Quinoa for Breakfast

Breakfast Quinoa

One of our favorite new foods in quinoa. I had never had it before going on the elimination diet, but now we have it quite often. I was really intrigued when my friend said she had quinoa for breakfast. I gave it a whirl and it is delicious! It's a nice change from oatmeal.

Breakfast Quinoa 

1/2c red quinoa
1c water
rice milk (or other milk)
honey
brown sugar
cinnamon
slivered almonds
blueberries (or other berries)

Cook quinoa according to directions on box. Drizzle with honey. Add a pinch (or more) of brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir in rice milk, slivered almonds and blueberries.

I've tried it with regular quinoa too, but I really prefer it with the red quinoa -- much better! I don't really measure anything out, I just stir it all in until it looks (and tastes) good.

It's been a rough morning.

Oh look, a two-for-one for the first day of NaBloPoMo.

It's been a rough morning. The kind where I wonder if I can keep my sanity in check. The kind where I count the minutes until Glenn will be home from work (and, subsequently, the kind where I'm glad he has a weird work schedule and will be home soon to break up our day).

It hasn't been anything much out of the ordinary. It's pouring which doesn't do much for my mood. I'm envious of the parents who have kids who sleep in after a long and fun-filled evening because mine were still up bright and early. Poor Bubby seems to be working on cutting about three or four teeth. He is uncomfortable and rightfully so. He's in that stage where mommy can't be out of sight for two seconds and, while we can make it work most of the time, let's face it there are times when mommy needs to be out of sight for two seconds. Beanie is having a rough morning too. I'm sure that, to some extent, our moods are playing off each other and that makes me feel even worse. She wants to cuddle and I want to too, but it's hard when there's a baby around that needs all your attention too. She wants to play music and make loud noises, but Bubby is napping (for one of the couple twenty minute cat naps he's taken today).She says, "I don't want to listen!! I don't want to do anything!!!"

I'm glad Glenn is home now. He's cuddling with Beanie, Bubby is napping (maybe for more than twenty minutes this time??) and I can have a few much needed moments to myself.

I find myself feeling guilty that Glenn didn't get to take a nap as he wanted to (because he stayed up late last night for Halloween with the family) because the kiddos were just not having family naptime. I feel guilty the kitchen is a mess and we don't have anything for dinner. I feel guilty I'm still in my pajamas (although with the weather we're having today I can think of no better day for a pajama day). I feel guilty that all my other friends seem to have it together enough to have blogged/facebooked/whatever their Halloween pictures and I am still trying to get them sorted out.

It's been a rough day.

Here We Go Again: NaBloPoMo 2010

It's November 1st which means I'm jumping right into National Blog Posting Month. For as long as I can remember writing has been an outlet for me, so even though I have about zero spare time I'm going to post every day this month. It seems that every now and again I get into this thinking that I have to have something really important to say when I sit down and blog. I've felt that way a lot recently, especially after basically quitting writing for Examiner.com. I like writing research based posts. I like providing (hopefully useful) information to others. But, I also like writing about the craziness that happens every day when you are a mom of two. I feel like I've gotten away from that a little bit, especially when I go through and read my NaBloPoMo posts from last year. I mean, being a mom of a three year old there is no shortage of silly & crazy things I could write about. I don't always have to have something important and meaningful to say. The daily grind is important and meaningful enough!

Of course, as a mom, the highlight of the last few days has been Halloween. Or, as my sister more accurately called it, Halloweekend. Because, man oh man, we had a ton of stuff going on. There were three events to go to, family in town, pictures on no less than four cameras, the Not Its! (who Beanie seemed to dig even though she was very tired and who mama thought were much more tolerable than a lot of other kid's music), and waaaay too much candy (really, what are we going to do with all of it?).

I promise a picture (or a few) sometime soon. Sometime after I upload pictures from all four cameras. What the heck? How did that even happen?

My sis gave me a really hard time because I don't dress up for Halloween. You know, you see those families that have themed costumes. That would never be us. Like never in a million years. Glenn isn't really into Halloween AT ALL; I'm just not really that into dressing up anymore. Anyhoo, Sissy got me (and herself) some cat ears and a tail. I guess I could handle that. Before we head out for trick or treating my sis told Beanie she needed to go to the bathroom. And Beanie yelled, "No! Kitties go poop outside!"

See, I told you there was no shortage of silliness in our house.

And, for the record, the crazy cat lady's cats pooped in our back yard which is why Beanie thinks cats must poop outside instead of in, um, a litter box.

But Halloween Halloweekend was fun. We had some good family time. I even got to get away (with the Bubby) for an hour or so with a friend for a chat. I was so proud of Beanie as she said "thank you," each time she received some candy. It was good, albeit tiring, weekend.

What did you do for Halloween?

***If you're here from NaBloPoMo, post up a comment & let me know. I'd love to find some new favorite blogs to read.***

Donating Breastmilk

A couple weeks ago a realization hit me like a truck.

Nearly all the expressed breastmilk I have in the deep freezer is from when I was consuming wheat, dairy and soy. Or some combination of the three.

In other words, it is useless to me.

All the breastmilk in the freezer really isn't that much. Perhaps 30 ounces tops. I loathe pumping and only pumped a bit in the beginning for relief (because my milk came in so fast). I've only pumped here and there when it seemed I had an oversupply, likely from consuming too many oatmeal cookies the day before. I really had no intention of feeding Bubby pumped milk; I figured much of it would be used to thin our homemade babyfood. Still, I was disheartened when it dawned on me that we couldn't use that milk.

I'm happy that we found someone through one of my mom's groups who was looking for donated milk. While getting milk from a milk bank is a preferable solution, the reality is that it isn't a viable option for many mothers.

I'm so glad that my "problem" can become a solution for someone else.

Wordless Wednesday

To say this Autumn has been difficult so far would be an understatement. Between PPD and my strong propensity towards seasonal depression, these last few months have hit me like a double whammie. But, I am happy to say that after a long talk with Glenn I am going to really reach out and seek some help. I'm going to call my midwife this morning and see if she has a counselor she recommends. I kept thinking that if only the colic was over, if only we beat thrush, if only we identified Bubby's food issues, if only, if only, if only. But it hasn't gotten better. Time to give up on the if onlys...

Anyhoo, I tell you all this because we had a really good day last week. We caught a break in the crazy windy, rainy, stormy weather and went to the pumpkin patch.

NaBloPoMo?

Maybe crazy, but I'm thinking of participating in National Blog Posting Month in November. It's a spin off from National Novel Writing Month where writers try to write a novel in a month. Apparently, NaBloPoMo is no longer just November, but every month.

We're crazy busy here. My mood is up and down and all over the place. But, if I know one thing, it's that writing has always been a great outlet for me and committing to writing each day in November might force me to take the "me time" I have been neglecting.

Anyone want to join me?

Immunity.

I'm pretty convinced moms should be immune from being sick. Like on Survivor. Only I don't care about immunity from some silly vote. I want an immunity necklace that keeps me well. 

Luckily it hasn't been too bad. We all got the sniffles and, luckily (or unluckily perhaps) mine were the worst! Then we all started feeling better only for me to start feeling yucky again. No fair.

When I'm sick I almost feel like I'd rather work outside of the home. Like I could go to work and just go through the day in a fog. No such luck when you've got a three year-old who feels great and a seven month-old who is in that I-only-want-my-mommy-and-she-absolutely-must-be-in-my-sight stage.

I've been trying to get some extra rest, making sure I take all my vitamins, and taking care of myself. I'm ready for all of us to be feeling 100% again.

Oatmeal Berry Cookies

Oatmeal Berry Cookies

Last week I made my first batch of gluten-free cookies. I was very pleased with how they turned out! At first I thought they were a little too crumbly, but I quickly realized that was only because I was eating them before they cooled. They were delicious. I think this is originally the recipe from the Quaker Oats box, but I've had it in my cookbook for so long I'm not 100% positive.

Oatmeal Berry Cookies

1c Earth Balance dairy-free, soy-free butter
1c firmly packed brown sugar
1/2c granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2c Bob's Red Mill gluten-free flour
3/8tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
2tsp flaxseed meal
1/2tsp salt
3c oats **
1c Trader Joe's golden berry blend (dried golden raisins, cherries, cranberries and blueberries)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Beat "butter" and sugars until creamy.

3. Add eggs & vanilla; beat well.

4. Add combined flour, xantham gum, baking soda, cinnamon, flaxseed meal, and salt; mix well.

5. Stir in oats and berries; mix well.

6. Drop by rounded Tbsp (or larger if you like big cookies like me!) on ungreased cookie sheet.

7. Bake 10-12min (13-14min for larger cookies) or until golden brown.

8. Cool on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Yield: 18 large (like six per cookie sheet) cookies.

** Since I am not gluten-intolerant myself, I just use regular oats. If you are dealing with Celiac's or other gluten intolerance, you may want to seek out gluten-free oats due to the risk of cross contamination. For more information on oats, click here.

My Love Hate Relationship with Autumn.

I have all these blog posts started in my head. Some even half-finished here on Blogger. The ones in my head are blogs I feel like I can't just sit down and hammer out in twenty minutes. They're important blogs. To me. And, hopefully, to others. But, I'm frazzled, tired, and probably only have a short bit of time so, instead of meaningful commentary I am going to provide you with some rambly blog vomit.

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I have a love-hate relationship with Autumn. I love the leaves changing colors, the pumpkin patches, and the crisp sunny fall days. I love pretty much any baked good with pumpkin added in, cider, and drooling over thinking about Thanksgiving. I hate the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer. I hate the dark settling in earlier and earlier. It sucks.

I've suffered from depression in the past. Seasonal depression too. I live in just about the worst place ever for seasonal depression. When I was working I'd often go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. In the past I've used one of those lights (think prescription strength) to help with my depression. It hasn't been a problem in recent years, but I can feel it creeping up on me this year. It seems the darkness just snuck right up on us. Like one day I looked outside at 7pm and it was pitch black. What the heck??? At least it's not dark at four. Yet.

I'm trying to make the most of the things I enjoy about Fall and take the shorter days in stride. Time if flying by so quickly; before I know it Winter will be upon us and the days will slowly but surely be getting longer again.

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Beanie started art class again yesterday. The teacher was helping the students rinse out their bowls. She had the water running while she went back and forth from the table to the sink, grabbing each kid's bowl. Beanie cried out, "Hey!!! She's wasting water!"

Ah. My little environmentalist.

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Today we met with some new friends to talk about home-preschooling. We had met them once before, but it was fun. I think it'll light a fire under my lazy butt behind to collaborate with someone else. As I've stated before, we largely follow an unschooling philosophy, but I do want to dedicate some time to working on certain things.

We had a really good time with our friends. Until the end. Cue a baby and preschooler who both woke up too early and were much, much too tired. Beanie threw her half-naked self down on the ground in the bathroom and was inconsolable. It was just melt-down central. We even tried a little quiet time to calm down, but I think she was just beyond the point of no return. I know all moms have been-there-done-that (or I assure you that someday you will be), but it's sort of embarrassing. Especially the first time you go to someone's house.

Better luck next time!

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I'm going to make some apples for Bubby. I made sweet potatoes the other day. I forgot how much more work they are to make than the pears were. At least to get them to the right consistency. It probably didn't help that they only had very small organic sweet potatoes at the store so it seemed like a lot of effort for a small amount of cubes.

He does seem to be fairly interested in baby food. I wouldn't say he ever eats more than 1 cube. A lot of time probably not even that much. Sometimes he lunges forward reaching for the spoon with his mouth wide open -- it's so cute! We'll keep up with it. So far no reactions to anything. We're well versed in taking it slow with baby food since Beanie wasn't really interested at all until she was older.

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My bangs are finally grown out. They're about to my chin which is where I wanted them so I could chop my hair. I guess there's really no point in keeping it long for ponytails seeing as how Bubby either just sucks on my ponytail (eeeeew!) or grabs the tiny little hairs that aren't held back. It's been over a year that I've been growing my bangs out. Finally they're where I wanted them. And, you know what, now I have some wild idea that maybe I should cut bangs again.

Someone knock some sense into me.

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That's it. I promise a return to more meaningful blogging soon.

A proud babywearer.

One of the things I have really embraced as a mom of two was babywearing. The fact that I had a Moby that sat on a shelf in the closet when Beanie was a baby just perturbs me now. Back then, I was intimidated and never tried to use the Moby. I tried using it very early on with Bubby and I LOVED it. And, really, I can't believe I didn't use it with Beanie (who was definitely an in-arms babe) just because I was a little nervous to figure it out. After tying the Moby once or twice with Bubby it really became second nature. I could tie it on quickly and easily. During the day, Bubby would calm down in the Moby and often would fall asleep. In the evenings, the Moby was one of the many things in our arsenal we used to try and calm him. Over and over again. For hours on end. With the colic and food intolerance issues we have had, babywearing has been a lifesaver.

I still wear him most every day, although now we use the Ergo. I've been meaning to play around with the Moby again, but we are both quite comfortable using the Ergo right now. It's easier to get on once we're already out and about and I love that it has a zipper pocket for my wallet, phone and etc.

One of the hardest things when my back was out was not being able to babywear. It has become a part of our daily routine. Bubby feels safe and snuggly close to his mama and I can go about my day with my son close to my heart and comfortable. I know he's safe there next to me. When we go out anywhere I babywear. When he was younger the thought of lugging the infant carrier carseat around was daunting. I HATED having to use that when it was too painful to carry him. For us, it is much easier to wear Bubby and have Beanie in the shopping cart, holding my hand and walking next to me, or in the stroller. I'm sure more than a few of my Facebook friends laughed when I posted something along the lines of How do moms of two survive without babywearing??? Of course, it wasn't really as drastic as that, but not being able to babywear really put a cramp in our life. It made things harder, it made me sad, it was a difficult time for us. Luckily, Glenn seems to like the Ergo as much as I do and he did a lot of babywearing while we were in Oregon on vacation.

Things with my back have gotten better and we are back to babywearing. I'm a much happier camper and so is Bubby. It is so much easier to get out of the house and I am more comfortable with things. Babywearing has become an essential part of our life. When I think back to three years ago I almost have to laugh when I remember that I was too intimidated to try out the Moby. Now I'm a pro and help others learn how to babywear.

Babywearing has gotten some bad press lately with recalls and etc. I really wish that people were educated about babywearing, its benefits and the safe ways to babywear. Babywearing is not dangerous; for Bubby and I it was a lifesaver. Seriously. A sanity-saver. The last six-and-a-half months have been harder than I every imagined and I am so grateful we had babywearing to make it just a bit easier.

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Learn more about babywearing at Adventures in Babywearing and check out the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance Facebook Page. The BCIA has posted a Call to Action asking people to blog about babywearing. Join in and spread the word on the benefits of babywearing. Thanks to Brittany over at Birth Unplugged for writing a babywearing post and alerting me to this call to action.