Scalini's Eggplant Parmigiana

I'll try anything right now to help encourage Baby to get moving. The latest attempt was making Scalini's Eggplant Parmigiana. Scalini's is a restaurant near Atlanta who's Eggplant Parmigiana has a reputation for inducing labor within 48 hours of eating it. When one of Tim's colleagues sent him the link below (with the recipe), I figured why not give it a try?!?! I followed the recipe exactly (expect cut it down by half) and even though it was somewhat time consuming, oh man! SOOOOO good!!!! Even if it doesn't work, it sure was a yummy dinner! And who knows when I'll have time to spend that much time making dinner for a while.

I started exploring eggplant during lent when it happened to be on sale at Harris Teeter. This was my 3rd attempt at making eggplant parmesan. The first time turned out pretty well and Tim and I discovered we both liked eggplant! The 2nd time I couldn't remember where I found the recipe so tried a different version that did not involve frying the eggplant before baking. Thought it would be easier, which it was, but it was NOT so good - eggplant was mushy. I realize this step makes a HUGE difference in how it turns out. Well, now I have a REALLY good recipe that with any luck will help convince Baby it's time to come out!! The sauce was really good too! (Homemade, of course.)

Check out the recipe and testimonials of all the babies who have been born after the mom ate their eggplant Parmigiana!

Scalini's Eggplant Parmigiana

It's been about 13 hours since we ate dinner last night and no labor signs yet, but leftovers will definitely be eaten for lunch. :)

While I wait...

I never really thought reading blogs could be so interesting but I can see myself becoming increasingly addicted to checking the few that I follow. Especially now that I'm done with my Master's (and don't have to be productive while online any more) and I'm still pregnant, it helps pass the time and keep my mind off when labor might start. (Any day now!!!!)

I've been following a blog written by a mother/doula about childbirth, Bellies and Babies, that has provided some really interesting reading. I can't remember exactly how I found it but it's such an inspiring resource for all things related to giving birth naturally.

I'm also loving that one of Tim's high school friends, who recently had a baby, started a blog about her adventures in motherhood, Chronicles of Motherhood. Even though I'm (hopefully) only a few days away from my own set of adventures, it's reassuring to know that everyone has to figure out how to be a parent and some things don't come naturally.

Also, while I wait for baby to pick his/her birthday, I thought I'd make a list of all the things I'm looking forward to AFTER I'm no longer pregnant. So here we go:

1. To see my ankles and my feet again! And I mean for more than 5 minutes before all the swelling rushes back down there. Doesn't seem to matter how long I keep my feet up or have Tim rub the swelling down, the second I stand up it all goes right back. Every time I get a glimpse of my ankle bones it's reassuring to know that my feet did at one point look less puffy, my calves are really not that big around and maybe they will once again be recognizable as belonging to my body. I'm sure it's completely unrealistic to think that the swelling will instantly disappear once the baby is out, but I'm going to keep thinking it anyway!

2. To feel my fingers again! The top 2/3 of my fingers have been numb for so long, the numbness is starting to feel normal. I hate not being able to feel things and my hands feel so stiff most of the time! Especially how soft all the baby things are :( I've been sewing flannel wipes to use instead of disposable ones (to use with cloth diapers) and even though I know how soft they are I can't feel it!! Playing violin/viola is kind of ridiculous too! Not being able to feel where my fingers are going is such a weird sensation. It reminds me of playing a wedding several years ago in October...outside... at night and it was so cold I had no idea how my fingers were actually able to play. That's what it feels like now....one of the reasons I decided to stop teaching private lessons until after the baby comes.

3. Being able to bend over without feeling like I'm going to suffocate.

4. Being able to roll over in bed without waking up because it takes SOO much effort to go from one side to the other.

5. Not having to make 3+ trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I completely realize that I am a long way away from having a completely restful night's sleep but having to get up so often to go to the bathroom is very annoying to me.

6. Standing up easily without having to plan my source of leverage first! Getting off the couch, out of bed, out of the car!, etc.

7. Ready to get back to feeling like me! I know my body will never be the same but if I can at least feel like myself again...

8. Finally getting to see this little foot that seems to be trying to dig a hole in my side! Sometimes I feel like I should be able to grab it through my skin. I can't wait to see that little foot!

The waiting game...

It's now Week 39 Day 3 - and still waiting.

I think I had convinced myself that Baby McKay would arrive early - but I guess Baby is content to stay put for now. Despite lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, the midwife today thinks I still have another week or so to go. So much for finishing my Master's then having a baby. I decided to go back to work this week rather than sit at home, going crazy while I wait! My administration has been amazing about letting me reduce my teaching schedule while not using any sick leave yet. Hopefully I won't have to worry about what to do next week, but we'll see if Baby decides to oblige.

Having time to rest has definitely helped me feel better. After a year of always having some sort of homework to do it feels like I have a lot more time on my hands! All the things we wanted to do before the Baby arrives have been done. Now I'm just trying to find things to keep me busy, while still resting as much as possible. Came home and made cookies yesterday, got a pedicure today, almost finished with the flannel wipes I'm making instead of using disposables. All the baby clothes, socks, hats, towels, sheets, etc. are all washed and put away. Hospital bag is packed a ready to go.

So now we wait....

Counting down the days....

*Despite what the date on this post says, I'm finally getting around to posting this on April 5! So here's the update from the last few weeks.

Week 35 . . . this is probably the most uncomfortable I think I've ever been. I'm trying to take just one day at a time and keep reminding myself that the end is in sight.


Diaper Cake made by someone at school with all kinds of little baby things tucked inside! so cute!

*Started this post last week and forgot to post it!

So....here's a week later - Week 36. I think the camera has done something to the picture...b/c I can't believe this is me!! It feels (and looks) like I have a bowling ball attached to the front of me.



And now it's Week 37...finished with my Master's and National Board Portfolio!!! Feels to good to be done!! Started feeling painful contractions this week but nothing consistent yet....


And then it was Easter - almost week 38 and still waiting....Let's get a move on Baby!!

Week 34

My "The Bump" weekly email said that baby is now the size of a honeydew melon! No wonder I can barely turn over in bed, never mind taking all my strength and energy to get out of bed!


As of yesterday at my midwife appointment, Baby's head was down!

Here it is...

Today is the day when I officially decided I am tired of being pregnant - 3/3/10.
7 weeks until my due date...

I'm tired of feeling like I am going to suffocate every time I bend over. Putting socks on is getting really annoying. If my shoes didn't hurt my feet without socks I probably wouldn't bother.

I'm tired of heartburn that wakes me up in the middle of the night and is just plain annoying every other part of the day.

I'm tired of people I don't see on a regular basis looking at me and saying "Oh...look at you" then nothing else. If you have nothing nice to say, please don't say anything. I'm well aware of what I look like. (I'm also tired of that too.)

I'm tired of being so out of breath after teaching 3 classes in a row that it's all I can do to sit in a chair and tell the kids what to play so I can drink some water and try to catch my breath.

I'm tired of waking up every time I feel the need to roll over and of how much effort it takes to get out of bed. Not to mention getting up out of Tim's car (that is very low to the ground) or off of couch without feeling like I need help.

I'm also just plain TIRED!!! I know this will not go away once Baby arrives but at least I'll have our cute baby to look at.

So Baby, please feel free to come a little early! You are welcome to arrive anytime after I have finished and submitted my National Board portfolio. The last week of March or first week of April would be acceptable. I hope you think so too! I can't wait to meet you!

These are not my feet

Week 33

My feet seem to have been replaced by someone else's feet. I KNOW my toes and my ankles did not look like this before! Finally had to take my rings off too :( since my fingers seem to be slightly larger than before also.

I'm really hoping the next 7 (or so) weeks go by quickly! Right now I'd be happy if my day were over around 10:30am so I could go home and take a nap. Not sure how I'm going to make it through the next several weeks of school. Maybe I'll just sit in my desk chairs and have my students push me around.