Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Anxious Mom-to-Be

It won't be long until our little one arrives and we are beyond excited!

Personally, I have a little bit of anxiety mixed in with this excitement.  Why you ask, would I feel this way?  Well, let me explain....

As you all know, the journey to get to this point was long, arduous, sad, happy, painful, joyous...a roller coaster of feelings and emotions.  Because of our personal journey, it has made me even more aware of everything during my pregnancy.  This has caused me to question every side effect, every movement of the baby, every non-movement of the baby...everything.  I have never relied so strongly on my faith to get me through something.  I prayed (and still do!) and prayed that our little one would make it this far...and indeed the praying (not just by me) has paid off.

The anxiety also has to do with the fact that I will be a first-time mom!  The thought is just a wee bit scary.  I look at all of the moms I know...my friends, my sisters-in-law, my mother-in-law, my aunts, my grandmas and especially my mom and I am in awe.  They have all done such an amazing job as moms, that frankly, I am a little bit intimidated.  I am so fortunate to know all of these women and am certainly going to be looking to them for guidance.  I hope to be as wonderful of a mom to my child as they all have been to their children.

Along with being a first-time mom is the anxiety that comes with the unknown.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but I am so nervous about everything...pulling a onesie over our little one's head, giving our little one a bath, breastfeeding our little one, changing our little one's diaper, and the list goes on.  We are going to be responsible for another human and that is just out-right crazy!  And wonderful!

Here's the deal though...yes, anxiety is generally a bad thing...but it has given me an opportunity for reflection.  Here is what I do know.  I know that I have an amazing support system around me of friends and family.  I know that I have an absolutely amazing husband who is my ultimate partner in life and soon to be the best father to our little one.  Finally, I know that when our little one comes, my heart will melt and all of my anxieties and fears will be pushed out of the way.  The part of me that has waited all of these years to be a mom will burst out of me and will reassure me that, yes, I can do this....I was in fact, meant for this.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Course Completed

It's official, we are now thoroughly prepared for childbirth.  Ok, maybe not, but the 3 week course at the hospital about labor and delivery did provide us with some decent information.

The last day of class was probably the most useful...our instructor explained what happens when you arrive at the hospital, where you go, where your partner can park the car, etc.  Good information.  I was pretty excited because this class was also the class where we got to tour the hospital.  Funny to be excited about something like that.  :)

Finally, after 2 hours of class and about a million questions regarding circumcision, we were on our way for the big tour.  As we gathered in the hallway, our instructor noticed that a couple was missing.  No big deal, we'll wait a few minutes for them I thought.  (A little background, this class was held AFTER work from 6:30-9pm...and I am super-pregnant!)  So, we stood there and our instructor kept looking around...it's about 8:30 at this point...finally, I think about 15 minutes later, they show up.  You know where they were?  Getting Starbucks!  What!?  We waited for them to get Starbucks?  I was furious and the husband seemed irritated too.  Grrrrr....let's get on with this tour!

Off we went, like a little group of kids on a field trip...we visited the triage area (small, but nice), then it was off to the labor and delivery room (huge and full of fun looking contraptions, including some seriously large overhead lights...like football field ones...aimed right in on the action...yikes!), and then to the post-partum room (pretty much just a hospital room with a bassinet in it).  Overall, very nice, but definitely not the "really-nice hotel" description that someone had told me about the place.  (Wonder what kind of hotels they stay at?)

After the tour, I was happy to be on my way home.  The husband and I had a good laugh about this 3 class series and the random people in our class, including our instructor.  Even though it was late and I was tired, I felt joyful.  I have been blessed with an amazing life, amazing family, an amazing husband....and soon....an amazing new little baby!


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Back to Baking

Have you noticed that it's been a long time since I posted anything about my baking adventures?  I know, it's been sad for me too.  You see, it's been the hottest summer here in Chicago...multiple 90 degree days in a row and that does not make for good baking weather.  (It's also not so awesome for pregnancy)

However, we have finally struck gold in the weather department...mid-70's...perfect for baking.  You can just imagine how happy I was that I could finally open my windows again and get the oven roaring.  The husband also noted the weather change and inquired "It seems like a good day for baking, don't you think?"  Cute!  Of course!  So, off I went and I had the perfect recipe I wanted to try.

The recipe is actually from the May 2012 issue of Bon Appetit.  A little backstory...back in the earlier days of my pregnancy I couldn't stand the sight or smell of most foods.  That sort of put a major dent in reading all of my culinary-related magazine subscriptions.  So, I am a little behind...obviously, still stuck in May.  Anyway, this recipe intrigued me because it just looked so tasty.  Not sure that I agree with the creator's commentary about it being healthier than regular pound cake...but I suppose it is...a tiny bit.

The result?  The cake is yummy.  It's even better when topped with fresh, sliced strawberries.  I did make a few alterations (because you know I can't help myself), but you could follow the recipe as is.  This would also be yummy if made with orange zest or even lime zest.  It actually seems like the possibilities are endless. Plus, it's easy!  Go ahead, save that money you would've spent at Starbucks on their cakes, and make your own!  Bon Appetit!

French Yogurt Cake
from: Bon Appetit, May 2012

Ingredients:

  • Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup sugar (I used 3/4 cup sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (I used about 1.5 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt (I used 2% fat Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (I used 6 tablespoons instead of the 8 in a 1/2 cup)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Method:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Coat pan with vegetable oil spray. Dust with flour; tap out excess.
  • Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
  • Using your fingers, rub sugar with lemon zest in a large bowl until sugar is moist. Add yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract; whisk to blend. Fold in dry ingredients just to blend.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until top of cake is golden brown and a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 50–55 minutes.
  • Let cake cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Invert onto rack; let cool completely. 
    DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

  • http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/05/french-yogurt-cake

    Wednesday, August 8, 2012

    Labor and Delivery 101

    As you may or may not know, as first-time parents you are advised to take a "baby class."  The purpose of the class is to prepare you for the arrival of your sweet little baby.  You learn about labor and breathing techniques, they teach you about the actual delivery and pain medication and they even touch a little on breastfeeding.  Of course this is a good idea.

    So off the husband and I went...to our first baby class...excited and curious as to what it would be like.  Well, let's just say this, it was...interesting.  Our instructor was nice enough (although also slightly "off" if you know what I mean...I am guessing that is a job requirement as you spend most of your time talking about placentas, vaginas, etc) and so was everyone else in the class. We learned about the different stages of labor and even saw a brief video about delivery... it wasn't that bad...I have seen way worse on "The Baby Story" on TLC.

    We spent most of the time learning about comfort measures during labor. Included in that was a fun (well, at least for some people there) game.  We were split into 2 groups, moms and dads, and then presented with the challenge of providing a comfort measure for each letter of the alphabet.  The women were taking this game pretty seriously...throwing out words like "doting" and "loving" and "caressing."  I swear, I couldn't think of one word, until we were down to the letters "j, x and z." Proud of myself, I shouted out "What about jokes for j?"  It was like I had just told them their favorite dog had died...shock and total silence.  Nope, the ladies didn't like that one...I guess I understand, but really?  If you can't have a good laugh during all of that, then you really need to lighten up.  After listening to the men, I wished I could've been on their team...they might've actually been having fun...I mean, I heard one guy yell out "oragami" for "o."  How awesome is that!?

    After the big game, we settled into learning some breathing techniques.  I guess this helpful, but it seemed a lot like yogic breathing to me.  Luckily, I have spent a lot of time doing that, so the breathing part should be easy...it's just remembering to do it that will be the hard part. 

    That was it for round one...we have two more classes to go.  I am looking forward to learning more and seeing what other fun games we get to play.