Final Weeks of Pregnancy and Lila's Birth

"By being yourself, you put something wonderful in the world that was not there before."

(Edwin Elliot)

It's been over 21 months since Lila was born; even longer since my last update. After Ava was born, it took me almost 7 months to write a post ("Final Weeks of Pregnancy and Ava's Birth"), and I thought that was a long time!

Here are my previous updates on this pregnancy:

1. Half-Baked... and It's Another Girl!
2. Bye-Bye, 2nd Tri {PinkBlush Giveaway}
3. Full-Term Update with Baby Girl #2
4. Plus: Our Maternity/Family Photo Session at Liberty State Park

Now Lila is a walking, talking toddler, and just an all-around adorable daughter and little sister! And a handful -- no luck on the thought that our 2nd would be easier. Being a writer and documenter, I'm glad that I kept notes throughout pregnancy and even during labor and after delivery, otherwise I doubt I would remember much since it's been a blur. I won't even attempt to recap her more than 1.5 years, but without further ado, please see below for weeks 37, 38, and 39 of pregnancy, and Lila's birth on September 22, 2016.

Pregnancy from 8-39 weeks, and holding Lila at 40 weeks

Lila at the hospital, FOB (fresh out the belly)

37 Weeks

• Baby is the size of romaine lettuce.
• She is full-term, gaining about 1/2 ounce a day, and getting her first meconium ready; she's also brushing up on skills for the outside world: inhaling, exhaling, sucking, blinking, and gripping.
• Appointment at 37w0d: Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. OB measured me and checked baby's heart rate (138 bpm); said Group B strep test was negative; said I needed to stay for an ultrasound because they wanted to take a growth scan since baby seemed small. I had an ultrasound with many measurements taken (heart rate of 146 bpm during ultrasound). Met with OB again, who said that baby was small at approximately 4 lbs. 15 oz. (under 5th percentile; should be average of 6 lbs. now). He said I need to go for Doppler studies with a high-risk doctor at the hospital within the next 2 days and come back for a non-stress test. If baby seems fine, just small, I'll continue to be tested/monitored twice a week; otherwise they recommend immediate delivery.
• Appointment at hospital with high-risk doctor (37w1d): Ultrasound; said baby looked fine.
• Appointment at 37w3d: Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. Non-stress test for approximately 30 minutes. OB said I would get a call to schedule induction for 39 weeks.
• Symptoms: Congestion, insomnia, increased pressure noticeable especially when walking or moving from a still position.

Snacking on rainbow cookies at 37w2d

38 Weeks

• Baby is the size of a winter melon.
• She is slowly shedding vernix caseosa and lanugo; her head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and may have an inch or so of hair.
• Appointment at 38w0d: Ultrasound to check measurements, growth, heart rate (133 bpm), intrauterine environment. Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. Met with OB very briefly to reconfirm final non-stress test and induction date.
• 38w2d: Sam and I got flu shots, and Ava got hers the next day.
• Appointment at 38w3d: Weight, blood pressure, and urine sample taken. Non-stress test for approximately 30 minutes; said baby looked good. NP checked my cervix, which was not dilated, and said baby's head was really low; gave me paperwork to bring to the hospital for induction -- scheduled to arrive at 8:30 PM, have Cervidil administered around 9:30, and Pitocin at approximately 6:00 AM.
• 38w4d: My mother-in-law arrived. She had planned to come later but fortunately was able to change her ticket when we found out I would be induced 1 week before my due date.
• Symptoms: Congestion, insomnia, acid reflux, pressure from baby being so low, on the verge of leg cramps.
• Cravings: Brownies.

Pack 'n Play temporarily set-up for Lila in Ava's room (which they now share)

Ava kissing my 38w2d belly

Brownie craving fulfilled at 38w3d

Packing for the hospital at 38w6d, the day before being admitted

39 Weeks, Induction Time!

• Baby is the size of a pumpkin.
• Her brain is still rapidly developing; her skin has taken on a paler shade thanks to a thicker layer of fat around the blood vessels; she can now flex her limbs; and her nails might extend past her fingertips.
• Symptoms: Episode of dizziness/light-headedness/difficulty focusing eyes/headache.

Labor and Delivery

I gave birth to Lila Yena Son on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 2:53 AM. She weighed 6 lbs. 1.5 oz. and measured 19 inches long. I had arrived at the hospital on the evening of September 20, so the whole process took a very long time. Still, this experience was like night and day compared to my experience when Ava was born. No drama in the delivery room, no repeated drops in baby's heart rate (last time, it could have been due to the fact that Ava was born with the umbilical cord around her neck), and yes, an epidural! I highly recommend one, now that I know what it's like. I also had problems during my healing after Ava was born, but this time around was much more normal. And breastfeeding -- which I was successful with for over 15 months with Ava, being determined to exclusively breastfeed even though the first few months were very difficult (for common reasons, as well as that Ava was tongue-tied) -- was so much easier. My milk does not fully come in until after 5 days or so, which is longer than most, but I knew not to stress out about it, and I never had even a clogged milk duct over the 15 months I exclusively nursed Lila.

But back to September 20-22. Disclaimer: The birth story below is long and boring. I'm sharing it since I took notes and want to preserve the memories. Read if you're interested in what it might be like to be induced, the 2nd time for me. (Read Ava's if you want more excitement.)

September 20, 2016: We got to the hospital, and waited a while before being admitted and given wrist tags. I undressed, changed into a hospital gown, and was hooked up to a fetal heart rate monitor and contraction monitor (Lila's heart rate ranged from 120s-150s). I was asked multiple questions, and then the nurse took my blood and put in an IV around 10 PM. She came back with the OB at 11:20 to talk about the induction, check for dilation (2 cm), and insert Cervidil.

September 21, 2016: Another nurse came in at 12:50 AM to have me move to the side, off of my back, and take a set of vitals. She asked if I had any cramping, to which I answered no, but afterwards I realized I might. I stayed on my left side with the finger mitt on. She returned with a technician around 12:45 to draw more blood. At 3:15, the machine started beeping and a nurse came, and she checked the machine and changed the paper. I went to the bathroom for the 2nd time after getting the IV. At 4:40, the machine started beeping again, and another nurse came to change my IV bag and check my blood pressure. Around 6:45, I had another blood draw and went to the bathroom. A little after 7:40, another nurse came to take my vitals, and explained the timeline of Cervidil and Pitocin. Sam went home around 8 AM to check-in on Ava and his mom, take a shower, and pick-up some sweets for the L&D nurses. The nurse came back at 9:17 to check if I needed anything. Just after 9:40, the next OB on call came in to let me know they would take the Cervidil out in a few hours and let me shower or wash up, as long as I wasn't too far progressed. Cramping/contractions intensified. Another nurse came in just after 10:20 and said that she would check with the doctor if I can eat or drink anything, and put a "fall risk" wristband on me. She came back at 11 to adjust my fetal heart rate and contraction monitors, and the OB took out the Cervidil, which was a little painful, and checked for dilation (3 cm, also painful). She said I could order food, shower or wash up, eat, and then they would start with doses of oral Cytotec. The nurse returned at noon to remove my monitors, disconnect my IV, and cover it with plastic. I went to the bathroom. After lunch (an egg white omelet with veggies and cheese, berry yogurt parfait, coffee, and water), I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and changed my gown. A little after 1:45 PM, another nurse came to reconnect me to the IV drip and monitors, take my vitals, and change the IV bag. She said she would check the orders for Cytotec. At 2, she gave me 1 dose of Cytotec. She came back at 2:23 and 2:54 to check on me. A nurse came in again to check on me around 3:50, and yet another nurse came at 4 to take my vitals and give me the 2nd dose of Cytotec. I went to the bathroom around 4:15. I talked to Ava on the phone at 4:30. A nurse came in a little after 5:40, saying she would give me another dose of Cytotec at 6. She returned at 6 to give me the 3rd dose, then I went to the bathroom, and the doctor stopped by to check on me. The nurse came back at 6:53 to check on me. My parents visited around 7:15. After the shift change, another nurse came at 7:50 to introduce herself, and returned at 8 to give me the 4th dose of Cytotec. She also gave me graham crackers and cranberry juice as a snack. At 8:40, I called for a nurse because my contractions were getting stronger, closer, and more painful. She came in at 8:53, took my vitals, and I went to the bathroom. She said I could try waiting until 10, when the doctor would be in to check on me. At 10:05, she asked if I wanted the epidural then, and I said yes. The OB came back at 10:15 to check for dilation (4 cm, -2 station). The anesthesiologist -- who was very experienced and skilled, and even showed Sam her techniques -- came to give me the epidural around 10:25. The nurse placed the blood pressure cuff on my right arm, which remained until delivery and went off every 15 minutes. Then she inserted a foley catheter at 10:50, and said that the OB would be in to break my water.

September 22, 2016: The OB came in around 12:05 AM to break my water. At 12:23, the nurse came to shift me from my left side to my right side, wedging a pillow underneath me, because my contractions were dipping (every 4-5 minutes apart). She returned at around 1:30 to reposition me on the left side with a peanut ball between my legs, and took my temperature. She said to call her if I felt any pressure to go to the bathroom. I called for a nurse around 1:55. She came to check and asked if I wanted to start pushing or if I wanted to wait about half an hour until the pressure increased. My contractions were between 2-5 minutes and I was fully dilated, at +1 station, but it would be best if I were at +2 station, so she said she would come back after 2:30 unless the urge to push became too strong before then. She changed my position to more of an upright, seated position (without the peanut ball).

I started pushing around 2:43 AM. I pushed through 3.5 contractions for just over 10 minutes. I saw Lila's head emerging in the mirror. Immediately after she was born, she was placed on me for skin-to-skin contact. The placenta came out at 2:57. Lila had her umbilical cord cut, her weight checked, and her vitals checked. Like Ava, she scored 9/10, 9/10 Apgars.

The nurse had another delivery, and there was a delay in the nursery coming to get Lila to do additional checks on her, so Lila stayed in the L&D room with us for a while, starting to breastfeed, and had her vitals checked again. My epidural was removed at 4:55. I had my vitals checked and uterus massaged. A catheter was inserted at 5 to empty my bladder to make room for my uterus to shift. I changed my ice pack, pads, and mesh underwear. The nursery came to take Lila and Sam at 5:20. I was wheeled to the postpartum recovery room, and had my blood pressure taken by a technician while a nurse checked my uterus and bleeding, and reviewed paperwork and other information. It was 6 AM by the time we were all done and ready to rest, but I ate a fig bar and drank some pineapple juice. And believe it or not, I have many more notes on my hospital stay all the way until I was discharged a couple of days later, but I'll spare those details and wrap this up with some photos.

Spending quality time with my baby kangaroo

Babies always look so bruised up after birth. They go through a lot too!

She cleaned up nicely

Getting ready to go home (nurse cutting off tags)

Nursing Lila in my hospital room before we left

Going Home

I was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, 2 days after Lila was born. Sam and I drove our new baby girl home, where 22-month-old Ava was waiting with my mother-in-law. My mother-in-law stayed for several weeks, helping us a great deal. We didn't have to worry about meals that entire time, which as a new mom is one of the best gifts you can receive. It allowed me to focus all of my energy and attention on Lila, and also on Ava and my recovery.

Baby's 1st car ride

Welcome home, baby girl!

Colostrum/milk-drunk

Daddy, big sister & new baby sister

Having a toddler and a newborn -- who are now 2 very active and demanding little girls -- has been exhausting always, crazy often, and wonderful overall. The nights and days... and weeks and months... feel like an eternity sometimes, but that little baby is now 3 months away from turning 2 years old, and her big sister is less than 5 months away from turning 4!

That's my very lengthy but long-overdue account of the end of my pregnancy with Lila and her birth. So much has happened since then -- and I haven't even touched on any details of her infancy or toddler life or milestones -- but if you follow me on Instagram I post about Lila and Ava there quite often. I'm not sure when it will happen but I have plans to revamp my blog in the future, so please stay tuned. In the meantime, we're moving in a couple of weeks and I am not ready!

Ava's "You Are My Sunshine" 1st Birthday Party

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you."
(Walt Whitman)

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.

Happy new year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. We're about a week into 2016, and just a few days ago I received the photos from Ava's dol or doljanchi (Korean 1st birthday celebration), which took place on Saturday, November 14, 2015 in Central NJ. My husband and I didn't take our own pictures, partly because we were so busy, but also because we had a photographer, so right after the day came and went there truly wasn't much to show for it. Below, I'm finally sharing photos; I hope you like them! There were many cute shots of kids playing at the party too, which I will probably post more of on my personal Facebook.

I chose a "You Are My Sunshine" theme for Ava's 1st birthday party, because we've always sang that song to her before her naps and bedtime, and I wanted it to have a child-like tone, with a cute and cheerful look and feel. Also, since it was a DIY event that I planned and executed, I didn't want to attempt anything too fancy or lady-like. The colors were pink and yellow, with some white and pink ombré details, and minor touches of grey. Ava wore a Marmellata Classics pale yellow lace dress with yellow rosette detail, and a pink and yellow floral crown headband I made, for the first half of the party; and a pink and light yellow hanbok (traditional Korean dress, with matching headpiece), with multicolored striped sleeves and butterfly appliqués for the traditional aspects of the dol. I wore a berry-hued Catherine Malandrino dress with shoulder cut-out and twist drape detail, and Sam wore a light grey suit, blue and white striped shirt, and pink patterned tie.

We held the party at Pierre's of South Brunswick, an event venue and catering hall near our current home. It took place in the early afternoon, so we served lunch -- rigatoni vodka, farfalle with chicken alfredo, eggplant parmesan, and chicken marsala, with salad and rolls -- as well as beverages, including wine and beer, and of course birthday cake. We also had dduk (Korean rice cakes), and I made Fruity Pebbles treats and Golden Oreo pops with birthday cake filling.

Aside from the guest tables and food and drink tables, we had 4 additional table set-ups: 1) the welcome table, 2) the dolsang (traditional birthday table), 3) the doljabi table (doljabi is a fun custom where the baby is presented with various objects, and whichever one is chosen symbolically represent his or her future), and 4) the sweets table. More details on all of this below.

All images by Mark Chaird of Chaird|Photo, except for the invitation by AbbyReeseDesign.

Some highlights, including the "Soak Up Our Sunshine * Ava is One"-labeled white sunglasses

Us with my parents, sister, nephew, and niece

Ava's so sunshine-y, we need to wear shades!

Dolsang (Traditional Birthday Table)

The main table for Ava's dol consisted of a long table, with a small table placed in front of it for additional surface area. I used a backdrop stand to hang sheer yellow, white, and pink panels (the pink was ruffled), and hung a "happy birthday" banner -- with a photo of Ava wearing the outfit that her cousin Ellie wore over 2 years ago at her 1st birthday party -- across the panels, and Ava's hanbok on the side. I kept the larger table simple, with the tiered pink ombré and yellow flowers cake elevated in the center, and flanked by a painted wooden name sign I made; framed "You are my sunshine" and "You make me happy when skies are grey" prints; tiered servers holding dduk and Fruity Pebbles treats; and shorter then taller flower arrangements I made with faux flowers and fruits in clear glass hurricane vases. The smaller table displayed the doljabi items -- bow and arrow, thread, medallion, pouch, brush, and scrolls -- dduk cake, and dol goim (pillars or towers) -- with chuk dol (happy 1st birthday), a baby horse to symbolize Ava being born in the year of the horse, and Yejin, her Korean name -- which I also made. It was important to me to include traditional Korean elements -- such as the rice cakes, fruit, doljabi items, dol towers, and hanbok -- not only in the party overall, but also in the main table.

Dolsang with lots of yellow, pink ombré, white, and traditional Korean elements

Rice cakes and Fruity Pebbles treats (because there wasn't enough dduk to fill the servers)

Yellow and pink ombré painted wooden sign with white flowers

Little guests checking out the dolsang

Doljabi items and dduk cake

Dol towers, handmade with black and white beans, yellow and pink felt, and bright pink flowers

Ava's lovely little hanbok

Centerpieces

Thank goodness for my MIL, who helped me put together the guest table centerpieces on the night, as well as immediately, before the party. I used white hydrangea, yellow poms, light pink spray roses, and pink alstroemeria, and arranged them in pint-sized mason jars fitted with flower frog lids. I used pink ombré paper lanterns to hold the arrangements, and hidden inside were wooden chopsticks which kept the paper lanterns from falling down. Unfortunately, I forgot to split the stems of the hydrangea, so they were already wilting during the party. I also didn't have enough flowers to make full arrangements, so each centerpiece definitely had a front and a back. But for a last minute, money-saving DIY project, I was happy with how the centerpieces turned out.

Yellow, pink, and white flowers in pink ombré paper lanterns

Welcome Table

The welcome table was decorated with a pale pink paper parasol, various light pink, bright pink, and yellow chevron paper lanterns, a yellow pom pom garland, and a silver "welcome" banner. The right side of the table was closest to the entrance of the room, so the first thing that guests saw was the basket of white sunglasses, and the sign that stated, "Please take a pair of sunglasses and get ready to soak up our sunshine!" Next to that was a chalkboard-style poster with highlights of Ava's 1st year, a collage of monthly photos, and a collage of "the many faces of Ava," including happy, sleepy, cranky, giggly, messy, ornery, silly, surprised, and perfect.

Welcome table

Doljabi Table

The doljabi table was decorated with a pale pink parasol, various light pink, bright pink, and yellow chevron lanterns, a yellow pom pom garland, and a silver "doljabi" banner. It held 7 mason jars for each doljabi item, handmade flower pens and tags, and a "little pail of sunshine" prize for the winner of the simple raffle. The pail was chock-full of cheerful yellow/lemony/sunshine-y goodies, including cookies, candy, and sprinkles. Our little buddy Noah won!

Doljabi table

Doljabi raffle instructions

Handmade flower pens and tags

Mason jars to hold tags with guesses

Doljabi Event

The doljabi, when the baby chooses an item that is said to influence his or her future, is the main event at most Korean 1st birthday parties. Suprisingly, Ava didn't aggressively reach for any of the items, which were randomly placed on the traditional floor mat; the kids surrounding us were much more excited than she was! The first thing she eventually picked up was the bow and arrow set, which symbolizes a warrior's courage and strength -- very fitting for our little Katniss Everdeen's personality. She also went for the thread and the brush, which symbolize long life and being artistic.

So hard to move in a hanbok, and the headpiece kept falling over her eyes

This was after the bow and arrow, when she went for the thread

Smiling up at Daddy

Cake Cutting

Ava's birthday cake was a 3-tiered pink ombré buttercream-frosted one, decorated with yellow icing flowers, and embellished by me with a yellow glittered "You are my sunshine" pick, yellow "1" candle, and handpainted wooden peg doll of Ava in her hanbok (to add to the bride and groom cake toppers I made for our wedding, which I used here to cover up a frosting-stained spot on the white tablecloth). The cake flavor was half-vanilla/half-chocolate, with a strawberry cream filling. Pierre's bakery did a great job.

Family photo

Ava did well with the photography, or maybe our photographer was just able to share good shots!

A taste of frosting

Cake toppers

Full cake with our wedding toppers to the side

We're just warming up this spot on the table (actually, covering up a pink frosting stain!)

More Adorableness

Ava's cousins Christina, Ellie, Peter, Isaiah, and Micah had their own mini photo shoot using their white sunglasses as props, and I love how the shots turned out! (We tried including Ava but she just sat there wailing.) Also, my friend Brian kindly offered up his balloon-making services, which of course the kids loved.

Peace!

How cute is little Micah on the right?

Mesmerized by Brian's balloon skills

Sweets Table

The sweets table was decorated with a pale pink parasol, various light pink, bright pink, and yellow chevron lanterns, a yellow pom pom garland, and a silver "sweets" banner. As I mentioned above, I made Fruity Pebbles treats, which I dipped in melted yellow and pink candy, and I also made Oreo pops using Golden Oreos with birthday cake filling, which I dipped in melted white candy and drizzled with yellow and pink icing. Finally, I wrapped large Hershey chocolate bars with paper that coordinated with Ava's invitation, birthday banner, and favor tags.

Sweets table

Golden Oreo pops

Thank you sign

Thanks to all for sharing in Ava's 1st birthday, whether in person or by catching up on the blog! If I can get around to it, I may do a more detailed post on the items I made, as I've already received requests for instructions. There are so many Ava updates I had thought I would be posting over the last year, but it has been beyond challenging to keep up ever since Ava actually came to town -- I don't know what I was thinking, or how other people do it -- and even this update has been difficult to finish! Ava is already almost 14 months old, and her baby days are starting to be behind her. Yesterday, I was doing some organizing around the house, and I decided that I was officially done pumping. Even though I rarely pump, and am still nursing, it felt nice to put those pump parts away!

I don't usually make new year's resolutions, but one of my existing and long-term goals continues to be to take time to, in the words of Becky Higgins, cultivate a good life and record it. Besides serving as a much-welcome creative outlet for me, I want to document our life for posterity. 

Finally, here are some fun facts having to do with Ava's birthday, November 12, 2014, according to 1happybirthday.com:

• She was born on a Wednesday.
• She is a Scorpio, and Asian year of the horse.
• Her birth flower is the chrysanthemum, which symbolizes cheerfulness, friendship, and abundance. Hello, sunshine!
• Her birthstone is citrine (or topaz). Also sunny!
• The estimated population growth in the world during her lifetime is 146,351,959 people.
• The Billboard top songs at the beginning of her birth year were "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry (pop), "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (hip hop/blues), and "Stay" by Florida Georgia Line (country).
• The Billboard top songs at the end of the year she was born were "All of Me" by John Legend (pop), "Happy" by Pharrell Williams (hip hop/blues), and "This is How We Roll" by Florida Georgia Line (country). 
• The winners of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 were Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi. Malala Yousafzai also had the best selling nonfiction book in the US, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. 

Please feel free to comment below or let me know if there is anything specific you would like more information on, and best wishes for the new year!

{Ava's party dress: Marmellata Classics / Ava's floral crown headband: Handmade with supplies from PrettyInPinkSupply via Etsy / Ava's hanbok: Gift from Korea / Invitation, sunshine printables & chalkboard poster: AbbyReeseDesign via Etsy / Personalized sunglasses: Beau-coup / Pink baskets: Michaels / Small stand frames: Michaels / Parasols, paper lanterns & pom pom garlands: Beau-coup / Backdrop stand: Fancier Studio / Sheer panels: Amazon /  Faux flowers: Michaels / Faux fruit: Amazon / Glass hurricane vases: Libbey / Tiered servers: Crate & Barrel / Dduk: Yedang / Wooden name sign: Handpainted and assembled with supplies from Michaels / Wooden peg doll: Handpainted with supplies from GooseGreaseUndone via Etsy / "You Are My Sunshine" cake topper: ConfettiCrownDesign via Etsy / "1" candle: Target / Doljabi items: Rented from EventAccessoriesByMJ via Etsy/ Paper tags: Amazon / Flower & ribbon embellishments: Michaels / Flowers for centerpieces: ShopRite of North Brunswick / Mason jars & flower frog lid inserts: Ball Canning / Photography: Chaird|Photo / Venue, cake & catering: Pierre's of South Brunswick}

Fall/Winter/Spring 2014/2015 Michigan Eats

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

(Mother Teresa)

Ever since we lived in Brooklyn, I've posted recipes and restaurants I've tried by season, but I skipped the past 3 seasons in Michigan ("Summer 2014 Michigan Eats" was the last such post) because I was on an unintentional blogging hiatus after I became a mom in November. Although I'm back, I'm still catching up -- now, not just on updates, but on life, since we moved! We left Michigan last Wednesday, stopped for the night in Youngstown, OH, and arrived at our new apartment in North Brunswick, NJ 1 week ago. More on that to come.

We were truly blessed to live with my mother-in-law, who prepared almost all of our dinners -- especially after Ava was born -- so that I could focus on breastfeeding and taking care of our new handful of a baby. The handful of recipes below were mostly from the end of my pregnancy, with the exception of the lactation cookies, which I baked a couple of months ago. Many of the places listed below were also visited towards the end of my pregnancy.

Just a Few Recipes

In early fall, new neighbors moved into the house on the left of us. They came from Germany -- father, mother, and 3 kids -- and with the dad taking a job with Daimler, naturally they had 3 different white Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs. I baked banana bread and Sam and I went over to their house to welcome them to the neighborhood. In the summer, I had baked zucchini bread for our other next-door neighbors on the right, who have been there forever.

Swirly cinnamon banana bread prep

Swirly cinnamon banana bread

Being a Trader Joe's fan, I discovered a website called Cooking with Trader Joe's, which posts recipes using items sold at the store. I've tried a couple, including the soup below, as well as a veggie lasagna with grilled vegetables, artichoke hearts, and spinach that I posted from last summer. Another Trader Joe's blog I read is called What's Good at Trader Joe's, which posts detailed product reviews.

Shrimp and black bean chimichurri soup prep

Shrimp and black bean chimichurri soup

For another easy recipe, I used rotisserie chicken from the grocery store for pulled chicken tacos, along with a very simple tomato-bean salsa. We normally go for soft tortillas, but I was in the mood for crunchy taco shells.

Pulled chicken tacos with chili salsa prep

Pulled chicken tacos with chili salsa

Last but not least, some recipes for sweets. The brownie crackles were made with a boxed brownie mix and tasted like perfectly fudgy bites, and the lactation cookies were also delicious, containing oats, brewer's yeast, and flaxseed meal (galactogogues that are fine and very healthy for non-lactating people, too).

Brownie crackles prep

Brownie crackles

Oatmeal chocolate chip lactation cookies prep

Oatmeal chocolate chip lactation cookies, with a side of strawberries

Fall, Winter, Spring Meals by Local Eateries

Since I didn't have a lot of homemade food pics to show above, below are lots and lots of non-homemade food pics for your viewing pleasure.

American: J. Alexander's, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern, Sweet Lorraine's Cafe & Bar, The Stand Gastro Bistro, Townhouse, Vinsetta Garage, Zehnder's of Frankenmuth (Frankenmuth)

J. Alexander's at the Somerset Collection in Troy, MI

Sweet Lorraine's Cafe & Bar in Southfield, MI

Valentine's Day dinner at The Stand Gastro Bistro in Birmingham, MI

Brunch at Townhouse in Birmingham, MI

Those chicken tikka masala fries at Vinsetta Garage in Berkley, MI

Zehnder's famous fried chicken meals in Frankenmuth, MI

American/Bars & Breweries: Clubhouse BFD, One-Eyed Betty's, Rochester Mills Beer Co., Royal Oak Brewery

Hankering for grilled cheese at One-Eyed Betty's in Ferndale, MI

American/Burgers: Redcoat Tavern

I got my chicken pot pie fix at Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak, MI

Apple Cider/Donuts: Franklin Cider Mill 

Hot cider donuts are the best at Franklin Cider Mill

Bagels: The Bagel Factory
Bakeries: Great Harvest Bread Co.

Great Harvest Bread Co. was right next to my OB's office in Birmingham, MI

Banquets/Conferences: Petruzzello's Banquet and Conference Center
Barbeque: Lockhart's BBQ, Slows Bar-B-Q, Union Woodshop

Had lots of BBQ when I was pregnant, including Lockhart's in Royal Oak, MI... 

...Slows in Detroit, one of the most prominent BBQ joints

...and Union Woodshop in Clarkston, MI, which was our favorite (best mac and cheese)

Breakfast & Brunch: Rochester Brunch House

Saturday brunch at Rochester Brunch House

Coffee & Tea: Biggby Coffee 

Sweet and simple hot chocolate art at Biggby Coffee in Bloomfield Hills, MI

Donuts: Knapp's Donuts

Knapp's pumpkin donut on the far right, the winner of my pregnancy craving pumpkin donut taste-test

Indian: Touch of India

Good Indian food at Touch of India in Birmingham, MI

Mac & Cheese: Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez!

Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheez at the Somerset Collection

Mediterranean/Middle Eastern: La Marsa, Shish Kabob Express
Pie: Dangerously Delicious Pies

Detroit's Dangerously Delicious Pies on Pi Day (3.14.15) 

Pizza: Buddy's Pizza, Hungry Howie's, Jet's Pizza, PizzaPapalis

More pizza places, including Buddy's Pizza...

...Hungry Howie's

...and Jet's Pizza (I had to try all the local pizza options)

Seafood/Steak: Eddie Merlot's, Ocean Prime, Streetside Seafood, Wolfgang Puck Steak

Wonderful dinner and dining experience at Ocean Prime in Troy

Dinner for Sam's birthday at Wolfgang Puck Steak at MGM Grand Detroit

Thai: No Thai! (Ann Arbor), Thai Taste To Go
Arenas: Joe Louis Arena, The Palace of Auburn Hills

Sports-watching food at The Palace of Auburn Hills (Pistons v. Spurs)

Now that we're settling into our new place in NJ, I'm starting to wonder how I'm going to juggle a demanding baby and cooking again. I'm still in the process of washing and organizing all of my kitchen supplies, and we've been subsisting on take-out and some Korean food from our mothers for the past several days. Time to scour my Pinterest recipe boards and do some meal planning!