Pregnancy Letter #3

Dear Belly Button,

You look funny. Seriously. Weird. If you could get that fixed, I'd appreciate it. And I would prefer if you wouldn't pop like a turkey when it's done. I am sure that would make Sam laugh even more than he already does.

Thank you for your consideration,
Emily

Pregnancy Letter #2

Dear Oxygen,

It seems that you and my lungs are in a fight. I hope you will make up so that I will be able to breathe again. If that could happen soon, that would be great.

Thanks,
Emily

Pregnancy Letter #1

Dear Shirts,

I am sorry I keep spilling my food on you. I used to spill all the time but it didn't influence you because my belly didn't put you in the line of gravity. My sincerest apologies.

Love,
Emily

Being a girl...

Sam wonders why I always have my purse. Even if we are just leaving the apartment for a few minutes.

It's because my phone is too big for my pocket! We have the same phone and his phone fits in his pocket just fine.

Let me demonstrate the problem.

My pants are on the left and his pants are on the right. Not only is his pocket monstrous compared to mine, his pants are also looser.

So... quiet about my purse, fiend! I will carry it if I want to!

What goes down must come... up?

I feel like I have been very lucky throughout this pregnancy.

I have had little or no morning sickness.

I cry like a pro at the tiniest incentive but I don't have major mood swings.

The baby is healthy.

I feel happy and strong.

It seems my luck has run out.
[If you don't like gross things, do not read this...]

Last weekend I proudly announced to some friends that I had not thrown up yet! There were definitely times that I wanted to but I would close my eyes and take deep breaths until I didn't feel dizzy anymore.

And then that all changed...

I had an appointment with the doctor to see if I have gestational diabetes. I had to drink a very syrupy drink one hour before getting blood drawn. Last time I had blood drawn, they couldn't find a vein. And after about 18 pokes, I looked like this (on one arm):

I drank the syrup stuff and then Sam drove me to the doctor's office. While sitting and waiting, I started feeling sick because it was so hot. Finally the hour had passed and they drew my blood on the first try. I watched like I always do. It usually doesn't bother me.

I was still feeling hot and dizzy so I stayed sitting for a few minutes then felt all better and decided to leave so Sam could get to work.

During the twenty minute drive home, I started feeling sick again. Everything was really loud and then suddenly everything was silent and I knew I had failed in trying to cool myself off and calm down.

I couldn't get the window down in time.

I threw up in my hands.

I asked Sam to roll down the window.

With my hands full of throw up, and more on the way, we kept driving.

I threw the mess out the window. While driving. Fast. On the freeway.

I found a yogurt container on the floor of Sam's car and threw up a couple more times into that. There was throw up everywhere!

It was in my hair (because the wind had blown it off of my face),
dripping down my chin,
in a puddle that I was sitting in,
on the carpet,
on my purse,
on my shoe,
and streaking across the side of Sam's car.

Sam would not even look at me because he said that would have made him throw up.

I cannot believe that the first time I threw up during this pregnancy was because of a stupid glucola test and not even morning sickness! I had been doing so well! At least it was a funny experience. Yum yum.

Tuesday Thyme: Banana Bread

Banana Bread
makes one loaf

1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 c. mashed banana
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cooking oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mash the banana.
3. In a small bowl, combine egg, mashed banana, and cooking oil.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar.
5. Mix wet and dry ingredients together.
6. Pour into greased bread pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.

My suggestions:
*Measure carefully.
*Leave the bananas kind of chunky.
*Use bananas that look like the need to be thrown away. They are better that way!
*Eat it while it is still warm!
*Do not overcook it.

And... I hate my camera. But I promise that it was delicious!

[I think this recipe is from Betty Crocker but I can't remember.]

Tuesday Thyme: Angel Food Cake

This recipe is expensive! A dozen eggs for one cake? I actually recommend making the cake from a box and then make the glaze to put on top of it. But it is cool to say that I know how to make it from scratch! The lemon glaze recipe is amazing. This picture is not of the actual cake I made. I just pulled it off the internet.

Angel Food Cake (from Betty Crocker Cookbook)
12 servings

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. cake flour
1 1/2 c. large egg whites (about 12)
1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
1 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract
1/4 t. salt
Lemon Glaze

1. Move oven rack to lowest position. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and flour; set aside. In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar with a mixer on medium speed until foamy. Beat in granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, on high speed, adding vanilla, almond extract and salt with the last addition of sugar. Continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not under beat.
3. Sprinkle powdered sugar/flour mixture, 1/4 c. at a time, over egg white mixture, folding in with rubber spatula just until sugar/flour mixture disappears. Push batter into ungreased 10 x 4 inch angel food cake pan (tube pan). Cut gently through batter with a knife to break air pockets.
4. Bake 30-35 minutes or until cracks feel dry and top springs back when touched lightly. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heat-proof funnel or bottle. Let hang about 2 hours or until cake is completely cool. Loosen side of cake with knife; remove from pan.
5. Spread or drizzle Lemon Glaze (below) over top of cake.

Lemon Glaze (from Betty Crocker Cookbook)
about 1 c. of glaze

1/3 c. butter or margarine
1/2 t. grated lemon peel
2 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 t. lemon juice
2-4 T. lemon juice

1. In 1 1/2 quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat; remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 t. of grated lemon peel into melted butter. Stir in powdered sugar and 1 1/2 t. lemon juice.
2. Stir in 2-4 T. lemon juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, until smooth and consistency of thick syrup. Glazes one 12 c. Bundt cake, 10 inch angel food or chiffon cake or top of an 8 or 9 inch layer cake.

Matthew and Laura

So my brother proposed last night. It is so weird that he is actually getting married. And that a girl actually likes him. He is gross. And a punk. But I guess this is just his little sister talking...

I am glad he waited longer than a year after he got home from his mission. Those guys who got home from their missions and were immediately on the hunt for a wife always creeped me out. Anyway, I am very excited for him. His fiancee's name is Laura Nordstrom. They will be getting married on August 22nd in the Sacramento temple. His proposal story is very cute... but long. It involved failed fireworks, multiple cameras, a baseball field, and a ring. Ask him yourself.

I like Laura a lot. Although I didn't have very much time to hang out with her before I moved far, far away, she was very sweet and I think she keeps Matthew in line. She is very supportive of his devotion to baseball and I hear she is an amazing harpist. I am looking forward to their wedding day and this baby better come on time so I can get there!

Congratulations, Matthew and Laura!

Tuesday Thyme: Mixed Green Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Mixed Green Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
5 servings

Green Salad:
1 lb. 7 oz. mixed greens (such as romaine, Bibb, Boston, red leaf, or green leaf)
1 c. Blue Cheese Dressing (see recipe below)

1. Rinse, trim, and dry the greens and tear or cut into bite-size pieces. Mix the greens and keep them well chilled until ready for service. Place the lettuce in a mixing bowl.
2. Add garnish ingredients to the lettuce.
3. Just before serving, add dressing to lightly coat the leaves. Toss the salad gently to coat it evenly. Mound the lettuces on chilled salad plates and garnish as desired.

Garnish:
15 cherry tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 c. red onion, fine julienne
1/4 c. radish, fine julienne
2 ribs celery, sliced crosswise


Blue Cheese Dressing
makes 1 cup

2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. sour cream
2 T. buttermilk
1 T. milk
3/4 t. lemon juice, plus more as needed
1 1/2 t. pureed onions
1/2 t. garlic paste
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. ground black pepper

1. Combine the blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice onions, and garlic. Mix to a smooth consistency.
2. Adjust the seasoning with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until service.

Madre

I am struggling with what to write to honor my mom because I know that whatever I say, it will never do her justice.

My mom is amazing. When I was in high school, I didn't appreciate her at all and instead I thought she was trying to run my life. When I left for college, I realized I didn't know anything. I remember calling her to ask her how to hard boil eggs. That's embarrassing. When I got married, I saw how much my mom does for my dad. Now that I am expecting my own child, I recognize how much she sacrificed for our family.

She is so generous. Selfless. Caring. Beautiful. Giving. Nurturing. Thoughtful. Patient. Kind. Forgiving. Compassionate. Understanding. Joyful. Supportive. Trustworthy. Smart. Hard working. Energetic. Gentle. Interesting. Practical.

My mom is an amazing seamstress. She is a computer genius. She can kick any piano or organ's butt. I think she swims faster than me now (that's one race I will avoid participating in). She is a pro at cutting hair.

My prom dress that she made.

She gave birth to eight kids naturally. Seven of them at home.

She homeschooled all eight of us. I never remember her needing a break or wanting a night out alone. She would go to most of our swim meets and baseball/softball games. She was practically our chauffeur.

She loves the gospel and magnifies every calling she receives. Even if it is something she feels unqualified for. She has gone through trials and she is just stronger than ever for it.

She is going to be an amazing grandmother.

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

Sam is a rockstar!

Remember my freaking awesome wedding ring?

When we got engaged it looked like this:

And then when we got married it looked like this:

For our first anniversary, Sam had the jeweler make me another band to match our wedding band! Now it looks like this:

Isn't he amazing? I feel so gaudy and I am still trying to get used to it because it is more jewelry than I have ever worn but I love the style.

We enjoyed our one year old wedding cake top. It was actually delicious! I was so surprised. It is already gone! The cake was so moist and it was one of the best cakes I had tasted in a while! And it was a year old! Go figure.

We went out to dinner at The Landmark. It seems that this baby is smashing my stomach so I was full after the salad but Sam loved our meal and we had some nice leftovers today!

Mesa Baby Shower

On Saturday my mom threw a baby shower for me in Mesa. It was really fun and it was so nice to see a lot of people that I either have not seen for a really long time, I will not see for a long time to come, or both. Most frequently it was both. Everyone was so nice and I had a great time!

Me, Katie Abbott, and Michelle

High school friends! Me, Rachael, Danielle, Charity, and Jonna.

Lots of people had already left by the time I remembered to take a picture. Sorry if you were there but are not in this picture. Love you!

Makenzie's Wedding

My cousin Makenzie got married on Friday, May 1st. She looked absolutely beautiful and it was a fun day. Sam and I had the same sealer almost one year ago exactly! It was really nice.

Makenzie and father of the bride (Uncle Rob)

With the bride at the reception.

My parents dancing.

Sheldon and Michelle

At the temple.

One Year!

We got married one year ago today! It has definitely gone fast. We are looking forward to an eternity more. We could not be happier together and are anxiously awaiting the day this little boy joins our family. Sam treats me so well and I am grateful for him every day.

I swallowed a watermelon seed

Here is a picture of me at 25 weeks. The baby's heart rate was 155 BPM last week and it appears that he is growing well. He kicks all the time now! Especially today. I am getting a little uncomfortable now. Attempting to sleep and get out of chairs are definitely projects now. I just don't bend right anymore. Isn't it great that I still get 15 more weeks of this and it only gets worse?!