Poor Jacob... He is EIGHTEEN months old...not 19:(
...but everything is true!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Retired.
I do love clothes. Especially since I have not been the size I care to be over the last few years, the boys have been the recipients of my clothes shopping...everything fits them just right...and the pudgier the thigh the better the look (oh why oh why does that have to stop being a positive fashion trend at a certain age threshold...?) so they have had A LOT of clothes over the years. It is my weakness (well, second to strollers...for my children who prefer to be carried or walk).
I have had favorite items that I feel brief sorrow for when a grass/spaghetti/mud spot seems to grow in the wash rather than disappear. Out it goes and then there will be a new favorite. I am not overly concerned with their clothes or how messy they get...with one exception.
THE shirt.
I bought this at H&M 3 years ago when Ben was about 6 months old.
It was love at first sight. Size 12-18 months, fit small. Paid full price (unheard of.)
He wore it while it was too big until it was way too small.
You better believe that shirt always got a bib!
Actually I probably removed it entirely for food involving more than crackers.
Then I rolled it up and tucked it away in a bin marked "Boy 12-18 *" the star was to remind me that THE shirt was in that bin...should I be worried I couldn't find it,should I also be fortunate enough to have another little boy one day.
Well we sure did have another boy and I couldn't wait until he could wear it. And he has. About as much as Ben did.
With a bib.
Today however...I realized that it's glory days are through.
Despite my best efforts there are spots, piling, stretched neck (thank you Jakey's noggin) and lose buttons. It is worn out.
It was great while it lasted. But I think it is time to retire THE shirt.
To which I dedicate this photo montage.
BEN 2008
JAKE 2011
I have had favorite items that I feel brief sorrow for when a grass/spaghetti/mud spot seems to grow in the wash rather than disappear. Out it goes and then there will be a new favorite. I am not overly concerned with their clothes or how messy they get...with one exception.
THE shirt.
I bought this at H&M 3 years ago when Ben was about 6 months old.
It was love at first sight. Size 12-18 months, fit small. Paid full price (unheard of.)
He wore it while it was too big until it was way too small.
You better believe that shirt always got a bib!
Actually I probably removed it entirely for food involving more than crackers.
Then I rolled it up and tucked it away in a bin marked "Boy 12-18 *" the star was to remind me that THE shirt was in that bin...should I be worried I couldn't find it,should I also be fortunate enough to have another little boy one day.
Well we sure did have another boy and I couldn't wait until he could wear it. And he has. About as much as Ben did.
With a bib.
Today however...I realized that it's glory days are through.
Despite my best efforts there are spots, piling, stretched neck (thank you Jakey's noggin) and lose buttons. It is worn out.
It was great while it lasted. But I think it is time to retire THE shirt.
To which I dedicate this photo montage.
BEN 2008
JAKE 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
And My Point Is...
I get distracted easily. I don't multi task well (ask Jon it drives him CRAZY)..I can do one thing and one thing ONLY which means that the previous source of my attention doesn't exist any longer if I am distracted by something louder, more pressing or shinny. While we are a on a confessional I also don't take the last dish out of the dishwasher when I unload it, or take the last sock or washcloth out of the laundry basket when I am folding laundry. I never have (ask my mom, it drove her CRAZY) probably because I get distracted....
Sooo anyway.
In the last post I was talking about this little guy.
a little over 2 feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes, eats anything edible and really anything not edible at all (re- playmobil accessories) that you will let him ingest, loves birds, trucks and dogs. Loses his mind over them actually...and Ben, and Daddy, and Grandma, and remote control cars and Mommy and well...he actually loves everyone and is basically the happiest kid in the world (if you read through the archives of January 22 2010 through July 26th 2011 you will see that he was pretty much born this way).
And I had a point.
But I got distracted when I was writing it and ended it prematurely.
I was going to blog about his lack of words. So I'll give it another go...
Quiet he is not...oh no there is always noise, babbles, animal noises, excited sounds, laughter, yelling, grunting and car noises. But actual-people-not-sharing-genetics-comprehendable words? Not so much.
WE know that he can say "mama", "ya", some weird noise that means "Ben"..uuummmmm...maybe "ball"?...a few more...
We sing and read to him a lot and between his Brother and I, there is not a silent moment on our house but he just likes to take it all in. And we are fully aware that Einstein didn't say anything until he was four.
You may think that a conversation is pretty one sided with Jake.
But when you are actually in it? You will forget that he doesn't talk and remember that a huge portion of communication is non verbal...he is so expressive, so eager to hear what you have to say next, has mastered active listening with a grin and a nod and a "mmmmm".
And he has this laugh...this deep giggly belly laugh that stop cranky old men in their tracks to glare at me and say "that kid has a great laugh".
He does. He just lights up a room.
And that is the point.
Sooo anyway.
In the last post I was talking about this little guy.
a little over 2 feet tall, blond hair, blue eyes, eats anything edible and really anything not edible at all (re- playmobil accessories) that you will let him ingest, loves birds, trucks and dogs. Loses his mind over them actually...and Ben, and Daddy, and Grandma, and remote control cars and Mommy and well...he actually loves everyone and is basically the happiest kid in the world (if you read through the archives of January 22 2010 through July 26th 2011 you will see that he was pretty much born this way).
And I had a point.
But I got distracted when I was writing it and ended it prematurely.
I was going to blog about his lack of words. So I'll give it another go...
Quiet he is not...oh no there is always noise, babbles, animal noises, excited sounds, laughter, yelling, grunting and car noises. But actual-people-not-sharing-genetics-comprehendable words? Not so much.
WE know that he can say "mama", "ya", some weird noise that means "Ben"..uuummmmm...maybe "ball"?...a few more...
We sing and read to him a lot and between his Brother and I, there is not a silent moment on our house but he just likes to take it all in. And we are fully aware that Einstein didn't say anything until he was four.
You may think that a conversation is pretty one sided with Jake.
But when you are actually in it? You will forget that he doesn't talk and remember that a huge portion of communication is non verbal...he is so expressive, so eager to hear what you have to say next, has mastered active listening with a grin and a nod and a "mmmmm".
And he has this laugh...this deep giggly belly laugh that stop cranky old men in their tracks to glare at me and say "that kid has a great laugh".
He does. He just lights up a room.
And that is the point.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Growing Up
This guy is 19 months old! I can hardly believe the little boy he is turning into. A little sturdy package of charm, feist and adorableness this one is.
Mommy's little Jakey he will always be...even when he grows into his feet and towers over me....yup, my Jakey Jakes.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Jenny Can't Cook
While I try to document the majority of life's pleasantries on this blog..there are times when I feel a blog confession would be a soul cleanse of sorts...or at least an open forum for whining.
I can't cook.
Ben usually cries at the dinner table. Then eats toast.
Jon pounds the table between bites while grimacing/smiling.
Jacob double fists whatever is on his plate directly into his mouth, forgoing all tasting.
Jenny? She usually drinks a smoothie around 9pm while she stares at this strange room in the house. One that never really clicked. While she wonders what went wrong again tonight?
The room is like a giant jig saw puzzle to tackle each night. Each ingredient a piece of the larger puzzle. Even with the end picture I am never quite sure how THOSE are suppose to turn into THAT.
When Jon and I were a newlywed duel earning couple the first one home made the grilled cheese, picked up the pizza or soaked the french toast. We weren't too concerned with what was on the table as long as it was fast and up to par with our equal skill level in the kitchen.
When Ben was diagnosed with his allergies things got more complicated but he didn't seem to mind eating a separate simple meal while Jonny and I kept to our old standbye's...calling a box of kraft dinner with ground beef a complete meal.
Unfortunately/fortunately in learning more about Ben's allergies and how to help him get healthy I learned a lot about nutrition. And then I learned more and more and more. Until I knew too much. And knew way better then to serve processed white enriched pasta with yellow chemicals and factory farmed hormone laden meat to my family. I couldn't do it. Wouldn't do it....so about 2 years ago ketchup stopped being a vegetable serving in our house I learned how to make salad dressing and I loaded up my cupboards with organic, non GMO, gluten free, and discovered local food. I had better pieces to a bigger puzzle but I continue to struggle (and by struggle I mean am failing miserably) to put those pieces together.
I have started to think about meals at our house as 1- the most stressful occurrence of the day. 2- Times I try to shove as much nutrients down my children's throats so they will not be hungry again for maybe a couple more hours and are reletivly void of pleasure and 3- something I continue to do at least 3 times a day while wishing I could hook my family up to IV's at night and be done with it.
In the last month I have made such culinary mistakes as burnt most things that go into our oven because I chronically forget to set the timer. I have burnt meat on the outside while it remained pink on the inside (the fate of tonights turkey burgers) had cold sides and warm entree because I can't seem to get everything to finish at the same time. I forget to thaw what I planned, It tastes like chalk (salt anyone?) it is mushy...I am afraid of undercooked meat and tend to overcook everything as a result. Have sworn of cooking forever 5 out of 7 days a week.
In my humble defense in addition to my lack of inclination and talent I am cooking around texture issues, picky eaters and cannot cook with any dairy, nuts, eggs, and very limited gluten (yes...the IV thing is seeming like a less extreme option now isn't it!)
I have broken dishes in frustration, kept Dominoes in business (after the boys and their cereal for dinner are in bed...) in business and have not had anyone over for dinner since....um I don't even know when, we just don't have dinner guests because unfortunately we would have to subject people we love to...dinner.
No more.
I am going to learn to cook. Really I am. I don't know where to even start really. Jon and I were trying to come up with SOMETHING edible that I make that would be requested again. NOTHING...we were both near hysterical laughter as we realized there was none. My poor, poor Jon! He grew up in the home of Martha Stewart's protege. My mother in law can simply walk into a kitchen and her stand mixer will gleam. I imagine the ingredients dancing out of her cupboards like the toys on the floor of the Mary Poppins playroom. They all go together just right...and everyone always takes seconds. Then he married me. But he loves me for trying...I will keep giving him that.
I fight back tears as I peruse blogs like this
One day...one day.
I am not sure what is missing...a large part of me has stopped trying, but I am going to give it another go. A really good, go.
I can't cook.
Ben usually cries at the dinner table. Then eats toast.
Jon pounds the table between bites while grimacing/smiling.
Jacob double fists whatever is on his plate directly into his mouth, forgoing all tasting.
Jenny? She usually drinks a smoothie around 9pm while she stares at this strange room in the house. One that never really clicked. While she wonders what went wrong again tonight?
The room is like a giant jig saw puzzle to tackle each night. Each ingredient a piece of the larger puzzle. Even with the end picture I am never quite sure how THOSE are suppose to turn into THAT.
When Jon and I were a newlywed duel earning couple the first one home made the grilled cheese, picked up the pizza or soaked the french toast. We weren't too concerned with what was on the table as long as it was fast and up to par with our equal skill level in the kitchen.
When Ben was diagnosed with his allergies things got more complicated but he didn't seem to mind eating a separate simple meal while Jonny and I kept to our old standbye's...calling a box of kraft dinner with ground beef a complete meal.
Unfortunately/fortunately in learning more about Ben's allergies and how to help him get healthy I learned a lot about nutrition. And then I learned more and more and more. Until I knew too much. And knew way better then to serve processed white enriched pasta with yellow chemicals and factory farmed hormone laden meat to my family. I couldn't do it. Wouldn't do it....so about 2 years ago ketchup stopped being a vegetable serving in our house I learned how to make salad dressing and I loaded up my cupboards with organic, non GMO, gluten free, and discovered local food. I had better pieces to a bigger puzzle but I continue to struggle (and by struggle I mean am failing miserably) to put those pieces together.
I have started to think about meals at our house as 1- the most stressful occurrence of the day. 2- Times I try to shove as much nutrients down my children's throats so they will not be hungry again for maybe a couple more hours and are reletivly void of pleasure and 3- something I continue to do at least 3 times a day while wishing I could hook my family up to IV's at night and be done with it.
In the last month I have made such culinary mistakes as burnt most things that go into our oven because I chronically forget to set the timer. I have burnt meat on the outside while it remained pink on the inside (the fate of tonights turkey burgers) had cold sides and warm entree because I can't seem to get everything to finish at the same time. I forget to thaw what I planned, It tastes like chalk (salt anyone?) it is mushy...I am afraid of undercooked meat and tend to overcook everything as a result. Have sworn of cooking forever 5 out of 7 days a week.
In my humble defense in addition to my lack of inclination and talent I am cooking around texture issues, picky eaters and cannot cook with any dairy, nuts, eggs, and very limited gluten (yes...the IV thing is seeming like a less extreme option now isn't it!)
I have broken dishes in frustration, kept Dominoes in business (after the boys and their cereal for dinner are in bed...) in business and have not had anyone over for dinner since....um I don't even know when, we just don't have dinner guests because unfortunately we would have to subject people we love to...dinner.
No more.
I am going to learn to cook. Really I am. I don't know where to even start really. Jon and I were trying to come up with SOMETHING edible that I make that would be requested again. NOTHING...we were both near hysterical laughter as we realized there was none. My poor, poor Jon! He grew up in the home of Martha Stewart's protege. My mother in law can simply walk into a kitchen and her stand mixer will gleam. I imagine the ingredients dancing out of her cupboards like the toys on the floor of the Mary Poppins playroom. They all go together just right...and everyone always takes seconds. Then he married me. But he loves me for trying...I will keep giving him that.
I fight back tears as I peruse blogs like this
One day...one day.
I am not sure what is missing...a large part of me has stopped trying, but I am going to give it another go. A really good, go.
Friday, July 15, 2011
A Whale of a Tale
On Jon's first week of summer holidays Ben really wanted to go fishing (it was fish without a license week...) We bought a rod, and Jon knew of a good spot behind his old office. It didn't take long at all for the rod to start bobbing up and down with a bite (I think that is fishing lingo?!). Ben was estatic to find the little sunfish dancing around on the end of his hook. He wanted to keep it for a pet of course but we persuaded him to have a good look at him and throw him back in.
As in true fishing form that tiny fish, in subsequently told stories has indeed (by both parties involved) become "THIIIIIIIIIIIIS big!"
Strawberry Jam
I have never canned anything before. I didn't understand why one would go to all the trouble of picking and pickling when the grocery store sells canned food for almost less then what I would buy an empty glass bottle for.
Until we did.
NOW I understand! There was s tremendous amount of accomplishment when we went to the strawberry field and picked ice cream buckets full of strawberries to take home (well what we could manage to keep out of Jakey's mouth...) to wash and keep on cookie sheets ready for jam making. My helper and I waited until piggly wiggly himself went to bed and the jam marathon began. We squashed and mixed and boiled and bottled and then we rejoiced in hearing the successful pop of all the lids but one...which we happily dove into to taste. Our honey, blueberry and strawberry jam turned out wonderfully and I think we may just have caught the canning bug!
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