A fun first (with better pictures now!)

I decided to try making a patchwork blanket for Amelia. I was surprised by how fun and easy it actually was. I embroidered several squares while waiting for things (doctors, airplane flights, etc.,) and then the rest probably took 4-5 hours. The back is a really soft flannel and velveteen ribbon.





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A little closer than we thought.

So I got a bit of a shock at my OB appointment today. I found out that I had been given an incorrect due date by the first OB I'd seen in Pasadena so long ago. Somehow, when I had talked to my current doctor about it, we'd never used calendar dates, but weeks. I thought I was due July 3rd. Then he said he wanted my pregnancy to go 39 weeks, and that he expected the need for me to be induced, so have Mom come out by week 38. In my mind, week 39 was the 26th of June. This was great news, and pretty exciting. Mom and Dad bought tickets for the 19th, so they wouldn't miss anything. I am planning on using accupuncture to get labor started before anyone wants to induce. My accupuncturist said to get an "induce by" date so we could get started in time to avoid that. Imagine my shock when he said that date would be the 20th of June! I kept saying, "What? Are you sure? What happened? Are you sure? So how far along AM I, anyway?" I think he was pretty amused. I am really excited to meet Amelia sooner than expected. That's in 3 1/2 weeks. Wow! It's crazy how much of a difference a week makes at this point. I think it's also because so many people from far away are involved, so logistical planning has been a huge factor. But it will all work out just right. It's amazing to think that a month from now, our little one will have already arrived and will be here to be adored.

Let's Talk About... Food!

I don't know why I don't write more about food, since that is one of my favorite things in life. Anyway, I feel it is my moral obligation to let you all know about Trader Joe's Carne Asada. If you live near a TJ's, you already know you are incredibly fortunate and eat better than most people in the world. I need to give Joy credit for telling me about their pre-marinated carne asada. In the past few months, this has been a weekly dinner for Jeff and me. It is a flank steak, so it takes about eight minutes to cook. Grill some onions and bell peppers (I make a pouch of tinfoil with oregano, salt, pepper and- scandalously- a little bacon fat,) heat some black beans with lime juice, and then slice an avocado, and you are in for one of the best, quickest meals of your life. With a little more work and much more reward, you can enjoy this with sliced grapefruit and cold sangria. If you haven't tried, it yet, get to a TJ's this week and get some! I think most readers are enjoying some beautiful weather right now, so it is perfect for an evening of leisurely eating outdoors.

In- Utero Antics

I never expected to feel like I knew so much about our baby before she was born, but she has made her presence distinct. I started feeling her move at about 14 weeks, and have known that she was a pretty active little thing ever since. Something else I noticed was that if I poked my finger into my belly where she was, I often would get a little flick right back at my finger. So she's responsive, I thought. On Wednesday, I had my first of a series of bi-weekly appointments for non-stress testing that will continue until the end of the pregnancy. Basically, they strap two belts onto my stomach, one with a heart monitor for Amelia and one that monitors uterine contractions. Then I just lay there for about 20 minutes and they track her heart rate for that amount of time. Her HR is usually about 150 BPM. I don't know how, but she very quickly figured out that the monitors were there, and that she didn't like it! She started kicking (or hitting?) the monitors, directly, over and over again. Her HR was in the 180s for most of the time, and you could see the monitors bouncing up and down. You could hear her heartbeat, but then also all of the blows to the monitor were really loud. My doctor came in wondering what all the commotion was and left very amused, but pleased that she is so strong and active. Then she sent the nurse in to see, too. I almost felt kind of embarassed by my child's behavior! The doctor looked at me, shaking her head, and said, "I'm sorry, Ariana, but you have a very strong-willed child." And?... What do I say to that? I can't wait to meet her, but I have to admit I'm a little nervous! I know I need to write this down for us to all look back on.

Should we have named her Imelda?

Not even born yet, and she already has more shoes than her Momma. We won't even talk about clothes!