Belly Picture Week 24 and Exciting News

Here are two pictures from week 24; my dog Blondie cannot believe the size of my belly. I finally look pregnant to strangers which is a powerful tool. People are naturally protective and loving to pregnant people.

Good news is that my little son Harpo is getting a cousin--my sister and her husband are expecting and are on week 13--already 2nd Trimester. What a gift to my son to have a cousin his same age. It makes my pregnancy even more enjoyable to share with her. I wish their little family good blessings and health--I can't wait to see Sissy's little baby bump start to show.

New Camera, New Belly shots

Here's baby at Week 21...

My protector...

New slippers, wish I could see them...

It's our 5th Courthouse-Wedding Anniversary.

It's our 5th Courthouse-Wedding Anniversary. We were first married in a courthouse in Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (seriously) on December 15th, 2003. After Judge Richard Stone scheduled court dates for the cell phone robber and the pick-pocket, he took us into his office and married us. It was very unplanned (we were actually there to pick up our marriage licence). Afterwards we took our photo with Santa and saw Lord of the Rings at midnight. We had the real wedding on August 7th, 2004 with family and friends at the Henry Miller Library in Big Sur (heaven), but this date will always be special to just us.

For Courthouse-Wedding Anniversary Dinner:
Chinese Spareribs for Jon (they marinate overnight and he loves them)
Brown Rice
Miso Soup (see recipe below), which is so filling and wholesome
"Blistered" Green Beans with Gimmie Lean (I can't get my wok hot enough to truly blister the beans but the flavors our good.)

Here's to you Jon, I married my best friend and partner and I love you more everyday.

First Trimester pictures

Bloated 1st Trimester:

Getting Bigger (more bloat? or is that really baby?)

Growing uterus

Here's a picture of a growing uterus aka fundal height. Sorry kids for the pubes and nipples in the picture--jeez! Regardless, I found this fascinating. I like how at week 40 the uterus gets shorter and wider, ready to pop! I'm about at week 21 (more or less) so my uterus is about at my belly button.

Harpo adds his two cents by kicking around right now feels like weird alien spasm in my bladder area.

Food Diary today--for midwife

I am keeping a food diary for my Midwife, Cheryl Gates, and for myself (who would want to read this except me--making it "public" keeps me honest and makes me want to eat better). Cheryl stresses the importance of a healthy diet on both baby's and mama's health. Seems obvious, I often assume that I eat well because I am studying nutrition as if reading about health makes you healthy. That is a grave mistake because I must always stay vigilant about my food choices for both me and Harpo. I've noticed since becoming pregnant that IF I eat something not so good, aka a sugar cookie last night, my body sucks it up and keeps it. Usually on my ass or somewhere equally as unfortunate.

9:30-Banana, 1/2 cup of coffee (maybe less) with splash of soy milk. Began drinking 1st 33oz of water. Worked out with video (my old standby Power 90 Cardio with Tony).
11:00-1/2 cup cottage cheese with a little cinnamon and agave, apple and more of said water
11:40-1/2 homemade carrot muffin, 1/glass of soy milk. (not hungry, just wanted to try muffin)
12:30-Cup of Tea, 1 large carrot. Started second 33 oz of water.
2:00-Lentil Soup, whole grain toast with rosemary olive oil and salt&pepper. 3 spoons of Jon's cottage cheese (doesn't count if it's on someone else's plate), perrier
3:30-Handful of cashews, more water. (Writing email, feeling bored and not hungry)
4:00-Oatmeal (organic but instant, I'm a jerk)
6:15-Some sips of Jon's beer. (feel guilty about having an empty stomach and drink water)
6:30-Corn tortillas toasted with Pico de Gallo (is that pick of the chicken?) salsa and guacamole.
7:00-Decaf tea while cooking.
8:15-Roasted sweet potato and parsnips, 1 slice of homemade spinach and mushroom quiche, serving of fake turkey slices, 2 kiwis for dessert.
9:00-chugging 3rd 33oz of water.

To work on:
--Need more vegetables (3-5 servings I'd like to have more plus more green leafy vegetables)
--Check Protein intake (magic number 71 grams daily for vegetarians)
--Add more quality whole grains (brown rice, barley, buckwheat) (need 6-8 servings)
--Hit water mark (100 oz daily)
--Hit fruit mark (2-3 servings)

Midwife Appointment

We visited our midwife, Cheryl Gates, yesterday for a monthly check-up. Her apprentice was there to learn and help. The apprentice (Jon says that her name was Monica, I tend to forget names as soon as people say them) ran the appointment with Cheryl overseeing everything. Monica asked, "Do you know why we check (insert something to check here) ?" Honestly, I didn't know and my lack of knowledge is somewhat painful because I am used to pretending to be a smartie. I didn't know what the fundal height was. It is the estimated size of the uterus in centimeters and the centimeter amount should correspond with gestational weeks.

I'm glad to be with women that that the time to explain the importance of each aspect of the pregnancy and give me and Jon the time to ask questions. The conventional obgyn doctor, bless his stethoscope, gave us 15 minutes in our last appointment and basically used the doppler to hear the fetal heartrate, wiped my belly of doppler goo, and headed out. I feel much safer and much more informed with my midwife.

They poked my belly and could feel baby Harpo was laying sideways across my abdomen. After they were done I felt an definite punch, Harpo doesn't take crap from anyone.