So, I promised recipes, and here they are! Enjoy!
Tim Tam Terrific Trifle
Simple... Layer:
- sponge cake (the softer the better)
- canned mango
- canned berries
- whipped cream
- crushed Tim-Tams
- custard
Leave in the refrigerator for a few hours... OMG, yummmm. :o)
Easy Peasy Beansies
Mix together:
1 can of 4 bean mix
Olive oil
Crushed garlic (as much or as little as you prefer - I like a fair bit..)
Red onion, diced finely
Salt and pepper
So easy, you can do it with your eyes SHUT!! And it's delicious.
Choc Ripple Biscuit Slicey Goodness
2 packets of Choc Ripple biscuits
2 large containers of cream - whipped with vanilla and sugar
Layer cream and biscuits - standing biscuits on their sides in a log formation. Don't be stingey with the cream!! Cover completed 'log' with cream and set in the fridge for at least 6 hours - preferably over night. Cut on diagonal to show off your culinary skills... Eat it. On your own is best... :oP
If you can't get these right, you shouldn't be allowed in a kitchen. They taste amazing, and will impress, so please do steal these recipes!
Have fun cooking (or maybe just slapping together, since no actual cooking is involved... haha)
A. xo
Tuesday 22 December 2009
Tis the season to get fatter... falalalala lalalala
Ok, so I don't celebrate "Xmas", or "Christmas", or whatever the kids are calling it these days... But that's not what this post is about. It's actually about all the groovy things I'll be doing, while the rest of the world scratches their heads on Boxing day, reeling from the reality that their credit card bills are due in less than a month.....
1. I'm going to see my parents, my Brother, his Girlfriend, my Nana, my Uncles & Aunties, my Cousins & their families, my Grandparents, and more than likely a few friends from back home. yeehaww!
2. I'm going to EAT. A lot. I won't intend to, but there is good probability that I'll put on about 5kgs... ouch.
3. I'm going to run every day in the fresh air, in a last ditch attempt to stave off those 5kgs, while someone else deals with Eli.
4. I will be cooking for loads of people!! YAY!! I will list my recipes in a new post...
5. I'm going to play cards, lots and lots of cards.
6. I'm going swimming, and I don't care if you think I look terrible in swimmers.....
7. I'm going to sleep during the day, at least once over the 10 days I'm away, regardless of whether or not Eli is awake.
8. I'm going to tell each member of my family that I love them. It's important.
9. I'm going to take my husband and son to the Bunya Mountains. Google it.
and, lastly...
10. I'm going on a facebook strike. I will attempt the unattainable, and vow to stay off facebook for an entire 10 days.... I'm going to need all the strength I can muster, so please, pray for me......
What are YOU doing on YOUR holidays????
A. xo
1. I'm going to see my parents, my Brother, his Girlfriend, my Nana, my Uncles & Aunties, my Cousins & their families, my Grandparents, and more than likely a few friends from back home. yeehaww!
2. I'm going to EAT. A lot. I won't intend to, but there is good probability that I'll put on about 5kgs... ouch.
3. I'm going to run every day in the fresh air, in a last ditch attempt to stave off those 5kgs, while someone else deals with Eli.
4. I will be cooking for loads of people!! YAY!! I will list my recipes in a new post...
5. I'm going to play cards, lots and lots of cards.
6. I'm going swimming, and I don't care if you think I look terrible in swimmers.....
7. I'm going to sleep during the day, at least once over the 10 days I'm away, regardless of whether or not Eli is awake.
8. I'm going to tell each member of my family that I love them. It's important.
9. I'm going to take my husband and son to the Bunya Mountains. Google it.
and, lastly...
10. I'm going on a facebook strike. I will attempt the unattainable, and vow to stay off facebook for an entire 10 days.... I'm going to need all the strength I can muster, so please, pray for me......
What are YOU doing on YOUR holidays????
A. xo
Sunday 20 December 2009
Boxes, lists and really wide tape = MOVING TIME!
I am really excited. No, really. I've finally convinced my husband of 3 years that after living in Brisbane (Australia) for a solid 5.5 years, we are in desperate need of a move. I may not feel that way, had it not been for my son being born, but now I feel the pull to head back home to my roots, my family, to a place called Kingaroy!
Kingaroy is small, as you could imagine from such a "country town" name. I believe the current population is about 15,000 in the town and surrounds. The thing is, when I was younger, this town used to annoy me. I hated that we had nothing to do (cos then, we didn't..) and no where to go. However, having grown up, moved out to a 'city', lived amongst the hustle and bustle... I would rather have nothing to do than fight with the traffic everywhere I go. The air in the city is thick and smells bad. The people are all in a hurry, and therefor in a bad mood. The sights and entertainment, while very fulfilling to the single or no children folks, are just plain old unsuitable for a little family like ours. I, we, have different priorities now - no longer do we simply have to have some fancy restaurants to go to, mega-plexes to watch movies at and humungous shopping centres to buy our stuff at. The main aim now is to be able to a) afford to live, b) one day in the near future own a house and c) have a network of friends and family to support us in living the quiet life of a suburban crew.
So, as of January 27th 2010, we will no longer be Brisvegas residents, but instead, country bumkins from the wild wild west... at least, that's what the city folk will say...
I sent off our application for a house just yesterday (Saturday) in the hopes that they'll get it Monday or Tuesday and process it just in the nick of time before christmas fries their brains and they stop working for a few weeks. I am really hoping to get an answer before they shut up shop - but I don't know if I like my chances. Perhaps it will be a lovely new year's call...
Anyway, the house is 4 bedrooms (as opposed to the 2 bed shoebox we currently occupy) and has a yard for lil Eli to play in when he gets his land legs happening. I can't even tell you how wonderful it's going to feel to be able to breathe in fresh air, and fit all of our things into the one house.... :oD Here's a link to the listing:
And here's a few snaps:
So that's it! That's what's happening now!! I'm seriously so excited, can't wait to be near my family again. We just have to hope and pray that we are accepted!
Wish us luck!!!!
A. xo
Saturday 19 December 2009
Dedication:
I haven't spoken to my best friend Kaz in about 7 months. It's a long story why, so I won't bore you with the details... all you need to know is that circumstances in her life do not permit contact with me.
Anyway, I just wanted to say a few things, mainly for my own benefit, that reflect how I am feeling right now...
Kaz and I have been best friends for years. She and I became close around the time I had my first "boyfriend". I was about 15 at the time. That's a total of 9 years. We got to know each other pretty quickly, sharing secrets, and strategies on boys and matters of the heart. We shared a love of poetry (writing it) and liked the same music. She's a bit older than me, almost 6 years older in fact, but it's never really made any difference to our friendship.
I wouldn't say we were besties straight off, but we were extraordinarily close from the very beginning. I guess that's how you know you've found yourself a lifelong friend.
The cement to our bond came when my "boyfriend" "dumped" me... I was 17 by that stage, and severely heartbroken. Kaz distracted me in my thoughts, hugged me while I cried, and let me know it was all gonna be ok. She'd been through the death of her dad, whom she was particularly close to, and so she was more than aware that feelings of loss can be overcome.
Over the following years, we got up to stuff, mischief of course - clubs, drinking, music, road trips, weekends away, more boyfriends etc etc etc. None of it was too serious, but when you're 18, everything is cool... We got through heaps of tough times together, and I believe we will always be soul sisters for this fact. We lived together when I first moved out of home - for almost 3 years we lived together. Don't get me wrong, we had our moments of being cranky with each other, but it never lasted long, and we always maintained our solid bond throughout.
Kaz looked after me (everyone really). She was always cooking. She's always happy. She is easily loved, and rarely forgotten. She's not Japanese, contrary to common misconceptions...
We have so many "you had to be there's" and "personal jokes" that we could have written a series of books. She was there when one of my exes was abusive to me. We held each other's hands when a friend of ours was killed. She has personally warned each man I've dated that should they hurt me, she'd kill them... She was there when I graduated from being an apprentice, to being a fully fledged hairdresser. She was there when I got married - maid of honour. Now, I've had my first child, and she's never met him. She's my very best friend, my sister, and she's never even so much as held my son. I am gutted. She'll be married in a few short weeks, and I'm not going to be her bridesmaid. I won't get to make a daggy speech, or tell her husband that I will crush his testicles if he even so much as makes her cry. I've never even met this guy.
I may crush his testicles anyway - but maybe I'll wait til they have their kids..
I wanted to tell you all of this, because I miss her. I want her back in my life, and it's killing me a day at a time. I love her like she's my sister, cos she is my sister. She's the one person I expected to have in my life forever - I never even wanted to live in different towns... >> That's another great reason to crush her fiance's testicles...
I know my baby is gonna love her, when he finally meets her. And I genuinely want our kids to be best friends too. Generations of friends in the making. I want to see her get married. I want to be with her, holding her hand, coaching her to push when she's giving birth to her first baby.
I love her incredibly. That's even clearer to me, since I haven't had her around. I can't wait to see her again, and I'm sure, that will be a day neither of us will ever forget.
Love A. xo
Anyway, I just wanted to say a few things, mainly for my own benefit, that reflect how I am feeling right now...
Kaz and I have been best friends for years. She and I became close around the time I had my first "boyfriend". I was about 15 at the time. That's a total of 9 years. We got to know each other pretty quickly, sharing secrets, and strategies on boys and matters of the heart. We shared a love of poetry (writing it) and liked the same music. She's a bit older than me, almost 6 years older in fact, but it's never really made any difference to our friendship.
I wouldn't say we were besties straight off, but we were extraordinarily close from the very beginning. I guess that's how you know you've found yourself a lifelong friend.
The cement to our bond came when my "boyfriend" "dumped" me... I was 17 by that stage, and severely heartbroken. Kaz distracted me in my thoughts, hugged me while I cried, and let me know it was all gonna be ok. She'd been through the death of her dad, whom she was particularly close to, and so she was more than aware that feelings of loss can be overcome.
Over the following years, we got up to stuff, mischief of course - clubs, drinking, music, road trips, weekends away, more boyfriends etc etc etc. None of it was too serious, but when you're 18, everything is cool... We got through heaps of tough times together, and I believe we will always be soul sisters for this fact. We lived together when I first moved out of home - for almost 3 years we lived together. Don't get me wrong, we had our moments of being cranky with each other, but it never lasted long, and we always maintained our solid bond throughout.
Kaz looked after me (everyone really). She was always cooking. She's always happy. She is easily loved, and rarely forgotten. She's not Japanese, contrary to common misconceptions...
We have so many "you had to be there's" and "personal jokes" that we could have written a series of books. She was there when one of my exes was abusive to me. We held each other's hands when a friend of ours was killed. She has personally warned each man I've dated that should they hurt me, she'd kill them... She was there when I graduated from being an apprentice, to being a fully fledged hairdresser. She was there when I got married - maid of honour. Now, I've had my first child, and she's never met him. She's my very best friend, my sister, and she's never even so much as held my son. I am gutted. She'll be married in a few short weeks, and I'm not going to be her bridesmaid. I won't get to make a daggy speech, or tell her husband that I will crush his testicles if he even so much as makes her cry. I've never even met this guy.
I may crush his testicles anyway - but maybe I'll wait til they have their kids..
I wanted to tell you all of this, because I miss her. I want her back in my life, and it's killing me a day at a time. I love her like she's my sister, cos she is my sister. She's the one person I expected to have in my life forever - I never even wanted to live in different towns... >> That's another great reason to crush her fiance's testicles...
I know my baby is gonna love her, when he finally meets her. And I genuinely want our kids to be best friends too. Generations of friends in the making. I want to see her get married. I want to be with her, holding her hand, coaching her to push when she's giving birth to her first baby.
I love her incredibly. That's even clearer to me, since I haven't had her around. I can't wait to see her again, and I'm sure, that will be a day neither of us will ever forget.
Love A. xo
To have or not to have?
Not everyone is like me. Not everyone has wanted kids forever. Not everyone likes kids, especially not the thought of them being responsible for said kids.
That said, I truly believe there is a misrepresentation of parenthood out there... So all those "not everyones" out there - this is for you!
I've been reading a great book, Babies! by Dr Christopher Green. Of course, as the title suggests, it is a book on babies, most of which I thought I had down-pat. I realised that, although I have a very good grasp on certain things, I have been misled by so-called professionals, just like many many other mums out there. It's no great revelation, it's just a clarifying moment for me... For example: I read, and was expressly told by midwives and doctors, that skin to skin contact directly after the birth was not only amazing for bonding, but downright essential for a good start in life. BULL! Yes, of course it's great for bonding, that part is true, but the implication is that if you fail in those first few hours after the birth of the thing you hold most precious to you, then you've failed them for life, and things will go badly from here.
How stupid is that?
If that were the case, as Dr Green points out, all adoptions would fail. Mums who had caesers wouldn't be able to develop the same kind of relationship as a naturally birthing mum. I was actually a subscriber to this nonsense, to the point where I was stressing about what to wear during birth so that I could easily get skin to skin contact with my son after he was born! How ridiculous! In an ideal world, we'd have dreamy 'orgasmic' labours, feel like a million bucks afterward, hold our baby for the first time, skin to skin of course!, and love and adoration would fall around us like a veil of perfection...... Blah!! That's not what happens!!!
This is what really happens...
You spend hours in agonising labour (perhaps not, for those who are scheduled c-sections), you've been ripped to shreds - either by a scalpel, or a massive noggin stretching the bejeepers out of you.. You're tired, dazed and confused about this ever so small thing they're giving you.. You're numb from all the action, and then you feel guilty cos you don't automatically love and adore this being you've created the way you've been told you will ("if you hold it skin to skin.."). Don't feel guilty if this was you. Bonding and love takes time, and it will happen. Just let it be!
The other thing I wasn't really aware of was the "in-room care" you undertake when you've had your cherub. This sounded great to me, as opposed to the "cold, noisy nursery" in the hospital. I now believe this was all just a ruse, to get the nurses out of helping me..... I needed sleep and rest. I didn't get it, because I was sure that having my baby sleep in the plastic crib beside my bed was for sure the way to go.... No way!!! Take him, let him sleep in another room, and I will rest.... I'll be doing that next time, that's for sure.
I've also been reading a little about post natal depression. Apparently it's not as psycho crazy as people make out. I am about 98% certain that I still suffer from minor bouts of PND. Anyway, if you want to know more about that, I honestly suggest you read this book..
Ok, that's all from me today! (don't cheer so loud....)
he he he
A. xo
That said, I truly believe there is a misrepresentation of parenthood out there... So all those "not everyones" out there - this is for you!
I've been reading a great book, Babies! by Dr Christopher Green. Of course, as the title suggests, it is a book on babies, most of which I thought I had down-pat. I realised that, although I have a very good grasp on certain things, I have been misled by so-called professionals, just like many many other mums out there. It's no great revelation, it's just a clarifying moment for me... For example: I read, and was expressly told by midwives and doctors, that skin to skin contact directly after the birth was not only amazing for bonding, but downright essential for a good start in life. BULL! Yes, of course it's great for bonding, that part is true, but the implication is that if you fail in those first few hours after the birth of the thing you hold most precious to you, then you've failed them for life, and things will go badly from here.
How stupid is that?
If that were the case, as Dr Green points out, all adoptions would fail. Mums who had caesers wouldn't be able to develop the same kind of relationship as a naturally birthing mum. I was actually a subscriber to this nonsense, to the point where I was stressing about what to wear during birth so that I could easily get skin to skin contact with my son after he was born! How ridiculous! In an ideal world, we'd have dreamy 'orgasmic' labours, feel like a million bucks afterward, hold our baby for the first time, skin to skin of course!, and love and adoration would fall around us like a veil of perfection...... Blah!! That's not what happens!!!
This is what really happens...
You spend hours in agonising labour (perhaps not, for those who are scheduled c-sections), you've been ripped to shreds - either by a scalpel, or a massive noggin stretching the bejeepers out of you.. You're tired, dazed and confused about this ever so small thing they're giving you.. You're numb from all the action, and then you feel guilty cos you don't automatically love and adore this being you've created the way you've been told you will ("if you hold it skin to skin.."). Don't feel guilty if this was you. Bonding and love takes time, and it will happen. Just let it be!
The other thing I wasn't really aware of was the "in-room care" you undertake when you've had your cherub. This sounded great to me, as opposed to the "cold, noisy nursery" in the hospital. I now believe this was all just a ruse, to get the nurses out of helping me..... I needed sleep and rest. I didn't get it, because I was sure that having my baby sleep in the plastic crib beside my bed was for sure the way to go.... No way!!! Take him, let him sleep in another room, and I will rest.... I'll be doing that next time, that's for sure.
I've also been reading a little about post natal depression. Apparently it's not as psycho crazy as people make out. I am about 98% certain that I still suffer from minor bouts of PND. Anyway, if you want to know more about that, I honestly suggest you read this book..
Ok, that's all from me today! (don't cheer so loud....)
he he he
A. xo
Friday 18 December 2009
Who are you?
Hey again --
Quick question.. Who is reading my blog??? I have a hit counter (I understand this doesn't actually mean you've READ what I wrote) -- anyway -- this hit counter has recorder 258 page views on my awesome blog, and yet, I don't know who is reading, and what you think of what you're reading!
I really want you guys to leave comments, even if it's just to tell me that I'm too serious, or not funny enough..... I might cry, but I still want to know what you think!
Can't wait to hear from you!
A. xo
Wrinkly? Me?
Am I really going to get old? I don't wish to.. The wrinkles I can deal with. Even the grey hair is O.K. (I mean, it's a pain in the butt, but I can manage..) It's the disdain from younger people that I am really going to struggle with. I notice it all the time, I guess especially in children to their parents - because I am now a parent, with a child, who will one day speak to me that way. (Let's just see what he cops when that day comes - I'm sure I won't be that old that I can't lay back and deck him..)
As I type away, I'm watching "First Wives Club". It's honestly depressing me... I want to just enjoy the drama, but I can't help but see snippets of my future. Not in a literal way, as in, "that reminds me of me, and my marriage", but in a "I'm getting older and losing my identity" kinda way... (I'm not old - I'm only 24, but the clock keeps ticking, and it won't stop.. ever..)
Who really am I? I know who I am, of course, but already, I describe myself as "a mum". I understand that this is true, I am indeed a mum, but is that all I am? Don't get me wrong, being a mum is everything to me. I have wanted to occupy this position for a good chunk of my life, and I really love it, but I wonder if there is something outstanding just laying dormant underneath my dowdy exterior, waiting for me to work out, study or learn a new language to jump out and say "Hey! You are something special!"
I don't know. Maybe I'm destined to be a world class blogger.... :o)
Happily, the movie ends with all the "First Wives" taking control back and hitting their less than admirable low life husbands (ex) where it truly hurts. It's pretty cliche in a lot of ways, but I guess it's all about girl power and - wouldn't ya know it - regaining identity!! Wahoo!! he he he
Happily, the movie ends with all the "First Wives" taking control back and hitting their less than admirable low life husbands (ex) where it truly hurts. It's pretty cliche in a lot of ways, but I guess it's all about girl power and - wouldn't ya know it - regaining identity!! Wahoo!! he he he
Ah, well, that's my brain fart for the night..
Make sure you do something for you every day, self love is the most important thing to remember, when attempting to be a good wife and mother!!
Make sure you do something for you every day, self love is the most important thing to remember, when attempting to be a good wife and mother!!
Love you all ♥
A. xo
Tuesday 15 December 2009
"You want... moooorrrrrre?????"
Every time I look at a pregnant woman - I want another baby. You wouldn't think that's possible, when you're feeling frumpy and ruined, tired beyond belief, unable to cope with the one you have, and your undercarriage has just never really recovered.
But it's true!! I imagine most mums feel this way. I don't know that for sure, but I assume it's the case. It's a strange feeling - because I think about being pregnant again, feeling the little flutters of movement, imagining the unknown, and it makes me feel really excited. Then, the reality creeps up on me and reminds me quietly that I will then not only have one child that wakes me up through the night, but possibly two... two children's nappies to change... two kids to carry around and stop from touching things...
two seems like a really big number...
I have to restrain myself though - I'll be honest. It's really tempting just to go for it and get pregnant again. (I'm sorry about the pictures "go for it" conjures up - I promise it was NOT intentional...)
I wonder how I would feel about number 2. It's not going to be exactly the same as my first - cos I've already been there, done that, so to speak. It's going to be really great having an idea, however inaccurate, of what I'll be receiving at the end of it. I wonder if the pregnancy will go quicker because I'm not just me, waiting to have a baby, I'm a mum, with one already keeping me very occupied. It's always going to be an adventure, of this, I am sure!
I want to hear about your feelings on this.... Go ahead and leave a comment! :)
A. xo
But it's true!! I imagine most mums feel this way. I don't know that for sure, but I assume it's the case. It's a strange feeling - because I think about being pregnant again, feeling the little flutters of movement, imagining the unknown, and it makes me feel really excited. Then, the reality creeps up on me and reminds me quietly that I will then not only have one child that wakes me up through the night, but possibly two... two children's nappies to change... two kids to carry around and stop from touching things...
two seems like a really big number...
I have to restrain myself though - I'll be honest. It's really tempting just to go for it and get pregnant again. (I'm sorry about the pictures "go for it" conjures up - I promise it was NOT intentional...)
I wonder how I would feel about number 2. It's not going to be exactly the same as my first - cos I've already been there, done that, so to speak. It's going to be really great having an idea, however inaccurate, of what I'll be receiving at the end of it. I wonder if the pregnancy will go quicker because I'm not just me, waiting to have a baby, I'm a mum, with one already keeping me very occupied. It's always going to be an adventure, of this, I am sure!
I want to hear about your feelings on this.... Go ahead and leave a comment! :)
A. xo
Monday 14 December 2009
Sink and swim.
It's around 5pm that my son goes rank. He cries because he's had enough of the day, but it's too early for bed. He's hungry - but because he's teething (or just has ridiculously particular taste), he doesn't want to eat what I feed him. He's bored with being on the floor, sick of being held, and gets just plain fed up with the world.
It's only recently, I have discovered the thrills of the kitchen sink. I plopped him in it one afternoon to wash his hands - because, quite simply, he'd made a hell of a mess with the food he was meant to be eating. He enjoyed it so much, that when he's really grumpy and whingey, I chuck him in for half an hour or so, and that seems to hit the spot for him.
I'll never understand babies all that well, but it just goes to show you that sometimes, the thing you would never think of -- THAT is the answer!!
A. xo
Thursday 10 December 2009
***Monster Children***
I hate naughty kids. I can't stand them! I tend to avoid them, as do, I'm sure, many people.
I encountered one such demonic child today, and it took every ounce of self control not to turn all mummy on this kid. She had it coming to her - and when I say "it", I refer to a roundhouse kick to the head (not literally, of course, cos that's horrible..)
Anyway, this kid was full on screaming at her mother. The ability she had to switch the tears and temper on and off was truly enviable. But then, it occurred to me, that this mother had created her daughter that way for whatever stupid reason she'd made up in her head. Maybe it was cos she was disciplined too much as a child, perhaps it was because she wasn't - we'll never know. But I felt sorry for this kid, who is going to grow up a brat. She's never going to know what it's like for people just to do stuff for her cos she's sweet, or for her to have friends that love her for who she is, not how she'll react if they "dump" her.
I guess every parent starts out thinking "my kids are never going to be like that"... and I am one of those parents ... but at some point along the way, it's like a decision is made that changes the course of your life. I understand it I suppose. Some things aren't that cut and dried, so you decide to err on the side of caution and not discipline but instead, just divert attention, or soothe. But then, those moments keep happening, and before you know it, your kid's a monster. It's insidious and sneaky, but I guess that's what happens. No one would choose for their child to be despicable.
I just hope that I don't have my "kid" coloured glasses on when it comes to my children. Nothing would be worse than having such a beautiful child, and then ruining him with misguided love.
It's hard to know... but I sure as hell am gonna try!
A. xo
I encountered one such demonic child today, and it took every ounce of self control not to turn all mummy on this kid. She had it coming to her - and when I say "it", I refer to a roundhouse kick to the head (not literally, of course, cos that's horrible..)
Anyway, this kid was full on screaming at her mother. The ability she had to switch the tears and temper on and off was truly enviable. But then, it occurred to me, that this mother had created her daughter that way for whatever stupid reason she'd made up in her head. Maybe it was cos she was disciplined too much as a child, perhaps it was because she wasn't - we'll never know. But I felt sorry for this kid, who is going to grow up a brat. She's never going to know what it's like for people just to do stuff for her cos she's sweet, or for her to have friends that love her for who she is, not how she'll react if they "dump" her.
I guess every parent starts out thinking "my kids are never going to be like that"... and I am one of those parents ... but at some point along the way, it's like a decision is made that changes the course of your life. I understand it I suppose. Some things aren't that cut and dried, so you decide to err on the side of caution and not discipline but instead, just divert attention, or soothe. But then, those moments keep happening, and before you know it, your kid's a monster. It's insidious and sneaky, but I guess that's what happens. No one would choose for their child to be despicable.
I just hope that I don't have my "kid" coloured glasses on when it comes to my children. Nothing would be worse than having such a beautiful child, and then ruining him with misguided love.
It's hard to know... but I sure as hell am gonna try!
A. xo
Wednesday 9 December 2009
Miracle Lasagne
Hey, so, I pinched some ideas for a killer lasagne recipe from a friend of mine (thanks HB) and I wanted to share it since it was just so goooood!
Chicken breast stirfry pieces chopped into small cubes.
Bacon (as much or as little as you prefer).
Mushrooms.
Onion.
Basil, cashew and Parmesan chunky dip.
Sour cream.
Thinly sliced pumpkin pieces.
Baby spinach leaves.
Lasagne sheets.
Cheese!!
Seal the chicken in some oil. Add onion, mushrooms and bacon - soften. Add basil dip and sour cream.
That part's now done!
Layer lasagne sheets, chicken mix, pumpkin, baby spinach and cheese until you get to the top of the dish. Cook until cheese bubbles and browns (approximately 40 minutes on 180 - 200*c). Stand for half an hour then serve.
OMG. Yum!
If you didn't understand my recipe, leave me a comment or question!
Happy cooking!!
A. xo
- Posted from Lola the iPhone
"Self" feeding.
There are (in my mind) two types of weaning. The first type involves pureeing, freezing, warming and spooning food into an open mouth. The second type is simply placing sticks of finger food in front of baby in the hopes he/she ingests something. This is referred to as "Baby Led Weaning".
I have to say, as a mum, I am in favour of BLW (the method we've adopted) as opposed to pureeing, because, let's face it, it's easier. Some are vehemently opposed to one or the other, but I actually can (now) see the pro's of both. For instance:
With finger foods, baby learns hand eye co-ordination, as well as hand to mouth movements.
With pureed foods, you know exactly how much baby has eaten, and if he needs more.
With finger foods, baby learns texture and chewing.
With pureed foods, baby can have a variety of flavours in the one meal - namely, a pureed version of the family's meal.
In reality, I no longer believe you should do either one of these options on their own. Let me tell you why.....
This morning, my son, who is by nature a sweet, loving, happy soul, was grizzling (what's new??). He'd had a sleep, a bath, a breast feed, and panadol (because of nasty teething pain) and for all intents and purposes had no real reason to whinge.
So, I took him down to play with his toys. He wouldn't leave me alone!! He was grizzly and needy, and just wouldn't settle. I gave him a rusk and popped him in his chair - which sorted him for all of 5 minutes, and when he would have no more of his high chair, I tried again with the toys. In the meantime, I'd boiled myself some eggs. I was in the process of eating them, and Eli kept clawing at me trying to get my food. It was at that point I finally decided to get some baby food out of the cupboard - an extra huge 170g jar of apple muesli (pureed). He ate practically ALL OF IT!!! That's more food than I've EVER seen him eat - it's probably the equivalent to 2 jars of normal sized baby food. A lot of food for a baby...
This poor child - I've been starving him!!! All this time, I've put cucumber, bananas, apples, potato, carrots and capsicum in front of him to eat (which I will continue to do between meals..) and all he's wanted is to have a full tummy!! He ate really well too from the spoon (opened his mouth wide and put his lips onto the spoon to get it all off) - he's that little bit more ready for solids now, perhaps because of the finger foods - who knows? All I know is that he enjoyed that meal more than any other I've ever given him.
** SO, MUMMIES:: Be warned - if you decide to go with baby led weaning - just because a child doesn't eat all that he's given, it doesn't mean he's not HUNGRY!! Feeeeeeed him!!!!!!!!!
He was a ball of laughs after I fed him properly, and now he's down for his midday nap. I'd say he feels a whole lot better now - and with this seemingly simple, but obscure revelation I've had, I do too!!
When you have kids - try everything, until something works!
A. xo
I have to say, as a mum, I am in favour of BLW (the method we've adopted) as opposed to pureeing, because, let's face it, it's easier. Some are vehemently opposed to one or the other, but I actually can (now) see the pro's of both. For instance:
With finger foods, baby learns hand eye co-ordination, as well as hand to mouth movements.
With pureed foods, you know exactly how much baby has eaten, and if he needs more.
With finger foods, baby learns texture and chewing.
With pureed foods, baby can have a variety of flavours in the one meal - namely, a pureed version of the family's meal.
In reality, I no longer believe you should do either one of these options on their own. Let me tell you why.....
This morning, my son, who is by nature a sweet, loving, happy soul, was grizzling (what's new??). He'd had a sleep, a bath, a breast feed, and panadol (because of nasty teething pain) and for all intents and purposes had no real reason to whinge.
So, I took him down to play with his toys. He wouldn't leave me alone!! He was grizzly and needy, and just wouldn't settle. I gave him a rusk and popped him in his chair - which sorted him for all of 5 minutes, and when he would have no more of his high chair, I tried again with the toys. In the meantime, I'd boiled myself some eggs. I was in the process of eating them, and Eli kept clawing at me trying to get my food. It was at that point I finally decided to get some baby food out of the cupboard - an extra huge 170g jar of apple muesli (pureed). He ate practically ALL OF IT!!! That's more food than I've EVER seen him eat - it's probably the equivalent to 2 jars of normal sized baby food. A lot of food for a baby...
This poor child - I've been starving him!!! All this time, I've put cucumber, bananas, apples, potato, carrots and capsicum in front of him to eat (which I will continue to do between meals..) and all he's wanted is to have a full tummy!! He ate really well too from the spoon (opened his mouth wide and put his lips onto the spoon to get it all off) - he's that little bit more ready for solids now, perhaps because of the finger foods - who knows? All I know is that he enjoyed that meal more than any other I've ever given him.
** SO, MUMMIES:: Be warned - if you decide to go with baby led weaning - just because a child doesn't eat all that he's given, it doesn't mean he's not HUNGRY!! Feeeeeeed him!!!!!!!!!
He was a ball of laughs after I fed him properly, and now he's down for his midday nap. I'd say he feels a whole lot better now - and with this seemingly simple, but obscure revelation I've had, I do too!!
When you have kids - try everything, until something works!
A. xo
Been thinking......
Two days ago, my son was trying to climb the stairs. I had turned my back for no more than a minute and when I turned back to see what he was doing, I saw him standing at the bottom stair, readying himself to hitch his leg up and begin. It was at that same moment that he looked at me, to see where I was. When he saw me there, he reached out his hand to me, as if to say "Mummy, I need you to help me." It was so sweet! I melted just a little bit.
Later that day, I was thinking - What happens to me when this little boy no longer needs me? He'll be all grown up, maybe have his own family, and he won't need me anymore. What is it going to feel like when he's a teenager, lashing out at me with hateful words? It's going to break my heart! I literally started to cry at the thought of these things... silly right? But I guess it'll happen one day. I just hope I know what to do, other than bawl! :o)
Sending a thought out to my mum, who had to deal with me in my teens.... I love you Mum! And I still need you....... xo
A. xo
Later that day, I was thinking - What happens to me when this little boy no longer needs me? He'll be all grown up, maybe have his own family, and he won't need me anymore. What is it going to feel like when he's a teenager, lashing out at me with hateful words? It's going to break my heart! I literally started to cry at the thought of these things... silly right? But I guess it'll happen one day. I just hope I know what to do, other than bawl! :o)
Sending a thought out to my mum, who had to deal with me in my teens.... I love you Mum! And I still need you....... xo
A. xo
Monday 7 December 2009
Nobody told me there'd be days like these.
As a mum, some days are amazing. Some days are incredible. Other days are downright crap. Those are the days you ask yourself; Am I a failure? Did I already stuff this kid up? What could I possibly know about being a parent? Should I really have done this.......
I wish I knew everything, but apparently, I don't. I wish I was the one in total and complete control, but apparently, I'M NOT! Eli has turned 7 months, and with that, it seems, has come tantrum chucking, wobbly throwing, ALL OUT WAR! I never expected to have to discipline my baby... but I guess, that was among many things I did not expect.
He's just developing his personality - I get it! But he's occasionally so intolerable I'd be just as happy to leave him in his room all alone to figure it out himself. Mind you, I simply cannot do that.... He's far to adorable and wonderful to torture like that. At bed time, when he's fighting tooth and nail to stay awake, that's different.. but in general terms (excluding previously stated bed time), leaving him to cry is just not acceptable.
So, in light of all this new information, I'm trying to teach him to sign. This way, he doesn't need to talk to tell me what he wants. He can show me! I'll say simple things in natural circumstances, like "Would you like more?" while signing "more"; or "Have something to eat," while signing "eat". I think he's ready for it too. The other day, I was visiting my sister in-law and Eli was playing with a plastic cup. (He sometimes will drink from a cup if I'm holding onto it.) Anyway, he kept bringing the cup to me. I thought about it for a moment, and decided to see if he wanted something to drink. Turns out, he was killer parched, and drank HEAPS of water!! This is how I know that my "baby" knows what he wants, and needs ways to ask for it. If you're keen to check it out, try www.signingstars.com.au or www.australianbabyhands.com. They'll at least get you started with some info.
Good luck to you all!!
A. xo
I wish I knew everything, but apparently, I don't. I wish I was the one in total and complete control, but apparently, I'M NOT! Eli has turned 7 months, and with that, it seems, has come tantrum chucking, wobbly throwing, ALL OUT WAR! I never expected to have to discipline my baby... but I guess, that was among many things I did not expect.
He's just developing his personality - I get it! But he's occasionally so intolerable I'd be just as happy to leave him in his room all alone to figure it out himself. Mind you, I simply cannot do that.... He's far to adorable and wonderful to torture like that. At bed time, when he's fighting tooth and nail to stay awake, that's different.. but in general terms (excluding previously stated bed time), leaving him to cry is just not acceptable.
So, in light of all this new information, I'm trying to teach him to sign. This way, he doesn't need to talk to tell me what he wants. He can show me! I'll say simple things in natural circumstances, like "Would you like more?" while signing "more"; or "Have something to eat," while signing "eat". I think he's ready for it too. The other day, I was visiting my sister in-law and Eli was playing with a plastic cup. (He sometimes will drink from a cup if I'm holding onto it.) Anyway, he kept bringing the cup to me. I thought about it for a moment, and decided to see if he wanted something to drink. Turns out, he was killer parched, and drank HEAPS of water!! This is how I know that my "baby" knows what he wants, and needs ways to ask for it. If you're keen to check it out, try www.signingstars.com.au or www.australianbabyhands.com. They'll at least get you started with some info.
Good luck to you all!!
A. xo
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