A Jenerek Life...

Pregnancy Journal :: Week 16

Jennifer — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:59:33 +0000

2/25/10 :: day 112

The “girls” have been become more and more painful this past week. They don’t hurt like this during the day…only at night just after I awake. I’m feeling extreme soreness on the sides extending just below my armpits. It feels like I lifted extremely heavy weights the day before and am now sore from the workout. I wonder if this is the early milk production they talk about? And why is it only when I wake up and only on the sides? Strange.

3/1/10 :: day 116

I wish I could have the mid morning snack I just had this morning…every morning. Last night my sweet husband took me to one of my favorite taco shops,

Swanky’s Taco Shoppe. I ordered 3 soft taco loaded with toppings just about to the ceiling, but could only eat two. Which actually made me happy. I was happy because this meant I would be able to save one of the tacos for my mid-morning snack, today. Yippee!

Yesterday, Derek took my weekly belly photo. I don’t know if it was just the shirt I was wearing, but my stomach actually looked smaller to me. Strange. I hope there is still a baby in there and it didn’t fall out or something. That would really stink. I am getting so antsy. I’m so excited to find out the gender of our little bundle.

I don’t know….maybe it’s just the shirt I’m wearing or something.

We are still working on scraping the old peeling wallpaper in the baby’s room. I wonder if that project will ever come to an end? We are almost to the ceiling…so maybe in the next week that portion of the room re-model will come to an end. Fingers crossed.

3/2/10 :: day 117

Oh my gosh, what is up with my body today? My legs are extremely tired, I have a slight sinus headache, I’m way hungry (eating through all my snacks), and it’s painfully hard to concentrate. I walked up a flight of stairs at work today and it felt like someone strapped sandbags to my ankles. It’s normally not that difficult to climb a flight of stairs, but today was a different story. I’ve been exercising a little, but I need to do a lot more. I feel bad that I’m not doing more. I wish I would get that second trimester energy everyone keeps talking about. I had a slight burst of energy on Saturday, but it has yet to return. It’s really not helping that we are working overtime this week. I thought we were finally in our slow season. I guess when you are not hiring people due to the slumped economy you have to make up for the downsized workforce somehow. I just wish it wasn’t with overtime while I’m pregnant. NOT FUN!

3/3/10 :: day 118

Today has been a fairly uneventful day in Babyland. I still haven’t felt anything move or kick. I can’t wait for that sensation. Derek seems to think that I will totally over-exaggerate the feeling of the kicks when they start. He think that I’m gonna go all drama like on him. Saying ohhhh…it really hurts like a knife cutting through my belly.

I’m not a drama queen by any means, but sometimes I like to over indulge in my complaining. I typically do it with a smile on my face. He always knows that I’m kidding around, but it’s still fun to act out.

Our friend Ashley is being induced today. It’s so exciting. Little Nolan should be entering the world any time now. That kid is going to be adorable. I must admit…I am sooo jealous of their name. When I heard it for the 1st time I was in love. Of course, the 1st time I really heard the name (for a baby anyway) was when Ashley announced that they were going to name their little boy, Nolan. Ashley, forever know that I am totally jealous of Nolan’s name. I guess I better not tell that little story to my kid if it turns out to be a boy. It would go something like this, “Hey (kid who’s name is unknown) the name we gave you was a runner up name that we didn’t like as much as one of your buddies’ names. Sorry ’bout that!”

Cute & Cuddly

Jennifer — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:11:00 +0000

About a week ago, I mentioned to Derek that if he wanted to buy me and the baby a present I had the perfect item for him to purchase. It’s an adorable soft and cuddly mat that looks like a lamb. I just knew our soon to be child could not live without. This little lamb mat is so friggin’ adorable. It’s little lamb face is just waiting for a sweet little baby head to nuzzle up in all of it’s plush glory.

Did I mention it’s only $40.00?! How can you beat that? You can’t! My little lamb was waiting for me on our front doorstep Thursday afternoon. I have taken it everywhere and shown everyone. I am in love with it that much.

I’m thinking of taking a picture of the baby on it (once it’s born of course) and using that shot as the birth announcement picture. Cute right?

Table Cloth Pillows

Jennifer — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:15:29 +0000

Last Saturday, I was shopping at Target and came across an adorable table cloth by Dwell Studio. I love Dwell Studio! I love our table and would never dream of putting a table cloth on it and cover up it’s beautiful wood. It’s so yummy!

However, I adored the design on the table cloth, that I didn’t need, so I put my brain to work and came up with a way to put it to use. We just purchased a new ultra comfy couch from Pottery Barn and it is in need of some pillows. What a wonderful fabric to snaz it up. Just one problem….I don’t really sew that well, but my mother-in-law does.

So, I left Target with a round table cloth in hand and proceeded to call my mother-in-law. She agreed to help me with this little project that same afternoon. Wicked Awesome!

I headed out to her house with the pillows I wanted to recover and the table cloth I wanted to cover them with. And presto change-o three hours later (after a while spent deciding on how to layout the pattern) I had new pillows. Pretty sweet, ehhh!?!

Thing is….I decided that I like the newly recovered pillows better on our club chairs.

What do you think?

Pregnancy Journal :: Week 15

Jennifer — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:30:42 +0000

2/18/10 :: day 105

Ouch! I have a sinus headache this morning. This sucks. I just took a Tylenol lets see if it works. I’ve been cramping on and off all morning. I wonder if all the Wii hula-hooping I did last night is causing this.

2/19/10 :: day 106

I am so unbelievably hungry today, and it’s only 9:41am. I had raspberries and strawberries around 8:00am and 1/2 a can of spaghetti-o’s (yes…I ate spaghetti-o’s before noon) around 9:20am. I am still starving!!! I am doing my best to snack lightly, so I don’t end up weighing 4,000 lbs by the end of my pregnancy. Plus, I don’t want ANY stretch marks. And I’ve read and been told that gaining weight quickly is a surefire way to get those little pesky things.

2/22/10 :: day 109

Last week my belly began to show, but during the time between this week and last it feels like it didn’t grow AT ALL! Kinda bummed. I’ve been feeling great recently. Minus the bit of exhaustion at the end of the day. I’m just about tired of having to pee all the time. It’s getting really old. But, hey…in three more weeks we should know the gender of our little bean. I can’t wait to put a name to our little guy or gal.

Did I mention that the past few days my appetite has increased exponentially? Friday at work it was all I could think about. Over the weekend it was a bit larger than average, but not too bad. The hunger is back today! I’m really trying to pace myself with this snacking thing. One of the reasons is that if I eat all of my snacks in the morning I won’t have anything to munch on in the afternoon. Although, it does seem to lessen throughout the day, so that’s good. My poor husband is trying NOT to eat and I’m being forced to eat. I kinda wish I could be like him and keep my weight down. But with a baby on board…that ain’t gonna happen. So my best option is to try and not to gain too much.

I don’t get any of the crazy pregnancy cravings. It kinda stinks cuz I am strange and really wanted to see what crazy concoctions I dreamed up while pregnant. And I also wanted the opportunity, just once or twice, to send Derek out in the middle of the night to go pick me up the strangest meal ever thought of. That would have made my day.

As of 10am this morning I have snacked on…

2 pickle spears
10-12 saltine crackers (light salt)
20-25 raspberries
8oz water

In a few I will be enjoying some spaghetti-o’s. Yummmmm!

2/23/10 :: day 110

Derek agreed to buying a Wii so that I have no excuse not to exercise while pregnant. Even if it’s too cold or raining outside. It has been fun unlocking new exercises to do. Especially when I look so cute in avatar form. I tend to get frustrated easily so I don’t stay on the Wii quite as long as I should. Portions of the Wii Fit are like playing games…many I’m good at and I few I just STINK. I mean flat out stink. Like spoiled milk stink. On these games/activities I get so annoyed, that I can only do them once (till I fail), and then just move on to something else if I’m not to pissed.

It’s been funny watching my weight slowly creep upward when, by the Wii’s standards, I should be heading the opposite direction on the scale. Yesterday, it asked my why I thought my weight was “increasing”, and I had to choose one of 8 answers. However, being knocked up wasn’t one of the options.

Dear Wii,

I think you should have a pregnancy option available for women who have a legit reason for packing on the pounds. Please consider my plea, and send me the free upgrade once you have completed adding the feature to your gaming system.

- Jennifer & the bean

2/24/10 :: day 111

Some days I get the strangest pains in one or both of “the girls”. This is not the typical soreness that they talk about in pregnancy. It’s just a quick burst of pain lasting a total of 30-40 seconds, and then….it’s gone. So weird. Does this happen to other expectant mothers? Can anyone tell me what it is?

I Knew It! Pregnancy Brain Is REAL!

Jennifer — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:05:12 +0000

Pregnancy Journal :: Week 14

Jennifer — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:17:01 +0000

2/12/10 :: day 99

Wow. I’ve been preggo for 99 days now. Well not exactly pregnant, but that is how the doctors count it. But still. That’s the longest I’ve committed to anything….except my husband, and dogs! : wink : One of my many iPhone pregnancy apps tells me that I still have 181 more days to go. Wow!!!

I noticed for the 1st time last night that I am now officially feeling my tummy weight when I lay on my side. It really makes my back ache. I shoved a pillow under it last night which helped a TON. I have purchased a pregnancy pillow called a Snoogle. I haven’t used it but once so far because my belly isn’t big enough to rest on top of the pillow. It’s still a bit too high for me, but I know it will come in handy very soon, because using a normal pillow just isn’t cutting it in the leg department. I need that extra cushioning to support my already aching hips and back.

2/15/10 :: day 102

I have a new love. Strawberries and raspberries for breakfast. Oh…they are soooo yummy together. The sweetness of the strawberries and the zing! of the raspberries makes for a delicious and fresh morning snack. Since I’ve been pregnant raspberries have become a new love of mine. I always knew that I liked the flavor of raspberries, but I never realized how much. I have been feeling wonderful lately. Enjoying my new little bump. It’s so adorable. Now Derek has something to visualize and touch when he loves on my belly. I love when he gives my belly kisses. He told me the other day that he is really getting excited about becoming a family and being a dad. What a guy.

Today is my third prenatal appointment and Derek is coming along for the visit. I wonder what we will find out today. I think I have been doing excellent on my weight. The doctor may actually tell me to start gaining more weight. I don’t know how I will do that. I’ve never had to PUT ON weight before. I already feel like I am eating too much. We shall see.

2/17/10 :: day 104

I have yet to receive my H1N1 shot. Every time I try to get one the doctor is out or I have a fever. (note: no one will give you a flu shot w/in 48 hours of a fever) I have tried both my internist and OB, but something always happens. Once the fridge lost power over night and all the medicine in it went bad. This is getting annoying. I’m going to have this baby before I can find someone to give me a shot. I’m continuing the search…let’s just hope that I stay healthy until I can get this stupid shot.

Happy March

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:48:22 +0000

It’s Getting BAD!

Jennifer — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:57:13 +0000

Yesterday, I picked Derek up and drove us to lunch. I parked the car, got my purse from the back seat, and began to walk into the restraunt. Just then Derek asked me if I was planning to leave the car running w/ the keys in the ignition while we were eating.

And then….it clicked. I R-A-N back to the car and grabbed the keys.

Feeding Apparatus

Jennifer — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:05:36 +0000

Other than starting on the nursery, I have made my 1st step towards preparing the house for a baby. Last night I designated cabinet space for all of the bottles and other feeding apparatus that babies accrue. We use to store, until last night, our liquor, pint glasses, wine glasses, high ball glasses, shot glasses, and flasks in one of our kitchen cabinets. Trust me it’s not as bad as it sounds. We have 4 bottles of liquor TOTAL two of which are mostly empty (not from recent days) and two are small decorated rum bottles we picked up on our honeymoon as souvenirs. It’s kind of sad really.

With this tiny amount of liquor to relocate and honestly more glasses that I think we will ever need; it was easy to relocate most of the items to the cabinet over the fridge. I cleaned the shelves, and lined them with new paper. All that sits in the baby cabinet now is one lonely bottle that our friend gave us…it looks so lonely.

Now I just have to find a place to put the coffee.

Gourmet Chicken Pizza

Jennifer — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:35:12 +0000

I’m trying to nest I really am. I just don’t think it has fully kicked in yet. I’m hoping that it will hit me full force the closer I get to my due date. I am doing my part in pushing my nesting instinct along by learning to make new and exciting meals for my newly expanded family…before….the bean arrives.

I found an interesting spin on pizza, a favorite in the Davenport house, on AllRecipes.com. This pizza is called Gourmet Chicken Pizza. You can make the pizza with as deep or thin of a crust as you like. Ours was more of a deep dish Chicago kinda crust. Go Cubs!

The ingredient that makes this pizza so different is the Ranch Dressing. Yeah, I know. It sounds strange, but it gives the everyday run of the mill pizza a bit of a kick. I used canned diced tomatoes to quicken the prep process and added a little more cheese than the recipe called for, because even though I am lactose intolerant……I LOVE cheese! I am taking full advantage of the down played roll my lactose intolerance has taken during my pregnancy. So me and my cheese are having a small love affair while I’m all pregnant and such.

Gourmet Chicken Pizza

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust
1/2 cup Ranch-style salad dressing
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease a pizza pan or medium baking sheet.
Place chicken in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until no longer pink, and juices run clear. Cool, then either shred or chop into small pieces.
Unroll dough, and press into the prepared pizza pan or baking sheet. Bake crust for 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until it begins to turn golden brown. Remove from oven.
Spread ranch dressing over partially baked crust. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese. Place tomatoes, green onion, and chicken on top of mozzarella cheese, then top with Cheddar cheese. Return to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

I left the onions out of my recipe cuz I eat like a toddler….onions are yucky!!!