Is bigger really better?

Some people think bigger is better.  When it comes to things like diamonds, paychecks and slices of carrot cake, I definitely agree!  However, when it comes to babies the answer gets a little more sticky! 

I had my first weekly prenatal appointment on Monday (yes - I'm already that close to d-day!!) where I was measured to check the growth of the baby.  Prior to this point, I had been measuring right on track.  But since I hadn't been thrown a curve ball in a while, I guess my number was up - I am now measuring 2 1/2 weeks larger than I actually am.  That's right, the doctor measured me at the equivalent of 39 weeks pregnant!  She also felt the position and size of the baby and said it felt "on the large side".  So, this coming Monday I have a scheduled ultrasound to make sure the growth of the baby is on track and to assure that it's protected by the proper amount of amniotic fluid. 

I have plenty of things to fear (which you know this worry wart does!), but my biggest fear is that we'll find out the gender of the baby right before delivery!  I am sure that health-wise everything is a-ok with the baby; anything too alarming and she would be sending me for testing sooner than Monday.  So please keep us (and baby!) in your thoughts and prayers for this just to be a big and healthy baby!  I'm hopeful that it was just a mis-measurement and that this little peanut will not be a 9-pounder!  I'll update you all after Monday's appointment!!




Here's what "39 weeks" pregnant looks like (in actuality this is 36w, 6d).  Still feeling great.... just getting anxious for Monday's sneek peek at Baby Figs!



Baby Fig's Future Room

I had my 35 week appointment today and, just to gloat a bit, I think it was my best one yet!  I didn't gain any wait since my 33 week appointment (which if you knew the running total so far that is a good thing!) and my blood pressure was lower than my previous appointments.  The baby sounded great and I'm measuring right on track!  I can't believe my due date is a short 4 weeks away from Wednesday.  I've been doing a lot to prepare - many loads of laundry and getting clothes, blankets and sheets put away.  We installed the car seat, although we still have to get it inspected, and got our carpets cleaned.  I think we're pretty much ready for the baby, well, we're prepared for the baby.  We probably need a few weeks to actually be ready for the baby to arrive.  :)

Since I just posted pictures of me last week, I figured I would post a few of the nursery so every one can see it.  It's hard decorating in a gender neutral theme, but when I first saw the bedding over 5 years ago, I knew it was the one I had to have.  I hope you all enjoy the pictures!

Hamper and shelf are part of the Starlight Collection by Wendy Bellissimo

Dresser is from Buy Buy Baby (Sorelle) and the picture frames were made by adding extra fabric from the bedding around the frame mats.  Once we know the baby's name, we'll add their initials in the frames.

Lamb mobile by Wendy Bellissimo

We got the crib (Sorelle) and chair (Best Chair) from Buy Buy Baby and the lamb wall decal from Pottery Barn.  The nightstand was on clearance at JC Penney

Bedding is the Starlight collection by Wendy Bellissimo.  The lamb is the Cloud B Sleep Sheep.

Panoramic view of the room

Showered with Love!

I've always considered myself a lucky person; I had a great childhood, a supportive family, and great friends, steady employment, a decent education and overseas experiences.  I just never knew how lucky I really was!!  I was fortunate enough to have not one, but two showers throughout my pregnancy!!  Brianne and Kari threw me a shower up in Kansas City back in October and Ali threw me a shower down here over the weekend!  The location for the shower this past weekend was fantastic (for all you Floridians, if you haven't been to The Lime in South Tampa, you need to check it out), they had a wonderful room for us and fabulous food!  We were treated with chicken skewers, steak roll-ups, tostones with bbq pork, and chicken quesadillas.  Delicious!!  Most of my closest friends and family in Florida were in attendance.  I've included a few pictures below so you all can see how wonderfully it turned out!  For those that were there - thanks so much for coming to celebrate our little miracle!!  We're so glad you are a part of our lives!

 Me surrounded by my delicious cake and wonderful presents!

 The baby is the biggest present of them all!

The diaper cake that Monika and Kate made for me!  And yes, they had to roll and tie each little diaper prior to assembling!  (It was too cute not to include in these pics).

The attendees!!  Thanks to all of you for coming!

Me and the future Grandmas and Great-Grandmas!  This is one lucky baby (and one lucky me!)

Me with the wonderful hostess, Ali.  She did a great job putting everything together and I am so grateful for such wonderful people like her in my life.

Where did THAT come from?

You can say it, I'm actually giving you permission.  I am a slacker!  I don't really have an excuse, although I could use the busy holiday season as one!  December was a busy month, filled with shopping, hospital tours and birthing classes.  The next thing I knew, it was New Year's Eve!

The holidays were wonderful!  We actually had some family come in to town around the holidays.  It's always good to see them, even if the visits are few and far between.  Seeing each other regularly when you're over 3000 miles away has its challenges.  But the time together is well worth it!

Aside from the holidays, I've just been getting very pregnant!  It's true what they say, each trimester definitely brings about it's share of challenges and changes.  The week that I hit the 3rd trimester I popped right out.  No more "oh you're so cute!".  I have officially moved on to the "You're due when?" or "You're going to have a BIG baby!".  Thanks, people!!  It's still hard to believe that I'll be 34 weeks pregnant tomorrow.  Time really is flying.  I hope my poor swollen feet and ankles can handle the next 6 weeks!

My New Year's resolution (which I don't usually make) is to post to the blog more frequently.  My goal is once a week, but you can't hold me to it!!  I am including a couple pictures below... please no comments on how huge I am!  :)  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are as excited about 2011 are we are!!

 

 

Here it is, 33 weeks pregnant... 

Only 7 more to go (and yes, I'm counting!)

Dad, Mom, me and Tyler

Thanksgiving, 2010

   

 

Chris and me on Christmas Day, 2010

Turkey Brining Recipe

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; it always has been.  To me, there is nothing better than gathering around a table full of delicious food with your closest loved ones and counting all your blessings the Lord has bestowed you!  Many people consider Thanksgiving to be a stressful time of year; a day of madness preparing and cleaning up for one meal.  Personally, I love that madness!  Maybe because over the years I have almost gotten Thanksgiving down to a stress-free event.  And one that always stars my delicious turkey (yes, I'm bragging, but just a little!!).  Many chefs tell you not to brine your turkey because it's too time consuming.  I'm obviously no chef, but for me, a little prep the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is worth the delicious turkey I get almost every year!  Here's how I do it:

7 quarts (28 cups) water
1 1/2 cups coarse salt
6 bay leaves
2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
1 fresh whole turkey, patted dry, neck and giblets removed
1 bottle dry riesling
2 medium onions, sliced
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bunch fresh thyme

Bring 1 quart water, the salt, bay leaves and spices to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved (be patient, it can take 20 - 30 minutes).  Let cool 5 minutes.

Line a 5-gallon container with a large bag (I use a trash bag) and place turkey in bag.  Add salt mixture, remaining 6 quarts of water (I will substitute some of these quarts with low sodium chicken stock), and other ingredients.  Tie bag, making sure turkey is submerged.  Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping turkey once. 

On Thanksgiving morning, I pat turkey dry and cover it with oil or butter and herbs.  Typical roasting time is 12 minutes per pound at 350-degrees.  When the breast starts to brown, I cover it with aluminum foil.  When the breast meat reads 160-degrees, your turkey is done.  Let rest for at least 15 minutes, carve, and eat!  Rarely is it bland or dry, so, until I try fried turkey, I'll stick to my brined turkey! 

We are so thankful to have each of you in our lives and wish you could be around our table this Thursday!  Happy Thanksgiving!

It's about time

Well, I figure it's about that time to provide our out-of-state friends and family with a way to keep up with the Figueredos.  Chris and I have had a roller coaster year; but I know that it's one that neither of us would change.  While the year has had it's downs, the ups have been by far better than any I've experienced before!  Not only has it strengthened our relationship with each other, it has also strengthened our faith as Christians. 

Since August, 2009, Chris and I took a long journey (that actually started well before August) through the struggles of infertility.  On Father's Day (June 20, 2010) we discovered that we had reached the end of that journey.  Three pregnancy tests later we hugged in disbelief at those two blue lines - we are finally having a baby!  The best part about the news was that it was completely unexpected.  We were preparing for the next stage of infertility treatments and it was on our "off month" that we finally conceived.  It's true what they say:  God really does have perfect timing!

My goal throughout this blog is to open you all up to the every day happenings for us Figs (which I'm sure you'll all find is quite boring!).  Here's a recent picture for those who haven't seen us lately - I get rounder by the day (but I wouldn't change a thing!).

 November 4, 2010 - 25 weeks, 1 day