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.

Dear Ben

Wisconsin Reunion

Lindsay and I reunited in Madison this weekend for a writing conference at our alma madder. Unfortunately, the conference was not as great as in year's past, but we had a fantastic time catching up.

Lindsay is part of a contingency of girls I met as a freshman in Slichter Hall. We've scattered throughout the country since we graduated in 2005, and sadly we don't get to see each other much anymore. But the best thing about old friends is that when you get back together, virtually no time has passed. You pick up right where you left off.

Here we are admiring the baby bump. Don't I look like a giant next to her? She's so cute and petite.

It was a very rainy and dreary weekend, but still so beautiful. I heart Madison.

Next time, just Google it

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Weight Gain

I'm up 14 pounds from November, which is actually a little higher than the recommended weight gain for 22 weeks. It appears I will gain more than the 20 or so pounds I was hoping for. Boo.

More salads and green vegetables for me. They're better for baby anyway.

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.

Bump Watch

Here we are at 22 weeks. Getting bigger!

I'm carrying so high that people tell me all the time that I must be having a girl. Um, sorry. No. But nice try.

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.