For the Record

I think it goes without saying that my mission to lose 10 pounds is out the window. I did manage to lose 4.5, which put me at a decent starting point for this pregnancy, so I don't feel too badly about it. I would like to think that I will stay under the 20# mark with this pregnancy, but considering that I am absolutely ravenous no more than two hours after my last meal and that I can't stop thinking about cherry and key-lime pie (I hate you, televised Pillsbury Bake-Off), I should probably be realistic. At this point, who cares. It comes off. I think it's time I shake the paranoia that it won't.

Happy Mother's Day!

It just occurred to me that I am due on Mother's Day.

Our New And Tiny Baby

It is with great pride that I introduce the presence, at least, of our newest and youngest family member, Baby W2, due May 9th, 2010. Though he/she is only 1/2cm long, we were able to see a tiny, strong, and fluttering little heartbeat today. More to come.

Fall Recipes

As the weather starts to turn colder, I feel as though I'm always on the hunt for "warm" recipes to keep the boys happy at home. Generally, I fall back on soups and tried-and-true crockpot recipes, both of which, with a little bit of preparation, go a long way and are giant time-savers in this busy house. However, last year about this time, I came across the following recipe (courtesy of http://www.picky-palate.com/), which was met with rave reviews. The selling point is that it reheats really well, which is key because this recipe makes a LOT (and I do mean that in caps) of food. Delicioso!

Garlic Toast and Spaghetti Pie

• 1 lb spaghetti noodles
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Lawry’s garlic salt
• 26 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 10 fresh basil leaves stacked, rolled and thinly sliced (chiffonade)
• 1/4 Cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 1 Cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Garlic Salt
• 1 roll Pillsbury French Bread Loaf
  

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions for 5 minutes then add beef, salt, pepper and garlic salt to brown, about 7-9 minutes. Reduce heat to low then stir in sauce, basil leaves and cooked pasta.

3. Open French Bread and unroll it to rectangle. With a knife cut it in 2 equal parts. Take one piece and press into the bottom of a well greased springform pan pressing up the sides slightly. Bake for 10 minutes then remove from oven. Transfer approximately 3/4 of the spaghetti into the pan (or fill about 3/4 way to the top of pan) (save leftover spaghetti for later). Sprinkle top with parmesan and cheddar cheese. Take remaining piece of dough and place it over top of spaghetti trying to cover entire surface. Brush olive oil over top of dough then sprinkle with garlic salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bread is just golden brown.

Let cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

39 Things Every Mom Should Know

While reading my new Parents magazine, I came across a brief article that I liked so much, I cut it out to save (I never do this.) It's copied in its entirety below...I hope that's not illegal.

39 Things Every Mom Should Know

by Kacy Faulconer

1.) You never have to go to obnoxious, kid-themed restaurants. Ever. I wish someone had told me that.

2.) Don't make birthday parties a big deal.

3.) Do your chores while your kids are awake. Using up naptime to wash dishes or clean bathrooms is truly soul-crushing.

4.) Put Band-Aids on everything your kids wants you to. Why not?

5.) If the kids are awake, bite the bullet and be awake yourself. You'll waste so many hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it. If you are sick, pregnant, or it's the middle of the night, ignore this advice.

6.) Just throw away the poopy underwear.

7.) Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.

8.) Teach your kids not to pee outside unless you are camping--you'll be glad that you did. But if other people's kids do it, don't judge too harshly--it's all about karma. (If you're in the midst of potty training, all best are off. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.)

9.) Buy cheap shoes when your kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think.

10.) Don't forget about board games. You'll suffer through way too much Candy Lane and Chutes and Ladders, but Connect Four and Battleship aren't half bad. And Clue rocks.

11.) Embrace their quirks.

12.) Know this: That stain won't come out. And it's ok. (The sooner you accept this, the better.)

13.) At some point, it will be February. Things will seem bleak. You will think about vitamins, glasses, more exercise, more sleep, more chores, less TV, more rules, fewer rules, and organic food. Just wait. Things will get better when the snow melts. Know that it will happen again at the end of the summer, right before school starts. It's the circle of life, baby.

14.) Always get boys' haircuts at barber shops instead of hair salons.

15.) Answer the question: What is the worse thing that can happen if your kids sleep in their clothes?

16.) Never stifle a generous inclination.

17.) Try to like what they like. It kind of sucks when it's Bob the Buider, but the payoff will come when they discover Lemony Snicket.

18.) Teach them to pump on the swings ASAP.

19.) If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing her teeth, don't wake her; baby teeth do eventually fall out.

20.) I know you are supposed to use natural consequences to punish bad behavior, but sometimes it's hard to think of natural consequences. In these cases, try threatening your kids with clipping their toenails or some other activity they dread. I've had great success with this one, but you must find your own.

21.) Get used to the word zerrissenheit. It means a state of disjointedness, and it's a new normal for most of us. At least you can feel fancy because it's German.

22.) Buy kids deodorant before they need it.

23.) Teach your children to make their own breakfast--and allow enough time so they can do it without pressure.

24.) I can't stress this enough: Use duvet covers on your comforters and forget about the top sheet. Not only will you thank me for this advice, but your kids will thank me as well when they are learning to make the bed.

25.) Remember clogging lessons are not in the best interest of the child.

26.) Don't administer punishment that hurts you more than it hurts them.

27.) Always pack wipes. If your kids go somewhere without you, send along wipes. It's like having a mom with them.

28.) Do not allow the word wienies in your home.

29.) Dress your girls like, well, little girls.

30.) Make sure your kids know how they like their eggs and burgers cooked. You don't want them to feel stress when ordering at the diner.

31.) It's fine to brag about yourself to your kids.

32.) Buy quaint little toys and hand-knit stuffed animals, but don't expect your kids to play with them.

33.) Just say "no" to any toy or doll that comes with packets that have to be mixed with water.

34.) Teach them to like cool music. Why suffer through The Wiggles when you could be enjoying Wilco or counting down with Feist?

35.) Don't buy the most expensive school-picture package. It's a waste of money.

36.) Give out awards for actual achievements.

37.) You're never too old to dress up and decorate your house for Halloween. And it's more fun for everyone if you are into it. It also entitles you to more candy.

38.) If the school year, new babysitter, or karate class gets off to a rocky start, don't totally stress about it. Instead, think of the improvement that can be made by the end of the year.

39.) Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. So make sure you have a healthy dose of both.

So, here it is; the proof. I love reading these letters on a digital test (let's be fair...this was test #6...the last one, seriously.)



Today was a Hanover get-together...a celebration of our new Baby Elise (Anna and Brent's little girl) and Baby Ty (Jamie and Winston's new little man), and of Jessica's recent nuptials. To my Hanover friends, I say this: I am sorry that I lied to you all today. You know that champagne cocktail I had? I wasn't drinking it. I was pouring it back into the pitcher when you weren't looking. Even when I acted like I was drinking it, it was just hitting a closed mouth. The other "drink" that I had was just Diet Mt. Dew. It's still very, very early in the pregnancy; I wasn't ready to share my news yet. Besides, it wasn't my day. I hope you all can understand. Surprise!



Aside from that, I feel pretty good. A little nauseated from time to time; perhaps just a smidge more than when I was pregnant with Patrick. From my calculations, I am no more than 5-6 weeks along. However, I have already started to form a tiny baby bump. Is this normal with subsequent pregancies? I feel like I look like I did when I was 12-13 weeks with Patrick. It's exciting to start to "show" early, but it also means that I'll have to share my news a little earlier than I thought.



We go to the doctor on the 15th for our first U/S; a confirmation of pregnancy. I'm praying to see a heartbeat. I'm still so excited that I can barely believe it. We're going to have a really busy next couple of years. Adam and I are both putting in quite a bit of time trying to put together our life; setting it up for the future. I'm in school again and managing two full-time jobs (motherhood and my paid position, simultaneously) and Adam puts in crazy overtime at work, trying to make a name for himself Adding one more child to the mix is going to make our balance of family time a delicate one. However, I feel like it's worth the risk of having our plate too full; we can handle it. I know that we can. I cannot wait for what's in store for us.