Please don't go Bob Costas

I heard the dreaded news around 3am when I awoke to Baby Bean lying on my chest snoring lightly.  Bob Costas was on the TV telling me that the closing ceremonies for the Olympics happen TONIGHT. 

AGH!!!! What, oh what, will I watch on TV from 1-5 in the morning during my turn on "baby duty"? 

This is a serious question.  I would be happy to take your suggestions. 

Did you watch curling?

If you didn't catch it yesterday, I strongly suggest you try to get a glimpse before the Olympics is over. 

The sport is fascinating.  First of all, who wants to sweep for fun and sport? Second, it kinda of reminds me of billards on ice with bigger equipment. 

When is it time to say goodbye?

My relationship with my hair stylist began about 6 years ago.  She's good, her salon is close to my house, and I will forever thank her for talking me into short hair.  It was a big step for me, and for about 5 years I have enjoyed many variations of my short bob. 

But here's the problem:  I'm growing tired of it.  I want something new.  But alas, beloved hair stylist apparently wants nothing to do with putting me in shoulder/mid-length hair.  Despite expressing my desire that I would like to grow my hair out, our session ended yesterday with her taking a razor to the back of my neck and telling me that I'm a "short-hair gal".  Perhaps I am. But I'm itching for a change, and after 9 months of almost getting through the ugly transition period only to have her chop the whole thing off (this has happened at least twice), I'm beginning to doubt that I will ever get my shoulder length hair back. 

So my dilemma:  Do I throw caution to the wind, say a pleasant goodbye, and find someone else who may or may not be as good?  Or do I put my faith in my trusty hairstylist to know what looks best for my face and hair type and possibly live with the short bob for another 10 years?  Comments?

Getting my Cook On

I only get excited about cooking when life feels stress free.  Otherwise, it's a drag.  When there is a mile long to-do list, planning, shopping, chopping, cleaning up, etc...feels like an enormous chore.  But yesterday, after a somewhat unexpected snow day and time to relax, I was ready to cook. 

The menu: Pear and Spinach salad, Mini Meatball Soup, and roasted brussels sprouts (thanks, Two Pretzels, for recently pointing out the correct spelling).  Yum, I can't wait for lunch so I can help myself to leftovers. 

It was the first time I had ever cooked brussels sprouts.  The verdict: I liked them roasted, drizzled with a little bit of olive oil, and sprinkled with salt.  But here's the kicker - I didn't have to clean them. A woman from work gave me homegrown brussels sprout already washed and trimmed.  I feel like I can't really judge these mini-cabbages until I experience the whole process, so I'm currently withholding my final thoughts.  If you have some hints on the cleaning process of these little green gems, please share. 

If it were up to me...

my child would be born today.  As a fan of numbers, I think 2/10/2010 would be a cool birthday.  But alas, I think the little bugger is quite comfortable and has no plans for moving from under my ribs anytime soon. 

The Prego Report

It was another 3-appointment week. 

The word from our nurse practitioner, OB/GYN, and perinatalogist...he's a plump baby (Thursday he was estimated to be 7lb 8oz, Friday's estimation was 8lb 3oz-obviously it's not an exact science) who seems quite content to hang out in his little cocoon. 

The calls from the medical experts that he might make an early appearance (based on some contractions I had) have faded.  Now we are having conversations that go something like this:  "Everything looks fine - he'll let you know when he's ready - we won't start thinking about induction until a week after his due date." 

So, am I nervous about labor and delivery? Yep, especially if the predictions of his size hold true. However, here is some advice from some wise women (or at least my interpretation of their advice) that has helped keep me in the right frame of mind. 

• Many, many women across many continents and many generations have gone through this process.  My own mother gave birth in an underprivileged nation 3 1/2 decades ago.  My grandma gave birth to six children ranging from 8 1/2 - 10 1/2 pounds over a 22 year period.  They both survived, and I will too.   
• There are so many things one can worry about while pregnant, so why worry until you have to?  I'm trying to take this approach with labor and delivery. 
• Everyone has their own ways of coping, so be free to utilize whatever is needed to get through the process. Screaming, silence, hanging on to my husband's hand for dear life?  All fine. 

So, to our plump little baby, take your time.  We're excited to meet you, but in reality, there's no rush.  In fact, if you would like pictures on your walls to look at or perhaps some curtains on your nursery window, one more week before you make your grand entrance in this world would be fabulous.   

They Got Me

T and I recently dined with my brother and his family at Red Robin.  This meal occurred a few weeks after our doctor suggested I become more conscious of my diet in the hopes of keeping Baby Bean's weight down.  I should have ordered a salad, but they just didn't seem interesting that night.  Instead, I ordered the Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Wrap.  I thought the Spinach tortilla sounded healthier than a bun and when isn't chicken good for you if it's grilled? 

I was horrified tonight to read an article on Yahoo! that listed this sandwich as one of the 10 unhealthiest around.  As quoted from the article, "Chicken sandwiches have an undeserved healthy reputation—that's because, while they're built with the leanest meat, they're often stuffed and flavored with enough high-calorie sauces and fillings to sink a ship."  Full article here. 

Um, yep, I was definitely fooled.  As it turns out, eating this sandwich had about as many fat grams as a Big Mac.  Guess I still have a few things to learn about nutrition. 

Calling All Cooks

I need some help.  Recently I made some OK-tasting enchiladas.  I think they have the possibility of being great, but they are lacking some flavor.  The meat filling called for garlic, onion, cummin, chilli powder, and a little bit of all-spice.  But it was still a little bland.  What would you add to the mix?

I was nominated...

YAY!! Thanks to Two Pretzels for the nomination! You are fantastic, funny, and insightful, as is your blog.   Here we go...it's like a big circle game and I LOVE it! 


The Rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated me for this award: Again, thank you, Two Pretzels. 
2. Copy the award & place it on my blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated me for this award.
4. Share 7 interesting things about myself. (See below).
5. Nominate 7 bloggers. (See below).

My 7 things:
1. I have an extra bone/knob in the inside of my ankle. Thanks, Dad!
2. I would, at some point in my life, like to become scuba certified.  Fishes, watch out!
3. Lucerne, Switzerland and Brugge, Belgium are two of my favorite cities outside the United States.
4. I will NEVER cook without a recipe, and really admire the people who can just "throw" things together.
5. Currently my husband and I are watching Twin Peaks - from the early 1990s.  It weirds me out and yet fascinates me at the same time.
6. I HATE flying with a passion, although I will do it when necessary.
7. I love assembling pieces of furniture. 

Nominations:  Almost all of the blogs listed below have been nominated already, but I wanted them to know that I love their blogs and love hearing their updates. In alphabetical order...
1.  Aimless Oasis
2. Chewlies
3. Musings on Motherhood
4. Snappy Tulip
5. Trophy Life
6. Two Pretzels
7. Written Permission