All Things Supercinski

We had our first ultrasound today, and there is only one baby in there, unless the other one is teeny-tiny and hiding right behind this one. It was amazing to me the difference in Josiah’s ultrasound and this one. Josiah’s was at 18 weeks, and he was so small and moving all around. This baby, at 25 weeks, was all squished up in there, but we still were able to see his/her face very clearly and the tech was able to get great images of the heart, organs, placenta and other important stuff.

Sadly, we don’t have a scanner, so you can just imagine some fuzzy black and white cloudiness that looks like a baby face with arms right near it. Everything worked out and Thomas and Josiah were both able to be there. Josiah keeps asking to “see baby” now. And no, Mom, we did not see any boy or girl parts. The ultrasound tech couldn’t even see them since everything was so tight in there.

I woke up yesterday morning with a stomach bug/food poisoning. Thankfully, I was able to keep liquids down by mid-afternoon and food down shortly after. I feel perfectly normal today. Yesterday, besides all the vomiting, was a very luxurious day for this momma! Thomas stayed home from work and took care of Josiah so I could rest and throw up without a toddler crying behind me, and I spent the day in bed. I took two naps, read a great magazine, read some books, and caught up on emails. It was like a mini-vacation, except for the parts involving kneeling in front of the toilet.

Yesterday, Josiah and I were playing at the park and we ran into a friend we hadn’t seen in over a year. I was commenting on how cute her baby was, etc., and she said, “I can’t believe Josiah is so big! How old is he now? And look at YOU! You’re due any day now, aren’t you?” She was shocked when I said I still have over 3 months to go. Hilarious. I love the things people say to pregnant women. I’m sure I’ll hear more in the coming months.

I read the book, The Five Love Languages a long time ago, (have not read the children’s version) but I think that Josiah is a huge “words of affirmation” kid, as most kids are. At the park, he tells me to sit on the bench and watch him slide. After sliding, if I don’t say it, he says, “Great job!” and comes and give me high fives. He loves being praised for things and will do so much if you just give him lots of affirmation afterward. He also reacts very strongly to harsh words spoken in anger and impatience. One harsh word and he’s crying for ten minutes, which is good because I get disciplined when I speak harshly!

Long story, but we were at this new, indoor, moon-bounce place last week, and I was grumbling in my head about how my child is the only one who needs me to watch him constantly while he plays in those things–not because he acts out (sometimes he does), but because he wants me to cheer for him, to watch him go down all the slides and tell him what a great job he did when he gets done. All the other moms were sitting on benches and talking together. (Insert pouting face.)

Then I got to talking with one of the 18-year-olds that “supervise” the kids on the bounce things. We were chatting about how sometimes day cares bring classes of kids there and how crazy it is for her (and anyone else who comes) on those days. She was saying that the most annoying thing about it is that all these kids will come up to her and ask her to pretend to be their mom, stand at the entrance/windows to the bounces and say, “Great job so-and-so.” She said it happens constantly when those groups are there, and it’s not just a kid here and there. Hearing that really broke my heart and snapped be back to reality. My role, as unglamorous as it seems sometimes, is a mom to a two-year-old who needs verbal affirmation, and I get the privilege of being my son’s cheerleader, and that’s the perfect place for me!

I’m no longer convinced there could be two babies in here, though I appreciate everyone’s encouragement last time. I am measuring normally, and my midwife thinks that means there is only one, though she said I look big too. We have an ultrasound scheduled for next week, just to make sure everything looks okay in there.

I just took this picture after I tried putting on this t-shirt and it barely went over my belly. I wore it to the hospital before giving birth to Josiah. Granted, he was much lower, but it’s funny to me anyway.

This baby is a mover and a shaker. If I am still for a few minutes, I begin to notice the pounding and crazy activity. My little heater has also kicked in–just in time for spring and summer! I have a hard time figuring out how to dress Josiah when I’m so hot. Does he need a coat? I want to take my shirt off, so I don’t think so, then his hands are all cold… Should I turn on the ceiling fan for his nap? I want it on, but he seems comfortable… Thomas suggested I just look at the thermostat and see what the temperature reads in the house. If it’s below 73-74, keep him in what he has on, no fan. Brilliant. The poor man now gets to sleep all bundled up with the ceiling fan on, even though our heater is still coming on at night.

Now that we are over halfway through, I am feeling the crunch on getting things done and ready. First, we must get the spare room cleaned out, painted and move Josiah in there. Now that we are done with our string of weekend visitors, we can really get cracking. I also have a ton of things to sew and do:

• finish putting new elastic in my old Bum Genius diapers
• sew more newborn and small diapers
• order more prefolds
• sew a narrower ring sling
• sew myself a mei tai (after I finish making a few for friends)
• figure out the whole double stroller deal. Anyone have a double jogger they want to get rid of? That would make this decision-making process a cinch!

I love reading Rachel’s recipes of the week, and with all people who tried the make-ahead burritos, I figured I’d post a few more. Here goes my first! Forgive my lack of measurements–I tried.

I found this chicken calzone recipe online and made a few minor modifications. This is enough to make two, large calzones–enough for a snack for me, dinner for 2, and lunch again the next day.

Chicken Calzones
double batch of pizza dough from your bread machine, enough for 2 pizzas (or 2 packages of refrigerated dough)
1/4 cup or more basil pesto (I make tons of this in the summer from our basil plants and freeze it for use all year)
4-6 sun-dried tomato halves, chopped (get the tomatoes that are packed in oil, just dab the oil off with a towel, this is less than 1/4 of a small jar)
about 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
about 2 cups mozzarella cheese
1.5-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up into bite size pieces
olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook chicken on stove in olive oil with some italian seasoning and a little minced garlic. Roll out pizza dough into two large circles or rectangles (one for each batch of dough), thin like you would a pizza. Layer pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and cooked chicken on one half of the dough. Drop ricotta cheese by tablespoons all around, evenly distributing. I put about 6-8 spoonfuls on each calzone. Sprinkle with mozzarella.

Lift one ege of dough and stretch over the filing to form a half moon (or smaller rectangle). Press edges to seal. Prick the tops with a fork to allow steam to escape. Brush tops with a little olive oil. Bake in oven for about 12-15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Be sure to take it out and lift up the calzone with a spatula to make sure the bottom isn’t doughy. If it is, bake for about four more minutes and check again. Cut in half. Serve with marinara sauce if you desire, but I don’t think it needs it.

One of my dear friends from college days spent this past weekend with us. It was such a treat! We were finally able to meet sweet little Judah and I had many hours to catch up with his momma, though I’m sure we could have filled two more days with non-stop talking.

I’m so glad you spent Paul’s conference weekend with us, Julie. It was a pleasure having you here.

I came across this video today, and I think it is excellent! If you have ever talked with us about food, you’ve probably heard our rants about the Farm Bill and subsidized corn and soy leading to the cheapest food with the worst health benefits. This short (10 minute) video sums it all up nicely and is an great introduction into re-thinking what you eat.