Childbirth v. Kidney Stone

In terms of pain, I'm pretty dang sure that the kidney stone wins. Funny that I was talking about that with my parents one day not too long ago. Since I had experienced both but was remembering the pain of the kidney stone of December '00 more than the pain of childbirth I'd say the stone is worse (of course, that could just be because there's no overwhelming joy and celebration overshadowing all else when you pass a stone). And although I got an epidural, I'll choose to remind you now that the needle was in for over an hour before it was hooked up to the juice that numbs you. That wasn't fun at all as I felt labor pains and the needle in my back with almost every move.

However . . . I did get an epidural, and it did end up working. Right now I don't even have the option for an epidural, and I really wish I could sign up for one. After my first encounter with the stones I started drinking water like it's going out of style because dehydration is one of the known causes of kidney stones--actually it may be the only known cause.

Looks like all my water drinking didn't help.

I learned a new word today--Idiopathic. The Dr. told me it's a fancy word for unknown. Used in a sentence: Most causes of kidney stones are idiopathic. Lovely, isn't it? For some reason I already find myself disliking that word in tremendous ways.

The suggested remedy after this kidney stone diagnosis: Come back in two days for xrays . . . if it still hurts.

I love that I had to pay for that.
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. . . An extra big thanks to Eden and Dad today - Eden came and got Guy today so that I could do the drs visit and lab work without dragging Guy everywhere. Thanks Eden! And thanks Dad, for waiting for her.

Early Father's Day

Well, Saturday I'll be working all day, and Rob is always off on Friday, so the only time I could do any sort of surprise for him for Father's Day was yesterday. So I spent all day in the kitchen (and amazingly - didn't eat ANY part of the treats) yesterday, and this is what I made:

This hamburger and fries is dessert - made out of a cupcake, brownie, and sugar cookie fries - with some dyed frosting for the hamburger toppings.

I copied the idea - after my friend Maddie told me about a a fun blog called Bakerella (bakerella.blogspot.com). I looked it up, and since then, I've spent a LONG TIME salivating. The site is basically all food art, and I love it! This idea even came with a pdf to download to print out the food tray, the tissue paper, and the fry holder - I already had all the different kinds of paper (from all my art years at BYU), and crazy enough, I also had all the mixes to make this stuff, so I didn't even have to go to the store to get a thing - it was the best kind of project for me. She did use sesame seeds for the bun--I skipped those because I didn't have them.

Bakerella has all sorts of fancy stuff that she uses (gradiated circles for cutting is the first thing that comes to mind), and I'd love to have and use fun stuff, but I don't have the budget to spend $ in that way right now, so I found things around the kitchen that worked (like the top of a can of spray oil for the perfect brownie size).

Honestly, I knew it wouldn't be the best tasting dessert I've ever made (I used all mixes to hugely cut down time), but it was really fun, and I think it looks pretty neat.

What We've Been Up To

It's been a little while, so I'm finally updating a little. Though I did share my favorite bread recipe for the sake of breaking up what could seem monotonous to others (aka photos of Guy).

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So, lately we've been learning that one finger in Guy's mouth isn't enough (he does this feeding, too - but we don't take photos of that). . .. . .we've been taking lots and lots of photos . . . . . . hoping to find the PERFECT one . . .

. . . spending some quality time on dad's feet . . .

. . . taking many many walks (yes, sometimes sans clothing) . . .

. . . deciding which superhero Guy should be for Halloween *. . .

. . . and learning how to fly.

Oh yeah, AND enjoying EVERY roll on this little boy - they (the rolls) are so cute on babies - I love 'em!

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* That "mask" is actually the cover up he had under the bililamps right after he was born - Rob amazes me with what he can do with a pair of scissors and a Sharpie. :)

My favorite bread

Well, one of my favorites (I'm a bread lover!) . . . it's wonderful on it's own, or cut into squares then sliced through the middle for sandwiches - either a great vegetarian one with sprouts, tomatoes, avacado (for those of you who like it), cucumber, lettuce, etc. or with a little deli meat and cheese added to all that good stuff, too. Either way I make the sandwich, I top it off with Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinegar Dressing - my very favorite dressing.

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Rosemary Focaccia Bread

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2 c water

1 Tbsp yeast

1 Tbsp sugar

1/3 c freshly chopped rosemary

3 minced garlic cloves

1/4 c extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp freshly cracked pepper

5 cups flour

2 tsp salt

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For the top:

extra virgin olive oil

kosher salt

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1 - In a large mixing bowl combine water, yeast, sugar, freshly chopped rosemary, garlic, olive oil, pepper, and 3 cups of flour. Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

2 - Add the salt and enough of the remaining flour to pull the mixture together into a soft dough. Knead for 5 minutes.

3 - Spray a large bowl with olive oil

4 - Shape dough into a round and place in the bowl tha thas been sprayed with olive oil.

5 - Spray the top of the bread with olive oil and cover with plastic wrap. Allow bread to double in size (About 1.5 hrs).

6 - Once bread has doubled in size, remove from bowl and place on a counter top. Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes.

7 - Spread dough into a well-oiled cookie sheet - dimpling it with your fingers

8 - Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt

9 - Allow bread dough to double in size again.

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Bake @ 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

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**This recipe actually came as a hearth bread recipe, if that's your preference, use steps 1-6 and follow these:

7 - Divide dough into 2 equal portions

8 - Shape each portion of dough into rounds and place on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

9 - Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle each top with kosher salt.

10 - Allow bread dough to double in size.

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Bake @ 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

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I could REALLY use a rosemary plant of my own.