I know many of you are curious if the full moon and weather changes produced a baby, but I am here to report there is no baby yet. SO...we are just waiting. I have been bored out of my mind today. Brian and I have each had a to-do list that we have been working on for the past month. I finally finished mine yesterday and Brian is winding his down today. We are passing the time by cleaning and doing laundry for the most part. I don't know what I will do when I run out of things to wash. I have done some online shopping and some reading and now blogging...and of course watched some Food Network. We are talking about going out to dinner for what may be the last time for a long time tonight so I am trying to think of somewhere really good!
Brian did cook a wonderful dinner for us last night so I guess you can add cooking to the list of things we are doing to pass the time. I will start by saying Rachael Ray and 30 minute meals is really an oxymoron. It took so much longer than that. I helped by just measuring out the mile long list of ingredients. Anyway, Brian's hard work paid off and it was probably one of the most gourmet tasting things he has made next to one of his deer recipes. Google Rachael Ray and Italian BBQ chicken and polenta if you want to try it too. Now that the house is clean though, I am voting no more cooking until after the baby...like several weeks maybe even years after he gets here. =)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
New things in the nursery
We added a few finishing touches to the nursery. We finally found a table to go next to the chair. The stuffed springer spaniel was purchased the day we found out we were having a boy and was part of the inspiration for the room. (The other inspiration was the pictures over the changing table that I had seen in a store while furniture shopping. We went back and bought them shortly after we found out it was a boy.)
I ordered this canvas storage bag with Graham's name thinking it would be cute for toys or perhaps as a laundry bag. I love how it turned out. It is definitely too cute for a laundry bag. Truthfully, it matched his room and was on sale so why not?
And finally, we got this bookcase. The jury is really still out on it. Graham got so many toys and books at my work shower that I wasn't sure what to do with them all. I have some tie baskets like the ones on the changing table to use on here too for small toys. It just doesn't look as cute as it does in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, but perhaps we should keep it for practical purposes.
Maybe it will look better with something over it. (Selfishly, a flat screen tv seems nice for watching from the glider, but I read that tvs are not good for babies. They can get over-stimulated which means a crying, unhappy baby.) I have this cute sign and need to find something to go with it for over the book case.
As you may or may not know, we bought a house back in May that is almost as old as we are. The people took great care of it, but had never updated it. The nursery is probably the nicest room in the house now (next to the remodeled kitchen, but I will save that for a future post) and I love just walking by it. It is so peaceful to sit in there and soak in the room.
I ordered this canvas storage bag with Graham's name thinking it would be cute for toys or perhaps as a laundry bag. I love how it turned out. It is definitely too cute for a laundry bag. Truthfully, it matched his room and was on sale so why not?
And finally, we got this bookcase. The jury is really still out on it. Graham got so many toys and books at my work shower that I wasn't sure what to do with them all. I have some tie baskets like the ones on the changing table to use on here too for small toys. It just doesn't look as cute as it does in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, but perhaps we should keep it for practical purposes.
Maybe it will look better with something over it. (Selfishly, a flat screen tv seems nice for watching from the glider, but I read that tvs are not good for babies. They can get over-stimulated which means a crying, unhappy baby.) I have this cute sign and need to find something to go with it for over the book case.
As you may or may not know, we bought a house back in May that is almost as old as we are. The people took great care of it, but had never updated it. The nursery is probably the nicest room in the house now (next to the remodeled kitchen, but I will save that for a future post) and I love just walking by it. It is so peaceful to sit in there and soak in the room.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Perfect Storm?
Well, today was probably one of the most disappointing doctor visits of the entire pregnancy. Last week the doctor was so excited that I was showing some "progress." Today I just knew there had to be more progression, but no, that is not the case. There was really not much change since last week. However, the doctor asked if I heard the "bad news" that this weekend was a full moon, a storm, and she is on call for all the craziness. I, however, think it could be good that she is on call in the event that I do go into labor! I have been slightly freaked out over the recent realization (just didn't give it much thought before now) that she may not be the doctor to deliver the baby, but did not fear that much since it would probably be one of the other 3 lady doctors in her practice. I haven't met them, but at least I've seen their pictures! Today I find out that they really do cross rotations or something like that which means it will not necessarily be one of the four women in her practice. Also, she is really only on call Friday and Sunday and some other male doctor that I have never heard of is on call Saturday. (so if it is this weekend, pray for Friday or Sunday)
She proceeded to tell me that she doesn't put much stock into the full moon thing, but does in the barometric pressure changes that come with a storm. I told her at one point there was even a talk of snow and she just groaned thinking about the zoo she'd be on call to keep. The only bright spot is that if this is not the trifecta that causes labor, we can induce next week if we want, but there is absolutely no reason to do that she said. Apparently, I am a "prime candidate" for inducing. She suggested I come in on Monday instead of Wednesday in case we want to induce on Thursday. SO...if Friday is not the perfect storm for babies, Graham will probably make his appearance next Thursday! I could have went ahead and booked that today, but decided to wait until Monday before making the decision and kicked myself the entire way home. Induction is a project manager's dream...there is a definitive schedule!
She proceeded to tell me that she doesn't put much stock into the full moon thing, but does in the barometric pressure changes that come with a storm. I told her at one point there was even a talk of snow and she just groaned thinking about the zoo she'd be on call to keep. The only bright spot is that if this is not the trifecta that causes labor, we can induce next week if we want, but there is absolutely no reason to do that she said. Apparently, I am a "prime candidate" for inducing. She suggested I come in on Monday instead of Wednesday in case we want to induce on Thursday. SO...if Friday is not the perfect storm for babies, Graham will probably make his appearance next Thursday! I could have went ahead and booked that today, but decided to wait until Monday before making the decision and kicked myself the entire way home. Induction is a project manager's dream...there is a definitive schedule!
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Franks Cooking History
Every year I seem to go through a phase of wanting "to learn to cook." It's not that I can't cook at all. I just don't know how to cook that much (looking back at my old recipe box, 4H was highly centered around baking for me and once when I was single I was invited to a recipe party and assigned a soup. I probably still wouldn't know how to make a soup if it wasn't for that.) and what I do know how to cook never seems to appeal to my husband. Maybe it is the whole becoming a mother thing...I feel like I need to be able to feed Graham something besides frozen chicken fingers which is exactly what my husband informed me his preferred meal is after I had spent at least an hour and a half at the grocery store tonight. ::SIGH:: Also, we remodeled our kitchen recently so for months eating out and take out were pretty much our only options. Plus being pregnant didn't really put me in the homemaker spirit. So now we have as much cereal in our pantry as Jerry Seinfeld and are burnt out on any restaurant within a 5 mile radius.
Brian and I did take a healthy cooking class at church when we were dating/engaged. I did pick up at least one recipe there that we still make. Still, it was something fun we did together and we got to try the recipes to see if we even liked them before spending all the money on the ingredients. They were also EASY for the most part. Unfortunately, the teacher moved (We miss you, Suzanne!) and they no longer do the class. Then grad school hit and my infatuation with cereal began.
Last year I was in search of the perfect "one dish" recipe that was also suitable for company. I think the grad school light at the end of the tunnel gave me hopes of entertaining. (ha ha) I failed miserably. After trying at least 4 things that never went over well, I gave up. It just wasn't worth it. It costs too much to buy all the ingredients for something that turns out to not be very good. Over the summer I discovered Ashley Mac's frozen casseroles. (You must check it out if you have not already. I also highly recommend the strawberry cake! http://www.ashleymacs.com/) Her one dishes beat mine any day. At least putting something in the oven makes me feel like I am cooking. =)
So now you are pretty much caught up on our cooking history. Now my quest is of quick, easy, healthy dinners that can be prepared through the week by a working mother. Perhaps this is just what is keeping me occupied while I wait on the baby to arrive and pretty soon frozen chicken fingers it will be!
I did try Brian's Grandmother's chicken spaghetti recipe recently(on a weekend). Brian had raved over it and I wanted to try to find something he liked. I did have success (shock and awe) but I will say if it is a Grandmother's recipe and the first ingredient is a "hen" (I used chicken breasts.), then it is not for a working mom on a weeknight. I am so glad to have her recipe though and will use it on special occasions. (Thanks Aunt Kathy!) We've also become food network watchers. We have a couple of Rachel Ray recipes that we have printed to try, but I must ask why her 30minute recipes all have an ingredient list a mile long. It will take me 30 minutes just to round up all those ingredients! Also, some are too exotic for even a Publix to stock. All this to say if you have a recipe that meets the three criteria above (quick, easy, healthy),please send it my way. OR I will take tips from cereal eating parents on what they feed their kids. =)
The only recent success I have had was the recipe below that a friend told me about. Enjoy!
1 6oz package of long grain and wild rice mix
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 16oz can of whole berry cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon margarine
Prepare rice according to package directions. Spoon cooked rice into a lightly greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Arrange uncooked chicken breasts over rice. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan and heat to a boil. Pour sauce over chicken and rice. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Brian and I did take a healthy cooking class at church when we were dating/engaged. I did pick up at least one recipe there that we still make. Still, it was something fun we did together and we got to try the recipes to see if we even liked them before spending all the money on the ingredients. They were also EASY for the most part. Unfortunately, the teacher moved (We miss you, Suzanne!) and they no longer do the class. Then grad school hit and my infatuation with cereal began.
Last year I was in search of the perfect "one dish" recipe that was also suitable for company. I think the grad school light at the end of the tunnel gave me hopes of entertaining. (ha ha) I failed miserably. After trying at least 4 things that never went over well, I gave up. It just wasn't worth it. It costs too much to buy all the ingredients for something that turns out to not be very good. Over the summer I discovered Ashley Mac's frozen casseroles. (You must check it out if you have not already. I also highly recommend the strawberry cake! http://www.ashleymacs.com/) Her one dishes beat mine any day. At least putting something in the oven makes me feel like I am cooking. =)
So now you are pretty much caught up on our cooking history. Now my quest is of quick, easy, healthy dinners that can be prepared through the week by a working mother. Perhaps this is just what is keeping me occupied while I wait on the baby to arrive and pretty soon frozen chicken fingers it will be!
I did try Brian's Grandmother's chicken spaghetti recipe recently(on a weekend). Brian had raved over it and I wanted to try to find something he liked. I did have success (shock and awe) but I will say if it is a Grandmother's recipe and the first ingredient is a "hen" (I used chicken breasts.), then it is not for a working mom on a weeknight. I am so glad to have her recipe though and will use it on special occasions. (Thanks Aunt Kathy!) We've also become food network watchers. We have a couple of Rachel Ray recipes that we have printed to try, but I must ask why her 30minute recipes all have an ingredient list a mile long. It will take me 30 minutes just to round up all those ingredients! Also, some are too exotic for even a Publix to stock. All this to say if you have a recipe that meets the three criteria above (quick, easy, healthy),please send it my way. OR I will take tips from cereal eating parents on what they feed their kids. =)
The only recent success I have had was the recipe below that a friend told me about. Enjoy!
1 6oz package of long grain and wild rice mix
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 16oz can of whole berry cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon margarine
Prepare rice according to package directions. Spoon cooked rice into a lightly greased 9" x 13" baking dish. Arrange uncooked chicken breasts over rice. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan and heat to a boil. Pour sauce over chicken and rice. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Nursery
Those who know me well know that I love toile, but that was vetoed for our baby boy's nursery. Still, I am very happy with the results and am really liking the hunting dog theme.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Franks Family blog! I wanted a website to post baby updates for non-facebook using family and friends but a blog will have to do. We are at T - 38 weeks and counting. Check back often for baby updates or in case you are just curious if I can keep this up!
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