Pregnancy Stats

Just a waitin'... I now know why everyone says the last few weeks are the hardest, I am so ready to meet him!
For the record...

How far along?: 39 weeks


How big is baby? Last Friday we did another growth scan, and he was measuring 6 pounds and 11 ounces. Right at about 40% statistically for 38 weeks. I am still measuring small (aka my stomach is measuring 2 weeks behind), but honestly, it is probably the smallest thing on me right now. Everything else has a nice swolleness to it..feet, ankles, hands. I did have a panic moment and ask if I was measuring 2 weeks behind did that mean he could be 2 weeks late, and Dr. P assured me it didnt work like that..whew!
Weight gain/loss?: I honestly don't know...I stopped looking at the scales at Christmas when I hit 25 pounds. For my sanity, I decided that I really didn't need to know. My nurse Jessica always thinks it is funny to tease me and try to get me to look. But I would guess 35ish, oh who am I kidding, maybe 40.

Stretch marks?: None, thankfully.

Maternity clothes?: I live in my Paige maternity jeans, some form of maternity shirt (or one of James's button downs), with a black vest my mom bought me for 17 dollars from Coldwater Creek, and these lovely shoes in a 9.5. (I tell you specifically bc I normally wear a 8.5). We bought them awhile back for mom, but thankfully she handed them over so I could have something comfy and cute to wear these last 2 months.

Sleep?: Not so much. I wake up several times to go to the bathroom, several times to Amos barking at something outside, and several times to Baby O kicking me bc apparently HE is uncomfortable. Oh well, again, I heard this prepares you.
Food cravings?: My egg thing never really went away, but calmed. I have been eating alot of turkey sandwiches with honey mustard. Also anything sweet. specifically chocolate cake. like I could eat a huge piece of Zoes chocolate cake right now

Movement?: went from sweet kicks to more karate kicks, it is funny feeling him position himself from side to side. I also thought I could tell he was head down, but face up (back of head towards pelvis) by the pressure in my back....sure enough the ultrasound tech said that was the case. So we are praying he rolls over for an easier delivery
Belly button?: I thought it was going out, but it has held!
What are you looking forward to this week?: today is my last full day of work, my parentals are coming in to town tomorrow, mom and I are going to pick out countertops and cabinets for our Selma house renovation tomorrow (updates on that soon) My next checkup is Friday, so we shall see if there is more progress!

I am also working on a nursery update...we are pretty much ready...still last minute organizing...

Best Lasagna Recipe!

The newlywed Rossells brought us dinner a couple on nights ago, and it was such a treat! Lasagna, garlic bread, salad, and my favorite for dessert, chocolate covered strawberries. Perfection. Rich and Molly made the lasagna and said I could share the recipe. Give it a try, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Lasagna
(via all recipes)

Ingredients


1 pound sweet Italian sausage
 3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
 1/2 cup water
 2 tablespoons white sugar
 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (this was delicious on top)
12 lasagna noodles (Rich used whole wheat) 
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese (probably why I like it so much)
 sliced 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
 
Directions


In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving
 
YUM!

CHC Shower

Yesterday at work, Baby O was showered with more goodies. I am so blessed with a wonderful work enviroment, with coworkers who are also friends. They have been especially sweet and thoughtful lately as I waddle walk around the office.

Down to the home stretch, hopefully less than 2 weeks to go! I was 1.5 cm dilated last week, so at least some progress. I have another appt this Friday, so hopefully he is moving on down. I will be back soon with a delicious lasagna recipe a la Rich and Molly Rossell. It was unbelievable, and Rich was sweet enough to pass along the recipe.

A Birthday and Ice Day Pics

I am a little behind on January activites, mainly due to the "winter storm 2011". I don't say this lightly, as I know many of you had alot of snow and very bad traveling conditions for the past week. But, around our house, it was really only bad for about 2 days. We were off work for several days, and since my husband was pulling on the tigers in Arizona I was iced in with Amos. We had lots of bonding time. I am really wondering what he is going to think when Baby O comes. Anyway, thanks to all of my sweet friends and fam who called to check on me. I definitely am in nesting mode. I washed lots of baby items, worked on organizing the nursery, and cleaned out several closets. It felt great to be productive. I started packing my hospital bag because James said "if you don't have it packed and go into labor, I will just grab your toothbrush." Spoken like a true dentist. Any tips from moms out there on what is needed?

Last Friday we celebrated one of my best friends bdays with a delicious dinner at the Tavern on the Summit (the one on the bottom). So fun! ps-they have the BEST sweet potatoe fries ever...and I am not just saying that bc I am pregnant!

Mitchell and Mags the bday girl

Maggie and Brett, siblings



typical Mags, she wanted to show off her "chins"



yum!

 Now on to Ice day pictures...

my sidekick the past week

trying to be artsy with my new lens

no cars here

lots of kiddos sledding

my sweet neighbors, Heather and Oak (who was not so sure about the cold)

Amos and Jet frolicking in the snow

Matt, Glory, and Oak "sledding"

pondering the winter wonderland

I accepted a last minute invite to the Raders (who only live less than a mile away, so I was able to get there safely)  to watch the championship game with Mac, Lacey, Lovey and Doc...Mac fixed a delicious dinner of lamb, carrots, potatoes and grilled endives. followed by molton chocolate cake. Baby O likee

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Updates...

The finger is much, much better, thanks for all of the prayers! I am passed the "easily infected" time period, so I think besides losing my fingernail, all should be fine. I did lose my feeling in the tip of it, but oh well, a little tingle is a small price to pay. James has taken over all immersion blender duties for awhile.

Baby O update...I am still feeling pretty good. Hopefully, a little less than a month to go! I have all of the last few week left symptoms...feet swelling (still worse on the sausage leg right side), trouble taking deep breaths, a nice waddle, and I have pretty much given up on a good nights sleep...BUT all in all, I know I am blessed with an easy pregnancy and am still able to work fine.  (here is to hoping delivery can be the same!!) At my last doctors appt. (Dec 22nd), he was weighing around 5 lbs which is in the 55% for his age. So he should be a healthy 7-9 lbs at birth. I start my weekly appointments this Friday.

His Name shall be....??? Your guess is as good as mine, just kidding, but not really. We have been praying for revelation on this since we found out Baby O was a he, but have heard nothing. We both feel at peace now that we will wait to see him before naming him. We have a top four/five list of names, and hopefully when we see his precious face, we will know what God wants us to call him. At first, this was driving me crazy (HELLO, no monogrammed anything!), but now I am excited about it. My dad continues to send suggestions my way:
Matthan Osborn(Jesus's great grandfather)
Stonewall Jackson Osborn
he even saved a basketball roster to go through possibilites last time we were visiting

For those of you still reading...We are moving to Selma the end of June. James finishes residency, and then we will start working with my father the first of July. It will be somewhat bittersweet, as I have grown to love Birmingham these past 6 years. We will miss all of our friends and fam, coworkers, neighbors, and church.  However, it will be fun to get to work with my dad and husband, and have my parentals and sister so close. Baby O will get to play with his cousins all the time!

Lastly, WAR EAGLE!! All of the Osborn fam is headed to Glendale Saturday. I am so excited for them! I will be cheering hard from home.

Leaving you with one random picture that I stole from my sister, Fair talking to Baby O