Fall is here

Today, being the first day of October, really feels like fall is here finally.  I love summer, don't get me wrong, but I love fall just a little bit more.

First, there's Halloween.  Something I've always loved and am so glad to have children now so I can go trick-or-treating again!  This will be Munchkin's third Halloween and Squishy's first and I'm way more excited than I probably should be.  Munchkin wants to be Cinderella and since Squish can't tell me what she wants to be, she's going to be an Angry Bird. 

Another reason I love fall is getting to take the girls to the local pumpkin patch.  It gets a lot more fun as they get older too.  Going on the hay ride, visiting the animals and picking out the perfect pumpkin followed by a cup of hot cider, sounds like the perfect fall day to me. 

I've also found so many DIY decorations on pinterest that I just can't wait to try, I think Hubby might be getting annoyed. 

And then comes Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday...I love food...and getting to spend time with family. 
Our situation is a bit different though.  Hubby's parents live in Japan and of his two sisters, one lives in Boston and one lives just down the street.  That's pretty much the extent of his family.  My siblings have sort of spread out and I've lost touch with a couple.  My mother...well that's a whole other story, but lets just say I don't usually spend holidays with her.  Most of our holidays are spent with my ex-boyfriends family...yeah, I told you it was a bit different.  It seems strange, but it works.

This December is extra special this year since not only do we have Christmas, but one week before is Squishy's first birthday!!  Doesn't seem possible that in just 2 1/2 months my baby girl will be one. 

So much fun to be had in the next few months!  The holidays are such a wonderful time!

I'm (Not) a crappy mom, just ask my girls

This photo has been making it's way around facebook, I've seen it posted by several different pages.  I read it and thought it was great.  The mommy wars are getting ridiculous, it was nice to see something celebrating our differences instead of throwing them in every ones faces.

But that's not what everyone thought.  There were some women who decided to take this photo and use it against other moms who they disagree with.  One particular discussion happened on Life With Levi's facebook page over the choice to circumcise.  I didn't get to read the actual posts, but I did see some of the aftermath on other posts.  It just seems so ridiculous to me that moms are attacking each other like this.  Being a mom is hard work, why make it harder for others by saying they're horrible parents because they chose to do things differently?  I mean, I know I was the perfect parent...before I had kids...and then I was given a violent reality check when my first daughter was born.  So, to help out and not let the few "perfect" parents out there win, I'm going to let you all know just how crappy of a mom I am!

• I tell my daughters I love them on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times a day
• I let my two year old eat fast food sometimes
• We switched my oldest to forward facing in the car when she turned one and will most likely do the same with her little sister
• I pierced my older daughter's ears when she was 11 months old
• I don't make them wash their hands as often as I probably should
• I make sure my two year old brushes her teeth before bed every night
• I only breastfed my oldest for 4 weeks, then she was on formula
• My youngest is 9 months old and still breastfed
• I use disposable diapers
• I read books to them both several times a day
• I let them watch age appropriate TV
• I swear in front of them both and my two year old has repeated me a few times
• Sometimes I yell at them when I'm angry
• I only spank when it's absolutely necessary
• I don't "baby talk" to either of them
• I let my two year old have soda sometimes
• She also drinks way too much juice
• I just started letting my 9 month old cry it out at bed time
• I threaten time out/spanking more times than I've actually done it
• I've bribed my oldest with ice cream/cookies
• I love them unconditionally and they love me back

I could probably go on, but I think that gets the point across.  I'm not perfect, I know this, but I'm doing the best I know how and if you don't agree with my choices, that's fine, but calling me (or anyone) a bad parent because of that is just plain childish and wrong. 

We have to realize that we're all raising the next generation together and if we want to make this world a better place, we need to teach that to our children.  I don't want my girls growing up thinking they're better or worse than everyone else just because of how I raised them.  I want them to treat everyone with respect and not judge people based on their beliefs.  I can only hope that others treat them the same way.

So to all you other crappy moms out there...keep it up!  :)

Road trip!

We got back yesterday from a week long trip to Spokane.  All four of us (Me, Hubby, Munchkin and Squishy) drove over there from Portland on the 7th and then Hubby flew out to Ohio Saturday morning for a work seminar thing.  He was gone for all of last week, returning Friday morning.  The girls and I stayed with some friends who have a little boy 3 months younger than Munchkin.  It was a lot of fun, we went to the park several times, took the kids to a children's museum, and just hung out.

We left Spokane this last Saturday and drove to Meridian, ID so Hubby could check in on a customer of his.  We stayed the night in a hotel there and then woke up Sunday morning to Munchkin having a fever and dry heaving.  Great.  We had a 7 hour drive ahead of us and sick kiddo, not going to be fun. 

We went through a drive through to get breakfast for me and I decided to get Munchkin some oatmeal (which wasn't bad for fast food).  She would have eaten the whole thing if I had let her, but I made her stop and she eventually fell asleep.  About 3 hours later, I saw the oatmeal again...We had to pull over on the side of the freeway and get everything cleaned up and get Munchkin calmed down.  We managed to make it home without another incident, but she didn't really eat or drink much the rest of the trip. 
Once we were home I was able to take her temperature and she had a fever of 102.5!  I gave her some Tylenol and she went to bed.  I was a bit surprised she didn't wake up during the night, but she was up bright and early at 6:30 wanting water.  I gave her some and then had her lay in bed and watch cartoons with me and Squishy.  She then decided to get off the bed and throw up all the water she drank.  And then, promptly asked me for oatmeal.  Kids, huh?  I convinced her to have some toast and a few dry cheerios and so far, so good. 

But of course, now Squishy and I are coming down with something.  I think we caught a cold from someone we met while in Spokane (I won't hold it against her, these things happen). 

So, today I get to take care of two sick girls and try not to get too sick myself.  Thinking it's time for some tea.

God blessed the broken road....

I must preface this by saying, while I was having a pity party for myself last night, this is in no way a ploy to get sympathy from anyone.  I just needed to write it out.

I was thinking about my social life, or lack thereof, and it got me thinking about the course of events that have led me to where I am today.  There have been things that happened in my life that I would rather have not had to go through, but I'm trying to look at them like stepping stones on this particular path I'm on. 

I see posts and pictures on Facebook from women I was close friends with in high school.  They're still hanging out together, having fun...without me.  Do I feel left out?  Sure.  Do I feel cheated?  Sometimes.  You see, something I did at the end of my senior year was the worst thing I could do for my friendships; I lied about something.  I do admit I made a mistake, but at 18, who doesn't make mistakes in life?

This event led to being in a relationship that, for the better, changed my life forever.  If I hadn't gotten into this relationship, I never would have gotten so close to his family, which in turn (after we broke up) is how I met Hubby.  If I hadn't met Hubby, I wouldn't have my two beautiful girls.  So, while I sit here feeling sorry for myself that I have no friends and no social life, really, it's because of that that I have my wonderful family.  It's like a lose-win situation...kind of. 

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who think "well, just go make some new friends."  Sure, that's easy said than done for an introvert like me.  I'm still an awkward kid inside who doesn't know what to say and feels stupid when meeting new people.  Having lost all my high school friends means I have to start from scratch which isn't a pleasant thought for me.

Again, this isn't me trying to get anyone to feel sorry for me (I do that enough), but I sometimes feel like if I can just get it out there it'll make me feel better.  I'm happy where I am, I love Hubby, Munchkin and Squishy with all my heart and I wouldn't change a thing about them.  It's just...a girl needs friends, ya know? 

Shepherd's Pie

I got this recipe from Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals.  It looked delicious and the best part, it seemed easy.  I've made it enough times now, that I don't even really need the recipe, though I do have it out just in case. It's a big hit in our house, even picky little Munchkin will eat (most of) it. 

I was uploading some pictures off our camera that Hubby took while camping this last weekend and found the ones I had taken awhile back with the intention of blogging the recipe, but never got around to.  Now that I have a free minute (and a minute is probably all I have) I decided to do it.

Start by boiling potatoes in salted water until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and place them in a bowl. Combine the sour cream, egg yolk and cream and add to potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth. 

While potatoes are cooking, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to the pan and add in ground beef or lamb. (Traditionally, Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb, but I always use beef because it's what we have).  Season the meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat.



I didn't have an onion this time, so that's why it's not in there.

Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

 

In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.

                                       

 

Preheat your broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. I use an 8x8 square dish and it always works out just right.  Spoon potatoes over meat evenly.

 

Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned.

I didn't get a picture before everyone started dishing up, but I'm planning on making this for dinner tonight so hopefully I can remember to take a picture of it before it's all gone! Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds potatoes, any kind, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 cup cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
• 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup beef stock or broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Potty Training: The Saga

I realize that Munchkin won't be in diapers forever, but I also would love to only have one in diapers right now to  make my life a lot easier.  Selfish?  Probably.  But I'm not pressuring her to train, we're doing this at her pace... no matter how much I want it to happen NOW!

I've read a LOT about toilet training.  All different opinions, ideas, tips, tricks, you name it, I've probably read it.  Potty train in 3 days?  Sounds nice, but with an 8 month old in tow, I think that one would be kind of hard to manage. 
For now, I'm watching her signs and not forcing the potty.  Today we made a big step, she acknowledge she had to go, before she went.  She got up, ran to her bedroom and said "Gotta go poop!!"  :)  So I said, "Let's go on the potty!"  To which she replied, "No, go poop in room."  I finally convinced her to go to the bathroom, but she already went in her diaper.  But this is going in the right direction, in my opinion.

Several articles I've read said to put the contents of their diaper into the potty so they understand that's where it needs to go.  That seems like a big mess to me...so I haven't done that.

All in all, I'd call it a success in the big picture.  We're getting there...one diaper at a time.

101.7

Squishy has been running a fever for the last day and a half.  We went to the Dr yesterday since it had been over 24 hours that she had the fever with no improvement.  Last night she was sweating a lot...I'm talking, her onsie was wet under the arms like she just ran a marathon...and she felt kind of clammy, so I was hoping that meant her fever was breaking.  When she went to bed, she didn't feel warm so I figured we were good.  She woke up this morning feeling hot again and her temp was 100.3 (before she ripped the thermometer out)  so, not as high as it had been, but still not back to normal.

She's never been sick.  Being 8 months old and having spent the beginning of her life in the winter months, I'd say that's pretty good.  They say breastfed babies don't get sick as much and I guess it's true, but I guess I was also hoping it would mean she NEVER got sick.  I don't like it when my babies are sick. 

Munchkin is having a hard time too, she doesn't understand that Squishy is sick and is constantly wanting to play with her.  I told her Squishy doesn't feel good right now and needs to rest, but she still asks me to put her down so they can play. 

Today is day number 3 of this fever, if she's not feeling better by tomorrow afternoon, I may have to take her back to the Dr.  I just wish I could make her better now.  It's unfortunate that my kisses don't make fevers go away.  Maybe some day.