More Teeth!

Cassie is in the process of tripling her teeth (going from two to six). She's not as crabby as you'd think although she's not sleeping as well as usual. We took a walk around the neighborhood this afternoon before her lunch--she loves our walks in the Mei Tai.

I went on a cooking spree yesterday. I made pork lo mein and chicken chili to top baked potatoes. Jamie and I really enjoyed the lo mein for dinner last night (Cassie had it for lunch this afternoon, too and loved it) and I loved the 'taters for lunch today. Best of all? They're super easy!

Chicken Chili Stuffed Taters
Nuke 4 large fork-pierced taters for 10-12 minutes until tender. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, saute 3/4 lb ground chicken w/one small chopped onion until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender. Stir in 16 oz jar mild green salsa (I used medium) and 1/2 cup water; cook 5 minutes to blend flavors. Slash tops of taters w/knife to make X; push in sides to form an opening. Spoon chili into taters and top w/2 or 3 quartered cherry tomatoes. Note: I made the chili topping yesterday and refridgerated it. I nuked 1 tater for lunch and then heated up 1 serving of chili to top that tater. Oh, and I added a pinch of cumin to the chicken and onion while it browned.

Pork Lo Mein
Preheat oven to 425. Place 1lb pork tenderloin in a shallow baking pan and bake about 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Meanwhile, prepare 9 oz of linguine according to pkg directions. Steam (or nuke) 16 oz bag of frozen mixed stir fry veggies per pkg directions. Drain pasta, toss w/veggies and 1 cup light teriaki sauce. Thinly slice pork on the diagonal and serve on top of noodles.

Enjoy!

Chase ended up face planting yesterday at his soccer game. I had already left (Cassie was crabby), but Grandpa Bill filled me in. He was a little scraped up, but no worse for the wear by the time he got home. I believe his last game of the season is on Saturday!

Cassie awakes--not a good nap. It may be time for a bit of Motrin...

No pics today

The camera is upstairs. I'll post pics from this weekend later. I've also got to get the pics from Chase's self-haircut this weekend off Dad's camera. I snapped a few pics of his handiwork before buzzing his hair off. He's still got a teeny bald spot up front, but the mini-Marine 'do looks 1000 times better than the chewed up handiwork of a six year old using dad's (electric) razor while Dad puts his baby sister to bed.

The kids had a great time with their cousins this weekend. Jamie and I got home from Nita's at 10:30pm on Saturday night to find Chase passed out naked in the middle of our bed. Apparently he wanted to shower with one of us, so Aunt Mikki told him to wait for us to get home. Naked. In our bed. Crazy.

Final crazy Chase story for the day: yesterday Chase came home w/a picture he'd drawn at school labeled "I would spank him." It showed a guy spanking a kid. It also showed a mom going to the fridge. The best part? The dad spanking the kid was holding a beer in one hand and spanking the kid with the other. Am I the only one who thinks we're going to get a call from the school psychologist? In fairness--Chase was talking about what he would do to Fudge of Judy Blume's "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "SuperFudge" fame. Fudge DOES deserve a swift smack on the bottom and props to Chase for recognizing that. But the beer/spanking combo was just a bit much, even for my unPC self. ;)

Yes, compared with her big brother--Cassie is quite the mellow child. She's cruising and climbing (another climber--YIKES) up a storm and still a happy, sunshiny little girl.

So I was going to post a really cute pic of Cassie trying to figure out the Mei Tai (I guess she wanted to be worn), but Blogger won't let me do that. She's currently napping. I went on a marathon cleaning spree yesterday--I guess my newly doubled thyroid meds kicked in and the pit that this place turned into while I slid into hypothyroidism slothdom finally got to me. It is finally back to normal, although I need to do something about Jamie's man-cave. The clutter all over his desk is driving me crazy. His life would be so much easier if he'd just be organized. Sheesh. Not to mention how much easier MY life would be. ;)

Chase is doing well--he's playing baseball in the backyard w/Jamie when he can, gearing up for coach pitch in a few weeks. He's got three more soccer games this week, but it looks like some may be rained out. Soccer season was a bit of a wash out b/c of all the rain this spring.

We're looking forward to Aunt Mikki's visit this weekend w/the kids. Aunt Amy stopped by last night and stayed for pizza and Grey's Anatomy, the kids had a blast w/her! Cassie particularly enjoyed dance party...

Cassie awakes--it is time for our walk.

Does this diaper make my butt look big?

That would be the front of Cassie's shirt today. The front of her size 18 months shirt, which works well with her size 18 months shorts. Oh Cassie, it isn't the diaper--your butt IS big, sister! ;)FTR, Chase wore size 18 months when he actually was 18 months old. And both of my nieces can wear size 18 months--Sarah was 2 last month and Hayden will be 3 in July. So much for milking hand me out downs out of them...

The funny thing is--she gets the thunder thighs from me. Grandpa Bill keeps pulling out pics of me at age 2, looking remarkably like my daughter. I'm going to have do dig up a scanner and post proof...

Earthquake!

So funny story--the earthquake this morning woke me (and the rest of the region) up from a dead sleep. I snapped at Jamie to make the dog stop shaking the bed (I thought he was running in his sleep or something). Jamie said it wasn't the dog (or Chase, who was between us)--I was crabby and we eventually fell back asleep. We saw the earthquake on the news a few hours later and it all made sense b/c Woody has never made the headboard vibrate before. Still a 5.2 isn't THAT big of deal--right?

I just got a phone call from my friend Aga who said, "What do you think?" And I said, "About what?" And she said, "The 4.something aftershock we just had!" Aga is from Poland and apparently there are no earthquakes or tornados there so she is wigging out right now. I, OTOH, totally missed the aftershocks b/c I'm in the basement on the 'puter. And both kids (and the dog) slept the earthquake this morning--clearly we're not cut out for this much excitement.

I wonder if the kids felt it at school...

So I got carded tonight. And it was probably b/c I was at dinner w/two 23 year old former advisees, but I don't care. My almost a decade older than them (YIKES) self still got carded. So even if it was a pity carded--there was still a question re: the legality of my consuming a glass of wine and it counts.

For a few short hours tonight, I remembered what it was like to be young...and I had fun.

Cassie and I took an hour long walk around the neighborhood today--trying to soak up all the 70+ degree temps that we possibly could b/c the weather goes to hell in a handbasket tomorrow. It was really very nice and I think hauling her around the Mei Tai is darn good cardio. Or something. Jamie attempted to play baseball w/Chase in the backyard w/Cass in the Mei Tai--I haven't heard how that went, but Chase waited up to let me know that daddy was "grumpy" tonight. And to see Molls b/c he's got a crush on her. He knows that at 17 years his senior, she's too old for him, but if she was in kindy instead of grad school, or even grade school vs. grad school--she'd better watch out. ;)

Tomorrow Best Buy is coming to fix the tv (finally!), Cassie's parent educator is coming (to tell me she's brillant--duh), and we're all going to Chase's BFF's house for dinner. Despite the craptastic weather (I'm expecting another soccer rainout), it should be a great day...

Hooked!

So tonight, as we were taking a family walk, I asked Jamie to carry Cassie in the Mai Tei. She hates her stroller and I didn't particularly feel the need of 20 additional pounds on me if I could con Jamie into it. He's resisted the Mai Tei every other time, but tonight he was feeing cooperative. So I strapped her in. And he is hooked! He loves it as much as I do. He couldn't believe how much more comfortable it is vs. the Bjorn we had w/Chase. And aren't they the cutest thing ever?

I suspect I'm going to have to start fighting him for it...

Another busy, busy day! We dropped Chase off at school this morning and hit the vet's office. We were, of course, late to the vet b/c Cassie pooped on the way out the door and then Chase remembered that Monday is library day and his library book wasn't in his book bag. It doesn't appear to be anywhere in the house, either. And while I realize it didn't sprout legs and walk out of here--I can't find it. So Jamie and Chase are going to have to search for it tonight. Woody did alright at the vet, although he did puke all over the lobby shortly after his shot...the vet thinks his weight loss is his age--nothing unusual turned up in the exam.

We came home and waited for the garage door repairman. Yesterday the springs busted--both of them. I took one look at the garage door and knew instantly what the problem was. Jamie didn't believe me. He kept trying to tighten the tension and all sorts of other nonsense. Meanwhile, I'm pointing to the springs saying, "Honey--see how there are four springs? There should only be two..." I was right (big surprise, I know). Cassie was terrified of the repairman. Every time she looked at him, she melted. That is SO unlike her. And he was really a very nice man. But she didn't seem to think so!

Last night I made lentil stew. It was a Sunday school project for Chase. He didn't like it, but Jamie and I enjoyed it very much. I substituted 3/4 C of great northern beans for 3/4 C of lentils, b/c Chase bumped into me in the kitchen and that's how many lentils ended up on the floor (and subsequently in my vacuum bag). It was still really tasty.

Lentil Stew
Cover 2 C dried lentils (I used 1 1/4 C lentils and 3/4 C Great Northern Beans) with 2 C water, add 1 t baking soda and bring to a boil. Drain and rinse well w/hot water. Combine lentils 2 more C of hot water, celery, onion, carrots, basil, salt & pepper to taste. Cook slowly until tender*.

I cooked it for a really long time and ended up adding 4 more cups of water during the cooking process. It made about 8 C soup total. I served it w/whole wheat bagels and kosher salt.

That was my dinner last night, snack yesterday evening, and lunch today. Yum-O and super easy. Chase helped me chop the veggies using my Pampered Chef chopper. And he vacuumed downstairs yesterday--he is quite a little helper these days!

I'm off to set up Cassie's 9 month pics.

Dog

Cassie's newest word is "DOG!" said excitedly while looking at Woody. Jamie thought I was nuts last week when I told him she said "dog" until he heard it himself today. So that brings her word count to four: Mom, DaDa, Bob (that would be Chase), and Dog. She makes lots of other random noises, but those four words are her favorites and the ones that actually make sense.

She wasn't feeling well yesterday--she had some tummy trouble. A few pears later, she's feeling much more like herself. She and I had a little dance party this evening while Chase was at AWANA and Jamie was doing taxes.

Woody is going to the vet tomorrow for another shot, if you're a frequent reader--you know that means I spent the better part of today cleaning up dog pee. Thank God for hardwood floors. I would really, really like to replace ALL the carpeting w/hardwood for that very reason.

Chase had another soccer game today--his team won 12 to 0. I quit keeping score at 6-0. Chase said he scored a goal, but I missed it. I don't think Grandpa saw it either...but Chase swears he scored one of those twelve goals. It was 40 degrees and super windy, so Grandpa and Momma watched half the game from Momma's car. Global warming my butt. It was actually snowing today while he played. In April.

It was another busy, busy day. And now it is bathtime!

Shhhhh...don't tell Chase, but when he's not home, sometimes I let Cassie play w/his toys!

Today was a crazy roller coaster ride, but turned out alright. I dropped Chase off at school b/c Aga and I had a much overdue playdate at Mills. I'd promised my sister I'd hit the Carter's Warehouse sale for H3 and Brady and I did, but it sucked. For H3 I picked up 10 onesises, 2 pair of pants, an cap/cardi/pant outfit, plus three terry sleepers at the real Carter's Outlet. It wasn't the motherload Mikki was hoping for, but it's better than nothing. Brady got a summer shorts outfit. It's cute, but again, no motherload of deals. Cassie wound up with two onesies for summer and three pair of jammies from the Carter's Outlet. I was kind of naughty at Children's Place, I picked up more jammies for Cass (she hardly had any in size 18 mths, but she's good now) plus the cutest stinkin' outfit EVER. Chase got a very cute striped lightweight sweater w/a green shirt (his favorite color) to go underneath. Children's Place was having a fabulous sale, but Nina called while I was shopping and mentioned that she was on her way to the hospital b/c she thought she may be in labor. As she's not due until Mid-May (but her last one was four weeks early), I was really too freaked out to shop after that call. So Aga and I parted ways and I headed home.

Cass took a late nap and I caught up w/Joanne on the phone. Her youngest is six weeks older than Cass--I'm really looking forward to a playdate soon! After sitting on pins and needles (and a few frantic text messages) for most of the day, Nina finally called on her way home from the hospital to tell me it was a false alarm. I'm so glad b/c I really want her to experience a NICU free delivery this time. So please say a prayer that her little guy stays put for a few more weeks!

Jamie and I took the kids out for pasta and had a great dinner. The boys are watching baseball, Cass is sleeping, and I just got off a very nice, very long call w/my sister. It really was a very lovely, wonderful day and exactly what I needed after the week I've had.:)

Back to the pediatrician

Chase has strep again. He wasn't feeling well Sunday and given the tummy ache/sore throat/fever trifecta, I figured it was strep. Our trip to the ped yesterday confirmed it. Go Dr. Mom. Yesterday was an easy day b/c Chase wasn't feeling well and spent the day sacked out on the couch. Today he was feeling better. I've had a headache for the last 24 hours, so it wasn't the best day.

Jamie is home and I think I'm going to head to Starbucks to read a book and sip a decaf something--I need a break. Laundry is piled sky high and I'm on the verge of a meltdown...

Cassie's nine month appointment was yesterday. She weighed in at 20lbs 6.5 ounces, was 27.5 inches long, and her head circumference was 44 cm. Which puts her in the 92% for weight, 25% for length, and 75% for head circumference. The doctor said she's perfect and that her chubby thighs are the cutest EVER! But of course, I knew that I already. She didn't even cry when she got her (final) Hep B vax.

We took Chase to Red Lobster last night b/c that's his favorite restaurant and he had a good day at school (as opposed to Wednesday and Thursday, which were NOT good days at school, but I digress). Cassie attacked my broccoli, I think she has a new favorite food. She seriously could not get enough. It was hilarious.

Chase's soccer game was cancelled today, hopefully tomorrow's game is still on. I think the boys are going fishing after Jamie fixes the garage door at the rental house--we'll see. I can't decide if I want to tag along or stay home and clean house...

Irony

That would be Captain Infertility going on the pill this week b/c of out of control cycles. After telling myself during infertility hell that the silver lining of said infertility hell would be not worrying about birth control in the future--I'm on it anyway. Oh well, four periods a year will make life easier...and if I have the same reaction to the pill now that I did a decade ago (that would be bigger boobs and no acne), well then, that's just icing on the cake!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I took Cassie for a walk around the neighborhood, then Dad and I took the kids to Kohl's and Target after dinner. Dad was shocked that I walked from one end of the strip mall to the other (rather than driving), but honestly--it's easier than dealing w/the kids' car seats. And like Chase said, "it's exercise!" I'm all for that. Unfortunately, the cold, rainy weather is back today. I'm SO ready for spring...

Cassie's nine month check up is tomorrow morning at the ped. I'm not sure if there are shots or not, but we're splitting her shots up from now on b/c of her allergic reaction to the Prevnar vax anyway. She had a bit of a reaction at dinner last night--I'm thinking it was the butter sauce on the veggies. I hope it wasn't cauliflower--I mean, who is allergic to cauliflower? She's feeding herself table foods these days--although I'm pretty a/r about what goes into her mouth. Mainly veggies, fruits (no citrus or strawberries), breads, Gerber graduates, and a teeny bit of yogurt. Her primary source of nutrition is still formula (about 32 oz a day), but that's how it should be at 9 months. Esp. since she's still a bit of a chipmunk about food...

I'll post the 9mth stats tomorrow. As her 12 mths stuff is getting snug, I expect her in the 21-22lb range. We'll see...