"Pleeeeeeeease???"
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Best Compliment
The other night for dinner I made spaghetti. It's a staple in our house. I make my own sauce and I like to think it's pretty good. And it's one of the few suppers that Judith will actually eat. So she ate all her spaghetti like lightening, and then ate a good chunk of mine! When she was done, with sauce ALL OVER her face, she jumped on me and gave me a big hug (yay spaghetti stains) and said "Mommy, you're my BEST friend! I love you SOOOOO much!!!!!" I can't ask for a better compliment than that!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Almost There!
This is from about a week ago, but toothie #4 is still holding out on us! It's almost there, just about to poke through!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Boy
Gideon is learning the fine art of whining to get his way. Oh, not just whining though. More like the if-I-don't-get-my-way-the-world-will-end kind of screamy, growly, cry. Yeah, it's awesome. Funny at first, but it gets old fast. He's also starting to do the same thing if I walk away from him for one second.
Gideon also officially does not ever want to sleep in our bed anymore. He's always mostly slept in his bassinet and then crib (beside our bed), but I would occasionally nap with him or take him to bed with me in the night after Judith was asleep. But he just doesn't seem to like it anymore and won't fall asleep beside me, but then will pass out right away in the crib. I remember Judith quit sleeping in our bed at 9 months (and then started again when she was 25 months). It's bitter-sweet. I wonder if he will come back eventually too?
Gideon also officially does not ever want to sleep in our bed anymore. He's always mostly slept in his bassinet and then crib (beside our bed), but I would occasionally nap with him or take him to bed with me in the night after Judith was asleep. But he just doesn't seem to like it anymore and won't fall asleep beside me, but then will pass out right away in the crib. I remember Judith quit sleeping in our bed at 9 months (and then started again when she was 25 months). It's bitter-sweet. I wonder if he will come back eventually too?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Marriage or Motherhood?
I saw this a while ago on dooce.com, and I am curious about what other mamas think.
What is harder, marriage or motherhood?
For me, motherhood has been MUCH harder.
Unlike when I first became a mother, there was no depression that followed marriage. Also, Dave and I are really introspective, and when issues and feelings come up, we are always able to figure out WHY there's a problem, and talk it out without hurting each other. We just talk a lot in general. He is definitely my best friend and I trust him way way more than anyone else in the world. Everything is just kind of laid out on the table. When there is a problem we can reason together and fix it.
However, there is no reasoning with babies! I think that is why I like the toddler & preschooler phases better than the baby phase. I can talk to them and they understand. Babies are just HARD on me. Being prone to depression doesn't help. And also having fussy, discontent babies (Judith was worse, of course, but the first 3 months of Gideon's life were awful too).
Marriage has only built me up, but motherhood really broke me down. I don't regret either, but the motherhood experience has been much harder for me than the marriage experience.
What about you?
I am really interested in hearing your responses. I wonder if it has anything to do with whether as a couple you are predominantly friends or lovers? I've heard that even though all married couples are both friends and lovers, that one or the other is the dominant part of the relationship. It never occurred to me that some couples could be better lovers than friends. Friendship has always been the foundation of my marriage, and I couldn't imagine it any other way. But at the same time I can't imagine how marriage can be harder than motherhood, but obviously that is true of a lot of mamas.
Or I wonder if postpartum depression plays a big role? Or is it simply personality differences? Or some of us just aren't baby-people, and motherhood just isn't natural for us? Or does it have to do with how we were raised and what our own families were like? Or being introverted vs. extroverted? Or the circumstances around why you got married, and if the pregnancy was planned or not? Or what life was like before kids? Or are there just multiple different factors for everyone that determines which is harder?
So, is marriage or motherhood harder for you, and why?
What is harder, marriage or motherhood?
For me, motherhood has been MUCH harder.
Unlike when I first became a mother, there was no depression that followed marriage. Also, Dave and I are really introspective, and when issues and feelings come up, we are always able to figure out WHY there's a problem, and talk it out without hurting each other. We just talk a lot in general. He is definitely my best friend and I trust him way way more than anyone else in the world. Everything is just kind of laid out on the table. When there is a problem we can reason together and fix it.
However, there is no reasoning with babies! I think that is why I like the toddler & preschooler phases better than the baby phase. I can talk to them and they understand. Babies are just HARD on me. Being prone to depression doesn't help. And also having fussy, discontent babies (Judith was worse, of course, but the first 3 months of Gideon's life were awful too).
Marriage has only built me up, but motherhood really broke me down. I don't regret either, but the motherhood experience has been much harder for me than the marriage experience.
What about you?
I am really interested in hearing your responses. I wonder if it has anything to do with whether as a couple you are predominantly friends or lovers? I've heard that even though all married couples are both friends and lovers, that one or the other is the dominant part of the relationship. It never occurred to me that some couples could be better lovers than friends. Friendship has always been the foundation of my marriage, and I couldn't imagine it any other way. But at the same time I can't imagine how marriage can be harder than motherhood, but obviously that is true of a lot of mamas.
Or I wonder if postpartum depression plays a big role? Or is it simply personality differences? Or some of us just aren't baby-people, and motherhood just isn't natural for us? Or does it have to do with how we were raised and what our own families were like? Or being introverted vs. extroverted? Or the circumstances around why you got married, and if the pregnancy was planned or not? Or what life was like before kids? Or are there just multiple different factors for everyone that determines which is harder?
So, is marriage or motherhood harder for you, and why?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Baby in the Snow: A Step-By-Step How-To
Brought to you by Gideon
Step 1: Look like an uber cute marshmallow baby. Then no one will suspect you.
Step 2: Convince your sister to carry out your evil snowballing schemes.
Step 3: Sweet-talk your Mommy into letting you down on the snow. Look innocent. Wait for the right moment.
Step 4: Fall back quickly when no one is looking... FOCUS, because the next step is tricky.
Step 5: Roll on to your belly and attempt to get a mouthful of this wonderful, mysterious white substance beneath you. CAREFUL! Move quickly before Mommy moves in and enforces her no-fun policies!
If you get caught and all your plans are foiled, don't fret, there's always next time!
Step 1: Look like an uber cute marshmallow baby. Then no one will suspect you.
Step 2: Convince your sister to carry out your evil snowballing schemes.
Step 3: Sweet-talk your Mommy into letting you down on the snow. Look innocent. Wait for the right moment.
Step 4: Fall back quickly when no one is looking... FOCUS, because the next step is tricky.
Step 5: Roll on to your belly and attempt to get a mouthful of this wonderful, mysterious white substance beneath you. CAREFUL! Move quickly before Mommy moves in and enforces her no-fun policies!
If you get caught and all your plans are foiled, don't fret, there's always next time!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Kelly's Killer Taco Salad
I made this up the other night when I couldn't find the perfect taco salad recipe online.
It probably serves 2-4, depending on your appetite. When we had it we both ate until we were full, and Judith had a little, and there was enough left over for a snack for Dave the next day. We LOVED it!
Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
1 lb. ground meat or meat alternative
1 can black beans
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 tsp. cumin (you can double this and the chili powder if you like, I don't like it too spicy)
1 tsp. mild chili powder (NOT the Aussie stuff, I found that out the hard way once)
6 cups tightly packed romaine lettuce, chopped or grated (really, just use as much as you like)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 avocado, skinned and chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 lime (or equivalent lime juice)
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream (I found some pro-biotic stuff in the health food section!)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (or more, if you like)
1 large bag multigrain Tostitos (but Dave prefers nacho Doritos, blech)
Directions
1. In a cast iron skillet (or frying pan) cook onions and meat in olive oil over medium heat until meat is cooked.
2. While meat is cooking, chop and assemble lettuce, green pepper, avocado, tomatoes and green onions in a large bowl. Cut lime in half and squeeze the life, I mean juice, out of both halves over all the veggies. Mix so everything is well coated in juice. Set aside.
3. Add black beans, corn, cumin and chili powder to the meat and onions, mix well and let cook for 5+ minutes.
4. Combine salsa and sour cream in a small-ish bowl, set aside.
5. Grate cheddar cheese, set aside.
6. Assemble plates by starting with veggie mixture, then add meat mixture on top, sprinkle cheese on, top with salsa mixture, and then mix thoroughly. Scoop with Tostitos and enjoy! For a low-carb diet, skip the chips.
Try it!
Sorry I don't have a pic, we ate it all too quickly.
It probably serves 2-4, depending on your appetite. When we had it we both ate until we were full, and Judith had a little, and there was enough left over for a snack for Dave the next day. We LOVED it!
Ingredients
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
1 lb. ground meat or meat alternative
1 can black beans
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 tsp. cumin (you can double this and the chili powder if you like, I don't like it too spicy)
1 tsp. mild chili powder (NOT the Aussie stuff, I found that out the hard way once)
6 cups tightly packed romaine lettuce, chopped or grated (really, just use as much as you like)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 avocado, skinned and chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 lime (or equivalent lime juice)
1 cup salsa
1 cup sour cream (I found some pro-biotic stuff in the health food section!)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (or more, if you like)
1 large bag multigrain Tostitos (but Dave prefers nacho Doritos, blech)
Directions
1. In a cast iron skillet (or frying pan) cook onions and meat in olive oil over medium heat until meat is cooked.
2. While meat is cooking, chop and assemble lettuce, green pepper, avocado, tomatoes and green onions in a large bowl. Cut lime in half and squeeze the life, I mean juice, out of both halves over all the veggies. Mix so everything is well coated in juice. Set aside.
3. Add black beans, corn, cumin and chili powder to the meat and onions, mix well and let cook for 5+ minutes.
4. Combine salsa and sour cream in a small-ish bowl, set aside.
5. Grate cheddar cheese, set aside.
6. Assemble plates by starting with veggie mixture, then add meat mixture on top, sprinkle cheese on, top with salsa mixture, and then mix thoroughly. Scoop with Tostitos and enjoy! For a low-carb diet, skip the chips.
Try it!
Sorry I don't have a pic, we ate it all too quickly.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I'm Going to be a WAHM Again!
Yep, I am going back to work for the SA Foundation. It's a job that I love, makes a difference in the world, and I can do it from home. It will force me to become a lot more organized, but I think that's a good thing. I am very excited!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
There's No Time Like January to Plant a Garden!
Well, an indoor garden. Judith's first biology lesson, yay!
Ready to start!
Seeds? Check! Calendula flowers.
Gonna dig me a hole...
Gonna put some seeds in it!
Throw in a dash of love and words of encouragement...
Now on to Judith's favourite veggies - PEAS!
Showing them some love too.
Our pea pots. Hopefully we will get 4 plants out of the two pots. I really hope they grow, I haven't really grown anything indoors before... So this will be a fun experiment!
I'm not a very good plant mama, as you can see (I also just got out of the shower so my hair is wet, and looks kind of weird). Well, I guess it's hard to understand since you didn't see all the DEAD leaves I pulled off. It used to be a big plant, and only a few little persistent leaves survived my months of neglect.
But we gave this guy a second chance. He's a survivor!
So now I guess we will find out how green our thumbs really are!
Ready to start!
Seeds? Check! Calendula flowers.
Gonna dig me a hole...
Gonna put some seeds in it!
Throw in a dash of love and words of encouragement...
Now on to Judith's favourite veggies - PEAS!
Showing them some love too.
Our pea pots. Hopefully we will get 4 plants out of the two pots. I really hope they grow, I haven't really grown anything indoors before... So this will be a fun experiment!
I'm not a very good plant mama, as you can see (I also just got out of the shower so my hair is wet, and looks kind of weird). Well, I guess it's hard to understand since you didn't see all the DEAD leaves I pulled off. It used to be a big plant, and only a few little persistent leaves survived my months of neglect.
But we gave this guy a second chance. He's a survivor!
So now I guess we will find out how green our thumbs really are!
Monday, January 19, 2009
9 Months!
Sorry, this post is really late. Gideon turned 9 months old on Jan. 4th! Seriously, how did he get so old so quickly?!?!?!
Here are a couple pics from Jan. 4.
And here is a comparison of Judith and Gideon at 9 months of age.
Here are a couple pics from Jan. 4.
And here is a comparison of Judith and Gideon at 9 months of age.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Toothie #3 Has Arrived!
It took me ONE try to get that shot!
I think I am an expert tooth photographer, if I do say so myself. I always have the best luck with getting photos of new teeth. It's kind of an odd talent, I guess. Haha, but now that I said that, I'll probably never get a good shot again...
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Anatomy 101
Today
Me: Judith, where is your heart?
Judith: I don't know! (she normally knows it's in her chest, though)
M: Is it here? *pointing at her chest*
J: No... I think it's in the laundry...
LOL
Friday, January 16, 2009
Some of My Favourite Moments
Are the sleepy moments.
There is just something so beautiful about sleeping children.
There is just something so beautiful about sleeping children.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tomato Basil Chicken
I made this the other day and it was AMAZING!
(To see how I made the roasted potatoes, click here)
Tomato Basil Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts, Skinless & Deboned
4-6 Tomatoes, Quartered
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, Loosely Packed
2 tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced (I used half a bulb, we like garlic)
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
(I also added 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt, you know, the whole garlic love thing...)
Put all ingredients except chicken in food processor (you can save a bit of the tomato and basil to chop and make a garnish), process until thoroughly mixed.
In a large zip-lock bag or container, add chicken and marinade. Make sure chicken is well coated, and marinate for 6-8 hours in fridge.
Grill chicken on medium heat 10-12 minutes per side, or until no longer pink in center. (I actually decided to bake it, because the marinade looked yummy, so I got an oven-safe dish and put the chicken and all the marinade in it, and baked at 350F for 20 minutes, flipped the chicken, and then baked for 20 more minutes.)
Mmmmm... It was probably the best chicken I have ever had! And I'm not really a meat-loving person.
(To see how I made the roasted potatoes, click here)
Tomato Basil Chicken
4 Chicken Breasts, Skinless & Deboned
4-6 Tomatoes, Quartered
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Cup Fresh Basil, Loosely Packed
2 tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced (I used half a bulb, we like garlic)
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
(I also added 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt, you know, the whole garlic love thing...)
Put all ingredients except chicken in food processor (you can save a bit of the tomato and basil to chop and make a garnish), process until thoroughly mixed.
In a large zip-lock bag or container, add chicken and marinade. Make sure chicken is well coated, and marinate for 6-8 hours in fridge.
Grill chicken on medium heat 10-12 minutes per side, or until no longer pink in center. (I actually decided to bake it, because the marinade looked yummy, so I got an oven-safe dish and put the chicken and all the marinade in it, and baked at 350F for 20 minutes, flipped the chicken, and then baked for 20 more minutes.)
Mmmmm... It was probably the best chicken I have ever had! And I'm not really a meat-loving person.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Check Your Diaper Pails!
If you use cloth diapers, and especially if you have other children as well as your baby, make sure and check to make sure that there are no other "treasures" in the diaper pail before you dump it in the wash!
Gel pens stain.
I hope this doesn't void the warranty.
Gel pens stain.
I hope this doesn't void the warranty.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Maybe I'm Weird...
But I think this is so cute!
Rube Goldberg machines are so cool.
Three years old isn't too early to learn physics, right?
Rube Goldberg machines are so cool.
Three years old isn't too early to learn physics, right?
Friday, January 9, 2009
If You Want to Know How I'm Feeling...
...Ask my kitchen.
"Kelly is feeling depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed."
"Kelly is feeling happy, in control, and on top of the world."
Funny how my kitchen reflects my mental state. Yet at the same time, my kitchen can determine my mental state. When I am feeling good, I have no problem keeping things clean and tidy, which, in turn, makes me feel good. But when I am feeling down, I am overwhelmed by the smallest things which makes things like cleaning impossible, which just makes me feel even worse. I hate how that works. I need to become much more disciplined.
"Kelly is feeling depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed."
"Kelly is feeling happy, in control, and on top of the world."
Funny how my kitchen reflects my mental state. Yet at the same time, my kitchen can determine my mental state. When I am feeling good, I have no problem keeping things clean and tidy, which, in turn, makes me feel good. But when I am feeling down, I am overwhelmed by the smallest things which makes things like cleaning impossible, which just makes me feel even worse. I hate how that works. I need to become much more disciplined.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
She is Never Getting Her Lisense...
About a month ago I was out driving in some very snowy, slippery conditions, when Judith started throwing a tantrum. Me: What's wrong?
Judith: Mommy, I want to crash!
M: No, I am not going to crash. That would be bad.
J: I WANT TO CRAAAAASHH! *continues with tantrum*
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
First Baking Lesson
Gideon got to "help" me make cookies for the first time!
"Gimme Gimme Gimme!" (Don't worry, he didn't actually get any)
Another onlooker that didn't get a sample.
"Mother, I do believe that we should add some more flour." Gideon speaks in a British accent, by the way. And I'm not the only person that thinks so!
Big sister was the official taste tester.
The cookies didn't last long enough when they were done baking for a photo...
"Gimme Gimme Gimme!" (Don't worry, he didn't actually get any)
Another onlooker that didn't get a sample.
"Mother, I do believe that we should add some more flour." Gideon speaks in a British accent, by the way. And I'm not the only person that thinks so!
Big sister was the official taste tester.
The cookies didn't last long enough when they were done baking for a photo...
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Couple Failed Attempts at Getting a Perfect Photo
I wanted to get a nice photo of the kids to make some Christmas presents with. Our family photo was a breeze, so I didn't expect it to be this hard. I didn't end up getting a "perfect" photo, but while attempting to, I sure got some cute ones!
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
Oh, my silly adorable children! It makes me happy that they love each other so much.
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
Oh, my silly adorable children! It makes me happy that they love each other so much.
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