So it begins...

Before baby J was even born, we were told that someday soon he would know more than we do, or at least think he does. Well, it is beginning.

Yesterday we went to Legoland. If you haven't been, I encourage you to go at least once (but buy your tickets online beforehand). There is nothing that can't be done with a Lego. If you have a child with you who doesn't already own every Lego set known to mankind, plan to buy one on your way out the door several hours later. We did. We bought baby J his very first Duplo. It is a 62 piece set, which sounds like a lot more than it is, with a person, the makings for a house, alphabet blocks, 2 flowers, a cat, and a car base. I set them all out for hik so that he could play with them when he woke today. I even left out the single Duplo firetruck bought for him by a friend long ago.

I looked at all the pieces and wondered what he would create. His first task, of course, involved the car. He loaded the flowers on the base like a flat bed. I thought, "Wouldn't have been my first move, but okay." Then he took the person, put her in the firetruck. He put the cat on the back and attached it to the car base using the trailer hitch. You see, I hadn't noticed the hitch but he had formulated a creative plan in the split second that I set him at the table.

So it befan today. He is learning at a much greater level than I am. At this rate, he will know everything by the time he is twelve.

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What a hectic week we have ahead of us! There are so many things happening work-wise, which makes me appreciate the guests we had this past weekend. Meemaw, Peepaw, and cousin L came to visit. It was very refreshing to just hang out and play games. I always look forward to their weekends here.

The only thing that I don't like is... when they leave. Usually baby J gets so upset! He will ask for them every hour on the hour for days. Thankfully, he is beginning to grasp simple concepts. We explained to him that they had to go home and that we would see them again very soon. He adapted quickly!

Besides that, we are enjoying a quiet morning. Then we will be taking the car to the dealer. Then home again for naptime (him, not me... Well, maybe I will join him for a few minutes.) After that, sorry, but you may not see me again for a few days.

Since September

Since September, baby J...
... has turned 2. Gone through 2 growth spurts. Learned to count to 15. Pretends to spell words. Invents his own Brown Bear books ("red car, red car, what do you see? I see a yellow car looking at me. yellow car, yellow car, what do you see? I see a blue truck looking at me.) Picks up his toys. Asks to go to bed when he's sleepy. Puts his own shirt on. Went # 2 in the "froggy potty"... once.

Since September, I...
... have started a cloth diaper service. Learned that I get to choose what time work happens. Written an editorial for a well-known Chicago publication. Forgotten to blog.

Sorry!

My baby isn't anymore.

A few weeks ago, baby J made the connection that he is identified in a particular manner. He has called others by their names for awhile now. He knows his meemaw and peepaw. He knows his mommie and papa. He even knows his uncles and uncles by friendship. But when we would ask his name, he would reply with a confident "baby". I'm not sure how he adopted this name for himself, as he is never called baby. I call him "bugs" (not sure why) and papa calls him "little man". Other people call him by the shortened version of his name. I began to pay more attention to how other people identified him. Nope. Nobody calls him baby. I was fine with this reference for himself, because he is my baby and the nickname won't be fitting for much longer.

And he has already begun to outgrow it.

 A few days ago, while playing the "who's that?" name game, he called himself by his name.

In fact, I overheard he and his papa having a conversation yesterday. Papa reprimanded him for having his tongue out while climbing on the bed (he was getting the duvet wet) and asked if he was a little doggie. He replied, "I no doggie. I boy."

My baby J is redefining himself as a boy now. He is almost 2. He is a boy. And too rapidly in my opinion.

I'm baaa-ack...

Life is eventful and as a mommie, I feel pretty uncertain of every choice I make. But, usually, at the end of the day, I get a silent reassurance that we are doing just fine. When I look at my little guy slowly drifting into sleep while cuddling his "bwown bearw" book, I know that we are all going to be okay.

But yesterday, we had a long day. After looking forward for months to the visit of a traveling overseer to our congregation, we had to leave early. My poor baby J was having an issue again. The issue is one that we thought had been resolved over a month ago.

Go back 2 1/2 months...
We had tried nearly all natural methods, a few traditional ones, and finally had to mutually agree with our doctor that antibiotics seemed the best route to get this under control rapidly (as it had gone on for several weeks without improvement). He took a regimen of antibiotics and probiotics.We were ecstatic when it worked. The problem cleared up. And he had only a day of nasty antibiotic side effects.

Now to the present...
After napping peacefully as we listened to the well-prepared discourse by the traveling overseer, he woke rather pleasantly. I left the auditorium to change him and found that *sigh* it was back. We took our things, quietly left the auditorium, and proceeded to the emergency room. There, the physician's assistant recommended a straight catheter to retrieve a sterile urine sample for urinalysis and culture. I was happy that she was being so proactive, but secretly in terror that my boy would have to go through that. I quickly asked if I could breastfeed him while they placed the cath. The nurses looked at me like I was crazy. Here I am with a nearly 2 year old about to have a straight cath placed and I ask about nursing him during?!? They were apprehensive, but I stood out of the way, contorted myself as one nurse prepared to place the cath, the other held him down with my husband's assistance. It seemed like forever, but he nursed and occasionally let out a gasp of discomfort. Afterwards, the nurses said that went "surprisingly well". I'm sure they attributed none of it to the many positive results that breastfeeding a child in distress produces. But I do.

And so, while I get strange looks when I mention that I still breastfeed my 23 month old, I'm confident that I have made the right choice for my family. Had I not, he would've been a lot more traumatized and in more pain. I owe this one to our Grand Creator who knows what he is doing!

Learn more about the long-term benefits of breastfeeding.

Kissy Face (The Sequel)

In a previous post, I described baby J's "kiss" routine with all of his bath toys. Tonight, while bathing, he began handing me his toys. First, his rubber duck. "Kiss kiss". I gave his ducky a peck on the bill. Then his tug boat. "Kiss kiss". This time I gave a big smooch only to hear poppy warn, "He just peed in the tub."

No more "kiss kiss" with the bath toys.

Dairy-Free Day!!

It is so difficult to know what is dairy-free and what isn't. I've been wondering if baby J's restless nights are linked with somehting that I've been missing (or something that isn't missing) in his diet. Reaffirmed. Walking into Wendy's today, I noted a large chart, about the size of 3 posters, hanging as I entered the front door. It is a new feature and I am glad they have added it. It has a list of the 7 most common food allergens and their presence (or potential presence) in foods offered by the franchise. They are broken into 3 categories, distinguishable by different colored dots. Red means that the allergen is present, blue means that the food is cooked on the same surface or in the same oil as that allergen (and may be cross-contaminated), and green (?? the colors are on the chart, but I don't recall this one) means that the food is prepared or manufactured on the same line as the allergen (and may be cross-contaminated). Wow! What a concept! Just put it out there for everyone to see. So dairy-free at Wendy's is even more limited than I had believed. There were a lot of red dots. But now I know.

This encouraged me to venture into the land of the unknown regarding other fast food restaurants and allergen information. Here is what I've found so far. I will continue to update the list as I learn more. And remember that just like all processed foods, the ingredients continually change and so the facts today may not be the facts tomorrow.



McDonald's (note that the bottom section lists actual allergens- like milk- and what products they are in)

Arby's lists the allergens in red next to the name of the food item.

Burger King

Chipotle makes it easy by only using dairy in their cheese and sour cream. That's why we love you, Chipotle!

Panda Express says milk in the Orange Chicken and mixed veggies, so no more for baby J, but at least the Mandarin Chicken is still okay!

KFC says go for the Original or Grilled with Dairy allergies, but avoid anything breaded or extra crispy.

Popeye's makes you work for any info. They list all ingredients, but only a few allergens that are contained in each. For example, they list "wheat" as an allergen, but not "milk", although the ingredients clearly state that they contain milk. Sigh. Virtually everything has an allergen. Buh-bye.

You've got to love Subway for just putting it all out there. Usually good old non-processed ingredients.

Taco Bell lists the allergens in a great, easy to use chart; but it is only accessible online. It isn't possible to print it.

Wendy's who gave me this idea.

White Castle for those with iron stomachs.

Have fun eating out with the help of my list! These are just places local to me, but if you'd like to review other options, a great resource is the Go Dairy Free dining out guide and the shopping lists.

What's For Dinner: Kale, Potato, & Chicken Hash

We had started receiving fresh produce deliveries from Ripe Organics, a local small business that arranges organic produce deliveries based on what is at the peak of season at the time. Last week, we received so many goodies, "God's Candy" as I tell baby J. A few items included yummy plums, juicy peaches, fresh romaine, red potatoes, and kale. Yes, kale. What does a midwestern girl do with kale? Google it, that's what. And a recipe came up Bobby Flay. His was a side dish, but if I am going to invest that much time (30-minutes from start to finish) into a dish, it is going to be the entree. So, I improvised. Here is what was for dinner... (Please disregard any preconceived notions, because my husband of 7 years actually asked when we would have it again. I responded, the next time it's delivered.)

8 c. torn kale leaves (about 1/2 bunch; removed from the stalks)
2 T. wasabi and horseradish paste
1 bunch green onions, minced
1/2 t. ground pepper
1/4 t. salt
2 c. cooked shredded potatoes (frozen is fine, but see note below first if using fresh)
3 t. EV olive oil
1 T. minced garlic
1 lb. ground chicken

Place kale in a large microwave safe bowl, cover and microwave until wilted (about 3 minutes). Drain, cool slightly, and finely chop.

Meanwhile, mix wasabi/horseradish paste, green onions, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Add the chopped kale and potatoes. Stir until mixed.

In one pan, saute ground chicken.

Heat oil and minced garlic in another large nonstick pan (take my word, you'll want non-stick for this one) over medium heat. Add the kale mixture, spread into an even layer and cook, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes and returning the mixture to an even layer, until the potatoes begin to turn golden brown and crisp. This will take 12 to 15 minutes. Just before this mixture is done, add the cooked ground chicken.

Fresh potato tip: Boil potatoes until they can just be pierced with a fork but are not completely tender. Let cool slightly, then shred.

It only took about 30 minutes and it was colorful and delicious! Can't wait for our next delivery to see what we can cook up!!

Oh, and if you have leftover potatoes or a different kind of meat, substitute away. I have a feeling that you can do a lot of substitutions with this simple recipe.

Kissy Face

Sorry... I am very very sorry. I hadn't even realized that my last post was on June 28th. Yikes! It doesn't feel like it was that long ago.

Baby J reminded me today, though, of why I love to share little snippets of our life online. He was in the bath tub with all his Munchkin bath toys. He has a dozen or so and each is in the shape of a sea creature. He would gently lift each toy out of the water, rinse it under the faucet, give it a kiss on its mouth, then hand it to me and say "kiss kiss". This went on repeatedly until he and I had both kissed each little toy creature three times. While he was putting them all back in the tub for a fourth round, I unsuspectingly reached behind him and pulled the bath plug.

Then he climbed out of the tub and I bundled him in a towel. He walked towards the stairs and up towards bed. As he closed the gate behind him, his little pinky got caught. I quickly swooped him up only to hear "kiss kiss". And I did. Then he called poppy and asked for another "kiss kiss".

Before bed, he as usual gave us our individual hugs and "kiss kiss", then said his sweet "buh-bye" as we tucked him into bed.

I can't wait until morning. Then I will be able to have my morning "kiss kiss". I just can't get over my little kissy face.

The newest family addition

Please allow me to take a moment to introduce the newest member of our family. She doesn't have a name yet, but already has a purpose. According to our latest library addition about potty learning, a doll which potties can help a child connect the idea of drinking, urinating, and wetness. So, today, we began our search for such a doll. First, please know that they only come in pink. Some are even capable of pooping, if fed special separately purchased "baby food". But baby J liked this little girl. She has her own potty which is very similar to his froggy potty (also chosen by him, per "the book"). We searched for big boy pants and found "mouse" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) underpants which he gleefully carried around the store.

When it comes to such matters, there is no shortage in the potty market. Actualy potties can range from $9.99 to unlimited amounts (the most expensive I found was $80.99!! It had better train the child for you). Some have splash guards or music or handle bars. There are "starter potties" and those for advanced children. The book section is loaded with wisdom on the matter too. But, when you make it to the potty-ing dolls, expect a limited selection of girl dolls.

One comes with juice packets, baby food, and disposable diapers (I'm too cheap to buy them for my own son, why would I buy them for a doll?!?). The other comes with cloth diapers, a potty chair, and a BPA-free (not really) bottle.

Everything Potty Training Book: $9.99

Lots to Love Babies potty doll with accessories: $15.00

"Mouse" underpants: $9.99

Baby J splashing in LTLB's toilet water: Priceless

Tot Time

Baby feet in the swimming pool are the cutest. I love baby J's little toes anyways, but to see them beneath the water makes them appear even more magical. Those little round toes remind me of grapes fresh off the vine; I just want to gobble them up (don't tell James that I said that; he's never understand that phrase.) Baby J was especially fond of looking at them once I pointed them out too.

We scrambled frantically to the froggie slide. We were the second people in line at the gate. While tot time is restricted to children under 6, children under 6 can still be stressful to a little guy. Last time we were there, baby J saw the slide. And baby J loves slides (the way I love baby feet). So he ran to it. Once he got to the top step, though, he found it a bit intimidating. And the boy who pushed him down it didn't make him less paranoid. Today, I hoped to conquer the fear before the others arrived. He did come down the slide, but not the way you think. He pushed his way down the steps when the hoards of children under 6 arrived. Hopefully next week will be more promising.

The cutest part, though, was that the whole time we were hanging out in the pool, he kept gravitating towards the large, twisty waterslides. I'd hate to be the kid waiting behind baby J in that line! Thankfully, that is a few years off.

While we didn't make much progress in overcoming the slide fear, we did have a great time together just splashing and walking in the water. That's where you'll find us twice a week. By the end of the summer, he should be holding his own on that froggie.

Interpretting the language...

What he says....                            ... and what he means
bite                                               "I'm hungry. Feed me, please."
quack                                           "Cracker, please"
hug                                               "Hug"
up                                                 "Up" or, quite possibly, "Down"
on                                                 "On" or "Off"
off                                                 "Off" or "On"
no                                                 "No" and sometimes "Yes"
bat                                                "Bath"
house                                            "I see my playhouse from the window. Can we go?"
tat                                                 "Cat" or "That"
rooooooar                                     I'm thinking about what a lion says.
deus                                              "Juice" or "Shoes"
tu-oy                                             "Toy"
sock                                              "Please put my sock on/off"
duck                                              "Truck" or "Duck"
book                                              "Book"
bah-lock                                         "Block"
nay-nay                                          "Mama, please help me go to sleep."

But the most beautiful things he says are with words that he can't express yet. Baby J hugs and kisses can brighten these gloomy days easily.

so many things to do and so little time...

Over the course of one day, baby J becomes so many things...

the molder of Play-doh, (Due to his infatuation with all things in the shapes of balls, I taught him to roll a small clump of play-doh between the palms of his hands. He now endearingly refers to yet another object as "balls")

the maker of trouble, (the expression is "No... No." With as frequently as he says the word, people must think that we don't say anything but "No... No".)

the adventurous explorer of wetness,

the happy boy who wishes to play,

the boy who asks "Where is he?" and then playfully pops out saying "There he is!" (We would ask him this and when we'd uncover our eyes or come out of hiding, we would say "There he is!". So, if you are ever wondering why he looks cluelessly at you when you go "Peek-a-Boo", it was unintentional on our part. He knows the game, but plays it a little differently.)

the saver of pennies, (Hopefully we will instill in him the ability to be thrifty and content.)

 

and, of course, our cool guy.

I've lost baby J...

It seems that it was just 30 months ago that baby J began to form. He was my precious little stowaway.

I was a different person then. You might say that I was more of a person. But that mattered very little to me, for I had been given a gift, a little person to lovingly nurture. I had longed for that day for most of my life. As a little girl, I would wrap my dollie inside my dress and tie a ribbon around her so that I could have a "mommie belly". And when my blessing arrived, I knew very little about mommiehood; I still know very little.

That is how it began. It wasn't until today that this finally came to fruition. Honestly, how could something like this happen? One moment, you are grasping so tightly, and the next, something that you thought you couldn't live without is gone. I've lost baby J...










... I did mention that losing baby J is a metaphor for losing the weight equivalent to the little guy, right? 25 pounds down and I'm well on my way!!

Please watch your step...

The neighbors must think I'm crazy. But, I suppose I do have a prescription, of sorts. And, it wasn't too long ago that kids did this everyday. In other countries, it is considered perfectly natural. And our yard is completely fenced in.

But, it still looks peculiar to see baby J in nothing but a shirt playing in the backyard. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. He's had a history of some problems that I don't care to go into detail about. It isn't serious, but it is uncomfortable. So the doctors (we got to see both his PCPs in the same room today) decided it would be best for him to go diaper-free while at home. He also gets a daily baking soda bath and lots of loving.

Hopefully this will finally allow us to resolve the poor boy's "ows", as he so eloquently puts it, and will get us back to a pee-free zone (code for diaper-wearing again). Until then, watch your step please.

Did you know...?

I just learned this. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive an email each time your favorite blogs are updated? Simply scroll to the bottom of the blog you'd like to subscribe. There you'll find a link to "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)". Click on this and you'll get updates. Per chance, it says to "Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)", choose the "Home" option just above it. Then, choose "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)".

Thanks for reading!

Childhood memories... Oh, how refreshing.

Recently I learned that a friend of mine locally is well-acquainted with some of my childhood friends from my birthplace. It triggered so many memories. The one that is more prominent in my mind, is that pictured here. I have looked at a collage of pictures, including this one, so many times and happily remembered being a child.

My parents had set up a large tarp on this huge hill in our backyard. I know that it wasn't all that, but in the mind of a child, it was the best thing on earth. As I look at our faces, all I see is carefree whimsy. Ahhhh... The life of a child.

I love taking time to remember when life was a simple as a big tarp, a hill, and a water hose. How refreshing. I loved being a child. But I think I love being a mommie more and seeing those bright happy eyes over such simple pleasures.  I love knowing that baby J will have memories like this.

Oh, by the way, I am the one front and center.

Still good people out there...

Every once in a while, I am bombarded with a number of obstacles that make me wonder why people can't be a little nicer. I know the obvious reasons, but have always believed in the very essence of the Golden Rule.

Do to others as you wish to be done to you.

But often people reverse that catchy and appropriate phrase making it "Do to others as they have done to you".

This can grow exhausting while trying to constantly combat the same attitude. When cut off while driving, receiving a rude customer service representative on the other line, and becoming the backlash of someone's bad day, it can be very difficult to hold the tongue (or the horn).

Thankfully, I have someone to call on who can always help me. And he always comes through, even if it is making me choke on my own tongue until I remember.

But then there are days when people surprise me in the opposite respect. Today was one of those days. The most outstanding example was an older woman. I had gone to the salon to get my haircut. Baby J was being curiously well-behaved, but still a little antsy. In the mirror, I saw an older woman. She asked me if it was okay if she sat beside him and read him one of his stories. I was silently surprised, but said okay. For ten minutes she sat with him and kept him company all in my view. I could tell that his sweet personality made her day. Little did she know that she was improving mine. As we left, she asked if it was okay to give him a hug. I told her "of course". He gave her a wonderful bear hug! And her eyes watered a bit. Then she told me how much she appreciated seeing such a well-behaved boy, that it breaks her heart a little when she sees children rampaging through stores and parents granting their every whim.

Since become a mommie, I have learned how valuable these pearls of genuine wisdom are. This reminds me that more often I should offer my assistance and kind words to those in vulnerable states. Mommies definitely fit in that category. Thank you to all who continually do this! You now only improve the days of others but genuinely impact the course of their lives!

Dear Target Stores,...

> Dear Target Stores,
>
> Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for your store. I
> often visit you when I need a reprieve. You must hear this a lot,
> because I see many other mommies and dads wandering your aisles
> conversing in baby talk to their little ones. Their carts are
> usually fairly empty and adult conversations are easily initiated
> and can become quite long. A simple, "Excuse me" to pass by quickly
> becomes "ohhhh, how old?" From there, any conversational direction
> can be taken.
>
> And a Starbucks near the front provides adequate nourishment for my
> dehydrated brain.
>
> My only complaint is, well, those enormous red concrete balls at the
> edge of the sidewalk just outside the store. It is because of those
> balls that baby J's hand is held so tightly that I fear it will lose
> circulation. You see, kids (especially boys) love balls. I cannot
> emphasize this enough. And when we approach the store, he often
> wiggled so violently that he nearly falls from my ring sling. So, I
> let him walk to prevent further head trauma. Then he tugs so hard
> and sprints directly for those balls! I'm not even sure what they
> are there for, but they pose a serious danger to both his safety and
> my sanity. They are so near the road.
>
> Please understand that I'm not threatening my routine visits. I just
> thought you should know that he will soon catch on to the prolonged
> peek-a-boo session we play upon entering. I've seen other parents
> experiencing the same dilemma. Do you have any suggestions?
>
> Sincerely,
> Who-Doesn't-Love-A-Giant-Red-Ball,-But-Seriosly?!?
> ~ Corry
>
> www.sleepymommie.blogspot.com

Cabin Fever...

I wish that I had captured this on film, especially because it has become such a part of our daily routine. But you will have to imagine the scenario.

Imagine, baby J standing at the door or window, shoes in hand, saying "out... out". He has only grown more emphatic since inheriting a Fisher Price playhouse which at present resides in the far corner of our property. From the dining room window, he can clearly see its presence. So, he often adds to his reportoire "out... house... out". But since monsoon season so quickly approached, he doesn't understand that "out... house... out" isn't an option. And the toys inside have gotten soooo boring.

Today we will venture out in search of an indoor version of what he loves so much. If you call or come by and we aren't available, sorry. We are "out... out".

Mommiehood: Feeling His Pain

Since becoming a mommie, I've often had the opportunity presented to me to recount my own childhood.

I've shared many of those experiences. Many of them are lessons I learn as I see baby J learn them.

Today, we shared another of those. As a child, I remember vividly the excitement of having plans. Knowing that a friend was coming over or an outing to the zoo was enough to brighten the gloomiest days. I would eagerly anticipate and remind myself repeatedly and sometimes even have countdowns. And then the phone would ring and my mom would break the bad news... cancelled.

My mom would always comfort me and remind me that everything would be okay. She would even make alternate plans, but it just wasn't the same. And I honestly believed that she had no idea how much it hurt...

... until today.

This afternoon baby J had a playdate. When I told him about it this morning, he was so excited. He kept telling his papa and even using his little buddy's name. "Park.... park." Then, the dreaded text arrived. My heart immediately sank. I think that it affected me more that it did him. How can I explain this to a 19-month old? He isn't going to understand. He was so excited!

That is when the epiphany arrived. How often I had told my mom that you don't know what it feels like. And she would look at me and tell me that it was okay. Then we would spend that time together.

It still broke my heart to see those sad little eyes when he awoke from his nap only to be on his way back home. But we spent our afternoon together. And we can never have too much time together, right?

A Mommie's Love Is...

... kneeling on a single stall bathroom floor to change an overwhelmingly poopy cloth diaper of an overly active and very sleepy toddler with a serious shortage of baby wipes but ample supply of paper hand towels only to realize that the toilet is clogged by the contents of the aformentioned without a plunger on hand and no response from papa after sending an urgent "HELP" text to learn that his phone has died and he is knocking at the door wondering if everything is okay because the two of you have been in there for so long.

And then looking deep into those big blue eyes and instantly forgetting the drama.

What a day...

One of the most difficult parts of being a mommie is the need to remain clear headed. And yesterday most certainly proved that to me. The day began like most others. How often I've begun an entry like this...


Baby J was in a jolly mood. We.enjoyed a pleasant morning with meemaw. We excitedly looked forward to picking papa up at the train station later. In the meantime, we played outside with baby J's cousins.


Then it began...


Baby J frantically ran to greet his peepaw while holding a small trowel and tripped giving him a large gash in his left cheek.


Next, he slipped through the railing on the second floor porch and fell nearly 10' onto an upside-down plastic pool. After a brief moment of hysteria, he quickly returned to playing.


Then, while running, he fell head first onto the sidewalk.


So with a gash on his cheek and a large knot on his forehead, we.visited the emergency room.


He was treated for a mild concussion and promptly released. Sufficed to say, nothing could've prepared papa for the battle scars his son wore while picking him up from the train.


And I remained relatively calm for the whole experience- at least that's my version. ;@)

The Joy of Pulling Weeds

I always thought my mom was a little crazy- okay, a lot crazy. If you had awoken by chance at 4 in the morning, you would find her outside contentedly with a cup of coffee while sitting on the ground with a large pile of weeds next to her. Who, in their right mind, would find such joy in pulling weeds? Nevermind the fact that the sun itself has barely risen?!?

Now that baby J is 19 months old and into (literally) everything, I have either gone crazy or found my mom's key to sanity. There is very little satisfaction in cleaning the house when you have little ones. As soon as a project is completed, a typhoon mysteriously appears in another place. So, I have given up trying to attain a neat home and settled for the fact that it is messy, yet clean.

The garden, however, is another story. The amazing thing about weeds, is that once you've pulled them, you can satisfactorily gaze upon your hard work and feel a deep sense of accomplishment. The next day, a few might have reappeared, but with a simple bend of the waist, it's gone!

As spring is making its grand entrance this year, it has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I now see that it is a splendid opportunity to become immersed in nature and feel the sense of accomplishment that is often missing in a mommie's mundane life.

Thank you mom for passing along this secret sanity that you possess.

Make Everyday Earth Day

Trivia: How long does it take for a disposable diaper to decompose- 50 years, 100 years, 250 years, 500 years?

Earth Day was created 40 years ago. I find that ironic because our culture has become such a frivolous one that society has dedicated one whole day to protecting the earth and becoming more environmentally friendly. (Please excuse the excessive drippings of sarcasm).

Our planet is beautiful. Despite our best efforts, it continues to renew itself. When you think about it, would we mere humans tolerate such poor tenants in an investment property? Unlikely! Yet, our loving creator allows us to continue ruining the earth. Well, not forever. (Revelation 11:18- he will bring to ruin those ruining the earth)

With this in mind, my mama always said that "the more we do now, the less we will have to do later." Let's all try to keep in mind our precious planet when possible.

BTW- Did you google the trivia question yet? Shocking, eh! That's a lot of diapers to clean up in the new world. Do we have to help since we weren't the ones using them? Ok, we will.

Having a baby opens a lot of doors in life...

... That's why we have baby gates everywhere!

Child-proofing is the butt of many jokes. For example, I child-proofed our home but they still get in. It isn't the getting in that I fear so much as the getting out.

In an effort to make our outdoor space more family-friendly, we have had to be economically resourceful. We've dug, leveled land, removed plants, sowed grass seed, and watered. While waiting for the seed to grow, we've moved onto the backyard.

To more efficiently contain baby J, the hubby repurposed a decorative fence into a border container and gate. It looks great. But, in the great outdoors, I had always enjoyed the open freedom. With a rapid toddler on my hands, I've become more open-minded and gated us from the world.

It's a picket fence which always seems so welcoming, so still feel free to join us for a garden walk.

Peek-a-boo summer... We see you!

What an absolutely glorious day today was! In a classic Midwestern move, summer has shown its colors among these average April temperatures. With 70-something yesterday and 85 today, returning to the 50s by this weekend will be mournful. But baby J and I decided not to let this momentous occasion slip past. So, I rapidly cleaned the turtle sandbox and converted it into a pool. After putting the diapers on an extra spin cycle, I hung them out to dry. Later, dinner on the deck. (If it weren't already in the crockpot, the hubby would love to BBQ. Sorry, hon!) Then tomorrow, we will bundle up to prepare for our "average" weather.

Happy peek-a-boo summer day, my dear followers!

What's For Dinner? Shrimp Scampi Surprise

Shrimp can be expensive, but a little goes a long way in this recipe. This is a yummy family favorite that can be served with rice or pasta. It really works well if there is leftover rice or pasta from a previous meal!

1 c. Shrimp, fresh or defrosted (1 cup defrosted)
1 c. Mixed vegetables, 1 c. frozen
1/2 c. Olive Oil (or 1/4 c. melted butter)
2 c. Rice or Pasta for 4, already prepared
4 cloves Roasted or Fresh Minced Garlic

Marinate shrimp in olive oil (or melted butter) and garlic in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

Heat a large skillet on high heat. Add shrimp, olive oil, and garlic. Lower heat immediately and add already prepared rice or pasta. Add frozen mixed vegetables and allow to cook about 5 minutes together, stirring frequently. Season to taste and enjoy immediately!

Why we need to eat fruit...

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/
With so much publicity about high fructose corn syrup, I was curious about the facts. If baby J can get all his servings of fruits and vegetables from juice, why not? Especially considering that fresh fruits and veggies contain fructose naturally (we can't eat too many of those, right?).

So I asked the doctor. The explanation was surprisingly simple. Here are the facts.

Fruits and vegetables contain fructose. True. They contain the same amount that you'd get by consuming a serving of them in any other form. The difference is that in their whole form, they are high in fiber. This is important because fructose is digested differently than other things. It is digested in the colon. For proper digestion, the fiber must push the fructose past the stomach and into the colon. Without the huge amounts of fiber, it isn't digested properly.

And undigested sugar and fructose becomes....

.... fat!

This is how a lack of fiber contributes greatly to obesity. And childhood obesity isn't a joke. Juice is a fun treat, as are other things containing fructose, but are never a healthy replacement for their substitutes.

This is yet another reason why we need to be grateful for the natural supplements our Grand Creator gave us. Enjoy an apple today. (BTW- studies indicate that eating a whole 200 calorie apple 20 minutes prior to a meal will cut the number of calories significantly during that meal).

Read more about the research being done at Princeton University.

Naptime buddies

Baby J always naps especially well when he has someone to cuddle. And Lyli is always looking for some extra love. It seems they have dreamt up the perfect pair.

My little garden helper...

                                                                  There were leaves

                                                     to rake,

dirt to shovel,                                                           

                                                                 and rocks to move. 

But the result is always worth the hard work.

We are going to have a

lovely spring together.

Long naps on mommie's lap

As a result of some more sneaky, as of yet unlocated, dairy, baby J hasn't been sleeping well. So I did something I haven't done in awhile- I let him nap on my lap. He is unusually tired, made evident by the fact that his usual 90 minute nap has extended to an unbelievable 2 1/2 hours! And he's still out! I'm incredibly bored but he should be a happier camper this afternoon.

How to Comment...

I'm not sure if this will solve the commenting issue, but it seemed to work for me when I signed out and made a comment. After entering the comment, you will see an option to "comment as". This scroll bar has several options, the most common including Google Account (including g-mail), LiveJournal, WordPress, TypePad, AIM (AOL instant message), and OpenID. If you choose any of these, you will be temporarily re-directed to enter in your email or user name and password.

If you don't have an account with any of the forums, you may choose to comment anonymously or to enter your name. To enter your name, choose "Name/URL", which will open a box to enter either or both.

Afterwards, click to "Post Comment" so that we may all enjoy your input. Hope this solves the commenting dilemma! If not, please comment (lol!) anonymously, if necessary.

Blah blah blah log

My own mom called me yesterday. She had a confession. She confessed to me that she has an addiction, one that she has not been able to satisfy for 16 days (17 days today). She is a junkie of my blog. And everyday she logs onto her computer to check for updates. Well, before she brought it to my attention, I hadn't even realized that I haven't blogged in that long. And she is having serious withdrawal.

Being so far from family and friends, I forget that my daily routine can be kind of exciting. That the new little things that the little man does are new. But, sometimes I just get tired of hearing myself talk. While thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that "blog" is actually a combination of the words blah blah blah and log. Nonetheless, I will try with due diligence to blah blah log more frequently.

Here goes....

... thinking to myself... What to talk about? Oh, baby J (can anyone think of a better nickname for my little man? He isn't really a baby anymore, but toddler J sounds strange. And I am already acquainted with another blogger who calls her little guy "the toddler". Suggestions would be appreciated.)

Where was I? Oh, baby J and a friend of ours, Tony, were sitting together reading a book last Monday. Tony did the reading and baby J turned the pages. After papa and Tony left for work, I overheard baby J talking in his bedroom. Granted, he doesn't say many words yet, but he says a lot. When I peeked in on him, there he sat on the floor with a book on his lap. He was turning the pages and pointing at the words. As he was pointing, he was saying "this this that this this that this this that". I'm so glad that I have an avid reader already!

Quiet moments in the bathroom.

Picture it...

A hectic day finally resolves to a beautiful afternoon at home. Baby J calmly Swiffers the floors. (BTW- kids love Swiffers and they're great because the play and clean simulataneously).

I decide to use the moment to "powder my nose" (for the genuinely naive, I wasn't powdering, I was peeing). I hear a jiggle of the door handle.

The next thing I see is an eager little boy Swiffering away in the bathroom. Peaceful bathroom moments no more.

Can you find the hidden dairy?

Whenever we have a sleep setback, I immediately examine baby J and my diets. And I am usually right. So, here are some of my surprising findings over the past few months. Remember, dairy doesn't have to be listed as an allergen on food labels and is often disguised as "filler" or "flavoring". The only way to know for sure is to call a food manufacturer.

Having a child with food allergies makes a parent very alert of ingredients and food labels. In the list below, can you detect which seven (7) contain dairy?

Gorton's Fish Sticks
Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon
Dinty Moore Beef Stew
McDonald's French Fries
Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup
Veggie Slices brand Cheese Food Alternative
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs
Johnsonville Bratwurst
Frito Corn Chips
Rice-A-Roni Chicken Rice
Imperial Margarine
Int'l Delight Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer
Barilla Spaghetti Noodles

Ready for the shocking surprise?
Gorton's Fish Sticks- as well as most products dipped in batter
McDonald's French Fries- dipped in a milk bath prior to frying; similar process with most fast food restaurants
Veggie Slices brand Cheese Food Alternative
Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs- most hot dogs contain a dairy powder filler; only one that doesn't is Hebrew National. Any meat product marked kosher will be 100% dairy-free according to ancient Jewish tradition
Johnsonville Bratwurst- same as hot dogs and most sausage products, including Italian and Polish sausages
Imperial Margarine contains sweet cream. The only butter substitue I have found is Smart Balance Light (labeled Vegan).
Int'l Delight Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer

The lesson, read labels in detail, especially when allergies are involved.

Every time papa leaves his seat on the sofa...

... Baby J takes his space, and the remote. Boys are born boys!

You can dress 'em up...

... but you can't take 'em out.

In anticipation of one of our annual Bible conventions, I purchased baby J this suit. I was so excited because it just seemed so classic. The little tie has grey sailboats on it. When I dressed him in it, I couldn't get over how adorable he looked, my little guy. But recently, I have found that the best way to stave off the morning meltdown is to give him a pair of shoes to wear. I handed him his little beige wingtips to play with. Guess what he decided he wanted instead?!? As is evident by the photo, his black Batman snow boots. I can list at least 5 ways that these were so wrong for the outfit- # 1) black, # 2) rubber, # 3) Batman, # 4) it was nearly 50 degrees outside, and, of course, # 5) not what I would've picked out.

But he was content for the entire one-hour commute. Hopefully, he eventually outgrows the uncoordinated phase. Until then, at least we can halt a meltdown as easily as giving him a pair of Batman boots.

Anyone know the Recommended Daily Value for Crayola?

Baby J loves to color...

... but he seems to have a greater effect on the color of his face than he does on the paper. Looking forward to more green poop. It's like having a newborn infant all over again.

Good, clean fun.

Some parents have to fight with their children to take baths. Others (myself included) can't convince them when it's over. He's been playing contentedly in an empty bathtub for 10 minutes now. Good, clean fun, in my opinion.

Kids Say...

When my 4 year old nephew saw me breastfeeding Baby J. He asked, "Is that where you keep his milk?" When I replied affirmatively, he quickly responded, "I keep mine in the fridge." Put a smile on my face.

Attention All Mommies; I'm Calling a Truce

As children, we are always eager to do our best and gain acceptance and approval. When we become teenagers, while we pretend that we want to be individuals and thrive on excelling, it is the security of genuine love that gives us strength. While single, young adults, we have no one to think of but ourselves and feel lost. Then we marry, have babies, and sacrifice much of what we are to offer our sprouting young ones the best.

With this in mind, it is no wonder that we dote, spoil, and place these little replicas of ourselves on pedestals.

Since the birth of our little replica, I've noticed a pattern. I love him more than I ever imagined I could love someone. I know that all mommies and daddies empathize. With all these factors in mind, a competition seems to ensue.

And so, I'm calling a truce. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, formula feed, work outside the home, work at home, stay at home, co-sleep or don't. If you have a child who is off the charts, average, below average, silly looking, a Gerber baby, looks like the wrong gender, eats Play-Doh, has shaggy hair, or no hair at all, this is to your advantage.

Let's all just be happy for each other. No more snide remarks or comparisons. Let's all remember that we are in the same boat. We all want our children to grow into loved, well-rounded adults. So, if someone offers uninvited advice, please smile say thank you. Because they're just trying to help.

Happy Truce Day! May we all enjoy these precios moments of child-rearing which will pass much too quickly.

Snow Days Are Fun!

For toddlers, snow days aren't nearly as exciting as for older kids. All they know is that they're housebound. Since papa had a job in Mount Prospect, he offered to let us tag along. This may not sound like much fun to most, but we knew what he intended. So, we headed in the general direction of the job and stopped at the big blue and yellow building along the way. Ikea on a snow day is a perfect solution for mommies and babies. We ate lunch; then papa headed to work. Baby J and I went to Smaland to play in the blueberry ball basket. What fun! Before long, it was time to head out. I fed him his snack, packed him up in the truck, and shortly afterwards, the tuckered out tot was asleep.

Hope eveyone else is enjoying their snow day!

PS- My hubby says hola to all!

You might be a sleepy mommie if...

... You've already been awake for several hours and it's only 6 am.
... You've purchased a freezer, gone grocery shopping, and decided which suit on Overstock to buy your husband and the sun has just risen.
... You're awake so early that you now require "second breakfast"
... The morning is the most productive time of the day for you.
... 8 am is naptime.
... You rise earlier than the sun.
... You know people you can call before 8 am but not after 8 pm.
... You want to nap when the baby does.
... You want to nap when the baby does but have to reassemblethe house after Hurricane [insert child's name here].
... You're eyes are growing droopy because this is the closest thing to a grown-up book that you've read in months/years.

I know it's Superbowl Sunday, but make sure to take some mommie time with a warm bath and glass of wine.

Mommie, what's for dinner?

I am a self-proclaimed experimental chef. I am always trying new things and creating from leftovers. I often find myself chiming in when someone says they have no idea what to make for dinner. So, I want to share some of my leftover concoctions and minimal ingredient recipes that have gone over very well. I will tag the key ingredients for quick future reference.

Tonight, for instance, I used leftover baked chicken and gravy to make a chicken pot pie. This recipe works well with leftover turkey, too, and only requires 5 common ingredients in addition to the chicken/turkey and gravy.

2 c. chicken or turkey, diced or pulled apart
2 c. gravy (if you don't have any or not enough, make some quickly with bouillon or broth)
1 c. Potatoes, diced and cooked unitl soft
1 small onion, diced
1 c. mixed vegetables, frozen
Refrigerated pie crust, usually 2 per pkg (top and bottom)
Salt, pepper, garlic, etc. to taste

Here goes...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a pie or casserole dish with one pie crust. In a separate bowl, mix together the already diced and cooked potatoes, diced onion, still frozen mixed vegetables, and chicken or turkey. Add gravy and gently mix until it evenly coats the chicken and vegetable mixture. Season to taste. Spoon mixture into pie or casserole dish. Cover with second pie crust and crimp edges. Using a fork, poke a few holes into the top crust. Put in the oven and set the timer for 1 hour. Slice and serve within 10 minutes. Enjoy!

A tribute to the most wonderful husband and father.

It isn't nearly often enough that I gloat about my husband. So, let me take a moment to do so.

When I'm feeling faint of heart
With little energy left,
He's the one who lifts me up
And gives me needed rest.

When baby J is fussing
As he has been all day long,
He's the one who assures me
That I've done nothing wrong.

When dinner is cold and chewy
But we've nothing else to eat,
He's the one who challenges me
To not concede defeat.

So while I'm a lot of effort
And sometimes not much fun,
He's reassuring me that
I'm his only one.

While it may seem trivial
To feel so deeply wanted,
He has always done so
And never needed to flaunt it.

To him I am grateful
For the life we three share.
And so I dedicate my heart
To my husband dear.

Who does he look like.... at 6 months?

People often ask me whom baby J looks more like. This is one of only 2 pictures that I have from my husband's childhood, so there isn't much to compare. You be the judge. :)

Memories are made today

While talking to my mom about an invasion made on her computer by some hacking hooligans, I suggested that she immediately back up all her digital photos onto compact disks to ensure their preservation. The conversation got us thinking. If there were a fire and you had opportunity to grab one thing (after loved ones were already safe), most of us mommies would say that we would take our scrapbooks. Virus on your computer?Same thing, save the photos.

Our memories are priceless. They are more valuable than any material possession and have greater impact on who we are than heredity. But life often becomes so hectic, that our memories become digital documents or glossy pages, instead of fixtures of our minds. Please understand that I am in no way degrading photos. Photos are both a creative outlet and valuable documentation of events. But sometimes I find myself forgetting that an event even occurred until the visual image is presented.

So, as we embark on a new year which is a wonderful occasion for new beginnings, I am going to slow down. I hope to create just as many memories as photos. Then, when in need, I can draw the memory and feelings to mind without relying on something physical.

The physical can be easily destroyed but who we are as a person is enduring.

Have a happy, memory creating weekend!

Becoming A Big Boy

Baby J turned 16 months old last Friday. I suppose that while he is my baby, he isn't really a baby and friends will soon start correcting my reference to him as such.

He is walking (sprinting, in fact), climbing, hurdling, jumping, bouncing, and chatting. His curiousity is abounding with nearly constant 'ats dis? (loosely translated as "what's this?") and dat (translated "that"). He is infatuated with every sort of animal and anything with wheels.

The realization grew even more apparent as he had his third (yes, third) haircut in 3 months. I love his naturally highlighted locks and how as a baby he could get away with the shagginess. But the struggle that ensued each time the scissors grew near his head caused great anxiety. True, a bowl of popcorn and his own comb calmed the situation, but the anxiety was still present. So, in an effort to reduce the number of occasions to pin him down to have his lovely locks snipped, poppy and I agreed to a shorter cut. While he still maintains the pudgy cheeks and the tiny nose of a baby, he has begun to look like a boy.

While it is inevitable, does it have to creep up so rapidly?

Doesn't Every Mom Need One?

While changing quite possibly the most putrid diaper of my entire existence, I realized that there must have been a mix-up at the hospital. After Baby J and I were released, we received the complimentary diapers, wipes, and the little hat. But they forgot to give me the stomach of steel. That would have been handy this morning.

Oh my, these are big shoes to fill.

Sorry that the picture is blurry, but he moves so fast these days! Even with an instant shoot digital camera he's blurry.

Never try to match wits with a Sicilian when death is on the line.

Hahaha Hahaha Hahaha Haha Thud.

Sometimes having a toddler is like going to battle with a Sicilian, except death isn't on the line. Sleep is.

The past few weeks, baby J has acquired a few new, somewhat strange habits. He is determined to continue to nurse frequently at night. And, I, the Norwegian/German that I am, am determined to have my way.

His first battle was realizing that if he coughed, he got mommie's milk. In the beginning, it was a legitimate cough. And because I would never withhold anything good for my son, I nursed him. But then I began to notice that the cough continued, except he had no congestion or drainage. Yet, he would wake up and start coughing. Strategy: Cup of water on the nightstand. Success! Sleeping baby!

His second battle was crawling out of his bed and crying. This worked to his advantage, because when his papa got up to retrieve him, he tripped over him. Both returned to our bedroom in hysterics. So, we put the baby gate up on the top of the stairs each night, propped even more pillows in his bed, and were able to avoid an accident. Success! Sleeping baby!

Tonight, he must have thought, Forget it. They're onto me. I'm a pretty light sleeper these days, so I was surprised at what I heard next. There were small footsteps pattering quickly. Then came a shadow. He looked light a miniature football player barreling towards our bed. I quickly sat up, took him in my arms and cuddled him as he sipped the water. In record time, he was asleep in our bed. Success! Sleeping baby.

I think that I will join him now.

Lazy River Laziness

I had been quite bummed. Many of my friends had ventured away for the weekend. I was feeling very left out and wanted nothing more than a few days away. So, my hubby surprised me with a trip to Timber Ridge Resort & Lodge in Lake Geneva, WI. It has an indoor waterpark and each room is a suite. He told me the morning of our departure of his plans.

It was wonderful to get away, especially in light of the impending snow storm. We made the trek northward and enjoyed the warm indoor excursion with a beautiful view of the outdoors. It felt almost like being in a snow globe, except with the snow on the outside of the glass. We played in the pool and baby J went down his first mini-waterslide. Shortly before the fun was about to end, baby J and I floated on the lazy river. He was tired and very relaxed. He said that he wanted NeNe, so I positioned him gently and nursed him until sleep found him. That is how we ended our retreat. What a lovely way to bond!