Soup-er Sunday – My Version of Comfort Food

Today’s Soup-er Sunday is my kind of comfort food. Vegetable Soup! It’s finally getting chilly here in Virginia Beach (high of 45 today – don’t laugh at me Wisconsin Family!)  I’m serving up the vegetable soup with a side of grilled cheese sandwiches.

I went back to my favorite food blog to find the recipe for my soup: Picky Palate. So far all of the recipes that I have made from her website have been winners in our household.

Hearty Chicken Soup

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
½ Cup red bell pepper, finely diced
½ Cup white onion, finely diced
2 Tablespoons jalapeno, minced (seeded and membranes removed)
3 cloves garlic, minced

2 14 oz cans chicken broth
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 can northern beans, undrained (white beans)
1 can drained corn kernels
2 Cups thinly sliced fresh spinach leaves, stems removed
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped or shredded
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix

1. Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Saute carrots, celery, bell pepper, onion and jalapeno for 5-8 minutes stirring frequently. Stir in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

2. Stir in remaining ingredients, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with fresh rolls. Enjoy!

(or if you are me: serve with a grilled cheese!)

As usual, I did make one small change to the recipe. I used Italian Seasoning Mix instead of Ranch. I sent Christian to the grocery store with my list and he came home with Italian. I doubt that it made huge difference. It was delicious, so I will probably stick with Italian seasoning since I always have that in the house.  The recipe was incredibly easy to make. The only time-consuming portion was chopping up all the veggies, but even that took less than 30 minutes. Once they were sautéed, everything was tossed into one pan. Instant dinner!  (I have a feeling I’ll be making various versions of the soup on nights I clean out my produce drawer. Normally I make stir-fry when I have a lot of veggies that need to be cooked, but this is a great alternate). I also think I will try tossing everything in the slow cooker with the chicken (once it’s cooked and shredded) after Chet’ makes his appearance.

Don’t be scared of the jalapeno either. The soup was not spicy!

Soup Cooking! (I forgot to take a picture of it in my bowl....but you get the idea!)

The soup was delicious! Cole gave it his stamp of approval too! Although he isn’t a picky eater, it is always nice when he willingly tries something new and enjoys it. Now if only I could figure out how to make him eat his dinner a little faster. He literally takes an hour every night to finish his food and that is with constant reminders to keep eating. It can make for a long night at the dinner table (and cold soup)!

Tiny Dancer

Cole and I had our annual date to see my niece dance in the Nutcracker Ballet. She was absolutely beautiful. At the age of 14 she has more grace and presences on stage than I have in any aspect of my life. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old. It has been amazing to watch her journey through dance. It’s even more amazing to watch her grow up on the stage. She is no longer a little girl dancing on the stage. She has matured into a beautiful dancer that remains ageless on stage.  (She even had the stage all to herself today!!!)

You were beautiful today Caileigh!

Caileigh, front and center

The journey between who you once were,

and who you are now becoming,

is where the dance of life really takes place.

– Barbara De Angelis

Dance is an art, paint your dream and follow it.

– Steven Thompson

Caileigh (on the left)

Photos “borrowed” from my sister’s Facebook page and Thomas Gorman Photography.

Don’t forget to Exhale

For those of you on baby watch, there is no baby to report. I figured if I didn’t post a blog post 2 days in a row, you might start to wonder! I did go to my 37 week check-up today.  Chet is head down. My Group B Strep test is negative (yay!). I’m also 1 cm dilated and only slightly effaced. What does that mean? Nothing really. I could stay this way for 3 more weeks, or I could have Chet tomorrow.

Last night in yoga, I realized I was having a hard time exhaling. My inhales were deep, but I was holding on to my exhales. I couldn’t let go 100%. The more I focused on it, the harder it became to exhale.  I’m a big believer in breathing. I believe our breath and breathing patterns tell us so much about our bodies, our minds, and our emotions. When we are stressed, we breathe different. When we are excited, we breath different.

What was I holding on to? I think the two small details that I’ve been putting off for weeks now might be a clue. Preregistering at the hospital and packing my hospital bag are pretty important when having a baby.  With only 18 days until my due date, tackling these two tasks is slightly important.

As I drove to the hospital to preregister for Chet’s arrival, I felt incredibly anxious. I was even nervous. As I drove to the hospital, I remembered that I had Cole the day after I preregistered for his birth. Preregistering makes it real. While I feel incredibly ready and prepared for Chet to join us in the world, a part of me is still holding on to life as we know it. Until I exhale and let go of the nerves I have about the big change we have coming up in our lives, my body and my mind (and my breathing) can’t relax. By simply recognizing the anxiety I was holding on to my body already feels more relaxed. I feel even more ready to bring Chet into this world.

The hospital has my official paperwork for Chet’s arrival. Now I just need to pack my bag. It’s on the to-do list for tomorrow. Yes. I’m putting it off for one more day.

In the mean time, I’m going to continue to listen to my body. I’m trying to focus on all the things my body is telling me. I’m inhaling and exhaling. I’m letting go of my all the anxiety I’m holding on to about Chet’s arrival. When will he born? Will he be here before Christmas? Will he be here before 2012? I’m letting it all go (or at least I’m trying to let it all go). Chet will be here on his birth day.

My body is also craving quiet more and more these days. I know this is hard to find when I have a house full and a full-time job, but I’m trying to focus on the few moments when I can find my space of quiet. The first hour of every day belongs to just me. I’m embrace my time in the shower and the simple routine of getting ready for work. I’m talking less on the phone when I’m in the car. It’s nice to sit quietly with out music and without chatter. I’ve been going to bed a little earlier than normal. Although my earlier bedtime is due to being extra tired these days, there is comfort in going to bed before I’m exhausted.

Breathing in, I know I’m breathing in.
Breathing out, I know
As the in-breath grows deep,
The out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out makes me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile.
With the out-breath, I release.
Breathing in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Inhaling and Exhaling. Pay attention to how you are breathing. It really will tell you a lot.

And I promise to pack my hospital bag tomorrow!

Magical

In my yoga class last week, the instructor talked about transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The month of November is all about gratitude. We are thankful for so much in our lives. It’s important to take the time to remember them. Thanksgiving passes. We’ve all reflected, given thanks, and appreciated our lives. This gives birth to December. December is a month of magic. It’s a month to enjoy the magic of the holiday season. For me, it’s a month to enjoy the magic of pregnancy (because I certainly hope it is my last month being pregnant..this time! Wink! Wink!). It’s a month to witness life through the eyes of a child. The lights are beautiful in our neighborhood. The tree is lit up (although it’s still missing ornaments as I write this).

From gratitude to magical thinking….I can certainly appreciate and adopt this way of thinking into my life.

If the Christmas season wasn’t magical enough, we have been lucky enough to experience some beautiful days this December. Yesterday and today have been in the mid 70s. The days feel magical when you know you should be wearing a winter coat and you are able to walk barefoot in the sand.

After work yesterday, I made the most of what sunlight was left. I went back to the street where Christian and I used to live, the street we got married on, and I walked 2 miles on the beach. It felt magical.

I love the feeling of having my toes in the sand. I love how my foot stretches out and every muscle feels engaged with each step. Muscles and tendons stretch and support. My poor pregnant feet were so happy.

I love the smell of the ocean in the winter time. It doesn’t smell the same in the summer. Maybe it’s the lack of people. Maybe it is the cooler air and water temperatures, but the ocean smells amazing during the winter months.

I love when the wind shifts and a cool breeze comes in from off the ocean.

I love how very few people there are on the beach. I passed about a dozen surfers in wetsuits enjoying the surf. I passed a few dog owners and a few happy dogs. I was surrounded by sea gulls and sand pipers.

I left my iPod in the car. I enjoyed the sounds of the oceans and the quiet ramblings of my thoughts. After a few good inhales and exhales, all my to-do lists vanished from my thought process.

There is something magical about being on the beach in the middle of winter on a stolen 70 degree day. There is something magical about walking with my unborn baby in this tiny moment before he is brought into the world. I was able to quietly talk to him. I love telling him how much he is going to love the ocean. I love telling him about his dad who spends hours surfing. I love telling him about his brother who takes comfort in the waves.  I don’t have to tell him what the ocean means to me. He can already feel it.

One day closer to Chet’s arrival. One day closer to saying goodbye to the magic of pregnancy and embracing the magic of newborn baby, the magic of a growing family, and the magic of an ever-growing love.

From gratitude to magical thinking….I’m trying to embrace it all!

Maute Moo Update – Week 37

Tick. Tick. Tick…..Labor Envy has official set in. I’ve had two friends deliver there babies this week. One was 37 weeks pregnant. The other was 39 weeks pregnant.  I’m now the “oldest” pregnant girl in yoga class. Physically I’m ready to have Chet. Mentally I’m ready too. The to-do lists might not be ready, but oh well. Now I just have to wait for Chet to be ready.

Warning: This post is all over the place. My brain is all over the place these days too. I find myself thinking about one thing and end up with 50 other new thoughts to take its place. Good old monkey brain! Add this to the many reasons why I love yoga and mediation. It makes my brain be quiet! 

Saturday night I started to have some cramping. It wasn’t anything to make me nervous. It was just enough to make me go to bed early. I woke up Sunday feeling about the same. They felt like menstrual cramps that wrapped around my torso. They progressively got worse as the day continued. Again, it wasn’t anything that made me think I was going into labor. It was just enough to make me think of all the things I really do need to get done before Chet arrives. It was also a nice reminder that Chet is coming out sooner rather than later. The cramping continued through the night and settled into my hips and thigh. Monday morning was rough. I was exhausted.

I took Monday easy at work and dedicated my time to tying up all the loose ends I have going on in the office. I emailed all my points of contact. I finished up my filing. I’ve made task lists for all the things that can’t get forgotten while I’m out on maternity. Work is ready for me to have my baby.

At home Christian and I have a handful of things that I really need to get done before Chet arrives.

  • Washing Chet’s clothes (we started last night. His newborn stuff is done along with most of his 0-3 month outfits)
  • Install his Car Seat
  • Clean and Wash his swing
  • Get Moses basket from my mom (My sister is letting me borrow her basket until she has her next baby at the end of March!!! And my mom washed everything for me yesterday. Thank you both!)
  • Buy Nursing Bra (one for day and night until I know what size I will really need), Lansinoh ointment, Breast Pads
  • Buy Baby soaps and Lotions (I only have one bottle of lotion. Oops!)
  • Buy Baby Wipes (We don’t have any. Oops again!)
  • Preregister at the hospital and figure out where we are going once we get there

I’d also need to get the Christmas tree decorated. We start that project tonight!

AND…………I NEED TO PACK MY HOSPITAL BAG! While I lay awake in bed on Sunday night (the cramping woke me up every hour), all I could think about was that I didn’t have my bag packed yet. I’m working on my list. My friend Morgan (who is pregnant too!) recently posted on her Facebook page recommendations for a hospital bag. (Thanks Morgan!) I definitely took some notes from her page.  Somebody recommended that you pack two bags – one bag of the items you will need while in labor and another bag of all the items you might want for yourself, your partner and your baby post delivery. I think I’m going to do this. There is no reason why some of the stuff can’t stay in the car until after I have the baby.

Here is what I have on the list so far (that will find its way to a bag this week):

  • Laboring outfit (Help! I don’t plan on wearing a hospital gown while I’m there. I feel like the hospital gown gives the illusion of a sick patient. I’m not sick. Not to mention how uncomfortable they are. If I’m going to be wearing clothing, I want it to be practical and comfortable! As of now, I think I’m just going to pack a cotton skirt and a tank top (something that can be cut off in case of emergency or as soon as I have the baby to get him on my chest). I want my arms free so my IV port can be accessed if needed. Any other ideas???)
  • Post-Delivery clothing
  • Birthing Ball
  • Rice Sock
  • Birthing Plans
  • Chapstick
  • Headband and hair tie
  • Pillow
  • Slipper/flip-flops
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Pads
  • Nursing Bra
  • Bathroom stuff – toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, razor (I’m a freak about shaving everyday), shampoo, face wash, deodorant
  • Music (Oh geez……..I need to make my playlist for the delivery room too!)
  • Christian – change of clothes
  • Christian – bathroom stuff
  • SNACKS
  • Water bottle

Chet’s Bag:

  • Coming home outfit(s) – newborn and 0-3 month option
  • blanket(s)
  • Hat
  • Socks

What am I forgetting? Anything? and I love how making a list always makes me realize I need another list. I need to get to work on my playlist for labor. This is exactly why I don’t sleep when cramping wakes me up in the middle of the night. My monkey brain doesn’t know how to be quiet!

The cramping has pretty much gone away as of today.  I’m feeling much better. I got a great night of sleep last night. I didn’t even wake up to use the bathroom which is surprising considering how much I’m drinking lately. I start each morning by drinking a big glass of water (it’s like adding oil to a machine…so good for your body). I then have my morning smoothie or protein drink. I’ve started my red raspberry leaf tea regiment. I’m drinking two glasses a day now. All of that plus the at least 100 fl ozs of water I’m drinking throughout the day.  I might just float away.

For now that is everything my brain can think up. I’m just trying to tackle each piece of the to-do lists and waiting for Chet to decide he’s ready for the world. Mama is ready to meet him. Dad would prefer he wait for at least 2 more weeks since these are his two busiest weeks of work for the year.

Anyone what to make any guesses as to when they think he will show up?

Oh Yes! My Belly is THAT BIG! It can't hide in yoga clothes!

21 more days until Chet’s due date!

And in case you need to do a double take…here is a closer view of my belly! It really cracks me up how big it has become!!!