30 Days to Celebrate 30, Day 2

I got a great idea for a Father's Day gift off a blog, so today I celebrated by starting this project. I haven't done a craft project in awhile, so I'm excited to have one on my hands! Can't say what it is, though. I'll post a photo on Dad's Day ;)

30 Days to Celebrate 30, Day 1

I recall my friend Jodi celebrating her birthday throughout her birth month in the past so I thought I'd steal her idea and do the same for this "big" birthday. I also thought I'd blog every day about it.

To celebrate today, I treated myself to a froyo at Costco. Haven't had one of those in aaaages! We'll see what tomorrow brings...some yoga?

ah the early days

The Worm Lady's Response

I tried responding to Aimee's comment, but it wouldn't publish my comment. So here is my response ;)

So the lady first apologized then said, "Yeah we had some problems with the last delivery from our supplier. I thought I got them all." Riiight. She knew about it and removed the worms and packaged the flour up anyway! Grody! I asked why I never have experienced this in a regular grocery store and she said SHE has, that it's fairly common. That was basically the end of the convo, then she asked if there was anything wrong with the rest of the stuff I was returning and I told her nothing, I just didn't want to take the chance. That was the last time I'll step foot in that nasty place!

Poached Pears, Wormy Oat Flour

I was in the mood for pears so I bought a big bag from Costco. Even though I've had 1-2 pears each day for the past 5 days I STILL have about 5 pears left. Oy. Costco will do that to you. Overload!

This is what I did with 2 of them (only one shown). I steeped some earl grey tea, added sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice + zest. Then added the halved pears and poached 'em. Put them in a dish, reduced the sauce a bit, then poured the and chilled. Pretty tasty, but I wasn't brave enough to serve them after dinner with friends. Didn't seem to be the kind of dessert everyone would enjoy. I also made some ginger cookies that were a DISASTER. Mainly because I substituted 1/2 of the flour that was called for with buckwheat flour. Yeah, they tasted like ginger-lemon flavored cardboard. They would have been sooo good, too.

HowEVER, next time will be awhile. At least 4 weeks. I went to the naturopath (having him manage my thyroid issue now) and he suggested I retest for food sensitivities. I thought I'd give it a go again as last time wasn't too difficult. I eliminated dairy, eggs and wheat and felt really good. This time 'round I'm sensitive to HEAPS more foods. It's gonna be a lot harder. Here's the list:

All gluten flours, soy, all white fish except cod, almonds, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, blackberries, yeast, yogurt, corn, coffee, milk, cheese, black pepper, dates, nutmeg, whey.

I went to the store the next day to replace at least one of the things I'll miss the most (peanut butter) and discovered sunflower seed butter. YUM! Wow, all the goodness of sunflower seeds minus the annoyance of getting them stuck in your teeth! Really, the only use I'll have for it is in my morning oatmeal. Breakfasts are going to be very limiting. Oatmeal, rice porridge, quinoa with berries and nuts. I'll miss Egg McWahlins.

The next big item I needed to replace was flour so I can still bake and Wes and I can still have pancakes. A mom friend recommended this market in Issaquah that sells organic and alternative, nongluten flours on the cheap. As Wes and I approached the place, we got kinda sketched out as we had definitely entered the low rent district and were a bit hesitant to go inside. What was this market really all about? Exactly why is it an outlet? When we entered, we noticed the proprietors were a friendly older couple and they really did have every flour known to man stocking the shelves. It didn't feel nearly as sketchy upon first judgment. We picked up a bag of oat flour for 2 something, 3 fairly decent sized bags of spices for $1 each, some lentils, New Zealand salt (I recalled salt mines on the northern end of the South Island; can't beat $1 for nostalgia) and $1 bag of Kettle Chips (needed a snack). I immediately texted my mom friend, relaying my excitement for this rockin' find. I could see myself becoming a regular.

Then the next morning came. We were set to have pancakes, so I was came down the stairs to Wes announcing he had some bad news. No pancakes this morning ;( But whyyyy??? Yeah, there were WORMS in the flour. #(@)*%& WORMS! You can't see them in this photo (well that's probably a good thing), but they're there. We were going to take everyhting back the next day, but they were CLOSED. Until Wednesday! They're only open Wed-Sat. Shady. What are they doing the rest of the days? Digging up worms to add to their flours? TGTBT. Their reaction should be interesting. I'll try to remember to post again after I go back Wednesday.

Sweet Potatoes

Trader Joe's sells a really tasty pre-made sweet potato dish with cinnamon, maple syrup, cranberries and pecans. But it's $4 and a pretty small portion. For a $2 sack of potatoes and ingredients I already have, I can make about 4 times as many.

Cut up sweet potatoes

Pecans, dried cranberries, maple syrup (and cinnamon, not shown)

Yum! Next time I'll add some OJ, peel the potatoes and bake in a dish, rather than roasting. I like 'em more moist (and I think that will be more like the TJ's version, too).

Cooking!

I finally feel like cooking again...and trying new recipes. Phew! Wes is happy about that, too :) I've made a homemade chicken noodle soup twice (not pictured), but that will be a new go-to meal. As will all of these below! Now I need to delve into the cookbooks Ange has gotten me: New Scandinavian Cooking and Deceptively Delicious!

Shepherd's pie filling

End result!

Bell Pepper Slaw with a Nice Lemony Dressing

This doesn't look very appetizing, but it's a lentil + bean soup. SO hearty and tasty. Perfect for winter.

Choco-Peanut Butter-Banana Biscotti...yum!

What I didn't realize about babies until I had one ...

1. Cradle Cap takes a lot longer to go away than I imagined.
2. The hair they come out with falls out ... slowly.
3. They smile in their sleep (dreaming about milk?)
4. They get baby acne (also hangs out awhile, like the cradle crap).
5. The magic of Moby (not the artist, the wrap...he falls asleep in it almost instantly).
6. Arms are still flailing, hence socks are still covering hands to prevent facial scratching.
7. Another instant sleep factor: bouncing on an exercise ball (with babes preferably in the Moby).
8. His poop, pee, vomit or spit all over me doesn't gross me out at all.
9. Having a spare of everything in the diaper bag is a good idea.
10. You need to be extra thorough when giving sponge baths...don't miss one fold and make sure to clean the gunk out of their pits and the jam outta their fingers!
BONUS: You just don't know until they're in your arms or they smile at you how extraordinary your love is for them...

Introducing, Cooper Wesley Wahlin!

Cooper came into this world Monday, October 19, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs, 1 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

The Labor Story

He was 9 days past his due date, so I carried him just over 41 weeks. A little over a week prior one of the midwives said we would induce Monday the 19th ... So mom booked her ticket and got in the Thursday before and dad came Friday. We all spent the weekend together and had a BLAST! There was one moment when we were all in the car and were laughing uncontrollably for at least 10 minutes. I was thinking I haven't laughed like that in ages. It's an indelible memory :)


That Friday I had another appointment with a different midwife (there are 5 in the practice) and told her I really didn't want to be induced Monday as I was originally told they would let me go 42 weeks if everything was looking normal. We agreed to push the induction date to the following Friday (she stripped my membranes for the 2nd time--owww!--this is one method to try to kickstart labor). She was convinced I'd have him over the weekend. So we started doing whatever it took to induce labor without having to have it done medically :) We tried nearly all of the old wives' tales (and recommendations from other parents) except castor oil and raspberry leaf tea. I ate TWO pineapples from Costco over 2 days, we ate spicy Thai food, went for a long walk every day, crawled up stairs on all fours, pressed on accupressure points, ate pepperoni pizza; the list goes on...but what seems to have worked for me (or maybe it was a cumulative effect) was spicy salsa from Acapulco Fresh. Wes made me keep eating it and eating it and afterwards I definitely felt different. After lunch, we walked around Redmond Town Center and while in REI this lady came up to me and said, You look ready! This was around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, Sunday the 18th. As we made our way home it was about 4:30 and sure enough, I was ready. 


My contractions started at Fred Meyer and were about 20 mins apart. They felt like menstrual cramps until I went to bed around 11, and as things progressed through the night, they became increasingly (and increasingly) stronger. I'd get up out of bed to go in the bathroom and lean over the sink (I puked once) to sway my hips to cope with each contraction, but this seemed to progress the labor a little too quickly (contractions went from 15 to 12 to 10 to 5 minutes apart within a few hours). Wes called the midwife who said I need to try to get some sleep so I started coping in bed and sleeping between contractions and they slowed back down to about 10 mins apart. I couldn't believe it was possible to sleep between contractions! But I was so exhausted from them, passing out for those 5-10 minutes helped. Wes got up with me and was timing it. It continued like this throughout the night. Wes called the midwife 3 times through the night and she kept telling us to wait a bit longer (until contractions are 3-4 minutes apart, then it was until they were 2-3 mins apart). 


We drove to the hospital at 7 am when they were about 4 mins apart, despite what the midwife said; it just felt like it was time to go. My eyes were closed during the 2o-minute drive, so I must have had 5 contractions on the way there. When we got there I was at 5 cm. They took me to my room where they had drawn a jetted bath for me. It looked so inviting, so I went right on in and stayed put for the next SIX hours until he was born. Mom/dad/Ange hung out in my room while Wes stayed with me the entire time in the bathroom. He was a great coach; he held my hand and told me I was doing a good job. I couldn't do much talking! My nurse, Tracy, was incredible. I couldn't have asked for a better nurse; I felt so lucky to have her. She was very calm and there whenever I needed her. She came in for 10 mins every half hour to check on the baby with the fetal monitor, so she gave me extra reassurance when she was in there. The midwife on call (Sachiko) came in maybe once an hour? She never had much to say other than things were normal and progressing well. I guess that's all I could ask for! She was attending to my next door neighbor who was apparently having a rough time. To keep my energy up, I sipped cranapple juice throughout the labor and never had a desire for solid foods. I was mostly laying down in the tub, but Sachiko said to keep labor progressing I needed to change positions from time to time, which was killer!, especially when I was out of the tub (to go to the bathroom). It was so much more painful out of the water; the water was so soothing. Another way I dealt with the pain was picturing me, Wes and Cooper on this beach we visited a few years ago in Australia. Whenever the pain got unbearable I went back to this beach and kept thinking that I was so close to meeting my son, I could get through this!

I really had no concept of time, but I imagine it was the last few hours that I noticed a change in the pain and I assume that was Cooper dropping further down my pelvis so I asked the nurse to check my cervix. I was 9.5 cm. (The last time the midwife came in she estimated I was 8 or 9 cm). When I felt like pushing they got me out of the tub and into my room. I chose to deliver standing up, facing the bed, resting my hands on the edge of the bed (when my mom heard this she thought I was pretty radical!). I couldn't imagine pushing for hours, so I just went for it and 13 minutes later, there he was! I moaned and I groaned, deep, guttoral sounds that I've never made before. My sister later told me she could hear me down the hall. I probably pushed 4 times. I thought I was done with the 3rd push (his head was out) but I had to push the rest of his body out, too! Wes was crying as the midwife immediately passed him to me--such a beautiful moment! They told me he was born in the "caul" (amniotic sac) which is extremely rare, so he's a very special boy :) It was painful but not intolerable without drugs. If they had let me stay in the tub I probably would have; I totally see why women have water births! 


I held him for a long while until they had to clean him, weigh him, etc. Then Cooper was right back in my arms! Wes cut the cord (which was a lot skinnier than I imagined it would be). I stared and stared at him with disbelief that he was finally here and that he is mine and Wes's! But I could believe it because he has my eyes! I'm so glad it was such a wonderful experience...I feel very fortunate it went as smooth as it did.

Week 39 -- We're Waiting for You, Boy!

My car smells like fresh flowers and coffee. SO good.

Wes had a team ride this morning, so I had some Helen time. Went to the Issaquah Farmers Market and bought a beauty of a fall bouquet for $5, some pink lady apples and some grapes. Then I spent some time at PCC, this great organic/natural market. I only picked up a few items--barley flour (so I can make more pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!), some swiss process decaf coffee (haven't had coffee in ages, it just sounded like a treat) and a vegan chocolate chip scone. Went home and enjoyed my coffee and scone. Tasty!

Since Friday was my last day of work, I plan on having more days like this up until the delivery.

Week 38 -- Almost There!

Wow, my belly is big! It's bigger and lower than it was last week (when this pic was taken). Yeow! Baby, aren't ya ready? We are! Childbirth classes are all complete, we've installed the car seat, my bag is (mostly) packed.

The lady they've hired as my replacement at work said her mother was a Labor & Delivery nurse and the maternity ward was always busier during full moons. The idea behind that is the gravitational pull has an effect on the amniotic fluid as it does the tides--putting more pressure on the sac causing it to break. But here's a 2006 NY Times article that debunks that myth. Who knows. I think those old wives' tales (rather, old nurses' tales?) are amusing ideas to entertain. The next full moon is October 4; we'll see what happens.

Every day is one day closer to meeting our little guy! And I definitely feel closer, too. It feels like it could be any day, but I could be feeling that way for the next 4 weeks! It'll happen when it happens. I noticed my guess on expectnet.com was for October 15. If you haven't entered your guess, visit that site and search for BabyWahlin.

Week 35--Hodgepodge

This post has no real direction other than whatever comes to mind. First thing that comes to mind: I ordered 3 dozen tamales today. THREE DOZEN! Am trying to think ahead for the early weeks with our newborn...pre-prepared frozen meals is a good idea in theory, but we only have so much freezer space :)

As I get closer to my due date and really let it sink in that in a few short weeks I'll be meeting my son(!), I want the days and weeks to speeeeeed up. But at the same time, I realize I need to relish in these moments...the constant wondering what he's going to be like/look like and what reality is going to look like with a baby down the hall(!)...appreciate my changing body...savor the couple time with my husband...because this time in our lives is unlike any other and after baby is born, we'll be 3 and I'll be a mother! Wow, that is going to be a crazy feeling once that sinks in :) I can't wait to feel what that is like...I'm going to be so emotional...I already have been. When we took the tour at the hospital and were in one of the rooms, the guide said, "Here's the sink where your baby will have its first bath. Dads you can help out if you'd like." Had to hold back the tears and take some deep breaths. Then when we watched a birth video in our childbirth class, I had to do the same. It's just incredible to watch a woman go through labor then meet the beautiful being she's been carrying inside her for 9 months. It's all going to happen...to me! Sheesh!

Ok, now it's list time...

5 best things about pregnancy

1. Talking about and wondering about baby with Wes.

2. Feeling baby move.

3. My ever-growing tummy.

4. Rediscovering milk (well, for me, Lactaid).

5. Wearing dresses all the time b/c that's what's comfortable.

5 worst things:

1. The back pain/sciatica I experienced.

2. Inability to get comfy in bed.

3. Lack of routine exercise due to back pain.

4. Nausea in the early days.

5. Annoyance with food and trying to figure out what to eat.

What I'll miss

1. People being extra nice to me (but maybe that won't change w/ baby in tow!)

2. Baby moving (It's entertaining now, but to have him moving around outside the womb and stare at him all day long will be much more exciting)

3. My husband doing the cooking and waiting on me hand and foot!

4. Not feeling bad about exercising

5. Blaming weight gain on baby

Assembling

Probably not the best time to be posting as I realized I just broke our digital camera and I'm feeling a bit of indigestion...so not the happiest of campers. But, hooray--second week without back pain! It is such a relief to be able to walk around and not cringe with every step. I can't get too excited though...I went back to the pool last Sunday and sure enough later that night couldn't walk too well. And after a bit too much walking yesterday, started feeling the pain, but on my left side. Did a fair amount of walking today though and was fine. So I guess I'll just take it day by day. Will try to start exercising again...slowly.

We had a few visitors in the last few weeks--Amie J was up from Newport for the weekend. It was fun to be able to spend some time with her before baby comes (and hopefully she'll be able to meet little Coops if she can return for the Seattle Auto Show in Nov.). The day after she left, Rob arrived...and so did the sweltering heat. And it only got hotter! I think it was around 107 or so in Issaquah for two days straight, then in the 90s the remaining time he was here. So crazy since the last time it was that hot was the first year he and Ange came up for a visit (2006). Thankfully the heat didn't bother me too much. The days it was hottest, we stayed out until around 10 going to movies or roaming around Fry's. The last day of his trip he and Wes put together the crib! They also deconstructed the guest bed and tucked the mattresses. The room came together quite marvelously!

A few days after Rob left we ordered and received (was amazed how quickly it came) a glider. The ottoman was pre-assembled and the glider was very easy to put together.

More assembly: Wes installed a track light strip we bought at IKEA that has 3 fish in red, blue and green. Then, assembled the stroller (instructions were terrible)! All the while I sat in my glider...

The room is nearing completion. The nautical theme has become more of a general "on the water/out to sea" theme as there is the photo of the beach above the crib, the fish lights and a rowboat shelf. Plus, I returned the themed bedding as it seemed pretty useless for the price. Still need: a big, soft rug!

Hydrotherapy

I started physical therapy, again, last Thursday after my back pain returned in full force. I had been enjoying walking regularly with Wes most days after work, but it was becoming increasingly difficult as my pain increased. Even though I was going slow, I felt like something was better than nothing, but then the pain became intolerable. After a week of no exercise, I realized I had to do SOMETHING.

Most public pool schedules are pretty inconvenient, but there were open hours at the Bellevue Aquatic Center from 12-3 today in the "Warm Springs" pool, which is kept at 91F and is meant for "therapy," but it technically is "open" so there were still some splashing kids. It felt really good, but I quickly realized swimming motions were still painful for me and after nearly a 1/2 hour of walking the width of the pool back and forth, back and forth, running into kids and getting bored, Wes and I hung out on the side and I started making cycling motions with my legs. That felt great and like I was actually getting some exercise! Hopefully I'll be able to make more of a habit of it.

I hate to complain because it's all worth it for this amazing little life inside me! He's doing good :) Everything came back normal last week at our monthly checkup. I had to do the glucose screening (to check for gestational diabetes) which involves drinking a glucose drink (I chose fruit punch and found it pleasant) and getting a blood draw exactly an hour afterwards. They also checked my iron and thyroid levels--all fine.

Oh oh oh, we got our crib, crib mattress and rails (well, those will be stored for a long, long while but had to get them as I'm sure by the time Cooper is using a full size bed the crib/rails will be discontinued!). Excited to assemble and finish setting up the room. Two more houseguests before then, though, so we need to keep the queen set up just a little longer :)