Milestones

 

 

In the midst of all the chaos of my pregnancy, three big milestones have come and gone, and this is a good time to capture them in my blog before things get crazy again. Here goes:

First off was my birthday last Wednesday. Like most women, I hate the idea of getting another year older, especially when my spirit feels frozen in my early 20s. But, as they say, "Consider the alternative." Despite being hugely pregnant and not feeling up to much activity, I had a very lovely time celebrating this year. Momma came in early that week to bring presents and treat to lunch at my favorite Thai restaurant. On the day itself, I took a break from all the baby business and housework and errands, and simply put my feet up, read, relaxed, dreamed and rested.  That evening, my hubby baked the most incredible birthday cake EVER, a double chocolate confection that was absolutely irresistable. Here's some shots from my special days:

Hubby and the Awesome Cake

Its okay to laugh....I know the cake has soooo many candles it appears to be on fire ;)





Lucas & the Birthday Girl

 



The Momma I got my smile from :)

 



Snuggle time with my furry son 

The next big milestone was Thanksgiving, which landed the day after my bday on this year's calendar.  This is the first year I can remember that ever happening, it was like being in a time warp. It necessitated our week becoming one big feast of food, nonstop yumminess!  Originally I didn't think I would be up to cooking the usual Turkey Day meal, but I had a surprising burst of energy and was able to prepare Cornish hens, rice and gravy, corn, stuffings and cranberry jelly for our meal.  For dessert? You guessed it- chocolate cake :)

 

My last milestone: the final days of this pregnancy. Finally, FINALLY I'm nearing the end of the amazing (and painful) journey, and things are slowly reaching the finish line. I wanted to keep track of everything online and did a good job documenting the first 6 months but have unfortunately neglected all of my blogs, including my pregnancy one on The Bump, because there's been so much do in the meantime: prepare the nest, go to weekly dr. visits, work on the nursery, handle family visits and finish a million and one things that have branched off to two million and one things.  As far as symptoms go, I had that great little burst of energy the past few weeks, which has helped handle all the ongoing madness and to-dos.  But now its clear that I'm slowing down again.  Which is difficult because I can't get my head in the same place as my body.  In my mind, I'm reviewing all the loose ends that need to be taken care of before our lives are turned upside down.  But in body, I'm slow and tired and heavy and unable to do all of these things I'm thinking about.  And recently I've been struggling with the worst low pelvic pain, which is exacerbated by moving, standing up or walking.  Basically any activity that doesn't involve standing or laying in one place.  There IS no walking anymore- its all hobble.  On the bright side, my bundle of joy has been extremely active and full of energy and movement.  Unlike his mama!

 

One thing I've learned in my pregnancy experience, which can apply to all of life: expect the unexpected, and be ready to change with the changing times.  I love to plan, but like clockwork,whenever I get the plans written down, everything changes.  I literally can't keep a calendar or appointment book because its like a magic spell- I write down a to-do, or appointment, or event, and within hours it all changes.  So I'm hoping to use this new outlook and stop planning so much, or at least to remember to be flexible and be ready for all the changes as they appear on the horizon.  Because I get the distinct impression that everything is going to be one big whirlwind once Happy Feet is back home with us.  There will be no stopping! :)

 

Hoping this finds everyone preparing for the holidays, and enjoying the moments that are unplanned and magical. 

 

~007

Autumn Bliss and Halloween Plans

Well, it's my favorite time of year again, and as promised I'm dedicating a separate blog to all the upcoming events in October.  The weather is starting to finally feel like autumn, and our sunsets have been earlier and earlier- a signal that nature takes care of the time change all on her own, without man's interference.  Updates for the month: our baby's nursery is about 70% finished (!!!!!!!) and we're putting the final decorative touches on everything.  School fairs are kicking in, and the pumpkin patch is back- although this year, due to time constraints, we will probably scoop our pumpkin up at Wal-Mart (and spend this weekend carving it and hanging up the rest of our creepy spiders/web outside of the house).  I volunteered last Saturday with my final animal rescue event of the year (till post-baby anyway!)- Delgado's Expo, with the Louisiana Boxer Rescue. I wasn't able to stay for the entire event but it was fun-filled, and the weather cooperated beautifully.  The highlight, of course, was our Boxer Kissing Booth- Cooper and his human mommy Vicki were handling that part of the program.  If there was a record for best Boxer kisses, Coop would have to take the prize, paws-down.  Here's a shot of the boy in his place of honor (the halo effect was unintentional but fun):

The big event on this month's list is....me and Lucas's 4th Wedding Anniversary! Traditionally the symbols are books, fruit and flowers (why they have three for one year I have no idea, but I'm fond of all three so it works, lol) and I'm brewing some ideas on how to incorporate all three.  Thinking about going to the bookstores and picking out books together; having dinner at a restaurant with a flower in the name; then hitting the farmer's market for the third and final fruit part of the program. Since our special day falls on a Thursday this year, we'll begin celebrating early (Sunday), with our annual picnic in the park where we got married, followed by a school fair.  Keeping fingers crossed that the weather cooperates the way it's been doing.

 

 

Something that has amazed me- this month is going by faster than all our other Octobers put together! It's that nesting thing hard at work again- I've lost complete track of time! After last weekend soared by on rust-colored leaves, I took a good look at the calendar and called it to Lucas's attention that we were officially halfway through October....and we HADN'T DECORATED OUR HOUSE FOR HALLOWEEN!!! Le Horreur!! This is a record for us- usually the Halloween festivities begin on exactly the first of the month and last until the end of the thirty-first.  Something had to be done, immediately! So we dug out our plastic storage boxes filled with Halloween deco- bypassing the costume boxes (this year is going to be a "little" different in the costume dept, lol) and got our pipestem spiders/paper pumpkins/grinning skulls out, and began making up for lost time.  I also made a new addition to our decorations- I borrowed a page from Martha Stewart and took a styrofoam mannequin head, covered it with that faux spider web material and placed one of the pipestem spiders on top as a "hat" of sorts.  The effect was fun, and I'll post a shot later.  Looking around the house, it is FINALLY starting to look appropriately spooky around here, at long last.

As far as Halloween costumes go, I've been scouring the 'net looking for ideas and inspiration but haven't come up with much to pique my interest.  There were some cute "mommy and baby" skeleton tee shirts, but nothing else really screamed "Halloween costume".  Eventually I came up with an idea on my own: cookie!<--(insert Cookie Monster voice here). It would incorporate the big belly, and I could either dress up my arms and head as Cookie Monster, or see if Lucas wants to play that role (either that or he could be 'the last cookie').  If I go the first route, all I need for this costume is to buy royal blue arm warmers/gloves, and make a simple cookie jar shirt or poster board cutout.  I already own a C.M. hat Lucas gave me a few Christmases ago, which would be the final touch.  For Lucas's costume I can design a shirt with the saying "The Last Cookie" with a Natalie-Dee-ish sketch of a chocolate chip.  A far cry from the usual scary stuff, but change can be fun sometimes ;) This year we won't be venturing out very far, and it would be a good year to dress comfortably to stay home and hand out candy to the kids/watch scary movies/nest some more.  And next year there will be three of us doing a family theme, for baby's first Halloween!!

This is what's going on in our corner of the world (the big stuff anyway).  Hope this finds my readers preparing for a spooky, scary, scintillating Halloween time!

~Jamie aka  "Cookie Monster"

September Updates

Hard to believe that we are into another month! September was the month of Hurricane Isaac- the storm that blew our "normal" everyday schedules into shreds, and destroyed the homes of so many poor people.  Every hurricane has its own agenda, and it seems that the people who do well during one storm will inevitably be stuck dealing with horrendous damage from yet another one.  People are still rebuilding and dealing with the aftermath.  Prayers go out to each and every one of them. 

As for us, we were incredibly blessed- the winds sounded like they would rip through our roof, and it felt like the gods were bowling outside our window- but we suffered little damage, and ended up enjoying time with our neighbors playing board games and visiting with our dogs.  The day of the storm was terrifying, but the afterwards was strangely, thankfully quiet and peaceful. And the day before the storm we saw the strangest "sign"- a giant bird was perched on our patio fence, his back to us, staring out at the weather kicking up.  Looked like a falcon or peregrine hawk.  I raced to get my camera but didn't make it back in time.  It seemed like a lucky sign, and gave us a little comfort before things got bad here with the weather.

The rest of the month was busy, and thankfully uneventful post-hurricane.  I experienced a BIG growth spurt with my baby on board, and now I'm in the phase of my pregnancy where I'm going to the doctor's office every 2 weeks for visits, so things are progressing quickly!

I'm thankful September is over- it was hot, humid, stormy and insane.  Now we're in October and the weather gave us our first "real" cold front of the season! This is my favorite month, and I'm going to reserve a separate blog to catch up on it. 

Hoping this finds my readers doing well and enjoying the change of season!

August Updates

There is so much ongoing in my life, and not enough time to share it on this blog.  I'm going to have to begin logging in the basic highlights at this rate! Here goes....

A few weeks ago we had the ultrasound done, and found out that we are having a baby boy!!! Biggest thrill EVER!! Yet, at the same time, I knew from early on in this pregnancy that it was a boy.  There was an energy, a visual in my head, that it was a little guy nesting in there.  I guess the instincts are coming out early- amen to that! The ultrasound experience was incredible- seeing how big our baby is growing, and watching him move and shift around, was fantastic! It was like watching a hologram, images popping out at random (or maybe that's the way my brain was processing the whole experience!)  We could hear the heartbeat again, and as always it was music to my ears.  Lucas was quiet and watchful and very very happy.  We got a dvd of the ultrasound, and a couple of photos printed out to share with family.  Funny thing happened: as I sat up afterwards, I got a weird surge in temperature and felt on the verge of fainting.  Arrghh! Embarassing, but I was told by the tech that its common for women carrying boys to be a little more unsteady.  Maybe its the hormones.  I mentioned it to Mom after and she said that the same thing happened to her when she was carrying my brother.  At least its "normal"! And baby has been moving these past few weeks- its something that always makes me stop what I'm doing and absorb the experience.  Small miracles.  Mini Zen moments.

Nesting: We are still in the early stages of preparing the house for baby.  Thankfully there are a few months left, and family is helping us out with the grunt work.  The studio is going to be converted into a nursery/baby room, and we are working on theme ideas.  For now, we've picked out the colors blue and chocolate brown.  Mom bought a beautiful 3-in-1 natural wood crib (Simmons), perfect for what we're doing with the nursery.   I am working on the rest of the house, and building bags of things to donate to the Louisiana Boxer Rescue Garage Sale at the end of September.  Also working on registries (Target and Babies 'r' Us)- it's an eye opener how much baby will need.  Trying to cut down on costs by shopping for secondhand furniture like a dresser, chest of drawers, baby changing table etc., and comparison shopping.  Also reading pregnancy books by the dozen- so much info, so little time!

Beau: About a month ago, my furry son started exhibiting strange behavior and aggression towards me, and every day was a battle between the two of us.  It got to the point that his "time-outs" were 5-7 times a day, which was very unusual and distubing.  It was a very difficult and depressing time that seemed to drag on and on.  I contacted every person in the dog business that I could find, and asking for help/advice/info on what to do.  The main concern is baby- we don't want Beau showing aggression towards our little one once he's home.  I've been working with him on a daily basis and trying to re-train him, with some improvements.  So far his aggression symptoms are improving a LOT, but he still barks at everyone when he's out in the yard, and still has issues (mainly, hardheadedness).  One day at a time...and considering crate training, along with a refresher course in "Beau-bedience" for the two of us.  The photo on this blog entry is very dear to my heart-a shot I call "My two sons", with Beau and the baby bump.  Beau has an affectionate and lovable side to him that makes me hang in there, despite the bad times, and this photo exemplifies that side of him. 

Photography: Until this week, my photography has taken a very dusty backseat to everything else.  But this week I started up again- took some great shots of Beau drinking water out of a hose- a series I call the "Dog Days of Summer".  I am reading up on photography basics, and in the process of learning how to use the lovely Canon camera that my Mom gave me several months ago.  Its a tool that can push my pictures from really good, to incredible.  Determined to learn it, and will be going to parks and outdoor events to practice and get familiar with it.  Especially want to know how to operate all the special features before the arrival of baby!

Another photo note: I entered the Hearst 8x10 Photo Contest.  Subject matter up to the photographer, and you can submit 16 photos.  Winner receives an exhibit opening in New York.  Ahhhh, the glory! Winners will be announced October 1st.  I wrote up a bio explaining my volunteer work with animal rescue groups and how my photography tied in to that, then selected 16 photos that, to me, exhibited both animal rescue and life here in Nola.  Regardless of whether or not they win, I sent them off with love and optimism and hope.  Stay tuned....

20 weeks and counting....

This is one of the biggest Zen moments of my life.  Baby boy- 13 oz, perfectly healthy, active, annoyed at having been awoken from his morning nap.  Tiny hands like two works of art.  My child, warm and snug and growing surrounded by love.  I am humbled.  I feel like a queen, able to take on the world.  I am grateful.  I am inspired.  My heart is so full I can't even set it all down in words right now and will revise this blog at a later date. 

Back to Work...

After a very extended break from our art work (due to a "slight" case of pregnancy, haha), I am finally getting back into the swing of things.  Today while checking in on Facebook, I was inspired by a steampunk photograph in the news feed, taken by a company called "Dim Horizon" http://dimhorizonstudio.com/), which specializes in costume shoots, steampunk and high fashion among others.  It was a lovely reminder that time's a-flying, and hubby & I have art work to revisit.  So while on FB, I spent a long time updating the photos of our mask line to get back on track and help get the word out.  Then I signed back into the mask website for the first time in several months, and updated our page with photos of the latest "additions" and upcoming events that are in the works, along with the link to my art blog. 

I am very proud of this particular Zen moment- looking back at photos of the masks we have completed, it gives me a sense of accomplishment to see the quality of the masks and to remember the work we put into each and every one- absolutely a labor of love.  The mask line runs the gamut- good and evil, colorful and dark, dreamy and realistic.  I'm a big believer in the concept of balance, and it is gratifying to see that reflected in this line of work.  We are definitely not a "one-note" wonder.

Now that I am shaking off the remnants of the pregnancy nausea (for this trimester anyway!) Lucas and I will be gearing up to continue the mask line in full force.  We have so many ideas brewing, and the hot and humid days of summer will be the perfect time to close myself in the house and begin once more.  Lucas works full time (somebody's gotta earn the dough!), but he will be guiding me each and every step, and providing his own additions to the mask line as the days progress.  We'll be collaborating on weekends and bringing new ideas to the line, so be prepared to see a lot of newcomers in the months ahead.  And I can't wait to find out if the Sprout is a boy or a girl, so we can make a special mask to display in the nursery.   Hoping that our little one will enjoy the mask line as much as we do- maybe we'll be blessed to have an apprentice on our hands!


Hope this finds everyone surviving the long hot Dog Days of Summer!

My best,
007

Pizza Recipe (It's all in the Crust....)

Ask anyone who enjoys cooking, and they will probably agree....a good pizza recipe is hard to find.  My personal experience with pizza recipes involves hunting through magazine selections, online hints, Create TV, cooking channels and a slew of cookbooks including Better Homes and Gardens.  All are informative and helpful, but so far my best find has been a recipe for pizza by the creative and awesomely talented Guy Fieri.  The recipe itself is basic and straightforward, and the secret to its great flavor is found in the pizza dough.  For folks who like their pizza basic (no chunky sauce, onions, ultrathin crusts or gourmet flavors), this is the one for you.  The crust is thick and hearty, and you can either whip up your own pizza sauce (using a tomato paste and tomato sauce puree) or borrow a quick-fix at the grocery (Mama Mary's is my go-to brand these days).  My husband is a meat-and-potatoes personality when it comes to food, so his toppings lean towards pepperoni (turkey), chorizo, or ham, and all of the above plus jalapenos, mushrooms and black olives for me.  It's also a fun twist to squeeze a little pepperoncini juice to finish the flavor (like Papa John's).   Eventually I plan on experimenting with dessert pizzas- currently on the lookout for a smores recipe, and a cinnamon apple streudel.  And maybe later we'll do a "stuffed crust" on the regular pepperoni.  But for now, this basic recipe works perfectly.  All it requires is time and good planning- while the dough is in its rising stages, you can be doing other things in the meantime while waiting.  Remember to start early enough to give yourself time for the prep work. 

Here is the Guy Fieri Pizza Crust Recipe, as taken from the Guy Fieri Cookbook:

Ingredients:

•  1 tsp sugar
•  1 cup warm water
•  1 tbsp (or 2 packets) active dry yeast
•  2 tbsp olive oil
•  1 tsp sea salt
•  2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (plus a little extra for dusting)

Directions:

(1) In a bowl, dissolve sugar in the warm water.  Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 10 minutes or until foamy.  Add olive oil and salt to the yeast mixture.  Mix in the flour (by hand, in a large bowl).

(2) Turn the dough on to a floured board (or a cookie sheet, if pressed for space) and knead until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.  Place the dough in a bowl that has been wiped down with olive oil, and turn the dough to coat the surface.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until the dough is double in size, for about an hour. 

(3) Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide in half (for two large pizzas) or in four (for four small ones).  Form into smooth, tight dough balls, cover loosely with plastic wrap or a well-floured kitchen towel, and set in a warm place for 30-45 minutes.  *Note: at this point your kitchen will smell like a bakery with all the rising dough- just a nice side perk of baking at home :)

(4)  Preheat the oven to 500 degrees (or, if using a gas oven or high-powered oven, 475 degrees).

(5)  Uncover the dough, and press dough with fingers until it is as flat as possible.  Drape over both fists and gently pull edges out, while rotating crust.  Or, to cut back a step, simply smooth the dough and press it outwards into a circular shape, which will allow you to make it either thick or thin crust.  When desired size/thickness, place on a floured pizza pan or cookie sheet. 

(6)  Top the crusts with preferred toppings.  Our family enjoys the basic traditional style pizza: tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, Mozzarella cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan (prefer the shredded style), a drizzle of olive oil, turkey pepperoni/chorizo, and other toppings depending on who the pizza is for (use your imagination- pizzas can pretty much use anything from chicken to veggies to fancy cheeses- the sky's the limit). 

(7)  Bake for 8-12 minutes.  Best served with Italian salad (toss mixed greens, artichoke hearts and Feta cheese with balsamic viniagrette) and icy-cold soft drinks. 

Ciao from my kitchen to yours!!

~007