Frito Pie Salad

Frito Salad

Who doesn't like Fritos and Frito Pie?  This is a healthier version of Frito Pie.  I went to a pot luck recently and a friend of mine brought this salad.  It was delicious!  I decided to make a smaller serving for my husband and I tonight to go along with our Fettuccine Alfredo.  I served Blue Rock some tomatoes, chips, beans, and cheese.  He doesn't like lettuce.  This is a nice change from a regular salad and much healthier than a Frito Pie.  Here's the full recipe.

Frito Pie Salad

1 bag of romaine lettuce - you could probably use another kind if you wanted

2-3 diced tomatoes 

1-2 handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese 

1 can of ranch style beans (drained and lightly rinsed) 

Small bottle of Catalina dressing (I used French), eye ball this, you might not use the whole bottle

1 bag of Fritos. 

Add everything to a salad bowl and mix well.  You really just eye ball this recipe.  It's all added to taste.

 

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

I got this recipe from Angela, creator of GroceryShrink.com.  I started subscribing to her weekly menu in January. If you like trying new recipes, I recommend subscribing to her meals.  I changed this recipe up a tad.  I used two kinds of flour, organic stone ground whole wheat flour and organic unbleached white flour.  If you want to use only all-purpose that is fine too, I would not recommend using only whole wheat.  As a pregnant lady, these made me very happy.  Finally cookie dough that was safe to eat.  No eggs!  I also baked about 10 of these in the oven to see how they would turn out.  350 degrees for 8 minutes.  They were okay cookies, an egg would have helped.  They rocked as cookie dough!

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Butter ½ c
Brown Sugar ¼ c
White Sugar ¼ c
Salt Dash ¼ tsp
Milk ¼ c
Vanilla 1 tsp
Flour 1 ½ c (I used 1 cup organic unbleached white and ½ cup organic stone ground wheat)
Chocolate chips ½ c

With an electric mixer, beat together softened butter, sugars, salt, milk and vanilla. Stir in flour and chocolate chips. Form into balls and chill until firm, about 2 hours.  I placed the balls on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.  They turned out perfectly!  Thanks Angela!

Yum!

Blue Rock loved helping

He also loved cleaning the bowl!

Baby Update 13 weeks

Since my husband and I have gone through so many miscarriages, we are truly thankful to God for this baby.  When I give myself shots every evening, it gives me a chance to sit still and pray.  I am joyful for morning sickness, which thankfully seems to be over.  We don't take having children for granted at all. One of my teachers from middle school and high school goes to church with me.  When I see her on Sundays she always says with joy in her voice, "well, you've made it another week!"  Every day that passes, every week that passes, I am thankful.

I had my second doctor's appointment this morning and had my 3rd ultrasound. They even did a 3D and 4D ultrasound. It was awesome seeing our baby move and praise God everything is looking perfect. Someone had told me to get a 3D and 4D ultrasound done I'd have to go somewhere special and pay extra money. I was so glad to find out that my doctor's office does it, which of course is included in my visit. Since I'm high risk I was already told I would have ultrasounds every visit until at least 20 weeks. However, today, since they saw I have a fibroid (I forgot to tell them), they want to do ultrasounds every visit throughout pregnancy. This means I get to see more precious pictures of my baby. It was a pleasant surprise to find out my doctor's office could do 3D and 4D ultrasounds. In Germany I had ultrasounds done every visit which included a CD with 3D and 4Ds and am glad to continue in the States. My doctor said not to worry about the fibroid they just have to watch them closely during pregnancy. I love my new doctor. She is awesome and just very caring. I feel like I'm going to see a friend every time I have an appointment.  I also love that I don't have to go to a separate facility to have ultrasounds done like I did with my last doctor.

Based on the last visit I thought I would be about 12.5 weeks. Today I measured 13 weeks, which is what I thought I would be originally. When I asked Blue Rock if he wanted to see pictures of his baby brother or sister he said yes! Then he said, "In a few minutes." I asked what in a few minutes. He said, "In a few minutes you will have my baby brother or sister." I told him I have about 6 more months to go. He is so excited to be a big brother.  Hopefully my next visit we will find out what we're having.  Do you think we'll have a boy or a girl?

Measuring 12 weeks, 6 days

The biggest craving I've had has been hot sauce.  There's just something magical about tomatoes, garlic, and onions.  Of course not all hot sauce is equal.  And lately I've been craving milk, which is not something I've really craved since Blue Rock was born.  Maybe I'm getting low on calcium. 

 

I've gained about 5 lbs which happened pretty quickly.  I'm not a huge fan of maternity shorts and pants so for now, I'll just buy a bigger size. :)

 

I can stop taking progesterone, hopefully.  They took a blood sample today.

 

I'll have to continue the lovenox injections throughout pregnancy and after.  I am getting better at giving myself the shots.  Less bruising than when I started. 

 

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5

VBS, 4th of July, Tennis, and Music Camp

We have had a busy and fun summer so far. It's hard for me to stop and take time to blog about some of our adventures. A few weeks ago Blue Rock went to our church's Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp. Last year I helped out and taught everyday. This year since I was still in my 1st trimester I did not help. It was hard not volunteering and being there but I enjoyed the time off. The timing was perfect, it was Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm. It allowed Blue Rock and I to have a relaxing morning. He usually wakes up at 7am, sometimes earlier. Then he was able have a fun day with his friends and come home for a few hours before dinner. He had a great time. The program was cute on Wednesday night. Blue Rock even spoke in front of everyone and we could hear him sing during one of the songs he loves. Of course he also covered his ears during part of it because it was too loud. He does this during church sometimes too.

We had a wonderful 4th of July. My parents invited us to their neighborhood party and parade. We went last year. This year Blue Rock rode his bike in the parade. There were a lot of people and it was fun. There was a petting zoo and crafts to do at the end of the parade. The local firemen were there and Blue Rock got to see inside an American fire truck. It was smaller than the German fire trucks but was fun. That afternoon my siblings and their spouses came over to my parents and we cooked out and have a fun time.

Blue Rock is starting to learn how to play tennis. My brother is a tennis pro at one of the country clubs in town and he one of his coaches. I grew up playing competitive tennis and was on Team Texas a child. It's a fun sport and so far Blue Rock is having fun. He had to miss this last week since he had music camp.

Practicing ball balance

He hit a few balls over the net

His uncle teaching him how to hit a backhand

Last week Blue Rock went to music camp. It was Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm. He didn't know anyone but made some sweet friends while there. He wanted me to stay and watch him everyday for 4 hours. I stayed about an hour into it a few days. Other days I got some shopping done and cleaned my house. Friday they had a program at noon. My husband was able to come. Blue Rock did good. It's always a surprise when little kids are in a program. All the kids had to come up and introduce themselves before they started. He was hesitant to go on stage at first. Finally he did, after everyone else went. Then they sang some songs and played some instruments. Blue Rock even sang a solo, he was so cute! He's not big on being forced to be on stage. At church or anywhere else he loves getting on stage, if he's not told to. But when someone forces him to perform, he doesn't like it. I was proud of him that he stuck it out and it was fun to watch. The kids learned about the music families, got to play different instruments and had a good time. Here are a few pictures from music camp.

Introducing himself

Singing a solo to "5 Little Monkeys Swinging in a Tree"

He did such a great job! We were very proud of him!

Playing the drums

Decided to sit down and play with the egg shakers
He started out singing and shaking them but this was kind of funny

Exciting News!!

I have wanted to share this with my friends and family the day I found out. However, I decided to wait a little while and make sure everything was going well since not every time I announce this news ends happily. I'm pregnant!! Blue Rock was the first to know. He came up to me when we were eating dinner with my parents on May 15th and asked if I had a baby in my belly. I told him I didn't think so and he said, "well, I think you do!" The next day I took him to the park with some friends then went and picked up a pregnancy test. It was positive. I cried, not because I wasn't excited but because I was so scared.  Everyone I know who has had a miscarriage or complications during a pregnancy knows the fears of pregnancy.  A loss of a child, any child, changes your perspective on life and children.  Four of my babies never saw the sunlight.  So when I found out I was pregnant with my 6th pregnancy, my first response was fear.  Like I said, I cried.  My husband was not home, he was working.  I've never taken a pregnancy test without him around, because like I said, I didn't think I really was.  But I was also excited.  Excited that maybe this child will come into this world and God will give us another gift.  I also know I'm very lucky that I can get pregnant, there are many women who are unable to. I'm enjoying everyday of this pregnancy. While I'm giving myself shots to when I'm throwing up. I know this child is a gift from God.

If you want more details, read on:

My due date is: January 23rd.

In case you are new to my blog, my pregnancies are considered high risk.  If you've had 3 or more miscarriages you are considered high risk.  I have had 4.  You can also be high risk if you have certain genetic conditions.  I have a balanced translocation, about 1% of the population has it.  This only affects having children.  I also have a few blood clotting disorders, Hashimoto's Disease (it's not affecting me, thankfully yet, but I know I have it), and my body doesn't properly absorb folic acid.  This doesn't mean I can't have healthy babies, I had my son with no problems, but I am more likely to have miscarriages than the average person.  

I changed doctors and really love my new doctor.  She has actually had a patient who had a balance translocation.  She said this patient had around 7 or 8 miscarriages but did have 4 healthy babies.  She's the only doctor I know who has had a patient with a balanced translocation in my area.

I'm giving myself lovenox injections everyday.  The shots burn and feel like I'm putting fire into my stomach but at some point you'll do anything.  This is to help prevent blood clotting and was recommended by my OBYGN and hemotologist.

I'm also taking progesterone.  Even though, my progesterone was and has been good this pregnancy.  I didn't want to chance it dropping.  At 4 weeks, 1 day, my progesterone was 38!  The last two pregnancies in the States it was 7 and 8.  Doctors like to see it over 10.  In Germany I have no idea what my levels ever were.

I take a prenatal and folgard.  Since I have the MTHFR gene mutation I need the additional folic acid.  I alternate between prenatal and folgard or folate and a newer prenatal vitamin that is made specifically for women who have the MTHFR gene mutation.  My new doctor gave me lots of samples and said I might enjoy just taking one supplement.

I have had two sonograms.  The first I was 7.5 weeks, measuring 7.1 weeks, healthy heartbeat.  The second I was 8.5 weeks and measured 8.5 weeks, healthy heartbeat.  My blood work has been good.  I go back to the doctor in two weeks, when I'm 12.5 weeks.  They told me my chances of miscarriage have dropped significantly after my last appointment.  I'm now 10.5 weeks.

I have felt very tired, nauseous, and thrown up a few times.

Blue Rock has told people that he has an older brother and a younger brother and a younger sister.  When people ask how or where, he says they are all in his mommy's tummy. =)

Overall I've been very calm during this pregnancy, I'm trying not to stress about things but leave everything in God's hands.  I fully believe it's God who gives babies, not doctors.  Doctors and medical staff can help the process but ultimately children are a gift from Him.  The perinatologist told me over a year ago after I had my 3rd miscarriage, that with my balanced translocation I could go on and have 7 more children or have 7 more miscarriages.  There's really no way to predict unless I did IVF. 

I also want to thank all my friends and family who have encouraged me.  I especially want to thank a close friend of mine who has encouraged me not to give up.  Her mom had 7 miscarriages and 3 live children.  She was the last to be born.  She said if her mom had stopped trying, she would not be here.  She is very dear to me and I am so thankful to God for her and all my other friends and family who have encouraged me not to give up.  Thank you.

Second Ultrasound at 8.5 weeks