New Arrival

Hehe.. not THAT kind of new arrival. Our crib arrived this morning, so the monkey room now looks like it'll be for a little one soon. Kind of weird and scary. Crib is bigger than I thought it would be (looked so much smaller in the store next to the REALLY big cribs), so now I need to rethink what is going to go where (or, really, where the crib will go, and if I'll have room for the glider and where THAT will go).

No monkey pics for now - last few ultrasounds have only had a couple of good pics (although one really awesome pouty one - she didn't want to move her hand from in front of her face), so I'll try to remember to scan them in when I can. Or use the fancy new camera to take a photo - see if the fancy camera was worth the $$!

Update

All is quiet on the western front. Or eastern, depending on how you look at it.

Since my last actual post about the fluid levels, the numbers have rebounded amazingly well. Two weeks ago, my fluid level was measuring at around a 9.9 - just shy of "normal" - but still within an acceptable range, but last week, it was down below that, somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8. We did a repeat BPP this past Tuesday, where I was able to get my levels up to the 11 range - excellent news! Apparently drinking lots of water and resting when possible works. Today we were just shy of 12, so we can resume the previous schedule of NST/Doctor's appointment on Tuesdays, with a BPP scheduled at the high risk place on Fridays. Bonus: I was able to request the same sonographer we've had the past two visits - we liked her a lot!

Aside from that, I'm feeling great. We're having some ridiculous weather in the DC area - tomorrow is supposed to be a high around 100 with a heat index of 110 - not good for ANYONE to be out in, let alone a wilting flower like myself. Planning on hanging in doors as much as possible - maybe make a few more freezer meals (recipes will be posted), maybe work on the baby's room, heck, maybe even wash the few items of clothing we have already. Oh, and all the usual housework that needs to be done that I've been putting off. Had a freak out earlier this week that WE ARE NOT READY, which included (mind you, at 4:20 am) really silly things, like our bedroom not being cleaned, or my hospital bag being ready to go.

Biggest new complaints: puffy feet and sleep. My ankles have been swollen for a while now, but the newest discovery is the puffy nature of the top of my feet. Just strange - it doesn't go down very easily, as my ankles do. Oh, and sleep.... yes... I do realize that once baby is here, sleep will disappear. I also acknowledge that there is a certain biological reason for my inability to sleep through the night - some say it is training for when baby is here. But seriously... it's been at least a month since I've had a night's sleep uninterrupted. I'm not even asking for 8 hours... I'm simply asking for an evening where I do not wake up at least once... usually between 3-4:30AM. Sleep is at a premium now, and I can't even take advantage of it.

Oh... not to end on a whiny note - best part of today - awesome new sonographer was able to get some adorable photos of the monkey. As usual, hands were up by her face, and once, after trying to get her to move her hands, we got the perfect shot of a little pout. So much fun.

Recipe: Roman-Style Chicken

This is one of my favorites from The Food Network's Giada De Laurentiis - quite tasty, and even if you omit some items (as I did last night - no capers, bacon, or artichokes here!), it's still a delicious meal. The freezer directions are courtesy of Joelen's Culinary Adventures.

Roman Style Chicken
recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

4 skinless chicken breast halves, with ribs
2 skinless chicken thighs, with bones
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup olive oil
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
3 slices bacon, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup artichoke hearts
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup white wine
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons capers
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. In a heavy, cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, cook the chicken until browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Keeping the same pan over medium heat, add the peppers and bacon and cook until the peppers have browned and the bacon is crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the artichokes, tomatoes, wine, and herbs. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan, add the stock, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes. Just before serving, add the capers and parsley; stir to combine and serve.

* To make ahead/freezer meal - Prepare the chicken as directed above. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and cool completely, then place in a gallon sized freezer bag. Prepare the sauce for the dish as directed above, omitting the stock, capers and parsley (which will be added later). Cool completely before adding the sauce to the gallon sized freezer bag. Freeze the bag. When ready to prepare, defrost the freezer bag completely. Place the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker/crockpot. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock and cook on low for 2-3 hours. Just before serving, add the capers and parsley; stir to combine and serve.

Recipe: Cincinnati-Style Chili

In an attempt to make the most of my time pre-little one, I'm starting to make meals that I can have ready in the freezer. Most of these are meals that I've had before, so there is a certain level of comfort with how they'll turn out. First up, a favorite ever since we took a random road trip to Ohio and Kentucky last Labor Day. While we visited Cincinnati (and the Creation Museum - check out our travel blog for a review on THAT experience), we happened to dine at Skyline Chili, a must according to our Cincinnati resources. While I had their vegetarian chili in the restaurant, the following is their meat chili, an absolutely delicious meal filled with a variety of spices. Definitely try the 5-way variations - we like it inverted!

Cincinnati Chili (from America's Test Kitchen)

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 onions, chopped fine
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups canned tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 lbs 85% lean ground beef

Directions
1. Saute onion in oil until soft and edges are beginning to brown. Add garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, salt, pepper and allspice. Stir for about a minute until spices are fragrant.
2. Add broth, tomato sauce, vinegar and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer, being sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
3. Add meat to sauce. Use a potato masher to break meat up into small pieces. Simmer just 15 minutes.
4. Serve chili over spaghetti.

For "chili five ways," top with diced raw onion, rinsed and drained kidney beans and shredded sharp cheddar.

(Vegetarian note: when using ground meatless as we did, you want to stir fry it so add it as step 1.5 rather than after all of the liquid has been added.

* To make ahead/freezer meal - Prepare the chili as directed above and allow to cool completely. Place in a freezer safe container and freeze. When ready to enjoy, defrost completely and bring to a simmer over medium low heat before serving.

Water, Water, Everywhere...

Well, we just got back from our first BPP - biophysical profile. As I mentioned in my last blog post, the BPP, in coordination with the NST test I had on Tuesday, help determine how the baby is growing and developing. I guess when you have a high risk scenario, these things are important, especially in determining when a baby might have to be delivered early. Since this pregnancy has been without much stress (relatively speaking) so far, I went into these appointments with some mild concern, but overall pretty confident.

The NST on Tuesday was fine, aside from some issues with time management at my OB's office (you are hereby saved from THAT rant), and even though the baby decided to take a nap during the NST, we were able to coax her with cold water and apple juice to move enough to show periods of activity. Today's BPP was also an example of the little monkey doing her job. The sonographer showed us the heartbeat (right in the higher 140s - all good) and showed us the evidence that the baby is practicing her breathing - all in all, she's doing all that she is supposed to be doing. Good girl - an excellent student, just like her mama!

Unfortunately, aside from the baby's great performance, it seems that my amniotic fluid levels are on the low side. Last Friday (one week ago), I was told that the levels were low. On Tuesday, the midwife explained that the "normal" range is between 9 and 20, and last Friday, I was at a 9.9. On the low end of normal, but normal. So, great, I didn't leave the office worrying too much - I just committed to making sure I was getting enough water every day.

Today, however, the levels had dropped. The tech's first measurement came out around 6.4 and the second measurement was slightly better at an 8.6. The high risk doctor came in (who we love!) and discussed what this meant for where we are at right now. I'll be going in again for another BPP this Tuesday to see where we are at - in the meantime, I'm going to try to keep my water intake up (it never hurts to stay hydrated!) and rest as much as possible. The doctor cautioned, after my inquiry about simply upping water intake, that it might not just be a matter of hydration (although, second reminder, it's good to keep your body hydrated!). It's entirely possible that this might be an indication that the placenta is starting to poop out (her words), and not do an adequate job of getting fluids into the amniotic sac. So, we're in a wait and see scenario. While the doctor didn't say this, my reading between the lines brought me to the conclusion that this could be the first step towards being put on bed rest, or potentially even welcome the little monkey into the world a little earlier than expected. I'm at 34 1/2 weeks right now (give or take a few days for varying calculations of the due date), so the longer the little one can cook, the better.

For now... I have a liter of water next to my side of the bed, a laptop with Netflix Watch Instantly loaded and ready to go, and my copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ready to be read. Bring the weekend on!

Negligent

I knew it had been a while since I'd written for the blog, but it wasn't until I logged in that I saw my last post dated at May 13! Wow... sorry, blogosphere for this negligence in writing duties!

On the good side, there has not been much need for an update. Sounds kind of strange, considering the whole growing-a-baby thing seems to be a relatively dynamic process, but there you have it. Since May, things have been trucking along. We have had several growth ultrasounds to make sure the monkey is growing enough - as stated in the last post, one possible side effect for chronic hypertension is IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), which can cause the baby to not grow enough or as quickly as he/she would under "normal" circumstances. Luckily, that has not been our situation - at 29w, she was measuring about a week and a half ahead and weighed approximately 3 lbs., 10 oz. This past Friday, just a few days past 33w, she was still measuring a bit ahead (maybe a week?) and weighed in around 5 lbs., 3 oz. Everything seems to be developing quite appropriately, so we are obviously very happy with the progress.

This week begins my twice-weekly appointments - another part of the whole high risk experience is extra careful monitoring of how I'm doing. I know it's not what someone having a "normal" pregnancy would experience, and it almost seems silly since I feel so great, but I know that I'm quite fortunate to have such wonderful medical care. On Tuesdays I will visit my regular OB's office for a non-stress test (NST) and doctor's visit. The NST (so named because it does not cause any stress to the baby while it is administered) measures fetal heart rate and contractions. Movement, heart rate and “reactivity” of heart rate to movement is measured for 20-30 minutes. The primary goal of the test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement, and the heart rate will decrease at rest. I've scheduled this appointment to follow lunch, so hopefully baby will be active after a yummy Pan.era lunch!

On Fridays, I begin my weekly visit to the high-risk office where I've had all of my ultrasounds for a biophysical profile (BPP), which is another test to determine the baby's health. This test is like any other ultrasound except it looks for five attributes to help determine how the baby is doing: breathing, movement, muscle tone, heart rate, and the amniotic fluid. The score will help determine how the baby is doing and will help determine the plan ahead for when she will be born. We're still at the current plan of inducing at 39w unless something earlier (determined by the NST, BPP, or my blood pressure/situation) makes an earlier induction necessary. All in all, the monkey's been flying all of her tests with flying colors, so I can only hope that she continues her streak of taking after mama as an overachiever!

The one unfortunate byproduct since the last post was the cancellation of our vacation/babymoon. We were schedule to go to California in June for our last baby-free adventure. We would have spent a day in the Bay Area visiting family and friends, then spent a week down in San Diego, exploring, resting, and generally enjoying ourselves. Unfortunately, the day we were to leave, I had a doctor's appointment to see how my blood pressure was doing, and the numbers were just not good enough. It had been a little erratic lately, so my doctors grounded me. As incredibly disappointing as it was to have our plans cancelled just HOURS before we were to leave for the airport, I knew it was better to be safe than sorry. Silver lining (there always is one, of course!) was that my mom was able to leave last minute (the next morning, if you can believe it) to visit for a few days. It was wonderful to still have time with her before the baby comes.

Long post, but long overdue!