The Birthday Trip

Stephen had been gone for 4 days to Vegas to teach and will be gone again next week to Houston.  I missed him much over the weekend and I was so glad to get to spend the weekend with him.  We had invited several other couples, but it didn't work out for any of them.  While I missed the comradere, it was so good to reconnect with one another and just focus on us.

Much time was spent eating.  Sushi at Okada, Brunch at Black Bear Diner off the Strip and Botera Steakhouse for the actual birthday dinner.  Now some of you may really cringe at this, but I got my childhood favorite for my appetizer--Bone Marrow and Onion Jam. 

I know you are probably totally grossed out.  As a kid, my Mom would buy the roast with a bone in it for our Sunday lunch.  We would spread the marrow on a piece of bread, salt it and eat it.  YUM!  I remember "fighting" my grampa for it.  Since then, I have never seen bone in roasts at the grocery store and never seen it at a restaurant.  Happy birthday to me!!!

Then there was pool lounging, a bit of a shopping spree at H & M, trying on really expensive clothes for my friend Ainslee who interns for a designer, Victor de Souza, and of course people watching.  Vegas is THE best place for that. 

It was a great weekend and one of the best birthdays ever.  Thank you again, Stephen.  I love you!

NUTS!!!!

I just have to get this off my chest and this is the last comment I am ever going to make about it.

The food policy at our Pre-School is CRAZY!!!!!

Rule #1--You can't bring food for the class unless it is store bought, sealed with the label on it stating it is tree nut free.

Fine.  I completely understand this one.  People have allergies.

Rule #2--You can't bring in your own lunch tree nut products.

Fine.  I understand this one as well.  Some people's allergies are bad enough that smelling it is enough.

Rule #3--You must must the package or cut out the label of the food you are sending if it is even remotely questionable of having or being processed in a tree nut environment.

I have succumbed to this and am now over it.  Whatever...my boxes have holes all in them.

Rule #4--You may not bring anything homemade for your own child's lunch even if you include the label of all the ingredients used and there is no indication of a tree nut product anywhere.

WHAT???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????  It's for MY child and it is TREE NUT FREE!!!!!!!  GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!

There.  I am done ranting, but this is RIDONCULUS!!!!!

Language Development

I know I have been blogging about Cavett quite a bit lately, so here is an update on Kendrick. Today Kendrick gave me at least 2 instances where he really was understanding language.

After his short morning nap we read a few books. One of which was Truck by Donald Crews. It has no words. Since I have narrated this book umpteen times, I began getting more creative and finding more things to talk about rather than my same old schpiel. When we got to the page with the spaghetti bowl of lanes, I asked him if he could find the truck (not just any truck, the main character truck). I really didn't think he would be able to. It is kind of like a "Where's Waldo?" page. He didn't hesitate and found it right away.

At lunch I asked him if he was ready to eat. He did the "eat" sign and walked over to the pantry. I said, "Would you like some chicken?" and he walked over the the refridgerator/freezer and started pulling on them with all his might.

It is so awesome when they really start grasping our language. I look forward to more days with more words.

Pictured with Daddy from Cavett's last soccer game on Saturday night. It was soooo cold!

You know....

You know your future grocery bill is in trouble when your 3 and 1 year old finish an entire box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese all by themselves!!!!

What is your "You know...?"

Spinning Applesauce

Today I got to enjoy Kendrick one-on-one while Cavett was at school. He had a great morning nap. I even had to wake him up to eat lunch. But after lunch we played. At one point I started humming "Let's Go Walking" to myself, because I am trying to "re-learn" it. (Evidentally, I learned it wrong. Long story.) Kendrick immediately recognized it as a SongPlay song. He's only been there twice at this age and then one session when he was 3 months old. So, I was amazed at how quickly he recognized it. Even though it was the wrong song, he recognized the situation. He went to my back and wanted to do "See-Saw." After a while he got tired of that and came around to the front to do it again. Later we tried out a few more songs--specifically "Teddy Bear." He has figured out how to turn around and around. Vestibular simulation at work!

He was also allowed to go crazy with the applesauce tonight. It was all over the face, hands and bib, but the bowl managed to stay in one place and there was very little on his outfit. He would have nothing to do with me spoon feeding it to him.

He's really growing up.

Forks and Spoons

Our lives are slowly getting back to normal after being "Iked." Yesterday we said good-bye to our last house guest, even thought they still don't have power; they now have a generator. However, Dad is now gone and is teaching in Las Vegas for the week.

Last night I decided to let loose. It's about time to let Kendrick explore the wonderful world of utensils. I approach this with much fear and trepidation. I hate messes and cleaning them up, but I know it must be done. So, I gave Kendrick yogurt in a bowl with a spoon. I feed him half of the bowl and then I let him have at it for the other half. He didn't do too bad, and I did help him every now and then. We ended up with only one splat on the floor. He loved every slimy moment of it!

Today it was Mac and Cheese on a fork. Although it was easy to prick and get several on the fork, he gave up and used his fingers. It will come, I just need to be patient and accept the fun mess that he makes.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Marion and Renee, this is for you!

Sorry for the inside joke. We were making a Blueberry Pound Cake today and I couldn't resist teaching Cavett a new way to use the word "Batter." He knew about the baseball version, but we had never discussed that it was for baking as well. This is a favorite phrase for several of my college buddies and me. Now, Cavett wants to type his name..... CAVETT!

The Saga Continues with More Success

After waking from his nap, I offered Kendrick the rest of his bottle. Uninterested. Around 6:00, we began dinner: Cheerios, Kraft Singles Cheese, Turkey, Asparagus, Grapes, Yogurt Melts. He ate the majority of everything given. He asked for milk once toward the end, by opening and closing his hand. After the grapes and yogurt, he stood up and I swear he said, "All done!" and began clapping his hands (a modified move of the sign language for finished.) Too precious and our first words along with, Mama, Dada, and bye-bye. I think I even heard him the other day say, "I Love you, " too!

9 Month Check-up

Kendrick went for a check-up today and a follow up visit for his ear infection. We have the all clear and he is growing and developing perfectly. We are so blessed to have such happy, healthy children. Here are the stats:

Height: 28 3/4" (75%)

Weight: 19 lbs. 7 oz. (40%)
Head Circ.: 18" (50%)

We mainly discussed his eating habits. She encouraged me to not give as much milk and to push more self-fed food. So, for lunch he had macaroni and cheese, hot dog, grapes, and of course his favorite Cheerios. Lately, he's had to have Cheerios in front of him to even open his mouth for anything else. I've had to put Cheerios on his plate mixed in with other things just so that maybe he'll pick up a bite of something else on accident and like it. Hey, what ever works. He decided he really liked the grapes and finally tolerated the hot dog and mac and cheese. Afterwards, he got a sippy cup of half the amount of formula he normally gets. He wasn't terribly interested, but did have some of it.

Also, this afternoon has been one of the best naps ever. He went down at 1:00 and I haven't heard a peep from him yet! (It's 3:30.) Knock on wood.

Zero Points

As I was having my 0 point snack this afternoon, Kendrick decided he liked it too. Yes, he is eating a pickle!

Going to the Theatre

This morning the family went to the theatre. It was Cavett's first real experience besides a movie. His teacher, Ms. Jan, told us about the Company On Stage and that her daughter was the lead in "Puss in Boots". It sounded right up our alley! The theater was very small and intimate--just right for kids. The time was perfect and Cavett had read the story several times before. Cavett was fairly attentive, but kept asking when he would see the ogre. Unfortunately, I assume for the fear factor, the ogre was heard and not seen until he turned into a mouse. Kendrick also enjoyed it. He actually watched most of it, even when given the opportunity to nurse he wanted to watch instead. Afterward, Cavett got the autograph of every single cast member. He was mesmerized! The next show they have will be Sleeping Beauty. I imagine this will be a theatre we will frequent often.

On a side note, Kendrick is loving teething biscuits now. They are really pretty gross to me and make a HUGE mess, but sometimes it's worth if you need a bit of time. This morning he was so messy, he hardly looked like himself. This is a picture when he didn't realize he had placed the biscuit on his head and then kept looking for it. Pretty funny!

Chef Jennifer chez nous

Lately, I have been doing nothing, but cooking. Stephen is following the P90X diet which is low carb/low fat/high protien for the first month. We have found some fantastic recipes from the accompanying cookbook including a sauce for grilled chicken that we have had on 3 occasions now. We just can't get enough of it! (Recipe below.)

I cooked 3 of my famous pecan pies this week for a shower for Anna and Mark on Saturday.

Also, Kendrick is really into eating baby food now. He has tried various fruits and we are starting to venture into vegetables that aren't as sweet. I can't seem to get the spoon to his mouth fast enough somtimes. As you may know, I made Cavett's baby food, so of course I am doing the same for Kendrick. It is really pretty easy. In some cases, just mash and feed, in others, boil or steam and blend. It's so much cheaper and you really know what you are feeding them. It also freezes well in ice cube trays for longer storage. Pictured are his latest ventures (top then bottom from left to right): Pear, Carrot, Pea, Plum, Apple, Sweet Potato, Blueberry, Cantaloupe. He also likes mixing the fruit in various combinations.

Honey-Chili Sauce

1/4 c. shallots, chopped

2/3 c. honey

1/4 c. sherry vinegar

1 t. chili powder

1/4 t. cumin

1 and 1/2 c. chicken broth

1 T. arrowroot (for thickening)

salt and pepper to taste

1 T. cilantro

3 T. chopped toasted pecans

Saute shallots until tender with cooking spray in a pan on medium-high heat.

Add honey and vinegar. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and 1 and 1/4 c. of the broth. Reserve last 1/4 c. of broth. Bring to a boil and reduce by half.

With last 1/4 c. of broth and dissolve arrowroot powder. Add to sauce and stir on low heat until thicker.

Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in cilantro. Garnish with pecans.

Great over grilled chicken and probably some fish too!

Anybody else have a fantastic recipe that you'd like to share?