20 week ultrasound

We had our "20 week" ultrasound this past week and got to have a good look at the baby. It is estimated to be about 13 oz at this point, and it was moving around a lot during the ultrasound (unlike it's cousin was for hers!) and so we got to see some really amazing views of it.

We told the doc upfront that we were waiting to find out the gender, but man is patience hard for me. So part way through I asked her if she knew what it was yet and she was very coy in answering "why do you ask?". Then, just as she was leaving the office, she said "Oh, and I do know what it is! Bye!" and ducked right out before we had a chance to change our minds... Most everyone thinks it is a boy, but my dad just said he thinks girl. And he was the only one right last time, so we'll see!

In either case, all the major body parts are accounted for, as are all the major internals. So everything looks good and we're happy about that. I was most impressed to see the nose/mouth shot of the ultrasound, and the little tiny butt. Lili was pretty disinterested in the ultrasound process, and was more into reading one of the office books. Can't really blame her; it's hard to tell what you're looking at. But she's pretty interested in the printouts of the ultrasound. She is also leaning towards it being a girl, and she plans on calling it "Ice Cream".

skeletor image of the head/face

baby's left hand

bottom of baby's left foot, and on the right side, a little teeny butt!

I'm a FAN

Totally stoked. Our ceiling fans got installed today!!! One in the living room, and one in each bedroom. I couldn't be happier, and on possibly the hottest day of the year so far...

Swheat Grass

A local bread company was giving away wheat grass seeds awhile back, and we took a pack to plant with Lili. It took us awhile to motivate to planting them, and they sat on the counter for a while. But that stuff grows really fast! I think it's been less than two weeks and it's already several inches tall. Keith took the opportunity to make a smoothie with some wheat grass in it and he and Lili enjoyed the concoction for dessert. He basically got her excited to eat all the fruit I'd been trying to get her to eat all day.

See the excitement:

Ballet Recital

Lilian's ballet school held their spring recital this weekend. The littlest girls got to be in the show, and this was the first time that Lili got to be on stage. I'm told that during rehearsal, Lili fought her way up on to the stage through a throng of 8 year olds and ran to the middle of the stage. Totally ready for her close-up.

During the performance, the girls were led on stage, walked around, and sat on a bench for the scene. When I went back-stage to pick her up, the first thing she said was "Mama, but I didn't get to DANCE!". I feel the disappointment, but she made the most of the situation. She beamed at the audience the whole time they were walking across the stage. I wished they'd given the girls more to do. They've been practicing some cute stuff in class and it seemed like they could have been trusted with more responsibility.

You can see that they were all pretty excited before the show, and well, you know, cute as heck!

Penny Candy!

A nice visit from G&C led to our first trip to the Shelburne Country Store, home of Penny Candy. Lilian caught on right away to what that meant... It's amazing how many gummy candies a kid can stuff into their mouth before leaving a store.

just take the picture so that i can stuff more candy in!

Paper Lili

What do you do with the packing paper that comes from Amazon? This is what we do:


Draw a Lili clone. This is what she looks like to herself. I was very impressed with the fact that she drew the eyes, nose, and mouth in all by herself. We made paper clothes for paper Lili, but we haven't taped them on yet...

Book Report

I have been doing a lot of reading during this pregnancy. Mostly to keep my mind off of how demanding and uncomfortable my body has become (note: well into week 19, and still throwing up. Not infrequently.). So I read through the Twilight series again. And then Harry Potter books 6 and 7. And then I was stumped. I needed something to take my mind off things. And so for the first time, I asked the librarian. And she handed me this:


I love dogs. No surprise to anybody who's ever known me. So this drew my attention. Plus it is about a boy who doesn't speak, so that aura of intrigue exists. Mostly it was one of those books that very slowly reveals and unravels itself, so that in the beginning you're not so sure you'll ever finish it and then by the end you can't read fast enough. In terms of books that I have personally read, it was pretty unique in it's styling. I'm not sure enjoyable is the word I would use, but mesmerizing and feeling would be. It would be a great book club book. It was just a great book. I hope I remember to re-read it someday. I won't spoil the end for you but know this: I am a sucker for a happy ending, and that influenced how I feel about the book. Now go visit your local library!

Creamy Artichoke Soup

The other day, Lili and I stopped at the world's most inefficient lunch place, which happens to be inside of a garden shop. I got my usual, a Cuban and cole slaw, then the baby in my belly said it wanted MORE and so I ordered a small Creamy Artichoke Soup. It was amazing. I love artichokes, but I wondered if such a soup would be overwhelming. It kind of was, but in a good way. I set out to find a recipe to replicate it but only found blended soups, none like the light chunky soup I had, so I concocted my own creation...

Creamy Artichoke Soup

3-4 Leeks, tender parts rinsed and chopped
1 box frozen artichokes, thawed
Salt
Pepper
2 cups H2O
1 vegetable boullion cube
1 cup milk
2 Tbs flour
1/2 can quartered artichokes, hand "mashed"

Saute the leeks in olive oil for 3-5 minutes. Add some salt and pepper, add the frozen artichokes and saute a little longer. Add the water and boullion, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Combine the milk and flour with a whisk, and then add to the soup. Using an immersion blender, blend up the whole concoction. Add more salt, and lots of pepper (the soup should have a slightly peppery bite). Simmer for a few minutes to slightly thicken, and add the canned artichokes that you have roughly broken apart by hand. Enjoy with crusty bread!

Ghetto Ballet

Lilian has been taking ballet classes for a couple of months. Nothing too fancy, just a "movement" class with some toe-pointing thrown in. She loves it and it's fun to watch all the little girls prancing around and posing in front of the big mirror.

The ballet school she goes to requires a specific "uniform" for all the girls, and they sell the leotards, tights, and shoes there. When Lili first started, they didn't have any in her size, so we made do with what we had at home. You can see the difference in her professionalism:

So, now she's properly suited up, but personally I like the flair for the polka-dot tights!

Ithaca Festival 2009

We made our annual trek to Ithaca this past weekend, for the Ithaca Festival. In fact, we do very little festivaling and really spend a lot of time visiting friends and eating at the restaurants we miss!

Highlights of what we did:
Keith rode in the parade, and Lili and I watched for the first time in years.
The bulk candy section at Wegmans!
Asia Cuisine
Viva Taqueria
Stopping in at Kionix and Rheonix
A visit to our beloved chiropractor, Dr. Todd
Truffles from Ludgate Farms
Visited with LOTS and LOTS of friends!

What we didn't have time for this year:
Ithaca Tofu Store
Collegetown Vietnamese noodle shop
A visit to the acupuncturist
A Loaf of Cheddar Chive Sourdough from Ithaca Bakery
Visiting B&J and seeing what's up with our old house

food mecca - Wegmans!

Lili with her best friends in Ithaca. They know how to strike a pose!

Hopefully next year will be just as much fun, if not more!