30 Before 30 Update: January 2013 Edition

Here's a look at the progress I made this month.

I was able to read 1 educational book and 1 fun book this month.  My choices were:

1. Super Nutrition for Babies by Katherine Erlich, M.D., Kelly Genzlinger C.N.C., C.M.T.A, and David Brownstein, M.D.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It is bursting with valuable information.  The thing I appreciated the most is that the authors take pretty hefty scientific info and break it down, explaining concepts in a way that makes sense to hormone-crazed prego mamas (like me).

It's nice to know that there are medical professionals out there that care strongly about preventing disease, not just treating it after it happens.  One of the main thrusts of Super Nutrition for Babies is that it is entirely possible to avoid many chronic childhood conditions (obesity, diabetes, autism, eczema, food allergies, just to name a few) by simply feeding your child the most nourishing diet.  And then the authors go so far as to tell you where to find the foods they mention, as well as include recipes and timelines of when and how to prepare the nourishing food.  This is definitely a book I will hang on to and reference again and again.  I highly recommend it.

2.  Chronicles of Avonlea, by L. M. Montgomery.

I bought this book at the Anne of Green Gables bookstore in P.E.I., the one run by L. M. Montgomery's family.  I've read most of Montgomery's books over the years, but not this one, or its sequel, Further Chronicles of Avonlea (which will be my fun book for next month).

I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories.  Montgomery's writing style includes plenty of "scope for the imagination".  I found myself getting attached to several of the characters along the way.  The stories are snapshots of the lives of Anne's contemporaries, living in either Avonlea or nearby White Sands or Carmody.  The collection of short stories weaves together grief, bitterness, deceit, redemption, generosity, heartache, love, marriage, and plenty of humor.

This is a timeless classic for sure.  Again, I highly recommend.  The short stories are perfect for picking up when you have only a few minutes; most of the chapters take 5-10 minutes at the most to read. 

Also, I have decided to do a baby quilt and have pinned several ideas on my Pinterest Sewing board.  Now comes the big decisions.... what colors and which pattern to go with?  Much of that decision will depend on if we find out the baby's gender... I'll keep you posted.

If you have recommendations for devotional books, please comment below. 

Tuna Nachos

You're probably thinking I'm nuts... TUNA?  On NACHOS?  WHATTTTT???????  Or at least, that's what M was thinking when I recently made this delectable-ness.  Tuna Hater.

I am a HUGE nachos fan. Bummer that I can't have them much anymore (no fake cheese for this chica), unless I make them at home.  I started making this conglomeration of tuna, cheese and veggies shortly after I graduated from college.  Amazing how much you can do with a toaster oven...

Week 18

How far along? 18 weeks

Baby is the size of: A sweet potato!

Maternity clothes?  Having a hard time with waistbands and I need a bigger bra! Praying it warms up soon so I can stop wearing tights. They’re too constricting, but my legs are freezing!

Sleep: Still can’t sleep… new this week, my left leg goes numb every time I lay on my left side, so I’m down to sleeping on my right side only. That’ll put a cramp in your style.

Food cravings: STRAWBERRIES. LOTS OF STRAWBERRIES.

Movement: Quite a bit of light kicking and punching. It’s kind of like getting poked, only from the inside.

Best moment of the week: Having someone tell me, “You’re pregnant? You don’t look it at all!” That was nice to hear on the day I felt huge!

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of heavily buttered popcorn (think movie theatre or ball game).

This is how big the baby is this week!

Symptoms: My midwife told me I have to up my cardio and it will help the shortness of breath. It has, somewhat. I’m still huffing and puffing every time I climb the stairs at work. Thirsty a lot. My brain is full of holes. Or at least I think it is.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood? Mostly happy. Stressed at work.

Looking forward to: A good nap.

Fun in Key West

Hurray!!! I've been to the edge and back!!!

The edge of the lower 48 states, that is.  Key West, FL is the furthest south you can go in the contiguous 48 states.

Notice we didn't get our picture taken next to this buoy.  It's cute and all, but it's not the southernmost point. Fun fact... this is actually not a buoy... it came out of a sewer somewhere in Key West and the city had it painted to look like a buoy so they could replace the sign that used to be there... the sign that kept getting stolen. LOL

This is actually the southernmost point that a civilian can access (below). Doesn't look like much, does it?

Week 17

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain: 7 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Not yet! I'm wearing this khaki skirt in a size larger than normal... Things are feeling tight around the tummy, though, in most of my regular clothes.

Stretch marks? Not yet (fingers crossed)

Sleep: Starting to struggle with getting comfortable. Can't sleep on my back... can't sleep on my tummy... I feel very restless at night.

Food cravings: Pickles (just by themselves). And Mexican food. 

Movement: Started to feel "flutters" this week!

Best moment of the week:  Had my first prenatal care appointment and my first ultrasound. It was so amazing to see this little person moving and kicking and hear the strong heartbeat!

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of M's vitamins. Yuck!

Gender prediction: Couldn't tell on the ultrasound! I think it might be a girl though.

Symptoms: Round ligament pain. Shortness of breath.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood? Short fuse...

Looking forward to: SLEEP

The Holy Land Experience

Sigh...not my best look. I look like I have crazy pink hair.

Always wanted to visit Israel?  Me, not so much.  I love the history and Biblical significance of it, but traveling there in person? Not so much... not too keen on the idea of bomb shelters, etc.

Next best thing?  The Holy Land Experience in Orlando.

Granted, it's a bit commercial, but we spent 5-6 hours walking around, learning and enjoying ourselves.  The park is landscaped with middle eastern plant life and they have some pretty neat exhibits.

EcoSafari

Check out this fashionable look...

On our way down to Miami, we stopped off in St. Cloud at Forever Florida (a nature preserve) for an EcoSafari.  They offer lots of different activities, from horseback riding, to zip lines, to the Cypress Canopy Cycle.  M's not an equestrian type and I'm not a 'throw caution to the wind and jump off a platform 4 stories up in order to hurtle down a piece of wire held only by a caribiner clip and flimsy harness' type.  So we met in the middle and chose the Cypress Canopy Cycle.

Wicked awesome.

Alligator Watching in the Everglades

Little airboat... our was about 3x this size.

Checking one more thing off my list... Airboat tour of the Everglades. We spent a 1/2 day at Sawgrass Recreation Park and really enjoyed ourselves.  The airboat tour was really cool (that boat MOVES!) and our guide/pilot was very knowledgeable about the Everglades and the wildlife.

We saw 5 alligators, some turtles and a few bird species. I tried to get pictures of all of them without falling overboard or sticking my limbs over the side of the boat.  Apparently, the alligators can see the motion from below the water and think it looks like lunch.  Mission accomplished:  I came home with all arms, legs, fingers and toes firmly attached.