23 Weeks

23 Week Update

How far along? 23 weeks
Baby E’s Size: Large Mango (11.5 in. and 1.1 lb)
Gender: Baby Boy!
Maternity clothes? I got a couple tops and some jean capris from Old Navy this past weekend. Why didn't I switch to the maternity pants earlier? They are so comfortable with no buttons or zippers! Although I'm still wearing some of my regular jeans too.
Weight gain: According to the scale at home I'm up to 14lbs total gain on most nights.
Stretch marks? N/A
Sleep: I'm pretty sleepy and have a very early morning flight this week that I've tried to prep for with earlier bed nights. 
Best moment this week: The wonderful shower for Baby E and Ethan last Saturday. BIG thank you to Dennis's Aunt Debbie, cousins Brittany, Keri and Tiffiany and his second cousins (pretty sure that's the right "title") Janice and Judy! I do wish I had remembered to get a picture of all the hostesses! Everything was wonderful from the sweet prayer trees, to the delicious assortment of cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection plus Baby E got a lot of very thoughtful and generous gifts from everyone. Everything is living in our empty corner of the living room for now until project nursery is complete.
Miss Anything? Seeing my sweet nieces Addison and Alyssa this week makes me realize how fast they are growing up...especially since it was the first time I couldn't pick up Addison. She turns 5 this July and Alyssa turns 2 in June. Where has the time gone?! Hoping during both mine and Brandy's maternity leave we can have more time together.
Food cravings: I cannot wait to get to Key West to try some Key Lime Pie treats AND fresh seafood! I'll have to leave behind the pimento cheese for a few days but that's also still a huge hit for me and Baby E. He's a true southern boy already! Oh and pickles! Lots and lots of pickles.
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of Sasha's food or the fish food at work - have to hold my breath for each!
Symptoms: I am very clumsy! I have tripped a dozen times and just feel wobbly all over. 

Belly Button? Still in!

Wedding ring on or off? ON! 

Looking forward to: Key West! My company is going on our annual team-building trip this week. This will be my last airplane trip until post Baby E. My girlfriend Courtney brought me the first book in the Hunger Games series to read on our trip. I loved the movie and it left me wanting to know all of the details!

Have a great week!

D, D and Baby E

Week 22

Week 22:
After a fabulous weekend of wedding celebrations, we kicked off week 22 with brunch on Sunday morning at The Garden Brunch Cafe in Germantown. It has immediately become my favorite place for brunch!! Nashville area friends and family I highly recommend venturing out Fri-Sun to try this hidden gem. The service was outstanding, food was delicious and we were pleasantly surprised to listen to a live jazz trio while we sipped on our iced coffees and stuffed our faces with the original pancakes (Dennis) and the Mixed Berry French Toast (Me and Baby E). I can't wait to go back and try the Banana Fosters Pancakes next time. And since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by The Cupcake Collection so I could get my favorite cupcake, the Sweet Lemonade. I knew I would get one this coming weekend but ever since Brittany (one of Dennis's cousins who is part of the hostess team for this weekend's baby shower) mentioned the cupcakes in an email I've had it stuck in my pregnant brain and I just had to have one! Wednesday we had my monthly doctor visit which went well. I'm measuring right on track at 23cm and we got to hear Baby E's heart beating loud and clear. He's always on my right side which is where I found Sasha protectively laying yesterday morning. I like to believe she can hear his heart beat, feel the extra warmth and wants to protect him. Or maybe it's a coincidence that she winds up on the right side all the time. Even though I'm not feeling Baby E move a lot yet, his mommy definitely knows where he is!

Baby E Updates:
How far along? 22 weeks
Baby E’s Size: Spaghetti Squash (approximately 11" long and weighing 1 whole pound!) 
Gender: Boy
Maternity clothes? Mostly no but I did wear a maternity dress Friday night that was so comfortable that it'll definitely get a lot of use this summer. A coworker told me a trick to making my regular pants last a little longer - zip the zipper, lock it by pushing the tab down and then tuck in the corners so they don't poke out. Most of my shirts are long so this has been working great!
Weight gain: Doctor says a total of 13lbs since the beginning. She also said the next few weeks I'll see quicker changes because Baby E is starting to really grow now.
Stretch marks? No new ones that I can see
Sleep: I'm feeling pretty well rested this week with only 1 potty break in the middle of the night for most nights.
Best moment this week: Hearing Baby E's heart beat and having an overall good report from the doctor. Glad Dennis was home to join me for the check up.
Miss Anything? Fun summer shoes with high heels - I'm committed to flat comfy shoes here on out!
Food cravings: Ketchup, Pimento Cheese (I've eaten a pretty gross amount of this stuff from different places and even made a couple versions to test out...stay tuned for a recipe once we figure out the "best" one!) & pickles or any other sour/tart/acidic foods
Anything making you queasy or sick: I'm definitely sticking to Soy milk! Unfortunately I cannot put my finger on specific trigger foods. Just going with the flow and hoping for the best every day. I do avoid chili after a yucky experience a few weeks ago.
Symptoms: Not sure if it counts but I sure do rub on my tummy all the time!

Belly Button? It's in but belly is out

Wedding ring on or off? ON!

Looking forward to: Three exciting things...

1) Date night on Friday (hoping for dinner at Chuy's and seeing Hunger Games)

2) Baby E's first shower Saturday afternoon! Dennis's Aunt and cousins are generously throwing a joint couple's baby shower for Baby E and his future cousin Ethan (Amanda is due in June). Excited to see everyone and share the afternoon with Derrick and Amanda.

and 3) Our fence is almost finished! Sasha can now rule her back yard leash free. Now our walks will be for fun and exercise and not rushed to have her simply "take care of business." It will be complete tomorrow. Thank you hubby for getting this task knocked out for us!

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Dennis, Denisse and Baby E

B is for Banana Pudding

One of my preggo apps gave some ideas for "healthy" snacking and bananas sounded really appealing. Then it just so happens Baby E is compared to the size of a banana this week. I was in charge of dessert for Easter lunch with my parents and I knew exactly the recipe to try. Although not the "healthiest" way to eat a banana it is my most favorite version of banana pudding and you'll still get loads of potassium this way!

The Best Banana Pudding introduced to me by my dear friend Laurie

Serves 6-8; Prep time: 30 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes; Total time: 1 hour

Banana Pudding:

• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon butter (not margarine)
• 4 egg yolks (large eggs)
• box of Vanilla wafers
• 4-5 ripe bananas

Meringue:

• 4 egg whites, at room temperature
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Quick version of the How-To:

1. Preheat oven to  375°F. Line bottom of a 7" x 11" baking dish with vanilla wafers. Note: The recipe calls for 9x9 but I didn't have one & this size worked out just fine!
2. Peel and slice bananas into 3/8" rounds and cover while making pudding to keep from browning.
3. Combine the sugar, flour and salt in a bowl, and stir well to mix. Mash out any flour lumps with the back of your spoon. Set aside.
4. In a heavy saucepan, beat the egg yolks well (just use a fork but beat them well). Over medium heat, add the flour mixture to the egg yolks, alternately with the milk and vanilla, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil and, when the mixture begins to thicken, add the butter, continuing to stir. Keep boiling and stirring until mixture reaches a nice pudding consistency. Note: If you're working with an electric cooktop, adjust the heat so that it's hot enough to boil, but not so hot that the pudding scorches. Remove from heat.
5. Place a layer of banana slices in the baking dish on top of the vanilla wafers covering edge-to-edge. Pour, spreading as necessary, half of the pudding over the banana layer. Put down another layer of vanilla wafers, another layer of banana slices, and cover with the remaining pudding.
6. Beat egg whites at high speed until they form soft peaks. Add the cream of tartar. At high speed, gradually add the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the vanilla into the meringue, and spread the meringue over the pudding, sealing it at the sides of the dish.
7. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven until meringue browns, 12 minutes worked for me.
8. Best served warm although leftovers are just as tasty cold. 

Here's the detailed recipe via Texas Cooking.

Happy Easter - Week 21

Baby E Updates:
How far along? 21 weeks, 19 to go!
Baby E’s Size: Banana (10.5" and 12.7 oz)
Gender: Boy
Maternity clothes? Mostly no but have a few maternity items that are ready to make there debut. Still in regular jeans but I know that will come to an end any day now. I also got a couple of comfortable summer shoes instead of my usual heels.
Weight gain: 1 lb since last week
Stretch marks? Still lathering on the oils and lotions every morning.
Sleep: Yes please!
Best moment this week: Dennis coming home!
Miss Anything? still thinking how nice a Pink Lady roll from Sushiyobi will be later this year...
Food cravings: Sour/citrus things
Anything making you queasy or sick: Dennis and I are testing out a new theory that maybe Baby E isn't a fan of real milk. Trying out soy this week to see if it makes a difference. We're thinking that my earlier assumption that it was chocolate that made me sick may have been the milk from the chocolate milk, the milk that went with the Oreos, milk in the ice cream, etc. Dennis used to have issues with milk himself so it would make sense if this is the real culprit. I already love the taste of soy so it may stick around whether or not I still get queasy!
Symptoms: Nothing new, my body is adjusting to the shift in gravity to accommodate my baby bump.

Belly Button? Still in

Wedding ring on or off? Rings are on and not feeling snug yet.

Looking forward to: Having Dennis home, I have another prenatal massage this week and we're excited to celebrate a wedding this weekend for a special couple.
Happy Easter and have a great week!
Dennis, Denisse and Baby E

20 Weeks - HALFWAY!

Baby E Updates:
How far along? 20 weeks!!!
Baby E’s Size: Small Cantaloupe (6.5" and 10.5 oz)
Gender: Sweet bundle of blue
Maternity clothes? Not yet - one plus about our higher temps is I'm able to wear my regular sun dresses without stretching them out.
Weight gain: None this week. I go back in 2 weeks for my monthly check up at the doctor for the official number.
Stretch marks? So far so good
Sleep: Much better this week! Sasha - the radiator of heat - is starting to give me space.
Best moment this week: Being at the HALF WAY point! 20 weeks down and 20 to go! Also great to welcome Dennis back to CST! Even if it was a hectic week it's nice to be in the same time zone.
Miss Anything? Spring - we went straight to hot, dry, humid TN summer weather.
Food cravings: Lots of lemonade, water with limes, powdered doughnuts and Lucky Charms this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Still avoiding Mexican! Although I do hope to be brave enough to take Dennis to the new Chuy's that opened at Opry Mills later this month. He's never been and I want to share the wonderful experience of their boom boom sauce and jalapeno ranch dip with him!
Symptoms: This week has been a REALLY good week for Baby E's taste buds...dare I say it... I haven't been sick since Saturday!

Belly Button? In! You can really see my linea nigra now.

Wedding ring on or off? Dropped them off to get cleaned last week so I have been without them - they still fit so ON once I get them back!

Looking forward to: Dennis has a 3 week break starting Sunday!!! We're excited to be able to go to church together on Easter.

1 Peter 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you
Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter!!
Love,
Dennis, Denisse & Baby E