutes, then pour in the prepared sauce and cooked noodles. Gently stir the noodles into the vegetables and sauce. Remove from heat and add the lime juice. Garnish with toasted peanuts and green onions. 

Trying out the Pad Thai recipe tonight and the curried tofu salad later this week. Will write a review post later this week!