Cody, Me, E & B

Park Day at Home

2011-12-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

It was a beautiful day today, perfect for the kids new Christmas gift! I must have been really good this year for Santa it get me this wooden baby sitter!

Cody, my dad, and his dad all put in the effort to make this happen. Cody and my dad drove to Santa Barbara and spent all day taking it apart and driving it back. Then, Cody and his dad, here from Missouri, spent Christmas eve putting it together. The boys were so happy to see it Christmas morning.

It's just the thing I have been wanting for the boys. Something they can imagine on and set some sunshine. They are already playing Captain Eli with the spotting scope and boat wheel. Now, we just need to work on pumping on the swings so I can cook dinner in peace.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-12T08:48:00.000-08:00

We are all doing great. After a few weeks of three boys and mama being sick, we are on the mend. Little Silas has turned into the nicest, easiest, funniest little man. We feel so so blessed to know him and have him part of our family. We are looking forward to smoother waters ahead

Little Big Boy!

2011-11-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Someone is potty training! Not as if I needed something else to do, right? Well, he has been trying to go on the potty since about 18 months, but with the baby on the way I didn't push as hard as I should. We have been home prety much every day all day so I decided to take the plunge. He loves matching his big brother and has been doing pretty good. Some day he will have not accendents and others not so much:0 We love our Jam!

Hanging in There

2011-10-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Little man is 9 weeks today! I can't believe we have all made it this far. What else are we going to do right? Since the last post he has been improving everyday. We had another doctor appointment and she put me on an elimination diet. We knew for sure dairy was a no no, but wanted to figure out if something else was causing a reaction. So for a week I could not eat dairy, wheat, soy, or nuts. That means I could eat fruits, veggies, chicken, and rice! Oh, I forgot about coconut milk (barf!) It was actually really good for my health. I could not have any convenience foods or fast food and was forced to eat healthy three meals a day.

After a week I a added nuts and after a few more days I added wheat. I went straight for the junky stuff that day. We also have been praying daily over his belly asking Jesus to heal him. I know he is listening and answering our prayers. The doctor perscribed probioties that he takes once a day and that has helped so so much.

I feel like a first time mom in alot of ways. I don't and can't do alot of things that I did with my other two boys. I had both the boys on a flexable sceduale of nursing maybe every 2-3 hours at this age. I knew when they had to eat again so I could do things when they would be content. I have started to feed this little guy on demand so his belly is never too full or too empty, so sometimes he only goes an hour or so between feeding. He seems to do better that way. I talked to a friend that also demand feeds and she said that is about normal. I am so happy he is the only baby that I had to feed like this because it really is draining.

There are days that I am so thankful that he is quite and happy. He really is the nicest little guy and it breaks my heart to know he is in pain. He is smiling and happy most of the time now and I am amazed. He will lay on the bed and watch the fan or sit in his boucny chair while I am chasing these wild animals around the house. I can't wait until he is fully better and can play with us too!

My Poor Little Guy:(

2011-10-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

There have been alot of ups and downs these past 6 weeks. Here is the deal. When we brought Silas home he was the best little guy. Sleeping great, never fussy, a cozy baby. At about two weeks something changed. He would cry super hard after eating and it would take me 30 minutes to calm him down. By then he would be back asleep and the cycle would repeat itself at the next feeding. I called the Dr. He said to try gripe water and that little babies were just fussy sometimes. I knew something was not right. After having two babies it just felt wrong for him to cry after eating. I started the gripe water and that helped a little. I went from giving it twice a day to almost every feeding. He was getting worse. The crying made it hard to take care of the other boys or go anywhere after feeding him.

At about five weeks my mom came over and I was feeding him. He started to scream and she said something was wrong. So, I called the Dr again and they made me an apointment to bring him in. In all this time he was having super green breastmilk poop (TMI unless you have had a newborn then you know all about looking at dirty diapers!). I knew that was wrong too. It is suposed to be a mustard yellow color if you just breastfeed. Monday came and I missed the Dr. apointment but I was not too worried because he was a little better over the weekend. That night I had pizza and after I feed him for the night he started screaming and then had blood in his diaper. I freaked out! I started looking on Medical sites to see if he needed to go to the ER. I was scared. Alot of the sites talked about having a dariy protien allergy. Both the older boys and I don't drink cows milk or eat much cheese, but are not super strict about butter and pizza and stuff with whey in it.

The next day I called the Dr back. He told me to take the babies temp and then try cutting out dariy. I did right away. I did not eat anything with butter, whey, cheese, milk anything made with dariy. The websites said sometimes it takes a week to work...well later that day the baby pooped yellow! He was really calm and stopped crying after I feed him. It was been five days of yellow poop and a brand new baby!! He is sooo much happier and almost never cries (except if you put him in a carseat..sigh. I am so happy but at the same time I feel so bad that he was in so much pain and I didn't help him. Our days and nights are a million times better and I am so thankful I figured it out. I have even been to walmart and Costco with all three boys and it went fine.

The Peanut's One Month Stats

2011-09-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

It's a little late, but better late than never. I hope someday to print this blog and put it in the kid's baby book.

Silas (aka Peanut Roaster) had his one month well check this week. He was 11 lbs 12oz and 24 inches long. That is about 95% in both height and weight! His head measured in the 44%, not surprising for my babies, thus giving him the name peanut! He continues to be a great sleeper and eater, but is a bit more fussing during the day than my other two.

It's so funny how people think because it is your third you should know what your doing. I call the doctor like three times a week asking questions because every baby is soooo different. They don't even ask his name anymore they know my voice. Kinda embarrassing.

I have been getting the hang of this three kids thing as long as we don't have to go anywhere, the other two run around naked, and my Mom comes over for an hour or so during nap time. I can not even believe how blessed I am to have my Mom close. For all you giving me a hard time about my mom...umm we kinda moved half way across the country to live by them!

More on life later. For now I must shower and get out of my PJs:)

First Bath

2011-09-04T14:47:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Silas' cord fell off. I was shocked because my kids always take forever. I was so excited I filled up his little blue bathtub and gave him his first real bath. He hated it! He screamed the whole entire time! I was a little sad because my other newborns loved to take baths. Plus it is a nice way to keep them up during their sleepy part of the day.

He is still doing well, sleeping, eating, and pooping a ton! I change him about 25 times a day. Not joking! He gets changed at least four times per feeding session and then in between too. Good thing I am doing mostly cloth!

One Week Old

2011-09-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby boy is one week old already. This week has flown by! I had him last Thursday night at 10pm and we brought him home Friday around 5pm. He has been a great eater and sleeper. We had one bad night a few nights ago, but figured out he does not like to be swaddled like the other boys did. He sleeps so much longer with his arms up by his head and his legs all scrunched up. Benjamin loved to be swaddled tight in a Velcro swaddle blanket until he was over a year old!

He is a sweet baby and may very well be my easiest baby yet. I have been so blessed with my babies! I thought for sure I was in for it with this third one, but he might just be in shock at the noise level around here.

The older boys love him. They held him right away and now he pretty much is just a part of life. The check on him when he cries, and get really excited about him driving anywhere with us.

My recovery is going well. I feel pretty good right now. I know it will take time for my body to bounce back after carring that big ol baby around for so long. I will post about my labor soon.

Been Busy

2011-05-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure this is the longest I have not posted on my blog. There are a few reasons why.

1) Benjamin has learned to climb out of his crib, thus increasing my nap time routine by about an hour.

2) Cody has been really busy at work (a good busy) and has needed to take our one and only computer with him. Leaving me without Internet or TV (yes, I broke the ipad a few months back)!

3) I have been sewing up a storm! I had really bad anxiety about this baby and could not sleep. I would be up thinking about it all night! So, I started sewing, preparing myself for his arrival and low and behold I started sleeping!

4) When I do get some computer time, it has been for researching new baby stuff. Mostly new cloth diapers. Most of my diapers from Eli need to be at the bottom of the basket. Just warn out Velcro and such.

5) I have been couponing, yard saleing, swap meeting like crazy. Just knowing I won't be doing any of those things when baby Silas gets here. Stocking up on good deals so I won't have to go out and pay full price when I have three kids UNDER FOUR YEARS OLD (boys for that matter!!!!!!!)

Besties!

2011-03-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

These boys are really starting to love each other. They fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but they really do have a good time together! If one of them is napping the other one is asking about the other. In Ben's case, he just barges into Eli's room and wakes him up when I am not looking! It is great having two of the same sex close to each other. They are both into cars and trains, mud, bikes, balls, painting, and did I say mud?! The only thing they can't agree on is movies. Benjamin is into Pat the Bunny and Eli likes Mighty Machines. I love these boys more than I ever thought was possible.

Besides Gowing a Baby...

2011-03-17T14:00:00.002-07:00

I have been busy around the house! It has been so much fun doing things other than sleeping and barfing!

I have been working hard in the vegetable garden too! I have a garden journal online called myfolia.com that tracks when you plant the seeds, when they sprout, transplant, and harvest. I love it because I can check what I did last year and how long seeds take to sprout. This year, because of a tiny someone, I am super late getting my seeds in. I hope to still get some plants soon. I have been researching the best tomatoes for cold foggy summers and found a few I have high hopes for. Only time will tell.

I have also been working on new quilts for the big boys! Eli went to the fabric store with me and picked out the cute car fabric. He watched me cut the squares and sew them together. He is so proud of the blanket and can't wait for it to be finished when he gets a big bed. I am thinking about putting the boys together and thought it would be cute for them to have matching quilts on their new beds.

In the kitchen I have been working at using all my eggs. We are getting almost three dozen a week! I can not keep up so the neighbors have been getting dozens as well. I never thought that the chickens would lay every single day...all four of them. Also, I have been wanting a dehydrator for years and I finally got one. The whole package with extra trays and fruit leather trays I found for $9. It works really well. So far I have done bananas, apples, strawberries, and right now am trying fruit leathers. The kids love them and It is so much better of a snack then goldfish or animal cookies. Although my kids eat way too much fruit anyway.

Daylight Savings Bliss

2011-03-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

We love daylight savings time. That means playing outside while mom makes dinner! They have been playing together so much these days. I am so thankful they have each other to love on! I really can't wait until the new baby is big enough to join the races!

Excited!

2011-03-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

I feel I need to write this blog to clear up a few things. There may have been miscommunication between friends and family and I will try my best to express my feelings.

We are excited about our new baby boy. I feel like a lot of people don't know what to say to me when I tell them it's another boy and I don't want that to be the case. Yes, this baby was unexpected and yes, I would like a girl someday but as for now we are very pleased with our new addition.

I was very open about wanting a baby girl and that has not changed. I hope someday we will welcome a baby girl or two into our family. If that is biologically or through adoption, we will cross that bridge when we get there. I know that will happen if it is God's will.

I know without a doubt that God has put this little baby in our lives for a reason(I still am not sure how I got pregnant!)My life will be busy for a while but now that he is a part of our family I would not have it any other way.

I am so blessed to have a supportive husband. He loves children and is willing to do anything. If we want to have more, adoption, or just three boys he is ok with it.

So really, don't think I am sad. I hope I would be able to say if I was...and it's ok to congratulate us on our third miracle of life!

Cute

2011-03-02T16:54:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a baby book for my littlest man and came upon this. I was so excited, and being that I don't need anything for the baby I could splurge on the not so necessary things.

It is a memory box. It has the baby book on top and a little drawer for all the keepsakes like id bracelets and locks of hair.

I always work on the other kids books when I am pregnant. I fear that I will forget about the older kids books and by the time I have time again, I will have forgot. It will be a fun project for the next week or so...until the weather improves and I can get in the garden.

Baby Three

2011-02-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

The THREE VanDorn Boys

2011-02-26T13:43:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Land of the Living

2011-02-17T13:02:00.001-08:00

13 weeks

Eight weeks later, I woke up. That is the only way I can explain it. I feel like I have been in hibernation, or a coma. I really can't remember the last 8 weeks of my life. I know they were bad and I know how I felt, but other than that I can't remember a thing. Christmas? New Years? The birth of my new nephew? Not a thing.

I have been feeling better for about a week and a half. I still throw up once or twice a day (some rare days it is none) but I feel aware of my surroundings and I can eat and drink. Enough to gain all my weight back plus one in about a week and a half. I am sure it is my body hording all it can get.

I am so thankful for little things now. Playing with my kids, dancing to music, talking with my husband. I even sort of like housework more than I used to. It feels good to feel good!

2011-01-30T17:17:00.000-08:00

Winter Break

2011-01-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

We are so thankful for a break from the rain. It was almost 80 degrees today and not a lot of stores sell pools in January. The funny thing is that almost every January there is at least one week of 80 degree weather, so stores should figure it out. It is so easy to sit outside and watch these two entertain each other with a hose and a bucket. I can't wait for summer!

Family

2011-01-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my family right now. There is no way I could do any of this with out them. I am so thankful to live so close to them in this time. There have been days I don't want to wake up, and that is not a good feeling.

I am doing better these days. Not physicly, but mentaly. I feel like I can make it through (just like the last two times!) and we are going to be a happy family once again. I feel kinda like I submitted to it. I am going to try and do everything to make myself feel better but I am just going to except that this is what we are going through right now. I think that has helped.

I have spent alot of time thinking during my acupunture sessions. I am just laying there for an hour and can't move so I think. I think about the spring and summer and my boys laughing and playing outside. I think about this new baby's face, what it might look like. I think about how blessed I am to have all the people in my life that love me and my kids.

My parents help out way to much. I am almost embarrasess when the come over. What do I say? I feel like I can't say enough to thank them. Thank you just wont cut it. They have been bringing dinner at least three nights a week, cleaning, laundry, dishes, baby sitting. It's crazy!

Cody has been amazing as well. He comes come after a full days work to making dinner, cleaning up, taking care of the kids, and them waking up to do it all over agian. I am really blessed by this man.

Now, my aunt has been driving down once a week to paly with the kidlets. They love her! Today she brought over two new teddy bears, stickers galore, and Cars coloring stuff. The kids when nuts! They never get things like that from me!

So all in all I just feel blessed today and thankful. I could not raise one kid without this support let alone three under 4 years!

Worth it

2011-01-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have tried just about everything to feel better. I am pretty sure I could wright a book about morning sickness. One thing I know is that I have something different. It is called hypermesis graveIdarum. This condition only effects 2 percent of pregnant women and is often referred to the worst time of their lives. It is for me for sure. I would give birth 100 times if I could not be sick. Labor is not what scares me when I find out I am pregnant...it is this.
These are tasks that are almost impossible to preform:
Going in the kitchen
Opening the fridge
Washing my hair (shampoo is too strong smelling)
Washing clothes
Going in stores
Changing diapers
Hugging people
Eating/ drinking
It pretty much as taken over my whole life. I think about it 100% of the day.

I am in the process of acupuncture sessions and I think they are helping a lot. I have two more next week and am really excited about it. While the needles are in I feel no sickness, it's a nice break.

When I look at my boys and remember the same pain as I am going through now, I know it is all worth it. Someday soon I will have another pair if eyes to love on.

God is Good

2010-12-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been trying for us. First, out of no where we find out we are expecting and then of course the first trimester is a nightmare in our household.

Cody has been telling me a lot lately (even before we were pregnant) that sometimes Gods plan is not easy, but if we obey and give thanks in everything he will grow our relationship with him. Its hard for me because I have had a really easy life. Perfect childhood, home schooled , and then a great high school experience, and then married at 19 to like the perfect man. I know that life is going to be challenging, but I am not that great at them.

God has been gracious to me the past week. I know for sure that he wants this baby in our life. At his time not ours. He has helped me with every doubt and struggle. I was worried that Benjamin was too young but today the I realized that he takes 4 hour naps every day right now and without that I am not sure I could make it. I mean he gets up at 4:30 and Cody gets home at 5:30.

I have been pretty sick the last few days and it has been hard. I have not thrown up yet (amazing!!) and right now I don't even feel sick. For those who have had all day sickness know that even an hour break from it is worth a million bucks. With the boys I was sick 24/7 for like 10 weeks. The only time i did not want to barf or jump off a cliff was while I was dreaming.

I feel like God is giving me just enough to say "Hey, I am here for you. It's not going to be easy but you will make it".

Proverbs 27

2010-12-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

(The positive lines are hard to see, but they are there)

Friday morning was like any other day. I put the kids in their morning bath (not much else to do in the winter) and grabbed my bible for my bathtime devotional. While the kids splashed a way I turned to Proverbs. The chapter for today was Proverbs 27.

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring."

Hmm, something about that verse struck me. I marked it and was going to share it later with Cody. That night we were talking and I brought up that verse. We have been talking a lot about what our future might look like. What the Lord wants from us in 5, 10, 15 years. The one thing we decided is that we are going to wait a while before having another baby.

Saturday rolled around and we found out we are pregnant.

Who Needs a Girl?

2010-12-04T11:58:00.000-08:00

When your boys love baking so much! Eli is a Christmas cookie cutting fool. He loves baking more than anything.

We have netflix and no TV service so I end up watching alot of old seasons of TV shows. I have been watching 19 kids and counting. The Duggers have 19 kids, but the mom keeps saying the most challenging part of her day is...the little boys! Just trying to find things for their energy to do all day. So she started having them help in the kitchen. She has like 10 little boys and they love rolling dough and cutting stuff so I thought why not try E in the kitchen.

He made two batches of brown sugar cookies and cut out every last one!

2010-11-24T13:54:00.000-08:00

Holiday Food Budget

2010-11-20T08:00:00.001-08:00

I love the holiday food prices. The stores have alot of good food at super low prices. Last year I stocked up on pecans, froze them, and used them all year in granola. Canned stock is about 60 percent off as well. This year our local store was having a turkey sale. If you spent 25 dollars you could get a 16lb turkey for $5. I was so excited about this. Not only is that a great price, I love to make dinners that produce enough meat to make into new meals all week. Robin Miller has great books on taking making a big batch on Sunday and then morphing them into different meals throughout the week. Not only does it save money, but alot of time as well.

I was a little nervous about the turkey. I had never made one before and have heard alot of stories about them being burnt, dry, or undercooked! I used the Barefoot Contsesa Parties recipe for The Perfect Roasted Turkey and added a little Cajun spice blend to the outside. It was amazing! It only took 3 and a half hours and it was perfect. I am not a huge turkey fan (unless my dad deep fries it) I could not stop eating it. Here is a link to a similar recipe but note it is for a smaller turkey.http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-turkey-recipe4/index.html

Dudes

2010-11-17T13:20:00.001-08:00

Benjamin wants to be just like his brother. Unfortunately, he is not as skilled (hence, the black eye). It is hard work being the little brother!

In other news, I got my camera back from Palm Springs! I am going to celebrate with lots of pictures!

It Must Be Fall!

2010-11-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

I have been back in the kitchen baking. It is something about rainy days and cold weather that makes me want to bake. I love the way the house feels when the oven is on and the way the smell travels to the farthest corners of our house.

I used to bake bread everyday. That meant mixing the dough in the morning and then being around to punch it down and let it rise. Then...Benjamin started walking. He has turned out to be a very active little guy. Nothing in comparison to Elijah but after hanging out in the church nursery every week, I am amazed at how much my kids move!

I posted a few months back about the book Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a Day. That book was great. It taught me a new way of making bread and the ability of have fresh baked bread on the table every night if I wanted to. Well, I like to keep my family healthy, so when the authors came out with Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day I was thrilled.

This week I have been making the best bread! Whole wheat flour is the main star, but the way the flavor changes as the dough ages in the fridge is amazing. It is even better than my sourdough. If you are into bread making and want healthy bread for your family but don't want to sit around all day, check it out at your library or buy a copy!

Umm..I left my camara in Palm Springs so no pics for now:(

Palm Springs- 2010

2010-10-28T13:57:00.001-07:00

I know, it's been forever. I just have not felt like blogging. When the boys are napping I just want to zone out for a bit.

We had a great time in Palm Springs. Beautiful weather and a ton of family fun. They boys did great, slept great, and traveled great. I am so glad we went.

My Boys

2010-09-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

We have been busy this summer and my posting has fallen off a bit. I will get back to it when our life gets back into a predictable routine.

Here is a picture of Cody and the boys on our hike to little falls. We were not prepared and only made it about a mile. You can see why:) What a stud to carry both boys up some pretty crazy hills. Eli did make an attempt to walk some of the way!

Mister Dependent

2010-08-06T08:49:00.001-07:00

Most of you don't know Benjamin well. That is probably because he is on my hip 90% of the time. He is a mama's boy to the max. If he experiences any sort of scare, hurt, or embarrassment,it is right up my leg he goes.

I love it and hate it at the same time. I wanted so bad to have a baby that would let me hold and cuddle him...and God answered. The church nursery? No way, he is in an ergo baby carrier the whole time...at almost a year old. The only time he is out of my site is when he is sleeping. I am so thankful he is a wonderful sleeper.

The only time he is happy and independent is in his highchair. He will not except a spoon from my hand. He wants to feed himself. Go for it! I don't care that I have to clean up a huge mess, as long as he is happy and I can have a minute to myself!

My First Dozen

2010-07-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I collected my 12th and 13th egg! Last Wednesday I got my first egg. Marge (the black Australorp) layed a beautiful brown egg. The next day Annie (the Road Island Red) started laying. They have layed every single day since. Today, two more. I have not eaten them yet, but the rest of the family has.

I am still waiting for two more chickens to lay. I love it. It has been great for the boys and given us something to do everyday. They like to watch them in the yard eating grass and looking for bugs. I am really glad they worked out...I was worried for a while they might turn into chicken soup.

In other news, I would like to say hi to my new international readers, Margret and Ryan!

More Camping Pics

2010-07-24T09:08:00.001-07:00

Camping 2010

2010-07-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Camping was amazing. Hard work, but amazing. The biggest challenge for me is realizing that it will never be the same as it was when I was younger. As a mom I am now the packer, cooker, cleaner, and baby care taker. Before, I would show up when my parents told me to and float on a raft and lay in the sun for a week.

The work was worth it this time. To see Elijah in his element (naked and dirty) and having a blast was the reason for going. I was so happy that he got to know my cousins because that was a huge part of my childhood. I really feel that you can get to know people more by spending one week a year than a few short visits.

The boys did amazing. Benjamin took long naps and let me swim everyday and Elijah was pretty much not a factor. He stayed at my parents camp almost the whole time and was like a jungle boy. He is the best two year old camper I have ever seen! Benjamin on the other hand hated the dirt and water. Oh well...enough exposure and I am sure he will come around. After all, I am the least likely camper and yet because of my history I can go days in the same clothes filthy dirty and be content. It is only one week a year right? I can't wait until next year to make more memories with the boys and the rest of my family!

Update

2010-07-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

We have been busy. Everything always seems to come at once. We are preparing for camping, completely overwhelmed my plums, and Cody is swamped with work.

Camping with two under three will be interesting. When I say camping, I mean in the middle of nowhere, no water, no bathroom, no store, no electricity, no people. My family has been camping in the same spot for about 50 years. I love it...or I loved it and then I had kids. I know I will love it again someday, when I don't have crawlers and babies with sleep issues. I am consumed with planning every sleep situation, meals, collecting camping gear from craigs list and thrift stores and of course (because I have loads of time on my hands) re-doing the curtains in our tent trailer! I am half way through and really regretting that one.

I have also been trying to keep up with my plums. I made my first batch of jam, a few tarts for friends, and been clearing out the fridge in hopes they will still be good when we get back from our trip. I feels so guilty with I see them rotting on the ground every day. I wish the tree would ripen throughout the summer instead of falling all in two weeks.

My last busy item is Mr. Benjamin Ry aka Jammer, b-jam, Lunchy, chubby white baby. He is at the stage of baby gates, toilet obsession, and crawling around looking for trouble. I have no time right now. When he is up, I am chasing him. I remember this stage well with Eli. It is when I am running around doing everything during nap time because I can't get anything done when he is awake. He will only stay still in his highchair while he is eating hence the name Lunchy.

I forgot. We had a wonderful surprise visit by Cody's dad. They boys loved him!

Family Pics

2010-06-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

A big thanks to Mike at Mike Larson Photography for putting up with the little ones and getting some good shots! Kids are so hard to photograph especialy moving around, plus they were so sick and we kept having to wipe snot with a hundred tissues.

OMG

2010-06-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

Did I just say that? I can't believe I didn't know about Rutiz Family Farm. It is right around the corner from my house, a pestisde-free farm, with a crazy website, and a newsletter that you can request a harvest box each week. I really have not been so excited about anything in a long time! The great thing is, they are cheap for being chemical free! They even have u-pick strawberries.

I ordered a havest box this week and it comes with broccoli, potatoes, carrots, spinach, salad, strawberries, and avocados, all for $14 bucks. The newsletter said they are staring a fish c/a too.

So I know other people know about this but I can't believe I didn't...I may never buy produce at a store again!

Personal Health Study-Month One!

2010-06-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

I started a personal health study about a month ago. We were in and out of the doctor, sick like crazy. In the month of April alone, we spent $1,000 on medical for the kids. Trips to the doctor (and we have really good health insurance), hospital visits for Benjamin, prescriptions, ect. We were sick almost every two weeks and the sickness last on average 14-17 days! Oh my. It was a nightmare. Anyone who has sick kids under 3 knows what I am talking about. Cody and I also got sick...and if there is anything worse than sick kids, it is being sick with sick kids. I would be down for 10 days sometimes.

So it has been a month almost to the day we started Juice Plus. It is awesome! Eli loves the gummys so much I use them as treats. They are just raw juiced fruits and veggies in a gummy form. Also, Cody and I have been talking them. We share a pack, so we are not getting full strength and it is still amazing. I feel so much better all the time, have more energy and my immunity has been good for the first time in my whole life. We did get sick once but it lasted half as long for the kids and I barley even got it. Maybe for two or three days I didn't feel well at night. It has only been a month!

I was so happy that not only am I going to keep them, I signed up to sell them! I have my very own website people can go on and order their selves...you don't even have to talk to me if you don't want. I am being real...I love products that are sold via people because they are always really good...and people have to be responsible for selling good products. No one has that accountability at stores. So anyway, I hope next month is better and we can recoup some of the money we shelled out to doctors.

Check out my page! www.juicepluse.com/+rv46251

Running

2010-06-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to be a runner. Not just to run, but to be fit and to run for fun. I joined the track team in eighth grade ( no try out required), but quit after my first run. It is hard for me. It is hard physically and mentally. I feel like I am giving 100 percent to do something it would take 50 percent for others to do. It is so frustrating to me because I dream of running far and fast...then I wake up and am dying running an 11 minute mile.
I like to be good at things I do. I am not good at running, and because of that it makes me want to quit. I can't this time. I think it is going to take time, but if I don't quit maybe I will be where I want to be. Today I am going back to run a trail that I have been defeated by twice, and this time I am going to win. I might be slow, but I have to do it to get over my mental block. My mind tells me I can't do it, so I have to prove myself wrong. Cody will be at the end to make sure I come home( or have a picnic under the trees).

Get Clean

2010-06-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to share these products with my blog readers. They are by far the best non-toxic cleaner and they save a ton of money. That is not normally the case in the stores. The "real" non-toxic cleans, not just the ones that say green on them, are normally twice or three times as much as the regular brands. Not only are they organic, safe, inexpensive, and green, they work like magic.

I started questioning cleaning products when I was pregnant with Elijah. It seems that is when a lot of the information about how harmful the household cleaning products were on children. I did not want to put my unborn baby in harms way. When his little brain and body was developing I did not want to take any chances. When I was about 5 months along, Oprah did a special on non-toxic cleaning. It was a revolution for me. To see all the studies done on Asthma in children and other problems linked to cleaning, I was sold. Oprah had GET CLEAN products as the products she recommended. I ordered off of her web site the starter kit.

I was so excited when my products came. I was amazed at how well they worked with so little. The Basic H used 1/4 teaspoon to make up a 16 ounce bottle of all purpose cleaner and two drops to make up the window cleaner! I called everyone I knew to tell them about this great product, but back then it was not so hip. There was not Green Works by Clorox, and Arm & Hammer Green Cleaner, or Wal- Mart shelves lined with "green cleaners". No one cared.

Well it has been three years and I am still loving it. I have over half of the bottle of Basic H left. I have been using it every day and payed $12.00 for it. Talk about saving! Just one bottle can make 5,824 bottles of Windex. I can make all purpose cleaner, window cleaner, and degreaser with the same stuff. The all purpose cleaner cleans everything from carpet, appliances, counters, car interior, and I just found out that you can use it for a vegetable wash!

So, I needed to re order some laundry detergent but could not figure out how. I called the company and they set me up with a lady in Virginia. She is amazing and got me hooked up with a membership. I am now able to order it on my own and sell it if anyone is interested. I don't make commission yet (don't have time or money right now) but it is fun to get friends and family interested.It is the real deal. It is the only thing used in the White House because one of the girls has allergies. Here is the website to check it out. Get Clean Web site. If you want to try out these products e-mail me at rvandorn@hotmail.com.

B-O-Y-S

2010-06-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

The boys are at a wonderful age right now. I am enjoying every minute(well, not EVERY minute) of their lives. I feel like I am settled into the new normal and having two fits perfect for us right now.

Elijah is a little over two and a half. He has gained so much Independence the last few months. He loves to play trucks and trains in his room and is no longer into everything. He can hold a pretty good conversation these days. He talks all day long. He follows me around asking what I am doing, talks about Mighty Machines (a show about real life trucks), and talks about his pets. He loves his chickens!

Benjamin is 9 months and crawling up a storm. He gets into everything! He crawls around like he owns the place and even has been in a few fights over the toy trash man. He loves books, food, his mama, and getting cozy with his blanket Dots. He has started sleeping really well since he started crawling, 9 hour stretches at night and I have to wake him up after 2-3 hour naps twice a day. When he is not napping he has to be in view of me at all times or he has a major break down.

Sea World 2010

2010-05-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing time in San Diego this weekend. Not to say we didn't have a few hitches. Eli woke up Friday morning sick again (after a week of well) but still did great!
On the way down Cody got stopped by a Highway Patrol and for the first time ever got off with a warning. It was the first trip with our Pilot and let me tell you, the navigation has completely revolutionized our family vacation. It used to be me and a map (or iphone map...ugg) trying to navigate through a big city. I would be so stressed about it and get frustrated alot. This time the I could relax and enjoy the drive. I could talk to Cody without nagging about getting ready to get on another exit. I love how the lady keeps nagging every 1/4 mile about getting ready to get off. We even typed in Sea World and got there in a flash.

It was so nice to see Cody's brother and family. Eli loves his cousins so much its almost sad. It was Robert's b-day so we went to a big bash on Sunday and then took him with us to Sea World on Monday. Isabelle is so cute and funny, she makes me want to hide her in my suitcase...or have a girl someday! We played tea party and painted nails, played baby and talked about flowers. She is a girl's girl.

Sea World was great. Although the boys were both sick, they seemed to have alot of fun. It is also one of my favorite places. I love whales and sea life so much. I was like a little kid. We did not get to see everything, but with little ones, staying longer would have let to melt downs. We got out of there just in time!

First Fruits

2010-05-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here is an update of my veggies. More for me than anything. I love to look back at the year before and see when things are ready for harvest. My new favorite crop; bush beans. One little plant produces tons of yummy beans every day. I planted 'bountiful'. My pole beans have yet to produce anything yet.

My fruit trees are loaded down, although my plum has less then last year because we did heavy prunning

My Personal Health Study/ Juice Plus

2010-05-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

We have been taking Juice Plus for about a week now. I am trying to perform a health study on our family to see if this stuff really works. Cody thinks he has a lot more energy and feels better, but the key for me is the sickness.
I tracked our sickness over the past six months and we have been sick three times. It's is not how much we get sick, but the duration. The last two times we have been sick it has lasted over two weeks! In March it was something like 17 days! That is a long time.
So here is the deal... I know we are going to get viruses...my kids go to church, playgroup, and a bible study with other kids almost every week! If I can shorten the duration of the sickness with Juice Plus that would be enough for me to be sold. I do feel like I have more energy too!

People Think I am Crazy...

2010-05-17T08:52:00.001-07:00

...until something like this comes up. Pampers new diaper is causing chemical burns on babies. It was on our five o'clock news that families had put the diaper on their babies and in five minutes the baby was screaming with blisters.

The funny thing is that Benjamin was wearing his first dry max diaper when I heard the news. I have cloth diapered my boys for this very reason (and economic of course) but I found a really good sale of Pamper's new diapers. I think I got it for $3.00 for a small pack. After the kids have been so sick I have been lazy and started to use the diapers I had on hand. After two I am back to cloth.

Nothing happened to Benjamin but I work so hard to keep chemicals out of our house I am not about to strap chemicals on my baby 24/7. I do put him in a huggies overnight at night, but I try my best to minimize his exposure. I just don't know what is in diapers and disposables have only been around 20 some years and no one knows if it has caused any problems. Better safe then sorry I guess. Or maybe I am crazy!

My First 5k!

2010-05-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today I ran in my first race. I have always wanted to run a 5k and never thought I could do it. The race was a Cal Poly student's senior project and was only about 100 people, but I think the small size helped calm any anxiety about it.

I have been on a break from running for the last two weeks so I was a little worried the first mile. It felt like the first time I ran all over again! After about half way though I started to feel a little better and just took it slow. My goal was to make it the whole way though and not walk once. I did it! Yes, I may have been the last runner in the whole race, there were walkers behind me, but for me it was an accomplishment. I never thought that I would run a 5k after a few weeks of running and my time can only improve from here. Sorry I don't have pictures, my dad took video and I look like a huge nerd in it.

My goal is to run a 10k before I get pregnant again and maybe a half marathon someday.

My Granola

2010-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

I made this up because we like our granola at night for desert with frozen fruit smoothies and in the morning for breakfast.

4 cups old fashiond oats
3/4 cup sweetend coconut( you can use unsweetend)
1 cup chopped peacons
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup oil (extra light olive oil, Vegtable, or canola)
1/4 cup 100% pure maple surup
1/2 teaspoon vannila
dash of cinnamon
1 cup golden raisans (or any dried fruit)
dash of sea salt.

Mix together honey, oil, surup, vannila, cinnamon, and salt. Add oats, coconut, and peacons. Spread on a backing pan and put in a 350 oven for 30 minutes. Stir every ten minutes. Take out of the oven let cool and add rasans.

This week I subsituted 1 cup of steel cut oats for 1 cup old fashiond oats. It gave it a little more crunch and grapenut kind of texture. The great thing about granola is that you can add what you like. Almonds instead of peacans ect.

Will Work for Food

2010-05-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is what we look like after two weeks of sickness. I took this picture as we were about to go the store. I thought how homeless we looked, even though Eli has pants on (a very rare event) and I took a shower this morning (another rare event these past few weeks).
The funny thing is that I had no idea what was about to happen. I drove to my favorite discount store in Santa Maria to stock up on organic treats. As I pulled up and was attempting to put Benjamin in an Ergo a lady walked up to me. Now I have gone shopping with the kids like a billion times so I know what is up. The lady said "honey is there anything I can help you with?" A little shocked I said "No thank you, I have it under control." I was wondering what she meant. Everything was going fine. No melt down, fits of any kind, and the kids were fully clothed. Then as I was unloading the groceries ANOTHER lady asked if there was anything she could do for me. WHAT THE HECK! I have never had that happen to me ever. So I has kinda happy I took the picture this morning because we must have looked homeless!

Two Week Break.

2010-05-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks have forced me to take a break. I gladly have been using all disposible diapers, feeding Benjamin jars of baby food, buying pre-sliced bread, and eating out almost every night.
I love that I don't do those things all the time. I feel usefull and productive, but I am glad I have an option. I love living two blocks from every fast food joint and tons of restarants. I love that I can take a break when I need it. I love that I don't have to do anything but take care of my sick kids when they need me most, or that I can stay in bed all day of Mother's day when I am sick. I love that my parents live so close and bring us homemade food when we can't stomach another restarant.
The only thing that is not a option is homemade granola. Cody and I would starve if I didn't make it!

Juice My Kids!

2010-05-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

My kidlets are sick again. They are not sick alot, but about once every two months or so they get sick for two long weeks. This time the sickness is mixed with my allergies and a cold for Cody, so it has been rough. I hate it when we are sick. I feel so isolated and worn out.
Some of my friends swear by Juice Plus for kids. They claim that their kids are sick half as much as they used to be, so when my friend asked me about it I was all about it. I ordered some for Cody and I and the kids. I am really going to see if it really works. I hope it does. It is just fruits and veggies in caplets, but I have heard of it helping arthritis, sickness, increasing energy and more. I can't wait for the truck to come!

Shoes update

2010-05-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

Today I went back the the Running Warehouse. I just felt weird about my shoes. I don't know what it was I just felt they were wrong. The lady that helped me on Monday just didn't seem to know alot about running and shoes.

So today I went back to try more motion control shoes. I asked for the asics (my brand of choice) and some other lightweight ones. I put on a few shoes and they felt WAY better. The last shoe I put on was a mizuno and I knew that was it! I walked around a bit and my knee felt so much better. I think I may try to run today or tomorrow!

I was really depressed about this whole situation. I have been eating alot of sweets because of it too, so I really need to get back with it. I am feel so much better about these shoes!

Plus they are way cuter. I know that should not matter but it does!

May oh My!

2010-05-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when it turned May. It would be the month of my first two races! May 1st I had high hopes and couldn't wait to run that day. I set out and about half way down the road I had to stop and come back! My knee was killing me. Not just a little pain, I could not even walk back to my house.
I was devastated. My first race is on the 15th and I wanted to feel good about it. I came inside and went to the computer to research the problems. My friend had told me to stretch and I had been, so something else was wrong. After a few hours of research I found the problem. My feet.
I was born with extremely flat feet. It has caused issues in the past and it has come back to haunt me. This time I am not going to let it beat me. I spent a long time at the Running Warehouse trying on 20 pairs of shoes and running on the treadmill ( thanks Bryn for sticking it out). Long last they but me in the big dogs. Motion control shoes that weigh a ton. If that's what it takes I will do it for now.
So I am going to try to run around the house and maybe go back and try more motion control shoes. I really hope to be ready my next Saturday!

For those Not on Facebook!

2010-04-30T14:09:00.001-07:00

Come out tonight and support Running Grrrl's show. We will also have baked goods with yummy treats!

Back in the Saddle

2010-04-28T13:39:00.001-07:00

This past weekend Cody and I spent a day horseback riding with some new friends. Cody and a co-worker had set up day for me to get back in the saddle.

For those who don't know anything about me pre-VanDorn, I was an avid rider. Not just like enjoyed riding once in a while, like six days a week type of lifestyle. I started when I was eight and never looked back. I got my first horse when I was 12 and sold her after I was married.

When Cody and I got married we had nothing. I was 19, neither of us had steady jobs, we were in Cal Pol full time, and lived in 400 square feet. I wanted to ride but didn't have the time or money. I had to sell my horse ( at the time I thought we were going to live in Oklahoma after the wedding) to prepare for the move and more. It was a huge sacrifice for me, but Cody was making even bigger ones.

In school I took a few horse classes and that was it. The end of all things cowgirl. I sold my saddles, clothes, tack, and even brushes and buckets to make car payments. Then Cody landed a good job and I feel in love with a little colt from school. "I will buy you that horse or you can have a baby" Cody said. Guess which one I picked.

It has been six year since I rode a horse. I told Cody the other day how much I missed it. He surprised me at dinner with the news. I was so excited! He is so amazing. I know I always brag about him on the blog, but he really is. He also is not too bad at riding horses. The horse reared a few times and tried to take off up a mountain, but he did great! The facility was beautiful as well as the horses. Not broken down trail horses that's for sure! The couple was amazing too.

It's Only a Season.

2010-04-21T14:27:00.001-07:00

Life is all about seasons. We might not know it in California, but everything has a short cycle. Fruit is only here for a few months, rain comes and goes each year, and summer seems to pass us by too soon.
Life in general is full of seasons too. I have learned that about my babies. Nothing lasts forever, good or bad. People have asked me if I think two children is hard than one. I always answer with "I am more busy with two, but I think it was harder the first time around." Why is this? I now have the knowledge that things are temporary. No, I am not going to be feeding the baby every two hours for the rest of my life.
About a month back, the boys nap schedule seemed to be exactly opposite. One would get up, and one would go down within 10 minutes. That meant that not only could I only leave the house from 10-12:30, I had one child awake at all time. I was tired and overwhelmed, but I knew that it would only be for a few months. I wish I would have know stuff like that when Elijah was a baby.
I am writing this post because Benjamin has gone two night without getting in our bed. It is a happy/sad time for me. I am getting much better sleep, but I miss my little baby close to me. I know that once he stops, he will never return. He will keep getting bigger and bigger until he is grown and moves out. I love my babies and I know to cherish the good times and take everything in, and not to fret the hard times. It is only a season.

The Coop is Done!

2010-04-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

The chicken coop is finished! I was so ready for this day. The last week I almost let Cody say I told you so. I was regretting my decision to get the girls.

Now, it is so easy. I check on them in the morning and then Eli and I feed them grass throughout the day. I think when they get bigger I will let them out in the yard to eat bugs for an hour or so.

A shout out to my hubby, who is amazing! He built the coop by taking apart old shipping pallets. He is a hard worker! I love that about him. He is in a tie during the week, but gets dirty building stuff around the house. The best part is he didn't even want chickens, yet he took all of his weekends to do it for me. What a man.

Master Recipe

2010-04-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Go to this site for the Master Recipe in the book Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Once you have the hang of this recipe, the rest is adding ingredients. The process is the same for every recipe (except the loaf pan breads) and you can keep the dough in the fridge for up to two weeks. Here is the one I made this week.

Bran-Enriched White Bread ( Great for kids who love white bread, but with the fiber of bran)

Makes four 1 pound loaves.

3 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 T yeast
1 1/2 Salt
3/4 cup wheat bran
5 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Cornmeal for peel (or cookie sheet without sides)

Mix the ingredients without kneading in a heavy duty mixer or by hand with a spoon.

Allow to rest for 2-5 hours in a 4-6quart container.

Dough can be used or put in the fridge for up to 14 days.

On baking day cut off 1 pound piece. Dust with flour and shape into a ball, pulling the sides to the bottom.

Let rise for 40 minutes (mine took longer)

Sprinkle with flour and slash.

Bake with steam for 30 minutes at 450 degrees.

Buy the book our go the the web site linked above for videos and such. The site is www.artisanbreadinfive.com

Running Club

2010-04-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Ok...so I waited a few weeks before telling anyone. I joined a running club. I waited because I hated running and the first time I went out with the girls I almost died. Really, and I almost barfed in the bushes before we ran a half mile. To my defence the run was a trail with hills. So the last two weeks I have been trying to motivate myself to run. I have been running about three days a week about two miles each time.

Yesterday I ran 3 miles to my parent's house. I have never ran three miles in my life (besides the 3.6 mile run with the girls on my FIRST run). It felt good. I was dieing by I kept going. Its going to be interesting because I am so out of shape cardiowise. I may be running a 10k (walking part of course) this Saturday. It is fun and helps me be a better mom and wife. Hopefully I wont give up.

Fresh Bread is not a Luxury!

2010-04-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Buttermilk Wheat

Sourdough Rounds

I have been baking like crazy these days. I make some sort of bread every day now. It started a few months back when I became fascinated with sourdough. I wanted to make the perfect sourdough and spent hours with my starter and trying different recipes. Sourdough is the hardest of all breads to make and takes forever. It's not really practical to make all the time unless you are a baker.

I got a few books from the library and have been baking my way through them. The bread is amazing and I love the process of Kneading the dough. It is something that really helps if I am having a bad day. Creating something so delicious from flour and water is rejuvenating. I love the smell of my house when it is in the oven, and I love the taste of warm bread with butter.

I found this book call Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a day. It has revolutionized the way regular people make bread. It really only takes five minutes to have really good old world bread on your dinner table. The way they do it is by pre-mixing the dough at the beginning of the week, and then taking little chunks off during the week to bake. The dough is very wet so it holds up and by the end of the week the bread has a slight sourdough flavor to it. No kneading, just a little rise time and bake. I had a batch in my fridge this week and made bread four times without mixing or kneading. Everyone should own this book for sure.

I still enjoy other breads and and have a loaf of buttermilk wheat in the oven as we speak, but this book has so many recipes that look great and really make it possible for those with jobs, kids, or any sort of life to have fresh home baked bread.

P.S. Husbands really like it too!

Homemade Granola (BCF)

2010-04-07T14:25:00.000-07:00

I love that in most of Ina's books she has a section about breakfast. It is such a forgotten meal theses days. Most people skip it before running off to work or grab a bar. Recipes are hard to come by because really, who entertains at breakfast?

In the last few months breakfast has been a favorite for me. Coffee, cartoons, and a happy baby, what's not to love. The weekends are even better. My husband reads the newspaper (yes, hard copy) and a sit down meal as a family. I mostly make buttermilk pancakes or french toast (on the best buttermilk bread) but since we have been drowning in strawberries it has been yogurt and granola.

Cody and I also enjoy yogurt almost every night while watching a show on the computer. I prefer homemade plain with a touch of honey...Cody prefers yoplait. We started crumbling granola bars in and then it came to me. I will go back five years when the only thing I would eat was homemade granola.

This recipe is easy and much like the others you would find. It is yummy and you can add or substitute any nuts or dried fruit you like. Our favorite is pecans and golden raisins.

I May Be Too Nice...

2010-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

I may be too nice to own chickens. I worry about them all the time. Maybe worry is the wrong word. It is more like concern for their happiness. I feel that way about my kids, my husband, and the dog.

The chicken coop is almost done and because I am concerned for the chickens happiness, I give them outside time everyday. This has been for about two weeks now. I pick each one out of their box in the morning and place them in a cage on the grass. The other day it looked windy so I put a box in their cage so they could be warm. Then, I thought they needed something to stand on so I put a brick. Today I thought it was going to rain...so I put this pool on their cage. I am ready for them to be about in their beautiful coop (thanks babe!) so I can stop worrying about them.

Butternut Squash Saffron Risotto

2010-04-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

I made Butternut Squash Saffron Risotto (Barefoot Contessa Family) for Good Friday. First off, I have never made risotto before so I was a little nervous. I have only ever eaten risotto in Paris, but that was a few years ago and I was not sure what my final product would be like.
It turned out to be one of the best things I have ever eaten. Really. I did have to sit by the stove and stir every few minutes for about a half hour or so...but I think it was worth it. The butternut squash was super good and I snacked on it while I was stirring the risotto. It will be something I make more often and for a Barefoot Contessa meal I think it is actually healthy. Well, maybe just not super bad for you.

Back in the Black-Barefoot Contessa Returns!

2010-04-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

April is here! I am happy to say my food budget is back in the black. I cleared six months of overspending in two tough months! Last months food total was around $170...and that means Barefoot Contessa returns.
First, this is how I cut our food bill. Once a month I stock up at a grocery discounter on organic snacks, frozen foods, juice, ect. The second week the store was having a sale on salmon, pork, and asparagus, so that is what I bought (along with milk, eggs, & butter). We had grilled salmon, pork chops, pork burritos, pork sandwiches, and lots of asparagus to go on the side. The next week ground turkey and whole chickens went on sale. I made spaghetti, chili, chicken and vegetables, soft tacos with left over chicken, and something else with ground turkey. For breakfast I made granola, pancakes, and homemade yogurt. Lunch was sandwiches on homemade bread, or leftovers from the night before. Snacks strawberries, strawberries, and cookies! OH i forgot. I huge money saver is the strawberries. I get 12 baskets for $6.00 so we live off of them. That helps a ton, and should help until our plum tree starts producing.

Enough about budgets, that is behind me now! I have my full months budget and was so excited I already spend over $100 the first day. Last night I made a Barefoot staple. Chances are if you have had a baby or been sick and I brought you food, this is what it was;

Penne with Five Cheese . It is easy, tastes amazing, it is easy to take to friends, and good enough to eat the next day. Healthy...no, with cream, five cheese, and pasta, it will kill your diet! It is a must have for your recipe book.

Done!

2010-03-31T13:23:00.001-07:00

My last pack of seeds came! I am so done with seed sowing for the year! I am over it for sure! That is just my personality...obsess until I am sick of it.

Spring 2010-Seeds

2010-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

I have been working outside the last few weeks. It's finally spring! I started everything from seed this year, so I have been planning my garden for months. It's nice to finally put the seedlings outside in the garden.

My spring greens are going crazy! I didn't know that spinach leaves are really huge. I guess it is because baby spinach at the store is a lot smaller. Also, I have about 5-10 tomato plants sprouting from last year's dropped tomatoes. I have been pulling them up because I don't want them in the same bed as last year. Crop rotation is key ya know. I have let the cilantro seeds sprout from last years crop, they are alot harder to grow then tomatoes.

I am waiting for my last pack of seeds. I check the mail everyday hoping it's in there. I just want to be done starting seeds and get the the fun part. I have no patients at all so this has been a good experience for me. I have to wait for the plant and I can do nothing but wait...and check obsessively if they have sprouted twice a day:)

A squash just sprouting

Cucumber seedling

Bush Beans

Self seeded Cilantro plant

Spring greens (lettuce & spinach)

Fun with Family

2010-03-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

Alone Time

2010-03-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

The boys no longer take any naps at the same time. Although I am about to drop dead by 5pm, its nice to have alone time with them both! Here is my Benjamin at 7 months.

The Unhealthy Truth

2010-03-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

A few months back I read a book called The Unhealthy Truth. A lot of the things in the book were obvious to me, but a study conducted in the UK was new. It was a study of kids and artificial colors and fl avers. The study showed an increase in hyperactivity and also fits and tantrums when children consumed artificial flavers and colors. I have always tried to feed my kids healthy but this made me conduct my own test.

For the last month or so Eli has had very limited amounts of anything artificial. I say limited because we don't buy it or keep it in the house, but if he is somewhere and something is handed out I am not going to be a freak and say he can't have it. Anyway, we also completely cut out high fructose corn syrup as well.

What I can't believe is how much artificial stuff is in our food supply. I even got some freezer pancakes and guess what? Not only is there corn syrup in them, but artificial flavors as well! Don't be tricked by this, it is not like he is eating spinach and peas all the time, he still get organic treats and chocolate. Not Hershey's, they have vannilln (fake vanilla) in all of their candy.

The results have been great. He is doing better every day. His tantrums and frustration have gone way down and he seems to be feeling better. I have found a lot of organic treats at a discount store and stock up once a month. It really has not cost us anymore because I am making more things at home. He loves air popped popcorn, juice Popsicles, strawberries, and grapes!

I also keep things fast by measuring out the dry ingredients for my baked good ahead of time, but them in zippies in the pantry and add the wet when I am ready. Our favorite is whole wheat buttermilk pancakes instead of those frozen things!

Spring!

2010-03-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

We have been stocking our favorite strawberry stand for some time now. Yesterday I got the kids up early to be the first in line and guess what? It said "Open March 17th". So we drove home strawberry less and sad. Today was a new day and Eli ran in this morning as said "let's go get strawberries mama!" and that we did.

It opened at 9:00am and we were there right in time. We got the last of the jam berries (12 baskets for $6.00) and so happy we did. The berries are smaller and deformed a bit, but I think they taste better. Cody and I paid $6.00 for a three pack last week so these are looking like a steal.

This is the only time of year I know for sure I could never move. I love spring on the Central Coast, and I even love Grover Beach!

Sick as a...

2010-03-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

We have been sick now for...about a month. It started with Elijah and went through me to Benjamin. This weekend we ended up admitted in the hospital with little Ben Jammer. His oxygen was low and he was really uncomfortable.

That little guy really knows how to scare us. From the brain cysts in utero, the whopping cough at birth, and now being admitted to the hospital at six months. He makes me reconsider the whole third child thing. Anyway, with just a dose of Tylenol and alot of monitoring we were released after a long and sleepless night in peds.

I think we are on the mend. There was a scare at the hospital, a case of meningitis checked in the same time we did and Benjamin did not have his vaccination. So today was back to the doctor for shots for both boys. Now we will be dealing with fevers from both of them on this glorious 75 degree day!

D.I.Y (Did it Myself)

2010-03-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying how thankful and blessed I feel to be in our house. We never thought we could own a part of the Central Coast, and we do. That being said, our house was a big fixer when when bought it. It was really junky and had not been updated since 1984. We knew that when we bought it, and had also passed up some newer houses that had smaller yards or were in a bad area. Cody did alot before we moved in. Mostly in the living area and some bedroom things. We planned to take it slow, paying for the upgrades in cash as we lived in it.

The kitchen is really bad. The cabinets are from the 80's and half of the finish is coming off. It looks like someone poured milk down the front, always dirty. The counter top was faux butcher block with stains and white marks in spots. In the last two years we have done nothing to the kitchen. Our thought was that we would have to spend ten of thousands of dollars on it and it would be the last thing on our list.

So this year we went over our budget and decided that we would save our money this year instead of spending it on the house again. Hmmm another year of that kitchen? I didn't mind but figured if we were going to do nothing for a whole year a little do it yourself projects would not hurt, and I only wanted to spend $50-100 bucks.

So, I talked to my mom about refinishing the cabinets with little time and effort and looked into cheep upgrades. Mom told me about restoreafinish. It goes on over the existing finish but fills in scratches. I also looked into counter top paint. I ordered it for $59 and was ready to go.

The process was long and made me cry a few times, but for $59 bucks it was worth it. A little elbow grease and making dinners on the floor for a week and I got a little kitchen upgrade. It will work until we can do a real remodel. Here are some before and after shots.

Homemade

2010-03-07T20:00:00.000-08:00

I think I may be taking this homemade thing too far. Yesterday I made my first ever batch of cheese. Yes, cheese. It was just ricotta ( the easiest of the cheeses) that I later turned into lasagna but it was so much fun.

It started about five years ago when I read the book French Women Don't Get Fat. One of the main things the author ate was homemade yogurt. It sounded easy enough, so I ordered a yogurt maker and have been eating my own yogurt almost every night. That got me thinking. If you can make yogurt, then I am sure you can make other things that once seemed impossible.

The process only took about 30 minutes and a gallon of milk. It was simple, fun, and anyone can do it. Next on my cheese making is fresh mozzarella. Yumm.

As a side note; I am still working on my Barefoot Contessa project, but it is moving slow right now. The process of getting back in the black on our food budget has made me have to make things from what we have. I still plan to work on some recipes and I hope to be back full swing in April. March will be filled with bread, cheese, spout, yogurt, sour cream, and whatever else making. Wish me luck!

Boys will be Boys!

2010-03-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

My boys. What can I say. They are as different as oil and water, day and night, wool and cotton. I love that. I have the privilege and challenge of raising two completely different souls. My parenting already has been so different up to this point. I never understood my parents and the reason they did things so different with my brother and I, but now I do.

Elijah is my fire. Passionate about EVERYTHING that boy. He is up and running from the time the clock hits 7:30. He is my challenge. Strong willed to the core and has enough energy to wear a person down. He also is one of the funniest humans I have ever encountered and would do anything for a laugh. He has been know to jump in the air and land on his butt just to get others to smile. He loves his mom and dad to the core. If one of us leaves he yells "my best friend mama" over and over until I return.

Benjamin is my angel. That boy could do no wrong. He is laying in my bed with me motionless, watching me type. He is a quite little man and loves to watch his brother in action. He would rather be held than play with toys and smiles a shy big smile when anyone looks his way. "Son of my right hand" is the meaning of his name, and boy does that name fit him! He is a people pleaser for sure.

There are so many examples of my boys in the bible. I wont name them because some have not so good endings. I am sure that wont happen in our case. I love my boys equally but differently. God gave us Benjamin to balance our challenges with E. I wonder what he will send us next.

My Babies are Here!

2010-03-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

My chicks came Tuesday. It was not as exciting as I had built it up to be. First, I have been having anxiety about them dieing in the box. I talked to this company and they assured that only 1 percent of their orders have any deaths at all. That seems like good odds.

Tuesday I had just put both kids in naps and then postmaster calls. "Rachael (I had talked to him twice this week so he knew me), you need to get down here quick. The babies are here and they are not looking good." Holy moly! I freaked out, called Cody and told him to leave work, then called my grandma when he laughed and said the car was in the shop.

Long story short, 5 out of the 11 babies had died. Sad. I am going to the feed store to replace the ones we lost. Oh and I ordered this unique mini chicken called a silky. I only wanted 1 but you have to order three and she was the only one I really really wanted. Two died and yesterday the last one was looking pretty bad. I am happy to say she is doing much better!

My New Favorite Blog

2010-02-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

Check out these cool ladies. I think they may be amish. I love their webstite and blog!
http://thewestladies.blogspot.com/

Food

2010-02-25T13:34:00.000-08:00

Cody and I have always had ourselves on a budget. By that I mean we know exactly what we should spend on each category in our lives. For example, in our food category I get an amount I should spend in groceries each month, for eating out we have an amount to spend, clothes, housing, savings and so on. I am pretty good at couponing and shopping sales, so our food budget is tight. That way we can spend more on other things.

The problem lies when something disrupts the couponing and sale shopping. Like umm...having a baby. Cody and I pretty much but the budget aside for a few months in order to adjust to having a little bundle. So, we went shopping without list and ate out a TON. Of course it was only Subway, but we did eat there about 3-4 times a week. Sick.

It has now been six months and time to get back on track. The way we do that is not to start over with our budget, but to spent less each month until our six month spending has been made up. It has been hard. I went almost three weeks without grocery shopping. With four mouths to feed each night I have been working all day to come up with food. Everything, I am talking everything has to be made from scratch. Snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner I was about over it. I started making bean and alfalfa sprouts, sour cream, buttermilk, bread, muffins, cakes, lemonade, and crazy noodles.

Yesterday I went shopping and it felt so good. We are still a little behind, but only about $90 and that should be easy to make up. The thing I missed most...paper towels! Hey, at least I have the stuff to make homemade anything!

The Secret is Out!

2010-02-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

No, I am not pregnant again...but it does involve three babies! We are getting chicks. I know they will turn into chickens and yes, I still want them. Egg laying hens in my own backyard. Here is my super good looking, nice, talented, and oh so handy husband making our coop. Only he would let me have chickens AND buld me a coop. There is still a lot of work to be done on it and I will be doing most of the painting. One more week until our new members arrive!

Sitting up!

2010-02-19T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that he is sitting up! I still hold him about 20 hours a day, but maybe that will change with his new skill. My arm and wrist are so sore all the time. He is, as Eli would say, "a HEAVY load".

Big Boy Bed

2010-02-17T13:15:00.001-08:00

Eli is doing great in his new bed. He has not even attempted to escape. It must have been the stern talk Cody gave him!

Sourdough Saga

2010-02-09T14:20:00.000-08:00

I made my first batch or sourdough last night and let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. I make bread all the time. Pizza dough, French bread, dinner rolls, all of the standards, but never have i attempt an "old world bread".

I am an all or nothing kind of person. I do something with everything or not at all. When I wanted to garden, I checked out 10 books from the library and read until my garden bloomed. When I wanted to sew, I read until I learned. So, for some reason I wanted to make sourdough and I went to work.

I stared with a homesteading book but after a week my starter failed. You have to feed the starter flour and water every day and leave it on the counter. So...I went to the library. I checked out an great book on bread called Bread Alone. The book is more like a novel than a cookbook and has everything about making bread. From the farm where the flour is grown, to the bakers he talked with in Paris, his journey to becoming one of New Yorks best bakers is in there.

The next starter took 4 days. It was whole wheat so it had more yeast in it. Yesterday was the day. I woke up at 7:00am and started the journey. Mix, rise (2 hours), rest, shape, proof (3 hours) and bake. Good thing the recipe made two loaves because one was ruined right before entering the oven. The other made it in and came out great! I don't have a picture because I tore into it last night. It is 100% organic whole wheat sourdough. It was great but I am not sure it is worth two weeks of work and prep. Maybe next time I will run to Trader Joe's and pick up a loaf!

R.I.P. Camo

2010-02-03T08:44:00.000-08:00

My kids do not take pacifiers. I wish they did (like last night Ben!), but they don't. The only thing that keeps them happy is these little 12inch blankets.

Elijah has Camo. He is a green camafloge blanket that he got before he was born. From the time he was 4 months old he slept with it every single night. When he got older he toted it everywhere and even called it his "best friend Camo". We have taken it to Missouri, Maui, Disneyland, and every other place we have ever gone. Well, on our weekly trip to Costco we lost him. We were stunned that night. We didn't know what to do when he was calling for his Camo. Two and a half years of every night...and now nothing? We quickly found a stand by I got Benjamin, turned out all the lights and hoped for the best. We could not sleep. Cody drove back to Costco and searched the parking lot. We stayed up for hours searching for Blankets and Beyond lovey. Of course, they had gone out of business two years ago.

The next day we went back. Praying so hard that someone had picked it up . I am telling you right now Costco is the WORST place to loose something. I went by the fabric store and got some fabric that was green and silky and quickly sewed a new blanket for nap time. I told him Camo got a new outfit on for a few days. He was not happy at all. He asked for his other Camo. What do you do then?

The last few days have been rough. I ended up having a company make the fabric and rush it here. It cost a cool $138.00 for 1 yard. It still is not here. We did have a major break through though. I heard they had the same brand of blanket at a store in SLO so I went and found one with the exact same tag that Camo had. While he was sleeping (in the car because he would NOT sleep in his crib without Cam), I sewed the tag on the fake one. It worked wonders. He was rubbing the tag on his lips and said "I missed you Camo"!

So a few more days and the fabric should be here. Lets hope it works.

Real Life

2010-01-31T14:42:00.001-08:00

I took a short break from cooking/blogging/sewing. It seems my little men needed some undivided attention. Eli has been going though a though few weeks and needs his mommy.

I get caught up sometimes, when I find something I am passionate about, and forget my real job being a mom. There is nothing more important than my babies and molding the person they become. That is why I am at home. No, its not because I am lazy or can't find work, I have a degree and am very independent at heart (just ask Cody. Sorry babe:). Cody and I had decided before we got married that I would stay home until the kids are grown.

So this week I have sat in Eli's room and played trucks, trains, shopping cart, and whatever else he came up with. We have gone on walks, let the house be messy, and cooked frozen pizzas.

I do have a few things in the works including seedlings, a new peach tree, and a bread project that will take a few more weeks. My life is full.

Recipes 7-10 and a New VanDorn Staple

2010-01-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Cooking and eating may not be the best hobby. Especially while it is raining and activities are limited. That being said, I am nursing and can pretty much eat 3000 calories a day and not gain weight. Great! I am going to do it while I can.

Blueberry muffins (Barefoot at home), Turkey Meatloaf (Barefoot Contessa), Frozen Key lime Pie (Barefoot Family Style), and Chunky Banana Bran Muffins (Barefoot at Home).

The Frozen Key Lime Pie was great. We ate it a little too early and it was more like custard, but I had a piece the next day and it was solid. It would be a great dish to have ready made and in the freezer for a dinner party. I used key limes and it too forever to squeeze them all. Next time I will use regular ones for sure!

The Chunky Banana Bran Muffins are my new staple muffin. Super healthy for the kidlets. I made them in mini muffin tins so they are the right size for E. They are so good you may forget they have a lot of bran in them and eat a few too many:)

Besides cooking...

2010-01-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

and eating, I have started sewing. One of my New Year's resolutions was to start sewing. I have sewed in the past, but mostly quilts and blankets. Now I am leaning to sew clothes.

My first dress was a rough start. It is way too big and I did a lot of things wrong, but it was a learning experience. My skirt was alot easier until I had to put in a zipper. Yikes!

Thanks to the Rain!

2010-01-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

My garden is doing lovely! Broccoli, snap peas, artichokes, and asparagus. I never knew winter gardening could be this fun. Oh, my summer tomato plant is still producing as well.

The Chair

2010-01-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Benjamin's last check up the Doc said she thought I should start him on some rice cereal. I didn't really want to because I am cloth diapering and it is...well easier with just breast milk. So, I just tried a little bit. The guy is hooked! He loves food!

Here he is in he very OWN highchair( Eli really wants to get in it).

#6 Corn Chowder

2010-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

Last night I made the Corn Chowder (Barefoot Contessa). It was so good! I think it is my new favorite soup to make. It is pretty easy and very tasty. It also makes a ton. I sent some home with my mom and dad, ate for dinner, and still have a ton in the fridge. I will warn you, it is not low fat at all. It has butter, olive oil, bacon, half and half, and lots of cheese.

I would have taken a photo but due to power outage (that lasted 5 hours!) we ate it in candle light. If you want the recipe click here.

WHAT!

2010-01-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

Amazon just let me know I need this. Yes I do. Perfect for my cooking adventure, and a great way to organize 6 books! Hint hint honey!

Matching

2010-01-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Hey Homeowners

2010-01-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

Check out this link. I thought it was interesting. We started paying just $50 more on our mortgage and it will save us two whole years of payments and $21,000 in interest. We want to get up to $100 a month and that will save us over three years and $40,000 in interest! That's like getting 5% on our money,and that is more than any money market or CD out there. SO even if it is just $10 everything counts. For us that would me $5,000 in savings!

Recipes 3, 4, & 5

2010-01-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

This weekend I continued to work on my recipes. It started with roasted chicken on Friday, an oven omelet Saturday morning, and brownie pudding Saturday night.

"The Perfect Roasted Chicken" (Barefoot Contessa) is a 5 pound whole oven roasted chicken. It i kind of like a thanksgiving turkey only small, and a chicken. This recipes was a hard one for me. Being a vegetarian for a good 15 years now, and only eating chicken for about 3 years, I get a little big grossed out. I only eat boneless, skinless, super dried out chicken. Nothing that looks like a chicken. I started by taking out the giblets (I am having a hard time even writing this), and stuffing it with thyme, lemon, and garlic. Then drenched it with butter and popped it in the oven. Half way through something was not looking right. "Honey, should this chicken still have a neck"? Sick! I had to take the neck bone out! Ugg. Anyway after swearing I would never make a chicken again, Cody thought it was very good. Ps. the picture looks really bad but the in real life it looked quite good.

"Omelet for Two" (Barefoot at Home). This omelet was designed to be eggs for multiple people done at the same time. The thing about eggs is that you have to stand by the stove making them and the person is already done eating them by the time yours are ready. This little bad boys does the trick. Onions, potatoes, cheese, milk, chives and of course eggs. It was great! We even had a little left over. I think it is more like an omelet for four.

"Brownie Pudding" (Barefoot Contessa; Back to Basics). Rich. Too rich according to Cody. For every bite you need at least two sips of milk. Best described as an undercooked brownie. You eat it with a spoon like pudding. I made mine with ghiradelli coco powder. Yum. Cooked in a water bath for about an hour.

Pool Time

2010-01-09T09:31:00.001-08:00

The boys and I headed to the ABC (Avila Bay Club) for a little dip in the pool. I was not sure how it was going to go with two kids and one parent, but it turned out to be a blast. We are so blessed to be members of the club. It is nice to have a place to go with the kids when my mom is not home.

It was a nice 75 degrees and we had the whole kids pool and spa to our selves! Not only that, because there was nobody there, we received poolside food service and enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Tai chicken wrap for mama and chicken and fries for the bean!

Picture update

2010-01-07T08:22:00.001-08:00

First day of Food.

2010-01-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

I knew that my life was different than Julie on the movie, but after my first day i realized how much.

Julie walked a few block to the local market to pick up yummy ingredients in a little bag and walked home. I loaded up two kids drove to the huge super market, unloaded the kids into a massive shopping cart, wandered around for an hour with tons of coupons, loaded the grocery and the kids, got home...and forgot half of the things on my list!

Anyway, I made the split pea soup (Barefoot Contessa) and lemon cake(Barefoot at Home). The soup took a l0t of chopping of vegetables and I was expecting it to be the best soup ever. It wasn't. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best. Cody of course ate it all, but then again he can't tell the difference between pork and chicken. After the kids went to bed I made the cake. The cake was made with yogurt instead of butter and was so so good. I used Meyer lemons from my tree so it wasn't to tart. Cody ate three pieces! I have a picture but I am using the old computer so I will have to wait to upload.

Inspired

2010-01-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

Cody and I just finished watching Julie and Julia and let me tell you, I am inspired! I love cooking, food, and France so the movie was perfect! I am now inspired to start a journey of my own. No, I am not going to try to cook 524 of Julia Child's recipes in 365 days. Lets be real. I have two children under 2 1/2, a house, and a husband. I want it to be fun.

So here is the deal. I have over 50 cookbooks. I love reading them and trying this and that, but I come back to one lady over and over. Ina Garden. She is also known as the Barefoot Contessa. I have all five, yes five, of her books and use them for almost all my entertaining. The food is fresh, simple, and yummy. I am going to try to cook every one of her recipes. It may take a year, or two, or more...but I think it will be fun. I am going to try to post pictures and give reviews on them.

I am excited about it. If nothing else comes from it but getting out of a cooking rut so be it.

Bryna, I know you have made a lot of them too so, shoot me some good ones to get started. Tonight I am going to start with steak, split pea soup, and lemon cake!

4 1/2 Months

2010-01-04T09:46:00.000-08:00

My little tiny baby is getting bigger. What a wonderful, kind, funny man he is. I am so happy to have him in our family every day! I never knew my heart could feel so much love for so many men!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T11:26:00.001-08:00

New Years with babies is always a little tricky. Our First New Years as parents we tried to go out to dinner and Eli had a major melt down at my mom's house. So this year we loaded the kids up and headed to the drive in movies. It was so much fun! Eli could not get over the fact we were in the back of the car with blankets and pillows. We never let the kids stay up past 8:00 so we didn't know how they would do, but they did great! Benjamin did not make one little peep the whole time. It was even getting close to 9:00 and he was watching the show too! I think it may be a new family tradition while the kids are little. Of course Cody and I were sound asleep by 10:00pm.

Our 2009 was a full year! We started out the year sicker than a dog with morning sickness and ended with the flu, but in between will be a year for the books. We took our first family vacation (7mo. preg) to Maui, thought we were going to loose our baby Ben, and then blessed with the nicest little man ever! I could not be more thankful for 2009 but am excited for what is in store.

My resolutions are loose ones. I try never to put pressure on myself because then I will feel like I failed and give up. I just want to have more fun with my kids and enjoy them as babies. I also want to cut some of our expesses in order to give that money to people in real need. We have been more than blessed with Cody's job and I would love to give back. I am going to start by cutting one of our phones and giving that money somewhere. I am not sure if I want to take on another compassion child, as I feel guilty for not writing to the ones we have already. Organization of our house, maintain current weight but add muscle, and lean to sew (not quilting like before but sewing clothes and stuff).

I think I can do it. Even if it is just a little bit.

Camo Undies

2009-12-31T15:13:00.001-08:00

I forgot. Eli is full blown potty trained now! Way to go baby!

I am ready

2009-12-31T14:55:00.001-08:00

For the first time I am ready to start the new year. The end of Christmas this year has been easier than most. I am surprised because it is Benjamin's first, but then again that is maybe a big reason why.

I can remember two years ago when Eli was three months old. I had a little of the same feeling. Holidays with little babies are hard. I don't have much time to make cookies and candies, and babies hate when their day to day routine are messed with. Benjamin is a little more adaptable than my little E was, but getting back to the grind is kinda nice.

Of course being sick did not help things at all! I have neglected my house for over a week and laundry is getting high. However, it makes a nice project for the new year. Umm yes I think I will do some resolutions. One is being better organized around the house and in life in general. I have not solidified the others yet but will be sure to let everyone know.

So here is to 2010! Hopefully I will get through a full year without being pregnant!

Our Chirstmas Tradition

2009-12-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

We don't have many family traditions yet. We have moved three times and been gone two of our five years together, but this year I really wanted to start some of our own family traditions. We pick out an ornament each year but that is about it. Or so I thought.

We got the stomach flu...agian...for the third Christmas in a row. Starting with Elijah's first Christmas, we missed our family gathering and had no Christmas eve dinner. The next year we spent in Missouri where I have horrible morning sickness and Eli got the stomach flu. This year I am just starting to feel better but have not eaten since Monday and Eli woke up throwing up last night. So, we will be missing Christmas eve dinner yet again! I am over this tradition for sure!

Next year I pledge to sanitize my hands five times a day for weeks before Christmas, do as much of my shopping online, and not go to any parks for a week or two. I am determined to be well next year and eat food! I have lost almost 10 lbs this holiday season and that is not what I was expecting.