I passed!

God is so very good. I passed my cardiology exam today. It was perhaps the funniest appointment I've ever been to as neither the nurse nor the cardiologist really understood why I was there. I spent far more time explaining what a birthcenter is than anything else. The outcome however is that the cardiologist says from a heart standpoint he doesn't foresee me having any complications regardless of where I have the birth. Hurrah!

Pregnancy Update at 23+ weeks

I had a prenatal appointment yesterday afternoon, and it was probably the most relaxing one yet (not that the others have been stressful, this one was just particularly laid back). Here are the outcomes of my appointment.

-- I have gained 5 pounds in the past month; I'm not quite back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I am headed in the right direction

--My blood pressure is still nice and low.

--The midwife reviewed my 24 hour food journal that I had to do and said that I am eating a pretty well balanced diet.

--The write up from my ultrasound a few weeks ago was all positive. The Diplomat is growing properly and is already head down; the umbilical cord is looking good and I have an adequate amniotic fluid supply.

--The Diplomat's heart rate is inbetween 130 bpm and 140 bpm.

I have my next appointment in 3 weeks. Before then, I have to do another blood glucose test; I had to do two of them very early in my pregnancy because type 2 diabetes is pretty common in my family. At that time they will also check my iron levels. Of course, I will have also had my cardiology appointment by then as well.

Hiccoughs and Kicks

I have been able to feel The Diplomat squirming around for 6 weeks (and a few days). Yet even as I have become a little more accustomed to the squirming, kicking, and hiccoughing, it never ceases to delight me. On Monday night/early Tuesday morning, I spent 2 hours wide awake after being roused from my sleep by some rather vigorous baby movements. I spent those two hours just enjoying The Diplomat moving around and making my belly dance. I always wondered what it felt like to feel a baby kicking inside because honestly, I found it quite weird the few times I have felt cousins kicking by placing my hand on the stomachs of various aunts over the years. I have my answer; it feels miraculous, and indeed, it is.

Prayer request...

I stuck to my guns and called the cardiologist today, and apparently my medical files are no longer in his computer system but in archives. It is apparently easier for him to reevaluate me than it is to retrieve the files from deep storage[I can understand this after filing stuff in a cardiologist's office as a summer job]. i do not, however, particularly enjoy doctors appointments; I especially don't enjoy ones that involve hooking me up to a bunch of electrodes. I would very much appreciate your prayers that the appointment goes well so I can be approved to have The Diplomat at the Birth Center [the cardiologist has to make that decision and then write a letter of approval]. Also, please pray for my nerves as my appointment approaches (it's on Friday morning).

Daybook for 02/23/2010

FOR TODAY
(02.23.2010)
Outside my window...it is rainy; praise the Lord that it isn't snow!

I am thinking...about everything I hope to accomplish today.

I am thankful for...all the wonderful women who gave me advice on getting comfortable enough to sleep while pregnant. I have been sleeping far better and waking up much less sore! Thank you!

From the kitchen...there are lots of apple spice muffins and a loaf of banana bread from the mini baking spree I went on last night.

I am wearing...pajamas. I am having a very relaxed morning.

I am creating...a care package for Ish's cousin who is away at college. I am also still working on Ish's scarf and the baby blanket for my new niece or nephew.

I am going...to call the cardiologist today. I have been putting it off for months. All I need is to get some records and a letter from him.

I am reading...the textbooks for Reading Workshop and The Girl in Hyacinth Blue.

I am hoping...that I have gained a sufficient amount of weight in the past month. I'll find out tomorrow at my prenatal appointment.

I am hearing...my husband yawning and getting ready for work.

Around the house...there is a lot of laundry to be done.

One of my favorite things...is praying Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours with my husband every night.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today, I plan to catch up on life until I go to the Library this evening. Tomorrow, I am swimming in the morning and then I have a prenatal appointment in the afternoon. As per usual, I have Reading Workshop in the evening. On Thursday I have no formal plans. I plan to swim on Friday morning and then go to Stations of the Cross in the evening. As of right now, my weekend is looking blissfully empty.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I have been having a lot of "I wonder what The Diplomat will look like" moments.
Here is a photo of me from when I was 2 1/2 years old.

For more daybooks, join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Menu Plan Monday- 2/22-2/28

Last weeks menu did not go quite the way I planned it. It seems meals on Friday-Sunday are rather unpredictable as to whether or not we'll be home. We ended up eating at Ish's parents on Friday evening and with friends on Saturday evening. We ended up having a big lunch yesterday so when it came to dinner time neither of us wanted anything besides soup. It makes for an easy week for me when I only need to prepare meals for half of it. In other meal-planning news, the Southwestern Bean Skillet that we tried last week was fantastic (I will admit to changing the recipe so it wasn't so salty)! Both of us enjoyed it the first time around, and then we made the leftovers into burritos for lunch on Friday and enjoyed that just as much. It is a definite keeper.

Monday: Pasta, sauce, and salad

Tuesday: Salad, yogurt, and some sort of bread/cracker (Ish @ work)

Wednesday: Asian sesame chicken, brown rice, pineapple, and raw veggie sticks

Thursday: Yogurt, Banana Bread, and pineapple (Ish @ work)

Friday: German Pancake

Saturday: Leftovers or dinner with friends

Sunday: Irish Spaghetti

Join in the menu planning fun! Head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Daybook for 02/16/2010

FOR TODAY
(02.16.10)
Outside my window...there is still snow everywhere. The little bit of melting and refreezing that is happening each day is making for dangerously slippery sidewalks.

I am thinking...about how nice it will be to go swimming today after a hiatus due to the weather.

I am thankful for...my brother having a return date from Iraq. He starts his journey back to the US next week! Please pray for his safe return.

From the kitchen...there is still banana bread from last week, yum!

I am wearing...Ish's flannel pajama pants and one of his super soft shirts. It is the current solution to my ever growing baby bump.

I am creating...a baby blanket for Emily's second child and a scarf for Ish.

I am going...swimming!

I am reading...my books for reading workshop. I gave up on The Lightning Thief--after nearly 100 pages of being annoyed at the poorly written book and being told by my niece that the movie was not very good, I decided I need to find a different book to read.

I am hoping...for a good night of sleep tonight. I just can't seem to get comfortable. Any advice from women who have been pregnant before would be very much appreciated.

I am hearing...the heat kicking in.

Around the house...there is plenty to do. My big goal for today is to take the nativity scene on our window down. It would be a little bit odd to have it up during Lent.

One of my favorite things...is my nephew Owen. He is such a sweet child. His squeals of delight at the simplest of things brings me a lot of joy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today I am swimming and going to the library for Yarn Circle. Tomorrow is grocery shopping day, reading workshop, and Ash Wednesday. I have no plans for Thursday or Friday, but on Saturday Ish and I are going to a lecture on architecture that one of our friends is presenting.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This photo was taken in October 2007 on The Riverwalk in San Antonio,TX

For more daybooks, join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook!

There was a Young Woman Who Swallowed a Volleyball...

My mom and sister requested baby bump photos from me. On Saturday, I commisioned Ish to take a couple. Here we are at 21 weeks and 6 days.

No, I am not storing a volleyball in my dress.

According to an e-mail I received, The Diplomat is apparently the size of a papaya. Does anyone know what the average size of a papaya is?

Menu Plan Monday: 2/15-2/21

Last week, we did not follow our menu very well. This is because Ish had nearly the entire week off from work; thank you 3 feet of snow in less than 1 week. The other contributing factor to us not following our plan is that we ate at the homes of family and friends on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings--no complaints here! This week I will only be posting our dinner plans as our breakfasts and lunches remain pretty much the same from week to week.

Dinner:
Monday: Pasta w/ chicken and sauce, carrot sticks, and cucumber slices

Tuesday: Veggies, Flatbread, and hummus. (Ish @ class)

Wednesday: Southwestern Bean Skillet , tortilla chips, and lemony avocado. (Ash Wednesday)

Thursday: Mini-bagel with peanut butter, Yogurt, and a couple of Girl Scout Cookies as a special treat

Friday: Boca Burgers, baked potatoes, and salad

Saturday: Either leftovers or dinner with friends.

Sunday: Chicken and Spanish rice 1-pot meal.

Join in the menu planning fun! Head on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Snow Storms Galore!

In the past 10 days, Delaware has been hit by two major snow storms. A snow storm here is usually 6 inches or less, and these two snow storms brought a combined total of about 3 feet of snow. I decided to take a few photos to document these unprecedented snow falls. Mind you, I've seen snow like this many a time in my life; I did, afterall, grow up in Massachusetts.

This was taken after the first storm had ended. The rest of the photos were taken during the second snowstorm.

Can you spot Ish's car?

Welcome to Narnia!

The wind was blowing so hard that everything looked a little blurred around the edges.

The branches of the evergreen trees were being weighed down by all of the snow.

The area in front of our appartment is still covered in this much snow several days later.

Did I mention we are supposed to get another 3 inches tonight?

The little things...

My mom and I have been talking a lot lately about the many little things that we use each day, such as sugar bowls and face cloths, and about how these little things are less mundane if we find ones that bring smiles to our faces. Mostly we have talked about this in relation to my grandmother who seems to really need some spots of sunshine in her home. My mom and I are currently on the lookout to replace the impractically huge and rather ugly drug company marketing freebie that she is currently using. I was put on the mission because my taste is more like my grandmother's taste than my mom's is; I am, after all, the old fashioned one.

Anyway, with all of this talk of little things making us smile, I have put myself on a mission of sorts. I am currently using my love of all things crafty,especially knitting, to create some spots of sunshine for other people. With that said, hopefully I will be posting some of these creative endeavors here on my blog. Since some of my recipients are also readers of this blog, I will be making sure that I don't post those projects until after I have been assured that the package has been received.

Let me know if you are interested in joining me on my mission by blessing those you love with a little sunshine. I'd love to see what you are creating to bring forth a smile!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/08-02/14

Breakfast Options:
Mini-bagels
Eggs
Oatmeal
Banana Bread
Muffins

Lunch Options:
Leftovers
Grilled Cheese
Soup
Salad

Dinners:

Monday: Tricolor Rotini with Chicken Spaghetti Sauce and Carrot Sticks

Tuesday: Yogurt, Muffins, and a piece of fruit (Ish @ work)

Wednesday: Crockpot Ravioli and apple slices

Thursday: Veggie Sticks/Slices, Flatbread, and Hummus (Ish@ Work)

Friday: Spanish Rice and Chicken One-pot meal

Saturday: Baked Potatoes and Soup

Sunday: Chicken Fajitas and Black Beans & Tomatoes

For more menu plans head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie !

Daybook for 02/08/2010

FOR TODAY
(02.08.10)...
Outside my window...there is snow and ice everywhere.

I am thinking...that if I were in Beijing I would spend all spare money on good food and massages. This pregnancy has me craving real Chinese food.

I am thankful for...heat and electricity that stayed on for the duration of this weekend's blizzard.

From the kitchen...there will be a lot of baking this week--apple crisp, banana bread, and muffins.

I am wearing...a pink on pink striped maternity dress with a long sleeved tee underneath, grey leggings, black socks, my glasses, and my wedding and engagement rings.

I am creating...a knitted baby blanket for my niece or nephew who is due in May (6 weeks before The Diplomat)

I am going...crazy! Or not.

I am reading...all the same things as last week.

I am hoping...that the weather forcast is wrong; I could do without another foot of snow to add to the two feet from this weekend.

I am hearing...shuffling papers and highlighters moving across pages.

Around the house...there is much to do, but my back and hips don't seem to want to move with out giving me shooting pains down my legs.

One of my favorite things...is having a husband who can cook well. I like to tell him that the way to my heart is through my stomach.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopefully getting a swim in tomorrow morning as another snow storm is due to hit tomorrow night. Everything else depends on the weather as well. I suppose I will get a lot of baking and knitting done.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I took this photo in January 2007 at the Forbidden City in Beijing, China

For more daybooks, join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook!

Snowed in!

Anyone who has known me for long enough eventually learns that I do not like snow. I think it is a result of growing up in New England. I have been griping about the snow since the age of 11 or 12; I really just don't enjoy the combination of being both cold and wet. I really thought moving further South would help me beat the snowy winter blues. Not so! This year Delaware has seen two large snow storms (the 1st was 17 inches of snow and the one we are in the middle of has hit my town with about 22 inches or more!)

One might think that being under 22 inches of snow would make me irratable or at least mildly annoyed. Again, not so! I am, for perhaps the first time since I was in elementary school, enjoying the snow. It looks absolutely beautiful outside, and I have absolutely no place to go or worry about going. Yesterday, Ish and I stocked up on DVDs at the library so we have plenty of movies to watch. I have started working on the sweetest baby blanket for Ish's sister's 2nd child, and I am loving both the yarn and the pattern. Today has been so incredibly relaxing, and because we live in an apartment complex the only shoveling to be done is to clear off the car. Life is so very sweet.

Monthly Reading List: January 2010

This is a feature I tried to start on an old blog of mine. I started it at a time when I was not getting any reading accomplished consistently; thus, it did not work very well. One of my goals for this year however was to complete at least one book per month. I set my standard lower than usual this year since The Diplomat will be making an entrance into the world half way through the year. I get the distinct feeling that I will have less time to read after that point. Sadly, I still just met my goal this past month.

Without further ado...

Reading List for January 2010

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- This novel takes place in Germany during WWII, and follows the life of a German girl living with a foster family. Interestingly enough, the story is narrated by Death. This adds a somewhat sinister twist to this sad but beautifully crafted tale. I very much enjoyed the focus the book puts on the importance and power of the written word, especially since the book is set in Hitler's Germany. I don't want to give anything more away about this story, but I highly recommend reading it.


Currently Reading:

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Super Reading Secrets by Howard Stephen Berg
Photoreading by Paul R. Scheele
How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren


What have you read this month? Any recommendations?

Menu Plan Monday 02/01-02/07

As I currently am in the early stages of a head cold, I am planning a week of very simple meals.

Breakfast Options:
Cereal
Oatmeal
Eggs

Lunch Options:
Salad
Leftovers

Dinner:
Monday: Fend for yourself night. (Otherwise known as I fell asleep and my husband was kind enough not to wake me.)

Tuesday: Chicken Salad sandwich for Ish and some sort of soup and salad combo for me. (Ish@Work)

Wednesday: Chicken Marinated in Pineapple Salsa served over brown rice, carrot sticks, and cucumber slices.

Thursday: Flat bread, veggie sticks, and hummus for Ish. I will probably eat leftovers or a salad.

Friday: Dinner Out before Movie Night at the Library.

Saturday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Soup, and Apple Slices

Sunday: Nachos with refried beans, guacamole, tomatoes, corn, salsa

For more meal planning ideas, head on down to Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Daybook for 02/01/2010

FOR TODAY
(02.01.10)...
Outside my window...the remnants of Saturday's snow are still blanketing the ground. It is, however, a sunny day with a clear blue sky.

I am thinking...about Fireproof. Ish and I watched it last night;it touched both of us deeply.

I am thankful for...my sweet and caring husband. Also, I am thankful that The Diplomat has a 4 chamber heart.

From the learning rooms...I am substitute homeschooling two of my nephews for the day.

From the kitchen...I am not sure what is coming from my kitchen right now; I have yet to plan this weeks menu.

I am wearing...the pajamas that Ish is loaning me since my baby bump makes my own pajamas too uncomfortable.

I am creating...a birthday gift for my niece who is turning 12 on Friday.

I am going...to Ish's parents' home to homeschool my nephews. After that, I will probably be going to take a nap.

I am reading...For pleasure I am reading The Lightening Thief (apparently I am on a books with "Thief" in the title kick). For the reading workshop I am participating in, I am reading Super Reading Secrets by Howard Stephen Berg, PhotoReading by Paul R. Scheele, and How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.

I am hoping...that my cold goes away sooner rather than later.

I am hearing...the clicking of the keyboard.

Around the house...there is a lot to be done, but most of it will have to wait until this evening or tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...quiet mornings after a restful night of sleep.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today, I homeschool my nephews.
Tuesday I will be making a trip to the pool for lap swimming and possibly attending a knitting circle at my local library in the evening.
Wednesday is the first day of Reading Workshop.
On Thursday I will swim again.
On Friday Ish and I will be attending a movie night at the library.
I have no plans for the weekend outside of going to Holy Mass on Sunday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I took this photo in August of 2004. As I am currently missing the ocean so very much, I thought I would post a picture of it.

For more Daybooks, join Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook!