She Wants A Sister

We have a nightly routine in the house of 'Nuggle Chat' with Nora. This involves laying down with her after the teeth are brushed and prayers are said.

Then, you ask one question, 'How was your day' or 'What are you thinking'....you will get a mirade of answers but we were not prepared for this one.

Rich, ''Whatcha think Nor?''

Nora, ''Daddy, I like my butterflies on my light''

Rich, ''They are very pretty honey''

Nora, ''Daddy, next week when brother turns into a girl, he need decoration like my butterflies ok?''

HUH?

We think Nora might be a little confused. Brother is not a sexual chameleon honey, he will not magically turn into a girl. Although she insisted from the get go that mommy's 'tummy' was a girl, he is indeed a boy.

Guess we'll have to ponder that 3rd kid.

Rolo Pretzels

These are Rich's favorite Chrismas treat...he will admit to a small addiction.

We first started making these about 4 years ago and were hooked. They remind me of a turtle candy from the chocolate shop but so much easier!

Rolo Pretzels.

2 bags Rolos
1 bag small pretzel twists
1 bag pecan halves.

1. Unwrap all the rolos and place candies in a bowl to the side. For fun, let your 3 yr old do it, this should keep them busy for approximately 1 hr or more. Be wary of the 1 for the bowl, one for their mouth division of candy, this equals a nasty sugar high and subsequent crash later.

2. Place pretzels on a sprayed cookie sheet. Put one rolo candy in the middle of each one. See
picture!


3. Put cookie sheets in oven set at 275 degrees for 3 minutes to soften candies.

4. Take sheets out and smush pecan half into rolo on each pretzel.


5. Refridgerate for approximately 2 hrs to allow chocolate to set back up.

Who Need Lyrics "When You Can Make Them Up.

Embarrassing admission #306.....

I can't remember lyrics to SAVE. MY. LIFE.

For that matter, I couldn't remember musical notes for all those piano recitals or marching band either. Had to have a sheet of music. It's truly incredible that I was 1st chair clarinet in high school. Guess I was good at faking it.

The piano sits in my den with my clarinet and together they mock me. Of the two, I'm most inclined to start playing the piano again.

Fast forward to now. Nora shames me weekly at my lack of nursery rhyme and preschool song knowledge.

She busts out in song from the back seat and the lyric light bulb in my brain goes ''wow, I'd forgotten about that one'. Sad, sad, sad...especially when it's something like 'Johnny Appleseed'. How more Americana can you get than that!?

It does not help that Rich is incredible and ad-libbing on the fly to entertain the kids. He has a whole repertoire of original works including...

''Super Poo'' - the headed the changing table song, it's based on the Super Man Theme

''Yummy yummy food'' - the get the kid to smile so you can shove yucky peas in song.

''Loki Kitty song'' - this involves Loki sitting on the toilet while you shower to ensure you survive the watery chamber of torture.

''Washing the baby'' - this one features lines about tushies and crannies, super cute.


And now....Nora seems to have this genetic tick or talent for making up songs. These have been some of the latest. And as mentioned before, I have no recollection of what tune these were sung too.

''Santa coming to town, Santa Claus coming to town, he find all the kids. Santa coming to town, he have the presents.'' (while decorating her Xmas tree for the millionth time in one day)

''Hush Hush little baby got to sleep. Hush little baby go to sleep'' (as she pushed her baby stroller back and forth)

''Icing the cookies with the mommy, Icing the cookies, not for brother'' (Yeah, this has to do with her love for all things iced and unwillingness to share sugary goodness)

''Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..what fun it is to go crashing throw the snow. HEY!''

I just realized how impressed I am that even REMEMBERED what she says sashaying though the house in kiddo bliss.

Magic.

This time of year is just magical. And I don't think all magic has to make you smile...it can make you laugh or cry because this season is all about reflection of what's most important.

Especially when you add in the dusting of snow that transformed the backyard into a picture perfect December Day. Hearing intermittent shrieks of 'It's snowing!'

The kitchen hidden under pots and pans with baking goods strewn all over the surfaces. Add in Nora screaming about making another 'muffin man' cookie which is really a gingerbread man, but we'll blame Shrek for that misunderstanding.

Making a donation to Hope Hospice at home in Texas for all the loved ones that have passed. There is a way to find joy beyond the tears.

Nora saying with awe 'The decoration is beauuuutiful mommy. I LOVE it!' (insert mommy tears at her joy)

There's the daily snuggling on the couch to watch Frosty the Snowman and squeal at all the same spots AGAIN. It never gets old.

The mommy tears as I snuck away from the house this afternoon to grab a gift for her. She specifically asked Santa for a pink dollhouse. And then....we spotted it while out and she told me we needed to go home to tell the elf! That elf soooo comes in handy.

Rich taking Nora out to shop for 5 hours. I stayed home with my perfect cup of coffee and cookies wrapping gifts with my favorite movie on....''White Christmas''

Being able to ship a gift to a friend in Canada to brighten her days. We've never met but she is so loved.

Nora unwrapping a gift from her great aunt and uncle prematurely. More tears, but she hasn't done it again.

The surprise we are keeping from Nora. The one where I go pick my parents up from the airport and bring them home so she can open the door.

My cousin graduating from A&M University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering...aka rocket scientist. The day was exactly 6 mths after his mom passed away, can't help but feel that she was there.

Hosting the neighborhood ladies cookie exchange party. Love, love sharing in the spirit of friendship.

I'm sure to keep adding to this post. Many years from now I'll never remember the holiday moments of 2010 that kept me smiling and laughing and crying.

Easiest Dip EVER!

Not going to take credit for creating this one, I found it on a food blog I frequent. It was a hit at the ladies neighborhood party as several people wanted the recipe.

Here it goes....you ready for this complicated process?

White Bean Pesto Dip.

2 Cans white Northern kidney beans drained and rinsed.
1 small jar (8oz.) Pesto - any brand you like.

Serve with Wheat Thins or Triscuits.

Put both ingredients in blender and push 'Frappe'....ta-da! Instant hummus like cracker spread that is just addictive. It's low calorie and low fat!

Just when you thought those parties were trapping you in the world of 'The 12 pounds of Xmas' (or so I called the time between Tgiving and Xmas every year of college).....there comes a dip that might just save ya!

Take this to a party and indulge to avoid all the other tasties.

***You could easily add 1 c. mozzerella and 3/4 c. parmesan and bake this at 400 degrees for a hot dip. Sorta like artichoke dip, but not. Of course adding the cheese would be fantastic but erase the aforementioned low fatness.

Almond Cream Cheese with Cherry Cranberry Chutney

Total, total experiment here that turned out awesome!

I wish I would have taken some photos of making it, but thought about it too late. Not to worry, pics tomorrow before it gets eaten at the neighborhood ladies party.

Almond Cream Cheese with Cherry Cranberry Chutney

1 16 oz. bag frozen cherries - quartered.
1.5 c. fresh cranberries
1 tsp cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. water
1 c. apple sauce
1/3 can frozen apple juice (not diluted)

3 blocks cream cheese - 1/3 less fat (softened on counter for 30 mins)
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/4 c. confectioners sugar
1 tsp. almond extract

4 T cornstarch
3/4 c. water

sliced almonds
graham crackers

In a pot combine cherries, cranberries, cinnamon, brown sugar, apple juice, apple sauce, and water. Put on stove on a low setting. This will need to simmer on low for about 2 hours until you can't tell the cranberries from the cherries....

In mixer, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, confectioners sugar, and almond extract. Beat on medium setting for at least 5 mins.

Pour or scoop cream cheese mixture into 9" pie place or other glassware. Put in fridge.

When cherry cranberry chutney is completely cooked down you will want to add the cornstarch and water to thicken. Mix the water and cornstarch together in a bowl until it looks like milk. Pour into chutney and stir....do not remove from heat yet. Cook for about 15 more minutes so the cornstarch can thicken the sauce.

Take sauce off stove and put in fridge until cool or let stand on counter until cool.

When chutney is cool pour over cream cheese mixture in pie plate. Sprinkle top of chutney with almonds.

Serve this with regular graham crackers....Serves about 16.

**As always you can adjust the sweetness of both parts by adding more sugar to taste.

Red Wine Marinade

I've decided the month of December is just gonna be a lot of recipes...I feel like there should be a song 'The Twelve Dishes of Christmas'..hmmm, I may be onto a yearly tradition here. Get back to you on that.

Red Wine Marinade

1 c. red wine - I typically use a Cabernet
1/4 c. Dale's Marinade
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder

We use this on grilling steaks and season with a little Cavender's Greek seasoning.

Fajita Marinade.

This is the tried and true fajita marinade from the Schneider family. It is famous amoung friends attending the summer parties at the ranch.

Here's the challenge...finding the right cut of meat. The only place my mom can find it is at Granzin's meat market in my home town. (I hear they ship!) You want a double tendorized skirt steak or flank steak cut about 1/4 of an inch thick, not exactly something you can find at the local Kroger. I can only find flank steak out here in Atlanta and the butchers look at me funny if I tell them to double tendorize it with a hammer. You want this meat to look like cube steak, except cube steak is the WRONG cut of meat to use.

I might also mention this is fantastic on chicken. Some of you might want to try it on shrimp or salmon. Tell me how that goes on the shrimp, I'm allergic to shellfish so that option is out for me.

Beef or Chicken Fajita Marinade

1 Light Beer (we drink a lot of Miller in this house)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 pkg. dry Italian dressing (Good seasons)
3 T. lime juice

Fajita Seasoning

8-10 lbs of meat

Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup or bowl.

Lay meat of choice in 9x13 glass pan or freezer baggies because that 9x13 is not going to hold all the meat.

Pour marinade over the meat of choice. Shift meat around in the marinade to make sure it gets between the crannies...

Marinade over night, this insures the best absorbtion of flavor. Grill the next evening and serve with your favorite Mexican sides.

Fajita seasoning, my mom sent me to Georgia with a can of this stuff. It's made by Rosa's the ingredients are onion salt, garlic salt, garlic powder, pepper, and other spices. I think if you dust the meat with a combination of the four you should be good.

Sidenote: The leftovers make awesome sandwich roll ups and salad toppings.

Creme de Menthe Squares

Ok, it's the Christmas season and there are way too many tasty recipes in my box not to share.....This recipe is like a homemade Andes mint. Mom started making these when were we really young and we would sneak them out of the tin while she wasn't looking. TASTY! An horribly addictive, hide them from yourself!

Creme De Menthe Squares

Bottom layer

3/4 c. butter

3/4 c. chocolate chips

2 c. crushed chocolate graham cracker crumbs

1 egg beaten

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Middle Layer

1/3 cup creme de menthe liquor

3 c. powdered sugar

Green food coloring.

Top Layer

1/2 c. butter

1 bag chocolate chips.

For bottom layer: In sauce pan combine 1/2 cup of the butter and 3/4 c. chocolate chips on low heat! Heat and stir until well blended. Remove from heat; add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, the egg and vanilla. Stir in graham cracker crumbs. Mix well. Press into bottom of an greased 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake on 350 degrees for 10 mins. Let cool.

For middle layer: Melt another 1/2 cup of the butter. In small bowl combine the melted butter and creme de menthe. At low speed of electric mixer beat in the remaining 3 cups powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over the chocolate layer. Chill 1 hour.

For top layer: In small sauce pan combine 1/2 cup butter and 1 bag chocolate chips. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Spread over middle layer. Chill 1 to 2 hours. Cut into small squares. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Variations:

I have tried this with ALL liquors and they turn out just as yummy. Frangelica, Chambourd, Kahlua, Baileys...the possibilities are endless.

Some people might want an alcohol free version. I'm sure you can make a really thick buttercream icing flavored with peppermint extract for a similar flavor. Orange extract might be another good one, always have loved those chocolate oranges this time of year.

The Yucky Part.

Some days, you as a parent just don't want to get out of bed when the youngster wakes up. That was this past Saturday. These are the days when I LOVE that the toy room is right off our master....just send the kid in there and doze.

At some point Nora walked in with a Bartlett pear. I remember her commenting something to the effect of , 'I need the stem off. My knife not sharp enough mommy' as she was holding her playskool kitchen knife.

''You are right Nora, your knife is not sharp' Nora exit stage left.

Back to the glorious dozing. You have that mommy ear on just enough to hear if there's trouble. Then you realize there is NO sound.

No sound is worse, infinitely worse. Be worried.

''Mommy Daddy, here is the yucky part. Where I put it?'

Huh?

Nora standing there with the top of a the pear and the butt of it. No, no, no!!! She did not do that.

''I cut and cut and cut it with my knife''

''Where did you cut it? On mommy's brown rug?''

''No I cut it on the carpet right over there.''

Nooooooo, forever will I have a sticky carpet stain on my berber. Rich and I just layed in bed and chuckled at our parenting fail of the weekend.

Ahhh...deep breathe, worry only about the big things in life, not the little things like the yucky part.

King Ranch Chicken

We'll just call this a no hassle recipe for chicken enchiladas. It has been in the family for a long, long time. Originally made on the King Game Ranch in south Texas for hunting parties, it's a people pleaser.

King Ranch Chicken

5 chicken breasts
1 c. chicken broth
1 - 16 oz. package Mexican cheese
1/2 c. green pepper chopped
3/4 c. onion chopped
1 can Rotel or 3/4 c. salsa
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 c. Santita's white corn chips, broken.

In a pot, boil chicken breasts until thoroughly cooked. Take out and dice into small pieces. Reserve chicken stock.
*** You can also pan cook these with some olive oil.

In large mixing bowl, add chicken, chicken stock, cheese, green pepper, onion, Rotel, chili powder, garlic powder, cream of chicken soup, and tortilla chips. Mix well. You can adjust the amount of chicken broth to make the cassorole more crunchy or mushy...whatever your preference.

Grease or spray casserole dish. Dump mixture into casserole dish and spread out evenly. Bake at 400 degrees until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown. (about 40 mins.)

I normally just serve this with a big salad or cut up fresh veggies. For different variations you could always add:

can of black beans
a cup of frozen corn.
1/2 c. chopped cilantro
substitute salsa verde for the Rotel

I will admit to never trying any of the above variations, since the hubby has forbidden me messing with the recipe.

She did NOT say that....

Sticking to the idea that kids are a GREAT source of humor, ummmm embarassment. Here are a few from Nora over the weekend.

She had great fun making everyone come help her go potty at moms house...Aunt Cari got the job and was treated to

'Aunt Cari, this take a while, I have to poop.'

'Ok, we can wait'

''OH! Did you hear that?! It's my poop splashing'...

Aunt Cari only has a 3 mth old so she is in for more of this greatness, but a genius introduction to the word of potty talk.

Nora was also big on public potties this last week. The plane for one was a fantastic place! She had to go pee a record 3 times in 1.5 hrs. We are sure it was just the novelty of it.

This one was the kicker though...

We were delayed for 4 hours at the San Antonio airport due to crazy rain and tornado warnings in Atlanta...so weird for November 30th....this left us hanging out in the airport more often...

Run Nora around. Feed Nora. Nora needs to go potty. Nora watches 2.5 seconds of a movie. Nora runs to the window. Nora makes a random friend. Nora needs to go potty. Feed Nora. Nora watches another 2.5 seconds of movie....on and on and on...

Then this happened on a adventure to the potty.

''Mommy! You have on bluuuuuuue panties!''

Me hanging my head into my hands inside the stall. Whisper, 'yes, but we don't need to say that outloud ok?'

''Ok, mommy. I be quiet.''

''Thanks''

''Mommy? You have hair on your bottom?'' (She did whisper)

Me in my head thinking 'OMG! You did not just say that! Thank God for the previous whisper directive.'

KIDS! They keep life interesting.

D.L.D...it's a serious condition.

Dishwasher Loading Disease....

Let me explain.

Somewhere in my genetic make-up, dad passed down obsessive dishwasher loading. It edges on insanity and I can't convince my husband to jump on the crazy with me. The brother in law will attest that Cari has this exact genetic tick as well. Both husbands will also admit to loading the dishwasher as fast as possible and hitting 'run' so we don't the see the disasterous waste of space they have left.

There are several principles that rule dishwasher loading for me.

Uniformity. The plates. Love them, hate them. All plates big or little must face the left hand side of the dishwasher. This is for maximum square inch usage as they are oversize and can only face one way. In fact, when purchasing a new dishwasher we entered every store holding a blue ceramic plate.

Placement. Certain dishes or bowls must be placed in the exact same spot every time. The striped ceramic bowl goes in the front left corner. The Rubbermaid drink bottle fits perfectly into little vacant spot it leaves. The bowls go on the top rack all the way to the right.

Time. You must be efficient at this as well. Dilly dallying will not be tolerated. I can load the whole dishwasher in less than 5 minutes most days...why can't you?! Not to mention, if I have to unload it...that's 7-8 minutes to get everything out and put away.

Best time ever was 10 minutes. Yeah, I timed it. Gotta entertain myself somehow or suffer a slow brain death from domestic boredom.

Bonus points. Creativity in loading, like putting the strainer on top of the sippies, it does not need it's own zip code. Figuring out how to fit the 's' piece in, like the ceramic crock pot or my roasting pan. Maximum items per square inch, jigsawing all the little sippy lids, straws, wire wisks into a dishwasher mosaic on the rack.

Now that you know the rules you can load my dishwasher, make sure I'm out of the room. Please don't make me lean against the counter with my arms crossed tightly across my chest to keep my arms from flying out towards the dishwasher to FIX it!

Hot and Sour Chicken

This one is a twist on my mom's Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe that I absolutely adore, but cringe at eating fried food all the time...

This recipe takes a little prep time the day before but is an easy throw together the next day.

Hot and Sour Chicken.

4 chicken breasts defrosted
1 can. pineapple chunks (juice and pineapple divided) use a LARGE can...
pineapple juice
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. ketchup
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 T. hoisin sauce
1 T. Szechaun sauce - this makes it about a medium on the spicy scale
1 T. olive oil
3 T. cornstarch.
1.5 c. water. (divided)

1 onion diced - about 1 c.
2 green peppers cut up in large pieces

Rice - you can decide how much you want to prepare for 4 servings. I typically use 1 c. cooked brown rice per serving.

1. Put chicken in shallow tupperware or similar container with lid.

2. Mix pineapple juice reserved from can., soy sauce, ketchup, hoisin sauce, Szechaun sauce, olive oil in glass bowl...mix well. Pour this over the chicken and let marinade for at least 6 hours or overnight.

3. Remove chicken from fridge and let stand for 30 minutes.

4. Spray large pan with non-stick spray and brown chicken on both sides...Be sure to cook thoroughly.

5. Remove chicken from pan and add onion, cook until done, add peppers and pineapple, cook to desired crisp.

6. Add set aside marinade from container to pan and add 3/4 c. of water. Turn on low so you don't burn. All the sugar in the pineapple juice can heat up fast. This needs to come to a boil to ensure that all the chicken juice is cooked...no food poisoning please!

7. In small bowl mix together the cornstarch and remaining 3/4 c. of water until milky looking. Pour mixture into pan and stir...sauce will thicken within 5 mins or so. Be sure to stir or it will be lumpy.

8. Put chicken back in pan with sauce and veggies. Let simmer for 5-7 mins making sure chicken gets coated with sauce.

Serve over Rice with Asian salad as side dish(Salad with Ginger Dressing)

If your wondering about moms' Sweet and Sour Pork.

3 lbs of boneless pork chopped cubed, salt and peppered, roll in flour, then egg, then flour again....fry in your choice of oil.

In pyrex....mix pineapple juice, garlic, ketchup and soy sauce....

Restart recipe at instruction 5.

I Take That Back...

My husband is fabulous with kids. I always knew he would be from the start.

You know, the way they dote on animals, treat them like people. He will admit to having full conversations with his dogs growing up.

These days he has endless talks with our cat, Loki...what she did that day, how she's feeling, if she'd like the sink turned on to drink. Nevermind that it might still be running 3 hrs later because he forgot. The cat is spoiled.

Getting back to kids. Rich adores our children, plays with them, makes up songs, reads books, you name it he's done it....I could not be more blessed with a partner to share in the joys and challenges of parenthood.

The hubby has been traveling A LOT. I'm not exaggerating to get sympathy points here....he's been gone Sunday evening through late Wednesday every week for the last three weeks.

We have the daddy leaving drama of Nora calling ''Daddy come baaaack, don't gooooo! I miiisss youuuuuu!..no, no, no come baaackkkkk!''

Then we have the 2am bedroom visit with squealllllll...''DAddy! You're back! I LOOOOOOOVE you!'' There insues a whole conversation about what she's been up to for the last three to four days while he's been gone. Rich will groggily have this conversation while she snuggles into the bed. Yes, indearing, but not so much at 2am.

It's all the time in between leaving and returning that really gets me exhausted, frazzled, and tired. Don't get me wrong, most of it is filled with great moments that are etched in my memory for when I'm old and grey. I send Rich endless youtube videos and cellphone picks to keep him informed of the happiness he is missing. The end of some days finds me cuddled down on the couch with a good book or my laptop and a couple drinks...one for each kid.

The class of wine or amaretto usually falls on the last day with the kids, when I start fantasizing about my own business trip or time away.

I'm serious, there are days that I crave an escape. To feel the adrenaline rush of a deadline or the calm of the drive home with the sun setting. I'm somehow jealous that Rich gets to come home and slip out of work clothes into jammy pants and tshirt, to feel the last remnants of the office leave you....yeah, I'll be the mom over here with erp and cereal on her gym shirt. Not quite the same is it?

Rich understands that I want to be more than just a mom in this life. That's not an insult to anyone that truly sees that as their calling, it's just not 100% what I want to do for the rest of my life.....So Rich hears this during our morning commute....

''I need a job! It would be a vacation from this!''

This is as Nora is whining in the back seat about the 12 thing that is making her sad or frustrated today and it's only 10:30am.

''Well hon, if you can find a job that makes 'X', I'll stay home with the kids''

''Yeah right. What's wrong baby?''

''My tummy hurts''

''What's she complaing about? I can hear her''

''Yeah, Nora just threw up in her carseat. ''

''What!? No way, she three up?''

''Yep, oh God she threw up again. Gotta go home and take apart the carseat. I'll talk to you later''

''Um, hon. I take that back. The thing about staying home.''

''I see, little barfing gonna scare ya off? You know that's in the job description''

''I forgot about the fine print. Yeah, deals off'.

Ok, so he's fabulous until there's barf involved.

This Means I'm Old

The crazy things that come out of my childs mouth at snuggle time before lights out.

''Mommy, I am 3?''

''Yes, you are three.''

''This means I'm old momma. I'm 3.''

''No, you are not old sweet pea''

''Yes momma I old, I growed and growed and growed!''

If 3 is old in her book, than I'm practically ancient by those standards.

Thankful

Thankful. Definition "a grateful heart", '' Aware and appreciative of a benefit''

With all the hustle of the holidays upon us, it is that moment in life when we all choose to reflect on months gone by.

What have they brought us? Joy, sadness, Hope, discouragement, satisfaction, defeat...the list is endless in this life of constant change.

Maybe that's what I'm most thankful for, the change. The promise of it. That no tomorrow will be the same as today.

How do I explain this one to Nora?

Here's the conversation....

''Hey Nora.''

''Yes mommma''

''Ms. Angela wants you to bring something to preschool that you are thankful for on Wednesday. Thankful is something that you really like, that makes you happy''

''Ummmm, I bring my new crayons.''

''Ok, your thankful for your crayons, mommy thinks that's great. You get to draw pretty pictures with them.''

''Mommy, I not take one crayon, I take lots, for all the children to share. It make me happy, ok?''

And with that my heart sung, just rung out that my child would think of others.

Today, I am thankful for such a sweet child.

____________________________________________--

I'm just going to log this email I got from her teacher last week. It makes me wonder what we did right and how we can copy it for Trent. Rich and I are in constant awe of her.

''Nora was such a sweetie today! We have a new student who does not speak any english. Nora was such a big helper with her...just trying to show her things, and inviting her to sit down and do playdough with her. She's always such a helper with other kids who need anything...and if she can't do it...she'll come get us to do it for them. She has an immense amount of compassion and empathy for a 3 year old!! If you are wanting more specifics...she was great at cleaning up, and getting others too. She had the other kids get quiet in the hallway when we couldn't. She's just so sweet when she does it too, she's not mean about it!! :). I've gotta say...I wish I had 10 of her in our class!! :)
Have a great weekend!!
Angela

Some of My New Favorite Blogs...

Because I'm always up for a big deal on home decor....make it look like you spent a million when you spent less than half.

http://www.copycatchic.com

Always up for a good recipe or two....by the way, I saw brussel sprouts at Trader Joe's the other day..had NO clue they grew on a stalk!

http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/

This is just a good laugh about everyday life....And she posted about DressBarn this week, possibly one of my favorite places to shop outside the mall.

http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com

If it Works on the Toddler.....

Now, I understand that as a part-time stay at home wife and mom there are responsibilities that I have to undertake.

This is not one of them on MY list.

Rich goes on business trip.

Rich comes home.

Rich puts suitcase in bedroom on the floor somewhere.

Suitcase sits in bedroom unpacked (except for the random toiletries he digs out, like his toothbrush)

Suitcase becomes very nice carpet weight. Won't have to vacuum that patch this week.

Amanda gets tired of suitcase sitting on floor for DAYS or even a week later, unpack it, put it away.

Wife has come up with a new plan. After request, ''Just get the clothes in the hamper'' has been forgotten.

If husband can take away toys from child for not picking up.....I will take away his clothes! Or refuse to wash them. Either way I think this is a win for me.

Ok, rant over.

Hot Wing Meatballs...

This has become a standard dish in the house now....

Hot Wing Turkey Meatballs.

Ingredients

• 21/2 pounds lean ground turkey
• 1 large onion, finely minced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 TB soy sauce
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp basil
  
• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 12 whole wheat saltines crushed.
  
• Frank's Red Hot (to taste)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 large baking pans with oil. Mix turkey, onion, garlic, salt, soy, oregano and basil in large bowl. Crumble bread and crackers into turkey mixture and mix well. Roll meatballs about golf ball size. Bake for about 35 minutes, until slightly crispy on top. Toss meatballs in a small amount of Frank's Red Hot just before serving, or serve sauce on the side

Bully

Post to come soon.

The Snuggle Bug and the Spool (a tale of warmth)

When your dating someone, you notice things. Some things you don't like, some things you really do....these things get quirky nicknames or secret phrases that only the two of you know.

Reference here would be the well known trick of saying 'olive juice' silently from across a crowded room towards your loved one. It's suppose to look like you're saying 'I Love you'...personally never tried it, because hey if I'm going to say that then whoever is around can hear my admission of passion for my husband.

Why hide a term of endearment?

Some of my readers have long heard our terms of endearment for each other....neither of these have any embarrassing connotation to them. They just speak of early moments in our love for each other.

Rich is 'Bug' to me.

In fact, he's listed as 'A Bug' in my cellphone making him the first contact number for me, even though he's on speed dial as number 2. Is it weird that it annoys me that my Sprint phone won't let me list him as number 1? My voicemail has to be first, sometimes on a BAD day voicemail should not be my number one option. In fact, some days selecting the number one option results in an immediate dialing of number 2 because *insert family member* has pushed a different kind of button....

(I got off track, small consumerism and familial dynamic driven rant. )

Rich likes to snuggle.

Rich also radiates heat and is my personal space heater on cold winter nights...think Jacob Black to Bella in the tent on that fateful eve. Atlanta can be cold to a Texas girl in the winter, really cold. We call it 'Cold Footy Weather' because my extremities turn to little icicles that can send Rich six inches off the sheets if touched to his calf.

In those early relationship months, he was determined, getting me all snug and warm.....then was coined the endeared nickname 'Snuggle Bug'. Shortly after that I would get emails and cards signed 'S. Bug' and now 9 years later it's just 'Bug'. I'm told that my referenced name choice is a barometer for emotional stability at any given time.

Me. I'm the 'Spool'.

Ironically, my endearment also has to do with needing warmth. You see, at night when I'm cold, I turn and turn and turn in the covers. Imagine a spider turning it's prey into a cocoon of web.

That's a little gory, but hey you get the point.

Rich said I 'taco'd' myself, which I wasn't too happy with the term. Although now we refer to wrapping the kids after bath as 'baby taco'...Nora uses the term as a verb asking to 'taco me!' Kids can be tacos but adult woman probably don't want to be referred to as a greasy, fat filled, crunchy outside form of cheap food.

Who's with me on that?

So he went into his vocabulary and found another term 'spooling'. Is that even a verb? I'm too lazy to look it up. Many a morning I'm told that I spooled the sheets the night before.

Thus, I became the 'Spool'. Stealer of the sheets. Winder of the quilt. Spooler of warmness on cold nights.

There is the physical warmth that comes from the actions behind our endearments. Truth is, the endearment adds an emotional warmth to our relationship.

Foodie Fridays!

I'm really starting to get into experimenting, especially with my crockpot! There is just something about autumn that makes you want to fill the house with the smell of comfort food.

Apple cider is one of my favorite fall comforts and I splurged this week and bought some in a jug. Sometime on Wednesday morning, my brain thought 'hmmmm you can roast things in apple cider right'.

Then came the canvas search of several food websites.

Let the experiment begin. Mad cooker in the kitchen! I seriously, think I was giddy as the ingredients were thrown in my pyrex measuring cup. Ingredients were slowly taken from several different recipes to make the one below.

The fun part, this recipe helps me get rid of a lot of odds and ends ingredients in the cabinets. Like the last of the molasses from Xmas cookies, ground ginger that I never use, and dried fruit that Nora decided she didn't like.

This was just fabulous! (Even the picky husband approved)

Applecider Pork Roast - Slowcooker

3-4lb pork tenderloin or roast
1 onion chopped
1 c. apple cider
1/4c. apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4c. brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. chopped garlic
1/2c. dried cranberries or cherries
1 tsp thyme
1/2 c. molasses

I served this with some roasted potatoes and broccoli....

Another secret to this....afterwards the leftover pork got chopped up and mixed with some bbq sauce for fantastic fall pulled pork sandwiches.

Take My Breathe Away

I found out something sad yesterday.

The news just stopped my world every time I thought about it.

My mind can't wrap around it.

I hurt for this friend, more than I every thought I could.

Though I know she is fighting through it with strength and faith.

It still takes my breathe away to think of her.

To think of her leaving this world way too soon.

I don't need to type her name, it is etch in my heart.

My heart is forever changed and my eyes a little more open to the preciousness of life.

Foodie Fridays!

This is not my recipe, but it has become famous in the Pumpkin Patch. Nora started eating these a 1 year old, they are still the only bread/cake we can get her to eat

Mink's Pumpkin Muffins!

2 cups pumpkin (15 oz can of puree is fine)
1 c. cup brown sugar
3 tbsp olive oil
2 eggs
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup flour gluten-free flour (or whole wheat flour if you are doing wheat)
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder

bake at 375 for about 15-18 minutes, makes 12 muffins
these are really MOIST as the pumpkin quantity is double what is usually recommended....but i like them heavier on the veg for kids and less floury.

The Princess and the Pole

As promised from in an earlier post, more on my crazy child and her obsessions....that I might add, have us a little concerned.

It all started when we visited New York when she was ten months old. That city has a lot of poles.

Poles in museums carefully guarding exhibits, that mommy and daddy had to run and catch said child from touching.

Poles in playparks built in the 60's all coated in colorful lead paint I'm sure. I actually remember screaming, ''Don't put your mouth on that!'' (shiver! yuck!)

Poles in the subway, even more revolting than the playground.

There was no favoritism shown, if it was round and stood about 30" out of the ground Nora was there checking it out.

Our dear friends, the Kroboths, pointed out that poles might not be a 'good' obsession?

We all laugh.

Nora can also put back a bottle.

Throws her head back and just DOWNS it. You can not break her concentration, she will finish it without coming up for air. In most cases, she finishes gives a big 'AHHHH, that was good milk' then slams the sippy onto the table. More or less she's taking milk 'shots'.....Fantastic, she's going to be popular at college parties.

You can just hear...chug, chug, chug, chug!

We all laugh.

Nora is also obsessed with princess, ALL things princess.

Crowns in every color with lots of beads...and oh don't forget feathers.

Wands with stars and sparkles and beads that we twirl with. Around and around and around trying to perfect the move.

Tutus or totos as Nora calls them. I can't convince her it's not a small dog wrapped around her waist. We have them in SO many colors and she's requested another one for Halloween to make her Tinkerbell.

Slippers. Some have glittter. Others have heals the light up. Some have feathers across the toe, a very boudoir look for a 3 year old.

Let we not forget the final touches for any princess...jewelry and make up. Oh how we love the lip lips (lipstick). She finds it and goes wild. Lip Lips from ear to ear in every color mommy owns.

We all laugh.

Nora is obsessed with nakedness.

She is my hippy child, running through the house giggling little streaker.

Can't keep a pair of panties on the girl..(note: the 'naked walk' moment from a weeks ago?)

It started with potty-training. The time when all toddlers become fixated on their privates and how they work.

We spewed our drinks the night Nora was naked, looks up and says, ''DAddy! I have a hole! I have a big hole! I liiiiike my hole'' OMG! We just really didn't know how to respond to that and have discussions with her since about privacy.....

We all laugh.

The problem is, you put all this together....poles, drinking, feathers and sparkles, and nakedness...

You get stripper.....let's hope a few years down the road this all fades away.

Besieging the Cake.

Ahh...I don't think there's anything more stressful than kids birthday parties.

You work so hard to make everything just so. To make a special moment or memory for your child...that was last Friday for me.

I had it all planned. Drop Nora at preschool and drive to Kroger just down the street. Run through like a chicken with their head cut off quickly checking items off my list.

Get through grocery store in less than 40 minutes, having bought 50 items and saved 40%. YES!!! (Couponing on a time frame should be a sport or worth some commendation in a mommy Hall of Fame)

Drive in garage, look in back seat...Trent is asleep! YESSS!!!! Quickly unload the groceries, set up stand mixer. Complete mixing of first cake mix, start second one.

Did I mention the cake was going to be a two story castle with turrets?

Frantically start cleaning the house or at least the downstairs. It seems I've been doing this all week. Clean and turn around and MESS everywhere!....the plight of motherhood, always picking up a mess.

Cakes are cooled....um, not so much. Cake two sticks in pan. Blood pressure goes up a notch.

It is ok, it is ok....(mantra to keep me calm) I have plenty of time right?

It's only 12:30...oh no, gotta pick up Nora!

Remember that we need special purple dye from Michaels. Please, please everyone be happy. Trent happily erped down my cleavage while frontpacking him into the store. (Put shower on to do list)

Get home. Get Nora settled with lunch and a movie. Trent down for nap. Whew! Time to redo cake two and start on the turrets.

''Mommy, watcha doing? You make me Tinkerbell castle? I help?'' Ummmm, yeah sure that will be time efficient. Chant, your making a memory, your making a memory.

Darn it...Trent not so much down for nap. Walk around with him, make him happy...oh...back to sleep.

Get new cakes into the oven. Realize that because cake two stuck we are now short one box mix....Trent napping, can't go to store.

It is ok, it is ok... I have plenty of time right?

That's ok, I'll make the icing!

Get out hand mixer. Start icing. ''mommy I help? Mmmmm, that good icing!'' Three year old on a quick ride up the sugar high train. This always leads to fantastic tantrums later on.

Crazy sound coming from hand mixer, beaters lock. WAIT, what's that smell. Oh crap. Motor burned out. (Blood pressure going up yet another notch) I'm pretty convinced the universe is trying to tell me something at this point.

It's ok, it's OK! I can do this, laugh, this should be funny right? Great story later on, character building and all.

Purple icing complete. Apply icing to watch it run. down. the. cake. ''Mommy, I put Tinkerbell on cake'' (We bought a Tinkerbell at Michaels) ''No, not yet Nora''

Call Rich, tell him to go buy many more bags of confectioners sugar, eggs and box cake mix. Complain about just getting frustrated and wanting to start over, icing looks like melted wax. Not the vision of a fairytale castle I envisioned.

Loving husband assures me he will take care of the cake. He has experience, he used to make cakes at Baskin Robbins as a teenager. I think GREAT, I'm off the hook.

Same loving husband assesses the damage to cake upon arrival home and calls in reinforcements...i.e. the grandparents to corral the troops.

It's ok, it's ok...we have time to fix this right?

''Hon, I don't think my icing skills translate to this?'' WHAT! Notice icing running down cake.
Time for another plan. Turn down air conditioning to 70 degrees. Surely an artic blast will make the cake behave?

I'm running out of manuevers in my plan of attack...having lost my second leutinant to the Battle of the Clean Office.

It is ok, it is ok.... I have plenty of time right?

Lots of sugar added to mixer. Ah ha! I will defeat the cake, it will not beat me. Make icing so stiff I think I could almost roll it. Did I inadvertantly create fondant or tasty spackle? Quite possibly.

Green icing into squirting bag. Squeeze. Squeeze. Squeeze...did I just sweat? Squeezing icing just made me sweat?! The battle is heating up. But I do like the first details on the turrett.

Time to finish up the edges of the cake. Blue little flower, blue little flower, blue little flower has become my battle chant. Ah....success, the walls have been completed. husband walks through and gives kudos to forward progress shift in the battle.

Back to assailing the turrets. Oh crap. Icing squirts do not stick to cake without thin underlayer....scrape, scape the previous green detail off. Thin icing on, and start over.

Checking the right flank...icing tight and secure. Check the left, nooooooooo! Butress failure! Heavier, spacklesk icing migrating down side of cake from walls.

Retreat! Retreat! ''Hon, I'm done. I give up the castle has won.''

And so, we the parents failed to create a Tinkerbell Castle upon Nora's 3rd birthday.

In the morning, Nora asked where her cake was. Rich sighed and told her ''Daddy broke your castle, it was an accident. BUT, mommy went to get you a new cake!'' Big kudos to him for taking one for the team.

After $30 in baking supplies, we spent $30 to get a new cake. To erase the feeling of failure, to create a memory, to create a smile on Nora's sweet face.

And because I'm convinced I will win the next cake battle, today I googled 'Publix Icing Recipe' and found this.

Publix Icing

2 sticks butter
2 cups crisco
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp butter flavoring
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 lbs confect. sugar (made from cane sugar)
1/4 tsp salt - (You may want to add salt to taste)
1 tbs. meringue powder ( I use Just Whites)
1 tbs milk (if needed)

Mix butter, crisco, and salt together on low speed for 5 minutes.
Add - vanilla, butter flavor, and almond extract. Mix well.
Add- meringue powder and 1/2 of the sugar, mix well.
Continue to mix adding sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Beat until smooth and creamy (about 5 minutes). Add milk a tsp at a time if mixture becomes too stiff.
This will be as close as you'll ever come to the Publix brand buttercream.

Funny enough, there's a family saying....''When all else fails read the Instructions'''.....duh!

The Glass Slipper

It was magic.

Nora opened the door and found a box for her from Mimi and Poppi!!!!

(Footnote: she answered the door ALL by herself while mommy was in the kitchen...must get better locking mechanism)

The box went on the dining room table as my little angel stood on a chair in anticipation of what was inside.

The flaps slowly unfolded to reveal a treasure of items from the grandparents, in a spoiling only they can give.


Magnets and clothes and new Tinkerbell Pj's and more clothes...and then she spotted them.

Slippers. Slippers with pink feathers across the toes and silver heels. What more could a girl want!

Not to mention the princess crown, earrings, purse, and necklace to match.

We dance. We curtsied. We promenaded through the house to our hearts content.

And then.

Then.

My Cinderella's glass slipper failed her.

There were tears and shrieks. Proclamations of the shoe is BROKEN. Now she can't go to the BALL because her 'fwipper' is broken!

It needs GLUEEEE!

Mommy fix it PEEEEEASE!

And so I gained a degree today in 'glass slipper engineering'...me and the Gorilla glue came to the rescue. ....which leads to a different post, maybe tomorrow.

You Never Know Who's Listening

If you've ever stepped into a modern nail salon your going to understand this one. You sit down, relax into the OHHHH so nice vibrating chair.

The manicurist starts to work and chatter away at her co-workers...something, something in her tone sounds judgmental.

This raises your paranoia that they are commenting on your horrific feet. You can just imagine the 'OMG! would you look at callus' and nasty toenails'....you sit, you pray for divine intervention to let you understand...instead you sit and wonder.

Tonight, I understood!

But it wasn't in a nail salon, instead a clients house while I was sitting at the kitchen table reviewing their master plan.

The parents had try to pacify the 3 year old with his favorite cartoon. NOT. going. to. work. past his bedtime!

He was bouncing off the walls, climbing over the back of the couch and onto a glass top table.
Every 10 minutes the dad was scolding him, in French. Which unbenounced to the client, I can understand to an extent. Two years of high school French, seventeen years ago doesn't mean you retain everything!

Also being a parent, I must commend the restraint this father was using in front of company. I could tell he was seething under his smile at his childs' behavior. Personally, we let things slide a little more on the discipline end if littles are past bedtime. They're hypie tired and just not capable of rational thought.

The meeting went fantastic! Clients are pleased.

Little boy walks over and asks his dad a question about 'the lady'....child speaking in French. The father said, ''Well, why don't you ask her''....in English.

Little boy looks at me, 'comment vous applez-vous' (What's your name?)

Me, 'Je ma'pelle Amanda. Ca va Roman?'

Little boy 'Moi bien'

Then he giggled and ran off.

The parents jaws just dropped! Hit. The. Floor.

The poor dad, started stumbling all over himself for his discipline earlier, now realizing I had understood every word.

So I guess lesson learned....you never know who's listening.

Foodie Fridays!

OK, a day late for Foodie Friday....

Crockpot Pulled Pork

4 lbs pork roast ...diced into 2"x2" cubes

1 c. K.C. Masterpiece Original BBQ sauce
1/4 c. ketchup
3 T minced garlic
1/2 tsp ground pepper
4 T. apple cider vinegar
dash cayenne pepper - probably 1/4 tsp.
1/4 tsp liquid smoke.
2 T lemon juice

Dice up pork...mix all other infredients in large pyrex....Put pork in crock pot...dump in sauce...Turn crockpot on high for 4 hours, then turn down to low for 2 hrs.

Foodie Fridays!

In an effort to blog a little more....it's FOODIE Friday! Most people that know me also know that food is my second passion if not my first to what I do for a living....

And with that.....It's become a tradition in the house that every Friday I make pizza dough from scratch, we invite some friends over and pop a cork....

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

1 c. Warm water
1 pkg. Fleischmann's Rapid Rise Yeast
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 T. basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder

3 c. whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur)
1 c. white flour.

In large bowl, mix water, yeast and sugar, use whisk to dissolve yeast....let stand for 15 mins. Mix in olive oil, garlic salt, basil, oregano and garlic powder...whisk thoroughly. Mix in whole wheat flour with wooden spoon. Slowly add white flour until all mixed in. You may need to use your hands to mix in the white flour. Knead for at least 5-10mins. Put a clean towel over the top of bowl and place bowl in warm place. Let rise at least 2.5 hours.

To roll out: Place sheet of large wax paper on counter, sprinkle with white flour. Place dough in center and roll out to desired thinkness.

Sprinkle pizza stone with bread crumbs. Transfer dough to pizza stone and roll edges up to make crust edge.

Top with your choice of sauce and toppings.

Cook at 400 degrees until cheese is browning.

A BAD Mommy Day

There's a myth or a lie about mommyhood....your suppose to like it, no LOVE the job all the time.

Not so, not so at all.

There are the days like yesterday when you turn around and all hell has broken loose and in your adult mind you think 'Can I cuss out a child?'...I'll give you the brief run down.

Nora screams hysterically in her room, for 20 minutes, cussing me as only toddlers can..''mommy is mean, mommy make me sad, I no like it!'' Twenty minutes of girl drama because I what? Oh, I took her favorite purple tshirt sheets off the bed to wash because she peed on them!

''Mommy!, Mommy!!!!?

''Nora please sit come here''...Nora doesn't come...after 3 requests...TIMEOUT!

Got to gym, Kinko's and Moes for a special lunch.

Get home, set up carpet picnic for Nora and me with Beauty and the Beast.

Trent screams at me for almost an hour because he's gotten so tired he can't think about the idea that's he's hungry. So this awful pattern emerges with Trent screaming and me pacing and trying to get Trent to nurse again, which only enraged him more. And finally after he'd been awake for almost 7 hours he conked out.

''Mommy, mommy? Mommy!' - She wants to color, which if fine we do this all the time.

Me unloading the dishwasher...trip over Nora 6 times because she has this uncanny ability to be WHERE I need to go. Every. Single. Time.

Let Nora mix up apple juice. Ahhhh silence. Toddler happiness

Nora says that she wants a shower and I'm inclined since its' been 4 hrs since the gym. I get started, she comes in after being distracted by cartoons and FREAKS because I'm already in the shower....I try to reason, ''Mommy gets the soap out of her hair, then I help you undress''....''NOOOOO mommy you mean you did not wait for me!''

Nora gets in shower and proceeds to do it 'all by herself for the next 10 minutes. Showers are an actual activity around here.

Nora wants to go outside to eat a popsicle, she'll need underwear (there is a whole other post needing to happen about my naked hippy child)She won't go get them. Normally the 'No 'x', meand no 'x'' strategy works on her...not this time...hysterics again.

Ok, popsicles...we are happy again. Sand pile...even more happiness.

''Mommy, mommy? Mommy you listening to me?'' ( I swear I was looking right at her!)

Nora wants to swing, she trips and falls...cry...but we swing for 20 minutes.

She discovers I turned off the tv that had Beauty and the Beast on it...hysterics...

Dinner time, Nora refuses to think that it is, she doesn't like anything I give her.

''Mommy, mommy, you do this George puzzle with me''...In a minute, I have to clean the kitchen...''mommy, mommy you do this George puzzle with me?''....this same pattern happened at least 5 times. Was she not listening, did I stutter?

Going upstairs to give Trent a bath, Nora insists on a bath because the shower wasn't enough earlier in the day...sigh...

Bath time, Nora standing in the tub, walking across/over her brother to the toys..''Please don't do that''....'Why?''...You might smush your brother...'why?' UGH!!!

Out of bath, Nora dancing around, running away from me and pj's....Trent screaming because he's getting tired.

Nora wants milk...ok, no biggie. Insert a SHRIEK when I open the fridge 'That my lunch box!'' ...Yea, I know it's packed for preschool tomorrow...'I don't like it in there!...Nora, it's for tomorrow....But I WANT IT!..Fine! This is the low point in my day, get ready folks..I unpacked it and in frustration threw it on the floor. YEP, I stooped to the level of my almost three year old and had a tantrum.

Less than 5 minutes later, Trent is screaming for bed...try to get him to nurse, it enfuriates him. GREAT, round two of walk the baby for an hour today. Get up from couch quickly. NAIL, I mean nail my kneecap on the corner of the coffee table. Seeing the stars kind of pain. This was probably karma for the lunchbox throwing.

Nora is asking whats wrong between mutters about her lunch box being in the fridge.

Trent finally takes a bottle, get 2 oz. of formula down him, then he's calm enough to think about nursing..

Get him to bed.

Snuggle with Nora reading a book in her bed. Got teary apologizing for not being a very fun mommy today and losing my patience....She told me it was 'ok, to keep practicing'...for the next 18 yrs kid and hopefully we won't have many scarring days like today. She feel asleep in under 5 minutes. I'm sure it was a stressful day for her too.

Talk to Rich, he gets me off the proverbial edge. Thank God he could talk some sanity back into my day and understand the stress I was feeling.

Then I sat down to my computer and found this.

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/10/fueling-moments.html

How did she know? I read her blog all the time and on my worst day since becoming a mommy of two, she was my fuel at the end of the day...

I plan to fuel myself again tonight as I finally get to snuggle back into the arms of my childrens' father on his return...ahhhh. Maybe the filler won't be so dramatic tomorrow.

Raisin Oat Smash

Ok, just be prepared to get a whole host of recipes in the next few weeks. This has become one of my favorite snack or lunch on the go grabs.....

1/2 c. oats (Dry Oatmeal)
2 T. Natural Peanut butter
1/8 c. raisins.
3 long stalks celery.

Put peanut butter in bowl and microwave for 15 secs. Take out and add raisins and oatmeal...stir. Let mixture cool for 5 mins. Spoon into celery stalks! Yummy!

Note: I'm not a huge fan of celery so I've just eaten this as is out of the bowl with a glass of Almond Milk.

Pumpkin Pie Shake!!!!

Ohhhhh, how I love you Eat Clean Diet...you have just delivered to me the best recipe yet! This may become breakfast or snack for the rest of fall and winter.

Pumpkin Pie Shake

1/2 can pumpkin
3/4 c. almond milk
1/2 tsp cinnomon or Pumpkin Spice
2 Splendas
crushed ice....

Put in blender and push 'frappe'....ENJOY!

I was thinking this would be really good with some vanilla yogurt mixed in as well. Activia has a great Vanilla and cereal flavor now that just might do the trick.

Lite Brite TIME OUT!

More and MORE of these funny moments are happening...

I was sewing about three days ago and heard this one from across this room as Nora was playing with her Lite Brite Cube.

'No, NO pink ones, stop doing that! Stop doing that! STOOOOPPPPPP!.'

Me: ''Nora what's making you frustrated baby?''

''My pink lights making flowers, I don't want flowers! They making me MAD!''

(if you put six 'lites' around a center it makes a flower, she makes Rich and I flowers all the time as presents)

Me: ''Nora the pink ones aren't making flowers you are..why don't you just take the pink ones out if they are making you frustrated?''

''Pink ones get a TIME OUT! They make me mad''

About ten minutes later.....'No more time out pink ones, you play nice!''

I couldn't help myself, I laughed so hard I cried, my sides hurt....

Pretend

Nora has really started pretending that her dolls talk. This is a conversation from today.

Aurora: ''I want to go to school'
Nora: ''You can't go to school''
Aurora: '' why?''
Nora: ''Because you are a princess, princesses don't go to school, little kids go to school''

Glad she put that princess in her place!

Parenting Moment of the Day

For the last three weeks we've been in DEEP potty training mode....We are talking 2000 leagues under here folks.

First, you try nakeness all day. And bribe with movies, candy, toys....let's face it you'll do anything just to stop changing diapers.

Then, you try panties. And you clean up an accident, steam the carpet, wipe the tiles and do a load of laundry ....rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat process.

At some point, your toddler fears the potty and it 'eating her poops'...Yes, she actually said that. But before that they hold it so long they constipate themselves to the point of crippling over in pain. FUN times, fun times.

Acceptance is next, when said toddler decides the potty is their friend and that all pees and poops 'live' in the toilet. There's also irony that she gets Tootsie Rolls for pooping in the potty, and they look well....

And then, then there comes a moment that just tops them all.

The sight of Nora happily skipping down the sidewalk in her nautical dress while out on family walk....and then there was tumbling...and flashing of nakedness!

Umm, she wasn't wearing any underwear! Full nakedness, dress up over bareass on the sidewalk. Guess she took them off the last time she went potty.

And the parenting award goes to!!!! (Me)

"16"

We haven't talk to Nora much in years past about how old she will be on her birthday...seriously how much can you teach a child turning 1 or 2 about time passing.

This year is the big 3!...but according to Nora this is not true.

If we ask her, 'Nora you have a birthday coming up?'

Nora. ''Yes! I have ALLLLL my friends''

Us, ''You are right, all your friends will come over. How old are you going to be?''

Nora. ''16!!!''

(Insert us hysterically laughing the first time this was said)

Ahhh, child. How did you come up with that age? The age when daddy's start fearing boys around their daughters. Parents hand over keys. And every teenager thinks they've arrived at being an adult.

Do mommy and daddy a favor, don't grow up so fast. Slow down, we need every minute to soak up your sweetness before that day you turn Sweet 16.

What's in There.

It is so precious when the next generation has a same or similar bond to the grandparents.

This week we are visiting my parents here in Texas, while Rich works nearby in San Antonio.

Upon our arrival, Nora went to hug my dad around the legs. You know one of those screeching 'Poppy!' running into there arms Halmark type of moments. (Does mommys' heart good)

Nora DID notice a 'crunchy' sound from my dads pocket.....

'Poppy! What make that noise? What in there?'

My dad just smiled down at her and pulled out individually wrapped Lifesaver candies. Dad has always carried a few hard candies in his pocket.

'CANDY! I have some?'

Of course dad gave her a piece, but it's now turned into a game. Nora patting my dad's pocket and asking 'what make that sound?'...him saying 'I don't know' and Nora screaming 'It's candy!'....

Rewind 58 yrs when my dad was Nora's age. He tells us he used to get his grandmother's purse and bring it too her, look up and say 'Have a gum gum?' Mamoo, as she was named by the grandchildren, was an ardent gum chewer and dad too knew where to find the sweet stuff.

I think the memories are sweeter though. That my dad gets to have that moment with Nora is just precious to me.

Musings

Time for musings from Nora...she's had some good ones lately.

On our trip to Houston in the car with my immediate family...

'Baby brother is cryin, mommy needs to feed him, she has BIIIIIG boobs'...
(Thanks kid, your grandfather needed to hear that about his daughter)


Commenting on a stomach ache.

'Mommy my tummy hurts, it's blinking.'

Me: 'what?'

'My tummy hurts my belly button is blinking'

Apparently she's part robot with a sensor of some sort.

Nora on discipline

'Mommy you can not be mean'

Me: why?

'Because you're the mommy'

On crying

"I cryin like baby brother, I'm sad''

That was a TRIP!

Tuesday, July 27th....

It started as such a great day...packing, cleaning the house, meeting the roof people(again!),

Trent turning a month old...

Lots of things to be thankful for.

It went WAY downhill from here.

My dear husband picked up my Reglan prescription the evening before to ensure that my milk supply wouldn't take a hit during my traveling...

The 'trip' started a little early.

Me and my tired, doing too much trying to be super mommy self misread the prescription label in an EPIC way....

How I read it, 'Take 3 pills a day for 1 wk'...translation to my brain, take 3 pills at ONE time.

What it actually said, ''Take 1 pill, 3 times a day for 7 days'...

YEAH! I just took 3x the dosage at 10:30am!

By noon, I was calling Rich home from work because this stuff had me completely out of it. And when I say out of it I mean 'tripping'.

I've never done one illegal drug in my life but WOW. This must be what it feels like!

The next 24 hrs consisted of...

One phone call to Poison Control. (very nice people by the way)

One phone call to my OBGYN.

Not being able to sit still AT ALL! Felt like I was jumping out of my skin. Nursing Trent was pure torture to stay still that long.

A million trips to the bathroom.

Crying because I didn't like feeling out of control.

Feeling like I was having an anxiety attack x100.

Not being able to sleep.

Crying in frustration at my stupidity.

Feeling nauseous.

Briefly falling asleep on the couch.

Crying in frustration at the things I needed to get done for the plane ride the next day.

Me getting on a plane having barely eaten anything in 24 hours with Nora and Trent. Said such a big prayer to get me through that flight.

Then I just continued to feel like I had the flu for 48 more hours. Thank goodness my mom and dad were there to help with the kids on other end of that flight.

NEVER, NEVER will I misread a prescription label again!

The Espresso Train.

Oh coffee.

How I love you let me count the ways.

Boost me up.

Awaken my brain.

Get my going without delay.

But there is an hidden evil.

I did not see with my glassy eyes that 'Vanilla Latte' contained caffeine times three!

Espresso!!!

For thirty-six hours, you tortured me!

You allowed my 4 wk old to espresso himself in ways I'd rather not know!

No sleep.

Got to bed, no no NO!

Glassy little blue eyes.

Lighting fast little digestive track.

Oh my!

No more, no more riding the Espresso Train.

Oatmeal Cherry Muffins

Came across this recipe and thought YUM! Even my non-breakfast eating child eats them. I'm pretty sure that any 'dried' fruit would work with this. Going to try some dried blueberries in the next couple days mixed with the cherries.

1 c. dry old fashioned oatmeal flakes

1/2 c. applesauce

1/3 cup brw. sugar

1/2 c. skim milk or almond milk

2 eggs, beaten

2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed(didn't put this in)

1/4 c. oil

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg(i didnt put this in}

1 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. dried cherries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin tin by lining with paper baking cups or cooking spray.

Combine oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs, flaxseed and oil in medium bowl. In another bowl combine all dry ingredients including fruit. Make a well in center of the dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients into it. Stir until all ingredients are just combined.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 15 - 20 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

I Feel Like a Trilogy.

Staggering around in our sleep deprivation, Rich and I have coined a few phrases that have left me feeling well....like a series of movie titles define me...

The Fellowship of the Boob. All the people that are trying to keep mommy feed, hydrated and happy so she can return Trent to his happy state of milk coma.

The Two Boobs. Aforementioned, the ridiculously large chest that now enters rooms before me.

Return of the Boob. Referring to Trent waking up JUST as I got back from running errands, lay down to sleep, walk through the room, sit down to dinner...you name it he has the all knowing, all seeing orb somewhere in this house!


Then

There's Trent.....Lord of the Boob. Seriously, he now rules the boobs. They respond only to him and do his bidding.

The Extra Noodles...

It is no secret that Nora is a fanatic about her 'noo noos' but at least twice a week there's a pile of them left over.

What to do with extra noodles...

Pizza Pasta Toss.

2c. cooked noodles
1/2 onion
3/4 c. green pepper.
1 Roma Tomatoe chopped.
1/2c. chopped Turkey pepperoni
1/8c. feta(reduced fat)
2 tsp. grated parmasan
1 tsp. basil.
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Saute the onion until caramelized in olive oil, add green pepper, basil, and Garlic powder. Cook until green pepper is tender but not mush. Add noodles and stir around until hot. Dump this into a bowl and stir in remaining ingredients. Refridgerate overnight...LUNCH tomorrow!

Note: I've been experimenting with other veggies too. So far, broccoli or olives are pretty good as well.

Sanctuary

All night I stand watch like a motherly church gargoyle perched on the edge of his crib. I find little sleep in between the feedings, diaper changing and random baby sounds that make me open an eye.

Precious, precious twilight hours when thoughts cross my wandering mind.....

Our home is where he will be safe, loved and comforted.

Learn about faith and trust.

Get into mischief with his sister and know the consequences.

Find protection from those that may jeer him in his adolescent years.

Learn to see beauty in everything.

Sanctuary is defined as a sacred place, a place of refuge or protection where things of great value may be kept....what could be a better description of family and home.

Toddler Mischeif While Mommy is Nursing

UGH!!!!!

Seriously, Nora is into everything! Taking apart everything....all because mommy is stuck on the couch with little brother syphoning milk.

Where to begin....

She came down the hall with poop on her fingers. I think Rich and I's response was 'OMG! where is the bigger load?' (note she wasn't wearing a pullup to begin with...potty training and all)

The OCD tooth brushing going on...yep, caught her just scrubbing away and using a 1/4 tube of toothpaste to do it.

Her trying to scale the dresser to feed Foofa(her fish) for the fifteenth time in one day.

Scrubba dub dub....Nora ''washing her hands'' and making a bubble mess, slip and slide out of her bathroom. Literally, bubbles 2-3" off the counter and dripping onto the floor. Glad that hand soap wasn't expensive.

The little princess who decided she needs lipstick and takes it from mommy's makeup drawer. Ear to EAR lipgloss.

The self-sufficient toddler that used a chair to get to the bag of candy corn on the counter...we don't know how many she ate.

Did we discuss the lotion? Let's just say she's good and moisturized into next winter.

Tune in tomorrow for more toddler mayhem.....

Post-partum thoughts...

Just a few musings from my overly tired and disconnected brain.

1. WHY and WHAT is the purpose of those nurses measuring my urine after the birth? I understand, if I couldn't pee at all why they might be concerned, but otherwise why the fuss?

2. Apparently, you can have let down hearing your OLDER child cry as well. AWESOME!!! That was a three shirt day.

3. Post-partum hormones suck! And mine hit bottom about 72 hrs after giving birth. Let the waterworks commence, this time it was about my mom insisting on Nora wearing training pants.

4. If you have a toddler, they will ask you crazy questions. ''Mommy, why you broughted him home?'' ''He's EATING your boob! That's not very nice of him.''

5. Coffee is a necessary evil, even though it might wire the infant for a couple hours.

6. If you sit in a recliner long enough, your tailbone stops hurting and goes numb. Do not attempt standing quickly, just trust me on this.

7. 36H is an obscene bra size, considering I was a 36DD before pregnancy. (The reduction and lift can't come fast enough after kids)

8. Having a kid with blue eyes is freaking me out! My brain goes 'huh?' everytime he opens his eyes.

9. You didn't realize how cold you were keeping the house at night(72 degrees) until you're no longer pregnant. Holy cow, it's COLD!

(More thoughts later after another night of little sleep)

Trent Garrett Willman

(Probably going to edit this a million times as I remember things, brain very foggy right now)

So my labor was actually from Saturday morning until late Sunday afternoon.

Saturday - Woke up around 7am and was laying in bed when a strong ctx. hit, almost identical to the one that started labor with Nora. I got out of bed and started cleaning quietly around the house. My mother in law, Pam, had spent the night just in case something happened. After that first ctx., it really just felt like heavy menstrual cramping. I think I reminded myself that ANY cramp might break my water or at least progress things along.

Pam is a retired nurse so I got to have some good conversation with her about 'what' might be going on. Her opinion was to go to the hospital to get checked...I hate hospitals and they cause me a lot of anxiety, just not something I'm willing to do easily.

I came upstairs and woke Rich around 9:30am and told him he needed to get up because we were going on a walk. Pam took Nora to the pool and we went to a fitness track and did about 8 laps.(2 miles). The contractions kept coming but not getting any closer. Mom managed to call Pam during this time, which had mom calling me...Mom wanted me to get OFF the track, completely freaking out about my water breaking and having a baby in the car...whatever mom, I was stubborn and kept walking.

We got home around 11:30 and decided to go over to Publix(grocery store) to get some lunch. While there, I was having ctx and ran into a very chatty neighbor. Silently praying , I told Trent PLEASE don't hit me with a big one right now!

Came home, ate lunch....ctx. stopped dead cold at 12:30 or so. We decided to send Pam home for the rest of the day. The Willmans only live 4 miles away so no biggie to have to call her in a rush to come back.

Pam returned to our house at 7:30pm because my parents were driving in from TX (16 hours in a Uhaul). She wanted to make sure she was here just in case. Rich and I took the opportunity to go walk another 2.5 miles on the same track. This time Pam was SILENCED from telling my mom this if she should call.

Trent had been QUIET all day after the big walk in the morning. I had to drink a coke and eat ice cream to get the smallest movement out of him during the afternoon. My thought was that he might just be storing up energy for the big event. Although, during the whole pregnancy evenings seemed to be his time to be a gymnast.

The evening walk did NOTHING. Like maybe 8 ctx the whole time and some sore feet. (I was walking in flip flops...hehe)

My parents arrived at 10:30pm. Mom got out of the truck and told Trent to 'come OUT, Mimi is here now!' Mom and dad were just dead tired after that travel so we all decided to go to bed immediately. Of course, just as I crawled into bed was when Trent decided to start the fun again with the cramping.

All night I had strong menstrual type cramps that weren’t time able, a really sore lower back, and about 3 strong contractions an hour. Nothing to rush to the hospital about. Rich told me I was whimpering in my sleep that night.

After little to no sleep between midnight and 6am I got out of bed and zombied around the house trying to decide what to do. Go to the hospital, not go to the hospital. I felt like I had the worst flu or hangover. I told mom, they could unload the Uhaul and then we were going to the hospital to be monitored for a bit.

Trent was being really quiet again, like scary quiet. My little circus act was giving me a lot of anxiety with the not moving. That anxiety finally overroad my nervousness about hospitals.

We arrived at the hospital around 10:45am and checked into triage on the labor and delivery floor. I remember telling Rich I felt silly going in not actually having contractions, but needed the piece of mind. They hooked me up and ‘whoa!’ there were contractions going on that I wasn’t really feeling, all I had was an achy pelvis. The nurse checked my dilation and I was at 5cm and waters were bulging.

Decisions, decisions....

At this point, we decided to stay since they were willing to say I was in early labor and break my water to get things going. Dr. Bauer assured me that things would go quickly since I was already dilated and fully effaced.

11:30 - got to room, got iv hooked up. Just a saline drip, as I was a little dehydrated. (Probably something to do with the almost 5 miles I walked the day before)

12:45 - Dr. Bauer comes in to break my water. This has got to be the weirdest feeling ever, like uncontrollably peeing yourself.. I was at a 5, very ‘stretchy’, 100% effaced with Trent at a -1 station. This time I was determined to stay sitting or standing up during the whole labor. (Our nurse during Nora's labor insisted I lay on one of my sides. Doesn't seem very helpful since gravity doesn't help things along laying down!)

1:20pm - First ctx, start hitting, they are about 6 mins apart. Rich was awesome and massaged my hands though every contraction while telling me when it would be over. Dr. Bauer came back in at some point and to check on my dilation. I’m now at a 6.5 and Trent is at 0 station.

1:45 - We realize that ctx are now coming every 2-4 mins and getting longer and stronger. I will say that WE as a couple are handling the emotional/anxiety side of this labor much better than with Nora.

2:45 - Get Epidural. Contractions had gotten unbearable for me as they were now 2-3 mins. apart and lasting almost a minute. The nurse, Sandra, God bless her forgot to lay out several things for the anesthesiologist. UGH! The process took a little bit longer and I was a woman 'on the edge' at that poing. Had to get through 4 ctx during the insertion. I laughed when the anesthesiologist said, 'This might hurt a little' while inserting the needle....haha man you have NO idea the minuteness of that pain compared to what I was feeling.

4:00pm - Dr. Bauer comes in to check me again….hmmmmm only a 7, not really good progress for 2 hrs of ctx. Dr. Bauer inserted a pressure monitor to measure the strength of the contractions, they did the same when I had Nora.

They decide to start pitocin at this point but only put it on a 4, as I respond incredibly well to this drug. (The maximum dosage for pit is 20 on the little machine, just so you get an idea of how little my body needs to be 'efficient' with contractions) I LOVED my epidural, the anesthesiaogist put it were I could feel the cramping and tighting in my chest as moderate to heavy menstrual cramps. Never expected or wanted a completely numb birth experience this time. Oh, and since I had Nora they now let you self medicate your epidural. So, I got to control how much I felt.

Around 5pm I started feeling a lot of pressure but figured that was normal. I've read a lot about letting your body 'labor down' the baby so you don't have to push as long....

5:15pm - Dr. Bauer comes in and says Trents’ been having a few decels so he wants to check me. If I remember correctly, he worded it as a few little decels in the last 10 mins. I'd actually notived this but Trents' heartrate never when below 100 on the monitor.…Dr. Bauer check me and I think his words were ‘Um yeah, he’s right there at a +4!!!’ So more or less I was about to birth my child onto the bed.

The whole time, even after the epi I had been in a sitting position slightly reclined. Sandra helps me lay back a bit into less of a recline and Rich and her grabbed my feet. At this point, it was Dr. Bauer, Sandra, and a 'baby' nurse in the room only. No chaos of 6 different nurses and a NICU Dr. this time!

5:18pm - Start pushing. Rich tells me now that Trent had actually come down on his side. I believe I delivered his head during the first push through contractions. He was facing my inner right thigh with his left ear down. I know that the second and third round of pushing delivered his shoulders. Unlike Nora's birth, this time I could look down and see him as Dr. Bauer suctioned him out. (which just took my breath away that THERE he was).

Dr. Bauer commented that we should have more kiddos with a birth as easy as Trents....We shall see about a third.

Until then our newest addition.....

Trent Garrett Willman
Born 6/27/10
Time: 5:25pm
Weight: 7lbs 11.7oz.
Length: 20.5" (although he measured only 20 at the Ped's office on July 1st. Probably just a pointy head a birth)

You said what?

Ok, I've got to say it...strangers say the craziest things when you're pregnant. These are some of the best ones that have come up recently

Standing at Home Depot checking out.....

Checker: Do you know what your having yet?
Me: Yes a boy.
Checker: Well, hopefully he's nice to you over the next few months...
Me: Ummm, yeah ( I was 39 wks pregnant)

These are from my husband....

He's had a few comments that are making me laugh...

In reference to a new stretch mark....'Oh Hon! That's just awful!!! He needs to come out before he makes more of those' (Really, thanks like I hadn't noticed it.)

To me before he left this morning, points at me 'YOU! Go into labor, I need a vacation!' (he thinks it's going to be a vacation?)

In reference to making smartass comments, 'Well, I'm safe from her punching me right now...I'm faster than her'...(you just wait buddy!)

My mom upon hearing that I was STILL pregnant on morning this past week.

''Well, he needs to hurry up and arrive. This is becoming very stressful and hard for your father and I to schedule around''....REALLY? I know they have a business to run and have to travel from Texas but still.

This one from the guy putting up Nora's swings:

Him: ''Is this your first?''
Me: ''Uh no, we have a 2.5 year old''

(Here's your sign buddy! WHY would be be buying a swingset, have a playhouse and toys scattered all over the yard if we didn't already have one kid?)

These are random comments I've gotten from neighbors seeing me on a walk.

''You haven't had that kid yet''

''Still carrying him around, lazy isn't he?''

''Look, I told you she was huge!'' (from a female friend that I know gained twice what I have)

I'm sure that there will be more comments that I remember soon enough. This post may become VERY long.

Told ya there'd be more!....

Lady at the nail salon ( I was getting a pedicure to see if the acupuncturist points that induce labor could be massaged)

Lady: 'When are you due?'
Me: Yesterday
Lady: Yeah you look sort of ripe.

I think I just laughed under my breathe...RIPE! Like a watermelon or something.

Today!

Don't get too excited people.

It's only my due date, or at least the one I set. The pesky Dr. likes to pretend my cycles are a perfect length.....the science experiment that goes on in this house to get pregnant says otherwise.

So....all the dates I wanted to dodge going into labor have passed. I didn't want him born on the 13th because I'm slightly superstitious, we dodge all the other people's birthdays so he gets his own day, and here we are.

As of yesterdays Dr. appointment things were progressing.

The quick overview of me is this....blood pressure was 100/60. Weight...haven't gained anything in 2 wks, still at 28lbs total.

What everyone really wants to know...especially the grandparents(mine) that call about twice a day to 'see how I'm feeling'.

The Dr. told me I was 3-4 cm dilated. Why am I walking around not in labor! WHAT! Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth on this one, maybe it means a shorter labor this time.

After a discussion with Dr. Bauer, he went ahead and striped my membranes for a 2nd time to see if things would get going...ugh...all I got was a bunch of mild contractions from 10pm to 4am last night. Nothing to go to the hospital about and now I have a morning hangover from little sleep. (With Nora, I went into labor exactly 36 hrs later...see what happens at 11pm tonight)

There is an official eviction date for Trent though if he resists for much longer. Despite my disliking the idea of inductions we schedule for this coming Tuesday, June 29th.

I guess I should explain my reasons that induction is NOT for me....

1. Inductions come with a 30% chance of a csection. I scar BADLY people, like in an epic way. Having lived my entire life with a 8" scar that adhesioned across my waistline, I really don't need to risk another cut on my abdomen. The had to recut that scar twice after surgery because my body is evil and scar tissue was reaching out and wrapping around vital arteries and my intestine. My fear is a lower scar will cause scar tissue around my fallopian tubes, uterus, or some other lower piping. I can't imagine having to have procedures to recut scar tissue, while taking care of an infant and toddler, while already trying to recover from a csection.

2. I don't like the idea of choosing your kids birthday, just not for me.

3. I don't have ANY medical reason to do this. My blood pressure is perfect, urine perfect, weight gain perfect....to me induction should be because there is something going wrong and the safety of mom and baby need to be considered.

Of course, I realize that most of the reasons that I don't want induction are medical and the reasons I would are emotional......

Goodbye and Hello

I can not really find the words to write this post. So, it will not be overly eloquent or well written.

Some things I do not talk about much....this is one of them. Because it was my pain but not really all at the same time.

It has been my uncle and cousins pain for the past 32 mths.

Watching slowly as my Aunt fought against a survival percentage of 10%. Watching her body slowly heal, only for the cancer to pop up somewhere else. Watching her body reject the chemo. Watching her find calm acceptance to stop treatment and embrace the time she had left.

The time she had left was a very short 3 wks after the chemo stopped dripping.

She died today at the age of 52.

She was at home, at peace in her bed with family and pastor surrounding her as she met her mommy and daddy in heaven. I'm sure they held her and cried all the tears and hurt they could not heal from their heavenly seats.

I ask her to say hello. Hello to the little soul that is soon to join us. To guide his way safely into our arms in the coming days.

In the same breathe I will say hello to my son, there will be a note of a sad goodbye.

These two souls exchanged in joy and sadness.

Blah....bring on the rain.

Ugh! Get out, get out! Sending Trent an eviction notice that has HUGE lettters!!!.

Dr. appt. today was a little disappointing...

1 cm dilated STILL!

50% effaced, although I've heard that's more important than the dilating.

Weight, I actually lost .5 from last week so hooray on that. OR maybe I didn't lose as much as one of the nurses took pity on me and finally subtracted a merciful .5 for clothes! Yeah, all pregnancy these crazies haven't been cutting me any slack on the platform of evil.

Blood pressure - a fabulous 110/70 so we can rejoice that.

I was so hoping they would strip my membranes today but no dice. Guess if the Dr. doesn't think it's favorable then I'll trust Dr. Tagechian on that one.....Last time, I went into labor 36 hrs after this was done....

Next hope of something 'causing' labor to start...the BIG thunder storm system that just flooded New Braunfels is headed this way. Nora was born 12 hrs before the drought of 2007 broke with rain for 4 days. Maybe my kiddos like the rain, we will see.

A little ray.....

I was so going into today's appointment with a 'blah, I'll take whatever' attitude....and I got a ray of sunshine....

1 cm dilated!!! - I didn't reach this point until almost 39 wks last time....woohoo for this at 37 wks!

baby is low - I could have told the Dr. that! I've been getting zinged in the crotch for about a week now.

baby still measuring about a week ahead so - June 18th or so...Dr. says I'm on borrowed time after next Wed. when I hit 38 wks. My middle of the night phone calls have been notified.

baby heartrate - 130's

baby is a MOVER, Dr. commented that he shouldn't be able to dodge the
heart monitor because it's too squished in there...he has other ideas about what movement limits should be.

Me -

Iron is perfect after being low

BP - 102/70 - still stupid low but better that than high.

weight - up .5 lbs after last week...glad to see a slowing in that. This puts me at gaining 28.5 lbs so far. I gained 32 with Nora so right on track for the same.

AHHHH, and now to get myself all prepared with excessive nesting and snuggling time with Nora....am I ready for this?...Probably not, but I'll have a little faith and find the strength to figure it all out.

Horses

Funny for the day....

Nora, 'Daddy?! Daddy!"

Rich:, Nora hold your horses for one minute

Nora, ''Daddy, I not holdin' my horsies...my horsies upstairs!''

Rich, 'So turn of phrase doesn't work?'

Nora....blank stare.

Sometimes when they point out the obvious is what makes the for the funniest moments in life.

Full ENOUGH - I couldn't agree more.

OMG! I'm sitting here without a shirt on(sports bra and gym pants) Having hot flashes today in the Georgia heat and humidity.

Nora just told me, 'Mommy! Your tummy is full ENOUGH!'

Me, 'I'm full enough.'

Nora, 'Yes, you is full enough mommy' (pats my belly)

Conversation with DH over IM after telling him what she said...(my nickname for him is 'Bug')

Bug: LOL
me: did I just get called fat by our toddler?
Bug: quite possibly
me: great
the self-esteem needed that hit
Bug: oh come on
its mostly water and baby
if it makes you feel better call her short

Bless my husband for saying it's just baby and water! And how
observant is my toddler, mommy feels the SAME way...ENOUGH!

Dose of our own medicine....

Nora is at the stage when 'why, why, why' and 'what you doing? what you doing?' come out of her mouth repeatedly!

Of course, as a mommy I'm used to answering the same question again and again. (Even if some days it's the reason I need a second cup of coffee)

Rich, well he doesn't handle this so well. Nor will ask him 'What you doing' about three times in 5 minutes. His answer, 'Talking to elephants?!'.

I guess we were in for a dose of our own medicine while my parents were here over Easter.

Rich as singing ABC's with Nora at the dinner table and got to the letter 'g'. He asked Nora, 'What comes after the letter 'G' Nora?'

Nora, " Other letters"

She said this with the straightest face and continued to eat her noodles. Meanwhile, all the adults spewed dinner or drink out of their mouths!

Oh and it gets better.....

The next night my dad was making her count her blueberries as she ate them. Nora was sitting there with one in each hand and asked, 'Nora how many do you have left?'

She promptly stuffed both in her mouth and said, 'No more.'

Poppy(my dad) just sat there chuckling and shaking his head. He says we are in trouble, I tend to agree.

She's 2.5 yrs old and out smarting the games adults try to play with her.

Funny blog

I read several other blogs and this one had me rolling yesterday. Rich has long tried to explain this 'etiquette' to me.....just read, you'll understand in a moment.

http://www.throwingquarters.com/2010/04/pooping-at-work.html

Sidenote: the comments are as funny as the post.

Pink!

Cari and Pat found out it's a GIRL!!!

We are very excited about this for a couple reasons.

One, Pat's family, just like Rich's, "only has boys" according to all the family members. They are tickled to prove grandma Cadorette and the uncles wrong. Schneider's have GIRLS.

Reason two. No 'Zachery syndrome' for Nora at future family events. I'll explain. On my dad's side the oldest grandchild is my cousin Zach who is a year almost to the day older than me. Then it's me, his sister Kathleen, and then Cari.....then WAY down the line 10 yrs younger than him Brian, then Jason.

Poor Zac didn't have any boy cousins to play with and got trapped playing house and girl games with us.

Nora has escaped the 'Zachary syndrome' because we are pretty sure that a 3 yr gap between her and Baby Girl Cadorette will not prevent them from being good friends.

Mom and Dad are still in Greece right now so they find out Friday when Cari picks them up from the airport.

The cousin lineup is such so far.

Willman side: Michael, Samantha, Nora, Trent, and Baby Girl Jennen(Jen's due 2 wks after me but a name is still undecided) Unfortunately, Michael will be experiencing the 'syndrome' with a 5.5 yr gap between him and Trent.

Schneider side: Nora, Trent, Baby Girl Cadorette(due Sept. 11th)