The apples

Yesterday we got a package from Mimi and Papa that included some new plates, mugs and utensils for the boys. They were excited! And here's proof the apples don't fall far from the tree -- both of the boys commented on how they were drinking their "coffee" last night. Guess they've not had drinks from a mug before.



Happy day!

Oh baby

Meet Connor, and see his beautiful, proud Mama. I got the privilege yesterday afternoon of a visit with these two, and this little fellow is amazing. There's nothing like a little time with a newborn -- particularly one as special and handsome as Connor -- and a friend -- particularly one as super as Becky -- to restore one's soul to a calm and healthy place. Thanks to Scott for letting me go and thanks to Becky and David for letting me share some time with your precious boy. God bless!



Happy day!

A new baby!

First news o' the day: Baby Connor was born to Becky, David, Meredith and Claire (but Becky did most of the work, let it be stated) on Sunday, November 22! 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Congratulations to our happy friends. I hope I'll get to meet our new buddy soon. Becky was a long-suffering pregnant lady fo sho, but I think the past week was a mini-marathon for her, and it's so good to hear her now that the little guy is out where she can appreciate the wonder of him!

Speaking of happy news, I almost dare not mention my good fortune of the past few mornings, lest I jinx it, but ... Julia's been waking up a bit later (say 4:30 or 5 instead of 3:30) and then most times I seem to eventually be able to get her back to sleep and back to her bed so that my mornings are going a little more smoothly. This morning I'm showered and most of my morning routine is done, so I have a few minutes to blog without feeling pulled in another direction. Too bad I don't have much to say!

This weekend was good -- Scott had call on Friday and then was home with us. We met up with Sarah, Kevin, Andrew and Parker at the local Christmas parade on Saturday afternoon. It was a bit of a spectacle. We buckled everyone down in strollers to ease our minds and I think that was the way to go. I got a few pics but none too good. I'll post anyway in lieu of other, better shots. Photography is on the agenda for the upcoming week since Scott has a couple days off. He has to work Thanksgiving weekend, though, so we're staying where we are for the holiday, and looking forward to a big meal and some downtime and maybe a bit of Christmas prep?

Scott's frying a turkey for our Thanksgiving -- a first for us -- and is thick into thoughts of how to make it perfect. Any fryers out there who have tips?

He has requested that I make a batch of PW's cinnamon rolls for our Turkey-Day breakfast, so I'm getting in that mood. We're sharing our Thanksgiving meal with Sarah and fam -- it'll be fun and low-key I think. I'm very much looking forward to it.

The rest of our weekend was good -- we went to mass Saturday night and got to give Becky and David a bit of a Sunday-morning send-off there; Sunday Sarah and I ran 12 miles and had a little Starbucks after; the rest of yesterday we mostly stayed in and Scott and I traded childcare duties while the off-duty soul got things done. I did some cooking, laundry, etc. Overall, a great weekend and I wish today weren't Monday!

I hope we'll get a walk in this morning (if rain holds off).

Happy day!

You take that diaper off your head ...

Remember in Raising Arizona? "Reilly, you take that diaper off your head and put it back on your sister!" It feels like one of those mornings. I'm going to have to bring in reinforcements, I think; the boys don't seem to get the concept of being good for goodness sake and Lord knows I'm singing the Santa Claus song loudly and often. There seems to be a lot of in-fighting, not listening and general derision in the house this morning (and yesterday).

Maybe it's just me. And, as my Mommy Mantras book reminds me, I'm not the Buddha. I gotta work with what I got.

So, have you noticed? Yesterday's happy-happy-joy-joy has segued into today's PMS! Yes, folks (sorry fellows), I have rejoined the ranks of the potentially reproductive. Grrrr. At least I have a good explanation for my mood swings during the past few days!

I'm working on my frame of mind, though. I decided to bring out further Christmas-related heavy guns and am wearing my favorite Christmas shirt -- Marcy, it's the one you gave me with Snoopy and Woodstock on it? I took time out to dry my hair this morning so it looks alright. I'm going to be cranking the jolly tunes in the car, too. I am determined to exorcise my Grinch!

Don't have a lot more to blog about. I still need to work on getting some pictures of the kiddos this weekend. Scott should be around so I'll try for some good ones with the fancy cam.

Happy day!

Congrats, stats and recipes

First, congrats! Super shout-outs to my friend Susan, who gave birth to Sullivan Alexander on November 8th! I have been lax on the catch-ups and didn't find till yesterday that little Sullivan had been born. What a wonderful thing!

Second, the stats. We made it through the doctor visit without a hitch (except for a fire drill in the middle -- thank goodness it wasn't too cold b/c Julia had to go out partially clothed). All three got their H1N1 vaccine, and Julia also had to get a regular flu booster and her Hepatitis B vaccine.

Here's how everybody measured:

John Paul weighs 34 pounds and is 39 inches tall. He's at 29% for weight, 18% for height and overall 54% for weight:height. He was the smallest of our three at birth at 4 pounds, 10 ounces, so he's still small, but definitely growing. Perfect!

Jake weighs 39 pounds and is 40 3/4 inches tall. He's at 71% for weight, 54% for height and overall 77% for weight:height.

Julia weighs 20 pounds (up a pound-and-a-half from her sick-baby check a couple weeks ago) and is 28 inches long. She's 72% for weight, 67% for height. We didn't get a ratio on her, but did also get a head circumference, the measurement for which puts her at 66% for that.

I tell ya, I'm in love with these kids.

One thought before I launch into recipes -- details. We had a scare with John Paul last Sunday during which he hid from us and didn't answer when we called -- we were REALLY scared when we finally found him that something terrible had happened. Since then I've made a point to memorize details every morning -- what is everyone wearing is the big one. I hope you don't ever have to have this information ready to give someone, but I'm trying to take a mental picture. Moreso than details that scare has reminded me of the treasure I'm entrusted with.

OK. Recipes. I know I need to get some new pictures up here soon, too. Will work on that.

Yesterday after the doc I did a good bit of cooking -- did some butternut squash with buttermilk and sour cream for Julia (rivals mashed potatoes in goodness, Jess), some tortilla "cigars" for the boys with hidden carrot and squash, and enchiladas and a Waldorf salad for the grownups (boys also like enchiladas).

The recipes, both from Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine:

Enchiladas

1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound extra-lean ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups 2% cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups light sour cream
2 cans chopped green chilies (the 4-oz ones)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander

Sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
2 8-oz cans tomato sauce
1 cup salsa
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 whole wheat tortillas (8 inch)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large skillet, cook the beef, turkey and onion over medium until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in cottage cheese, sour cream, chilies, cumin and coriander; set aside.

2. For sauce, in large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onion till tender. Stir in the tomato sauce, salsa, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder and thyme. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.

3. Place a heaping 1/2 cup meat mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up and place, seam side down, in two 13x9-inch baking dishes coated with cooking spray. Pour sauce over top.

4. Cover and freeze one dish for up to 3 months. Bake the remaining dish, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with 6 Tbsp. cheddar; bake 5 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

5. To use frozen enchiladas: Thaw in Fridge overnight. Remove from the Fridge 30 mins before baking. Cover and bake as directed.


Blue Cheese Waldorf Salad (I halved this one, as it normally serves 12)

4 large apples, chopped
2 cups green grapes, halved
1 1/3 cups chopped celery
1/2 cup raisins
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2/3 cup fat-free mayo
2/3 cup low fat buttermilk
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1. In a large bowl, combine the apples, grapes, celery, raisins and lemon juice.

2. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, buttermilk, blue cheese and sugar. Pour over apple mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3. Just before serving, sprinkle with walnuts.

Happy day!

Thanksgiving prayer

I'm organizing our crew for a threefer trip to the pediatrician today -- nobody's ill I hope, but for all three well child checkups. In lieu of a longer post (I might update later, but I kind of doubt it), I'll share this Thanksgiving prayer. My grandmother has it hanging in her kitchen, and it's been in my head lately.

Thank God for dirty dishes,
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well.

Happy day!

Ramblings

Don't have much to tell today, nor time to tell; Scott's home this morning after call yesterday and I'm trying to steer the aircraft carrier that is our little fam toward the destination that is out the door. John Paul is taking sweet time getting dressed, choosing breakfast, picking out a spoon, etc., so I need to get on to cattle prodding.

Yesterday I cleaned out my side of the closet. It was a challenge since I had three little people around, but I did a decent job and it's cathartic! Also depressing, since I tried on a few pairs of pants that I wore a lot better 10 years ago. I thought I was doing ok post-Julia but I think that's because I may have lowered the bar. On the other hand, that comes with the territory right now; I have three little ones. Still, a tad of a bummer.

But back to happier subjects, how precious these three are to me. I am daily amazed by them. Yesterday John Paul, in one of his characteristic snits ("I'm never going to be your friend. I'm never going to play with anybody ever again. I'm never going to whatever whatever whatever ...") told me that "there will never be any more Ghost Hunters for mommy again." He knows how to hit a girl where it hurts! MerMer told me at the park Sunday that boys are tricky. That they are. But so smart!

Here are a few pictures for the day to supplement this bit of post. I was only going to post pics from the beach but then I remembered this shot of my sis with Julia when the latter was about a week old. Wow.

And speaking of wee ones, send good vibes to Becky today. Maybe it's the big day?

Happies!