NOT My Favorite Preg Story

Shortly after settling into my desk at work this morning a co-worker came running up to me.

Her: "Are you pregnant? I saw you in our meeting yesterday and I did a double take. I wondered, 'has she gained weight? Seems like she hasn't been eating more than usual. She must be pregnant.'"

Me, stunned: "Well, yes, in fact, I am pregnant. 11 weeks pregnant."

Her: "I knew it."

First of all, what if I had NOT been pregnant but had just gained weight? Second of all, she NEVER sees me eat so what a bizarre thing to say. Lastly, I would think that a woman, especially one who is constantly complaining about those final six pounds she hasn't been able to lose since having her baby, would be more sensitive to such a situation.

Seriously though, I really can't excuse my bloated looking appearance. I am waiting until next week's sonogram to make any sort of 'official' announcement at work. I naively thought that I could hide a pregnancy that long. Not so much with my eager uterus!

Believe it or not, I never had any awkward comments with my last pregnancy, even carrying twins! No one even suspected I was having twins but perhaps they were too distracted by my obscenely swollen limbs to say anything about my perfectly normal looking preg belly.

Have any of you suffered similarly awkward and inappropriate pregnancy related comments? Do tell!

A Ritual for Aunt Candy

My aunt Candy died five years ago this spring. I was in Philadelphia for work when I heard the shocking and heart wrenching news. Death had never stung me like it did with her passing. I was not able to attend her funeral but on the day of her funeral I made a solemn journey to the garden behind the Smithsonian castle. There I was surrounded by the bold and sanctifying beauty of tulip magnolia blossoms in abundance. Comforted by the stunning beauty of that quiet place, I was able to reflect on the goodness and generosity of her life and all the blossoms around me seemed to join in my private celebration.

I have made that journey, year after year, to remember my sweet Aunt Candy and I look forward to it. One day I will be able to tell my children about her and invite them to celebrate with me the woman who was such a huge part of my formative years. I've tried to communicate in the past what it was about my Aunt Candy that I appreciated the most and it was the ease with which she made me feel included. You know how when you are a kid you just want to feel included? You want to break away from the 'little kid' table and join the adults and be included in the stories and jokes behind all of their laughter? Well, Aunt Candy had a way of making me feel important and included, which was just what I wanted and needed. I'll always be grateful for how kind she was to me and hopefully I can be the same kind of aunt to my nieces and nephews.

Celebrating Spring and Creation

The Kite Festival has eluded me for years. I have always wanted to attend but year after year it seemed like Jamie had to work--either for the Navy or like last year, for his current job. I am so happy we were able to attend this year. The weather was tremendously cold when we first left but it warmed up after we bustled about with our kite and enjoyed the splendor of Washington D.C. in spring.

Oh the blossoms! Cherry blossoms! Tulip magnolias! Star magnolias! Daffodils! Tulips! Yay, yay, yay. Nearly all the trees in our neighborhood are dripping with billowy blossoms, including the cherry tree in our front yard. I delight in seeing blossoms from every window. Even the trees without magnificent blossoms are budding green so color is radiating every where. I love it. This is a glorious time of year full of energy and warmth. At night the blossoms seem to light up the cityscape like fixed fireworks. I revel in the creation around me and in the generosity of a loving God who would give us this world--and in the miraculous experience I have this year of playing a tiny role in the creation process. Spring has lifted my spirits and today it seems to have erased the woes of first trimester nausea and discomfort. Amazing.

Feeling Preg

I'm trying not to be a Debby Downer about my pregnant appearance but I can't help but think, "Come on! Looking CHUBS already? Shoot."



In one week I will be 12 weeks and therefore, will qualify for the nuchal translucency sonogram. I have mine scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th. My main reason for agreeing to this sonogram is the exciting opportunity to see the tiny little person rolling around in my womb. Honestly though, I am super thrilled to find out whether there is one or two little baby babes! I doubt we'll get LUCKY to again hear the words, "Jessica! There are TWO babies in there!" I'll be happy with any number and I still can't believe I am going through the miracle of pregnancy again, even though I daily feel ill and seem to need a larger pant size by the minute.

Smells continue to flog me with their unpleasantness. Certain tastes too really make me unhappy and of course, the mere thought of certain foods causes me to make the gagging face, which Jamie reminds me regularly is not necessary. Whatevs! Anything with a fake sweetener, like gum or diet drinks are disgusting. Potatoes make me want to die, as does, sadly, broccoli. I do love a good salad and oranges are my best friend. I eat day to day and my cravings are fierce. This weekend? Indian food. I thought about it obsessively and finally went the lazy route and bought some naan and Indian convenience foods at Trader Joes. I was happy.

Currently, a rice bowl with a peanut sauce sounds awesome.

My due date is roughly October 21st, just a week later than Asher and Soren's full term due date. I am enthusiastically waiting to find out the sex of this baby babe and that will happen sometime in May.

I love baby babes!

What foods did you crave or avoid while pregnant? How did you get through the 'ill' weeks?

Nope

Asher marched around in Jamie's boots and his tiny frame in those huge boots was hilarious. Of course he kicked the boots off before I could grab my camera. I asked him to put them on again but he refused. Jamie tried to help by lifting Asher over the shoes but that only gave Asher the chance to kick his legs out or bend them or do anything but PUT his feet in the boots. This photo is just as funny as little man in big boots (notice in both hands he is clutching toys).

Sprayers

Oh man. Asher and Soren LOVE to spray water. Give them two spray bottles full of water and they are happy, happy, happy. They spray everything in sight, including each other and mommy's face. I never get tired of watching them busy themselves with the 'job' of watering every object in the backyard. I laugh and laugh. Oh my Deuce, I love em.

Counted

Our Census form has been completed and mailed. I waited until my birthday to fill it out. Cinchy! Have you filled out yours? Millions of dollars are saved when households actually fill out their forms and mail them back so they don't have to be counted by enumerators.

This is a special Census for me--not because I work at the Census Bureau--but because it's the first time I have a household of my own and have two adorable baby babes to add to the official count of our country. Also, how exciting that Jang will be counted too!

Be counted, fill out your form!

Food Problems

Pregnancy has absolutely altered my relationship with food. Normally I have a very aggressive appetite with a tendency to eat mostly healthy foods (I'm a balanced vegetarian but wow do I love sugar). Now I only have to think about foods that I used to like or even foods that I ate the day before and I want to vomit. I don't actually ever throw up but I feel like it, all the time.

One would think that as a result of my temporary separation from food I would eat more wisely and responsibly. Well, not so much. I eat whatever seems satisfying IN THE moment and as a result, our food budget has been BLOWN. I almost daily stop by the grocery store on my way to work to pick up yogurt or orange juice or cereal or a bag or oranges. I have also been eating out a lot at lunch...it's a problem. I'm just trying to survive and do so with a modicum of satisfaction.

Tonight I actually prepared a healthy dinner. Inspired by my sister, I threw together a vegetable pot pie and it was remarkable. Even Asher and Soren were saying, "more, more, more!" Jamie was blown away and even my fussy fuss stomach was very, very happy.

Here is the recipe:

Vegetable Pot Pie

2 tsp. olive oil
1 tbs. garlic (or less if you don't love it like we do)
1 onion, diced.
3 celery stalks, diced.
Carrots, diced ( I diced up about ten baby carrots).
Handful of green beans, cut and steamed (I steamed them in the microwave for two minutes)
1/4 a head of cabbage thinly sliced
2 tbs. butter
2 tbs. flour
2 cups vegetable broth (warm)
Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and soy sauce to taste.
1 sheet puff pastry, pie crust, or whatever you like for a covering.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

1. Heat the oil in a stock pot and add the garlic, onion, carrot, and celery, cook until soft.
2. Add the butter and stir until melted.
3. Add the flour and stir until thoroughly mixed.
4. Add the warm vegetable broth and stir until nice and thick.
5. Add the green beans and cabbage and the seasonings.
6. Cook until the cagbbage is soft.
7. Pour vegetables into a soufle dish or other small casserole dish or you could do individual ramekins.
8. Cover dish with puff pastry (I poke holes in the dough and give it an egg wash).
9. Cook until pastry is puffed and golden brown (this took about 15 minutes--just watch it).

Yum, yum, yum!

I cut the leftover puff pastry into little squares and filled half of them with lemon curd and the other half I wrapped the pastry around a large chocolate mint chip (Trader Joes). I covered the little treats with egg wash and a little sugar. They were perfect little bite sized treats!

Mt. Vernon

Sheepies!


Feeding the sheepie sheeps.


Daddy demonstrates the proper technique for feeding sheep.


Oh yeah!


Fun!


Loving the baby sheeps with my baby babes.


Fun!

The awesome weather attracted us to Mt. Vernon. We were hoping to see some baby animals and sure enough, we saw some adorable baby babe sheep and some large baby pigs. Feeding the sheep was the highlight of the trip for The Deuce. We love Mt. Vernon!

Birthday Date

Protest on a massive slutty nightie? Huh?

Protestor Saturday! A plethora of cops escorted a group of protesters a grand total of 20 yards away from their original location. Hard work.


My favorite sculpture outside the Hirschhorn.


Yay!


Color love.






Stunning!

Jamie and I went on a wonderful date for my birthday. We had three orders of Bao at well, Bao restaurant. I had been craving steamed buns for a long time and was so stinking excited when I found this restaurant in DC last month. The buns were great and my birthday was the perfect excuse to take Jamie. We started our meal with the best hot and sour soup we've ever sipped and then the bao, oh the bao! Yum, yum, yum!

After eating we walked through the city and enjoyed both the city and the phenomenal weather. We cruised past the White House and were amused by all of the protesters. Who even does that anymore? Cops were EVERYWHERE. DC good times.

I loved walking and avoiding the metro. We were headed to the Hirschhorn museum for the Josef Albers exhibit. Ooooh, it was wonderful! The collection of his works was impressive and seeing that many of his colorful paintings was, well, exciting. I love his simple forms and his use of color. I was happy.

What a fun, fun, birthday. I highly recommend turning 33 and celebrating with steamed buns and Josef Albers.

The Loveliest of Birthdays

Jang and Asher at the turtle pond.




Snacking at the zoo.


Soren said, "An orangutan is a type of monk monk." Love him.


Flowers from my hubs.


Oh the perfume!


The master of cutes: making my goat cheese crostini.

The weather during my birthday weekend was the finest of the year. Warm, bright, lacking humidity, burgeoning with blossoms, and absolutely comfortable. I took the boys and Jang to the zoo on the morning of my birthday. We delighted in the thrill of a passing orangutan, a pacing tiger, a baby gorilla, and many other fascinating creatures.

Even after going to the zoo we spent time in the backyard and shared a Rita Ice 'gelati' of vanilla custard and swedish fish ice. Yum!

Jamie was home promptly by 5pm, which was birthday present enough! He was so cute. He came in with the dishes from his lunch plus some fancy French mustard he had bought at Whole Foods for my birthday salad. He then said that the had forgotten something in the car. He walked back out to the car while Asher and I watched at the door. He pulled out a Trader Joe's bag full of goodies! Fragrant hyacinth bouquets and all the ingredients for the dinner I requested. He pulled out a pint of vanilla ice cream then said, we need cake for this, don't we? He then walked out to the car again and pulled out a pastry box! Asher's eyes got HUGE and he was thrilled when he realized there was a cake inside. Jamie bought me a decadent chocolate butter cream cake, just as I had wanted.

My birthday was perfect. Jamie made me a delicious salad with goat cheese crostini. The cake and ice cream were great and the smell of hyacinths seduced us all!

I felt loved and appreciated and honored. I'm grateful for this life and for the chance to celebrate another year of it.

Pom Pom 'How to'

Instructions on how to make pom poms HERE!

The Two of Them

I can't say it enough: two-year-olds are awesome! Having two of them at once has been particularly enjoyable. The language! The curiosity! The creativity! They are each day maturing their personalities and growing up so quickly but at two, they are still babies to me. Sometimes when I marvel at their wit, I also recognize the tenderness in their age when I see their baby faces.

I want to share my favorite Deuce two-year-oldisms
1. Asher and Soren both like to declare everything and everyone as 'happy' or 'sad' or 'scary.' Those are their three favorite descriptions.
2. Asher continues to call things 'dirty' when he is unhappy with the object or the situation.
3. Asher and Soren both are keen to categorize new information. For example, the first time I read "The Story of Ferdinand," Asher said, "Bull is a type of cow." So smart! In Richmond, Soren pointed to bamboo and asked what it was. I told him it was bamboo and that Pandas eat it. He replied, "Panda is a type of bear."
4. Asher turns everything into a helicopter, complete with sweet sound effects.
5. Asher and Soren both say manana for banana.
6. My visiting teacher gave me loads of toys including random things like a Woody figure from Toy Story and Stitch figure from Milo and Stitch. Asher calls stitch the 'scary dog,' which make me laugh every time he says it. Soren picked up Woody and said, "He's a cow man!" I was so impressed that he saw the cow patterned vest and made that association. I taught him the word for 'cowboy.'
7. When we were in Richmond the weather was so nice that Soren noticed, "No coats mommy!" Yes, no bundling!
8. Asher and Soren are obsessed with gum and candy and ask for it regularly. I rue the day I introduced them to sugar.
9. Asher and Soren also love chocolate milk, which they call, hot chocolate. I made them chocolate milk and Asher said, "It's cold hot chocolate."
10. Soren exclaimed in the tub tonight, "Soren has a big pee pee. Asher has a small pee pee." I quickly said they were both big (what do you say???) and then Soren told me his pee pee was taking a bath.
11. Asher and Soren ask for two songs every night: The train song and the gingerbread baby song. These are songs I made up several months ago and they are shabby little ditties but apparently my tales of choo choo trains going through tunnels and the gingerbread baby kicking down his sugar house to build a new one out of broccoli and cauliflower have really impressed them.
12. The other day Asher's pants started to fall down and Soren thought it was hysterical! He ran up to him and pulled them all the way down and oh how we all laughed!
13. When Asher is upset and crying I will sometimes find Soren next to him gently asking, "What the matter Asher?"
14. So many questions! "What doing mommy?" What making mommy?" "What got mommy?"
15. Asher and Soren speak almost exclusively in the third person and I think it is so cute.
16. I made baked corn tortilla chips for dinner last night. Asher took a bite from one and declared that it was in the shape of a dump truck! Soren then wanted said dump truck chip and eventually Asher gave it to him. As soon as Soren held it he cried, "The window is broken!" He was devastated because the imaginary window on his imaginary dump truck chip was broken. I just laughed and thought, "Wow kid, that is some kind of imagination!"

RS Update

Pom poms hung happily from the basketball hoop.


I included the recipe for lemon curd, which was the star ingredient in the trifle I made.


Daffodils and tulips, the best of March.




Simple.

I was happy with the look of my March table. Flowers are my favorite form of 'decoration.' I had the privilege of sitting with other women in my ward with March birthdays and it was a splendid group of women. I had a good time but I am sooo glad it is all over! I thought for sure everyone else would have used pom poms because they seem so popular right now but I was wrong. I had several requests for instructions on how to make them and the young women leaders even asked to use them for an activity on Sunday. I was happy to donate them!