So, I have given myself a new challenge today. I just recently watched the wonderfully refreshing movie Julie and Julia and was completely inspired. I love to cook, I love to bake, I love to try new recipes and mostly.......I love to eat! I bought a new cookbook for a whopping $4.99 at IGA yesterday and it has the most delicious sounding recipes in it. And the best thing about it is that every meal can be made with only 3 ingredients. Three ingredients...are you kidding me?! It is called 500 3-Ingredient Recipes by Robert and Carol Hildebrand. Catchy title, don't you think? I have decided that 2 years to complete the challenge would be much better than one because: first of all I have three small children and who really has time to cook an entire meal every night with three kids under foot; secondly, when you are a stay at home mom and there is only one income coming in you, of course, have to think of it from a financial point of view; thirdly, left-overs (need I say more?) and last but not least, maybe I won't want to cook every night. That would totally throw off the whole 500 recipes in 365 days. 730 days sounds much more feasible to me. I have my menu carefully planned out and my grocery list ready. As soon as I make it through this weeks menu I will be well on my way to some new and scrumptious foods. Unfortunately, Bill does not like seafood or fish so I will have to find some volunteers to test my food on those days. Any takers?
March 01, 2010
Today was recipe #1 Tamale Pie. It took me about 20 minutes to throw together, 15 minutes to bake and it was so, so good. A little bit spicy, a little bit savory and a little bit sweet and it was the perfect combination. Yummy!
March 07, 2010
Oh my gosh! Tonight I made recipe #2-Pork and Black Bean Stew. It was sooo good! All I did was cube a 4 lb. pork shoulder, 24 oz. green salsa and 2 cans of black beans, simmer it for 2 hours and voila! Heaven in a dutch oven! This is a recipe I NEVER would have tried before and I am so glad that I did. I also made some long grain rice and put a dollop of sour cream on each bowl. Very, very good!
March 08, 2010
So, tonight I made recipe #3-Italian Baked Eggs. It wasn't awful per se, but it is certainly not something that I will make again in the future. It consists of marinara sauce, eggs and parmesan cheese baked in a shallow baking dish. All I can say is that I have one more recipe crossed off the list.
March 14, 2010
I made recipes 4, 5 and 6 tonight. Indian Chapati bread, Indian Style potatoes and Madras Chicken Curry. I really liked the chicken and bread, but the potatoes weren't my favorite. I had to substitute Jazrel curry for the Madras since I couldn't find it anywhere and I also added some garlic and yogurt to the curry sauce. Very tasty. The chapati bread has great flavor and is very easy to make. It is made from yogurt, flour and baking powder. Next time I will definitely add some garlic too. Now, if I could only train my children to throw their fits before or after I make dinner it would be much easier. Alex cried the entire time I was cooking so what should have taken a little over an hour took about 2 1/2 hours to make. Teething babies are no fun.
March 16, 2010
Tonight I made recipes 7, 8 and 9. Artichoke Phyllo Purses, which were pretty darn good, Roast Chicken with Lemon and Garlic and Maple-Glazed Carrots. The artichoke appetizers were so simple to make. Blend cream cheese and artichoke hearts in a food processor and wrap in phyllo dough and bake for about 12 minutes at 400. The chicken dish took quite a bit more effort since you have to truss the chicken. I left that part up to Bill since touching raw meat is absolutely revolting to me. It was very tender and moist and I will definitely make it again. Umm...I mean I will have Bill make it again :) The carrots were a last minute call since I mismanaged my time yet again. They were super easy to make and were better than expected. Who would have thought carrots, maple syrup and cinnamon would taste so good together!
March 18, 2010
Tonight I made my 10th recipe which I think will be a staple food in our household from now on. Ham and Swiss Pockets...yum, yum, yum! Take a slice of ham, a slice of swiss cheese and wrap it in a crescent roll, bake it for 15 minutes at 350 and voila!
March 20, 2010
For the first time I was able to cook for someone else than just my immediate family. My mother was visiting and since Bill refuses to eat fish I was able to make my first fish recipe. I made recipes 11, 12 and 13. The Phyllo Wrapped Halibut was my favorite. It consisted of sauteed leeks and halibut wrapped in 3 layers of phyllo dough and brushed with butter. Wow, it was good! I also made some Arugula and Potato Salad which was okay, but I can't say that I will ever make it again. The Braised Red Cabbage was good too, but a little tart. I think it I made it again I would use a sweeter apple rather than a Granny Smith.
March 22, 2010
Recipes 14, 15 and 16 were by far the worst so far. I made Sweet Garlic Pot Roast (I have never like pot roast and can't say that I ever will), Creamed Mushrooms (had no flavor whatsoever) and Rye Bread (this was probably the best part of the meal). Recipe 17, on the other hand made up for the tasteless meal. Fondue Smores! Yummy milk chocolate melted with butter. The kids loved dipping the graham crackers and marshmallows in the chocolate, but when I brought out the strawberries they ate them all up.
March 25, 2010
This is going faster than I thought! Tonight I made Quesadillas and Guacamole recipes 18 and 19. The quesadillas were very, very good but a total mess to make. I am not a big fan of frying things in oil, but these were so worth it. The kids even ate them! The guacamole was excellent too. I am so used to making things from scratch and using 100 ingredients that I didn't think it would be that good. It was made up of 2 avocados, 1/2 cup of jarred salsa and the juice of 1 lemon. Much easier than homemade and we ate it all!
April 03, 2010
Tonight I was actually able to cook for someone else! I made recipes 20 and 21 Oven Barbecued Beef Ribs and Asparagus with Garlic and Parsley. My mom and Aunt Charlotte came to visit for Easter so I was happy to be able to try my recipes on someone else. The ribs were okay, not much flavor and definitely not enough meat. The asparagus was very good though and I was already able to use fresh parsley from my garden!
April 04, 2010
Today was Easter Sunday. I was hesistant to try something new for a holiday since I have never tasted these foods before, but fortunately everything I made was delicious. Delightfully so! Recipe 22 was Roasted pear, arugula and blue cheese salad and it was very, very good. I roasted the pears for about 30 minutes and then topped it with arugula drizzeled with olive oil. Fill the empty core of the pear with blue cheese, top with salt and pepper and voila! A restaurant worthy dish with a simple approach. Recipe 23 was Roasted Parsnip Soup. Wow! I never thought parsnips could taste so good. All you do is peel the parsnips, cut them into strips, toss them in olive oil, pepper and salt and then roast them for about 15 minutes. Put the parsnips and 1 tsp. nutmeg in a 2 qt. saucepan with enough water to cover 3/4 of the way up the parsnips and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree, stir in 2 cups of heavy cream and serve. It is delicious!
Somewhere in between
I can't remember the exact date that I made these, but I also made Soft Pretzels #24. They were good, but definitely not as good as the ones you can get at the mall!
April 09, 2010
#25 Pesto Chicken Pasta-this was super easy and super good. It is exactly what it is called. Only 475 more to go!
April 16, 2010
#26 and #27 Chicken Broiled with Horseradish and Roasted Acorn Squash. These two dishes were both very, very good. Bill is not a big fan of acorn squash, but he loved this kind. Instead of sweetening it with brown sugar it is flavored with sage. Very savory. The chicken was moist and I loved the horseradish infused in the skin. I would definitely make it again.
April 18, 2010
#28 and #29 Basic Marinara Sauce and Panzanella. The sauce was good and easy, but of course, I added some extra spices. The Panzanella was also good, but I used sweet sicilian bread instead of Italian bread. Too sweet.
April 19, 2010
This was one of the best chicken dishes I have ever made! Ever! #30 Thai Red Curry Chicken-it was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. Holy Moses was it good! I also made rice to go with it and some garlic naan bread. I love Thai food :)
April 20, 2010
This was not one of my favorites and it was no surprise to me. #31 was Roast Pork with Sage and Rosemary and #32 was Artichoke Heart Casserole. The pork actually wasn't that bad, but I am not a huge fan of roast no matter how much you try to disguise the flavor. The Artichoke dish was very sour. I did make some potatoes though that made the meal worth it. #33 Mashed Potatoes with Horseradish. Yum, yum, yum.....I have a new found love for horseradish!
I am so surprised at how good a lot of these recipes are and they are so, so easy. I am pretty sure I will make all of these recipes before my 2 year deadline!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Insanity
Well, my intentions to have a blog were good, but unfortunately my time is limited so I barely have time to write. Whoever said that there is no difference between having one and two kids is a big, fat liar. Somedays my head is swimming and my patience is very thin. Other days are wonderful and my children make me happier than anything in the world. Those are the days I try to remember because lately there have been more hectic than calm days. Alex is colicky and also has acid reflux and can scream like a woman. He cries and cries and cries and cries.......do you get my drift? It leaves me very little time to maintain my house, which I am obsessed with, but I know these days will pass and will be forgotten just as they were with Jack and Grace. My mom reminded me of a poem my Grandma Hazel cross-stitched for her when we were young:
I hope my children look back on today
and see a parent who had time to play.
There will be years for cleaning and cooking
but children grow up when we're not looking.
Ain't that the truth? Jack is starting preschool soon and Gracie will be having her second birthday this month. It seems like their "baby days" are gone and now I am having conversations with both of them. It's crazy. Where in the world did that time go? So, as for my blog I will write now and again. It's hard to type when you have a baby on your lap and a kid hanging off of each arm!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The Birth of Alex
Oh, thank God that is finally over! I knew from the very minute I got pregnant that I was growing another little baby in my body. It made for a very, very long pregnancy. After having placenta previa, my pubic bones separate, excrutiating back pain and contractions for 18 weeks I was finally induced on June 02, 2009. I am not exactly certain how long I was in labor since I was induced, but from the time my water broke to the time I delivered was over 8 hours. This was supposed to be my fast and easy delivery, but I am one of those people who doesn't do things the easy way. When it came time to push Alex was facing the wrong way. He was in posterior position which is head down but face up. This makes it much harder for him to get around my pelvis and makes it much more painful for me. I pushed for about 1 hour and finally he came out. Oh, what a relief it was! Afterwards the nurse told me what a wonderful job I did pushing because almost all babies in the posterior position end up in c-sections. In fact, there is only a 5% chance that babies deliver in that position and it is usually in the first pregnancy. Then out of that 5% about 1% of women are actually able to push the baby out. I must say that I am extremely proud of myself for completing that feat. Now I have a beautiful baby to show for all of that pain and suffering. It will be a good story to guilt him with when he is older. My mother still blames her belly fat on me and she had me 34 years ago! Alexander Reed Killin was born on June 02, 2009 at 10:24 pm. He weighed 9 lbs. 5 ozs. and is 22 1/2 inches long. He is strong and healthy and can already hold his head up on his own. We did have to stay a day longer though since our blood types are not compatible. He is at a higher risk of being jaundice and in fact is moderately high right now. We just have to keep an eye on him and make sure he is eating and pooping enough to get all of the icky stuff out. Now I feel like my family is complete. My grandma told me that when she and grandpa had only two kids that she felt like they were a couple with two kids, but when they had their third they felt like a family. I must say that I agree. Grace and Jack love their little brother and we have such a wonderful future ahead of us. It was definitely worth every minute of it!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Why is it so hard?
I want to know why it is so much easier to think of things to complain about than be thankful for. There are a million things that I could list that are wrong in my life, yet I sit here and struggle to think of 5 small things per day to be thankful for. I think that my outlook will change a lot once the baby is born. At the moment I am so uncomfortable and in so much pain I just want to go to bed and only get up to go to the hospital to give birth. I actually don't even want to do that. I would love to stay in the comfort of my own home and have Alex here, yet I don't trust myself enough not to panic and want a doctor present just in case. I doesn't help that we are 35 minutes from the hospital also. I am just longing for the days when I can bend over again without struggling and walk without severe back pain. I want to sleep on my stomach and go to bed without acid reflux for once. Four more weeks, if that. The doctor thinks I will have Alex by mid-May and I hope he is right. It has been so hard to take care of Jack and Grace lately, plus they are in the phase where they get into absolutely everything. Is it a phase or is it just the way they are? I don't know, but I hope things become normal soon. I like organization and right now my life is total chaos. See, how I can think of all of the negatives! I still think of the positives too. It just takes a little more concentration. But wouldn't life be boring then?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Grace in Small Things
I have decided that I complain just a little too much about things. From now on I am going to start off my day by choosing five things to be thankful for.... the little things in life that make me truly happy, but I don't take the time to see.
April 17, 2009
1. The little kisses from the little people that live in my house.
2. The life that is growing inside of me and kicking me as I write this.
3. The new signs of life that I am seeing in my yard everyday.
4. My mother who is a wonderful and supportive woman.
5. My husband who doesn't mind driving to get me candy during a pregnancy craving.
Of course, I had to start off with the big things!
April 18, 2009
1. Sleeping with the windows open and waking up to the sound of the birds chirping.
2. The taste of freshly squeezed orange juice.
3. The beautiful weather we finally get to enjoy.
4. A clean house.
5. The silly new laugh Grace has started using.
April 19, 2009
1. The smell of the fresh spring rain.
2. The rare three hour nap that I took today.
3. The feeling of accomplishment when I actually have nothing to do because it is already done.
4. White cupcakes with pink frosting.
5. Seeing my kids play nicely instead of fighting.
April 20, 2009
1. The fact that I am logical.
2. I love that Jack is so sweet and gives random hugs and kisses.
3. The leak in the ceiling in the foyer because that means I have a roof over my head.
4. The birds nest that was built in my wreath on the front door. Now we get to watch the cycle of life with the birds.
5. Mindless TV, like Dancing With the Stars and American Idol. Sometimes my mind just needs a break.
April 21, 2009
1. That I made it through the day today.
2. That teething tablets are non-toxic.
3. My new camera that actually takes pictures quickly enough to catch my kids before they move.
4. Pants that fit.
5. Ice cold water.
April 22, 2009
1. Earth Day!
2. My new organic cotton comforter.
3. My sister and neices coming for almost two weeks in the summer.
4. The look on Jack's face when he heard the baby's heartbeat today.
5. The delicious meal my wonderful husband made for me tonight.
April 24, 2009
1. Spending the entire day yesterday in bed - even though I felt awful it was nice just to do nothing.
2. The sound of Grace whistling.
3. The opening of Dad's and the first taste of a Snickers Snowstorm with chocolate yogurt.
4. Hanging my clothes out to dry.
5. The smell of freshly cut grass wafting through my window.
April 25, 2009
1. Early morning thunderstorms.
2. Grace's free spirit.
3. Jack's silliness.
4. Being able to have my windows open to feel the breeze.
5. That I can still fit through windows even though I am fat! The kids locked me out of the house yesterday and I had to crawl through the window to get back in. Not an easy task for a pregnant woman.
April 26, 2009
1. A good nights sleep with kids that slept through the night.
2. The little porch off of the livingroom so the kids can be outside.
3. The fresh chives from my garden.
4. The smell of food cooking on the grill.
5. My thoughtful sister.
April 29, 2009
1.The three days Bill had off to spend time with me and the kids.
2. The amount of things I got to cross off my to-do list.
3. The fact that I already have my Mother's Day gifts purchased.
4. Tums.
5. A full freezer of food.
May 01, 2009
1. The nest the birds built in the wreath on the front door.
2. Parenting books that will hopefully work.
3. My mom coming this weekend to help with the kids.
4. Bedtime is at 8:00!
5. Homemade chocolate chip cookies.
May 03, 2009
1. The wonderful gardening cookbook my mom gave me.
2. The German Apple Pancake I made this morning from the cookbook mom gave me. I was absolutely delicious.
3. Perennials. Saves so much money when they come back year after year.
4. That I made it one more week into my pregnancy. Only 4 weeks left.
5. My moms help this weekend with the kids.
May 06, 2009
1. That I am one doctors appointment closer to giving birth.
2. Gracie didn't get carsick this time!
3. Homemade Blackberry Dumplings. Holy cow they were good!
4. The smell of the lilac bushes in our yard.
5. My comfortable home.
May 07, 2009
1. Jackson was accepted into preschool today! It seems way too soon for me, but Bill is excited about it.
2. Today is my parents anniversary. They were married for 35 years before my father passed away.
3. Parents that were always supportive and let me know that I was loved. And still am.
4. Tylenol with codeine.
5. The dark clouds rolling in which means a good thunderstorm is brewing.
May 08, 2009
1. That I made it through another day.
2. Having children. Even though they drove me nuts today I still have them.
3. My wonderful mother who is coming next week to plant my garden for me.
4. My friend, Jennifer, who always has an open ear and understands what I am going through.
5. My clean kitchen which I am sure will last for about 5 more minutes.
May 09, 2009
1. The hour long nap that I took while my husband did the dishes and folded laundry.
2. Fresh guacamole.
3. Pink tulips.
4. The bulbs that are coming up in our shade garden.
5. The fact that we have an escrow account to pay for the ginormous tax bill that we got today!
May 10, 2009
1. I was actually able to cut both kids hair last night without a huge fit being thrown.
2. Mother's Day.
3. The viburnum flower that Jack picked for me today.
4. My thoughtful husband who got me a dozen pink roses and some flowers and flower boxes for the front porch.
5. A less painful day of walking. My back does not hurt nearly as much today as it has the past few days.
May 13, 2009
1. That I no longer have to worry about our dog biting our kids.
2. That I avoided having my cervix checked. I hate it! It is so painful!
3. That I have all of my grocery shopping done until after Alex makes his arrival.
4. The beautiful flowers that we got yesterday to complete our side flower garden.
5. My kids were both wonderful today and Gracie didn't melt down until we were almost home.
May 14, 2009
1. I am happy that I made it to my 34th birthday with good health and a happy life.
2. I was able to start planting my garden today since Bill finally got it tilled.
3. That my house is actually calm today since we are minus one dog.
4. That I found apple and ginger mint-finally!
5. That my mom is here for three days so I don't have to worry as much about going into labor and not having anyone to take me to the hospital and watch the kids.
May 19, 2009
I have missed a couple of days here. Alex doesn't want to seem to come out and I am in so much pain it is hard to think of the little things to be thankful for, but I will give it a go....
1. That I am one day closer to having a beautiful new baby.
2. One day closer to being able to shave my legs again.
3. One day closer to being able to lay on my stomach.
4. One day closer to being able to walk at a normal pace.
5. One day closer to being able to lay down without having acid reflux, indigestion, heart burn or any other pain that goes with being pregnant.
I am also thankful that this is the very last time that I am ever going to go through this pain ever, ever again! Okay, Alex, anyday now.
May 30, 2009
Again, it has been some time since I have written anything. I have had several "false alarms" with Alex and have even gone to the hospital and was admitted. Of course, I was sent home 5 hours later with no baby to show for it! So, let's see if I can find some things that I am thankful for today.
1. My induction is scheduled for Tuesday which means I will only be pregnant for 3 more days!
2. I finally got my herb garden planted.
3. My mom has been a God send and has been here the past three weekends to help out.
4. My friend, Theresa, who will come at the drop of a dime to watch the kids.
5. My wonderful marriage that actually is a happy one with no secrets or problems.
May 31, 2009
1. Only two more days left of pregnancy!
2. After I give birth I will be able to cross one more thing off of my 101 list. I love completing a task from the list. Especially a task this big.
3. Watching the little birdies that live in the wreath on our front door change every day. Grace even says goodnight to them every night.
4. The peace in my house since we only have two dogs now.
5. Seeing the little sprouts from the seeds I planted in my herb garden.
June 06, 2009
1. The birth of my beautiful baby boy Alexander Reed Killin.
2. My pregnancy is finally over!
3. My milk finally came in.
4. Cabbage leaves
5. My clean shaven legs and pretty painted toe nails.
June 20, 2009
1. The help I have had over the past two weeks.
2. Seeing my sister and her family.
3. I finally am starting to feel normal.
4. All my children are healthy and happy.
5. Jack and Grace love their little brother and are not jealous.
July 09, 2009
1. Alex is finally sleeping! A colicky baby is no fun.
2. That I actually have some time to be thankful for things instead of bouncing up and down with a crying baby in my arms.
3. My new slipcovers for the wingback chairs in our parlor. They should be arriving within 5 days and I will no longer have to look at the stained and ripped upholstery.
4. New clothes that fit.
5. My newfound inner serenity.
April 17, 2009
1. The little kisses from the little people that live in my house.
2. The life that is growing inside of me and kicking me as I write this.
3. The new signs of life that I am seeing in my yard everyday.
4. My mother who is a wonderful and supportive woman.
5. My husband who doesn't mind driving to get me candy during a pregnancy craving.
Of course, I had to start off with the big things!
April 18, 2009
1. Sleeping with the windows open and waking up to the sound of the birds chirping.
2. The taste of freshly squeezed orange juice.
3. The beautiful weather we finally get to enjoy.
4. A clean house.
5. The silly new laugh Grace has started using.
April 19, 2009
1. The smell of the fresh spring rain.
2. The rare three hour nap that I took today.
3. The feeling of accomplishment when I actually have nothing to do because it is already done.
4. White cupcakes with pink frosting.
5. Seeing my kids play nicely instead of fighting.
April 20, 2009
1. The fact that I am logical.
2. I love that Jack is so sweet and gives random hugs and kisses.
3. The leak in the ceiling in the foyer because that means I have a roof over my head.
4. The birds nest that was built in my wreath on the front door. Now we get to watch the cycle of life with the birds.
5. Mindless TV, like Dancing With the Stars and American Idol. Sometimes my mind just needs a break.
April 21, 2009
1. That I made it through the day today.
2. That teething tablets are non-toxic.
3. My new camera that actually takes pictures quickly enough to catch my kids before they move.
4. Pants that fit.
5. Ice cold water.
April 22, 2009
1. Earth Day!
2. My new organic cotton comforter.
3. My sister and neices coming for almost two weeks in the summer.
4. The look on Jack's face when he heard the baby's heartbeat today.
5. The delicious meal my wonderful husband made for me tonight.
April 24, 2009
1. Spending the entire day yesterday in bed - even though I felt awful it was nice just to do nothing.
2. The sound of Grace whistling.
3. The opening of Dad's and the first taste of a Snickers Snowstorm with chocolate yogurt.
4. Hanging my clothes out to dry.
5. The smell of freshly cut grass wafting through my window.
April 25, 2009
1. Early morning thunderstorms.
2. Grace's free spirit.
3. Jack's silliness.
4. Being able to have my windows open to feel the breeze.
5. That I can still fit through windows even though I am fat! The kids locked me out of the house yesterday and I had to crawl through the window to get back in. Not an easy task for a pregnant woman.
April 26, 2009
1. A good nights sleep with kids that slept through the night.
2. The little porch off of the livingroom so the kids can be outside.
3. The fresh chives from my garden.
4. The smell of food cooking on the grill.
5. My thoughtful sister.
April 29, 2009
1.The three days Bill had off to spend time with me and the kids.
2. The amount of things I got to cross off my to-do list.
3. The fact that I already have my Mother's Day gifts purchased.
4. Tums.
5. A full freezer of food.
May 01, 2009
1. The nest the birds built in the wreath on the front door.
2. Parenting books that will hopefully work.
3. My mom coming this weekend to help with the kids.
4. Bedtime is at 8:00!
5. Homemade chocolate chip cookies.
May 03, 2009
1. The wonderful gardening cookbook my mom gave me.
2. The German Apple Pancake I made this morning from the cookbook mom gave me. I was absolutely delicious.
3. Perennials. Saves so much money when they come back year after year.
4. That I made it one more week into my pregnancy. Only 4 weeks left.
5. My moms help this weekend with the kids.
May 06, 2009
1. That I am one doctors appointment closer to giving birth.
2. Gracie didn't get carsick this time!
3. Homemade Blackberry Dumplings. Holy cow they were good!
4. The smell of the lilac bushes in our yard.
5. My comfortable home.
May 07, 2009
1. Jackson was accepted into preschool today! It seems way too soon for me, but Bill is excited about it.
2. Today is my parents anniversary. They were married for 35 years before my father passed away.
3. Parents that were always supportive and let me know that I was loved. And still am.
4. Tylenol with codeine.
5. The dark clouds rolling in which means a good thunderstorm is brewing.
May 08, 2009
1. That I made it through another day.
2. Having children. Even though they drove me nuts today I still have them.
3. My wonderful mother who is coming next week to plant my garden for me.
4. My friend, Jennifer, who always has an open ear and understands what I am going through.
5. My clean kitchen which I am sure will last for about 5 more minutes.
May 09, 2009
1. The hour long nap that I took while my husband did the dishes and folded laundry.
2. Fresh guacamole.
3. Pink tulips.
4. The bulbs that are coming up in our shade garden.
5. The fact that we have an escrow account to pay for the ginormous tax bill that we got today!
May 10, 2009
1. I was actually able to cut both kids hair last night without a huge fit being thrown.
2. Mother's Day.
3. The viburnum flower that Jack picked for me today.
4. My thoughtful husband who got me a dozen pink roses and some flowers and flower boxes for the front porch.
5. A less painful day of walking. My back does not hurt nearly as much today as it has the past few days.
May 13, 2009
1. That I no longer have to worry about our dog biting our kids.
2. That I avoided having my cervix checked. I hate it! It is so painful!
3. That I have all of my grocery shopping done until after Alex makes his arrival.
4. The beautiful flowers that we got yesterday to complete our side flower garden.
5. My kids were both wonderful today and Gracie didn't melt down until we were almost home.
May 14, 2009
1. I am happy that I made it to my 34th birthday with good health and a happy life.
2. I was able to start planting my garden today since Bill finally got it tilled.
3. That my house is actually calm today since we are minus one dog.
4. That I found apple and ginger mint-finally!
5. That my mom is here for three days so I don't have to worry as much about going into labor and not having anyone to take me to the hospital and watch the kids.
May 19, 2009
I have missed a couple of days here. Alex doesn't want to seem to come out and I am in so much pain it is hard to think of the little things to be thankful for, but I will give it a go....
1. That I am one day closer to having a beautiful new baby.
2. One day closer to being able to shave my legs again.
3. One day closer to being able to lay on my stomach.
4. One day closer to being able to walk at a normal pace.
5. One day closer to being able to lay down without having acid reflux, indigestion, heart burn or any other pain that goes with being pregnant.
I am also thankful that this is the very last time that I am ever going to go through this pain ever, ever again! Okay, Alex, anyday now.
May 30, 2009
Again, it has been some time since I have written anything. I have had several "false alarms" with Alex and have even gone to the hospital and was admitted. Of course, I was sent home 5 hours later with no baby to show for it! So, let's see if I can find some things that I am thankful for today.
1. My induction is scheduled for Tuesday which means I will only be pregnant for 3 more days!
2. I finally got my herb garden planted.
3. My mom has been a God send and has been here the past three weekends to help out.
4. My friend, Theresa, who will come at the drop of a dime to watch the kids.
5. My wonderful marriage that actually is a happy one with no secrets or problems.
May 31, 2009
1. Only two more days left of pregnancy!
2. After I give birth I will be able to cross one more thing off of my 101 list. I love completing a task from the list. Especially a task this big.
3. Watching the little birdies that live in the wreath on our front door change every day. Grace even says goodnight to them every night.
4. The peace in my house since we only have two dogs now.
5. Seeing the little sprouts from the seeds I planted in my herb garden.
June 06, 2009
1. The birth of my beautiful baby boy Alexander Reed Killin.
2. My pregnancy is finally over!
3. My milk finally came in.
4. Cabbage leaves
5. My clean shaven legs and pretty painted toe nails.
June 20, 2009
1. The help I have had over the past two weeks.
2. Seeing my sister and her family.
3. I finally am starting to feel normal.
4. All my children are healthy and happy.
5. Jack and Grace love their little brother and are not jealous.
July 09, 2009
1. Alex is finally sleeping! A colicky baby is no fun.
2. That I actually have some time to be thankful for things instead of bouncing up and down with a crying baby in my arms.
3. My new slipcovers for the wingback chairs in our parlor. They should be arriving within 5 days and I will no longer have to look at the stained and ripped upholstery.
4. New clothes that fit.
5. My newfound inner serenity.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Pregnancy
I don't know how women do this over and over and over again. This is my third baby in three years and I feel like I am not going to make it to the end. For the past 32 weeks I have been completely exhausted except for one week which was a total teaser. I feel awful for my children since I haven't been able to do a whole lot with them. I had placenta previa in the beginning which limited my activity and my bones have already separated which makes it hard for me to walk for long periods of time. I have been having contractions for the past two months or so and they are just getting more frequent and more painful. I really am not "good" at being pregnant. Now the panic of having three kids 3 and under is starting to set in. Jack and Grace still get up in the middle of the night and now I am going to throw a new born into the mix. Will I ever sleep again? Of course, I am not the only woman in the world going through this and I know I will figure it out, but the thought of it is a bit overwhelming. But the thought of holding that little tiny baby in my arms tops it all. The smell of his sweet breath, the closeness you feel while nursing, just watching him sleep.......it all makes it worth it. If I could only just fast forward a bit! I am also wondering how the kids will adjust to a new baby in the house. I think Jack will be okay with it, but Grace is a whole other story. How can an adorable tiny girl be so mean?! She is bossy and whiny and demanding. I can't believe the difference between Jack and Grace. Thank God I am having another boy!
Well, only a couple of more weeks and I will have forgotten all that I went through to have baby Alexander. Then, next thing you know it will be his first birthday, his first day of school, his first lost tooth and I will be wondering what happened to the time. Now time to tend to the other fighting kids in my house!
Well, only a couple of more weeks and I will have forgotten all that I went through to have baby Alexander. Then, next thing you know it will be his first birthday, his first day of school, his first lost tooth and I will be wondering what happened to the time. Now time to tend to the other fighting kids in my house!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I love having energy
After 5 1/2 months of pregnancy I finally have my energy back and it feels soooooo good. I literally though I was dying for awhile, but now I feel refreshed and ready to go. I have had a very productive two weeks. I finished painting our downstairs bathroom and the nursery plus I have completely organized several of the rooms in our house so that everything has its own place. For months I have wasted so much time wandering around looking for things the kids have hidden. Now there is no place to hide! I also finally have Jack potty trained! I would have to say that is my biggest accomplishment. He had no interest for a long time, but I swore I would have him potty trained by his third birthday and I did it! With the help of my wonderful husband, of course.
I have also been taking some time for myself which is something I never have done. I read for at least 30 minutes a day in addition to what I read before bed at night. I even took over two hours yesterday to watch a french movie called Amelie and I didn't even multi-task when I did it! Of course, I couldn't have even if I wanted to because it had subtitles that I had to concentrate on.
So, I am finally starting to feel productive again instead of a big lump of blah and it feels really good. I hope it continues!
I have also been taking some time for myself which is something I never have done. I read for at least 30 minutes a day in addition to what I read before bed at night. I even took over two hours yesterday to watch a french movie called Amelie and I didn't even multi-task when I did it! Of course, I couldn't have even if I wanted to because it had subtitles that I had to concentrate on.
So, I am finally starting to feel productive again instead of a big lump of blah and it feels really good. I hope it continues!
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