Give the bhoys a chance

Last night we went to the first home game since the end of the season. The new SPL season hasn't begun, but this was a European game against Dinamo Moscow. Unfortunately Celtic lost 1-0, which was particularly upsetting as they had possession most of the game.

I decided to play about with my new camera and try the "sports" setting.

My favorite player, Nakamura, left to go play in Spain, so I am currently trying to decide who my new favorite player will be. So far these are the contenders:

Artur BorucAlso known as the Holy Goalie, recently did a James Dean-esque photo shoot for a Polish Men's magazine and is an overall bad boy. He's also been accused of drinking and carousing.

Koki Mizuno

He's Japanese and wears #29, which is my due date. I don't have any reasoning other than that.

Massimo Donati

He has had some interesting hairdos in the past and that's one of the things I look for in a footballer. That and bling. Unfortunately he doesn't have bling.

The season hasn't started yet so I'm not in a huge rush to commit.

18 weeks

Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

How your baby's growing: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and they weighs almost 7 ounces. They're busy flexing their arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead.

Their blood vessels are visible through their thin skin, and their ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from their head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around their nerves, a process that will continue for a year after they're born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

*How far along?: 18 weeks
*Total weight gain: 3kg
*How big is baby?: a sweet potato; reminds me of Dubliner chips
*Maternity clothes?: Pretty much, yup with the exception of some tops, although the dress above I bought for Sabrina's rehearsal dinner
*Sleep?: Waking up a lot to pee, but otherwise okay
*Best moment this week?: Detailed scan is booked for August 14th!

*Movement?: Flutters and kicks, but not a lot this past week
*Food cravings?: Cherry pie, maybe it's b/c of my ringtone or maybe because of this, who knows, but I bought some at the grocery tonight, yum

*Labor signs?: Nope
*Belly button in or out?: Innie, but I'm going to have to get a plastic pregnancy bar soon
*What I miss: Not coughing; I've had a tickle/cough for over a week
*What I'm looking forward to: Vegetarian 3-Ways for dinner one night this week

*Milestone: ?Information from BabyCentre and The Bump.

Really?

Anyone who knows me will know that I *totally* favor my father's side of the family in the looks department. I've seen this widget on some friends blogs and thought I'd test it out.

I've never, ever had anyone tell me I look like my Mom or my Mom's side of the family, until now. I might have to try this again later with different photos.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genealogy software - Ancestors

Thank you Thursday

My Mother-in-Law came back from California with tons of presents from my Mom and herself. There were books and stuffed animals for the baby, jeans and gym shoes for NBH, maternity clothes, my Grandmother's swing coat (to use as a maternity coat) and so much more!

I'm so lucky to have such a great family. She also brought back my birthday present from my Mom, a new digital camera, so I can finally share photos again! Here's some of what I got:

Some super cute gender neutral onesies

You think they forgot Emma? Arlene found a doggie kilt in California of all places!
I love Daddy from my Mom, I love Mommy from NBH's Mom :)

My baby blanket, sweater and Osh Kosh overalls

Om nom nom. Well except the deodorant, don't nom that!

Thank you Mommy and thank you Arlene!

Fettuccine Alfredo

Tonight I made Pioneer Woman's version of Fettuccine Alfredo. I had no idea it was so easy to make and I love it even if it is a heart attack on a plate. You don't get Alfredo in the UK, so I'm very happy to have found this recipe.

I followed the recipe as directed (although I used egg tagliatelle), but ended up microwaving the sauce after I poured the butter/cream over the parm as it was a bit chunky. It only needed 30 seconds. I also halved the recipe and we had more than enough for two servings and a bit leftover.

NBH wasn't a fan as he said it was too creamy, but he doesn't like creamy stuff in general.

Fettuccine Alfredo

1 pound fettuccine (400g)

1 stick butter (8tbsp or 4oz)

1 cup heavy cream (230ml double cream in the UK)

2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

dash of salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a saucepan or skillet, warm butter and cream.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Grate Parmesan cheese and place half of it into a large serving bowl.

Pour warm butter/cream mixture over the top.

Drain pasta and immediately pour it into the bowl.

Toss a couple of times, then sprinkle in the other half of the Parmesan.

Toss to combine, thinning with leftover pasta water if necessary.

Serve with salad or garlic bread and enjoy!

17 weeks

Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — their lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and they are around 5 inches long from head to bottom. They can move their joints, and their sweat glands are starting to develop.

*How far along?: 17 weeks
*Total weight gain: I haven't weighed myself, but I'm sure they will on Thursday
*How big is baby?: an onion or a turnip; that's either one big softball size onion or a small turnip.
*Maternity clothes?: Pretty much, yup with the exception of some tops
*Sleep?: Had a dream it was a baby girl named Ella with hazel eyes
*Best moment this week?: Pay Day
*Movement?: Flutters have turned into much more distinct pokes
*Food cravings?: Nope
*Labor signs?: Nope
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Cheap flights to America (not bebe related, but still)
*What I'm looking forward to: Appt with my midwife on Thursday
*Milestone: ?

Dizzy

My sister Alie and I used to listen to my Mom's 45 of this in our basement playroom and spin and circles until we fell over.



I have no idea what the sketch at the front is about, but this could be the soundtrack to my day today. Maybe it's showing my age that I had a record player in my playroom, but I don't care. I'm proud to be a 1980's baby.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Happy 5th Birthday Emma!!!

We love you very much and I'm so glad you're part of our life!

Baked Lemon Pasta

One of my favorite things about blogging in general is all the great recipes you can find and try out. I found this recipe on Christina's blog, but she found it from Pioneer Woman. If you've never been to the Pioneer Woman's site it is really great for a variety of different skill levels and types of homemade dishes.

I often struggle to find vegetarian pasta dishes NBH and I both like (he hates anything too creamy or tomato-y) and this was a much welcomed twist. I didn't add parsley because I hate it and we had tagliatelle because that's what was in the cupboard and the zest of two lemons because my one seemed small, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly.

This made more than enough for 2 dinner portions and 3 leftover lunch portions; I plan to have one today and froze the other two. Bon Appétit !

Baked Lemon Pasta

1 pound/450g thin spaghetti
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 cups sour cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste if desired
Plenty of grated Parmesan cheese
Flat leaf parsley, chopped
Extra lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375F/190C degrees.
Cook spaghetti until al dente.
In a skillet, melt butter with olive oil over LOW HEAT.
When butter is melted, add minced garlic.
Squeeze lemon juice into the pan. Turn off heat.
Add sour cream and stir mixture together.
Add lemon zest and salt. Taste, then add more salt if necessary.
Pour mixture over drained spaghetti and stir together, then pour spaghetti into an oven safe dish. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Then remove foil and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. (Don’t bake too long or the pasta will dry out.)
When you remove it from the oven, squeeze a little more lemon juice over the top.
Top generously with Parmesan cheese, then chopped parsley.
Give it a final squeeze of lemon juice at the end.


Nom, nom, nom!
All images © Copyright 2007-2008, The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. All Rights Reserved

The Proposal

On Tuesday, NBH bit the bullet and was a great husband by going to see a sneak preview of "The Proposal" with me. We turned it into a date night with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon I had for Pizza Express, too.

This movie is pretty much exactly what you'd expect it to be, so instead of writing out a review here are my top 3 reasons to see the movie:

1) Kevin, the puppy

2) Ryan Reynolds topless

3) Betty White is hilarious

16 weeks

Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double their weight and add inches to their length. Right now, they're about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. Their legs are much more developed, their head is more erect than it has been, and their eyes have moved closer to the front of their head. Their ears are close to their final position, too.

The patterning of their scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. They have even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, their heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

*How far along?: 16 weeks

*Total weight gain: none

*How big is baby?: an avocado, mmm guacamole

*Maternity clothes?: Pretty much, yup with the exception of some tops

*Sleep?: Some weird dreams, including one where I dated Peter Andre

*Best moment this week?: Figuring out that yes that probably is movement

*Movement?: Random flutters

*Food cravings?: American food, but I craved that before

*Labor signs?: Nope

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: Fried eggs, all the clothes I packed away this weekend

*What I'm looking forward to: Free movie date night tonight

*Milestone: ?

Information from BabyCentre and The Bump.

Cutefest 2009

Cutie Pie Finn is in the lead, but by only 2%!

You can vote every 30 minutes up until 12pm EST (not that I expect you to, but if you are really bored, go for it!)



So if you get a chance, help him secure a 1st place finish and vote! I know Andrea would really appreciate it and Finn will probably be happy when his Mommy stops refreshing her browser every few minutes :)

UPDATE: FINN WON!

Thank you for voting!!!

Even though there's no Tsao's...

I can't remember the last time I got Chinese food. Before we got pregnant I had Chinese at least once if not more a week. What if they forget who I am and I stop getting my special "free item" for being a good customer?

The odd thing is I haven't missed it. I've had a long love affair with Chinese food to the point where the place I got food from in high school still says to my Dad "Oh you Ryan's Daddy." I loved my take-out from my favorite DC joint SuperPanda (formerly known as Bruce Lee) and even had Chinese for dinner before I graduated from college.

It's not that Chinese food sounds gross to me, it just doesn't scream out to me like it once did. What's wrong with me?

XP: Vote for Finn

One of my friends Andrea's son, Finn, is in the running to win a child/baby photography contest.



The polls are open and its is easy to vote! Go to the site and cast your vote for Finn! The contest opened on Friday, July 10th at 12 noon EST and will run till end of Monday, July 13th at midnight.


You can see all of Andrea's reasons why to vote here. I think Finn is pretty cute myself and all you need to do is click, so for 30 seconds of our time, why not?

♥11 months♥

11 months, I almost forgot....

House Hunting

Looking for houses or flats here is an interesting experience. What we are noticing is that flats have way more space that houses, which obviously doesn't make logical sense.

So far we've seen:

-a 3 bedroom house
-a 3 bedroom duplex tenement flat (ground floor/basement)
-a 3 bedroom duplex new build (top floor)
-a 3 bedroom tenement flat (top floor)
-a 3 bedroom tenement flat (ground floor)
-a 5 bedroom duplex tenement flat (top floor)

We have 2 more viewing tonight of a flat and townhouse. We've mostly looked in the East End but today all our viewings are South Side.

For those who don't know a tenement looks like this:
-3-4 floor sandstone building usually with 2 flats per floor

-large rooms with bay windows, fireplaces and 15 foot ceilings.

We live in a one bedroom tenement now and my two favorite are also tenements. I'm trying to keep an open mind and view different types of properties and different areas, but I know what I like and what I don't like.

15 weeks

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now out measure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces . They're busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop. Their legs are growing longer than their arms now, and they can move all of their joints and limbs. Although their eyelids are still fused shut, they can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, they're likely to move away from the beam.

There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but they are forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Information from BabyCentre and The Bump.

Monday Munchies

CNN had an article this weekend about 10 website to make you laugh. I knew about Someecards and Awkward Family Photos, but only one of the rest of the ten stuck out to me:

This is Why You're Fat

Now I understand the concept; food that is so calorific and disgusting it makes you fat. Such as:

The Bacon Weave Roll

Deep Fried Coke

or

Quadruple Cheese Pie

But there are other delicacies that I think aren't that out there or look yumtastic:

A Burger with Havarti and Bacon, mmm makes me think of Arthur's.

NBH has actually ordered a Munchy Box before, I'm not a fan of Pakora so it's not for me.

And all the various different takes on cheese fries really makes me want Skyline fries: DROOL!

I know some of you are going to say "Ooh you and your pregnancy cravings!" Anyone who really knows me knows that I'd be writing this post even if there wasn't a bebe. I like food especially anything vaguely American that I can't get over here.