7 Quick Takes (Vol. 2)

I’m baaaaccckkk! I had so much fun participating in Jen’s 7 Quick Takes last week that I’ve decided to throw some more random thoughts out there.

#1

I visit Testosterhome on a fairly regular basis even though we have far more X chromosomes floating around our household. In fact, on Christmas we discovered after opening a card with the baby’s sex written inside of it (our gift to one another) that baby number three is a girl!

Now I do NOT want any condolences. Think I’m crazy for even saying that? I was at the post office the other day and after the postal worker said, “You sure are getting fat, mama!” in front of a whole crowd of people (she knows I’m pregnant and was just teasing, but still…be easy on the preggo’s ego, please!), she asked if we were having a boy.

“Nope,” I happily said. “It’s a girl.”

“Oh, I’m so, so sorry,” she replied, just slightly shaking her head in sorrow. Mind you, my two little girls were standing right there beside me, and Madeline is old enough to take note of comments like these.

But no matter. My husband was convinced we were having a girl even before it was official and was thrilled, and I’ll take as much sugar and spice as God gives me.

Plus, I’m already thinking of a sister blog to Testosterhome. Just call us the Estroden.

#2

A girlfriend of mine surprised me by sending a pair of maternity jeans to me that I never would have been able to afford at this stage of my life. This was an act of charity as well as mercy (pity the mom-to-be in her arduous search for jeans). She wrote in her note to just sell them on eBay if I didn’t like them. Well, they’re not going anywhere but in my closet because the jeans fit perfectly and don’t stretch out at all after I’ve worn them for 10 seconds or even 10 hours. This friend made my day and my broadening bum. Thank you!

#3

My husband, who is a medical resident and works really erratic and often long hours, has had a flexible work week and has allowed me to sleep in every single day. He’s also scrubbed toilets, vacuumed, and on Wednesday evening, he took care of the bedtime routine so I could catch up on some freelancing, cash in a Starbucks gift card, and lounge with a latte. He’s definitely a keeper.

#4

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my priorities and whether or not I’m living my life in a way that reflects what’s the most important to me. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to reorder my life so that I’m investing time in what I say is the most important (i.e., God and family). I’ve been especially concerned with praying more. But what I’ve actually been doing to help foster a more active prayer life is making lots of schedules (pray the Rosary on this day at this time) and lists (meditate on Scripture today) and then beating myself up if I don’t meet my litany of spiritual goals.

I’m starting to think this may be the wrong approach. Maybe I shouldn’t be trying so hard to squeeze God into my daily routine. Instead, why not work on living my life around Him, not the other way around?

#5

I double dog dare you to fall in love even more with your spouse and with God and to take on The Love Dare along with me. (The book offers reflections and dares you to perform a daily act of love for your spouse for 40 days, so I’m thinking of starting it on Ash Wednesday as part of my Lenten journey.)

#6

Rachel Marie didn’t nurse at all two days this week, not even at bedtime. Perhaps I won’t be adding “tandem nurser” to my mom résumé.

It’s bittersweet. My baby won’t be the baby for much longer.

#7

I always crave salads when I’m pregnant and this week I made a new dressing that’s just delicious on any kind of lettuce (spinach, romaine, etc.). Add a hard-boiled egg, shredded cheddar, and some other chopped veggies, and you’ve got a refreshing, protein-packed, and tasty salad.

I adapted it from Rachael Ray.

Avocado Dressing

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados
Juice of one lime
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
A generous sprinkling of low-sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Tabasco hot sauce

Place the first six ingredients in a food processor, and turn it on. While the blade is spinning, stream in the extra-virgin olive oil and add the hot sauce. Stop processor, taste dressing and adjust seasonings as needed.

Stop by Jen’s for more quick takes.