32 Weeks and Counting

Well we reached the 32 week mark on Monday, and technically have 8 more to go. However typically the first baby does tend to be born late, around 41 or 42 weeks. So I guess we will have to wait and see how eager Plus One is to pop out and meet us, and the world around him/her.

Robbie and I have narrowed some first name choices down but need to work on the middle name too. Ever notice how first and middle names just seem to go together, Naomi Ann or Robbie Allen?

The last post I made about the pregnancy discussed my hopes for a home birth, well turns out our insurance wouldn't cover the expense, so Robbie and I decided to go with a hospital birth. We found out today that Robbie's insurance will cover all of the expense, which will leave us money to invest in Plus One's future.

Right now our doctor visits are two weeks apart and beginning the 36th week, we start to have weekly check-ups. According to Dr. Andrea, all is well, and the baby is growing just as he/she should be. My weight gain is perfect, and she thinks it will be at least another 4-6 pounds. Robbie and I had made a wager in the beginning about how much weight I'd gain, he said 50 pounds (because he's such a sweetie!), and I said 35 pounds. Looks like I might actually win this one. My initial weight began at 141, and today I weighed in at 163. You can do the math.


Next weekend Robbie and I are headed to Sandpoint, ID for a baby shower that his family is throwing for us. Well actually, Robbie will be off enjoying the Bonner County Gun and Horn show with the men, while us ladies sit around and talk baby talk. It will be a quick trip as we will head out on Friday and return on Sunday.

As the baby gets bigger and the room he/she shares with my abdomen gets tighter and tighter, the movements are much more often and with more force. Lots and lots of jabs and kicks. My belly button is not quite and inny anymore but also not quite an outy either. At some point it will be pushed beyond equilibrium and pop. Robbie and I have not taken a wager on this yet.

I have begun a baby afghan for the baby, and below is a photo of what I've accomplished so far. I'm pretty proud of myself for finally figuring out the pattern and will be even happier if I finish it too!

Stuffed Peppers alla Robbie

Robbie made these delicious stuffed red peppers for dinner tonight. He adapted the following recipe, Spanish Beef and Rice, from Rachael Ray's cookbook, 30-Minute Meals 2.

Spanish Beef and Rice
2 cups beef stock
1 & 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups white rice (Robbie used Uncle Ben's Minute Rice, Imported from Alaska)
1 tablespoon olive oil, preferably extra-virgin
1 & 2/3 pounds of ground sirloin (Robbie used deer hamburger)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion finely chopped
4 cloves garlic (we buy the minced stuff in a jar from Costco)
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped (Robbie omitted this step, as we used the mixture to stuff in red bell peppers)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoons ground cloves (Robbie doesn't add cloves to any recipe, so this step was omitted)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (Omitted, not on hand)

Robbie's Additions
Jalapeno
2 red bell peppers whole
1 cup Tillamook Garlic Chili Pepper Cheddar Cheese (What we had in the fridge)

Bring beef stock, water, and butter to a full boil in a medium-size pot. Add rice, reduce heat and cover pot. Cook 20 minutes, until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, onion, garlic, and jalapenos, saute until the veggies are tender. Add meat, and Worcestershire and brown. Add tomatoes sauce, cloves, cumin, and parsley. Bring to a low boil and then reduce heat to low.

Combine cooked rice, and cheese with meat mixture. Stuff into red peppers, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

***We boiled the peppers first to soften them slightly before stuffing them. Advice courtesy of Grandma Marilyn.***

Robbie's peppers were awesome, and I highly recommend this recipe to you our family and friends. If you try them and add a different spin, let us know how it goes.

Bob Appetit

Our Newest Feat

Robbie and I brought back several puzzles from Grandma Jean at Christmas time. This was the first one we attempted, and it took us much longer than anticipated to complete it. Our friends Dave and Emily (http://beatleys.blogspot.com/) also just completed a puzzle that racked their brains, I've asked them if we shouldn't do a swap.

John Day Fossil Beds

Here are a few pictures from a day trip we took to the John Day Fossil Beds. The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (visitor center) is located about 45 minutes from our house, at the Sheep Rock Unit. We took the longest trail offered, The Blue Basin Trail, about a 3 mile loop. The trail overlooks the valley and only changes in elevation by about 600 ft.

Christmas Photos

Uncle Robbie with our Niece and Nephew Olivia and Rowan.


It was defiantly a white Christmas.


Grandpa Bob modeling a Krusty Hat Original.


A star in the making. Olivia shows off her new guitar.


Rowan's my name, and "Da Da's" my game.

Christmas Morning!