Hawk with Psoriasis

This photo was taken today in our backyard. A hawk in our backyard! I love those birds!

Today I also went to see a reumatologist. I hope I'm spelling that right. Remember the admission that I made to having psoriasis of the scalp? Well... it turns out after I've gone to an orthopedic doctor and had some blood drawn that my knees are swollen for a reason. I thought it was because I taught some kids to square dance in Miami...but no. The psoriasis has given me arthritis. That's right... it's called "psoriatic arthritis." Only 10% of us lucky people with psoriasis develop arthritis as a result. When he told me I just sat there in stunned silence. It only has affected my knees...they feel tender and I can't bend them all the way. Here's the crazy thing.. I can't take the major drugs for this because I'm breastfeeding. He prescribed a medicine for me to see if he can help it out....but the drawback is it will make me more hungry. MORE HUNGRY??? Wouldn't you know that the very moment he said that to me my stomach growled loud enough for him to hear. Talk about embarrassing. He doesn't know it, but I'm sitting there thinking, "I'm not going to take that pill." G.I. Joe always said "knowledge is half the battle"... well, maybe he's right. :)

Would You Look At That!

Just this morning Gwen woke up with the ability to sit up.

Recent Discussions and Happenings

Ben is a "manager of fun" at work. I know, the title is a bit.. well... but anyway what that means is that he helps organize things to boost morale in the office. One thing they came up with is the ugly holiday sweater contest. Ben had to have an ugly Christmas sweater by today and we both didn't have any, so he went off to Goodwill last night to find one. Tonight he was telling me about his experience in the Goodwill store at 8pm. Not to be mean, but he said that the people in there must have all been ex pirates. He finally found a Christmas shirt mixed in with all the other shirts in the ladies XL section. Here it is!

Oh the things you can learn from children's literature! I try to read to Gwen every day, not to mention that Ben reads to her before we put her down for the night. We have this one book that has animals A to Z in it and we came across these two entries.


What in the world is a vicuna and what is a xylo? I wouldn't accept that a xylo is an actual animal. I looked up Vicuna and it is kin to the Llama. I'm still not sure about the xylo.

Have you ever seen a tortoise shell like that? wow!


Ever seen a bush baby? :)

Here is a page devoted to things on the farm. I thought it was amusing that on this page they have "rubber trees". I haven't ever seen a rubber tree, but I'm sure there are farms with them in it.


Tonight I made the Swedish Rye Bread. Ben's Grandmother is famous for it. Just what I need...more carbs in my life. P.S. It's snowing

The Audacity Of It All

Today is a historic day. I'm going to get a paper for Gwen tomorrow to keep. I know, you don't want to hear my political views or a rant... so I won't subject you to that. Here are some of my thoughts from the day though. I'm glad our country has gotten to this point where a black man can be President. I wonder what Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln would say if they could see it. I think Obama is remarkably poised. I would be blubbering through the whole swearing in. I don't like calling it swearing in. It sounds like you are going to swear. I like this picture of Obama and his family. I wonder what it would be like to not drive for the next four years. I wonder what it's like to have secret service around all the time. George H. Bush.. what old man do you know that skydives? Can anyone say awesome? I wonder what Barbara Bush said to her son this morning. I wonder what George W. Bush said to his wife as they flew away in that helicopter. I heard a story on the news this morning that said when Reagan flew away in the helicopter he turned to Nancy and said "there's our old shack." He was a trip.

Today I was at the bank waiting for a "personal banker" (whatever that is) and an elderly gentleman walked over and admired Gwen. He asked me how old she was and how much she weighed at birth. He told me he was one of 6 kids... two boys and four girls. I asked what it was like growing up in a larger family and he said "well... I was born just 40 days before the stock market crash... and well, it was a different world back then." I would have loved to talked with him more but his notary person came over. What stories he must have.

Meal Plan

asparagus quiche and Ellie Krieger's cucumber soup
Ben's favorite potato casserole (from Amish book), meat of some sort, green beans
chef mis-er-ly beefy mac (from Miserly meals book), hummus and peppers
eggplant parmigiana, salad
jerk chicken, rice, peas
skillet pasta florentine, hominy (the hominy is to represent the Indian book I got from the library.. cause you know I'm not going to make something from a cactus plant)

*Swedish Rye Bread- Ben's Grandmother's recipe
*Baby Food- Carrots

Dinner At Our House

I was making dinner and this is what Ben was doing with Gwen. The beautiful thing is this was totally unstaged fun.

The Farm

Today we went to Ben's Grandparent's place. She has an orchid in bloom that we've waited a year to see. It's called a lady slipper orchid because of the bulby thing that looks kind of like a lady's slipper.


Anyone remember that huge sweet potato that I took pictures of? Did you wonder its fate? Well... here it is. I found it in their fridge and they are eating it little by little. If you missed it in an earlier post this sweet potato was the size of a football.

Cereal and Date Night

Anybody else think this is funny? I mean, when is the last time you bought cereal with the word "spheres" on it? In the lower left hand corner it also touts it being a cholesterol free food. I'm so glad these food companies are looking out for my health. (actually... I eat oatmeal and Ben eats this)

Last night my mother-in-law came over unexpectedly and we went out on a little date. I requested that we go to the library and get stamps. I know, I'm a wild woman. Well...before you judge let me tell you the books I got last night at the library. It is an AWESOME place to go people! Here are the books that I chose:

A Medieval Home Companion- Housekeeping in the fourteenth century- I mean... what WAS homemaking like in the fourteenth century? sweep the floor, kill the boar... I don't know...but I'm going to find out.

The Amish Cook- 'cause you know me and the Amish... I'm fascinated.

Miserly Meals- need I say more?

American Indian Food and Lore- it says it has 150 authentic recipes. I hope I don't have to go bow hunting. I went through a phase where I was fascinated with Indians too.

and last but not least....
My Big Book of Everything- a picture dictionary for Gwen to look at pictures. I'm going through and pointing and naming things.

Queen For A Day

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Silly Family

You want to hear something silly? There is a whole group of people that we reference in this house that don't live here.

Anita- any time anyone says "I need ta do this or that" Anita is mentioned.

Justin- Justin case

Mikey- My keys

Shirley- surely not

We need therapy.

Food and Baby Thoughts

I don't know what it is...but I've got a thing for sweet potatoes recently. Last night I tried the "chicken and sweet potato stew" and it was great. I thought I'd share pics and the recipe in case anyone else is "into" sweet potatoes too. Surprise, surprise, here's Ben being goofy. :)


Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

1 1/2 pounds chicken (I used breasts that were frozen and I cut them into strips)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 T olive oil
3 med sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
1 medium onion, sliced
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes in juice
3 T natural peanut butter (I used reduced fat natural peanut butter)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I used a bit more)
2 garlic cloves, peeled (I used diced)
1/4 C packed fresh cilantro leaves, plus some for garnish

1. Rub chicken with cumin and cinnamon; set aside.

2. In nonstick 12 inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add sweet potatoes and onion and cook until onion is tender, 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer sweet potato mixture to plate.

3. Increase heat to medium high. Add seasoned chicken, and cook 5 minutes or until chicken is lightly browned on both sides.

4. Meanwhile, drain tomatoes, reserving juice. In blender (or food processor) blend tomato juice, peanut butter, salt, crushed red pepper, garlice and 1/4 C of cilantro and blend.

5. Add sweet potato mixture, peanut butter sauce, and chopped tomatoes to skillet with chicken; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are soft. We served over brown rice.

I'm taking a Bible study all about the essentials of discipline. I'm trying to stay ahead of the game a little bit so I can have a plan when stuff happens. Boy, I get so nervous hearing about other children misbehaving. I am realizing more and more how much parents influence their children. It is a huge task that God has given us. There was this one story about how James Dobson said he was in a grocery store with his wife grabbing something quick and he saw a kid throwing a fit over something he wanted. The mother handled it well and James Dobson praised her for being a good mom. I told the class that if I ever was in Aldi's with a kid throwing a fit and I look up to see James Dobson rounding the corner we are running to the exit.

I came home and (Ben's working from home today) was telling him about the study. The topic today was the difference between childish irresponsibility and defiance. I told him "yeah... it's like the difference between when a kid leaves his bike out in the rain and.." and then Ben interjects, "and when he sets his bike on fire." I laughed and said "yeah... I think that's it."

The book "the no cry sleep solution" that I've been reading says that parenting is like a dance. I agree.... two steps forward, one back, one sideways, and then sometimes.... just sometimes... an air guitar solo.

Meal Plan

chicken and sweet potato stew
swedish meatballs with sour cream sauce, egg noodles
hamburger cornbread casserole
goulash
black beans, 3 pepper corn pudding

Let me know if you want a recipe people!

Sleeping Like A Baby II

Just when I boast to everyone that I think we've got the sleep thing figured out I am humbled. I'm writing this down not to rant or feel sorry for myself...but to remember. Gwen has some spectacular nights like the other night when we put her down at 7:45 or so and she didn't wake again until 5:05am! and then went back to sleep and slept until 9:30!! She's never done that before. Then we have last night where she woke every 2 or 3 hours and threw fits to be picked up and refused to go back to sleep. I'm not sure if I'm sending her mixed messages. I told Ben I don't think she's diabolical or anything...but maybe she's smarter than I give her credit for. I'm amazed at how much sway this little person has. I want to be a wise mother and not give in to her every whimper, but I want her to feel safe. Well... as little orphan Annie would say "the sun'll come out tomorrow"... but I may be a little grouchy when it does. :)

Moon Watching

see the little tiny ball of light? That's the moon... OK?


Tonight Ben and I went driving a bit to look at the moon and also just to get out a bit. (with Gwen of course!) The moon is supposed to be the brightest that it will be all year tonight. I don't know about you, but I am a moon watcher. Luner eclipses (my personal favorite), harvest moons, little crescent moons... all thrill me. I just so happened to see Apollo 13 today too, so I had the added awe of knowing people have actually stepped onto the moon. Incredible! It makes me think of that scripture in Psalm 8:

"When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?"

Also tonight we ran across this street sign. Not quite "mean puppies" Leah, but close. :)

Little Rhymes

Lately Gwen has enjoyed little rhymes such as these:

This little piggy went to market,
this little piggy stayed home,
this little piggy had roast beef,
this little piggy had none,
and this little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home.

Have you ever stopped to think about that? There is just something fundamentally wrong with a pig eating roast beef. Well.. at least it wasn't a pork chop right?

All around the garden,
like a teddy bear,
one step, two step
tickle under there.

This one is done by making circles in the palm of the hand and then on the step part you walk up the arm and tickle under the arm. Ben's mom taught us this one.

I'm looking for more of these types of things that maybe your parents taught you. If anyone knows of any drop a comment would you? THANKS!!

Prudence

What I learned today

Prudence- the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason

Sleeping Like A Baby

As the mother of any 6 month old out there in the world we are figuring out the sleeping thing. I think we are getting close. As I mentioned earlier, my pediatrician said that if Gwen is waking in the night it's because of habit and not hunger. His suggestion to me was to let her cry it out and not go in there at all. Well... I wasn't satisfied with that and with all due respect he's not living in my house right now so... I've been researching what I feel is the best solution for Gwen. I've got the "No-cry sleep solution" book on the side table beside me and I've also been reading other things and looking online. What I've come to the conclusion of is that every mother must make decisions for her own baby based on her personality and desires and the child's personality. That's number uno reason I think it really helps to be mature when having a baby. I mean, this job is not for the selfish, ya know? (even though I am sometimes) I remember when I was struggling with breastfeeding in the hospital so much and in came a nurse that said "she is the most laid back baby I've ever seen in my life." If looks could have killed she probably wouldn't be around. I mean, who likes hearing something like that when it's not a viable solution to a problem? Anyway, off the subject... these are the things we are doing with little Gwen. (in case anyone is interested)


* I want Gwen to sleep in the crib. I'm not comfortable with her in the bed with me for several reasons.

* I have been watching her carefully and when she seems tired and rubs her eyes I bring her upstairs and lay her down in the crib awake for naps and for bedtime. I cover her, tell her I love her, and leave the room. Many evenings at around 8pm you can find Ben and I cowering outside of her room whispering to one another and waiting for the silence. She sometimes fusses a little, but usually not an all out war cry. She has gotten better about knowing that her crib is for sleeping.

* I didn't realize it before, but Gwen in technically "sleeping through the night" (longer than a 5 hr stretch) even though she wakes anywhere from 1 to 2 times a night. When she wakes I give her a minute to see if she will go back to sleep and if not I go to her and feed her. I figure she may need some comfort food or something. I'm ok with that as long as she goes back to sleep soon afterward. Sometimes she doesn't fall back asleep directly. I have been recently putting her back in her crib and letting her cry a bit and going back in to reassure her of my faithfulness to her. :)

* Gwen sleeps on her stomach. She always has really. I'm ok with that too. She also sleeps with a blanket on her legs. I'm ok with that too.

* Our nightly routine consists of feeding a solid food to her around dinner time and then she watches Ben play Wii fit or something and then we take her up and give her a warm bath and lotion her up. Then Ben reads several books to her and then she nurses. After she gets burped she gets put into the crib and Ben and I crouch outside her door and peek around the door frame at her. The other night Ben walks in because she is all quiet and he notices in the darkness that she has her eyes open. He bolts out of there like he's been burned by a hot poker! Ha!

* So, in conclusion... I think I'm ok for now. Even though she's waking in the night sometimes, it's not too bad and I think I'm giving her ample opportunity to decide to sleep on through if she wants. I think that time will eventually come.

He Makes Me Laugh

This is a movie of Ben that I took of him without him knowing (at first anyway). He has a very unique way of reading to Gwen.

32

Well... another year older today. It has been a dramatic year for sure. Here are some of my hopes for this year.

My Faith- to learn more of the heart of God, to share my faith in love with others more, to be thankful to the Lord for every experience- good or bad.

My Relationships- to be slower to speak, to be an attentive wife and mother, to make more friends :) I want to slow down and really soak in memories of Gwen growing up. I know it goes by all too fast.

My Health- to take better care of myself for God's Glory

My Finances- pay off our house, start a college fund for Gwen ('cause she's going or else) :)

My Work/and or Service- get R done

Tonight I used one of my Christmas gifts and made little souffle's in my new ramekins. I've never made a souffle before. They were good, but not so good that you'd want to have one every day. (that's a good thing folks)

Speaking of food...here's the meal plan for the week:

moroccan-style chicken stew
enchilada stuffed shells (made tonight)
Ellie Krieger's shepherd's pie
jamaican-style beef stew
spaghetti
black beans, chicken, and cornbread

Conversations in Our House

Here are some conversations that Ben and I have had within the last few days. I hope Gwen grows up to not be too embarrassed by us.

I have been thinking of how to "train" Gwen to sleep through the night. My doctor says to go "cold turkey" and just let her cry without going to her when she wakes up in the night so she can learn to put herself back to sleep. I'm having a hard time with the cold turkey. I asked Ben the other night why they call it "cold turkey." I mean, where did that come from? He said "cause you know that cold turkeys can get off of drugs much better than hot ones."

He asked me yesterday... you know how you call someone who can't see blind and someone who can't hear deaf? Well... what do you call it when someone can't smell? So we had this conversation about if that is possible to not smell. The jury is still out on that one.