Cleaning During the Week

A friend of mine wrote on her blog that her goal was to clean the kitchen every night before she went to bed. Then, when she woke up, it would be nice and clean and her day would start a little brighter.

Now, boys, they may not understand this.

But, I thought that was genius. I hate having a messy kitchen, especially when I spend 3/4 of my home time in the kitchen (when I am not watching library dvds in the living room). However, because I spend so much time in there, I get it pretty messy. Making your own meals regularly is a tough business. I just want to make dinner, eat it, and go sit down. Cleaning the kitchen sucks.bigtime.

Alas, this past week, I recruited the Mr to help clean the dishes regularly during the week and lo and behold, the kitchen stayed pretty clean. I would put away the leftovers, wash the counters, and sweep the floor. I even vacuumed the carpet in the living room during the middle of the week so it didn't look like we had carpet made purely from dog fur. It all felt really good and I stayed in a much better mood, rather than getting all stressed out from having a shitty house.

I plan on keeping up these new tasks. The only difficult part is getting Mr Peps involved but he knows he is helpful and that I love him just a little more in my heart when he does the dishes (and sometimes cleans the entire kitchen!). Wish me luck.

Me, with a dirty attitude and dirty kitchen. (Clearly, not a current pic)

Getting the Dog Ready for a Baby

Our Buky Boy is a great dog. He is very loving, wants to be around his mah and pah all the time, loves walks and running, knows his commands, and can be trusted in the house all by himselfums during the day.

With that said, it pains me to report that his not-so-good traits are really annoying me during this pregnancy. These traits include: not walking properly on a leash, getting super excited and running in the house (without getting his paws cleaned) after he takes a dump, and he sheds white hair like a madman. I know that the leash thing is our fault but damnit, I am annoyed because I can't go for a run without battle him for most of it.

So, there are some habits that we are trying to break Buk of before the baby is born because we need him to not be his pushy-self:

1) He must walk properly on a leash. This means that I will be painstakingly taking him on 3 minute walks to train him. You gotta keep the walks short so the precious pup does it correctly and you keep his attention (aka before he loses interest and pulls on the leash to poop). I will probably use this method and see how it goes: http://master-trainer.com/Behavior%20Modification/003Pulling%20on%20Leash.pdf

I have started this training and it is going pretty well. We have gone on two walks now and he kinda gets it but I don't think he understands why we are stopping every two steps. We will continue with the praise and treats and see what happens.

2) Buk must let us go through doors before him. Otherwise, he and the Little One are just going to fight to get into the house first...and, Buk will probably win those fights. This one is pretty easy though because Buk is very good at "wait" so we just make him wait and we enter first. He just needs more practice so we don't have to remind him every time

That is really actually all that Buk needs to improve on. I guess two really is quite good. We can't really do anything about the hair expect vacuum more often, which is something I will have to get used to, blegh. But, this leash thing may kill me. My patience at the moment is zilch so I am going to try really hard to be patient and kind. It will be good practice for parenting, I suppose. But, dogs...argh, they are really getting on my nerves right now.

Due Date

The Mr and I had our 19 week ultrasound that told us loads of interesting things about our kid. (I'll disclose the sex of the baby later because I would like to dedicate a whole post to that.) 

We ended up with 18 pictures of Babe because the ultrasound technician just kept printing and printing shots. She kept saying, "I could scan this baby all day." I don't know if she says that to everyone but she did say that she has never taken 18 pictures before. She also wasn't the most pleasant person so I choose to think we were special and our kid is cute (for now, at least, we anticipate some really awkward teen years, lawdhavemercy).

Anywho, something that they did tell me, that I have decided I really am not fond of, is that they changed my due date. They now say I am due July 11, which is about a week later than my original due date. Argh. It really shouldn't bother me all that much but it does because I liked thinking I was currently at the halfway mark. Now, apparently, I am not. They took away my halfway badge.

Now, I know that babies come before their due date, but they also come after and I kinda wanted a early July baby. We will see what happens. Although, I do kinda have a theory that Babe is just small because I didn't eat enough protein. That is pretty awful to say but I definitely wasn't getting enough protein earlier in my pregnancy.

I am not really telling people they moved my due date back though. I don't know why but I just haven't.

Now, on a positive note, this picture is very precious (and looks like most ultrasound pics, hah, I know). This is Babe with the hand going to the mouth. No thumb sucking though. Hopefully that doesn't happen because I was a thumb sucker and my front teeth were effed.

Protein for Pregnant Veggie Wife

As you may, or may not, have heard, I am a vegetarian. I am a vegetarian who went vegan for awhile but that lasted about two weeks because having no cheese just wasn't cutting it for me. I also have been mostly-gluten-free since 2011 because I found I was gluten sensitive. I still would eat a bit of gluten but usually I was able to stay away from it.

Now that I am pregnant though, some of that has changed (besides my growing self).

For those who needed to see the 19 week belly bump. Can't you tell, I really dressed up for this pic.

First off, gluten. Gluten doesn't seem to bother me as I am pregnant. I have eaten entire meals of spaghetti, I eat toast regularly, and I definitely ate cupcakes on my 30th birthday. It just doesn't upset my stomach anymore. I still try to not eat it for every meal because generally, eating all that gluten really isn't all that great but when I want a bagel with cream cheese, I can now eat it. Thankgod!

Secondly, protein. During my 3 month midwife appointment, we were talking about protein and how it is important for baby. I hadn't really told them I was a vegetarian or anything because I didn't think it would matter but in the back of my mind, I knew I probably wasn't getting enough protein. Tofu wasn't in my diet much, because what pregnant lady craves tofu?! I hadn't really been eating my cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, and so and and so forth either. And, I really hadn't even been eating cheese. Plus, I still wasn't eating eggs because that shit is gross.

So, the day after my appointment, I wrote down everything I ate and the protein content. Pregnant women should be getting about 60 grams of protein a day. I was at 30. Whoopsie daisy. It was time for a trip to the store where I bought yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, nuts, beans, and tofu. I now eat these regularly throughout my day.

The one thing though that has been difficult for me is the egg thing. I mean, before they started grossing me out, I LOVED eggs. I loved the over-easy egg on a piece of toast! Now, that would make me vom. But, because they do pack a punch of protein, I decided to give it a go again with local, grass-fed eggs. I still can't do the whole egg with the yolk, so instead, I fry up my egg white almost every morning with some seasonings and enjoy it with a little toast, spinach, and cheese. That is about 7 or so grams of protein.

What I am trying to say though is that being a vegetarian while pregnant is semi-difficult. While I don't crave a steak, I don't crave most other protein sources either. French fries really don't have much protein, unfortunately. I definitely have to consciously eat my protein throughout the day and occasionally force yogurt down my throat even though I don't really want it. (It's not that I don't like it, I just have never really been a big yogurt eater, but it does have 14 grams of protein!)

But, today I AM going to make hummus. I plan on eating that all in one sitting this afternoon! Too much protein? Methinksnot!

And Now For a Cat Picture

Buk and Stanley are precious babies laying in the sun together. Although, I think Stanley got the short end of the stick in this deal.

Gluten-Free Crepes

I have a confession. All week I have been debating whether or not to end my blog. Well, maybe not end it but take a long vacation from it. I haven't been taking pictures and I just don't feel interesting. HOWEVER, I have some good news, because obviously if you are reading this you semi-care so it would be good news....I have decided to keep plugging along.

This morning I made some gluten-free crepes and I just felt like I had to post it.

Then, I opened this here blog and saw that I had something like 50 hits one day this week. So, I looked at what people are googling to find me and lowandbehold, when you type "pregnancy blog" in google, my site is on the second page. That is pretty impressive. Especially since I have one post talking about my pregnancy and nothing else exciting for mothers-to-be.

So, yes, I am going to continue. And I am going to continue with my regular banter along with some new pregnancy banter/complaining/interesting shit because the people are demanding it, damnit! 50 people!

We will start with my morning crepes that inspired me to open my blog, that I have been avoiding for at least two weeks. By the way, this recipe may look like it takes 45 minutes to make but it really only takes 20 minutes or so. You'll have breakfast in no time!

Gluten-Free Crepes
makes 4 smallish crepes
created by Muah

INGREDIENTS

Crepes:
1/2c plus 2T milk or milk substitute
1 egg
1T melted butter
1/2c all purpose GF mix or 1/4c almond flour, 1/8c tapioca flour, 1/8 chickpea flour
1T flax seed (optional)
1/4t salt
1/2t vanilla
1/16t baking powder (I know that is minuscule but just do it)

Innards/Sauce:
I like to put cream cheese in the middle of my crepes with a little bit of fruity sauce. If you would like to do the same, which I highly recommend, go ahead and soften about 1/4c cream cheese and then make this here sauce.
1/4c water
1/4c frozen berries, or fresh berries
1T maple syrup
1T cornstarch
2T favorite jam
1/2T butter

METHOD

Crepes:
1. Whisk together milk, egg, and melted butter in a mixing bowl.
2. When well blended, sift in GF flours.
3. Add flax, salt, vanilla, and baking powder into the bowl and whisk together.
4. The batter should be like runny pancake batter. If it is too thick, add more milk.

Now you should make your Sauce:
1. In a saucepan, bring water, berries, and syrup to a boil. Squish the berries with the back of a spoon a bit while you stir.
2. With a spoon, take out 3 spoonfuls of the boiling berry liquid and put into a small bowl. Add cornstarch to this small bowl and stir until cornstarch is dissolved. Add cornstarch liquid back into saucepan. Stir well. The liquid should thicken up now.
3. Turn off the heat and add the butter and your favorite jam. Mix together.

Cooking your Crepes:
1. Heat a small pan on medium-low. When warm, add a bit of olive oil or cooking spray. Add about 1/8c batter to the pan and by picking up the pan and tilting it, spread the batter throughout the bottom of the pan.

2. Heat for about a minute and then flip.
3. Heat the other side for about a minute.
4. When done, fill with cream cheese and a bit of berry mixture. Do it all again and then top everything with the berry syrup!

Mr Peps said that when our kids have friends over to spend the night, I should make this for breakfast. It will be the Pepperworth breakfast trademark methinks.

A Pregnancy Blog with Cat Pictures

I have learned something recently. Pregnant women really aren't that clever. Once someone is pregnant, they don't really try to be funny or friendly. At least that is my experience; with myself. That's right, it's time to let it out. I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and the Mr and I are very excited about it. The current due date is July 7. Honestly, I am not an odd numbers person so 7.7.13 doesn't really jive with me but I am learning to embrace it. Plus, the chances Baby will actually be born on that day are minimal but then again, 7.5.13 or 7.3.13 aren't that cool either.

Golly, see what I mean, pregnant women (or this pregnant woman) just kinda complains. Which is why I haven't been keeping up on my blog.

However, I started this post for you back in November when Mr Pepperworth and I found out I was pregnant (we don't do the whole "we" are pregnant thing. We both think it is silly). So, I am going to let my younger 2012 self take over for a bit:

I am writing this before anyone knows. Hopefully I don't push the "publish" button in the next two months. Because you aren't supposed to know before then.

But, Mr Peps and I are going to have a Baby Pepperworth!

11/10 - Right now I am 6 weeks and I am not really feeling this whole pregnancy thing. I am tired, like, all.the.time. I have to force myself to go running in the mornings. And recently, I have had terrible food aversions. It is so bad that tonight I wanted Top Ramen! I mean, what the fuck is wrong with me? Instead, I tried to trick myself by making homemade Top Ramen and it totally worked. It was so good. But, I still am not feeling that well. I have a feeling the next 4 weeks are going to kick my ass. Here's to hoping I get energy, stop craving pizza, and that having my uterus grow into the size of a grapefruit isn't painful.

11/18 - Argh, this kid sure is messing with my hormones. I am sickly about 80% of the day. Last week I was at least able to force myself to work out. This week, not so much. I did workout twice but that was just me taking advantage of that 20% of the day when I didn't feel like I should puke. I wish I could live in my sweat pants right now. Well, I am on the weekends, I can tell you that much. I haven't actually gotten sick yet but I got really really close yesterday when I turned on the oven to cook something (tots, der) and something started burning off on the bottom of the oven. The smell made me have to sit on the couch with ginger ale. Pregnancy is the best!

11/21 - Laughter is seriously the best medicine. Last night I was not feeling well, surprise, and so I watched some America's Funniest Home videos. For those that know me well, I effing love that show. I laughed until I cried and afterward, I didn't feel sick or even tired for the rest of the evening. That seriously has not happened in the last 3 weeks. Hallelujah!
In other news, Mr Pepperworth and I are telling our families this weekend about baby. I am so excited I can barely hold it in any longer!! It will be fun to see their happiness and surprise.

12/1 - Tonight I wanted Red Robin for dinner. Argh, what is wrong with me (I know, I keep saying that)? At least I still have the decency to realize that no, I won't drop everything and rush to Red Robin in a frantic state pushing my way into a booth and eating 4 baskets of the bottomless french fries. Not to mention, a milkshake sounds good too! But, as you can tell, my appetite has semi come back. While I still generally feel ill, eating something whether it be joe joes or carrots usually makes me feel better. I started exercising again this week but I still have a hard time motivating myself to do it. It is more forcing myself because the dog needs to get outside or I know the baby will appreciate the sore muscles.
Oh yes, and we told the families about our bebeh and they were quite happy. They know our hippy kid will be precious and probably pushy so they all look forward to the little one.

1/3 - We had our first midwife appointment today. We really like our midwife team and we plan on having Baby at the local birthing center which is pretty great. We heard Baby's heartbeat for the first time and that was pretty rad. Our next appointment will be in February. We will also find out the sex in February.

1/11 - My boss (I hate calling her that because she is more like a co-worker because we work so well together but really she is my boss) gave me some baby things along with a fetal doppler. When she handed it to me, she said, "Don't be alarmed if you don't find a heartbeat." So, of course, when I got home, one of the first things I did was try the doppler. I couldn't find the heartbeat. I wasn't alarmed or worried or anything, just disappointed. But, because I was determined, I tried later in the evening and got it. Baby is sure sitting really low still.

1/17 - I tried the baby doppler again last night and it is easier to find Baby's heartbeat now.
I am feeling very well now. I started working out for at least 30 minutes (but most days 45-hour) 5 days a week. Some days are harder than others but I am determined to do it because pregnancies with exercise usually go better and I would like mine to go quite well thankyouverymuch. My midwife even said my uterus will be healthier. So, that's cool. A healthy uterus sounds pretty good. My only complaint right now is that I feel that the people who usually annoy me a little, annoy me a lot right now. I am not sure if I am generally fed up with dealing with people or if it is my hormones. I think it is my hormones though because I was close to crying about it the other day. HAH! It made me want to laugh/cry because I am so ridiculous. It makes work interesting sometimes.

There you have it. My pregnancy announcement and all the information about my feelings you would EVER want to know.

Hopefully, with this being out, I can focus on being my regular blogging self but, we'll see. If it turns into a baby blog with cats thrown in the mix, I apologize now. I'll do my best to be more diverse.