World Prematurity Awareness Day is Today!

Today is National prematurity awareness day and I hope that everyone takes the time to think and cherish their kids that they have and ones they may have lost.

In April 2009 I was accepted into the club of parents who loved and lost to soon a baby born to early.  Since then I have been blessed with a healthy little girl born just 2 weeks early and still full term.  Do in part to the additional medical care received during her gestation.  The main part I give thanks to God for.  I am again expecting (Insha'Allah - God willing) our last little bundle of joy and am again under the watchful eyes of God and my doctors.

I look at my story and the many of those of the women from the message boards I frequent and I know that sharing my story and being an advocate and volunteer for the March of dimes - March for babies is the best way I know how to give back to those that are in need and stop or decrease the number of babies born to early.  Also help those that are have a greater chance of survival by giving the resources for them to get better health care and advanced equipment.

Please Join me in the 2012 March for baby and Help the babies of the future have a fighting chance.  I know that's what I'd want for mine.

World Prematurity Awareness Month

World prematurity Awareness month has begun.  This month is used to give awareness to a growing issue that needs attention and many families have to struggle with alone because there isn't much known about prevention or help after a baby is born prematurely.  Please visit March of Dimes for more details on this month and World Prematurity Day on November 17th.




Prematurity Awareness MonthNovember is Prematurity Awareness Month® and when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. The awareness month kicks off on November 1 with the release of the 2011 Premature Birth Report Card. November 17 marks World Prematurity Day, and the March of Dimes and our partner organizations worldwide are asking everyone to help spread the world on the serious problem of premature birth.

World Prematurity Day

World Prematurity Day

Honor the million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 12 million more who struggle to survive. November 17 is World Prematurity Day and a when we focus everyone’s attention on the serious problem of premature birth.

“Like” World Prematurity Day on Facebook. Read stories from around the world and share your own. Help spread the word by updating your Facebook status with a message on premature birth. Together we can raise awareness of this serious problem and help more babies start healthy lives.

See also: World Prematurity Day Volunteer Guide (PDF, 368kb) 

21 weeks

21 weeks pregnant

How far along? 21 week 1day 

Weight gain/loss: gain.

Maternity clothes? In totally, still have one pair of pants I'm good with.

Stretch marks? not that i've noticed

Sleep? with a toddler that somedays has sleep through the nigh issues, no..

Best moment this week? Passing halfway point

Movement: yes

Food cravings: nothing particular

Gender: My dear husband knows, but I'm staying Green as long as I can stand it :D 

Belly button in or out? still in, but on the verge

What I miss? caffeine 

What I am looking forward to? 2u2 getting into mischief and seeing my family all together.

Milestones: 3 wks till v-day

New inspiration

I found this website yesterday.  A woman on one of The Bump.coms message boards posted this picture

for Apple dumplings and the picture was linked to this website The Pioneer Woman.  And OMG I'm in love.  Being from the country myself and having my Nana (May God have mercy on her) being born in the early 1900's was a GREAT from scratch cooker.  I never really took to much interest in making the things myself just eating them, but being married with 2 kids and one on the way and my husband being so into making stuff ourselves because it's healthier (i.e. we know for real what's going in it) and cheaper than buying out for someone to make the same thing.  I've come up a little in my home cooking prowess and have slowly (much to my husbands dismay) began to try to branch out my cooking skills.

I think this website has definitely lit a small fire under me.  Again being from the country and knowing what real home country cooking tastes like I am in love and I pray God makes it easy on me to take some of these recipes and run with them.  I hope my family approves and I hope I do the Pioneer woman and my Nana proud.

Stay tuned for my hits and misses.

Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili

I have done it again.  Below is a recipe I tried out last night because well the whole family has been under the weather and I heard on the weather that it was going to get cold so I thought some night warm hearty chili would do the trick. 

We didn't have everything on the ingredients list but it still turned out pretty tasty.  DH ate 3 full bowls, Khalifah had a nice sized baby bowl and Africa even ate it without to many complaints ;). I used fresh corn and kidney beans instead of canned.  We didn't have mushrooms.  I subbed tomatoes for ketchup chili powder for cayenne (only 1 tsp not the recommended tbsp) and Coriander for cumin.  Oh and I threw in about 1/4 tsp of salt for taste. Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili

Rated: Submitted By: Tia Photo By: Extra Foamy Prep Time: 25 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 8

"This recipe is a great alternative to traditional chili. It combines onions, carrots, celery, red and green bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes and corn."

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 cup chopped onions 3/4 cup chopped carrots 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup chopped green bell pepper 1 cup chopped red bell pepper 3/4 cup chopped celery 1 tablespoon chili powder

1 1/2 cups chopped fresh mushrooms 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped 1 (19 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid 1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, undrained 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions, carrots, and garlic until tender. Stir in green pepper, red pepper, celery, and chili powder. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes.
2.	Stir in mushrooms, and cook 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn. Season with cumin, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/28/2011

bumper sticker of the day

Come to the darkside

___________________

we have

Cookies