Eggshell Green

A Week Wiser

What has befounded me this week?

• In the last A Week Wiser post, I was talking about the baby’s descent being measured in fifths. There seems to be  worldwide confusion among pregnant ladies as to what number gets recorded, me included. I thought 2/5 meant the amount that can still be felt above the pelvis. Apparently the midwife at the last visit said they record the proportion of the baby’s head that’s descended below the pelvis, so she was only 2/5 descended rather than 3/5 at that time. There doesn’t seem to be any consistency with which number is recorded – could be either the proportion above the pelvis or the proportion below the pelvis. Best to confirm with the midwife so it makes sense. The baby is now closer to 3/5 descended, so this number should grow closer to 5/5 each time for me (or closer to 0/5 for others!). Can’t they make these things easier?
• Fez gets defensive and growls and barks at fireworks. I’m not that surprised, and can’t blame him. It was his first ever Guy Fawkes last night and the booms and bangs got him all edgy. Had to get him to nap while we watched a loud movie to make him forget it. I think we mother him a bit much… :)
• I keep failing at lemon curd pies. I’ve been wanting a more eggy set custard type of a pie/tart but keep ending up with a runny mess. Will try another recipe soon. Or I’ll give up and make a cheesecake instead…
• I have woken up with a sore tongue lately because I’ve found that I close my jaw on it when I sleep on my side. I usually sleep on my back and alternate between sides but since being pregnant I’ve trained myself to sleep only on my left and end up with a very sore left-side of my tongue.
• My spelling seems to be getting worse as I get older. I’ve had to google words lately that I should know how to spell!

Tags: baby, pregnancy

A Week Wiser

What have I learnt this week?

• Not having a functioning oven is an inconvenience. You can’t bake anything, including cupcakes!
• ArtPop popcorn is the most disgusting microwave popcorn I’ve ever had. It smells like cheese and literally made me feel a little sick just from the smell. Ick.
• I’ve really missed sushi. Even homemade involves a little more effort in heating up the prawns and surimi etc before I can be sure they’re safe.
• It’s still not a good idea to use umbrellas in Wellington. You think you’d be alright when there’s just a light breeze about, but then out of nowhere there’s a big gust and you risk breaking your umbrella or looking like a dorky out-of-towner who should’ve just stuck to a rain jacket.
• A baby’s descent into your pelvis is measured in fifths, as the average adult hand is roughly the width of a baby’s head. My current descent is 2/5, meaning the proportion of the baby’s head above my pelvis is equal to the width of two fingers, and 3/5 of its head is already buried inside. She’s preparing for delivery!
• I love cinnamon donuts.
• If you want monster pastries, the bakery in Hataitai Village can help with that. Look at the giant donut and apple croissant we got!

Big cinnamon donut - what value!

Big apple croissant which was much fun eating with all the icing sugar and flakiness going everywhere

Tags: bakery, baking

A Week Wiser

I have learnt this week:

• It’s ridiculous driving when you’re 33 weeks pregnant and only 5 ft tall…
• The Lindale Centre does smell funny when you visit on a sunny day
• Kapiti Cumin Gouda cheese is yum yum
• You must be patient waiting for white chocolate ganache too cool down. Unlike dark chocolate ganache, a cold water bath doesn’t help but instead splits the ganache. You then have to warm it up again and you’ve taken two steps backwards . However it’s all worth it and I discovered that white chocolate mudcake with Baileys and Malteser filling, and a white chocolate ganache frosting is delicious!
• Pomegranate juice isn’t as nice as I thought it would be
• There is a new sushi place in Woodward Street that is apparently better than Midland Sushi. I must determine this for myself – after baby is born. In the meantime I’ll have to settle for homemade.

Homemade sushi

Tags: sushi

A Week Wiser

This week I have learnt

• The Good World restaurant in Lower Hutt doesn’t do yum char so well. We’ll stick to The Regal in town.
• Making marshmallows is a very sticky business. Glad the hubby took that challenge on. Yummy result though.
• Buying prepacked fruit can be a let down. First it was kiwifruit in those 10 packs. They turned out bruised and icky. Now an 8-pack of nectarines. Same problem. Half were bruised to the point the flesh was all brown instead of bright yellow, and they tasted funny. Sounds cheap to start with but you end up throwing most of it out :[
• Mothers who refuse to breast feed because “it’s uncomfortable” frustrate me. It’s like people who don’t wear seatbelts for that same reason (and I’m ashamed that there are members of my extended family that still think this). There’s a bigger picture here people!
• Mother nature can do a lot of damage in one week. My thoughts are with those people caught up in the earthquakes, tsunami and typhoons.