27 weeks

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with their legs extended. They're sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing their eyes, and perhaps even sucking their fingers.

With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While their lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if they were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother them, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

*How far along?: 27 weeks
*Total weight gain: Don't know.
*How big is baby?: A head of cauliflower or 2lbs.
*Maternity clothes?: Yes except my sweatpants which I wear like an old man: under my bump

*Sleep?: Not sleeping very well; it's hard to get comfortable

*Best moment this week?: Winning lots of free Pepsi with any purchase at Skyline; my Dad sent me a bunch of Skyline for Life scratch cards. Maybe not the best moment, but I've been sick so I don't have that much to consider (this is also why my picture looks crap and I'm a day late)

*Movement?: More and more kicks, squirms and hiccups
*Food cravings?: Nope
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Sleeping on my back

*What I'm looking forward to: Entering 3rd Trimester (some books say I have, some say I haven't)
*Milestone: NBH can hear the baby's heartbeat if he puts his ear to my bump; sometimes he gets a kick in the head instead, but still...

Signed, sealed, delivered

We signed all the paperwork for our mortgage last night, including home insurance and life insurance (which was vaguely morbid).

Let's hope it all gets processed by October 5th when we need to sign the missives!

26 weeks

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. They may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. They are inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of their lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when they're born and take that first gulp of air. And they are continuing to put on baby fat. They now weigh about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

*How far along?: 26 weeks

*Total weight gain: Don't know.

*How big is baby?: A hot house cucumber? Is it me or are they really grasping at straws for vegetables?

Maternity clothes?: Yes and my lovely Mommy ordered me some more from the Old Navy sale :)

*Sleep?: I keep waking up around 5ish and then can't fall back asleep :(
*Best moment this week?: Accepting an offer on our flat and putting down a deposit on a house!
*Movement?: Yes, all day Saturday was nothing but movement.

*Food cravings?: NBH says "beans on toast" but I don't think so.

*Labor signs?: No

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: the dizzies are back right now, so I will say non-dizziness
*What I'm looking forward to: Getting everything finalized for buying the house

*Milestone: Baby's first taste of Mt. Dew (I found a can in downtown Glasgow!) and being in double digits: 98 days until my due date!

(I'm very impressed I have on a different outfit in each picture!)

Rugelach

I attempted to make rugelach last year for Chanukah, but I was on South Beach so I used whole wheat flour, splenda and sugar free jam in an effort to make them SB friendly. Let's just say they weren't the most delicious things ever. So when my Grandma suggested I make rugelach for New Year's I figured, why not!

Rugelach are like a cross between a cookie and croissant. I used the same recipe I attempted to adapt last year since it is fairly simple and had good reviews and was comparable to recipes I found in my Jewish cookbooks. You can search "rugelach" on foodgawker and come up with all sorts of variations.

I don't like nuts in baked goods, so I just sprinkle the rolled out dough spread with jam with a bit of cinnamon sugar mix. I used Bonne Maman peach jam and strawberry jam (because that's what was in the fridge), but you can use anything you like!

Rugelach

1 (8 ounce) package Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 cup fruit preserves

-Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gradually add flour, mixing well after each addition. (Dough will be very soft and sticky.) Divide dough into 4 portions; place each on sheet of plastic wrap. Pat each portion into 1-inch-thick circle, using floured hands. Wrap plastic wrap around each circle to enclose. Refrigerate overnight (or if you are in a rush, 2-4 hours).

-Preheat oven to 325 F/162 C. Cover baking sheets with foil or parchment paper (I prefer baking paper to foil as it sticks to the rugelach less). Mix walnuts, 1/2 cup of the sugar and 2 tsp. of the cinnamon; set aside (you can skip this step, I do!).

-Roll each portion of dough to 11-inch circle on lightly floured surface, lifting dough occasionally to add more flour to work surface as necessary (you will need to do this, dough is REALLY sticky). Spread each circle evenly with 1 Tbsp. of the preserves (try and pick out any big bits of fruit).

-Sprinkle nut mixture over preserves (or if you've skipped this, sprinkle with a tsp of cinnamon-sugar). Cut each circle into 16 wedges (a pizza cutter works really well).

-Roll up each wedge, starting from wide side. Place, point sides down, on prepared baking sheets; shape into crescents. Sprinkle with combined remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon and 2 Tbsp. sugar.

-Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove from baking sheets. Cool on wire rack.

Enjoy!

L'Shana Tova!

Have a healthy and sweet New Year!

(I hope dogs are allowed apples and honey!)

25 weeks

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.

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Their weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but they're beginning to exchange their long, lean look for some baby fat. As they do, their wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and they'll start to look more and more like a newborn. They are also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

*How far along?: 25 weeks
*Total weight gain: Don't know.
*How big is baby?: An eggplant or rutabaga. Has anyone actually ever seen a rutabaga?*Maternity clothes?: Yes, now even my big t-shirts I wear to sleep are too short :(
*Sleep?: I get 7-8 hours but am still exhausted a lot

*Best moment this week?: Getting my maternity leave request approved!

*Movement?: Yes, mostly at night
*Food cravings?: Nothing specific.
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Flight costs to America being reasonable

*What I'm looking forward to: Veggie Skyline with Arlene and NBH on Thursday for the Celtic v. Hapoel Tel Aviv
*Milestone: Putting down the deposit for a travel system (pram, stroller/pushchair & carseat 3-in-1); our first "big" bebe purchase

I ♥ My Mom's Friends

Our bebe is going to be super stylish! Big thanks to one of my Mom's best friends Molly for sending this super cute kimono onesie for the bebe. We are planning on doing a penguin theme for the nursery so this is perfect! I've also read that kimono style onesies are particularly good for newborns. Also, how cute is this card? Molly has a corgi named Lucy, so it's extra cute!

I so appreciate all the cuteness that is getting sent our way. Thank you Shandy!!!!

Saturday Afternoon Nibbles

NBH's Mom and Grandma stopped by for a chat

and I decided to make some yumminess for the occasion.

We also had a parma ham and cheese round baguette, but since it wasn't homemade I didn't take any photos. Here was the spread:

Boursin stuffed golden and red plum tomatoes

and Roast Garlic and Rosemary dip

served with baguette slices and triscuits

(on my Grandma Jane's serving platter,

she got it as a wedding gift and gave it to us as a wedding gift)

Triple layer vanilla buttermilk cake
with chocolate butter cream frosting
(made with my fabulous new Kitchin Aid mixer!)

8 years on...

Buy our Flat!

Traditional sandstone, ground floor tenement flat with private front garden and further communal gardens to rear of property

Stylish bathroom with original bath and mains shower

Spacious King-sized bedroom, with alcove, overhead storage and scullery room

Dine-in Kitchen with built in dishwasher, ceramic hob/fan-assisted oven and hood extractor fan

Wood floored family room with large bay window, built in bookshelves and further alcove which can be used as computer nook or dining area

20 foot ceilings and double glazing throughout.

So do you want to buy it pretty please?

24 weeks

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts them at just over a pound. Since they are almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), they cut a pretty lean figure at this point, but their body is filling out proportionally and they'll soon start to plump up. Their brain is also growing quickly now, and their taste buds are continuing to develop. Their lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help their air sacs inflate once they hit the outside world. Their skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

At 24 weeks, the baby has a chance of survival if it is born. Most babies born before this time cannot live because their lungs and other vital organs are not developed enough. The care that can now be given in neonatal units means that more and more babies born early do survive. But for babies born at around this time there are increased risks of disability.

*How far along?: 24 weeks
*Total weight gain: Don't know.
*How big is baby?: An ear of corn? Is corn really a foot long?
*Maternity clothes?: Yes, luckily NBH washed a bunch at his Mom's while I was in Inverness for work Sunday/Monday
*Sleep?: I have a massive body pillow I bought from Costco that is helping
*Best moment this week?: Our flat went up on the website today and we already have a viewing! I also got pre-approved for a mortgage, so things are moving along.
*Movement?: Yup
*Food cravings?: Nothing specific.
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie, but much shallower
*What I miss: My rings fitting, they are officially on a necklace around my neck and I'm contemplating buying a cheapie ring from Claire's so I don't look like I need to go on Maury.
*What I'm looking forward to: It would have been going to a free screening of "Away We Go," but we had to cancel since we have a viewing tonight.
*Milestone: Don't know if it is a milestone, but I read the bebe "Der Regenbogen Fisch" last night.

Thank you Thursday

I have such a great family! I'm get so many treats & am very lucky!

My sister-in-law Katie, brought "the baby" up a box of Krispy Kreme donuts from London. Some may have gone missing before this photo was taken.

NBH's mom knitted the baby this cardigan; isn't it amazingly professional looking?

My cousin Laura sent the bebe Cincinnati Reds onesies, so it can take part in routing for a team that will never win :)

Thank you!!!!

23 weeks

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With their sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that they are more than 11 inches long and weigh just over a pound, you may be able to see them squirm underneath your clothes.

Blood vessels in their lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze them when they hear them outside the womb.

*How far along?: 23 weeks

*Total weight gain: Don't know, they don't weigh me at my appointments

*How big is baby?: A large mango, but I've never seen an 11inch mango. I took the ruler to the kitchen and the Costco-sized Heinz Ketchup is 11 inches and (just for my Mom) a bottle of Maker's Mark is a bit shy of 11.

*Maternity clothes?: Yes, but our washing machine is busted and I'm in serious need of more tops and maybe some other options for pants. That or I need to go to my MIL's or the laundromat.

*Sleep?: I've got to wear splints at night because I have pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome; who knew such a thing existed?

*Best moment this week?: Getting our home report (inspection) back and having it valued for what we wanted it to be valued. Also, getting a new, bigger bra for free! When I got re-sized I showed the sales girl how the wire was popping out of my old bra and she let me exchange it for a new, bigger one--SCORE!

*Movement?: Oh yes, all day Sunday was nothing but squirming. I can see movement from the outside and the kicks are getting stronger. So far bebe does NOT like it if Emma has a barking fit. I'm hoping the advice from above is true and they get used to it.

*Food cravings?: No; only when I read about American/Cincinnati food I can't get here.

*Labor signs?: No

*Belly button in or out?: Innie, but much shallower

*What I miss: Not feeling dizzy and Izzy's Pickles and Corn Beef.

*What I'm looking forward to: Going to see Brian Wilson tonight (my anniversary present to NBH)

*Milestone: Seeing the bebe move from the outside.