Stracciatella Soup with Spinach and Orzo
21 hours ago
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
1 Year Ago
1 year ago today I experienced what can only be described as the 2nd worst day of my life. I had my big 18 week ultrasound at my drs office but we were so confident that I didn’t even ask Jason to go. We had already paid for a private ultrasound so we knew our baby was a boy. We thought there was nothing else to be concerned with. How naïve were we? The ultrasound tech immediately noted that yes indeed our baby was a boy, after that I listened to her prattle on about his kidneys, spine, toes, fingers, heart, etc. It was a long 45 minute peak at our little boy and I was ecstatic. Afterwards, I popped in my drs office expecting a quick rundown of how I’m feeling and then I’d be on my way. But that was not to be. He comes in and sits down and says that they have detected fluid on little Ethan’s brain. Looking back, I should have known it was bad. The doctor did nothing to assuage my fears. There were no comforting words or words of encouragement that it might be fine. He already started throwing out medical jargon at the time that I knew nothing about, hydrocephalus and Dandy Walker. He was referring me to a perinatologist for further review. I left his office in tears. I called Jason and I was so hysterical at first I couldn’t get the words out. I called my mom and then I headed back to work. The rest of the afternoon was a blur. We ended up seeing the peri that day, which should have also been a sign that things were very bad. That afternoon was filled with information overload and began the 3 weeks of hell trying to figure out EXACTLY what we were dealing with. We all know how that ended. I’ll never forget that day and yet here we are again- exactly one week from that dreaded “big” ultrasound. A year ago I could never look forward to a time far enough ahead of us to see that there were still happy times ahead. Granted, this happiness is still tinged with a bit of fear, or maybe more than a just a bit. In fact, right now, it’s probably more accurately described as a whole lot of fear. But once again I’m looking ahead of us, looking to next Tuesday at approximately 4pm when the fear of the last year might finally be lifted. Whew, what a great feeling that could- WILL be!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Baby Jamesie!
In June, James Sikes aka Jamesie, was diagnosed with a very rare brain tumor. By late July he passed away. You can read the entire story here, on his parent’s blog- http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com. The real reason I’m putting this post up on my blog is to ask for a favor. See, in little James’ little life, one of the things he loved were giraffes. He went to the zoo twice to see them and his favorite stuffed animal was a baby giraffe. The Dallas Zoo recently announced that a baby female giraffe was born at the zoo and they are holding a contest to decide what this baby giraffe’s name will be. The parents are asking that in little James’ honor everyone send in a submission for the baby giraffe’s name to be Jamie the Giraffe, in honor of baby Jamesie and his love of giraffes. Here is a link to the form for submission. http://jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com/2011/08/giraffe-form.html Thanks!
14 Weeks!
How Far Along? 14 weeks
Size of baby: The size of a lemon
Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops
Gender: Dr thinks Boy!
Movement: Nope, nothing yet!
What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!
Sleep: Sleep pretty good, but will sleep better once I get my doggie door installed!
Symptoms: I am having trouble taking deep breaths at time, constipated (YUCK!), very thirsty at times, HEADACHES and I've just started recently having some pain in my tailbone!
What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 16th- BIG Drs Appt!
Baby Ramey’s Progress
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
Your Body This Week
Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.
Size of baby: The size of a lemon
Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Maternity Jeans, yes, but still wearing mostly non-maternity tops
Gender: Dr thinks Boy!
Movement: Nope, nothing yet!
What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!
Sleep: Sleep pretty good, but will sleep better once I get my doggie door installed!
Symptoms: I am having trouble taking deep breaths at time, constipated (YUCK!), very thirsty at times, HEADACHES and I've just started recently having some pain in my tailbone!
What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 16th- BIG Drs Appt!
Baby Ramey’s Progress
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
Your Body This Week
Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Stafford Stories "Go To" Recipes
Over at one of my favorite blogs- Stafford Stories - she is hosting a linky party for everyone's "go-to" recipes. Beef bread is a recipe that I modified for my family's taste from another family recipe I learned from my cousin. You can really make this as healthy (wheat french bread, low fat soups, no/low fat cheese) or as sinful (white french bread, substitute sour cream for the low fat soups, full fat cheese, etc) and comforting as you want!
· Loaf of French bread
· 1lb ground beef (I use really lean 93/7)
· 1 can of cream of celery
· 1 can of cream of onion
· ¼ cup lowfat milk
· 2 cups shredded cheese
· Lettuce
· Tomato
Directions
· Cook ground beef and drain
· Mix the 2 cans of soup and milk with the ground beef and mix together just until warm
· Slice French bread in half and dig a bit of the bread out to create a space to layer in the ground beef mixture
· Spoon the beef mixture onto the halfed sides of French bread
· Top with cheese
· Bake at 350 degress for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is nice and crispy
· Top with your favorite toppings- lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, etc
Beef Bread
Ingredients
· 1lb ground beef (I use really lean 93/7)
· 1 can of cream of celery
· 1 can of cream of onion
· ¼ cup lowfat milk
· 2 cups shredded cheese
· Lettuce
· Tomato
· Cook ground beef and drain
· Mix the 2 cans of soup and milk with the ground beef and mix together just until warm
· Slice French bread in half and dig a bit of the bread out to create a space to layer in the ground beef mixture
· Spoon the beef mixture onto the halfed sides of French bread
· Top with cheese
· Bake at 350 degress for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is nice and crispy
· Top with your favorite toppings- lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, etc
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The countdown begins!
2 weeks from today- AUGUST 16th. The single most important day in our lives in a very long time! We will find out if this baby is healthy and without Dandy Walker. It is hopefully my last appointment with the perinatologist. If the baby’s brain looks good, then I will no longer be high-risk and there is no reason to see him further. I can resume my normal drs appts with Dr. Seligman without further need to have a specialist oversee my care. It means I will finally be able to breathe a little easier. It means that I will finally feel like this is real. It means that I will finally feel like I can dream of the day when we get to take this baby home with us.
I’m confident. I have to be. I’ve done all the research. I know the reoccurrence rate is very low- less than 5%. My head understands all that, but my heart won’t be completely at ease until that doctor looks at our baby’s brain and says that everything looks perfect. I know what it feels like to be the “lucky” (read: sucky!) winner of some incredibly crazy ass odds. We’ve been on the losing end of the 3 out of 10,000 type of odds. Is it too much to ask that we are spared this time around??? I hope not!
I’m confident. I have to be. I’ve done all the research. I know the reoccurrence rate is very low- less than 5%. My head understands all that, but my heart won’t be completely at ease until that doctor looks at our baby’s brain and says that everything looks perfect. I know what it feels like to be the “lucky” (read: sucky!) winner of some incredibly crazy ass odds. We’ve been on the losing end of the 3 out of 10,000 type of odds. Is it too much to ask that we are spared this time around??? I hope not!
The countdown begins. 14 days…… tick, tock, tick tock….
Monday, August 1, 2011
13 Weeks!
How Far Along? 13 weeks
Size of baby: The size of a peach or medium shrimp
Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Not really yet, but getting close
Gender: Dr thinks Boy!
Movement: Nope, nothing yet!
What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!
Sleep: Sleep VERY WELL!
Symptoms: I am getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom at least once!
What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 15th- BIG Drs Appt!
Baby Ramey’s Progress
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.
Your Body This Week
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.
Size of baby: The size of a peach or medium shrimp
Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 1 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Not really yet, but getting close
Gender: Dr thinks Boy!
Movement: Nope, nothing yet!
What I miss: Nothing at this point, Im loving being pregnant!
Sleep: Sleep VERY WELL!
Symptoms: I am getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom at least once!
What I am looking forward to: Drs appointment on Tuesday, August 15th- BIG Drs Appt!
Baby Ramey’s Progress
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries.
Your Body This Week
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.
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