Good-bye Sweet Harry Potter

I have finished the last Harry Potter book. Though, I am apparently a slow reader compared to some people. But I tried my best not to rush through it and read EVERY word. It was worth it and even had a decent ending. It went too fast though and now I'm trying to get DG to go to the movie with me.

I'm Half Way

I'm exactly 20 weeks through the pregnancy with a mere 20 to go. High five team Gibson. I've made it through most of the nasty side effects and am now into the fun kicking periods. There are definite wakeful and restful times with the baby. He/She gets up every morning around 10am to say hello and every night around 8pm they go through a crazy spurt of tickling kicks. I enjoy that part.

Muggle Mania

It began years ago when Cynthia's mother bought me my first copy of the first Harry Potter book. She had heard that it was all the rage. "It's what all the kids are reading these days." And knowing my love the books and being in a book club, she sent it to me. I was captured in Chapter 1 and she continued to send me copies for years. I've been a fan ever since and was wondering if anyone else did the geeky thing and pre-ordered their own copy of the book to be delivered by Saturday.

I know at least one of you did. Hands raised, anyone, anyone, Bueller?

Bringin' on the Heartbreak

DG and I were sitting at our computers tonight each doing work and out of the blue, I started singing, "You're bringing on the heartbreak, bringing on the heartache, You're bringing on the heartbreak, can't you see? You've got the best of me, ooooh can't you see?" Honestly, I don't know any more of the lyrics and it was painful as I tried to hit the high notes. Next thing I know, DG has this Def Leppard song blaring out of his speakers.

Me: (confused)Is that the song I was just singing?
DG: Yes!
Me: Where did I get it from? (disturbed) Were you singing it?
DG: No
Me: What made me sing that awful song?
DG: (pointing to my belly) You ARE carrying my baby, you've got 80's metal rock inside of you.

For the love of all things nooooooooooooo.

Missing the DG

DG took a road trip to visit his parents this past week-end, leaving on Friday morning at the crack of ass. For days before hand, I stressed out over what I would do with out him. I was convinced that the separation would cause me to mope endlessly for days, doing nothing but laying on the couch and watching tv. Who is this person I have become I thought to myself? What happened to the independent woman who owned her own house, mowed her own lawn, and came home at 3am, if at all?

Well as it turns out, the old broad still has it in her as I made plans to occupy all of my time. I was so tired out by Sunday afternoon that I had to take a nap. I had such a great time hanging out with friends, having dinner, shopping, writing songs, recording, and just sitting on the front porch shooting the breeze. I didn't get home before 11:30 p.m. each night. Not bad for the pregnant lady that likes to hit the hay at 9:30 p.m.

I barely had time to miss DG, but I'm so glad he's back I can hardly contain myself.

Of All the Things You Can Knit

Can't afford to buy the IPhone or waiting for the second generation? How about knitting yourself one? I don't even think this replica would appease DGs sobs every night as he begs us to go get the new phones.

And in the oh so wrong category, dress up your man's manhood this year with a Weenie Warmer. (graphic photos beware) There's just enough time before the holidays to get this one pumped out. And the drums go ba-dum-pa. I'm not sure what is worse, the photos of an actual man wearing this, or the fact that he looks like he waxed for the picture.

I just finished my knitting project using Vickie Howell's yarn for the winner of my question and answer session in March. Pictures forthcoming.

Kung Fu Fighting

I felt my first actual kicks from the baby tonight. I got a side kick and a punch to the front. It felt wonderful and giggly. I think I'm having a Kung Fu Fighter.

Save the date of July 26 in your calendars to check the blog to find out the sex of the baby.

A Summer of Theater

While DG was on a boys week-end 2 weeks ago, I went to see a play with his co-worker Kristin. In the it's-a-small-world category, Kristin is friends with a woman I used to work out with at the gym, Arlene. Both are a delight to be around, as well both are heavily involved in theater. As a matter of fact, Kristin is so theater obsessed that not only does she only listen to show tunes *giggle*, but she also goes 4 times a year to NYC to see Broadway shows. ::jealous:: But back to only listening to show tunes, there is only one other person that I know with this endearing trait, and that is Molly. You would never know looking at these two that they probably know all of the words to every Phantom song. But I digress.

Kristin and I met for lunch and then headed to the Lakewood Cultural Center to see Arlene in this season's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat. Kristin was gracious enough to get us tickets, though she has seen it about 10 times. This was my first and it was thoroughly enjoyable. The cast did an amazing job and the singing was grand. Arlene danced "her ass off" as she called it in all the big numbers and the grande finale was good enough to be a workout video. This is the 2nd show that I have seen at the Cultural Center and I recommend that everyone get out and go see something. It feels good to get a break from the movies.

5 Sticks of Butter Later

Happy Birthday America part deux. We went to a BBQ last night at Erin and Michael's to celebrate the 4th.

We made chicken skewers to brings and as well, I tried this patriotic cake from Pioneer Woman's cooking blog, which is originally from the Barefoot Contessa. Normally I do not make items from her blog because they contain enough butter to cause an instant coronary (5 sticks butter, 2 packages cream cheese and 1C sour cream). This cake however, with it's excessive butter was for a party, so I thought for sure I could make it and not bring any home. I also altered the cake a bit and cut the recipe in half since I wasn't using a sheet pan.

But there is a reason why you should always call your hostess first, especially if the hostess has the nickname "The Queen of all things Pie". The Pie Queen made a Banana Cream and a gorgeous Apple Pie with the criss-crossed top and all. She also makes all of her crust from scratch! Beeeeautiful. Anyway, the cake was a hit, but I have half of it left.

It is so good, it reminds me of our Spring Fling wedding cake. I'm toying with the idea of finishing it myself and inviting people over to SHARE in the calories. How many laps in the pool will I have to do to finish the cake today?

Happy Birthday America and Mom

I'm have not been feeling very patriotic lately and do not feel the need to celebrate America with everything that is going on. But then DG reminded me that we are celebrating our Independance, not just being American. Oh yeah.

I think I would rather celebrate my mom's birthday today. I recently was sent a bunch of cute pictures of her, with the explicit instructions NOT to post them on the blog. Because I am feeling like a good daughter today, I won't. *sigh* So instead, I will give you pictures of my latest knitting project AND my mom's birthday present. Several months ago, I posted about some gorgeous new yarn that I bought. And here is the final product, a decorative scarf.


This picture shows how the scarf hangs.

This one shows the detail of the beautiful mohair and silk blend against the varigated wool yarn. Don't look too closely at the details as you'll see where I dropped stitches.

Even though this is a standard scarf, this project posed a challenge for me due to the nature of the fibers. But I wanted to create something unique with luxurious yarn for my mom because she deserves it. Happy Birthday Mom!

Showing your Boobies in Public

While we were out a few week-ends ago, we noticed signs for a nurse-in, as a protest for a woman being harrassed at a local amusement park for nursing her baby in public. As we passed by, I joked that there were 7 women and 40 men there in support. *giggle* You can read the full article here.

It is completely legal in the US for women to breast feed in public, though each state has their own rules on the books. What I find to be the worst part of this story is that when she recited her rights to the police, it was like they were hearing this law for the first time. They did not enforce the law at all, rather they continued to threaten to kick the woman out if she did it again.

This all brings me back to my own boobies and how they are growing during the pregnancy. Yet another disappointment in life, as I always thought my crowning glory would be the day I would fill an Double D cup bra when I was pregnant. Ok, maybe I also thought that I would grow breasts that look like a porn star. That even with my big belly, Hugh Hefner would finally come calling for me to do a cover shoot with my hot new boobs. Well, unfortunately those boobs only come on the plastic surgery tree and I am left wondering what all the fuss is about. I'm also left trying to figure out why DG never looks me in the eye anymore?

HFCS

Yes indeed, another post about the evils of High Fructose Corn Syrup. When we last spoke on the subject I was trying to rid our lives of this ingredient. Let's talk a little about what that's been like.

Products I will no longer buy:
Heinz Ketchup
95% of BBQ Sauces
Rice Krispies and other cereals
Flavored Rice Cakes
Wheat Thins, Saltines, and Graham Crackers
Klondike Ice Cream Sandwiches
All Coke and Pepsi and other soda Products

Trying to live a healthier lifestyle is a long road to haul for sure. These products are only a few off the top of my head that I could think of. It takes time to read labels, but in the end I believe it is worth it. The other day at the grocery store, I had to read 15 bottles of BBQ sauce until I found the one that didn't have HFCS in it. I was suprised that crackers have it as well. And stick to real ice cream like Breyer's that use real milk and sugar. We have switched to only organic cereal, and Italian soda. (Yes, the baby craves these.)

Unfortunately, a few products escape my trained eye and make it home with me. As I am eating them, I peruse the ingredient list to double check them, and find that sneaky HFCS has slipped itself into the list *crap*. I then add the product to my mental list of things I can no longer buy and make DG take the rest of the box/bag to work.

It's so important for me to try to be healthy while I'm pregnant, but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle in which to raise a child. It will be hard in this world of fast food, and sugary treats, but we will try.