Fitness Friday Again!

I went to a pregnancy fitness class this past Monday night and really enjoyed it! I now am wondering why I waited 36 weeks to attend. I guess, and don't flame me for this, but I thought that I was "fit" enough that I didn't need a special class. I could just do yoga, spinning, step, BodyAttack, and make some minor modifications due to being preggers. This was working out good until last week, when I realized just how hard it is to carry around a 3kg baby and keep up with these young 20 year olds in the gym. (My competitive nature will never go away.)

More about the fitness class this past Monday. First, the class was full! It was nice to see so many woman there on the same adventure as me. There were also two staff members in the class that I knew, and enjoyed speaking to. We started the class with going around and saying our name and what week we are in. I then noticed, that I was definitely the most pregnant woman there. Most were in the 20th weeks, one was a 30, and then you get to me. Um, 36? Big smile from the instructør, which made me feel welcome.

We started with a basic step class for about 30 minutes. After that we switched and got a bar and did some toning work. The next part was the hardest. We had to sit on these squishy balls, and practicing squeezing our kegel muscles, and holding for 10 seconds. It is a good thing it looks like we are all just sitting there because I was 1, 2, 3, ok need a break. I have a lot of work to do if I need to be able to hold it to 10. What are these muscles good for? From what I have heard, having strong muscles here will help us not pee in our pants after pregnancy. Yes, I do what to take up running again one day. The class ended with doing some core work on our hands and knees, and finally stretching and a cooldown. The 75 minute class seemed to fly by! I especially loved our "tisser pause" in the middle of the class. This is a 5 minute bathroom break. : )

So, I am going to go back next week, I think and do it again. I advise those who are thinking of attending to just go and give it a chance. I wish I had looking back now!

Have a fit, phat, and fabulous weekend!

Hump Day, Bump Day - WK 36

Oh dear, I am running out of things to wear for these pictures! I can't let yall know that I have only about 3 outfits that I wear over and over again!: )

I had an appointment with the midwife yesterday, and everything is fine with me and the baby. She poked, pushed, and prodded on my belly for awhile to estimate the size, and said that he is definitely bigger than 2.5 kg, and close to 3 kg. For you Americans, that is about a 6.5 lb baby! Is it time to countdown and take bets on when he will be here? I am crossing my fingers for April 29th (DH's birthday) so I can just give him a baby for his birthday and not worry about a gift.

3 days to the weekend! Let's hope for warm spring weather.

Question from a reader and a recipe!

Since I only had one question submitted from a reader, and it was Crystal that wanted to know what the baby's name will be, I feel it is only fair that I answer it.

Since we have decided to keep the baby name as a surprise until his arrival, I will tell you everything we decided NOT to name him. These were close contenders, but unfortunately did not make the cut:

McWeeks
Carmelo
Squirt
Junior
Mini-me
Giuseppe
Ricky Bobby

Don't forget to send any questions to amber[dot)weeks@gmail[dot].com. Questions will remain anonymous (oops, except for yours, Crystal). The subject can be about anything, (I think)!

DH and I had a very productive weekend getting ready for the baby's arrival. We know have the crib setup, a changing table, a car seat, and I washed all of the cute clothes. Last night for dinner, we decided to try a recipe from DH's Triathlete magazine:

Vegetable Chili with bulgur Wheat
served 6

1/2 cup bulgur wheat, uncooked
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 cup diced zuchinni
1 cup diced yellow squash
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced red bell peppers
2- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
2- 15 oz can red kidney beans
2 cloves garlic ,minced
3 Tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon oregano
salt
pepper

Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil and add the bulgur to the pan, stir, then cover. Continue to cook for approximately twenty minutes stirring occasionally. Drain the excess water after twenty minutes or when the bulgur has plumped up like a rice or a pasta. Set aside

In a large heavy bottom pot heat the olive oil. Saute the onion until translucent and then stir in the garlic. Add the carrots, zuchinni, bell peppers and squash. Stir until coated with the onion and garlic. Continue sauteeing the vegetables until softened. Add the chili powder, cumin and oregano and toss to coat. Stir in the tomatoes and kidney beans. Lower the heat to low and cover. cook for about 20-30 minutes. Add the bulgur wheat and combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Amber and DH's comments and "modifications":

We could not find yellow squash, so added about 1.5 cups of green, red, and yellow peppers. We also has a jalapeño in the fridge, so threw that in. We didn't add any salt or pepper because we thought it was seasoned just fine! Do not worry if it is really really thick. There was hardly in liquid at all in the chili. I added some shredded cheddar to it, but keep in mind chopped green onions, and sour cream would also be nice. The bulgur is a nice touch, because it was filling enough without having to make cornbread to go with it. It says "serves 6" which in our house only serves 3. We decided it was a "keeper" and will definitly make it again.

Enjoy!

Fashion Friday

I will RARELY write about fashion on this blog. Right now I am in a fashion slump. I have 3 pairs of pants that fit, about 3 shirts, and one dress. I refuse to buy anymore maternity clothes with so little time left. I needed something to cheer me up. This morning I went digging through my handbags, and found my black trusty Kenneth Cole handbag. For some reason when I carry this, I feel like a sophisticated business woman with a purpose. I have to try not to waddle when I carry it though or I mess up the whole image!

What do you have in your closet that as soon as you wear it, you feel like a different purpose? A lucky pair of shoes? Some jewelry from a holiday? Or is it simply straightening your hair for work? (Um, Crystal?)

Have a good weekend! DH and I will be doing things like setting up the crib, shopping for babystuff, and enjoying the last few weeks together when it is just "us".

You know you are pregnant when:

1. You consider eating the jar of kalamata olives, but stop yourself half way through.
2. Your belly button now looks like a 3rd nipple.
3. You call your mom on skype and make her look at your stomach to see if it really is a stretch mark.
4. Being sore is no longer from working out, but from the alien doing flips in your tummy.
5. You know where every bathroom at work, in the city, at the grocery store, etc is for frequent pee breaks.

Seriously, I love being pregnant, and I have very little to complain about. Watch for the next post on Wednesday. The title is "Hump Day, Bump Day"!