Bittersweet

So it looks like it's official!  Eli is no longer breast feeding.  I am so glad to have my body back, but so sad that I won't ever nurse another baby.


I found this poem when Anna was a baby.  I thought of it often in these last few days of nursing.


I know I look so big to you, 

Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have. 

But no matter how big we get, 

We still have needs that are important to us. 

I know that our relationship is growing and changing, 

But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness, 

Especially at the end of the day 

When we snuggle up in bed. 

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse. 

I know you think I can be patient, 

Or find something to take the place of a nursing; 

A book, a glass of something, 

But nothing can take your place when I need you. 

Sometimes just cuddling with you, 

Having you near me is enough. 

I guess I am growing and becoming independent, 

But please be there. 

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me, 

Please don't break it abruptly. 

Wean me gently, 

Because I am your mother, 

And my heart is tender. 


It still brings a tear to my eye,  I hate that my baby is growing up so fast.  Yet, I love how smart and independent he is getting.  Wean me gently baby, wean me gently!


My heart is tender.....

The Best Stuffing in the whole wide world

This is my mom's original recipe for stuffing.  I will note the changes I make at the end of the post.  This is seriously my very favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner!


Lynette’s Stuffing

1-2 lb sausage (crumble, and fry until brown, and drain)

2 c sliced fresh mushrooms -- sauté in 1 T butter and 1T cooking oil, season with
garlic salt – add to sausage.

In pan that sausage was cooked in simmer 1-2 c. chopped celery with leaves
until crisp tender

Add 1-2 c. chopped onion (*soak in cold water for twenty minutes and drain) and
simmer until tender. *Makes onions more mild

Then add: ½ to 1 c. finely grated raw carrots. Add vegetables to sausage and
mushrooms.

In the pan used to cook vegetables, combine 1 can cream of mushroom soup,
2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 soup can water, 1 cup chicken broth, ½-1 tsp
black pepper, 1 tsp sage or Poultry Seasoning (if you are not that crazy about
sage), and 1 T Italian seasoning. 1 square butter or margarine -- butter is better.
Heat until butter is melted and blended into soup mixture then stir into meat/
vegetable mixture.

Gently stir 10 cups toasted/dry bread cubes into everything—use a BIG bowl.
If using already seasoned bread cubes omit the sage and Italian seasoning. I
just get the bakery-bagged cubes.

Bake in 350o oven until heated through probably at least 45 minutes. I usually
stir it once during baking.

Makes a full 9x13 pan (spray with Pam).

Stuffing bakes up better if it is not thicker than 3 inches in any pan, so distribute
accordingly….


Our changes:
we toast our own bread cubes.  We like sour dough bread, but you can use whatever bread you like best.  It also tastes good if you use a variety of breads.  Cut the bread up into cubes and put a layer down on a cookie sheet.  Put it in the oven on a low heat and just watch it until they are dry, you really don't want them toasted.

We also cook the stuffing on two cookies sheets because it makes it more crispy and we like it nice and crispy vs. soft.

Always use butter people.  ALWAYS!!!

I will try to post some pictures to go along with this post when I actually make this.  This dish is definitely a once in a while type of food to make and eat, but oh so good!

P.S. I hope I don't get in trouble for sharing this recipe.  Is it a family secret?  Not anymore!  I'm all about sharing the good things in life!

P.P.S.  I don't really like sausage, but I love it in this stuffing.  Oh and the mushrooms fried in butter and garlic?  Delicious.

P.P.P.S.  Now I'm getting really hungry.  How many days until  Thanksgiving?

it finally happened!

Eli slept through the night.  9 days shy of turning 14 months old (October 14, 2011) Eli did it, he slept through the night.  He did it again last night too.  I feel amazing.  He is also taking better naps which is making my life or so much easier and better!

I just wanted to make sure I recorded this for prosperity sake.

A year old already?

To My Baby on your first birthday,

I'm having a hard time believing that you are already one year old.  It seems like I was just bringing you home from the hospital in your green striped dinosaur outfit.  Now that outfit wouldn't even fit you!

I am so happy that you are a part of our family.  I can't even imagine what our life would be without you in it.  You are definitely what was missing in our family.  I love knowing that now our family is complete!

You are so much fun to have around.  You have the happiest smile, and the cutest laugh.  You love having Tristan, Connor and Anna around.  They adore you, and will do anything to make you happy!

You have been walking for 3 weeks now.  You get around so well!  You are really good at going up and down the stairs.  Charlie the cat is usually your target when you go up the stairs and luckily that kitty is so patient and lets you love on him.  You love going outside and like to watch the birdies eat their food.  

For the longest time, you just had 2 little front bottom teeth.  Right before your birthday we noticed 2 new ones growing on the top!

Your favorite foods to eat are: yogurt, applesauce, mandarin oranges, cheese, bean soup and frozen peas.  You don't like meat at all, in fact you haven't even tried it.  You just throw it down on the floor whenever I give it to you.  You aren't really a fan of bread or noodles either.  Luckily you still get most of what you need from me.  I don't see you weaning anytime soon, but I'm okay with that.  It makes you seem more like a baby!

You are getting really good at communicating.  You have made up your own sign for "more" and "please".  You also nod your head for "yes".  I love that you are so agreeable!  I hope you stay that way!

I took you to the doctor today for your checkup.  You are really growing!  You now weigh 19 lbs and 12 oz and you are 27 and 3/4 inches tall.  The doctor says you are on the small side, but are growing at your own rate so that is all that's important.  None of your siblings have been very big, so you fit right in.

The older kids recently started school and daddy started a new job.  Everyday I get to spend time with just you.  I can't imagine anything I would rather do. You love to help me!  You hand me the silverware when I unload the dishwasher, you put the papers in the muffin tins, and you unfold all the clean laundry.  

Right now you still aren't sleeping though the night.  It's something that I really wish you would learn how to do!  But sometimes I like to see you in the night, especially when you cuddle up close and sleep with me.  I know that soon you will be a big boy and won't want to cuddle with me anymore so I need to take advantage of this cuddle time.

I just love you so much.  I love your big curious eyes.  I love your happy attitude.  I love your cute, bare feet.  I love your wispy spiky hair that only grows on the top.  I love your sweet arms around my neck, especially when you burrow in close.  I am so happy to be your mom!

Love you forever, and like you for always,

Mom

We actually did it!

We took a vacation!

More details to come.....

Eli walks

Eli started taking a few steps here and there for a couple of weeks ago.  But on August 1st, at his friend Grant's first birthday party,  he took 6 in a row!  Now he is walking a lot more!  We took this video on August 2nd.  I love how he holds his arms up!  He is just so cute!  I can't believe he'll be one in just over 2 weeks.  Time has flown by!

Eli

Eli is such a smartie pants. We taught him the sign for "more" but now it has morphed into "I want". He claps twice and points to what he wants. When we get it right, he nods quite vigorously. When he wants to go outside, he points to the door and waves.


I can't believe he'll be one in just over a month.  The time has flown by!  I just love having a baby in the family.  He is adored by his siblings and his parents.  I'd say pretty much everyone who comes in contact with him is a bit enamored.


The other day he took a step and he stands alone for longer and longer amounts of time.  He'll be walking before we know it!


One thing he really likes to do lately is draw on the fridge.  I found out that dry erase markers wipe right off, so everyday we get 2 or 3 masterpieces by Eli!


We are now trying to teach him the signs for "please" and "all done".  It's so nice when babies can tell you what they want.

Another Legacy Lion in the family

After much thought and consideration, Tristan is happy to announce that he will be attending Legacy Preparatory Academy starting August 16th.  

After much thought and consideration, he, along with Chris and I, have decided to leave the online school and try out a mainstream school.  

It just feels right!  He is ready to learn how to be around other students and have a chance to meet some friends.  It's time for him to have more choices in his classes.  He is ready and willing to give it a try.

We met with the principal.  He seems like the type of person who would be easy to work with and talk to.  Tristan did great at the interview, shaking hands, making eye contact, and answering questions.  He even made a joke or two.  He selected his classes and  paid the fees.  Now he just needs to submit an essay about why he wants to go to LPA, and find two people to write letters of recommendation.

We are so excited!

9 months old

Eli turned 9 months old last week.  He sure is growing up!  He went to his check up and here are his stats:
weight 16 lbs 11 oz (only up 2 oz from his 6 month visit)
length 27 inches

Here are some fun facts about Eli:
Got his first tooth at 7 months old
started crawling at 5 months old
started eating solids foods at 6 months old

things Eli likes:
crawling just as fast as he can!
standing up and cruising around the furniture
crawling up the stairs
taking  baths
eating "real" food.  He loves shredded cheese, yogurt, and kix
going for walks
sleeping with Mama
playing with the kitty food
"helping" in the kitchen

things Eli doesn't like:
sleeping in his bed
getting in his car seat
laying down to get his diaper changed
sleeping for longer than 3 hours at night
grass
getting his nails trimmed
when Mama leaves the room

Eli has recently discovered "peek-a-boo"  he will cover his face until we ask, "where's Eli?" then he will uncover his face and laugh!  It is so cute.  Last night he was holding his car up by his ear (like a phone) and saying hheh?  It was so cute!  It is so amazing how fast he is learning new things and growing up.  Babies change so much in the first year and I am so happy that I have had the chance to watch Eli discover so many neat things about the world around him.  I will work on posting some recent pictures soon.

lullabies

When I rock sweet baby Eli, I like to sing to him.  Mostly I sing primary songs or hymns.  But there are a couple of lullabies I sing to him.  One I learned from my Grandma, Leah Hendrickson.  It goes like this:

Go to sleep, baby dear
Close your eyes of blue.
There is nothing to fear,
Mommy is watching you.
Little birds have gone to rest,
Stars begin to peep.
So lay your head on Mommy's breast
And go to sleep.

Every time I sing that, I think of her.  I hope that my kids know this lullaby and sing it to their kids.

frustrated

I got a new camera and I can't remember how to load pictures onto the blog.  I did it with my last post, then got really busy, didn't blog for a while, and now I can't do it.  bleh!!!!!  stay tuned for cute baby crawling, eating solids, and trying out a pen!  Also, Connor sang with the school choir. I will figure this out!

half a year

On February 23rd, Eli turned 6 months old!

Can you believe he's been a part of our family for 6 months? I can't.  But then again, I can't image life without him in it.  He is truly a joy and a blessing in our family.

Six months stats:
Weight 15 lbs. 10 ozs. (17%)
Height 26 1/2 inches (34%)

He is small like his siblings, tall and skinny.  He is really getting around now.  He doesn't crawl yet.  He gets up on his knees like he's going to crawl, but then he goes back on his tummy and scoots around.  He's pretty fast and really goes when he's after the cat or his mommy.

Eli has officially tried solids.  He loves rice cereal the best, having only tried that and oatmeal until tonight. Tonight he had sweet potatoes and he made the funniest faces, but still opened his mouth for more. He likes to eat!

He still isn't sleeping through the night.  I'm happy if he goes more than 3 hours in a row.  That makes for a tired mom, but I know it won't last forever, so that helps.

He has the sweetest smile that just lights up the room.  He is an amazing child and I love him so much!

Evidence

As I am going through my day, I find all kinds of evidence.

Tiny socks, tiny hangers.  Blankets, toys, and diapers.

Big, beautiful eyes and gummy smiles.

Tiny toes and drool. Fingers that grab fingers and hold on oh so tight.

We have a baby in the house, and I couldn't be happier!

Young Man

Today Connor turned 12 years old!  We love having him around.  He's such a great kid!

 We celebrated yesterday because Chris is working out of town today.  We went to see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1"  It was a good movie.  We also had a yummy dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, his favorite.  Then we ate cheesecake.

This is a picture from when Connor was about 2 1/2.  Such a cutie!  He has changed so much! Still cute though.

12 things about Connor:

1.  Is a very willing helper.  He will do anything I ask him to do, usually the first time I ask. Except clean his room.

2. He is super smart and loves to learn, especially Science.

3. He is a good brother and takes care of all his siblings. He'a  good friend to all of them.

4. His favorite color is orange and has been since he was 3 years old.

5. Loves all kinds of candy.

6. Likes to play the wii.  His latest favorite is the Nerf game he got for his birthday.

7. Likes to cook and help in the kitchen.  He thinks I'm a good cook.

8. Likes to fix things and help his dad.  Learned how to do all kinds of handy things this summer.

9. Does not like hugs! Or the kissy parts in movies.

10. Has good taste in TV and has been watching all the seasons of Psych and The Office with me.

11. Likes scouts and is excited to be in Young Men.

12.  He is one of my very best friends and I'm so very happy he is my son.

Happy Birthday Connor Ca-choo!

I love you!

40 by 40

In 4 short years I will be 40 years old.  I've seen lists like these on other blogs and decided to follow suit.  Here is a list of the things I would like to accomplish by the time I turn 40 (in no particular order).  When I do them, I will mark it with the date.

1. Make my yard beautiful
2. get caught up on my scrapbooks
3. read a book by Jane Austen
4. figure out what is wrong with my foot and fix it!
5. learn more about square foot gardening and decide if it is right for us
6. put some color on these walls (everything is stark white.  I like it but I think I would love some color.  I'm too chicken right now to decide.)
7. go on a family vacation
8. go on a couples only  vacation with Chris
9. make a quilt  for my bed
10. take up bike riding
11. have 2 years supply of food
12. get a mammogram
13. plan and have a family reunion with all my siblings and their families
14. plan and have a family reunion with Chris's siblings and their families
15. sew myself a dress with a pattern
16. have all our credit card debt paid off
17. make friends with vegetables and eat at least 3 servings everyday consistently
18. try yoga
19. go fishing
20. help Tristan get his Eagle scout award
21. help Connor get his Eagle scout award
22. learn the basics of photo shop
23. try water skiing
24. sit in a hot tub outside while it's snowing
25. get a dutch oven and learn how to cook chicken like my dad
26. find a good picnic spot and go there often
27. plan and carry out my 20 year High School reunion
28. consistently go on a weekly date with Chris
29. host a Halloween party
30. find a signature scent
31. take the kids to the ocean
32. grow my hair out (I'm already working on this one, but if I put it on here I won't be as tempted to cut it)
33. organize my recipes
34. invite friends or family over for dinner at least once a month (has to be consistent for at least 6 months to cross off)
35. get a passport
36. go to another country
37. get my blog made into books
38. send birthday cards to all my nieces and nephews and siblings and in-laws for the whole year. (I have already failed at this this year, but I can get ready for next year!)
39. go on a monthly "date" with each of my kids.  Document on here (pass off with 6 consecutive months)
40. plant trees on our park strip. Our city has a tree planting program that I need to look into.  When our trees are planted, I want to spread the word to my neighborhood so they can plant some too.  We need more shade!  Plus we live very close to the freeway so it would help cut down noise and pollution.  Tree lined streets are the thing I miss most about our old neighborhood (besides the neighbors of course!)

I'm hoping to revisit this list monthly or at least bi monthly to see what I've accomplished and what I still need to work on.  Wish me lotsa luck!

word of the year

I was reading a blog the other day, and the writer was talking about how she picks a "word of the year" every year to think about and embrace.  It really made me think about what I would like my word of the year to be.  At first I thought, "breathe" because sometimes I get doing so many things and keep going in so many directions that I forget to just breathe.  I rejected that one when I thought about what I really want my word of the year to be.  Here it is:

ENJOY

why enjoy?  I have a new baby, I have 3 great older kids and a wonderful husband.  I just want to spend this year enjoying all the blessings I have.  I want to enjoy the babyness of Eli.  I want to enjoy the business of the older kids.  I want to enjoy being married to my best friend.  So there you have it friends, ENJOY!

Christmas is over

 And it's a good thing. I don't think our tree could have lasted even one more day.  There are needles everywhere.  Granted these were taken after I pulled ten strands of lights off, but still... that's one dry tree!

Potpourri anyone?  It still smells so good!

And this cute baby is really growing up!  Santa brought him a high chair and a sippy cup.  He loves both. He sits at the table with us for meals and "drinks" water from his cup.  Such a big boy!