It's for real.

15 weeks.  8/17/12

No hiding it any longer.  Almost 17 weeks.  8/30/12

Cheese Please!

For the most part I don't think I have any crazy pregnancy cravings. There are definitely things I enjoy eating more or tend to eat more often then before and cheese happens to be on the top of the list. I didn't even realize it until just the other day. Almost everyday I eat some form of cheese: Grilled cheese
Quesadillas
Pizza
Mozzarella sticks

And according to David, I'm liking things spicy. I also enjoy applesauce, pink lady apples, yogurt and I still can't get enough ice cream and sweets.

On the other hand, Trader Joe's Honey Wheat Pretzel Rods, macadamian nuts and homemade salads are pretty much a no go. I can eat all parts of the salad but the lettuce, and macadamian nuts, well, the very thought of them disgusts me. I actually had to throw away a container of nuts because seeing it or accidentally touching it grossed me out. Weird!

So far now I'll stick with what's working and that's cheese. Yum.

Tax Free Day

Massachusetts has a tax free weekend so David and I took advantage of it to go buy new bikes.  He has been begging me to get a bike and after his commuter bike got stolen, he was in need of a new bike too.  So, we headed to Framingham to a bike shop he has been eyeing for months.

The second David saw the Redline 925, he was sold.  Supposedly he has been looking for one for himself, but hasn't been able to find one, but unfortunately it was my size, so I test rode it and loved it.  David also found a pretty inexpensive bike that will meet his commuting needs and now he won't get weird looks anymore for riding his fancy, spancy road bike to work.   

Redline 925.  My future ride.

The commuter.

After our bike purchase I was so excited to ride it that we planned a trip downtown to watch a Shakespeare play in Boston Common. The ride was awesome, but we didn't like the play at all. Thumbs down to Coriolanus!

Froggie

For a YW's activity this past week we had someone come and teach us about using fondant for decorating.  It was soooo fun!  I think I may have found a new hobby.  I loved it, and if I do say so myself, I think my frog turned out pretty darn cute minus the lily pad that got jostled during transfer.

New York, New York

During July I took a quick weekend trip to New York to visit Amber, Jon and Suvi.  It was so fun to see them and tour a bit of New York.

Suvi really enjoying her Hazelnut Ice Cream.

Too cute not to share.

Getting ready for the rowboat ride through Central Park.

Me serious about my rowing abilities.

Closest I've ever been to the Statue of Liberty.

Off to church, bunny along for the ride.

Thanks Ambie, Jon and Suvi for a fun weekend! Come to Boston to visit!

Pregnancy Pics

Per family requests, I am posting pregnancy pics.  Since I am expanding rapidly, I may look further along than I really am :).  Don't be deceived.  My niece Morgan asked me the other day how my twins were doing and she just might be on to something.  I think I might be growing a baby in my belly and my butt!

I realized I better start taking pics to document my progress.  I forgot to take any during the first 11 weeks and then forgot again during week 13.  Hopefully I can be a little better.

12 Weeks.  A little exhausted after a long day.

14 weeks tomorrow.  I just know a picture won't happen tomorrow.

One of mine and David's favorite dinners ever...

Butter Chicken

(don't knock it 'til you try it.  One of the best Indian dishes I have ever made at home.)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter, divided

1 onion, minced (I chopped up half of an onion)

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 pint heavy cream (Can also use light cream to make yourself feel better)

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garam masala (I found this at an Indian food market)

Chicken:

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons tandoori masala 

****I tweaked the chicken because I did not have tandoori masala.  Instead, I just poured about 1 tsp vegetable oil over it and then sprinkled 1 tsp garam masala and 1 pinch of cayenne pepper.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Melt a few tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and 3. cook slowly until the onion caramelizes to a dark brown, about 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile melt the remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat along with the tomato sauce, heavy cream, salt, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in caramelized onions.

4. While the sauce is simmering, toss cubed chicken breast with vegetable oil until coated, then season with tandoori masala and spread out onto a baking sheet.

5. Bake chicken in preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 12 minutes. Once done, add the chicken to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes before serving.  

6. Pour over rice and sprinkle with cilantro.  Viola!   

Gotta Go, Gotta Go, Gotta Go right now.

Running while pregnant has become a bit of a challenge.  And it's for one big reason only,  my bladder and bowels.  Unless the residents and store owners of Boston want their plants watered and/or fertilized, my runs have been restricted to the treadmill.  Who knew such a small thing could cause so much trouble!

Despite these troubles, on the day I hit 10 weeks, I wanted to see if I still had it in me to run further than the typical 5+ miles I'd been doing.  Sure enough, I pounded out 10 miles and it felt great.  I haven't done that since, but I'm hoping to get another long one in before my stomach and butt blow up :).  Every day I'm tired and I think I'll just skip my run for the day, I keep reminding myself that there may come a point during the pregnancy where I just can't run anymore.  This motivates me on MOST days.

By the way, if you didn't already know this, I am pregnant!  David and I are expecting our little one February 9th, 2013.  I am 13 weeks along.  Whoo hoo!