Gratitude

I have some odd thanks this week. Of course, there is the usual...family, friends, the gospel, and yes...cheese. But this week holds a whole new level of gratitude for me. You see, Julia has been a fabulous sleeper for over a year now. She goes to bed at 8, gets up at 7 and takes a 3 hour nap every afternoon. No crying, no whining, just good sleeping. Apparently I was taking this for granted and the Lord felt the need to remind me of this immense blessing. A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, Julia started screaming instead of napping. I thought maybe she was coming down with something. Then, the scarier thought, maybe she's outgrowing naps (AAHHHHH). THen, last week, she started screaming at bedtime as well. Well, she is clearly not outgrowing bedtime...and she didn't get sick so what else? A day or so later, she starts crying that her belly hurts. No fever, no vomiting, what is going on in there? Then I discover the problem...constipation. For those of you who have heard enough stories about my toddlers bowel movements to last a lifetime, feel free to stop reading. This poor child has been in agony for over a week. The doc says, "add more fruit to her diet...preferably pitted fruit." I can tell you, grocery stores in Cape do not sell pitted fruit this time of year. So we were on a grape and orange diet for days...to no avail. Just crying because it hurt and nothing happened. Remember, the no sleeping is getting worse all the while. Today I broke down and gave her some pedia-lax. FIVE HOURS LATER (the label says it works in 1/2 to 6 hours), she is free! And, even better, she did it in the potty and now she is very excited about using the potty. After all, it did make her feel much better. And, best of all, when I laid her in her bed at 8:30 tonight, she just rolled over and went to sleep. No whining, no crying, just sleeping. And I am SOOO grateful.

the reason for bizarre posts

You may have noticed that my posts have been a bit bizarre lately. They have no purpose. You might wonder - is there really nothing more interesting in her life than pineapple and its many combinations with meat products? Well, there is. Most of you know that I applied to PA school some time ago and fewer of you know that I interviewed a couple of weeks ago. Well, I haven't been able to think of anything else since then. Hence the posts about random fruit. I somehow felt that if I told people that I was trying and then didn't get in, it would somehow make it a bigger failure. But I DID get in!!! SIUC called today and extended a position in the Summer 2009 class!! Yea! I'm uber-excited. And actually, something else has been going on too. I've started doing some photography for others as well. Again, I thought if I told too many people and then wasn't very good, I'd be embarrassed or something. It's that whole fear of failure issue. Anyway, now that more than just my mother love the pictures that I've taken for them, I feel like I can tell people I'm doing it. So, I'm doing it. In the next week or so, I should have a host of pictures ready to show. But right now, I'm going out with my husband to celebrate....

My new favorite fruit

I've never been a fan of pineapple - till recently. I mean, I know it has always had its place...alongside ham on a pizza for example. But I've never really appreciated it as a great fruit. Then, last summer, I had a great grilled chicken recipe that used a pineapple based marinade. What great flavor. Who knew pineapple could do that to a piece of meat? Then, my mind began to wander. If chicken...why not other foods? Last night, I put pineapple in my chili. That's right...I put it right in my chili. And know what? It was amazing!! Tonight, chunks of pineapple went into my cheesy chicken and noodle skillet. Yep...amazing again! It may very well be the most adaptable fruit ever...as long as it is cooked. (I'm still not a fan of plain, fresh pineapple). And, for those of you who I'm certain are wondering - I'm not craving pineapple for any particular reason. I've just discovered something wonderful.

breakthrough

Most of you know that I was pretty 'apprehensive' about having two babies so close together. And, there have been some logistically difficult times. Like trying to bathe them. I'm either giving separate baths and it takes an hour and a half. Or I put them in the tub together and I'm sopping wet from trying to hold onto Elizabeth to keep her from face planting in the water, and convincing Julia that standing up in the tub is not a good idea. Then there's the splashing... But I digress. The good news...we've hit a breakthrough. At 10 months (Elizabeth) and 27 months (Julia), my daughters are entertaining eachother. For the last several days Julia asks to play on the puzzle with sissy. (We have a large floor puzzle in their bedroom). Yesterday, I was able to make bread, chicken and dumplings, and do 2 loads of laundry while they played together. All I had to do was periodically peek my head in the door. It's like a whole new level of freedom. I now see how some moms have time to scrapbook and sew. Still not hobbies I intend to persue, but I can see how it happens. Now, I can almost see having more children...you know, in five or six years...maybe...maybe not.

Duck for President

We are all fans of Cheerios in our house. And, a couple of times a year, Cheerios puts books in their boxes to encourage children to read. There have been some humorous ones in the past (I'm a Manatee) and some semi-educational ones (Do You Have a Hat?) but the last one I got tops them all. Duck for President. I know these stories are supposed to be for kids but it is probably the closest I will come to reading a book for fun for several years. It is hilarious. It talks about Duck first winning office to run the farm and the farmer demanding a recount (votes were found on the pigs behind, but Duck still won). That night, he leaves the farmer in charge to start his campaign for governor, which he also wins after giving a series of speaches that only ducks understand. The incumbent demands a recount. Duck still won. THat night, he leaves someone else in charge to start his campaign for president, giving more speeches that only ducks understand, and he wins - after a recount. He then leaves the VP in charge to go back to the farm doing the duck things he did before he ran for any office. That is so accurate. Only politicians really understand the speeches that politicians make and in what world does it make sense that an elected official leaves his office to campaign for another? Anyway, since I'm certain most of you won't be reading it anytime soon, I don't feel bad for spoiling the surprise ending. I'm thinking I should really pick up something with a bit more substance. Any suggestions?