Nina Flowers was robbed!

Nina Flowers wasn't crowned "America's next drag superstar" on RuPaul's Drag Race.

...oh well at least it was Bebe and not Rebecca Glasscock.

31 weeks

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. They weigh about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. They can turn their head from side to side, and their arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath their skin.

They're probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

*How far along?: 31 weeks

*Total weight gain: Don't know

*How big is baby?: 4 navel oranges

*Maternity clothes?: Yes; some tops are getting too short :(

*Sleep?: Not well that is for sure. My new wedge pillow helps, but not enough!

*Best moment this week?: Seeing the bebe squirming and smiling in 3D/4D!

*Movement?: Yup. Although the bebe refused to move when we wanted them to during the scan and their hands/feet were over their face. Cheeky little thing...

*Food cravings?: No, but I'm loving NBH's version of Philly Cheesesteaks he has been making me for dinner lately.

*Labor signs?: No

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: Drinking a Chai Latte or Cafe Mocha without my stomach hating me.

*What I'm looking forward to: Finishing packing and moving out of the flat.

*Milestone: Single figures for weeks left (9 and counting...)

Hello my name is...

We went and had a 3D/4D scan last night. I always thought these things were really creepy and weird, but as I got further along in my pregnancy and saw before/after photos of other people who had gotten them done, they grew on me.

It's basically a like a normal ultrasound, but instead of 2-D images which are X-ray like, you get 3D images and in this case 4D/video as well.

Of course our bebe had to be cheeky and we spent a lot of time looking at a face covered with hands and feet; yes feet--this kid is flexible. The good new is that because of this we got all 20 of our images on a CD for free and our video is 3x as long as it should be; I guess our bebe knows their Mommy likes free stuff!

Schluffing

Smiling

Throwing down gang signs

Chubby Cheeks

Crabbit

Om Nom Nom

So I've been politely asking, okay probably nagging, my Dad to send me over a jar of Izzy's Dill Pickles. Izzy's is an AMAZING Jewish Deli in Cincinnati; if I could get their cornbeef and latkes shipped here I would. Pickles aren't the same here and honestly, no pickle compares to an Izzy's pickle.

I arrived home today not to a jar, but to a case of Izzy's Deli pickles! I've got an entire fridge drawer full of them now, mmm!

Thank you Daddy! You've made me very happy and helped introduced your Grandbaby to yet another Cincinnati delicacy!

Note, this doesn't count as me being a typical pregnant lady craving pickles; it is merely part of my love affair with Cincinnati cuisine!

I ♥ MY DADDY!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

30 weeks

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and they weigh almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds them, but that volume will decrease as they get bigger and take up more room in your uterus.

Their eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after they are born, they'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When they do open them, they'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means they can only make out objects a few inches from their face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

*How far along?: 30 weeks

*Total weight gain: Still Emma-ish I assume, but I think my face is starting to get rounder (who knew it was possible since I already have a moon face)

*How big is baby?: Cabbage

*Maternity clothes?: Yes; this question is getting a bit repetitive...

*Sleep?: Yes, but not well. A tylenol and Mt Dew did not help me over come the sleepiness I am feeling this morning, boo hiss.

*Best moment this week?: Getting a big box full of cute clothes for the baby from my Mom and a big box of pickles from my Dad!

*Movement?: Yup, I've been woken up by hiccups as well on more than one occasion.

*Food cravings?: Not really, but I will say NBH made me a BLT last night and it was delish.

*Labor signs?: No

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: Feeling awake.

*What I'm looking forward to: 3D/4D scan tomorrow!!

*Milestone: 10 weeks left...

29 weeks

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Their muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and their head is growing bigger to make room for their developing brain. To meet their increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because their bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

*How far along?: 29 weeks
*Total weight gain: Since my 12 week weigh-in I've put on the equivalent in of "an Emma;" I will let you decide how much Emma weighs, but according to my American Pregnancy Association emails this is the lowest end of what is average for 29 weeks!
*How big is baby?: Squash, although that top one looks decidedly pumpkinish, how very appropriate for October.
*Maternity clothes?: Yup. Got my first hand-me-downs from the lovely Julie and from my colleague Diane at work.
*Sleep?: I wake up between 6-8 and can't fall back asleep, blah.
*Best moment this week?: Watching the Cardiac Cats come back to beat the Ravens and picking NBH up at the airport; 3 sleeps away was 3 too many! He also brought back from really cute penguin shoes for the bebe from Auntie Katie.
*Movement?: Oh yes. When I had Oreos for the first time in ages the bebe went properly nuts. The kid loves oreos- random fact: my Mom craved Oreos when pregnant with me, so maybe it is genetic!
*Food cravings?: I just got my order of Mt. Dew and NBH brought me back some Krispy Kremes so I am not missing much at this very moment. I would love some Izzy's pickles though (hint, hint Dad!)
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie; NBH keeps asking when I'm going to take out my belly-button ring. I've got a pregnancy approved one, so not yet is my answer.
*What I miss: My Mom was in Cincinnati this weekend and she and my sister took my Grandma shopping for an early birthday present. I really wish I could have been there.
*What I'm looking forward to: My first antenatal class on Thursday. Actually I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or a bit scared of it, maybe a bit of both.
*Milestone: I've started to get Braxton Hicks contractions.

Chickens don't lay Potatoes

I don't know about you, but I freaking *love* potatoes. In our house potatoes are eaten a lot and I love finding new potato recipes. Scalloped, fried, diced, pancaked, chipped, baked-- I love them all! Apparently though kids in the UK don't know jack about potatoes! How is that possible?


1 in 10 children aged 7 – 11 think chickens lay potatoes!*
1 in 5 have no idea that potatoes are grown in the ground*
1 in 5 didn’t realise that chips are made from the humble spud*




Having discovered the shocking truth about how little the nation’s children know when it comes to food provenance, McCain has decided to extend its educational, unbranded national roadshow – ‘The Potato Story’.


Armed with their purpose built, unbranded double-decker bus, ‘The Potato Story’ aims to plug kids’ food knowledge gap as a survey shows that one in 10 children aged 7 – 11 year old think that chickens lay potatoes.



Children who visit the bus can see how potatoes are grown, harvested and cooked.




Kids who know where their food is coming from are healthier eaters and anything that encourages healthy eating is a good thing in my book!

Yum, I think I might have to go have a baked potato for lunch now!


Want to know more? Visit: http://www.thepotatostory.co.uk/

Random Blondie Ramblings

So I was driving to Troon from Dumfries and listening to Radio 1 when I heard a song come on the radio and it automatically made me smile. I'd never heard it before, but it samples the Imogen Heap song "Hide and Seek" which was used in the SNL Digital Short 'Dear Sister.'


I freaking loved that digital short. We kept it on our DVR forever and I'd just watch it randomly. What I heard in the car was Jason Derulo's song "Mmm Whatchu Say" it samples the same bit of "Hide and Seek" and I just find it hilarious that it's sampled on an R&B song to begin with, but then it reminds me of the about sketch so it's even funnier.



*Sigh* I really, really wish we got SNL over here. It used to be on randomly between 1-3am on ITV4, but not for a few years. I miss it!

Thank You Thursday

Thank you to my Mommy and my Mother-in-law!

My mother-in-law treated me to a American style spa pedicure last night. It's the only place in Glasgow with massage chairs and foot spas, plus they do scrubs and moisture wraps and all sorts of other goodies. My cute purple tootsies are VERY grateful and distract the eye from my swollen ankles!

My Mommy sent me a fab care package of Old Navy maternity clothes, so my style doesn't have to be completely stale for 9 months! Finding maternity clothes here has been pretty tough, so I really appreciate her helping me take advantage of the ON sales!

I am a very lucky girl!

Thank you!!!!

28 weeks

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of their head to their heels. They can blink their eyes, which now sport lashes. With their eyesight developing, they may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. They're also developing billions of neurons in their brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

(wearing one of my Dad's tshirts he sent me to sleep in)

*How far along?: 28 weeks
*Total weight gain: Don't know.
*How big is baby?: Chinese cabbage? Seriously- I have no idea what that is...
*Maternity clothes?: Yup! I got a lovely package of two tops, a sweater, hoodie and sweatpants from Old Navy Maternity from my lovely Mommy today :)
*Sleep?: I wake up a gazillion times a night
*Best moment this week?: Bengals beating the Browns and Bearcats sneaking past OSU in the rankings
*Movement?: Does it surprise you that any child of mine can't sit still?
*Food cravings?: NBH and I are going to make home-made caramel apples, but that's a seasonal American thing, not a craving
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Energy
*What I'm looking forward to: Spa pedicure with my mother-in-law tomorrow
*Milestone: Officially 3rd Tri by "everyone's" standards