Um Ba-bay Update

At 19 weeks, 5 days:

Boy's Heart rate: 150s
Fundal height: 20 weeks
Blood pressure: 110/70
Overall weight gain: +7


Saw Dr. M this morning. He said I look "great" and he'd never know I was eating a McDonald's sausage biscuit everyday. (Ok, maybe not every day, but I've definitely had more McDonald's breakfasts since I found out I was pregnant than I've had in the last 5 years combined. )

We chatted for a bit about Dr. L's screening last week. He said he hadn't yet received the report and it wasn't unusual for it not to be available in the system yet for his review, however, if Dr. L had any pressing concerns, he was certain she'd call immediately. We discussed her request for another visit, and he felt she was typically on the conservative end, requesting follow ups with 40% of her patients. He said of those going in again, 90% typically had "nothing" to be concerned about post screening. He's going to look over the report, talk to Dr. L, and most likely leave it up to me as to whether or not we'd like another visit.

Back to Dr. M on October 28 and then the glucose test shortly after that.

Lovin'

• Gameday Charlie
• Baking
  
• To do lists, with things done
• Dinner dates
• Movie dates
• Talking about how "dates" will soon become a luxury
• Purging closets, drawers, and cabinets
• Reinventing spaces
• Fleece jackets on morning walks
• Magazine subscriptions
• Seal, James Brown, and Ella Fitzgerald in my iTunes library
• Working with the iPod touch in my ear
• Travel planning
  

Pumpkin Bread

Being that we've been enjoying the "fall weather" with the 85 degree temperatures and breezy mornings, I thought I'd make a fall treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
  
• 4 eggs
  
• 1 cup vegetable oil
  
• 2/3 cup water
  
• 3 cups white sugar
  
• 3 1/2 cup flour
  
• 2 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   
2. Grease and flour three 7x3 loaf pans
   
3. Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, water and sugar
   
4. Sift in flour, baking soda, salt, and spices
   
5. Bake for 50 minutes
   

I used a few various size pans, since I didn't have three 7x3 pans. I doubled the recipe and ended up with five loaves: 3 9x5 loaves and 2 8x4 loaves.

I also used 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice instead of the various spices since I was out of nutmeg. I also tossed in a few pecans. Next time I'll try walnuts instead and also toss in some raisins or cranberries. A teaspoon or two of vanilla wouldn't hurt either.

A nice fall treat. Next fall treat is Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!

To Tres

Home after dinner

Charlie hasn't been very cooperative during my self portrait photo shots.

We celebrated, of course, our boy last night with dinner at Patois. We were giddy with excitement over him. I know we would have had the same feelings had the doctor told us it was a girl, so maybe it just shifted from surreal to real with knowing the sex. Although there still remains a tinge of "is this really going to happen," the joy, excitement, and wonder over a baby are taking hold.

Charlie studies the drink menu to decide what will come
after his Rum Ricky. I feel grown up with San Pellegrino!

We toasted "the third." He'll be Frederick Charles, like his father and grandfather. What we'll call him each day is yet to be determined, but we have a few ideas.

Lump crabmeat and avocado salad with sweet potato chips

Dinner was one of the yummiest we've had in a while...squash, vidallia, and basil soup, duck and andouille gumbo (excellent!), shrimp with artichoke hearts, sprouts, oven-dried tomatoes and a lemon emulsion, a lump crabmeat and avocado salad (unbelievable!), gnocchi with jumbo lump crabmeat, chanterelle mushroom and Parmigiano-Reggiano, and finally paneed rabbit with kale, smothered okra and and spicy tasso.

Happy girl!

Wait, there's dessert as well....Mexican chocolate cheesecake, homemade banana and peanut butter ice cream, and banana cream pie (outstanding!).

"Weapon of Choice"
Disappointed it's blurring, but this tiny sign by NoLa Rising
is tacked to the street pole right outside Patois' door.

We enjoyed Patois and will be back to the tiny restaurant nestled Uptown about 1 mile from our house. It was the perfect setting to celebrate our growing family. We talked about this and that, our upcoming vacation, work, family and friends, as we always do, but we each agreed how content we each were and how lucky we are to live this life.

And then...we went to look at breast pumps. Always an adventure.

"We're not having *a* baby, we're having Um Ba-bay!"

A photo of the monitor! The machine was out of film, so the tech said she'd
print some out from saved files when the film arrives.

Much anticipated ultrasound with MFM doctor was first thing this morning. I don't know if I could have made it a minute longer, with my anxiety running high. Charlie held my hand as we walked through the parking garage and reminded me of our life's mantra (one of them at least), "Everything will be okay. No matter what happens in there."

And everything is okay, with Mama and Um Ba-bay.

Mom's stats: (that's me!)

• Blood pressure: 100/64
• Pulse: 72 (nerves, as I'm used to a pulse near 50)
• Weight change overall: +6
• Cervix: 3.83 cm
• Placenta: edging away from cervix in anterior position

Um Ba-bay's stats:

• Heart rate: 150
• Weight: 10 ounces
• Position: Breech, butt down, legs tucked up
• Heart: 4 chambered
• Septum: closed
• Kidneys: 2
• Amniotic fluid: "adequate" (only a qualitative measurement at this stage)
• Head circumference: 19 weeks 4 days
• Waist: 18 weeks 6 days
• Brain: all parts measure within normal limits
• Lips: appear to be cleft free
• Umbilical cord: three vessels
• Genitalia: Male

Um Ba-bay is a boy! Charlie and I are going to have a son. A son.

We didn't think he was going to give up the shot to see the goods, being in the breech position with not much room to open his legs, but the ultrasound tech caught a shot that seemed to show both umbilical cord and penis, and the MFM doctor confirmed later with a better shot.

Um Ba-bay had his mouth open quite a bit and seemed to be trying to stuff his fist in there. His hands remained up near his head the entire time. The numerous shots of his heart, beating, beating, beating, were comforting.

Dr. L reported all measurements are within a few days of the due date, and all looks normal, within normal measurements. The heart is not quite to the point of development at this gestational age to rule out all heart abnormalities, but the 4 chambered heart gave 90%+ probability that all is normal. She also said breech at this stage in the game is normal and nothing to fret over.

Dr. L thought another scan would be requested by Dr. M but she wants him to schedule when he'd like me to see her again. She didn't say why, and I didn't ask. I'd rather hear Dr. M's explanation on Tuesday. So, I'll try not to worry and just be thankful for another peek at our boy and close monitoring.

So there you have it...come February we're having a boy, and he looks healthy.

In the genes?

Charlie throws himself over the back of the couch after much pacing
as the Saints miss a 3rd down conversion and a field goal.

Charlie's grandma is going to be 93 this week on the 26th. She's in phenomenal shape and spends her days doing what you'd expect most women her age and condition to be doing....trips to the beauty parlor, bridge games, dinners at the country club, and walks at the mall. She also spends quite a bit of her day reading the sports section and flipping back and forth between football and golf on the tube.

Being a devoted Oklahoma University fan she despises LSU and just like any good Oklahoman she doesn't miss a chance to tell you how low down and arrogant Les Miles is. Those football grudges don't go away very quickly. The lady's serious about sports, especially college ball.

She dishes some jeers throughout the game, and doesn't bite her tongue to be polite or think twice about rooting against your team. Not that she should. But if you ask Charlie, he thinks his grandma is a poor sport and he can't watch ball with her. And of course this has nothing to do with her cheering against LSU, so he says.

He tried explaining to me during the first half of LSU's game versus Auburn last night that he'll root for LSU, but it's not such a big deal if they can't pull it out. I raised my eyebrows and smiled. It was a matter of plays before the genes kicked in.

"Take that, b*tch. How ya like roughing the passer now?!?" He's on his feet, pacing, flailing his hands. The game was a nail biter, so this continued for the entire second half, until he finally looked at me and I called him "Neeter" (his nickname for his grandma). His look turned sheepish and he sighed. "I just can't help it."

Yep, he's his grandma's boy alright.

Peanut Butter Bars

Yes, another recipe in the same weekend. I am the domestic queen this weekend, baking, making a brisket, a pot of red beans, and organizing our closet so well that I even labeled the baskets on the shelves, and couldn't find my damn running shorts this morning. Is this nesting? or have I caught the stepford wives virus?

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter ( I used creamy.)
  
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter (I used crunchy)

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended.
2. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
3. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the 4 tbs. peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth.
4. Spread over the prepared crust.
5. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into 30 small squares. It's rich!
   

This is SO very easy and SO very yummy. I think I'll make it again next week.

Peanut Butter Blondies

Ingredients:

• 4 tbs butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy because it's all I had)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
   
2. Line an 8×8 pan with foil and lightly spray with PAM. (I didn't do this. I don't know what the point of lining a pan with foil is. Anyone have any idea?)
   
3. In a medium microwave safe mixing bowl melt the butter for 20-30 seconds until almost/all melted. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
4. Stir the peanut butter into the butter until creamy and smooth.
   
5. Add the brown sugar to the butter/peanut butter and stir until smooth.
   
6. Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine.
   
7. Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the peanut butter mixture and stir just to combine.
   
8. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
   
9. Pour into prepared pan and use a greased spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top.
   
10. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until set in the middle.
    

I actually doubled this recipe and baked in a 9x13 pan (without foil lining). The double batch baked for about 35 minutes, but next time I may take them out a few minutes earlier. Double batch made 28 nice size squares.

I found the recipe on a few blogs including Baking Blonde.

18 Weeks

Cannot believe we are here. Thankful for each day of the past 18 weeks, despite the stress and uncertainty. Thankful for the opportunity to experience pregnancy, and to watch Charlie watch me. And hopeful that I'll be saying the same thing at 20 weeks, 26 weeks, and 36 weeks.


I didn't think the belly had grown so much from two weeks ago, but looking at it now, I think it has grown! I've given up on trying to hide it. I've been getting comments on the bosom and the belly from friends and strangers. Well, the bosom comments have yet to come from strangers.

The last few weeks have been a pound a week gain, so that puts me on track for gaining about 30 pounds, if the pattern continues. We continue to walk about 28-30 miles per week. I'm not really watching my diet. I haven't been gorging myself on junk and sweets but unfortunately I have also been avoiding veggies and proteins. I keep telling myself to up the meat and greens, but crackers and noodles are what I want, so that's all I eat.


The anatomy scan is on Wednesday. It can't get here fast enough, as far as I am concerned. We will learn Um Ba-bay's sex, but really I am just desperate to see a wiggle and a heartbeat. It'll have been 41 days since the last ultrasound and 29 days since we heard the heartbeat, and I've been having some anxiety over all the worst case scenarios out there.

We did purchase a baby monitor this week and tested it tonight. Thankfully it worked perfectly from the baby room upstairs to the den downstairs. The baby stuff in the house grows. Next purchase from the massive list of gear we've compiled: co-sleeper.

18 weeks behind us. 22 weeks await.

2nd Trimester Screening

MFM (maternal fetal medicine) doctor phoned today.

2nd trimester screening results were "negative."

• Chance for presence of down syndrome (trisomy 21) remain 1 in 10,000, just as reported at 1st trimester screening.
• Chance of presence of trisomy 18 also remain at 1 in 10,000.
  
• Neural Tube defect chances are 1 in 1100. I haven't done my homework on NTD, but I am thinking this is about an average result. But, I'll be looking more into this tonight.
  

Boom-Ba

The chant has evolved in our house from "Boomba bottom. Boomba bottom. Boom. Boom. Boom."

To...."Boomba bosom. Boomba bosom. Boom. Boom. Boom."

And now..."Boomba belly. Boomba belly. Boom. Boom. Boom."

He's a charmer, that Charlie.

Lovin'

• Mornings at the bakery
• Lunch dates at Mandina's
• Poboys, even when he orders too many to eat
• Neighborhood ice cream parlor trips
• Garden time
• Cloudy afternoons at the park
• Dog training sessions
• Football games on the tube Thursday through Monday
• References by a stranger to the baby in my belly
• Dedication to make Um Ba-bay and Mama comfortable

Saturday's Life Lesson

Charlie is not mature (pronounce it mə-ˈtur) enough to be within 10 yards of a woman whose underpants and tight track pants render four butt cheeks rather than two.


I suppose since I didn't learn this lesson at the park yesterday when he could say nothing other than "Oh my god. Oh my god." until we passed her at the park, she had to reenter our lives this morning in the parking lot of the supermarket, wearing the same pants, and presumably the same or similar underpants.

He was literally unresponsive and frozen in this position until she closed her car door. Next time I'll go for the photo of the butt, now that I know what Charlie's reaction will be.

School's Cancelled

We have been snuggling in bed listening to the wind and rain. Ok, I've been trying to snuggle as Charlie frantically gets up and peeks out the window and wonders aloud about our roof repair holding up.

One storm has just passed over us, but the weather radar shows several more to come throughout the day, each separated by a stretch of calm, as Ike's outer bands pass us on their way to Texas.

It's a day for tea on the porch, novel reading, homemade banana bread, and snuggling.

Oh Henry Bars

My seminar has started up again, so now I am getting back to baking. I am able to try different recipes, have taste, and get the rest out of the house!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c. butter
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 4 c. oats
• 1/2 c. light corn syrup
• 3 tsp. vanilla
• Dash salt
• 1 (6 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
• 2/3 c. crunchy peanut butter

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar
2. Add oatmeal, syrup, and vanilla
3. Mix well and press into a 9x13 pan
4. Bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees
5. Mix chocolate chips and peanut butter in a double boiler or microwave(2 minutes at high)
6. Spread topping over baked "cake" mixture after it's had time to cool.
7. Refrigerate and cut into squares
   

Charlie's mama makes these when we are at the lake. There are many, many variations of the recipe online using varying amounts of sugar, both brown and white, corn oil, and different cereals instead of oats. This is not her recipe, which I need to get my hands on, because I am not completely pleased with these.

Experimenting with the recipe, I made two batches, and the second one will remain in the house because I think it is too gooey to serve to anyone but Charlie.

Football!

We're excited to be moving into a new season...football season! Games in the Dome on Sunday, and then on the tube 5 out of 7 nights a week.

The Saints pulled out a win in their home opener today, and they looked pretty good doing it. Charlie gets so amped up...drives a bit erratically downtown, gets huffed up getting into a parking spot, and then jiggles his leg nonstop through all four quarters. Thankfully we didn't have a walk back to the car with him pouting this afternoon.

Good ending to a blur of a week.

Gustav Numbers

1528: miles logged on the highway
4: lunches at Panera
1: fallen branch crushing the fence
20+: roof shingles missing (an area bigger than me)
1: reliable, honest roofer needed who hasn't followed work to Baton Rouge
4: ceilings with water stains
4: nights in OKC
1: night in D'Lo, MS
2: days piling branches

16 weeks

Is it growing?


We did just get home from a big "we love our life" meal at Herbsaint, so I think it is a bit bigger from food, but not so sure it's grown so much since the last photo 2 weeks ago.


We came home yesterday afternoon to a gift on the porch that Gustav didn't blow away for Um Ba-bay. Thank you, Dawn. And Aunt Mary sent us home with a few baby items as well. We are beginning to acquire lots of baby stuff. Charlie stopped me this evening as I passed him in the hall and said, "Let's look at all the baby things." He's also taken to reading aloud to me from his newest book, Caveman's Guide to Baby's First Year.

One of the big evacuation priorities of the week was remaining stress free, and staying pregnant. Last evacuation we left pregnant, had a D and C in Colorado during our month long evacuation, and returned home thinking we'd try again in a few months. And now after three long years we're finally expecting and find ourselves evacuating again. I could tell this bothered Charlie immensely and he was determined to keep Um Ba-bay alive and kicking. He did a great job taking care of his family, and I'm pretty confident Um Ba-bay made it home safely. We'll see for sure in three weeks.

My only concern now is this sharp pain I get in what I presume to be my cervix. I get pulls and twinges around my belly, but a few times a day I get pains, ranging from dull and achy to sharp knife cutting pains in my cervix. I have been avoiding googling it since we've got internet back, but I may cave this weekend.

Neighborhood Bar

It's all okay for us, but I'd still love a beer!
Photo taken with Charlie's cell phone on our walk

I was glad to see Henry's open yesterday, and filled with the usual suspects each glad to be out of the car and away from their kids, dogs, and mother in laws for a bit.

The chalkboard message outside always tickles me, and yesterday was no exception.

Life is Good

The orchid, tucked safely behind Charlie's workshop, still has five blooms. All of our services are back, internet included. A grocery store nearby is open if we run out of milk. We had breakfast at the bakery. We're tidying the yard together as the dogs enjoy the sun and breeze. We have plans to dine out this evening.

And I feel good that this time around that we've we made it home with our life pretty much unchanged. A little less cash in our pocket, and some more miles on the car, but we're not faced with rethinking what life will look like in the next year. A much different scene than three years ago.

We are thankful.

Home Sweet Home

We're home, and no worse for the wear.

We left Jackson about 11 am, road the back highways, crossed the Causeway with a handful of other cars, and made it home by 2 pm.

The wedding albums are back on the shelf, the Saints flag is flying, and Charlie is out cleaning the yard.

We have power. A few neighbors are out and about.

Later we'll go for a walk with the dogs and get back to our routine. Hoping to see the bakery or diner down Magazine Street open in the morning.

**This post made courtesy of Lee's Verizon card. We have no internet and no telling when it'll be back on. I'll post and email as able.

Perched

We have relocated to Jackson, Mississippi for the evening. Jefferson Parish reopens to citizens tomorrow, but the word is Orleans won't open until Thursday. Regardless, I think the plan is to make it home tomorrow.

We're not sure what the status of our power. Hoping for the best and we're going to press on tomorrow.

I sure hope Geraldo Rivera is out of our city and off the news.

Gustav gone

We're still waiting, but planning our return, with the assumption that we've dodged the bullet in New Orleans, and restricted entry and curfew will be lifted in the next day or so.

Of course, the assumption is that everyone else has a similar plan, on a similar time frame, anxious to see their home. We'll be prepared to sit in traffic, but hopefully plan a route that doesn't intersect Gustav's northwest path.

Hoping by this afternoon we'll know if levees contained the storm surge, determine if there's power in our neighborhood, and get moving on our plan to return home.