23 Days and Counting . . .

I have been a bad, bad, blogger. I was really busy tying things up at work, sitting on the couch enjoying my quiet time while away from work and honestly going to bed around 8 pm. But now that maternity leave has officially started you should get some more updates on me and my ever growing belly. This week marks 37 weeks! I don't know how we got here so quickly but it's here and we still have a TON to do. The baby dresser still sits in it's box, hospital bag needs to be packed (I gave myself a deadline of Wednesday), this house has got to get cleaned, and we need a crib. I feel as though every room is torn a part from a cleaning or decorating project and I need to get the motivation to finish at least one room a day. We have a pretty good feeling that this lil babe is going to come early, for some reason we both came up with the 12th and on our way to a friend's wedding brought it up and just laughed that we thought of the same date. Now, let's pray for a boost in nesting motivation! Below are a few pictures taken in the last week and of course the wonderful survey that I have slacked on as well.

• How many Weeks: 36 Weeks 5 Days
• Weight Gain: 44 Pounds! EEk!
• How big is baby?: About 6 pounds
• Maternity clothes?: Yeah but they are getting too small! Shirts barely cover my belly and my jeans are too tight.
• Stretch marks?: Just a few red ones on my hips.
• Sleep?: Is a joke! I am up every hour to go pee-pee and when I am sleeping I only last on one side for what feels like ten minutes. My hips/pelvic bone feels like they are going to fall straight out of my body and oh! the popping sounds of my bones in that region is ever so lovely!
• Movement?: The last few days she has been going, going, going! Probably just trying to stretch out but luckily I don't get the rib pain that most talk about.
• Food cravings?: Not too much. I am disappointed about not having any "good" cravings.
• Labor signs?: Yes 'em! Cramping all throughout the night and braxton hicks for days.
• Belly button in or out?: Still in. If I eat a lot it looks like a winking eye. ;)
• What I miss: Being able to see my toes!
• What I'm looking forward to: Going into labor
• Milestone: full term

Butternut Squash Ravioli w. Crisp Prosciutto and Fresh Sage

This time of year always marks something special for everyone. For me, it's warm scents, gorgeous colors and one of my favorite ingredients; butternut squash. For those who have been following my blog for a while you will remember all the yummy pumpkin and butternut squash recipes from last year and this one can be added right next to it! Last night I decided to whip up two meals and a dessert: butternut squash ravioli, lasagna w. sweet chicken sausage and a turtle pumpkin pie. Yeah, something came over me for sure and I doubt this burst of energy will come back for a while but at least my hubby finally got a few homemade meals to warm his tummy.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

For Ravioli:

1 Package Wonton Wrappers

1 Pound Cubed Butternut Squash, Roasted

1/2 cup Skim Milk Ricotta

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Sea Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

For Sauce:

3 Slices Prosciutto, thinly sliced

15 fresh sage leaves, torn into pieces

1/2 stick butter

1. In a food processor combine squash, ricotta and spices. Puree until it is creamy and free of chunks.

2. Lay out 4-6 wonton wrappers and place 1 teaspoon of filling in the middle of each wrapper. Wet the surrounding area with water and place an additional wrapper on top of filling. With a biscuit cutter cut out the ravioli and press edges until they are secure.

3. Repeat until filling is gone.

4. Cook a few at a time in boiling water.

5. In a skillet with a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil place prosciutto and cook until crispy. Remove from pan.

6. Add butter and sage to pan and cook until the butter is slightly brown and sage is crispy. Add prosciutto back into skillet.

7. Plate 4-5 ravioli and spoon sauce over ravioli.

8. Enjoy!

Maternity Photographs

A few weeks ago Jim and I took our maternity pictures with our photographer and friend, Carolynn Helton from Sun Diego Photo. Carolynn shot our wedding in 2007 and from there we have done about five other shoots with her. This time was slightly different, being seven months plus pregnant makes one feel less sexy and less photogenic. We still had an amazing time laughing at ourselves and making fun of my ever growing belly while taking in the beautiful fall setting that Julian had to offer us.

The caption should read:

Jim: I cannot believe she can fit anything else in that belly.

Melissa: Damnit Jim! Move that apple closer to my mouth!

31 Weeks

How many Weeks: 31 Weeks

Weight Gain: We'll see next Thursday what the doctor's scale comes up with this time...

How big is baby?: Almost four pounds, and over 16 inches long. Little lady is running out of room!

Maternity clothes?: I just bought some clothes online and they are huge! maternity clothes are so un-flattering. blah.

Stretch marks?: I have one red one on each side of my hips and one small red one on my right boob. Other than that I have the original ones on my hips pre-pregnancy.

Sleep?: Some nights I get up every hour to pee-pee and some nights I only get up once. Little Missy needs to stay off the bladder at night, wishful thinking!

Best moment this week?: I don't think I've had one :(

Movement?: Slowing down. Some days she's going crazy and some she only has minor movement.

Food cravings?: Broccoli, Hamburgers as usual.

Labor signs?: I have had cramps since Sunday...no bueno!

Belly button in or out?: Still in. If I eat a lot it looks like a winking eye. ;)

What I miss: Being able to see my toes!

What I'm looking forward to: Going to the doctor next week, hopefully I can convince the doc that we should see her.

Milestone: 62 days left.

This is my recent bake for my nephew Ethan's 6th Birthday. Thought I would share on here since I don't know who makes it over to my cupcake blog.

Since we are nearing the finishing line we are frantically trying to get everything together for Payton's room. The closet has been emptied and all it's crap is lying on the floor, we are planning on getting it all organized and finding a new home from most of it this weekend. My sister brought me her changing table last weekend but we will not have a crib until mid-November when she moves into her house (keeping fingers crossed that there are no more hiccups with escrow). We are in pursuit of finding a matching dresser and I think we have figured it out, just need to go buy it. The go-jus Cocalo Couture "Harlow" bedding was purchased yesterday thanks to my wonderful Mommy and Grandma. Anywho, just wanted to update all of my adoring fans (the 2 of you) what's going on with baby progress.

Below are two pictures of recent purchases. The first is a vinyl name decal purchased from Etsy seller "A hint of chic boutique" and the tutu set is from "Nana's Tutu's" for P's newborn pictures.

30 weeks!

Cassie and I at my 2nd shower. Cassie, her mom Lisa and sister Kris threw me my work shower this past Saturday. It was very intimate and lovely.

The diaper cake Cassie made me. I don't want to take it apart.

All of the lovely gals that came out to shower Lil Miss Payton.

My 29 Week, 4 Day bump. I love the bump but I am not a fan of how tired I look these days. I guess it's not going to get any better.

How many Weeks: 30 weeks. 70 days to go!

Weight Gain: It kills me to even type this number but I am healthy and do not really care. As of my 28-week appointment I had gained 30 pounds. :/

How big is baby?: Roughly 3 pounds, 15 1/2 inches long. About the size of a cabbage.

Maternity clothes?: Of course. I am craving my normal clothing and dream of getting out of this maternity clothes rut!

Stretch marks?: I have one red one on each side of my hips and one small red one on my right boob. Other than that I have the original ones on my hips pre-pregnancy.

Sleep?: Besides getting up to urinate every two hours and my hips going numb I can sleep just fine.

Best moment this week?: Feeling Payton kick up high and watching her practice aerobics.

Movement?: Crazy..mesmerized by her and my moving belly.

Food cravings?: Not so much. Sweets have kicked in a lot more now.

Labor signs?: I had Braxton Hicks this week for the first time.

Belly button in or out?: Still in. If I eat a lot it looks like a winking eye. ;)

What I miss: I don't want to say I miss anything anymore. I have a new chapter of my life starting and I have to embrace all that encompasses it. The pre-mommy chapter was fun but I am ready for this new chapter to begin.

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Payton for the first time. I get all teary eyed every time I think about her arrival.

Milestone: 10 weeks left until my estimated due date and 6 weeks until I am full term. WOAH!

If you actually care to see what I have been up to in my kitchen please visit my Cupcake Blog, the link is to the right...

There will be a lot of fun things coming up for the holiday season.

Anyone wishing to place an order can e-mail me directly at

lepetitekupkak@yahoo.com

I am really reasonable!