Honey, I think we need to add a little color to your wardrobe. :)

David was kind enough to add a tension rod in the mudroom so that I can hang clothes right out of the dryer and avoid wrinkles. But I noticed something 1/2 way through folding the white load. Hmmmm.

Little Bits Pics

Your Mama wore this same outfit, Little One!

My Unsupported Sitter:

Season's Last Shamrock Shake

And you wonder why spring is such a glorious season...it's the Shamrock Shakes! Why not post this in March? Because I got the last one last week -- First week of April. (Do you notice the small halo around the top?) And now they even put whipped cream and a cherry on top, BONUS! Mmmm, see you next year Shamrock Shake! Until we meet again!

Bireiki

I have such a hard time with Friday meals during Lent because I'm allergic to fish/seafood and I have a spouse who can't just eat a green salad with me for dinner. (I'm not blaming. I can understand that women can live off of rabbit food better then men.) So I'm always on the lookout for tasty vegetarian dishes. Last night was perogies & vegetable soup. I do try to have one meatless dinner a week year-round.

Here's a new dish I found in my Parenting magazine:
6 thinly sliced red potatoes (I left skin on)
6 sliced zucchini (I used 3 zucchini and 3 yellow squash - prettier coloring)
6 sliced Roma tomatoes
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
Mix: 6-8 pressed garlic cloves, the sliced whites of 3 scallions, & 1.5 T oregano or marjoram.
Brush a shallow baking dish w/ EVOO. Layer 1/2 potato, zucchini, & tomato slices, brush w/ EVOO. Sprinkle on 1/2 the scallion & garlic mixture. Repeat layer and bake for 45 min to 1 hr @ 350. The last 15 minutes - top w/ mozz cheese. This is a dish called Bireiki - a Greek lasagna. Yum! And it was something we both enjoyed.

Life After Death Prayer

This was my daily reading. A nice addendum to the Stations of the Cross post I did recently did.
Thank you, Lord for the assurance that Christ loves me and that after Good Friday, there is always an Easter ... that after death, there is a resurrection ... and after the cross, there is an empty tomb. Hallelujah! I need never fear death for you walked ahead of me and wait to welcome me eternally into your presence. Thank you for the gospel of salvation through Christ our Lord, to the Glory of our Lord. Amen

Grandma Candy & Grandpa Gary Come to Dinner

Stations of the Cross

Every Friday during Lent the church has the Stations of the Cross. We got a babysitter because we wanted to really meditate and take in the Stations.
It is a beautiful devotion consisting of prayers and meditations before each of 14 crosses or images set up in a church or along a path commemorating the events of the Passion of Jesus. We try to go every year. It's one thing to ask our Lord to forgive us of our sins and recall that he died for us on Calvary, but it's another perspective to realize that my sins put the stripes on his back. My lying & swearing put the nails into his hands and feet. My gossiping pierced his heart. My hardened heart dug the thorns into his scalp. And I lose it when he meets his mother, weeping like a child. An innocent heart, sent to die like a thief. There is a moment of silence when he dies. Here, I bawl.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.”
So I implore you, take this time to humble yourself, spend time in prayer, thanking God for sending His only Begotten Son to teach us and to Jesus for accepting the Will of the Father and taking the cup that was given to him. Maybe give something up for Lent and fill it w/ something else to devote time to God.
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/stations.html

Email: Garbage Truck Driver

I received this as an email from a good friend of mine. Figured I'd share it, too.
Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded and missed the car by inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My driver just smiled and waved at the guy and I mean he was really friendly. "So", I asked "Why did you just do that? The guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is what my taxi driver taught me what I now call "the law of the garbage truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the street.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right and pray for the ones who don't.

Baby Food Update

Elizabeth and I made baby food peas today. I have the baby food attachment on my Kitchen Aid and it is WONDERFUL! It shelled all the peas and made for a creamy baby food. I didn't realize how hard the shells were until I washed everything out and had all the shells (emptied of their pea contents) in the bottom of my sink. I love Kitchen Aides. Thanks T&H for the awesome wedding present!
I froze my pea cubes and looked at my previously-made yam cubes. (I want to wait to introduce solids, so Itty Bitz hasn't even tried the cereal or the yam cubes I made last month). As I inspected my yam cubes, I noted that they were crystallized -- on their way to freezer burn. I removed them from their cheap freezer bag & vacuum packed them, since we won't be using them for another few months or so. I hate to do all that work for them to go to waste.
So, for those of you who are planning on making your own baby food, I'd suggest vacuum-packing or using a really good brand-name freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. I'll be vacuum-packing from now on.

My Supported Sitter

Miss Little Bits is working on her trunk control. Still slightly 4-point sitting, but she's getting better.

In My Big Green Tractor

We went to a home show last weekend and swapped kids so that we could bring our nephew Mark with us to "test drive" tractors. He tried them all. It was cute. He would jump up, correctly position his balloon I attached to his wrist (similar to checking his mirrors), don his seat belt, and start steering. I forgot how much energy little boys have at this age, but it was fun!

"My Pretty Irish Girl"

I always sing this to Elizabeth. It is from "Darby O'Gill And The Little People" (1959) A little late on the St. Patty's Day post, but it's never too late to post a pretty Irish girl.
Oh, she's my dear, my darlin' one
Her eyes so sparklin' full of fun
No other, no other
Can match the likes of her


She's my dear my darlin' one
My smilin' and beguilin' one
I love the ground she walks upon
My pretty Irish girl

Ady's Request:

You bet your buttons we will!

Elizabeth's First Big-Girl Book

Elizabeth & I finished our first book(s) together: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass (2 books put into one). We read the whole thing together -- granted she was asleep for some of it, nonetheless we did it. It took a month because sometimes she wouldn't sit still and preferred something with pictures. I have always LOVED Alice's adventures and always wanted to read the book. It's very dream-like and Lewis Caroll had such a wonderful, child-like imagination. A Classic! I have always liked the two movies and Tim Burton's newest Alice starring Johnny Depp (even though they combined the "Red Queen" and the "Queen of Hearts" incorrectly...I'll forgive them because the Bandersnatch & Cheshire Cat were so cool) was beautiful and creative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAwR6w2TgxY

Flowers from the Sick

The week before last, David & Elizabeth were both sick, mostly treacherous colds, but sick just the same. This was my reward from the two of them when they were feeling better. I highly believe God protects mothers so that they can care for their family.

2 Additions to the Class of 2029

Elizabeth got to meet her newest cousin, Adelynne Mae, when they came for a visit yesterday. It was so cool to see the girls together and how very tiny Baby Ady is compared to her cousin. She was such a good girl. It was great to see the whole family together after waiting for this new blessing to arrive. Momma & Daddy are looking good & seem to be getting used to having the new addition here!

A picture of the girls together at Adelynne's baby shower on Saturday.

Mommy's Little Chef

We're not attempting solid foods yet, but Little Bits is a good little helper in the kitchen in stocking up baby foods. This book is wonderful (purchased from Target). I just use my Kitchen Aide's baby food attachment and our first attempt at yams turned out great. Here's a pic of my little spokes model. Next food creation: peas please!

http://freshbaby.com/buy_our_products/startkit.cfm

Maki Cousins Come Over for Pizza

It's fun having cousins our age! Isabella's development is so fun to see as her reaching, grasping, & crawling improves. William has such a tender heart and it is so fun to watch our little boy play. Here is was sharing a book with Elizabeth as Isabella reaches for her own. Thanks for coming over to play.

Sooo Big! (4 mo. Check Up)

Miss Elizabeth had her 4 mo. Check up today. Here's her new measurements:
Length: 26.25" (95th percentile)
Head: 16.5" (74th percentile)
Weight: 14# 10oz (70th percentile)
She's happy & healthy, that's all that matters. And a cutie-pa-tootie to boot!

Detox Foot Pads: Hoax?

I was always curious about those foot pads that supposedly detoxify you while you sleep. When they were $20 a pair, I passed on it. Since I found them at the dollar store for $1 for 2 pairs, I figured...why not? So I tried it. Sure enough, in the morning the pads were black & gelly. They smelled horribly like charcoal. I did a little research. Turns out that the bamboo vinegar in them turns brown and gel-like when mixed with water (or perspiration). So I dribbled water on the unused pad and sure enough black gel formed. Some people swear by them. I think they're a hoax. But I also believe that any placebo will heal a person, so if they work for you, by all means, gel it up.

Yes, that Pseudoephedrine is for Me

God gave me two ears and one mouth. You would think I would use them in this proportion.

I went to the pharmacy this week b/c my husband has a cold and needed Advil Cold & Sinus. He won't take anything else. So, it's 8:30 at night, getting late for someone who goes to bed at 9PM. It's 1 degree outside with winds of 20 below. I go to the aisle for colds, pick up the little card that states "bring this card to the pharmacy for this medication". (Not like I would know what to do with this crap even if I did do drugs.) This law-abiding citizen hands the card to the pharmacy tech. She smiles, takes it from me and asks for my license. What? OK, whatever. She proceeds to punch in a series of a thousand buttons on her screen while looking back and forth from my license to the computer while we make small talk. (Usually these techs are so busy they don't have time for small talk, but when it's 9:00 at night, the line is pretty short.) Apparently the government wants to regulate this? "Well, I'm glad the government now knows that my husband has a cold." The tech stops, her jaw drops, and she looks at me with eyes that say, you stupid, stupid girl.
"I can't sell this to you since it isn't for you," she says.
"WHAT?" I say, eyes bulging, arms akimbo (I've always wanted to use that word.) "But it's going to my house. I'll eventually use it."
"No," she replied, "I have cameras on me and I am not allowed to sell it to you if it isn't for you."
Whatever (and I meant whatever at this point).
"I know you're just doing your job, but that's it. I'm telling everyone."
And that's just what I'm doing...to the both of you who read this blog, hahaha.

So I bundled up inside my winter coat & stormed out to find myself another pharmacy. Luckily there's no shortage of them in this town. And I didn't say one word to the next tech behind the counter. The last time I bought this stuff was when it was still on the shelves, so that shows you how often I get it. More than likely, it will expire before we ever finish the package.

Freedom of speech? Not in this situation. I just kept thinking, "Lord keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth." Two ears, one mouth. Two ears, one mouth. Two ears, one mouth. Two ears, one mouth.

Choking Hazards for Children

I was taking an updated CPR class and the instructor used to be a paramedic. He was saying that a Mom was driving w/ her 2 or 3 y.o. in the backseat. The child was eating a happy meal. It got quiet all of a sudden and she looked in her rear-view mirror to see him turning blue. She pulled over immediately, ripped him from his car seat, and tried to get the obstruction out. It was too late. He died.
Precautions and Prevention
•Never leave a small child unattended while eating. Direct supervision is necessary.
•Children should sit up straight when eating, should have sufficient number of teeth, and the muscular and developmental ability needed to chew and swallow the foods chosen. Remember, not all children will be at the same developmental level. Children with special health care needs are especially vulnerable to choking risks.
•Children should have a calm, unhurried meal and snack time.
•Children should not eat when walking, riding in a car or playing.
•Cut foods into small pieces, removing seeds and pits. Cook or steam vegetables to soften their texture. Cut hot dogs lengthwise and widthwise.
•Model safe eating habits and chew food thoroughly.
•Offer plenty of liquids to children when eating, but solids and liquids should not be swallowed at the same time. Offer liquids between mouthfuls.
•Use only a small amount of peanut butter when the child is ready and use with jelly, or cream cheese on whole grain breads (Remember peanut butter can stick to the roof of a child's mouth and form a glob.)
•Become familiar with life-saving techniques such as child cardiopulmonary resuscitation, abdominal thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver), Automated External Defibrillators (AED) or calling 911.
Choking Hazards Foods:•Hot dogs (especially cut into a coin shape), meats, sausages, and fish with bones
•Popcorn, chips, pretzel nuggets, and snack foods
•Candy (especially hard or sticky candy), cough drops, gum, lollipops, marshmallows, caramels, hard candies, and jelly beans
•Whole grapes, raw vegetables, raw peas, fruits, fruits with skins, seeds, carrots, celery, and cherries
•Raisins, dried fruits, sunflower seeds, all nuts, including peanuts
•Peanut butter, (especially in spoonfuls or with soft white bread)
•Ice cubes and cheese cubes
•Foods that clump, are sticky or slippery, or dry and hard textured
•Food size and shape, especially round or a shape that could conform to the shape and size of the trachea (windpipe). The size of a young child's trachea (windpipe) or breathing tube is approximately the size of a drinking straw in diameter.
•Combinations of food size, texture, and shape can pose a threat. For example, a slippery hard candy with a round shape about the size of a drinking straw could block an airway (windpipe)
Household Items/Toys:
•Latex balloons, coins, marbles, toys with small parts, small balls, pen or marker caps, button type batteries, medicine syringes, screws, stuffing from a bean bag chair, rings, earrings, crayons, erasers, staples, safety pins, small stones, tiny figures, and holiday decorations including tinsel, or ornaments and lights
•Any toy or other object that is labeled as a potential choking hazard

It's a Girl!

Jen & Jr had their baby girl last night around 6 PM 02/24/2011, Adelynne Mae (AKA: Ady Mae). 8# 14 oz. Welcome baby girl! We can't wait to meet you! I like this picture the best. It looks like she's thinking "hmmm, I think I'm gonna like it here."

Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord

What a week. Do you ever feel sometimes that someone swapped your bed so that you're always waking up on the wrong side every day? My van got a flat at my daycare and I had to walk to work. My dog tore up a section of our carpet & peed on another section. Baby was going through a crabby phase where she would scream bloody murder from nothing. Sliced my hand open on a soup can. Some people turn to the Lord when things are good. Some, when times are bad. I try to all the time.

Flat tire: I thanked the Lord for the ability to walk. Thanked Him that it is only a mile from the daycare to work. I thanked him that it was an incredibly warm morning and that I had worn comfortable shoes that day. I thanked him that even though my hairspray didn't hold in the light drizzle, that I had grabbed a headband and stuck it in my pocket before work. For my talented hubby to fix my tire. I thanked Him for the donut shop along the way. :)

Dog: I was thankful for the perfect sized rug to use until we replace the chewed-up carpet. And for the new carpet shampooer we purchased. And that no matter what, I love my Mutt...some days more than others.

Soup can: I may have sliced my hand open washing a soup can, but luckily it didn't hurt as bad as expected when doing dishes or giving Baby a bath.

Crying Baby: Thinking it was teething pain, we tried everything. Turns out she just needed a little time on back to do the bicycle and to poop (and poop).
So, we can mope about what happened to us, or be grateful about the positive side of things. So, like I read in Guideposts "Is faith your first response or your last resort" (Greg McDonald).

February 20th, 2011

AFter celebrating their 6th anniversary, Mom and Earl got married on Sunday, Feb 20th @ 3:00. We were able to attend via Skype. Here's a few pictures of the attendees :) Congrats Mom & Earl. We're so happy for you! Loves!

Elizabeth Tells Me About Her Day

Our daycare provider says Elizabeth is "such a talker". I have no clue where she gets it.

Pro-Life

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” I don't know how anyone can be pro-choice. This is ELizabeth's 8 week ultrasound where we saw her heartbeat for the first time. Life begins at conception...no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

Happy Birthday, Lexie

We adopted Lexie a year ago today. We celebrated by giving her a bath, clipping her nails and eating a pigs ear (her not us). Actually she's 7 years old today. We loves you Lexie and are glad to have you in our family! Here's her latest trick. She can now sit, lay down, shake, dance, and roll.

Sittin' Pretty

Thanks Auntie Heather for picking up a Bumbo for us. We love being upright and being able to look around!

Awww....Probably My Favorite Disney Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxm6avJHTWc
(from the film "Dumbo")

Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine.

Little one when you play
Don't you mind what you say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine.

From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
You are so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine.

Recommendations for Mommies & Babies

Here's what I've found that I like:
Here's our favorite lotion-Gentle Naturals. Elizabeth is very sensitive to fragrances. This is better than Aveeno Eczema Cream for babies or even Johnson's Scent Free.

We also like the Baby Oil Gel. It doesn't spill like baby oil and "locks in 10x's the moisture", per the label. We use the aloe/Vit E one b/c the other scents irritate her skin.

The best diaper rash cream in the world-Butt Paste. Worth its weight in gold. Smells good too:

Here's our favorite baby carrier. I wear Baby when I cook, clean, or just need to give my arms a rest from carrying her, but still want to keep her close.

A perfect solution to milk let down - Avent. However, they only hold around 1oz, so you will have spillage w/ >1oz:

1st Wk of Work/Daycare

Baby and Mama are back to the grindstone this week, just not together :(. Baby did better than Mama. Unfortunately Baby caught her first cold and it made sleeping at night pretty miserable for a few nights for all three of us. Little fever, spits ups, congested sinuses, and many, many diapers. But she pulled through. After a vapor bath last night, her congestion is significantly better today.
Another first: Elizabeth is now grasping toys, scrutinizing them, and putting them in her mouth. She likes to squish the noisy ones in her hands. She is interacting with her environment more and more and it is so fun watching these little milestones.

Cranberry Chicken

Mom had asked me what this recipe was again so I figured I would post it:
Cranberry Chicken
8 oz Western Dressing
1 pkt Onion Soup Mix
1 can Cranberry sauce (whole or jelly)

Mix together. Pour over chicken (2-4#). Throw in 350-degree oven for an hour, covered (remember to baste). Remove covering for last 10 min or so to thicken sauce.
Voila - Stupid simple, but yummy.
(Can also do in crockpot, but it ends up a little runny, but the flavor is good.)

First Day of Daycare & 3 Mo. Old Today!

"You're sending me where?" Momma went back to work today and Little Bits had her first day of daycare. She did so good. Our Miss P. said that she ate all 12 ounces, had 2 little naps and was "so talkative". When we got home, Elizabeth had to tell Daddy all about her day. She was so tuckered out she even went to bed a 1/2 hr early.

Movies: The Gunslingers & The Ramen Girl

We Just finished watching The Gunslingers & The Ramen Girl. HORRIBLE! (They were rent one, get one free...I have horrible taste.) The Gunslingers is a new movie, a western I thought looked good, but it had no storyline. We ended up fast forwarding the last 45minutes just to see what (predictably) would happen. Not at all original and the camera work was nauseating, almost like the Blair Witch Project.
The Ramen Girl is Brittany Murphy, who followed her boyfriend to Tokyo and gets dumped there. Instead of going home, she wants to stay and learn to cook Ramen (which you can easily buy 10/$1.00 at Super One, but who am I?). The movie didn't show her learning the language or how to make ramen, but all of a sudden at the end, she knows both. It did have some comical parts, but that was the extent of it.
I wouldn't recommend either one of these movies. Don't waste the $3.

Lemon Chicken

Mom gave me a new recipe the other day and while I had my doubts, it really turned out yummy. Dave even ate the left-overs. A tangy, zesty change to drab chicken.

Lemon Chicken
2-4 chicken breasts
Juice from 1 lemon
flour
1 can chicken broth
butter

pound the breasts with meat hammer til thin (put thick layers of paper towel down to avoid splatters)
roll in flour
pan fry in butter 3 minutes on each side (I had on medium heat w/ cast iron)
remove from pan
pour in broth & lemon juice
stir and scrape pan to get all the residue from the chicken
thicken with flour/ make a gravy
put chicken back in the pan (flip a few times to get chicken covered in gravy)
cook in simmering gravy for 6 more minutes

I served with stuffing, but next time I'd try rice & veggies.

Little Bits Can Talk

Miss Little Bits has started cooing and talking these past couple of weeks. Today in Adoration, she noticed her hands and is starting to watch them as they play and reach. She finally caught sight of her feet, but I don't think she knows they are hers yet.

2 Weeks Left

Two weeks left of maternity leave. David asked me what I wanted to do before going back to work; anyone I wanted to visit or places to see. Oooo, I thought, shampoo my carpets! (Hey, you get your kicks where you want...I'll get my kicks where I want.) So I strapped on Baby, vacuumed & shampooed all the carpets. They look great and I feel so much better having them done. If you want a good workout, strap on a 12# kid and clean your house. Elizabeth only made it half way through the family room before she fell asleep, but she had fun while it lasted, cooing at the vacuum.

All In a Days Work

A New Do for Baby Brooks

Pulling a "Princess" Moment

And Finally ... Our Smiley Girl

Lexie Visits the Vet...Again

My poor puppy, for some reason 1/2 of her face & neck were severely swollen last week. The dr put her on antibiotics in case it was an infection r/t to a possible cut in her mouth, but he was pretty sure it was an allergy to something. $70 of meds later, she back to normal, but NO more people food for this little girl.

Baby's First Steps...Well Sort Of

In Mother's Arms

In Mother's Arms
In the wee hours of the morn
with baby in my arms
I pray her guardian angel
protect her from all harm

And my mind starts to wonder
to a time long ago
When my very own mother
held me in moonlit glow

Did her heart swoon like mine
when eyes grazed flawless cheeks
Or a smile tickle her lips
with every baby squeak

Was she curious who I would be
did she wonder at my potential
And would she lay back and listen
to every baby babble

In my mother's arms
from the world I was safe
Some days I'd like to crawl back in
to mother's warm embrace

I pray for you, my babe
that blessed you will be
And that we share a friendship
like your Grandma and Mommy

2 Month Check Up

Elizabeth turned 9 weeks old yesterday. Dr said she looks very good, a happy, healthy babe.
Head 15.25"= 48th Percentile
Length 23" = 73rd Percentile
Weight 11# 4.5oz = 66th Percentile
She really liked the nurse as she giggled and laughed at the baby talk until the nurse gave her shots, then Elizabeth didn't like her so much anymore. I was told she would probably sleep most of the day, so I figured we'd go to Target and spend some of our baby gift cards. We got 1/2 way done shopping when baby's pain kicked in again and she had a total meltdown, the worst she has ever had. Poor little girl. So we finished the shopping trip early and she fell asleep on the ride home. My smiley girl is much better today.

$168/wk

This is from the book ""Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons?" by Jeff Cavins. I like how he writes:
Lets say God gave you $168 to live on each week. You have to pay $56 in rent, $56 for food and living expenses. The remaining $56 is yours to spend how you want. Then lets say that God asked for $1 of the remaining $56. Wouldn't it be selfish of you to say "no" to giving God the $1 he requested of the $168 he initially gave you?
Well, God gives us 168 hours a week. We go to school or work 56 hr/wk, sleep 56 hr/wk, and 56 hrs to do with what we please. Is it not selfish if we do not give Him at least one hour of worship each week?
We go to church to give not to get. We pay God homage, we praise and thank Him.