Best Family Blog

Spring Has Sprung

2009-03-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

Sometime last winter I began planning my spring garden. But not just a garden, a potager. For those of you not familiar with this somewhat obscure French term, a potager (pronounced pot-ah-jay) is a kitchen garden. Oh, but not just a kitchen garden. A potager combines vegetables, herbs, flowers and design into a harmonious, beautiful and useful landscape.

Here was the original plan (try not to laugh until you get to the end...) I was going to cut out a 18-by-10 foot section of our back lawn to "start small". I spent hours online researching purveyors of topsoil, cursing the whole time that I actually had to buy Dirt. Dirt cheap it's not. Especially when you add delivery fees.

I bought a selection of vegetable, herb and flower seeds. The whole time restraining my self not to order an "unreasonable" amount. I then researched Martha Stewart and the Farmer's Almanac to determine when and where to best sow my seeds. I built a calendar and everything.

All was going according to plan until it came time to actually start some seeds. Being cheap, and not wanting to spend an "unreasonable" amount of money on my potager experiment, I had the great idea to start my seeds in egg cartons. I planted onions, leek, chives and delphiniums in neat little egg carton rows. It was a horrible idea. Oh sure, the seeds sprouted. Then it came time to prepare the house for my son's first birthday party. I put the seeds on the back patio for the day...And completely forgot about them. Also, egg cartons are really shoddy pots. Next year I will spring for a bunch of 49-cent terra cotta pots. Hindsight = 20/20.

Next I was supposed to sow tomatoes, eggplant and basil. That never happened. I never even found eggplant seeds anywhere. My tomato and basil seeds are still in the garage.

Next I was supposed to Direct Sow my peas and sweet peas and buy a trellis. Never happened. Noticing a trend?

I've since scaled back my potager dreams. I'm now thinking "start smaller." Maybe some potted vegetables and a nice herb garden? Then I can gradually build year-after-year. I will track my progress here and soon will post some "Before" pictures. My goal is to have my potager up and running in three years. Wish me luck!

2008-11-15T23:33:00.000-08:00

Parker Walks the Hall: 5.14.2006 from Justin Best on Vimeo.

2008-11-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

La Leche League 50th Anniversary Video

2008-08-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

My friend sent this link YouTube video to me. It's a great story on how and why LLL was founded.

Worst Day EVER!

2008-07-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Oh boy! Where do I start. Background information: my cell phone has been missing since Friday...

This morning I woke up with a pounding headache. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I drank too much coffee and not enough water yesterday? Maybe I slept weird? I dunno. But I was crabby and irritable this morning.

Both kids woke up early. Parker was extremely chatty and energetic. We convinced him to go watch cartoons in the living room. Then Kennedy wanted to go see what he was doing. I let her toddle off to the living room and then tried to lay down and wake up slow. Ha ha ha.

Next thing I know Navin (cat) was crawling on me. I threw him onto the floor. Then I heard Kennedy crying in the living room. I went to check on her and let Navin into his food (we have it behind a baby gate next to the pellet stove so the baby doesn't eat it...)

I went back to the bedroom and lay down. Two minutes later I hear Kennedy crying again. I go check on her and lay down on the couch and pull a blanket over my head.

Navin starts crawling on me again. Seriously, cat? Then he's on the back of the couch. He starts making tell-tale retching motions. Ah, great, I'm gonna get puked on! I run to the kitchen and get some paper towels, but am too late. He has thrown up all down the couch.

Off to get more paper towels to begin cleaning up the cat sick. Then the chorus of, "Mama I need a snack. Can I have juice?" begins. Just a minute. I have to clean this up...

Fast forward a couple hours. Kennedy is very clingy today. I'm trying to get us packed to go camping this weekend. Preparing food, doing laundry, packing...you know the drill.

Parker has been really good at using the potty for the past week or so. Last night he used it and it almost overflowed. I thought he had put too much paper in. This morning it DID overflow. Despite my desperate plunging efforts. Running to get towels...EW! It's still not flushing right. I'm now wondering if that's where my cell phone went?

It's only noon! I want to curl up in a ball and cry. But I still need to finish cleaning the bathroom. And I still need to Woolite the sofa when Navin got sick this morning. I'm only stopping now to nurse Kennedy to sleep. She's almost off to dreamland. I'm off to continue my Oddyssey.

Nothing to Blog About

2008-07-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I've been a Slacker Blogger lately.

I'm not sure if it's just that we've been so busy...or that I haven't had anything to write about...or I've just been a little lazy. I think it's a combination of all of that.

I know lame excuses...ok one more...

The laptop computer that I use in the evenings (when I have time for things like blogging after the kids are asleep) has a lame space bar. It sticks. If I write anything more than a couple sentences long I get totally frustrated at having to go back through and add all the little spaces...That is until yesterday when my fantastic husband fixed it for me. YAY!

So what have we been up to?

We've been busy with LLL meetings, API meetings, trips to the library, reading books, playing in the backyard, gardening, watching cartoons, and planning our trip to North Dakota.

Parker's obsession with The Wizard of Oz is finally starting to fade. We've seen every version of the movie and read every version of the book that we could get our hands on. We've played with Wizard of Oz bathtub-ducks, finger-puppets, and refrigerator-magnets. We've set up a "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" obstacle course in our house more times than I can count. Parker's imaginary friends are "the Wizard of Oz guys" (Tinman, Scarecrow and Lion) and he leads them by the hand throughout the day. One night he helped them all get ready for bed. He even made sure that they all had their pull-ups and jammies on.

Kennedy is walking and dancing. She chatters a lot in her own baby-talk language. She also uses a bit of sign language when she needs something. Oh! She also gives slobbery kisses and blows kisses. So adorable!

I'm a brunette now. I totally love it!

I'm reading The Red Tent. I'm enjoying this books SO much! I'm about 100 pages in to it.

A couple summers ago, Justin and I would spend our evenings playing Sudoku and watching Simon & Simon on tivo. Our newest "thing" is drinking vanilla-scented decaf, playing Scrabulous with each other on Facebook via our laptops, and watching The OC on DVD.

I'm also working on a knitted sweater for Kennedy. I flew through the knitting portion and now am stalling because I need to sew it all together and I kinda hate the sewing part. It doesn't take long, it's just not fun... I have some gorgeous new wool that my fabulous mother-in-law picked up for me at a little yarn shop that was going-out-of-business. I'm so anxious to start making something with it, but have sworn to finish the sweater first.

A few weeks ago I finally fixed my sewing machine. It had been broken for awhile. The repair shop told us that it would be a minimum of $100 to fix it. Totally ridiculous, because that's probably what the machine cost new. So, I figured that I couldn't break it any more than it was broken already. I googled some repair manuals online for similar machines. Then I took the thing apart, adjusted the timing, oiled it up and it worked! I'm still scared to try to sew anything with it, because I'm afraid it will break again. I've started cutting up some of the kids' old baby clothes that I am going to use to make quilts for each of them.

Sorry no pics on this post...it just takes too long, and is part of why I've been a blog procrastinator. I will get some up very soon. Perhaps even tomorrow for Tackle-It Tuesday!

Our First Protest

2008-04-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went to our first war protest today in downtown Everett. We met on the courthouse steps. We listened to veterans and other community members speak out against the war in Iraq. Then we all walked down the street to the offices of Rep. Rick Larsen, Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell to drop off a newly released report on the link between the Iraq War and the Recession.

We heard about this protest through moveon.org. I highly recommend this site for people looking to get involved in politics locally.

New Photos on Smashy

2008-01-21T21:55:00.001-08:00

I have been way behind on putting pictures up on Smashy. Finally have photos up from the holidays. Here is a sneak peak. For more go to: http://www.smashy.com/bestfamily/

November

December
&
Outtakes from the Christmas Card

My Girl Loves the Rock-n-Roll

2008-01-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

I've always cursed all kids music. I'll bend the rules somewhat if there is rock-n-roll involved. But I still cringe at the idea of it. Until recently... Kennedy's favorite artist is Justin Roberts. Especially "Willy Was a Whale" And I confess the tune is catchy and I kind of like it too. Maybe because the horns take me back to my teenage days listening to Wham! I mean ska! Listening to ska! Did I say Wham!?

December 2007 Update

2007-12-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

Things have been chaotic around here this month as the holidays are nearing. I might not have much time to blog until the new year.

Something that always tickles me about parenting is that you find yourself saying sentences that you never in a million years would have thought you would say. Two recent examples:

"Kennedy, stop pulling the baseboards off the wall. Baseboards are not for babies."

"Parker, stop hitting your sister with the Baby Jesus."

Bring Home the Bacon

2007-11-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

This morning as Justin was leaving for work...

Parker: But it makes me sad when you leave
Justin: But I gotta bring home the bacon.
Parker: Oh good! And pancakes too?
Kennedy: Yabble-dabble

Van Halen Project Update

2007-11-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

Here is an update on the Van Halen cross stitch project.

This progress from the last post took me a month, but that is spending all my free time working on it. I am now slowing down and working on it every few nights.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

Parker and Kennedy went Trick or Treating tonight dressed as Winnie the Pooh and Piglet too.

Parker enjoys dancing in his Pooh costume.

Kennedy just enjoys being adorable.

Milestones

2007-10-25T20:09:00.001-07:00

We've been very busy lately (so that's my excuse for not blogging in awhile...) The kids have been hitting some major milestones.

PARKER
Tonight Parker sat on the potty before bathtime, which has become his routine since we are slowly easing in to "Potty Learning." But tonight, for the first time, HE PEED IN THE POTTY! YAY Parker. We were very excited and congratulated him thoroughly. I said, "I'm proud of you!" And for the rest of the evening he would look at me and beam and say, "I'm very proud of you!"

Also, today at playgroup at our friend Brandy's house, Parker learned how to put on his jacket all by himself! I'd been trying to teach him how to do itfor awhile now, but he had no patience for learning it from me. So, today wee got his friend Ephraim to show him how he does it. Parker was able to do it right away and is so excited. When Justin got home from work Parker immediately had to show him how he can put his jacket on all by himself!

Parker also harvested the first pumpkin from his pumpkin patch. This is truly his pumpkin. He picked out the seeds last summer when we were at the hardware store. He planted them himself. He helped me water them all summer. He said he wants to make a pie out of his pumpkin, so that is what we will do next weekend.

Also tonight, Parker sang the ABC's to Kennedy and did really well! he only missed a few, but kept right on going! "ABCDEFG-HIJKLMNOP-QRS-TUV-WX-Y and Z. Now I know my ABCs. Next time won't you sing with me!"

KENNEDY
Tonight Kennedy pulled herself up from sitting to standing all by herself while we were playing in her room. She's been getting better and better at sitting over the last few weeks. She can sit and play intently with a toy for a good 15-20 minutes (if she doesn't get tackled by her big brother...)

Kennedy is also working on some new teeth. She has her front bottom two and the top front two are starting to come.

JEN
I finished knitting my first sweater! I knitted a pink sweater for Kennedy out of Malabrigo Kettle-Dyed 100% Merino Wool in their "Little Lovely" colorway. It turned out gorgeous, if I do say so myself! I'm working on a pair of longies for Kennedy next.

I've also begun studying to be a La Leche League Leader and have been getting more involved with our local group. I'm working on a logo design for the 2008 Conference. So, every few nights I'm studying the LLL texts and preparing for that.

JUSTIN
Justin recently celebrated his 33rd Birthday! "Happy Birthday to You" and is trucking along on his Van Halen tribute cross-stitch project.

Pumpkin Hat Pics

2007-10-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I had to reknit the hats because they were a bit small. I was out of the orange yarn, so I had to supplement with some "pumpkin" Peruvian wool from knitpicks.com. I've finished Kennedy's hat and am still working on Parker's.

Story to Make the Grandmas Proud

2007-09-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

Today I took Parker & Kennedy to storytime at the library. We arrived at the library, returned our books and headed to the "Holds" are to pick up a movie I had on hold (Marx Brothers Collection). Parker starts saying he wants to play with the "chass"

So, I say, "You want to go to the kids area and play with the little chairs?"

Parker, "No, the chass!"

Me, "Chass?"

Parker, "Yeah!"

Me, "What is the chass?"

Parker, "Like on Sesame Street!"

Me, "Hmmm, I don't know what that is. Let's just go to storytime."

After storytime, we go to the checkout area to check out our movie. Parker starts crying about the "chass" again.

Parker, "I want the chass."

Me, "The chairs?"

Parker, "No, the chass!"

Me, "The chest?"

Parker, "Yeah."

Me, "What's the chest? Is it in the kids area?"

Parker, "Yeah"

So we walk over to the kids area and I ask him where the "chass" is located. He's near tears at the point. And I am completely confused. I feel a bit like I'm in a Marx Brothers movie (with the flutes and the flask and the fish...I need the flash!)

Parker, "NO! The chass! By the BIG CHAIRS! I want to play with the chass!"

Me, "I don't know buddy. Maybe they don't have that here. Maybe it's only on Sesame Street."

Parker, "No, it's by the BIG chairs!"

I still have no idea what he's talking about. So, I calmly take him by the hand and say, "Parker. I don't understand. I don't know what the chass is. Will you show me?"

He says, "It's over by your books." And leads me back to the "Holds" area where this whole fiasco began.

Then he points to the Teen Area about 20 ft. behind the holds stacks. Sure enough, there are the big chairs (bar stools at a high table) and the Chass.........................................

A chess board! He wanted to play chess!

So, I sat him on the barstool (AKA Big Chair) and let him play with the chessboard. He LOVED it. I don't know how to play chess, so I just told him what all the pieces were called. We got into a bit of an argument about the bishop though...

Me, "This one's called a bishop."

Parker, "NO! It's not a bishop. It's a spaceship!"

Hot Mess of the Day

2007-09-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

My day started off well. I:

got the kids changed and dressed

got myself dressed

checked email

got the car packed up for the days errands

and started the oven self-cleaning cycle.

Then I:

took the kids to the library for storytime (more on that in the next post...)

filled up the car's gas tank

stopped at the liquor store for free boxes for my eBay project

dropped off the drycleaning

grocery shopped

Returned homeand:

made juice for Parker

put Parker down for his nap

put Kennedy down for her nap

put the groceries away

put the dry-cleaning away

took steaks out the freezer for tomorrow night's supper

mailed Kennedy's Teddy Study sample

pulled enough weeds to fill my yard waste bin 3/4 (yikes!)

I was feeling pretty good about all I had accomplished. That's when I got cocky and thought I could dye my hair. I checked the clock, and guessed that I had about another hour before naptime ended. Awesome! My roots are BADLY in need of a touch-up. And we're trying to save money lately, so I bought a box of color at Target last week...

You would think that I would learn. I have very thick hair. And I am really not a patient person. And yet I repeatedly attempt to color my own hair. Nine times out of ten the results are comical bordering on disastrous.

I changed into my hair-coloring clothes, rushed to the bathroom, ripped open the package and began mixing it together. As soon as it was all mixed, Kennedy woke up SCREAMING! Hmmm, maybe I have time to quickly apply this before I get her.

I got about half my head covered when it sounded pretty serious, so I rushed to her to see what was wrong. She has a stuffy nose today and it woke her up. So, I sat on the bed and tried to nurse her back to sleep praying that I wasn't getting bleach all over the sheets...and hoping that she would fall asleep so that I could go back to the bathroom and finish my hair before I start looking more and more like a certain pop star at the VMAs!

I put Kennedy in her crib and turn on her mobile.She's fine for a few minutes, so I take a pic of my wild hair. Then I rush back to the bathroom to finish applying the dye. She starts fussing again as soon as I finish. Ok, no problem. I'll just nurse her back to sleep while the color does its work. Except she's fussy. Really fussy. I use the bulb syringe on her little nose to clear it, and that pisses her off even more. I'm just praying she won't wake up Parker.

As I'm carrying Kennedy from her room to our bedroom, she throws up. A LOT. And like those twenty-something chicks on the Real World, she always manages to get absolutely none of it on herself, and all of it on everyone (me) around her; leaving her perky and cute and smiling and everyone else looking stunned and covered in vomit. I clean up and realize my scalp is starting to burn a bit. Hmmm, I wonder how long I'm supposed to leave this stuff on?

Check the box: 10 minutes or the length of time indicated by your strand test. Seriously, Clairol? Seriosly? Who the F^%K has time to do a strand test???

I realize that I should probably rinse this out before it eats completely through my hair. I put Kennedy back in her crib. She screams. I feel like a terrible "Attachment Parent" having to leave her to cry in her crib, but there's really no alternative at this point. I hop in the shower and begin rinsing. I realize that I missed a spot. A BIG spot right in the front. Jump out of the shower and grab the bottle of bleach...it has a bit left in it, so I hastily apply it to the spot I missed. I can hear Kennedy screaming. Parker is awake now too. I can hear him across the hall imitating Kennedy's screams. F$%K! Rinse my hair and throw it in a towel, then rescue my babies from their respective cribs.

So...when you all see me over the next few weeks and my hair looks like crap, just be kind and try not to notice. I really AM making an effort to keep myself looking decent, it's just really not easy these days!!!

And Mandy, if you're reading this, I SWEAR I will get a professional to fix this mess before I'm in your wedding!

Pumpkin Hats

2007-09-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

The chill of fall is in the air, and I've been eager to get started knitting some warm autumn gear for the kids. I ordered some wool off of etsy.com and it arrived Thursday. It was so gorgeous that I couldn't wait to get started working with it.

The green wool is 100% Peruvian Worsted Wool, hand-dyed by J Irby Designs in their "Aborvitae" colorway.

The orange wool is handspun wool and mohair (70% wool, 30% mohair) in "Spices" by The Flying Ewe.

Also pictured above are the size 4 DPNs that I ordered from Plum Knit Supply to finish the soaker I am knitting for Kennedy.

I knitted pumpkin hats for both Parker and Kennedy! They turned out SO CUTE! The hats are pictured below. I don't have pictures of the hats on the kids yet, but will take some soon! They'll be wearing these when we go to the pumpkin patch this year!

Shout Out to Baby Cameron

2007-09-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cameron!

Please join us in congratulating our friends Andy & Allison on the birth of their second son. Cameron Elliot was born today. From his first pictures it looks like he will be the spitting image of his adorable big brother, Benjamin!

Love,
The Bests
Justin, Jenn, Parker, & Kennedy

Shout Out To Baby Teagan

2007-09-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Teagan !

Our friends Matt & Jen welcomed a new little bundle of boy into their home in the early hours of today. All our love to the them. Hugs and cuddles to Baby Teagan. We can't wait to meet the little fellow!

Love,

The Best Family

Justin, Jenn, Parker & Kennedy

A Little Inspiration...

2007-09-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

I've been having a tough week. Parker had a high fever last night and was very clingy. It was really sweet actually. He just wanted Mama to hold him. Then around his usual bedtime, he actually asked Justin to read him some stories so he could go to bed.

He feels much better this morning, he still feels warm to my Mommy-Thermometer hands. Now Kennedy isn't feeling right though. She's warm and fussy and will only nurse for a minute or two at a time.

Just when I'm feeling tired and exhausted and like all I do is serve others all day...a friend from my message board sent me this. It's really put things into perspective and sort of recharged me, so I thought I would share.

I realize that it's a bit corny...and I wouldn't go so far as to say I feel "Invisible" like the author of this passage...and I'm not particularly religious...still the idea that something tremendous can be built out of a bit of self-sacrifice is a really a beautiful idea.

To all my beautifully invisible "builders of cathedrals"

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30 , please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going ... she's going... she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this." It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

1. No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

2. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

3. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

4. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Needlecraft Night

2007-09-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading this blog lately then you know that Jen has really been enjoying knitting. So I decided to pick up my cross stitch project. Yes it is true, a few years ago Jen and I started cross stitch projects. She found a program that can convert any photo into a pattern. I chose the Van Halen album 1984, done in the exact size of an LP. Just plain ridiculous, but I want to complete it. And even sillier, I want to enter it in the fair next summer.

Almost 1/3 of the project done.

The inspiration.

So at night Jen and I watch our programs and do our needlecraft. It is wild and crazy, and we love it. Not sure what to do next in my classic albums in cross stitch project. The top contenders are Beastie Boys: License to Ill (Paul's Boutique is too cluttered), The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow (Good for a baby room), The Beatles: The White Album (Too easy), De La Soul: Three Feet High and Rising, Guns N' Roses: Appetite For Destruction, Operation Ivy (Maybe too plain), Radiohead (Either The Bends, OK Computer or Pablo Honey), Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols or Weezer: The Blue Album.

Handknit Soaker

2007-09-13T18:08:00.000-07:00

I finished knitting my first soaker. It's a size 12 M (Large) so it will be awhile before it fits Kennedy. The pictures don't do justice to the colors. I used Lion Brand 100% Wool in Autumn Sunset. The colors in it are magenta, burgundy, purple, dark teal and gold.

Rant: Rachael Ray

2007-09-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Today while I was making supper, I started thinking about Miss Rachael Ray and her smug "30-Minute Meals." Rachael Ray can bite me. Sure, I could make a meal in 30 minutes too...before I had two kids! In fact, most of my recipes and meal plans theoretically take about 30 minutes to make. Then you add a mischevious toddler and a crying baby to the mix and suddenly it takes me three hours (no joke!) to make a decent meal.

Tonight's supper is simple enough. Tacos and sauteed corn. I started it at 4:00 pm and I'll be lucky if it's ready by 7:00 pm.

Here's a rough estimate of how long this meal has taken me:

4:00 pm - Started chopping vegetables and setting up my mise en place (prep).

4:10 pm - Kennedy crying. I think Parker might be jumping on her, so I go into th living room to investigate.

4:20 pm - Pre-measure the spices for the taco filling

4:25 pm - Parker has pulled out the photo albums and wants me to "read them" to him.

4:30 pm - Kennedy fussing again

4:45 pm - Place the pans on the stove

4:50 pm - Parker needs apple juice...make apple juice from concentrate and fill sippy cup

4:55 pm - Kennedy needs a diaper change

5:10 pm - Bribe Parker with cartoons to stay in the living room for a bit

5:15 pm - Begin sauteeing bacon and onions for the corn

5:20 pm - Kennedy is crying (move sautee to back burner)

5:25 pm - Parker wants to read a book...read to him...smell something burning!

5:30 pm - Realize the pan for the meat got left on the stove with oil in it. Move it to a back burner to cool. Go back to reading Parker's story

5:40 pm - Sautee onions, ground turkey and spices for filling

5:50 pm - Set the table, fill the water pitcher

6:00 pm - Kennedy fussy - nurse her to sleep (Yes! One down!)

6:10 pm - Shred cheese and lettuce for tacos. Sautee corn. Build Parker a quesadilla.

6:20 pm - Unload and reload the dishwasher and wipe down counters.

6:30 pm - Justin calls to say he's on his way home.

6:40 pm - Get taco shells ready to heat, put out bowl of chips & salsa.
Simultaneously argue with Parker about whether or not he wants to watch Dragon Tales.

6:45 pm - Chop tomato for tacos. Get sour cream out.

6:47 pm - Justin is home! Finish putting out plates and drinks.

Whew!

Plum Sawfly

2007-08-26T13:14:00.001-07:00

Just for the record: Kennedy's first plums will NOT be made with plums from our tree.

I think I've brokedn the World Record for saying "Ew!" in one day. Our plum tree is infected with Plum Sawflies (ew!). Here's a description of them:

"The pupae [ew!] of Plum Sawfly over-winter in the soil [ew], and they awaken as the weather improves in Spring. The Plum Sawfly lays its eggs on the flowers. The young maggots [ew, ew ew!] which develop tunnel their way into the developing fruit. The only signs at this stage are the tiny holes left by the maggots.As the maggots feed on the fruit, often a gooey black liquid exudes from the holes." [EW!]

I started pulling off all the sick fruit and felt like my skin was crawling. Then I decided to prune the branches and saw the "larvae" on the backs of the leaves (ew!) Justin finished up for me and I went into the house to shower.

Our plum tree is now GONE! We could have opted to treat it with insecticides, but we're not crazy about plums anyway and have been looking for a good place to plant a cherry tree.

Mouths of Babes...

2007-08-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Oprah was on TV today.
Cut to a commercial...

Parker: Is that Oprah?
Mama: No, honey. That's not Oprah.

[next commercial]
Parker: Is that Oprah?
Mama: No that's not Oprah. It's a car. Oprah is a black lady.

Parker: (shocked) No she ISN'T Mama! She's a BROWN lady. She's not a black lady!

In other Baby Talk news, Kennedy can now say "Mmmmeh!" Which we think sort of means "Mama"

Shout Out to Baby Sasha

2007-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Sasha!

Justin's cousin Jason and his wife Erin welcomed their first baby today! She was 8 lbs, 8 oz. and 20.5" long. We're sending her virtual snuggles since we can't be there in person. Welcome to the family Sasha!

Love,

The Bests

Justin, Jenn, Parker & Kennedy

Redhook Brewery

2007-08-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Redhook Brewery. WOW! We had a great time and drank gallons of beer. Their tour is amazing. For just $1 you get to sample 5 beers, learn about how beer is made, and keep your tasting glass.

As any of my loyal blog readers know, I'm definitely a Redhook fan (see Beer & Waffles)

Day in the City

2007-08-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

We spent the day in the city. We went and played at the big Seattle REI store. We fed the seagulls at Ivar's on the waterfront. Then we met Grandpa and Ron at the Crab Pot for supper. Later that night, Becky met up with her friend Stacey for a Mariner's game.

Kim and Parker feed french fries to the seagulls.

Kennedy tries to capture a seagull to bring home and keep as a pet.

Ron, Kim, Jeff, Becky, Grandpa, Jenn, Kennedy and Parker at the Crab Pot in downtown Seattle.

Becky and Grandpa Kenny in their Crab Pot bibs.

The Aftermath of our Crab Pot meal (ewwww!)

Becky finds someone to drive her to the stadium

Becky makes some friends in the city...

Becky and Stacey at Safeco Field

Kennedy Learns to Grab...

2007-08-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Kennedy finally learned how to pull down the little bears that are velcored over her bassinet. Here she is falling asleep clutching her prize.

Lots of Family in Town - SO FUN!

2007-08-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today Grandpa Kenny, Ron and Gerry (who are staying at my mom's house in Auburn) came up to visit with my mom. Alice and Dennis came over too and we had a big family BBQ! We spent the day visiting, making lavender wands, napping, playing pinochle, working the Sunday NY Times Crossword Puzzle and eating. It was a really great time. It really makes me wish that we could do this every Sunday.

Kennedy (on Mama's lap) in the tutu that Grandma Katie bought her.

Parker and Grandpa Kenny

Grandpa Kenny, Jeff, Kim and Parker work on the Sunday NY Times Crossword Puzzle.

Kennedy helps Kim play pinochle

Everyone dining on the patio

Kim & Jeff Arrive!

2007-08-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

Kim & Jeff arrived late last night, exhausted from a late flight and an evening of travel. They went straight to bed and we caught up with them this morning.

We got up, had our coffee, Kim made us breakfast and we headed to the La Leche League World Walk for Breastfeeding at Wiggums Hollow Park. We checked out the silent auction, bid on a few things, walked a mile to show our support for breast-feeding, had a bit of lunch, and I did my volunteer time at the face-painting station. We were all kind of tired, so we took our names off our auctions and left a bit early to get the kiddos (and the exhausted guests) down for naps.

After naps, we headed to Anthony's Homeport by the Everett Waterfront for dinner. We stumbled across a Pirate Festival that was going on near the water. I can't believe that we didn't get any pictures of it. It was so surreal, that I think we were all a bit dazed.

Kim and Parker at the Everett Waterfront

Parker and Kim at the restaurant

Oh What a Week!

2007-08-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

Granpa Kenny, Ron, Gerry, Kim, Jeff and Becky all visited this week! We had SUCH a great time! I'll be posting a bunch of pics on here soon. I'm just still in the process of sorting and re-sizing them.

Shorties

2007-08-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

I'm knitting some shorties for Kennedy using the free soaker pattern from Tiny Bird Organics. So far, so good.

For those of you not into cloth diapering, wool shorties or "soakers" are what our great-grandmothers used as diaper covers before plastics were popular. Wool has natural anti-bacterial properties, is breathable, absorbs moisture, yet keeps skin dry. It's really an incredible fiber.

There are also patterns for "longies" (long wool pants) and "skirties" (like a shortie, but with a little skirt). If I do well with these, I might try a pair of longies next.

Afghans for Afghans

2007-08-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

This is a really great cause for all of you knitters and crocheters out there.

Parkers Entourage

2007-08-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

Parker's "Guys" are the stuffed animals that sleep in his bed with him every night. When Justin tucks Parker in at night he always says, "Daddy, talk to my guys." Then Justin will tell the guys stories about Parker's day.

His guys are:

Woof-Woof - The main "guy" is Parker's Blue Dog. He's had him the longest.

Kanye (yes, that's right...Kanye Best)- A teddy bear that Parker got from Mandy when he was a baby.

Jeero - An "Ugly Doll" that Parker got from Marley when he was a baby

Pooh - Winnie the Pooh that we picked up at a garage sale last spring

Tuffy - A tough little dog.

When Parker was a baby we made up a personality for Woof-Woof. Part of that is that Woof-Woof only eats coffee. For some reason this was really funny to us at the time. Probably because we were sleep-deprived parents of a newborn baby and were living off of coffee ourselves.

Today, Parker came into the kitchen with Woof-Woof. I asked him if Woof-Woof would like some coffee. Parker thought that he would, so we put him next to the coffee pot.

A few minutes later, Parker came in with Jeero. "Jeero wants juice, Mama." I handed a sippy-cup of juice to Jeero and tried to continue cleaning the kitchen.

Parker then came back with Pooh. "Pooh wants Orange Juice." I tried to give him water, but Parker was pretty adamant that Pooh get OJ. So I splashed a little into a sippy-cup and figured, 'What's the harm if it buys me a few more minutes to get this kitchen clean.'

"Kanye wants milk, Mama" No problem. Sippy-cup of milk for Kanye.

"Tuffy wants Hot Chocolate." OK, this is probably the most difficult. We don't buy hot chocolate mix, I always make it from scratch. I figured Tuffy would never know the difference if I just gave him a bit of cocoa powder, sugar and milk. I mixed up a chocolate milk for Tuffy.

Then Parker decided, "Tuffy doesn't have teeth, Mama."

"So, he can't drink hot chocolate? Is that what you mean?"

"I drink it."

Why do I feel like I totally got duped into making hot chocolate?

Jeero (with juice), Tuffy, Parker (with chocolate milk), Pooh (with OJ), Kanye (with milk), and Woof-Woof (with "coffee")

Grandpa Kenny's 89th Birthday

2007-08-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

We couldn't be there for Grandpa Kenny's 89th birthday this year, but my sister Becky sent us some really great pictures.

Grandpa Kenny with his cake

Thilford, Grandpa Kenny, Violet and Ron

Sarah and Becky with Grandpa Kenny

Grandpa Kenny with Becky

Ron, Grandpa Kenny and my Dad (Grandpa Steve)

Matchmaker Matchmaker...

2007-08-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Five years ago, Justin and I got married in Las Vegas, Nevada. At our wedding we introduced our friends Chris and Melissa to eachother. Justin had gone to college with Chris in Orlando, and I knew Melissa through my friend Leslie. Last weekend we had the pleasure of attending their wedding (well reception actually, they actually were wed on May 24th in Belize)!!

The happy couple :D

The groom is barefoot and the bride is on roller skates. How f#ckin' cool is that?

Kennedy at her first wedding...

Jenn with her BFF Leslie...

Jenn and Kennedy...

Justin and Kennedy

Jenn

Kennedy hangin out with "Uncle Rob"

Leslita in Full Effect (mwah! love ya!!)

Itty Bitty Bottoms

2007-08-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

My friend Emily sent us these gorgeous diapers from Itty Bitty Bottoms. One is a Pixie-Butterfly print. The other is Black-n-White Toile

Emily also sent us this awesome cookbook! You all know how I LOVE reading cookbooks. This is The Earthbound Farm Organic Cookbook: Food to Live By by Myra Goodman. It is so cool. It's filled with gorgeous pictures and I've already made two of the recipes in it!

Parker's Baby

2007-07-25T23:00:00.000-07:00

Parker has a baby doll that we bought for him when I was pregnant with Kennedy. He's just started playing with it again. It's a small baby dressed in a blue jumper with a dog on it. Parker has named the doll, "Baby Michael." And just so you know, he's made it very clear that "Baby Michael is a GIRL." Parker gets mad when we refer to Baby Michael as "he" or "him." It's pretty adorable.

Shout Out to Baby Reed

2007-07-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Reed!

Welcome to the world :) We hope that you and your parents are doing well. Your Daddy (Arkady) is a cool guy with a very warm heart...we haven't met your Mama (Ginger) yet, but we here that she's pretty awesome too! You're very lucky to have such good parents.

Love,
The Best Family
Justin, Jenn, Parker & Kennedy

Garden Report

2007-07-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

We harvested our first crop today. Our radishes are ready! The variety is "Fire & Ice" and they are beautiful. They are a bit small, but I am still thinning them out because Parker planted an entire seed packet in one 2x2' area. It's alright since we don't love radishes anyway. We don't need a ton of them, just a few. I think we'll have them on a salad tonight for supper.

In other garden news, our corn is about waist high. Tomato plants are in bloom. Pumpkins and Butternut Squash are growing fast. Carrots are coming up right behind the radishes (yes, they were also planted by Parker in the same area...)

Today I planted a potato that had sprouted in my potato bin. I'm not sure if it will grow or not, but I figured it couldn't hurt to try.

Bagels!

2007-07-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took the kids to the library...then to the post-office to mail a package...then to pick up the dry-cleaning...then to the grocery store. When we got home from teh grocery I realized that I had forgotten to buy bagels for Justin's breakfast. Also, we are trying to be more frugal and stick to a budget. So, I didn't want to trek all the way back to the grocery store and spend more money. I decided to try to make bagels from scratch.
I followed a recipe out of Martha's Baking Handbook, but I modified it quite a bit, so I feel justified in printing it here as an original recipe. If you want the original recipe, buy her book. If you want my recipe, I'll give it to you free right here...

Bagels
Makes 10

3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 2/3 cups warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons honey
4 1/4 cups bread flour (plus extra)
1 1/2 tablespoons table salt (ironically this is one of Martha's few recipes that does not call for Kosher salt...go figure)
Canola oil

Measure warm water into a glass measuring cup, sprinkle yeast over the water and whisk to mix. Let stand for about five minutes or until it's a bit foamy.

Making the dough
Pour into an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook. With the mixer on low, add the sugar, 1 tbsp. honey, flour and salt. Knead until dough forms (about one minute). The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky, if necessary add more flour or water. (I made these on a humid day and ended up adding quite a bit of additional flour.) Continue to knead for about five more minutes. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 2 hours).

Shaping the dough
Divide the dough into ten equal pieces. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rest for about 20 minutes.

Line 2 unrimmed baking sheets with Silpat baking mats. (You could also use parchment paper, just oil it a bit as the dough is really sticky). With lightly oiled hands, roll each piece of dough into a 6 inch rope and then form into a circle. Press the overlapping ends together to seal.

Place the bagels on the prepared baking sheets. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for about 20 minutes.

Boiling the Bagels
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees with racks in the upper & lower thirds. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 2 tbsp. of honey to the boiling water. Gently drop bagels into the boiling water...add only a few at a time so they don't touch eachother. Boilf for 30 seconds, then use a skimmer or slotted spoon to flip them. Boil for another 30 seconds, then remove to the lined baking sheets.

At this point you can sprinkle with seeds or salt while the bagels are still wet. I didn't...but I dipped mine in some cornmeal to help keep the bottoms from sticking to the baking sheet.

Baking
Place the baking sheets in the oven. Bake for 5 minutes. Rotate the pans. Bake for 10 more minutes. Flip the bagels with a spatula then bake for 5 more minutes. Transfer the bagels to wire racks to cool completely.

Storage
Bagels will keep in an air-tight container at room temperature for one day. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 weeks.

Kennedy's Four-Month Checkup

2007-07-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Kennedy had her four-month checkup today. She is still long and lean. She weighs 12 lb. 13 oz. and is 25 inches long.

The doctor confirmed my diagnosis of eczema on Kennedy's arms and legs and agreed that it might be a good idea for me to eliminate dairy products from my diet for at least a month and see if it helps. She recommended Cetaphil Wash & Cream, bathing Kennedy every night (but not using soap every time), and a prescription hydrocortisone cream.

We also learned that Kennedy has an ear infection. The little peanut is so good natured, we had no idea. She hasn't been showing any symptoms at all. She's not fussy, or feverish, or anything. This little sweetie really doesn't like to complain much. We got some prescription antibiotics for her ear. The ear infection and Kennedy's runny nose make me even more sure that removing dairy from my diet is the right thing to do.

I recently read and article, Allergies and the Breastfeeding Family that explains milk allergies pretty well.

No vaccinations today. We'll do them when we go back to the doctor in ten days to have Kennedy's ears re-checked.

Chatty Toddler Kicked Off Airplane

2007-07-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, this story made me so mad. The child wasn't crying or being bratty. he was just talking. I think that it's disgusting what this flight attendant did. Especially suggesting to the mother that she drug her child.

Talking toddler and mother removed from flight in Houston

Hippie Soap

2007-07-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to make environmentally-conscious choices in the products I buy and have been gradually replacing all of our cosmetic products and cleaning products with natural ones.

My poor husband. I keep trying to get him to try all of these natural products. There seems to be a lot of natural body products for women, but not so many for men. We had a horrible disaster when I bought Tom's of Maine Deodorant last month. I bought Woodland Spice deodorant for Justin. I thought it had a nice manly lemongrass and sage scent. After trying it for a day he came home and said, "I think there's something wrong with that deodorant."

I thought he was just being difficult and resistant to change. He tried it for a week and was miserable. He was sure that he was stinky and said that not even a shower made him smell better. Finally I gave in and bought him some Right Guard.

I was still pretty sure that there was nothing wrong with the Tom's deodorant, so I decided to try it myself. Oh. My. GOD. It smelled AWFUL. It seriously smelled like I had taken a dirty hippie and rubbed him all over my armpit! I washed it off with a washcloth almost immediately, but the smell was PERSISTANT. I tried to nurse Kennedy and she screamed and cried and wouldn't latch on. She was even grossed out by the smell of this deodorant. I had to shower and wash my pits three times before I could get her to nurse!

So, yesterday, Justin tells me he needs new soap. I immediately think of the natural section of the grocery and all the cool bars of soap I've been meaning to try. He warily asks if I'm going to buy him some crazy hippie soap. Maybe...

Today I found a nice goat's milk soap made by Canus that smelled awesome. I bought it and set it up for him in the shower, sure that once he tried it, he'd love it.

When he came home from work he asked if I'd bought soap. Yep. What kind did you get? It's in the shower...He went and looked and immediately started laughing. "Cay-nus?" (The soap has the company name etched into the bar.) "Cay-nus, honey? This soap has ANUS in the name."

Oh my God, we laughed so hard! Why hadn't I noticed that? I guess I just assumed it was pronounced "Cah-nus" and didn't really think about it. Needless to say, he hasn't tried it yet. We'll get the true verdict on Canus Soap tomorrow.

I also bought some Canus Lotion for Kennedy. She has some eczema on her little legs and I wanted to get something natural. So far it's been really great and it smells wonderful...not at all like anus.

UPDATE: Justin tried the soap and it's good! The best part is teaching Parker to say, "Daddy smells like Canus."

Skin Trip

2007-07-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

Mmmm yum. I smell delicious right now. I found Mountain Ocean Skin Trip lotion in the natural section of our grocery store. I used to use it in high school, but haven't seen it in a few years.

It has a light coconut scent (unlike the chemical coconut scent in other brands...B&BW).

Hmmm I wonder what their shampoo & conditioner is like? Or the lip balm?

Ooh and it's made in Boulder, CO (my mom's hometown!)

Solar Power Clothes Dryer

2007-07-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

It's HOT here today. Temperatures are expected to be record-breaking over the next few days. As I was doing Kennedy's diaper laundry, I was about to put them in the dryer, when I thought, why waste the energy when there's all this gorgeous solar power to be had. Parker helped me set up the drying rack and hang the dipes in the backyard.

Organic Local Produce

2007-07-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

I recently signed up for a weekly produce delivery from a local family farm. The Klesick Farm delivers fresh organic in-season produce to our area. We order the small box of produce and it's been perfect.

Tuesdays are like Christmas for Parker and me as we unpack our produce delivery. In the picture above he's eating an apricot and a cherry. I had to stop him from grabbing the broccoli and gnawing on it.

Fleeting Moments

2007-07-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Parker usually wakes up before me. And he wakes up QUICK. So, it's a rare occassion that I actually see him sleeping. This morning he slept late. When I went in to wake him at 9:30 am, he looked so sweet that I had to run and get the camera. I only got one shot before he woke up and stood up and was chatting.

A few minutes later, Parker and I were out in the garden and we saw a butterfly. Again I rushed to get the camera and just got a couple shots before it flew away into the neighbors yard.

It just makes you think how many moments are just gone in the blink of an eye. It's so hard to remember them much less capture them on camera. I guess that's what makes them so special.

Wiggle Worm Bottoms

2007-07-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

We received our first order of Wiggle Worm Bottoms (WWB) Custom Diaper Covers a few weeks ago. I took pictures, but I can't believe I forgot to put them on the blog! They're still a bit big for Kennedy because I ordered Mediums. They're really cute though!

We got a strawberry print, blueberry print and a pink John Deere print.

Bedtime Routine

2007-07-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Every night when bedtime rolls around, we try to think of a different and fun way to walk to bed. We'll ask Parker, "Do you want to walk to bed like a monkey or a chicken?"

Last night I let him stay up a little late to watch his Curious George movie. When bedtime came, I asked him, "Parker, how do you want to walk to be tonight."

Parker: Like man in hat.

Mama: You want to walk to bed like the Man in the Yellow Hat?

Parker: No. Like, Mama be man in hat. I be George.

Dave Matthews Uses Cloth

2007-07-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

There was an interview with Dave Matthews for the Live Earth concert where he mentioned he is using cloth diapers for his new baby! WTG DM!

I've never been a huge fan of his music. However, when I worked at the Jitterbug in Seattle, he used to come in for breakfast with his wife occassionally (this was way back when she was pregnant with the twins). He was very kind and tipped me VERY well. Even when I forgot to bring him his tea. I still remember it was 1/2 English Breakfast and 1/2 Earl Grey.

I had no idea who he was until my friend Melissa said, "That's so cool you get to wait on Dave Matthews."

And I said, "Yeah...Um, which table is he at?" She pointed him out and I said, "Crap! That's the guy who's tea I forgot for like 10 minutes."

Life is Good

2007-07-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today while Kennedy took her nap, Parker and I set up the tent in the backyard. We put a blanket, toys, books and snacks in the tent. Then we ate lunch out there together.

When it got close to naptime (we always give him a ten minute warning) he went and got all of his stuffed animal friends (Jeero, Woof-Woof, Kanye, Pooh and Tuffy) and put them in his crib. He always sleeps with them and wanted to make sure they didn't get left in the tent.

Then when Parker went down for his nap, Kennedy woke up and I put her in her Exersaucer for the first time. She had a blast! (It's very warm in our house today, so she's just wearing a dipe.)

Gotta Love Ani

2007-07-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just saw on Celebrity Baby Blog that Ani di Franco posted pics of her new baby. Yay for a home-birthing breast-feeding hippie celebrity mama! Congrats Ani and Welcome to the World Baby Petah!

Oh and shouts out to Keri Russell too who wears her babe River in a sling! Congrats Keri and Happy Birthday River!

Crazy for DIY

2007-07-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

I'm currently obsessed with learning how to do new things. I think I got a bit of a high learning to can strawberry jam and now I can't wait to tackle the next thing.

SEWING
I'm trying to figure out my sewing machine and sew some homemade cloth wipes and burp cloths out of old receiving blankets. I've never sewn before in my life and am going crazy trying to figure out the tension on my machine. It seems I can only sew an inch of fabric before the bobbin thread is completely tangled or the needle thread breaks. I'm going to take a break from it until I can go to a fabric store and find out what kind of thread and needle I should be using for this project. I just chose the thread I found in my old sewing kit. I have no idea if it's appropriate.

KNITTING
Last weekend my MIL taught me how to knit! She also got me started with my first yarn, needles and a pattern to make dish cloths. I think that I've mastered casting-on, but the actual knitting is still somewhat of a mess.

UPDATE: Here are pictures of my first project. It didn't turn out square, because I took it off too soon. It seemed HUGE to me. The next one will be better. There's also a detail of my pattern.

CANNING/PRESERVING
Now that I've mastered strawberry jam, my next attempt will be tomatoes. I have to wait a little bit for them to be at peak season though. Now that I'm sort of addicted, I'm on the hunt for a free (or inexpensive-used) pressure canner.

GARDENING
I have corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, and winter squash all growing and thriving in my garden. My herb garden has sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender. I've already harvested the first oregano and it is hanging to dry. OH! And our fruit trees are just calmly doing their thing too. We should have plums by late-August and Apples and Asian Pears in the fall.

My next projects include refreshers in drawing, watercolor, and oil-paint...mastering bread-baking...learning to play guitar...learning to crochet...refresher in cross-stich and embroidery...and I'm sure I'll think of many more.

Saving the Lives of Teddy Bears Everywhere

2007-07-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Kennedy was chosen to take part in a study that is trying to determine the causes of Type 1 Diabetes. They are studying children with a genetic predisposition to the disease to determine which environmental factors play a part in causing it.

It's called the TEDDY Study (TEDDY stands for The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young.) The study is worldwide. The long-term goal of the TEDDY study is the identification of infectious agents, dietary factors, or other environmental agents, including psychosocial factors which trigger T1 Diabetes in genetically susceptible individuals or which protect against the disease.

What this means to Kennedy is that every 3 months she gives a bit of blood. Also, every month, we mail them a poop sample (not as gross as it seems). And every three months a couple of the researchers visit with us and we fill out questionnares on things like diet and illnesses.

If at anytime Kennedy's bloodwork shows signs that she is becoming diabetic, they will be able to let us know before she contracts the disease. Her gentetic test showed she is 3% more likely than the general population to contract the disease. So, we're not terribly worried that she will get it, we just want to do our part to help scientific research.

Being only 3 months old, Kennedy doesn't really understand all of this science talk. She thinks that she is giving blood to save the lives of Teddy Bears...also a noble cause.

Here's a picture of her with the purple bracelet she got after her first blood-draw.

Construction Ahead 5 miles

2007-07-02T15:17:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about revising my blogs. Don't worry, this one is not going anywhere! I might just merge the three blogs into one, because it's too much work to maintain all of them. I'll probably just move the content from Bouquet Garni and American Potager to this site. So, look for lots of changes to the blogs in the next few months. This might also slow down my posting a bit as I organize and edit prior posts.

Jam On It

2007-06-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to announce that I have successfully canned my first strawberry jam. After strawberry picking at Biringer Farm last weekend I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. We had two flats (about 20 lbs.) of strawberries. I made 20 jars of jam, 3 jars of Saft and froze two trays of berries.

It was an article in our local paper that inspired my bravery. How to Make and Can Perfect Strawberry Jam by Jan Roberts-Dominguez was my inspiration.

The jars, canning pot, jar lifter, and rack were all acquired on our local Freecycle network, so my only investment (besides the berries, sugar and pectin) was some jar lids.

After canning the first 20 jars of jam I felt like I had a lifetime supply, but I still had an entire flat of berries left. Then I remembered that I had a recipe somewhere in one of my old Martha Stewart Living magazines for Saft. I searched the MSL website, but couldn't find the article online. So, I searched through my magazines and couldn't find it. Tired and frustrated, I remembered that when I first started collecting the back-issues of the magazine I made a spreadsheet cataloging all of the articles (yes, yes, I'm a total geek...) I opened up my spreadsheet, did a few searches for "Saft" and voila! May 1997!

So, what is SAFT? You ask...
It's a Scandinavian juice. It can be bottled at home from freshly picked berries. Ripe berries are boiled until they release their juices, then they are drained and sugar is added. The syrup is poured into bottles and sealed. To serve you mix 1 part of the concentrate with four parts water.

How to Make Saft
This recipe yeilds 5-6 cups and can be doubled.

2.5 lbs. fresh ripe berries (I used strawberries with some blueberries and raspeberries)
2 cups water
1.5 - 2 cups sugar

Combine the berries and water in a large stockpot and bring to a simmer over med-high heat. Reduce heat to med-low and gently simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Line a large bowl with a clean pillowcase. I used a burgundy one to avoid staining, but I think I'm going to keep that case exclusively for Saft making. I might embroider "SAFT" on the hem so I remember. Pour the berries into the pillowcase.

Suspend the pillowcase on a stick (or broom-handle) between two chairs over a large bowl or stockpot. Let the berries drain completely (about 1 - 2 hours). DO NOT SQUEEZE THE BAG or the mixture will become cloudy.

Meanwhile prepare your canning water by bringing a canning pot filled 3/4 of the way with water to a simmer. Wash and prepare your jars/bottles and lids as well; keep hot.

Transfer strained juice to a medium saucepan over med-low heat. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve (about five minutes). Skim the top of any froth or scum.

Using a funnel, fill clean hot mason jars all the way to the top with Saft and cap them tightly. Place the filled and capped jars in the hot water bath using a jar lifter, making sure they are completely submerged. Process for ten minutes then remove the jars and let cool.

If any of the jars don't seal properly, keep them refrigerated and use within two weeks. Similarly, once a bottle is opened, refrigerate and use within two weeks.

To serve, mix one part saft with four parts water.

Strawberry Fields Forever

2007-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went strawberry picking at Biringer Farm. Grandma Katie went with us. We had such a good time! The weather was perfect for it. Parker had a blast playing on the farm. He loved riding on the tractors and picking fresh berries. I felt like a total "Earth Mama" harvesting berries with my baby in her sling.

This Year's Crop

2007-06-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

I've actually managed to plant quite a bit more this year than I thought I would. Here's what's growing:

1 - Asian Pear Tree
2 - Gravestein Apple Trees
1 - Yellow Plum Tree
Several Strawberry plants
2 - Blueberry bushes
2 - Rhubarb plants (v. small - might need another yr)

Oregano
Sage
Rosemary
Lavender
Thyme
Lemon Balm
Basil (planted seeds today...too late?)

Yellow Tomatoes (Taxi)
2 - Heirloom Tomatoes
3 - Cucumber plants
Corn (Honey Treat)
French Breakfast Radishes
Carrots (Imperator)
Small Sugar Pumpkins (planted seeds today)
Butternut Squash (planted seeds today)

Grabbing Toys

2007-06-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

Kennedy has learned to use her hands! Here she is in her crib grabbing toys on a crib mirror that Grandma Alice & Grandpa Dennis got for Parker when he was a baby.

Jeero is a Role Model

2007-06-05T09:44:00.001-07:00

Lately Parker hasn't wanted to wear his training pants, so I've been thinking of different ways to talk him into it. One idea was to put a pair on Jeero (Parker's Ugly Doll that he got from Marley). It didn't work but Jeero sure looked cute in Big-Boy Underpants...

What did work was telling Parker that these are the kind of pants his friend Christian wears. Christian is about six months older than Parker and those guys are buds. It's cute how much fun they have together.

Mei Tai

2007-06-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Our Mei Tai (pronounced either "May-Tie" or "My-Tie" depending on who you ask) Carrier came in the mail the other day. I bought it for carrying Kennedy, but it holds up to a 35 lb. child, so Parker and I decided to try it out first. I got it on eBay from a WAHM. I think it'll be nice for Parker when we go to the zoo, so that we can keep him at eye-level witht he exhibits. The best part is that it folds up really small (unlike the bulky Bjorn Carrier or even bulkier back-pack carriers).

Missing Grandma Daisy

2007-06-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Lately I really miss Grandma Daisy. I've been learning about cloth diapering, teaching myself to use my sewing machine, planting a vegetable garden, and trying to learn how to can fruits and vegetables.

With each of these tasks I keep thinking about how much Grandma would have to teach me. I really wish that she were here so that I could ask her for advice, or just have fun doing these things with her.

This is a picture of Grandma Daisy holding me when I was a baby. Parker keeps insisting that this is "Grandma and Kennedy." I tried to tell him that it's a picture of Mama when she was a baby. He just thinks I'm being silly. He's adamant that this is a picture of "Baby Kennedy"

Negotiations

2007-06-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

Parker is learning to negotiate. I'm not sure if I like it. The other day when we came home from playgroup, I told him it was naptime. He wanted to watch Blue's Clues. When I said no, he came back with, "Ten minutes, Mama?"

He has also discovered "ice pops" or popsicles. Ernie on Sesame Street was talking about ice pops one day so I decided to make some for Parker. We bought some popsicle molds at Target a couple years ago, so I filled them with apple juice and froze them. They are now Parker's favorite snack.

The other day he asked for an ice pop and I told him no because it was close to lunch time. He countered with, "Little piece?"

First Snappi

2007-05-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

I"m still learning about this whole cloth diaper thing. I recently ordered a batch of prefolds...you can fold these in thirds and place them inside a velcro cover. The advatage is that when the prefold is dirty, you can swap out a new one and use the same cover as long as the cover is still dry and clean. The first time I tried it Kennedy's diaper leaked. So, I heard about these things called Snappis. Here's a picture of Kennedy in a pink prefold with a pink Snappi:Snappi's are made of plastic and replace pins on cloth prefolds. You can secure the diaper with a Snappi before putting the cover on and it makes them a bit tighter and less likely to leak. Since I've started using the Snappi we haven't had any leaks.

First Cloth!

2007-05-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Our first cloth diapers arrived in the mail today from Abbys Lane! Here's Parker and Kennedy - Kennedy is in her Pink Berry Plush AIO.
Parker rockin' his new Grasshopper BumGenius One-Size Pocket Dipe!
Just a really sweet picture of the two kids...

Mug Shots

2007-05-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

I was laughing as I took these pictures, because I realized that everytime Parker gets into mischeif, I line him up against the wall and take his picture - mugshot-style.I was changing Kennedy's diaper when I heard Parker screaming from our bedroom. Usually I leave the door closed, but I had it open because Navin was sleeping on our bed and I wanted him to be able to get out. Anyway, I quickly diapered Kennedy and set her in her crib.

When I got to Parker he was still crying and had black gunk all over his face, arms and hands. He was holding a bottle of Chanel No. 5 and had sprrayed it in his eyes (hence the screaming). It took me a bit longer to figure out what all the black stuff was. Seems he also got into my mascara...

Kipper the Giraffe

2007-05-21T20:47:00.001-07:00

Parker's favorite bedtime story these days is to remember the day we went to the zoo with his friend Benjamin and fed leaves to Kipper the Giraffe.

My Hippie Kids

2007-05-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

I've been reading and learning more about Natural Family Living. I feel like I'm getting back to my hippie roots :) I've been discovering natural foods, cleaning products, cosmetics and more. I'm learning how to do things around the home more efficiently saving energy, water and other resources. I even found myself looking for a copy of Crosby Still Nash & Young's album So Far (I used to have the cassette tape in High School, but now I don't have it and I miss it).

So, today I dressed the kids in tie-dye t-shirts from their Grandma Alice and Grandpa Dennis.

Contemplating Cloth

2007-05-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Pink pocket diaper by bumGenius

Diagram of bumGenius pocket diaper

I'm not trying to come off as a complete hypocrite (becuase I AM still using disposable diapers...) but there are some really good arguments for cloth. Reading this has made me decide that I'm going to buy a few cloth diapers and at least TRY it.

I found some really cute all-in-one and pocket-style cloth diapers online. I'm going to buy 2 or 3 and see how they work out. For those of you not up on the latest cloth-diaper technology, check this out - they're really cool!

I've been researching them on www.abbyslane.com

Super-cute fuzzy pink all-in-one by BerryPlush

REASONS TO USE CLOTH DIAPERS

Your child will spend the first 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years of his or her life in diapers. Disposable diapers are an easy way of diapering, but are the possible health hazards these diapers pose worth the simplicity?

MALE INFERTILITY Disposable diapers could be the cause of the sharp rise in male infertility over the past 25 years. It is thought that disposable diapers heat up boys testicles to such a degree that it stop them from developing normal.

SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, which is linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome and can therefore no longer be used in tampons, is the super absorbent gel in disposable diapers. You can find the little "gel balls" on the skin of your baby's bottom. It is interesting to note that employees in factories manufacturing sodium polyacrylate suffer from female organ problems, slow healing wounds, fatigue and weight loss.

TBT (TRIBULYTIN) In May 2000 Greenpeace found TBT in Pampers(R) Baby Dry in Germany. TBT is one of the most toxic substances ever made. It harms the immune system and impairs the hormonal system. There is speculation that it could cause boys to become sterile.

DIOXIN Traces of the carcinogen Dioxin have been found in disposable diapers. Dioxin causes liver disease, immune system suppression and genetic damage. It is a byproduct of bleaching with chlorine gas and is banned in most countries. Unfortunately, the USA still allows it.

ASTHMA In 1998 a study showed that childhood respiratory problems, including asthma, might be linked to inhaling the mixture of chemicals emitted from disposable diapers.

UTI INFECTIONS IN BABY GIRLS also seem on the rise with an increased use of disposable diapers.

BABIES POORLY DEVELOPED OUTER SKIN LAYER ABSORBS ABOUT 48 CHEMICALS if you use disposable diapers & wipes and standard baby products. This can be greatly reduced by using cloth diapers and natural baby products.

AND THIS: (think about YOUR WATER supply) Ewwww!!!!! Every child adds a minimum of 6500 disposable diapers (30% of which is non biodegradable) to our landfills. Included in the soiled diapers are many of pounds of raw fecal matter. Viruses found in the feces can pose a threat to our water supplies and wild life, by seeping through cracks that sometimes develop in landfills. The manufacturing of disposable diapers poses another threat to our environment, requiring large quantities of wood pulp (trees) and dangerous complex chemical substances, which leave behind many harmful byproducts. Compare all that to the resources used to make and clean three to five dozen cloth diapers with no raw fecal matter!)

2 Month Check-up

2007-05-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

Kennedy had her two-month check-up today. She is a very healthy little girl. She now weighs 10 lb. 10 oz. and is 23 inches long.

She got 4 shots (DTaP, Hib, Polio, and Pneumococcal) and an oral vaccination (Rotavirus). She didn't mind the oral vaccine. The nurse said that it's very sweet tasing, which makes me wonder what horrible chemical sweeteners it's filled with, but I'll try not to think about it because it's too late now. Kennedy cried REALLY hard when she got her shots though. It was heart-breaking. She is sleeping now in her crib.

Little Norwegian

2007-05-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

In this morning's fog of sleepiness, I did not want to argue with Parker about what to have for breakfast. Our conversation started like this:

Mama: What do you want for breakfast today?

Parker: Um...Chocolate!

Mama: No, you're not having chocolate for breakfast.

Parker: Parker eat sprinkles (pointing to the pink sprinkles in my cake decorating kit)

Mama: Do you want toast? Or cereal?

Parker: Mama hold you (lifting his arms up, so that I can hold him up to see what is in the pantry on the top shelves). Parker eat this (grabbing a can of kippered herring).

Mama: I don't think you like that.

Parker: Parker like it. Parker eat this.

Mama: It's fish.

Parker: Yeah. Parker eat fish. Parker like it.

So, tired of arguing and figuring that I would call his bluff, I opened the can of kipper snacks. I didn't really know how to serve it to him in a way that wouldn't be extremely messy, so I put some in a bowl and we sat on the back steps eating kipper snacks and kashi crackers. He LOVED them. He kept asking for more.

We have Kennedy's two-month doctor's appointment today at 11:30 am. I'll post her stats when we return.

Little Artist

2007-05-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

Parker's fairy godmother Marley sent him some paints and a really cute Peeps painting book lately. Okay, she's not a real fairy...but don't tell Parker. Anyway, painting is now one of his favorite activities. I couldn't be prouder. I even pulled out some of my paint brushes from the garage for him to use. And the temptation was too great for me...I couldn't resist digging out even more painting supplies to play with and painting alongside him. Anyway...here is his very first painting ever... (oh! and special thanks to Grandma Alice and Grandpa Dennis for the scanner I used to scan this in!)

My Son Mowgli

2007-05-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Parker in his Shrek underpants and rain boots...

Every night at around 4 or 5 pm Parker decides that he needs to be naked. He strips down to his diaper and I can't convince him to put on pants or a shirt no matter how hard I try. I figure when the weather is nicer it will be fine, but I worry about him getting cold.

Other fun things he's been doing lately...He found some panty-liners in the side pocket of the diaper bag and was convinced they were "cars." Yep, I don't get it either. But he drove them around on the carpet making vroom noises and exclaiming, "Car!"

The other day he was playing with his "baby" (an old Cabbage Patch Doll of mine) and he was saying something I couldn't understand and trying to lift up his shirt. I finally realized he was saying, "Feed him." He was trying to nurse his baby because that's how he sees me feed Kennedy.

Buzz Aldrin was on Sesame Street today. When that segment was over, Parker asked, "Where Mister Aldrin go?" And I tried to explain that part was over. He said, "I miss him. Where astronaut go?"

In Kennedy news, she is all smiles and cooing lately. Her cheeks are still deliciously chubby. I just want to kiss those cheeks all the time! Today when I was buckling her carseat, her double-chin got pinched in the buckle...I felt terrible. It didn't hurt her too bad though, she only cried for a couple seconds and I kissed it better for her.

Diaper Hat is Sweeping the Nation

2007-04-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is from yesterday's newspaper. Who knew Parker was such a fashion icon?

#18 Taco Pie with Chips & Sour Cream

2007-04-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

This is a standard that I make often with leftover taco meat, corn and red rice. Just layer them in a baking dish with corn tortillas and shredded cheese. Top with a final layer of tortilla and cheese. Then bake at 350 until heated through and cheese is melted. Top with chopped green onions and serve with a bit of sour cream and salsa.

#15 - Red Rice (and Tacos)

2007-04-19T22:38:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me the other day if I've had time to try any new recipes. I have. I have, I swear. I just haven't had time to blog about them. I'm going to enter them now, then go back and expand when I have more time. I just don't want to forget anything.

On St. Patrick's Day I made Tacos and Red Rice...The Taco Filling recipe doesn't count towards my 100 recipes for the year, because it's something I've made often. But the Red Rice is new...

Taco Filling
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
½ medium onion, diced ( I prefer sweet onions)
1 lb. ground turkey (or lean ground beef)
2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. ground coriander
Pinch of kosher salt
1- 14.5oz. can of diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
Splash of hot sauce

Heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Sautee until softened, about 5 minutes. Increase the ehat to med-high and add the ground turkey. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon until no longer pink (about 5 minutes).

Stir in the spices, tomatoes and hot sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Red Rice
2 tbsp. vegetable oil or bacon fat
½ medium onion, diced
1 - 14.5 can diced tomatoes, pureed in a blender
1 cup salsa
½ cup chicken stock
4 cups cooked long-grain rice
1 tsp. kosher salt

In a large sautee pan heat the oil over medium heat and add onions. Sautee until softened (about 5 min). Stir in the tomatoes, salsa and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and add the rice and salt. Cook, covered over medium-low heat until the rice has absorbed all the sauce (about 10-15 min). Uncover and cook over med-high until the excess moisture has evaporated.

1 Month Check-up

2007-04-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

Kennedy had her one-month check-up on Tuesday. She is a very healthy little girl. She now weighs 9 lb. 10 oz. and is 21.5 inches long.

Shout out to Nolan and Big Sis Elaina

2007-04-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Our friends Aaron & Maggie had their baby today! A little boy named Nolan. He shares a birthday with his big sister Elaina! Happy Birthday Nolan & Elaina!

Lots of Love,
The Best Family
Justin, Jenn, Parker & Kennedy

Summer Glasses

2007-04-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny brought new sunglasses for Parker. He calls them "Summer Glasses." Here's a picture of him getting ready to go play outside with his hat, summer glasses, mittens and shoes. The shoes are his cousin Cooper's old shoes and are 2 sizes too big, but he LOVES them because he can put them on by himself. He can also put his glasses on by himself, but the usually end up upside down. This kid really loves to accessorize.

Sidenote: Right now he is supposed to be napping, but I can hear him in his crib jumping and singing the opening to Beyonce's "Crazy" (Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh...)

Hey, speaking of accessorizing, here's a picture of Kennedy rocking her John Deere hat.

Take a nap...Please!

2007-04-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

I put Parker down for nap at 1:00 pm and thought that I might actually get a nap today too. He played and talked in his crib for about 20 minutes. Then, he started crying and I thought, "What if he needs a diaper change?"

So, I went and checked on him. He had taken off his pants and put them back on backwards! I took him out of the crib, changed his diaper (which was clean), put his pants back on right, and put him back down for nap.

I went back into the living room with Kennedy and was just starting to drift off when I heard him screaming again. "Diaper Change! Mama where are you?" I go into his room and he's wearing only his t-shirt, his left arm is sticking out of the neck part. He's holding his diaper and his jeans are on the floor. (Diaper is still clean - THANK GOD!) I walk over to him because he's crying and upset and I step in something wet. Ooops, he peed on the floor.

Got him out of the crib, changed him, got him dressed again, cleaned the carpet in his room and put him back down for nap. It's now 2:30 pm and he's still not napping. I can hear him in his room. I want to take a nap SO BAD, but can't until he falls asleep.

Update 6:00 PM - Parker got "Time Out" for turning the computer off. I put him in his bed for two minutes. When I came back to get him he happily chirpped, "Diaper Hat!"

I realize there are two kinds of parents...those that would take the wet diaper immediately off their child's head in horror...and those that would run to get the camera. Guess which one I am...

Kennedy in Her Sling

2007-03-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

Obstacle Course

2007-03-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

My life is an obstacle course. I'm quickly learning how to navigate my way through everyday tasks with two kids. For example, we ventured out to the grocery store yesterday. I was able to find a cart with a "Car" attachment on the bottom for Parker to "drive" while I put Kennedy in the basket in her carseat. I also brought along the sling for backup in case Baby K was fussy, but she slept the whole time we were there!

Today's challenges included getting Kennedy to her Hearing Exam at the hospital. I managed by putting Parker in the umbrella stroller (so that he wouldn't be able to bolt or get into other mischeif in the doctor's office) and Kennedy in her sling. That sling is really a lifesaver for being able to have my hands free while holding her. (I'll try to post a picture of it soon) We made it to the appointment with ease and Kennedy passed her hearing exam. Yay!

The best obstacle-course moment was this afternoon when I decided to brave the outdoors and let Parker play in the backyard for awhile. All was going well. I was able to sit in a lawn chair and nurse Kennedy while Parker played and chased the cats. The trouble came when it was time to go back inside and Parker refused. I couldn't talk (or bribe) him into coming in the house. Believe me, I tried everything. So, I eventually brought Kennedy into the house and set her on her playmat so that I could pick Parker up and make him come inside.

While I was in the house setting her down, Parker jumped into our fountain and got soaking wet and muddy. OK...not problem. Just get him in the house (I am now covered in mud from his boots as well) and he can undress himself and put his pants in the laundry. Kennedy is quiet on her playmat, so I'm sure she'll be fine until I can get new pants for Parker. I stop to check on Kennedy and she has spit up all over herself! It's in her eye and ear...and on the back of her head! OK...so I'll just wipe her off, put her in her crib for a sec, get Parker dressed, set up her bathtub and give her a quick sponge bath. Whew!

Justin called while all this was going on to say that he was on his way home from work. All I could do was laugh as I tried to explain the chaos that was going on all around me!

I'm happy to say that both babies are now clean and happy. Parker is watching a bit of Winnie the Pooh and Kennedy is laying peacefully on my lap as I type this...Now I'm off to start supper...

Weight Check & PKU

2007-03-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Today is my first day alone with both kids. So far, it's been pretty mellow (knock on wood). I managed to get both kids changed, dressed, and in the car to go to Kennedy's doc appointment this morning. She now weighs 8 lb. So, they figure she's been putting on about 1/2 an ounce a day which is good/normal/healthy. They had to poke her heel and take blood for the PKU test which she HATED. I think that's the maddest I've ever seen her. We did some comfort-nursing when we got home and she's sleeping off the trauma now. Poor little girl.

Parker was SO GOOD the entire time we were at the clinic. I brought his umbrella stroller to keep him wrangled while we were there, and I carried Kennedy in the sling. Parker was just sweet and calm and quiet the entire time. I gave him big-time praise for that, because I was so grateful. Normally he would be fussing to get out of the stroller and run around and play. Today he was an angel.

Checkup Time

2007-03-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

Friday we took Parker and Kennedy for their checkups. Parker was due for his two-year well-child-exam, so we just scheduled them together. I think this will be one of the main benefits of having their birthdays so close together.

Parker is now 34" tall (or 2'10") and weighs almost 27 lbs. He was a little bit scared at the doc this time. He fussed a bit when he had to lay on the table and get measured. Then, as soon as it was over, he said, "Again! Fun!" He also hated having to get undressed down to his diaper. He LOVES getting dressed in the mornings. Most of the time his first words of the day are, "Shirt. Pants." So, he was heart-broken when he had to take off his clothes. He got one immunization (his second Hepatitis A vaccine) and cried a little bit. I think he thought it was the band-aid that hurt, because he kept saying, "Sticker off!" and as soon as we took the band-aid off for him he stopped crying.

Kennedy measured in at 20" and now weighs 7 lb. 11 oz. She was 7 lb. 10 oz. when we were discharged from the hospital. So, (at only four days old) she is already starting to gain weight, which is awesome! Yay for Mama Milk!!

We go back on 3/26 for a weight check for Kennedy and her second PKU test. Then we have her one-month well-baby-exam on 4/16.

Fast and Furious

2007-03-12T14:58:00.000-07:00

Kennedy is here!

Here is the story of Kennedy's birth...it was very fast!

2:00 AM - I woke with contractions that felt pretty serious and were about five minutes apart.

2:20 AM - I woke Justin and he got in the shower. I called my mom to come watch Parker.

3:00 AM - Contractions were about 3 minutes apart.

3:30 AM - Contractions were two minutes apart. My mom still had not shown up at our house. I was starting to get the shivers and was worried that I was nearing Transistion. I told Justin to wake up Parker and leave a note for my mom to meet us at the hospital.

4:00 AM - Arrived at triage. Was asked a million questions in between contractions while Justin took care of Parker out in the hallway. I was at 7 cm. They asked me if I wanted an epidural. "Yes please." Sometime during this hour, my mom showed up and took Parker home.

5:00 AM (about) - They wheeled me into the birthing suite. The anethesiologist arrived and determined that there might not be time for an epidural, so she did a spinal. I was feeling the urge to push but didn't say anything, because I wanted pain medication. Shortly after the spinal, they checked and I was complete. They broke my water. There was a bit of meconium, so they called the respiratory team.

5:19 AM - Kennedy Daisy Best was born after about 5-10 minutes of pushing. She weighed 7 lb. 14 oz. and was 19 inches long. She's sweet and sleepy, but nursing pretty well.

Maybe Today...

2007-03-12T03:41:00.000-07:00

I woke about 2:00 am (30 minutes ago) with some contractions that feel like they really mean business. They're about 3-5 minutes apart. I'm waiting for Justin to shower and for my mom to drive up (she lives about an hour away) to watch Parker, then it's off to the hospital! YAY!

The Uterus That Cried "Wolf"

2007-03-11T17:21:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how many times I've thought "Maybe this is IT?" when I've started having contractions six to ten minutes apart. They usually last for a couple of hours but then fizzle out.

I've also had just about every "pre-labor" sign in the book for the last week or so (with the exception of my water breaking) and still have not gone into active labor.

I'm trying to look on the bright side, that I am making progress towards having this baby. So far, it's been a very slow and gentle pre-labor/early-labor. I can't really complain too much. It's just so frustrating to go to bed every night for weeks and weeks wondering if tonight is the night.

40 Week Appointment

2007-03-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

I had my 40 Week appointment and it looks like things are moving in the right direction...just slowly. I am at 4 cm! That's practically half way! But I still have not been having regular or painful contractions. Dr. B stripped the membranes hoping that would help things along as well. He said that he thinks she will be here by Saturday.

IF by my appointment next Tuesday she's still not born, we will set up an induction for the 15th.

On the bright side...4 cm - YAY! Someone pointed out those are "bonus centimeters" because I got that far without any pain or labor. Woo-hoo!

Overdue

2007-03-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I am officially passed my "expected due date." I really did not expect this to happen. Parker was born three days before his due date, so I just assumed that this baby would come a bit early too. I was really expecting that she would be born in February.

My doctor's appointment yesterday was cancelled, because my doc had to take an on-call shift at the hospital. I can't say I'm too disappointed. I really was not looking forward to another appointment and the discouraging words "no progress."

Yesterday Justin took the day off work and we walked around the mall for a couple hours. Then came home so Parker could nap. Then went for a walk around the neighborhood. Then when it got dark outside, we went to the grocery store and walked around there for a bit. Guess what? Walking does NOT induce labor. It just makes you really tired.

Lunar Eclipse

2007-03-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

Lunar Eclipse Tonight

Eclipse Mythology and Metaphysics

Lunar and Solar eclipses have always been markers of change and evolution, dating to ancient times and civilizations. In the days before humanity became en'light'ened, the solar eclipse represented a time of fear and darkness. We have learned to see beyond myth and dark magic that controls through illusion, and moved into scientific truth.

Eclipses not only have gravitational affect on our bodies and planet Earth, but they also affect the collective unconscious, the grids, and in the astrological significance our natal birth charts, as well as the charts of nations. An eclipse seems to stop time, stop energy, and stop movement. Where once there was light filtering through the elemental forces of the zodiac into the Earth's aura, there is suddenly darkness, nothingness, a temporary lack of input from the Sun or Moon that serves to bring our awareness closer to the energy of the Solar or Lunar season, and thus intensify it.

The energies of a solar eclipse create changes on many levels as they represent letting go of the old and embracing the new - destruction - balance - rebirth.

39 Week Appointment

2007-02-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

Not much to report. Things are pretty much staying the same right now. I gained a pound since last week.

I'm in a bit of a funk today. Not sure if it's pregnancy hormones or what, but I just feel really "Blah" I'm bored too. I've done all the "nesting" that I can possibly do. I even shampooed the carpets last weekend.

This afternoon Parker found one of the ultrasound photos of Kennedy on my bedside table. He picked it up and said, "Baby Sister!!"

Parker's Second Birthday

2007-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

We had Parker's Second Birthday Party a week early (on February 17th.) It was a lot of fun. Grandma Katie, Eachean, Stephanie, Milo, Mabry, Lisa, Paul, Jake & Cooper all came over to help Parker celebrate. I baked an Elmo birthday cake for Parker and he wore his new Elmo t-shirt.

Parker checking out the Elmo cake

Parker and Grandma Katie being silly together...

Parker's actual birthday was the 25th. We had a family day together and had a really good time. I made him chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. Then we opened presents (he got some Play-doh toys and an Elmo cell phone from us.) Then we went to the store and got him a hot-chocolate from Starbucks (his own "coffee") and a Cookie Monster balloon that was as big as he is! Then Justin took him for a walk around the neighborhood. After nap we all played play-doh for awhile and then went to McDonald's for Happy Meal lunch. Then we had birthday cupcakes later that evening. It was a really fun day for all of us!

Parker enjoying a cupcake on his birthday...

Parker getting measured

Parker in the bathtub...with his new Cookie Monster balloon (or as he calls is "ba-ba-ba-boon!")

#11 - Parker's Elmo Cake

2007-02-24T22:37:00.000-08:00

I bought this cake pan from Birthday Express and made an Elmo-shaped cake for Parker's birthday. Here's a picture...

"Lightening" - HA!

2007-02-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

What a cruel joke that the baby settling lower in your pelvis during the end of pregnancy is referred to as "lightening." Ha! If by "lightening" you mean it feels like I'm carrying a bowling ball around in my lower pelvis, then, "Yep, I feel much lighter. Thanks!"

Excerpt from WebMD:
Lightening
The process of your baby settling or lowering into your pelvis is called lightening. Lightening can occur a few weeks or a few hours before labor. Because the uterus rests on the bladder more after lightening, you may feel the need to urinate more frequently.

38 Week US

2007-02-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

Just back from our ultrasound appointment. We have very good news - they are no longer concerned about the pericardial effusion (AKA fluid around the heart). It's still present, but hasn't gotten bigger, even though the baby has gotten bigger. The doctor said at this point she thinks that they're only finding it because they are looking for it.

We got a cute 3D picture of Kennedy, (which we will get scanned into the blog soon). She has chubby cheeks and was kind of making a grumpy face in the picture. They estimated her current weight at 8 lbs. 10 oz. However, I have heard that ultrasound weight estimates can be off by a pound or so...so we'll see how accurate that is when she gets here.

38 Week Appointment

2007-02-20T09:58:00.000-08:00

I had a doctor appointment today. Dr. B is on vacation, so I saw Dr. H. He was really nice. He said that Kennedy’s head is very low in my pelvis and he showed me where her back, legs and feet are positioned. He estimated that she will be about 8 to 8 ½ lbs. if I make it to my due date.

I lost 1 lb. since my last visit. That brings the total pregnancy weight gain to 29 lbs. (awesome!) When I was pregnant with Parker, I had gained 41 lbs. by this point. Blood pressure is still good at 108/60 and Kennedy’s heartbeat was healthy and strong.

He didn't check for dilation. He gave me the option, and I declined because those numbers just kind of mess with my head. If I've made progress, I'll get my hopes up. If I haven't made progress I'll be discouraged. The numbers don't seem to matter much anyway in the grand scheme of things. He said that honestly, different doctors measure differently anyway since it's all an estimate. So, whatever numbers he would have given me might be different than Dr. B's.

On a related note, I have been having mild contractions off-and-on all morning. I haven’t started timing them yet, because I know I’ll just drive myself crazy if I start too soon. They’re not really serious or painful, just noticeable.

I'm skipping my morning coffee today, I'm hoping if I stay calm and relaxed it might be more beneficial to labor starting. I brewed myself a cup of orange herbal tea and added cinnamon and cloves to it instead.

37 Week Appointment

2007-02-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Not much progress to report... Yesterday I had my 37 week appointment. My blood pressure is still low. Kennedy's heart rate was up around 160 BPM - she was awake and very active. I've now gained 30 lbs. total this pregnancy...yes you read that right; since my last appointment I've gained 3 lbs! I completely expected that though, I've been eating SO MUCH lately. My new favorite is Peanut Butter Cocoa Puffs!

Still only 1 cm. dilated and cervix is still posterior (high), but Kennedy is very low. Dr. B said that he is on-call Thursday, so if I go into labor then, he will be able to deliver her.