Yesterday, Jordan and I started the South Beach Diet to kick out some bad food habits that come along with traveling and being pregnant :). I'm not supposed to diet since I'm the supplier of milk for my darling daughter, but I started looking at what they have as a menu and it has more food than what I would normally eat and TONS of vegetables. The only thing I need to add are nuts and yogurt(more protein and good fat to keep my calorie count higher).
We bought a BMI scale the other day and I'm pretty happy with my weight(It's slowly going back to what I weighed before Annabelle), but my BMI is too close to the overweight percentage for me to be comfortable with. It's in the normal range, but still something to keep an eye on. I guess my muscle turned into fat when I stopped exercising 9 months ago. I've been taking walks, but the weather has been cold and rainy lately. I guess I will have to do what I've done in the past: SHOP!! No, seriously...have you walked the length of the mall carrying shopping bags and an oversized purse?! In heels?! It's hard work!
I hope to report back in 6 months of being on this diet and see if things have changed. I'm sure I will start to morph into a giant broccoli.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Annabelle-6 weeks old
Life with Annabelle has been amazing! She is such a sweet baby and makes the cutest squeaks and squeals. I'm loving motherhood :) I feel so blessed to have been given a beautiful daughter. I'm ready to get her new Florida nursery set up. We will be moving back to Florida in May. Another move-another home- I'm an old pro at this!
In the mean time, Jordan and I are staying at the lake house, enjoying time with family, and adjusting to as little sleep as possible. Annabelle is keeping me busy with her big appetite! She is growing so fast and is surprising us all with how strong she is. My buggie is 6lb 10 oz and she can already lift her head up and turn it from side to side. I need to put up a video of this. It's just too cute!
I need lots of grace during this time too! Annabelle cries every night starting from around 8pm-12am. It's her fussy time and pretty much no amount of milk, burping, or bouncing can calm her down. This is just a season and even through her crying fits, I'm still treasuring each moment because I know how quickly she will grow up.
Hopefully I can settle into a routine of blogging in my already hectic day. Since my parents have been visiting, I've been working out in the mornings and loving every minute of it! Annabelle goes on walks and runs with me in the stroller when the weather is good. It puts her to sleep :) My high blood pressure FINALLY dropped down to a normal, healthy level probably due to my increase in mobility. So thankful for that! I'm also avoiding salty and processed foods which helps a lot!
I make an awesome sandwich filler using chickpeas. Here is the recipe:
1 can chickpeas-mashed with a fork or potato masher
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped vidalia onion
juice from half a lemon
3 tbsp mayonnaise (I use the olive oil kind)
salt to taste (I go light on the salt)
Mix it all up and spread it on some toasted wheat bread (yum), crackers, or place into pita bread.
Enjoy!
In the mean time, Jordan and I are staying at the lake house, enjoying time with family, and adjusting to as little sleep as possible. Annabelle is keeping me busy with her big appetite! She is growing so fast and is surprising us all with how strong she is. My buggie is 6lb 10 oz and she can already lift her head up and turn it from side to side. I need to put up a video of this. It's just too cute!
I need lots of grace during this time too! Annabelle cries every night starting from around 8pm-12am. It's her fussy time and pretty much no amount of milk, burping, or bouncing can calm her down. This is just a season and even through her crying fits, I'm still treasuring each moment because I know how quickly she will grow up.
Hopefully I can settle into a routine of blogging in my already hectic day. Since my parents have been visiting, I've been working out in the mornings and loving every minute of it! Annabelle goes on walks and runs with me in the stroller when the weather is good. It puts her to sleep :) My high blood pressure FINALLY dropped down to a normal, healthy level probably due to my increase in mobility. So thankful for that! I'm also avoiding salty and processed foods which helps a lot!
I make an awesome sandwich filler using chickpeas. Here is the recipe:
1 can chickpeas-mashed with a fork or potato masher
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped vidalia onion
juice from half a lemon
3 tbsp mayonnaise (I use the olive oil kind)
salt to taste (I go light on the salt)
Mix it all up and spread it on some toasted wheat bread (yum), crackers, or place into pita bread.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 14, 2011
It's Valentine's Day today:) Our baby girl is ten days old today! It's hard to imagine that a little over two weeks ago, I was pregnant and in Cairo. So to recap, here are the highlights to the busiest, scariest, most amazing two weeks of my life:
Jan. 25th: First day of riots in Tahrir Square (we were just there on Monday, the 24th for a doctor's appointment-crazy to think about!)
Jan. 26th: Decided to leave Cairo so we could avoid having issues with Annabelle's passport if the government collapsed.
Jan. 27th: Ended up going to the hospital at 2am because of pain in my chest and back (early symptoms of HELLP Syndrome, but didn't know it). Got released from the hospital ten hours later. Had our last doctor appointment at 8pm to get a note saying I could travel.
Jan. 28th: Tahrir sqaure riots became really intense and communication was cut.
Jan. 29th: Left for Cairo airport at 4pm to get on a flight.
Jan. 30th: Made it on the last flight out on Entihad to Abu Dhabi at 4am.
Jan. 31st: Flight to Amsterdam, then to Dallas.
Feb. 1st-2nd: In Plano, snowed in. Noticed a huge bruise on my lower back (another early sign of HELLP Syndrome) and my back/chest pain was constant.
Feb. 3rd: Browsing in Borders, the pain was so intense that people started asking me if I was okay. I knew I needed to go to the hospital when I couldn't hide the pain anymore. Doctors found protein in my urine, low platelets in my blood, and high blood pressure. My face, arms, and legs were abnormally swollen and my liver was in bad shape.
Feb. 4th: Delivered Annabelle Grace Stone.
Feb. 5th: Held my daughter for the first time.
The Lord is to thank! He worked out every detail and got us through it all! We are truly blessed!
Jan. 25th: First day of riots in Tahrir Square (we were just there on Monday, the 24th for a doctor's appointment-crazy to think about!)
Jan. 26th: Decided to leave Cairo so we could avoid having issues with Annabelle's passport if the government collapsed.
Jan. 27th: Ended up going to the hospital at 2am because of pain in my chest and back (early symptoms of HELLP Syndrome, but didn't know it). Got released from the hospital ten hours later. Had our last doctor appointment at 8pm to get a note saying I could travel.
Jan. 28th: Tahrir sqaure riots became really intense and communication was cut.
Jan. 29th: Left for Cairo airport at 4pm to get on a flight.
Jan. 30th: Made it on the last flight out on Entihad to Abu Dhabi at 4am.
Jan. 31st: Flight to Amsterdam, then to Dallas.
Feb. 1st-2nd: In Plano, snowed in. Noticed a huge bruise on my lower back (another early sign of HELLP Syndrome) and my back/chest pain was constant.
Feb. 3rd: Browsing in Borders, the pain was so intense that people started asking me if I was okay. I knew I needed to go to the hospital when I couldn't hide the pain anymore. Doctors found protein in my urine, low platelets in my blood, and high blood pressure. My face, arms, and legs were abnormally swollen and my liver was in bad shape.
Feb. 4th: Delivered Annabelle Grace Stone.
Feb. 5th: Held my daughter for the first time.
The Lord is to thank! He worked out every detail and got us through it all! We are truly blessed!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Week in pictures
There has been so much going on this week that I decided to put it in pictures. Here we go:
 |
| I stayed in the American Hospital in Egypt for chest pains, back pains, and timed contractions last night, but I feel much better now. This pic isn't mine, but it looks the most similar to what the workers looked like. Just paint the walls lime green, add floral wall paper border, some old furniture and it would look like my hospital room. |
 |
| Large protests in Egypt this week. It's been crazy downtown for sure, but it's still quiet in our neighborhood and we are thankful for that! Thanks CNN for this picture! |
 |
Lebanon (our second home) decided to have protests too! Thanks Newsweek for picture!  Last weekend we had some friends and their families over for lunch:     |
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Decaf please
{Virtual Coffee}
The initial meet and greet:
If we were meeting for coffee together, I would start off by apologizing that I am two days late for our coffee date and then I would model my baby bump and giggle as I ask, "Can you believe how big I've gotton?" Don't worry, you can say, "Yes, you're enormous" without hurting my feelings.
Getting our drinks:
What are you ordering? I really want what you are ordering and if you don't mind, can I have a sip? I'll order decaf coffee for me since I'm not really supposed to be having caffeine. I'm almost 35 weeks and baby Annabelle's ticker is always fast. I will have cream and two sugars though.
The conversation:
How are you? I genuinely want to know and will make it a point to hear about you first.
Time to admit that I'm already a bad momma! I've eaten chocolate, cookies and peanut butter today and not much else. I need to force myself to eat the salad in the fridge. Speaking of food, fruits and vegetables are currently in season in Egypt. They are so colorful and lush. I would probably take you to the souk after our coffee date to show you how the Egyptians stack the produce in mini pyramids. I wonder where they got that idea from...
What have you been doing today?
I've spent most of today listening to songs on iTunes. Jordan and I have been driving around listening to the same songs for months. We have harmonized along with every song in every vocal range. Time for new material. I love these albums and couldn't resist purchasing the top 3:
The House You're Building-Audrey Assad
Alive Again-Matt Maher
The Light Meets the Dark-Tenth Avenue North
As Long As It Takes-Meredith Andrews
How is your family?
I miss mine! They are coming to Egypt in February, March, and April! My grandmother isn't doing well and it makes me sad that I can't be there to help and visit with her. Jordan's brother is also struggling with some health issues and we are praying for him and his family. I've been learning a lot about God's sovereignty and that's been a blessing during this season. I would encourage you to listen to the podcasts, The Gospel of Suffering by Tullian Tchividijian.
What is it like to live in America, I've forgotten?
Jordan says he can tell I've been adjusting to life in Egypt better. He said I seem to have more confidence. Truth is the men don't harass me like they did before thanks to my new figure. I just need to stay 9 months pregnant. That would be painful!
Saying goodbye:
Hug! I would probably invite you over this Saturday since Jordan will be ordering Arabiata (yummy Egyptian fast food) and we will be having some friends over. Coffee next week for sure!
Click here to have virtual coffee...
If we were meeting for coffee together, I would start off by apologizing that I am two days late for our coffee date and then I would model my baby bump and giggle as I ask, "Can you believe how big I've gotton?" Don't worry, you can say, "Yes, you're enormous" without hurting my feelings.
Getting our drinks:
What are you ordering? I really want what you are ordering and if you don't mind, can I have a sip? I'll order decaf coffee for me since I'm not really supposed to be having caffeine. I'm almost 35 weeks and baby Annabelle's ticker is always fast. I will have cream and two sugars though.
The conversation:
How are you? I genuinely want to know and will make it a point to hear about you first.
Time to admit that I'm already a bad momma! I've eaten chocolate, cookies and peanut butter today and not much else. I need to force myself to eat the salad in the fridge. Speaking of food, fruits and vegetables are currently in season in Egypt. They are so colorful and lush. I would probably take you to the souk after our coffee date to show you how the Egyptians stack the produce in mini pyramids. I wonder where they got that idea from...
What have you been doing today?
I've spent most of today listening to songs on iTunes. Jordan and I have been driving around listening to the same songs for months. We have harmonized along with every song in every vocal range. Time for new material. I love these albums and couldn't resist purchasing the top 3:
The House You're Building-Audrey Assad
Alive Again-Matt Maher
The Light Meets the Dark-Tenth Avenue North
As Long As It Takes-Meredith Andrews
How is your family?
I miss mine! They are coming to Egypt in February, March, and April! My grandmother isn't doing well and it makes me sad that I can't be there to help and visit with her. Jordan's brother is also struggling with some health issues and we are praying for him and his family. I've been learning a lot about God's sovereignty and that's been a blessing during this season. I would encourage you to listen to the podcasts, The Gospel of Suffering by Tullian Tchividijian.
What is it like to live in America, I've forgotten?
Jordan says he can tell I've been adjusting to life in Egypt better. He said I seem to have more confidence. Truth is the men don't harass me like they did before thanks to my new figure. I just need to stay 9 months pregnant. That would be painful!
Saying goodbye:
Hug! I would probably invite you over this Saturday since Jordan will be ordering Arabiata (yummy Egyptian fast food) and we will be having some friends over. Coffee next week for sure!
Click here to have virtual coffee...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Annabelle's Nursery
Here are the nursery photos like I promised :) When the doctor puts you on home rest, this is what you turn into: A blogging, picture-taking, cooking, laundry-doing monster! Scary, I know!
Not bad for Egypt, right?! We walked into the store and all the baby furniture was ridiculously expensive and ugly. Just when we decided to give up and buy our furniture from the states, the sales man brought us to the back room to a giant box and told us it's the last model and has been discounted. He said they must get rid of the box to make room in the back...kind of shady sounding! He described us the contents of the box and showed us a picture of the set, but we weren't able to actually see if it was the same set until it was delivered. Turns out, we got a great deal and it was all worth the risk...and let me tell you, it was heart-pounding risky not knowing what we would be getting! We've seen neon green and salmon colored furniture sets for 8,000 LE....barf!
The picture with the suitcase and diaper bag on top is what we are taking to the hospital. I'm not quite sure I'm done with her nursery. I would love to get a book shelf for that wall where the suitcase is, but hubby says he is done furniture shopping until we move to Lebanon. I would also like a skinny night stand to put next to the chair so I can set things on top of it when I'm feeding Annabelle, but unless I find one sitting alongside a curb, I think I will have to manage without. We do have a rotting wooden children's desk sitting on our roof that I am hoping to refinish, so maybe I'm in luck! I also might be on the hunt for a rug. Egypt is full of awesome, cheap textiles and I might be able to convince Jordan to spare $5.
Getting excited!!! 2 more weeks until I'm in my 9th month!
Not bad for Egypt, right?! We walked into the store and all the baby furniture was ridiculously expensive and ugly. Just when we decided to give up and buy our furniture from the states, the sales man brought us to the back room to a giant box and told us it's the last model and has been discounted. He said they must get rid of the box to make room in the back...kind of shady sounding! He described us the contents of the box and showed us a picture of the set, but we weren't able to actually see if it was the same set until it was delivered. Turns out, we got a great deal and it was all worth the risk...and let me tell you, it was heart-pounding risky not knowing what we would be getting! We've seen neon green and salmon colored furniture sets for 8,000 LE....barf!
The picture with the suitcase and diaper bag on top is what we are taking to the hospital. I'm not quite sure I'm done with her nursery. I would love to get a book shelf for that wall where the suitcase is, but hubby says he is done furniture shopping until we move to Lebanon. I would also like a skinny night stand to put next to the chair so I can set things on top of it when I'm feeding Annabelle, but unless I find one sitting alongside a curb, I think I will have to manage without. We do have a rotting wooden children's desk sitting on our roof that I am hoping to refinish, so maybe I'm in luck! I also might be on the hunt for a rug. Egypt is full of awesome, cheap textiles and I might be able to convince Jordan to spare $5.
Getting excited!!! 2 more weeks until I'm in my 9th month!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Just the norm
John's back in Cairo on business, but only for three days and without Selen. She had to stay in Rotterdam and work :( I miss her! I apparently grew since earlier in January when John saw me last night, I got a "You're HUGE!" which I love to hear!! I am big! Annabelle sticks out so much I sometimes wonder if I need to put my hand under my belly to support her when I walk. She is heavier than I expected which is causing me lots of back pain:( Tylenol and laying on my side usually does the trick.
We should be getting her chair for her nursery today! Her room will be complete, minus the stuff my in-laws and parents are bringing over. I will make it a point to post pics as soon as Homecenter delivers the chair!
It's very chilly in our house because it's been rainy, overcast and cold (we still live in the desert, right?) The tile on the floors that keep the house relatively cool in the summer are making it seem like we live in a refrigerator. Burrr! I am thankful for house shoes and cozy robes!
This week we are meeting with a pediatrician. The phone conversation went something like this:
Jordan: We would like to make an appointment to speak to the pediatrician.
Receptionist: Did you get a boy?
Jordan: Not yet, my wife is still pregnant and we are having a...
Receptionist: Your boy will not be at the appointment?
Jordan: .....No
Receptionist: Okay, see you Wednesday after 7pm.
This will be fun.
We should be getting her chair for her nursery today! Her room will be complete, minus the stuff my in-laws and parents are bringing over. I will make it a point to post pics as soon as Homecenter delivers the chair!
It's very chilly in our house because it's been rainy, overcast and cold (we still live in the desert, right?) The tile on the floors that keep the house relatively cool in the summer are making it seem like we live in a refrigerator. Burrr! I am thankful for house shoes and cozy robes!
This week we are meeting with a pediatrician. The phone conversation went something like this:
Jordan: We would like to make an appointment to speak to the pediatrician.
Receptionist: Did you get a boy?
Jordan: Not yet, my wife is still pregnant and we are having a...
Receptionist: Your boy will not be at the appointment?
Jordan: .....No
Receptionist: Okay, see you Wednesday after 7pm.
This will be fun.
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