Cauliflower Flatbread

This totally carb free appetizer was a hit at Christmas, so I thought I'd share it here.

What you'll need
1 head of cauliflower
2 cups mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmesan (or add more if you want it to be more cracker like)
1 clove garlic
1T Italian Seasoning (oregano etc, you can add more to your taste)
Salt to taste
1 egg (if you want it a little more bready like for pizza dough you can add 2 eggs)
Olive Oil
Parchment Paper

Directions

Pre Heat Oven to 375
Wash well and then grate entire head of Cauliflower
Steam
While cauliflower is hot add cheese, beaten egg, grated garlic, and seasonings. Mix Well
Line baking sheet with parchment paper and grease pan well with olive oil
Press Cauliflower mixture onto pan in an even thin layer.
Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly and brown.
Cool and slice

Enjoy with your favorite dip, sandwich fixings, or pizza toppings.

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve with our friends. We got all dressed up (and forgot to take pictures) and went to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Then we changed and went to a dance club in Fullerton. It was fun to dance but I did feel a little outta place and pretty sober. Of course all worth it :) It was a fun New Year's Eve, and we're hoping for an amazing Twenty-Thirteen. So here's to a happy and healthy new year to you and yours!

24 Weeks!

How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 5lbs

Baby's Fruit Size: Cantaloupe

Sleep: Sleeping too much! I feel tired if I can't sleep in, oh well better get my sleep in now while I can

Best moment this week: Celebrating the New Year. 2013 is your year baby girl, and we can't wait to meet you!

Miss Anything? Not right now.

Movement: Yes, not a ton but pretty regular movement, which is exciting!

Food cravings/aversions: Trying to get back on track with my eating. Lots of salads and trying to eat more protein.

Symptoms: Kicks! Heartburn, and fatigue.

Signs of Labor: Not really though I have been having a few Braxton Hicks

Looking forward to: seeing you again on the U/S soon!

Development:
In your 24th week of pregnancy, your baby is filling out. Part of your weight gain goes straight to helping him gain weight, too. Since he's still on the scrawny side, his skin wrinkles on his body, but he looks like a miniature version of what you'll see on delivery day. His face has formed, ears are in place, and eyes are complete (although his lids are still closed). He has eyelashes, fingernails, and may be growing hair. Rapid eye movements (REM) are beginning, too.

23 Weeks!

23 weeks pregnant!

Baby this is the best week ever! Not only is it Christmas week, but you are becoming viable. I know that sounds negative and I'm sorry for worrying but this week has been what I've been waiting for! If something were to happen modern medicine could help save you, and that means the world to me. I love you so much and have come so attached to you I just couldn't bear to be without you.

How far along? 23 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 5lbs

Baby's Fruit Size: Grapefruit

Sleep: Sleeping too much! I feel tired if I can't sleep in, oh well better get my sleep in now while I can

Best moment this week: Daddy getting to feel you kick. He was happy to finally feel you move. I think it's starting to feel even more real for us.

Miss Anything? Not right now.

Movement: Yes, not a ton but pretty regular movement, which is exciting!

Food cravings/aversions: Celery & Cucumbers have been my go to snack. I also am letting myself eat too many sweets, must be the season!

Symptoms: Kicks! Heartburn, and fatigue.

Signs of Labor: Thankfully none 

Looking forward to: Christmas, and celebrating with family!

Development:

At 23 weeks, baby's getting bigger -- she's about 10.5 to 11.8 inches long and weighs 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. Plus, she's getting cuter! Ears start to develop and her face and eyes are forming.

22 Weeks!

I'm sorry I skipped week 21, it was a busy week. But baby girl I'm so happy to be this much further along. Every week that goes by is one week closer I am to meeting you.

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Um I'm up 4lbs! How the heck did that happen?! I think you like Christmas cookies :)

Baby's Fruit Size: Spaghetti Squash

Sleep: Waking up most nights a few times either because of weird dreams or needing to use the potty but nothing too disrupting.

Best moment this week: Feeling you move, seriously I don't think I've ever smiled so large!

Miss Anything? Nyquil, I had an awful cold and could have really used the stuff.

Movement: Yes!! Some fishy type feeling and not a lot but on Dec 14th I definitely felt some kicks! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

Food cravings/aversions: ChikFil-A breakfast. I'm glad I can only go once a week because they are closed on Sundays otherwise I would have gained twice what I did. I also really like cucumbers still.

Symptoms: Kicks! Heartburn, and fatigue.

Signs of Labor: Thankfully none 

Looking forward to: Finishing my Christmas shopping, and seeing you on the U/S again.

Your baby's brain is growing daily. Her senses are also starting develop. She can hear the sound of your heart along with your breathing. As she wiggles her fingers, she may touch her face or even suck her thumb. Her lungs are becoming more mature, and she even goes through the motions of breathing. She can also swallow, although she won't have her first real meal until delivery day.

20 weeks!

We're half baked!! I can't believe in 20 or so short weeks I get to meet you!

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Back to starting weight

Baby's Fruit Size: Banana

Sleep: Lots of strange dreams and waking up but no problems falling asleep.

Best moment this week: Decorating the house for Christmas. We aren't doing a ton since we have so much going on but enough to make it feel like Christmas. I'm sure next year we will go all out for your first Christmas! 

Miss Anything? Not so much.

Movement: Not yet. Dr says I have an anterior placenta so it may be a week or so still.

Food cravings/aversions: LOVE cucumbers, yum! Also liking simple carbs, but trying to stay healthy for you sweet one.

Symptoms: Doing pretty well this week. Not too many symptoms.

Mood: Good, I'm so thrilled to be half way through, I guess I never really thought we'd get this far. But baby you're real! This is really happening, and I couldn't be happier.

Looking forward to: Feeling movement! And deciding on a name. This has been so tough. We have a lot of names we really like for you Jellybean, but nothing that seems perfect enough for you yet.

By week 20, your baby-to-be is gearing up for the next phase in his development—filling out. His organs are getting into their proper places. His kidneys are now in position with their familiar bean shape. His testes (or ovaries for girls) have reached their position. His brain continues to form and grow. His teeth are beginning to appear, and he can swallow. If you haven't been able to feel him move, chances are you'll be feeling him move more and more over the coming weeks.

19 weeks!

How far along? 19 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Loss of 2lbs

Baby's Fruit Size: Mango
Sleep: Sleeping a lot but waking up to use the restroom 

Best moment this week: Spending Thanksgiving with family, of course we're grateful for you!
Miss Anything? Not so much.

Movement: Not yet. Dr says I have an anterior placenta so it may be a week or so still.

Food cravings/aversions: Asparagus makes me gag. Which is weird since it used to be a favorite of mine.
Symptoms: REALLY bad hip/butt/back pain especially when I sit! Still some heartburn and fatigue.
Mood: Well I want to say great, but this pain has put me in a sour mood. I was sad to miss going to San Jose, but I'm still of course really proud to be growing you!  

Looking forward to: Feeling movement!

In your 19th week of pregnancy, your unborn baby's organs continue to grow. His body is covered with lanugo—soft hairs and a sticky protective coating that keeps his skin from drying out in the amniotic fluid. Your baby is moving frequently, and by now you should be able to feel those movements. Your physician can hear your baby-to-be's heartbeat with a stethoscope placed on your abdomen.

Baby is covered in vernix, a white, cheesy "cream" that protects her skin from the long bath in amniotic fluid. Preemies are covered in vernix at birth—"posties" have almost none.

Me at 19 weeks!