My 1st Sock!

One of my goals this year was to learn how to knit socks. Over the last few weeks I have been in a beginners sock class and I am proud to say I finished my first sock this morning. Now lets hope I can knit a 2nd one to go with it so I can have a pair! I love the colors in the yarn...it really makes me think of th eupcoming fall season. In case anyone is wondering, the yarn is Noro Kureyon sock yarn # 185 and I used size 3 dpns.

Been Fishin'

3rd Trimester

Today is the first day of my 3rd Trimester. I can't believe it! After going through 2 miscarriages, John and I are so blessed to be at this stage and we cannot wait to meet our little baby boy or girl. Part of me wants this last phase of pregnancy to go by quickly because I feel and look bigger every day. But the other part of me wants the time to pass by slowly because there is still so much to do and I feel like I will never be ready. Those are normal feelings though I am sure. My Gestational Diabetes test is next week and I am a bit nervous for that. Ever since the begining of the pregnancy, I have had quite the sweet tooth. I feel good though and really try not to over-indulge. At least the Holidays will be after Baby Pedersen is born!

99

There are 99 days left until my EDD (Estimated Date of Delivery). I really can't believe how fast the 2nd Trimester is flying by after the 1st Trimester seemed to move at a snail's pace.

Some interesting factoids about the number 99 from Wikipedia:

- 99 (ninety-nine) is the natural number following 98 and preceding 100.
- 99 is the ninth repdigit, a palindromic number and a Kaprekar number. It is the sum of divisors of the first eleven positive integers.
- Einsteinium, an actinide, has the atomic number of 99
- Several songs have the number 99 in their title:
99, a 1979 song by Toto
99 Bottles of Beer, a traditional American children's song
99 Problems, a 2004 song by Rapper Jay-Z.

- There is also 99 Records, a record label; ninetynine, an Australian indie band; and Pompeii 99, a rock band inspired byFleetwood Mac.
- 99 is the NBA record for Most Free Throw Attempts in a 7-game series, set by Elgin Baylor of the LA Lakers in 1962
- In the fictional film Major League, Charlie Sheen's character wore the Cleveland Indians #99 u
- In cricket, if you reach 99, it is considered unlucky, due to most get out and not make the century.
- In the NHL, 99 has been the only number retired league-wide as of 2008, forWayne Gretzky.
- 99 is the maximum jersey number a player can wear in theNFL.
- Agent 99, a character played by Barbara Feldon on the 1965 TV Show Get Smart

10 Things...

Lately the smallest things make this pregnant lady happy. Very deserving of a blog post, don't you think?

Here are 10 in no particular order:

1. Adult swim at the pool
2. A dinner buffet with really good macaroni and cheese
3. My body pillow
4. Fresh Peaches
5. Postcards in the mail from my Dad
6. A husband who willingly watches movies with me that make me sob uncontrollably
7. Tomatoes from John's garden
8. 50 degree evenings...the first hint of Fall
9. Finishing the first of many planned hand-knit Christmas gifts
10. Feeling Baby Pedersen move on the inside and seeing it on the outside

Eggplant

Baby Pedersen is the size of an eggplant...or at least that's what the pregnancy website I frequent informed me of today. No wonder I can feel more kicks and bumps--I have a baby in there getting pleasantly plump!

Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

In honor of my little eggplant, I share a recipe for Baba Ghanouj. Yum...

3 large eggplant
3/4 cup tahini
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced or pressed garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
Pinch of cayenne
1 teaspoon salt

The eggplant can be prepared 2 ways:

1. Broil or barbecue the eggplants, turning often, until the skin is blackened and blistered and the meat is tender, about 20 or 30 minutes . Let them cool for about 10 minutes and then peel the skin from the eggplant. Or
2. Bake the whole eggplants in a 350° oven for about 1 hour or until the meat is tender. Cool for about 10 minutes, then peel, or cut the eggplants lengthwise and scoop out the meat.
(To reduce baking time, first cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and place skin side down on a baking sheet.)

Squeeze the cooked eggplant meat to release excess liquid.

Puree the eggplant and all other ingredients in a blender or food processor.
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with sliced olives and/or fresh parsley if desired. Serve with pita bread wedges, radishes and green onions. Makes 3-4 cups.

24 Weeks Today!

My belly has definitely grown. Check out my progression from the beginning...