Today was my first day back at work. (Which is a whole other post!) Meaning my first day in a long time (besides going to church) to get up to an alarm clock, put on makeup, and wear clothes other than a tshirt and workout capris/shorts. I put on a pair of capris I had no problem wearing a few weeks ago and a longer top to cover my belly. No one ones to see a baby belly poking out when I raise my arms to staple up my bulletin boards. Why bulletin boards are all taller than me I am not sure, but thus that is my lot in life!
Anyways, around 11 am I noticed my waistband feeling a big snug and going lower than my belly. By the time I got home today I couldn't wait to take my pants off. A whole day of wearing constricting, not giving, belly rubbing pants was no fun!! Maternity pants are usually made of some type of stretchy material that allows you more freedom of movement plus a never ending stretchy waistband. I am 19 weeks pregnant, I need to just face the facts that I cannot wear my normal clothes anymore. To finish up organizing my classroom you can bet I will be wearing maternity pants tomorrow!
By the way, as soon as I came home I changed back into my tshirt and athletic shorts with an elastic waistband. Ahhh.....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Real Food
In case you did not realize this, I live with two EXTREMELY picky eaters. In fact it is easier to just list what they do eat as opposed to want they don't. And of course they do not both eat the same foods. Yes I am talking about my son and my husband. Although my other family member, Cooper the lab, eats anything you put in front of him. Maybe I should start inviting him to meal times so someone appreciates my cooking. Hmmm....
This causes me to pull out my hair at meal time. I have been known to make 3 meals for three people. I refuse to do this any longer. In my husband's defense, he is at least consistent in what he eats. If I put a piece of chicken in front of him he will eat it no matter what. Trey is not so consistent. For example, he loves grapes, both green and purple. For a few weeks there was a sale on purple grapes so that was all I bought. Then I found a good deal on green grapes and he refused to eat them. They are the same thing! It's like I have to remind him, remember, you like this! I know this is a typical toddler thing, but I am over it.
Sorry this post was not supposed to be my rantings about trying to fix nice family dinners everyone eats, it is about real food. Sometime last spring I picked up a book Jay had ordered called In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen. This is the same guy who wrote Omnivore's Dilemma. This book along with a class at my church really changed my whole perspective on food. The whole point of the book is that you should eat food, not too much, and mostly fruits and vegetables. Luckily since Jay had ordered this book himself he was willing to read it and agreed with many of the ideas.
Now we are the proud owners of a grain mill and grind our own flour for food each day. I use this to make pancakes, muffins, tortillas, bread, rolls, cookies, cakes, pretty much any bread product you can imagine. I could go on my soap box and tell you all about the benefits of freshly ground flour, but I will save that for another post. For now I am just working on making the food that does make it into the mouth of my family the best quality that can be.
We also try to buy locally and what is in season. I don't think I have ever eaten as many peaches in my life as I have in the past month. We shop at farmer's markets, natural food stores, and website for our food. This does not mean we do not use Kroger, but we are more inventive and try to rely on what we can make ourselves (homemade yogurt anyone... ) and what we can get from local farmers.
This does take extra time and effort. I have to plan ahead for meals, try to get things ready the night before or during nap time, but it is worth it. After making my own tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes I cannot go back to just a store bought jar. Our journey into only eating real foods has just begun and I am sure it will be tested when we go back to school, but for now it is an exciting adventure. Who knew the joy I would experience when Trey gobbles up a zucchini muffin!
This causes me to pull out my hair at meal time. I have been known to make 3 meals for three people. I refuse to do this any longer. In my husband's defense, he is at least consistent in what he eats. If I put a piece of chicken in front of him he will eat it no matter what. Trey is not so consistent. For example, he loves grapes, both green and purple. For a few weeks there was a sale on purple grapes so that was all I bought. Then I found a good deal on green grapes and he refused to eat them. They are the same thing! It's like I have to remind him, remember, you like this! I know this is a typical toddler thing, but I am over it.
Sorry this post was not supposed to be my rantings about trying to fix nice family dinners everyone eats, it is about real food. Sometime last spring I picked up a book Jay had ordered called In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen. This is the same guy who wrote Omnivore's Dilemma. This book along with a class at my church really changed my whole perspective on food. The whole point of the book is that you should eat food, not too much, and mostly fruits and vegetables. Luckily since Jay had ordered this book himself he was willing to read it and agreed with many of the ideas.
Now we are the proud owners of a grain mill and grind our own flour for food each day. I use this to make pancakes, muffins, tortillas, bread, rolls, cookies, cakes, pretty much any bread product you can imagine. I could go on my soap box and tell you all about the benefits of freshly ground flour, but I will save that for another post. For now I am just working on making the food that does make it into the mouth of my family the best quality that can be.
We also try to buy locally and what is in season. I don't think I have ever eaten as many peaches in my life as I have in the past month. We shop at farmer's markets, natural food stores, and website for our food. This does not mean we do not use Kroger, but we are more inventive and try to rely on what we can make ourselves (homemade yogurt anyone... ) and what we can get from local farmers.
This does take extra time and effort. I have to plan ahead for meals, try to get things ready the night before or during nap time, but it is worth it. After making my own tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes I cannot go back to just a store bought jar. Our journey into only eating real foods has just begun and I am sure it will be tested when we go back to school, but for now it is an exciting adventure. Who knew the joy I would experience when Trey gobbles up a zucchini muffin!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
July
Despite Jay and I being "off" of work this month, our family has been really busy. I use "off" of work lightly because taking care of a toddler all day while being pregnant leaves me way more exhausted than teaching a classroom full of 7 and 8 year olds. Probably because at work the students listen when I say no, do not throw important objects (i.e. remote) repeatedly into the trashcan, can walk themselves up and down stairs independently and for the most part do not cry when they do not get their way. Not that my precious child ever does those things :)
In the middle of July we had our niece and nephew come stay with us for a week during VBS at our church. Having a 1, 5, and 9 year old was a new experience for us. We all had a great time and I do not think I have ever done so many dishes in one week! The dishwasher was exhausted by Friday :) We enjoyed a free trip to the transportation museum (a teacher perk) during the week and many swims in the creek. We now have a new "rock collection" beside our home courtesy of the creek trips.
After VBS week we rested, cleaned the house (all those kids make a mess!) and Jay and I took at trip to the Barter Theatre. For Christmas Jay's brother got us tickets to the Barter. It was such a nice trip and Trey enjoyed spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa. I spent the car ride reading and sleeping- two things you cannot do on a road trip with a toddler! We got to eat lunch at The House on Main, a beautiful old home that has been turned in a restaurant. We sat on the front porch and enjoyed the cool, breezy day. After we ordered I felt restless at the table. This was our first meal in a restaurant without Trey since Thanksgiving. I felt like I needed to whip out some toys, cheerios, or just be too preoccupied making sure Trey was happy to participate in a conversation. But don't worry- we did have a nice conversation :) The musical was wonderful and we came back that night refreshed and rejuvenated. Here are pictures of the view from our table and the restaurant.
Finally, to end the month we went on vacation to Oak Island, NC. We had a great time visiting with our friends and enjoying the beach. Trey LOVED the sand and water, especially all the hard sand left after the tide went out in the afternoon. We spent most mornings and late afternoons playing in the sand and waves. Trey even befriended our friends' dog that came to the beach as well. By the end of the week Trey would touch Mabel (ok sometimes hit...) and let the Mabel walk all around him. Trey also enjoyed pointing to all the pelicans and sea gulls on the beach. Notice the immense amount of sand all over Trey in the beach pictures! I did not know sand could end up in so many little cracks and crevices!
In the middle of July we had our niece and nephew come stay with us for a week during VBS at our church. Having a 1, 5, and 9 year old was a new experience for us. We all had a great time and I do not think I have ever done so many dishes in one week! The dishwasher was exhausted by Friday :) We enjoyed a free trip to the transportation museum (a teacher perk) during the week and many swims in the creek. We now have a new "rock collection" beside our home courtesy of the creek trips.
After VBS week we rested, cleaned the house (all those kids make a mess!) and Jay and I took at trip to the Barter Theatre. For Christmas Jay's brother got us tickets to the Barter. It was such a nice trip and Trey enjoyed spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa. I spent the car ride reading and sleeping- two things you cannot do on a road trip with a toddler! We got to eat lunch at The House on Main, a beautiful old home that has been turned in a restaurant. We sat on the front porch and enjoyed the cool, breezy day. After we ordered I felt restless at the table. This was our first meal in a restaurant without Trey since Thanksgiving. I felt like I needed to whip out some toys, cheerios, or just be too preoccupied making sure Trey was happy to participate in a conversation. But don't worry- we did have a nice conversation :) The musical was wonderful and we came back that night refreshed and rejuvenated. Here are pictures of the view from our table and the restaurant.
Finally, to end the month we went on vacation to Oak Island, NC. We had a great time visiting with our friends and enjoying the beach. Trey LOVED the sand and water, especially all the hard sand left after the tide went out in the afternoon. We spent most mornings and late afternoons playing in the sand and waves. Trey even befriended our friends' dog that came to the beach as well. By the end of the week Trey would touch Mabel (ok sometimes hit...) and let the Mabel walk all around him. Trey also enjoyed pointing to all the pelicans and sea gulls on the beach. Notice the immense amount of sand all over Trey in the beach pictures! I did not know sand could end up in so many little cracks and crevices!
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