Did you say Baby????

Dale and I arrived in California on Wednesday, just barely missing the thunderstorms that took over the Montana skies. Dale had never been to the Long Beach area and enjoyed spending time with my family. We relaxed by the beach, enjoyed the pool, golfed down In-n-Out burgers and ate like hungry pigs morning, noon, and night. Sadly, I put him on the plane back to Montana while I enjoy a few more days soaking up saltwater and sunshine.

As part of our exciting trip, my family hosted a baby shower. Boy, was I showered! With gifts, games, food, belly rubs, and tons of love. It was wonderful catching up with family and friends and listening to all the words of wisdom, horror stories of 9 lb babies, and questions from my non pregnant friends. All that hard work spent creating a gift registry was rewarded as I was able to check off half of the items. Had Dale been there he would have teared at the sight of adorable baby shoes, "Daddy''s Boy" t-shirts, and tiny onesies.

Now that the shower is over, I will hopefully have time for sleep and more relaxation as right now, I am working on only 6 hrs of sleep and am slowly slipping into delirium.

Team Blue!

Last week, I reported with hesitation that our doctor thought our baby was going to be a girl. However, the baby was moving around a lot and it was kind of hard to spot the goods. As it turns out those family jewels were indeed hiding because as of 8:45 am this morning we learned we are having a BOY! There was no mistaking it as this little one proudly displayed his goods for all the world to see (typical male fashion of course!)

Dale was looking forward to having a girl but is equally as thrilled to know that his legacy will continue and the Pittman name carried on. I am thrilled that I have a little Dale to share our life with and am looking forward to raising what will be the world's biggest mama's boy!

Aside from the wonderful display of male parts (which Dale will proudly tell you were huge!) everything else measured perfectly. I am exactly 21 weeks 1 day and the baby measured the same which is apparently somewhat rare. We saw ten fingers and toes, legs and arms, stomach, kidneys, eyes, nose, mouth, and everything else in between....it all looks perfect. We couldnt be happier.

Part of me is in shock just realizing that we have a son coming our way this October and feeling so lucky that we have been blessed with such perfection. But no matter how many times a doctor tells you you are perfect it doesnt take the mommy worries away. That of course, will be a lifelong anxiety that never goes away.

Our next appointment in July 10, in which we will hopefully get a 4D picture of our little one's face. (He was moving around a lot this morning, clearly indicating that he does not like his sleep interrupted!) Until then, we are headed to California and will undoubtedly be arguing over baby names the whole time.


I didnt know that I could be so excited about penis....ITS A BOY!!! (For those of you who know me, you already know the truth behind that comment, please keep the laughs to yourself)

PS I forgot to add, he stuck his tongue out at us several times, it was adorable!

Adulthood

In January 2008, after a rough year full of drama and heartbreak, I sat in my room staring at a computer screen and rainy Seattle searching for job opportunities and adventure for the soon to be post graduate soul. Montana plagued my thoughts, for that is where my heart and soul belonged. Of course, school started, I met my husband, fell in love, and simply forgot about that moment in the my room.

Of course, later in the year, that destiny would not escape me. After a trip back home to Montana Dale and I found ourselves resenting the city life and wishing for something more. We wanted to be free, breathe clean air, hike mountains, swim in lakes, and enjoy the small town life. When I came across AmeriCorps I found my calling. Not only could I live in Montana but I could also fulfill my passion for social justice and serve a community. It was a dream come true.

What I never expected was the life that would begin to paint its picture. Dale and I settled into Missoula immediately becoming intoxicated by the frosty air. Not only were we in love with eachother but we were in love with our home and what we created together. I am a stubborn and strong willed and have always known that I would live in Montana and raise a family. I never expected it would happen so easily.

A year ago, I graduated from college and was starting a new job--resenting the reality of adulthood. Now, a year later, I embrace life and all the complexities that adulthood has offered. I am married. I am going to be a mom in October. My Friday nights are spent knitting baby hats and cuddling with my husband on a couch. I spend Saturdays hiking, running errands, and if its a good week, going to Farmer's Market. My husband makes me breakfast in bed on Sundays and brings home flowers on Sunday night. I stare at my growing belly and I revel in wonder at how amazing and unexpected life has become. I love life.

AmeriCorps has fulfilled more than just my calling to serve. It has brought me home to the land the I belong in and paved the way for a life I always wanted but never knew I could have. At the beginning of the year, they warned us that it would be hard. We would struggle with our work, with our communities, and live paycheck to paycheck. It has been hard but knowing that I can do all that, with my husband, and have a child, gives me all the confidence in the world that I can do anything. I no longer resent adulthood but instead appreciate all the opportunity that it provides. It is hard, but the payoff is so worth it.

Baby Registry....DONE!

A few weeks ago I posted about my miseries in trying to establish a baby registry. For all those who think it simply involves the click of a scanner gun, be aware! Registering for baby is not for the faint-hearted and weak stomachs.

It involves a complicated process of looking at product reviews, checking safety recalls, and of course deciding between price, color, model, and brand. For each item, it takes me about 20 minutes of reviewing all the information, sometimes more.

For example, I wanted to register for a stroller. I looked at strollers, checked out the ones that all the required features, looked at those with the highest reviews, checked safety recalls, and finally narrowed down by price, only to discover that the stroller I want isn't even available through Target. All that took 45 minutes.

Maybe I am a baby registry overachiever but we plan on having multiple children and the stuff we buy, we want to it to not only be safe but last more than a few years. My time as a preschool teacher has also led me to have a certain attitude about what things are appropriate and necessary. Returning to the stroller concept, in experience, rear-facing strollers are better for children. They provide better bonding opportunities, reduce anxiety, and increase language acquisition. Therefore, the standard stroller wont do. Call me a baby merchandise elitist, all those years learning to be a teacher have forever cursed my outlook on child rearing.

Aside from choosing quality and safe stuff, there is the problem of sorting through absolute baby junk. All the buying guides insist that you buy a diaper stacker or a wipe warmer, or some other useless piece of crap. A diaper stacker is a hanging cloth tent that stores diapers, convenient for diaper changes. $20 later and a few months of frustration stuffing the damn thing, may cause the diaper stacker to lose its appeal. Baby buying guides are specifically geared towards first time moms who have no experience with baby stuff and prey on our emotions and sensitivity convincing us that we need all this CRAP. So after weeks of deleting the most unnecessary stuff, I finally narrowed down to what I actually need, what I want, and of course, those cute little extras like fuzzy socks.

After a month of torture, spending my evenings off scrolling product reviews I am pleased to announce that we have completed our baby registry! You can find us at Target, online or in store, just search our names and our long list that was proudly put together can be viewed for your pleasure. Or follow the link: https://www.target.com/registry/baby/2VG2RY1JPOSYZ

I look forward to reporting more about this whole baby registry process, because I am sure that in a year's time I will be complaining about the POS stroller or play yard failing to meet all of my high expectations, or cursing every time I have to use a cold wipe in the middle of a Montana winter on my crying baby's ass (thinking to myself that I should have gotten the wipe warmer, of course). In any case, I hope to further study the issue and maybe one day create a baby registry that meets every parents needs in a safe, efficient, cute! and cost-effective way.

Enough of my rant.

PS Target apparently doesnt let you register for most clothing items, books, and nursing apparel, most likely because their selection varies so much store to store. This is another frustration I plan on fixing!

20-Weeks! Its a.........!

80% sure its a GIRL!

We went in to our 20-week Dr's appointment today and everything checked out normally. I have only gained 12-pounds, the baby's heartbeat strong, and my uterus is now right underneath my belly button! I also found out today that I have A- blood which is fine but of course will be treated with Rhogram, in the event that the baby is +. Other than that, no concerns.

We werent planning on finding out the sex today, but since we are headed out of the town the Dr gave us a sneak peak. The baby was moving a bunch and the umbillical cord was in the way, nonetheless, the Dr is about 80% sure its a girl. We will get our official ultrasound on Wednesday before we head of to California for a week, so until then, we are thinking pink!

At the beginning of my pregnancy I was 100% sure it was going to be a boy, and then as I started feeling the baby kick, I started to change my mind. Dale and I both all of a sudden had strong 'girl' vibes. All the old wives tales were split between boy/girl, even the cabbage gender test had mixed results. Even though most of the time, I was thinking boy, I could never bring myself to seriously consider any boys names. Perhaps this is just every mothers secret desire to have a girl, or perhaps it was my intuition kicking in. Either way, we woud have been thrilled. I cant lie, I think I am in shock. I am preparing to have our ultrasound next week and find that its a boy. 80% is only 80%, boys will be boys and who knows where they hide their family jewels! Keep thinking Pink!

19- Week Belly

We're not at Peso's anymore Cornbread Benedict

In Seattle we frequented many restaurants but our favorite breakfast joint was Peso's down in lower Queen Anne. We also rushed over to make the $6 breakfast special and cure our hangovers with white sangria. Living in Montana has made my pregnancy cravings almost impossible: how is Dale supposed to get me the habanero sausage benedict from Peso's when its almost 7 hours away! We got creative in the kitchen and were able to come up with something that not only hit the spot but was arguably better than anything I could have ordered out...so leave the pesos in your purse and give this recipe a shot!

This recipe involves a three step process: First poach the eggs, Second make the gravy, and Third prepare the plates. (If you dont have leftover cornbread feel free to make it, buy it from the store)



Cornbread Benedict with Spicy Gravy
Serves 2 very hungary appetites

4 slices of cornbread (we had leftovers on hand, but you can make them using any recipe)
1 Roma tomato diced
Handful of chopped of Cilantro
Sour Cream (optional)
4 eggs
1 tbls of white vinegar
2 cups of milk
2 tbls of flour
2 tbls of butter
1 tsp of pepper
1 tsp of salt
dash of paprika
dash of garlic seasoning
dash of bacon salt (optional, my husband is addicted!)
dash of Siriacha sauce (or any other hot sauce)

1. First, poach the eggs, if you havent done this before: Fill a saucepan with 1 1/2 inches of water add vinegar and bring to a gentle boil. When the water comes to a low boil, crack one egg into a bowl and gently drop the egg into the water. Do the same with the second, third, and fourth. (Youtube videos help a lot if you are a novice egg poacher!) Cover the pan and let the eggs simmer for 2-4 minutes until the whites are set and the yolks are still jiggly. Drain the eggs on a papertowel being careful not to break the egg.

2. To make the sauce, melt butter in a pan. And then stir in flour, salt & pepper. Add the milk, spices, and hot sauce and stir over med heat until the sauce becomes thickened and gravy like. (About 9 minutes)

3. On 2 plates, cut cornbread in half, top with a little butter and heat in the microwave until warm. Top each plate of cornbread with two poached eggs. Add gravy to each plate and top with tomatoes and cilantro and a dash of sour cream.

4. Enjoy with a cup of coffee and a mimosa!

Amazing Strawberry Muffins

Originally, when I started this blog, I had hoped to share more about our culinary adventures but between babymaking and work I forgot to include the occasional recipe. That is about to change as I made the most amazing strawberry muffins, they were melt-in-your mouth delicious and so easy to make.

Amazing Strawberry Muffins
2 cups of flour (white or whole wheat)
1/2 cup of sugar
1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of nutmeg
1 tsp of cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup of french vanilla (or vanilla) yogurt
1/4 cup of butter (melted)
1 1/2 tsp of vanilla
1 1/2 cups of chopped fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries
Raw sugar (the pretty sugar crystals) for sprinkling optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
2. In a separate bowl beat eggs, melted butter, yogurt, and vanilla together.
3. Add strawberries to the flour mixture and then add the yogurt mixture all at once and stir to combine until smooth.
4. Spoon batter into greased muffin tin and sprinkle with raw sugar.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes until tops are golden brown.

Eat warm, with lots of butter and honey!

Is it gas? Is it indigestion? No, Its baby!!!

Every first-time mother finds herself question all those bubbles, flutters, and thumps. We simply have no idea what a baby kick actually feels like. Of course the problem with this self-doubt is that you begin to panic, suffer through a bit of paranoia, until your husband finally tells you to quit worrying....even then you lay awake worried that maybe your baby is not okay. All those sleepless nights for nothing, usually, after a few days of worrying, it becomes quite clear that those bumps, bubbles, and flutters are not the usual gas kind, but baby!

Everyone has been bugging me: "Have you felt it yet?" "Is it kicking yet?" and all the baby books say its time but I have been patiently waiting to feel those kicks. I even took to some of the less conventional methods and shined a flashlight over my belly and drank a gallon of ice tea hoping to get some movement...and nothing.

Finally, I was sitting in my office and all of sudden, POP! It was not gas, unless for some reason my intestines moved into my uterus. A few minutes later, POP! I felt it again and it was definitely baby!

I was driving the other night, listening to the oldies station, singing at the top of my lungs, James Taylor "how sweet it is to be loved by you" and the baby was kicking like crazy! It must have liked the music! A few minutes later another song, "Secret Agent Man", got the baby kicking again.

All this movement brings tears to my eyes as it finally dawns on me that (again) there is a baby growing inside me. I cant deny that this movement also freaks me out as, there is something behind me, something that I control, something alien moving inside me, waiting for its chance to just pop out! Weird.

We have another appointment on Thursday and hopefully we will have an opportunity to find out the sex. Until then, I am going to laze around happily feeling this little kicker.

Walnut, Pear, and Swiss Salad with French Onion Soup

Saturday my Aunt Renee came over for lunch and wanting to satisfy our appetites and impress our guest we prepared a light, yet delightful, lunch. Of course, we were full of cheese, cherries, and bread we consumed in the process but we still able to lick our plates clean!


French Onion Soup
Serves 4-6, Preparation & Cook Time: 2 1/2 hours

5-6 onions, thinly sliced
4 tbls butter
1 tbls olive oil
salt & pepper (about 1 tsp each)
2 tbls of Worcestershire sauce
2 tbls of dry White Wine (optional)
5-6 Cups beef broth
Swiss cheese (for topping)
Slice french bread (for topping)

1. In a large dutch oven, over med-low, heat butter and olive oil until melted and lightly bubbling, add the onions, stir gently and cover. Check the onions every 20 minutes, stir, and cover. (About 1 1/2 hours later, the liquid will have disappeared and the onions should be a light caramel brown color)

2. When the onions are the light caramel color, add beef broth, Wine, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and continue to cook, covered, until hot. (About 20 minutes)

3. Preheat oven to broil. In each bowl, ladle soup and top with bread, and cheese. Place bowls under broiler until the cheese is just bubbly and golden. Be careful removing bowls as they will be hot!

4. Enjoy with salad and a prosecco lemonade!


Walnut, Pear, and Swiss Salad
Serves 4, Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Small bag of mixed greens salad
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
2 pears, thinly sliced
1/2 cup of swiss cheese, shaved with a vegetable peeler (into long thin strips)
Raspberry Vinaigrette
salt & pepper and of course, bacon salt if you have it.

1. In a bowl combine greens, walnuts, pears, swiss cheese and salt & pepper. Toss lightly with the raspberry vinaigrette.


Prosecco Lemonade
Serves 4, Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

1 750 ml Bottle of Prosecco (sparkling white wine)
1 liter bottle of Mango Lemonade (I use Santa Cruz Organic but any will do)

1. In a pitcher add mango lemonade and prosecco. Serve over ice in gimlet glasses.