Our Baby is Here!!!

On May 11th I had a prenatal appointment. The doctor said everything was looking good. Jimmy came to this appointment but jetted out as soon as the doctor left the room because he had a problem on a job an hour away. I took Ryan home and was getting ready to take him outside to play when...my water broke. Well I wasn't sure if it was my water. So I called Jimmy and told him I thought it had broken and he said he was 15 minutes from the job and that he'd drop off whatever it was he had to drop off and turn around and come home.

I called the doctor and asked if I could come back in to get an amniotic fluid test. She said I could if they were open...Who closes at 4:00? Come on!! I didn't want to go to the hospital just to get sent home because I peed on myself. So they said to just watch it and call if I started having contractions or if I lose more water.

I wasn't having contractions so I wasn't sure if I was in labor. Therefore Jimmy stayed on his job for another hour before coming home. Two hours later he arrived and by that time I had made and fed Ryan and myself dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, finished packing my hospital bag and started walking around the neighborhood with some of my neighbors.

I still wasn't having contractions after walking the neighborhood 3 or 4 times.

We went to bed at 9:30 and at 11:15 I was awoken by, you guessed it, contractions. I started timing them and they were 2 minutes apart and 1 minute long. They weren't hurting, just feeling like the braxton hicks contractions I had been having since 17 weeks. But, since they were regular, I called the doctor and they told me to come on in.

I didn't think I was going to be able to get Jimmy out of bed. But by 1:45 we were on the road to the hospital. Jimmy was surprised at how calm I was. I kept telling him my contractions didn't hurt. I thought we were in Fast and the Furious when we were in the parking deck looking for a parking spot. Thankfully the deck was empty. He was just trying to make it to the top where the hospital entrance was.

I was sent to L&D triage where they told me they weren't positive that the fluid was amniotic but I was 7 cm and 90% effaced but my water hadn't fully broken. A good indication that I WAS in labor. I was so relieved because I didn't want to get sent home. I was there to have a baby!!

We got to our labor and delivery room and I got a hep-lock. I didn't want any fluids. The nurses were so kind and let me do whatever I wanted. I've always heard that you should take your birthplan, crumple it up, and throw it away because the nurses and doctors don't care. I didn't have a written plan but I knew what I did and did not want. The nurses and my doctor obliged.

Jimmy and I walked around the L&D pod what seemed like 20 times. I sat on the birthing ball for awhile. Walked some more...Still no stronger contractions. I had to watch the monitor to see when I was having them.

At 6:00 a.m. on the 12th I told the Dr. to finish breaking my water after she said I was still at 7 cm. The next contraction, and every contraction after was horrible!

At 6:56 I was holding my baby boy. We videoed the birth (from a distance) and the first thing I said after he was born was "Hi baby! You hurt your momma." He really did. No drugs makes you feel everything. :)

We named him Lucas Hudson, 8 lbs. 1 oz., 21" long. Healthy and perfect. I got to hold him on my chest the moment he was born. Something I didn't get to do with Ryan. He was nursing within 5 minutes and has done great ever since.

Here are some pictures of our adventure!


Right before we left for the hospital

Awaiting a squirmy baby boy.

Calm 4 hours before the storm.

He's here!

Proud Daddy!!

Daddy changed Lucas' first diaper.

He's all boy...

Ryan and Lucas' first meeting.

Our happy family! 

A special thanks to my friend Jessie who watched Ryan while I was in the hospital!!

Goal #11: Try 75 New Recipes (19-22/75)

Goal # 11: 75 New Recipes (19/75)

Pumpkin Pancakes
Parents Magazine
May 2011

Ingredients

• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  Tbs.  sugar
• 1  tsp.  baking powder
• 1/2  tsp.  baking soda
• 1    egg, lightly beaten
• 1  cup  buttermilk
• 1/3  cup  canned pumpkin
• 1  Tbs.  unsalted butter, melted
• 1  Tbs.  unsalted butter
•   Maple syrup
•   Fresh raspberries

Directions 1. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Add egg, buttermilk, pumpkin, and melted butter; whisk to combine.
2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter; swirl pan to coat. Spoon heaping tablespoons of batter 2 inches apart into skillet. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around edges; turn. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute more. If pancakes brown too quickly, reduce heat to medium.
3. Repeat with remaining batter and unsalted butter. Serve warm with syrup and raspberries.
Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pancakes: Prepare as above, except whisk together 1 cup buttermilk pancake mix, 2/3 cup lowfat milk, and 1/3 cup canned pumpkin. Makes 8 3-inch pancakes.

These were very good and you could hardly taste the pumpkin. I would have liked to taste more pumpkin though.

Goal # 11: 75 New Recipes (20/75)

Blueberry Zuchinni Bread
Parents Magazine
May 2011

Ingredients

• 1  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup  whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/4  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1/4  cup  granulated sugar
• 1  tsp.  baking soda
• 1  tsp.  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  tsp.  coarse sea salt
• 1/2  tsp.  baking powder
• 3    eggs
• 3/4  cup  canola oil
• 1  tsp.  pure vanilla extract
• 2  cups  shredded zucchini
• 1  cup  blueberries
• 2  Tbs.  turbinado sugar (optional)

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly coat the bottoms of 4 5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine flours, sugars, soda, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder; set aside. In a separate bowl combine eggs, oil, and vanilla and mix well. Add to flour mixture and stir until combined. Gently stir in the zucchini and then the blueberries.
3. Spoon batter into prepared pans and sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if desired. Bake about 40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of each comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan 10 minutes before removing. Serve warm or cool completely before slicing.

Ryan and I have been eating on this all week. It's not as sweet as the Zucchini Bread I usually make so Jimmy has only had one piece.

Goal # 11: 75 New Recipes (21/75)

Weeknight Bolognese
Found on the Pink Parsley Catering Blog
Adapted from Ina Garten's recipe

• 1 lb lean ground sirloin
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 Tbs dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1/4 cups dry red wine, divided
• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
• 2 Tbs tomato paste
• kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 3/4 lb dried pasta, such as shells or oricchiette
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Add the sirloin to a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon, 5-7 minutes, until the meat has started to brown and is no longer pink.  Stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, and tomato paste and cook for 1 more minute, or until fragrant.

Pour 1 cup of the wine into the skillet and stir to scrape up any browned bits.  Add the tomatoes 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper, stirring until combined.  Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil.  Add the pasta and cook until al dente.  Drain and pour into a large serving bowl.

As the pasta cooks, finish the sauce.  Add the nutmeg, basil, cream, and remaining 1/4 cup wine.  Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.  Add the sauce to the pasta, along with the Parmesan cheese, and toss well.  Serve hot and pass additional Parmesan at the table.

Very good and very easy!

Goal # 11: 75 New Recipes (22/75)

Strawberry, Mango, Avocado Salad
Found on the Pink Parsley Catering Blog

• 1 mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• 1 Tbs honey
• 1/2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbs orange juice
• juice of 1/2 lime
• pinch cayenne
• 1 Tbs minced fresh cilantro
• 1 avocado, pitted and cut into 1-inch cubes
• kosher salt

In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, cayenne, salt, and cilantro.  Toss with the strawberries and mango, and allow to sit for at least 15 minutes.  When ready to serve, gently mix in the avocado.  Season with salt to taste and serve immediately.

I was surprised by the amount of flavor this dish had. I had not ever had balsamic vinegar with strawberries but I've seen it in several recipes. This was a wonderfully fresh salad that I paired with salmon.

Goal #75: Plant a Tree

Last weekend we went to Cary Spring Daze at Bond Park. They were giving away trees and one of the booths so I took one. I had forgotten that planting a tree was one of my goals.

They had started with 8 different kinds of trees but by the time we got there only 4 were available. Luckily the one I wanted was still available.

I picked a Columnar Oak tree. They grow to about 10'-15' across and 40'-60' tall. The good thing is they only grow .75'-1.25' per year. By the time it gets to be this big we won't live in this house and I won't have to worry about it!

I planted the tree on the back corner of our house where I used to plant vegetables. There wasn't anything in that bed at all.

Now there's a teeny tiny tree.

After that was done Ryan needed a drink and a snack.

And a little playtime with the chalk eggs he got for Easter.

He was so worn out he fell asleep eating his lunch. I love food too much to sleep through it.

Goal #65: Take Ryan on an Plane

A few weeks ago we flew up to Chicago. This was Ryan's first time on a plane. Technically he had been on a plane when I was 12 weeks pregnant.

Me being a mother, I worried. I wasn't sure how he'd do on the plane. I just didn't want to have "that kid" that screamed the entire plane ride. I got him a few new things to play with - a travel size magna doodle, some hot wheels cars, a miniature Mr. Potato Head, and 2 sticker books. He also had tons of snacks. Snacks keep him quiet.

On the way to the airport!

Riding on the moving walk to the terminal.

Ryan wondering when we were going to get on the plane.

On the way up he was a little fussy but finally fell asleep.

The flight was only 2 hours and 15 minutes. Not too bad but there was a lot of turbulence.

Once we got to the hotel they provided us with a teeny tiny crib. I'm just glad we didn't have to bring the pack and play with us. Ryan checked out his new bed and thoroughly enjoyed himself...

The hotel had an awesome pool. There was a regular pool with lap lanes and a volleyball net, a hot tub and then a gigantic kiddie pool. There was a frog water slide, buckets hanging in the air that filled up with water and dumped out and the bubbler things you can see in the picture below. If you stand over one or two of them the others shoot really high.

Ryan was a little scared of the water at first and kept crying and calling for me but when he realized it was ok we couldn't get him out!!

Then he just wanted to play with the pool noodle. He was whacking Jimmy with it which was pretty funny.

We drove into the city one day just to check it out. Since it was really cold we didn't get out and walk anywhere. Plus parking is outrageous and they don't take the weekend off!

All the excitement wore Ryan out. I had to wake him up this day so we could get going.

Coming home Ryan did really well considering how long we were in the airport, on the plane, waiting for our bags, etc. It was not a fun time trying to get home. Anything that could go wrong did including our flight getting cancelled that morning. We missed the tornadoes here though. Our home survived.

We left Chicago at 36 degrees, rainy and windy and came home to 77 degrees and breezy. Ahhhh. It was good to be home!!