Shannon's World

Mike’s blog has info and pictures about the newest member of our family: Cooper Michael. mike.shannonandmike.net

Libby and I enjoyed a tea party on the front porch on Friday afternoon before dinner and the Gallery Walk downtown.

Mike made a new calzone recipe the other day – it’s the opposite of the weight watchers vegetarian one I typically make (recipe here), but it was good, really good!

* 2 lbs of ground beef
* 2 lbs of italian sausage
* 2 lbs of shredded mozzerella cheese
* Rhodes frozen dinner rolls

cook ground beef and italian sausage together. Drain and add mozzerella cheese. Roll dough and add mix. Pinch together. Cook 350 for 20 to 30 min.
Makes quite a few – we froze some to enjoy later. Serve with pasta sauce.

I went to the Dr. on Friday, June 11 and my Dr remarked at the jump my stomach had take when she measured me. She scheduled me for an ultrasound to try and gauge how big Baby B is. I went in for the ultrasound last Wednesday, June 16. The tech took measurements of the baby’s head, abdomen, and femur bone to estimate the babies weight . . . 8.2 lbs!

The earliest the Dr. will schedule an induction is June 30 because a big baby doesn’t mean a developed baby (I swear they were chanting this to me at the office because they knew I was disappointed about having to wait until June 30).

So Baby B will be joining us on June 30 and hopefully won’t be much bigger than 8 lbs, although most baby books indicate the baby gains a half a pound a week the last few weeks.

Today, Libby and I were at Target and got Baby B this onesie now that we know s/he will be here for the 4th!

I love this picture of Mike and Lib. I can honestly say Mike is the best Dad (I often feel he’s the better parent of the two of us) and Libby and I are lucky to have him around. He’s been unbelievably patient and helpful the last few months as my hormones have been raging and I can’t thank him enough for all he does for me, for Libby, for our family.

Libby wanted to try cereal (cheerios) with milk this morning. She liked it!

Picture taken with my phone so we could share with Daddy – sorry for the poor quality, but you get the idea!

http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com/blonde-designs-blog/2010/4/26/blueberry-crisp.html

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2009/06/garden-recipe-chicken-delight/ (made this tonight – quick, easy and excellent! I added red and orange peppers and red onion because I had them and wanted to clean out the veggie drawer . . I highly recommend!)

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2009/06/garden-recipe-summer-squash-casserole/

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/2009/06/garden-recipe-cucumber-dill-spread/

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/glazed-lemon-cookies

http://www.wholeliving.com/recipe/chicken-enchiladas-verdes

A few months ago, Mike and I were at dinner (alone!) and started thinking and talking about things – strange coincidences:

My Mom’s Parents (Ray and Claire) were both born in March and July.

My brother and I were both born in March and July.

My children will both be born in March and July.

I get a lot of questions about Libby and what she thinks of her new brother/sister. Here’s Libby’s perspective (at least what she shares):

- When asked she says we’re going to have a girl.
- When she refers to the baby, she calls it “he” (note: in conversation, she gets her other pronouns correct)
- She would like to name the baby Ariel or Prince Eric
- Just yesterday she approached me and said “I know what we can call the baby – Fluff.” We’ll see about that one!!

I’ve also received questions about this pregnancy being different from my first. I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t remember a ton from early on in Libby’s pregnancy because we were moving and I traveled a ton for work. But here are a few things that have been different:

- With Libby my hair stopped falling out at the beginning of my second trimester. With this pregnancy, it stopped falling out about 1-2 weeks ago (more than halfway through my 3rd trimester).

- With Libby I developed “linea negra” the dark vertical line that descends from your belly button. I don’t have one this time and my Dr. indicated I would have already seen it if I was going to get it.

The all-knowing internet says both of these have to do with pregnancy hormones…interesting to know if I have less of them or more of them and if that has to do with gender of the baby?

- Libby’s heart beat was consistently 160 from our first appt to the day of her birth. At my last check up this babies was at 130.

I head to the Dr tomorrow (Friday) for a quick check up and possibly news about dialation and dare I say it an early induction (wishful thinking on my part!). I’ll keep you posted!

Libby and I headed to playgroup and Libby discovered a new favorite activity – the slip and slide! She had a great time at Dawson and Bryson’s and couldn’t wait to get out ours after naptime this week. We just happen to have received a Little Mermaid slip n slide from our generous friends Madison and Olivia. Libby discovered it in the closet this winter and has been patiently asking when we can use it . . .well, today was the day!

Seriously, I don’t know where she gets this. I did not instruct her to pose like this . . . I simply said, “please stand still so I can take your picture” and she said “no, I have to do like this.” Have I mentioned she loves Katy Perry and Lady GaGa – no joke. 3 going on 13.

Action shot!

“We’re in the final countdown . . .” My parents house should be done just about the time Baby B arrives. I visited the house yesterday to check out the kitchen and hardwood floor installation.


Everything looks great . . . Libby can’t wait to sleep in her green room.