The Culinary Coordinator Quits

It's pretty much common knowledge that I'm on the borderline of being a culinary genius.  I tend to think of recipes as suggestions?  Guidelines?  Then I throw caution to the wind, take my ideas, and run with them.  With that being said, it's also a known fact that the same tactics mentioned above do not apply to baking.  Baking is something that cannot be tampered with.  One wrong measurement and the whole thing is a disaster.  Of course, I know this personally from when I had that big catastrophe and started a fire.

With all that being said, Momma's work load is about to decrease!  I am taking a temporary(?) hiatus from being the go-to gal for dinners around here.  I put in a lot of time and thought into weekly meal planning.  I scour the various cookbooks we have here at home, and I search for new things online to add variety into our meals.  I pilfer through the pantry, freezer, and fridge to account for the ingredients I already have on hand, and tirelessly go to work on my grocery list.  I write down the meal we'll be having as well as the ingredients I need to pick up to prepare it.  It's all a very rigorous, scientific process.  When it comes time for unloading the groceries, I think to myself "self, what days would be best to prepare each given meal according to my husband's schedule?"  As that determines what should be frozen, cooked rather soon, or can wait.

Then, being the good little diligent wife I am, I set out on a cooking endeavor and start preparing dinner.  And then guess what happens??  My husband tells me he isn't coming home.  Just doesn't come home.  Or even better, he doesn't know WHEN he'll be home... tonight, tomorrow, 4 days from now?  Who the hell knows?  So, there I am left with food to be wasted.  All of that time spent planning, preparing, cooking... WASTED.  My personal favorite, which just occurred not too long ago was this:  I get to work in the kitchen to make dinner as fast as I can because everyone is starving.  Sloppy Joes are ready to be slapped on buns, and Sweet Potato Fries are about to jump out of the oven.  And then!!!!  Jason leaves to go on a fire.  Well, I might as well eat what I want and feed the rest to the dogs.  Half of the time I have to make Elise something different than what we eat anyway, so it's not exactly like I'm preparing a meal for me AND her.  So, one could possibly see this frustration.  There's other things I could do with all that time... and even though I rock at it, I'm not exactly cooking for my entertainment.

So, until further notice I am taking a break from recipe searching, list making, ingredient sorting, meal planning, and anything else related to the preparation of dinner.  Everyone is now on their own to fend for themselves.  Well, besides Elise of course.  I make her dinner every night so that won't change.  As far as Jason and myself?  Cereal, sandwiches, and Pizza Rolls....  make it happen.

I also want to add:  Since I won't be wasting time doing the above mentioned items, I also won't be wasting time cleaning up the kitchen either.  I think I might take on scrap booking, knitting, or basket weaving. 

18 Months

Yesterday... Actually last night at 9:39pm Elise turned the big 1-8... 18 Months old and she hasn't looked back.  I, on the other hand look back frequently and miss the days of the tiny little baby we brought home from the hospital.  But that just makes me depressed.  Especially because I love having all the pictures to look back at, and I have none of the three of us at the hospital right after she was born, none of me and Jason while I was in labor (probably wouldn't be pretty anyway), none of the three of us as we left the hospital to come home.

But, even so, I have this one and a half year old that I contend with everyday that has some independence.  Something I'm pretty sure I longed for during those long & sleepless days and nights.  Now, instead of her needing me 12 hours out of the day (since she spent the other 12 sleeping) she comes to me when she needs something.  She climbs up in my lap to snuggle and give kisses.  She and I entertain each other, and can actually communicate with each other.

I tried to make a quick list of Elise's development, and of the new things she doing.

• She says MaMa, Doggie, KiKi (kitty kitty), Thank you, Daggie (Daddy), Please (pees)
• Gives High Fives
• Gives kisses and hugs *selectively*
• Knows and points to where her head, feet, nose and belly are
• She will go to her bed when she is asked if she's ready for a nap
• Goes to her changing table when asked if she needs a clean diaper
• When asked, she finds her cup, blankie, shoes, phone, paci, deer, Violet, etc.
• Brushes her hair and teeth
• Helps to put lotion on, and put her shoes on
• Loves to dance to music and occasional attempts to sing along
• She goes to bathtub when asked if she's ready for her bath
• She likes to have clean hands and frequently wipes her mouth while eating with napkins or her burp rag
• We keep her burp rag out for her, so when we tell her to go wipe her nose or her mouth she finds it does so.
• Goes to microwave/fridge for food/drinks
• Throws paci's, cups, toys when mad
• Uses spoon/fork to feed herself 
• Loves to help do laundry and unload the dish washer
• Current weight: 23lbs

I'm sure there's some stuff I've forgotten, but this is better than nothing.

April 2010

 April 2011

The Great Egg Hunt

Easter Sunday was Elise's first Easter egg hunt.  We didn't have high expectations of seeing her running around in a frenzy of excitement scooping eggs up and throwing them into her basket like a heathen.  Nevertheless, she was totally into the thrill of the chase.  We showed her one egg, told her to put it in her basket, and from that moment on it was on like Donkey Kong!

 

"Hmm.  Let me see what these colored balls are out in the yard."

 

"So, let me make sure I'm understanding this complicated concept.  I just pick it up, put it in that pink lacy bucket, and all ya'll cheer and clap your hands?"

"Well, watch this you idiots and prepare to be amazed.  Psshhh.  Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader my azz"

"That's right peeps!  Baby got mad egg huntin skillz!"

"Uh huh... thought I wouldn't find this one did you?  I was born at night, but it wasn't last night, honey"

"I'm going to be unloading all of my eggs into my car.  I like my eggs where I can see them.  Oh, and Nana... be a dear and make sure you don't drop any."

"I'm outta here, homies.  Catch ya on the flip side."

"Yo, Daddy-O, I know this ride can catch another gear, so don't let grass grow under your feet."

Such a little diva.  I just don't know what I'm going to do with all the attitude that little girl has.  I can only imagine it will continue to increase with her age.  

Of course, photos wouldn't be complete without a few family shots.  Unfortunately, we didn't manage to get any of all THREE of us together.  Maybe next year.

And since one day of egg hunting just wasn't enough.  Monday morning, afternoon, evening.  All day on Monday I picked up Easter eggs, while someone else kept on celebrating.  And celebrating.  Just wait until Christmas this year.  It's going to be a celebration of epic proportions.  She might even have that shot glass mastered by New Year's.  Of course she'll be shooting chocolate milk.  Just because she's small doesn't mean she doesn't have BIG plans!

Sad, but True

Elise opened the drawer on the china cabinet and took out a shot glass.  Elise opened up the drawer on the china cabinet and was digging through all of the stuff so I looked in there to see what I could give her to play with.  I found a plastic shot glass from Senor Frogs when we went to Mexico.  She carried it around and seemed content with her new "toy."  Suddenly, her little brain went to work as she headed over to the refrigerator and held it up to the automatic water dispenser.  She turned and looked at me.  Either to see if I was going to say "no" or to get my attention to show me what she was GOING TO DO no matter what I would say... which she does from time to time.  I just sat back and watched her to see how this would turn out.  Surprisingly enough, she successfully pushed her shot glass hard enough to actually get a little bit of water to pour into it.  Now what is she going to do with that? I wondered.  Maybe try to drink it?  Maybe pour in the dog bowl?  I started to make my way towards her at the very minute she dumped it all on the floor.  She was devastated! She threw down her shot glass and started wailing.  All of that hard work only to be spilled on the floor.  You would have thought it was an adult who was really PO'd because REAL alcohol had been wasted.  Lord, please do not let this be foreshadowing.

Another Trip To The Park

Today Elise and I met Jason during his lunch break at a park here in town to have a picnic.  We ate our lunch and played with Elise.  Some of my amazing photography skills at work...

And just for the record, that slide was A LOT faster than it looked, and we didn't test drive it beforehand.

Amazing Skills My Husband Has

Since my husband's profession requires him to partake in horribly disgusting events and scenes, you know the usual car wrecks with mangled body parts thrown all over the highway, idiots that set their vehicles on fire while they cruise down the interstate only to be burnt to a crisp for others to find, psychopaths that blow their faces off with shotguns, you can only presume that he would have a strong stomach.  I mean, one would have to.  I however, hear someone barfing and it's all over with.  Make that a party of two pukers!  One might also think that a profession such as his would develop characteristics such as compassion and sympathy.  I'm pretty sure that's not the case, well at least not in mine anyway.

Anyway, yesterday morning I woke up with my intestines screaming for help.  I lingered by the toilet willing the evil out of my gut and my body soaked in sweat.  Nothing.  I hopped in the shower for some relief.  I just sat in the bottom of the tub and washed my hair, face, and body while the water poured on top of me.  Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt.  Meaning, the more I moved around, the sicker I felt.  Luckily for me, Jason was off yesterday because he had a dentist appointment and I had a follow-up appointment with my family doctor.  I started to get myself ready and dressed, taking minutes in between to sit down so that the nausea would subside.  My face was pale and my lips were white.  We were on our way out the door to my appointment and I grabbed a plastic grocery bag.  You know, just in case.  I laid my head back and closed my eyes and hoped that Jason would STOP HITTING THE BUMPS!

We made it to the doctor's office, I checked in, and they wanted to have a freaking conversation about my bill and my deductible and all that crap.  I mean REALLY?!  I thought to myself, let's discuss this later or else you'll be sending me a bill to have your entire waiting room repainted from the vomit I'm about to cover the walls in.

They called me back, I did the whole deal with the nurse, weight, blood pressure, how are you doing, I'm fine just need a barf bag please, the doctor will be in shortly blah, blah, blah.

My doctor sent over a prescription to the pharmacy across the street and we headed out the door.  As we got into the truck Jason says "are you getting hungry?"  umm no.  "I'm just thirsty."

There was a Sonic right next to the doctor's office so we whipped in there.

"Do you want something to eat?"

Uggghhhhhhhh!  For the love of GOD quit talking about food!

"no, just a Sprite."

The Sonic worker came over the intercom:  "Welcome to Sonic, can I take your order?"

"Yes, I need a medium Sprite, a large Cherry Limeade, and an order of Mozzarella Sticks."

"Ok, that will be $7.21"

Immediately after that brief conversation, I threw my face into my plastic sack and barfed 3 times in it.

Everyone was just chillin in the truck, and I had my face in a sack making the most horrific noises and begging for the bag to NOT have a freaking hole in it.  Then, Jason decided he was going to look over at me and the contents of the bag.

"Just liquid huh?"

Yeah you wanna taste it?  Is what I would have said if I hadn't felt so sick.

Here comes the little car hop with our order.  And I'm holding a bag of barf.  Neat.

Jason just whips out his cheese sticks and starts going to town on them all the while looking for a dumpster so that I can dispose of the mess.

"It's hard for me to eat because this side of my face is all numb."

Wow, that sure is a tragedy.  It's hard for me to smell those cheese sticks because I wanna puke and don't have anywhere to do it.

It did look pretty funny.  One side of his face looked paralyzed.  Of course I didn't care at that given moment.

All I'm thinking about is where am I gonna puke the next time.  We need to find another plastic bag STAT!

Then he says, "Well, they didn't give me any dipping sauce."

Seriously?!  How can you eat while all this is going on?!  Evidently due to his strong tolerance for events such as these.  At least it's a good thing he doesn't have a weak stomach, because then we'd both be barfing all over the place.

Luckily, we acquired another plastic bag for the next puking session.  And another for the one after that.  It was all quite a sight to behold.  Jason's driving down the road, I'm puking into plastic bags, and in between puking sessions, trying to feed my daughter some Teddy Grahams to keep her happy.  It was a really fun morning!  I can't wait to do it again!

An End To The Battle Of The Binky

I carry Elise's pacifiers around like I carry my cell phone for fear that we will be somewhere and not have one when she wants it.  Not exactly ideal, but whatever soothes her.  But, lately I have been tormented about the paci dilemma.  I know Elise loves it, but I am was under the assumption that she SHOULDN'T have it anymore.  But why?  Her pediatrician said to toss them at 6 months?  Her speech will be affected?  She'll have orthodontic problems?  It's not socially acceptable to see a toddler with a paci beyond a certain age?

Yesterday I got online to do some research about how to wean her from her favorite thing since we have really been struggling with it.  When she wants it and we don't give it to her, she has a meltdown throughout multiple rooms of the whole house.  Jason and I are at a loss for what to do.  Should we give it to her?  Are we giving her mixed signals by giving it to her sometimes and not others?  Are we mean for taking away something that comforts her?

After some online investigation, I came across something that answered many of my questions.  A website called askdrsears.com.  I know it's a reputable one since I have a couple of baby books written by the same doctor.  His opinion put me at ease for the time being.

"Pacifiers are "peacemakers" – which children return to as an attachment object. Some infants and young children have an intense need to suck for comfort, which lasts well into their preschool years. Seeing a plug in a three-year-old's mouth actually bothers adults more than children. This does not imply a psychological problem or a need unfulfilled by parents. On the contrary, the ability to use objects to self-comfort is a sign of psychological health. The only problem with pacifiers at three years of age is the likelihood of exerting pressure on the upper front teeth, resulting in an overbite. If your child does not use a pacifier long enough and suck hard enough to be causing mal-alignment of the teeth, then there is no need to break this habit."

After reading this particular article, I told Jason that I was going to give up the struggle of battling with Elise and myself over her paci.  I told him, "let her have it, if she wants it."  I'm just going to keep rocking along with it and see if the time will come when she decides to give it up on her own.  If I notice she has some teeth problems or she hasn't given it up within the next year, I'll do further research on breaking the paci habit.

Whirlwind Weekend

Most weekends Jason, Elise, and I spend at home or make the occasional trip up to Amarillo. Nothing too special.  If Elise goes to spend the night with her Nana & Grandpa, Jason and I will go to dinner or a movie and call it a night.

This past weekend, Elise spent 2 nights over there.  Friday AND Saturday.  Since we had 2 nights and 1 FULL day to spend baby free we decided to GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Friday night we went up to Amarillo and ran by the mall for a bit.  Then we headed up to our new favorite hot spot, the Texas Firehouse to have a couple of drinks.  After that, it was off to the Japanese steak house for sushi and tons of food.  As if that wasn't enough, we came back to town and met some friends at the only place in town that serves alcohol for a few beers.  We were home by 1am.

Friday night we made some plans with some friends of ours to go hiking out at Palo Duro Canyon on Saturday.  We were up and getting ready by 9am.  We went to Subway to get some sandwiches to take out there with us, packed up all of our gear, and the four of us headed out.  We did the 6 mile round trip trail and it took most of the day.  We were back at the house at 4pm, showered and cleaned up, and back out the door again by 5:30pm to meet them for dinner and then a movie.  By the time the movie was over, the four of us were absolutely exhausted!  We couldn't wait to get home and go to bed!

We were up the next morning at 8:30am to meet to get Elise, who looked like she just as tired as we were.

Jason and I went from doing nothing on the weekend to doing EVERYTHING all at once!  Our Visa took a beating, but if you can't run with the big dogs you gotta stay chained to the porch.  Looks like I'm staying chained to the porch the rest of the week.

A few pictures from our adventure at the canyon

Miscellaneous Videos

I had some videos on my cell phone that I uploaded to youtube.  Some are repeats that some of you have seen on Facebook, but still worth another watch.  Maybe?  I'm still working on 2 more, but in the meantime, for your viewing pleasure.....