This just in:

The doc has been telling me for weeks that I am measuring small. Like 2 weeks small. I very seriously and earnestly have been telling him that I have big babies. So today we had an ultrasound to see just how big that baby is... and with over 6 weeks to go he/she is measuring over 5 pounds. FIVE POUNDS!! I'm guessing that another 1 1/2 months of cooking will produce a very big baby. (Grant was 8lb 12 oz... and I was induced 1 1/2 weeks early! According to previous OBGYN's, I'm kinda' small down there... hence the reason I have to get episiotomys every time.) The sonographer mentioned that maybe the baby would be born at, like, 37 weeks... I told her it wouldn't.

I'm working up a good way to ask the Dr. just how willing he is to induce early.

p.s. Baby is healthy and in perfect position to deliver. I shouldn't complain.

Mess With Texas, But Don't Mess With Jenny

If you’re reading this blog, it’s probably because you know Jenn. But how well do you really know her?

Many refer to her as sweet, nice, and kind. All that is true. Underneath that soft façade, however, is a tough woman and mother. How tough, you ask? Here’s how tough:

She once cut a knife with a stick of butter.
She does not sleep. She waits.
She doesn’t eat honey. She chews bees.
Bears play dead when they are attacked by Jenny.
When she cooks potatoes, they mash themselves out of fear of her.
She has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life.
There used to be a street named Jennifer, but it was changed because nobody crosses Jennifer and lives.
Jenny does not need Twitter...she is already following you.
She doesn't flush the toilet, she scares the crap out of it
Jenny counted to infinity - twice.
Death once had a near-Jenn experience
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Jennifer.
Jenn can slam a revolving door.
She can win a game of Connect Four in only three moves.
She once made a Happy Meal cry.
Finally, Jenny can kill two stones with one bird.

So it’s on this Valentine’s Day that I take this moment to let people know the REAL Jennifer, and the real reasons we love her so much. (Because if we didn’t, . . . .)

Freaking Out

WARNING: possibility of T.M.I.

So... 32 weeks here... and I'm starting to think about how this baby has to get out. In case you didn't know... it hurts. A lot.

I have only experienced natural childbirth. And while, now that it's been a few years, I can say it was great, I'm starting to think maybe it wasn't.

My doctor isn't overly supportive of natural childbirth and is encouraging an epidural. I wasn't very happy after Grant was born, and those stories about playing cards, sleeping during labor, and being rested and thrilled when baby is born sound pretty wonderful.

BUT: I just watched this video that explains epidurals and how they work and I don't know what is worse. Natural childbirth or epidurals?

One reason I like the natural childbirth option is because recovery has been pretty easy... but on the other hand, maybe I wouldn't have to get an episiotomy (each and every time) if I were more relaxed during the final stages of labor. So maybe recovery would, in the long run, be easier with an epidural.

Joe, smart guy that he is, supports either option (although he ran away in the middle of the epidural video).

Any thoughts, ladies?

My New Thing

Homemade yogurt:

Healthy. Cheap. Delicious. Versatile. EASY.

What can I say? I'm addicted. I've been making yogurt about once a week for just over a month. And I'm never going back.

What to do:
1. Set the crockpot on low.
2. Pour in 8 cups of milk.
3. Whisk 5-6 Tbs. dry milk (optional).
4. Heat for 2 1/2-3 hours.
5. Turn off crockpot and let sit for 3 hours.
6. Whisk in 1/2 cup store-bought plain yogurt with live cultures.
7. Put lid on crockpot and stick just the pot part in the oven (cold) for 8-12 hours.
8. Strain using a cheesecloth (I use a thin dishtowel). This step is also optional, but it makes the yogurt a little thicker.
9. Flavor as desired. (It's better if you do this right before you eat it.)
*Store for 1-2 weeks (you'll eat it before then).


What I've learned:
*Whole milk is the yummiest, but any kind will do.
*I add the powdered milk because it makes it a little thicker (and healthier). The stuff you buy has gelatin in it to thicken it.
*After the first time you can save out 1/2 c. of yogurt to use for your next batch.
*You can substitute it for sour cream in recipes. The kids and I like it on our food (like baked potatoes and Mexican food), but Joe won't try it. It is a little runnier than sour cream, but since it is plain, it really doesn't taste any different.
*Use the whey (strained off part of yogurt) instead of water in recipes. For example, I've been using it when I make bread.

What I love:
*Yogurt parfaits.... a new fav. family breakfast. Add some frozen fruit and granola and wahlah! If it's not sweet enough--add some honey.
*Pina Colada (without alcohol, of course). Add crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut, and some sliced almonds.
*Yogurt and fruit smoothies satisfy my sugar cravings.
*Add some cream of coconut milk. DELISH!!!
*Any frozen fruit, fresh fruit, or jam is good, too. We've also squeezed limes and added some honey.... there are so many things!
*My kids love a small bowl as an after-school snack. And Mom doesn't mind. :)

You should try it!

Day Three

In 3 days the calendar says I will be exactly 7 months pregnant. My face is filling out, my eyes are getting dark circles around them, and bending over is getting hard to do. Not much is fitting me lately--and what does isn't always very flattering, so when I find something that fits, is warm, and fairly decent looking I'm happy. Tomorrow marks our 4th "snow" day, and as you can imagine, we've been stuck in the house for most of the week. When I got out of the shower this morning, Joe looked at me and asked, "Didn't you wear that yesterday?" "Yes, but it fits and it's warm," I replied. When I started breakfast Madison commented, "Mom... I think you forgot that you wore that yesterday." "Yep," I said, "But I changed my socks and underwear. Doesn't that count?" Tomorrow it's supposed to snow.

GoInG cRaZy

I mean... YAY!!

It's a SNOW DAY!!

TWO of them!!