Me At 27 Weeks

Since I've received several requests for a photo . . .

A Weekend in the Woods . . .

. . . where childhood memories are made.

Some of my favorite childhood memories were made at the "old cabin" in Steamburg, NY.

Now we have our own "new cabin" just up the road to continue the traditions.

The new cabin is a little less rustic than the old cabin.

It has satellite TV, cherry cabinets, and hardwood floors.

I call it "camping-Lisa style."

But some things will never change . . .

the magic of the Allegheny foothills.

I can remember my parents taking us to the fish hatchery when we were little.

Now I get to take my own daughter there.

It was either the nostalgia or the fish smell in the air, but I got a little misty eyed.

We took our quarters over to the dispenser and bought food to feed the fish
(only when I was little it cost a dime.)

We took tractor rides . . .

flew down the hill on the slip-n-slide . . .

roasted marshmallows in our pajamas . . .

and went fishing at the same pond where I fished when I was little.

Megan got her first fishing pole and caught her first fish.

So did Colin.

Colin also hooked a cool turtle.

We all marveled and then threw him back to nature.

The only bad part about the whole weekend . . .

having to come home.

The Joys of Sleeping In

8:45 am -

My eyes open for the first time and look at the clock.

What????

How did I sleep so long?

Why is it so quiet?

Why hasn't Megan come in here to wake me up?

I yell, "Megan!"

8:46 am -

Megan runs into my room.

"Mommy, don't be mad at me. I made a mess. I sorry Mommy."

What I find in her room . . .

I forgot to put the fish food up on the shelf last night.

Great! Just great!

I guess Mona the fish was hungry.

I think I'm gonna sew bells on Megan's pajamas so I can hear when she's up.

:)

Scenes From a Backyard Water Party

'Cause it was a bazillion degrees outside and we had nothing better to do . . .

Summer makes me happy.

She makes me happy.

The Big Performance

The day of the big dance recital was tense.

Would she perform?

Would she wow the crowd?

Would the bear ears fall off her head, disrupting her concentration and preventing her from achieving her full dance potential??? I secured the ears with bobby pins and prayed for the best.

I was tied in knots inside.

So much so, we arrived to the performance an hour and a half early (just so we wouldn't be late.) We were so early we managed to get front row seats for us (and the twelve thousand family members who showed up to watch my prodigy.)

The two year old class performed very well.

One little two year old in particular was the star of the show.

Wondering which little Pooh Bear is Megan? Just look for the most talented dancer. Yep, that one. That's her. (She's also the tallest, in case you are having trouble discerning the most talented. But you better not be!)

And here she is demonstrating that her apple doesn't fall far from her mommy's tree.

I was so proud!

Sorry about the camera shaking. I was laughing so hard I almost went peeps in my pants. (almost)

I love this kid to pieces!

Inappropriately Appropriate

When my sister went into labor with her son Colin, her husband just

happened to be wearing a T-shirt that said,
"I'm not a doctor but I'll take a look anyway."

Of course, she was ridiculously embarrassed and I was absolutely amused. It was so inappropriately appropriate!

Remember the t-shirt I made for the Twilight movie premier ?

(I'm gonna pause here for a second and have a moment of silence in memory of my toned, flat belly. OK, let's move on.)

Going to have to make sure that one is well hidden once I start breast feeding!

But it got me thinking . . .

What if I make myself a t-shirt to wear to

the hospital the day of my c-section?

I could help to bring some humor to the labor and delivery floor! What would I write on it? Hmmmmmm . . . How about . . .

All I wanted was a back rub

Does this baby make me look fat?

Watermelon Smuggler

Oops, I did it again

Don't drink the water

I'm ready for my epidural now

Practice makes pregnant

I can grow people. What is your superpower?

Does this shirt make me look pregnant?

I'm cracking myself up over here.

This is what talent looks like . . .

Megan's dance class performed their little number for another nursing home this week.

It was really nice to see the girls make people smile.

Here is a little clip of my prima ballerina performing.

(She is the tall one in the middle setting a good example for the rest of the girls :)

This Sunday is the big recital!

Before Megan's group performed, the Little Mermaids did their number. One little girl had to be literally dragged out by her mother and then abandoned in front of all those people. She was crying and refusing to dance. She looked up at her mom, her eyes begging to be taken out of there. Instead her mom mouthed to her, "You are in big trouble."

I don't know what came over me but tears just started pouring down my cheeks. The more I tried to stop them, the more they came. Pregnancy hormones aside, I felt so sorry for that little humiliated girl. I had to fight the urge to go snatch her up, hug and kiss her, and tell her it was ok that she didn't want to perform. Seriously, it was a nursing home performance. It was supposed to be fun. What is wrong with some people?????

And tomorrow I'll be complaining I'm fat . . .

I thought I hit the jackpot yesterday when I found this little treat at the store.

A chocolate chip cookie dough sundae? Only three points? C'mon, you must be joking.

It must taste terrible.

Guess what? It is delicious. Like, so delicious I think I'm going back to buy more right now.

I'm left with only one question . . .

Can I still consider it a "Smart One" if I ate two of them?????

What's Cookin' Wednesday

Country Vegetable Lasagna

This was brought to recipe club by my friend Catherine a few months ago. It is sooooo good you'll hardly miss the beef (your hips won't miss it either.) I made it with whole wheat lasagna noodles for a little extra fiber. Are you taking care of your colon????? Just checkin'

9 uncooked dried lasagna noodles

Sauce
3 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1 medium (1 cup) green pepper, chopped
1 medium (1/2 cup) onion, chopped
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 (28oz) can chopped tomatoes, undrained
1 (12 oz) can tomato paste
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano

Cheese mixture
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 (15 oz) carton ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
2 eggs
1/4 tsp pepper

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Rinse and drain.

Heat oil in skillet. Add mushrooms, green pepper, onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until veggies are crisp tender (7-9 minutes).
Stir in all remaining sauce ingredients. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a full boil (2-3 mins).
Reduce heat to low. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 30 mins.

Meanwhile in medium bowl stir together 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese eggs and pepper.

Heat oven to 350.
On bottom of 13x9 baking dish spread 1 cup sauce.
Top with 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of cheese mixture, 1/3 of sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with mozzarella. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.

Bake 30-35 mins or until bubbly and heated through. let stand 10 minutes.
Yield 8 servings.

And just so you're not disappointed, music to dance to . . .

Whenever I'm having a "fat day" (everyday lately) I put on some Beyonce and pretend I look like that. ha ha

That is the beauty of

imagination!

All I have to do is close my eyes, start shakin' my extra large boo-tay, and all of a sudden I'm not a barefoot, pregnant housewife cooking lasagna in my kitchen. I'm not wearing sweatpants with my hair in a ponytail.

I'm a Grammy winning superstar with legs 6 feet long.

I'm Beyonce and I can shake it like nobody's business.

Is it crazy? Yes but how else do you make cooking lasagna fun?????

Try it. Go on now. Try moving your hips like that. I can promise you a good laugh if nothing else. (Ouch, I think I just pulled a muscle.)

You can even call your husband Jay- Z if he'll let you.

Before I Was A Mom

Before I was a mom,
I made and ate hot meals,

wore unstained clothes and had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a mom, I never worried about how late I went to bed

because I could sleep in as long as I wanted.

Before I was a mom, I washed my face and brushed my teeth everyday.

Before I was a mom, I enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee while reading the

morning newspaper on a Saturday morning.

Before I was a mom, I slept the whole night through.

Before I was a mom, my house was clean everyday and I didn't worry

about whether or not my plants were poisonous.

Before I was a mom, I had never been puked on, pooped on,

peed on, chewed on or pinched by little fingers.

Before I was a mom, I had complete control of my mind, thoughts and body.

Before I was a mom, I never held down a screaming child while doctors and nurses
did tests or gave shots.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces because I couldn't stop the hurt.

Before I was a mom, I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

Before I was a mom, I never got gloriously happy over a toothless grin.

Before I was a mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never was up in the wee hours of the night just watching a baby while it slept.

I never knew that something so small couldn't effect my life so tremendously.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I could love someone so unconditionally and completely.

Before I was a mom, I never knew how satisfying it is to feed a hungry child.

I never knew how fulfilling it is to soothe a baby's cries.

Before I was a mom, I loved my mom, but didn't understand her.

Before I was a mom, I never knew the warmth, the joy, the heartache, the

wonderment, or the fulfillment of being a mom.

Before I was a mom, I never knew I would love being a mom."

- Sharon L. Twitchell

What's Cookin' Wednesday

Would you like a super fast, easy recipe?

Fiesta Chicken and Rice Bake

1 can Campbell's Fiesta Nacho Cheese soup

1 cup salsa

1/2 cup water

1 cup whole kernel corn

3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

4 boneless chicken breast halves

paprika

1/2 shredded Cheddar cheese

Mix soup, salsa, water, corn and rice in 2-qt. shallow baking dish. Top with chicken and sprinkle with paprika. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. Sprinkle with cheese.

And how about some Billy Idol for your dancing pleasure today? As I was throwing this recipe together a little while ago, this song came on. I starting hard core dancing right there in my kitchen thinking, "You watch me rock this cradle of love Mr. Billy Idol." I found my inner rock star again and it feels so good.

C'mon, shake it up with me!

Even if you look down and see something unsexy like this . . .

Remember, sexy comes from the mind.

(Good thing too, cause I look like a shlumpadinka, two ton tilly, large as a barge, beached, bloated whale.)

If I'm still able to shake it, you must be too!!!!!!!!!!

So c'mon now, rock the cradle of love!

Countdown to August 17, 2009

I had my 24 week ultrasound yesterday.

The Good News:

All his little parts are growing and functioning just as they should.

(Including one particular part that is still there, making him STILL a boy.)

The Even Better News:

All his measurements were in the upper percentiles.

He already weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces!!!!

That basically means I'm going to give birth to a linebacker/King Kong.

Based upon the size of the baby and my narrow pelvis (I guess that one is in the eye of the beholder ha, ha), the doctor said he was absolutely recommending a C-section. Of course, if I really wanted to struggle for hours and hours again in a fruitless effort to deliver a child through my narrow pelvis (I just like saying that) my doctor would oblige and help me through a VBAC. Ummm, let me think about that one for a second - NOPE. No thank you. Not a chance. After all, I have a dainty pelvis to think about here! :)

We went ahead and scheduled the birth.

Monday, August 17, 2009

How convenient is that????

Now all I have to do is convince him to perform a tummy tuck after the baby is out.

In other news, I noticed the doctor didn't check "high risk pregnancy - advanced maternal age" on my form at my last visit. When he didn't check it again at this visit, I asked him about it. I thought since all my tests came back so well that I graduated . . . that the all the rap I've been listening to lately actually took some of my years away.

Downstairs Doc told me that was unfortunately not the case. I hadn't graduated after all. I was only sad for a second until he told me why he forgot to check that on the form.

Since I seem so youthful, vibrant, and full of energy (I'm embellishing here a little) he forgets how old I am.

AWESOME!

I forget how old I am all the time too!

Weekend Review

This weekend was full of exciting events.

On Friday night, Megan's dance class performed for Willowbrook Nursing Home.

During the course of the performance, it became painfully obvious our daughter was far too talented for "rec center" dance lessons. Next year (so she can achieve her full potential AND wear a costume that doesn't look like it is from the dollar store) I'm enrolling her in dance class at a real studio.

Seriously, she was the only kid who blew a kiss at the end of the routine. I'm feeling the possibility of private lessons in her future. (Take a deep breath John - I'm joking :)

On Saturday, I decided it would be a fantastic idea for me to pull Megan in the wagon and walk about 893754 miles. Once I got home I had my first round of Braxton Hicks contractions. Not the labor inducing kind, just the kind that make it completely uncomfortable to stand, walk, sit, or lay. (No pictures since I had to get into the bathtub to relax leaving John to manage all the household responsibilities.)

On Sunday we went to my mom's house to celebrate her birthday.

Please pardon my daughter's immodest attire. I didn't bring her bathing suit and she wasn't letting that small problem stop her from swimming with her cousins.

Feeling sorry for my half naked child, my mom was able to find this old bathing suit that was 12 sizes too big.

All the grandkids (except for the two currently incubating in the womb).