Unexpected Ultrasound

Today I went in to Midwives so that they could do a quick check on something, and I ended up getting to go get another ultrasound at Advanced Sonograms of Alaska.  Riggs was measuring "big", about 3-5 weeks bigger than I "should" be, so they wanted to check if it was him or amniotic fluid.  I was pretty annoyed about the measuring big part, because whether it was him or extra amniotic fluid, it meant I would be forced to take the gestational diabetes test, which I really did not want to take.

Luckily, the ultrasound went great, he's not measuring big at all, he's still measuring exactly on track for his due date.  And there is no extra amniotic fluid!  He's just feet down, so he's pushing my uterus up further than it would be if he were head down, yay!  I had a feeling he was feet down, since I had been feeling a giant protrusion up above my belly button pretty frequently and had been feeling most of his kicks down low.  So now I need to focus on exercises and stretches that will flip him over and make him go back into head down position.  It was so fun to see him unexpectedly, he is so, so cute! And he has hair already, we could see it sticking off the back of his head like a little mullet lol.  Too bad the ultrasound guy didn't get a picture of that.

Oh and according to ultrasound guy, Riggs weighs in at 1lb 15oz, nearly two pounds!

More fall excursions

To finish my roundup of this weekends fun fall excursions, I have some pictures from a "hike" Steve and I took out at Eklutna Lake on Sunday.  I say hike, but really mean meandering walk up the hillside with Steve and Beau, and plenty of breaks to catch my breath in between.  It must be the combination of my heart issues and normal pregnancy breathing issues, but man do I get winded easily now!  It's very frustrating too because my body could just keep going forever, but lungs do not comply.  But we had a great trip despite the hoards of people who also decided to get out at Eklutna Lake.  This is one of the reasons we opted not to walk along the Lakeside Trail, but tried a new on instead:

Edlu Bena Loop Trail
Distance: 2 miles loop
Rating: easy to moderate

This trail was an old road bed that has recently been cleared and goes for one and one half miles. It begins at the trailhead parking lot and splits off at the start of the Twin Peaks trail. The Edlu Bena trail goes through a forest of mixed birch and spruce. In the first section of the trail, a viewpoint opens up with views of the west end of Eklutna Lake. The trail ends at the Lakeside Trail. From this point, it is one half mile to return to the trailhead and campground, for a loop total of two miles.


This was a very nice trail, especially since there were no other people on that trail the entire time, except right at the end.  If you plan on heading out to Eklutna Lake any time and are sick of the Lakeside Trail, I would highly recommend this trail.  It goes on far past the "loop" portion described in the paragraph above.  Instead of heading back down to the Lakeside Trail, you can continue going up into the woods, while still enjoying peek-a-boo views of the lake, which is what we chose to do.  We probably went two miles out, then turned around and headed back the same way we came.  We were out there for about two and half hours, then headed back to Anchorage for evening church.  It was a great day!

Beau enjoying the beautiful fall weather at the lookout; this is before
we headed up further into the woods

Steve checking out the ridge across the lake...

My view as I was hiking along, I definitely can't see my feet anymore lol

Pizza Crust

I love pizza.  But the more I crave it, the more I shop for it, and then I read the labels, and realize there does not need to be over 20 ingredients in a cheese pizza!  All of the artificial ingredients they load the freezer pizza's with just so that they can be shelf stable and reheat right after freezing are not things I need to be growing my baby on.  Even "natural" or "organic" pizzas have their fair share.  So Sunday I decided on a whim to make my own pizza crust, and it turned out so well I thought I'd share.

Ingredients - preheat oven to 450.  

Add oil, water and yeast to mixing bowl (I proof my yeast first in a separate bowl with  just the water and sugar)

Add 1 1/2 cups flour and stir to mix ingredients for 30 seconds

This is about what it should look like after 30 seconds.  Then mix on high speed for 3 minutes.

This is what it should look like after mixing for three minutes

Then using a wooden spoon, add as much of the remaining flour as you can work in.
Then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and work the rest of the flour in.  I add oil  (about a tsp) to
finish the kneading process so the dough doesn't get overworked and dry.
Knead for about eight minutes total.

Mold into ball and let the dough rest, covered, for about ten minutes.

Roll out to preferred size and place on pizza pan (or stone)

Add ingredients...I used marinara sauce from Costco, local peas and broccoli (from
my adventure at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm), and
lots of mozzarella cheese.  

Bake at 450 for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how brown you like your cheese.
Enjoy!

Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm Fall Festival

It is amazing how beautiful fall is each year.  I always remember that I love fall, but I don't think I ever really do it justice in my memories.  Colors seem more vivid and beautifully contrast against the crisp blue skies.  My favorite color contrast of fall is how the trunks of the trees seem to darken and appear almost black, a stark contrast for the orange and yellow leaves.

The mountains seem to stand out more and maybe appear taller and more real, I can't take them for granted like I seem to do during the summer. The air is clean and snappy, and although this is probably all in my imagination, breathing it in seems to feel better - it always brings a smile to my face.

I love being layered in cozy clothes - cardigans, sweaters and warm fuzzy Uggs.  I think it is during the fall season that I really enjoy the sunshine the most, it is not too hot, yet I can still feel its warmth on my face.

Fall is also the beginning of the holiday season, which is, by far, my most favorite time of year.  I love seeing all of the fall decorations up around town - hay bales, pumpkins, and fall themed 'Welcome' signs.  Time passes quickly, soon it will be Halloween, then Thanksgiving and from then on it's just pure joy and excitement for me. I always put up my Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving (or as soon as possible if we go to Homer).

With little Riggs coming this year, it just seems to make this time even more exciting and special.  My usual countdown to Christmas is also a countdown to when my boy will be born!  How much more exciting can it get?

Kelsey, the boys, and I headed out to Palmer last Saturday for the Fall Festival at Pyrah's Pioneer Peak Farm, the largest U-pick farm in Alaska.  It was an amazing experience!  We got to grab a wagon and some bags and headed out into the fields to pick the veggies that we wanted to take home with us.  The boys loved it, and I admit there is something so circular and cozy about bending over in the field, working hard to harvest the veggies I would later be eating at home with Steve.  What a great learning experience for the boys about sustainability and the importance of knowing where your food comes from.

Kelsey and I thought it would probably be even nicer to go on less crowded day, but we still had a blast.  The beautiful weather was the icing on the cake, and we all went home happy with the fruits of our labor.

Noah with all the u-pickers behind him in the fields

Kesley and her (youngest) boy

harvesting some peas

Farmer Corbin

Farmer Noah

Shelling the peas at home

In other news, I've been crocheting away at projects for Riggs, here is one that's nearly finished

and one last funny one...hey at least they admit it!

Exciting things coming up!

Today I ordered stamps for our Christmas cards!  I love getting things done well ahead of time and having everything organized and ready to go.  I prefer to send out my Christmas cards right after Thanksgiving, and I debated trying to wait and do Christmas/New Year cards to try and squeeze in a picture of our little one.  But I ultimately decided to do a Christmas card separately and I will be (hopefully) using the maternity pictures we get taken.  I just booked the appointment for those too.

I decided to do them when I was about 32 weeks, which I think will be plenty big enough.  I get to do three different outfit changes and will now be on the lookout for what to wear.  I think we will do most of them outside, so I will need to wear something somewhat warm.  I think I want to go for basic black/white for both Steve and I, because too much color in pictures annoys me.  Especially since it will be winter-ish.  I'm thinking at least some of the shots will be in some nice grey or black yoga pants...like this picture, which I like (copyright noted in pictures):



I might want to do a dress pose too, what do you think?



I might throw a pair of dark wash jeans into the mix, like this:



Neither Steve or I want any with just him and my belly, kissing it or hugging it or staring at it creepily for example, like this:

 It just weirds me out.  As do the rosary beads....

or this:
 interesting...

So back to what I DO like...not many when it comes to both Steve and I.  Thankfully that is what Mitch is for, brilliant genius that he is, but I still want to think of what I do and don't like.

I like this type:



or something like this:



So anyway, those are my ideas thus far.  Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated!

bleh...

grouch·y/ˈgrouCHē/

Adjective: Irritable and bad-tempered; grumpy; complaining.

That pretty much describes me perfectly today.  that's all...

Happy Viability Day Riggs!

Fetal viability is described as... "The point at which a fetus becomes potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid..."

Yay Riggs!  I think the survival rate for birth at this time is still pretty low, like 50%, but it's considered the earliest that the hospital will try to save his little life if he were born now.  Every day his chances of survival will go up, so everyday is a great day from now on!  I am so thankful I haven't had any health issues during this pregnancy that have threatened his little life, and pray that it continues to be that way!  We want a healthy full term baby over here! :)

My heart seems to be doing about the same, or maybe better, I can't really tell.  But I'll found out after my next echocardiogram on the 23rd.

Here is a picture of me and Riggs at 24 weeks, he is growing fast and loves to kick, roll and rattle around in my uterus.

We love him so much already and with all the other babies getting born, I have to admit I'm a little (okay a LOT) impatient for December.  Plus it will be snowy and Christmas and family will be here and...it's just going to be the best holiday season ever!

And now for some interesting tidbits about 24 week old Riggs:

"Your baby weighs just under a pound-and-a-half...and by the end of the week he will weigh in at a whopping 2 lbs and 14 inches long." 

"Sounds that are heard daily by your baby include the beating of your heart, the sound of your voice resonating as you speak, the sound of air filling your lungs and being exhaled, and the growling noises made by your stomach and intestines." - Riggs also gets to hear a lot of music.  I "make" him listen to classical every day, and I play guitar and sing to him every day.  I think the guitar must be pretty interesting for him, as it sits right against my belly.  I assume he can feel the vibrations from the guitar - I hope he likes it!  Steve plays him electric guitar on Sundays when he's home (I want him to be used to all the loud stuff we do so it's not startling to him once he's actually here).


"Between now and the baby's expected date of delivery his feel will almost double in size, from 1.8 inches to 3.3 inches."


*excerpts in quotations taken from The Pregnacy Journal:  A day-to-day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy. 2005.

new babies!

It all started Tuesday.  I woke up late and was laying in bed feeling sort of glum.  I think I am slowly starting to get impatient for December to come around.  I texted my sister Kelsey, writing, "I want someone to have their baby so I can hold a newborn!"  We texted back and forth about the two babies our church was waiting on to be born, one due on the 8th of September and one due on the 24th.

Imagine my surprise when both are born by 1pm the next day!  That's right, both babies were born on the same morning, at the same hospital!  One was born while I was visiting the other!  Crazy!  I am so happy for both families, especially since they had fast labors and healthy babies.  It was so nice to hold them both and chat with their moms about their birth experiences.  I can't wait for Riggs to be here!

I almost forgot...

My mom and dad gifted us and Riggs with a new crib and dresser, and I just got it ordered on Sunday.  I can't wait for it to come, it's going to look so great with all his stuff!



This is the crib, without all the girly stuff, of course; I'll post a picture when it gets here.



This is his dresser, I LOVE it.  Can't wait to get all his little clothes set up in it.  And we are going to put the changing pad on top.



This is the bedding we are going to order for him.  I can't wait for everything to get here!  He already has some colorful homemade quilts and afgans and I know there will be a few more coming (from me and other crafty people who love him), so I wanted a bedding set that would match anything.

Seward

I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend!  Steve and I spent ours (well, at least Sunday and Monday, those were the only days Steve had off) in Seward together to celebrate our third wedding anniversary.  I can't believe it has already been three years since we said "I do"!  Time flies when you are having fun I guess.

Our trip was exactly what we needed.  It was our first time spending two consecutive days together since Memorial Day weekend!  We drove down Sunday afternoon in the pouring rain and checked into the Seward Windsong Lodge, which was charming, cozy and just what we needed for the night.



We went to dinner at Resurrection Roadhouse, the restaurant connected to the Lodge, and then borrowed a movie from the front desk to watch in our room.  We were both asleep by 9:30, it was so cozy and relaxing!

We got up early the next morning and went to the restaurant for breakfast.  It was delicious!  After checking out of the Lodge, we drove into Seward and spent a few hours at The Alaska SeaLife Center.



It was great to be there again, and Steve really enjoyed it.  The SeaLife Center is home to countless great memories for me.  I spent many weekends there when I was a girl scout working on my Gold Award, which we received by developing a Rehabilitation Station Education Program for kids at the center.  We got to spend the night there quite a few times, and it was such an amazing experience for me.  We also were the recipients of the Coastal American Partnership Award in 2001, and received a plaque and a handwritten and signed letter from the President commending us for our work.

Anyway, getting back to our weekend getaway, we then left to Center and headed over to the Harbor to catch our tour boat, and went on a four and a half hour tour of Resurrection Bay with Kenai Fjords Tours.  It was very, very wet, but amazing!   We saw five different humpback whales, including one that breeched, or jumped completely out of the water.  Unfortunately I was only quick enough to get pictures of two of the animals, but I will have the memory of what we saw forever.  I have seen quite a few whales in my life, but it never fails to amaze me.  They are such beautiful, awe inspiring, creatures that demand attention and respect.    Overall it was a fantastic trip, although it was tricky trying to get my raincoat zipped up.  I think from this point on it will never happen again as Riggs gets even bigger.  It was definitely a two person job! lol.  

Here are some pictures from our trip.     

Some nice big prawn...seeing them live just reinforces to me why I don't eat shrimp...

 Beautiful

Leaving Seward

did I mention it was rainy?

 The Harness Family

Fox Island

Humpback Whale, extremely close to our boat

 there were Lord of the Rings style waterfalls everywhere

On the way back, it got even rainier and mistier,

until everything looked like it was in black and white.  

It took our breath away it was so beautiful.