Pregnancy Stuff: Lower Abdominal Pain

Okay, before we all freak out here, I am quite aware that abdominal pain during pregnancy can be a sign of bad things to come. I've been there folks. This is different- so no worries. ;)

Over the last week or so, I've noticed some pain- kind of a pulling, sharp pain- in my lower abdominal area. (Read: groin.) It's present when I'm rolling over in bed, getting up from bed, or walking quickly (when I hit 3.0 speed on the treadmill, it's noticeable, 3.5- almost too much to bear). Putting on my pants in the morning is kind of horrible too- the lifting of one leg without the other is a motion I literally grit my teeth against.

I remember, when I was pregnant with Aaron, that rolling over in bed was uncomfortable, but I don't remember pain like this. Being the little research-when-you're-worried person I am, I spent a little time with my friend Google to figure out what's going on.

My Findings:

1. I'm not the only woman who has experienced this and yet still given birth to a healthy, vibrant child. (Cheers!)
2. There are apparently several completely normal reasons for the pain.
3. The first is, like so many other pregnancy ailments, directly attributed to hormones. They actually work to loosen the muscles of the abdomen and pelvic area to prepare the body for birth- totally normal. But sometimes, the lack of support due to loosening is uncomfortable.
4. The second is, duh, I've got something foreign growing in me and my muscles are sending me a message: "Despite the fact that we stretch regularly for your binge eating exploits, we never expected this intrusion and quite frankly, we're making you pay."
5. Third: Round ligament pain. Okay, so there's a ligament that attaches to the uterus that is there to support it, and the only way it's going to support the 9 pound child I'm going to soon be lugging around within me (I make em big) is if it gets stronger along the way, which includes some pain.
6. Fourth (and scariest): Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. This is where, as above, the hormones loosen the muscles, but they work too hard at it, and the muscles holding my four pelvic bones together start literally going slack. The result is an over-separated pelvis, which can be a huge issue. (Read a horror story about a woman who needed surgery to reconnect them... ugh.)

So, obviously, there's something going on here, but luckily, it's NORMAL. (Three more cheers!) And, luckily for me, (note sarcastic tone), there are exercises that can provide some relief. While I fundamentally hate exercise in most forms, I think these ones are worth doing:

1. Crunches- they suck, but apparently they also suck in your tummy, which helps.
2. Pelvic tilts- easier than crunches, still lying on the floor.
3. Roll backs- reverse crunches. Start sitting up, roll almost all the way down (just to that uncomfortable spot where you can feel your tummy muscles working), hold, and sit back up.

Luckily for us preggos, exercise is directed only three times a week, and pain is always a sign that you should stop or take a break.

I'll keep you updated on what works, and if I've found any relief. You know, after I sit here on the couch for a while longer. (It feels good, darn it!)

Resources for this post:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/groin-pain-during-pregnancy.html

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/abdominal-exercises-during-pregnancy.html

What We're Eating: Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

It's always fun to get new recipes, so here's a yummy one for my fans: Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad, a fresh, yummy, healthier-than-KFC meal that is light but holds it own.

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 1/2 cup Flour
• 1/2 cup Corn Flake Crumbs
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 boneless, skinless Chicken Breast halves
• Oil for frying
• 3 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce
• 1 cup Red Cabbage
• 1 cup Napa Cabbage
• 1/2 Carrot, julienned or shredded
• 1 Green Onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sliced Almonds
• 1/3 cup Chow Mein Noodles

Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (Duke's -- It's all we use)
• 1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon Sesame Oil

Directions

1. Prepare dressing ingredients by mixing in a small bowl. Refrigerate while preparing salad.
2. Cut each chicken breast into 5 strips.
3. In one bowl, beat egg with milk. In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs,salt and pepper.
4. Preheat oil over medium heat.
5. Dip individual chicken pieces in egg mixture and then roll in the flour mixture.
6. Fry chicken until browned, drain and set aside.
7. Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots.
8. Sprinkle sliced green onion on top of the lettuce. Sprinkle almonds over the salad, then the chow mein
9. noodles.
10. Cut the chicken into small chunks.
11. Place the chicken onto the salad forming a pile in the middle.

A couple of notes that we do here at home:

• Add mandarin oranges (canned) to the salad. Mmmm...
• The dressing is hard to mix by hand, so I use the food processor.
• When we make salads, the veggies on the plate consist of whatever I've got in the fridge. So, if I've got carrots, they're there. If not, we forgo them. No biggie. Any lettuce, any veggies.
• This recipe makes one serving. Add one chicken breast per diner, and also duplicate the dressing per diner. (ie. 2 people eating, 2 chicken breasts and double the dressing recipe.)

Enjoy, you guys. :)

Vacations and Other Goodies

It's here, folks. The grand vacation of 2010 is upon us. Christmas in California.

It doesn't get much better than this! Here's a little Q&A to help you through this short time while we're gone:

Why are you going to CA?

The real question here should be: Why aren't we ALL going to CA?

Seriously, though: Shellina's family lives in CA. So there's one reason. Another reason: it's butt-cold in Minnesota right now. It's not in CA. Boom. We're going on vacation.

How long will you be gone?

Our trip officially begins Sunday morning (the 19th), and we'll be back sometime on January 4.

What about the store?

ShellinaScrap has been temporarily closed during our vacation. This is for several reasons:

Family is important. One of the many reasons I love working for myself is that I get to put those I love first when needed. It's needed.

We might not have the most reliable internet service the whole time- so if we get an order when we're, say, in San Diego without internet, it would be crappy. So we're on hiatus.

Um, it's Christmas.

Will you have a total blast and come back refreshed and with a whole new line of digital scrapbooking goodies for us to love and preserve our memories with?

Darn tootin'.

And with that, all the big questions have been answered. We shall see you when we return. (Expect another blog post at least once in the next couple of weeks- you know I can't stay away). If you really, REALLY miss us, keep up with us in the following ways:

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Register to get an email from Etsy when ShellinaScrap reopens (push the big blue "Yes, notify me by email" button.)

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year- from all of us, (well, it's just me here), at ShellinaScrap! :)

On Christmas and its Trappings

In case you hadn't noticed- Christmas is upon us. If this statement throws you into a frenzy of gift wrap and cookie cutters and little holly berry sprinkles for sugar cookies, you're not alone.

I've been thinking about Christmas for the past twelve weeks, and lately, I've been losing sleep over it: Did I send a Christmas card to everyone who needs one? What's the address of that obscure family member who moved three times this year? How many photo calendars need to be purchased? And the worst one: What's the name of the newborn baby from that family in our old neighborhood?

Now, before you start calling me Scrooge, let me say this: Christmas is my favorite time of year. Nothing compares to the magic in a child's eyes as they run out to the Christmas tree that beautiful morning and dive headfirst into a hefty pile of gifts and return with big, sloppy hugs for Mommy and Daddy. It's amazing. Not to mention, there's no other time of year that encourages people to do more for another, to see each other, to smile. I think it's a little bit like heaven in that way. Good will towards men, and all that. When this season begins to grate against what seems to be my very last nerve, I find peace in the simple things- the twinkling lights against a backdrop of snow, for example. And as I sit in my peaceful moment, I scheme up ways to make Christmas a little less stressful- and this year, I found it.

Christmas cards are a "thing" for me. I have to do them. Not only that, but I have to send them to everyone I know, have known, might know, should know, and want to know. I want them to be classy, beautiful, and a little on the fictional side. (I've been known to trim 10 pounds or so off of my face in the Christmas photo- misleading, I know.) I have visions of handmaking every single card we send out, followed immediately by premonitions of tears and hair pulling. So how does one achieve all the above goals without the drama?

Custom-made photo cards. It doesn't get easier than this. And, luckily for us, they're in style. So not only do we look great in our digitally altered Christmas photo, but our friends ooh and ahh over how "with it" we are. Score!

Custom Christmas cards, if you're wondering, are on sale in my Etsy shop. (You knew this was coming back to a self-promo!) Check them out here, and sincerely, have yourself a merry little Christmas!

With all the warmth and love we can muster,

ShellinaScrap

Moving Forward, Moving Upward

It's been a while since I've updated my blog. I know what you were thinking: another blogger, biting the dust. And you were right! I totally lost my mojo. I'd still be drifting in obscurity if not for a new, exciting, and potentially wonderful opportunity. But more about that later. Let's get caught up first.

Last time I blogged, I was employed full time at the bank,going to school to finish my bachelor's degree, and designing digital scrapbook supplies in my spare time. Much has changed. Mike's job with the computer company has expanded, I've made the transition to being a stay-at-home-mom, and both of us are nearing ever closer to finishing our degrees. In fact, my Business Management degree will be complete in March! How exciting, right? I know!

While I've been home, I've been investing myself fully into design of digital scrapbooking supplies. Let's take a look at the items I've added since you saw me last:

Retro Country, my very first (and only, as of today) digital scrapbooking kit. It includes eighteen papers, ranging from plain textures to patterned ones. Also included are a complete alphabet set, stitching, swirls, and a couple of flowers. It's cute, charming, and warm. You can get yours here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48338784/digital-scrapbooking-mini-kit-retro

The Lacy paper pack shown here

includes twenty-four papers. They are decorated with four different patterns of lace, and adorned with five different colors. They're a busy set, but can work as an accent piece in a pinch. It's on sale here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/63410852/digital-super-paper-pack-lacy

And finally, here's Aaron's 18 month layout. This layout was designed by ShellinaScrap, and has been a charming addition to his scrapbook. It's on sale as a custom scrapbook page here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/46899548/pre-made-digital-scrapbook-page

And now onto the big and exciting news: I have been accepted to be a part of the Creative Team with the Scraps of Color E:spire Publication! I'm going to be working as a Digi-Designer, creating digital templates, layouts, kits, and more. If you'd like to keep up with me there, (and get freebees of the stuff I make), please sign up to receive the magazine!

Also, keep checking back here on a regular basis for coordinating embellishments, papers, and more that'll match your freebies from Scraps of Color!

As always, thank you for being here, and Happy Scrapping! :)

The Food Network Addiction and Late Night Breakfasts

I made the most delicious discovery this weekend. I have access to the Food Network on my TV. It's true, ladies and gentlemen. 24/7 food- how to cook it, where to eat it, who's good at makin it and who's ordering it... FOOD.

So, naturally, I watched a show or two and then went back to more important weekend activities.

WRONG.

I watched the Food Network until my little brain could hold no more TV. I watched until my husband was begging for attention (a rare event). I watched until I saw rerun after rerun of the same shows, and still, I watched.

It was a beautiful thing.

Shortly before my husband pulled the plug on my little couch potato party, (literally and figuratively), I watched a new show called Cupcake Wars. These people who make their entire living out of making tiny little cakes with frosting on top get together and duke it out for a title. I can't really knock them for having such a silly profession because hey, I sell digital paper- no one even knows what digital paper is, and everyone knows and loves cupcakes. However- still silly. Back to my point, though, they had to create a winning cupcake using sweet and savory flavors from breakfast favorites. Weird, right? Super weird. Try cappuccino cake with bacon flavored frosting. Or salmon cake topped with goat cheese frosting. Yuck and double yuck.

However, I was inspired.

Since the hubbs was wanting some attention, and both of us tend to get hungry right around 10pm, I decided it was a late night breakfast evening. And thus began the most beautiful culinary experience my mother-in-law's kitchen has even seen.

Well, that might be an exageration, but it really was awesome. I made what I now lovingly call the "steakhouse omelet". It was extravagant AND meat-free. (I know there are some skinnies out there who are all about the non-meat thing. This could be your new favorite thing EVER.) In addition to culinary genius, this wonderful event was the perfect time for me to a) get away from the dang TV, b) show my hubby some love by way of his tummy- the best way, and c) be reminded that I don't hate cooking if I like what I'm cooking.

Here's the recipe for my yummy creation:

2 eggs
5 button mushrooms (diced)
3/4 cup diced spinach
1/4 cup diced onions
1 chopped mozzarella string cheese (or adult equivalent measurement)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 dollop sour cream
Diced chives (only a little for garnish)
Garlic powder (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)

Combine mushrooms, onions, spinach, mozzarella, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a saucepan, cook until mushrooms are soft. In another pan, slowly cook two beaten eggs. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drain mushroom mixture of excess water (spinach will create the moisture- it'll just make your omelet all watery if you don't drain it). When eggs are mostly firm (still kinda sticky on top, but flip-able) Pour mushroom mixture onto one half of the eggs, then flip naked half over the top. Let sit for 2 more minutes, then pull off the stove and serve. Top with small dollop of sour cream and chives.

Here's a disgusting picture that doesn't do the food any justice. (Give me a break on this one- it's past 10pm)



Happy TV watching, eating, and, of course, Happy Scrapping!

Cabin Refreshment

I am one lucky woman, you guys. Not just because I have a great husband, or because my son is quite possibly the cutest thing to ever walk the face of the earth, or because I get to do what I love every day. It's also because I married well- my husband's family has a cabin.

It's a gorgeous place- filled with forests and the lake and fishing and, of course, lots of laying around. I love it. Mike and I were actually married at this earthly heaven.

THis cabin is, bar-none, the highlight of our summers. Over the last few years, we haven't really gotten to spend that much time there- I mean, come on, we've been married four years and each summer has been filled with stuff... year one- got married. Year two- built a house. Year three- had a baby. Year four- sold said house and moved. This is our first summer where nothing is happening (not accurate) and we have tons of time on our hands to go up to the cabin and relax.

I'm sharing all this to show you the pics I'll be scrapping soon! Scrap on, dear friends!