Spring has Sprung! And that's not the only thing..My Belly!

I am at 17 weeks! I cannot believe how much time has been flying by. I went home to Chicago this past week and had an amazing time with friends and family. While there, my mom invited extended family over for lunch and we surprised everyone with the exciting news. When you live so far away from people, the thought of posting big news on Facebook is just irritating, so I was glad to tell family in person. (Although, once the news was out, we did put up a little something something to tell the rest of our Facebook "friends.")

My husbands genius idea: our Facebook announcement.

I was spoiled all week! I ate so much food, I didn't even know what to do with myself. I tried my best to keep fruits and veggies a part of my everyday diet, however lots of desserts and eating at restaurants dragged me down. Yesterday, I started getting back on track health-wise and I already feel relieved. I tried a recipe for Baked Fries from the What to Expect book, and they were yummy! I'll post the recipe below.  Eating empty calories these days is just a stress factor that I don't need-and neither does our donut baby. 

At home, I did LOTS of fun shopping with my mom. I got a lot of maternity pants!!! Exactly what I needed because buttons just aren't cutting it around my gut-or rather, I should say they are cutting it, which is why I need more give. Elastic feels magical every time I sit down. I'm still not really "big" enough to rock out many maternity shirts. I just look like I've been putting on winter weight and need to do ab work-I still don't look pregnant. I'll hold off until I really start to pop. However, the week that I was home, I felt like my tummy grew with each and every day! Things that fit when I went there were not fitting as I was packing to go home. Another reason why I am grateful for maternity clothes (and the new bras I bought). 

We still don't have a nursery since we're supposed to move in June, but I did find a gender-neutral canvas that is going up once we have some walls. I also went around Babies R Us and Target and got some good ideas so that once G and I go in to register, I won't be completely overwhelmed by stuff. 

Our Eric Carle ABC poster for the nursery

At my next appointment, we find out the gender of the baby!!! I'm waiting for G to come back from training in May so we can find out together. I cannot wait. Once we know, then we'll really go out and start buying/registering for stuff. There are so many cute things I wanted to buy but had to hold off simply because I didn't know if we were having a boy or girl, and I'm definitely making the nursery oriented towards one side over the other-no neutrality for me. I want pink or blue. 

The baby has barely been kicking. I think G got to feel it last night. He left today for a month, so I'm kind of excited for him to see me a little bit bigger when he gets back! I hope there's more activity around that point so we won't have to wonder if it's our own pulse, my dinner, or the baby that we're feeling. Not too much news at this point, but as they say, no news is good news. 




Baked Fries (from What to Expect When You're Expecting)
A Healthier Alternative to French Fries
Makes 2 servings

1 1/2 tsp canola oil
2 large baking potatoes
2 large egg whites
Kosher salt and pepper to taste (we used sea salt)

Preheat oven to 425. Grease a nonstick baking sheet with the canola oil

Scrub the potatoes thoroughly under running water; pat dry. Slice them lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices, then cut into fries of the desired length and pat dry again

Place the egg whites in a medium size bowl and beat with a whisk until foamy. Add the potatoes and toss until coated with the egg whites. 

Arrange the fires in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Leave some space between them so they don't stick together. Bake until crisp and lightly brown on the outside and tender on the inside, about 30 to 35 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and paper, and serve immediately.