Baby proofing 101

How to keep a toddler out of your drawers: yard stick!

(Can you tell by her body language she's trying to crack this code?)

Blizzard of '12

We got between 6-8" today. Not exactly a "blizzard" per say, but it's the most snow we've accumulated in one day all winter. It's been such a mild winter and we're very thankful for the beautiful winter and mild temps. We deperately need the moisture, and we had lots of fun playing in the white fluff today!

Sweet Adelynne Turns 1

Miss Adelynne turned 1 on Friday and had a wonderful birthday with an elephant cake from Auntie Kim and many hugs and kisses and well wishers. Wow that year went by fast. Happy birthday, Sweetie!

What to Give Up for Lent

"When we give up something for Lent, we endure our sacrifice as a reminder of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. When we add something to our daily lives, we experience the sacrifice of carrying our cross in a deeper way."
Well, what should I give up? I'm baffled. So I Googled. I can't very well give up TV, Internet, eating out, credit cards, shopping, sweets, or alcohol, I hardly do/use those things. It's not a true sacrifice because I couldn't care less to give those up.
So, I am giving up procrastination...starting tomorrow. Hahaha. No really -- it's 8:00 PM. I can't procrastinate on anything for the rest of today. I'm not a horrible procrastinator, but it's enough to bother me and cause an umbrella effect over many parts of my life.

And what to take up? Being on time? That's the opposite of procrastination. Hmmm, or maybe just spending more time with the Lord. I have my hour of adoration a week & mass on Sundays, but what about the Saturday Latin Mass? Or reconciliation more than once a month? Or my favorite: Stations of the Cross. Spending more time reading scripture. More time in prayer. Yes, I think all of the above should work for the next 40 days.

February: A Sick Month

Two weeks ago Elizabeth was diagnosed with RSV - a cold virus that can potentially become very serious and could lead to pneumonia. Thank God it didn't get any worse and all we had to do was provide pain relievers & neb treatments. David was great & took two days off to spend it with our Itty Bitty because we didn't want her to go to daycare and get anyone else sick.

Sunday night we noticed sores on her mouth, fingers and legs. Since Urgent Care was closed by that time, we took her in to the ER so that we knew what it was and whether she could go to daycare. Dx: the coxsackie virus, also called hand, foot, and mouth disease. Another week off of daycare. And now Daddy is down with the flu. I think we're ready to leave this ill February behind us!

Locks of Love - Ponytail #4

I label this "hobbies" because I guess for me it is. Just about every 2-2.5 years I cut off a 10" ponytail for Locks of Love. I started January 2005 & here you see tail #4.

David's New Toy

We found this 2000 truck online for a great price and in pretty good condition. So we made a call, took a trip, met some really nice people, and bought their truck. The man we bought it from had to clean out the bed of all their fishing stuff because they weren't really trying too hard to sell it & were still using it on a semi-daily basis (good news for us). It's got a little bit of rust, but it is otherwise all over pretty good. We've had our eyes peeled for the past few months (years) for a good deal and we found it. Here's hoping it treats us as good as we will treat it. Welcome to the family -- Big Red.

Fun Ideas for Kids

5 cheap and fun baby activities

Let 'er rip: Maybe it's that pleasing shredding sound or maybe it's the satisfaction of making a permanent change in something, but babies love to tear up paper. So plunder your recycling box for magazines or junk mail – when you see that gappy smile on your baby's face as she gets to work, you won't even mind the mess.

Dog days: You could take your baby to the zoo, but don't be surprised if he falls fast asleep – or favors the water fountain over the orangutans. Instead, try a park where he can see dogs playing. It's a lot less overwhelming and every bit as exciting, plus it doesn't cost a penny. Just be sure to practice good doggy-and-child safety habits. You might want to carry your baby in your arms or a baby carrier to make sure he's safe when watching and petting the pups (with permission, of course).

Flashlight games Kids' Activities Turn off the lights, close the blinds, grab a flashlight, and lie back on the floor for a rockin' light show with your little one. Dance the light beam along the ceiling and walls as your baby stares in delight. An older baby might like to try holding the flashlight herself (though you shouldn't be surprised if all she does is gum it). Just don't let her shine it directly in her eyes – or, for that matter, in yours.

Dining out For a change of pace, set up your baby's highchair in the backyard or out on the front stoop and, between bites, let him fling the food wherever he likes. He'll feel like he's won the lottery! A bit short in the yard department? No worries – bring a booster chair to the park and set it right on the grass. Throw in some bubbles and you've got a perfect recipe for a fun-filled morning.

Go clubbing In your living room, that is. Turn on your favorite music and dance with your baby in your arms. She'll be in seventh heaven – after all, she'll be enjoying three of her favorite things in the world simultaneously: music, bouncing, and closeness to you.

Hop a freight: Toddlers love transportation, especially if it's a departure from the same-old-same-old car seat. Check out your local airport or hospital – many have a free shuttle or tram that you can ride as often as your little one's heart desires. If you don't usually travel by bus, check your local bus system and take a spin around town, enjoying things from a thrilling new vantage point.

Play dough: Borrow a tip from kid-friendly restaurants and let your toddler play with a gratifying hunk of pizza dough. Not too sticky and not too runny, it's the perfect consistency for little fingers. Get some from your local grocery store or pizza parlor or mix up your own. A rolling pin is the icing on the cake for this activity (or, shall we say, the cheese on the pie). If you're feeling motivated, you can bake a pizza with the rest of the dough while your child plays with his portion. Otherwise, simply freeze or refrigerate the rest for future playtime.

Fancy wrappings: If you've ever watched a toddler open a present, you know that she's likely to ignore what's inside and focus all her attention on the box, wrapping paper, and ribbon. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Wrap up something small, such as a pretty postcard or a toy you already own. Make sure to use lots of ribbon and paper (Sunday comics work great). Present it to her with a flourish.

It's a plane! Check with your local airport to see whether it has an observation tower – or a room with huge windows where your toddler can watch planes take off and land. Bring along some lunch and enjoy the show.

Baker's man: While your toddler isn't yet old enough to wield an electric mixer or flour sifter, he may be ready to be put in charge of the cookie-sprinkle department. So bake up a batch of cookies (you can even buy pre-made dough) and let him go nuts with a container of sprinkles. You'll probably end up with several bare cookies and a few heavily sprinkled ones. Don't forget to take a picture! 5 cheap and fun preschooler activities

Bathing in the pink: Or the green, or the blue… A few drops of food coloring can go a long way toward making bath time something special. It's especially fun to mix a couple of primary colors together, such as blue and red to make purple. And no, your child won't emerge from his bath looking like a grape – a few drops of food coloring diluted in a tub of water won't dye your child's skin.

Time travel: You know those old photographs of your own third birthday party or your ninth-grade dance? Dig them out and snuggle with your preschooler for a trip down memory lane. Wedding videos work well too! Of course, she'll also enjoy seeing pictures and videos of herself when she was "little." So break out the snacks and make an evening of it.

Ravishing radishes: When it comes to instant gardening gratification, radishes are the way to go – they pop up in a matter of weeks! After winter's last frost, take your preschooler to the gardening store and let him pick out the package of seeds with the picture he likes best. (It'll cost just a few dollars.) At home, find a sunny patch of yard and have your child plant the seeds directly in the ground or in a small planter. You can even grow radishes inside in a container set in a sunny south-facing window. Your little gardener will love digging a hole, sprinkling in the seeds, and covering them up. The fun continues as he gets to water the radishes and watch them grow.

Monochrome meal: We grown-ups like a little variety in our meals – but kids, who often love uniformity, get a kick out of having a special dinner in which everything is the same color. So serve up a meal that's entirely orange (macaroni and cheese, sweet potato, orange juice, carrots), green (pesto pasta, limeade, broccoli), or yellow (lemonade, scrambled eggs, corn, pineapple).

Hunting down nature: Give your child a bag or bucket and go on an old-fashioned nature hunt. Take your time and let him collect whatever he likes – pinecones, leaves, rocks, sticks, burrs. When you get home, break out the glue and cardboard and get him started making a collage or sculpture. He may also enjoy painting a rock or two (it could become his new favorite pet).

Bon appétit!: Let your child be in charge of dinner – with you as her helpful assistant. She gets to decide what to make. Some suggestions: English muffin pizzas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, pudding or gelatin for dessert. She can act as the "head cook" and even draw up some fancy menus. She may especially enjoy doing this activity with a friend.

Rest for the weary: You know those nights when you're beyond exhausted, and you just wish someone would put you to bed for a change? Here's your chance! Tell your child that you need a special helper to put you to bed early – and ask if he'd like to do the honors. He can pick out your pajamas, make sure you brush your teeth and wash your face, read you a book, tuck you in, give you a kiss, and turn out the light. It's a safe bet that you'll hear some delighted giggles from beyond your closed door! (Of course, this assumes your partner or another responsible adult has agreed to take on the nighttime duties for your child – and you'll likely find yourself returning the favor sometime soon.)

Camp in: Wait for a dark and dreary day. If your child has a case of the "nothing-to-do" doldrums, all the better! Now suggest that you go camping – in your family room. Make a "tent" with sheets and blankets draped over chairs. If you have sleeping bags, dig them out – or just create some bedrolls with blankets and pillows. Tell stories and sing songs around an imaginary fire. And when the lights go out, make a beautiful galaxy appear on the ceiling of your tent by shining a flashlight through a colander.

Kid's choice day: Let your child "run" the day. She can make the important decisions such as what to eat, what show to watch, and what activities to do. Give this day a special name so that she can plan it, as in, "On my next 'Ali Day,' I want to ride bikes, wash the dog, and eat spaghetti. (Helpful hint: To avoid power struggles with your child's teacher, don't do this on a school day!)

Treasure hunt: Send your child on a treasure hunt, right in your own house. It takes a little preparation, but the excitement is worth it! Give him a note that says something like, "Look in the flour canister." Or make it a bit trickier by writing a clue he has to solve, such as "Look for the white powder that we use for baking." (If your child's reading skills are still primitive, simplify your notes, help him read them, or draw pictures instead.) In the flour canister, he'll find another note telling him where to look next, such as in the refrigerator or under the welcome mat. Let the hunt include a few more hiding places, and put a prize in the very last one (try under his pillow). The prize can be very small – for example, a piece of candy or a pad of paper. As in all true treasure hunts, the real joy is in the search.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_cheap-fun-for-kids-simple-ways-to-make-your-childs-day_10309947.bc?showAll=true#articlesection2

Cabbage Casserole

(If you like Sarmas, you'll love this Cabbage Casserole - similiar taste with much less work)
1.5# hamburger
1 C. cooked rice
8 slices cooked bacon
1 small onion, diced
Salt, pepper, & basil to taste
1 head cabbage (boil 5-10 minutes until partially cooked)
1 15 oz tomato sauce
1 15 oz sauerkraut

Brown hamburger with onion & spices. Layer roasting pan with cabbage, hamburger mixture, and top with sauerkraut them tomato sauce. Cook 1.5 hrs @ 350 covered.

*I wrote this verbatim how it was given to me. However, I made mine in the crock pot & it turned out great (remember to still brown hamburger & onions prior to crock-potting). I also made the following changes.
** I didn't pre-cook the cabbage, but I did lay it down 1st in the pot & it cooked nicely.
** I dislike the bacon. Next time I'm going to use either just ground beef or ground beef & pork.
** I decreased it to 1# ground beef vs 1.5#.
** Instead of tomato sauce, I used a 15 oz can of stewed tomatoes and added a little water. I liked that much better.
** The whole dish doesn't have much of a strong sauerkraut flavor, but a mild taste of it. My spouse & brother Derik don't care much for kraut, so one 15 Oz can would be good enough for them. For me, I'd recommend the larger can, jar, or bag. Yum

Bon Appetit

The Do-It-All ... Pizza Cutter

David makes fun of me because while we rarely eat pizza, we wash our pizza cutter daily, especially when the little Miss started eating solids. It's the do-a-lot tool. One that my mom always used it for was cutting waffles, pancakes, & french toast. You can also cut the crust off sandwiches, esp grilled cheese, make strips for the lattice on pies, cookie cut outs, mill herbs, cut hotdogs or sausage, fruit rollups, cut sheet cake, cut brownies or fudge, cut quesadillas or make steam slits, and defend yourself in a bar fight. (Hey, no one's gonna mess with someone with a razor sharp pizza cutter in her hand.)

Cute Pictures of my Baby Girl

Making cookies for Auntie & Uncle for their anniversary.

Swiffering up the floors before we mop. What a good little helper!

These boots are made for walkin'...

Play time before daycare.

Just cause I thought it was a cool pic...

Happy 20th Wedding Anniversary D&K!

Wow! February 1st is Derik & Kelly's 20th wedding anniversary.

Good job, guys. May God continue to bless you over and over and over again!

January Update

I wear so many hats some days. :) We're re-doing the back bathroom, re-organizing the office, and brewing beer (that's pretty low maintenance, though on our part). Between work, dance, Bible study, & Mom's group I haven't even turned on my computer for fun in 2 weeks. I am thoroughly convinced that if I give up eating and sleeping - I'll have time for everything I want to do in my life :).

Miss Elizabeth is a girl on the go. 14 teeth @ 14 months. "Up" is still her favorite word & she uses it for everything. She can now get on and off most furniture and stack blocks. Her favorite pastimes are playing with Legos, reading her "Baby Can..." books & standing on tippy toes to get into Mommy's utensil drawer. She loves giving hugs & kisses and dancing to 50's & 60's music. We are thankful for our very mild winter which has been kind to us and has allowed for lots of sled rides and down-hill sliding.

And our sweet little Lexiacon, who gets missed in the cyber shuffle. She's a happy, healthy, pudgy puppy. She is so tolerant of Elizabeth and wonderful guard dog. Here you can see her on duty. She is the sweetest lap dog and always willing to please, for a treat.

Thank you God for my many hats.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

I am reorganizing our office, downsizing quite a bit, and I found this recipe from one of my OT girls I wanted to blog and save before I forgot it again (thanks Heather!).


Homemade Dog Biscuits
2/3 C. bacon grease
2 C. uncooked oatmeal
6 C. whole wheat flour
1.5 C. powdered milk
2 eggs
1.5 C corn meal

Mix ingredients together. Roll out on countertop to ~1/2 inch thickness. Use cookie cutter* to cut out shapes and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 45 min to 1 hr @ 300 degrees. Dogs cannot have milk chocolate, but I have seen these biscuits 1/2 dipped in white chocolate & are pretty cute. Store in plastic baggies or airtight containers.
*If you can find a bone-shaped cookie cutter - even better!

Allergies are Inherited? Yes!

I am putting this out there so that more people are aware: allergies are indeed inherited. "If you or anyone in your child's family has a food allergy or allergic type disorder (like asthma or eczema) or if your child has had a food allergy in the past, then you should wait to introduce high allergen foods". There's no guarantee that withholding high allergen foods are going to keep your child from acquiring them, but it never hurts. I do have allergies and am susceptible to eczema - very much so as a child, and my food allergies are worse now as an adult. Therefore, I am the mean Mommy who will not allow her child peanut butter until age 3 or eggs until age 2. I don't want my kids to live in fear for their lives every time they go to a picnic, restaurant, or potluck, like I do. Imagine that everytime you put something in your mouth that it has the potential to kill you - even things that you have eaten in the past. That's what I deal with daily. The most common food allergies are to: Milk (got that) Eggs(nope) Fish(got that) Shellfish(got that) Tree Nuts(got that) Wheat(nope) Peanuts(nope) Soybeans(nope)
All I ask is this - don't take offense when someone doesn't take a scoop of whatever you brought to a potluck because they may just be afraid of taking their last bite of food & having their throat close and die. Or that of their children. I've actually had people roll their eyes when I won't eat a dish they made that is peppered with almonds. And if I can do this small thing for my child, putting off certain foods until she's more mature, I know that I've done the best I can.

For (Wo)men Only by Shaunti (& Jeff) Feldhahn

So I was doing my Christmas shopping at the Christian book store and stumbled upon these two books. One is for women only. And the other for men only. The author originally wrote "for women only". It's a book on what your spouse desperately wants you to know, but has difficulty saying it. They polled over 400 straight men and interview even more for this book. Some parts were expected - yes, I knew that already. While other parts were - WHAT?! You really think that?!

What he learned: Men say "I do" at the alter, thinking that it should make a woman feel secure & loved all the days of her life, while a women needs to hear & feel it on a daily basis. Inside every women is that little girl- twirling around in her pretty dress, wanting her dearly beloved to say, "you are so beautiful. I love you". Yes men - DAILY. David does very well at this, but he found it funny that we actually need it to hear it to feel loved and desired.

Another was that true definition of "multi-tasking". The author describes a woman at dinner w/ her spouse & another couple. The kids are in the next room, playing, and she knows that there is a lighter on a high shelf. She cannot relax knowing that the kids and the candle lighter are in the same room. (Been there, done that.) Women's minds are like computers with 4-9 open windows on the desk top - flashing between all of them, but still conquering them all. Men generally have 1-2 windows open at a time, but form a deep focus on one task at a time.

What I learned: Men have a visual Rolodex. (Arg!) As much as I hate to admit it, they do. So I talked to my girlfriends. "There's nothing you can do. They're all like that," one friend stated. Au contraire. Like Shaunti said, you can (1) pray for your husband and his struggles. The sight of a pretty girl is a temptation, but not a sin. Once he thinks of her lustfully, then he has committed a sin. Jesus was tempted in the desert - but he did not sin. And (2) dress modestly so that you are not a temptation to other men.

And something else I didn't know: men are providers. (Ya, so, right?) No really, they think about this a LOT. "For most men, the need to provide is so deeply rooted that almost nothing can relieve this feeling of duty." Wow, really? I never knew how burdened (for lack of a better word) men were with providing. Providing is at the core of a man's identity.

Men want respect. Women want love. Which is funny because that is what the Bible tells us: Ephesians 5:33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

My question always was: well, I know how to show love, but how do I show respect? The book answers this.

David & I had a few really good discussions after reading these books. Not everyone likes "self-help" books, but this one...I highy recommend.

This is not a book for couples who need counseling - it says so in the first few chapters. It is something every woman (& man) should read in order to better understand their spouse & make for a better relationship. I give a lot of books away, but these are two that will nest on my bookshelf. What did I ramble on and on? Because I would love to lend these books out to anyone interested in reading them, but I do not believe everyone will ask me for them. They are a quick 190 pg weekend read. http://forwomenonlybook.com/BooksStudies/ForWomenOnly/tabid/137/Default.aspx

Mama's Sick

I haven't turned on my computer to blog or email for about a month now. While David & Elizabeth are off at church and I'm laying in bed with the flu, I'm catching up on some blogging and holiday emails I received. I wanted to post that I have the most awesome husband in the world. He has taken care of the house and baby all weekend. Granted he gave E some pepperoni pizza I wouldn't have approved on, but she liked it and left the dinner table unscathed.

I wish I could read when I'm ill, but my eyes hurt so bad, all I can do is listen to books on tape or watch DVDs in my room. I am thankful that it happened on a weekend so that I don't miss work and that David is willing & available to take care of me. So in all this, thank you Lord for protecting my loved ones and for (all) the beautiful people you have placed in my life.

Merry Christmas

This weekend held our Christmas at home with Grandma & Grandpa Ely. The Makis were unable to attend d/t illness, but we had a fun-filled evening and day as G&G spent the night. Elizabeth discovered Papa Earl's head and likes to pat it. We received some very wonderful presents and enjoyed watching Grandma & Grandpa open theirs. The next day, the tree came down along with all the decorations. Months of preparring just for Elizabeth to get the hand of opening presents and then it's all done. It was a very blessed holiday and awesome to share with loved ones. My sweetie was wonderful enough to get me my Clutterbuck jersey and ring I wanted. I don't remember what I got him, but I'm sure it was something nice...:) haha, I just remembered: game camera.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Marjorie Pay Hinckley - “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
Cute