first figs

If you know me well, you know that my favorite fruit is the fig. I know I spent at least $50 - $60 on figs last summer (with such a short growing season, this could be considered an expensive fruit habit.) Therefore, this February I convinced Robin that having my very own fig tree was a necessity. It's just a little tree, but it has already blessed me with a decent crop of fruit that I am savoring one-by-one. I can't wait for it to grow up so it can provide me with more figs than I can eat -- I would love to share! ... for now, I'm keeping them all to myself. (It's a good thing Robin doesn't enjoy them.)

our first three figs were perfectly delicious

twelve week ultrasound

If today is a harbinger of things to come, baby Roberts is going to be ultra-cooperative, a poser for pictures and very energetic.  We had our twelve-week ultrasound today and Robin and I were both in awe over how tremendously cute our little one is.  It put on quite a show for us and the sonographers.  It yawned, took a few swallows, waved at us and wiggled and jumped around, all while being in the needed position for all requested measurements, including a look at the nasal bone -- something supposedly difficult to catch a glimpse of at this stage in pregnancy.   I was really relaxed during the sonogram and mesmerized by how much detail we could see.  We were actually able to count five fingers on one of the hands!  I didn't get teary this time, but Robin's eyes got a little misty when he saw our little miracle in action.  Our next doctor's visit is July 28, but it won't include another ultrasound.  We'll have to wait another six weeks before we see our little one again... but, we should get a gender glimpse during that visit.  We can't wait!

Baby Roberts lounging like it's in a hammock.  The head is to the left and the feet are to the right.  If you look closely, you can see one of the hands up next to the face.  The nasal bone and jaw bones are especially bright in this image.

You can tell I haven't finished changing my name everywhere!  One of my personal goals is to complete the transition before the baby is born.

This is a close up picture of the baby's facial profile, but the orientation is flipped and opposite of the above pictures.  The top of the head is to the right of the picture, and it looks like the baby is sucking its thumb.

Happy Birthday Jenny!

Jenny and I became fast friends our junior year of high school and have held fast to our friendship through thick and thin for the past 16 - 17 years. I always know Jenny will be there if I need her, no questions asked. I hope she knows I'll always be there for her, as well!

Happy 33, Jenny... I'm looking forward to helping you celebrate many more!

Fun with Brandon, Beth and Jack

Robin and I took the DART downtown today to have lunch at the Nasher Sculpture Center with our friends Brandon, Beth and Jack. It was great to be able to tell them our news in person! However, Brandon's mom, Dachelle had already "spilled" (with my permission), so as soon as Jack saw us, he asked "where's the baby?" When Robin told him it was in my belly, he looked at me like I ate it. Have fun explaining that one, Beth! ... I'm sure you'll have the opportunity to repay us later.

Jack the sculpture

For our Dallas friends (and anybody who wants to come visit): The Nasher Sculpture Center is one of our favorite spots. Let us know if your up for a Nasher lunch... we'd love to meet you there!

4th of July 2008

We spent a delightful evening with our good friends Kalina, Beto, Akassia and Iliana.  Crystalyn got to spend some close time with Iliana...

Akassia had fun waiting for the fireworks to start.

The fireworks were pretty cool, too.  I played around with the camera to get some neat effects.

More pictures are posted on my Flickr account.

smoky three bean salad and lemon velvet ice cream

Two of my favorite foods scream 4th of July... my mom's Smoky Three Bean Salad and Dachelle's Lemon Velvet Ice Cream. I made both today to take to Kalina and Beto's for our Independence Day feast. Both make a lot, so I am thrilled to have leftovers for lunches this week! The recipes are below... enjoy!

Smoky Three Bean Salsa (or Salad) -- Pam Holubec

1 15-oz can black-eyed peas

1 15-oz can black beans

1 16-oz can navy beans

14-oz can diced tomatoes

1 small sweet onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, diced (I use orange or yellow for color)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced

1/4 C fresh lime juice

1/4 t salt (I usually omit the salt)

Drain and rinse beans. Combine all ingredients, cover and chill at least two hours before serving.

Lemon Velvet Ice Cream -- Dachelle Burrows

Juice of 8 lemons (fresh-squeezed a must!)

2 tsp. lemon extract

4 C sugar

1 qt. whipping cream

1 qt + 3 C milk

Mix all ingredients; freeze in ice cream freezer according to manufacturer's directions. This makes oodles (it pops the lid off of my ice cream freezer), so sometimes I cut the recipe in half. Most homemade ice creams don't remain creamy in the freezer, so it needs to be enjoyed in at least two weeks.

tenth week check-up

The last two weeks were two of the slowest weeks I can remember... I was so excited when I woke up this morning that the day of our ten-week appointment had finally arrived! I've had some aches and pains that have caused me some anxiety so I was eager to know that everything was okay with the baby - and it is! The doctor attributed my aches to growing pains and gave us a glowing report. We are officially ten weeks pregnant today, but the baby has really been growing and measured at ten weeks, three days (my personal indication that I've been successful with my protein challenge.) The doctor also said the baby must be very active, because the umbilical chord looked long for just ten weeks. Hearing the heartbeat made my tears swell up again - it's such a soothing sound! Amazingly, we were able to actually see the heartbeat this time and we could see the blood pulsing through the umbilical chord to the baby!

We go back for another ultrasound, which we will have recorded on DVD on July 16 and our 14-week appointment on July 28.

Baby Roberts at ten weeks. The head is in the upper-left of the photo and if you look closely, you can see its arms by its side and the tiny legs tucked up near the tummy.

my mom's mint tea

Every summer growing up, my mom's mint tea was a staple in my parent's refrigerator. Now, it's one of the first things that pops into my mind when I think of summertime, and I constantly crave it. It's a good thing my mint bed is well established.

The recipe is below. Enjoy!

Mint Tea -- Pam Holubec

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
6 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate
1 cup sugar (it's a little sweet for me, so I reduce it to 1/2 - 3/4 cups, depending on my mood)
6 8" sprigs of fresh mint
1 family tea bag (I use decaf)
1 individual mint tea bag and 1 orange spice tea bag if available

Bring first three ingredients to a boil. Remove from burner, add mint, cover and steep until cool. Boil one qt. water, add tea bags and steep until cool. (Robin can fill you in on details of what happens if you don't let the tea cool.)

Remove mint from juice mixture, squeeze and discard. Combine tea and juice. Add water to make 1 gallon.

The tea keeps in the refrigerator for about a week.

a vegetarian pregnancy

My main concern during my pregnancy has been and will continue to be my diet.  I know there are thousands of vegetarian women who have had healthy pregnancies, but it's still a concern (I'm a very moody eater.) Seventy grams of protein each day seems like a daily mini Mt. Everest, but I feel very weak if I don't get my full dose -- and I know that need for protein will increase as the baby grows. 

My doctor suggested I would be eating a ton of eggs over the next year, and I think she literally meant a ton -- good thing I'm lacto-ovo!  I have been eating at least two eggs a day, but they only have 6 grams of protein each.  A cup of kefir (much more pleasant than eggs) has 14 grams of protein, so that gives me at least 20 grams of protein to start off the day.  The breakfast issue?  I am tired of eggs and have to choke them down in between bites of fruit (I constantly crave figs, blueberries, kiwi, mango and cold pineapple and watermelon.)  This weekend, I plan to look for a high-protein cereal I may also try mixing some protein powder into my hot cereal, and I am open to any additional suggestions.

Lunch in the office can be challenging, but our corporate gym has delicious protein smoothies, so I pop over when I need a pick-me-up.  

Dinner at home is easy, but dinner on the run isn't.  I've learned that Mediterranean food may be my best bet for a quick dinner.  Last night I had to eat while I was driving between meetings, and I enjoyed a fabulous falafel sandwich from Afrah.  

On the cooking front - I am looking for suggestions of good vegan (or vegetarian) recipes that boast high grams of protein.  I found one for a lentil, lime and spinach soup that I am eager to make tonight, but I need a lot of variety to match my eating moods.  Any and all suggestions are welcome!

it's official!

We had our first doctor's appointment today and I was so nervous! Other than major fatigue and some nausea, I don't feel much different, so I was eager to know if my body was playing tricks on me or if this was the real thing.

Technology is so amazing - at less than eight weeks, we could see our little one floating around and growing with all its might. Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was incredible! Today's visit was just a quick "confirmation of pregnancy," but it gave us great peace of mind - and a due date: January 28, 2009! We go back July 2 for our full pregnancy work-up and a second sonogram.

We know our little one doesn't look like much now, so Robin modified the image with a color picture of what it should look like at about 7 weeks.