"Garden Fresh"

Isn't that what you read on the lettuce package at the store? They've got "Garden Fresh" tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, etc. But is it really garden fresh? 

That's right. Since we've been concentrating so much on baby, I thought it was time for a garden update from this wanna-be organic mommy. 

If any of you have followed along in prior garden updates you will notice that everything in the garden is twice the size it was before. But how? It's been so dry. Well, my green thumb of a husband has been tediously watering it every evening! Sometimes even when its rained. The ground just can't seem to soak up enough!

His potatoes on the far side are beginning to overshadow my pepper plants so we'll probably cut those back.  We did get to sample our first purple potatoes a few weeks ago though. They were VERY delicious and as my mother-in-law described them, "buttery." Needless to say, we're stoked to harvest them once the plant dies off. 

And for those who don't know...Jason and I have never grown potatoes before! Yup, were potato virgins. So the fact that we've been able to keep them alive this long is a miracle. We've been trying to read up on them but Google can only take you so far...

According to an potato farmer friend (and coworker of Jason), after the potatoes bloom they'll have a few more weeks before they mature and we can cut the tops off (green part). Then it'll only take 3-4 days for the skins to harden before we can harvest them. :) I think Jason is counting those days down more than the arrival of his first born child...(but don't tell him I told you that). 

Also to our surprise this week; tomatoes, peppers, and jalapenos were found sprouting "fruits" already. You know what that means? This mama can make a full salad from her garden without supplements from the store! Woohoo! Better on Mom's wallet and baby's tummy. :D

Though, I have a feeling once the tomatoes start...we may or may not be able to keep up. Babygaga.com and other misc. internet sources tell me that baby's appetite will pick up soon which, in turn, will make me more hungry so maybe we will keep up. Guess we'll find out.. 

There may just be fresh salsa and salad at our gender reveal party in July! Ole to that!

Lastly, I suppose I should show a "bump" picture. Just to do this week justice.

We are 17w3d pregnant and are approaching the halfway mark quickly! Baby Polkie is the size of a large onion and weighs approximately 5-6 ounces...yup, the size of that small chicken breast you might be eating for dinner tonight! (Yes, I know my food analogies are quirky, but its only to put things into perspective. Plus, now that I can eat..that's pretty much all I think about.)

Also happening this week:

-Baby continues to practice swallowing, sucking, and yawning.

-Baby's brain is beginning to distinguish between sight, smell, taste, and touch.

-Baby's skeleton is turning from soft cartilage to bone.

-Sweat glands are developing.

-And Mom's starting to feel a bit "off balance" as her tummy is starting to finally poke out. Hopefully her body will compensate appropriately so she doesn't have back pain....or even further down the road, back labor.

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Well, I think that about sums it up. I just started working on the gender reveal party decorations. They are pretty cute if I do say so myself.. :) Can't wait to share photos with you all once they're finished!

Pregnancy Health Tip of the Week:

If you think something's "Garden Fresh," check the label again and  make sure there aren't any additives used to preserve that garden fresh produce. Instead of choosing the prepackaged romaine, grab a red leaf variety that looks like its fresh from the ground. You know, one of those that may be in an unsealed bag and slightly damp from the mist sprayer- yeah, that one! It may be a few cents more but its great not only for your body but versatile for any dish too! (I.e. Tacos, salads, sandwiches, wraps, etc.)

Until next time...