On being a mom, celebrations and 33 Weeks

mom circa May 1979, pregnant with me and headed to the hospital. talk about a blessing, my mom is amazing!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m going to say it one more time.  I’m just so grateful to be a mom.  I feel so thankful for the opportunity to raise-up our little ones alongside Alex.  I sure love these kiddos and the {growing} family that we’ve created.

happy kiddos + one tired but very content mama = joy

I’m also so thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful women who support and encourage me along this journey of motherhood.  Over Mother’s Day weekend I spent time away with my mom, four Aunties and four cousins.  It was a wonderful girl’s weekend of celebration – weddings, birthdays and baby – oh what fun we had.  My trip away was also my last *hurrah* before baby as my doctor has rather strongly insisted that I stick close to home.

Monday, on the heels of Mother’s Day I had a doctor’s appointment and ultrasound to see how baby Coco is doing.  Thankfully baby is looking good and we’re giving praises for placentas that move and for baby’s who are head-down!  Alex and my mom were there for the ultrasound and it was pretty darn impressive to hear Alex giving the ultrasound narrative… “there’s the heart, see the eyes, that’s her profile, oh and that’s a hand….”  He claims not to be into all this baby stuff, but he certainly knows his stuff.

While it’s probably too early to begin counting down to an actual birth day, there’s no doubt that this sweet little baby is going to be here soon.  This means it’s time to actually start preparing for baby and I certainly have plenty of organizing, sorting and baby-related laundry to keep me busy for a while.  For good measure, I’ll also probably move some furniture around the house, putter around the garden, plant and re-plant a handful of poor plants and re-arrange my random knickknacks for the two hundredth time.  Nesting sounds like pure heaven for this homebody.  I’m also hoping to sneak in a dinner date with Alex, a few lunch and coffee dates with friends and plan on taking each kiddo out for some solo time with mommy.  Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

At this stage of the game I’m all about wearing things without a fitted waistband.  Helllooo skirts!  It took me long enough to realize, but my jeans and really anything else with a restrictive waistband was making me grumpy.  My belly is low, low, low this time.  Not sure if it’s a girl thing or a fourth-pregnancy thing, but it’s made for some adventures when getting dressed.  And yes, I realize that if this is my biggest complaint I shouldn’t be complaining at all because in all reality I feel pretty darn great at this stage of the game.

So for now we wait, we dream and all five of us spend way too much time staring at my belly as baby Coco dances and wiggles around.  It’s safe to say we’re already smitten.

27 weeks and a What to Expect giveaway

In my mind I’m on top of things and taking belly shots weekly.  Or at least monthly.  Let’s just settle for a six, almost seven week up-date, okay?

Note to self, it’s time to stop wearing short cardigans, that is unless I’m trying to channel Tommy Boy.

Ironically, not one darn maternity piece of clothing seems to fit right this time around and it just seems too darn soon to be constantly tugging at my pants.

Wasn’t there an entire Seinfeld episode about a white shirt with ruffles?  This looked cute in real life.  Alex said so.  Smart guy right?

Anyhoo.

I’m just getting a taste of third trimester fatigue while clinging to one last week of second trimester bliss.  Wardrobe complaints aside, I feel great {exhausted, but great}, which I’m thankful for.  I’m healthy and so is baby and you certainly can’t ask for more than that.

We’ve been pushing the pedal to the metal around here and I’m trying to stay motivated.  We still have a pretty long to-do list before baby arrives.  A big part of our to-do list obviously involves getting ready for baby.  {No, it’s not all about my random nesting projects like cleaning out the garage or picking out exterior paint colors…}  It might not make any sense, but Alex and I sort of feel like a first-time parents our fourth time around.  Everything feels different.  We’re out of “baby-mode.”  All of our baby gear is supposedly out-of-date and to tell you the truth I don’t remember any of the basics.

Maybe it’s like riding a bike?

Just in case crossing our fingers doesn’t work out I’m thankful to have some new reading material to help along the way.  New copies of What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect the First Year are now sitting on my nightstand and I’ve been referencing them frequently.

You would think that at this stage of the game I already have my fair share of pregnancy and baby-related reading materials.  I do, but they’re all out of date so I appreciated the fresh tone of the current What to Expect book.  And yes, while not that much has changed {clearly women have been having babies forever} there are still plenty of new tips and ideas and it’s always nice to be familiar with the up-to-date medical information, and advice.

Guess what?  The team at What to Expect.com has given me three books to giveaway.  One lucky reader will receive a copy of What to Expect Before You’re Expecting, What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect the First Year.

Maybe you’re a first-time mom, or like me this isn’t your first rodeo, but could use a refresher course.  Or maybe you know someone who is expecting…these books would certainly be a welcome gift.  To enter this giveaway simply leave a comment.  And go check out What to Expect.com, it’s a great online resource for new, seasoned and expecting parents.

This giveaway will end on Friday, April 12th at 5pm PST.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I’m not gonna lie.  I’m having a pretty good time in the kitchen.  Dinners are fun to make, there is always a treat {or two} ready to eat, while yet another good recipe waits patiently in the wings.

As Alex so kindly put it, “Wow, Libby, you’ve really hit your stride.”  {And I’m 99% sure he wasn’t referencing my cooking skills, but rather my consumption.}  Ahem.

Perhaps this is just in contrast to those first-trimester pregnancy woes when food was the last thing on my mind and my family apparently starved?  I’m thinking yes.

Anyhow, for some reason I feel compelled to make sure that all of my most prized recipes are safely tucked away in one place.  Because what happens when all of those pinterest links stop working?  And mama needs to bake some cookies and she can’t find her recipe?  Surely we can count on the trusty family blog to always be around.  Right?

Yes, these are the thoughts that keep me up at night.

I’m pretty sure I have now blogged about these cookies at least 30 times. I don’t care. I can’t help it.  This time it’s in the name of recording a treasured family recipe.

Typically I can make a batch of cookies and will only eat one.  Out of the entire batch.  Not kidding.

These days I hoover them up like it’s my job in life.

They’re just that good.

THE Chocolate Chip Cookies via and adapted {no, I simply can’t let a recipe be} by me.

2 cups minus 2 Tbsp. cake flour
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour {in a pinch I’ve substituted whole wheat pastry flour and no one was the wiser}
1 ¼ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. coarse salt, such as kosher
2 ½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups  light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 ¼ pounds bittersweet chocolate chips or chunks, preferably about 60% cacao content
Sea salt

Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Whisk well; then set aside.

Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until very light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low; then add dry ingredients, and mix until just combined.  Add the chocolate chips, and mix briefly to incorporate.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill for 24 to 36 hours – and up to six days.  {You MUST do this.  I know, I know, letting cookie dough just sit in your fridge is practically torture, but it’s worth it.  And really, the dough isn’t that tasty.  Trust me, I know good cookie dough.  Persevere my friend, it’s cookies we’re after.}

When you’re ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F.

Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, scoop the dough onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.  {I can fit about 9-12 cookies per sheet}

Sprinkle each cookie lightly with sea salt, and bake until golden brown but still soft, 8-10 minutes.  I like my cookies on the soft and gooey side so if you like crispy you will need to add some baking time.

Transfer the cookies onto a wire rack once cool.

Repeat with remaining dough.

These cookies freeze well too.  Yes, they’re practically perfect.

21 weeks.

Bam.

And there it is.  We’ve passed the half-way mark just like that.

Coco Pinata will be here before we know it.  Coco Pinata = the baby’s nickname given to her by her big brothers.  And they use it.  After I picked up William from school he asked “Mom, where are the pictures of Coco Pinata that you promised?”  You’d assume that nickname alone would help to speed us along with our name search but nope, not us.

We had our *big* ultrasound Wednesday.  I still get nervous and sweaty each time.  This time Henry joined us for a special big brother moment and to see our little one live.  He loved it and was actually pretty darn good at seeing and understanding what was on the screen.  Our doctor said that everything looks great with the baby and we left our appointment giving thanks and praising Jesus for this sweet new blessing.

doesn’t she look scrunched-up?  based on what I’ve been feeling she likes to go from that position into this:

legs stretched out for optimal kicking.

keeping the family tradition alive with long skinny feet.

Confession.  While I’ve known for almost six weeks that baby is a girl I still had my doubts.  This translated into not making a single pink purchase.  The good news is that today the ultrasound tech re-confirmed that the baby is indeed a girl, so I’m thinking green-light right?

A few things worth noting about pregnancy the fourth time around.

::  I was seriously beginning to wonder if I was ever going to get into this whole pregnancy thing.  I have always been the obnoxious gal who talked about how much she loved being pregnant.  And knowing that this is our last time around I assumed I’d want to savor every last-minute.  This wasn’t the case for the first 16+ weeks at all.  The good news is that I’m finally getting into my pregnancy groove.  Alex could tell there was a shift just by looking over at my nightstand.  It’s overflowing with baby books.  And not the traditional What to Expect books, oh no, I’m waay back into it, we’re talking Ina May and all of the good ‘ol crunchy granola stuff.

:: Time.  I hate to even say this aloud, but it feels like we have the luxury of time and spacing on our side.  After having three boys in four years, it feels down-right luxurious having 3 1/2 years between children.

::  Which brings us to logistics.  We still have some details to nail down, but for now we’ve come up with yet another plan to strategically use the space we have and well, make it work.  Although this time it might involve a teeny-tiny construction project.  And I’ll still keep wishing for that playroom to magically appear.

::  Not only do I feel pregnant but I finally look pregnant.  I’ve never been a fan of that awkward “Is she or isn’t she?” stage.

::  Our bed is already overflowing with pillows.  Alex of course is thrilled.  Ha.

::  Since the 18-week mark I’ve been having steady Braxton hicks contractions.  And no, these aren’t little twinges, these contractions stop me in my tracks and turn my belly into a rock.

::  I’d forgotten about itchy elbows.  There are many weird skin issues that pregnant women deal with, but I’d forgotten that my elbows itch like crazy.  Quirky right?

::  Pregnancy is not the time to start trying out new deodorants.  Especially the *natural* kinds.  Just take my word for it.

::  One word:  jeggings.  Don’t judge, but trust me these should become every pregnant woman’s best friend.  I have them in grey and love them.  And black leggings too.  {Thank you K!}

Pregnacy 4.0 {17 weeks}

It is so hard to believe that I’m 17 weeks pregnant.  With my fourth baby.  For the looongest while, time had been crawling by, but already the days are flying by once again.  Before we know it we’ll be getting ready to welcome this little lady into our family.  {Though I have yet to buy anything pink.}

It might sound a bit extreme but I finally feel like I’m back among the living.  {At least until 5 p.m.}  For the last few weeks {OK, 3 months} I have lived the life of a slug.  Constantly nauseous, exhausted, you get the idea.  Pretty much all of the textbook pregnancy symptoms, only this is the first time I’ve been truly knocked off my feet.  But don’t worry, I landed safely on the couch and comfortably remained there for oh, I don’t know, forever.  Alex deserves a big shout-out for all of his support, love and willingness to run to the store for necessities.  Like frozen yogurt.  7-up.  And bagels.  Honorable mentions must also be given to Curious George, cottage cheese, Perrier and Pinterest.  Without them I’m not sure we could have made it though.

I will also admit that for the longest time I was feeling pretty smug.  You know, because I didn’t become one of those crazy hormonal pregnant women who cries all the time.  Of course I was quickly put into my place when I realized, that nope, instead I’m the grumpy pregnant lady who’s kinda-sorta ticked-off all the time. Ha!  Hoping that tapers off for the sake of my sanity and my darling husband’s.  {He assures me it has.}

So, all that to say … I feel pregnant! I look pregnant, it’s getting real.

There will be no high-maternity fashion on display here.  Only sad, but well-loved maternity threads are left around these parts.

I’m back.

In the kitchen that is.

With my helpers of course.

The fog was slow to lift but this week I’m finally feeling like myself again.  This was especially made obvious by our grocery bill which probably doubled {tripled} on my last shopping trip.  Yay food!  It’s also pretty obvious when you glance at our kitchen counter which is overrun with baked goods.  In the last few day we’ve made Andrea’s homemade granola, our favorite chocolate chip cookies, chunky banana bran muffins and my new favorites – gluten free chocolate chip cookies with shredded coconut and chopped pecans.

Yes, those pregnancy pounds may not have found me in the first trimester but it’s looking like I’m off to set record during the second.

The only downside is that I have yet to translate all of this energy into dinner time.  Mornings are great, lunches are my favorite, and in the afternoon I’m ready to whip up some sort of treat.  But by dinner I’m just plain hungry and exhausted and don’t want to prepare a darn thing.  So in the meantime I’ve tried out recipes like these wraps {The kids and I loved them, Alex not so much.}  I’ve also got all the basics on hand for kale and quinoa salads and the like.  Easy-peasy, plus I owe it to the baby.  {I *may* have consumed my fair share of top ramen in the first trimester.}  That and I’m pretty much grossed out by all meat and fish.

Chunky Banana Bran Muffins {recipe from Ina, but slightly adapted by me}

• 2 cups unprocessed wheat bran
• 2 cups buttermilk (shaken)
• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup unsulphured molasses
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups mashed bananas
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place paper liners into muffin tin.

Combine the bran and buttermilk and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the eggs, 1 at a time. Scrape the bowl and then add the molasses, orange zest, and vanilla. (The mixture will look curdled.) Add the bran/buttermilk mixture and combine.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low-speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the batter just until combined. Don’t overmix it! Fold in the raisins, bananas and walnuts with a rubber spatula.

With an ice cream scoop or large spoon, fill the muffin cups to the top and bake for 18-20 minutes.  {my oven bakes fast and hot}

Gluten-free Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies  {adapted from here and from Pamela’s chocolate chip cookie recipe on the package.}

• 1 stick of butter
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups Pamela’s Baking Mix
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips with 60% cacao
• 1/2 cup of shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans

To make:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Cream together softened butter with the sugar.
• Add egg + vanilla, mix
• Add Pamela’s mix then chocolate chips + salt + nuts + coconut, mix
• 1 Tbs makes about 20 cookies.
• Place cookies parchment paper on baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Veggie Wraps {via, and of course slightly altered by me.}

• 1 apple
• 1 carrot
• 1 cucumber
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• baby spinach
• whipped cream cheese
• mango chutney
• multi-grain tortillas

• Use food processor to shred the apple, cucumber, and carrot. Make sure to work in batches so that you are shredding and not creating a bunch of liquid.
• Next, squeeze lemon on top of slaw, stir.
• Take one carton of whipped cream cheese and add about 2 T – 3 T of the mango chutney.
• Take tortilla and spread a good amount of the cream cheese mixture all over the tortilla. Then top with spinach and lastly with the slaw.  {You will want to drain some of the slaw liquid before adding it to the wrap.

How’s that for recipe overload?

A little girl.

Can you believe it?

We are thrilled and excited.  But honestly our first reaction was shock.  This probably sounds silly but we very much live in a boys world, and we didn’t think a girl was possible.

However, I think some pink and sass will be a rather nice and very welcome addition to our family.

Making room in our hearts.

Mark your calendars, we’ll be welcoming our newest little firecracker this summer.

We are thrilled and overwhelmed, hopeful and prayerful. We have no idea what life will be like with four little ones, but we can’t wait to welcome this sweet bundle into our family.  I do know for certain that there will be plenty of love to go around.

I’m usually pretty quick to spill the beans when a new baby is concerned but this time we’ve kept the news close.  I’m not really sure why, but we’ve had fun gradually sharing the good news with family and friends.  And let me tell you the reactions are priceless when you announce that you are expecting your fourth baby.  I wish I’d recorded half of our conversations or at least had a camera handy.

Even Henry’s reaction was priceless when we showed him an early ultrasound picture.  “Yikes, that looks like a pretty bad infection mom!”

The whole experience has already been so different from my other pregnancies, but one thing has remained constant: we have loved this sweet baby from the beginning.  So yesterday when we saw the baby waving and kicking and wiggling around it finally felt like I could stop holding my breath.

Of course there is the whole reality of things.  There is nothing in me that can picture what it will be like to bring home a baby to an almost four year-old, almost six year-old and eight year-old. Our first three were so close together that we were in full-time baby {survival} mode.  Our hands were full, our hearts overflowing and we were overwhelmed to say the least.  Maybe, just maybe, it will be as peaceful and calm as my dreams?  Or maybe this is just further proof of my craziness?

In the meantime we’re giving thanks for this miracle and making room for this new little soul in our hearts.