Well, Hell

I asked Steve to get something up here yesterday but since he has been busy doing everything else (quite literally) I think some blog neglect can certainly be forgiven.

The short version is that I was admitted to L&D on Thursday afternoon with two skinned knees, lots of contractions, a positive fetal fibronectin, and a rather impressive resistance to drugs intended to stop contractions all together. The longer version is up at REDBOOK. I only had Word, I say apologetically, no internet; so once Steve brought my laptop I was able to type something up for them but not here. Sorry.

I am home now after a really scary night that involved getting THIS CLOSE (twice) to boarding an ambulance for immediate transfer to a facility with a Level Better NICU (I don't know if that would be a Level I? I was at a Level II) and a really long day in hospital (I love how the British drop the article with that word. it's so... cozy). I am on strict bedrest and I have a fucking tube in my leg that is administering a steady dose of the Devil's favorite nectar - terbutaline. I now know how consumptives felt: my lungs ache and it has only been 2 days.

Huh. I find that my arms are beginning to ache too. I will need to get a better bed setup here but right now the laptop is on my lap but I am reclined with short arms and some babies (fortunately) still in the way.

More later. Actually I assume MUCH more later. What the hell else is there to do? At least for another week until my next doctor's visit when she might relax the resting.

In the meantime I need so much advice it isn't even funny, so if you have a minute or two I would love your thoughts:

*I JUST finished several months of re-reading the delightful Aubrey-Maturin series. Now I could cry because I have nothing to read. Anything you can suggest with a few caveats: nothing depressing, depressing-but-redemptive, intensely thoughtful, or nonfiction unless it is funny. Bill Bryson, I could do. Calvin Trillin I would welcome. I hear whats-his-name is good, um, me talk.. Sedaris. Yes. Worth reading? I favor the 19th and early 20th century stuff and have read prodigiously of it - but if it is your field and you know something lovely and obscure (say you just discovered a George Eliot manuscript in your attic - just toss it in an envelope and I would be happy to return it). Ouch. Shoulders. Um, fun trash is great too, just not TOO badly written. Isn't there some kind of genre that features legs-in-shoes on the cover? Young adult fiction can be charming: Princess Diaries I liked, Potter naturally. That sort of thing. Is the Amber Spyglass series worth a look? Anyway, just... help. I would be grateful

*Steve probably COULD cook in much the same way that armed with the manual I probably COULD start the lawn tractor and drive it around. Neither of us want to learn. And I am cool with that. Can you think of very, very easy things he can do that resemble real food? Crockpot chicken covered with Campbell's soup is ok, we don't need anything featuring searing and or lardons - I don't mind carryout but it would be nice to have options.

I have more but I really must stop now.

13s, on the very best of the bright side, seem to be doing well. And I am 25 weeks today. So... onward. 

Comments

[Sharon]

Holy hell. You poor thing. I was on 'relaxed' bedrest for 10 weeks (weeks 14-24) and just about went nutty, and no meds at all. I love to read, but most of what I read is kind of depressing/redemptive. SOME of the Jennifer Weiner books would probably suit you, but read the summaries first because some of them deal with crap you would NOT want to read right now. Trust me. Hang in there. As far as cooking goes, can he handle stir fry? Do you have a Trader Joe's? A lot of their frozen and pre-prepared stuff is surprisingly good and lacking in preservatives and other disgusting stuff. Pasta will be easy for him, esp. w/all the good jarred sauces avail. now (I love Paul Newman's sauces). There is a website for people on bed rest called sidelines or something - maybe there is some advice on there. Babies, STAY IN THERE!

[Kate]

Do you have a grill? I am sure Steve could manage--nay, master!--grilled dinners. Basic things like burgers, and perhaps he could be persuaded to throw some vegetables (which he will buy pre-chopped at the store, don't you even THINK about doing it yourself, Julia) into a foil packet and grilling them alongside.

I am sending you and the 13s lots and lots of good thoughts. In my opinion, all three of you should stay right where you are.

[Emily]

I recently reread the entire Laura Ingalls Wilder series and it an incredibly calming and surprisingly absorbing enterprise. Ok, there was a lot more racism than I remembered but barring that the series is very nice for distraction.

[victoria]

I'm so so so glad you posted and that you're ok.

As to books -- I'm a fan of chick lit and other light/funny fiction but I must have well-crafted sentences and clever diction or I can't be bothered.

"The Girl's Guide To Hunting and Fishing," by Melissa Banks, is a very good, well-written, funny example of chick lit. "In the Drink," by Kate Christenson is another well-written example of the genre.

Other extremely well-crafted, light, funny, (non-chick lit) novels include "The Swimming Pool Library" by Alan Hollinghurst and "The Calligrapher" by Edward Docx.

"Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris is hilarious but I don't think you should read it now. I worry that the deep, body-shaking belly laughs it could induce in you are not consistent with strict bed rest. I developed a painful stitch in my side from laughing when I read it and could hardly breathe. The books above are light, funny, entertaining, but in a gentle, "make you smile and shake you head and think 'how DID s/he come up with that sentence/word choice'" kind of way. Reading David Sedaris can be hard on your abdominal muscles. If your ob/gym wouldn't recommend 1,000 crunches right now, then s/he probably wouldn't recommend Sedaris either.

[Yatima]

Eep. Scary.

Diana Wynne Jones! Especially "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Deep Magic".

OH OH OH and Naomi Novik's Temeraire series! Patrick O'Brian with dragons. No, really. It totally works.

[amanda]

amber spyglass is brilliant. intense and engaging and thought-provoking.

but... my favorite all time modern author right now (and i'm an english major who reads several hundred books a year) is Haven Kimmel. her newest novel, The Used World, is the most honest, most compassionate, most beautiful and lovely thing i've read in years. and if you want funny her memoirs, A Girl Named Zippy and She Got up off the Couch, are hysterically funny.

[leslie]

Sounds like misery all around - wish I was closer - I'd happily bring you dinner but since I'm in Michigan that isn't too practical!

Have you read The Beekeeper's Apprentice and the other Laurie King books in that series? She starts with the premise of a brilliant young woman who becomes Sherlock Holmes' apprentice. If you're not offended by messing with the Holmes canon they're loads of fun and well written.

Connie Willis writes wonderful novels which are very nominally science fiction and often hilarious and very historically accurate.

Hope things stay much quieter on the contraction front and that your biggest worry is choosing from a pile of wonderful books!

[babelbabe]

Raffaella Barker, Rosamunde Pilcher's Shell Seekers, The Beekeeper's Apprentice, and jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books.

as far as food goes, I make this chicken and rice thing that is total comfort food, easy-peasy, and yummy to boot. I will email you the recipe.

[Yatima]

...and if you haven't read "A Suitable Boy" yet, it's wonderful. Jane Austen in India. And looong.

[maureen]

Try Jasper Fforde's books. They're funny, light and literary. Or actually they're literary spoofs. The first one is called "The Eyre Affair" as in Jane Eyre.

If you have a long time to be in bed try some Fanny Burney. I've only read "Cecilia" but I hear "Evelina" and "Camilla" are both equally good and equally long. Those three would likely see you through a full-term pregnancy on bedrest.

[Zara]

yes, the amber spyglass and um the other ones are worth a look in my opinion. I liked the first two more than the third.

I like Robert Harris, too. And when I was on bedrest during a pregnancy, I read 'Gone With The Wind' and it was excellent not-having-to-think-too-hard fodder. But then, I liked the film a lot as a child.

[Nell]

My thoughts are with you; thanks for letting us know how you are.

I think you will love the Amber Spyglass series -- more sophisticated than Harry Potter. Perhaps also Iain Pears?

[Manogirl]

I second Jasper Fforde. I feel passionate about his books.

For light reading, I've always liked Lorna Landvik; she writes about Minnesota, principally, and make no mistake, they're fluffy and light and completely forgettably wonderful. I think "Patty Jane's House of Curl" is the first one.

Have you tried Tracy Chevalier or Susan Vreeland? I've loved some of their books--historical, art-related. I like Catherine Schine's books, espcially the New Yorkers. How about Chabon? Wonder Boys and Kavalier and Clay were amazing. Kate Atkinson is pretty good too.

YA-wise, I loved Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines. I really liked the first couple Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, loved the Amber Spyglass Series. Jonathan Stroud's books are fanciful and fun.

I hope you find some good reading in all these comments!

[Maria]

Different time period, but try the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Extremely well-written historical fiction (18th century), complete with romance, time travel, battles. And it's long, 6 books so far, and each one is several hundred pages long.

[Phoenix]

The Nanny Diaries is a great one, although an older one. Also a young adult series that I love when I need a break from reality is Charmed. They are cheap books and easy reads, but entertaining. I also re-read Harry Potter.

Sorry about the bed-rest, but I'm glad everything is okay.

PS. I second the Traveling Pants Series....I love them.

[girl_in_greenwood]

The Amber Spyglass et al. are lovely books. Do read. I second the recommendation for Connie Willis, especially "To Say Nothing of the Dog" - with your proclivity for 19th century Brit Lit you will adore it.

I am an omnivorous reader, but you are welcome to take a look at my Shelfari shelf here:

http://www.shelfari.com/emilysk/shelf

I yammer on about books I've read and what I thought of them. If you feel so inspired, sign up and add me as a friend for additional yammering!

I'll be thinking of you from two timezones to the left.

[luolin]

Ditto what Sharon said about Jennifer Weiner--some are fun, but trust me,you do not want to read "Good in Bed" right now. Sedaris is good, but fast reading, so it won't keep you occupied for long.

[kathleen999]

I too am a big fan of Austen etc. P.G. Wodehouse is my favorite author after J.A. I think we like the same stuff...I would therefore recommend the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Do read them in order as you will need to follow the stories of the main characters lives. And they are not so much mystery books as great little gems of novels whose main character decides to open a detective agency in Botswana. She learns how to be a detective from a book. They are the most charming, incredible, gentle but very funny books I have ever read. And beautiful. I wish I could walk into that world and live there, that's how beautifully Alexander McCall Smith writes.

I don't like his other series much, but for more funny books by him, read The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs. That series completely cracked me up. It's about a German professor of Portugese and his adventures, which are told from his point of view. Not funny to him, but hilarious to the reader.

[Lynnette]

Sorry if this is a repeat...don't have time to read comments, but ANYTHING by David Sedaris (although, you may laugh too hard and start contracting again! We don't want THAT!) And for Steve: "A Man, A Can, and a Plan." I give it a lot to new moms and dads. Totally prepared/processed, but when you just want to fill the gullet with something other than Pizza Hut, it works. Also, if you happen to have a Trader Joe's market nearby, great prepared skillet or microwave meals. Try the freezer cases in regular stores, as well. Think Bertolli pasta dish bags (need to be doctored with extra vegies and or meat) One might feed the boys? HTH! I have twins and "cooking" has become a thing of the past, and I don't even have a 5 year old. Constantly looking for new ideas, so I'll read comments, soon. Oh, also those make 12 meals in one sitting places? Different companies in different parts of the country. GL! Keep those babies in there!

[Anna in IL]

I love the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. Actually, anything by Sophie Kinsella. You'll get more of those English expressions that you love, too. :)

So sorry about your admission to the hospital and bedrest, but you've got to do what you've got to do for the 13s.

I don't know exactly what PeaPod stocks, but at Sam's Club (and a lot of grocery stores), they have very nice pastas in the refrigerator case near the cheeses. Often, they have nice sauces, too (pesto, vodka sauce, red pepper sauce -- not just marinara!). The refrigerated pasta only has to be cooked for a few minutes, and the sauce warmed about the same amount of time. Then one goes on top of the other, next to a salad-from-a-bag, and a nice meal is served! That's what I would recommend.

Oh, wait! Steve makes pancakes, right? So he could probably handle making panini sandwiches or reubens... Just stock up on good bread, and have some yummy warm sandwiches on the nights you are sick of pasta. :)

[mama2beans]

Sprize:

mashed potatoes ( boxed is fine)
hamburger
cheese

layer in casseroll:
potatoes ( prepared, etc) in the bottom
hamburger on top
cheese on top-top
heat till all melty.

**********************************
Spammy (hammy?) Peas casseroll

Layer in casseroll:
one bag of frozen peas
diced up chunks of ham or fried spam, your choice
half bag of frozen potatoe product. we use hashbrowns
one can of cream of mushroom soup mixed with half the recommended water poured on top. Cheese on top of it all. Bake till hot all the way through.

******************************************
Taco Chili:

in crock pot:
BIG can crushed tomatoes
can red beans ( I use the BIG can. beans good here)
can black beans
can corn
can diced olives
pound browned hamburger
diced small onion
diced small green pepper ( optional, recommended)
packet ranch powder
packet taco seasoning

don't drain the cans, just dump in. cook on low in crockpot for 5 hours or so. serve with cheese sprinkled on top of a dollop of daisy... um, sourcream. SO yummy. Makes plenty for leftovers.

************************************
Yes, they aren't the healthiest recipes, but they taste good, are super easy to make, and fill you up. Feel better Mama. Hopefully you'll be back to your contraction-less clumsy self soon!

[kathleen999]

And I forgot to say, "Stay put, babies!" I lived in fear of pre-term labor throughout my boys' pregnancy. They stayed in until 38 weeks though and they had to get them out with a csection as they refused to budge and I was itching all over and not sleeping. Here's hoping yours stay put just as long.

I also think that because mine were so heavy (7.4 lbs and 6.9 lbs at birth) that I couldn't get around much, it was like I was on bed rest. For the second trimester I mostly sat. For the third trimester I spent as much time lying down as sitting. They were just too heavy on my pelvis and it was painful to be upright for long. I couldn't walk more than 1/2 a short block without a lot of pain.

Anyway, lots of rest and I hope you find lots to read and Steve discovers his inner chef.

[mama2beans]

Oh, and I second the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. AWESOME well written romance.

[Meg]

Shit, Julia. I'm glad you're home, dispite the discomfort, and I'm VERY glad the 13s are well.

Books: David Sedaris, as you mentioned, is fantastic. However, is bent-over, unable to catch your breath, crying, drooling laughter acceptable in your, ah, condition? Seriously, I read Sedaris in public one time and then never again, because I just looked insane.

Augusten Burroughs is good, too.

So is Laurie Notaro, particularly her first book, "The Idiot Girl's Action Adventure Club."

And if the whole personal essay told in a self-depricating, sarcastic style continues to amuse you, try Cynthia Kaplan's "Why I'm Like This" or Wendy Spero's "Microthrills."

Bill Bryson's latest, if you haven't already gotten to it, is awesome as well.

If you're looking for fiction, I recently read and loved Marisa de los Santos's "Love Walked In." I was prepared not to like this one, because I was under the impression that it was sappy romantic chick-lit -- but I just couldn't put it down and though it was very smart.

[Jeannie]

Jasper Fforde I found very funny, so do be careful if you're not supposed to be doing belly laughs. But I do think he writes some of the cleverest, most entertaining books around. And Diana Gabaldon is great escape literature. Alexander McCall Smith is also great. So no new suggestions, but a few seconds (or thirds!) on everyone else's. The good thing is that each of those three authors has several books out, so they'll last you a while.

I will also join in the others in thinking good gestating thoughts. I hope you and the 13s stay well!

[Debby]

P.G. Wodehouse. If you're resorting to Netflix, get the early-90's Jeeves & Wooster series with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.

E.F. Benson - the Mapp & Lucia series. There are 6 books, but I have them all in an anthology titled "Make Way for Lucia". Also a funny BBC series ("Mapp & Lucia").

Connie Willis (mentioned above). Some of her books are light, some are more serious. My personal favorite is "Bellwether". Another great one is "To Say Nothing of the Dog", which has a lot of references to "Three Men in a Boat".

[terri c]

Am so glad you are home. And am keeping everything crossed. Have no recommendations as to books although I would avoid "The Nanny Diaries" because I found the ending so achingly sad and the whole premise so appalling--but then I was identified with the children not the adults. I am too newly out of grad school to read anything of literary significance so have been reading romances by Barbara Delinsky. Was on call at the hospital last night and after 12:30 we encountered a quiet spell which the other chaplain and I occupied by sending hopeful thoughts your way.

[Moose]

I'm sorry to hear that you're stuck in bed, but very glad to hear that all is mostly well with you and the percolating ones (except for that stuck in bed thing). As a fan of light, escapist reading and of the 18th century in general, I have an obnoxious number of recommendations for you.

1. I second the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series - not always light, but a good series that will keep you occupied. Possibly for whole days. Which seems to be key here.

2. Lauren Willig - She wrote The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, The Masque of the Black Tulip and The Deception of the Emerald Ring. Light-hearted and well-written (if you enjoy her style, which I really do). Dashing 18th C spies with hefty doses of romance.

3. Anything by Georgette Heyer (favorites: Devil's Cub, Friday's Child, Sylvester, These Old Shades), David Sedaris (Me Talk Pretty One Day, anything he's recorded) or Bill Bryson (I'm a Stranger Here Myself, Walk in the Woods). All of which you know. I like to beat people about the head.

4. The Stephenie Meyer series is quite engrossing, if you're OK with vampires and teen angst.

5. Current favorites: Love Walked In (Marisa de los Santos), Between Georgia (Joshilyn Jackson), Kissing in Manhattan (David Schickler), The Madness of Love (Katharine Davies), Time Traveler's Wife (Audrey Niffenegger, a must-read but a bit heavy on the emotional, sobbing-into-your-sodden-kleenex side).

God, these numbers are ceasing to have any point at all, aren't they?

6. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke) - thick and chewy.

I hope some of those are to your liking.

[Homeschool Mama]

Hang in there 13s! I'm not a fan of cooking. I found that Garlic Chicken Voila (in freezer section) is yummy. It's all white meat, veggies and noodles. You put in in a pan with a tiny bit of water and Voila! It's done. Get it? Harhar...

[cooler*doula]

Thank the heavens for an update. Sending stay put thoughts into the universe. Now onto the questions.

Another resounding yes for Sedaris. Also, the other day someone mentioned A.S. Byatt. Holy crap, fantastic. Read them all, but Possession is a wonderful place to start. Heck, I'd go and re-read it now, but I have no idea where my copy is. Also Rushdie's 'Moor's Last Sigh'. Rushdie is a funny guy - except for in that book that got him into all that trouble. (English Lit major, favoring the post-modernists for reference.)

Chicken Romano.

Chicken thighs/breasts
Garlic
Rosemary
Vinegar
Stock

Toss your favorite chicken - thighs or breasts work well - in a bag with flour, salt and pepper.

Vigorously brown in olive oil

Once chicken is brown on both sides, toss in a chopped clove or two of garlic and a say a tablespoon or two of fresh rosemary. Then dump in two tablespoons of vinegar. Let it sizzle. Put in a healthy glug - say a cup or two of prepared stock from a can/carton.

Bung saucepan into a 350F oven for about 30 minutes.

Serve with rice.

Fabulous. Easy. And from The Esquire Cook Book published in the 50's. A sassy little number for men who like to cook without a book.

[Beth]

I am glad you are home, but damn this sucks.

OK, you've gotten lots of good book advice ... I'll second Diana Wynne Jones for YA fantasy. Also, Tamora Pierce! She is my absolute favorite YA fantasy author. Fantastic. And both she and DWJ have oodles of books. Anne of Green Gables? Re-read the series if you have read them already, or, read them for the first time (eight books altogether).

Non-fiction: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, by Barbara Kingslover. Gender Play: Girls and Boys in School, by Barrie Thorne (sociology) is a fascinating read. Undoing Gender, by Judith Butler. Lies My Teacher Told Me, by whoever-that-was. Not a fantastically well-written book, but a worthwhile read nonetheless.

POTATO LEEK SOUP

7 large, russet potatoes, peeled and diced

5-6 leeks, chopped

7-8 cups water (enough to cover)

1 pint half and half

1/2 tsp caraway seeds

2tbs dill

2tsp salt

5-7 tbs sour cream

one stick butter

Peal and chop potatoes; chop leeks; boil in salted water til tender -- turn down to simmer. Add half and half, caraway seeds, dill. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir in sour cream and butter. Turn off and serve.

[Kate]

I'll second Lauren Willig, and add a recommendation for a different Fforde -- Katie Fforde writes lovely British chick-lit novels (about 13 at last count) that are utterly predictable in the best possible way. Also, Melissa Nathan ("Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field" is my favorite) is good if you like Jane Austen.

[Sarah]

Favorite light books to re-read:
Anything Fannie Flagg (Fried Green Tomatoes, etc.)
Nora Roberts trilogies (particularly the Three Sisters series)
Keeping you and the babies in my thoughts.

[tana]

These are really good and really easy http://www.villabertolli.com/classicdinners.aspx but if you are hearty eaters, like we are in my house, more than one bag is needed.

I used to read a lot of suspense like John Sandfords "prey" series, but found myself feeling very anxious so now I read more Chick Lit and pick books from the library based on their title- if it has a quirky title I read the summary. :)

My fave: Jane Green- http://www.janegreen.com/books.asp British Chick lit.
Not a fave, but worth a read: Jennifer Crusie http://www.jennycrusie.com/ chick lit with a twist.

[Laura]

"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd and "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier are really good books.

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients:
1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbells Healthy Request Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp yellow mustard
generous dash of pepper
3 cups cooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
1 cup French's French Fried Onions

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a 1 1/2 quart cassarole, blend soup, milk, mustard and pepper.
Stir in cooked macaroni and 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese.
Bake (covered) for 25 minutes or until hot.
Stir well, then top with fried onions and 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
Bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
Makes 4 servings

Good luck with everything!!

[Sarah]

I have to second the readers who suggested Jasper Fforde, and I think "The Eyre Affair" would be right up your alley. I would recommend the Dorothy Dunnett "Lymond" books, but I think the middle of the series becomes entirely too depressing.
Maybe Barbara Pym. Those would not have to be read in any order, so your library consultant could just bring home a handful. I also love the Alexander McCall Smith Botswana books and like his series about Isabel the philosopher very much. And now, I will look for his other books as well. Also, although they will go too quickly, the collections of essays by Bailey White, especially "Mama Makes Up Her Mind."
The Laurie (can't remember middle initial) King Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books are indeed very good entertainment, unless you are a Holmes purist.
Steve could concoct a number of things from canned chicken. Rinse the chicken to get rid of some salt, and with mayonnaise and onions, maybe curry powder, you have chicken salad. With noodles and canned soup, you have a casserole. Mayonnaise, celery, a little milk, and heated, another casserole--hot chicken salad.
Anyway, best wishes to you and yours. I check on you several times a day.

[Leslie]

I usually try to read the other responses before posting but am in a rush - so I'll give a shout out for the Amber Spyglass series (the series is actually called His Dark Materials). it took me a bit to get into the first book, but then I just didn't want it to be over when I finished the series.

Also - if you just need a laugh read Jill Connor Browne's The Sweetpotato Queens Book of Love (there are several more in the series as well). I laughed out loud in public reading it. Not highbrow humor mind you - so critics be silent. Bonus - several books contain recipes (none of which are remotely healthy) so Steve could get some culinary ideas as well. There's even a website www.sweetpotatoqueens.com

Rest well!

[Elizabeth]

Oh, Julia, it sounds very traumatic. I know I am a total stranger but I have been reading you for ages and I am delurking to say I am willing those babies to just stay in there.
As for books. I really enjoyed the whole Sloppy Firsts series by Megan McCafferty, although be warned, the first two are better than the second two. Skipped Parts by Tim Sandlin, if you love that as much as did, there are two more in the series. If you want to laugh your ass off, Youth in Revolt is the funniest book I've ever read, and long, although it's an easy read. Anything by Sarah Dessen is good YAF. The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. The Cheerleader is a pretty hilarious and entertaining series. I loved All Over But the Shoutin' but it's very depressing at times. Same with Lonesome Dove and American Pastoral. Anything by Michael Chabon, but particularly the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.
Ok, those are all my best non depressing fairly long books.
Hang in there.

[Rhonda]

I'm so glad to hear that the 13s are still internal and that you are home. Sorry about the terbutaline, though.

David Sedaris is a lot of fun, and if you like him, you might like essays by David Rakoff (on the basis that they are both featured fairly regularly on This American Life) and Sara Vowell (ditto).

Thinking of you.

[Professordog]

Have you read Dorothy L. Sayers--the Lord Peter mysteries? Good, not too heavy, and she wrote a bunch of them.

Delighted and relived to hear that the 13s are still in situ. Holding my thumbs for a good outcome.

Easy recipes: Shrimp Scampi (I know, it doesn't *sound* easy, but it is--I used to make it when I needed something to soak up liquor after a night on the tiles.) Melt some butter and olive oil in a skillet. Crush some garlic (one or two cloves per person), and throw that in there. Let it saute for a minute or two while you start your pasta (I like linguine). Put in some precooked shrimp. (I usually get ones with the tails on, and then thaw them in some hot water so I can remove the tails before they go in the skillet--it's less messy that way. But suit yourself.) Once the pasta is done, sprinkle some paprika and parsley over the stuff in the skillet, then toss with the pasta. Steve will probably feel like he's really cooked after making this one--if some sort of sitcom-esque scenario develops where he has to prepare a fancy dinner to impress somebody while you are bed-resting, this might be the go-to dish.

[Jill]

I'm glad you're home. Don't forget to keep drinking, even though it makes you get up and go to the bathroom all the time.

Hate the terb. But the side effects do lesson the longer you are on it. How does your doctor feel about a glass of wine? Sometimes that would settle my uterus when nothing else would.

Maybe look into Seattle Sutton, or something similar?

I spent weeks 12-36 on bedrest. One thing I accomplished was organizing my recipes. Let me know if there is anything I can tell you that would help.

[Jill]

Oh- and ignore people who claim bedrest doesn't help. I don't care what the studies show.

[Alison S]

"Me too" votes for "His Dark Materials", the Temeraire books - unlikely but work SO well - and for "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell." Also Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" if you've not read it - short but sweet. And of Diana Wynne Jones, myself I like the Chrestomanci series most of all. Very steampunk alternate universe reality with fun, fun magic and one of the sexiest heroes in children's literature IMO. If you want to try them, start with "The Lives of Christopher Chant".
Good luck.

[Christine]

No fantastic books to read...but how about a recipe?

Chicken Marsala

1 pound chicken breasts (I don't pound them)
flour
2 TB butter
2 TB olive oil
cup or so of marsala wine
1/4 cup water or broth, or water with some bouillon
1 package mushrooms (pre-sliced are fine)
Cooked white rice to serve (great with leftover chinese white rice!)

- Dredge chicken breasts in flour
- Heat oil and butter to sizzling in a saute pan, throw chicken in to brown.
- Remove chicken and put on a plate, throw in mushrooms and cook on med/med-low for a few minutes
- Add chicken back to pan with wine and water or broth, loosely cover pan and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Serve over rice

If you guys are fish eaters, you can do Lemon Pepper Shrimp
1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cloves minced garlic, or garlic from a jar works
2 TB olive oil
1 lemon
salt and lots of fresh ground pepper to taste
rice or pasta to serve

- Heat oil in pan over medium heat, throw in your garlic
- When fragrant (about thirty seconds to a minute) throw in shrimp
- Add plenty of pepper and cook stirring until shrimp are pink and cooked through (about a minute per side, depending on size of shrimp)
- Squeeze lemon juice over the top (and if you want to get fancy, you could have Steve add the zest too, which is my method)

Or you could have him pick up steaks and have the butcher cube them and then put them on skewers with some vegetables. Grill and you're good to go.

Or just have him pick up one of those chickens with the pop up timer. I think there is a brand that comes preseasoned too.

Goodness, I hope you aren't restricted on bed rest for too long. Healthy thoughts your way!

[cathy]

you and the 13s just stay in bed and read! i love rosamunde pilchers coming home and september. either one will keep you busy for a day or two and are wonderful reads! i enjoyed the james patterson woman's murder club series, they are fast reads and really good. reread the harry potter series from start to finish, that's always fun.
i second the bertolli pasta dish bags. they are in the frozen section and beyond easy to prepare. am holding you and the babies in my thoughts!

[alice]

YES to the Pullman books. Quite good. Fluffy fantasy-type reading - Kelly Armstrong is a favorite of mine. Neal Stephenson is good and dense, and Neil Gaiman has some new good ones out as well if you're into SF/Fantasy. As for regular fiction, Water for Elephants was quite enjoyable, and on the chick lit front, I really enjoy Jennifer Weiner, and I loved the trouble with Catherine by Andes Hruby.

Food-wise, I am a devotee of Trader Joe's, and don't venture much beyond their prepackaged goodies. (This is hard now that I live 2 hours from the nearest one, but that's neither here nor there.)

Book and food stuff aside, I am *very* glad to hear that things seem to be in a better place - I will join the hordes in thinking happy, non-contracty thoughts for you.

[karen]

If you're looking for some easy junior fiction reading, i just finished Princess Acadamy by Shannon Hale. I liked it.

Hang in there, babies!

[Janonymous]

Yikes! I fell at 37 wks, spent night in hospital. It's a lot different at 37 wks, with one baby, especially since my contractions DID stop. Rest well!

EASIEST recipe (that still looks like real food) ever:

Chicken Stew with Dumplings

3 1/2 c chicken broth (divided 2 1/2c+1c)
10 oz pkg frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 tsp each spices you like (basil? oregano? dill? whatever)
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp pepper
1/3 c flour
2c cooked chicken (or 10oz can, don't drain)
1 c (1 pkg) biscuit mix
1/3c milk
1/2 tsp parsley flakes

Dump 2 1/2 c broth and ingredients through pepper into large saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir together flour and remaining cup of broth in a small bowl; add that and the chicken to the stew. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.

While waiting, combine biscuit mix, milk, and parsley. Plop spoonfuls of it on top of bubbling stew. Cover & simmer over low heat 15-20 minutes; poke floating dumplings with a toothpick--when they're not gooey inside, it's done.

[Aurelia]

I'm so happy you are home and the babies still in you, I can't even articulate it!

If you get tired of reading all these great books, why don't you tell us some stories? Like about Steve's half-brother's coming to visit?

And as for Steve cooking, my best recommendation; tell him to get the BBQ out and grill you some stuff. Meat, veggies, baked potato are very easy, and almost as fun as a lawnmower. It is right up his alley if my husband is any indication! (And yes, you can BBQ in the cold. It's freezing up here in Canada for 6 months of the year and we still use the thing all winter.)

Or, hire a personal chef service to come to your house, make some meals and put them in the freezer. (They shop, cook at your home and clean up afterwards. Cost of food is included with the price usually.) I know many people who have used this kind of service after having a new baby or when they are sick and cannot cook. A quick google for Minneapolis personal chef service yielded this:

http://www.lets-eat-in.net/services.html

http://www.bethandthebiscuit.com/index.html

http://www.chefmargaret.com/

I know nothing about these particular people, but obviously the Twin Cities has a nice variety. Save Steve and Patrick and yourself from the stress of doing it all alone. You need help, hire some.

[Amy]

I just read a book called the Faraday girls which I enjoyed, and the auther (Mcinirney) has apparently written several other books which may be worth reading. If you haven't read Case Histories by Atkinson, that was pretty good and I'm reading the next one now (One Good Turn); so far, so good. Both of these recommendations are fairly easy reads but a step or so above "chick lit" (which I also enjoy). I also liked "a spot of bother" which was written by the guy who wrote the curious incident of the dog in nighttime--I liked it too.
I was on bedrest for my 4th pregnancy,week 30 to 38, which was sucky but at least resulted in my first live birth. Good luck.