Progress Report

I saw Dr. Falzon today- she said I am dialated by "a fingertip" and while on the monitor it showed 3 contractions (one of which I could feel). At least some of these cramps have been productive! Blood pressure has been good for a few weeks now, 100/60-something but today they checked it twice and it's a bit more elevated, at 120/68. I also gained 4lb in 5 days! But it's just a lot of water my body has decided to hoard. Can't believe I tip the scales at 210 1/2~!

Tomorrow is a routine 10am ultrasound to check amnio levels.
Afterwards, Maureen will be in the neighborhood so we plan on some spicy Thai for lunch!

On Tues. the 10th I'll have to produce, for the 3rd time, a 24hr urine sample & have an ultrasound at the hospital which will include a fetal stress test.
I'll be going in for "an attempted birth" courtesy of some drugs such as pitocin at 6:30am on the 11th!
If I don't progess, Dr. will send me home w/sleeping meds then I'll come back the next day for some more fun.
Any birthing bets for after the 12th are not likely!
My guess? You'd think, being the one going through all these changes, I would have a hunch- but I don't- All I can say is that despite the waking-up-every-hour-or-two at night to go pee, believe it or not, I feel great!! And right now the Red Sox are ahead in the second inning, 9-0!
:D

Treats

Nesting in progress!
Here's a recipe I can't keep to myself.....

THE ULTIMATE M & M COOKIES

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Lots of M & M's (dark chocolate if you can find them!)- at least 1/2 pound- I use a whole 14oz bag! (or chocolate chips)

You need an electric mixer for these to come out perfectly. Combine the two sugars. Add the butter and beat until light and fluffy (this step is very important, and could take about 5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beat first on low speed, then on high speed until completely incorporated (not "curdled"). Add the vanilla and beat again on low, then high.

Add the flour mixed with baking soda and salt in 2-3 batches. After each addition, beat on low until incorporated, then on high for a few seconds to fluff it up. You end up with a very fluffy batter. Fold in M&M's or chocolate chips. If the batter is too loose, you can add a little more flour, or refrigerate. Drop by tablespoonful onto cookie sheet (I roll them in my hands into balls so they melt into perfect circles).

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 8 minutes. Take them out when they just start to turn brown. This way they will be crispy on outside and chewy on inside.

**Make ahead: First time I made these, I froze them in 4 separate batches. They lasted a month before I made them all. Second time, I rolled the cookie balls then froze them on a cookie sheet for an hour then slid them in a freezer bag. Instant cookie satisfaction when the mood for "a few" strikes! Best of all, you can use the toaster oven so the whole house doesn't heat up. Bake from frozen, just keep an eye on out so you don't burn them.

*Consume immediately! or else store them in an airtight container
(with plastic wrap pushed against them so the don't turn into little bricks).