Here for another night.

Still in the hospital, at least for one more night. I get to see my OB tomorrow, so hopefully she has some answers. I won't complain if I'm stuck here longer but I do miss my house and just being home.

BP is ok, not awesome. Last check was at 6pm and was 148/56. They have had me back on the fetal heart beat monitor all of today. Elise is hanging in there, just not moving as much as they want her to. But between the drugs, steroids, and me just lying around, I don't blame her for wanting to be a lazy baby.

Jeff is hanging in there as well. We've only been in the new house a few weeks and he has been working hard at his new job for all of those weeks, so I think he feels a bit lost not knowing where I put things away. It would be wonderful to go home but we all know a healthy baby and a healthy mama are the best results at the moment.

D is hanging in there, too. She doesn't like the hospital so I have some treats that she can have when she comes and sits in bed with me. She is being spoiled by her grandparents and aunty (and of course Jeff) but I think will be happiest when I am home again.

In the hospital.

BP got bad yesterday afternoon and a call into my doc landed me in the hospital. I'm on oral meds that are working somewhat and have gotten shot one of two to help mature Elise's lungs. Doctor is hoping to get us to 35/36 weeks and I'm currently at 33 and 4 days.

I'll update when I can! Jeff brought a laptop but not battery charger, so my time is limited.

BP Update

Things are looking better on the ol' blood pressure front. I'm on husband-induced modified bed rest and when I do really rest as much as possible, the blood pressure stays acceptable (this morning's reading was 133/92).

My daughter just ran off with my cup of tea...what a monster.

Anyways, hoping to keep it down until at least next week when I hit 34 weeks! I'm optimistic and totally ready except for washing clothes. I went to Target yesterday (yes, my blood pressure was horrible afterwards from walking around for two hours) and finished buying everything we need for Elise's arrival. I packed my hospital bag last night and am set.

So, today is laundry day.

Freezer Meals alla Swistle

Swistle just posted about freezing meals for baby's arrival and I thought I would copy her and share one of our favorite freezer meals as well. I got it originally from Food Network (Emeril Lagasse) but have made tons of variations. Use your favorite toppings!! I use pie pans to bake my pizzas in.

Ok, so this recipe isn't a freezer recipe, per say. Here is what I do. The recipe is for two pizzas that my husband and I can finish 3/4's of. So, the other 1/4 goes with him for lunch the next day and the other pizza I pop in the freezer covered with foil. Or you could freeze both.

Anyways, upwards and onwards.

When you are ready to eat, I take the pizza out of the freezer a couple hours or so beforehand and let it defrost a bit. Then, cover the crust with the foil so it doesn't burn and cook it at about 400 for an hour or so. The results are DELICIOUS!!!!!

Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizzas

Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza Dough, recipe follows 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced 8 ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, cored and cut into thin rings 1 yellow onion, cut into thin rings 1 pound crumbled hot Italian sausage 1 cup grated Cheddar While the dough is rising, make the tomato sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the salt, and black and red peppers, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and sugar, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely before using. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Oil 2 seasoned 12-inch round deep-dish pizza pans with the extra-virgin olive oil. Press 1 piece of dough into each pan, pressing to the edge and stretching about 1 1/2 inches up the sides. Let rest for 5 minutes. Layer the mozzarella cheese all over the bottom of the pies. Top each with half of the pepperoni, mushrooms, bell pepper rings, onions, black olives and sausage. Ladle the sauce evenly over each pizza and top with Parmesan. Bake until the top is golden and the cheese is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, slice and serve hot. Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza Dough: 11/2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees F) 1 (1/4-ounce) packages active dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup semolina flour 1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus 2 teaspoons to grease bowl 1 teaspoon saltIn a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar and stir to combine. Let sit until the mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the semolina, 1/2 cup of the oil, and the salt, mixing by hand until it is all incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Continue adding the flour, 1/4 cup at a time, working the dough after each addition, until all the flour is incorporated but the dough is still slightly sticky. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth but still slightly tacky, 3 to 5 minutes. Oil a large mixing bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Place the dough in the bowl and turn to oil all sides. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Divide into 2 equal portions and use as directed.

Onset of Pre-E?

Well folks, it looks like I'm heading towards the land of preeclampsia once again. I took my blood pressure this morning and it was reading 145/95ish, so of course a call went in to the doc. By the time I had gotten to the doctor, it was a bit lower at 140/85 (thank goodness) and registering trace protein in my urine. So anyways, blood was drawn, I was given a lovely orange urine collection container and I am now back at home. Luckily we are at 33 weeks (5 more weeks than D!) so if Miss Elise were to be delivered, we would be looking at a considerably less (hopefully) NICU stay.

Hopefully we can make it another few weeks and get to a very healthy delivery.

A really cool Darsie update

I haven't talked much about D lately because she's just been chugging along in toddlerhood. Therapy is going really well for and she has made some really nice advances. She is walking all over the place over uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, climbing ladders, and using her right hand more and more.

After her PT session last week, the therapist gave Darsie a red vine licorice (girl after my own heart) and a little cup of water. She put the water in her left hand and the red vine in her right hand (the effected one). Well, she drank her water and ate her entire licorice just like that. I was so proud.

We are taking a boat trip to Blake Island this weekend with Jeff's folks, so hopefully we get lots and lots of beautiful photos! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend.

We have a date!!!

We now know what the latest date that Elise could make her arrival -- June 5th! This also happens to be our wedding anniversary. I had thought to keep it somewhat a secret, but I can't resist.

My appointment yesterday went well. BP was nice, weight was good, etc. etc.. I'm on to appointments every two weeks now that I have hit 32 weeks.

Darsie is doing great as usual! She is talking more and more each day and I think her preschool teachers really enjoy her and have seen a lot of progress. Her preschool ends in June and she will be on break until September when she will transition from Hollyridge to the school district! I can't believe that she is growing up so fast and that she will be 3! YIKES!

Totally past time for a mish mash post.

I'm sitting here in a cold house waiting for a heating repair guy to show up, so I thought it was due time for a new post.

The new house is great, except for the above mentioned heating issue. We woke up to 56 degrees, FUN!!!

Darsie is doing just great. I will add some photos of our Easter. Jeff picked her up an Easter basket complete with a golf set and she adores it. Watch out Tiger, Darsie is on her way!

Elise is continuing to grow and stay put. BP has been behaving itself very nicely and we hit 31 weeks last Monday. I am just amazed that Darsie was born three weeks ago, just crazy! Just for all you crazy people out there, a belly pic for immortality.

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