Trader Joe's--More Than Just Appetizers

I love Trader Joe's, but, until recently, it was only for a quick run-in for some wine or ready-made appetizers. I usually peruse the aisles, picking out things that look good, but rarely buy anything more than snacks. Noticing how inexpensive TJ's can be in comparison to the big grocery stores, I thought I would try them out as a primary grocery supplier. I am hooked. We generally buy "health food" pretty regularly, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much our grocery bill was cut down AND by how much good and new food we got. I still had to run to Kroger for some general food staples and produce that was not available at TJ's, but I still think it was worth it. Meals this week have included:

-Spinach salad (with candied pecans, egg, red onion, and cherry tomatoes) with a Champagne Pear Vinaigrette
-Cheese tortellini with roasted tomatoes
-Loosemeat sandwiches and sweet potatoes (the sandwiches were more a product of Kroger)
-Lots of whole-milk yogurt and granola for Patrick
-Natural peanut and almond butter sandwiches
-loads of produce for snacks--grape tomatoes, champagne grapes (new favorite), blueberries, strawberries

Adam is really happy, too, because he has a sudden interest in healthy eating. Trader Joe's is where it's at...not to mention the under-$5 wine selection is pretty impressive. I was watching something on TV about general rules of healthy eating, and that food should have a shelf-life of no more than two weeks. We did a good job with this. Our fridge is STOCKED, but have little more in the cabinets than granola, pasta, whole-grain cereal, etc. I'm loving it. Admittedly, the freezer still has quite the selection of ice cream, but everyone needs a vice, right? (By "selection," I mean we have 6 different types of ice cream and one frozen yogurt. It's pretty impressive, even for us.)

Patrick, our little comedian, loves the new selection of food, but not enough to suppress his insatiable sweet tooth. Yesterday, he marveled at the pecans I gave him (candied, nonetheless) and told me how much he loved nuts. "These are so good, Mom. I really like nuts."

Me: "You do? Really? What's your favorite kind of nut?" (Here, I expected Patrick's signature "Whhaaaaaaatt?")

Instead, his reply: "Hmm..Donuts. Donuts are my favorite nut."

That's about right.

Emotional Rollercoaster, aka Patrick Walden

4 Month Comparison

As I type this, Patrick is sitting in my lap asking if he can have one of the Jelly Bellies in the computer.  "Please, Mom?  Please?  Mom?  Can I have one?  Can you get it?  Please?  MOM!  Please?!!"  That's what I'll listen to until I close this out. 

We'll likely do a 4-month photo shoot with Leo (assuming Katie is available), but I thought I would post a pic of Leo, now just less than a week shy of three months old, and Patrick at 4 months old (obviously, the one of Patrick is a professional-quality photo.  Leo's pic is a cell phone one for now.)  Close enough.  I honestly can't tell anymore how much they look alike.  If they do look a lot alike, perhaps I don't see it because they have such different little personalities...or perhaps they just don't look that much alike.  Who knows?  Jury is out. 

Leo, 2 months and 3 weeks                                             Patrick, 4 months

God Bless You, Leo Alexander

Leo was baptized on Sunday, and we were blessed to have a full house...and I mean a FULL house; we easily made up 2/3 of the people in attendance.  We had friends and family from in town, family from Ohio, and family from Illinois make the trip to be with us, and Leo looked as sweet as he is in his gorgeous cotton/linen gown..  We were a little intimidated by the number of people who came (due to the small size of our house), but at the end of the day, it was so good to see everyone and we feel so lucky to have that many people who cared enough to join us.  It brought back good memories of holidays at my grandparents' house...little room and lots of people; the kind of event that makes the floor a totally acceptable option for seating.  A packed house is a good problem to have and we found out just how many people our little house could hold as soon as the torrential downpours started in the late afternoon. Thank goodness we all liked each other.  See pictures:

Leo and his Godparents, Aunt TiTi and Uncle Thomas

Patrick's New Chalkboard Wall:

Petit Fours...I could have eaten them all:

Come Monday, we had very few leftovers, the house was cleaned up, and it was almost a let-down.  We've been trying to get all of our home projects all done in time for the baptism, and we succeeded.  What now, though?  With 4.5 weeks left until school starts up again, I suppose it's time that we take advantage of our free time and enjoy this summer.  Hilton Head vacation starts in just three weeks!

I've cut back hours at work again, meaning I'll be working very little.  As far as income goes, it's a little blow, but not one that we're unprepared for.  On a good note, it means that I will have four weeks before school starts to spend enjoying the rest of the summer with the boys.  Day one (today) has been spent in our jammies (minus Leo, he's dressed) and with Grandma and Aunt Leeney over visiting.  I love it! 

Also, the Egg Diet started today.  Truthfully, it would have started yesterday, but I got sidetracked by a little Flying Cupcakes (fine...nearly two Flying Cupcakes, but who is counting?)  What is the Egg Diet, you say?  Well, it's a completely unhealthy Nutritional Fasting diet, but it'll at least get my weight loss started.  I can modify it later.  For now, I just need a little immediate gratification.  Read this article on it; if this supposed-to-be-encouraging article doesn't sway you into thinking it's probably not a good long-term solution, nothing will: http://www.afn.org/~poultry/eggdiet.htm.  I'm not stupid, just willing to try anything.  I've hit that level.  As of this morning, I have five pounds to go to pre-baby weight, and I know that those five pounds live in my stomach and my boobs, but I still would like them to head out.  Maybe a few extra pounds would be ok, too. Like ten. I'm just saying.

Hi, Colleen. 

Today is Thursday.  It started out like any Thursday; Leo started to make noise around seven, so I pulled him into bed with us since I was starting to wake myself.  A few minutes later, Patrick's bedroom door opened and he crawled in bed next to Adam.  For a few minutes, the four of us laid there with our eyes closed in perfect peace and quiet until Adam had to get up and get ready for work.  Leo fell back to sleep, so Patrick and I watched a couple of episodes of Spectacular Spiderman (or whatever the official name is; I don't know) and ate breakfast.  I had two eggs, Patrick had two toddler-sized bowls of granola, an apple, and part of a Pop Tart.  While Patrick was a little preoccupied by Spiderman, I went out back and started to power-wash the deck.  Not 10 minutes passed before Patrick was at the back door asking what I was doing and if he could watch.  I figured it was best to just come back inside.  Leo must have woken up from the noise outside the window, so we played with him for a while and talked about the party this weekend.  Patrick asked for a snack and then went down for a nap a little early so that we can run a few errands this afternoon before traffic gets thicker and stores get crowded.  I crawled back into bed with Leo (asleep again), and started to read the last 50 pages or so of my library book, due back today.

As I finished the book, I put it on the nightstand and I just started to cry.  It was the first book I have read for fun in probably a year, but that's not why.  Honestly, I don't know why, exactly; I looked around our bedroom, cleaned and new; at our sleeping baby, breathing quietly, at the row of textbooks lined on my dresser, and I realized that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  The last few days have been leading up to this, I think.  First, an overwhelming sense of gratitude, then a much-appreciated and very touching compliment from my neighbor, and a reaffirmation from my mother on my recent career-change plans--it's all come to a head.  I'm working part-time at a rewarding a very fun job; I'm able to be the 24-hours-a-day, hands-on mother that I wanted to be, I have two perfect and happy kids, a hilariously funny and goofy husband who adores me as much as I adore him, my health, a family that people would probably kill for (my in-laws included), and really good and true friends.  Eh, I could use a bigger house, more money, and to lose 10 pounds, but we're happy.  Exuberant, actually.

Five years ago, I would have never seen myself here.  Not ever.  Maybe in a glowy fairytale-like thought, but not in reality.  Five years ago, I couldn't see that this is what my parents wanted for me; why we butted heads so violently.  I didn't know there was more to be had; truthfully, I probably would never have known, but I found it.  I mean, I really found it.  It's enough to take a step back and realize that my entire life is a miracle.  Every bit of it. We've had plenty of road bumps and bad days, but in the end (and as a whole), I really don't think life gets any better than this.  We are very, very blessed.  Overwhelmingly blessed, it seems.

Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way;

Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day;

Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do,

For round about you there are men less fortunate than you.

Be grateful for the growing trees, the roses soon to bloom,

The tenderness of kindly hearts that shared your days of gloom;

Be grateful for the morning dew, the grass beneath your feet,

The soft caresses of your babes and all their laughter sweet.

Acquire the grateful habit, learn to see how blest you are,

How much there is to gladden life, how little life to mar!

And what if rain shall fall today and you with grief are sad;

Be grateful that you can recall the days and joys that you have had.

- Edgar Guest

The Fourth of July came and went with a bang, both literally and figuratively.  Friday night was spent at Conner Prairie for the annual Hatcher Family Independence Day celebration (don't you dare call it the Fourth of July around my Dad...it's Independence Day only.)  My aunt, cousins, and second cousins (Toshiko, Emi, Ryan, Keiko, and Curtis) joined us for the night.  As usual, the spread of food was ridiculous, the wine was tasty, and the kids had a blast.  (The adults did, too, naturally.)  My only complaint is that the crowd this year was almost unbearable...and I am not one who likes crowds.  Overall, though, the night was great, and very obviously my Dad's favorite day of the year. 

Pictures as the night unfolded:

The best selfie shot I could get:

The boys: (L-R) Justin, Dad, Thomas, Ryan, Adam

Sweet Madison (Thomas's girlfriend)

The crowd (about 1/10 of it, anyway)

Thomas standing during the Marine salute

Leo enjoying his Grandma:

Ryan digging the music:

Dad's favorite part, the Army salute:

Aunt Leeney and Leo:

Very sadly, I have no pictures of Emi, Aunt Toshiko, Keiko or Curtis. Boo.

Saturday brought a pretty low-key day for us; a chance to get some home projects done. So far this summer, we have painted 7 rooms in the house, painted and installed new baseboards, painted the interior doors, installed a new storm door, laid new flooring in Leo's room, rid of a couch, got a new couch, and installed a basketball goal for the boys. I feel like we've done more than that, but now I'm drawing a blank. No matter; the point is that it's been a pretty productive summer so far. I'm happy with the much-needed home projects that have been completed. Thankfully, this week brings the last of it. Hooray for that.

Sunday was the actual Fourth of July celebration with the Marshes and the McHughs. Two great families, loads of great company, a few cocktails, and water fun for the kids (not to mention an absolute surplus of food and loud fireworks) was reason enough to leave the house, despite the horrific heat and humidity. A good time was had by all, evident by the following day, the laziest Monday ever.

This weekend brings Sweet Leo's baptism.  He's very excited.  His gown has been cleaned (still needs to be pressed), Katie and Thomas chosen as Godparents, family invited, and food ordered.  Really, he's very excited.  See?

Here Comes The Weekend

I shouldn't wait so long to update this blog, as it seems like too many things happen during the in-between and then it escapes me. Here is where we stand:

1.) Little Leo is getting to be a pretty big kid. (Well, a tiny baby still, but big for his age; he's 9 weeks old today.) He went to the doctor this week and weighed in at 13lbs 5oz (90th percentile) and 25 inches long (97th percentile). I expressed my concern about his quiet nature, but heard was I was hoping; that he might just be a quiet kid. No need for concern. He did coo a couple of times yesterday, which was a first. (For comparison, Patrick "talked" nonstop by 8 weeks old. Leo just watches.) Last night was the third night of his new bedtime routine, which is identical to the one that we had in place for Patrick up until he turned two. It goes like this: eat, bed (while still awake), wake up. It's very simple; we don't make much of a fuss. This is not to say that this is the right way to do things, just that it works for us. Leo goes down at 10:30 and is up at 7:30. Thanks to his new schedule, I am getting back on a normal-person schedule. No more painting the bathroom at 2am. I've been in bed shortly after Leo and up just before he wakes for the day. It works out perfectly. Here he is as of this morning:

2.) Speaking of painting, I have one room left to paint in my "total wall makeover" project of Summer '10. I have paint in my hair that won't come out, but I covered it the best that I could with a little dye. The kitchen had to be done twice, as the first color just didn't set well with me, but I'm happy now. I'm on the fence about the color for our bedroom, as that is the only room in the house that I haven't ever painted, and I'm just not sure how any color will work. I'm leaning toward a really pale orange/coral (REALLY pale), but we'll see. No decisions have been made yet. As far as home projects go, we only have to lay the baseboards in our room and in Leo's room and hang 7 new interior doors and 2 new storm doors. The list keeps getting shorter...

3.) We've been hit by a string a bad luck with health the past few weeks. Patrick has developed a mildly gross viral infection, diagnosed on Monday, which invovles me picking open tiny warts in his armpit with a hypodermic needle, and then painting the whole area with betadine in order to rid him of the manifestations of his infection. The first attempt was a debacle. It evovled into a screaming/writhing fit, which was miserable for everyone. Last night (attempt #2) was great. I talked to Patrick before I started, explained what I had to do, that it didn't hurt, and that it would make him all better. He laid down in position and let me pick away. If I had to go at an area with more than one little "jab," he would tell me "No more" and I would move on to a new area. So far, I think we have successfully managed about 15 little warts. Only 15 more to do, approximately. (For the record, I hate the word "warts." Ew.) Please see cell pic of picked and "painted" area:

Tuesday, Adam has a soccer game that ended for him with either an ankle sprain or a minor fracture. He was unable to walk for a day or so, but is getting around mostly fine now. Upon calling my parents for advice, Adam heard what he was dreading; he's not a high school athlete anymore. He'll be fine, though. A day home from work, and a little TLC, and he's almost 100% again, though it's still a little swollen and sore. Poor guy.

The same morning Adam woke up with his "unbearably sore" ankle, Patrick woke up with a pretty high fever. It stayed at about 103 degrees most of the day, despite the Tylenol I was feeding him. He was grumpy, wouldn't eat, and not sleeping well. He would start crying hysterically for no real reason (once because he thought the sun was too bright. I'm serious.) We took him to see his favorite doctor (my dad), who thought he might have Roseola, a childhood illness that is characterized by a higher fever for a few days with no other real symptoms and ends with a body rash. Sure enough, as of yesterday afternoon (a day later), his rash started to spread. I noticed it first on his cheeks and neck, and then his arms. When we got home for the day, I took off his shirt, and his belly and back were covered in tiny red bumps. His fever was completely gone.

As of this morning, the rash has mostly gone away, and Patrick seems to think that I cured him. I got a big, "Good job, Mommy! You did it! You made me all better!" this morning. I'll take the credit where I can get it. I've attached a pic of the back rash, but it's not too noticeable in the picture. It certainly was in person. You can also see a little of the yellow betadine coming around his side. Our house is crawling with germs, but we're getting better.

Little Leo is good. Healthy. Fine. Me, too.

Tonight marks the Hatcher family's annual Symphony on the Prairie outing. Good food, good wine, good music, good company. It's one of the best days of the year. Pics to come.