Best trip to the grocery store... EVER

Not only did I get to use the new/expectant mother parking (first time!), but it was also their "brownie tasting event." Score.

Ready for the weekend

We are actually at home this weekend, a rare treat in Ben and Sam land. We have so much to do before the baby comes, but we also want to build in some time to have some fun. Here's what's on our plate this Saturday and Sunday...

1) Find out Ben's blood type.

Either Ben or his brother are A negative. His mom can't remember. But we're hoping it's Ben. Because I'm A negative, and if Ben is A negative I don't have to get the 28 week rhogam shot.

According to the hospital, it's cheaper to give all A negative mothers the shot then test their partners' blood types. But I'd like to avoid any vaccines or medications unless absolutely necessary. So Ben will be giving blood at a local blood drive on Saturday. Part good deed, part selfish fact-finding mission.

2) Organize the kitchen.

We have to find room to put bottles and other baby gear. And since we're knocking a hole in our dining room for a new patio door, I also need to find a place to store all of our wine glasses (since the cabinet they live in now will no longer fit).

3) Make salad for dinner.

We're going to Amy and John's for dinner, and I'm bringing salad. I'm going to attempt to recreate my favorite salad from Cannova's. It has balsamic dressing, red onion, pine nuts, bacon and mozzarella. Yum.

4) Take Stella to the dog park.

Poor dog just needs to run. I've had a crazy week at work and she hasn't gotten the exercise she deserves.

5) Tour Casa de Horton.

Friends Jill and Tyler just bought a new place, so we're bringing over breakfast and taking a peek. It was incredibly darling on the virtual tour. I can't wait to see it in person.

I was so crazed about people seeing our house before it was "finished". But guess what? Four years later and it's still a work in progress. You may have your own vision, but everyone is going to love your place for what it is: your home.

6) Figure out baby storage solutions.

The walls are painted and the furniture is in. But we need to figure out some sort of dresser and shelving solution for the baby's room. You wouldn't believe the stuff we've already collected for this kid.

7) Make pancakes.

Just because. With butter and syrup. Pregnancy craving.

New Obsession

Maybe it's cravings or maybe it's nesting, but I'm obsessed with cooking lately. I want to cook everything. I want to try fancy new recipes. And I'm actually using kitchen gadgets that haven't been touched since my bridal shower four years ago.

My new cooking-related obsession is the Wicked Noodle blog. So fab. I'm planning to try the Nutella Mousse tonight. Swoon.

Check it out under my fav links on the right.

Poor Ben

Let me just say that Ben deserves major props for being married to pregnant me. I've had a very easy pregnancy so far. But I still can be pretty moody and hormonal.

My major gripe this past week was that I didn't want to eat. Now, I know I have to eat, but nothing sounded good to me. So I'd force myself to eat some protein and vegetables whenever possible. But I was crabby about it. Nothing tasted good.

Until Sunday. When we went to Panera. And Ben's smoked turkey sandwich was the most delicious sandwich I had ever seen in my entire life. I asked nicely for bite, and he was happy to share. But then I ate it. The entire thing. And my salad. And half my soup. Leaving him with virtually nothing. Not exactly the lunch he was looking for.

Ben was very sweet, and assured me over and over again that he wanted me to have it. Still I felt a little guilty. I pretty much hijacked his lunch.

But he was probably relieved to have a break in the food complaints. And it felt so good to actually enjoy a meal. I'm seeing a lot of Panara trips in the near future.

Watch This

I'm doing it. I'm getting a cold ham sandwich for lunch.

The official recommendation is that pregnant women should avoid deli meats, unless the meat has been heated to steaming (to kill any possible lysteria). But wouldn't you know it, all I've been craving lately is a cold ham sandwich from Jimmy John's.

I asked my doctor about it on Monday, and she said the occassional deli sandwich would be fine. Weeks ago I vowed to trust my doctor's advice, and ignore anything that Google or the crazy mom bloggers told me. So I'm doing it. I'm having a delicious, thin-sliced, deli ham sandwich for lunch.

I guess you could say I'm living dangerously. On the edge. At the meat counter.

Fried Food Foe

It appears that they baby hates fried food.

This is particularily upsetting as a I love fried food. But the last few times I have consumed any sort of food dipped in oil, my body has recoiled into a bout of nausea.

This probably means the baby wants more nutritious items, and rightfully so. But part of the fun of pregnancy is being able to indulge a little, right?

Well, no dice. My only pregnancy cravings to date have been vegetables. And lots of them. I'm still on my spinach kick. Though I'm hoping the highly coveted bacon phase starts soon.

Random

Today I'm craving wilted fresh spinach with salt.

That is all.

UPDATE: I went to Noodles for lunch and got the Pasta Fresca with extra spinach. It gets all wilty from the heat of the pasta. Devine.

Hello, cravings!

If only we lived in San Francisco.

The Kryptonite Sandwich was just featured on Man vs. Food. It's ham, turkey, salami, corned beef, provolone cheese, special sauce, onion rings, mozarella sticks, lettuce, tomato, pickles and avocado. Yes please.

Adventures in Eating

Eating has been interesting these past few weeks. I feel good most of the time, but to avoid nausea, I now have to eat several small meals a day. This is hard since I have to eat less more often. I'm much more apt to stuffing myself in one sitting.

Food aversions struck me pretty early in pregnancy. Sweets and ranch dressing are absolute no-no's. Other tastes come and go. When we were at Ben's godson's baptism last week, the carved turkey sandwiches almost made me barf.

Cravings are a little more fun (and spontaneous). A few weeks ago it was tomatoes. I wanted tomatoes on everything, which was unfortunate since tomatoes aren't exactly in season.

This week I'm craving avocados. Ben just made me a spring mix salad with avocado and homemade lemon vinaigrette. It was one of the best things I've ever eaten (thanks, dear).