Baby and Yard Update

Just a few things to report in the baby department...we are doing well and I'm feeling awesome! No morning sickness, and my energy is almost 100% restored. I'm now in the "honeymoon" period, according to my doctor. I've gained 4 lbs. so far, and that seems impossible to me, as I can clearly see my belly growing and growing! I feel like I've gained at least 10! Yesterday I went shopping and bought a lot of new things - much needed. Luckily, I'm done with work next Friday, so I'm not in need of maternity work clothes...but I will certainly need those come September. :)

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday - the 16 week check-up - and the baby's heart rate was 155. According the old wives tale, that would indicate a GIRL...while many of my friends' babies were right on with the high rate = girl, low rate = boy, I can find just as many people that the wives tale did NOT come true for. We find out on July 2...it's a week later than we expected, but my doctor said that November 13 was our new due date. My birthday is November 20 - maybe I'll have a b-day baby! So, 5 weeks from yesterday we have our ultrasound, and will know if it's a boy or girl! We are giddy with excitement, and I feel like once we know, we will start doing the fun things -nursery, registry, names, etc...Adam still predicts girl, and I'm feeling like it's a boy. 99% of our friends and family think girl, and 99% of my students think girl. I've been told that people can't see me with boys...too girly!

Our yard project is close to completion, minus the new deck - still awaiting estimates before we move forward with that. The landscaping is a work in progress, I have to keep telling myself...plants GROW and get huge, and they don't always come that way when they're delivered! We purposely bought some smaller plants, for budget/size reasons, so right now it looks a little goofy. However, I know by next summer, it will look amazing. I'll take pictures and post them next time, along with pics of my little baby bump. :)

BIRDS!

Lately, I've been quite obsessed with identifying the plethera of birds that grace our backyard...I haven't taken any pictures (opening the slider door often scares them away) but it's amazing what you can spot if you actually take the time to look! Our deck and the orange halves that rest on the banisters, are the feeding spot of many Baltimore Orioles...gorgeous orange and black birds! I've also seen blue birds (yes, not blue jays,) a scarlet tanager!!!, red-headed woodpeckers (they like the oranges, too!) cedar waxwings, finches, barn swallows, tree swallows, sparrows, robins, cardinals, and many many other birds that I can't identify...I'm most impressed with the blue birds and the orioles...they are much more rare than the others! Anyway, I have a new hobby I think!!

Feeling Great!

Not much new to report - just very busy at work and filling up our weekends with yard work and yard plans. We are working on the front/side landscaping, putting on a new deck, and gutting the back yard this spring. We're awaiting estimates and plans, and hopefully we'll begin work soon!

Baby is doing well and so am I - we're through the first trimester now! Due date is November 6. I have felt so good, I can't complain. I've been very tired but not sick at all! I keep waiting for the nausea to set in, but it hasn't! My doctor tells me that I'm probably out of the woods with it, and that would be great! We will find out the sex of the baby in under 7 weeks - can't wait!! Everyone thinks it's a girl, but I am convinced it's a boy...we shall see!

Best Muffins EVER!

I had to share this recipe - it's probably not real health-conscious, but I can't imagine it's THAT bad for you...oh my, they were fantastic! So fantastic that Adam and I keep saying it to each other...and so fantastic that they generated a call from my mom this morning (I brought her some last night) saying they were WAY better than Arnie's carrot cake muffins! You MUST try! I can see bringing them to a weekend away somewhere or just keeping them in your freezer...once you have all the ingredients, I'd suggest making a double batch. One batch makes about 18, and it does require some shopping.

Carrot Cake Muffins (aka, Morning Glory Muffins)
2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. grated carrots (grate the real thing - don't buy them pre-shredded)
1/2 c. raisins**
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1/2 c. drained crushed pineapple (8 oz. can)
3 eggs
1 c. canola oil***
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Stir in carrots, raisins/cranberries, flour, nuts, coconut, and pineapple to the dry mixture, one ingredient at at time.

In a separate bowl, beat or whisk eggs, oil, and vanilla. Pour into flour mixture and stir until batter is JUST mixed. DO NOT overstir.

Spoon into muffin tins lined with papers - fill to the top (won't rise much.)Bake 20 minutes at 350.

*add diced apples for a variation
**Sub dried cranberries for the raisins - I did this and they were soooo good!
***you could always do the applesauce trick for the oil to make it healthier??

Good News!!

Adam and I have EXCITING news to share with everyone!! We are expecting our first baby, due in early November! We had an ultrasound at 6 weeks (I had some minor cramping - just a precaution) and heard a strong heartbeat - and since then, all has been well! My clothes are still fitting, but just a tad bit tighter! We're reading several books and learning all we can about our little baby! Everyone seems to think this little one is a girl...however, boys run in the Hubner family! I think it's a boy. :)We plan to find out the gender of the baby, sometime in June.

I'll post ultrasound pics and baby bump pics when we get them!

Spring?

Well, my tulips are popping up, so I am assuming spring is coming, whether the forecast wants to cooperate or not! :) The grass is becoming greener, and I'm noticing the moss growing on the stumps and logs in the woods behind our house. I'm so ready! Spring break was amazing, and it motivated me more than I thought it possibly could. However, I need greenery. I need sun for more than 1-2 hours per day. I need flowers and warm sidewalks and deck chairs with cushions. I need to work in my yard and split my flowers (I've been waiting forever to do this!!!) and I need to feel connected with the Earth. Soon!!

My poor mom just had her appendix out!! She has recently arrived home and is doing well, and so far there are no complications. So strange! Her brother had the same thing done just a year or two ago - isn't it rare for that to strike twice in the same family?? Either way, a speedy recovery is what we hope will happen! Adam's mom and Elmer are in Hawaii, and Adam's dad and Suzanne are on their way to Hawaii within a week or two. Adam and I are awaiting our first home Tiger game - there's just nothing that says spring/summer like a sunny day at the ballpark. I've grown to love going to games, and I can't wait to be back this year. We're also pulling the hose, convertible, chairs, etc. out of storage and making the house look a bit more spring-like...only 6 or so weeks of school left for me, and then I can be HOME during the day! I can't wait. Kiki and I will garden until our hearts are content!

Enjoy these early spring days....soon we'll be complaining that it's too hot outide, right? :)

Punta Cana Trip!

Here are a few photos of our wonderful, relaxing trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! We spent a week laying on the beach, relaxing, reading, and enjoying the absolutely gorgeous weather. There was not a speck of rain, very few clouds (welcome relief from the extreme sun)and a warm breeze all day and all night. Our room was luxurious and beautiful, and the grounds of the resort were breathtaking! It's good to be back to Kiki, but I can't say the weather is something to come back to!

Kiki

Would you believe this cat we have? It's ridiculous! Now the poor thing has an upper respitory infection and a sore throat...she hasn't been eating, going to the bathroom, or being normal for about a week now. No cuddling! Adam took her to the vet yesterday, and he gave her an antibiotic. :( Poor baby! For those of you who know our "daughter," she is OBSESSED with Fancy Feast, the cans of soft food. We give it to her as a special treat, and she goes NUTS. Well, she is feeling so poorly that she is not even eating that! We leave for vacation soon, and I am hoping the medicine starts to work, and that she improves. The vet said to Adam, "Well, it's not bad enough yet that she needs the enema." EW. I hope it doesn't get to that point! AHH.

This is conference week for me, so I've been at school from early morning to about 8:30 at night...I'm still getting over my cold, and my voice is SHOT, so the poor parents are listening to me speak in a hoarse whisper-ish voice. Last night went really well - I love talking to the parents of my students. I get to be the one who unabashedly compliments their children, and I get to lend my expertise in behavior, social issues, learning styles, etc. I spend more time with their kids than they do, some days. This time of year is nice, because I've had a chance to chat with the parents at fall conferences, curriculum night, and all the classroom parties and special events...so when the "hard stuff" needs to be said, it's usually a little easier.

I hope the week goes well for everyone - think warmer weather...we certainly need it!

Pasta Fagioli Soup

I was feeling decent enough to make some dinner tonight, and I had to share this recipe! This is a soup that I've made a few times in the past - perfect for these cold days, or when you just don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy!

Pasta Fagioli Soup

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 lb. fresh Italian sausage, casing removed (chop a bit - about 2 links)
1 1/2 cups water
1 (16 oz.) can low-sodium, low fat chicken broth
1 (14.5-19 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained
1 (14.5 oz) can Italian herb diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup ditalini or ditali, uncooked (or sub any other tiny pasta or macaroni shape)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
salt to taste
2-4 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

Garnish: Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, shredded - fresh basil

Heat two teaspoons olive oil in a large pot/saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion, garlic, and sausage. Saute 4-5 minutes until onion is tender and sausage is browned, breaking up sausage while cooking.

Add water, broth, beans, tomatoes, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Add pasta, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook 7-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in basil. Ladle into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
*Mine was pretty thick, so I added more chicken broth and water - then let it simmer a bit longer...I felt it needed more time for the flavors to marry. Either way, it was quick and easy and delicious!
*Pasta will grow in size, FYI - it also absorbs a lot of the liquid

Ugh.

I'm still sick! It's been several days, and I am not getting much better. I haven't worked, and I feel like I'm completely out of it. Thank goodness for Adam - he has been taking good care of me and the house. Although, tonight I made homemade pizza for dinner...I ate it and couldn't taste it. :( I've been bored out of my mind with tv! I don't watch much as it is, so this has been hard. Reading has been making me feel either dizzy or sleepy, so tv and naps it's been. Watching tv these last few days has made me realize how bad morning/daytime shows actually are.

We leave for vacation next week, after a few whirlwind late nights at school, due to parent-teacher conferences. Being gone multiple days this week has definitely set me back in my preparations, but I think after 8 years of this, I can manage. I have wonderful co-workers who also take good care of me!

I'm also going to say "ugh" about my poor kitty. She recently "went under" to have her teeth cleaned...a few hours after dropping her off, the vet called to tell us that she had almost DIED! They put her on a respirator and had to bring her back to life! It was scary - she is our baby!! They kept her for two more days, and when we brought her home she was a WRECK. She could hardly walk, couldn't open her eyes, and slept for days. It took several days for her to be even remotely back to normal. I felt sooo bad for our daughter - she was such a mess. Now, she has two big shave marks in her front legs...I'm assuming that's where her IVs were. Thank goodness Kikers came out of it okay!

Since today was an "ugh" day, I'm hoping to post this weekend with something much more positive! Stay tuned.