Lovin'

He grabbed "his book" and declared "Potty!"

• An all poop in the potty streak
• Zerberts on my belly
• The crockpot
• New recipes to try
• The promise of cream biscuits in the near future
• Humming heaters
• Planning zoo trips
• Christmas lights on the lamp posts
• That giggle
• (Re)Organized tupperware
• Midday text messages
• Planning jobs for my kitchen helper

What are you Lovin'? Don't you have a handful of things that made you pause and smile today?
Go ahead and link your list below. Feel free to title it Lovin'.

Oat Bran Muffins

I am on the hunt for some new muffin recipes.  This one was pretty good, and very easy.  It would have been better with raisins or cranberries but Charlie doesn't like either of those.  I plan on trying a few other oat bran muffin recipes over the next few weeks.

I got this one from allrecipes.com.  (Although I think the recipe on the back of the oat bran box was identical.)  There are lots of suggestions on how to tweak the recipe to your liking but I tried it as written.


Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups oat bran
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chilled applesauce
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Line or grease 12 muffin cups.
3. Blend together brown sugar, oat bran, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. 
4. Add eggs, chilled applesauce, and vegetable oil. 
5. Mix until well-blended. 
6. Spoon batter into muffin cup and let stand 10 minutes.
7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Nutritional info according to allrecipes:  Calories: 182 | Total Fat: 6.4g | Cholesterol: 35mg

I'm really looking for a yummy morning harvest muffin recipe; something that includes carrots, raisins, apples, and maybe zucchini.

21 Months

Motor:

• Jump!  You love jumping and you're getting better about both feet leaving the ground simultaneously.
• You're walking down the stairs now completely unassisted, always right foot first.  Going upstairs, it's always left foot first.
• You're getting better at getting the puzzle pieces in.  You are able to match but sometimes turning those pieces just right is tricky.
• You're starting to show some interest in stacking and building with blocks.  You'll build a few towers, 10-12 blocks high, and then take great pleasure in knocking them over.
• You've just about given up your sip cup.  You've got great control with a cup.

Vocabulary:

• You're just starting to put words together..."more gummies."
• You're beginning to say "please."
• You call your heinie your "bum."

Diet:

• You've been a big eater this week, but other than that you're still pretty picky.
• You consume most, if not all of your calories before nap time.

Appearance:

• You have the longest eyelashes ever.  
• We're seeing 22.5 on the scale pretty regularly.  I need to find a new doctor for you and get some more accurate measurements.
• Your hair is filing in and getting thicker.

Likes:

• Brushing your teeth is probably your favorite activity.  We brush every morning together and then I hear the water running and hear you shouting for toothpaste. 
• You are really into climbing on the chairs and ask to be on the stools.  It's pretty difficult to keep anything out of your reach.
• You love, love, love Bambi.  I love when you get up to dance around the room when the music plays. 
• "Cheese" you tell me when you hold up the camera or the phone to "take a picture."
• You're a football fan.
• You've been giving a lot of raspberries on bellies. You'll come over and lift up my shirt to get to my belly.
• You love coloring with your markers and thankfully you understand this can only happen when you're strapped in your seat.

Dislikes:

• You're not so fond of the big slide at the older kids' play area. I wonder if you're afraid of heights.  You always ask for someone to accompany you to the top and down the slide.

Personality:

• You are so outgoing lately.  you step into the elevator and say "hello" to whoever walks in.  you especially lie to greet the doorman.
• You are so giggly and giddy and dart around the playground finding things to amuse yourself.

Sleep:

• Still sleeping 7-6 and 7-7 some days if I'm lucky!
• You're napping 2.5-3 hours most days, but you have discovered the joys on jumping on the bed and will hang onto the crib rail and jump nonstop for an hour or more before deciding to nap.

Potty:

• You are a potty superstar!
• Every poop goes in the potty, even in a new place you had not problems hoping up on the potty and taking care of business.
• Yesterday you pooped in the potty, hopped off, asked for your diaper back on, and then decided you weren't done.  You went back into the bathroom and put the seat back on and said "more."  Sure enough, you made more.
• You're pooping 2-3 times a day.
• Although you aren't asking to pee on the potty I find your diaper to be dryer and dryer each day and you pee more and more on the potty when you get up there to poop.

Thankgiving

 

Full bellies, fresh out of the bath, and snuggling.  

So thankful.

Notes from the Potty

Reaching to shut the door on me

• There has been only one poopy diaper to be changed in 5 days!  All other deposits have gone in the potty.
• He's mostly been using the big potty with the seat attached but the little potty as seen some action here and there.
• Sometimes he indicates he wants on the potty and sometimes we ask.  His gearing up is pretty obvious.  Either way he sits on the potty, tells us "good bye", and takes care of business.
• He has not been indicating he'd like to pee on the potty until yesterday.  He requested "underwear" instead of a diaper so I obliged.  Twice he released some pee in the undies and then quickly asked to get on the potty and finished the job.  
• Potty training is not easy.  It throws a wrench into everything.  We're travelling this week for Thanksgiving and then again at Christmas so things will certainly be interesting.  I'm not sure I am ready to move to underwear full time but I have a feeling it won't be long before he's completely refusing diapers.
• I sure hope this is it.  But if it's not we'll slip back into diapers and wait again.

Cream biscuits

Charlie makes these.  And I love them.  So does Freddie.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups self rising flour (White Lily flour preferred)*
• 1.5 cups heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Combine flour and cream in a bowl.
3. Stir until it becomes a sticky ball.
4. On a floured surface knead lightly until dough comes together.  (about 3 times)
5. Pat dough to about 1/2 inch thick.
6. Cut biscuits with a 2.5 inch round (or heart shaped!) cutter.
7. Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.

**Note: There's just something nice about White Lily flour.  We didn't use any today though.  We also don't use self rising flour either but rather mix our own using 1.5 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt per cup of all purpose flour.

Love him!  Love him even more baking biscuits.

Central Park Zoo

NYC skyline surrounds the zoo

Saturday morning was spent at the Central Park Zoo. It's one stop away from us on the F train on the east side of Central Park.  We've walked by several times but decided to check things out this weekend.

We went ahead and got a membership, but admission is $12 for adults and $7 for kids.

The zoo is tiny.  I mean tiny!  I could probably count the number of exhibits on my fingers.  There aren't any lions or tigers or elephants.  But they did have some very active sea lions.

Freddie could have sat and watched them, and the other kids, all day.

The polar bears were also pretty busy playing and swimming.

Big polar bear

I liked how the exhibits were designed to allow viewing from Freddie level with the enclosures being plexiglass.  He could have had a great view even in the stroller.

Checking out some little monkeys

Freddie was tickled by everything and loved checking everything out.  He walked (and wore himself out) all over and thankfully seemed to have no problems following our lead and instructions. We didn't make it to see the "tropic zone" or to the children's (petting) zoo.  So I suppose for being on the small size it's just the right sized for what we need.

Hooting at an owl

 We had a quick lunch in the cafe before heading home on the train.

The three of us really enjoyed the morning.  It was pretty perfect.

6 years ago today..

 

...Charlie joined Team E-Wee.  Best day ever.
 
Well, last year it was slideshows and pop up cards.  This year...well, there weren't any cards or diamond earrings or fancy dinners, but I can't complain.  There were flowers and sleeping late and breakfast together and a long morning in the park.  Just another day for Team E-Wee.

I've got everything I want.  Each day is filled with smiles and laughter and kisses and love.  *I have all I've ever wanted*.  Thank you for sharing this life with me.  Happy Anniversary.

By the way, Freddie and I have been watching this slideshow each day for the past week.  We are certainly Better Together and getting better and better each and every day.

Together Time

Charlie touched up my roots, honing his coloring skills in case science doesn't work out, and we watched our "shows."  (I couldn't stay awake for the football game.  Damn eastern time zone 8.30pm start time.)

*Side note:  I got the formula from my hair dresser before we left NOLA.  $25 got me enough color for an all over cover and a root touch up.  Yay!  There was also a little internet research, some youtube viewing, and husband convincing as well, but so worth it!  It's a savings of at least $200, and I get some QT with Charlie.

Brussels Sprouts

I've owned a home, had a job, and am raising a kid, but for some reason cooking brussels sprouts is what is making me feel grown up these days.  Charlie loves them, so I guess he's grown up too.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb brussels sprouts
• 3 slices bacon
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 toe garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Trim stems on sprouts and remove loose leaves.
2.  Cut large sprouts in half, small sprouts remain whole.  I tried to select all tiny sprouts but I still cut most of them in half.
3. Blanche sprouts for a few minutes.  I don't think this was entirely necessary, but I think it helped them keep their color.
4. Chop bacon and cook in skillet.
5. Add shallot and garlic and cook for a minute or two.
6. Add sprouts and saute until tender.  (I suppose you could remove the bacon fat and use olive oil.)
7. Salt and pepper to taste.

The Tree

The tree has arrived at Rockefeller Center. 

 Can you see all the branches that have been trimmed off?  Charlie seems pretty pleased he won't be taking a chainsaw to a trunk this year to make sure it fits in the stand. 

 

Freddie and I may make a trip to see it getting decorated this week and watch the ice skaters. 

And I am also thinking watching the lighting on November 30th is going to be a must do event....bundled up next to the other 1 million folks with the same idea. 

Part Deux Update

At 7 weeks 4 days:

Blood pressure: 110/60
Pulse:  68
Weight gain: +0 (Starting point was 131 on doctor's scale, with clothes)
PD heart rate: 163 bpm
PD CRL (crown rump length): measured twice: 7w2d &7w3d
Vaccinations:  flu/H1N1 combo for Mama

I finally got to meet Dr. H, my new Ob.  He's no Dr. M, but he's good, very good.  I was pleasantly surprised because I had visions of not finding anyone who met my expectations.  I'm picky.  I want good care, and I want it with a smile.  Dr. H is just the man for that.

Dr. H went through all of the dos and don'ts of pregnancy even though he knew I'd certainly heard it all before.  He also took a great amount of time to explain the ultrasound images, even pointing out the movement on the screen when he pushed on my belly.  He answered my questions and asked lots of questions about us, and wrote everything down.

It felt so good to see that little flicker on the screen.  It'll be a long wait until the next appointment and ultrasound.

Next Appointment:  12 week check on December 13th, Nuchal scan on December 13th

Lovin'

• Nightly hot chocolate ala Charlie
• Wool socks
• Footed pajamas
• Leftovers
• Dum dums 
• Family hugs
• Sunny mornings
• Airline reservations
• Treadmill time
• Organized closet
• Costco
• Library books

Football Fanatic

Sorry about the size, recorded with iphone camera

The apple doesn't fall far, people.  And this is just a *small* sampling.  Keep in mind that football is on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night at our house.

Sick Mama

Heading out for a bike ride

• Adventures with Dada
• Couch time
• Sleeping late
• Charlie in the kitchen
• Pajama days
• Being tucked in
• Cartoons and cuddling
• Naps
• Sprites and Shirley Temples
• Marathon viewing from the couch
• Tylenol PM
• Daddy diaper duty
• Hot chocolate delivered
• Heaters cranked up and no one complained
• Wonton soup

First Ultrasound

Part Deux was there, just one, and measuring 6weeks.  That's about 5 days behind according to LMP.   This bothers me some, but honestly the tech wasn't very thorough.  She measured only once.  Heart rate was 114 bpm.

Ultrasound technician couldn't find any source of bleeding, nor could the doctor who reviewed the images before we left. 

First prenatal appointment on Thursday.

Grow, baby, grow.

Bleeding

The bleeding continues and continues and continues.

I called the doctor and requested some care prior to my 11.11.10 prenatal appointment. 

They're going to monitor my hcg betas.  Labwork today and Friday.

UPDATED:  I expected the hcg to come back between 10K-20K....it's 71, 897.  Nurse is sending me straight for an ultrasound on Friday.  No repeat beta.  Those numbers sound crazy high and make me a bit concerned.

Sleeping Beauty

Typical sleeping position with Tigey

I wonder if I will ever not creep into his room at nap and nighttime...for just one look.

Saturday in the park

 

We seem to come here often on the weekends.  It's just one stop subway away.  I'm thankful for the greens and reds, oranges and yellows.

 

There are always street performers.    The music on the street is certainly something I'm thankful for.

As much as we'd like to escape the crowd sometimes, I'm thankful for the people watching.

And thankful for our weekends together.