Our daughter's name is Magdalene "Maggie" Catherine.
Of course Marek already spilled the beans to some of you...
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Official stats.
No Name reveal yet but she just got her first time on the scale after a good first meal.
Baby Girl weighed in at 6 lbs 15 oz with a length of 20" and a head circumference of 13 1/4".
After the weigh in, daddy got to hold her for a while while mommy got to take a few pics and start moving around. Baby Girl also revealed that she has her Daddy's dimples and appetite. We'll be changing rooms within the hour, and will most likely start welcoming visitors this afternoon, but we are not for sure yet. I'll head out after we change rooms to go pick up Marek so he can meet her too.
There are some photos on our Facebook pages, but none here yet because we forgot the camera cord at home. Don't fret, they get posted on here at some point.
And then there were four of us.
Just as I was getting ready to do another update, Anna started to have really strong contractions and things started to move quickly. Luckily our Doc arrived just in time. Anna was such a trooper through it all, even if she doesn't think so. She elected to pass on the epidural and do it naturally so she was more uncomfortable than when she gave birth to Marek. This time the whole process moved a lot faster, and with three pushes our daughter joined us with a few cries at 10:45. We are both so happy to have her with us and looking forward to Marek and everyone else to meet her. She does have a name but we have to tell two special people first before we let everyone know. Right now Anna and "baby sister" as Marek knows her are nursing and resting up from the ordeal. We don't have any official stats yet, but we'll get them on here once we do.
A bit closer...
A few more hours have passed and the nurses have switched out as well. The contractions seem like they are coming more regularly and are a bit more intense. Anna just remarked that it feels so good when they pass and that she feels like she could run a marathon. The nurse also told me that the doctor we are using usually lets the Dads catch if they want. I still have some time to decide if I'll be up for it...
Sooner rather than later...
Things are moving along as expected. Anna is still feeling good, though the contractions are starting to get more intense even if they are not quite regular. We were able to take a nice walk around the hospital here about 30 minutes ago to try and move things along and it seems to have worked. Right now, we are just sitting and waiting while listening to the baby's heartbeat on the monitor. More updates to come...
She'll Be Comin' When She Comes
We're back! It has been a long week of waiting and thinking this baby was ready to come at any minute. This morning at 3:30am my water breaking woke me up. I gently asked Matt for a towel and then started shaking with nerves. I settled down after getting things arranged with Marek and we left for the hospital about an hour later. Contractions have not really kicked in (which is why you are hearing from me and not Matt). Scratch that...that one hurt a little ;) It's 5:30am now and I'm dilated to a 6. The nurse says that I'm "made to have babies" and thinks it will go very quickly as soon as it kicks into gear. I just ate a banana and am going to walk around and see if we can get things going! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. We can't wait to introduce our little girl to the world!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Our Favorite Smoothy (Cherry Chocolate Smoothy)
Our Favorite Smoothy (Cherry Chocolate Smoothy)
I do think smoothie recipes can be silly because it's a matter of throwing anything you like in the blender and turning it on! But...this one is a constant favorite of ours so I thought I would write it down. Marek and I share a smoothy first thing every morning.
Ingredients:
2 C plain (homemade) kefir
1/2 C frozen cherries
1/2 C frozen wild blueberries
1 T cocoa powder
1 handful fresh baby spinach
Directions: Put all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
I do think smoothie recipes can be silly because it's a matter of throwing anything you like in the blender and turning it on! But...this one is a constant favorite of ours so I thought I would write it down. Marek and I share a smoothy first thing every morning.
Ingredients:
2 C plain (homemade) kefir
1/2 C frozen cherries
1/2 C frozen wild blueberries
1 T cocoa powder
1 handful fresh baby spinach
Directions: Put all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Creamy Fiesta Chicken Bowl
I added another made-up meal to my arsenal tonight. This was an unusual (can-o'-this-can-o'-that) meal for me but it turned out delicious and Marek devoured two bowls full. I thought that I should write it down, not that I won't remember the recipe but so I remember it as an option for dinner when I feel out of ideas. It has been a goal of mine to start writing down my recipes as I have started to make many of them repeatedly and also had more and more requests from friends. I'm excited to see how many I have in the end and hopefully bind them all together for my children some day. For my graduation, I asked my dad to write down all of the recipes that I remember from growing up. I have them in a notebook in his very difficult to read handwriting and unique writing style. I will cherish it forever!
Creamy Fiesta Chicken Bowl (crock pot recipe)
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken breasts
1 lb chicken thighs
1 T cumin
1 T taco seasoning (recipe here)
1 tsp salt
1 jar of your favorite salsa
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro (stems and all)
1 can rinsed and drained black beans
2 C frozen corn
1 pkg cream cheese, cubed
Directions: Place all ingredients in crock pot in order listed. Cook on high 4-5 hours. When finished, shred chicken with fork. Can be served wrapped in a tortilla, over rice, or just plain!
Notes: The chicken can be frozen. The thighs really make the dish, they are more moist and flavorful than the usual boneless, skinless breasts.
Creamy Fiesta Chicken Bowl (crock pot recipe)
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken breasts
1 lb chicken thighs
1 T cumin
1 T taco seasoning (recipe here)
1 tsp salt
1 jar of your favorite salsa
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro (stems and all)
1 can rinsed and drained black beans
2 C frozen corn
1 pkg cream cheese, cubed
Directions: Place all ingredients in crock pot in order listed. Cook on high 4-5 hours. When finished, shred chicken with fork. Can be served wrapped in a tortilla, over rice, or just plain!
Notes: The chicken can be frozen. The thighs really make the dish, they are more moist and flavorful than the usual boneless, skinless breasts.
Anna's Homemade Taco Seasoning
Anna's Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients:
1 1/2 T chili powder (recipe here)
1 T cumin
1/2 T garlic powder
1/2 T onion powder
1/2 T oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 T chili powder (recipe here)
1 T cumin
1/2 T garlic powder
1/2 T onion powder
1/2 T oregano
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
No-Bake Cookie Balls
No-Bake Cookie Balls
Ingredients:
honey
Notes: I enjoy these refrigerated. For a prettier presentation, form into logs and roll in coconut flakes (like a date roll) and press a blanched almond onto the top.
Ingredients:
1/2 C oats
1 1/2 C various raw nuts (such as almonds, pecans and walnuts)
1/4 C various seeds (such as chia, pumpkin, flax and sunflower)
1/2 C unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp fresh ground cinnamon
*1 T cocoa powder optional
1/2 C sticky dried fruit (such as dates, raisins or apricots)
1/4 C maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
*1 T cocoa powder optional
1/2 C sticky dried fruit (such as dates, raisins or apricots)
1/4 C maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
honey
Directions: Blend oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, cinnamon (and optional cocoa powder) in the food processor until it reaches a crumbly, slightly sticky consistency. Processing too much will separate the oils from the nuts. Add fruit, maple syrup, and vanilla and process until fruit is combined. Now, with the processor running, process adding honey until the batter becomes dough-like and forms into one ball in the food processor. Use your hands to roll into 1-inch balls and enjoy!
Notes: I enjoy these refrigerated. For a prettier presentation, form into logs and roll in coconut flakes (like a date roll) and press a blanched almond onto the top.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
1 C dry quinoa (made just like rice, one cup equals about 3 cups cooked)
kalamata olives, halved
sliced colored sweet peppers
canned quartered artichoke hearts
garbanzo beans
whole cherry tomatoes
sliced yellow summer squash
diced red onions
fresh chives, chopped
fresh basil, julienned
My Vinaigrette:
-equal parts olive oil and vinegar (I use a mixture of red wine/balsamic/apple cider and/or whatever is left from the olive jar!)
-lots dried herbs of your choosing
-salt
-pepper
-garlic powder
-a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
-a dash of cayenne pepper
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and give it a good shake. Sometimes I add a little honey to kill the acidity. I also may squeeze in a giant glob of stone ground mustard. Let it sit for and hour or more so the dried herbs can rehydrate and all the flavors can incorporate. This is a great dressing for almost any salad!
Directions for Salad: Add as much dressing to the salad as you like and give it a good toss. It soaks up quite a bit so be generous, I'd say I usually add about 3/4 of a cup or more.
Notes: The salad is delicious served over a bed of fresh baby spinach.
Ingredients:
1 C dry quinoa (made just like rice, one cup equals about 3 cups cooked)
kalamata olives, halved
sliced colored sweet peppers
canned quartered artichoke hearts
garbanzo beans
whole cherry tomatoes
sliced yellow summer squash
diced red onions
fresh chives, chopped
fresh basil, julienned
My Vinaigrette:
-equal parts olive oil and vinegar (I use a mixture of red wine/balsamic/apple cider and/or whatever is left from the olive jar!)
-lots dried herbs of your choosing
-salt
-pepper
-garlic powder
-a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
-a dash of cayenne pepper
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and give it a good shake. Sometimes I add a little honey to kill the acidity. I also may squeeze in a giant glob of stone ground mustard. Let it sit for and hour or more so the dried herbs can rehydrate and all the flavors can incorporate. This is a great dressing for almost any salad!
Directions for Salad: Add as much dressing to the salad as you like and give it a good toss. It soaks up quite a bit so be generous, I'd say I usually add about 3/4 of a cup or more.
Notes: The salad is delicious served over a bed of fresh baby spinach.
Anna's Homemade Chili Powder
Anna's Homemade Chili Powder
Ingredients:
3 T ancho chili powder
2 T cayenne chili powder
2 T paprika
1/2 T red pepper flakes
1 T cumin
1/2 T garlic powder
1/2 T oregano
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
Ingredients:
3 T ancho chili powder
2 T cayenne chili powder
2 T paprika
1/2 T red pepper flakes
1 T cumin
1/2 T garlic powder
1/2 T oregano
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
Anna's Homemade "Orange" Curry Powder
Anna's Homemade "Orange" Curry Powder
Ingredients:
2 T turmeric
2 T coriander
2 T cumin
1 T cayenne
1 T cardamom
1 T ginger
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: This curry powder blends together all of my favorite curry flavors and highlights the ones that I like the best. It is not traditional and doesn't go with any specific recipe. It isn't a red, yellow, or green curry. It's somewhere in between so I'll just call it orange. I use it in basic, throw-together curry dishes as well as curried chicken salads and anything else that calls for generic "curry powder." I try use as many whole spices as I can get and grind them myself, this contributes to the aromatics and freshness. Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
Ingredients:
2 T turmeric
2 T coriander
2 T cumin
1 T cayenne
1 T cardamom
1 T ginger
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Notes: This curry powder blends together all of my favorite curry flavors and highlights the ones that I like the best. It is not traditional and doesn't go with any specific recipe. It isn't a red, yellow, or green curry. It's somewhere in between so I'll just call it orange. I use it in basic, throw-together curry dishes as well as curried chicken salads and anything else that calls for generic "curry powder." I try use as many whole spices as I can get and grind them myself, this contributes to the aromatics and freshness. Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
Anna's Chai Spice Mix (and Chai Tea Recipes)
Anna's Chai Spice Mix
Ingredients:
2 T ginger
1 T cardamom
2 tsp white pepper
2 tsp cinnamon
5 whole cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Directions for making chai tea: Steep 1 tsp good-quality black tea leaves with 1/2-1 tsp chai mix per 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 3 minutes. Stir in a heap of honey and milk to taste. Chai should be sweet and creamy, be generous! It is also easy and delicious to add about 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk in place of the milk and honey. For iced chai, use 1/2 the amount of water for steeping. After steeping, add sweetener and pour over a cup full of ice. Add milk to taste. Enjoy!!
Notes: This spice mix is also great in recipes calling for generic "chai" such as muffins and granola. I try use as many whole spices as I can get and grind them myself, this contributes to the aromatics and freshness. Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
See my past post about chai for more chai fun!
Ingredients:
2 T ginger
1 T cardamom
2 tsp white pepper
2 tsp cinnamon
5 whole cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Directions: Mix all together. Store in a mason jar.
Directions for making chai tea: Steep 1 tsp good-quality black tea leaves with 1/2-1 tsp chai mix per 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 3 minutes. Stir in a heap of honey and milk to taste. Chai should be sweet and creamy, be generous! It is also easy and delicious to add about 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk in place of the milk and honey. For iced chai, use 1/2 the amount of water for steeping. After steeping, add sweetener and pour over a cup full of ice. Add milk to taste. Enjoy!!
Notes: This spice mix is also great in recipes calling for generic "chai" such as muffins and granola. I try use as many whole spices as I can get and grind them myself, this contributes to the aromatics and freshness. Use fresh, good quality spices! It makes all the difference in the world!
See my past post about chai for more chai fun!
Friday, January 25, 2013
New Home!
We are finally (mostly) settled in to our new home. I had a lot of energy and motivation right away to get the house unpacked and start checking things off of our very long to-do list. In the first week I had nearly everything put away and even some painting projects done. It didn't really seem overwhelming to me at the time but I think it caught up with me and Marek after a couple of weeks. Marek was really starting to act up and wanting my attention. My patience was getting seriously tested after a million trips to the store for supplies. And so, I think my body and my baby told me to take a step back and relax. I have lost almost all of the motivation I had to get anything done and now I'm just waiting for that husband of mine to get home and finish off the list! It always happens at the two-month mark; we all start to go a little stir crazy and need our family together. Unfortunately, Matt will be staying on the ship an extra month in order to be home an extra month and be here for the baby's birth. Just pray that baby comes early so we have extra time together as a family of four! Marek has adjusted incredibly well to the move but as he is older now, he is also very aware of Daddy's absence and misses him a lot. Luckily, Matt has been in port for a couple of weeks and is able to access video chat while docked there. It makes all the difference in the world being able to talk face to face! Marek looks forward to seeing Daddy every night before bed and I think Matt gets a kick out of his silly before-bedtime restlessness. Sometimes I'll plop him on the office chair and go grab something for dinner and I can hear him chirping away while Matt laughs and says, "uh huh, Buddy" because it is still difficult to understand most of what he's talking about :)
With the added attention, Marek has been such a good boy lately. He is helpful and perceptive and surprising me every day with new things that he says and does. I've realized recently that I need to start recording more of him because this baby talk is soon going to be a thing of the past! I also started writing down all of his funny words for things that I don't want to forget (my latest favorite..."Pop Pork" = Popcorn). I have been holding and carrying him as much as possible because I know our days are numbered. I'm also realizing the importance of tradition, routine, and starting to instill in him our beliefs at this age because he really does pick up on a lot! He often times is the one reminding me to pray before we eat and at bedtime.
We actually haven't been hanging out with family as much as we'd like because the weather has been so dang frigid. We are looking forward to a warm-up and hopefully even more snow so we can get outside and play! We did get outside one afternoon for a walk around the neighborhood and met some neighbors. We also got a membership to the Community Center and Marek loves to go swimming and is warming up to the idea of playing in the childcare center while I get in a workout. He did great at church nursery last Sunday which was good for both of us.
The novelty of our new home has not worn off yet for Marek. Every time we pull in the driveway he exclaims, "new home!" and every reference to our house still includes the phrase "new home" as well as every other place we've gone: new library, new store, new church. He has mentioned a number of times, even today, that he wants to "go farm, see Papa." It's sad that we are not as close to be able to do that but we hope that it will make our visits back to Wisconsin more special and memorable.
I have my first OB appointment with a new doctor on Monday and we will be finding out the gender (on Matt's birthday!). I am anxious to see the baby and make sure that everything they can see looks okay. I have had a hard time gaining weight so far and I'm nervous that the baby could be affected by how sick I was in Oct/Nov. In many ways, I feel like I'm doing this all again for the first time. I have made many lifestyle changes since my first pregnancy as well, I have become a mom and that alone makes me feel like a different person. I am hoping to do things a little differently with this pregnancy and birth and praying for the same wonderful outcome. It took me until about two weeks ago to really "feel pregnant" and to face the fact that this baby is coming, no matter what!
I haven't done enough to express our gratitude to our family for helping with the move. It was a long day (and days for some!) and was perhaps more stuff than I thought there would be. They not only did the actual lifting and moving, but helped with Marek, supplied food, plowed the driveway, and so much more. Thank you, thank you, thank you to you all! We are so happy to be here.
With the added attention, Marek has been such a good boy lately. He is helpful and perceptive and surprising me every day with new things that he says and does. I've realized recently that I need to start recording more of him because this baby talk is soon going to be a thing of the past! I also started writing down all of his funny words for things that I don't want to forget (my latest favorite..."Pop Pork" = Popcorn). I have been holding and carrying him as much as possible because I know our days are numbered. I'm also realizing the importance of tradition, routine, and starting to instill in him our beliefs at this age because he really does pick up on a lot! He often times is the one reminding me to pray before we eat and at bedtime.
We actually haven't been hanging out with family as much as we'd like because the weather has been so dang frigid. We are looking forward to a warm-up and hopefully even more snow so we can get outside and play! We did get outside one afternoon for a walk around the neighborhood and met some neighbors. We also got a membership to the Community Center and Marek loves to go swimming and is warming up to the idea of playing in the childcare center while I get in a workout. He did great at church nursery last Sunday which was good for both of us.
The novelty of our new home has not worn off yet for Marek. Every time we pull in the driveway he exclaims, "new home!" and every reference to our house still includes the phrase "new home" as well as every other place we've gone: new library, new store, new church. He has mentioned a number of times, even today, that he wants to "go farm, see Papa." It's sad that we are not as close to be able to do that but we hope that it will make our visits back to Wisconsin more special and memorable.
I have my first OB appointment with a new doctor on Monday and we will be finding out the gender (on Matt's birthday!). I am anxious to see the baby and make sure that everything they can see looks okay. I have had a hard time gaining weight so far and I'm nervous that the baby could be affected by how sick I was in Oct/Nov. In many ways, I feel like I'm doing this all again for the first time. I have made many lifestyle changes since my first pregnancy as well, I have become a mom and that alone makes me feel like a different person. I am hoping to do things a little differently with this pregnancy and birth and praying for the same wonderful outcome. It took me until about two weeks ago to really "feel pregnant" and to face the fact that this baby is coming, no matter what!
I haven't done enough to express our gratitude to our family for helping with the move. It was a long day (and days for some!) and was perhaps more stuff than I thought there would be. They not only did the actual lifting and moving, but helped with Marek, supplied food, plowed the driveway, and so much more. Thank you, thank you, thank you to you all! We are so happy to be here.
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