parm, twist my arm + Friday Faves
Hiiii. Happy Friday! How’s the morning going? What are you up to this weekend? We don’t have anything crazy planned besides the usual weekend adventures: Liv’s ballet class, brunching, beaching, and errand-ing. I’m looking forward to relaxing a bit and hopefully catching the U of A Red and Blue basketball game. Basketball season is finally here!!
In standard Friday style, here are some of the things I’m loving from the week. It’s always fun to hear what you’re enjoying, too, so please join in the fun in the comments section if you would like!
An afternoon stop in Little Italy.
(I was like, “Smile!” and Liv was just like “Where’s the pizza?”)
Today is officially my due date, and I’ve been trying to do things to get the ball rolling since they had me down for a recommended induction a week ago, which I declined. (We’ve had a couple of unique situations, which I’ve talked about over on ye ol’ Family page if you’d like to check it out.) I’m not sure how far out they’ll let me go, so I’ve been trying out old wives’ tales to get the ball rolling, including this delicious eggplant parmesan.
If anything, I’ve just eaten some really delicious food. 😉
Post-pizza game face:
(Me too, Liv.)
Both of the little ladies are ready for Halloween! Had to show you this one…
This tote. I ordered it to use as a diaper bag, since the fabric looks easy to clean. Also, totally snagged it up on MYHABIT (<— referral link). The obsession lives on. They have so much great stuff with insane prices + Amazon shipping. 😉
Workout songs for October. I’m still hooked on “Downtown” and am so thankful it hasn’t been overplayed… yet.
Weekly Harney Cobb night. Can’t get enough.
My Session Yoga friends (in Tucson) are throwing a glow-in-the-dark flow party tonight if you’d like to go. All the info is here.
This home HIIT workout looks awesome.
Tips to improve time management.
These pugs at the gym! I get so excited when they’re outside and will happily sit down to pet and snuggle their snorty little faces.
“Why Not Me?” by Mindy Kaling.
I’ve been trying to listen to audiobooks more often during commutes, and try to pick either inspirational or lighthearted/comedic fare that I might not actually read, but enjoy listening to. I tried All the Light We Cannot See and it lost me after about 5 minutes haha. I think that’s definitely a book I’d rather read than listen to. I really liked Mindy’s recent book (especially because she reads it and she’s hilarious), and downloaded this one to enjoy next.
Have you read it??? I listened to Jenny Lawson’s last one on Audible -the Pilot caught parts of it, too- and it was amazing.
Hope you have a very happy Friday! <3
xoxo
Gina
Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? What are you going to be?
FAVORITE Halloween candy?! Looooove Almond Joy.
You might also like:
52 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hi Gina,
I’ve been following along on your family page, and why would they recommend an induction before your due date? Is it because the US said you were measuring big, even though they are notorious for that? I was overdue and had an ultrasound to check fluid levels and it estimated my baby 2 pounds heavier than he was (my doctor was more accurate just by feeling my belly).
Will you have your membrane stripped at your next appointment? That got the ball rolling for me.
the doctor who reviewed my last ultrasound put it in my chart, and i had no idea. when i went to the midwives last week, she was like “they have you down for an induction tomorrow.” and i was like “what?!” no one told me! the midwife told me i can decline it (and thought the oversized baby thing was garbage) so i declined it. the midwives are my primary care providers for my prenatal care and the birth, so thankfully, they’re being super cool about it for now. i see them again on monday so we’ll see what they say then. she suggested stripping my membranes when i was there on monday, so i went for it, and nothing. just a lot of pain all day and night :/ after that, i don’t even want to get them stripped again so fingers crossed baby just decides to come on her own!
FYI on membrane stripping. My midwives told me that membrane stripping has shown to be effective after doing it twice (usually 5-7 days apart). Who knows if that coincides with when the baby is just ready to come? BUT, with my last two babies I had my membranes stripped twice, 6 days apart, and the night after the second membrane stripping, Iabor started on its own and babies were born. 🙂 It’s totally uncomfortable after the first stripping, but I’m a believer in the second stripping. Good luck!
No, you don’t have much going on this weekend…. just maybe having a baby! Haha! I hope so anyway so we can have twin birthdays!!
I want that eggplant parm!!!
Cannot wait to see baby girl and Liv in their costumes! Darling!
haha! that’s why i’m not planning anything. everyone keeps asking me what we’re doing and we feel like we can’t really make plans.
your birthday is today, right?! if so, happy birthday!! 🙂 it’s still the am so fingers crossed over here
xoxo
Yep it is today! Thx 🙂
Come on baby! Time to come home!
Where do you get our audiobooks from?
*your
That’s what I was going to ask, too! 🙂
Gina, do you have an app for audiobooks?
yep! i use audible. it’s $15 a month, but i find that it’s worth it since i’m usually listening to something
i use audible and really love it. it’s $15 a month for one book each month
I’m reading Furiously Happy right now too! LOVE LOVE LOVE
ahhh so excited
“All the Light We Cannot See” –> file this book under the list of books I really wish I liked but just couldn’t.
I love WW2 stories (especially “The Book Thief”), so I assumed I would like this one, but I just couldn’t get through it. After forcing myself to keep going thinking “maybe it’s a slow starter” or “maybe it’ll get better”, I quit halfway through. It’s only the third book I’ve stopped reading partway through in my life. The worst thing is, I can’t even figure out why I couldn’t get into it…the concept is good, it is beautifully written (if not a little long-winded), and it’s one of my favorite genres.
*shrugs* it was a bummer for sure.
i loved the book thief, too. interesting to hear you weren’t a fan, either. i’d heard so many great things about it!
Speaking from experience..I have to say October 19th isn’t a shabby day to be born 😉 hehe Praying for a safe delivery and a healthy baby girl! <3
:)! thank you so much!
Absolute favourite Halloween candy is Rockets! Pretty sure in the states they’re called Smarties? Not sure though. They give me the worst heartburn (34 weeks preggo) but I eat em all up anyway.
are they the tart little candies?!
They’re the chalky little ones, not tart just sweet. Break apart into delicious powder in your mouth 😉
Yea! Almond Joys! (Or mounds, haha, basically same thing), but my #1 was always Junior Mints!!!
(And omg…the pugs <3 )
yes- same thing! both so good 🙂
love junior mints, too!
Good call on the new Jenny Lawson book on audio! I read her last one and woke my husband up while I was reading in bed with my uncontrollable laughter. My favorite was her cat sliding her a note under the door while she was in the bathroom. It still cracks me up just thinking about it. #stillthinkbathroomhumorisfunny
Labor vibes your way!!
haha! it’s so funny you mentioned that. i was listening to that one while driving to LA and laughing so hard. the part about running into the deer carcass was too much for me to handle. i was cracking up
thank you for the labor vibes!
Praying it happens soon for you lady! I remember when I was little we took my aunt on a carriage ride & my Grandma saying it is a wise tale that it induces labor. That night my aunt had her baby. Maybe you need to find a house ride this week? Lol!
haha i will look for one 😉
anything chocolate&peanut butter 🙂
All the Light We Cannot See is actually the only audiobook I’ve ever listened to. It was my Book Club book, and my mom was having some health issues, so I knew I’d be driving between Flagstaff and Tucson quite a bit and wouldn’t have a chance to do much reading. Give it another try! I actually really enjoyed it. Added bonus – I actually knew how to pronounce all of the French and German names in the book while my fellow Book Club members butchered them 🙂 Sending labor vibes your way…
that flagstaff to tucson drive is a long one! i will give it another try since i’ve heard so many great things about it. hope your mom is doing well <3 thank you for the labor vibes!
Add in the fact that my stepson was playing in the state Little League tournament in Globe (best Mexican food on the planet) during that time, and I was pretty much an Arizona backroads expert for a few weeks!
Gina,
If you love audiobooks you can get them for free from the SD library with an app called overdrive. You can also get kindle books for free. It’s great! And maybe you’re already using it, but if not, check it out! (no pun intended).
wow, i didn’t know! thank you!
<3 Overdrive and the library! Online library resources — no late fees or going to the library to return things 🙂
Also Greater Phoenix Digital Library. I’m not sure if you have a Tucson library card but they may honor it.
Also also… Kindle Unlimited is $9.99/month and many books INCLUDE the audible version or it’s just a few bucks. And the Kindle app keeps everything in sync– your audio plus whatever devices you read on.
I think I mentioned this last pregnancy but my SIL and I had French onion soup for dinner together one night and both went into labor by morning. Who knows?
Oh thank you for these audiobook suggestions! I read both Mindy Kaling’s and Jenny Lawson’s last books on CD and hearing their voices definitely makes the experience SO much better!
Best of luck on the delivery of your little lady!
Lauren 🙂
ohheyilikethat.blogspot.com
totally agree. it’s fun to hear them read it exactly as they intended
hope you have a great weekend!
I’m on vacation in Virginia and it is wonderful! Loved Jenny Lawson’s first book!
It’s so funny that you said that about “Downtown.” I feel the same way. Every time I hear it I “savor” it (Dear God I’m such a dork) because I know the day is coming when it will be super overplayed and I’ll hate it!
hahah i do the same thing! it makes me SO happy and i know the day is near where i’ll hear it and groan
awww i love the matching minnie mouse costumes 🙂
hoping your little one arrives soon! sending prayers your way! xo
Hey Gina! This sounds silly, but have you done a post on hardboiling eggs before? I’ve finally mastered not getting the gross green ring around the yolk, but whenever I boil mine for cobbs at home, they always crumble all over the place. Your eggs look gloriously custard-y here, and I’d love to know your secret!
Wives tale not to try eating a bag if real black licorice and a pineapple. Don’t know what I was thinking. Just resulted in crazy indigestion and an upset tummy for days.
PS Livi is the most stylish kid ever I want her wardrobe!
Reese cups are the only Halloween candy I steal from my kid. 🙂 Best wishes on your little one coming soon!! I will say I had an induction (low uterine fluid and fetal movement right at 40 weeks) and it was not what I imagined, being “hooked up” the entire time and whatnot, BUT our little girl made it out alive and well and that was all that mattered!
That Minnie Mouse costume is too cute!!
I never listen to audiobooks, but I might finally check one out next time I have a long drive. My favorite Halloween candy (well my favorite candy in general): gummy bears! I usually get the organic ones from whole foods, yumm.
You have to try the castor oil! Three days past my due date and I finally caved and tried it. Two oz castor oil mixed with small chocolate shake (to help mask the flavor and texture) and chug chug chug! I did it at 5 pm I was super bummed because nothing happened by the time I went to bed around 10 pm. but I woke up at 4am with contractions. Went to the hospital at 9am and it was it! It supposedly works best if you are having other symptoms that show real labor may be close, which I was. Good luck!
The Red Tent is a great audiobook! It’s been years since I listened to it, but it’s definitely worthwhile.
I love the little baby Minnie costume! I keep telling my sister how much I want to have baby girls because I just love how adorable the clothes are!
COME ON LITTLE BABY NIECE!!!!
I just listened to Aziz Ansari’s audiobook and i loved it! It’s all about dating and marriage in our current culture, and I found it all fascinating. plus, he himself narrates it which makes it entertaining. 🙂
i’ve been waiting for a week to see THAT post. still not here, so wishing you the best of luck and hope this weekend went well, and everything went/goes well with the birth <3 🙂 🙂
Good choice with the diaper bag! I’ve been using the Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Medium Pretty Nylon Tate’ Tote for almost two years now. LOVE IT!