30 Weeks & Sick!

Well, I got sick... really sick. I normally get one cold a year and it's not too bad. Well, not this time. I felt MISERABLE! It hit me on Thursday. Friday morning was an outdoor, walking field trip and that afternoon was a Halloween Party. Those two things are enough to make any teacher sick. By Friday at 3:30 I felt like I couldn't move/talk/think. I drove home (somehow) and officially decided to cancel my trip to Los Angeles (tear). I was going to tailgate on campus for USC Homecoming and then attend a bridal shower for my dear friend, Jessica. I'm still very sad I couldn't see my friends, but I know it's what was best for my body (and my baby).

So, I slept all Friday afternoon and night. I woke up when my amazing husband came home with groceries and things to make homemade soup. He is so sweet. He had called me on his way home from work and I kept yelling (nasally) to just buy store bought soup... but he insisted on making homemade soup. So, I had yummy chicken and vegetable soup with lots of garlic. If you haven't heard: garlic is the secret ingredient when you're sick. I put a ton of it in soup when Jake or I am sick - and we're cured very quickly. Friday night I also had an entire head of roasted garlic with bread. So, needless to say, I'm getting better.

So, here is the 30 week belly shot. I insisted on putting clothes and make-up on for this one. And I'm good at faking a smile...

It looks like I'm pushing my belly out... but I'm not.

In other baby news: we toured the hospital where Parker will be born.
Any friends or family with extra time on their hands may check out this video of the El Camino Hospital Online Maternity Tour. After watching it, I'm wondering why Jake and I even wasted time or money on the class... the video shows everything we learned on the tour!

Jake and I both had mini heart attacks when we saw the labor/delivery room and tiny bed where they put the baby once it is born. At our hospital they don't have a nursery where they take the newborns to get checked out and stuff. Instead they do it all in the room next to mom and dad. So, we saw the little area where he'd be looked at. That was the heart attack/exciting part. It was very comforting to see where we'd go, park, check in, etc. That way we're not freaking out about those small things what D-Day comes. Or, B-Day? I dunno.

Also, last weekend my Mother-in-Law hosted a baby shower for me! It was so much fun and made me so anxious to meet our lil' guy. We got the best stuff! I feel so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family. I don't have any pictures to post yet... but I'll get some soon!

Finally...

What a rough life...

Sleeping Beauty

28 Weeks!

I've entered the third trimester (gasp!) and I'm feeling great. I feel little Parker (still 98% set on Parker... Carter is the second choice) kicking constantly and I can even see my belly move as he wiggles around. Jake will put his hand on my stomach and be amazed at how much movement there is. He was kind of blown away the other night and asked if it was normal. Yup... I told him that's what I get to feel all the time. It has become a little uncomfortable to sit in certain positions and my feet will get swollen on some days.

I have now had numerous strangers ask when I'm due and there was even a stranger who came up and felt my stomach. Not just a quick feel, but rubbing my stomach. It was slightly awkward, but I didn't care. It's crazy that within the past week I have gotten big enough that strangers aren't scared to ask when I'm due... there is no hiding this bump any longer!

Also, Jake and I are starting to figure out what we'll do when our lease is up in February. Eek! Baby Hilton will be only a few weeks old! But, the rent here is going up and we've looked into buying a place. We have already be pre-approved for a loan and have a Realtor who will start showing us places today. I'm still not sure that we'll take that road or just continue to rent. We definitely live in a very expensive area and we're both frustrated with the selections out there for us. I guess more updates on that when we know...

Now: the belly pic. Not sure if I've mentioned why I take these. I'm not obsessed with how I look... in fact, I avoid the mirror at all costs, but I have a "belly book" that I fill in about the pregnancy. There are spots for weekly pictures so if I'm already taking them I figured somewhere out there wants to see how I'm growing. I love looking at other growing bellies, so I figure you might, too.
Send the small children out of the room... this is getting scary... Kellyzilla: she looks pissed.

Week 5 versus Week 27
I've been told that I look like I'm carrying a boy. From the front or back you can't tell how big I really am... but when I turn to the side - watch out!

Oh, Happy Day

Our crazy neighbor downstairs moved out! This guy seriously creeped me out. I even put a piece of paper covering the peep-hole on our door because he freaked me out so much. I'm so relieved he doesn't live below us anymore.

Wednesday was my birthday! Jake took me to La Fondue - a restaurant in Saratoga that I've been dying to try. I love fondue! This place was swanky and surprisingly busy for a Wednesday. Of course when the waitress heard we were there to celebrate my birthday she brought over two glasses of champagne. Grr. Why all the free champagne when I can't partake? But, the dinner was amazing! We both left feeling very full...

Sorry, only two pictures taken at my birthday dinner. Notice the candle in the marshmallow... the chocolate fondue was amazing!

Also, I'm 26 weeks preggers, which means I needed to take the glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes. This involves drinking some glucose and showing up to the lab an hour later to have some blood taken. Luckily, the lab is open on weekends, so I didn't need to miss any work. I was told that the drink makes some people nauseous, so I was nervous. Sunday morning I was ready for my glucose cocktail. It tasted like a thicker sprite. I had to drink it all within five minutes. That was the only hard part. It really wasn't that bad and I felt fine. I got the test results today - I'm healthy! I don't want to jinx it, but I've been feeling great. No more headaches and just feeling positive about the whole thing. My body does get very tired at the end of the work day, but I guess that's to be expected. I do have an extra 20 pounds on me... yes... that's right. 2-0. Oooooops.

Here I am at 26 weeks on my way to the lab to get my blood tested. These belly pics can also be used to play "Where's Roxy?" cause she seems to be in all of them.

This past weekend I also got my cooking on. I made some (homemade!) butternut squash ravioli. (*Note: I'm not really a recipe person. I much prefer to look at lots of different recipes, combine them, and do my own thing*) I started with some flour, eggs, and Jake's arm strength to roll out the pasta dough. I started rolling, but I couldn't get it thin enough. Then, I pureed some roasted butternut squash, salt, pepper, nutmeg, brown sugar, and milk. We put some of this filling between two layers of pasta and cut out our raviolis. After boiling I tossed them in a brown butter and sage sauce. They were delicious!

My ravioli before the were cooked.