I hope everyone had as great of a Christmas as we did!! Our whole family was totally spoiled!!
Brooke woke up at 7:30 (her normal time), and I managed to keep her in my bedroom for about an hour since we were waiting for Daddy to get home from work. Finally, she was too antsy and we came out to the living room - and she couldn't believe her eyes!! She had a HUGE stack of presents from Santa, not to mention Grandma and Pappy, Aunt Kelly, Uncle Kevin & family, Aunt Heather & family, Nana, Jacqui, and Becky....
She got so many great things. Of course, her favorites are her big kitchen and Ariel doll from Santa, but she also got play-doh, some board games, clothes, Tag Jr. reading system, etc., etc.
Jim totally spoiled me this year, too. I got a bracelet and earrings, new dishes I had been eyeing up, a great picture frame, a Kindle Fire, a meat grinder attachment for my Kitchen Aid, and lots more!! I had gotten him a GPS system, replaced his lost wedding band, and got him a Raiders watch.
It took Brooke four - yes, 4!!!! - hours to finally get everything open. We spent the rest of the day playing and enjoying a delicious dinner.
I'm still homesick, but there is absolutely nothing better at Christmas than seeing the pure happiness and belief that eminates from Brooke. I am so happy to make the holidays magical for her.
Now, I need to focus on getting everything cleaned up this week (haha!) and figuring out what we will do on New Year's Eve. Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas Eve!
Has it really been two months since I've blogged?? I don't know how time flies so fast - this is something I definitely need to keep up on, though, because it is the only written journal of our family for Brooke to see when she's older - to me, pictures capture the memories, but she won't have the memories without these stories.
What have we been up to? Thanksgiving, of course. Decorating for Christmas. Norton family trip to Disney (Brooke asks daily if today's the day we're going back).
But all of that pales in comparison to tonight and tomorrow - Christmas. My favorite days of the year.
Right now, as we speak, Brooke is asleep in her bed. We've sprinkled the Reindeer food, left out milk and cookies, and hung Santa's Magic Key on our door. Santa will be here really soon, cause Mama's tired.
I'm homesick. I miss my family, my friends. I can't wait to be living up north where we might be able to make it home for the holiday.
But still, I'm happy, and my heart is full. Brooke and I read the story of Christmas every day for the past couple of weeks. Her version? "We celebrate Christmas because Jesus' birthday. Angels told Mary baby named Jesus. Joseph walked. Angels told him baby born. Follow Star. Give gifts cause they loved him. Give presents to show our love. Say, Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!" Cue heart swelling with pride and tears gathering in my eyes.
Merry Christmas, everybody!!
What have we been up to? Thanksgiving, of course. Decorating for Christmas. Norton family trip to Disney (Brooke asks daily if today's the day we're going back).
But all of that pales in comparison to tonight and tomorrow - Christmas. My favorite days of the year.
Right now, as we speak, Brooke is asleep in her bed. We've sprinkled the Reindeer food, left out milk and cookies, and hung Santa's Magic Key on our door. Santa will be here really soon, cause Mama's tired.
I'm homesick. I miss my family, my friends. I can't wait to be living up north where we might be able to make it home for the holiday.
But still, I'm happy, and my heart is full. Brooke and I read the story of Christmas every day for the past couple of weeks. Her version? "We celebrate Christmas because Jesus' birthday. Angels told Mary baby named Jesus. Joseph walked. Angels told him baby born. Follow Star. Give gifts cause they loved him. Give presents to show our love. Say, Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!" Cue heart swelling with pride and tears gathering in my eyes.
Merry Christmas, everybody!!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Halloween fun!
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love costumes, parades, trick or treating - all of it! It's even more fun now, with a child to dress up.
Last night was Harvest Night at Brooke's daycare. The theme was "Once Upon a Harvest," and each classroom was decorated based on a book. Brooke's classroom was Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom - one was Clifford, one was the Grinch (yay!), 5 Little Monkeys, etc., etc. Brooke had a blast going from classroom to classroom giving hugs, getting candy, and playing games with her little friends - and we had a great time swinging and playing on the playground.
I'm sure everyone's seen this on Facebook already but, without further ado, may I present to you.....BIG BIRD!!!
Today, we went trick-or-treating at the local mall, and Brooke got more candy!! She loves Halloween too, and she keeps asking to put her costume on. I love my girl!
Last night was Harvest Night at Brooke's daycare. The theme was "Once Upon a Harvest," and each classroom was decorated based on a book. Brooke's classroom was Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom - one was Clifford, one was the Grinch (yay!), 5 Little Monkeys, etc., etc. Brooke had a blast going from classroom to classroom giving hugs, getting candy, and playing games with her little friends - and we had a great time swinging and playing on the playground.
I'm sure everyone's seen this on Facebook already but, without further ado, may I present to you.....BIG BIRD!!!
Today, we went trick-or-treating at the local mall, and Brooke got more candy!! She loves Halloween too, and she keeps asking to put her costume on. I love my girl!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Fall fun weekend
This weekend was eventful, that's for sure.
Friday after work, Brooke (aka Abby Cadabby) and I headed to a Halloween party at Busy Bee Kidz. We decorated mini pumpkins, ate pizza and other goodies, participated in a costume contest, got pictures with Elmo and Abby Cadabby, and played until they kicked us out (literally!). They handed out goodie bags to all the kids that included lots of candy. They also had some Halloween movies playing in the "disco" room where the seats all looked like animals - we never even set foot inside there! There are a lot of times I feel guilty about the amount of time I'm away from Brooke due to working during the week, so I love doing these special things with her that she loves so much.
In the middle of the night, I heard Brooke moaning in her sleep. I went in to check on her, and she was burning up! She had a fever of around 101. That may not seem super high, but it affects her the way a 103 degree fever would affect another kid - she NEVER gets fevers. I woke her up and was surprised by a barky cough. Since she just had croupe in July, I figured I would bring down her fever and then call the doctor in the morning. Nope - she promptly vomited the Motrin I tried to give her and was acting lethargic and clingy (this may be because it was also the middle of the night and I woke her from a deep sleep). So, off to the ER we went - chest x-rays (normal), tylenol suppository (poor baby), oral steroids, and a popsicle later, we headed home. Tonight's her last day of her steroid, and the poor thing is feeling better but still not completely back to normal.
Saturday, we cancelled plans and lounged around the house. When Jim came home from work, Brooke was begging to go bye-byes. So, off to dinner we went, picked up her prescription, and picked up a pumpkin.
Sunday morning, I got to sleep in - until the fire alarm started going off. There was a fire a few apartments down in our building (small enough to be put out by the sprinklers). Loads of fun, let me tell you. Brooke was acting more like her normal self and wanted to go "paint pum-kin at fest-bal."
So, we headed to the Fall Festival at Flamingo Road Nursery. It was so nice - we got a beautiful pumpkin, and Brooke painted a sugar pumpkin. She loved it! We couldn't stay too long because Jim is really allergic to hay, but we got a few pictures.
This week is going to be full of more fall fun! Carving pumpkins (I'll give you a clue - the theme of the pumpkins is going to go with Brooke's real Halloween costume!), Harvest Night at school, and trick-or-treating this weekend!!
Friday after work, Brooke (aka Abby Cadabby) and I headed to a Halloween party at Busy Bee Kidz. We decorated mini pumpkins, ate pizza and other goodies, participated in a costume contest, got pictures with Elmo and Abby Cadabby, and played until they kicked us out (literally!). They handed out goodie bags to all the kids that included lots of candy. They also had some Halloween movies playing in the "disco" room where the seats all looked like animals - we never even set foot inside there! There are a lot of times I feel guilty about the amount of time I'm away from Brooke due to working during the week, so I love doing these special things with her that she loves so much.
In the middle of the night, I heard Brooke moaning in her sleep. I went in to check on her, and she was burning up! She had a fever of around 101. That may not seem super high, but it affects her the way a 103 degree fever would affect another kid - she NEVER gets fevers. I woke her up and was surprised by a barky cough. Since she just had croupe in July, I figured I would bring down her fever and then call the doctor in the morning. Nope - she promptly vomited the Motrin I tried to give her and was acting lethargic and clingy (this may be because it was also the middle of the night and I woke her from a deep sleep). So, off to the ER we went - chest x-rays (normal), tylenol suppository (poor baby), oral steroids, and a popsicle later, we headed home. Tonight's her last day of her steroid, and the poor thing is feeling better but still not completely back to normal.
Saturday, we cancelled plans and lounged around the house. When Jim came home from work, Brooke was begging to go bye-byes. So, off to dinner we went, picked up her prescription, and picked up a pumpkin.
Sunday morning, I got to sleep in - until the fire alarm started going off. There was a fire a few apartments down in our building (small enough to be put out by the sprinklers). Loads of fun, let me tell you. Brooke was acting more like her normal self and wanted to go "paint pum-kin at fest-bal."
So, we headed to the Fall Festival at Flamingo Road Nursery. It was so nice - we got a beautiful pumpkin, and Brooke painted a sugar pumpkin. She loved it! We couldn't stay too long because Jim is really allergic to hay, but we got a few pictures.
This week is going to be full of more fall fun! Carving pumpkins (I'll give you a clue - the theme of the pumpkins is going to go with Brooke's real Halloween costume!), Harvest Night at school, and trick-or-treating this weekend!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
MIA
Looks like I've been missing for far too long. I don't even know where to begin.
October 1st, we moved into our new apartment. We love it! Brooke and I are so much happier being closer to work/school, and the hubby is just happy to be in this area. We're still working on getting everything together.
I have LOTS of DIY/crafty projects going on right now, alone and with Brooke! I love crafting/sewing, and I'm planning on making some Christmas gifts this year, too! Right now, I'm finishing up my "autumn" themed coasters, then I'll be making some Christmas coasters, then coasters for the rest of the year. Then there's throw pillows, wall hangings, and more! Watch for lots of posts about my projects ;-)
Brooke took a trial ballet/tap class yesterday. She says it was fun and she liked it, but she doesn't want to go back. We'll see what happens with that.
Now that we're slowly getting settled, I'm hoping to post more frequently!
October 1st, we moved into our new apartment. We love it! Brooke and I are so much happier being closer to work/school, and the hubby is just happy to be in this area. We're still working on getting everything together.
I have LOTS of DIY/crafty projects going on right now, alone and with Brooke! I love crafting/sewing, and I'm planning on making some Christmas gifts this year, too! Right now, I'm finishing up my "autumn" themed coasters, then I'll be making some Christmas coasters, then coasters for the rest of the year. Then there's throw pillows, wall hangings, and more! Watch for lots of posts about my projects ;-)
Brooke took a trial ballet/tap class yesterday. She says it was fun and she liked it, but she doesn't want to go back. We'll see what happens with that.
Now that we're slowly getting settled, I'm hoping to post more frequently!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
10 years ago
When I think back on the last 10 years, there are many things I can point to as eye-opening, life-changing events. Graduating college, moving to law school, losing my grandfather, graduating law school, my wedding, having my first baby...the list really goes on and on.
And I bet you think this is another post about 9/11. It's not. (Of course, I remember exactly where I was, exactly what I was doing...). In fact, I blocked myself from the images of 9/11 - because I remember and because I didn't want my daughter paying attention - she's only 2, she has plenty of time to learn how this world can be. And I will never forget.
But, no, something else happened to me 10 years ago that changed my life and rocked my world. I met my hubby.
On September 16, to be exact. In the afternoon. In front of the IUP Hub. He had on a white t-shirt (of course!) and his Virginia baseball cap. I had on a lavendar tank top with a long striped cardigan that was lavendar, blue, and green. Would have been the day before, but his parents took him to dinner for his birthday that day. (See, told you I remember ;-) ).
Sometimes I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if my mom had grown up in NY, if Dad had taken the job in Philly when I was young, if I hadn't gone to IUP, if Jim had joined the Marines like he'd planned - would my path still have crossed Jim's, would we still be here, in this place, a family of three? I like to think we would have - that there is that one person you are intended to be with and God will find a way to bring you together.
Regardless, the past 10 years have been filled with ups and downs, good times and bad - here's hoping the next 10 are just as amazing.
And I bet you think this is another post about 9/11. It's not. (Of course, I remember exactly where I was, exactly what I was doing...). In fact, I blocked myself from the images of 9/11 - because I remember and because I didn't want my daughter paying attention - she's only 2, she has plenty of time to learn how this world can be. And I will never forget.
But, no, something else happened to me 10 years ago that changed my life and rocked my world. I met my hubby.
On September 16, to be exact. In the afternoon. In front of the IUP Hub. He had on a white t-shirt (of course!) and his Virginia baseball cap. I had on a lavendar tank top with a long striped cardigan that was lavendar, blue, and green. Would have been the day before, but his parents took him to dinner for his birthday that day. (See, told you I remember ;-) ).
Sometimes I can't help but wonder what my life would have been like if my mom had grown up in NY, if Dad had taken the job in Philly when I was young, if I hadn't gone to IUP, if Jim had joined the Marines like he'd planned - would my path still have crossed Jim's, would we still be here, in this place, a family of three? I like to think we would have - that there is that one person you are intended to be with and God will find a way to bring you together.
Regardless, the past 10 years have been filled with ups and downs, good times and bad - here's hoping the next 10 are just as amazing.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
2 year well visit
Yesterday was Brooke's 2 year well visit. First and foremost, her lungs are completely clear of any and all signs of pneumonia - you know I was happy to hear that!
Brooke is currently weighing 30 lbs (85th percentile) and is 35.5 inches tall (87 percentile). How did my little peanut get so big??? (For my own comparison, my nephew Thad - who is 11 months older than Brooke - is around 35 lbs and 39 inches - she's catching him!!)
When I started naming off all of the things Brooke does/knows (list to follow), Dr. C was amazed! She said Brooke is doing a lot of what they would expect a 3-4 year old to do! Her take on it was that Brooke is going to have to be tested for a gifted program or attend a Montessori school, where they will let her work on work that is advanced for her age. We'll start researching schools and see how that goes - I am not a fan of "skipping grades" so we'll take it as it comes. For now, we want to make sure that by the time she's starting Kindergarten, we are in an area with a good school system, public or otherwise! Dr. C gave Brooke a Tupperware Shape-O Sorter to help challenge her and teach her hexagons, pentagons, etc (guess I need to look up some refreshers on the trust ole' web!)
I think most of this has already been recorded in here, so I apologize if you're hearing it again. But, I want to have a record of what she's doing at this age:
- Knows her ABC's
- Recognizes her name when it's written
- Counts to 10 in English and in Spanish
- Knows most animal sounds
- Sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- Sings Row, Row
- Sings If You're Happy and You Know It
- Knows all of her colors
- Knows her "normal" shapes (ie circle, square, rectangle, etc)
- Knows her months & days of the week
- Has amazing problem solving skills (when everyone was visiting, she was having cheerios for breakfast - everyone was doing their own thing, they look over (I was at work) and her cheerios are gone - Brooke shouts "All Gone!" Then they realized that all of the Cheerios were moved into an empty cup nearby - little stinker)
So, at this point, I am looking for age-appropriate activities that will "challenge" her a little more to continue learning - I want her to have this time to just be a kid, but want her to continue using that sweet little brain :-) Suggestions welcome!
Brooke is currently weighing 30 lbs (85th percentile) and is 35.5 inches tall (87 percentile). How did my little peanut get so big??? (For my own comparison, my nephew Thad - who is 11 months older than Brooke - is around 35 lbs and 39 inches - she's catching him!!)
When I started naming off all of the things Brooke does/knows (list to follow), Dr. C was amazed! She said Brooke is doing a lot of what they would expect a 3-4 year old to do! Her take on it was that Brooke is going to have to be tested for a gifted program or attend a Montessori school, where they will let her work on work that is advanced for her age. We'll start researching schools and see how that goes - I am not a fan of "skipping grades" so we'll take it as it comes. For now, we want to make sure that by the time she's starting Kindergarten, we are in an area with a good school system, public or otherwise! Dr. C gave Brooke a Tupperware Shape-O Sorter to help challenge her and teach her hexagons, pentagons, etc (guess I need to look up some refreshers on the trust ole' web!)
I think most of this has already been recorded in here, so I apologize if you're hearing it again. But, I want to have a record of what she's doing at this age:
- Knows her ABC's
- Recognizes her name when it's written
- Counts to 10 in English and in Spanish
- Knows most animal sounds
- Sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
- Sings Row, Row
- Sings If You're Happy and You Know It
- Knows all of her colors
- Knows her "normal" shapes (ie circle, square, rectangle, etc)
- Knows her months & days of the week
- Has amazing problem solving skills (when everyone was visiting, she was having cheerios for breakfast - everyone was doing their own thing, they look over (I was at work) and her cheerios are gone - Brooke shouts "All Gone!" Then they realized that all of the Cheerios were moved into an empty cup nearby - little stinker)
So, at this point, I am looking for age-appropriate activities that will "challenge" her a little more to continue learning - I want her to have this time to just be a kid, but want her to continue using that sweet little brain :-) Suggestions welcome!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Word vomit
Gross, huh? But I just realized I never posted about our 2nd part of vacation, and of course there's Brooke's birthday party and baptism!
We spent the second part of vacation at Busch Gardens, Tampa. We were having so much fun, we went back to the park four - yes, 4!! - days. Brooke LOVED the Sesame Street characters more than I could imagine, and we had so much fun on the water rides and roller coasters.
On Saturday, we had Brooke's 2nd birthday party. Guests were us (of course), my parents, and my sister. There were supposed to be more, but after the ER trip the weekend before, many had to stay home....the theme was Abby Cadabby, and Brooke loved it. She got lots of great gifts!!!
Sunday, we had her baptism - it was nice, despite not having her godmother with us. Kelly was sick and stayed at my house, so it was just us and my parents. Brooke was a little fussy, although she was really super well-behaved during mass beforehand. She was also so so excited about the water!
We spent the second part of vacation at Busch Gardens, Tampa. We were having so much fun, we went back to the park four - yes, 4!! - days. Brooke LOVED the Sesame Street characters more than I could imagine, and we had so much fun on the water rides and roller coasters.
On Saturday, we had Brooke's 2nd birthday party. Guests were us (of course), my parents, and my sister. There were supposed to be more, but after the ER trip the weekend before, many had to stay home....the theme was Abby Cadabby, and Brooke loved it. She got lots of great gifts!!!
Sunday, we had her baptism - it was nice, despite not having her godmother with us. Kelly was sick and stayed at my house, so it was just us and my parents. Brooke was a little fussy, although she was really super well-behaved during mass beforehand. She was also so so excited about the water!
Friday, July 22, 2011
2 years old
On Wednesday, July 20, Brooke turned 2 years old. I cannot believe my baby is 2 already!! She is talking in complete sentences and is the smartest 2 year old I know! She knows all of her colors and shapes, counts to 10 in English and in Spanish, sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star; Row, Row, Row Your Boat; and knows her ABC's. She also can tell you what month and day it is (right now, she say Jew-lie!!!! and Friiidayyyy! haha). Her teachers are so amazed by her and could not say enough about how smart she is - they even took a video of her doing a little puzzle thing - it's all round holes, and you match the colors and textures. The video is the first time that Brooke ever did it, and she did it all correctly in, like, 20 seconds! If someone else is doing it and having trouble, they said Brooke goes and does it for them.
She is also the most opinionated, stubborn, and sometimes bossy 2 year old I know - let's just say I am raising an independent thinker and leave it at that ;-)
Her 2 year appointment isn't until 8/3, so I won't know her height and weight until then.
Yesterday, we had a little party for her at daycare. The theme was Mickey & Minnie go to the beach. I got her a cake that had Mickey surfing & Minnie laying out on the sand, and the plates, etc. were Minnie Mouse. We also did a Minnie Mouse pinata filled with Goldfish crackers, bracelets for the girls, bouncy balls, crayons, and mini rubber duckys. I gave the kids adorable favors that had: sand buckets, beach balls, ponytail holders for the girls, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, flavor-ice freeze pops, crazy straws, more Goldfish crackers, and mini Frisbees. All of the kids had a blast!
We did have some excitement last weekend, but I will save that for another post!
Tomorrow is Brooke's birthday party at home, which I am looking forward to.
She is also the most opinionated, stubborn, and sometimes bossy 2 year old I know - let's just say I am raising an independent thinker and leave it at that ;-)
Her 2 year appointment isn't until 8/3, so I won't know her height and weight until then.
Yesterday, we had a little party for her at daycare. The theme was Mickey & Minnie go to the beach. I got her a cake that had Mickey surfing & Minnie laying out on the sand, and the plates, etc. were Minnie Mouse. We also did a Minnie Mouse pinata filled with Goldfish crackers, bracelets for the girls, bouncy balls, crayons, and mini rubber duckys. I gave the kids adorable favors that had: sand buckets, beach balls, ponytail holders for the girls, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, flavor-ice freeze pops, crazy straws, more Goldfish crackers, and mini Frisbees. All of the kids had a blast!
We did have some excitement last weekend, but I will save that for another post!
Tomorrow is Brooke's birthday party at home, which I am looking forward to.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
6 years....
I have been gone for what seems like forever - I know I haven't posted about the rest of our vacation or what's been going on since. But, this has been weighing on my mind the past several days.
I find it unbelievable that is has now officially been 6 years since Jim and I packed up our whole lives to make the move to South Florida. In mid-June 2005, we sold most of our belongings and all of Jim's furniture, packed what we could in his car & my brother's Explorer, and made the move to South Miami. No jobs, no income, nothing except the knowledge that at the end of August 2005, I would be enrolled in law school.
Now looking back at it, what were we thinking?!?!? I cannot fathom moving to one of the most expensive places in the country without any income. Maybe it's just because now we're older and we have a child (I can't even say baby anymore - sad).
But, lately, I've had a longing to pick up and leave. We've been talking for a while about moving back up north, although we're not exactly sure where yet - while I'm not willing to pick up and move without having a source of income already set up, I want to - so bad. Our goal is to move in 2012.
For now, we're going to settle for moving into our 3-bedroom apartment for a year and concentrate on saving money, Jim getting established in his new position at Walgreens, and hammering out any details....
I find it unbelievable that is has now officially been 6 years since Jim and I packed up our whole lives to make the move to South Florida. In mid-June 2005, we sold most of our belongings and all of Jim's furniture, packed what we could in his car & my brother's Explorer, and made the move to South Miami. No jobs, no income, nothing except the knowledge that at the end of August 2005, I would be enrolled in law school.
Now looking back at it, what were we thinking?!?!? I cannot fathom moving to one of the most expensive places in the country without any income. Maybe it's just because now we're older and we have a child (I can't even say baby anymore - sad).
But, lately, I've had a longing to pick up and leave. We've been talking for a while about moving back up north, although we're not exactly sure where yet - while I'm not willing to pick up and move without having a source of income already set up, I want to - so bad. Our goal is to move in 2012.
For now, we're going to settle for moving into our 3-bedroom apartment for a year and concentrate on saving money, Jim getting established in his new position at Walgreens, and hammering out any details....
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Happy 1st Birthday, Sweet Angel!
It was a little over a year ago that I started reading the heart babies blogs. There were several babies waiting to be born at that time.
On of those was Cohen. I know I've linked to his page before - I've been so touched by his story and his beauty.
Today is Cohen's first birthday. He lived for only 12 days. My heart aches for his family who - although they have shown tremendous grace and courage in the past year - do not have him in their arms. His parents, Megan and Brent, are very sweet and miss their little boy so very much. They are pregnant with twins - one boy and one girl.
Please, take a moment today and pray for this young, sweet family. I cannot imagine what they are going through today.
Happy Birthday, sweet baby. Enjoy your day in Heaven!
On of those was Cohen. I know I've linked to his page before - I've been so touched by his story and his beauty.
Today is Cohen's first birthday. He lived for only 12 days. My heart aches for his family who - although they have shown tremendous grace and courage in the past year - do not have him in their arms. His parents, Megan and Brent, are very sweet and miss their little boy so very much. They are pregnant with twins - one boy and one girl.
Please, take a moment today and pray for this young, sweet family. I cannot imagine what they are going through today.
Happy Birthday, sweet baby. Enjoy your day in Heaven!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Vacation - Disney
We had a blast on our vacation! We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's, dinner at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends, spent a day at Hollywood Studios, a day at Epcot, and two days at Magic Kingdom.
Brooke had an absolute blast at the parks. She wasn't real sure of the characters - in fact, the closest she would get was to give a high 5. The highlight for her was riding the "choo choo train" (aka the tram) from the parking lot to the park entrance. She also loved riding the ferry at Magic Kingdom!
I love Disney, and this trip was no different. We spent Monday with my sister in law, her husband, and our nephew Ethan and niece Megan.
Monday was also exciting because I finally got to meet a good friend of mine, Jen! I met Jen on the What to Expect message boards when we were pregnant - so it's been nearly 3 years since we started talking! She, her husband, and their little boy (who is just about 2 weeks older than Brooke) met us at Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, it was only for about half an hour, but we had a great time meeting them and cannot wait to see them again!
Wednesday, we left Disney and headed to Tampa to our next stop - but I think I'll save that for a later post.
Pictures will be coming soon on my facebook page!
Brooke had an absolute blast at the parks. She wasn't real sure of the characters - in fact, the closest she would get was to give a high 5. The highlight for her was riding the "choo choo train" (aka the tram) from the parking lot to the park entrance. She also loved riding the ferry at Magic Kingdom!
I love Disney, and this trip was no different. We spent Monday with my sister in law, her husband, and our nephew Ethan and niece Megan.
Monday was also exciting because I finally got to meet a good friend of mine, Jen! I met Jen on the What to Expect message boards when we were pregnant - so it's been nearly 3 years since we started talking! She, her husband, and their little boy (who is just about 2 weeks older than Brooke) met us at Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, it was only for about half an hour, but we had a great time meeting them and cannot wait to see them again!
Wednesday, we left Disney and headed to Tampa to our next stop - but I think I'll save that for a later post.
Pictures will be coming soon on my facebook page!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
4 Years and All I've Ever Wanted....
4 years ago today, I married the most amazing man I've ever met. We've certainly had our challenges and difficulties since I've met him nearly 10 years ago, but we always get through and come out stronger than ever. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
We agreed not to do anything for our anniversary - our Disney trip is our gift to each other. I am so excited! Jim is riding the bus up to Pines to meet me tomorrow, then we'll grab dinner after work and hit the road! It's going to be a great week - and hopefully I'll have lots of stories when I come back so my blog becomes lively again, ha.
We agreed not to do anything for our anniversary - our Disney trip is our gift to each other. I am so excited! Jim is riding the bus up to Pines to meet me tomorrow, then we'll grab dinner after work and hit the road! It's going to be a great week - and hopefully I'll have lots of stories when I come back so my blog becomes lively again, ha.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
My birthday
Today is my 28th birthday. I had a great day - balloons, cake, and lunch at work, and a great Italian dinner and cake at home for dinner. Jim had to work, but Brooke kept saying Happy Bir-day, Mommy. Those words were the best part of my day.
I've been away from the blog for a while now. I have just been busy trying to make sure we get everything ready for our trip! I'm a huge planner, so it's taken me a while to feel prepared. Now I'm ready to go ;-)
We've also been busy planning the baby's second birthday party and baptism! I am really looking forward to both, and to everyone that is coming down for the event(s)!
I've been away from the blog for a while now. I have just been busy trying to make sure we get everything ready for our trip! I'm a huge planner, so it's taken me a while to feel prepared. Now I'm ready to go ;-)
We've also been busy planning the baby's second birthday party and baptism! I am really looking forward to both, and to everyone that is coming down for the event(s)!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!
I'm a couple of days early, but I hope - expect - to have a busy, fun weekend with my angel!
Brooke gave me my gift last night - she got me a gift card for a mani/pedi before our vacation! What a sweetie, she must have listened to all the plans I had for this month. I can't wait to use them.
Today was the Mother's Day breakfast at her school. I couldn't go because I had a client coming to meet with me (sad).
So, to all my mommy friends out there, Happy Mother's Day! I hope you enjoy your day!
Brooke gave me my gift last night - she got me a gift card for a mani/pedi before our vacation! What a sweetie, she must have listened to all the plans I had for this month. I can't wait to use them.
Today was the Mother's Day breakfast at her school. I couldn't go because I had a client coming to meet with me (sad).
So, to all my mommy friends out there, Happy Mother's Day! I hope you enjoy your day!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Not much to say....
I haven't posted lately. I'm always busy and worn out by the time Brooke is in bed. Plus, I haven't had much to say.
I don't know. I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Just being tired and homesick, I suppose. That always happens around this time of year - as the weather starts getting warmer (OK, hotter) here, I forget. I forget the cool spring days of central PA. When I see the same palm trees and tropical scenery from the winter, I forget. I forget the return of the birds, the newly blooming flowers, the melting snow. And when something happens that makes me remember, it makes me miss it that much more.
I just miss it.
And I never thought I would say that. But, I do. I miss it.
Things have been good here lately, though. Brooke is such a joy, such a happy, smart, beautiful little girl - and so silly. How I wish my extended family and lifelong friends could get to know her more. She is the light of our life and learns so much every day. And, of course, I have an amazing husband who does everything for us and to make us happy - and I love him even more for it.
Brooke had her "height and weight check" on Saturday - and, clearly, I was right that she didn't need it. At 21 months, she is 28 pounds and 33 inches tall! She is in size 5 diapers - walking and talking, more a little person than a baby these days. On days that the homesickness is so strong, all I have to do is look at her, and I know - Home is wherever she is.
I don't know. I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Just being tired and homesick, I suppose. That always happens around this time of year - as the weather starts getting warmer (OK, hotter) here, I forget. I forget the cool spring days of central PA. When I see the same palm trees and tropical scenery from the winter, I forget. I forget the return of the birds, the newly blooming flowers, the melting snow. And when something happens that makes me remember, it makes me miss it that much more.
I just miss it.
And I never thought I would say that. But, I do. I miss it.
Things have been good here lately, though. Brooke is such a joy, such a happy, smart, beautiful little girl - and so silly. How I wish my extended family and lifelong friends could get to know her more. She is the light of our life and learns so much every day. And, of course, I have an amazing husband who does everything for us and to make us happy - and I love him even more for it.
Brooke had her "height and weight check" on Saturday - and, clearly, I was right that she didn't need it. At 21 months, she is 28 pounds and 33 inches tall! She is in size 5 diapers - walking and talking, more a little person than a baby these days. On days that the homesickness is so strong, all I have to do is look at her, and I know - Home is wherever she is.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Blessed
Weight lost this week: -1.0 lbs
Total Weight loss: -12.0 lbs
I'm trying to be so excited because a loss is a loss, but it's putting me short of my 20 lb goal by May 27. I need to start adding in exercise - but when?
Occassionally, I'll have a day where I wake up and I realize, I'm blessed. Clearly, I'm blessed to have a great husband, a beautiful daughter, a stable job, a nice place to live, a decent car, etc....
But it's more than that. There's always more. I'm blessed by things that I really have no control over. And it amazes me.
I have an amazing (extended) family. I've always known this - and we don't talk as much as we probably should. But we're a close family. And there's issues. Boy, are there issues... But I know, when it comes right down to it, they - every. single. one. of. them. - will be there. That doesn't surprise me. But....somehow, when I think of everything my cousin and her daughter are going through, there's this clarity and sense of peace of it all if I think about my family and how all of us - every. single. one. of. us. (including spouses - are praying and loving them, and how that is going to be what helps this little girl survive this - because none of us are ready to let her go.
But it doesn't stop there. I have unbelievable friends. Again, I've always known this. There are some I've known practically my whole life, some I've met more recently - but I know I can always, always count on them. I get sad that I don't get to talk to them much anymore (it's super hard to talk on the phone with a toddler, ha), but somehow, it feels like nothing changes between us - when we do get to talk, we can pick up right where we left off.
So if I've always known all of this, why am I feeling so blessed today? I don't know. I don't know there's much of a point to this post either, other than to say Thank you for blessing my life.
Total Weight loss: -12.0 lbs
I'm trying to be so excited because a loss is a loss, but it's putting me short of my 20 lb goal by May 27. I need to start adding in exercise - but when?
Occassionally, I'll have a day where I wake up and I realize, I'm blessed. Clearly, I'm blessed to have a great husband, a beautiful daughter, a stable job, a nice place to live, a decent car, etc....
But it's more than that. There's always more. I'm blessed by things that I really have no control over. And it amazes me.
I have an amazing (extended) family. I've always known this - and we don't talk as much as we probably should. But we're a close family. And there's issues. Boy, are there issues... But I know, when it comes right down to it, they - every. single. one. of. them. - will be there. That doesn't surprise me. But....somehow, when I think of everything my cousin and her daughter are going through, there's this clarity and sense of peace of it all if I think about my family and how all of us - every. single. one. of. us. (including spouses - are praying and loving them, and how that is going to be what helps this little girl survive this - because none of us are ready to let her go.
But it doesn't stop there. I have unbelievable friends. Again, I've always known this. There are some I've known practically my whole life, some I've met more recently - but I know I can always, always count on them. I get sad that I don't get to talk to them much anymore (it's super hard to talk on the phone with a toddler, ha), but somehow, it feels like nothing changes between us - when we do get to talk, we can pick up right where we left off.
So if I've always known all of this, why am I feeling so blessed today? I don't know. I don't know there's much of a point to this post either, other than to say Thank you for blessing my life.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Shoe shopping
I'm not a huge fan of shoe shopping in general. I always have a difficult time finding shoes I really like (at a reasonable price). I love pointy toe, kitten heel dress shoes, but I have trouble finding ones that are comfortable. Hence, I haven't bought shoes for a couple of years (other than flip flops). (When I lived in PA, I loved wearing heels and also did so in college - but I lived in flip flops during law school and, well, nothing else is very comfortable....)
Anyway, my dislike of shoe shopping is compounded when they shoe shopping is (supposed) to result in shoes for toddlers. My top reasons for hating shoe shopping for Brooke:
4) Her feet grow fast. Like, faster than my hair fast. We buy shoes every 3 months at the longest - it's only been 6 weeks since I bought them last and
3) She doesn't like to sit still to try them on. No, she puts one on and runs away, pulling shoes off the shelves.
When I try to convince her to come back, she yells, "I got you!" I know she's playing, so I don't like to yell at her - but I tell her, calmly, to come here, and she does (She's a good girl, even if it's frustrating at the time). We go through this every pair of shoes.
2) She has chubby feet. Yes, this is what makes them irresistably, I-can't-kiss-them-enough cute. But translating into shoe sizes? It means she needs wide width. Not many companies make wide width shoes for kids who aren't even 2 yet - and this makes for expensive shoe-shopping trips every time. Oh, and one foot is a 1/2 size bigger than the other (I know this is normal - but so frustrating to fit her properly).
1) She is very opinionated - and she loves crazy colors/prints. Normally, I would love this - I am so proud that my daughter knows what she wants and I love that she picks her own clothes, etc. But with shoes? I want to find neutral-ish shoes she can wear with anything at a reasonable price that fit her well - maybe one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals. Nope, our shoe shopping trip on Sunday resulted in her getting four - yes, 4 - pairs of shoes that will fit her for roughly 2-3 months.
So, some stories from our last shoe-shopping adventure (which was the first without Daddy, because sometimes he has to miss things like this for work).
We go to Ideal Baby & Kids because they're having a great shoe sale. (Keep in mind, we just bought new shoes on Valentine's Day). Brooke finds a pair of Sketchers she loves (with Elmo and pink flowers on them) - they don't come in wide width. We try them on anyway, Brooke says, "Too tight!" and refuses to try anything else on because she doesn't like anything except the Elmo shoes. Tantrum #1.
So the next day, I take her to Stride Rite - great shoes, but pricey and a limited selection (at least of shoes that can be worn with anything). They carry wide (and sometimes extra wide) there - she continues to pick out the craziest, brightest colors and patterns. I convince her to try on a pair of gray and coral sneakers - success! She loves them! Sneakers down - and they cost me roughly $50, so we'll look somewhere else for sandals/beach shoes.
We make a stop in Payless. Brooke becomes attached to white Airwalks that look like Crocs that have purple and pink printed all over them. They don't fit right. (Tantrum #2) She picks out sandals that light up - they don't fit. (Tantrum #3)
I pick up a pair of white sandals. They fit great, she says she doesn't like them. She gets them anyway (sometimes being Mommy does have its perks).
She needs shoes to wear with her Cinderella dress. First she wants white "heels" - she's not even 2, I'm not even trying them on her. Then she picks sparkly pink ballet slippers - cute, but $20, and look more Aurora than Cinderella. She wears them around the store while we continue browsing - cries when I take them off (Tantrum #4). I decide she can wear the white sandals with the Cinderella dress, but I do convince her to get a pair of pink canvas (aka non-sparkly) ballet slippers that can be worn more frequently.
Last pair? She gets to pick whatever she wants - she picks Airwalks that are shiny silver with purple, teal, and pink printed on them, and they light up when she walks. (BTW, something I would have totally picked in my young days, LOL).
Total time spent to buy 4 pairs of shoes? Going on 3 hours. Number of full-out tantrums? 4. This girl exhausts me ;-)
Anyway, my dislike of shoe shopping is compounded when they shoe shopping is (supposed) to result in shoes for toddlers. My top reasons for hating shoe shopping for Brooke:
4) Her feet grow fast. Like, faster than my hair fast. We buy shoes every 3 months at the longest - it's only been 6 weeks since I bought them last and
3) She doesn't like to sit still to try them on. No, she puts one on and runs away, pulling shoes off the shelves.
When I try to convince her to come back, she yells, "I got you!" I know she's playing, so I don't like to yell at her - but I tell her, calmly, to come here, and she does (She's a good girl, even if it's frustrating at the time). We go through this every pair of shoes.
2) She has chubby feet. Yes, this is what makes them irresistably, I-can't-kiss-them-enough cute. But translating into shoe sizes? It means she needs wide width. Not many companies make wide width shoes for kids who aren't even 2 yet - and this makes for expensive shoe-shopping trips every time. Oh, and one foot is a 1/2 size bigger than the other (I know this is normal - but so frustrating to fit her properly).
1) She is very opinionated - and she loves crazy colors/prints. Normally, I would love this - I am so proud that my daughter knows what she wants and I love that she picks her own clothes, etc. But with shoes? I want to find neutral-ish shoes she can wear with anything at a reasonable price that fit her well - maybe one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals. Nope, our shoe shopping trip on Sunday resulted in her getting four - yes, 4 - pairs of shoes that will fit her for roughly 2-3 months.
So, some stories from our last shoe-shopping adventure (which was the first without Daddy, because sometimes he has to miss things like this for work).
We go to Ideal Baby & Kids because they're having a great shoe sale. (Keep in mind, we just bought new shoes on Valentine's Day). Brooke finds a pair of Sketchers she loves (with Elmo and pink flowers on them) - they don't come in wide width. We try them on anyway, Brooke says, "Too tight!" and refuses to try anything else on because she doesn't like anything except the Elmo shoes. Tantrum #1.
So the next day, I take her to Stride Rite - great shoes, but pricey and a limited selection (at least of shoes that can be worn with anything). They carry wide (and sometimes extra wide) there - she continues to pick out the craziest, brightest colors and patterns. I convince her to try on a pair of gray and coral sneakers - success! She loves them! Sneakers down - and they cost me roughly $50, so we'll look somewhere else for sandals/beach shoes.
We make a stop in Payless. Brooke becomes attached to white Airwalks that look like Crocs that have purple and pink printed all over them. They don't fit right. (Tantrum #2) She picks out sandals that light up - they don't fit. (Tantrum #3)
I pick up a pair of white sandals. They fit great, she says she doesn't like them. She gets them anyway (sometimes being Mommy does have its perks).
She needs shoes to wear with her Cinderella dress. First she wants white "heels" - she's not even 2, I'm not even trying them on her. Then she picks sparkly pink ballet slippers - cute, but $20, and look more Aurora than Cinderella. She wears them around the store while we continue browsing - cries when I take them off (Tantrum #4). I decide she can wear the white sandals with the Cinderella dress, but I do convince her to get a pair of pink canvas (aka non-sparkly) ballet slippers that can be worn more frequently.
Last pair? She gets to pick whatever she wants - she picks Airwalks that are shiny silver with purple, teal, and pink printed on them, and they light up when she walks. (BTW, something I would have totally picked in my young days, LOL).
Total time spent to buy 4 pairs of shoes? Going on 3 hours. Number of full-out tantrums? 4. This girl exhausts me ;-)
Monday, April 11, 2011
A little of everything
Weight loss update:
This week: -1.0 lbs
Overall: -11.0 lbs
I'm not so thrilled with the results this week, although it does include a cupcake Saturday and pizza (Brooke's requested dinner) last night. I am so happy to still be losing - I have 6 weeks to lose 9 more pounds to meet my goal of being down 20 pounds by our vacation - the race is on!
I'm going to put off my post about shoe shopping another day - I have some exciting news to share!..................
............Any guesses?..........................
..............Am I driving you crazy yet?.................................
.................I (We) am (are).....................................................................................
..................................MOVING!!! (Bet ya thought I was going to say pregnant, right? Not yet ;-) )
Everyone knows Jim and I have been looking to move out of our current apartment for a while now - ideally, we would like to move closer to family, but for now, we just wanted another apartment in our area. The complex we currently live at has just gotten noisier and more disgusting looking the longer that the new management company has it. Everyone - including our neighbors that have lived in their townhouse for 7 years - are moving out as their lease ends. Now, they've covered a pool and are, instead, building more apartments - they've taken away my reserved spot right by our building, and I have to bring Brooke and all the junk I carry back and forth on a daily basis (my purse, diaper bag, my lunch - plus sometimes diapers, wipes, etc) the whole way across the complex (try this with a curious little monkey who must stomp in every water puddle or examine everything out of the ordinary).
Our lease is up December 31, 2011. Jim can't take time off to move during the holidays, and how stressful would it be to move on the holidays anyway?? Jim talked to them today, and they are going to try to let us out of our current lease without an early termination fee (apparently, they have to get approval from the management company's corporate office to do so).
We're going to look at a 3 bedroom apartment Saturday. I love the complex we're looking at, so I hope we like the apartment.
We're finally in a financial position to move, and we're planning on moving in September. If anyone local would like to volunteer to help, we will need all the help we can get! Otherwise, we probably will hire a moving company to move us roughly 0.91 miles.
This week: -1.0 lbs
Overall: -11.0 lbs
I'm not so thrilled with the results this week, although it does include a cupcake Saturday and pizza (Brooke's requested dinner) last night. I am so happy to still be losing - I have 6 weeks to lose 9 more pounds to meet my goal of being down 20 pounds by our vacation - the race is on!
I'm going to put off my post about shoe shopping another day - I have some exciting news to share!..................
............Any guesses?..........................
..............Am I driving you crazy yet?.................................
.................I (We) am (are).....................................................................................
..................................MOVING!!! (Bet ya thought I was going to say pregnant, right? Not yet ;-) )
Everyone knows Jim and I have been looking to move out of our current apartment for a while now - ideally, we would like to move closer to family, but for now, we just wanted another apartment in our area. The complex we currently live at has just gotten noisier and more disgusting looking the longer that the new management company has it. Everyone - including our neighbors that have lived in their townhouse for 7 years - are moving out as their lease ends. Now, they've covered a pool and are, instead, building more apartments - they've taken away my reserved spot right by our building, and I have to bring Brooke and all the junk I carry back and forth on a daily basis (my purse, diaper bag, my lunch - plus sometimes diapers, wipes, etc) the whole way across the complex (try this with a curious little monkey who must stomp in every water puddle or examine everything out of the ordinary).
Our lease is up December 31, 2011. Jim can't take time off to move during the holidays, and how stressful would it be to move on the holidays anyway?? Jim talked to them today, and they are going to try to let us out of our current lease without an early termination fee (apparently, they have to get approval from the management company's corporate office to do so).
We're going to look at a 3 bedroom apartment Saturday. I love the complex we're looking at, so I hope we like the apartment.
We're finally in a financial position to move, and we're planning on moving in September. If anyone local would like to volunteer to help, we will need all the help we can get! Otherwise, we probably will hire a moving company to move us roughly 0.91 miles.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Amazing news
I had a quirky blog post planned for today on this weekend's adventure of shoe shopping for my girl. And they are adventures, let me tell you.
But something far more exciting has happened, and I just have to share.
During congenital heart defect awareness week, I linked you to some kids' stories that have truly touched me. One of them was Annabelle, who was born with HLHS and had never seen the outside of the hospital. After having the first of the three planned surgeries (the Norwood), the family found out she was not a candidate for the second surgery (the Glenn) and she was listed on the transplant list.
Yesterday, Annabelle received her heart.
It is amazing to me that they can do heart transplants in children that young (small) - she isn't even a year old yet. My heart breaks for the donor's family - I cannot imagine losing my child at that young age, let alone donating their heart. But it is truly a miracle for Annabelle, who will hopefully recover quickly and be able to go home with her parents and three older sisters for the very first time in the next couple of months.
Please keep Annabelle and her angel donor family in your prayers, that they would both heal quickly.
But something far more exciting has happened, and I just have to share.
During congenital heart defect awareness week, I linked you to some kids' stories that have truly touched me. One of them was Annabelle, who was born with HLHS and had never seen the outside of the hospital. After having the first of the three planned surgeries (the Norwood), the family found out she was not a candidate for the second surgery (the Glenn) and she was listed on the transplant list.
Yesterday, Annabelle received her heart.
It is amazing to me that they can do heart transplants in children that young (small) - she isn't even a year old yet. My heart breaks for the donor's family - I cannot imagine losing my child at that young age, let alone donating their heart. But it is truly a miracle for Annabelle, who will hopefully recover quickly and be able to go home with her parents and three older sisters for the very first time in the next couple of months.
Please keep Annabelle and her angel donor family in your prayers, that they would both heal quickly.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I must be doing something right
Yesterday, I was doing my momma duties and searching for an article on how to pick out the best shoes for your toddler. Yes, Brooke has been wearing shoes for a year now, but I've only ever had to pick the style - we go to Stride Rite and have her sized. I received an ad in the mail that Ideal Baby & Kids is having a GREAT shoe sale the rest of this month and Brooke happens to need new shoes (another post in and of itself, ha), so I decided I better figure this out.
Anyway, I digress. While reading an article that tells me exactly how to fit shoes on my girl (thank you, WebMD!), another article caught my eye - Does your Toddler say "no"? Boy, oh boy, does she ever! (More on this in a minute). I have to share with you what the article said.
The article was several years old but quite interesting - basically, someone somewhere did a study (don't they always) and looked at things like a mom's interactions with the child during playtime, mom's discipline, mom's tendency for depression, and the child's behavior. They found that - drumroll, please! - mothers who support kids during play and don't show signs of depression have toddlers that say no more often. Mothers who are less supportive, more likely to yell, and show signs of depression have children that simply ignore their requests.
Wait, time out, WHAT?! You mean I'm a good mom because my child is defiant? I'm a good mom because when I tell my daughter it's time to eat, brush her teeth, pick up toys, get out of the bath, etc., she says, "No!" I'm a good mom because she says No! whenever she doesn't want to do something?
Turns out, I must be doing something right. Basically, the thought is that the moms with depression, etc., have children who simply don't respond to their mothers' requests (and I would have assumed there was something wrong with the child's hearing) - they are too afraid to say "no" and get yelled at. Essentially, in my own terms, those children have their independence quashed during a time when they so desperately need it as they begin to figure out themselves and the world and they become overly passive.
In fact, I must be doing something really right because Brooke is definitely not afraid to express her opinion (to us anyway)!
Anyway, I digress. While reading an article that tells me exactly how to fit shoes on my girl (thank you, WebMD!), another article caught my eye - Does your Toddler say "no"? Boy, oh boy, does she ever! (More on this in a minute). I have to share with you what the article said.
The article was several years old but quite interesting - basically, someone somewhere did a study (don't they always) and looked at things like a mom's interactions with the child during playtime, mom's discipline, mom's tendency for depression, and the child's behavior. They found that - drumroll, please! - mothers who support kids during play and don't show signs of depression have toddlers that say no more often. Mothers who are less supportive, more likely to yell, and show signs of depression have children that simply ignore their requests.
Wait, time out, WHAT?! You mean I'm a good mom because my child is defiant? I'm a good mom because when I tell my daughter it's time to eat, brush her teeth, pick up toys, get out of the bath, etc., she says, "No!" I'm a good mom because she says No! whenever she doesn't want to do something?
Turns out, I must be doing something right. Basically, the thought is that the moms with depression, etc., have children who simply don't respond to their mothers' requests (and I would have assumed there was something wrong with the child's hearing) - they are too afraid to say "no" and get yelled at. Essentially, in my own terms, those children have their independence quashed during a time when they so desperately need it as they begin to figure out themselves and the world and they become overly passive.
In fact, I must be doing something really right because Brooke is definitely not afraid to express her opinion (to us anyway)!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Weight Loss Update....
This week: +3.5
Overall: -10.0
I am disappointed in the gain, but I can't really say that I'm very surprised since I had the stomach flu and didn't eat for 2.5 days last week. I think I'm still on track for losing 20 lbs before our trip over Memorial Day (my short-term goal).
Overall: -10.0
I am disappointed in the gain, but I can't really say that I'm very surprised since I had the stomach flu and didn't eat for 2.5 days last week. I think I'm still on track for losing 20 lbs before our trip over Memorial Day (my short-term goal).
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Foggy daze
I've been in a strange place this week. Since finding out about my cousin's little girl, I can't stop thinking about all of them. It's been like a haze that's constantly surrounding me. I believe that with all the prayers going up for her, she can - and will - beat this thing.
But it's a reminder. No matter how healthy someone may seem, there's the possibility of hidden evils that could take them away from us without warning. It's definitely opened my eyes - something I feel I didn't need, since I did receive a reminder of this less than two years ago with Jacqui's diagnosis. But more than ever, I realize we have to live for today. It's so easy to get caught up in making plans, stress, and worry, that sometimes focusing on the here and now and just really enjoying your life can get overshadowed.
To follow her story, send prayers, or make a donation to help her family with the upcoming expense, visit http://www.helpaddison.com/.
I am so thankful for all of my friends who are praying for little Addison, for my family - we are just one huge, loving support system who love Addison so much, for my health, for my husband and beautiful little girl, for everything that I have. I'm looking forward to embracing every moment on this journey with all of you - and trying to think of something special to do with my girl today to kick it all off.
As far as my Bucket List goes, I've been making progress, although I've not been updating a lot. I'm still trying new recipes each week - some have been great, some not so much. I want to share with you my most recent find, though:
BEEF AND PEPPER STIR-FRY
Ingredients:
1 C quick-cooking brown rice
12 oz beef top round, thinly sliced
1tbsp + 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp vegetable oil
3 peppers - red, yellow, and orange
2 cloves garlic minced
2 Tomatoes, seeded and sliced
Directions:
Cook brown rice according to package directions. Combine beef, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sugar, & black pepper in bowl. Heat 1 tsp oil on med-high heat. Add beef - cook without stirring 1-2 minutes & transfer to plate. Add remaining oil, peppers, & garlic; stir-fry 4-5 minutes or until peppers crisp-tender. Add tomatoes & remaining sugar. Cook 3-4 minutes or until saucy, stirring. Return beef to skillet. Add black pepper & remaining soy sauce. Cook 1 minute or until meat cooked through, serve over rice.
Verdict:
This is definitely a winner! Jim doesn't like a lot of peppers, but he loved this. I added just a slight amount of heat with some crushed red pepper flakes. He doesn't like tomatoes at all, but they melt down to make the sauce and he didn't even notice. I was disappointed when I tried to get the leftovers from the fridge and found out he had already eaten them - we will definitely be making this again!!!
But it's a reminder. No matter how healthy someone may seem, there's the possibility of hidden evils that could take them away from us without warning. It's definitely opened my eyes - something I feel I didn't need, since I did receive a reminder of this less than two years ago with Jacqui's diagnosis. But more than ever, I realize we have to live for today. It's so easy to get caught up in making plans, stress, and worry, that sometimes focusing on the here and now and just really enjoying your life can get overshadowed.
To follow her story, send prayers, or make a donation to help her family with the upcoming expense, visit http://www.helpaddison.com/.
I am so thankful for all of my friends who are praying for little Addison, for my family - we are just one huge, loving support system who love Addison so much, for my health, for my husband and beautiful little girl, for everything that I have. I'm looking forward to embracing every moment on this journey with all of you - and trying to think of something special to do with my girl today to kick it all off.
As far as my Bucket List goes, I've been making progress, although I've not been updating a lot. I'm still trying new recipes each week - some have been great, some not so much. I want to share with you my most recent find, though:
BEEF AND PEPPER STIR-FRY
Ingredients:
1 C quick-cooking brown rice
12 oz beef top round, thinly sliced
1tbsp + 1 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp vegetable oil
3 peppers - red, yellow, and orange
2 cloves garlic minced
2 Tomatoes, seeded and sliced
Directions:
Cook brown rice according to package directions. Combine beef, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp sugar, & black pepper in bowl. Heat 1 tsp oil on med-high heat. Add beef - cook without stirring 1-2 minutes & transfer to plate. Add remaining oil, peppers, & garlic; stir-fry 4-5 minutes or until peppers crisp-tender. Add tomatoes & remaining sugar. Cook 3-4 minutes or until saucy, stirring. Return beef to skillet. Add black pepper & remaining soy sauce. Cook 1 minute or until meat cooked through, serve over rice.
Verdict:
This is definitely a winner! Jim doesn't like a lot of peppers, but he loved this. I added just a slight amount of heat with some crushed red pepper flakes. He doesn't like tomatoes at all, but they melt down to make the sauce and he didn't even notice. I was disappointed when I tried to get the leftovers from the fridge and found out he had already eaten them - we will definitely be making this again!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
What a weekend......
This weekend has been a roller coaster ride for me. Some of this is hard to read - it's hard to know - but, unfortunately, it's my life.
Friday, we found out that my cousin's 7-year-old has a brain tumor - on Saturday, we found out more details and were told it is at the base of her brain (brain stem) and is inoperable. The doctors only gave her 1 year to live.
How can it be that a beautiful, smart, sweet, friendly seven year old can have something so wrong going on inside of her? I just can't wrap my head around it. Saturday, I felt like I was in a fog - the strange thing is, it hit Jim even harder than it hit me. Of course, I dealt with it by jumping right into research mode.
Sunday, we got my oil changed and rear brakes replaced. We walked around Sunset Place Mall and took Brooke to an indoor playground called Cool-de-Sac. We had a lot of fun there.
Yesterday, Jim and I both had the stomach flu. I always wish we were closer to family, but never more than yesterday. Brooke had to be home with two sick-os because neither of us were well enough to drive her to daycare. If we had family nearby, I'm sure someone would have gladly helped us out. I'm finally feeling a little better this morning - can at least drink, although I can't eat much.
I weighed-in this morning (a day late)
Weight loss this week: -5.5
Total weight loss: -13.5!!!!!!!
I am so excited to see that I've lost 13.5 lbs so far...but I'm trying not to get too excited since I know a large part of that large loss was the stomach flu....
Friday, we found out that my cousin's 7-year-old has a brain tumor - on Saturday, we found out more details and were told it is at the base of her brain (brain stem) and is inoperable. The doctors only gave her 1 year to live.
How can it be that a beautiful, smart, sweet, friendly seven year old can have something so wrong going on inside of her? I just can't wrap my head around it. Saturday, I felt like I was in a fog - the strange thing is, it hit Jim even harder than it hit me. Of course, I dealt with it by jumping right into research mode.
Sunday, we got my oil changed and rear brakes replaced. We walked around Sunset Place Mall and took Brooke to an indoor playground called Cool-de-Sac. We had a lot of fun there.
Yesterday, Jim and I both had the stomach flu. I always wish we were closer to family, but never more than yesterday. Brooke had to be home with two sick-os because neither of us were well enough to drive her to daycare. If we had family nearby, I'm sure someone would have gladly helped us out. I'm finally feeling a little better this morning - can at least drink, although I can't eat much.
I weighed-in this morning (a day late)
Weight loss this week: -5.5
Total weight loss: -13.5!!!!!!!
I am so excited to see that I've lost 13.5 lbs so far...but I'm trying not to get too excited since I know a large part of that large loss was the stomach flu....
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
20 months!
I'm a few days late on this, but Brooke is officially 20 months old. I find it hard to believe she's going to be 2 in just 4 months!
We're making big plans for her birthday. Instead of a party, we're doing a lunch with Elmo and friends at Busch Gardens, Tampa, when we're there in early June - complete with reserved seating, a personalized cake for our girl, and the characters wishing her happy birthday! Then, in July, we'll do cupcakes at school, and a "family" party at home - she'll also be getting baptized around her 2nd birthday.
Her personality develops more and more. She is so sweet most of the time. She is VERY talkative, and a definite blabbermouth! Each day when I pick her up from daycare, she tells me all about her day - usually focusing on which children got in trouble for what (Riley and Averi most often, ha). The day of Lilly's birthday, she told me "Lilly's mama, Cake." She loves to show me around her classroom and show me the decorations, etc. She'll tell me what she wants to eat and drink (usually "cheese" and "apple jus").
She loves to run and loves, loves, loves to be outside! She still loves books. She loves Skype-ing with my parents, and she'll ask for it specifically. She likes puppies, but she's a little scared of them at the same time. She likes to pick her own clothes (she picks the top/dress, and I get out the bottoms that match).
She's still on the Xylitol for the ear infection study and so far, so good - no ear infections since the last one cleared up in early February. Thank God! Hopefully we've dodged the tubes bullet.
She is getting very funny, too. On Sunday, she was on the couch. She was laying her head on a pillow and wanted me to lay mine down, too. She handed me a pillow and started yelling, Mommy, lay your head down! lay head down! Lay head DOWN! while she was hitting the pillow - what can I say? My girl knows what she wants.
On Saturday, she was really tired (we were out past her bedtime). She was asking for us to sing her songs - and she asked us to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spid-ah round and round." Then she looked at me like, wait a minute, what did I just say?
We're making big plans for her birthday. Instead of a party, we're doing a lunch with Elmo and friends at Busch Gardens, Tampa, when we're there in early June - complete with reserved seating, a personalized cake for our girl, and the characters wishing her happy birthday! Then, in July, we'll do cupcakes at school, and a "family" party at home - she'll also be getting baptized around her 2nd birthday.
Her personality develops more and more. She is so sweet most of the time. She is VERY talkative, and a definite blabbermouth! Each day when I pick her up from daycare, she tells me all about her day - usually focusing on which children got in trouble for what (Riley and Averi most often, ha). The day of Lilly's birthday, she told me "Lilly's mama, Cake." She loves to show me around her classroom and show me the decorations, etc. She'll tell me what she wants to eat and drink (usually "cheese" and "apple jus").
She loves to run and loves, loves, loves to be outside! She still loves books. She loves Skype-ing with my parents, and she'll ask for it specifically. She likes puppies, but she's a little scared of them at the same time. She likes to pick her own clothes (she picks the top/dress, and I get out the bottoms that match).
She's still on the Xylitol for the ear infection study and so far, so good - no ear infections since the last one cleared up in early February. Thank God! Hopefully we've dodged the tubes bullet.
She is getting very funny, too. On Sunday, she was on the couch. She was laying her head on a pillow and wanted me to lay mine down, too. She handed me a pillow and started yelling, Mommy, lay your head down! lay head down! Lay head DOWN! while she was hitting the pillow - what can I say? My girl knows what she wants.
On Saturday, she was really tired (we were out past her bedtime). She was asking for us to sing her songs - and she asked us to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spid-ah round and round." Then she looked at me like, wait a minute, what did I just say?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Weight Loss Update #3
This week's loss: -3.0
Total loss: -8.0
I'm feeling great!!! It's been so long since I was actually motivated to stick to a weight-loss plan. I don't say diet, because Weight Watchers truly is not a diet - it's about changing the way we think about food and exercising and re-wiring our brains. Not to rule out junk food - just to limit portions.
Example? Friday, after work, we took Brooke to Misha's Cupcakes to pick out a variety so we can let her start trying them and decide what kind she wants for her birthday. We cut them all in thirds so we could all try (the winner was their chocolate & their Hostess flavor), and I still pulled off a 3 lb loss - and that includes canned corned beef hash for dinner on Wednesday and McDonald's for dinner Friday!
Planning our vacation is coming along. We officially have reservations for lunch with Elmo & friends at Busch Gardens - and we are so excited! I wish the next couple of months would go faster so we can just get to Disney, already!
Total loss: -8.0
I'm feeling great!!! It's been so long since I was actually motivated to stick to a weight-loss plan. I don't say diet, because Weight Watchers truly is not a diet - it's about changing the way we think about food and exercising and re-wiring our brains. Not to rule out junk food - just to limit portions.
Example? Friday, after work, we took Brooke to Misha's Cupcakes to pick out a variety so we can let her start trying them and decide what kind she wants for her birthday. We cut them all in thirds so we could all try (the winner was their chocolate & their Hostess flavor), and I still pulled off a 3 lb loss - and that includes canned corned beef hash for dinner on Wednesday and McDonald's for dinner Friday!
Planning our vacation is coming along. We officially have reservations for lunch with Elmo & friends at Busch Gardens - and we are so excited! I wish the next couple of months would go faster so we can just get to Disney, already!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Vacation Planning
It is only March 16, and I am getting SO EXCITED for our trip in May!
Originally, we were going to just go Disney. Then, we thought, hey, we'll add Sea World....but our minds have changed again. We have settled on this:
We will go to Disney 4 days (2 at Magic Kingdom, 1 at Epcot, and 1 at Hollywood Studios). We're also going to go over to Tampa either at the beginning or end of our trip and take Brooke to Busch Gardens, where they have put the "Sesame Street Safari of Fun." There, we will have breakfast with Elmo and friends complete with...a birthday celebration!
Our girl LOVES Elmo, Abby, and all the other "monsters," and they will do a cake for her. I've been looking for something special for her for her 2nd birthday, and a big party just didn't feel "right." But she will love this, even though it's a little earlier than her birthday.
We're still working out the details of the trip as far as where we'll be each day, but we are very excited!
So excited, in fact, that I already started making my lists of what I need to pack! Yup, I make lists before packing for vacation - just to make sure I don't forget anything important. I made them already because I wanted to narrow down what I need to purchase so I can keep an eye out for deals and don't have to rush around at the last minute (like my procrastinating self has been known to do in the past).
First up, a new camera! My Olympus Stylus was working OK, although it's a few years old and the pictures don't turn out nearly as nice as with the newer cameras. Since I do most of the picture-taking and know a little more about the optics of cameras in general, it was my choice. I picked the Nikon Coolpix S6000, a compact point-and-shoot that seems to be well-liked among owners. Jim is picking it up at Best Buy today - I can't wait to try it!
Other than that, our "to purchase" list includes necessities like sunscreen, hat/sunglasses for Brooke, etc.....and things that have to wait, like new shoes and swimsuit for Brooke.
Originally, we were going to just go Disney. Then, we thought, hey, we'll add Sea World....but our minds have changed again. We have settled on this:
We will go to Disney 4 days (2 at Magic Kingdom, 1 at Epcot, and 1 at Hollywood Studios). We're also going to go over to Tampa either at the beginning or end of our trip and take Brooke to Busch Gardens, where they have put the "Sesame Street Safari of Fun." There, we will have breakfast with Elmo and friends complete with...a birthday celebration!
Our girl LOVES Elmo, Abby, and all the other "monsters," and they will do a cake for her. I've been looking for something special for her for her 2nd birthday, and a big party just didn't feel "right." But she will love this, even though it's a little earlier than her birthday.
We're still working out the details of the trip as far as where we'll be each day, but we are very excited!
So excited, in fact, that I already started making my lists of what I need to pack! Yup, I make lists before packing for vacation - just to make sure I don't forget anything important. I made them already because I wanted to narrow down what I need to purchase so I can keep an eye out for deals and don't have to rush around at the last minute (like my procrastinating self has been known to do in the past).
First up, a new camera! My Olympus Stylus was working OK, although it's a few years old and the pictures don't turn out nearly as nice as with the newer cameras. Since I do most of the picture-taking and know a little more about the optics of cameras in general, it was my choice. I picked the Nikon Coolpix S6000, a compact point-and-shoot that seems to be well-liked among owners. Jim is picking it up at Best Buy today - I can't wait to try it!
Other than that, our "to purchase" list includes necessities like sunscreen, hat/sunglasses for Brooke, etc.....and things that have to wait, like new shoes and swimsuit for Brooke.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Potty training update
Potty training has been going great!
Brooke now tells me she has to poop (and successfully poops on the potty) 75% of the time when she's home! She's a little slower for peeing on the potty, but that's fine.
The biggest hinderance in having her completely potty trained is that the daycare won't work with her until she tells them she needs to go or turns 2, whichever comes first....and she won't tell them yet. She is starting to talk more there, so I'm hoping it happens soon!
Brooke now tells me she has to poop (and successfully poops on the potty) 75% of the time when she's home! She's a little slower for peeing on the potty, but that's fine.
The biggest hinderance in having her completely potty trained is that the daycare won't work with her until she tells them she needs to go or turns 2, whichever comes first....and she won't tell them yet. She is starting to talk more there, so I'm hoping it happens soon!
Weight loss week 2
Weight loss this week: - .5
Total weight loss: - 5
I didn't do as well as I had hoped this week. Mostly due to my willpower for sweets failing me ;-) But, I still managed to reach my first "milestone" and lose 5 lbs total!! I'm pretty stoked about that, and confident that I will be able to do better going into this week.
Total weight loss: - 5
I didn't do as well as I had hoped this week. Mostly due to my willpower for sweets failing me ;-) But, I still managed to reach my first "milestone" and lose 5 lbs total!! I'm pretty stoked about that, and confident that I will be able to do better going into this week.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Exhausted
I am one tired Mama today. We've been doing a lot of nothing, but sometimes that's more tiring than being on the go all the time!
Yesterday was spent picking up pottery, grabbing dinner at Grampa's in Dania Beach, ice cream at Wall's, and playing Wii.
And we've also decided that for Brooke's birthday, we're doing the cupcakes at school and a small party at home with any family that can make it - I'll invite a couple of Brooke's friends probably, or I might take them to play some evening or something. Not sure about that yet, but we decided to hold off on the bigger parties until she can tell us what she wants for her birthday - so probably next year!
Yesterday was spent picking up pottery, grabbing dinner at Grampa's in Dania Beach, ice cream at Wall's, and playing Wii.Today, we've been hanging out at home, I did some grocery shopping (alone- yay!!!!).
We've decided when we go to Disney, we're also hitting Sea World - so excited! We'll be purchasing Disney tickets this week. We think we're going to get the Sea World "annual pass," because we can get it for only $8 more a person than the one-day tickets!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Weight Loss and Fun!
My first real weight loss update!!
Weight loss this week: -4.5 lbs!
Total weight loss: -4.5 lbs
I am so excited that Weight Watchers is working! And this is just counting the points for everything I eat - I haven't started working out yet. I think it's more manageable if you change one thing at a time - so for now, I'll continue trying to work on what I'm eating for another few weeks before I start trying to focus on the exercise.
Yesterday, Jim was off so we took Brooke to Busy Bee Kidz for open play. This is an indoor playground that I've taken her to before. We all had a blast, and we're talking about doing Brooke's birthday there. We're still not sure if we're going to have a party with one of their party packages, or just invite 4-5 of her friends to go play for a couple of hours. If we do the latter, I don't think we're allowed to take a cake or anything. But, we would do a cake for her at home anyway, and I don't think a group of 2 year olds know (yet!) that there is supposed to be a cake!
The only thing we've decided on for sure is that we're bringing Misha's cupcakes to school on her birthday. If you've never had Misha's (they're a Miami thing), you HAVE to try them. They are, by far, the best cupcakes I've ever had. I just had one yesterday, as a matter of fact - red velvet cake with chocolate chips and butter cream icing. OMGeeee...TO DIE FOR!
Weight loss this week: -4.5 lbs!
Total weight loss: -4.5 lbs
I am so excited that Weight Watchers is working! And this is just counting the points for everything I eat - I haven't started working out yet. I think it's more manageable if you change one thing at a time - so for now, I'll continue trying to work on what I'm eating for another few weeks before I start trying to focus on the exercise.
Yesterday, Jim was off so we took Brooke to Busy Bee Kidz for open play. This is an indoor playground that I've taken her to before. We all had a blast, and we're talking about doing Brooke's birthday there. We're still not sure if we're going to have a party with one of their party packages, or just invite 4-5 of her friends to go play for a couple of hours. If we do the latter, I don't think we're allowed to take a cake or anything. But, we would do a cake for her at home anyway, and I don't think a group of 2 year olds know (yet!) that there is supposed to be a cake!
The only thing we've decided on for sure is that we're bringing Misha's cupcakes to school on her birthday. If you've never had Misha's (they're a Miami thing), you HAVE to try them. They are, by far, the best cupcakes I've ever had. I just had one yesterday, as a matter of fact - red velvet cake with chocolate chips and butter cream icing. OMGeeee...TO DIE FOR!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Playground
Brooke and I had an amazing day yesterday.
Jim was working late, so we spent the morning hanging out at home with him.
After nap, we headed out to the playground. I've been searching for a nice playground near our house to spend some time with Brooke on weekends. I found one listed online called Cherry Grove Park and decided to check it out. Brooke absolutely loved it! They had swings, slides, and climbing equipment sitting in sand, which she loved walking in. They also had a very large grassy area for running, playing soccer, whatever. She spent the most time on the swings.
After we had played for a while, we walked next door to the public library, where Brooke made some new friends and looked through books. When it was time to leave, she cried.
After the fun outside, we took a ride to Jim's store for a few things I needed to pick up. Then, I took my girl to IHOP for a mother/daughter dinner, where I enjoyed a delicious chicken salad and Brooke ate french toast.
It was a great day, and we were both worn out when we got home! Today's been filled with just playing at home and Skype-ing with my parents at Brooke's request.
I have a few other activities planned for Brooke this week and am looking forward to them! ;-)
Jim was working late, so we spent the morning hanging out at home with him.
After nap, we headed out to the playground. I've been searching for a nice playground near our house to spend some time with Brooke on weekends. I found one listed online called Cherry Grove Park and decided to check it out. Brooke absolutely loved it! They had swings, slides, and climbing equipment sitting in sand, which she loved walking in. They also had a very large grassy area for running, playing soccer, whatever. She spent the most time on the swings.
After we had played for a while, we walked next door to the public library, where Brooke made some new friends and looked through books. When it was time to leave, she cried.
After the fun outside, we took a ride to Jim's store for a few things I needed to pick up. Then, I took my girl to IHOP for a mother/daughter dinner, where I enjoyed a delicious chicken salad and Brooke ate french toast.
It was a great day, and we were both worn out when we got home! Today's been filled with just playing at home and Skype-ing with my parents at Brooke's request.
I have a few other activities planned for Brooke this week and am looking forward to them! ;-)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Weight Watchers, Planning, and Opinions Needed!
Anyone who knows me knows I've said for a long time - like, I'm talking years - that I want to lose weight.
I lost a bunch of weight in college - 40 pounds, I think. It's been so long ago that it's hard to remember. That was doing Weight Watchers. At that time, you had a point "range" you tried to eat each day.
Not long after that, they changed the plan. I've tried to go back to Weight Watchers several times over the years, but it has never worked as well as that first time. Now, they've updated the plan (again), so I decided to check it out.
Hopefully this will work - I've been feeling really bad about myself (look-wise) lately, and I'm constantly exhausted. I find that when my weight really starts to bother me, it begins to effect every part of my life, and I'm tired of it. I remember the first time around, I focused on making eating changes first - when I had that under control, I worried about adding more exercise into my routine. I'm planning on taking the same approach this time.
On another, happier note - I just realized my last post was supposed to be about planning. Um, yeah, notsomuch.
I've been thinking a lot about Brooke's 2nd birthday. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do because she is only going to be 2 - so it seems crazy to do some "over the top" thing involving a lot of kids whose parents I don't really know - but at the same time, we don't have family down here to do a "family only" party like I had when I was young. Here are the thoughts I've been tossing around:
1) Brooke's daycare will let us have parties there. I could have a party (they're always in the afternoon) and bring in one of many vendors - Elmo, face painting, something else that a bunch of 18 month - 2 year olds would love. (Note: I'm considering bringing Color Me Mine - see below).
- Pro: All of Brooke's class would be there, and I don't need to worry about not knowing the parents. It is probably the least expensive of all of the options!
- Con: If we have family that comes down for her birthday (as I expect we will), I'm not sure they would all be able to attend and we'd have to do a second party.
2) Have a party at home with snacks and cake/ice cream. I could have the Color Me Mine To Go come - they bring the pottery, paint, etc. for the kids to paint a piece of pottery (that I would choose), then take it back to the store to be fired and glazed. I would pick something small for each child and perhaps a large platter for them to all put their handprints on as a keepsake for Brooke!
- Pro: Brooke had a GREAT TIME painting the pottery - and it's a favor and activity all in one!
- Con: Can you imagine the mess of a bunch of 2 year olds painting (very breakable) bisque pieces? If I do it at home, I have to decide whether to invite her whole daycare class, the kids she plays with the most, or limit it to family/friends that have kids her age - which I don't have many of. Plus, all of the other kids live near where I work - so I don't know how many would trek to the Kendall area for her birthday party!
3) Have the party at an indoor playground.
- Pro: Brooke loves playing at these places! They do all the decorating & clean-up.
- Con: I'm not sure we'd have enough kids to make the expense worthwhile (unless we invite her whole daycare class - and I don't know whether people do this for 2 year olds!).
So, if you had a child turning 2, that talks about several of the other kids at daycare, what would you do for their birthday?
I lost a bunch of weight in college - 40 pounds, I think. It's been so long ago that it's hard to remember. That was doing Weight Watchers. At that time, you had a point "range" you tried to eat each day.
Not long after that, they changed the plan. I've tried to go back to Weight Watchers several times over the years, but it has never worked as well as that first time. Now, they've updated the plan (again), so I decided to check it out.
Hopefully this will work - I've been feeling really bad about myself (look-wise) lately, and I'm constantly exhausted. I find that when my weight really starts to bother me, it begins to effect every part of my life, and I'm tired of it. I remember the first time around, I focused on making eating changes first - when I had that under control, I worried about adding more exercise into my routine. I'm planning on taking the same approach this time.
On another, happier note - I just realized my last post was supposed to be about planning. Um, yeah, notsomuch.
I've been thinking a lot about Brooke's 2nd birthday. I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do because she is only going to be 2 - so it seems crazy to do some "over the top" thing involving a lot of kids whose parents I don't really know - but at the same time, we don't have family down here to do a "family only" party like I had when I was young. Here are the thoughts I've been tossing around:
1) Brooke's daycare will let us have parties there. I could have a party (they're always in the afternoon) and bring in one of many vendors - Elmo, face painting, something else that a bunch of 18 month - 2 year olds would love. (Note: I'm considering bringing Color Me Mine - see below).
- Pro: All of Brooke's class would be there, and I don't need to worry about not knowing the parents. It is probably the least expensive of all of the options!
- Con: If we have family that comes down for her birthday (as I expect we will), I'm not sure they would all be able to attend and we'd have to do a second party.
2) Have a party at home with snacks and cake/ice cream. I could have the Color Me Mine To Go come - they bring the pottery, paint, etc. for the kids to paint a piece of pottery (that I would choose), then take it back to the store to be fired and glazed. I would pick something small for each child and perhaps a large platter for them to all put their handprints on as a keepsake for Brooke!
- Pro: Brooke had a GREAT TIME painting the pottery - and it's a favor and activity all in one!
- Con: Can you imagine the mess of a bunch of 2 year olds painting (very breakable) bisque pieces? If I do it at home, I have to decide whether to invite her whole daycare class, the kids she plays with the most, or limit it to family/friends that have kids her age - which I don't have many of. Plus, all of the other kids live near where I work - so I don't know how many would trek to the Kendall area for her birthday party!
3) Have the party at an indoor playground.
- Pro: Brooke loves playing at these places! They do all the decorating & clean-up.
- Con: I'm not sure we'd have enough kids to make the expense worthwhile (unless we invite her whole daycare class - and I don't know whether people do this for 2 year olds!).
So, if you had a child turning 2, that talks about several of the other kids at daycare, what would you do for their birthday?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
New Recipes and Planning
I've lost count of what week I'm on for my recipes for my Bucket List - but here are a couple:
So Simple Supper!
I've been promising this for a while now, and I finally made it a couple of weeks ago. It was so good, in fact, that it's cooking away right now.
Ingredients:
1 Roast (3 to 4 lbs)
1 envelope au jus gravy mix
1 envelope mushroom gravy mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
3 cups water
Assorted vegetables
Directions:
Place roast in slow cooker. Combine soup, gravy mixes, and water. Pour over roast. Cover, cook on LOW 4 hours.
Add vegetables. Cook 4 hours more or until meat & veggies tender.
Verdict: A definite keeper! I simply use potatoes & carrots. I accidentally left the onion soup out the first time I made it, so I am making it that way again today. Love it!
Slow cooker lasagna: This was a big FAIL. My mom made it before, but mine was burned and completely inedible. I think it's because it cooked from 7 am - slowcooker turned off 8 hours later, then it was on "warm" until I got home at 6 pm. I'll be giving this recipe another shot, eventually - on the weekend, when it won't cook so long!
Curry Chicken
This is my own invention! I just sprinkled chicken cutlets with curry powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt & pepper & cooked over medium heat in a skillet coated with extra virgin olive oil.
Verdict: Jim and I loved this! We have this Chinese restaurant we must go to when we go home to visit about 1.5 hours from my mom's.....they have awesome curry chicken that's really spicy. This was my take on the flavors....it worked pretty well, although it didn't taste anything like the restaurant's, really! But the flavors were good together, and you can control how spicy/curry-ish the dish is, ha.
So Simple Supper!
I've been promising this for a while now, and I finally made it a couple of weeks ago. It was so good, in fact, that it's cooking away right now.
Ingredients:
1 Roast (3 to 4 lbs)
1 envelope au jus gravy mix
1 envelope mushroom gravy mix
1 envelope onion soup mix
3 cups water
Assorted vegetables
Directions:
Place roast in slow cooker. Combine soup, gravy mixes, and water. Pour over roast. Cover, cook on LOW 4 hours.
Add vegetables. Cook 4 hours more or until meat & veggies tender.
Verdict: A definite keeper! I simply use potatoes & carrots. I accidentally left the onion soup out the first time I made it, so I am making it that way again today. Love it!
Slow cooker lasagna: This was a big FAIL. My mom made it before, but mine was burned and completely inedible. I think it's because it cooked from 7 am - slowcooker turned off 8 hours later, then it was on "warm" until I got home at 6 pm. I'll be giving this recipe another shot, eventually - on the weekend, when it won't cook so long!
Curry Chicken
This is my own invention! I just sprinkled chicken cutlets with curry powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt & pepper & cooked over medium heat in a skillet coated with extra virgin olive oil.
Verdict: Jim and I loved this! We have this Chinese restaurant we must go to when we go home to visit about 1.5 hours from my mom's.....they have awesome curry chicken that's really spicy. This was my take on the flavors....it worked pretty well, although it didn't taste anything like the restaurant's, really! But the flavors were good together, and you can control how spicy/curry-ish the dish is, ha.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Potty training (don't read if you don't want to hear about bodily functions...)
The time is really here - time to work on potty training!
I started "training" Brooke around Thanksgiving when she first started showing interest in the potty - at that time, she said pee, poop, and potty, although it was usually after she was finished. Nonetheless, she would sit on the potty and use it at least once a day.
It's been hard to keep up with it since the daycare doesn't really start until they're 2 unless the kids can tell them they need to use the potty. We have so many errands every weekend that I don't do it then.
The past couple of weeks have been driving me crazy. Brooke tells me now "Gotta poop!" but won't poop on the potty (yet). Once she poops, she will not sit down until the dirty diaper is off. But she's also asking to get changed every time she pees, no matter how small the amount. One night over the weekend, I went through 3 diapers in less than 15 minutes. (1. She was due for a regular change. 2. Literally 2 seconds later, she pooped and had to be changed. 3. About 10 minutes later she peed (just a normal amount, diaper wasn't too heavy) and wanted changed.)
So there you have it. This weekend is the time. We are going to spend Saturday and Sunday really trying to get this potty thing started. It's still hard since I work - I feel like if I were a SAHM, the potty training would be done already because she is so clearly, definitely ready. She is so over the whole diaper thing - and who can blame her?
I'm going to let her lead the way. I think she's ready but if she's not, I'm not pushing. So far, that's been what I've done with other things (like no longer using the bottle) and she may not do it on my ideal timeline, but she gets there and is happy doing so.
All that said, I will gladly take any advice anyone has to offer. My goal: get rid of diapers during the day by the time she's 2.
I started "training" Brooke around Thanksgiving when she first started showing interest in the potty - at that time, she said pee, poop, and potty, although it was usually after she was finished. Nonetheless, she would sit on the potty and use it at least once a day.
It's been hard to keep up with it since the daycare doesn't really start until they're 2 unless the kids can tell them they need to use the potty. We have so many errands every weekend that I don't do it then.
The past couple of weeks have been driving me crazy. Brooke tells me now "Gotta poop!" but won't poop on the potty (yet). Once she poops, she will not sit down until the dirty diaper is off. But she's also asking to get changed every time she pees, no matter how small the amount. One night over the weekend, I went through 3 diapers in less than 15 minutes. (1. She was due for a regular change. 2. Literally 2 seconds later, she pooped and had to be changed. 3. About 10 minutes later she peed (just a normal amount, diaper wasn't too heavy) and wanted changed.)
So there you have it. This weekend is the time. We are going to spend Saturday and Sunday really trying to get this potty thing started. It's still hard since I work - I feel like if I were a SAHM, the potty training would be done already because she is so clearly, definitely ready. She is so over the whole diaper thing - and who can blame her?
I'm going to let her lead the way. I think she's ready but if she's not, I'm not pushing. So far, that's been what I've done with other things (like no longer using the bottle) and she may not do it on my ideal timeline, but she gets there and is happy doing so.
All that said, I will gladly take any advice anyone has to offer. My goal: get rid of diapers during the day by the time she's 2.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
No words
This weekend was one of the best I can remember having in a long, long time. There really are no words for how I feel after this weekend - just so refreshed and hopeful about the future.
Friday after work, we went to Dave & Buster's for dinner and then played in the arcade. Brooke had a blast playing the games - she even hit the jackpot on Skeeball!
Saturday morning, we had a quick visit to the pedi to follow up on her ears. She has a little cold now, so I was afraid it was another ear infection - but it wasn't! She's on nebulizer treatments again (I had started them last Thursday) to try to help keep things moving - she still has a cough and stuffy nose, so I'm going to increase the frequency of those and try to avoid taking her back. We did find out that there is a study we're going to try to get Brooke in - it's a "dietary supplement" called Xylitol that is supposed to help prevent/lessen ear infections. She was previously taking this (Xylarex) but the liquid form was discontinued. When she's admitted to the study, it will last 3 months and they'll provide us the meds - if it works for her, we will then have to have the pharmacy compound the capsules into a liquid dose for her. I feel good about it, because the next step is tubes in her ears - I really want to avoid that, so I feel like giving us this study is God's way of taking care of us and helping us avoid tubes.
After the appointment, we went to Friday's for lunch and painted pottery at Color Me Mine. Brooke LOVED it. I'm thinking of just having her birthday party at my house this year and doing the pottery "to go" - they come to the party location for 2 hours and at the end, they take the pottery back to their studio to fire and glaze it. I did a plate and Brooke did a trinket box - too cute!
Sunday, we went to get Brooke's 18 month pictures and had lunch at Johnny Rockets. She LOVED our waiter and even wore the hat the he gave her the entire time we were there.
Friday after work, we went to Dave & Buster's for dinner and then played in the arcade. Brooke had a blast playing the games - she even hit the jackpot on Skeeball!
Saturday morning, we had a quick visit to the pedi to follow up on her ears. She has a little cold now, so I was afraid it was another ear infection - but it wasn't! She's on nebulizer treatments again (I had started them last Thursday) to try to help keep things moving - she still has a cough and stuffy nose, so I'm going to increase the frequency of those and try to avoid taking her back. We did find out that there is a study we're going to try to get Brooke in - it's a "dietary supplement" called Xylitol that is supposed to help prevent/lessen ear infections. She was previously taking this (Xylarex) but the liquid form was discontinued. When she's admitted to the study, it will last 3 months and they'll provide us the meds - if it works for her, we will then have to have the pharmacy compound the capsules into a liquid dose for her. I feel good about it, because the next step is tubes in her ears - I really want to avoid that, so I feel like giving us this study is God's way of taking care of us and helping us avoid tubes.
After the appointment, we went to Friday's for lunch and painted pottery at Color Me Mine. Brooke LOVED it. I'm thinking of just having her birthday party at my house this year and doing the pottery "to go" - they come to the party location for 2 hours and at the end, they take the pottery back to their studio to fire and glaze it. I did a plate and Brooke did a trinket box - too cute!
Sunday, we went to get Brooke's 18 month pictures and had lunch at Johnny Rockets. She LOVED our waiter and even wore the hat the he gave her the entire time we were there.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
19 months!
I decided to post this a few days early because I know I have a busy day at work tomorrow and we have a jam-packed weekend planned!
On Sunday (2/20), Brooke will be 19 months old. Time is just flying light-speed ahead...I feel like if I blink, I will miss it, and my beautiful baby will be a teenager. It has been amazing to watch her grow, and I am so proud of her.
At 19 months, she:
-"Counts" - and I put that in quotes because she thinks counting goes 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10.
- Knows her ABC's - she doesn't sing from start to finish, but you can stop at any time and she'll fill in the letter.
- Talks a TON. I'm planning on making a list of all the words she says on her own to just keep track of it - and she will try to repeat anything I ask her to (as long as she's not around "strangers")
- Tries to dress herself whenever I let her.
- Drinks everything from sippy cups and eats all solids. (She especially loves mac 'n cheese and peanut butter sandwiches).
On Sunday (2/20), Brooke will be 19 months old. Time is just flying light-speed ahead...I feel like if I blink, I will miss it, and my beautiful baby will be a teenager. It has been amazing to watch her grow, and I am so proud of her.
At 19 months, she:
-"Counts" - and I put that in quotes because she thinks counting goes 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10.
- Knows her ABC's - she doesn't sing from start to finish, but you can stop at any time and she'll fill in the letter.
- Her favorite songs are still If You're Happy and You Know It, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, and the I Love You song. Her favorite songs on the radio are the ones that go "If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?" and "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me." (Um, is this bad? I don't even know the song names, and my daughter loves songs about sex. LOL - it's what is on our top 100 station on the way home from school---and these ALWAYS make her dance) She also loves Lady Gaga and New Kids on the Block! (What can I say? She is my daughter! She always dances more to Donnie's voice too, LOL).
- Talks a TON. I'm planning on making a list of all the words she says on her own to just keep track of it - and she will try to repeat anything I ask her to (as long as she's not around "strangers")- Loves toys you ride on - bikes, swings, rocking horses.....
- Loves her doll babies and stuffed animals - she hugs them, kisses them, wipes their faces, and changes their diapers. She LOVES the baby she has that goes in the bathtub with her!
- Wipes her own nose, mouth, hands, and brushes her own hair and teeth.
- Knows red, blue, and yellow.
- Loves to draw/fingerpaint. (I am so excited to take her to paint pottery!)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Valentine's Day
As always, Jim and I had a great Valentine's Day. He always makes the day special.
We started our celebration on Saturday, when we went to dinner at Tony Roma's. Brooke was an angel and enjoyed her food! Then we bought her her "gift" of new shoes.
Yesterday, I came home to find beautiful red roses on the table and Blue Bell ice cream in the freezer. (Several weeks ago, I bought myself Blue Bell ice cream - and Jim ate it all except for one tiny scoop that I shared with Brooke. I was upset about it, so he replaced it for Valentine's Day).
I told Jim to pick a dinner, so he picked my spicy chicken and mashed potatos - it's too long for after work, so I'll make it this weekend. He is also taking me to paint pottery with Brooke's handprint (a bucket list item!) on Saturday.
We've had some awesome V-day's over the years - a look back:
2002 - Bruno's and Holiday Inn.
2003 - Calvin House :-)
2004 - I can't believe I can't remember the name of the restaurant - it's a really nice Italian place in Altoona that used to (or still does?) the food at Scotch Valley, where we had our wedding reception.
2005 - Johnstown Brewing Company
2006 - ?
2007 - ?
2008 - This year, we were supposed to go to a really nice dinner at the Hard Rock and stay up there. But, they had a gas leak - we ended up at IHOP at 10 pm due to all the traffic!
2009 - I was pregnant and had the flu :(
2010 - Nice meal at home with our baby girl :-)
Valentine's weekend started off with Brooke and I attending a Valentine's party at Busy Bee Kidz with our friends Adriana and Gaby. We had a great time! Brooke kept asking for party! Bab-by! the whole way home. She even got to meet Elmo! Pictures are on my facebook - I'm planning on taking her to another indoor playground this weekend since she enjoyed it so much on Friday.
Please keep one of my best friends Jacqui in your thoughts today - she is having a bone marrow biopsy today since it has been 6 months since her transplant. Also, today would have been the due date (last year) of her baby - unfortunately, she had to terminate the pregnancy due to her leukemia diagnosis. It's a hard day for her, her husband, and they're family, and I know they would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We love you, Aunt Jacqui!!
We started our celebration on Saturday, when we went to dinner at Tony Roma's. Brooke was an angel and enjoyed her food! Then we bought her her "gift" of new shoes.
Yesterday, I came home to find beautiful red roses on the table and Blue Bell ice cream in the freezer. (Several weeks ago, I bought myself Blue Bell ice cream - and Jim ate it all except for one tiny scoop that I shared with Brooke. I was upset about it, so he replaced it for Valentine's Day).
I told Jim to pick a dinner, so he picked my spicy chicken and mashed potatos - it's too long for after work, so I'll make it this weekend. He is also taking me to paint pottery with Brooke's handprint (a bucket list item!) on Saturday.
We've had some awesome V-day's over the years - a look back:
2002 - Bruno's and Holiday Inn.
2003 - Calvin House :-)
2004 - I can't believe I can't remember the name of the restaurant - it's a really nice Italian place in Altoona that used to (or still does?) the food at Scotch Valley, where we had our wedding reception.
2005 - Johnstown Brewing Company
2006 - ?
2007 - ?
2008 - This year, we were supposed to go to a really nice dinner at the Hard Rock and stay up there. But, they had a gas leak - we ended up at IHOP at 10 pm due to all the traffic!
2009 - I was pregnant and had the flu :(
2010 - Nice meal at home with our baby girl :-)
Valentine's weekend started off with Brooke and I attending a Valentine's party at Busy Bee Kidz with our friends Adriana and Gaby. We had a great time! Brooke kept asking for party! Bab-by! the whole way home. She even got to meet Elmo! Pictures are on my facebook - I'm planning on taking her to another indoor playground this weekend since she enjoyed it so much on Friday.
Please keep one of my best friends Jacqui in your thoughts today - she is having a bone marrow biopsy today since it has been 6 months since her transplant. Also, today would have been the due date (last year) of her baby - unfortunately, she had to terminate the pregnancy due to her leukemia diagnosis. It's a hard day for her, her husband, and they're family, and I know they would appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We love you, Aunt Jacqui!!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Today's a day all about hearts and love.
It's also the last day of CHD Awareness Week. I missed several days to being generally busy and suffering from a migraine yesterday and today - plus, I think if I had done more posts like I wanted, maybe it would have been overkill. Clearly, you've seen enough facts to see the importance of CHD Awareness. And I told you a few ways to help - but go here to see more (written by mom to Chase, a beautiful boy who also has HLHS).
So, for the end of CHD Awareness week, I want to direct you to some stories that have touched MY heart that I haven't yet shared:
Meet Annabelle, a 6-month old who has several heart defects. She has never been able to go home, and she's currently in the ICU waiting for her new heart. They're also waiting on a second opinion for a possible treatment in Boston. Please pray for her and that God will show her family the path to her optimal health.
Also, meet Bodie. I have just fallen in love with this little boy, who turns 1 next week. He had a rough beginning, spending 4.5 out of his first 5 months of life in the hospital, but is now doing so, so well. His mom has also written a beautiful post about why CHD awareness is so important to these families.
Finally, remember I shared the link to Logan's story? His mom has continued featuring other stories on her blog, and she is also touching on the OTHER effects of a child being born with CHD - financial issues, relationship issues, etc., for the families of these kids.
Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy Thursday? They (briefly) mentioned caring for a hypoplastic heart baby - that's what many of these kids have, HLHS or HRHS. On the show, they delivered the baby early because they had a transplant heart for it - I don't think that would happen in real life, but I do wish that the show would have spend more time on the HLHS since it was CHD Awareness week.
It's also the last day of CHD Awareness Week. I missed several days to being generally busy and suffering from a migraine yesterday and today - plus, I think if I had done more posts like I wanted, maybe it would have been overkill. Clearly, you've seen enough facts to see the importance of CHD Awareness. And I told you a few ways to help - but go here to see more (written by mom to Chase, a beautiful boy who also has HLHS).
So, for the end of CHD Awareness week, I want to direct you to some stories that have touched MY heart that I haven't yet shared:
Meet Annabelle, a 6-month old who has several heart defects. She has never been able to go home, and she's currently in the ICU waiting for her new heart. They're also waiting on a second opinion for a possible treatment in Boston. Please pray for her and that God will show her family the path to her optimal health.
Also, meet Bodie. I have just fallen in love with this little boy, who turns 1 next week. He had a rough beginning, spending 4.5 out of his first 5 months of life in the hospital, but is now doing so, so well. His mom has also written a beautiful post about why CHD awareness is so important to these families.
Finally, remember I shared the link to Logan's story? His mom has continued featuring other stories on her blog, and she is also touching on the OTHER effects of a child being born with CHD - financial issues, relationship issues, etc., for the families of these kids.
Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy Thursday? They (briefly) mentioned caring for a hypoplastic heart baby - that's what many of these kids have, HLHS or HRHS. On the show, they delivered the baby early because they had a transplant heart for it - I don't think that would happen in real life, but I do wish that the show would have spend more time on the HLHS since it was CHD Awareness week.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
CHD Awareness: Funding, Research, and How to Help
I have so much more information to share about CHDs - but today, I want to share the sad truth about funding for research of these issues - and what we can do to help.
Remember the other day, when I told you that CHDs kill twice as many kids as all childhood cancers combined? Well, what if I now tell you, pediatric cancer research gets FIVE TIMES the funding of CHD research.
Shocking, I know - let me just give you a minute to digest that.
As I said the other day, I'm not suggesting anything should be taken away from pediatric cancer research, that's serious and devestating, too. But why isn't the funding at least equal for pediatric CHDs? My theory is this - you can't "see" CHDs. For the most part, these kids look healthy - unless you catch a glimpse of their surgical scars or if they're looking blue at that moment (from lowered oxygen levels). Even if you see them on oxygen or something, you would need to ask why they were on oxygen to find out about the CHD.
But kids with pediatric cancer - well, you can often see they're sick. Their pallor may change, their hair may fall out....like I said, so incredibly sad and deserving of research, for sure - but I think that "visibility" is why people donate more to causes like that. Well, that, and the average person just doesn't know about CHDs.
But there's more - for every donation made to the American Heart Association (a wonderful cause, by the way), only $0.30 per dollar goes to research for CHDs - and only $0.01 of each dollar goes to research for pediatric CHD patients!
I'll do the math for you - if I make a $100.00 donation to the AHA, $30.00 goes to research for CHDs. $1.00 goes to research to benefit pediatric CHD patients. Stunning, right?
Clearly, great advancements have been made in the last 30-40 years despite this less than optimal funding for research. Imagine what can be done with proper funding! So how can we make a difference?
1) Monetary donations. There are some great organizations out there that raise money for research. Check out CHF, C.H.I.N., or Hope for BraveHEARTS.
2) Walks. There are Congenital Defect Walks (like the Race for the Cure) around the country. Check your area, see if there is one - walk, raise money, volunteer. These walks are so much fun and for a great cause! (If there's not a Congenital Defect walk, why don't you look into March of Dimes March for Babies? They help fundraise to benefit premature/sick babies generally. I've had a few friends who have benefitted from their services!)
3. Donate items to heart centers. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is home of a very well-known pediatric heart surgeon. As is Stanford, University of Michigan hospital, a hospital in Indianapolis - you get the idea. The heart momma blogs I read all make mention of how much it means when their children receive new blankets, etc., in the NICU - you can always find ways to donate items to benefit the babies of your local NICU. Another great way to donate items is to check out Sisters By Heart, which was started by several heart mommas to gather supplies and items they found helpful for new heart families - you can donate monetarily or donate specific items.
4. Spread the word. Perhaps the #1 most important thing I want to stress is knowledge - arm yourself and your friends, loved ones, strangers with knowledge. Talk about CHDs. Talk about the statistics, even though I know they are scary. Tell people that only 75% of kids born with HLHS live to see their 5th birthday. Tell them the facts about CHD and Downs Syndrome, the facts about CHD and pediatric cancers. Hug your heart healthy children close and be so grateful - but never forget the children who are suffering and what they have been through.
Today's heart family is a very special one. Meet Owen, a sweet little boy who just celebrated his 3rd birthday. He is undergoing open heart surgery today, and is expected to have another open heart surgery later this year. Like many heart babies, he is on oxygen and battles eating issues. Please stop by his page and support his family - and say an extra prayer for him today and during his recovery!
Remember the other day, when I told you that CHDs kill twice as many kids as all childhood cancers combined? Well, what if I now tell you, pediatric cancer research gets FIVE TIMES the funding of CHD research.
Shocking, I know - let me just give you a minute to digest that.
As I said the other day, I'm not suggesting anything should be taken away from pediatric cancer research, that's serious and devestating, too. But why isn't the funding at least equal for pediatric CHDs? My theory is this - you can't "see" CHDs. For the most part, these kids look healthy - unless you catch a glimpse of their surgical scars or if they're looking blue at that moment (from lowered oxygen levels). Even if you see them on oxygen or something, you would need to ask why they were on oxygen to find out about the CHD.
But kids with pediatric cancer - well, you can often see they're sick. Their pallor may change, their hair may fall out....like I said, so incredibly sad and deserving of research, for sure - but I think that "visibility" is why people donate more to causes like that. Well, that, and the average person just doesn't know about CHDs.
But there's more - for every donation made to the American Heart Association (a wonderful cause, by the way), only $0.30 per dollar goes to research for CHDs - and only $0.01 of each dollar goes to research for pediatric CHD patients!
I'll do the math for you - if I make a $100.00 donation to the AHA, $30.00 goes to research for CHDs. $1.00 goes to research to benefit pediatric CHD patients. Stunning, right?
Clearly, great advancements have been made in the last 30-40 years despite this less than optimal funding for research. Imagine what can be done with proper funding! So how can we make a difference?
1) Monetary donations. There are some great organizations out there that raise money for research. Check out CHF, C.H.I.N., or Hope for BraveHEARTS.
2) Walks. There are Congenital Defect Walks (like the Race for the Cure) around the country. Check your area, see if there is one - walk, raise money, volunteer. These walks are so much fun and for a great cause! (If there's not a Congenital Defect walk, why don't you look into March of Dimes March for Babies? They help fundraise to benefit premature/sick babies generally. I've had a few friends who have benefitted from their services!)
3. Donate items to heart centers. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is home of a very well-known pediatric heart surgeon. As is Stanford, University of Michigan hospital, a hospital in Indianapolis - you get the idea. The heart momma blogs I read all make mention of how much it means when their children receive new blankets, etc., in the NICU - you can always find ways to donate items to benefit the babies of your local NICU. Another great way to donate items is to check out Sisters By Heart, which was started by several heart mommas to gather supplies and items they found helpful for new heart families - you can donate monetarily or donate specific items.
4. Spread the word. Perhaps the #1 most important thing I want to stress is knowledge - arm yourself and your friends, loved ones, strangers with knowledge. Talk about CHDs. Talk about the statistics, even though I know they are scary. Tell people that only 75% of kids born with HLHS live to see their 5th birthday. Tell them the facts about CHD and Downs Syndrome, the facts about CHD and pediatric cancers. Hug your heart healthy children close and be so grateful - but never forget the children who are suffering and what they have been through.
Today's heart family is a very special one. Meet Owen, a sweet little boy who just celebrated his 3rd birthday. He is undergoing open heart surgery today, and is expected to have another open heart surgery later this year. Like many heart babies, he is on oxygen and battles eating issues. Please stop by his page and support his family - and say an extra prayer for him today and during his recovery!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
CHD Awareness: Diagnosis
This post is going to have a little less facts and a little more of my (layman) understanding.
Some CHDs are diagnosed in utero, when the baby is sent for what I have always known as the "anatomy scan." This is done at approximately 20 weeks. They check the organs, baby's growth, and this is often the ultrasound where they can tell you the gender of your unborn baby! One of the things the specifically look for is to see if the baby's heart has all 4 chambers - so in the case of some CHDs, they may be able to pick up an abnormality.
From what I've read on these amazing mommas' blogs, if something is detected, the babies are sent for a fetal echocardiogram to get a better idea of what's going on. While they may not pin down the exact diagnosis until birth, this is enough to give them an idea of what they will be looking at and an idea of treatment after birth.
Only after I started reading these stories did it hit me - when we were having Brooke, they couldn't get a good picture of her heart at that first ultrasound because we had it super early at 17 weeks. At the time, they told me that it was because it was so early and she wouldn't turn around - I remember saying to Jim in passing that I hoped everything was OK, but I never once entertained the thought something serious could be wrong. I was chatting with other mommas on the What to Expect (WTE) website and many of them were needing to go back a second time, too - so it was no big deal. (FYI: We had to go back 4 times. The first time, they couldn't get heart/spine. The second, still couldn't get spine. The third, couldn't get kidneys. The fourth, they finally got everything We must have a stubborn one ;-) ).
It's a proven fact that the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the survival rate. (March of Dimes).
My take on this is that these babies have the best chance of survival if they're diagnosed before birth so the proper treatment/tests are arranged to be in the labor room/available upon birth. And yet, this isn't the case - Sometimes the diagnosis isn't made until days, weeks, or months after birth - sometimes the diagnosis isn't made until adolesence or adulthood. (March of Dimes)
There is a simple, non-invasive test that can be done at birth that, while not foolproof, can certainly give an indication there is something wrong with the baby's heart - a Pulse Ox test. Everyone knows what these are - for adults, it's that really annoying thing they clamp on your finger when you're at the hospital. For babies, it's simply a band-aid looking thing they wrap around the babies toe - that's it - and it tells them the amount of oxygen in the blood. The number (in a heart healthy baby, they're looking for close to 100) will be lower in babies with heart defects because not as much oxygen gets into the lungs. (Again, this is my very layman understanding and may not be completely accurate - if you have questions, you should ask your healthcare professional!) It doesn't hurt - Brooke had this at the ER a couple of weeks ago and it didn't bother her one bit.
There are bills in some states regarding making pulse ox screening mandatory upon birth. If yours is one, please become involved - write to your legislator in support of the bill. The life saved someday could be the life of your baby!
The first Momma's story I want to send you to today is Logan's mom. Logan was diagnosed after birth with his CHD. This week, his mom is featuring interviews each day with other heart moms and heart dads - and some of these stories are about kids who were diagnosed after birth rather than in utero.
And, I have to warn you, this story is heartbraking, but I think it's an important story to share. Go read Cora's story. Cora passed away at home in her mother's arms from an undetected CHD - only 5 days after being born. Had she had the pulse ox test, she could have received the treatment she needed.
Some CHDs are diagnosed in utero, when the baby is sent for what I have always known as the "anatomy scan." This is done at approximately 20 weeks. They check the organs, baby's growth, and this is often the ultrasound where they can tell you the gender of your unborn baby! One of the things the specifically look for is to see if the baby's heart has all 4 chambers - so in the case of some CHDs, they may be able to pick up an abnormality.
From what I've read on these amazing mommas' blogs, if something is detected, the babies are sent for a fetal echocardiogram to get a better idea of what's going on. While they may not pin down the exact diagnosis until birth, this is enough to give them an idea of what they will be looking at and an idea of treatment after birth.
Only after I started reading these stories did it hit me - when we were having Brooke, they couldn't get a good picture of her heart at that first ultrasound because we had it super early at 17 weeks. At the time, they told me that it was because it was so early and she wouldn't turn around - I remember saying to Jim in passing that I hoped everything was OK, but I never once entertained the thought something serious could be wrong. I was chatting with other mommas on the What to Expect (WTE) website and many of them were needing to go back a second time, too - so it was no big deal. (FYI: We had to go back 4 times. The first time, they couldn't get heart/spine. The second, still couldn't get spine. The third, couldn't get kidneys. The fourth, they finally got everything We must have a stubborn one ;-) ).
It's a proven fact that the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the survival rate. (March of Dimes).
My take on this is that these babies have the best chance of survival if they're diagnosed before birth so the proper treatment/tests are arranged to be in the labor room/available upon birth. And yet, this isn't the case - Sometimes the diagnosis isn't made until days, weeks, or months after birth - sometimes the diagnosis isn't made until adolesence or adulthood. (March of Dimes)
There is a simple, non-invasive test that can be done at birth that, while not foolproof, can certainly give an indication there is something wrong with the baby's heart - a Pulse Ox test. Everyone knows what these are - for adults, it's that really annoying thing they clamp on your finger when you're at the hospital. For babies, it's simply a band-aid looking thing they wrap around the babies toe - that's it - and it tells them the amount of oxygen in the blood. The number (in a heart healthy baby, they're looking for close to 100) will be lower in babies with heart defects because not as much oxygen gets into the lungs. (Again, this is my very layman understanding and may not be completely accurate - if you have questions, you should ask your healthcare professional!) It doesn't hurt - Brooke had this at the ER a couple of weeks ago and it didn't bother her one bit.
There are bills in some states regarding making pulse ox screening mandatory upon birth. If yours is one, please become involved - write to your legislator in support of the bill. The life saved someday could be the life of your baby!
The first Momma's story I want to send you to today is Logan's mom. Logan was diagnosed after birth with his CHD. This week, his mom is featuring interviews each day with other heart moms and heart dads - and some of these stories are about kids who were diagnosed after birth rather than in utero.
And, I have to warn you, this story is heartbraking, but I think it's an important story to share. Go read Cora's story. Cora passed away at home in her mother's arms from an undetected CHD - only 5 days after being born. Had she had the pulse ox test, she could have received the treatment she needed.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Build-a-Bear
Later in the week, I'll be doing a post on what we can actually do about all this CHD stuff - but for now, here is a super fun way to get our kids involved: Build-A-Bear
Build a Bear is raising money for the Children's Heart Foundation. When you build your animal (creature), you can donate $1. That's it, $1. Last year, Build-A-Bear raised $230,000 for the CHF! Their Love Bug is super cute this year, and you get free gifts when you go from now until Valentine's Day. I think I just found Brooke's Valentine's Day present - her first trip to BAB (well, the first one she can make her own stuffed animal at.
* They are also collecting money from their online sales if you don't have a Build-a-Bear near you.
Build a Bear is raising money for the Children's Heart Foundation. When you build your animal (creature), you can donate $1. That's it, $1. Last year, Build-A-Bear raised $230,000 for the CHF! Their Love Bug is super cute this year, and you get free gifts when you go from now until Valentine's Day. I think I just found Brooke's Valentine's Day present - her first trip to BAB (well, the first one she can make her own stuffed animal at.
* They are also collecting money from their online sales if you don't have a Build-a-Bear near you.
CHD Awareness: The Scary Truth
Again, facts (in italics) are from the Children's Heart Foundation:
CHDs are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Each year, over 1,000,000 babies are born with CHDs worldwide. 100,000 of them will not live to see their first birthday - and many more die before adulthood.
I'm skipping some information between the number of diagnoses and deaths that I'll come back to later in the week (detection, treatment, the amazing improvements in life expectancy of these babies, etc). But, you see, this week is about awareness - do I have your attention now?
Can you believe that 10% of babies born with CHD's (worldwide) don't even see their first birthday? I know from my experience with Brooke that that day is kind of bittersweet - you miss the days of your "little baby" but are so excited for that special milestone. I can't even imagine how that day would feel if you were remembering the birth of the baby you lost - how much more intense those bittersweet feelings must be. My heart aches for all of those mothers just thinking about it.
91,000 lives a year are lost to CHDs in the US.
Now, we're not just talking about the kids. There are adults, too - some that aren't diagnosed until adulthood, some that are survivors of CHDs diagnosed in adulthood. This means that yes, improvements have been made in the treatment of CHDs - but there is so much further to go.
In the US, twice as many kids die from CHDs than all forms of pediatric cancer combined.
We've all seen the ads on TV - the kids suffering from leukemia or other cancers. Yes, that's devestating - and I am in no way advocating that attention (or funding, which will be another day) should be taken away from pediatric cancers - I simply believe more people should see CHDs as well. More should be known about CHDs - because there is no prevention or cure for any CHD. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles - all should know the truth that CHDs kill more than childhood cancers. Period.
The link to today's heart mommy is a sad story - and, unfortunately, I've read quite a few - in fact, it was hard to choose which to include here. Ultimately, I chose three - and this is narrowed down from all the stories I've read.
First, the story of Jill, who lost her approximately 7 week old son to HLHS several months ago. I have blogged about baby Joshua before, and the backlash that came after his death (circumcision controversy), but, to me, that backlash only shows how little people understand about CHDs.
Second, the story of Kristin, who I believe I've also blogged about. She is the mother to Luke, who also lost his battle to HLHS - at 12 days old. She and her husband are now expecting their second child.
Finally, the story of Megan, who lost her baby Cohen to HLHS at 11 days old. I am amazed at her strength that flows through her writing when she writes about Cohen.
*For the record, I don't really mean to scare you - OK, maybe just a little - sometimes fear is the best motivator of change.
CHDs are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Each year, over 1,000,000 babies are born with CHDs worldwide. 100,000 of them will not live to see their first birthday - and many more die before adulthood.
I'm skipping some information between the number of diagnoses and deaths that I'll come back to later in the week (detection, treatment, the amazing improvements in life expectancy of these babies, etc). But, you see, this week is about awareness - do I have your attention now?
Can you believe that 10% of babies born with CHD's (worldwide) don't even see their first birthday? I know from my experience with Brooke that that day is kind of bittersweet - you miss the days of your "little baby" but are so excited for that special milestone. I can't even imagine how that day would feel if you were remembering the birth of the baby you lost - how much more intense those bittersweet feelings must be. My heart aches for all of those mothers just thinking about it.
91,000 lives a year are lost to CHDs in the US.
Now, we're not just talking about the kids. There are adults, too - some that aren't diagnosed until adulthood, some that are survivors of CHDs diagnosed in adulthood. This means that yes, improvements have been made in the treatment of CHDs - but there is so much further to go.
In the US, twice as many kids die from CHDs than all forms of pediatric cancer combined.
We've all seen the ads on TV - the kids suffering from leukemia or other cancers. Yes, that's devestating - and I am in no way advocating that attention (or funding, which will be another day) should be taken away from pediatric cancers - I simply believe more people should see CHDs as well. More should be known about CHDs - because there is no prevention or cure for any CHD. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles - all should know the truth that CHDs kill more than childhood cancers. Period.
The link to today's heart mommy is a sad story - and, unfortunately, I've read quite a few - in fact, it was hard to choose which to include here. Ultimately, I chose three - and this is narrowed down from all the stories I've read.
First, the story of Jill, who lost her approximately 7 week old son to HLHS several months ago. I have blogged about baby Joshua before, and the backlash that came after his death (circumcision controversy), but, to me, that backlash only shows how little people understand about CHDs.
Second, the story of Kristin, who I believe I've also blogged about. She is the mother to Luke, who also lost his battle to HLHS - at 12 days old. She and her husband are now expecting their second child.
Finally, the story of Megan, who lost her baby Cohen to HLHS at 11 days old. I am amazed at her strength that flows through her writing when she writes about Cohen.
*For the record, I don't really mean to scare you - OK, maybe just a little - sometimes fear is the best motivator of change.
Monday, February 7, 2011
CHDs: The Shocking Truth
So here it is, CHD Awareness week. I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to do to spread awareness - even though I'm blessed to have such a healthy baby girl, anyone can see how important awareness of this issue is - and how, even more important, is the advocacy that needs to go on for those babies. Since I'm sure that many of you have about as much knowledge of these issues as I do (which was basically none just a few short months ago!), each day I'm going to present you with some interesting facts - as well as my thoughts on them.
But first, each day I want to link you to the blog of a mother of one of these amazing children, many of whom are doing events to spread awareness. Today, I am going to link you to the first blog I found about a child with a CHD - this mother is the one I've contacted to ask where to get accurate information on CHDs. Meet Jenny, mother to a beautiful little girl named Aly, who has HLHS. This week, Jenny is featuring other's children's stories.
The facts (in italics) are from the Children's Heart Foundation:
Congenital Heart Defects are America's #1 birth defect. Nearly 1 of every 100 American babies will be born with a CHD.
These statistics literally blow my mind. I think it's something like 1 out of every 800 babies in the US will have Downs Syndrome.
I don't have much to say, because this statistic speaks for itself - 1 out of every 100 babies in the US. That's approximately 40,000 babies each year - just in the US.
Obviously, CHDs vary in severeness. They can be simple like a heart murmur or as serious as HLHS, where one half of the heart is severely underdeveloped and cannot do its job.
A couple is so much more likely to have a baby with a CHD than Downs Syndrome - and yet, how many of us "know" more about DS- and I'm willing to bet it's because of the physical features that go along with DS, physical characteristics that are absent from children with CHDs.
This statistic has gotten me to thinking - I am sure that, sometime during our lifetimes, we have each known individuals with CHDs that we weren't aware of.
It's time for those 40,000 babies each YEAR to have an even stronger voice - the parents of these babies may each be Superwoman or Spiderman in human form for all they do for their babies, but they should not have to do it alone. It's time for the rest of us to join our voices in spreading awareness and seeking funding.
But first, each day I want to link you to the blog of a mother of one of these amazing children, many of whom are doing events to spread awareness. Today, I am going to link you to the first blog I found about a child with a CHD - this mother is the one I've contacted to ask where to get accurate information on CHDs. Meet Jenny, mother to a beautiful little girl named Aly, who has HLHS. This week, Jenny is featuring other's children's stories.
The facts (in italics) are from the Children's Heart Foundation:
Congenital Heart Defects are America's #1 birth defect. Nearly 1 of every 100 American babies will be born with a CHD.
These statistics literally blow my mind. I think it's something like 1 out of every 800 babies in the US will have Downs Syndrome.
I don't have much to say, because this statistic speaks for itself - 1 out of every 100 babies in the US. That's approximately 40,000 babies each year - just in the US.
Obviously, CHDs vary in severeness. They can be simple like a heart murmur or as serious as HLHS, where one half of the heart is severely underdeveloped and cannot do its job.
A couple is so much more likely to have a baby with a CHD than Downs Syndrome - and yet, how many of us "know" more about DS- and I'm willing to bet it's because of the physical features that go along with DS, physical characteristics that are absent from children with CHDs.
This statistic has gotten me to thinking - I am sure that, sometime during our lifetimes, we have each known individuals with CHDs that we weren't aware of.
It's time for those 40,000 babies each YEAR to have an even stronger voice - the parents of these babies may each be Superwoman or Spiderman in human form for all they do for their babies, but they should not have to do it alone. It's time for the rest of us to join our voices in spreading awareness and seeking funding.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Bucket List - New Recipes
I've fallen behind in updating the recipes, but not in trying them. So I have 3 for you today:
#1: Macaroni & Cheese
Brooke, who used to love veggies, has stopped eating them pretty much altogether. Every once in a while, I can trick her by hiding the veggies, but that's it. This recipe is from a cookbook called "Deceptively Delicious":
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups elbo macaroni
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablesppon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat milk (I used reduced fat because that is what I had on hand)
1/2 cup butternut squash or cauliflower puree
1 and 1/2 cups shredded reduced fat Cheddar Cheese
4 oz reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese
Salt & Pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions:
Cook macaroni according to package directions & drain. while macaroni is cooking, coat large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add oil and then flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable puree, cheeses, and seasonings, and stir until cheese is melted and`sauce smooth. Stir in macaroni.
Results:
Brooke LOVED this!!!! She ate 2 platefuls and was still asking for more! I wasn't thrilled about the consistency, although the taste was good. I think next time I'll add less cream cheese and more cheddar cheese for a more traditional cheese-y taste. I'll be trying again though, for sure.
#2: Banana Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
Growing up, I loved, loved, loved the Amish sweet treat known as Whoopie Pies (I've always known them as Gobs). My favorite were the chocolate cakes with peanut butter filling. When I saw this recipe for banana cakes with peanut butter filling, I knew I had to try them.
Ingredients:
CAKE:
1/2 Cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
ICING:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp butter, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine banana and buttermilk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture alternating with banana mixture.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. bake at 350 for 12-15 mins or until set. Cool for 2 mins before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter and butter until fluffy. Beat in sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on the bottom half of cookies, about 1 tbsp on each; top with remaining cookies. Dust with additional sugar. Store in fridge.
Result:
The cake was super good. Brooke loved them. I might make the banana cookies with chocolate filling for our anniversary (part of our wedding cake was banana with chocolate filling!). The peanut butter icing was OK, although I prefer a more traditional peanut butter icing - which I will be making next time. This is a really good Whoopie Pie, though.
As a side note, do you know why they're called "whoopie pies"? After working all morning in the fields, the Amish men would open their lunch pails, see these sweets, and yell "Whoopie!!!"
#3: Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 onions chopped
10 oz white button mushrooms, sliced
2 lb lean beef stew meat
6 cups canned low-sodium beef broth
2 carrots chopped
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2/3 cup pearl barley
salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Saute onions and mushrooms in 1 tbsp veggie oil, about 7 mins. Scrape them into slow cooker. Warm remaining 1 tbsp veggie oil and brown meat. Scrape into slow cooker. Put 1 cup beef broth into skillet & scrape with wooden spoon to release brown bits. Add to slow cooker. ( I skipped this because everything cooks so long while I'm at work - 10 hours - so I just put everything in the slow cooker raw)
2. Add remaining broth & all other ingredients to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low until meat is tender, 6-7 hours.
Result:
This was FANTASTIC!! I put everything in raw, because it cooks on low 10 hours while I"m at work - everything was perfectly tender. Jim loved this, and Brooke loved it pureed (she wouldn't eat the veggies otherwise). This is definitely one of our new favorites!
Enjoy!
#1: Macaroni & Cheese
Brooke, who used to love veggies, has stopped eating them pretty much altogether. Every once in a while, I can trick her by hiding the veggies, but that's it. This recipe is from a cookbook called "Deceptively Delicious":
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups elbo macaroni
Nonstick cooking spray
1 tablesppon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup nonfat milk (I used reduced fat because that is what I had on hand)
1/2 cup butternut squash or cauliflower puree
1 and 1/2 cups shredded reduced fat Cheddar Cheese
4 oz reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese
Salt & Pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions:
Cook macaroni according to package directions & drain. while macaroni is cooking, coat large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add oil and then flour and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable puree, cheeses, and seasonings, and stir until cheese is melted and`sauce smooth. Stir in macaroni.
Results:
Brooke LOVED this!!!! She ate 2 platefuls and was still asking for more! I wasn't thrilled about the consistency, although the taste was good. I think next time I'll add less cream cheese and more cheddar cheese for a more traditional cheese-y taste. I'll be trying again though, for sure.
#2: Banana Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
Growing up, I loved, loved, loved the Amish sweet treat known as Whoopie Pies (I've always known them as Gobs). My favorite were the chocolate cakes with peanut butter filling. When I saw this recipe for banana cakes with peanut butter filling, I knew I had to try them.
Ingredients:
CAKE:
1/2 Cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
ICING:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp butter, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine banana and buttermilk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture alternating with banana mixture.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. bake at 350 for 12-15 mins or until set. Cool for 2 mins before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter and butter until fluffy. Beat in sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on the bottom half of cookies, about 1 tbsp on each; top with remaining cookies. Dust with additional sugar. Store in fridge.
Result:
The cake was super good. Brooke loved them. I might make the banana cookies with chocolate filling for our anniversary (part of our wedding cake was banana with chocolate filling!). The peanut butter icing was OK, although I prefer a more traditional peanut butter icing - which I will be making next time. This is a really good Whoopie Pie, though.
As a side note, do you know why they're called "whoopie pies"? After working all morning in the fields, the Amish men would open their lunch pails, see these sweets, and yell "Whoopie!!!"
#3: Beef Barley Soup
Ingredients:
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 onions chopped
10 oz white button mushrooms, sliced
2 lb lean beef stew meat
6 cups canned low-sodium beef broth
2 carrots chopped
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes with juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2/3 cup pearl barley
salt and pepper
Instructions:
1. Saute onions and mushrooms in 1 tbsp veggie oil, about 7 mins. Scrape them into slow cooker. Warm remaining 1 tbsp veggie oil and brown meat. Scrape into slow cooker. Put 1 cup beef broth into skillet & scrape with wooden spoon to release brown bits. Add to slow cooker. ( I skipped this because everything cooks so long while I'm at work - 10 hours - so I just put everything in the slow cooker raw)
2. Add remaining broth & all other ingredients to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low until meat is tender, 6-7 hours.
Result:
This was FANTASTIC!! I put everything in raw, because it cooks on low 10 hours while I"m at work - everything was perfectly tender. Jim loved this, and Brooke loved it pureed (she wouldn't eat the veggies otherwise). This is definitely one of our new favorites!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Bucket List #10 - Become more involved
I know I said I had something special for heart month, but my plans were just too ambitious for a working momma like myself - but I am still using "Heart Month" as the start of my greater involvement.
Feb. 7-14 of every year is designated CHD awareness month. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I've been drawn into this world by reading the stories of several amazing, beautiful babies suffering from various CHDs, but most notably HLHS. I've posted a little about what HLHS is, and I know I've posted a link to information about one of the surgeries.
But, I've also said time and again, that I believe there is a great need for awareness of CHD and all of the issues that they and their families face - some of which are not always obvious. So, for each day of CHD awareness week, I will be posting a statistic or information related to a CHD - some taken from an "official" source, some issues that I've surmised these families deal with - and posting about them, along with my thoughts and feelings on the issue. I'm hoping to have at least one or two of the heart momma's join me and share their views, too, although I know they will all be extremely busy raising awareness themselves.
I hope you'll all join me in learning a little more about CHDs, detection, and how we can help funding and research to make more advancements on behalf of these brave little ones.
Feb. 7-14 of every year is designated CHD awareness month. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I've been drawn into this world by reading the stories of several amazing, beautiful babies suffering from various CHDs, but most notably HLHS. I've posted a little about what HLHS is, and I know I've posted a link to information about one of the surgeries.
But, I've also said time and again, that I believe there is a great need for awareness of CHD and all of the issues that they and their families face - some of which are not always obvious. So, for each day of CHD awareness week, I will be posting a statistic or information related to a CHD - some taken from an "official" source, some issues that I've surmised these families deal with - and posting about them, along with my thoughts and feelings on the issue. I'm hoping to have at least one or two of the heart momma's join me and share their views, too, although I know they will all be extremely busy raising awareness themselves.
I hope you'll all join me in learning a little more about CHDs, detection, and how we can help funding and research to make more advancements on behalf of these brave little ones.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bucket List update...and more
I know I've been lagging on my Bucket List - so here's a preview of what's to come:
Weight loss updates - it's not going so well. In fact, it's going terrible. But I am committed to this, so I'll post the embarrassing truth...one of these days.
Recipe updates - I know that I still owe you that Mac n cheese recipe, and I never got to make the so-simple dinner * See below. Yesterday, I did make some delicious Whoopie Pies though.
Making a difference - I'm going to do something special for heart month starting tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that - just hammering out the details.
Last week, my new recipe was going to be a roast dinner called "So Simple Supper." But, the bottom of my roast (that I had bought the day before!) was green. So we returned it and had chicken patties. I'm doing 2 new recipes this week to make up for it.
We had a great weekend - Saturday, we walked around Sunset Place and just enjoyed the lovely weather. We grabbed some dinner and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Sunday, Brooke couldn't wait to get out of the house - so she had to settle for grocery shopping, ha.
Weight loss updates - it's not going so well. In fact, it's going terrible. But I am committed to this, so I'll post the embarrassing truth...one of these days.
Recipe updates - I know that I still owe you that Mac n cheese recipe, and I never got to make the so-simple dinner * See below. Yesterday, I did make some delicious Whoopie Pies though.
Making a difference - I'm going to do something special for heart month starting tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that - just hammering out the details.
Last week, my new recipe was going to be a roast dinner called "So Simple Supper." But, the bottom of my roast (that I had bought the day before!) was green. So we returned it and had chicken patties. I'm doing 2 new recipes this week to make up for it.
We had a great weekend - Saturday, we walked around Sunset Place and just enjoyed the lovely weather. We grabbed some dinner and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Sunday, Brooke couldn't wait to get out of the house - so she had to settle for grocery shopping, ha.
Friday, January 28, 2011
So frustrated
Tonight was Brooke;s 18-month appointment, and I am so frustrated.
1) She has another ear infection. She's been clear for about a month, and last week at the ER, she had fluid in her ear but no infection. She's been on an antibiotic for the last week - and it somehow still got infected. She has to switch antibiotics and have a follow up on 2/19/11.
2) According to the nurses, she's only 32.5 inches and 24 lbs. This is frustrating me because at 15 months, she was just over 32 inches and 23 lbs 15 inches. I KNOW without a doubt that she has grown more than that because the clothes from around her 15 month appointment do not fit - but they will not listen that the numbers are wrong, what do I know, I'm just Mommy! Instead, the dr. said that it's nothing to worry about at this point, Brooke is probably just "re-adjusting" her height and weight - some kids do this and adjust back down to the curve they were originally on. I.E., Brooke was on 50% curve for height for a long time, then she went up to 75% for several months, then jumped to 93%. If she stayed in 93%, she would be over 6 ft when she's an adult! So she's probably readjusting to 75% or even 50% - and that's nothing to worry about. But Dr. C. wants to see her in 3 months to check height and weight.
Normally, the re-check wouldn't bother me - but I KNOW their numbers were off. I weighed her when we got home - she was completely naked - and it said 26 lbs. As far as the height goes, I think the numbers were off for her 15 month appointment.
I'm very happy with our pediatric office, and they've taken great care of Brooke. They're usually very good about listening to me, and they are great at explaining things. I don't even really mind the taking her back in 3 months. I just can't help but worry about it, even though I know that there's nothing to worry about. Does that make any sense??
On the plus side, Brooke is scoring above a 2-year old level in all categories (language, problem solving, gross/fine motor...). She is doing great!
1) She has another ear infection. She's been clear for about a month, and last week at the ER, she had fluid in her ear but no infection. She's been on an antibiotic for the last week - and it somehow still got infected. She has to switch antibiotics and have a follow up on 2/19/11.
2) According to the nurses, she's only 32.5 inches and 24 lbs. This is frustrating me because at 15 months, she was just over 32 inches and 23 lbs 15 inches. I KNOW without a doubt that she has grown more than that because the clothes from around her 15 month appointment do not fit - but they will not listen that the numbers are wrong, what do I know, I'm just Mommy! Instead, the dr. said that it's nothing to worry about at this point, Brooke is probably just "re-adjusting" her height and weight - some kids do this and adjust back down to the curve they were originally on. I.E., Brooke was on 50% curve for height for a long time, then she went up to 75% for several months, then jumped to 93%. If she stayed in 93%, she would be over 6 ft when she's an adult! So she's probably readjusting to 75% or even 50% - and that's nothing to worry about. But Dr. C. wants to see her in 3 months to check height and weight.
Normally, the re-check wouldn't bother me - but I KNOW their numbers were off. I weighed her when we got home - she was completely naked - and it said 26 lbs. As far as the height goes, I think the numbers were off for her 15 month appointment.
I'm very happy with our pediatric office, and they've taken great care of Brooke. They're usually very good about listening to me, and they are great at explaining things. I don't even really mind the taking her back in 3 months. I just can't help but worry about it, even though I know that there's nothing to worry about. Does that make any sense??
On the plus side, Brooke is scoring above a 2-year old level in all categories (language, problem solving, gross/fine motor...). She is doing great!
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