Movies...

I am not a big movie theatre fan. I go see all of the Harry Potter movies, and of course the Narnia movies. ANd sometimes I'll see a movie with my family. But usually I like to just wait til it comes out on DVD, and get it for free on netflix! Here are a few movies we've seen lately:

"Life as We Know It" was really cute. Bech and I both love Katherine Heigl, and she is darling in this movie. Plus, on the whole, it's not vulgar and the language isn't awful.

This movie is a great example of why I should read plot summaries. I hated this movie. It was not good. I just wanted to see it because I love Anne Hathaway. What I do not love is seeing Anne Hathaway topless. And that is pretty much all this movie is about. Seriously, the plot was not good, there was no character development, and there was so much uncalled for nudity and language. I don't usually get R rated movies, and I didn't fully realize this one was R. Don't watch this movie. Seriously.

Again, a super cute movie. Bech and I just finished this Monday night. I love Jason Bateman, and he is hilarious in this movie. It was really sweet, and you fall in love with the little boy from the movie.

Another movie I would not suggest, but for totally different reasons. "Pregnant in America" is REALLY biased. I was completely disappointed with it. And what's a shame is that the director makes some good points within this documentary. There are big issues within the realm of American deliveries that need to be examined and looked at critically (e.g. c-section rates, induction rates). But the guy completely turned me off from listening to anything he said. So maybe I would suggest it, but just be prepared. It will make you frustrated, especially the end.

In every way that "Pregnant in America" fails, "The Business of Being Born" succeeds. This is actually my second time to watch this movie, and I enjoyed it even more the second time around (probably because of all of my reading and research lately). This documentary looks at a lot of the same problems as the first movie, but in a much more well rounded way. Plus, they don't just bash doctors. It's on netflix watch instantly and is really interesting. Although, be warned, there are actual births (so don't watch if that will gross you out/weird you out).

Mid week update...

First of all, I am very happy to report that I have only one week of school left! Yay! We finish classes next Wednesday (which also happens to be the birthday of the cutest almost 18 year old I know). Then exams until the next Friday. And then I do NOT have to carry a backpack again while I am pregnant...whew! I still have a good amount to do, but I have tried to be on top of everything. So I don't think the next 2 1/2 weeks will be too bad.

Plus, I have a shower this Saturday! I am very excited, although nervous. I am not good at opening presents in front of people, with the exception of my family. But since the presents are for Jack, maybe that will make it easier.

It was almost 80 degrees yesterday, and it felt amazing! Bech and I opened the windows in our house, and I could almost imagine I was in the South. Today is going to be warm, but rainy. And from here on out, the temperature isn't supposed to get lower than mid 50's. Thank goodness...I was going stir crazy with all of this cold weather. But I think I can finally say that I have officially survived my first Vermont winter!

And now, a few random pictures:

We had a game night the other night, and a friend brought over this amazing Settlers board. Seriously, is this not ridiculous? At the very bottom, there are slots for all of the resource and development cards. And it holds the expansion game.

Bech's birthday cake: a chocolate coffee cake. I got the recipe off of FoodNetwork.com.

It's massive! Next time, I will make 2/3 of the recipe, so it can just have 2 layers!

The birthday boy! He looks kinda gooby in this picture--not sure why?

Speaking of Bech, he just recently heard about Rebecca Black's "Friday" video. First of all, I don't know how he is just now hearing about it. Second of all, he loves it. He has watched it at least 10 times. I mean, obviously he thinks its a stupid song, but he can't stop watching it. Something needs to be done.

33 weeks!

How far along: 33 weeks and 1 day

Baby Size: 18 inches, 4.25 pounds

Maternity clothes: yup...and this dress is one I got from Old Navy. I'm not usually a huge Old Navy fan, but they have some cute maternity dresses (plus, they have them there at the store, so you can actually try stuff on!).

Sleep: Last night it was rough, but it really has been great lately.

Best moment this week: I stopped to get a drink at a gas station on the way to church yesterday morning, and the lady behind the counter told me I looked beautiful. I wanted to hug her. I didn't though, because this is Vermont, and she would have thought I was weird

Food cravings: Diet Dr. Pepper, anything cold

As a side note, I finally found authentic Coke Icee's (at Burger King). Of course, that craving is almost gone now, so it's a little late in the game. But I still got one and it was still good.

What I miss: my family :(

What I'm looking forward to: meeting Jack in 7 weeks, and seeing my family (well except for Katy) 7 weeks from today! Also, I have a shower this Saturday!

Milestones: 1 1/2 weeks left of school, then exams, then I can relax and get ready for Jack to come!!!

Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, leg cramps, having to go to the bathroom ALL OF THE TIME!

We had a really good Easter yesterday. The service at our church was beautiful. We came home, and I made Easter lunch for Bech and me. Nothing fancy, but it was good.

(see, Mom, I do eat meat sometimes!)

We then went to Easter dinner at a friend of Bech's house (she runs the pottery co-op that Bech is a part of). Her husband and her have a lot of kids, "bio's and non-bio's" (their term, not mine), and it was crazy and a lot of fun. She and her husband are both artistic, so the house was really cool.

And tonight we have our second birth class...whooo! Seriously, I really like them.

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,
See Him dying on the tree!
'Tis the Christ by man rejected;
Yes, my soul, 'tis He, 'tis He!
'Tis the long-expected prophet,
David's Son, yet David's Lord;
By His Son, God now has spoken
Tis the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, ye who hear him groaning,
Was there ever grief like his?
Friends thro' fear his cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress;
Many hands were raised to wound him,
None would interpose to save;
But the deepest stroke that pierced him
Was the stroke that Justice gave.

Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed,
See who bears the awful load;
'tis the Word, the Lord's Anointed,
Son of Man and Son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation,
Here the refuge of the lost;
Christ's the Rock of our salvation,
His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God, for sinners wounded,
Sacrifice to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on him their hope have built.

32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks and 3 days

Baby Size: 18 inches, 3.75 pounds--he should start gaining about a half pound every week!

Maternity clothes: yup

Sleep: Awful...I am hoping this is not going to be how it is for the next 7 or 8 weeks!

Best moment this week: starting our birth class. It was actually really fun. And we already learned a lot. Plus, Bech has been extra helpful around the class since then, so I think the class is a really good thing.

Food cravings: Diet Dr. Pepper, hummus

What I miss: the South and warmth

What I'm looking forward to: meeting Jack in 7 or 8 weeks!!!

Milestones: only 2 more weeks of school...nothing to do with Jack, I know, but it's still a milestone

Pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, leg cramps, not being able to sleep

Happy Birthday, Bech!!!

Today is my sweet husband's 27th birthday. I don't talk about Bech a lot on here (other than funny comments he makes)...that's pretty intentional. I mean, no one wants to read about how much I love him. Seriously, that would be boring and more than slightly obnoxious.

But today is his birthday, so I am going to talk about how wonderful he is. It's just for a day, so you can skip this post. Actually you can skip every post of mine...I'll never know. But consider yourself warned for this one!

Bech, Katy, and I at the Copper Pot in Malawi.

Bech, Katy, and I at our "sushi" engagement party.

I don't have a ton of great pictures of Bech and me. This is the first example of why not. Um, thanks, Bech, for ruining a great picture. This is from Malawi.

Bech and his seedsters.

Bech and Blaise on Beale Street, summer 2009.

Yet again, another ruined picture. At the Eagle and Child, summer 2009.

Bech with our friends (Gamma and David) at Foodworths in Malawi.

I love this picture of Bech!

Bech and I in Stellenbosch.

Bech, "a man of his hands," with Maxjoy.

On our wedding day! (duh)

On our honeymoon.

Bech and my mom are food buddies!

One of my all time favorite pictures of us!

The grove, fall 2006. Check out his crazy long hair!

The trip that cemented Ansley and Bech's friendship, Spring 2004.

What is Blaise doing?

Okay, this was a purposely weird picture. So Bech, you're off the hook for ruining this one!

On our first birthday together, when Bech turned 21, I wrote these lyrics around a picture of us. This song is still one of our favorites:

Soft and sweet, strong and salty
Cool cream and hot coffee
When we come together there's a change
I know you're good for me
You change me like the weather
You change me for the better
We're good together

Drift and dream, drive with direction
Exploration, introspection
No one way to win through this game
I know you're good for me
You spin me off my tether
You change me for the better
We're good together

Would you please explain it one more time
I love the wild surprise of seeing through your eyes

One from Mars, one from Venus
A whole world between us
Sparks that bridge the difference
Feed the flame
I know you're good for me
You spin me off my tether
You change me for the better
We're good together

Happy Birthday, Bech. You change me for the better. I love you!

31 weeks (late is better than never, right?)

How far along: 31 weeks and 3 days

Baby Size: 7 inches, 3.5 pounds--doesn't that sound HUGE?

Maternity clothes: yup

Sleep: We took the big blanket off of our bed (because its finally kinda starting to feel like spring!) and I have slept great the past two nights!

Best moment this week: getting to go outside without wearing a ski jacket!!! Okay, so that has nothing to do with Jack, but you know what, this is my blog. So I can say that.

Food cravings: Good news, my wing craving is gone. Thank goodness, cause wings are kinda nasty (sorry if you like them!). Now I really want humus (which I made some Monday, so that's good!) and shaved ice.

What I miss: Diet Dr. Pepper. I am trying not to drink a lot of diet drinks cause of the fake sweetener. But I may have to get one this week.

What I'm looking forward to: We start our childbirth classes next week!

Milestones: Getting less than 2 months away (well as long as Jack comes out at or before his due date)

Pregnancy symptoms: Heartburn, getting out of breath more easily, also, I bump into things a lot more than normal--and I'm pretty clumsy to begin with so that's really saying something.

And a couple of random pictures:

Blaise picked this up for, as he called him, "Little Blaise," in Italy--don't those words just scare you? "Little Blaise"--Lord, help us all!

Dad went to Rebel Rags a few weekends ago up in Oxford. They were having a HUGE sale so Dad racked up. Let me just say that one of the things he bought was a size 5! But he did buy some smaller things that Jack can wear in the next year. We don't want him to forget who to cheer for!

I think this outfit is my favorite!

Finally, here is the stroller and the carseat. This is actually a horrible picture of the stroller. But Bech still has some of his art stuff spread out in Jack's room, so I couldn't get a great picture. But you can check out better pictures here. I love love love this stroller (thanks for recommending it, Holly!). The seat actually turns so that Jack can face me while I push him. Also, there is an infant seat adaptor, so I can use his car seat while he's really little. The only thing that I am not as crazy about is how high up the handle/push bar (whatever it's called!) is, but I actually know I will love that when I use it (just because I won't have to bend over at all).

These are both gifts from my grandparents. They love a good sale, so I am proud to say that I watched the price on that stroller till it went to half off, then snatched it up! Yay for bargain hunting!

I am a bad blogger. But I am pregnant and a full time grad student. So I think those are valid excuses.

I will try to take a picture tomorrow for my 31 weeks update. No promises though. But I will try.

Spring has finally come to Vermont! It was wonderfully warm yesterday and today (I think high 60's). Tomorrow it is going to be in the 70's (although rainy). And the rest of the next two weeks it should be 50's and 60's. So yay for that! Although, it could still randomly snow here. Last year, Burlington got 6 to 8 inches of snow on May 1st. Let's hope, for the sake of my sanity, that there is no more snow!

Bech and I have both been pretty busy lately. Bech has been at the studio a ton! Actually, I should link to his website on my blog. He's done a great job with it...lots of photos of his new work. He also just started an etsy shop. He doesn't have much listed on there yet, but it's all great stuff.

I have only 3 1/2 weeks left of this semester (well, until exams). I don't have too much work to do, besides basic assignments. One of the things that's tough about taking Latin and Greek classes is that you ALWAYS have homework. In science classes, you sometimes have homework due once a week (or sometimes even less). Or in english classes, you have papers due every couple of weeks. But in Latin and Greek classes, you have to have translations prepared for every class. That can be pretty wearing.

So besides my everyday translation homework, I have a test in Greek History next week, a project in Greek history due the last week of classes, and a 10 page paper in Greek translation due the last week of classes. Not too bad. Plus exams.

But as soon as all of that is over, I can take a mental break! And I can get everything ready for Jack. As of this coming Tuesday, it will be 2 months until his due date...ahhh! That seems so soon! And I still have SO much to do to get ready! But I will have tons of time after school ends, so that will be great.

We are starting our birth classes next week. I am actually really excited about them. I will try to remember to bring my camera and take some fun pictures there.

Well, back to more homework...!

30 weeks!

How far along: 30 weeks and 1 day

Baby Size: 15.7 inches, 2.9 pounds

Maternity clothes: yup

Sleep: Eh...it's alright...

Best moment this week: Getting the stroller in! Also, Bech has been able to feel Jack kick a TON lately, which I know is fun for him.

Food cravings: Wings. I know, gross. But I had some Saturday, so hopefully that craving is completely gone. I have also broken my icee craving.

What I miss: Shaved ice, warm weather, crepe myrtles, honeysuckles...oh wait, that's what I miss about living in the South, where it doesn't snow in APRIL!!!

What I'm looking forward to: Jack will here in about 2 months!

Milestones: 30 weeks seems kinda like a milestone, at least to me

Pregnancy symptoms: Heartburn, getting out of breath more easily, also, I bump into things a lot more than normal--and I'm pretty clumsy to begin with so that's really saying something.

Tom Kha Gai

Every Friday night in Malawi, we had a potluck dinner with all of the missionaries. This was not an ordinary church lunch style potluck. Each week, one household was in charge of planning the potluck. There was a theme, and other households signed up for specific dishes. Every couple of weeks, we had Mexican night. Bech and I did "Southern night" and "French Provencal" night (I know, it sounds kinda uppity--It was just roasted chicken with herbs and lots of fresh vegetables for sides).

One of my favorite nights was "Thai night," planned by Laura Stoms (who went to culinary school). Her potluck nights were my favorites and this night was no exception. Bech and I signed up for (and were given the recipe for) Kassava cakes (like potato cakes, but with Kassava) and Mango Mojo. They were amazing--I might need to share that recipe, too!

At that potluck, Laura made Tom Kha Gai (coconut milk soup flavored with lemongrass and galangal). And I fell in love. Seriously, I went back for like 2 refills of that soup (don't worry fellow ABC'ers, I waited until everybody had a first helping!). Beth made the soup another time that year, and I loved it then too.

I tried to make it last year and our year in Malawi. It was okay, but not great. I had consigned myself to just eating my tom kha gai in thai restaurants for the rest of my life. But lately, we've been making spring rolls. And I keep thinking how great tom kha gai would be with spring rolls. So I decided to make another attempt.

I found this recipe online, and tweaked it a little. And it was AMAZING. Seriously...sooo good!

Here's what I did:

Bring 1 cup chicken stock (I used homemade chicken stock) to a boil. Add 6 chunks of galangal (I have used ginger in the past instead of galangal--don't do this unless you have to! The galangal made a lot of difference! You can find it in an Asian store or in your grocery store) and 1/2 stalk of lemongrass (break it up a little to release the flavor, then cut it into 2 inch pieces). 1/2 tsp of sugar, and 2 Kaffir lime leaves.

Simmer for 5 minutes

Add a can of coconut milk, 3 Thai bird's eyes chillies (cut into chunks), and 1/2 tbsp of fish sauce (I then added a little more later...but there is nothing grosser than too much fish sauce, so I started out with less!).

Simmer for 5 minutes.

Add mushrooms (we just put in regular mushrooms).

Cook for 10 more minutes. I turned the heat up a bit from simmer, but didn't bring it to a boil.

Add 2 tbsp lime juice, turn the heat off immediately, and serve!

Here is the finished project, along with spring rolls and peanut butter/garlic/hoisin sauce.

The soup is a little spicy, so you can use just 1 or 2 of the bird's eye chillies. Also, you can strain out the lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal. I personally like to leave them in. You can serve this soup over rice, if you want, but I would suggest adding extra coconut milk if so.

Okay, so there is my world's longest post about tom kha gai. I really hope someone uses this recipe, because it really was SOOO good!

Random Thoughts...

1. Two years ago today, I put up an April Fools Day post saying that Bech and I were pregnant. I know, it was very mean of me. But I promise to not do anything like that again.

2. Bech is out of town for NCECA (a ceramics conference). And I have had a theory verified for me...I am not the messy one. He is. There is now no question in my mind...the house is very clean (I cleaned it after he left) and has remained that way. While I do miss him a lot, I do not miss the random piles of clothes left on the floor. He is like a girl...he goes through 3 outfits a day (1 for work, 1 for the ceramics studio, and 1 for when he gets home), and he somehow manages to leave these outfits all over the house

3. Speaking of ceramics, Bech has been really busy lately. Since last fall, he has been a part of a pottery co-op at UVM. In fact, this semester, he is the assistant teacher for two classes. He didn't have much work turn out last fall (problems with the kiln), but he has some good stuff so far this semester.

I am actually not sure I am supposed to put these pictures on here, but I'm going to anyway. It's just a preview though. He is going to open an etsy shop soon and try to sell some of his work.

But you can't but the above cup because it is mine. Actually, a lot of family members make comments about wanting pottery by Bech. Let me just say that this is the very first piece of pottery I have ever owned by Bech. He gave it to me Wednesday before he left. Once, for a few short days, I owned the most beautiful white celladon bowls by him. But then he gave them away to a family member and refused to ask for them back (even though he had promised them to me). I actually still have not forgiven him for that---Don't you all think he should have told the family member that they were mine?

There's your little preview!

4. On Wednesday, I totally busted it on the way to class. Like face first fall. I landed on my right side, including the right side of my belly. I was mostly just embarrassed at first, but all during class I kept thinking about my last doctors appointment. She emphatically told me that if I ever fell on my stomach, I needed to call her. As a side note, do you think she could already tell that I am clumsy? Why so emphatically? Do I just scream out, "Klutz!"?

So I called after class and left a voice mail for the nurse. By the time I got home, the nurse called back and said I had to come in, go to Labor and Delivery, and be monitored. I was not very happy. First of all, because I really thought everything was okay. Second of all, because Wednesday's are my relaxing day. I only have one class, then I come home, work on homework, and (most importantly) take a nap. And when I can get a nap, I need those naps.

But I went in, and it was not bad at all. The labor and delivery people are very nice and were very sweet to me. They just hooked my belly to a monitor, and I lay in bed for an hour, pressing a button whenever I felt Jack move. My nurse did ask me if I was being mistreated at home (I think it's a routine question). I asked if not being allowed to eat junk food counted. She just laughed...so I guess you are safe for now, Bech.

5. We are supposed to have a Nor'easter today. I have learned that that is the politically correct term used by Yankees to mean blizzard. I would rather it be called a blizzard...it feels like less of a lie. But there you go. Basically, what it means is that it is supposed to snow a lot today, and it is April. Really, God, don't you think it's time for spring up here?

Although, I have already heard people say that it probably won't be that bad...we'll just have to wait and see!

6. My stroller is here, finally! Yay, yay, yay! I am so excited! I put it together Wednesday night and played with it. I will put pictures up when Bech gets back (I sent him off with the camera). Let me just say I love it.

7. Which is more than I can say about the rocker. I hate the rocker. I got it in last Thursday, put it together, and immediately despised it. It is too short and too flimsy looking. So we sent it back Monday. Unfortunately, we have to pay $25 to ship it back. Ugh. I have learned my lesson. Actually, I don't know what my lesson is, but I do know that I hate that rocker.

8. I need to finish reading a paper for my Greek class this morning, so I better go...have a wonderful Friday!