Monday, May 31, 2010

Not your typical car wash!

Coltrane needed a bath and I needed my car cleaned BAD! so we killed two birds with one stone!
He loves car rides...more than the bath part!
So fresh and clean clean!

After the baths and mowed yard we were hungry for something new.  We went to Iron Hen for Fresh. Local. Good.  :)  I had the portabello sandwich and J had the prime rib sandwich.  It was so x 10 good!!
with a side of sweet potato chips!
The clouds started rolling in and turning dark so we headed home to snuggle up and watch another movie!  We rented Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson.  It was a great action movie! 
After the wonderful portabella sandwich this afternoon, I wanted to grill some on my own...along with peppers, squash and onions with a side of corn on the cob.  I had this whole gourmet picture in my head... only it was all a flop.  We need some grill classes or something! first the coals lost their flame so we took everything off and put a whole new set on... then we burned and did not cook them all the way.  the only thing that tasted good was the corn that we boiled.  We ate a few bites then threw the rest away.  what a waste!
So we had the next best thing: FRO YO!!!!

Oh.. my strawberry plant is doing much better and there is a bloom for the zucchini!

eh...

Ok, so you know how in the morning I always have a huge decision to make? What is for breakfast?!  I usually can't make up my mind... but lately nothing sounds good - not coffee, not fiber one loaded with blueberries and strawberries, not peanut butter or almond butter toast, not oatmeal, not eggs, not a wheat waffle with nana..... i'm telling ya - nothing!
Knowing I would be hungry in an hour or so, I knew I needed to eat something so I had a small bowl of fiber one with bb and sb, cinnamon, and flax
 Boring and ugh.  I even through in some oatmeal squares to try and make it exciting!

Instead of going to the lake, I'm gonna mow the grass and, if it doesn't rain, lay in my pink chair!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

DaTe NiGhT!

Tonight J and I enjoyed Date Night going to the movies to see Date Night!  This is the movie with Steve Carell and Tina Fey.  It was pretty funny!  Of course I can't go to a movie and not be lured in by the smell of buttered popcorn so I settled with a kids package.
I love me some buttered popcorn but I always feel miserable after indulging :(  

We started today with church, visit Papa, and Farmer's Market for tomatoes then home to enjoy this beautiful, hot weather in my new chair!
reading this book
 dreaming about grilling out again
Last night we went to Mom and Dad's for dinner.  Dad was making Brats, which I don't care for, so Mom and I split a chicken kabob and grilled squash! I also sampled some cole slaw and potato salad dad had left over from a work cookout.  Grilling makes everything taste better!!

We were supposed to go to the lake tomorrow but sadly quickly realized boating was not a good idea :( sad.  If  I am supposed to be low key and no bouncing activities, how can I ride on a boat that is constantly bouncing and hitting wakes?  I know it is for a good reason but I was so looking forward to it.  Mom said that is when they sold their boat, when she got pregnant with me.  Going to the lake is one of my favorite things to do in the summer :( bummer :(
I'll probably lay in my pink chair or  brave the crowd at the pool instead.  One week from tomorrow and I'll know!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

It's officially summer!!

....for me! The Pool opens today :) Woo Hoo!!  I love going to the pool in the summer time.  I am lucky to have the summers off so that is where I spend most of my time relaxing and reading books.  I'm thinking today will be crazy busy being the first day so I'll lay out (weather permitting) on my deck with my new beach chair I bought yesterday!

Speaking of yesterday.... the transfer went great! Dr. D said it was picture perfect and it is out of our hands now.  so now we wait.....  It was really weird and definitely not the time to be modest.  In this tiny room you would find a computer, me in stirrups, a chair for the hubs, two nurses and two doctors.  They did an ultrasound while transferring and we were supposed to see the eggs drop in, but it was so fast and microscopic tiny we missed it. BUT we have an u/s picture and a picture of the two eggs that went back in. Hopefully the beginning of a pregnancy scrapbook! (for some reason typing that last sentence had me tear up! this is so real! and could FINALLY be happening!)  I have a good feeling this time.  Thanks to so many of my friends and family who were thinking about and praying for us yesterday and through this whole journey! (and my fertility necklace!)
Mom spent the day with me bc she was afraid i would do to much.  We laid in the sun, made some chocolate chip meringues, and she went through my dresser and cleaned it out!  She thinks I have way to much stuff and I had to sit there while she told me what was going to trash or Bargain Box (local thrift store).  we only did 4 out of 5 drawers ( was not ready to hit the overflowing t shirt drawer) and we have one bag of trash and one trash bag full of donations! 
Chocolate Chip Meringues
Mom didn't read the directions all the way and beat the egg whites and cocoa instead of fold!
I forgot to take a final picture but they turned out pretty good.  Not as melt in your mouth light and fluffy as the ones we had at the Farmer's Market. She left them here bc she wasn't satisfied! 
They are a great, low fat dessert!


Justin has to work today so after this breakfast I am heading to Target for a new bathing suit cover and Pet Smart for dog food and treats.
Arnold's Sandwich thins with reduced sugar blueberry preserves and an egg!

If it is still nice out, I may soak up some rays (with sunscreen :) ) and get a mani/pedi!  If I can't go to the gym, I have to keep busy pampering myself? no?!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

It's finally here!

Can you believe it?  I can't!! Tomorrow at 11 I'll be in Dr. D's office for, what's hopefully, my last appointment!! 

A childhood friend's mom called me tonight to tell me she was thinking about me and would be praying for me.  I can't tell you how much that meant to me!!  Her daughter, my friend, went to the same doctor and is now 20 weeks pregnant!! HOPE and FAITH!

I finally charged my camera and here are the only two pics I got from our dinner last night.
 Asparagus Risotto
Flatbread
It was all delish..maybe a little on the oily side, but good nonetheless!  

This morning i was in the mood for an egg and asparagus - this is what I came up with!
so tasty!!

When I got home I mowed the grass.  It was so pretty outside and I can't go for a run so that was my fall back.  Justin didn't want me to go on a walk either.  (He was afraid I would try to overdo it)  I know he is trying to help, but a leisurely walk was fine and still much in order.  After this delish dinner I took Coltrane on a mile walk.  Any walk with him is guaranteed to be snail slow.  And it was!
Stir Fry veggies
with a side of brown rice and bison mini burgers!
topped with smoked mozzarella!!

have you ever had bison?  i love it!  It is very, very lean and has a ton of protein!

It's time for quiet and sleepytime tea :)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Girl's Night!

What a wonderful night!!...dinner with good friends!  J is out of town :( so I met Anna and Brooke for dinner and drinks at Basil's!! which was awesome..  They might be two of my favorite girls in the Boro!!  The food was fantastic...and wouldn't ya know, my camera died second picture...so none tonight - battery is charging.  We shared a flat bread, asparagus risotto and shrimp quesadilla ... and 1/2 price wine.. HELLO!!!

Tomorrow is pretty much my last day.  We have the egg retrieval on Friday at 11.  I'll go to work til 10.  Super excited and very nervous! I had 10 out of 16 eggs fertilize (8 to freeze) and two will be transferred Friday.  I have been having major anxiety recently.  I can't breathe.  I have only had a major episode like this once before and it stinks.  The only thing that makes it better is yawning. 

Anywho. time to hit the sack. by. myself.  I get scared and hear noises when I am alone and Coltrane has to sleep in his room bc of his poop problem so I don't have my protective dog :(  I'll survive!  Can't wait for J to get home tomorrow.
I sure do love him :)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Comfort to Can

trash can.
I knew I had some ground beef thawing for dinner and have been thinking all day what I was going to do with it.  Out of nowhere I started thinking about Mom's meatloaf and homemade mac and cheese... so decision was made.  I even went to Earth Fare for some real sharp cheddar cheese and smoked mozzarella.
  making the roue: flour (white and wheat), mustard, s&p, light butter
  Trying to make it grown up I threw in a piece of bacon
with a side of grossness

I was so disappointed with the meatloaf.  I added ketchup, oats, panko crumbs, evaporated milk, and an egg
Make me gag! this was after I already took our pieces off.  Justin thought it was fine but mine went down the drain.. just like ALL of the leftovers.  What a bummer.
I even splurged on quality cheese!

Well, I obviously needed a comeback after that flop so I made a weight watcher friendly, honey bun cake!
Make half the cake then put 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 tsp of cinnamon in the middle
After baking drizzle with glaze (powdered sugar, vanilla and skim milk)
Then, if you are like me, have a slice or two for dinner!
with a big ol' glass of milk!

I actually made this cake to take to school tomorrow.  Wednesday is the last day for our peer helpers.  They have been great... a little wild, but very entertaining!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Need Ideas!!

Peeps.. I need your creative ideas!  It is our turn for dinner club in June and I need a fun idea.  Here are some that I have thought of but not sold on.
1.  Golf theme:  everyone would dress in golf attire and have a country club menu. decorations would be golf balls, bags, magazines....

2.  Greek:  love some Greek food, decorate with blue and white

3.  Iron Chef:  come up with a secret ingredient that everyone would have to use...but what would i use?

4.  Or I could be boring and just do a summer cookout.

What are your ideas??

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Step one: check!

After napping and lounging on the sofa all day, here I am!  The retrieval went well :)  I was crazy nervous this morning but as soon as the iv was in, I was out!!  Dr. D said it went great.  They got 16 eggs so we'll see tomorrow how many were actually fertilized then they will let me know if I will be a day 3 or day 5 transfer.  I am pretty sore right now, but overall feeling great.  Justin has been fabulous today!  I'm a lucky gal!

Today, when I was finally ready to eat (around 3) I was wanting a bite of the delicious trifle I made yesterday and a tomato sandwich. 
All fresh ingredients from the Farmer's Market!
Strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, and goat lady cheese

Berry Trifle
layer angel food cake, sugar/fat free vanilla pudding, berries, then top with cool whip!
  Enjoy! 

And nothing beats a tomato sandwich!

Tomorrow is going to be a great day.... I am getting my hair done!! AND there is only 14 more work days left til it is my summer and I will be lounging at the pool!! woo hoo!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Strawberry kind of day!

Wow... is Saturday already over?!  It was a pretty rainy day here but that didn't stop me and mom from going to the gym, Costco and the Farmer's Market!!  I love the FM!! I got a huge thing of strawberries, two pints of blueberries, tomatoes and Goat Lady cheese!! YUM :)

Tonight J and I headed over to the Gaffney's for dinner with friends.  Boy oh boy was the food delish!!  I took a pasta salad, mexican dip and berry trifle.  There were lots of yummy dips (mexican layer, pimento, cream cheese with pepper jelly) and Eli made Pioneer Woman's bacon wrapped pineapple!  they were a big hit.  My dumb butt forgot to pull out my camera the whole night. booo!

I just finished a light snack (cereal with straw and blueberries) and taking my last sip of water before bed.  (b/c of anesthesia I can't eat or drink past 12) We will be at Dr. D's tomorrow at 8:30 to get ready for the retrieval!  I am so nervous.  My stomach hurts.

I'm sure I'll be resting most of Sunday which will give me lots of time to post pics from the market today :)

Friday, May 21, 2010

Guess what I found?!

The bag of lettuce that was MIA!!!!  (excuse the mess of a drawer)  I went to get a pair of scissors and there it was!  I laughed so hard.  Who knows what I was doing when I put this in here!!

J and I were both so tired today.  Work was insanely busy and I couldn't wait to come home and relax!  We kept it simple for dinner - Trader Joe's truffle mushroom pizza and a salad.  I added artichokes and zucchini to my side and J added black olives.  This pizza is to small amazing!! I could easily eat the whole thing myself!
After dinner I headed to ULTA to return a bum hair dryer for a new one with some power!  then headed to Francescas (sp) to return some jeans.  I now have over $100 credit there and have had no luck finding something that i like or that is flattering. I probably tried on 7 things and left with 0.  Boo.. that stinks.  I have been so hard on myself lately and I hate it.  I have gained almost 12 pounds since August (after losing 20 on WW then starting fertility meds)  It is consuming all of my thoughts.  I can't eat a meal without feeling guilty for eating to much or the wrong thing.  OR feeling guilty for not going to the gym.  The added stress I am causing myself probably doesn't help the lbs either. 

On another note. I had my last blood work appt.  According to the nurse, it came back great.  Tonight i took my last shot, the trigger shot.  Now it's just a countdown to Sunday morning!!! oh my!  I can't believe it is finally time!

Tomorrow is supposed to be kind of rainy :( but I am planning on a much needed trip to the Farmer's Market for some fresh strawberries.  I really want to go strawberry picking, but don't want to go by myself.  I am hoping for some good finds so I can think of something to take to our cookout tomorrow night.  I was thinking a trifle?!  

Time for some zzzzzzzzz

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Justin won't share

He's not sharing McDonalds's french fries!
I have pictures but i have had a few adult beverages and i just want to go to bed and have french fries.... but my lovely husband doesn't want to share and it makes me mad.  How can you not buy enough fries to share with a fry loving wife?!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Disappearing salad

Have you ever heard of such? I know, me neither!  So J and I have been obsessed with salads recently.  Tonight we had already decided we were having a breakfast dinner, but neither of us could get salad off our mind.  So we decided we would just have a salad then breakfast!  UNTIL I went to get the spring mix I bought last night.  GONE. no where in sight. what the hell?  I just bought the bag last night.  I searched the frige twice then had J come look, looked in the trash - nope, not there, cabinets - no, oven - no.  It has disappeared.  I'm not kidding that I looked in cabinets and oven!  The gross thing is I'll find that bag a month from now all nasty and gunkafied!
So did we have a salad. Um heck ya!  I ran up to Earth Fare just for a bowl of salad. and it was goooood!
J's is pretty plain but mine was loaded with artichokes, cucumbers, peppers, egg, cottage cheese (1 spoon), hummus (1 spoon), and balsamic. 
After salad I made Justin 2 eggs over easy, bacon and toast.  I was not hungry and was needing a good walk so skipped "breakfast" and went for a walk and read a new Conceive magazine and started the new Cooking Light.  One of the articles in Conceive talked about fertility-friendly snacks.  I am happy to report I eat all of them and they are some of my faves! (apples with almond butter, yogurt with blueberries, whole wheat waffles with banana (my favoritest of the faves), popcorn and hummus with pita chips!) Right on!!

When I got home from the gym I was a little hungry so I toasted up an Arnold's Sandwich Thin.  One side with reduced sugar blueberry preserves and the other with almond butter and honey AND a glass of milk on the side!
It was so good.  This was one of my old "go to" breakfast that I have neglected for a while and it will be my breakfast tomorrow.  

Appointment update:
So the date is set!  We go in early Sunday morning.  I have to continue injections tonight and tomorrow then Friday I take the trigger shot which aids in ovulation.  Saturday I have to remember to take an antibiotic and dramamine and no eating after 12!  I need to post on my bathroom mirror!! 
I am nervousexcitedscaredanxioushappyready for this!!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Mind Over Body

Tonight I went to a strength class at the gym.  Man.. I was dripping sweat 10 minutes in!! I love it! It was a super workout.  Classes are the way to go with me as far as strength training.  If I were to strength train on my own, it would (does) last about 15 min.  Mind over body is what the instructor kept saying.  I then had to repeat that to myself to make it through each interval!
Mind over body... hmm. that seems to be a common thing for me recently!  That's what I'll tell myself each night!
Anxious about my appointment with Dr. D tomorrow.  Hopefully they'll tell me when the retrieval is going to be.  I have had so much anxiety lately and I think know it is bc of all these appointments and upcoming procedure.
I am starting to be uncomfortable.  There is a lot of pressure down there and it is uncomfortable to sit and I feel like I have to pee every 15 min.
Anywho, enough from the complaint department.
I have to share this delicious breakfast this morning!
1/2 c fiber one loaded with strawberries, blueberries, nana, flax seed and almond milk! YUM!

Anyone have any good Caribbean recipes?  We have dinner club this weekend and I have to take either an app, side dish or dessert!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Blueberries are back!  They haven't made an appearance in our house in at least a month.  I refuse to pay $5 for a small thing of conventional blueberries.  They were super tasty on this morning's oatmeal.

Had another appt with Dr. D today.  Still chugging along.  I am definitely starting to feel the bloating from all the stimulation.  I have to continue on the same dosage and go back again on Wednesday.  Hopefully by then I'll know when the retrieval will be.
Today was a yucky rainy day.  I wasn't feeling the gym so I came home and doctored up some frozen turkey burgers.  
I sauteed some onions and portabello mushrooms and topped with a juicy tomato! with a side salad and corn on the cob!!

After this filling dinner I felt the need to gym it up.  With all this stimulation I was only up for a walk so I headed out and walked for 42 minutes.  Not a huge calorie burn but just what I needed.

Ended the evening with a relaxing bubble bath, warm sleepytime tea and soft, cozy pjs!!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Pooped!

Boy am I pooped!! aka whopped, tired, exhausted....on and on!  This weekend was for sure an eye opener of what life is like with babies!  Justin was in a golf tournament with my dad so besides a few hours it was just me and the boys!
Mason loves all things electronic
Sweet buddy!
We had a great weekend.  The boys did not nap except on our 1 hr 15 min walk but slept through the night!  We had another great day today with a nap and 1 hr walk.  Once again I give major props to parents of multiples!  I didn't brush my teeth or get out of my pjs til mom came to bring me coffee at noon! ahh...the best coffee i've had in a long while! lol!  
Justin felt bad for playing golf all weekend (with my dad) so he took me out for Sushi tonight!!
sashimi
Justin's fave:  Philadelphia roll
I ordered tuna rolls
Boston roll (?) I forget but it had steamed shrimp and boston lettuce

I love "date nights" with Justin.  I am such a lucky gal!!

Here's to another week.  Not too much longer til summer break! woo hoo!!

Dr. appt tomorrow! hoping for better progress!