Procrastination, distraction and Ammonia

The last thing I should be doing is blogging.

Clearly, I don't have my priorities straight.

Things have just become crazy around here. I've never been one of those super energetic people that moves like a hummingbird. Sure, I've had moments like that; frenzied cleaning, rabid writing sessions or days full of endless little tasks that all manage to get done. I also


Well, I started this post two days ago. See that sentence fragment up there? That's when the phone rang, it was the preschool calling, they said "is anyone coming to pick up Kaeda today?" Whoops. I was thinking the start time for her afternoon class was the end time for her morning class... Kaeda helped the teacher decorate the classroom while I got ready, snatched the baby from her crib and hauled butt down to the community center.

"Mommy, I was so worried about you!" She said, little hands on little hips.

I must have said, "I'm sorry" to the teacher a million times.

It's taking some getting used to, B working, the lack of sleep, the increase in school work load... and my attempt to keep the kids happy and entertained.

On a side note.... B was in the thick of this yesterday: Ammonia Leak in Langford

I received a text from him yesterday morning while in class, "Do not listen to the new. I am okay. There was an accident at work but no one was hurt." Well, considering I hadn't heard the news this was a little alarming. I read some articles online and texted him a couple times to get the gist of it. Having the inside story definitely gives you a different perspective of the news... that's all I'll say on that.

Anyway, I really, really, should do some essay writing... blah.

Trying to keep up with life

Well, my baby girl is going to be one year old on the 22nd. I can hardly believe it. Where does the time go? We're having a small party for her tomorrow. I'm excited because Thrifty Foods will make a free cake for your baby's 1st birthday! (lame thing to be excited about, I know, but hey, to the frugal it's great!).

The dynamics of our house hold are going to change again. B got a new job! It's been a blessing and a curse having him home for so long. It's great that he got to participate in Kaeda's life more and spent some quality time with Bo in her infancy but it's been hard on him. He's just not cut out for stay-at-home parent - at least, not unless we were millionaire who could do whatever we wanted and didn't have to worry about bills.

So, this is a good thing.

It's still going to be a big change. The girls will have to adjust... and I will have to. I'm nervous about being home solo again - especially because I'm going to be in school full-time too. My mother-in-law (whom I love!) will be doing some baby sitting... but it's just not the same as having a constant partner for parenting. Plus, this means no more sleep in days, it means meals with no dad some nights, it means bed time by myself and an lonely bed for me when he's out of town.

Ah, well, I just tell myself the same thing I've been telling him when ever bills, life or whatever was getting him down: We'll get through it. Because we have to; things will get better, we have a plan, we're moving forward, we have each other and our health and our loving families. It could definitely be a lot worse.

I just wish I didn't have to say that as often as I do.

Ah, rambling... it feels good.

The usual blathering mess

Gosh, I really should post something.

Since starting school, it's always in the back of my mind. I need to do this, this, this and this.... when I have time.

I never have time. Now, I know where the expression "I wish there were more than 24 hours in a day" comes from.

B does what he can to help out, take care of the kids... he does what I ask too. I just have a hard time asking for help. I had an old friend say to me (when I mentioned this) "Didn't you always have a hard time asking for help?" I hadn't really thought that was it until he pointed it out. So, alas, I end up getting up all night with the baby, making breakfast and coffee in the morning, taking the kids to preschool, doing laundry and cleaning, doing nap time and then dinner and often shopping chores and the like too.... then, once I'm worn out and tired, I put the kids to bed and settle down to do homework (which up to this point I've been doing in 5 minute increments). There are days when... well that's literally my day. But there are also other ones where B lets me sleep in, brings me coffee and does a ton of stuff... I'm just saying that it's not like he leaves me to do it all (most of the time) but I have a hard time just..... letting him do it all.

When did I become a perfectionist? When did I become so obsessive compulsive? I re-write and edit my work neurotically.

Did I mention that my 10 month old loves apples???

Totally random I know, but as I type this I'm watching her consume her sister's cast off apple.... she goes nuts for the things... follows Kaeda around like a puppy and then just mows into it. Are they even supposed to eat apples at 10 months? I keep a close eye on her... but it seems so unfair to deny her the joy...

Anyway, my quiet period has ended. Also, I should be doing home work not blogging... LOL

It's Spadobo night again!

My one time creation (made thanks to a suggestion from the "boys") has become a hit. Now when ever I make spaghetti (another favorite) it has to be followed by chicken adobo the following night which makes the third night - SPADOBO NIGHT!

What is spadobo you ask?

It's exactly what you think. 

Spaghetti + Adobo = Spadobo

Here is my almost recipe (almost cause I don't measure anything):

Spaghetti: 

2 cans of tomato sauce

1 package of ground beef

1 med-large onion

1 cup of red wine

1/2 a beef bouillon cube + 1/2 or 1/4 cup water

spices: pepper, salt, oregano, basil, garlic,

Veggies (whatever I have): broccoli, zucchini, carrots, peppers, cauliflower 

Spinach chopped up and added near the end

Once it's all in there simmer and reduce until the sauce isn't watery any more. 

Serve with noodles and parmesan cheese :) 

Chicken Adobo:

skinless boneless chicken breasts and thighs (however much you want)

1 large onion

LOTS of garlic (I use the pre-chopped in fridge kind & fresh - no powder)

Equal amounts ginger (fresh or fridge kind)

Pepper

lots of soy sauce, maybe a cup? (I do like mine VERY strong)

Equal parts water

Brown chicken in pot with onions, add spice and sauce until the chicken is almost covered in liquid. Turn it down and let it simmer with the lid on until the meat is falling apart (45 min to 1 hour). This can also be done in a slow cooker.

Just before it's served I mix some corn starch and water in a cup and slowly add my desired amount to thicken the juice.

Serve over rice.

SPADOBO:

preheat oven to 350

line the bottom of a pyrex baking dish with left over rice and spaghetti

mix spagetti sauce and adobo chicken and pour over top

cover top of dish with grated cheese and bread crumbs

bake for 30ish minutes

enjoy ridiculously greasy man-food

Good Changes.. I think

I just had one of those moments when I suddenly felt over-whelmed. It's not really a surprise, just something that's been building. I have so much on the go in my mind I just feel frazzled. It's funny that summer, with it's energizing brightness, can be so motivating... and yet I've some what over-filled my plate.

I've been trying to meet more moms (always the goal I suppose) which has been pretty successful. Also, getting Kaeda into preschool and sorting all the baby stuff to go in the big Victoria consignment sale (I REALLY need to get on that). And now... we've decided that it's time for me to go back to school.... that's probably the biggest thing. I've spent hours reading post-secondary institution sites, trying to understand all their courses and rules and applications. I've been on the phone and in person and it's still confusing as hell. Every time it becomes a little clear I can't seem to find my way back there again.

All this will blow over in September. Kaeda will start preschool, the sale will be over and school will either be started or not... and if it has started? More to worry about... I'm not exactly a high energy, self-motivated person all the time... is it going to be too much stress? Full time school and the kids? and... a wedding? Jeez, I keep putting it off but we're supposed to be planning  a wedding for next summer! I just can't seem to wrap my mind around it!! I don't know how I'm going to be away from my baby so long...

I guess it will just have to be.. one day at a time for now...

Baby Naps

Today Bowynn only had one nap.

This is both good and bad.

Today she went down really easily and slept for 3 hours! She also went down easily at bed time. So that's about 630-7am to 7pm with a three hour nap... the last couple days it's been taking an hour to get her to take her morning and afternoon naps and they haven't been as long. Bed time has also been a pain.

Buuut... she's not even 9 months yet!!!! Can she really be done with two naps a day?? I wish I could remember when it changed for Kaeda. What I've read online indicates an average of 12-18 months. However, Kaeda stopped napping altogether at 18 months. Grand-mere says none of her three napped after 12 months... I can only imagine what it must be like to have a 3 year old who still takes long naps...

I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings and if this one-nap-a-day is permanent or not!

The Importance of Mom Friends

It's been 3.5 years since I had my daughter... and I officially have 2 mom friends. Three if you could the one that lives in another province that I've never met... If there's one thing I stress to new moms it's: put yourself out there and make and effort to make mom friends!!!! No one will understand you quite the same as another mom. And it does get lonely. I wish I could have gone back and told myself that before. 

Today I went and met two more moms in my area. It's such a funny feeling - like dating - trying to find moms the same age, with kids the same age, who are compatible with you. My stomach was all funny and nervous. It's so silly but I guess that's what happens when you get into the routine of being a stay-at-home-mom. 

We met at Crumsby's Cupcake Cafe. I had no idea the place existed before... but it was awesome! A whole wall dedicated to toys to amuse the kiddies, kids menu, amazing coffee and a tempting menu I'll have to try out. It was a lot of fun and kids had a great time. It was lovely chatting with moms who had babies and older kids and then walking down to willow beach. I think it would be great if we could make a mommy group out of it. 

Perhaps its because I'm more comfortable in my position as "mom" or perhaps these moms just had more in common with me - but I've definitely had more of a connection with the moms I've met in Victoria than the ones I met in Richmond. It's funny how people complain about Facebook and all the terrible invasion of privacy/addiction/alienation that goes on with it - when thanks to it and the Young & New Moms group - I've made friends :)