Thursday, January 31, 2008
the magazine
Mer's comment on my last post made me realize I never mentioned the name of the magazine. It is WonderTime - you can check it out online too. I will say too that although I've gotten 2 issues of this magazine, I haven't read either of them yet. Well, just a little of the one today and so far I like what I've read enough to make me want to find the one my MIL stole for me. :) I'll try to remember to post a "review" after I've read at least one full issue.
Where are all the good ones?
If you read my last entry you know that I went to the doctor today. Somehow, even at my OB's office, the magazines always suck. So I decided to grab a magazine as I walked out the door, you know, because you never know how long you'll have to wait to be seen. I got there, filled out the new patient paperwork (my OB has moved since I got my IUD inserted), and glanced around the waiting room. A magazine caught my eye! I grabbed the magazine, started flipping, and was on the first article when they called my name. I took it back to the exam room. The NP came straight in, no time to read.
When it came time to leave the office, did I do what any normal person would do and put the magazine back in the waiting room? Oh no, I "hid" it behind my magazine (that I never opened!) and walked out with it. I have NEVER done that before, probably because the magazines always suck! Well today they didn't, at least at 11:15 this morning. This afternoon, because I TOOK the ONE magazine they had that didn't suck, well, now they suck. So I apologize to any of Dr. Bee's patients that have to look at sucky magazines. In my defense, if I hadn't taken it, someone else probably would have. Right? I'll tell myself that to avoid the guilt.
I got home & realized this is the SAME magazine (not the same issue!) that my mother-in-law brought me in August when she visited. She had gone to the dentist and thought it was interesting...so she stole it from there to bring it to me! Yes, I complain about her, but how many of YOUR MILs would steal for you?
I guess that's a good indicator that I need to subscribe to this magazine.
And I promise, I've NEVER walked out of the doctor's office with a magazine before. Well, I have, but only the freebie ones they have for you to take!
When it came time to leave the office, did I do what any normal person would do and put the magazine back in the waiting room? Oh no, I "hid" it behind my magazine (that I never opened!) and walked out with it. I have NEVER done that before, probably because the magazines always suck! Well today they didn't, at least at 11:15 this morning. This afternoon, because I TOOK the ONE magazine they had that didn't suck, well, now they suck. So I apologize to any of Dr. Bee's patients that have to look at sucky magazines. In my defense, if I hadn't taken it, someone else probably would have. Right? I'll tell myself that to avoid the guilt.
I got home & realized this is the SAME magazine (not the same issue!) that my mother-in-law brought me in August when she visited. She had gone to the dentist and thought it was interesting...so she stole it from there to bring it to me! Yes, I complain about her, but how many of YOUR MILs would steal for you?
I guess that's a good indicator that I need to subscribe to this magazine.
And I promise, I've NEVER walked out of the doctor's office with a magazine before. Well, I have, but only the freebie ones they have for you to take!
OMG Nipple Pain
I have been having serious nipple pain the last couple of days. They started bothering me about a week and a half ago, only hurting when Scarlett was nursing. It got worse & worse until yesterday when she nursed & I pumped I was in tears. My big fear was that I might be pregnant. (Now I know a lot of you might want to be pregnant, but understand that with a 2 year old & a 7 month old, I do not.) Last time I had nipple pain, I was nursing Matthew and pregnant with Scarlett, so that was the only experience I could refer to. I have an IUD so I knew the chances were slim, but always possible...yesterday I POAS and THANK GOD it was negative!
Scarlett has been a super nurser from day 1. We had a little trouble around 3 months when she just refused to nurse after 4pm a couple of days - it just freaked me out that she was going over 12 hours without nursing! She also hates bottles & solids, she will eat a little but she really loves her mommy's boobies.
Yesterday I called the pediatrician, their LC told me that it was most likely teething! WHAT?!? When I told her I didn't think that was the problem she told me that maybe Scarlett is LOSING INTEREST in nursing! She obviously didn't understand. So I looked up the local La Leche League leader. Thank goodness I was able to call someone who is a real "boob nazi" - she talked to me for a few minutes & quickly said it sounded like thrush (a yeast infection on my boobies & probably in Scarlett's mouth). She told me to call my OB for a prescription. This morning I did that, but my OB was out of her office. They wanted me to come in NEXT WEEK! I just lost it, started bawling right there on the phone, to the point that I couldn't even talk. I know this probably has some of you rolling your eyes, but this has progressed to the worst pain I've ever experienced. If Scarlett didn't love the boobies so much I think I would have given up on nursing. It's THAT painful. Much much worse than giving birth - and I did that whole natural childbirth thing! Once I started crying on the phone, they told me to come right in. Thank goodness. Tears work!
The NP at my ob's office confimed that it is yeast. She said Scarlett would need script too, but my pedi's office still doesn't seem to listen, so I'm off to buy some acidophilus to use for treating her.
Scarlett has been a super nurser from day 1. We had a little trouble around 3 months when she just refused to nurse after 4pm a couple of days - it just freaked me out that she was going over 12 hours without nursing! She also hates bottles & solids, she will eat a little but she really loves her mommy's boobies.
Yesterday I called the pediatrician, their LC told me that it was most likely teething! WHAT?!? When I told her I didn't think that was the problem she told me that maybe Scarlett is LOSING INTEREST in nursing! She obviously didn't understand. So I looked up the local La Leche League leader. Thank goodness I was able to call someone who is a real "boob nazi" - she talked to me for a few minutes & quickly said it sounded like thrush (a yeast infection on my boobies & probably in Scarlett's mouth). She told me to call my OB for a prescription. This morning I did that, but my OB was out of her office. They wanted me to come in NEXT WEEK! I just lost it, started bawling right there on the phone, to the point that I couldn't even talk. I know this probably has some of you rolling your eyes, but this has progressed to the worst pain I've ever experienced. If Scarlett didn't love the boobies so much I think I would have given up on nursing. It's THAT painful. Much much worse than giving birth - and I did that whole natural childbirth thing! Once I started crying on the phone, they told me to come right in. Thank goodness. Tears work!
The NP at my ob's office confimed that it is yeast. She said Scarlett would need script too, but my pedi's office still doesn't seem to listen, so I'm off to buy some acidophilus to use for treating her.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
WFMW: Pretty Sweet Potatoes
Most people grow up thinking their moms or grandmas are the best cooks in the world, right? I'm no exception...my granny is the best, my mom is the second-best. While everyone does things differently, I always noticed when I would eat with other people that their sweet potato casserole didn't taste as good, but it also just didn't look as good. The first Christmas David & I spent in our first house, we invited his mom's family to our house for Christmas. I planned to cook Christmas dinner, but being young & not much of a cook, I spent a LOT of time on the phone with my mom in the week leading up to Christmas. One of the things I learned that week was how to keep the sweet potatoes looking pretty for the casserole! I'll share that secret with you!
Run water in your sink and add some salt. Wash, peel, and cut up the sweet potatoes then add them immediately to the salt water. Let them sit while you work. Before you boil the sweet potatoes, rinse them well. The salt will keep them from turning brown when they cook. When you mash them you will have beautiful orange sweet potatoes for your casserole!
That is what works for me this week. For more great tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Run water in your sink and add some salt. Wash, peel, and cut up the sweet potatoes then add them immediately to the salt water. Let them sit while you work. Before you boil the sweet potatoes, rinse them well. The salt will keep them from turning brown when they cook. When you mash them you will have beautiful orange sweet potatoes for your casserole!
That is what works for me this week. For more great tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
I'm sick so
Here's a short update. We visited another church Sunday. Same denomination as the one 2 weeks ago, different location. It was ok, but neither of us "liked it" as much as the other one. I seem to have caught a nasty cold. It has given me a toothache, at least I'm pretty sure it's because of the cold. I hope so! Regardless, my tooth hurts so much I can barely open my mouth to eat my chicken soup! Sunday we tried to build a snowman. It didn't go so well...we have plenty of snow but it's too powdery, practically impossible to pack! Matthew was excited about building a snowman, so we made a small one on our deck.
Also, Scarlett is crawling! I seem to be blogger dumb and unable to post the video, but you can see it at our picture/video site.
And here are some pictures - for more pictures see the homepage from the link above.
Also, Scarlett is crawling! I seem to be blogger dumb and unable to post the video, but you can see it at our picture/video site.
And here are some pictures - for more pictures see the homepage from the link above.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Everyone makes mistakes?
Last Friday we saw an ENT for Matthew's ears. He had a ruptured eardrum in early December that hadn't healed by his 2 year check-up in early January so the pediatrician wanted an ENT to look at it. Well the ENT wrote us a script. That evening we took it to the pharmacy to be filled. The pharmacist questioned the potency of the antibiotic and said that at Matthew's age it seemed WAY too high. He asked what Matthew weighed and when we told him he refused to fill the script. He said he needed to talk to the doctor before filling it. That's fine...I appreciate him questioning things if they don't seem right to him. I called our pediatrician's office to ask them about it (they are open on Saturdays) and they said it sounded too high to them also, and that the pharmacist must be misreading it. I know a lot of doctors don't write legibly, but the pharmacist said the number to me & that's exactly how I would have read it too. Pedi told me to wait until I could speak to the ENT to have it filled.
Well, the doctor's office was closed Monday for MLK Day, and then I LOST the script! Yeah, couldn't find it anywhere. I figured it being late getting filled wasn't a huge issue since Matthew is showing no signs of his ears bothering him and apparently they've been an issue since the infection in December. If I hadn't found it by today I was going to call the ENT and request a new one. Anyway, I found it. I called them today to question it, and after waiting on hold for a while, they told me the script was definitely wrong. No apology, no anything...I asked how serious it would have been if the pharmacist hadn't questioned it, and had just filled it. The response..."well everyone makes mistakes." NO WAY! That is NOT acceptable! I realize that everyone does make mistakes, but as a freaking doctor, you should check and double check that what you are writing down is correct. People's LIVES are in your hands.
I am so thankful the pharmacist was on the ball & questioned the doctor. But it made me think, the location we usually use has messed things up before (telling us to use 4x per day when the doctor said 3x...and I called the doctor back to verify!) so what if we had gone to that location & they had just filled it?!? What could have happened to him? Scary, huh?
So here's a friendly (although upset right now just pondering the what ifs) reminder to ALWAYS make sure you can read the script before you leave the doctor's office, ALWAYS question that it is correct, and ALWAYS compare what the doctor tells you plus the information on the written script to what the pharmacy actually GIVES you!
I am so thankful that we had a pharmacist who questioned things! I don't think we'll return to this ENT for tubes...
Well, the doctor's office was closed Monday for MLK Day, and then I LOST the script! Yeah, couldn't find it anywhere. I figured it being late getting filled wasn't a huge issue since Matthew is showing no signs of his ears bothering him and apparently they've been an issue since the infection in December. If I hadn't found it by today I was going to call the ENT and request a new one. Anyway, I found it. I called them today to question it, and after waiting on hold for a while, they told me the script was definitely wrong. No apology, no anything...I asked how serious it would have been if the pharmacist hadn't questioned it, and had just filled it. The response..."well everyone makes mistakes." NO WAY! That is NOT acceptable! I realize that everyone does make mistakes, but as a freaking doctor, you should check and double check that what you are writing down is correct. People's LIVES are in your hands.
I am so thankful the pharmacist was on the ball & questioned the doctor. But it made me think, the location we usually use has messed things up before (telling us to use 4x per day when the doctor said 3x...and I called the doctor back to verify!) so what if we had gone to that location & they had just filled it?!? What could have happened to him? Scary, huh?
So here's a friendly (although upset right now just pondering the what ifs) reminder to ALWAYS make sure you can read the script before you leave the doctor's office, ALWAYS question that it is correct, and ALWAYS compare what the doctor tells you plus the information on the written script to what the pharmacy actually GIVES you!
I am so thankful that we had a pharmacist who questioned things! I don't think we'll return to this ENT for tubes...
Recipe Friday - Ham Tetrazzini
Ham Tetrazzini - this is one of my favorite dishes, and I think it is better as a leftover. It also works great as a freezer meal!
4 Tbsp butter
1 small can mushrooms (can use fresh)
¼ small chopped onion
¼ c flour
1 c chicken broth
1-1/4 c half and half (can substitute milk but it’s better with ½ and ½)
1 c grated cheese (again, I like extra sharp cheddar)
2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 oz vermicelli (I use spaghetti)
3 c cooked cubed ham
¼ c parmesan cheese
Cook vermicelli, drain. While it is cooking, melt butter. Sauté onion & mushrooms. Blend in flour. Add broth and cream. Cook until thick. Add grated cheese, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir until cheese melts. Combine vermicelli, ham, and cheese sauce in casserole. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake at 400* 20-25 minutes.
* Sometimes I get lazy and put the butter, onion, & mushroom in the microwave. Once the onion is soft, I mix everything except the parmesan cheese together & put it in the casserole dish, without cooking it together first.
4 Tbsp butter
1 small can mushrooms (can use fresh)
¼ small chopped onion
¼ c flour
1 c chicken broth
1-1/4 c half and half (can substitute milk but it’s better with ½ and ½)
1 c grated cheese (again, I like extra sharp cheddar)
2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 oz vermicelli (I use spaghetti)
3 c cooked cubed ham
¼ c parmesan cheese
Cook vermicelli, drain. While it is cooking, melt butter. Sauté onion & mushrooms. Blend in flour. Add broth and cream. Cook until thick. Add grated cheese, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir until cheese melts. Combine vermicelli, ham, and cheese sauce in casserole. Sprinkle with parmesan. Bake at 400* 20-25 minutes.
* Sometimes I get lazy and put the butter, onion, & mushroom in the microwave. Once the onion is soft, I mix everything except the parmesan cheese together & put it in the casserole dish, without cooking it together first.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Bad, then good, then bad again
This morning I decided my kitchen stank. Side note here - I really wanted to say my kitchen stunk, but I think that is incorrect...isn't stunk the past participle and shouldn't I be using past tense? Anyway, I decided my kitchen smelled bad. So to quickly improve the smell, I put a pot of water with some cinnamon, vanilla, and cloves on the stove to simmer. Sure enough, the smell improved. To the point that my kitchen smelled good.
I thought I had plenty of water in the pot. I thought it would simmer almost all day. I should have checked it. Instead, I smelled something burning, and remembered my simmering pot. Yep, I let the water all cook out & was left with burnt cinnamon & cloves. NOT a good smell. So now I have a smelly kitchen & a pot that needs a good scrubbing!
I thought I had plenty of water in the pot. I thought it would simmer almost all day. I should have checked it. Instead, I smelled something burning, and remembered my simmering pot. Yep, I let the water all cook out & was left with burnt cinnamon & cloves. NOT a good smell. So now I have a smelly kitchen & a pot that needs a good scrubbing!
WFMW: Get that coat on!
This tip is for all my fellow cold weather mommies. Matthew is very independent and wants to do everything for himself. As you can imagine, teaching a 2 year old to put on his own coat could be quite difficult - he just doesn't have that kind of bodily control...sure, he can put the first arm in, but then to maneuver the coat behind his back and get the second arm in...IMPOSSIBLE. Of course it only leads to frustration when he can't get the coat on all by himself. Thanks to a brilliant teacher at his daycare, we now have a method for getting his coat on him that requires no help from us!
Here's the trick:
Lay the coat on the floor with the inside facing up.
Have the child stand or kneel at the collar of the coat.
The child should place their arms in the sleeves.
Then they can flip the coat up over their head!
At first I had to put the coat down for Matthew, but now I am able to tell him to put his coat on, and if he's in a cooperative mood, he can do completely on his own. Now I just need to teach him to zip it!
For more great tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Here's the trick:
Lay the coat on the floor with the inside facing up.
Have the child stand or kneel at the collar of the coat.
The child should place their arms in the sleeves.
Then they can flip the coat up over their head!
At first I had to put the coat down for Matthew, but now I am able to tell him to put his coat on, and if he's in a cooperative mood, he can do completely on his own. Now I just need to teach him to zip it!
For more great tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
And a ME update
We have not finalized our budget (aren't they always a work in progress anyway?), but we have decided that I will not look for another job - I will "just" stay at home with Matthew and Scarlett. To be honest, the idea of being a stay at home mom (SAHM) terrifies me and excites me all at the same time. Matthew has done great at daycare - I am worried about what he will lose by me taking him out. That was actually the big sticking point for me - I did not want him to stop going. Unfortunately, the job market here sucks, and both David and I feel strongly that we don't want me working full time. It seems that there are no part time jobs out there that pay close to what daycare would cost. So our choice came down to me looking for a full time job or taking them out of daycare. We flipped a coin.
Ok, kidding about the coin toss, but there wasn't much to the decision process. We are pretty sure we can afford it, but we haven't been great about tracking our spending lately so it's hard to know where all our money was going. A lot of it was spent on dinners out (or at least delivery) and that will be cut out. We will keep our Friday night pizza though.
I am nervous about 'teaching' the children what they need to learn to stay on target developmentally. I want them to be ready for school or pre-school...whatever we decide. I also worry about losing my identity in them. So much of who I am is already wrapped up in them. Even though once I fell in love with David ALL I wanted was to be his wife and the mother to his children, I don't want to be "just" a wife & mother...I need to be me too. This is an area I already needed to work on, because I know so much of me is consumed by being the wife and mother. I also know that I will have to work to be a good wife. I don't want the children to rule our marriage.
I am planning to find some playgroups to "check out" to try to meet some other moms and children in our area. It is sad that we've lived here 2.5 years and have no friends. I am nervous about having to make friends, but I know that if I don't then I will be miserable. I haven't had to make new friends in a long long time. Especially "real life" friends....that really scares me. I know how important it is for my children to have social interaction with other children, so I have to put that aside and do it.
So, in summary:
1. I'm scared I won't be good at teaching them the things they need to know.
2. I'm scared I will lose myself in being a mom and the impact that would have on my marriage and my general happiness.
3. I'm scared I will have a hard time finding places for them to interact with other children.
4. I'm worried I will have a hard time making friends so when I do find places for them to interact, I'll be the mom that everyone wants to vote off the island.
5. I'm worried about the financial impact and peace of mind.
6. I'm excited about the world of opportunities that this opens up for me and the children.
7. I'm happy to know that I won't "miss out" on any more milestones.
8. I'm blessed to have a husband that encourages and supports this decision - we both know it might not be the right choice, but the only way we will know is to give it a shot.
Also...we didn't visit a new church this Sunday. The children were still kind of sick and it was 5 degrees plus some wind. I didn't want to get them out.
Ok, kidding about the coin toss, but there wasn't much to the decision process. We are pretty sure we can afford it, but we haven't been great about tracking our spending lately so it's hard to know where all our money was going. A lot of it was spent on dinners out (or at least delivery) and that will be cut out. We will keep our Friday night pizza though.
I am nervous about 'teaching' the children what they need to learn to stay on target developmentally. I want them to be ready for school or pre-school...whatever we decide. I also worry about losing my identity in them. So much of who I am is already wrapped up in them. Even though once I fell in love with David ALL I wanted was to be his wife and the mother to his children, I don't want to be "just" a wife & mother...I need to be me too. This is an area I already needed to work on, because I know so much of me is consumed by being the wife and mother. I also know that I will have to work to be a good wife. I don't want the children to rule our marriage.
I am planning to find some playgroups to "check out" to try to meet some other moms and children in our area. It is sad that we've lived here 2.5 years and have no friends. I am nervous about having to make friends, but I know that if I don't then I will be miserable. I haven't had to make new friends in a long long time. Especially "real life" friends....that really scares me. I know how important it is for my children to have social interaction with other children, so I have to put that aside and do it.
So, in summary:
1. I'm scared I won't be good at teaching them the things they need to know.
2. I'm scared I will lose myself in being a mom and the impact that would have on my marriage and my general happiness.
3. I'm scared I will have a hard time finding places for them to interact with other children.
4. I'm worried I will have a hard time making friends so when I do find places for them to interact, I'll be the mom that everyone wants to vote off the island.
5. I'm worried about the financial impact and peace of mind.
6. I'm excited about the world of opportunities that this opens up for me and the children.
7. I'm happy to know that I won't "miss out" on any more milestones.
8. I'm blessed to have a husband that encourages and supports this decision - we both know it might not be the right choice, but the only way we will know is to give it a shot.
Also...we didn't visit a new church this Sunday. The children were still kind of sick and it was 5 degrees plus some wind. I didn't want to get them out.
growing up so fast
So 2 weeks ago, January 9, I picked the children up at daycare and Scarlett's teacher told me she sat up all by herself. She has been sitting without support for a while, but this was the first time she got herself into position. I think it is my first 'missed milestone' for either of the children. Well, at least the first that neither David nor I saw. So when I got Scarlett home I gave her a good talking to. I told her when she is going to do something new she needs to save it for us. :) She actually waited a few days and didn't sit up at home until the weekend after she started sitting at daycare. Maybe she didn't like that talking to?
She's also really close to full on crawling. She will spot something across the room & knows how to roll to get there, and recently she has started scooting. She gets up on her hands and knees great, so I know it will be soon that she'll be crawling around quickly.
Sunday I also found a tooth. She got it a lot earlier than Matthew got his first one, and the sweet little thing didn't show any discomfort or signs of teething. I think with her being sick last week that was all that we noticed.
Yesterday we decided to have movie night at our house - Matthew had gotten a copy of Cars (the movie) for Christmas (last year!) and a set of the cars from McDonald's Happy Meals. When Matthew woke up from his nap we popped popcorn and told him we were going to watch a movie. He walked around saying "movie....movie....movie" like he was all excited, but he didn't even know what a movie was. We got his toy cars together & he sat with David on the couch. I think he enjoyed the movie - he would pick up his cars as they came up on the screen. I enjoyed watching him more than the movie.
She's also really close to full on crawling. She will spot something across the room & knows how to roll to get there, and recently she has started scooting. She gets up on her hands and knees great, so I know it will be soon that she'll be crawling around quickly.
Sunday I also found a tooth. She got it a lot earlier than Matthew got his first one, and the sweet little thing didn't show any discomfort or signs of teething. I think with her being sick last week that was all that we noticed.
Yesterday we decided to have movie night at our house - Matthew had gotten a copy of Cars (the movie) for Christmas (last year!) and a set of the cars from McDonald's Happy Meals. When Matthew woke up from his nap we popped popcorn and told him we were going to watch a movie. He walked around saying "movie....movie....movie" like he was all excited, but he didn't even know what a movie was. We got his toy cars together & he sat with David on the couch. I think he enjoyed the movie - he would pick up his cars as they came up on the screen. I enjoyed watching him more than the movie.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Recipe Friday - Mango Chicken
I figured since I posted about the Mango Splitter for WFMW I should share one of my favorite mango recipes this week. I am including the recipe as I received it & then putting some notes at the end about how I adjust it.
1/2 c sugar
1/2 mango
1/2 tsp ginger
red pepper to taste
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp orange juice
Heat 1st 5 ingredients to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the orange juice and simmer 2-3 additional minutes. Serve with baked chicken breasts and rice.
My notes: I adjust the sugar based on how sweet my fruit is - I usually think 1/2 c is too much. I use 2 mangoes instead of 1/2. We like mango! I also use more ginger and a good bit of red pepper - we like it kind of spicy too.
I have also put the ingredients in a crock pot with the chicken and let it cook on low all day, and sometimes I throw it all in a dish in the oven. That works too, and the chicken absorbs a lot of flavor.
Presentation - one of my favorite restaurants back in the ATL was a Thai place that served AWESOME mango chicken. I'd love to have their recipe, but this is as close as I've found. Anyway, they gave you rice on a plate and then on a separate plate had half a mango peel, like a bowl. They spooned the mango & chicken in the mango peel and it looked so pretty! Since I use my vegetable peeler to peel my mango, I haven't tried to make it look pretty when I serve it!
1/2 c sugar
1/2 mango
1/2 tsp ginger
red pepper to taste
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp orange juice
Heat 1st 5 ingredients to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the orange juice and simmer 2-3 additional minutes. Serve with baked chicken breasts and rice.
My notes: I adjust the sugar based on how sweet my fruit is - I usually think 1/2 c is too much. I use 2 mangoes instead of 1/2. We like mango! I also use more ginger and a good bit of red pepper - we like it kind of spicy too.
I have also put the ingredients in a crock pot with the chicken and let it cook on low all day, and sometimes I throw it all in a dish in the oven. That works too, and the chicken absorbs a lot of flavor.
Presentation - one of my favorite restaurants back in the ATL was a Thai place that served AWESOME mango chicken. I'd love to have their recipe, but this is as close as I've found. Anyway, they gave you rice on a plate and then on a separate plate had half a mango peel, like a bowl. They spooned the mango & chicken in the mango peel and it looked so pretty! Since I use my vegetable peeler to peel my mango, I haven't tried to make it look pretty when I serve it!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Board books don't go tub
Oh boy, what a day. Daycare called at 4:50 Tuesday to tell me Scarlett was sick. Sure enough, she got home & had a temp of about 101, a really snotty nose, and a cough. Not to mention she was pretty dazed seeming, and she's usually a bright-eyed, smiley faced baby. Yesterday morning she seemed to be feeling a little better, but still was in the zone, not smiling much at all, and I could tell she still didn't feel good. She wasn't running a fever though. She has also had a diaper rash that wasn't improving with Desitin, it was actually getting worse, so I decided to call the pediatrician. I also had a lunch date with a friend, so I checked with her on bringing Scarlett along. Had a lovely time at lunch, took a bottle just in case Scarlett needed to eat (nope, she was fine), headed home, Scarlett started screaming! I finally stopped the car to figure out what was wrong - she was hungry so I nursed her in the parking lot where I'd stopped. Why I didn't feed her the bottle at lunch I don't know, and why I thought I'd have time to get home before she wanted to eat I don't know. I really thought she'd nap the whole trip home. Nope!
Anyway, I then went straight to the doctor's office and they basically said it is a really really nasty cold, possibly RSV but she didn't think it was RSV. They want us to do breathing treatments for a few days and if she doesn't improve then they will know it is most likely RSV so the treatment will be different. Scarlett did great for the first treatment, but she has fought them since! Her diaper rash that wouldn't respond to desitin was actually a yeast infection, so it makes sense that the desitin wasn't helping. We got a prescription for the infection and for the meds for her cold and off to the pharmacy we go. Get there, it's going to be about a 15 minute wait, so I stick Scarlett in a buggy and start browsing. I love CVS and they had a lot of stuff 50% off. I probably would have gone crazy but I didn't have my purse, just the diaper bag, and my CVS card was in my purse. No card, no deal, so no shopping for me!
We got the scripts and then headed to the hospital to pick up the machine at the supply store. First, I've never been to this hospital before, even though it is the closest to my house. So I called David to find out where exactly it is. Get there and they charge $2 for parking! I figure I'm only going to be there 5 minutes and I'm way toocheap frugal to pay parking if I don't have to, so I left and went to another medical supply store that I knew had free parking. I quickly did the math in my head & the gas to get there & home wasn't going to cost $2. Don't most places usually give you the first 15 minutes free? ARGH!
By the time I finally got home I had to nurse Scarlett & go pick up Matthew. I felt like it had been a busy day running around to make sure she's healthy!
After supper I took Matthew for his bath, and he wanted to potty. First, he wanted to sit on the big potty. So I squat and hold him up while he sits. I guess we need to get an insert if he's going to want to sit there. (I made a typo and typed "shit there" at first...I didn't mean that but I guess it's appropriate?) Then he told me "all done" but wanted to sit on his potty. I am so patient I let him...and gave him the book that we usually read while he sits there. We read it (3x!) and then he tossed it in the tub, which I of course had already filled. I said "your board book doesn't need a bath" to which he replied "board books don't go tub". I guess that says it all, huh? Wet cardboard...yuck! I think I need to buy some tub appropriate books.
Anyway, I then went straight to the doctor's office and they basically said it is a really really nasty cold, possibly RSV but she didn't think it was RSV. They want us to do breathing treatments for a few days and if she doesn't improve then they will know it is most likely RSV so the treatment will be different. Scarlett did great for the first treatment, but she has fought them since! Her diaper rash that wouldn't respond to desitin was actually a yeast infection, so it makes sense that the desitin wasn't helping. We got a prescription for the infection and for the meds for her cold and off to the pharmacy we go. Get there, it's going to be about a 15 minute wait, so I stick Scarlett in a buggy and start browsing. I love CVS and they had a lot of stuff 50% off. I probably would have gone crazy but I didn't have my purse, just the diaper bag, and my CVS card was in my purse. No card, no deal, so no shopping for me!
We got the scripts and then headed to the hospital to pick up the machine at the supply store. First, I've never been to this hospital before, even though it is the closest to my house. So I called David to find out where exactly it is. Get there and they charge $2 for parking! I figure I'm only going to be there 5 minutes and I'm way too
By the time I finally got home I had to nurse Scarlett & go pick up Matthew. I felt like it had been a busy day running around to make sure she's healthy!
After supper I took Matthew for his bath, and he wanted to potty. First, he wanted to sit on the big potty. So I squat and hold him up while he sits. I guess we need to get an insert if he's going to want to sit there. (I made a typo and typed "shit there" at first...I didn't mean that but I guess it's appropriate?) Then he told me "all done" but wanted to sit on his potty. I am so patient I let him...and gave him the book that we usually read while he sits there. We read it (3x!) and then he tossed it in the tub, which I of course had already filled. I said "your board book doesn't need a bath" to which he replied "board books don't go tub". I guess that says it all, huh? Wet cardboard...yuck! I think I need to buy some tub appropriate books.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
WFMW: Mango splitter
I love fruit, and one of my favorites is mango. Unfortunately I always felt like it was a pain to prepare at home, and very frustrating to get all the fruit off the seed. Then I found the Oxo Mango Splitter.
This little tool is worth the price to me, considering it now takes me no time to peel and cut up a mango. I use my vegetable peeler to peel it, then use this to split it from the seed. There is a small amount of fruit left on the seed, but nothing compared to what was left when I used to do it with a knife. It is so quick and easy, and I don't end up with juice all over my hands from trying to cut the fruit away from the seed.
Matthew loves to chew on the seed when I'm done so I don't try to get the fruit that is left off. I've also been told that if you clean the seeds and let them dry out that they make a great baby rattle, but I haven't tried that! :)
So the Oxo Mango Splitter works for me. For more tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
This little tool is worth the price to me, considering it now takes me no time to peel and cut up a mango. I use my vegetable peeler to peel it, then use this to split it from the seed. There is a small amount of fruit left on the seed, but nothing compared to what was left when I used to do it with a knife. It is so quick and easy, and I don't end up with juice all over my hands from trying to cut the fruit away from the seed.
Matthew loves to chew on the seed when I'm done so I don't try to get the fruit that is left off. I've also been told that if you clean the seeds and let them dry out that they make a great baby rattle, but I haven't tried that! :)
So the Oxo Mango Splitter works for me. For more tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.
Monday, January 14, 2008
AAAHHH! Calgon, take me away....
I am in such a funk. I really don't know what's going on, but I've been exhausted lately. I think most people would say it's because I have an infant & a toddler, but I really don't think it's that. I don't remember it being nearly this bad just after Scarlett was born. I think a lot of it has to do with how much David is working lately. He has some projects that he's working on that he'll have to do ongoing reports / updates for, so he's taking a long time now to prepare the data so that it will be easier to retrieve & update next time. That makes sense to me, but it's driving me crazy. He is at least coming home at a decent time most nights & working from home after we put Matthew to bed, but still...I get annoyed seeing him with the laptop night after night. Maybe he should marry it. Yeah, I know, that's a totally childish remark, but I feel like actually saying that out loud to him. Instead I'm trying to be the supportive wife.
I can probably also blame part of it on the stress of being unemployed, but I don't think that's bothering me nearly as much as it should be. David & I are still working on a budget, to make sure that I can be a stay at home mom. So until we figure that out, I am only skimming job postings, just to see what's out there. And what I see isn't much. There really isn't much that fits my qualifications that doesn't require travel, especially that is only part time. I don't want to work FT, and fortunately David feels pretty strongly that I shouldn't work FT too. So for now Matthew & Scarlett are still going to daycare 3 days/week. So I'm a SAHM / housewife for now...I could understand being tired if the children were home every day, but when I am here alone 3 days/week, I just shouldn't be so tired.
If every day was like today, I would understand. When it came time to put Matthew down for his nap, he said "NO, mommy" and pointed his finger at me! I put him down anyway, and not 5 minutes later I heard him up. I went upstairs to put him back in bed, and he did this little penguin-like run across his room to get away from me, all the time saying "NO NAP mommy." It was cute but I'm too tired for that. I put him back down, and not 5 minutes later, yep, you got it...up again. This time he had a messy diaper though, so I changed him & put him back down. 5 minutes later...yep! I think he's finally asleep though. I told him the last time "You don't want to make me come back up here." Empty threats, because really, what can you do to a 2 year old who refuses to take a nap?
Seriously, any ideas?
So today I definitely question if I want to be a SAHM! I am not sure I can do this every day. I am not sure I have the patience to do this day in, day out. I love my children more than anything, but I think I might be a better mommy if I have time away from them. That feels terrible to admit. I don't know...we'll keep praying & eventually do that budget so we know what our options are.
I can probably also blame part of it on the stress of being unemployed, but I don't think that's bothering me nearly as much as it should be. David & I are still working on a budget, to make sure that I can be a stay at home mom. So until we figure that out, I am only skimming job postings, just to see what's out there. And what I see isn't much. There really isn't much that fits my qualifications that doesn't require travel, especially that is only part time. I don't want to work FT, and fortunately David feels pretty strongly that I shouldn't work FT too. So for now Matthew & Scarlett are still going to daycare 3 days/week. So I'm a SAHM / housewife for now...I could understand being tired if the children were home every day, but when I am here alone 3 days/week, I just shouldn't be so tired.
If every day was like today, I would understand. When it came time to put Matthew down for his nap, he said "NO, mommy" and pointed his finger at me! I put him down anyway, and not 5 minutes later I heard him up. I went upstairs to put him back in bed, and he did this little penguin-like run across his room to get away from me, all the time saying "NO NAP mommy." It was cute but I'm too tired for that. I put him back down, and not 5 minutes later, yep, you got it...up again. This time he had a messy diaper though, so I changed him & put him back down. 5 minutes later...yep! I think he's finally asleep though. I told him the last time "You don't want to make me come back up here." Empty threats, because really, what can you do to a 2 year old who refuses to take a nap?
Seriously, any ideas?
So today I definitely question if I want to be a SAHM! I am not sure I can do this every day. I am not sure I have the patience to do this day in, day out. I love my children more than anything, but I think I might be a better mommy if I have time away from them. That feels terrible to admit. I don't know...we'll keep praying & eventually do that budget so we know what our options are.
Church update
We visited a nearby church yesterday. One of our big hurdles is that we haven't liked any of the churches of our denomination, so we decided to venture out into other denominations. Yesterday we visted a Presbyterian church. The service was very nice, the crowd seemed to be a size we feel comfortable with. I was actually surprised by how much different the service was than "what I'm used to", but pleased that we both liked it. The negative from yesterday's visit is that it was the pastor's last day. He was actually an retired pastor who was acting as their interim pastor while they searched. So next week it will be a new one - we will definitely visit again.
Another thing that surprised me was that the hymns were very different than what D & I are used to. When discussing it afterwards we each said we would have flipped through the hymnal to see if our "familiar favorites" were there, but since we took Matthew & Scarlett in the service with us our hands were full. A cool thing the church does is provide canvas bags for all the children - in the bags they have crayons & paper. One of the other children in the church brought Matthew a bag - I thought that was very sweet & welcoming! (Of course we always have a well-stocked diaper bag when we want Matthew to sit quietly, but still - it was a nice touch.)
Another thing that surprised me was that the hymns were very different than what D & I are used to. When discussing it afterwards we each said we would have flipped through the hymnal to see if our "familiar favorites" were there, but since we took Matthew & Scarlett in the service with us our hands were full. A cool thing the church does is provide canvas bags for all the children - in the bags they have crayons & paper. One of the other children in the church brought Matthew a bag - I thought that was very sweet & welcoming! (Of course we always have a well-stocked diaper bag when we want Matthew to sit quietly, but still - it was a nice touch.)
Friday, January 11, 2008
give mommy kiss
It's been a good day. Matthew hasn't had a tantrum yet today, he ate good at breakfast and lunch, and we had a nice chunk of "just us" play time this morning while Scarlett napped. While he napped this afternoon Scarlett & I had a good chunk of time together too. Then I got her down for a nap while he was still napping so I had some time to myself.
When Matthew woke up we played in his room for a while since Scarlett was napping downstairs. I was sitting on his bed & he said "mommy nap" - so I laid down and he brought me his puff (a stuffed dog), his paci, and his blanket. He went on playing for a few minutes and then came over & said "I give mommy kiss" and climbed up in the bed with me, kissed me, climbed down, and went right on playing. A few minutes later he repeated these steps but added a hug. I LOVE his kisses, but I will admit that his hugs can't be beat. He wraps his little arms around you and squeezes just a little, but then he also adds a little pat on the back...pat pat. So sweet!
I should be playing with him now (actually I am, we are drinking "tea" from a tupperware tea set* that was mine when I was a little girl) but I just had to take a moment to record this.
*About that tea set, ours is not primary colors - instead it is fashionable 70s colors - brown, orange, avocado, and yellow.
When Matthew woke up we played in his room for a while since Scarlett was napping downstairs. I was sitting on his bed & he said "mommy nap" - so I laid down and he brought me his puff (a stuffed dog), his paci, and his blanket. He went on playing for a few minutes and then came over & said "I give mommy kiss" and climbed up in the bed with me, kissed me, climbed down, and went right on playing. A few minutes later he repeated these steps but added a hug. I LOVE his kisses, but I will admit that his hugs can't be beat. He wraps his little arms around you and squeezes just a little, but then he also adds a little pat on the back...pat pat. So sweet!
I should be playing with him now (actually I am, we are drinking "tea" from a tupperware tea set* that was mine when I was a little girl) but I just had to take a moment to record this.
*About that tea set, ours is not primary colors - instead it is fashionable 70s colors - brown, orange, avocado, and yellow.
Recipe Friday - Chicken Spaghetti
This is one of my favorite casseroles. I almost always serve it with sides of peas and cornbread, just like momma used to do! It is a great recipe to freeze, so if I'm making it I usually double it & put some in the freezer.
Chicken Spaghetti
1-1/2 c boiled, chopped chicken
1 c uncooked spaghetti
1 small jar pimentos
1 small onion, chopped
½ green pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c chicken broth
1-1/2 c grated cheese (I like extra sharp cheddar)
Mix all ingredients except ½ c cheese together in casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 400* for 45 minutes.
Chicken Spaghetti
1-1/2 c boiled, chopped chicken
1 c uncooked spaghetti
1 small jar pimentos
1 small onion, chopped
½ green pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 c chicken broth
1-1/2 c grated cheese (I like extra sharp cheddar)
Mix all ingredients except ½ c cheese together in casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 400* for 45 minutes.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
WFMW: Finding a church
I've lurked on a lot of Works for Me Wednesday posts, but this is the first time I'm posting. Today is a backwards day, which means I get to ask for your help.
One of my goals for the early part of this year is to find a church home for our family. We tried visiting several churches in our area soon after Matthew was born but ended up making excuses and didn't follow through. Although I have to say we didn't feel "at home" at any of the ones we visited. Now with an infant and a toddler I am sure visiting will be even harder, but lately I've been feeling very strongly that we NEED to be in church. This is the first time in my life that I haven't been part of a church family and frankly I miss it. I need it. My family needs it.
So if anyone has advice about how to find a new church home, I would love to hear it. How many visits does it take to know it's a good fit?
For those of you who want to help others, head over to Rocks in My Dryer to see who else needs your help.
One of my goals for the early part of this year is to find a church home for our family. We tried visiting several churches in our area soon after Matthew was born but ended up making excuses and didn't follow through. Although I have to say we didn't feel "at home" at any of the ones we visited. Now with an infant and a toddler I am sure visiting will be even harder, but lately I've been feeling very strongly that we NEED to be in church. This is the first time in my life that I haven't been part of a church family and frankly I miss it. I need it. My family needs it.
So if anyone has advice about how to find a new church home, I would love to hear it. How many visits does it take to know it's a good fit?
For those of you who want to help others, head over to Rocks in My Dryer to see who else needs your help.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Why is it my responsibility?
Just a kind of funny story from the grocery store yesterday. We all went, so I had Scarlett in the sling and Matthew in the stroller while David took care of the buggy. We had stopped to get something on one of the aisles and someone stepped in front of the stroller. When I was ready to move on, I backed up just a tad so I could walk around them. She decided that was a perfect time to BACK up and backed right into the stroller. She said 'excuse me' and I replied 'no problem' and I thought all was fine. Then I overheard her say to the guy she was with "She really needs to watch where she's going." One thing I can't stand is someone who will not say what they think to my face, and I hate passive agressive behavior like this. She obviously wanted me to hear her. And I don't know WHY I give in to this sort of behavior, but I did...I turned and said "I was watching where I was going, you were the one backing up into me!" and continued on down the aisle. Then she had the nerve to tell me if I saw her backing up I should have said something. (Which I did not see her backing up until she actually backed into the stroller, otherwise I would have said something, but that's beside the point.)
So of course I had to ask her why it was MY responsibility to watch where I'M going and also to watch where SHE's going? What the heck? Can someone explain this to me? She couldn't, and I just have to say I HATE stupid people!
So of course I had to ask her why it was MY responsibility to watch where I'M going and also to watch where SHE's going? What the heck? Can someone explain this to me? She couldn't, and I just have to say I HATE stupid people!
Scarlett's 6 month & Matthew's 2 year well check-ups
Friday afternoon we had pediatrician appointments for Scarlett's 6 month and Matthew's 2 year. SO hard to believe they are that old already! All morning I tried to prepare Matthew for the visit by talking about how we would go to the doctor's office & the doctor would weigh him and measure him, and then check him out. I was still surprised when we turned into the parking lot of the doctor's office & he started saying "doctor, where are you?" He did great though - the whole time he was being weighed & measured, and then while we were waiting on the doctor to come in. I had packed a couple of his race cars for him to play with and he was having fun playing when she knocked & came in. He looked up & said "hey doctor" then immediately went back to playing, including keeping up a stream of chatter about the cars. She went through the "development questions" and then commented on what great sentences he made. She wants us to see an ENT about Matthew's ears - he had a small hole in his eardrum and based on the last infection she thought it should be healed by now. She also seemed a little concerned about his flat feet, but then she said it didn't concern her enough to refer us to a specialist. Then David mentioned that our ortho hadn't been concerned about them either and she seemed surprised. We had to remind her that he had bilateral clubfoot. I guess they are pretty well corrected if she can't tell!
After she finished Matthew's exam, she checked Scarlett out. She got onto us a little for not already introducing solids, but the timing just hasn't been good and we were planning to start Saturday anyway. (HONEST, we were!) She said Scarlett is perfect but that she can tell Scarlett will be the one to get into everything. Uh-oh! Scarlett had 2 shots & an oral vaccine and did great for them. They were out of flu shots so Matthew didn't have to get any shots this visit.
Their stats:
Scarlett (6 months):
weight: 16 lbs 6 oz
length: 26-1/4"
head: 43 cm
Matthew (2 years):
weight: 30 lbs
length: 37" (note: there is a OWT that if you double their height at 2 years it tells you how tall they will be as an adult...6'2" isn't bad)
head: 50 cm
We are very pleased with Scarlett's weight gain since her 4 month visit. We already knew from the daycare reports that she was taking the bottle better, but it's very reassuring to see her putting on some weight.
After she finished Matthew's exam, she checked Scarlett out. She got onto us a little for not already introducing solids, but the timing just hasn't been good and we were planning to start Saturday anyway. (HONEST, we were!) She said Scarlett is perfect but that she can tell Scarlett will be the one to get into everything. Uh-oh! Scarlett had 2 shots & an oral vaccine and did great for them. They were out of flu shots so Matthew didn't have to get any shots this visit.
Their stats:
Scarlett (6 months):
weight: 16 lbs 6 oz
length: 26-1/4"
head: 43 cm
Matthew (2 years):
weight: 30 lbs
length: 37" (note: there is a OWT that if you double their height at 2 years it tells you how tall they will be as an adult...6'2" isn't bad)
head: 50 cm
We are very pleased with Scarlett's weight gain since her 4 month visit. We already knew from the daycare reports that she was taking the bottle better, but it's very reassuring to see her putting on some weight.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Recipe Friday - Debbie's Corn Bread
1 box Jiffy cornbread
1 small chopped onion
1 stick butter
1 small (8 oz) container sour cream
1 cup of shredded cheese (I use sharp cheddar)
Mix cornbread according to package directions. Spread in a greased pie pan. Microwave the onion & butter until the butter melts. Then mix sour cream & cheese with the onion & butter. Spread this mixture over the cornbread. Bake at 400* until done (about 30 minutes).
This is great with chili.
1 small chopped onion
1 stick butter
1 small (8 oz) container sour cream
1 cup of shredded cheese (I use sharp cheddar)
Mix cornbread according to package directions. Spread in a greased pie pan. Microwave the onion & butter until the butter melts. Then mix sour cream & cheese with the onion & butter. Spread this mixture over the cornbread. Bake at 400* until done (about 30 minutes).
This is great with chili.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
a good day
Have I mentioned how much I hate dropping off or picking up the kiddos from daycare? I don't know why, but it's one of my least favorite things to do. But yesterday, I am so glad I was the one to pick them up. I got there pretty close to closing time and the teachers had all the children out in the great room. While I was signing them out, Matthew ran into the infant room. I didn't notice until I heard the teachers saying "awww" - when I looked up, he was coming out of the room with Scarlett's carseat. I went on in the room & was getting everything else, but was watching out the door and saw him take her hat out of the seat & put it on her head (with the help of one of the teachers, but he did most of it on his own). He then tried to take her from the teacher & put her in the seat. By this time one of the other teachers had gotten his coat, hat, & mittens and was helping him get them on. When I got over to them he said "hold shish-ter, me put seat" - he was wanting so badly to put her in her seat. So I grabbed her & asked him to help me, then he put his arms around her & kind of plopped her into the seat.
I just love that he wants to help with her. It makes my heart melt.
Then we got home & his memory just astounds me. Maybe it's because I haven't spent that much time around children his age, but he got a monkey for Christmas that you basically play hide & seek and hot/cold with. You hide the monkey & then it has a stick that beeps louder as you get closer to the monkey. Well he got this gift the Saturday before Christmas and only played with it that night. We packed it up Sunday and hadn't unpacked the box it was in when we got home. So last night he saw the monkey sticking out of the box & reached for it, saying "hide monkey". He hid the monkey & then went back to the box & said "where stick?" - I gave him the stick & he hunted the monkey. I was impressed he remembered how to play the game when it had been 1-1/2 weeks since he played with it, and even then he only played with it for a short time. Is he smart or do I just underestimate what he should be able to do?
I just love that he wants to help with her. It makes my heart melt.
Then we got home & his memory just astounds me. Maybe it's because I haven't spent that much time around children his age, but he got a monkey for Christmas that you basically play hide & seek and hot/cold with. You hide the monkey & then it has a stick that beeps louder as you get closer to the monkey. Well he got this gift the Saturday before Christmas and only played with it that night. We packed it up Sunday and hadn't unpacked the box it was in when we got home. So last night he saw the monkey sticking out of the box & reached for it, saying "hide monkey". He hid the monkey & then went back to the box & said "where stick?" - I gave him the stick & he hunted the monkey. I was impressed he remembered how to play the game when it had been 1-1/2 weeks since he played with it, and even then he only played with it for a short time. Is he smart or do I just underestimate what he should be able to do?
we're baaaack
I feel like I've been away forever!
We decided to stay in town for the daycare Christmas program - it was the first "school performance" for both Matthew & Scarlett. Pretty cute - they gave the infants little bells to ring while the teachers sang Jingle Bells. Then Matthew's class sang one song & then did the Reindeer Pokey. I couldn't believe how crowded it was - I think the daycare director was surprised too since she sent an email this morning saying next year they would find a bigger place to have it!
We drove to Tennessee Friday the 21st. David's mom was there, so the entire family on that side was together for the weekend. We had our Christmas dinner & gift exchange Saturday night & Matthew was really into it. My SIL started passing out presents & he immediately grabbed one from under the tree & started unwrapping. Fortunately it was his. While he liked unwrapping, he impressed me by wanting to play with whatever he unwrapped for a while before going on to the next gift.
We also visited with David's dad's side of the family while in TN and exchanged gifts with them.
Then we drove to Georgia and had a nice visit. I am so spoiled having all of my family in one place - I took it for granted growing up but now really wish my kids could grow up that way. It will never happen though and I guess we were just lucky that both of David's parents went to TN before Christmas. I do think that this will be the last year we try to see all of both families for Christmas. We have our own family now, and it's not good to travel around so much every year.
Matthew seemed to love playing with Belle (my sister's daughter who is 6 weeks older than him). And Scarlett amazed everyone by how good she was! They said they had never seen such a content, happy baby.
All in all, we had a good Christmas. We drove home Sunday & spent New Year's Eve & Day at home. Today all is back to normal except I'm not working. David is at work & the kiddos are at daycare. This week I am working on stuff around the house, and this weekend we will look at our budget to decide if I need to look for work. David seems to think I can be a SAHM. Even though I don't want to take Matthew out of daycare, I think if I find some playgroups he will be ok.
On some level I feel bad because I think daycare has been so good for Matthew. I know not everyone is cut out to be a SAHM, but it's what I've wanted, and now I have convinced myself that someone else does a better job with Matthew than I do :(
I'll post some pictures and stories as soon as I get the pics downloaded!
We decided to stay in town for the daycare Christmas program - it was the first "school performance" for both Matthew & Scarlett. Pretty cute - they gave the infants little bells to ring while the teachers sang Jingle Bells. Then Matthew's class sang one song & then did the Reindeer Pokey. I couldn't believe how crowded it was - I think the daycare director was surprised too since she sent an email this morning saying next year they would find a bigger place to have it!
We drove to Tennessee Friday the 21st. David's mom was there, so the entire family on that side was together for the weekend. We had our Christmas dinner & gift exchange Saturday night & Matthew was really into it. My SIL started passing out presents & he immediately grabbed one from under the tree & started unwrapping. Fortunately it was his. While he liked unwrapping, he impressed me by wanting to play with whatever he unwrapped for a while before going on to the next gift.
We also visited with David's dad's side of the family while in TN and exchanged gifts with them.
Then we drove to Georgia and had a nice visit. I am so spoiled having all of my family in one place - I took it for granted growing up but now really wish my kids could grow up that way. It will never happen though and I guess we were just lucky that both of David's parents went to TN before Christmas. I do think that this will be the last year we try to see all of both families for Christmas. We have our own family now, and it's not good to travel around so much every year.
Matthew seemed to love playing with Belle (my sister's daughter who is 6 weeks older than him). And Scarlett amazed everyone by how good she was! They said they had never seen such a content, happy baby.
All in all, we had a good Christmas. We drove home Sunday & spent New Year's Eve & Day at home. Today all is back to normal except I'm not working. David is at work & the kiddos are at daycare. This week I am working on stuff around the house, and this weekend we will look at our budget to decide if I need to look for work. David seems to think I can be a SAHM. Even though I don't want to take Matthew out of daycare, I think if I find some playgroups he will be ok.
On some level I feel bad because I think daycare has been so good for Matthew. I know not everyone is cut out to be a SAHM, but it's what I've wanted, and now I have convinced myself that someone else does a better job with Matthew than I do :(
I'll post some pictures and stories as soon as I get the pics downloaded!
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