Pages

Sunday, September 23, 2012

labor inducing eggplant parmigiana

Since I am past my due date, I am willing to try just about anything to get this baby out. I am not miserable. I just don't want him to get get too big! I feel fine and the weather is a little cooler. McBoy just needs to know that for his mom's sake, he needs to come out before he is huge!

Some girls at work told me about this eggplant parmigiana that claims to put you in labor within 24 to 48 hours after eating it. We googled it and found it!  It is from Scalini's Italian Restaurant in Cobb County, Ga. I think the story aired on ABC in 2010 and 300 mothers claimed the dish put them in labor.

Kyle and I made our first homemade, from scratch Italian meal last night!

Here we go!

1st we made the sauce

Ingredients:
Scalini's Marinara Sauce

2 Tablespoons garlic, chopped
3 Tablespoons olive oil
8 cups tomatoes (fresh or canned), chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 cup fresh sweet basil, chopped
Pinch thyme
Pinch rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Lightly sauté the onions in olive oil in large pot for a few minutes.
Add garlic and sauté another minute. Add tomatoes and bring sauce to a boil, then turn heat low. Add remaining ingredients, stir, cover and let simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.
 
Now time to make the rest!
 
Ingredients:
3 medium sized eggplants
1 cup flour
6 eggs, beaten
4 cups fine Italian bread crumbs (seasoned)
Olive oil, for sautéing
8 cups marinara sauce (recipe above)
1/2 cup Romano cheese (grated)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella cheese (shredded)
2 cups ricotta cheese

Directions:
After you wash the eggplant, slice them into 1/4 inch thick slices. You may choose to peel the eggplant before you slice it. However, you may want to leave the skin on since it contains a lot of vitamins.
Place the eggplant slices on a layer of paper towels and sprinkle with a little salt, then cover with another layer of paper towels and hold it down with something heavy to drain the excess moisture. Let them sit for about an hour.

Working with one slice of eggplant at a time, dust with flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat well with breadcrumbs.


Sauté in preheated olive oil on both sides until golden brown.
 



In baking dish, alternate layers of marinara sauce, eggplant slices, ricotta, Parmesan and Romano cheeses, until you fill the baking dish, about 1/8 inch from the top.


 Cover top layer with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 25 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.


We ended up using 2 large eggplants and canned tomatoes. It was AMAZING! We invited our friends Jeff and Jessica over to join us. Jessica is a labor and delivery nurse where I am delivering (hey, I wanted to be prepared)!  It has been 19 hours since my 1st helping. We shall see. Even if it doesn't work, Kyle and I had a good time making it and it was OH SO GOOD!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

pregnant planking at park(ing) day

Yesterday was Park(ing) Day again. It is where parking meters are turned into temporary parks in 162 different cities across the world. They had it right by my office. I came downstairs to find a planking park. What is planking? It is where you lay face down in an unusual location. You know what I HAD to do....

...pregnant plank!

There was a wood board between the 2 flower pots and I asked the guy if I could move it and pregnant plank. He was a little nervous. He said that the flower pots might be flimsy. The other guy was all about it! I told them I'd be careful. The flower pots were not at all flimsy! He asked when the baby was due. I said TODAY! He said that maybe the baby could come out while I planked. HA! Didn't happen. I got up from planking to find a video camera filming the whole thing. Another lady at the planking park told me my child had a very cool mom! That is indeed true!



Here what regular planking looked like at the planking park I went to. I'm glad Park(ing) Day is near my office so I can have fun during my breaks. Such a fun idea. I went back to my office and I heard someone singing opera. I think it was Theatre Memphis and they had theatre in the park.

You must go next year....you never know what you'll find!

Friday, September 21, 2012

baby watch

Kyle put on the Ergo Tuesday night.  

He is more than ready for McBoy! I researched and the Ergo was the best for baby's hips. We also have the infant insert. All Kyle asked for was something to carry the baby in so that he could be hands free. Kyle can't wait to meet his son!

london calling

Our friends Lisa and Chris are now in England. They moved on Mondy so that Chris could go to seminary. What a  fun experience! I REALLY wish that we are able to visit them. I lived in Cambridge, England for 2 summers and loved it there! I want to take Kyle to show him around.

Last Saturday I went to a going away party for them.

Lisa trying to get McBoy out before they left. It did not work!

the girls
McBoy took over this picture. You can barely see Shelly!

Kristy and her baby boys!

Have fun Chris and Lisa! Enjoy your new culture! England is so much fun!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

walk it out

Kyle and I waited to sign up for the Cooper Young 4-miler until the day before. It was last Friday night and I thought that walking the race would put me in labor since i was 39 weeks. Not true!


Kyle texted me after he was finished to make sure I was doing ok!

I had a good time. It is fun being pregnant and doing a race. EVERYONE cheers for you! "Go pregnant lady!" and "hey, I'm a labor and delivery nurse if you need me!" I walked with a friend so if something happened, she was there! We did a pretty good speed considering my extra weight and extra person! We finished in 1 hour and 13 minutes so we did about a 18 minute 15 second pace per mile.

Come on baby!


mom and me

My mom was so excited when she found out I was pregnant. She has been wanting grandchildren for a while! She's been saving a maternity shirt that she wore when she was pregnant with me for me to where when I got pregnant. Only problem is that it has been so hot. And I am a little confused as to why she wore it as she was also pregnant in the hot summer heat with me. I am thinking it was the style back in the day.


My mom 1979 pregnant with me

Me 2012 pregnant with McBoy

It fits!

I think this is so neat to have!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

33 & pregnant

That's right! Where is my TV show?! HA!
At the end of August I turned 33. I sooo don't look it. But I bet after McBoy gets here I will!

B-day dinner with some friends at Sekisui in midtown. People get really confused when I say I like sushi. I don't like seafood but I like sushi! Mid-town Sekisui has a teriyaki chicken roll to die for and the best veggie rolls! YUM!

This pregnant girl loves ice cream!

My birthday present from Kyle was a night out on the town the week of my birthday. It was our last fancy date before we become a family of three.

He surprised me and took me to eat at Itta Bena. Poor Kyle was sick but went anyway. It was very good and I highly recommend anyone going! It is on Beale Street right above BB King's.

Then he took me to the Orpheum to watch an old movie-Casablanca! He thought we had not seen it but I reminded him that we had. Still good to see it again. "Here's looking at you kid!"

Labor day weekend we went to my parents and my mom made the my annual birthday meal! YUM!


Birthday presents! I got lots of them!

Thanks everyone for making me feel special. I had a great birthday month!

family luncheon for mcboy

Kyle got back from his BBQ contest (last weekend in August) and he had to turn around and get all cleaned up for a day with my family. He didn't mind because there was such GREAT food there! We went to Tommy (my dad's 1st cousin) and his wife Diane's house. They always make us feel welcome.

This the our scrapbook of McBoy's journey. Diane is a major scrapbooker and it looks AMAZING! Such a sweet gift!

opening presents

Sweet pea will need to follow this rule!

We got a Ben!
Dad and Aunt Connie looking at the scrapbook.

My dad aka grandpa!

Vickie and Aunt Connie

Parents and grandparents.

The hostess and host

We had such a great time and are very lucky to have the family we do!

roast and boast

The Bluff City Bulldogs had a competition in Columbus, MS in August. Kyle's mom came down to stay with me help get McBoy's room in order while Kyle was with the team smoking away!

I was not there but I will post the pics the boys took. Here is their facebook page. They are kinda big deal. They have trophies and all!

The set-up

They've won 2nd in ribs twice.


I guess they are looking at other tents?!


 Kyle and Greg-that pig scares me.


 working hard into the night


see those trophies?

Ribs are ready!


        
The team minus Chris.

They entered in a lot more categories than last time.
Results:
Chicken - 18th
Ribs- 9th
Pork- 7th
Brisket- 14th
Overall- 13th / 27 teams competing

They were up against some big name teams and did pretty good! Congrats guys!

Monday, September 17, 2012

maternity photo shoot

I wanted to do maternity pictures but only a few. I saw on facebook where my friend Jana from high school was doing 20 minute sunflower mini-sessions. It was perfect timing as to where I was in my pregnancy (36 weeks) and the blooming of the sunflowers in late August. Her business is called EK Bee Photography and I think you should use her and like her facebook page!

I feel like a have a big watermelon in my belly.


I don't know which ones I like the best!




Sweet!




Jana did a great job considering we only had her for 20 minutes! It was hot but I made it!


dog days

I have a feeling Bailey will be fine with sweet pea when he gets here. She follows me around all day.

She is very protective.


Boomer on the other hand....might have a hard time!

Look at Boomer bonding with his brother!

He likes to cuddle. He helped me through my first trimester! However, Boomer is going to have to learn to share very soon. His cuddle time will be very limited. We've moved his bed from the living room to the kitchen. I think he knows somethings going on!