Feels like Fall

We've been having beautiful weather the past few days here in Baltimore, and so we spent most of the day outside today.

j has been playing that he's Batman ever since he got his cape in the mail. He finds the cape too cumbersome to wear all day, but I've been calling him Batman allweek, and he refers to me as "Mighty Mouse", as I am providing the voice for the superhero version of his imaginary friend, Mousey.

Mousey is a palentologist, rocket scientist, and every other wonderful thing J wants him to be. He's the perfect imaginary friend, as I'm not required to set a place at the table for him, and J doesn't blame things on him. Sometimes James plays with Mousey, sometimes he IS Mousey. He's very versatile.

C is mastering coordinating her hands. She fights with toys when she's sitting up, trying to get the best parts in her mouth. She's very focused and determined, as all babies this age agre. She also shows no signs of rolling over early, which I'm happy about. Once she starts getting mobile, things are going to get tricky.

So that's it for today. Thanks for reading.
-Anne

I Heart the Chart

Recently, I've pulled back from society in an effort to stop being so grumpy. We've been so busy that I felt like I was always in a hurry to go somewhere, or come home, or something like that, and I was snapping at J. A whole lot.

Luckily, my plan has worked, and things are going a lot smoother. C screams like she's burning to death every time we're in the car, so cutting back on driving has helped my attitude, too.

Today I made a chart for our day. We had one last year while we were overseas, and it was very beneficial for us. No times, just an order of events. J actually asked me about a week ago if we could have another chart, and since I feel like the insane chaos of the newborn stage has passed, I can at least attempt to put the rythym back in our days. Until she starts teething, of course.

On the cooking front, I decided that parsnips are not worth the effort. You have to take out the woody center in order to cook them, and it either takes forever, or you waste a whole bunch of the flesh. They're tasty, but I'll just stick to eating them at my mother-in-laws house. They taste better there anyway.

Thanks for reading,
-Anne

October at the beach

I took the kids to the beach today, taking advantage of the awesome wether. We met another family there and had a wonderful time.

The only bad thing is that C HATES the car. She's basically either screaming or sleeping when she's in it. I usually end up stopping at least once to double check that she's not hungry, poopy, or being blinded by the sun. Our best bet is to try and coordinate long drives with her sleeping times. Going somewhere close, however, just plain stinks.

J said, while we were leaving the beach, "I had fun at the beach, but this part isn't much fun." He meant the baby yelling herself purple. I agree.

J had gymnastics this afternoon, and he did really well staying with the group. He won't go on the trampoline, or the balance beam, but I've told him he had to stauy with the group. I am so proud of him. He's so charming and lovely and friendly. He's constany meeting new children and asking to go to their house and stuff. This keeps us very, very busy.

Ok, back to the debate. Thanks for reading,
-Anne

Howdy strangers

So, I had the baby. She is beautiful, and a joy, and I love her to peices.

I had a scheduled c-section July 11, and everything went really smoothly. All in all, a much easier start than with my son, and things have been pretty easy ever since.

I have not been cooking much inthe three months since her birth, as dinnertime coincides with baby fussy time. Also, H has been working most nights, and J never protests to a dinner of yogurt and bananas.

I learned that our best bet is to have the big, healthy meal in the early aftenoon, and that way we can stay late at the playground and just have a snack-type diner. It also helps that he's well fortified for all the social interaction.

J has really made huge leaps in the social area, easily maknjgn new friends and playing elaborate group games. Sometimes he's the leader, sometimes he's in the follower group, and he doesn't seem to mind switching back and forth.

So much has happened since the last time I posted, that I couldn't possibly list it all, so I'll just talk about today.
I made beets to take to the beach today.

Take 4 medium beets. Stick them in glass pan with an inch of water and cover with foil. Put them in a 375 oven for 90 minutes. Poke with fork. If they give easily, take them out. If not, give them another 30 minutes.

Let them cool a bit in a bowl on the counter, then slip the skins off. J likes this part, and today proceeded to paint his face in beet juice like war paint. Good thing, too, becasue there was some serious friction at the playground later.

Cut them into eights, and put half a chopped red onion, a tablespoon each of balsalmic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and lemon juice, and stir. Sprinkle with dill and salt to taste. Good cold or at room temperature.

Don't be alarmed when you pee purple later. It's the beets.

Thanks for reading,
-Anne