You may have heard...I am trying to integrate healthy eating habits in my family. It's going pretty well, we have definitely been eating more fruits and veggies. The kids have even started getting into the habit of asking for them for snacks. I'm feeling pretty good about it! We've had our ups and downs though.
One "up":
This weekend I was making dinner. We were just having left-overs, cleaning out the fridge of all food not eaten from previous meals. I actually look forward to left-over nights, it's a time I get to see who liked what the best. It's a good tool for me. Anyway, I had this bag of two cucumber sticks and (what I thought was) a half of cucumber. Lance is really into eating cucumbers right now so these were going to go on his plate. As I examined the half cucumber, I realized it was zucchini instead. I thought, "Why not?" and prepared it as I did the cucumber earlier. He ate it like a champ, no questions! There was one moment I thought it was going to backfire when he made an ugly face as he ate a piece, but, as those of you with kids know, kids like to make ugly faces. This is especially true when their brothers are sitting across the table! Score one for mom!
One "down":
One of my new books has great recipes for kids. I decided to try a muffin recipe for breakfast last week. My friend Michelle said they were delicious. They have no refined sugar, whole-wheat flour, and lots of shredded apples and carrots. Healthy and delicious! I tried them and they were pretty good. As I was making them, I knew I was going to have to come up with a different name for them. Apple-Carrot Muffins was not going to go over very well. I called them "Superman Muffins" because they would make the boys so much more "super". I made twelve of them, I ate two and the dogs ate one. Nobody would touch them! Rats! They're here for another couple of days if you want to try them.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Kate!
I've been asked to post a picture of Kate, so here you go dear friend of mine!
Kate is an enigma to me. Girls have always been a foreign concept to me, I never thought I would get one. I used to love hearing stories about girls and the differences between girls and boys, and I always said I was a better mom to boys than girls. I don't know if that is true or not anymore, I guess time will tell.
The interesting thing about it is that I never realized how much I wanted a girl until I had one.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Luke!
My little Luke, also known as "Ukey, Ukey, Ukey" in some parts (especially the South), is such a great little guy! He has two wonderful smiles, one with his mouth wide-open and beaming eyes and another as he sucks his bottom with a grin. The latter is new since his first tooth! His laughs are just contagious, big belly laughs nothing short of hilarious due to not much more than a glance from anyone. He's a super-happy guy and so much fun to be around!
But he's got this issue I cannot figure out. He loves to wake up and hang out within the 5 o'clock hour. Granted, I love the boy and love to spend time with him but I also like to sleep! This is a problem.
He usually wakes up singing. He'll make musical noises in his crib until one of us goes to get him. He wakes up with one of those aforementioned grins and a squeal of delight. Baby talk for "Good morning, great to see you!" If we don't go in there quickly enough, he usually will serenade us for about five minutes before frustration sets in, he will start to cry. Alas, we would prefer to go in to a squealing baby rather than a fuss-bucket!
I would like to think he just wants to spend some quality time with me. I sometimes feel like I'm short-changing my kids, especially the babies, because I cannot spend as much quality time with each one as I would like. I'm a busy mom with five kids, unfortunately there's a lot to do! So maybe he just needs some one-on-one time with me. Honestly, I could think of better times. I look very haggardly when I wake up before the sun, my breath is atrocious, and I'm grumpy (coffee can take the edge off, but it's not a perfect solution). I don't want to spend any time with me, why would this little guy?
We've tried letting him cry but he will just get hysterical and usually wakes up Kate. We've tried pelting him with food at night to ward off the morning hungry pains. We've tried getting him to sleep later but then we are just burning the candle at both ends. Nothing seems to help!
Today he woke up at 4:59, a minute before Steve's alarm went off. I got him up, changed his diaper, and made him a bottle and me some coffee. We went downstairs and played and I read the paper. I do enjoy the quiet time in the house, it is quite peaceful, but I would trade it in a heartbeat for another two hours of sleep.
Fast-forward two and a half hours. Kate wakes up with a big grin and a desire to play. Luke is crabby and wants to go back to sleep...me too! I get her up, he goes to sleep. Sweet dreams my little one!
My day is just beginning!
But he's got this issue I cannot figure out. He loves to wake up and hang out within the 5 o'clock hour. Granted, I love the boy and love to spend time with him but I also like to sleep! This is a problem.
He usually wakes up singing. He'll make musical noises in his crib until one of us goes to get him. He wakes up with one of those aforementioned grins and a squeal of delight. Baby talk for "Good morning, great to see you!" If we don't go in there quickly enough, he usually will serenade us for about five minutes before frustration sets in, he will start to cry. Alas, we would prefer to go in to a squealing baby rather than a fuss-bucket!
I would like to think he just wants to spend some quality time with me. I sometimes feel like I'm short-changing my kids, especially the babies, because I cannot spend as much quality time with each one as I would like. I'm a busy mom with five kids, unfortunately there's a lot to do! So maybe he just needs some one-on-one time with me. Honestly, I could think of better times. I look very haggardly when I wake up before the sun, my breath is atrocious, and I'm grumpy (coffee can take the edge off, but it's not a perfect solution). I don't want to spend any time with me, why would this little guy?
We've tried letting him cry but he will just get hysterical and usually wakes up Kate. We've tried pelting him with food at night to ward off the morning hungry pains. We've tried getting him to sleep later but then we are just burning the candle at both ends. Nothing seems to help!
Today he woke up at 4:59, a minute before Steve's alarm went off. I got him up, changed his diaper, and made him a bottle and me some coffee. We went downstairs and played and I read the paper. I do enjoy the quiet time in the house, it is quite peaceful, but I would trade it in a heartbeat for another two hours of sleep.
Fast-forward two and a half hours. Kate wakes up with a big grin and a desire to play. Luke is crabby and wants to go back to sleep...me too! I get her up, he goes to sleep. Sweet dreams my little one!
My day is just beginning!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Big Challenge
I have come to realize through much experiences and observations that I am not the mom I want to be. I know we are not all perfect, but there are certainly many ways for me to improve. I don't want to change the world, just tweak my world a little bit.
My kids are picky. My husband is picky. I am told I am picky too, though I disagree with this a bit. I read an article a couple of months ago in the Washington Post about picky eaters. The article talked about "supertasters", people whose sense of taste and texture is much more heightened than most. Steve whole-heartedly subscribes to this position. He has always been a picky eater, mostly with vegetables, saying the texture just isn't good. I think he sees it as an excuse and another way to be "super." The article also said people who eat one item at a time on their plate (that's me!) are picky. I would say that it has less to do with pickiness and a lot more to do with my OCD (something I may address another time), but call it what you like! My kids basically follow in their dad's footsteps. They see his nose flare at the green beans (texture!) and suddenly I'm the bad guy for even thinking they should put this toxic, green vegetable in their bodies. A mushroom may put them over the edge.
We have made some subtle changes over the years. We switched to Ovaltine rather than Hershey's Syrup for chocolate milk, use 1% rather than 2% milk (skim milk may be in our future), water down all juice for the kids, and I make my own popsicles to cut down on sugar. My kids take their lunches to school so I can see what they're eating. I even belong to a local CSA for organic fruits and vegetables and a local dairy co-op for organic milk and eggs. I have bought a couple of books to lead me in the right direction and a couple more for recipes once I am there. I am armed with all the ammunition, let's roll!
My first step is to encourage five servings of fruits and veggies a day. I will keep you updated! Wish me luck!
My kids are picky. My husband is picky. I am told I am picky too, though I disagree with this a bit. I read an article a couple of months ago in the Washington Post about picky eaters. The article talked about "supertasters", people whose sense of taste and texture is much more heightened than most. Steve whole-heartedly subscribes to this position. He has always been a picky eater, mostly with vegetables, saying the texture just isn't good. I think he sees it as an excuse and another way to be "super." The article also said people who eat one item at a time on their plate (that's me!) are picky. I would say that it has less to do with pickiness and a lot more to do with my OCD (something I may address another time), but call it what you like! My kids basically follow in their dad's footsteps. They see his nose flare at the green beans (texture!) and suddenly I'm the bad guy for even thinking they should put this toxic, green vegetable in their bodies. A mushroom may put them over the edge.
We have made some subtle changes over the years. We switched to Ovaltine rather than Hershey's Syrup for chocolate milk, use 1% rather than 2% milk (skim milk may be in our future), water down all juice for the kids, and I make my own popsicles to cut down on sugar. My kids take their lunches to school so I can see what they're eating. I even belong to a local CSA for organic fruits and vegetables and a local dairy co-op for organic milk and eggs. I have bought a couple of books to lead me in the right direction and a couple more for recipes once I am there. I am armed with all the ammunition, let's roll!
My first step is to encourage five servings of fruits and veggies a day. I will keep you updated! Wish me luck!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
These are a few of my favorite things...eating edition
- Popcorn
- Fruity frozen things (popsicles, sorbet)
- Yellow cake batter
- Bananas (perfectly ripe)
- Margaritas (frozen, no salt)
- Baby toes!
These are a few of my favorite things...smelly edition
- Playdough
- Purple (grape) kool-aid
- Bubble gum
- Freshly mowed grass
- BBQs
- Clean babies
- Dirty, smelly kids who've had a great time playing outside all day
- Wood fires
- Banana baby food in a jar
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Nanny, Nanny...Boo, Hoo!
We are on the hunt for a nanny. I have been conflicted about this decision to begin with, mainly because it is so difficult for me to ask for help. As the summer nears, and I realize the older boys aren't going to have as many excursions as I would like with the babies, I thought it is now time to get some help. Steve is also starting a new job in mid-June which will make his time less flexible, which is what kind of got this process started.
I began getting the word out. I put a couple of ads on Craigslist, asked some friends and neighbors if they knew anyone, and even asked at the PTO meeting. Surprisingly, the most responses I got were on Craigslist, but, not so surprisingly, most were not good candidates. Though I was specific in where we live, some wanted to know if we were Metro accessible. (um...hello? We live fifty miles from DC!) Others wanted me to come pick them up. (um...) I did get a couple of good candidates so I scheduled some interviews.
I am looking for someone who can just give me an extra set of hands for about 10 hours a week. My hours are completely flexible, I can schedule my life around when I will have help, and it really is just a luxury for me and my family for us to get out and do things. Maybe we could even find someone who could watch the kids at night so Steve and I could have a date! Other than that, I really don't have many expectations...or at least I thought!
The first interview was interesting. The woman spoke some English, but was pretty difficult to understand. I was open to the idea of her speaking Spanish to our kids, I actually thought it would be awesome to expose them to a different language. She seemed to love the babies, her eyes lighting up and joyfully saying "twins?!?" when she saw there were two, but really didn't seem to savor the idea of hanging out with the older boys. I knew she wasn't the one for us when I asked her what she did for fun. "Fun? What do you mean?" (sigh) I couldn't picture myself having conversations with this woman pool-side, which made me realize I may be looking for some thing more than just a nanny. I am looking for someone with whom I can interact with as well.
Our second interview was more promising. She is a nanny for another family three days a week and a mom of an eight month-old boy who she brings along with her. This raises a red-flag for me. I am having trouble juggling two babies, how will she juggle three? Later, after speaking with her a little bit, another red-flag came to my attention. I didn't even think about how her baby would react to seeing her with other babies. (sigh) Of course, our conversations with this woman went smoothly. She has the same ideas about discipline as we do, seemed really energetic and peppy, and didn't seem overwhelmed with our five children. She even has a six year-old step-son who goes to the same school as Trent and Kyle, so she knows how to handle older children as well. While I really like her, I'm not sure she is the best candidate with her baby in tow.
We have another interview on Thursday. I am most hopeful about this one. She is a local high school student looking for a summer nanny position. I got her name through a friend who goes to the same church and this girl works in the nursery there. Since it will only be for the summer, it's not ideal. Hopefully, if it works out, we can get her on a limited basis during the school year or at least for an occasional babysitting. I will let you know how it goes.
Searching for a nanny is difficult! I am not struggling with the idea of leaving my children with a stranger as most parents who go through this interview process do. I will be with this person, getting to know him/her much before I left my children. (Wouldn't it be something if I ended up with a "Manny? I wonder how Steve would react, especially if he has Brad Pitt good looks? The boys would love it!) Steve will also be working from home about half of the time so he might hear if something was going on or if there was an emergency. The hardest part is finding someone who I like enough to have a relationship with, but someone who I could depart with if things didn't work out.
The search continues...
I began getting the word out. I put a couple of ads on Craigslist, asked some friends and neighbors if they knew anyone, and even asked at the PTO meeting. Surprisingly, the most responses I got were on Craigslist, but, not so surprisingly, most were not good candidates. Though I was specific in where we live, some wanted to know if we were Metro accessible. (um...hello? We live fifty miles from DC!) Others wanted me to come pick them up. (um...) I did get a couple of good candidates so I scheduled some interviews.
I am looking for someone who can just give me an extra set of hands for about 10 hours a week. My hours are completely flexible, I can schedule my life around when I will have help, and it really is just a luxury for me and my family for us to get out and do things. Maybe we could even find someone who could watch the kids at night so Steve and I could have a date! Other than that, I really don't have many expectations...or at least I thought!
The first interview was interesting. The woman spoke some English, but was pretty difficult to understand. I was open to the idea of her speaking Spanish to our kids, I actually thought it would be awesome to expose them to a different language. She seemed to love the babies, her eyes lighting up and joyfully saying "twins?!?" when she saw there were two, but really didn't seem to savor the idea of hanging out with the older boys. I knew she wasn't the one for us when I asked her what she did for fun. "Fun? What do you mean?" (sigh) I couldn't picture myself having conversations with this woman pool-side, which made me realize I may be looking for some thing more than just a nanny. I am looking for someone with whom I can interact with as well.
Our second interview was more promising. She is a nanny for another family three days a week and a mom of an eight month-old boy who she brings along with her. This raises a red-flag for me. I am having trouble juggling two babies, how will she juggle three? Later, after speaking with her a little bit, another red-flag came to my attention. I didn't even think about how her baby would react to seeing her with other babies. (sigh) Of course, our conversations with this woman went smoothly. She has the same ideas about discipline as we do, seemed really energetic and peppy, and didn't seem overwhelmed with our five children. She even has a six year-old step-son who goes to the same school as Trent and Kyle, so she knows how to handle older children as well. While I really like her, I'm not sure she is the best candidate with her baby in tow.
We have another interview on Thursday. I am most hopeful about this one. She is a local high school student looking for a summer nanny position. I got her name through a friend who goes to the same church and this girl works in the nursery there. Since it will only be for the summer, it's not ideal. Hopefully, if it works out, we can get her on a limited basis during the school year or at least for an occasional babysitting. I will let you know how it goes.
Searching for a nanny is difficult! I am not struggling with the idea of leaving my children with a stranger as most parents who go through this interview process do. I will be with this person, getting to know him/her much before I left my children. (Wouldn't it be something if I ended up with a "Manny? I wonder how Steve would react, especially if he has Brad Pitt good looks? The boys would love it!) Steve will also be working from home about half of the time so he might hear if something was going on or if there was an emergency. The hardest part is finding someone who I like enough to have a relationship with, but someone who I could depart with if things didn't work out.
The search continues...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)