Yummy Recipe

Since I'm not able to eat carbs currently, I've found a recipe that I'd like to request. I am now requesting that Sam and Matt please bring these when they come to visit us in the hospital. :)

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield~ 3 doz cookies
cookies:
1 c sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 tbsp Maple syrup
2 eggs
1 c canned pumpkin
1 and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground all spice
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch ground cloves
1 and 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt

frosting:
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese --- yummy!!!
1 c confectioners sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Zest of one lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For cookies: In a mixer, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add the maple syrup and eggs. Mix and add the pumpkin. Mix to incorporate. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix well. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown around the edges. Cool on racks. When cool, ice with cream cheese frosting.

For icing: In a mixer, add the cream cheese. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. If frosting is too thick, thin with a little more milk. Fold in the lemon zest. When cookies are cool, spread frosting on cookie.

Add a pecan for garnish, if you'd like.

OKAY, so doesn't that sound delicious?! What a perfect fall recipe!

The doctor keeps complimenting me and telling me I look great. Friends and family keep talking about my weight gain. Sadly, I'll probably gain the 25 + pounds after Karaline is born because I'm going to go on a carb binge! Watch out breads, pasta, fruit, pizza, cookies, candy, Coke, etc...You don't stand a chance :) Anyone who comes to visit us in the hospital, feel free to bring any of these items with you!

Sad, Sad Day

Today we went to the doctor. We're now on the weekly schedule...EEEK!!! How quickly time moves. Everything went wonderfully with one exception. My best friend since elementary school, Nikki, is getting married November 6. Of course, this is a day that best friends should share. She was in my wedding, now it's time for me to be in hers. Sadly, my doctor has a differing view. Since I've been put on bed rest, I was more than afraid that this would happen. I accepted and handled the fact that I missed her shower (one that I was helping to host) and her bachelorette cruise, but knowing that I have to miss the wedding is hard for me to swallow.

Of course, Nikki is more than understanding. It doesn't make it easier though. I know it will be fine and I've been told this by everyone a million times. I can see the big picture and fully understand, but today, I am sad, and I'll probably be sad on her wedding day, too.

Childbirth Class

Yesterday was our childbirth class. I must say that I was not looking forward to it AT ALL! I'm not sure if I was opposed to it because it was allllll day long or because it was on my birthday or because I figure childbirth is natural and it will be fine. Either way, the only thing that excited me about it was that I would be able to be out for the whole day!

It turned out that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and it actually moved along well. No parts seemed to really lag. Some of the questions that I had were answered so that is always helpful. A few times in the class Joey and the guy in front of us would start laughing and had a hard time getting control of it. Of course, this would then make me laugh. I'm going to chalk it up to awkward laughing. Here we are sitting in a class filled with strangers watching birthing videos, talking about personal things, and practicing relaxation and breathing techniques.

At one point, I just knew we were going to be asked to leave. We were on the floor practicing our relaxation techniques. The calming music is playing and the person on the CD is talking in a very calm voice. I'm totally NOT in to this kind of thing. Then, she starts saying things like, "Imagine that your right arm is heavy...sooooooo heavy... you can barely lift it..." I roll my eyes at Joey and say, "Really?" That was all it took. He began laughing so hard that he had to hide his face in my pillow, which caused me to laugh. We couldn't gain the control back because once we thought we were back in control, she'd instruct us to imagine that another part of our body was heavy....sooooooo heavy...and it would start again. This probably does not seem as funny now, but it was then. Needless to say, I will not be practicing that relaxation method.

In other news, we go back to the doctor on Monday. I've got my list of questions for him. Next Monday we'll have our last sonogram. I cannot believe it's already here. I mean, we only have 4.5 weeks left. It is crazy!!!!!!

Packing

Yesterday after church, my parents came down for the day. It's always great to see them. We enjoyed a nice lunch from Crispers. On Saturday night, I started thinking about going ahead and packing my hospital bag for the "just in case." I'm not quite sure how far in advanced one should do this, but since I wasn't prepared for bed rest, I decided I'd be as prepared for the hospital visit as possible! So, after lunch, my mom, dad, and I went and got some pajamas. This was the first time I'd been to a store in soooo long! I actually did a little walking, but don't worry, it wasn't a big store and we weren't there too long :) I found a robe and a few pair of pjs so I'm going to start packing my bag.

Last week, I washed all of Karaline's newborn and 0-3 month clothes. I'll work on her bag, too. This is all so new to me so I'm really having to rely on the internet for all of the "what to advice." I'm hoping that we'll just be extra prepared and the bags will stay packed for at least another month!

My mom took a few pictures of me and Joey while she was here. Here are my favorites :)

Doctor's Report

We went back to the doctor on Monday afternoon and had another good report! This is the critical week that we've been working towards and we made it. Yay! Sadly, I am still on bed rest. The doctor mentioned that he may lift some of my restrictions when we reached the 34th week, but when I mentioned it, he said that bed rest has been too good to me and we don't want to chance anything. I am slightly bummed but I've made it this long so I know I can make it longer. In fact, I'm actually beginning to get accustomed to my new life in bed. I still have days of stir-craziness, but overall making it.

The doctor is very happy with my sugar levels. In fact, he gave me a high five :) I have to admit that I have been cheating a bit more than when I first started. I feel like I've earned it. I always feel guilty after a cheat, but boy oh boy does it make me happy (and fill me up) when I do cheat. Even when I cheat, my levels don't get too high though. This is the only reason I continue to cheat.

My dad gave me this really cool book called The Calorie King: Calorie Fat and Carbohydrate Counter. It's a great book for diabetics or those looking to watch what you eat. It has every single imaginable food and drink along with restaurants and their foods. It lists the calories, fats, and carbohydrates. It's amazing!!!! It only costs $8.99.

Again, thank you all for your continued words of encouragement and faithful prayers. Joey and I really appreciate you all!

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was a very fun-filled, eventful, busy weekend. Saturday was my first shower hosted by Sam and Ms. Cathy. Everything was absolutely beautiful! It was far beyond what I could have imagined. I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time. Great friends and family + great food = great fun :)

The "pregnant" shot.

The yummy, adorable cake made by Sam.

Sam also made the "Karaline" name tag with her Circuit. She's sooo talented!

Me and Mama

Advice book signed by all of the guests. Look at the tissue paper flowers...again, made by Sam :)

Beautiful tea cups for the party.

On Sunday, Sam came back over and we sorted everything from the baby's room and got it set up!!! It looks great! I am sooooo happy with the finished product! :)

My Aunt LuAnn made all of Karaline's bedding. I love it!! Stephanie made Karaline's monogram. View from the door. Aunt LuAnn made the window curtains, too.
See the tissue paper flowers in the corner?
To the left of the crib is the rocking chair. The chair was this mauve color and Aunt LuAnn recovered it for me. Gram crocheted the blanket for us, too!

Karaline's closet minus her newborn to 3 month clothes that are in the laundry.

Karaline's bow hanger with all of her bows made by Aunt Sam.

A Letter to Carbs

Dear Carbohydrates,

Oh what I wouldn't do to have you back in my life. I never realized how much I depend on and need you. You fill me up...literally. Since I've not been able to partake in your goodness I have noticed a large hole in me...mainly in my stomach! Even though I am comforted in knowing that we will be reunited soon enough, I still cannot help but think of all I'm missing - bread, pasta, cereal, fruit, cookies, Coke, potatoes- just to name a few. It's most difficult for me when everywhere I look, I'm faced with advertisements, recipes, or the actual food. Through all of this, I have learned that I am much stronger than I thought. I can resist you-even when I do not want to. Soon enough...soon enough, we will be reunited! Until then, I'll be missing you!

Love,
Kelly