In my family we like to joke about the "strongly worded letters" I send off to companies who make me mad. Sure, airing my complaints make me feel better but really most of the time I would have been satisfied if someone had simply said, "I'm sorry".
Think about it.
When you're wronged isn't that really all your looking for?
I hope you'll check out my blog post over at DC Metro Moms.
Both Abel and I make an effort to sincerely apologize to Lucas when we mess up because I think it is important for him to learn to take responsibility for mistakes. In every situation where I've owned up to a mistake and apologized--with friends, family, Abel and at work--the outcome has been a positive one. Yes, it's hard, but I think it is worth it. Of all the values we're trying to instill in Lucas, I think personal responsibility is a really important one.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Great summer recipes
One thing that has changed about me since becoming a mother is that I've really come to enjoy cooking.
Before I met Abel, I often ate chicken nuggets and cheese for dinner. I'm not kidding. When we were dating we ate out a lot or he cooked. Even after we got married, our meals were generally things that could be prepared in 15 minutes or less.
When I was home on maternity leave I started doing a lot of baking (which I've always loved) and cooking. I poured through recipe books and tried new things. Sure, we still have some some old stand-by quick meals like grilled cheese and tomato soup or cheese quesadillas, rice and beans. And, I love using Trader Joe's pizza dough to make pizza with a big salad. But, I try to cook a real meal at least a few times a week.
On the days I'm home with Lucas, my goal is to prepare dinner during his nap. That way I just have to throw it in the oven or on the grill when Abel's on his way home and we've got a tasty, healthy meal which we can all sit down and enjoy together. If I wait until 4 or 5pm to start dinner then I may as well forget it. I think all parents would agree that is a rough time in a house with kids.
Needless to say, I haven't been doing a lot of cooking lately. The week in the hospital, the week home recovering, a week of meals from friends...brings us to last week when I was able to start to get back into the swing of things. And, I'd love to share two new recipes that really came through for us.
I ripped both of these out of my Mom's June Real Simple. Abel and I loved both of them. And, they were very easy to make.
First, pasta with zucchini and goat cheese. This was a wonderful, light summer meal. The goat cheese sauce was so creamy yet very light. I love zucchini but Abel isn't a big fan. So, I took a bit of a risk serving this but it was a hit! I do believe it even made him into a zucchini-lover! Lucas had maybe two slices of zucchini but loved the pasta and sauce. And, there was enough to provide lunch for all three of us the next day.
Second, stuffed chicken breasts with tomato salad. This was delicious! In fact, I plan to serve it the next time we have friends over for dinner. The tomato salad would make a wonderful bruschetta. In fact, when you plate it, put the toasted baguettes down on the plate and scoop the tomatoes over top. The bread will soak up all the wonderful juices! I actually halved this recipe only because I just had two chicken breasts and two tomatoes. Had I made the entire thing there would have been plenty for leftovers.
Try them out and let me know what you think!
Before I met Abel, I often ate chicken nuggets and cheese for dinner. I'm not kidding. When we were dating we ate out a lot or he cooked. Even after we got married, our meals were generally things that could be prepared in 15 minutes or less.
When I was home on maternity leave I started doing a lot of baking (which I've always loved) and cooking. I poured through recipe books and tried new things. Sure, we still have some some old stand-by quick meals like grilled cheese and tomato soup or cheese quesadillas, rice and beans. And, I love using Trader Joe's pizza dough to make pizza with a big salad. But, I try to cook a real meal at least a few times a week.
On the days I'm home with Lucas, my goal is to prepare dinner during his nap. That way I just have to throw it in the oven or on the grill when Abel's on his way home and we've got a tasty, healthy meal which we can all sit down and enjoy together. If I wait until 4 or 5pm to start dinner then I may as well forget it. I think all parents would agree that is a rough time in a house with kids.
Needless to say, I haven't been doing a lot of cooking lately. The week in the hospital, the week home recovering, a week of meals from friends...brings us to last week when I was able to start to get back into the swing of things. And, I'd love to share two new recipes that really came through for us.
I ripped both of these out of my Mom's June Real Simple. Abel and I loved both of them. And, they were very easy to make.
First, pasta with zucchini and goat cheese. This was a wonderful, light summer meal. The goat cheese sauce was so creamy yet very light. I love zucchini but Abel isn't a big fan. So, I took a bit of a risk serving this but it was a hit! I do believe it even made him into a zucchini-lover! Lucas had maybe two slices of zucchini but loved the pasta and sauce. And, there was enough to provide lunch for all three of us the next day.
Second, stuffed chicken breasts with tomato salad. This was delicious! In fact, I plan to serve it the next time we have friends over for dinner. The tomato salad would make a wonderful bruschetta. In fact, when you plate it, put the toasted baguettes down on the plate and scoop the tomatoes over top. The bread will soak up all the wonderful juices! I actually halved this recipe only because I just had two chicken breasts and two tomatoes. Had I made the entire thing there would have been plenty for leftovers.
Try them out and let me know what you think!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
I won!
The streak continues!
I was the lucky winner of an Internet Password Organizer over at Tech Savvy Mama.
It arrived in yesterday's mail and I've already started using it. Generally I think I'm a pretty organized person, but when it comes to passwords, I'm a wreck. I have several login/password combinations I use in various patterns over and over again. Thing is, it's all hit or miss in remembering which combo I used. And, seriously, if I'm forced by a website to change my password on a regular basis, I'm sunk.
So, thanks, Leticia! And, if your looking for some great tips about technology and your kids, go on over and check her out!
I was the lucky winner of an Internet Password Organizer over at Tech Savvy Mama.
It arrived in yesterday's mail and I've already started using it. Generally I think I'm a pretty organized person, but when it comes to passwords, I'm a wreck. I have several login/password combinations I use in various patterns over and over again. Thing is, it's all hit or miss in remembering which combo I used. And, seriously, if I'm forced by a website to change my password on a regular basis, I'm sunk.
So, thanks, Leticia! And, if your looking for some great tips about technology and your kids, go on over and check her out!
The Update
Thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes!
Just wanted to post a quick update from my doctor's appointment yesterday. It went really well! I met with a Rheumatology Fellow for about 20 minutes reviewing my history and answering a zillion questions. She went out to brief one of the big guys and they both came back in to talk with me some more. The good news is that they've basically ruled out Lupus (which was a pretty slim possibility anyway) and said they they it is pretty unlikely I have any of their "bad diseases".
But, they ordered about a million blood tests just to be sure.
So, it is looking more and more like I've just got ITP -- the first word of which is idiopathic meaning we don't know why. And, ITP is totally manageable and something I can live with for a very, very long time.
Even after all this good news they gave me even better news -- they agree I should be coming off the prednisone (steroids). But, they weren't willing/able to actually do it. I'm back to see the Hematologist on Thursday (tomorrow) and am planning to insist that I start coming off them. My understanding is that I can come down about 20mg. a week so here's hoping I'll be steroid-free by mid-July! (Just in time to be puff-free for that wedding!!)
Just wanted to post a quick update from my doctor's appointment yesterday. It went really well! I met with a Rheumatology Fellow for about 20 minutes reviewing my history and answering a zillion questions. She went out to brief one of the big guys and they both came back in to talk with me some more. The good news is that they've basically ruled out Lupus (which was a pretty slim possibility anyway) and said they they it is pretty unlikely I have any of their "bad diseases".
But, they ordered about a million blood tests just to be sure.
So, it is looking more and more like I've just got ITP -- the first word of which is idiopathic meaning we don't know why. And, ITP is totally manageable and something I can live with for a very, very long time.
Even after all this good news they gave me even better news -- they agree I should be coming off the prednisone (steroids). But, they weren't willing/able to actually do it. I'm back to see the Hematologist on Thursday (tomorrow) and am planning to insist that I start coming off them. My understanding is that I can come down about 20mg. a week so here's hoping I'll be steroid-free by mid-July! (Just in time to be puff-free for that wedding!!)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Happy Half Birthday To You!
I'm a sucker for birthdays. Mine. Yours. Doesn't matter: I love to celebrate birthdays!
My own birthday, in early June, comes at both a good and bad time of the year. On one hand, it is half a year away from that other major-gift-receiving holiday, Christmas. On the other hand, during my school years, my birthday almost always fell during the last week of school. Not a good time for an in-school birthday party. I always felt like I got the short end of the sick on that one.
And so, I feel particularly guilty about my son's birthday which falls just a few days before Christmas. So far, we've had nice, family birthday parties for him and I don't think he's noticed or minded the proximity to Christmas.
But, then again, he's only had two birthdays!!
I fully anticipate problems to come in the years ahead. Complaints of us taking one of his Christmas presents and simply giving it early as a birthday present...having to hold a very early party to get anyone to attend...oh, the challenges of a birthday close to a major holiday!
I think I have a solution -- a half birthday celebration!
Why not? Who doesn't want another excuse to eat a slice of birthday cake? Another excuse to celebrate?
So this year I made--from scratch!--a half birthday cake (one layer of a round cake cut in half, stacked then iced) and we sang "Happy Half Birthday To You" to Lucas. He received two wonderful books as gifts (I don't know that we'll do half-birthday gifts every year, but I was at a terrific local bookstore and couldn't help picking up a few beautiful books for him). It was low-key but fun.
In future years, I think this summertime half-birthday might just be the perfect opportunity for a kids' party, conveniently allowing the poorly-timed actual birthday to be a family-only celebration.
And surely if we are celebrating Lucas's half-birthday then we'll need to celebrate mine, too, right? Oh, and my husband's!
Bring on the cake!
Original post to DC Metro Moms. When Aimee isn't busy coming up with excuses to eat cake, she can be found blogging at Smiling Mama.
Comments
Meg said...
I hear ya about the summer birthday - I'm a July baby, and if my elementary teachers bothered to acknowledge ours at all, they were crammed into a mass celebration the last week of school. We had to SHARE our birthdays. And then, when you ran into kids at the pool in the summer, they'd never remember.
Of course now that I have hit the big four decade mark, I find it rather convenient to let it sneak by others.
Come to think of it - my youngest son's half-birthday is this Saturday. Maybe I'll make a cake!
Nicole said...
Hi Separated-at-birth...
(I'm kidding) BUT my son was born a week before christmas (18th) and My birthday is June 6th.
We actually celebrated his half-birthday this year for the first time and it was relaxed and fun...
Don't know what day your son was born on but what we started doing last Dec when he turned 4 and started to really care ...was we did his bday party on the 18th (nothing but Birthday decorations in the house)
and then my husband stayed home from work the next morning and we all went out and bought a tree and decorated for Christmas! It worked out well. My husband commented to me that evening after our son had gone to sleep,
"Well, this is our plan for the next 18 years or so."
Happy 1/2 birthday to your son and happy belated birthday to you!
Robin said...
When I was in the classroom teaching, I'd celebrate the students with summer birthdays during the winter - at their 'half birthday'. Teaching special ed, it was very important to me that they also participate in the bringing in of the cupcakes. Often they had social skills deficits, and this was a great to work on them and make them feel extra special and not miss out on what the Sept-June bday kids experienced.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
My own birthday, in early June, comes at both a good and bad time of the year. On one hand, it is half a year away from that other major-gift-receiving holiday, Christmas. On the other hand, during my school years, my birthday almost always fell during the last week of school. Not a good time for an in-school birthday party. I always felt like I got the short end of the sick on that one.
And so, I feel particularly guilty about my son's birthday which falls just a few days before Christmas. So far, we've had nice, family birthday parties for him and I don't think he's noticed or minded the proximity to Christmas.
But, then again, he's only had two birthdays!!
I fully anticipate problems to come in the years ahead. Complaints of us taking one of his Christmas presents and simply giving it early as a birthday present...having to hold a very early party to get anyone to attend...oh, the challenges of a birthday close to a major holiday!
I think I have a solution -- a half birthday celebration!
Why not? Who doesn't want another excuse to eat a slice of birthday cake? Another excuse to celebrate?
So this year I made--from scratch!--a half birthday cake (one layer of a round cake cut in half, stacked then iced) and we sang "Happy Half Birthday To You" to Lucas. He received two wonderful books as gifts (I don't know that we'll do half-birthday gifts every year, but I was at a terrific local bookstore and couldn't help picking up a few beautiful books for him). It was low-key but fun.
In future years, I think this summertime half-birthday might just be the perfect opportunity for a kids' party, conveniently allowing the poorly-timed actual birthday to be a family-only celebration.
And surely if we are celebrating Lucas's half-birthday then we'll need to celebrate mine, too, right? Oh, and my husband's!
Bring on the cake!
Original post to DC Metro Moms. When Aimee isn't busy coming up with excuses to eat cake, she can be found blogging at Smiling Mama.
Comments
Meg said...
I hear ya about the summer birthday - I'm a July baby, and if my elementary teachers bothered to acknowledge ours at all, they were crammed into a mass celebration the last week of school. We had to SHARE our birthdays. And then, when you ran into kids at the pool in the summer, they'd never remember.
Of course now that I have hit the big four decade mark, I find it rather convenient to let it sneak by others.
Come to think of it - my youngest son's half-birthday is this Saturday. Maybe I'll make a cake!
Nicole said...
Hi Separated-at-birth...
(I'm kidding) BUT my son was born a week before christmas (18th) and My birthday is June 6th.
We actually celebrated his half-birthday this year for the first time and it was relaxed and fun...
Don't know what day your son was born on but what we started doing last Dec when he turned 4 and started to really care ...was we did his bday party on the 18th (nothing but Birthday decorations in the house)
and then my husband stayed home from work the next morning and we all went out and bought a tree and decorated for Christmas! It worked out well. My husband commented to me that evening after our son had gone to sleep,
"Well, this is our plan for the next 18 years or so."
Happy 1/2 birthday to your son and happy belated birthday to you!
Robin said...
When I was in the classroom teaching, I'd celebrate the students with summer birthdays during the winter - at their 'half birthday'. Teaching special ed, it was very important to me that they also participate in the bringing in of the cupcakes. Often they had social skills deficits, and this was a great to work on them and make them feel extra special and not miss out on what the Sept-June bday kids experienced.
Original post by Smiling Mama. Thanks for reading!
Happy Birthday to Me!!
Happy Birthday to Me! Today I am 31.
Here's how I'll be celebrating.
Morning -- I had a mani/pedi scheduled for this time-slot to finally use the gift certificate Abel got me to Elizabeth Arden for Christmas. BUT, after weeks of trying to get an appointment with the Rheumatology department, my Hematologist finally got me in. Wouldn't you know it? June 3 at 9am. So, I reluctantly cancelled my mani/pedi. As crappy as it seems like it would be to start your birthday with a medical specialist, I am actually looking forward to the appointment. Hopefully it will be my next step in figuring out what's going on and therefore the next step toward getting better!
Afternoon -- After my appointment I'll head out to Reston to meet my dear, dear friend Kristen for lunch at Il Fornaio. So, if you're stalking me just come on by and look for two cute girls laughing and chatting and enjoying a 2+ hour lunch! Kristen and I met when we worked together and during those years we ate lunch together 4-5 days a week, every week! Those were some of the best hours of my life and so I truly savor opportunities to see her for lunch these days. (Quick aside, I sincerely wish I was able to link her name to a blog above. She is a person who truly has design and style talents to share with the world and hopefully I'll be able to tell you about her new blog soon!! No pressure KAP :)
Evening -- I can't imagine anything better than having a nice dinner with my two favorite boys at home on our screened in porch. Followed, of course, by cake! First things first, I've already requested a round, two-layer yellow cake with (lots of!) chocolate icing to be made by Abel. A box mix is just fine with me! As for dinner, I'm not yet 100% decided. But, due to my steroid-induced-constant-cravings for protein I think I'll request steak on the grill with some grilled shrimp and a big salad with yummy, crusty bread. Delicious!
As for gifts, on Sunday (between coats of paint) Abel, Dad and I went to our local nursery to pick out some more plants for our front yard. A new hydrangea and a rose bush were my birthday gifts from Abel. Later that day (between coats of trim) Abel got them in the ground and they look terrific!
And from you, dear readers, I'll simply request a comment! So, de-lurk! De-lurk and wish me happy birthday! (I don't even mind if you remain anonymous!)
Sounds like a practically-perfect start to my 32nd year!!
Here's how I'll be celebrating.
Morning -- I had a mani/pedi scheduled for this time-slot to finally use the gift certificate Abel got me to Elizabeth Arden for Christmas. BUT, after weeks of trying to get an appointment with the Rheumatology department, my Hematologist finally got me in. Wouldn't you know it? June 3 at 9am. So, I reluctantly cancelled my mani/pedi. As crappy as it seems like it would be to start your birthday with a medical specialist, I am actually looking forward to the appointment. Hopefully it will be my next step in figuring out what's going on and therefore the next step toward getting better!
Afternoon -- After my appointment I'll head out to Reston to meet my dear, dear friend Kristen for lunch at Il Fornaio. So, if you're stalking me just come on by and look for two cute girls laughing and chatting and enjoying a 2+ hour lunch! Kristen and I met when we worked together and during those years we ate lunch together 4-5 days a week, every week! Those were some of the best hours of my life and so I truly savor opportunities to see her for lunch these days. (Quick aside, I sincerely wish I was able to link her name to a blog above. She is a person who truly has design and style talents to share with the world and hopefully I'll be able to tell you about her new blog soon!! No pressure KAP :)
Evening -- I can't imagine anything better than having a nice dinner with my two favorite boys at home on our screened in porch. Followed, of course, by cake! First things first, I've already requested a round, two-layer yellow cake with (lots of!) chocolate icing to be made by Abel. A box mix is just fine with me! As for dinner, I'm not yet 100% decided. But, due to my steroid-induced-constant-cravings for protein I think I'll request steak on the grill with some grilled shrimp and a big salad with yummy, crusty bread. Delicious!
As for gifts, on Sunday (between coats of paint) Abel, Dad and I went to our local nursery to pick out some more plants for our front yard. A new hydrangea and a rose bush were my birthday gifts from Abel. Later that day (between coats of trim) Abel got them in the ground and they look terrific!
And from you, dear readers, I'll simply request a comment! So, de-lurk! De-lurk and wish me happy birthday! (I don't even mind if you remain anonymous!)
Sounds like a practically-perfect start to my 32nd year!!
Monday, June 2, 2008
My parents
Warning: sickeningly sweet tribute to my parents straight ahead.
I would like to officially proclaim from the rooftop with my loudest bloggy voice that I have the best parents in history.
Seriously.
Here's an example. Just one. Of many.
As you know I've been sick. I'm feeling a lot better but my energy level is still pretty low. And, our entire second floor is in a state of disarray because we emptied our bedroom to re-do it. And, I'm hosting a bridal shower on the 14th which I'm very excited about but, not only must our second floor be completed by then, there are other things to do around the house to get ready.
To say I was a tad bit anxious about all this is an understatement. I was freaking out.
And, somehow my Mom must have sensed this. She called last week to say they were coming down this past weekend so Dad could help Abel with the bedroom and she could watch Lucas and do other stuff around the house.
They arrived Friday evening and I don't think either of them sat still for more than 10 minutes until they left Sunday at 4pm.
Seriously.
Dad and Abel painted and painted and painted and finished installing the new recessed lights and new ceiling fan.
Mom cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and planted some pretty flowers in pots out front and some herbs out back. And cleaned and did laundry and cleaned. And played with Lucas and made dinner and cleaned.
(Do you get the impression that my house was a little dirty? Why yes, it WAS.)
They are amazing. Truly. And, this isn't unusual. Every time I've ever moved (and I've moved a lot!), when we had Lucas, when I got sick, they were there. To do anything and everything we needed. Without being asked.
Today, I truly feel stronger, lighter, happier. Our bedroom is almost done. I have no doubt the second floor will be better than ever by the 14th. Some deep cleaning has been done (can you say windows?!) and things will be in great shape for our shower guests.
Thank you Mom and Dad. For this. For everything. Abel, Lucas and I are so lucky to have you!
Love always,
Your smiling daughter
I would like to officially proclaim from the rooftop with my loudest bloggy voice that I have the best parents in history.
Seriously.
Here's an example. Just one. Of many.
As you know I've been sick. I'm feeling a lot better but my energy level is still pretty low. And, our entire second floor is in a state of disarray because we emptied our bedroom to re-do it. And, I'm hosting a bridal shower on the 14th which I'm very excited about but, not only must our second floor be completed by then, there are other things to do around the house to get ready.
To say I was a tad bit anxious about all this is an understatement. I was freaking out.
And, somehow my Mom must have sensed this. She called last week to say they were coming down this past weekend so Dad could help Abel with the bedroom and she could watch Lucas and do other stuff around the house.
They arrived Friday evening and I don't think either of them sat still for more than 10 minutes until they left Sunday at 4pm.
Seriously.
Dad and Abel painted and painted and painted and finished installing the new recessed lights and new ceiling fan.
Mom cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and planted some pretty flowers in pots out front and some herbs out back. And cleaned and did laundry and cleaned. And played with Lucas and made dinner and cleaned.
(Do you get the impression that my house was a little dirty? Why yes, it WAS.)
They are amazing. Truly. And, this isn't unusual. Every time I've ever moved (and I've moved a lot!), when we had Lucas, when I got sick, they were there. To do anything and everything we needed. Without being asked.
Today, I truly feel stronger, lighter, happier. Our bedroom is almost done. I have no doubt the second floor will be better than ever by the 14th. Some deep cleaning has been done (can you say windows?!) and things will be in great shape for our shower guests.
Thank you Mom and Dad. For this. For everything. Abel, Lucas and I are so lucky to have you!
Love always,
Your smiling daughter
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