I went in for my 12 week appt yesterday and got to hear the baby's heartbeat. I was really anxious about it, and it was kind of hard when the doppler didn't pick it up at first. I got an ultrasound in the end, and got to see the baby moving around before we picked up the heartbeat. It's a great heartbeat, the baby was just hiding from the doppler. The baby looked great to me, and to the doctor. He/she looked quite comfortable and happy. I still think it's a girl though I won't know for two more months. Boys are so sweet too, I wouldn't mind getting another just like my son, but I can tell already this one is different from him in some way. I recorded the heartbeat with a digital recorder, and my son had to listen to it five or six times, to dance to it. I think he's going to be okay with a new little one in the house.

Ok, I promised you a flaming of that restaurant, but I finally talked to their manager and he's done everything he can to remedy the situation, so no flame today. I still wouldn't recommend it for celiacs, but now at least their staff also won't promise anything in that regard.

Here are my favorite restaurants in Utah:

Bombay House: the food is what it claims to be, no surprise ingredients. Great food and service, as well. Much of the food has milk in it, and the Mango Lassi is addictive, though I should avoid the yogurt, sometimes I still cheat on that. The rice is incredible, and chicken mushroom is very compliant. *Do check with everything, they're very helpful with ingredients. Some or all of their soups are not gluten free, but I guess celiacs are used to that!

Thai Chili Garden: They are helpful, and use mostly only rice noodles. The shrimp rolls have wheat, and most of the stir frys have soy sauce, but they are careful to help me order and eat safely. I avoid the fried spring rolls, since the fried shrimp rolls have wheat, but the unfried spring rolls are good.

Carrabba's: They have a gluten-free menu, and all the staff seem very knowledgable and helpful. Just ask them to leave off cheese (if you're an O), and you should be good with the GF menu. My son loves their chicken soup, just be sure they don't add pasta. Otherwise avoid Italian places, the only thing GF at most of them is the Pellegrino!

PF Chang's: also has a GF menu, gluten knowledge and helpful chef. More for celiac As, than nonnie Os, due to soy and corn starch. Make sure they use and give you the wheat free soy sauce. I haven't yet figured out something to order that's gluten-free, corn-free and soy-free...other than the rice and steamed veggies. They usually include fortune cookies, so if self-control is a problem, be sure to tell them not to give you any.

McDonald's: hey, at least they're consistent. A plain beef patty with onions is what I get when I'm out and hungry. That's pretty much it. I tried the fruit and walnut salad, but the walnuts are candied and have wheat starch on them (lucky I read the ingredients before opening those!) and the preservative on the fruit is bad news for those sensitive ones like myself. Also, there aren't enough grapes! Wendy's fruit cup seems to be a better bet. I believe their beef patties are also safe, but no pickles or the juice thereof, as they aren't GF.

**Car54 wrote and asked if I'm sure the McDonald's patties are not stretched with flour. I am sure of that, as they are definitely gluten free (as long as they don't try to give you a bun)...but they are probably stretched with some other interesting thing. Next time I get a chance I'll check to make sure they're corn-free, but I suspect they probably have some soy or something like that in them. Not the best BT choice I'm sure, but so far they've been consistently gluten-free.

Stockman's: 2 locations near Vernal, UT. Looks can be deceiving at this place. It's not a sophisticted atmosphere, very casual, but the steaks and seafood beat most restaurants I've ever been to in many big cities. The service is great, as they know and love the food they serve.

Not in Utah, but I was very impressed with The Top of The Rock in Tempe, AZ. Not cheap, but in this case, you get more than you pay for. The chefs really know their stuff, and will custom prepare anything they can for you.

A dud in Utah: Magleby's. It's more of a cafeteria with fancy restaurant prices. I explained everything to them, yet my steak still came out with onion rings on top, and I'm sure there was orzo in the rice pilaf, or something holding it together besides rice. Fortunately I was on guard and able to avoid the gluten, with the help of a decent fruit salad. That was no filet mignon, either. Way too tough. Stockman's sirloin is much better.

Then, of course, all Italian restaurants except Carrabba's are danger zones. Baggio's in SLC has a GF menu and apparently GF pasta on request, though I've never been there. Spaghetti Factory has GF pasta available, but when I called they said none of the sauces were gluten-free. That doesn't make sense, but I guess there's always butter. You'd still have to be brave there, I'd really worry about cross-contamination. Ottavio's no longer claims to be able to provide GF meals, except for maybe one of the low-carb chicken dishes.

I nearly forgot Romano's Macaroni Grill...with some instruction and attention to detail, they are a very good experience. They always send a manager or nutrition specialist to my table to help work it out. Look out for their boiled veggies and their broth. I've never had any trouble there, except the bread smells so good, not for the faint-hearted!