Teething

This morning and yesterday morning Guy woke up way too early. In fact, yesterday from 4-6 am we were sharing quality time that I'd just rather not have (as much as I do love him). I've wondered about teething in the past, just waiting for his next 2 bottom teeth to come in. Yesterday I learned he's out of order (thanks to my wonderful dental hygienist visiting teacher who watched him for a couple of hours yesterday) - his top two (3rd and 4th top ones) are breaking through together, poor kid.

I'm alleviating the pain how I can, with teething tablets, orajel, and tylenol, but I think Guy prefers this . . .

Kitchen Time

Sometimes when I'm cooking or cleaning in the kitchen Guy is all over the place--it's so hard to keep him contained/occupied. He doesn't like being in his little chair for all of that time, so he'll fuss about it. And while sometimes he gets to deal with doing things he doesn't like, I've found a great way to not make this one a battle.
Thank you, booster seat strap, you're awesome.

jello

Last weekend I thought it would be fun to make some jello jigglers for Guy. I remember loving them when I was younger. He did okay with it, actually eating that whole piece.Still not quite sure how he managed this in the process, though--this stain was on his leg for a couple days.
. . . next time I'm definitely not doing red. :)

Killer Salsa

I got a salsa recipe from my sister-in-law, Sara, when we were visiting her family. I've never made salsa before, but this gave me inspiration to try. Last night Rob and I had dinner with some friends, so I made it, and it was a huge hit. I could have eaten all of it myself, it really is fabulous. So, here goes, from Sara:

3 med sized tomatoes

2 scallions, finely minced

2 medium cloves garlic

handful of parsley

handful of cilantro

1 tsp lightly toasted cumin seeds (or I use 1/4 tsp cumin)

3/4 -1 tsp salt

1 T cider vinegar

1T lime juice

1 T olive oil

crushed red pepper, to taste

(I use the cuisinart and just throw it all in there)

What I learned: I don't have a big food processor so I used a smaller one in 2 batches, and the tomatoes probably got a little too small, but it was still okay. I used the minced garlic from a jar (Rob got fresh garlic from the store yesterday, but when I opened it up, it wasn't so fresh) and if I needed to do that again, I'd probably add a little more because I don't think it's as strong as fresh garlic. Also, I didn't have cilantro seeds, so I just threw in more fresh cilantro. Lastly, I used fresh squeezed lime and if I do that again, I'll probably use a little bit less than I did because that fresh lime was really strong (I love that flavor, but Rob--not so much).

Try it out, you'll LOVE it!

Photos of Guy

Yesterday it was warm enough to go outside and let Guy wander around a little bit. I tried getting him to pay enough attention to me to smile some, but wasn't very successful with him especially while he was facing the right direction (in the good lighting)--he was all over the place. It was still fun to take some photos of him.

:)

Statistics for Thought

Getting my grad degree in communications gave me lots of opportunity to study media theory and effects. As a result, I recognized some of the effects that come from media use such as watching television. Now as a new mom, I think it's more important to figure out how I'm going to monitor my kids' viewing habits. When we visited my brother's family recently, I liked how much TV they didn't watch - and I liked that they Netflix Rocky and Bullwinkle episodes for Saturday morning viewing pleasure.

This week I'm teaching the Television chapter of Comms 101. Here are some statistics I found while preparing that again make me think, so I thought I'd share them:

-Hours per day that TV is on in an average US home: 7 hours, 12 minutes
-Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
-Number of videos rented daily in the US: 6 million
-Number of public library items checked out daily: 3 million
-Chance that an American falls asleep with the TV on at least three nights a week: 1 in 4 (I'm embarrassed to admit I significantly up that statistic)
-Average number of hours per week that American one year-old children watch television: 6
-Number of hours/week recommended by the American Pediatric Association for children two and under: 0
-Percentage of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time with their fathers, preferred television: 54
-Percentage of teenagers who can name the city where the US Constitution was written (Philadelphia): 25
-Percentage of teenagers who know where you find the zip code 90210 (Beverly Hills): 75
-Percentage of “educational” TV that has little or no educational value: 21
-Number of violent acts the average American child sees on TV by age 18: 200,000
-Number of murders witnessed by children on television by the age 18: 16,000
-Number of ads aired for “junk-food” during four hours of Saturday morning cartoons: 202
-Percentage of Americans who can name The Three Stooges: 59
-Percentage of Americans who can name three Supreme Court Justices: 17

Here's a link to there are more statistics just like these: http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/parenting/pa0025.html

My favorite quick meal

First a winner recipe that takes a little more time, but is worth it sometimes, too.

Chicken Parmesan with a wonderful red sauce

Marinara Sauce:

1 T olive oil
1-2 cloves minced garlic
1 14 oz can tomato sauce
1 14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 t dried basil
½ t dried oregano
½ t salt
Pepper to taste
sugar (white or brown) to taste (neutralizes the acidic tomatoes)-works wonders!

Heat oil over low heat, add the garlic, saute for about a 30 seconds (don’t let the garlic brown). Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and spices. Simmer for 20-30 minutes while preparing the chicken.

8 or so chicken tenders
1 ½ T olive oil
1 t dried rosemary
1t dried thyme
½ t salt
¼ t pepper

½ c mozzarella cheese
¼ c parmesan cheese

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Mix olive oil and seasonings. Brush one side of the tenders with the oil mixture. Place in hot pan, oil side down. Brush oil on the top of the tenders while they brown, then flip them. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on each side until done.

Heat the oven to 450. Pour the marinara sauce over the chicken . Top each tender with about a tablespoon of mozzarella and a teaspoon of parmesan cheese. Bake for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is brown and bubbly.

I love this meal! We had this recipe for the first time the night we brought Guy home from the hospital thanks to my visiting teachers. Granted, everything tastes better than hospital food, but really, that meal was wonderful.

SIMPLIFIED

Now we always keep the canned tomatoes and sauce in the house, and I cook this meal sometimes as often as once a week. While simplifying, I made it healthier, too (cut out the chees). Usually now I just put the herbs that would go on the chicken (rosemary and thyme) in the red sauce. Then I grill the chicken, cut it up, and throw it into the sauce--used to top whole wheat pasta. It takes about 25 minutes to throw it all together (just about as long as it takes water to boil then cook the noodles). Enjoy!

work, work, work! when do we play?

Holy cow, between the usual seemingly 80 hours it takes to prep for class (okay, it's probably only 25 per week, and I'm not kidding about that) and the insanity of the rest of the normal life happenings, I feel like I can't get done with anything. What better time to make goals, right? Or at least just one.

Two weeks ago Rob and I took the second road trip ever (together). I know, we haven't gotten out much in the last three years. He hates vacations. Our first was to Toronto the first Easter after we were married, and I had to pull teeth to get there. Okay, really I just said, "It's fine if you don't want to go, but I do. So if you don't want to, I'll find a friend or go by myself, I really want to go." Good thing he didn't call my bluff. Toronto was fun, but it was COLD.

This last trip we went to Mesa and hung out with my brother's family (mostly my sis-in-law and the kids, he's SO busy all the time), and it was a great time. I loved the 70-75 degree highs, and it was a fun time.

While I got smarter by going warmer, a 10+ hour one way drive is hard--especially on Guy (he was a champ, both ways, thankfully!). In his whole life, Rob's never been to Vegas. I want to show him around places I was surrounded by in my youth - like Red Rock and even the Strip (everyone should see it at least once, right?).

Between the job hunting, interviewing, class teaching, church responsibilities, and finding time to eat (yes, that's been a problem of late - I never would have thought), we WILL get to Vegas soon . . . I hope.

There's nothing like

cuddling up with a good book after a tremendously long day (after four hours of sleep the night before) to read for two hours before Rob gets home. That is, unless I fall asleep while reading. That would be pretty good, too. What crazy person besides me decides that in the middle of teaching a college course would be a good time to get re-hooked to Mary Higgins Clark? I read one on our road trip down to AZ last weekend, and now I'm a good way into a second. Tonight I should start prepping for my next lecture, but I'm not.

a

At least today's lecture went superbly well, whew! Good thing I have four days until the next one.

a

And yea for sleeping babies - especially this one. I'm kind of loving black and white, and will probably be posting more. :)

Do you ever . . . ?

Teaching this semester has been really enjoyable. I've felt pretty confident and enjoyed lots of different aspects. Until this week, I had lots of positives to share, and just positives, with the exception of how long it takes to prepare. Then there was Tuesday.

a

As recommended, I did a mid-course evaluation. Out of the 80 people that were in class that day, 17 reviews were flattering and complimentary ("love this class" type), most were pretty neutral and fine, but then there were a few (5 or 6) that weren't so nice (making it clear that they don't like the class). A couple were just rude and nit picky, actually.

a

So with the range and the proportions, why is it that I chose to focus on the smallest portion - the discontent? Three days later and I'm doing much better with it, but I still haven't completely let it go. It even really bugs me that I'm that irritated, and I wish I could just stop having thoughts about it come to mind. I'm on vacation and I'm kind of having a hard time taking a vacation from my problems. :(

He's One! . . . happy birthday Guy!

I can't believe how fast this year has gone! What a joy it's been to be a mom. Maybe because it's our first, or maybe because I have a super new camera, or maybe it's because I just love documenting all of it, but here are many photos of Guy's first birthday.

Starting with the top of his own little cake.Of course, sometimes we wonder--why bother getting gifts? . . . wouldn't the paper and wrapping suffice? He loved playing with just the ribbons early this morning (starting too early at 6 am).His first experience with helium balloons - loves them.
Except when he got stuck in the ribbons a few times (or more).

This morning he got to "talk" to Rob's folks on Skype (and his aunt and uncle on Rob's side on the phone)- and even open his present from them while they watched. Isn't technology great? More of his little cake - I was pleased with how it turned out. I bought a star candle, but you can't even tell . . . oh well.A little timid at first.


Starting in. Getting dirty, and overwhelmed by the 14 people watching, I think.

Getting into it more You took it away? . . . but why? I like throwing it on the floor. The "before" on the cake everyone else ate.

And the "after"--it was SOOO good! I did ganache for the first time. Then whipped the rest and piped it on. He always loves playing with his cousins.And Eden.Playing with new toys.Opening presents - he got way more into it this time (as opposed to Christmas).
And playing on one of his new toys.
What a year! But more on that later, maybe.