Trick or Treat!

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Are you the type that digs in and gets your hands dirty or no thank you I don't want that under my fingernails?

I love to run my fingers through wonderful smelling, soft earth. (Locally ours is like clay so it needs a bit of amending to get to that nice soft dirt that I remember from childhood.) With finger paints I'm not so fond of them getting under my nails but I do have fun doing it and getting messy. So yes, I'll get my hands dirty, how about you?

He recently received a book that he loves to read that has mud pies in it...you can guess what we were doing in the pictures!

Wonderful Service!

If any of you are considering ordering custom cards I would highly recommend checking out weelittledesigns.com. The owner Jamie blogs at all things avery and her daughter is just the cutest thing ever.

Last Saturday I finally went through our pictures to pick some for our little one's birth announcement. The hardest part was deciding on one design because I loved so many. We ended up choosing the Mia birth announcement and it is just perfect.

I don't want for forget to mention that as I said I ordered last Saturday and I had proofs in my inbox on Sunday afternoon AND the finished prints are sitting in front of me right now. I am just so thrilled with the service I received from Jamie, the quality of her work is impeccable!

Thanks!!!

Little Giggle!

Finding time to fit in exercise with a wee one is trying. I've been able to go for a couple of walks this week but I need to fit in some toning exercises. Since we were all playing on the floor earlier I thought I'd take the opportunity to squeeze in a few minutes of abs and buns pilates exercises.

Soon I find myself on my back, knees bent doing shoulder bridges lifting the two kids sitting on my lower abdomen, talk about a work out! And what wonderful motivation my sweet daughter and son were. My son was laughing and my wee one was all smiles and even let out her first giggles!!! We tried to recreate it for the video camera tonight and got the smiles but no giggles. My buns are already sore and even still I may do more tomorrow!

Sending prayers to all my family and friends in Southern California. I've heard that much of San Diego County has been evacuated or is on alert. My hubby and I lived in San Diego for 6 years and the last large fires there came within a mile of our home so we can relate. But these fires are exponentially worse and we pray for those families who have lost their homes and hope they can find comfort and pray that God will keep the firefighters and residents safe in his hands.

We have plans to spend the Thanksgiving holiday next month with my Aunt and Uncle and other relatives who live in San Diego - you are all in our thoughts and prayers!

UPDATED:While we're on the prayer subject, please pray for my blogging buddy Lisa, she just had her baby girl! There are some complications so keep her in your prayers too!

If you have a minute

Please join me in telling the EPA to reverse it's approval of methyl iodide . It is to be used as a fumigant pest control by farmers and despite more than 50 scientists opposition (including 5 Nobel laureates in chemistry) the EPA approved the use of it. Fumigants are some of the most potentially dangerous pesticides in use because the toxic gas can evaporate from the soil, exposing farmworkers and drifting into neighborhoods. Studies have shown permanent nervous system damage, miscarriages, and thyroid tumors.

It would be used primarily on strawberry fields and the scientists, mostly chemists, warned that "pregnant women and the fetus, children, the elderly, farmworkers and other people living near application sites would be at serious risk." There is plenty of info on the link above - let's ask the EPA to help farmers find healthier more sustainable ways to fight crop pests and diseases.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Thanks for your comments and support! I just pampered myself with a long shower while my Mom took care of the babe and my Dad took my 3 year old to the park. What a difference from my typical 3-5 minute shower with the door open and curtain cracked. Shaved and exfoliated, I feel wonderfully human!!

I plan to go out with a couple friends on Thursday, with the baby of course, but adult conversation will be nice. Yesterday I remembered that I used to take baths every once in awhile with my son as a baby. It was fun bonding time and water is just so soothing for me. I'm scheduling one of these baths with my baby about once a week from now on and hopefully these little things will help maintain my sanity!

It must be normal?!?!?!

I love my kids with all my heart but I'm feeling overwhelmed and like I need a break. I cried when I said it out loud to my hubby today who said that it was normal to feel like I needed a break and understandable. For some reason I feel like a bad Mom if I admit that I need some time to myself.

So tell me, what are some ways that you find time to rejuvenate in your life??? My parents are passing through tomorrow so I'm hoping to get a bath in or something.

The Little Stuff Counts

Today is blog action day and the theme for this year is the environment. I must admit that lately I've been tired and some weeks I just don't want to sort my recyclables. Then I look at the reasons I'm tired and remember that I want them to be able to enjoy the Earth too. So I drag myself out to the garage for five minutes of sorting on trash day and my paper, cardboard, plastic and metals all get sorted. Glass I save up in a box and take to my local recycling center since they don't pick it up.

Americans waste enough wood and paper to heat 50,000,000 homes for 20 years!

What I've been trying to figure out is how to convey the message of reduce, reuse, and recycle to my three year old. He knows where the paper bags for recycling are in the pantry. He sees me sorting, using reusable shopping bags, taking the few plastic bags we do get back to the store to be recycled, vermicomposting, buying used items so as not to let good things go to waste. Still I really didn't know how to convey to him the beauty of our planet that is God's gift to us.

It takes 200-500 years for an aluminum can to decompose!

Then I realized that it is in all these little things that he will see the bigger picture. By exposing our kids to the wonders of nature; collecting fall leaves, planting seeds, picking noxious weeds, smelling flowers and sitting in the shade of a huge tree watching squirrels all help kids learn about the beauty of what we've been given. I think it's important for little people to see that even though they are small, they too can make a difference.

We could save about 555,556 trees every Sunday if we recycled all our newspapers!

I was reading an article in the Dr's office a couple of months ago about how to get your kids to go green and there was a wonderful idea that we are having fun with. It spoke of a family that had a basket were they kept scraps of paper, cardboard, bits of broken toys, fabric. or yarn. Anything that can't be used by itself and they look through it when they have crafts or art projects. Since my son is into gluing lately we've been doing this and it's great, he doesn't really care what he's gluing or making and I don't have to buy any extra supplies, it's all stuff that would have ended up in the landfill already!

It takes about 450 years for a plastic 6-pack cover to decompose!

When I look at all these little things individually it's easy to think "Nothing I can do will actually make a difference." In reality though if you add it all together these little efforts our children see us making by using cloth diapers or even less paper towels by using washable cloths and dish towels in the kitchen, it all matters. Our grandchildren just might thank us one day that we took responsibility for our gift.

Happy Two Months Baby Girl

Updated to add this picture of you at two months:

Today you are two months old, it's hard to believe that time goes so quickly. You have brought such amazing joy to our lives and are a wonderful addition to our family. You are a champion nurser, at 3 weeks old you were 10 pounds 2 ounces and at 7 weeks you already weighed 12 and a half pounds now you are 23 and a half inches long. Plus Mommy's back below pre-pregnancy weight - thanks to you!!

Your smiles are like the stars in the night. Your big brother loves to kiss and hug you and make you smile. He'll make silly faces at you and you smirk at him.

Your eyes are a deep ocean blue and your hair a soft and sandy brown with a hint of strawberries. You radiate a beautiful chubbiness that is oh so kissable and squeezable. You have the interesting talent of being able to burp without coming unlatched and you already play the "other cheek" kissing game with Mommy and Daddy.

I love the way your hair stands up when it's newly washed and your ruby red lips as thy suckle. There's just nothing cuter than a nursing babe and you are adorable.

Daddy and I just couldn't be happier that God chose you and your brother for our children. Seeing and loving you is evidence of God and his love. From your tiny toes to your perfect ears and button nose we love every bit of you. Beautiful Girl.

Top picture: 1 day old. Bottom on your baptism day at 7 weeks 5 days old wearing an 84 year old dress. The dress was made by your Great, Great, Great Grandmother for your Great Grandmother who wore it first. Your Granny and Mommy also were baptized in it as well as many Aunts and Cousins too.

New Recipes for us this Fall

Recently Adam asked me to make taco's for dinner. Now if you haven't guessed by now, I'm not into buying those little spice packages that have a million extra ingredients in them, so we never eat tacos or sloppy joes. That's all changed now... these recipes are quick and easy and I've got two more dinners to rotate in with normal stuff this Fall! Why didn't I think of this sooner!

Taco Seasonings

I just eyeballed the amounts - and you could adjust the spiciness to taste, it's fairly mild on the heat.

• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp each salt and black pepper (I used less)

In a small bowl mix all ingredients together and add to saute pan with ground beef or chicken. Can be stored in an airtight container. I find it's enough to season 1 - 1 1/2 pounds of meat or so.

Super Sloppy Joes (from Rachel Ray - 30 minute Queen)

• 1 Tblspn extra virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp to 1 tblspn steak seasoning blend
• 1 mediun onion, chopped
• 1 small bell pepper chopped
• 1 tblspn red wine vinegar
• 1 tblspn Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 2 Tblspns tomato paste
• 4 crusty rolls split, toasted and lightly buttered

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and meat to the pan. While meat is browning combine brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the meat has browned add onion and red peppers. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions, peppers , red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce with meat for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and paste and stir to combine. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes longer. Spoon onto rolls and serve. (I just made homemade biscuits and we spooned them over those.

I love my hubby

Yes, that's what a pound and a half of carob chips looks like. To give him credit, the list specified a years supply!!!! I really am so very grateful that you are willing to go shopping for me honey, Thanks!

Blog Action Day

October 15th is Blog Action Day. Each blogger will post about the environment in their own way in relation to their own blog. I already had a couple environment related posts up my sleeve for a rainy day so I'm getting them ready! If you feel moved to participate visit the web page for more info.

Tender moments

Eight days old.

Thanks Ashlee!!!

My wonderful blogging buddy Ashlee who blogs at Mama's Nest and is the owner of Nest sent me a sling! I've used it every day since receiving it on Friday, it's my first adjustable sling and I love it! Plus I love the fabric, it's very well made and I think more stylish than my wardrobe!

It is so easy to put it on quickly even just to do one small task, with other carriers if I'm going to put it on it's not really worth it if I'm just taking out the garbage before I change her diaper. This one I just plop her in and we're ready to go. Like my son, she doesn't like any of the horizontal positions, just upright which is fine with me. I have figured out how to nurse in it but I still have to hold her with one hand. I think I may go to my local La Leche League meeting on Thursday because I know it's possible to nurse hands free so hopefully someone will be able to give some advice. For now, it's nice to have to take a break to sit and nurse but soon it will be nice to be able to nurse on the go.

I also LOVE the tail of the sling, it comes in really handy for shielding the sun out of her eyes and covering up while nursing or when she's asleep.

If you need encouragement on why it's good to wear your baby Ashlee's got a great list here. My favorites are *Carrying infants lowers the level of stress hormones and adrenalin circulating in the blood stream of the infant, as well as the parent/caregiver. *Continuously carried infants actually initiate separation faster and become more emotionally self-reliant. *Babies who are carried have a lower mortality rate than infants who are denied this constant contact. - Well there are just too many to list here!!!! Thanks again Ashlee!!!!

More Three Year Old Speak

The other morning while we were cuddling in bed making baby sister smile (my son gets the biggest smiles from her) he says:

Mommy she's the cutest ever, ever, ever come out your belly!

The struggle to be consistent

Since we moved I've had a hard time getting my son to pick up his toys. I started to reread Toddler Love and Logic and a couple weeks ago got a bit more serious. Giving my son choice until I was blue in the face. ME: "Would you like to put your left shoe on first or your right?" HIM: I want to play with my trains ME:Well that wasn't an option, let's do the left.... ME: "Bath or shower?, Would you like to leave now or in 5 minutes? Spoon or fork, bowl or plate, red or orange, la, la, la...."

Things seemed to be looking up again (remember to stay consistent Mom and Dad!) except on the toy front. Oh, I thought I had done what they said in the book: if they won't pick up their toys give them a choice of them doing it or you. Then Mom and/or Dad put it up. I had done that with a handful of toys but it never seemed like he missed them. One day a couple weeks ago after his quiet time in his bed room toys were EVERYWHERE. I said OK buddy, you may come downstairs for a snack after all your toys are picked up. He looked at me and said "No, you can do it."

I stood there about ready to go ballistic and then thought - you are messing with the wrong Mama kiddo. Took him downstairs and I went back up and picked up EVERY toy in his room and put them up on the top shelves of closets. I had no mercy except that his night time cuddle guys were on his bed and not part of the mess so I left them.

He was upset when he saw his very empty room later that afternoon. I showed empathy, I consoled him. I asked if he wanted them back tomorrow or the next day. He said the next day and I held him to that even though I really don't think he got that it was longer without the toys. Ever since those toys have been back picking up a room has never been so easy, nor has my 3 year old ever been so willing.

Unfortunately the lesson didn't carry over to downstairs and currently all the downstairs toys are in the garage or up high as well - this morning when he say the empty shelves he did choose getting them back tomorrow instead of the next day. It's just reassuring that when I don't mess it up, this Love and logic stuff really works!

Presto!

The other day my son was playing at my feet while I was nursing. My daughter popped off and burped to which my son said, "Excuse you Daddy."

His new favorite TV show is Super Why! and now he says "Presto" all the time. The other morning it was raining and he asked to play outside in the rain. I said as long as he got dressed in something warm it would be okay (it was more of a drizzle at the time). Then he said something to the effect of, "No it's raining outside." I said yup it was. He replied with, "Oh, it's raining outside. How are we going to do? Super readers!!!!" I was rolling on the floor. Then I had to bring up the fact that God is the only one over the weather - and we started to sing "God is over, over, over the wind and waves."

Freeloadin' and lovin' it!

One week old in a carrier made by a good friend of mine. (If she ever wants to sell them I'll let you all know!) : The only way dinner gets made (one monyh old):

It's not so bad being awoken during the night to find...

These were taken last week and the baby acne is almost all gone now!!!

So....

Last evening I realized that one nursing pad was missing. (Not the disposable kind - the washable ones). By the way I nursed in public places - one of which was church!!!! Yikes!