15 weeks. (yummy veggie recipe too!)

Yesterday marked my 15th week of pregnancy and everything seems to be going very well!

AJ and I are ahead of the game in the baby planning department: the nursery is painted (thanks to AJ), crib and furniture are put together and set up (thanks to Mama, Papa and Sissy Specken), and we already have some cute blankets and clothes for Baby Saigh from family and friends.  I know we still have a lot to do, but we've really gotten a great start on things!  We're so excited to find out if Baby Saigh is a boy or a girl.  Then, it will be time to do some SHOPPING!

I've noticed that I haven't been eating as many veggies as I should be, since the baby is growing at a rapid rate and needs all the nutrients he/she can get.  I eat a lot of fruit, but I'm definitely slacking in the veggie department.

So, I received a recipe from my co-worker Anna that one of our chefs made on TWIN CITIES LIVE, and it is delicious!  I made a big batch of it today so I can eat small portions of it here and there.  But, to be honest, it's so good I may finish it by the time the weekend is over!

If anyone else has any great recipes that have a lot of veggies in them, send them my way!

Here's the recipe for the veggie salad...

Ingredients: 

1 bag of edamame

1 cup or so of thawed frozen corn

1 red bell pepper

1 green pepper

1 can black beans

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/2 red onion

snip some cilantro in

Sauce:

1/2 cup olive oil

juice from 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup rice vinegar
salt and pepper and garlic to taste
 

So weird not to feel sick.

Tomorrow marks my 15th week of my pregnancy, and I think I can safely say that I'm finally over my morning sickness! If you've ever been pregnant before, you'll know what I mean when I say that the first trimester is difficult to get through. For those of you who have never had to deal with morning sickness, I envy you. Feeling like I'm hungover all day, every day, for the last few months has been an absolute nightmare. I even went as far as saying to my husband, that if I had to deal with morning sickness for my entire pregnancy (which some women unfortunately do), I would never do it again!

But, thankfully (and hopefully) my morning sickness is gone, and I can even feel my energy level coming back. I had made a pretty good and semi-permanent nest on the couch, but now I'm back to doing things, and it feels great. My appetite is also returning, but I'm not always craving very healthy foods. I've become completely turned off by chicken, and anything with "red sauce" (like lasagna). But, I've become obsessed with canned fruit of all things! I literally buy every can of the tropical fruit (in natural juices, of course) when I'm at Target. It's so good!

Papa Saigh and I have our next doctor appointment on Monday. I can't remember if we're scheduled for an ultrasound or not, but if we are, we may find out if Baby Saigh is a boy or a girl!

13 weeks. Hello bump!

Is that a baby bump I see?!

Who knows if my baby bump is an actual bump, or if I've just been eating too much, but I'm finally seeing the start of something growing in my belly!  I'm a little over 13 weeks pregnant and I'm in the phase where my regular pants don't fit, but I don't think it's time to buy a whole new maternity wardrobe.  So, right now I'm living in stretchy pants and leggings.  I did, however, but a pair of maternity "trouser-style" pants, just to change it up a little bit.  I'm not going to lie, maternity pants are pretty darn comfortable!

I also think I've finally gotten over my "morning" sickness and I can feel my energy level coming back!  Every now and then, I still get a little nauseous, but my appetite has returned... times two:)  I'm literally hungry all the time and I'm craving all the "naughty" foods (donuts, fast-food, etc.).  It's getting dangerous for me to be working at TCL, where we have amazing chefs in studio every day and treats around the office all the time!  If anyone has any healthy and delicious recipes you'd like to share, feel free to send them my way!

13-week ultrasound.

13-week ultrasound. Baby likes to face the camera!

 Today, AJ and I went in for our first trimester screening, which was also our 13 week ultrasound.  Since AJ had to miss our first ultrasound, today was exciting because AJ was going to see the baby for the first time!

At this appointment, the doctor was looking for signs of Down Syndrome, Trisomy 12 and 18.  Baby Saigh didn't want to cooperate by turning toward the direction the doctor wanted him/her to.  We tried everything... I had to lay on my back, side, other side, run to the bathroom, jump around, and FINALLY the baby curled up in the position the doctor was looking for.  Baby Saigh was very active, waving his/her hands in front of his/her face, and kicking his/her little legs around.  Thankfully, everything in the ultrasound looked great and now we'll just wait a week for the blood test results (more conclusive results).  It was so great to see AJ's reactions while watching his baby for the first time.  The lights were off in the ultrasound room, so I'm not sure if he got emotional (he says no, but I'm going with yes).  Baby Saigh also decided not to cooperate when it came time for the doctor to determine if Baby Saigh is a boy or a girl.  His/Her butt was too close to the side of my uterus for the doctor to even get a close look.  Oh well, we can wait a few more weeks!

We also took a tour of the hospital floor where we've chosen to have the baby.  All of the nurses were so friendly, and there was actually a new mom in one of the rooms who just gave birth to twins!  They were so tiny (we saw them through the glass).

For all of you new moms-to-be out there, make sure you plan on about 2 hours for this appointment.  It's not a quick one because there's a lot to go over and test for.  We're both really looking forward to our next visit!

Profile shot.

Pregnancy glow?! I don't think so.

(No photos for this post. I don't want to scare anyone.)

Whoever said pregnant women have a "glow", was not referring to this pregnant lady! I can not believe the way my face has reacted to pregnancy. I'm completely breaking out!  Walking out of the house without makeup on isn't really an option for me these days, because I look like a meth addict.  When I am on-air for TWIN CITIES LIVE, I have to spackle an inch-thick of make-up on my face. Thank goodness for MAC Studio Finish Powder. That shiz hides everything!

Not only do I have pregnancy "acne", but I can't find a happy-medium between my dry skin and trying to clear up the zits on my face:( I need to put on a heavy moisturizer for fear of my skin cracking off, but doing that just makes my "acne" worse.

If anyone has any ideas or recommendations, I am all ears!