24 weeks pregnant

Well, really 2 days until I'm 24 weeks, but it's easier to round up.  I've gained 16 lbs, and I am feeling tired, especially during the mid-day hours.  Baby is kicking frequently, and I can feel that she is getting stronger.  Sometimes I can even see my belly is a little lop-sided, as if she is hanging out on one side.  It's pretty weird.

This past week was Spring Break, and I used the free time to clean out the room that will be her nursery.  That included moving a few pieces of heavy furniture including the queen bed and large desk.  Also, Mark has kept a bunch of heavy textbooks that I moved all the way down the basement.  I probably had to make 15 trips up and down the stairs to move everything out.  I took my time, rested when I got tired, but I finally got it all cleaned out and vacuumed, and I feel so much better about the space now.

Yesterday I bought a can of "ballet pink" spray paint, and I painted my old shelf that used to be in my room when I was little, and also a mirror that we've had in storage for years.  I'm happy with the way they turned out, although the mirror could probably use one more coat of paint.

 

Craving for cinnamon rolls motivates me in the kitchen

Two sleeps ago I had a dream about cinnamon rolls.  The thought of eating one has taken over my thoughts ever since.  Using yeast intimidates me, but found this delicious recipe online by searching for "cinnamon rolls no yeast."  I call it a hit.  Here it is...

Prep Time:	30 Min
Cook Time:	25 Min

FOR THE DOUGH:
2 c	all purpose flour
2 Tbsp	sugar
4 tsp	baking powder
1 tsp	salt
3 Tbsp	butter, softened
3/4 c	milk
FOR THE FILLING:
4 Tbsp	butter, softened
1 c	brown sugar
3 tsp	ground cinnamon
FOR THE GLAZE:
1/2 c	confectioners' sugar (powdered)
1/4 c	milk

Directions

1

 Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar and cinnamon to form a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle half of the mixture over the bottom of a 9x9" pan.

2

 Dough: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in softened butter. Stir in milk to form a soft dough.

3

 Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 1/4" thick.

4

 Spread the remaining filling on the rolled-out dough. Roll up the rectangle, and with a sharp knife slice into 18 small rolls (or 12 if you want them bigger).

5

 Place the rolls in the 9x9" pan and bake in a pre-heated 400-degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

6

 Glaze: combine powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl and stir until smooth.  Add a small amount of vanilla extract if wanted.

7

 When the rolls are done, drizzle on the glaze and serve warm with hot coffee or a cold glass of milk.

20 weeks pregnant - Halfway!

I'm carrying around an extra 10 lbs now.  Its tough to put on weight, even though I know its for a good cause.  Its scary to see the scale tip higher and higher.  I wonder how long it will take to come back off again.  I'm being careful about eating healthy meals, and making sure that I eat things like fruit, vegetables and yogurt each day.  I've been a little lazy about the gym, mostly because it has been rainy and cold, and I just don't feel like going out in the weather after I get home from work.  I feel pretty good - no nausea since the first trimester.  I got my first cold of the winter and it has lasted a week already.  Sudafed and Tylenol have been my meds of choice (and about all that I am allowed to take).  

At 18 weeks, we had our sonogram to measure the baby's development.  The sonographer took about 15 minutes, but the baby's legs were crossed indian style, and she was not able to get all of the measurements - including determining the gender - so we have to go back and have another one on March 18th.  We are very eager to find out the gender.  Then we can finally talk about names and such.

In the last two days, I think I may have felt the baby move inside of me.  It was a weird little quick punch - like nothing I have ever felt before.  Each time I was sitting or laying down, very still, and it felt like a foot or a hand just lightly knocking into my uterus.  Then nothing.  It happens so quickly that each time I am left feeling unsure, thinking that maybe I imagined it all!  I can't wait until the next sonogram.  Because I'm not very big yet, and because I can't feel the baby all the time, sometimes I get a little worried about what is happening in there!  Hopefully I will have more interesting news in another two weeks.