This one is a cautionary tale. I learned a lot in 24 hours about citric acid/lemi-shine and what happens when you combine it with borax, washing soda and salt. FYI - you get a rock. A coarse, very hard, not very useful rock. So attempt #1 really never got off the ground. Should you prefer dry dishwasher detergent mix 2 cups of borax, 2 cups of washing soda, and 1 cup of salt. Store the lemi-shine separately and then just add 1T of the mix to a heaping teaspoon of lemi-shine to the dispenser.
Or...you can be like me, give up, and just make a liquid instead. Sorry, 2 containers is just too complicated for me.
I used this recipe from Choosing Simplicity. I also use her household cleaner with tea tree oil. Moving on...
(Pictures to come...if I remember...)
The Ingredients:
16 cups water, divided
1 1/2 cups washing soda
1 cup borax
1/2 cup Dr. Brenner's Pure Liquid Castile Soap (I have lavender...and no, I haven't read all that's printed around the bottle but I'm guessing it's odd.)
Directions:
Boil 8 cups of water, then add the washing soda, borax and castile soap, stirring until everything has dissolved. Stir in remaining 8 cups and allow to cool; then pour it into the container(s) of your choice. It turns to a gel of sorts after about 24 hours.
To use it just shake it a bit, then fill your closed soap dispenser about 3/4 of the way full. (Though you may need more or less depending on hard/soft water, age of dishwasher, etc.) Don't forget to fill your rinse aid dispenser with some white vinegar. It helps with spots and no, your dishes don't smell like pickles.
My next homemade home cleaning project? These sanitizing wipes using recipe #2.
Enjoy!
Friday, December 7, 2012
Homemade Deodorant
Really. I'm going to post about my kids again. I swear!!!
In the meantime, here is the recipe I used for the homemade deodorant...courtesy of Kirsten O. at I Still Hate Pickles. Her post about it can be found here. It is soooo terribly easy. And once you have your essential oil of preference (which costs as much as the Clinical Protection Secret I've been using if you need a metric) very, extremely, inexpensive. I think I may have a fix for that too, but I'll get there.
I'll try and take and post pics eventually but my iPhone is currently earning its keep as white noise in Rainey's room.
The Ingredients:
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup baking soda
2+ T coconut oil
10-20 drops essential oil
Mix the corn starch, baking soda and essential oil together in a small container. Then add the coconut oil. Stir until blended and it holds together. At this point you can refrigerate it overnight and then just rub a small amount into your...err...armpit...like you would lotion and off you go! The fridge made it too hard for me so for now it's just sitting in my bathroom cabinet. Bear in mind that coconut oil is hard when cold and softens (and liquefies) as it gets warmer.
I used a blend of lavender (6 drops) and Jasmine (7 drops)essential oils. I have tea tree oil around here somewhere but the smell is just too...distinct...for me. I wanted something that smelled like deodorant I bought at Target might, something that didn't scream, "Hey I made my own deodorant!" Really, this is a product you don't want screaming in any way shape or form. If you don't have essential oils, and happen to have virgin coconut oil, you probably don't need the essential oils for fragrance. The virgin oil smells like coconuts and you can just pretend it's suntan lotion and you're on a beach somewhere. ;)
We went to the park today, it was muggy, hot (82-83?) and I had both kids in the sun. A not so subtle sniff as I got in the car revealed...nothing. Still nice and flowery.
In the meantime, here is the recipe I used for the homemade deodorant...courtesy of Kirsten O. at I Still Hate Pickles. Her post about it can be found here. It is soooo terribly easy. And once you have your essential oil of preference (which costs as much as the Clinical Protection Secret I've been using if you need a metric) very, extremely, inexpensive. I think I may have a fix for that too, but I'll get there.
I'll try and take and post pics eventually but my iPhone is currently earning its keep as white noise in Rainey's room.
The Ingredients:
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup baking soda
2+ T coconut oil
10-20 drops essential oil
Mix the corn starch, baking soda and essential oil together in a small container. Then add the coconut oil. Stir until blended and it holds together. At this point you can refrigerate it overnight and then just rub a small amount into your...err...armpit...like you would lotion and off you go! The fridge made it too hard for me so for now it's just sitting in my bathroom cabinet. Bear in mind that coconut oil is hard when cold and softens (and liquefies) as it gets warmer.
I used a blend of lavender (6 drops) and Jasmine (7 drops)essential oils. I have tea tree oil around here somewhere but the smell is just too...distinct...for me. I wanted something that smelled like deodorant I bought at Target might, something that didn't scream, "Hey I made my own deodorant!" Really, this is a product you don't want screaming in any way shape or form. If you don't have essential oils, and happen to have virgin coconut oil, you probably don't need the essential oils for fragrance. The virgin oil smells like coconuts and you can just pretend it's suntan lotion and you're on a beach somewhere. ;)
We went to the park today, it was muggy, hot (82-83?) and I had both kids in the sun. A not so subtle sniff as I got in the car revealed...nothing. Still nice and flowery.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Salted Brown Butter and Nutella Rice Krispy Pinwheels
The joy of cooking can be a curse sometimes. I have lots of ideas flying around and bits of different recipes sound good so every now and then I'll cobble some together and experiment, which is how I got these.
Salted Brown Butter and Nutella rice krispy pinwheels
If you're not a big fan of rice krispy treats they probably won't make your socks roll up and down. But if you are...and you like Nutella...it's good stuff.
Start by melting 4-8 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Continue to let it simmer over low to med heat until the milk solids settle to the bottom and the butter gets brown and smells nutty. (standard krispies call for 4 T, my salted brown butter recipe called for the full 8, next time I'll probably use 6 or 7 as I can see how with 4 T the flavor isn't as strong but with 8 T it was a little too gooey on the outside.)
Add a bag of large marshmallows and stir into the butter until they melt and the consistency is smooth.
Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla (preferably Mexican if you've got it)
Stir in 6 cups of rice krispies until everything looks evenly covered.
Dump out onto a large, rimmed, lined baking sheet. (I happen to love non-stick aluminum foil.) If you want to line the sheet with plastic wrap then you'll need to spray it with cooking spray before putting the krispies in. If you use non-stick aluminum foil you're good to go, no spray needed.
Press the krispies into the pan with a spatula (or hands) sprayed with cooking spray or better yet...a square of non-stick aluminum foil!
Let them cool a little bit and then spread a layer of Nutella on the surface. (I didn't measure the amount of Nutella I used) don't put too much or you'll get Nutella squeezing out when you slice them.
Take the plastic wrap/foil on one of the long sides of the pan and slowly lift the krispies up and start rolling them using the wrap/foil to guide it.
Once you've got your roll get a sharp knife and slice it into ~1" rounds.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. (after that's it's not spoilage you have to worry about so much as the krispies getting stale. I can vouch for them still tasting good at the 4 day mark, they were just a little stiff.)
The thing I love about this is there are so many variations. Don't love brown butter? Ok. Just melt the 4T and go. Not a Nutella person (I hear they exist, kind of like the loch ness monster) then use chocolate peanut butter, or chocolate butterscotch, or caramel...you get the idea. :)
Salted Brown Butter and Nutella rice krispy pinwheels
If you're not a big fan of rice krispy treats they probably won't make your socks roll up and down. But if you are...and you like Nutella...it's good stuff.
Start by melting 4-8 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Continue to let it simmer over low to med heat until the milk solids settle to the bottom and the butter gets brown and smells nutty. (standard krispies call for 4 T, my salted brown butter recipe called for the full 8, next time I'll probably use 6 or 7 as I can see how with 4 T the flavor isn't as strong but with 8 T it was a little too gooey on the outside.)
Add a bag of large marshmallows and stir into the butter until they melt and the consistency is smooth.
Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla (preferably Mexican if you've got it)
Stir in 6 cups of rice krispies until everything looks evenly covered.
Dump out onto a large, rimmed, lined baking sheet. (I happen to love non-stick aluminum foil.) If you want to line the sheet with plastic wrap then you'll need to spray it with cooking spray before putting the krispies in. If you use non-stick aluminum foil you're good to go, no spray needed.
Press the krispies into the pan with a spatula (or hands) sprayed with cooking spray or better yet...a square of non-stick aluminum foil!
Let them cool a little bit and then spread a layer of Nutella on the surface. (I didn't measure the amount of Nutella I used) don't put too much or you'll get Nutella squeezing out when you slice them.
Take the plastic wrap/foil on one of the long sides of the pan and slowly lift the krispies up and start rolling them using the wrap/foil to guide it.
Once you've got your roll get a sharp knife and slice it into ~1" rounds.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. (after that's it's not spoilage you have to worry about so much as the krispies getting stale. I can vouch for them still tasting good at the 4 day mark, they were just a little stiff.)
The thing I love about this is there are so many variations. Don't love brown butter? Ok. Just melt the 4T and go. Not a Nutella person (I hear they exist, kind of like the loch ness monster) then use chocolate peanut butter, or chocolate butterscotch, or caramel...you get the idea. :)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Cousin Kathy's Liquid Laundry Detergent
Here it is...as promised. :) These are the pictures I took when I made my first, and so far only, batch. In July. There is still more than half of the 5 gallon bucket left and I still have most of the box of both the washing soda and borax! It was less than a new 128 oz. jug of Tide/Gain/Dreft, etc for the materials.
Here is the "recipe" all together.
Ingredients:
1 Fels Naptha Soap Bar
4 cups hot tap water
1.5 cups super washing soda
1.5 cups borax
1 store-bought laundry detergent bottle, cleaned and emptied
1 5 gallon paint bucket, cleaned and emptied
The Ingredients:
First, grate the bar of soap.
(Which in Houston I could only find at Wal-Mart. Target, Kroger and HEB didn't have it.)
Second, screech at your son that it's soap not cheese and to put the clump back down.
Third, add to a saucepan with 4 cups of hot tap water.
Stir continually over medium heat until the soap dissolves and is melted.
Next, fill a (clean) 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot tap water.
Then, add the melted soap, 1.5 cups of washing soda and 1.5 cups of borax.
Stir well until everything is dissolved.
Fill the bucket to the top with more tap water, stir, cover, and let it sit overnight to thicken.
Last, stir the soap again. then take an empty detergent bottle (the one I have is 128 oz), fill it halfway with the soap and then fill it the rest of the way with water.
Make sure to shake it before each use! (And then chuckle at all the money you're saving.)
For a top loading machine use 5/8 of a cup, in a front loading machine, 1/4 of a cup.
[I measured the 5/8 into the cap of the bottle I was using the first time and then I knew where to fill it without checking after that.]
In the end it makes 10 gallons. That's it, you're done!
If you prefer dry, powdered detergent you might also be able to just mix 2 cups of grated soap, 1 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda. Use 1 or 2 Tablespoons per load.
(One of her friends suggested that as it takes up much less space. I've never tried it mostly because I prefer liquid. Also, Houston is humid and I'm afraid it might get cakey or gummy, and our machine doesn't always dissolve everything like it should. But, in the interest of full disclosure...)
Here is the "recipe" all together.
Ingredients:
1 Fels Naptha Soap Bar
4 cups hot tap water
1.5 cups super washing soda
1.5 cups borax
1 store-bought laundry detergent bottle, cleaned and emptied
1 5 gallon paint bucket, cleaned and emptied
- Grate the bar of soap
- Add to a saucepan with the 4 cups of hot tap water.
- Stir continually over medium heat until the soap dissolves and has melted.
- Fill the 5 gallon bucket halfway with hot tap water, then add the melted soap, washing soda and borax.
- Stir well until everything is dissolved.
- Fill the bucket to the top with more tap water, stir, cover, and let it sit overnight to thicken.
- Stir the soap again. then take an empty detergent bottle, fill it halfway with the soap and then fill it the rest of the way with water.
- Shake before each use.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Seen and Heard
Seen:
A fleet of emergency vehicles responding to an accident or major natural disaster.
Heard:
A siren wailing made by Sam. Constantly.
Seen:
Heard: A lot of laughter as these two play with each other. But I'm not gonna lie, we've also heard lots of crying from Sam when she messes up his "hospitals" "roads" "skyscrapers", etc. And then there's also been crying from Rainey when brother forgets just how big he is or he takes a toy away. And she shrieks, loudly, if anything displeases her. Though she's getting a little better about it.
Seen:
Chickie Rainey (who will get her own post later.)
Heard:
Sam using "Chickie Rainey needs some milk" or something similar whenever he doesn't want to do something. (That doesn't mean he thinks I nurse Rainey just to get out of stuff...does it?)
Seen:
My handsome man with a cast on his arm after breaking 2 bones in 3 places in what I'm sure was a blaze of glory in the first 45 seconds of a basketball game.
Heard:
Grunts of pain from the aforementioned man when he overdoes it or Sam knocks his arm. You might also hear a wee bit of grumbling from me about having to be a Jane of all trades while he's sidelined. Part of me likes that he needs me, part of me is kinda over it. The latter part shows up chiefly on days when I have to mow the lawn.
Seen:
Hunter and Rosh, our two Chinese "sons" that stayed with us for nearly 3 weeks.
Heard:
Some pretty funny conversations, a lot of repeating, a lot of iTranslate, sam asking them to play hospital, laughter playing games...etc, etc, etc. (they're probably gonna get their own post too.)
Seen:
One sick chickie.
Heard:
A LOT of sniffles, coughing, crying (from Rainey), and sneezing. With the exception of David (who only has a broken arm), we all have been sick. Sam had a cold at the beginning of July and is still coughing. I got a cold, then conjunctivitis and then another cold which turned into the fever/sinus infection that wouldn't die when my autoimmune foolishness flared in the middle of it. 3 antibiotics (and a month) later I still have pressure but do feel better. Rainey got the same cold I did and similarly couldn't shake it. Ears were/are infected, snot is everywhere, her voice is hoarse, she's sleeping even worse than usual, and then to add insult to injury, she either had a stomach virus or heat exhaustion this week and threw up. A lot. For 2 days. Poor baby!
Seen:
Food. For about 5 minutes and then it vanished. Two teenage boys in your house I have decided requires a small herd of cattle and 300 acre farm to feed. Fortunately we have amazing friends who helped us with meals. It blessed more than just my tummy! :)
Heard:
Hunter "Ohmygod!"
Rosh: "Oooh."
David: "Uh...guys...?" (He was Communications director while Hunter & Rosh were here.)
Rainey: "Mam Mam" "Da Da" "Bruh Bruh" and we think she's using them for the appropriate people too!!!
Sam: "Why?" "Well, first of all..." "Why?" "Will this help me get me extra super big rocket?!?"
Me: "Sam, not so loud please." "Rainey...no ma'am" "Daaave?"
A fleet of emergency vehicles responding to an accident or major natural disaster.
Heard:
A siren wailing made by Sam. Constantly.
Seen:
Heard: A lot of laughter as these two play with each other. But I'm not gonna lie, we've also heard lots of crying from Sam when she messes up his "hospitals" "roads" "skyscrapers", etc. And then there's also been crying from Rainey when brother forgets just how big he is or he takes a toy away. And she shrieks, loudly, if anything displeases her. Though she's getting a little better about it.
Seen:
Chickie Rainey (who will get her own post later.)
Heard:
Sam using "Chickie Rainey needs some milk" or something similar whenever he doesn't want to do something. (That doesn't mean he thinks I nurse Rainey just to get out of stuff...does it?)
Seen:
My handsome man with a cast on his arm after breaking 2 bones in 3 places in what I'm sure was a blaze of glory in the first 45 seconds of a basketball game.
Heard:
Grunts of pain from the aforementioned man when he overdoes it or Sam knocks his arm. You might also hear a wee bit of grumbling from me about having to be a Jane of all trades while he's sidelined. Part of me likes that he needs me, part of me is kinda over it. The latter part shows up chiefly on days when I have to mow the lawn.
Seen:
Hunter and Rosh, our two Chinese "sons" that stayed with us for nearly 3 weeks.
Heard:
Some pretty funny conversations, a lot of repeating, a lot of iTranslate, sam asking them to play hospital, laughter playing games...etc, etc, etc. (they're probably gonna get their own post too.)
Seen:
One sick chickie.
Heard:
A LOT of sniffles, coughing, crying (from Rainey), and sneezing. With the exception of David (who only has a broken arm), we all have been sick. Sam had a cold at the beginning of July and is still coughing. I got a cold, then conjunctivitis and then another cold which turned into the fever/sinus infection that wouldn't die when my autoimmune foolishness flared in the middle of it. 3 antibiotics (and a month) later I still have pressure but do feel better. Rainey got the same cold I did and similarly couldn't shake it. Ears were/are infected, snot is everywhere, her voice is hoarse, she's sleeping even worse than usual, and then to add insult to injury, she either had a stomach virus or heat exhaustion this week and threw up. A lot. For 2 days. Poor baby!
Seen:
Food. For about 5 minutes and then it vanished. Two teenage boys in your house I have decided requires a small herd of cattle and 300 acre farm to feed. Fortunately we have amazing friends who helped us with meals. It blessed more than just my tummy! :)
Heard:
Hunter "Ohmygod!"
Rosh: "Oooh."
David: "Uh...guys...?" (He was Communications director while Hunter & Rosh were here.)
Rainey: "Mam Mam" "Da Da" "Bruh Bruh" and we think she's using them for the appropriate people too!!!
Sam: "Why?" "Well, first of all..." "Why?" "Will this help me get me extra super big rocket?!?"
Me: "Sam, not so loud please." "Rainey...no ma'am" "Daaave?"
Thursday, June 21, 2012
I'm not a baby anymore!
My poor Sam, he's been dealing with pink eye and hasn't had a single nap this week. I was fixing lunch and he was looking at his high chair (which is now Rainey's, like so many of his things) and fingering one of the straps the boy starts BAWLING. I went over and he just clung to me crying and when he could finally speak I asked him what was wrong and he said, " I'm not a baby anymore!" :(
Sweet boy (who crashed about an hour ago and is snoring contentedly).
Sweet boy (who crashed about an hour ago and is snoring contentedly).
Saturday, June 2, 2012
2012 AIA Sandcastle Competition
After wondering what to do today we settled on heading to the beach for the sandcastle competition they have every year. It had been a few years since we'd been, and I'll use just about any excuse to go to the beach. :)
Traffic was bad thanks to shuttlepalooza or whatever they're calling the festivities surrounding the receipt of NASA's very own (wooden replica, boo!) space shuttle. Sooo we took 288 and Hwy 6 instead and that gave us the opportunity to see places we'd have missed otherwise like Manvel (which has a VERY nice high school that doesn't match it's surroundings AT ALL), Santa Fe (home to the famous supreme court case) and Hitchcock (which is doomed to be less interesting when not preceded by 'Alfred').
It took 2 hours to get down there and parked but make it we did and had a lovely time! Sam didn't want to leave. Rainey is going to be such the water baby and had so much fun playing in the sand and water. She would squeal with delight when a wave would come up and wash over her legs and then shriek when it went out again. It never once bothered her if her face got splashed (a MAJOR difference from her brother). I'm not sure how much sand she ate but I know I didn't manage to keep all of it out of her mouth. Sam did better this time too and in addition to building sandcastles he actually wanted to go out in the water with David! He got doused by a wave but was more excited than anything which is a big change. Port A this year is going to keep us on our toes for sure!
Sam and I walked along and looked at the sandcastle competition for "inspiration" while David stayed with Rainey. As usual some were good, some were funny, some made you question the reason for their existence. "The Big Bad Sandy Wolf" was our favorite and it won 2nd place. There were a few Hunger Games and Avengers entries, and a "March Madness of the Penguins" which was pretty funny. Several were riffs on the looming end of the world as predicted by those concerned about the end of the Mayan calendar.
When we got back we had snack time while David checked out the competition and then Rainey and I hung out in the water while Sam and David worked on their sandcastle du jour. They got quite a few props from people walking by.
According to Sam this is a skyscraper and village. The skyscraper has a hospital in it for the villagers. There are even 2 tunnels running underneath it for cars and trucks (according to David) or water (according to Sam) to pass through.
Rainey didn't manage to stay awake and frolic in the ocean the whole time we were there. Eventually she got so tired she took a nap on the blanket under the umbrella. It's tough being a baby!
Traffic was bad thanks to shuttlepalooza or whatever they're calling the festivities surrounding the receipt of NASA's very own (wooden replica, boo!) space shuttle. Sooo we took 288 and Hwy 6 instead and that gave us the opportunity to see places we'd have missed otherwise like Manvel (which has a VERY nice high school that doesn't match it's surroundings AT ALL), Santa Fe (home to the famous supreme court case) and Hitchcock (which is doomed to be less interesting when not preceded by 'Alfred').
It took 2 hours to get down there and parked but make it we did and had a lovely time! Sam didn't want to leave. Rainey is going to be such the water baby and had so much fun playing in the sand and water. She would squeal with delight when a wave would come up and wash over her legs and then shriek when it went out again. It never once bothered her if her face got splashed (a MAJOR difference from her brother). I'm not sure how much sand she ate but I know I didn't manage to keep all of it out of her mouth. Sam did better this time too and in addition to building sandcastles he actually wanted to go out in the water with David! He got doused by a wave but was more excited than anything which is a big change. Port A this year is going to keep us on our toes for sure!
Sam and I walked along and looked at the sandcastle competition for "inspiration" while David stayed with Rainey. As usual some were good, some were funny, some made you question the reason for their existence. "The Big Bad Sandy Wolf" was our favorite and it won 2nd place. There were a few Hunger Games and Avengers entries, and a "March Madness of the Penguins" which was pretty funny. Several were riffs on the looming end of the world as predicted by those concerned about the end of the Mayan calendar.
When we got back we had snack time while David checked out the competition and then Rainey and I hung out in the water while Sam and David worked on their sandcastle du jour. They got quite a few props from people walking by.
According to Sam this is a skyscraper and village. The skyscraper has a hospital in it for the villagers. There are even 2 tunnels running underneath it for cars and trucks (according to David) or water (according to Sam) to pass through.
Rainey didn't manage to stay awake and frolic in the ocean the whole time we were there. Eventually she got so tired she took a nap on the blanket under the umbrella. It's tough being a baby!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thank you BBT
Sam strongly dislikes wearing pants. It's my fault. During the summer when it's hot inside and out I haven't made him wear them inside the house. I don't set a great example either by almost immediately upon walking in the door changing into my much cooler pajama shorts.
Habit combined with the most inquisitive mind EVER (or so it seems) resulted in the following conversation this morning:
Me: Did you know we're going to Nonnie and Bubbie's in 5 days?
Sam: That's not long from now. (pauses) I won't wear pants at Nonnie and Bubbie's because they live in the country and no one can see me.
Me: (frowns and grins) Fortunately, yes you will!
[Sam loves the word fortunately and uses it often, even when it should be unfortunately. Consequently I use it much more than necessary. It's a little like "inconceivable" in The Princess Bride.]
Sam: But Mama, if I wear pants my legs will get hot because it's hot outside. (to Sam, pants and shorts are interchangeable a lot of the time.)
Me: If you wear shorts you'll be plenty cool. Besides, you'll be so distracted playing it won't bother you anyway.
Sam: Well, fortunately it will.
Me: I'm sorry to hear that, but you still have to wear shorts.
Sam: why?
Me: [sighs] it's a non-optional social convention. (a line frequently used in the BBT to get Sheldon to comply with something he thinks is superfluous.)
Sam:(confused look) Okay.
Habit combined with the most inquisitive mind EVER (or so it seems) resulted in the following conversation this morning:
Me: Did you know we're going to Nonnie and Bubbie's in 5 days?
Sam: That's not long from now. (pauses) I won't wear pants at Nonnie and Bubbie's because they live in the country and no one can see me.
Me: (frowns and grins) Fortunately, yes you will!
[Sam loves the word fortunately and uses it often, even when it should be unfortunately. Consequently I use it much more than necessary. It's a little like "inconceivable" in The Princess Bride.]
Sam: But Mama, if I wear pants my legs will get hot because it's hot outside. (to Sam, pants and shorts are interchangeable a lot of the time.)
Me: If you wear shorts you'll be plenty cool. Besides, you'll be so distracted playing it won't bother you anyway.
Sam: Well, fortunately it will.
Me: I'm sorry to hear that, but you still have to wear shorts.
Sam: why?
Me: [sighs] it's a non-optional social convention. (a line frequently used in the BBT to get Sheldon to comply with something he thinks is superfluous.)
Sam:(confused look) Okay.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Solids
Rainey has been doing pretty well with her solid foods so we're starting to branch out a bit. She's had avocado twice, but don't let the smile fool you...she stored it all up and spat it back at me.
Tonight I steamed/puréed some carrots and boy did she go crazy for those! I couldn't get the spoon in fast enough. It was also the first night where she was opening for the spoon and leaning in. Solids are still once a day in the evening since Mom's milk is more of a priority, but I'm so proud of how she's transitioning!
In other news, Sam came down with a pretty bad cold that even gave him an asthma-like cough. After trouble breathing so badly one night (his lips were blue for a minute) we ended up finding out he had an ear infection and got an inhaler to have in case breathing was a problem again. He decided that the virus should be the gift that keeps on giving and shared it with Rainey...who then shared it with Mommy. I ended up with a sinus infection and the beginnings of an ear infection and poor Rainey has ear infection #3 and bronchitis. We've spent the past 6 weeks with someone sick. Enough already! (David has been fine, he NEVER gets sick. I'm so jealous.)
Tonight I steamed/puréed some carrots and boy did she go crazy for those! I couldn't get the spoon in fast enough. It was also the first night where she was opening for the spoon and leaning in. Solids are still once a day in the evening since Mom's milk is more of a priority, but I'm so proud of how she's transitioning!
In other news, Sam came down with a pretty bad cold that even gave him an asthma-like cough. After trouble breathing so badly one night (his lips were blue for a minute) we ended up finding out he had an ear infection and got an inhaler to have in case breathing was a problem again. He decided that the virus should be the gift that keeps on giving and shared it with Rainey...who then shared it with Mommy. I ended up with a sinus infection and the beginnings of an ear infection and poor Rainey has ear infection #3 and bronchitis. We've spent the past 6 weeks with someone sick. Enough already! (David has been fine, he NEVER gets sick. I'm so jealous.)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Oatmeal Anyone?
The first food:
The baby:
The way-too-big-too-fast-little girl:
She did great! And mommy managed NOT to cry. There were even a few times that she opened her mouth when she saw the spoon coming.
[it should be noted that what she's staring at in all of these pictures is David. She LOVES her daddy! :)]
The baby:
The way-too-big-too-fast-little girl:
She did great! And mommy managed NOT to cry. There were even a few times that she opened her mouth when she saw the spoon coming.
[it should be noted that what she's staring at in all of these pictures is David. She LOVES her daddy! :)]
Saturday, April 7, 2012
San Gabriel
This weekend has been just lovely. The river near David's parents' house is actually running clear and cool. We went down expecting muddy puddles, or at the least dirty looking kinda stagnant water. Instead, we got this:
Just beautiful.
Just beautiful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
