Friday, July 30, 2010
Yet another Kitchen Gadget
I have a pasta cooker that's a tall cylinder, you pour boiling water into it and then close it up and wait, I like it well enough but it doesn't work for anything but spaghetti. This one looks like it would work for all the pasta types I cook, elbow macaroni, spaghetti, and lasagna noodles. With my pasta pot having a bad tendency to boil over I usually end up standing at the stove for the entire 10 minutes cooking time fanning the pot with a plate to keep things under control. This Fasta Pasta cooker seems like it would be a life saver, and it's got quite a few positive reviews. I want!
end of July reading
Since my first library e-book foray several weeks ago I've checked quite a few books. Right now I have four e-books checked out at the same time... That wasn't exactly on purpose. I put myself on the hold list for a couple and they randomly came available at the same time. Hopefully I can get them all read within the next two weeks, but if not I'll just put myself back onto the hold list and recheck them out later.
The whole reason I mention all of that is because now that I'm comfortable checking out e-books books I thought I'd try my hand at checking out an audio book. I did a little online library browsing and I put one on the Nook this morning. Unfortunately the majority of the audio books my library system has are in the wrong format for the Nook to play, but many of them are in MP3 format, and that works great on it. It's rather exciting to finally be using the Nooks audio feature, considering I've owned the thing for half a year.
Honestly I'm not to big on audio books for myself (I prefer to read the words vs having them read to me) BUT I'm going to do a little searching for childrens audio books, I know the Kiddo would get a kick out of that.
The whole reason I mention all of that is because now that I'm comfortable checking out e-books books I thought I'd try my hand at checking out an audio book. I did a little online library browsing and I put one on the Nook this morning. Unfortunately the majority of the audio books my library system has are in the wrong format for the Nook to play, but many of them are in MP3 format, and that works great on it. It's rather exciting to finally be using the Nooks audio feature, considering I've owned the thing for half a year.
Honestly I'm not to big on audio books for myself (I prefer to read the words vs having them read to me) BUT I'm going to do a little searching for childrens audio books, I know the Kiddo would get a kick out of that.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
sleepovers
My friend from out in Duchesne came and kidnapped me this past weekend. She heard that the Man was out of town (doing MP stuff for the Blue Angels airshow up in Idaho) and thought I deserved to have a little fun as well. So She drove down on Friday evening and picked the Kiddo and myself up.
Saturday we spent just relaxing and having fun! July 24th here in Utah is Pioneer day and the Kiddo got to ride in the Duchesne parade! Then he got a ride on a four wheeler (which he is still talking about, three days after the fact). He got to pet bunnies, play with goats, see pigeons, and cuddle puppies.
As for me, I cuddled bunnies and puppies, ignored pigeons, and very briefly petted goats.
I also learned how to make whole wheat bread from scratch!! Now I have added yet another kitchen appliance to my "dream" list, a grain mill, so I can make my own wheat flour. Someday *wistful sigh*
Saturday we spent just relaxing and having fun! July 24th here in Utah is Pioneer day and the Kiddo got to ride in the Duchesne parade! Then he got a ride on a four wheeler (which he is still talking about, three days after the fact). He got to pet bunnies, play with goats, see pigeons, and cuddle puppies.
As for me, I cuddled bunnies and puppies, ignored pigeons, and very briefly petted goats.
I also learned how to make whole wheat bread from scratch!! Now I have added yet another kitchen appliance to my "dream" list, a grain mill, so I can make my own wheat flour. Someday *wistful sigh*
Friday, July 23, 2010
say what?
The Kiddo has started reading words on different objects and either gloating that he knows what they are, or asking what they mean. For example the other day he read "socks" and they started kicking his feet around laughing. Todays word was a "can't quite keep my face strait" one...
Kiddo: Mom what's this word?
Me: what word baby?
Kiddo: this word... it says, um, sex, what's that mean?
Me: WHAT, what word?? (doing a quick turn to see what he's reading)
Kiddo: sex, it says name and then next to that it says sex... see right here?
Me: Oh! Sex... that means gender, Male or Female, Boy or Girl. Mommy is a girl so her sex is female. You're a boy so your sex is male.
Kiddo: Oh, okay. Well they have pictures too... so the pink one is the girl right, and the blue is the boy.
Me: Yep, usually pink means girls, and girls are females. Blue usually means boy, and boys are males (trying to get the word association in there)
Kiddo: Got it, so girls and boys have sex...
Me: um er they have sexES yes, but usually it's better just to call them boys or girls. Keeps things from getting confusing.
Who knew I'd be faced with an almost birds and bees conversation this early in his life. And all because of a play doctor kits clip board.
..............................................................................
Kiddo: Mom what's this word?
Me: what word baby?
Kiddo: this word... it says, um, sex, what's that mean?
Me: WHAT, what word?? (doing a quick turn to see what he's reading)
Kiddo: sex, it says name and then next to that it says sex... see right here?
Me: Oh! Sex... that means gender, Male or Female, Boy or Girl. Mommy is a girl so her sex is female. You're a boy so your sex is male.
Kiddo: Oh, okay. Well they have pictures too... so the pink one is the girl right, and the blue is the boy.
Me: Yep, usually pink means girls, and girls are females. Blue usually means boy, and boys are males (trying to get the word association in there)
Kiddo: Got it, so girls and boys have sex...
Me: um er they have sexES yes, but usually it's better just to call them boys or girls. Keeps things from getting confusing.
.................................................................................
Who knew I'd be faced with an almost birds and bees conversation this early in his life. And all because of a play doctor kits clip board.
Home made pizza
Not exactly the lowest calorie pizza out there but just for kicks I tried a no carb cauliflower crust. We tried this a couple months ago and the 'bread' turned out rather soggy, usually I'll try something twice before tossing the recipe though so yesterday I gave it another shot. This time I strained the riced cauliflower through a coffee filter (so I could squeeze out the water). The crust turned out a lot more break like and was very good. It made a fantastic alfredo spinach mushroom chicken pizza.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
1c cooked riced cauliflower
1 egg
1c Mozzarella cheese shredded
1/2 tsp fennel
1tsp oregano
2tsp parsley
To get the riced cauliflower I buy the frozen package, cook it, drain it on paper towel, rice it with a cheese grater, and then squeeze out the excess water through a paper coffee filter.
Preheat Oven to 450.
Combine cauliflower, egg and cheese. Press evenly onto pam'd pan*. Sprinkle with seasoning. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Add toppings and broil until cheese is melted.
*This can be done in smaller pizza sizes (as you can see from my photo I make two pizza's about 8x7), and the 'dough' can be saved in the fridge if you only want to use half at a time.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust1c cooked riced cauliflower
1 egg
1c Mozzarella cheese shredded
1/2 tsp fennel
1tsp oregano
2tsp parsley
To get the riced cauliflower I buy the frozen package, cook it, drain it on paper towel, rice it with a cheese grater, and then squeeze out the excess water through a paper coffee filter.
Preheat Oven to 450.
Combine cauliflower, egg and cheese. Press evenly onto pam'd pan*. Sprinkle with seasoning. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Add toppings and broil until cheese is melted.
*This can be done in smaller pizza sizes (as you can see from my photo I make two pizza's about 8x7), and the 'dough' can be saved in the fridge if you only want to use half at a time.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
ice ice baby
Kiddo has been tensing up a lot lately with his shots. I'm not sure what changed, maybe he felt one to many rounded tip' needles and stopped trusting that they wouldn't hurt. Of course when you tense up it just hurts even more.
So, with a suggestion from Grannie, we tried something new... I don't really know why we didn't try it sooner... the more I think about it the more I could swear she's probably mentioned it before.
Meet Elli. We've had her since the Kiddo started crawling. She's a plush little elephant with a re-usable ice cube in her back. We bought her and her brother (they came in a set) for when he'd crawl into walls or bump his head. I think we've only used them for their intended purposes once or twice, the rest of the time they sit in the freezer forgotten. But last night we pulled little Elli out, and put her to use:
She's got a thin piece of fabric over her lower side but the Kiddo decided he wanted direct icecube to skin contact to better test the numbing power. When we did the shot he only flinched and tensed up a tiny bit, and that was not when I stuck him, but when I pushed the plunger. He did a couple deep breaths and was fine, then he grinned at me and said "you're right! That DID hurt less then I thought."
We will let Elli try her magic again tonight and see if she can keep up the good work. At the very least it's distracting him some.
So, with a suggestion from Grannie, we tried something new... I don't really know why we didn't try it sooner... the more I think about it the more I could swear she's probably mentioned it before.
Meet Elli. We've had her since the Kiddo started crawling. She's a plush little elephant with a re-usable ice cube in her back. We bought her and her brother (they came in a set) for when he'd crawl into walls or bump his head. I think we've only used them for their intended purposes once or twice, the rest of the time they sit in the freezer forgotten. But last night we pulled little Elli out, and put her to use:
She's got a thin piece of fabric over her lower side but the Kiddo decided he wanted direct icecube to skin contact to better test the numbing power. When we did the shot he only flinched and tensed up a tiny bit, and that was not when I stuck him, but when I pushed the plunger. He did a couple deep breaths and was fine, then he grinned at me and said "you're right! That DID hurt less then I thought."We will let Elli try her magic again tonight and see if she can keep up the good work. At the very least it's distracting him some.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
kick back..
and relax... is this not the neatest looking chair you've ever seen?? I want one, or at least I want to spend a good hour sitting in one just to see if it's as comfortable as they say it is.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Pasta and Whole Grain
As you all know my project this summer was to lose a little weight (done) and learn to eat healthier. I did not think I was eating so poorly before, but I've learned a LOT lately about how our bodies process foods - why we store fat vs break it down etc. What foods prevent us from burning fat, and what foods help us do it. Which is good to know, for me it's not so much for the weight LOSS part but for the keeping weight OFF part.
So there's the obvious, that most of us know. Sugar is bad, the regular sugar type sugar (chocolate brownie style) and the 'you don't think about it' sugar (foods that turns to sugar; orange juice, bread, pasta)... so eating that stuff makes you have a blood sugar spike (sugar rush WOOO) which then causes your body to release insulin, which tells our bodies to store fat!! AND causes a crash (not so woohoo) and the crash makes us tired and hungry and gives us cravings. All bad cuz then I run to the kitchen for a snack... which usually ends up being a piece of bread with pb and we start it all again.
So that leads us to the fact that there are good Carbs and bad ones. Bad ones are simple carbs like white flour. But many articles I've read include whole wheat bread in the list, and whole grain cereal, whole grain pasta, and granola.. the list goes on. I was surprised to read that products can say they are whole grain w/out actually being whole grain, as long as there's a little in there then can label it that way. Which means you're eating grains thinking it's the good stuff... but it is still processed grains and will still cause that insulin spike/fat storing mode situation... *grumpy sigh*
Obviously we gotta have carbs, they give us energy. And obviously fruits and vegetables are good carbs. Then there's the sprouted grain breads (which ARE good for you). But I want my spaghetti and my mac and cheese so I'm not sure WHAT to do about that. Maybe I'll just make sure I do a 30 minute work out video before dinner on the days I want to eat pasta, I'll use the whole grain (for what it's worth) and my body will be in extra calorie burn mode so it wont store as much fat as it otherwise would.
Confusion really is my primary reaction to this great grain debate. To eat or not to eat, I like carbs way to much to cut them out of my diet... (a couple article links for you)
At least the good fats and bad fats part of things is easier to understand. I mean everybody pretty much agrees that if you eat the bad fats it causes your body to store fat. But eat the good fats it tells your body to burn more fats (increases your metabolic fat burning something or other). And, even better, they all seem to agree on what the good fats are!! Easy then, try to avoid hydrogenated oils (which seems impossible when you look at food labels, yikes), use either real butter or the tubs of heart-healthy margarine made with omega-3 not fake stuff that have trans fats in them, use olive oil (or, even better, coconut oil), eat eggs and avacados and nuts (though apparently peanuts** and cashews are both "bad" nuts, which is upsetting because they are my two favorites *big sigh*).
And the random bit of information I came across that actually makes a ton of sense and was pretty interesting to me (being that I'm a lazy person and love processed foods)...
Here it is, see our liver has a whole bunch of jobs, but the two important ones for weight are the breakdown of fats and filtering harmful toxins from the blood. So when we eat processed foods the liver stops breaking down fats in order to focus on filtering the chemicals and has no time or energy for fat breakdown. So the fewer processed foods we eat, (foods with artificial sweeteners, fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, processed soy products)... the more time it has to break down the fat vs store it. And then thinking about THAT you realize that almost all the pre-made store bought foods (trail mix, health snack bars, flavored yogurt, frozen lasagna etc) have those things in them.
Anyway, take it all for what it's worth. It's overwhelming to say the least. I think I will make an effort here and there. Like I said, I'll work out on pasta dinner days, I'll replace my oils with coconut oil (already done) stop getting the fake butter and start using the real stuff.
I'm not going to become a crazy health nut, but sometimes even one or two steps can help enough to keep things on the right track. And the older I get the more important it is to take the small steps to keep things from getting out of control.
**I refuse to give up my peanut butter!! I may possibly be persuaded to spend the couple extra bucks to get the sugar free organic just peanuts kind (rather then skippy)... we'll see how it tastes before I commit to it.
So there's the obvious, that most of us know. Sugar is bad, the regular sugar type sugar (chocolate brownie style) and the 'you don't think about it' sugar (foods that turns to sugar; orange juice, bread, pasta)... so eating that stuff makes you have a blood sugar spike (sugar rush WOOO) which then causes your body to release insulin, which tells our bodies to store fat!! AND causes a crash (not so woohoo) and the crash makes us tired and hungry and gives us cravings. All bad cuz then I run to the kitchen for a snack... which usually ends up being a piece of bread with pb and we start it all again.
So that leads us to the fact that there are good Carbs and bad ones. Bad ones are simple carbs like white flour. But many articles I've read include whole wheat bread in the list, and whole grain cereal, whole grain pasta, and granola.. the list goes on. I was surprised to read that products can say they are whole grain w/out actually being whole grain, as long as there's a little in there then can label it that way. Which means you're eating grains thinking it's the good stuff... but it is still processed grains and will still cause that insulin spike/fat storing mode situation... *grumpy sigh*
Obviously we gotta have carbs, they give us energy. And obviously fruits and vegetables are good carbs. Then there's the sprouted grain breads (which ARE good for you). But I want my spaghetti and my mac and cheese so I'm not sure WHAT to do about that. Maybe I'll just make sure I do a 30 minute work out video before dinner on the days I want to eat pasta, I'll use the whole grain (for what it's worth) and my body will be in extra calorie burn mode so it wont store as much fat as it otherwise would.
Confusion really is my primary reaction to this great grain debate. To eat or not to eat, I like carbs way to much to cut them out of my diet... (a couple article links for you)
Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: How To Pick The Best Carbs For Your Diet
Carbohydrates: Are All Grains Bad For You?At least the good fats and bad fats part of things is easier to understand. I mean everybody pretty much agrees that if you eat the bad fats it causes your body to store fat. But eat the good fats it tells your body to burn more fats (increases your metabolic fat burning something or other). And, even better, they all seem to agree on what the good fats are!! Easy then, try to avoid hydrogenated oils (which seems impossible when you look at food labels, yikes), use either real butter or the tubs of heart-healthy margarine made with omega-3 not fake stuff that have trans fats in them, use olive oil (or, even better, coconut oil), eat eggs and avacados and nuts (though apparently peanuts** and cashews are both "bad" nuts, which is upsetting because they are my two favorites *big sigh*).
And the random bit of information I came across that actually makes a ton of sense and was pretty interesting to me (being that I'm a lazy person and love processed foods)...
Here it is, see our liver has a whole bunch of jobs, but the two important ones for weight are the breakdown of fats and filtering harmful toxins from the blood. So when we eat processed foods the liver stops breaking down fats in order to focus on filtering the chemicals and has no time or energy for fat breakdown. So the fewer processed foods we eat, (foods with artificial sweeteners, fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, processed soy products)... the more time it has to break down the fat vs store it. And then thinking about THAT you realize that almost all the pre-made store bought foods (trail mix, health snack bars, flavored yogurt, frozen lasagna etc) have those things in them.
Anyway, take it all for what it's worth. It's overwhelming to say the least. I think I will make an effort here and there. Like I said, I'll work out on pasta dinner days, I'll replace my oils with coconut oil (already done) stop getting the fake butter and start using the real stuff.
I'm not going to become a crazy health nut, but sometimes even one or two steps can help enough to keep things on the right track. And the older I get the more important it is to take the small steps to keep things from getting out of control.
**I refuse to give up my peanut butter!! I may possibly be persuaded to spend the couple extra bucks to get the sugar free organic just peanuts kind (rather then skippy)... we'll see how it tastes before I commit to it.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Kids say the oddest...
The other day as I finished up my prep for a grocery store run I asked the Kiddo to go get ready so he could come with me. The Man was home and I thought it would be nice to take the Kid so he could get some relaxing solo time. The Kiddo had other ideas, the conversation when something like this:
me: Kiddo, go potty and get your shoes on, we're going to go to the grocery store.
Kiddo: that's okay mom, I want to stay here and play with my toys in my room.
me: What? Really? But I need you to come with me, I need your help to pick bananas..
Kiddo: But I really do want to stay here, I'll play in my room and daddy will play on his computer.
me: um er but I would really like you to come with me, I really do need help picking the banana's... oh AND I need help picking a new package of twizzlers...
Kiddo: I have an idea for you, what if you CALL me when you need help. I can stay here and play, and you can go get groceries, and you can call me when you need help picking the twizzlers and banana's. That's the greatest idea, isn't it a great idea?
me: ummm .... ....
"Mom, I want to be a magic wolf dog. I'll have powers, and I'll save the whole big world all by myself! And when the alarm sounds that's when I'll turn into a wolf, and my tiny teeth will turn into great BIG teeth (tapping his front teeth)). And my tiny claws ((holding out his fingers and pointing to his nails)) will turn into HUGE claws, and my other tiny claws ((kicking his foot forward)) will turn into huge claws too, and then I'll be the biggest and the strongest and I'll save everybody."
me: Kiddo, go potty and get your shoes on, we're going to go to the grocery store.
Kiddo: that's okay mom, I want to stay here and play with my toys in my room.
me: What? Really? But I need you to come with me, I need your help to pick bananas..
Kiddo: But I really do want to stay here, I'll play in my room and daddy will play on his computer.
me: um er but I would really like you to come with me, I really do need help picking the banana's... oh AND I need help picking a new package of twizzlers...
Kiddo: I have an idea for you, what if you CALL me when you need help. I can stay here and play, and you can go get groceries, and you can call me when you need help picking the twizzlers and banana's. That's the greatest idea, isn't it a great idea?
me: ummm .... ....
========================================
This morning:"Mom, I want to be a magic wolf dog. I'll have powers, and I'll save the whole big world all by myself! And when the alarm sounds that's when I'll turn into a wolf, and my tiny teeth will turn into great BIG teeth (tapping his front teeth)). And my tiny claws ((holding out his fingers and pointing to his nails)) will turn into HUGE claws, and my other tiny claws ((kicking his foot forward)) will turn into huge claws too, and then I'll be the biggest and the strongest and I'll save everybody."
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Eye Scream...
Sunday, Tomorrow, July 18, 2010 marks our annual National Ice Cream Day. Go celebrate!! And try not to dwell the fact that Baskin Robins is retiring five flavors too... my favorite of them being Caramel Praline Cheesecake ((yum)).
Easy Day
The Endocrinologist appointment went well. The Kiddo has gained about a pound from our last visit three months ago and now weighs in at 35.6lbs.
Of course the weight isn't really something we were worried about, his WEIGHT was in the 10th percentile.... with his current gain he is still in that percentile, which is perfect. It means as he catches up in height his weight will even out.
As for his height.... 1 1/2" is the official amount of growth since we started his shots. That is the number I came up with just after his first month and I know I was not off by more then 1/4 inch back then, which means he did the lions share of that growing two months ago! And, consequently, we're due another growth spurt here any day now *chuckle* He now measures 39 1/4" tall. We should continue to see quite a bit of growing for the next year or two before he evens out into a more "normal" pattern.
Doc talked to the Kiddo quite a bit about the shots. Told him many times that he needs them to grow and that he is doing really well with them etc etc. I appreciate that he took the time to talk to him, it makes it so that it's not mommy and daddy making him take the shots ... rather it's mommy and daddy following the doctors orders.
The other good news is that there were no blood tests that needed to be done! Nothing needs doing for another three months, so at the start of October we will go get the blood draw done for the medication level tests, and then a week later we will see the Doc for our next visit. I think I can safely say that we're finally at the point where blood work will only need to be done once every SIX months!! That's VERY good news for us.
The sad part of all that is this little story: As we brushed his teeth for bed, just prior to his evening shot, the Kiddo looked at me and said "so did I do good, did the doctor say we are all done? I grew and now we can have no more shots right?" I told him there were more shots, and he said, in a very hopeful little voice "one? just one more shot?"
Of course, being the perfect Kiddo he is, when I explained that there were going to be many many more shots he just sighed and said that was okay. He really is amazing.
And to top the day off when we swung past the Kiddo's school to try and drop off his medical paperwork we found out that the paper I have with an August 3rd start date is wrong! The real first day of school for the Kiddo will be SEPT 3rd, a full month away!! That makes me a lot happier, more time to figure out cloths and maybe a little time for us to work on writing those lower case letters.
Of course the weight isn't really something we were worried about, his WEIGHT was in the 10th percentile.... with his current gain he is still in that percentile, which is perfect. It means as he catches up in height his weight will even out.
As for his height.... 1 1/2" is the official amount of growth since we started his shots. That is the number I came up with just after his first month and I know I was not off by more then 1/4 inch back then, which means he did the lions share of that growing two months ago! And, consequently, we're due another growth spurt here any day now *chuckle* He now measures 39 1/4" tall. We should continue to see quite a bit of growing for the next year or two before he evens out into a more "normal" pattern.
Doc talked to the Kiddo quite a bit about the shots. Told him many times that he needs them to grow and that he is doing really well with them etc etc. I appreciate that he took the time to talk to him, it makes it so that it's not mommy and daddy making him take the shots ... rather it's mommy and daddy following the doctors orders.
The other good news is that there were no blood tests that needed to be done! Nothing needs doing for another three months, so at the start of October we will go get the blood draw done for the medication level tests, and then a week later we will see the Doc for our next visit. I think I can safely say that we're finally at the point where blood work will only need to be done once every SIX months!! That's VERY good news for us.
The sad part of all that is this little story: As we brushed his teeth for bed, just prior to his evening shot, the Kiddo looked at me and said "so did I do good, did the doctor say we are all done? I grew and now we can have no more shots right?" I told him there were more shots, and he said, in a very hopeful little voice "one? just one more shot?"
Of course, being the perfect Kiddo he is, when I explained that there were going to be many many more shots he just sighed and said that was okay. He really is amazing.
And to top the day off when we swung past the Kiddo's school to try and drop off his medical paperwork we found out that the paper I have with an August 3rd start date is wrong! The real first day of school for the Kiddo will be SEPT 3rd, a full month away!! That makes me a lot happier, more time to figure out cloths and maybe a little time for us to work on writing those lower case letters.
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 16th
Endo appointment today, we get to find out the official, doctors, number for how much the kid has grown the last three months. I think he's only grown another quarter inch from that massive growth spurt the first month so my bet is 1 3/4 inches.
We'll probably have to go get a couple blood draws afterward. That seems to be the standard procedure, to test his medication levels n all that.
Then it's off to the elementary school to see if we can turn in the emergency medical plan and set up the parent/teacher/principle/nurse meeting.
Updates to come! :)
We'll probably have to go get a couple blood draws afterward. That seems to be the standard procedure, to test his medication levels n all that.
Then it's off to the elementary school to see if we can turn in the emergency medical plan and set up the parent/teacher/principle/nurse meeting.
Updates to come! :)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Hyperventilating
It's been a slow week here at my blog. I feel guilty... I don't have an active reason for not posting save for the fact that my brain is full of other things. Freaked out, having trouble thinking about anything else, things...
The Kiddo's first day of Kindergarten is the 3rd of August!! I thought, for some reason, that it started at least a few weeks later then that. I'm very nearly hyperventilating every time I think about it. There are so many things he's supposed to know, most them he DOES know so that should encourage me... but I worry he doesn't know them right. You know how it goes, it isn't about ME but I'll feel like a failure as a parent if he doesn't know how to do all the things he's supposed too. For example he can write his big letters from memory but not his little ones. He plays well with others but STILL has no concept of personal space - yeah, the "we don't hug other kids" rule is something he needs reminding of every time we go outside to play or he forgets and latches on to every kid in his excitement at seeing them.
I'm also a little worried that we don't have enough clothing for him. Due to his growth spurt, he only has maybe five shirts that actually fit, one pair of shorts and one pair of jeans. Is that enough? Do I need to skimp on groceries this pay period so I can buy him more? I don't know!! I really need a brown paper bag to breath into like they do on tv, maybe that would help...
Anyway big step towards all that is the Kiddos endocrinologist appointment this Friday. Not only will we get his official measurement and growth for the last three months (*happy dance*) but we'll also get his emergency medical plan set up. At that point we can go back to the school and make sure the teacher, principle, and nurse all know what to do if he has a problem. Maybe I'll feel better once that stuff is done.
The Kiddo's first day of Kindergarten is the 3rd of August!! I thought, for some reason, that it started at least a few weeks later then that. I'm very nearly hyperventilating every time I think about it. There are so many things he's supposed to know, most them he DOES know so that should encourage me... but I worry he doesn't know them right. You know how it goes, it isn't about ME but I'll feel like a failure as a parent if he doesn't know how to do all the things he's supposed too. For example he can write his big letters from memory but not his little ones. He plays well with others but STILL has no concept of personal space - yeah, the "we don't hug other kids" rule is something he needs reminding of every time we go outside to play or he forgets and latches on to every kid in his excitement at seeing them.
I'm also a little worried that we don't have enough clothing for him. Due to his growth spurt, he only has maybe five shirts that actually fit, one pair of shorts and one pair of jeans. Is that enough? Do I need to skimp on groceries this pay period so I can buy him more? I don't know!! I really need a brown paper bag to breath into like they do on tv, maybe that would help...
Anyway big step towards all that is the Kiddos endocrinologist appointment this Friday. Not only will we get his official measurement and growth for the last three months (*happy dance*) but we'll also get his emergency medical plan set up. At that point we can go back to the school and make sure the teacher, principle, and nurse all know what to do if he has a problem. Maybe I'll feel better once that stuff is done.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Fried Tilapia
I don't like fish. Unless it's breaded and in the form of a little stick I very rarely am okay with eating it. But, as I mentioned in other blog posts, I have been eating healthy so have had a lot of it lately. Specifically Tilapia, because it's not a strong flavored fish and it's easy to get in individually packaged frozen fillets.
Usually I attempt to season it and then grill it on the forman. It's not bad, but it's not good either.
Lately, however, I have been using coconut oil a lot. I have it on hand for when the Kiddo's exzema gets bad (it's a great moisturizer) and hadn't really used it much for cooking. But since my little health kick recently I have read a few very interesting things about how good it is for you and thought I'd give it a shot.
Tilapia fillet, salt pepper and some cajun seasonings. Let it sit for a few minutes while the oil heats up in the frying pan. Fry till done flipping halfway. Absolutely the best fish I've ever cooked at home!! And super healthy! If any of you fry anything (eggs, pancakes, sauteed veggies etc) I highly HIGHLY suggest you go pick yourself up some organic coconut oil and give it a shot. I think you'll like it.
Usually I attempt to season it and then grill it on the forman. It's not bad, but it's not good either.
Lately, however, I have been using coconut oil a lot. I have it on hand for when the Kiddo's exzema gets bad (it's a great moisturizer) and hadn't really used it much for cooking. But since my little health kick recently I have read a few very interesting things about how good it is for you and thought I'd give it a shot.
Tilapia fillet, salt pepper and some cajun seasonings. Let it sit for a few minutes while the oil heats up in the frying pan. Fry till done flipping halfway. Absolutely the best fish I've ever cooked at home!! And super healthy! If any of you fry anything (eggs, pancakes, sauteed veggies etc) I highly HIGHLY suggest you go pick yourself up some organic coconut oil and give it a shot. I think you'll like it.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Summer
The Kiddo told me the other day that he likes water the best of all the drinks he can have. He says "because water is good tasting and will keep me healthy and growing". I do like the way he thinks! But I think perhaps I should buy some real milk (usually I get skim) so he can taste what a good tall glass of cold 2% milk tastes like! Besides, the Man informed me the other day that he hates skim. 11 years together and I don't think I knew that...
Speaking of water though, on Wednesday this week we went to my Mother in Laws house so I could help her clean her library books off of her Nook. While we were there the kids played in the water.
Kiddo dislikes getting his head wet to the extent that while she had her slip and slide out all he would do was sit in a chair and watch his cousin play on it. But once they put that away and got out the sprinkler he was all in...
Speaking of water though, on Wednesday this week we went to my Mother in Laws house so I could help her clean her library books off of her Nook. While we were there the kids played in the water.
Kiddo dislikes getting his head wet to the extent that while she had her slip and slide out all he would do was sit in a chair and watch his cousin play on it. But once they put that away and got out the sprinkler he was all in...
Yawn
I've been reading quite a few articles lately on health related issues. The coffee one I posted, then there was another coffee related one the other day (stating that the caffeine helps speed up your metabolism) and more. Most of these articles I read, file in my head as "read that before" and move on. But since, for the past few years, I've had nearly chronic trouble falling asleep this one caught my eye.
It is an article about what you should eat to help you sleep better. It that says drinking warm milk before bed will not help you get to sleep faster. I've got the article saved so I can reference it, maybe I'll start saving my daily yogurt till 9pm and have it as my after dinner snack.
It is an article about what you should eat to help you sleep better. It that says drinking warm milk before bed will not help you get to sleep faster. I've got the article saved so I can reference it, maybe I'll start saving my daily yogurt till 9pm and have it as my after dinner snack.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Early July Updates
Most importantly... The Kiddo's blood work came back and it is a negative for Lyme. I honestly didn't think he had it but there was that little bit of doubt and worry in the back of my head anyway. The Man is still a little worried, and he asked if the nurse would ask the Doc if we may have tested to soon (as all the web information we can find states that you cannot get a positive for Lyme's until at least 4 weeks after you catch it).
Less importantly... I have finally hit my weight loss goal. I didn't have much to lose really, but I realize that as I get older it's going to be harder and harder to lose it and keep it off. That was motivation enough for me to tuck in and try to get my weight down a little NOW vs letting it creep up on me year after year as I have been.
I don't really know if my goal is/was what it should have been. It's a very confusing thing for me. You google "ideal body weight" and "ideal body fat percentage" and there are a zillion web sites with little calculators on them that tell you what you are and what you should be. Somehow they all seem to give different numbers.
At any rate I believe my body fat percentage is finally where it should be to qualify for the "good" range, and my body weight is now just around the middle level of the ideal range for a female of my height and age.
So happy dances for the kiddo's random weird bite/rash. And happy dances for me achieving my new years resolution and reaching my goal.
Less importantly... I have finally hit my weight loss goal. I didn't have much to lose really, but I realize that as I get older it's going to be harder and harder to lose it and keep it off. That was motivation enough for me to tuck in and try to get my weight down a little NOW vs letting it creep up on me year after year as I have been.
I don't really know if my goal is/was what it should have been. It's a very confusing thing for me. You google "ideal body weight" and "ideal body fat percentage" and there are a zillion web sites with little calculators on them that tell you what you are and what you should be. Somehow they all seem to give different numbers.
At any rate I believe my body fat percentage is finally where it should be to qualify for the "good" range, and my body weight is now just around the middle level of the ideal range for a female of my height and age.
So happy dances for the kiddo's random weird bite/rash. And happy dances for me achieving my new years resolution and reaching my goal.
Monday, July 5, 2010
What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails....
...and worms. Or at least a little boys best friend can be a worm. A yellow and red gummy worm to be exact.
The story goes like this; about a week ago, with the Kiddo in tow, I did a little grocery shopping. I thought it might be fun to buy him a special treat, something he hadn't ever had before. The little bag of gummy worms was clutched tight in his little hand all the way home. Before we made it all the way through the door the Kiddo was begging me to open it so he could try them. I did, I gave him three worms. He ate two and sat at the table playing with the third for very nearly an hour before I told him to eat it or I was going to. He stared at me in shock, stared at the worm, stared at me... finally he ate it, reluctantly.
A few days later I gave him two more worms from the bag, again he ate one but played with the other. I didn't realize how long he intended to save it for until later when I found it sitting on a plate, "it's home", in his bedroom. I told him to eat it or I was taking it... this time he argued, he told me very firmly that the worm was his FRIEND and that he should be played with and loved and NOT eaten.
So I did what any mom in this situation would do... I ate him!
No I'm kidding... I normally would have eaten him but I curbed my mean streak and went and found my smallest Tupperware. I told the Kiddo if the worm was going to be his friend then it needed a safe house. Then I made it clear that the house belonged either on the dining room table, or in a top drawer in the Kitchen.
Voila, the Boy has a new best friend... a worm, named Sammie, who lives in a little bin, in a drawer. Kiddo tells him good morning, takes him out to eat lunch with him, and then puts him back when he's done.
...and worms. Or at least a little boys best friend can be a worm. A yellow and red gummy worm to be exact.
The story goes like this; about a week ago, with the Kiddo in tow, I did a little grocery shopping. I thought it might be fun to buy him a special treat, something he hadn't ever had before. The little bag of gummy worms was clutched tight in his little hand all the way home. Before we made it all the way through the door the Kiddo was begging me to open it so he could try them. I did, I gave him three worms. He ate two and sat at the table playing with the third for very nearly an hour before I told him to eat it or I was going to. He stared at me in shock, stared at the worm, stared at me... finally he ate it, reluctantly.
A few days later I gave him two more worms from the bag, again he ate one but played with the other. I didn't realize how long he intended to save it for until later when I found it sitting on a plate, "it's home", in his bedroom. I told him to eat it or I was taking it... this time he argued, he told me very firmly that the worm was his FRIEND and that he should be played with and loved and NOT eaten.
So I did what any mom in this situation would do... I ate him! No I'm kidding... I normally would have eaten him but I curbed my mean streak and went and found my smallest Tupperware. I told the Kiddo if the worm was going to be his friend then it needed a safe house. Then I made it clear that the house belonged either on the dining room table, or in a top drawer in the Kitchen.
Voila, the Boy has a new best friend... a worm, named Sammie, who lives in a little bin, in a drawer. Kiddo tells him good morning, takes him out to eat lunch with him, and then puts him back when he's done.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Happy 4th Everybody
I took this picture the other day and thought today was the perfect day to share it. I hope you all have a fun and save 4th of July... and I hope my Mom has a relaxing, yummy, and non stressful (dog/noise related) birthday as well.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
shoes..
It's been awhile since I posted shoes because I figure really there's only one or two of you that read my blog that have the same um appreciation for them as I do. But I could not resist posting these.. I so want!
Beer ...
I've been craving breads, yummy home made warm bread strait out of the oven (or bread machine depending on the type of bread it is). This one is for Lady D. She's just about ready to head out on her annual vacation trip to CO. Last year she went on and on about the beer tasting at a local pub. I thought, for the woman who likes beer why not some beer bread?
Guinness Bread
3 cups sifted SELF RISING flour
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried Rosemary
1 and 1/2 cups Guinness (12 ounces) - at room temperature. If it develops a head on it as you pour it let it settle to make sure you get the full 1 and a half cups.
Mix ingredients in bowl and place in standard sized bread pan sprayed with PAM (or non stick coating of your choice).
Melt 3 Tablespoons of unsalted butter(NOT margarine) and pour over the top of the dough.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes (45 works in my oven).
3 cups sifted SELF RISING flour
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried Rosemary
1 and 1/2 cups Guinness (12 ounces) - at room temperature. If it develops a head on it as you pour it let it settle to make sure you get the full 1 and a half cups.
Mix ingredients in bowl and place in standard sized bread pan sprayed with PAM (or non stick coating of your choice).
Melt 3 Tablespoons of unsalted butter(NOT margarine) and pour over the top of the dough.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes (45 works in my oven).
Friday, July 2, 2010
following... lyme
and no I'm not talking about a shot of tiquilla... oh wait, I think you follow the tequilla with the lime not the other way around
Today was the Kiddo's annual eye doctor appointment. Three hours... I think it's a little ridiculous that they can't schedule any better then that. There are quite a few things I'd rather be doing then sitting in a waiting room waiting around for hours on end. In the end though the doc said the Kiddo's eyes are really close to what they were last year, he gave us a new glasses prescription but said it was not necessary to fill it unless we really wanted to get him new glasses. That's great news since his insurance only covers the doc visit and not the specs themselves.
While sitting around in the waiting room I started wondering if maybe I should do a little more research on Lymes distease. Yeah, the more research I do the more I think he DOES have that. The lack of itching and pain to it is important (I'd think a bug bite would be owie and itchier n heck) and the pictures match (if you keep in mind that all the articles say that sometimes the target looking red area will not have the white center).
Two "funny" facts here, most articles say that the percentage chance of getting Lymes from a tick bite is 1%-3% (so VERY low) AND the chance of ending up with it in UTAH is even less. Leave it to the Kiddo to find probably the only tick in the state that is carrying the stupid disease and let the sucker bite him. *sigh*
If you're interested I'll link you to the article I liked the best at KidsHealth.org
Today was the Kiddo's annual eye doctor appointment. Three hours... I think it's a little ridiculous that they can't schedule any better then that. There are quite a few things I'd rather be doing then sitting in a waiting room waiting around for hours on end. In the end though the doc said the Kiddo's eyes are really close to what they were last year, he gave us a new glasses prescription but said it was not necessary to fill it unless we really wanted to get him new glasses. That's great news since his insurance only covers the doc visit and not the specs themselves.
While sitting around in the waiting room I started wondering if maybe I should do a little more research on Lymes distease. Yeah, the more research I do the more I think he DOES have that. The lack of itching and pain to it is important (I'd think a bug bite would be owie and itchier n heck) and the pictures match (if you keep in mind that all the articles say that sometimes the target looking red area will not have the white center).
Two "funny" facts here, most articles say that the percentage chance of getting Lymes from a tick bite is 1%-3% (so VERY low) AND the chance of ending up with it in UTAH is even less. Leave it to the Kiddo to find probably the only tick in the state that is carrying the stupid disease and let the sucker bite him. *sigh*
If you're interested I'll link you to the article I liked the best at KidsHealth.org
chomps...
Last Friday the kiddo got a bug bite. I'm not sure really what kind of bug as I didn't even know for sure it WAS a bit until a few days after that. By Thursday this week (yesterday) the irritated area had grown quite a bit. After consulting with my mom (it's SO good to be able to harass her with things like this and know she doesn't mind) I called up the Pediatric doc and they set us an appointment for 3pm that afternoon. Gosh they really are spot on with non scheduled visits!! I don't think I've ever had a doc office be that efficient and quick with things.
Doc took a look at his bug chomp and said that it did definitely looked odd. She asked a lot of questions about how it had looked day to day, and what the coloration had been. It had looked sort of bulls-eye'ish (and up until yesterday it had a lighter colored inside ring then the darker red outside ring). She pushed on it (it feels calloused almost, sort of 'firm' instead of normal skin mushy) and then told me whatever it is, it's definitely infected. After much thought (and some referencing books and pictures) she said she is worried that there is a chance it might be Lyme disease, (which is really rare in Utah but possible) so she had us go to the lab and get a blood draw to check for it. She also prescribed a yucky milky looking liquid medication for him to take two times a day (breakfast and dinner) for the next ten days. The meds should take care of any spider bite infection (in case it is that) AND it has emoxycillin in it to take care of any Lyme disease (in case it is that).
Personally I really don't think it's Lyme disease because the multi colored ring part isn't there anymore, but we will wait for the blood tests to see for sure.
The doctors visit ended up taking about an hour and a half, between wait time (20 minutes or so), seeing the doc, AND getting a blood draw done. We made it home in one piece and only $10 lighter then we were before we left.
Doc took a look at his bug chomp and said that it did definitely looked odd. She asked a lot of questions about how it had looked day to day, and what the coloration had been. It had looked sort of bulls-eye'ish (and up until yesterday it had a lighter colored inside ring then the darker red outside ring). She pushed on it (it feels calloused almost, sort of 'firm' instead of normal skin mushy) and then told me whatever it is, it's definitely infected. After much thought (and some referencing books and pictures) she said she is worried that there is a chance it might be Lyme disease, (which is really rare in Utah but possible) so she had us go to the lab and get a blood draw to check for it. She also prescribed a yucky milky looking liquid medication for him to take two times a day (breakfast and dinner) for the next ten days. The meds should take care of any spider bite infection (in case it is that) AND it has emoxycillin in it to take care of any Lyme disease (in case it is that).Personally I really don't think it's Lyme disease because the multi colored ring part isn't there anymore, but we will wait for the blood tests to see for sure.
The doctors visit ended up taking about an hour and a half, between wait time (20 minutes or so), seeing the doc, AND getting a blood draw done. We made it home in one piece and only $10 lighter then we were before we left.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
kids and linking
I don't normally link to other blogs, in all honesty I'm a little to lazy to actually keep up with many. I've never read this particular blog before but it was linked through one of the ones I do read on occasion and it gave me a little swell of good feelings when I read her post.. Kids are wonderful little creatures, they don't ever feel silly about saying what should be said.
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