Child labor/batch cooking

One of my most dreaded parts of motherhood is making lunches.  I know, I know.  Its pretty easy.  I try to get my act together at night and have them all ready before I go to bed.  But, there are some nights when I just plain forget or I'm too tired.

I follow several couponing websites, and one mentioned batch cooking.  I have never really gotten into making 9 casseroles and sticking them into the freezer for later use.  Mainly because I get sick of eating that many of the same kind of casserole.  Of course, there's the fact that E considers that "leftovers" no matter if you're eating them for the first time around or not.

Someone on that batch cooking post, commented that she does something similar for lunches.  She makes several PB&Js, freezes them, then just pulls them out for lunches every day.

Coincidentaly, kids were hankering for something to do today.  They tried to go outside, but it was too wet.  They tried playing with play dough, but it was "too mixed up!"  This particular project was on my agenda for today, so I thought I might let the kids have a whirl at it.

It was the BEST idea I've had all day week. 

A sneak peak ((post I wrote before my announcement))

I went to Dr. H today to get more blood work done.  My HCG levels were 8477.  Since I have been having pain in my lower right side, the nurse decided I needed an ultrasound.

Of course, they didn't tell me that when I called.  I didn't find out until I was walking to the door to leave.  I had both boys, and very little in the way of snacks and entertainment.  Very little.

The nurse told me to go ahead and sit in the waiting room until a room was free.  Normally, they are pretty Johnny-on-the-spot in that office.  In fact, I brag constantly about how speedy they get me in and out.  The number one evidence of my confidence in them would be the fact that I took both boys with me. 

Of course, today had to be a day where everyone and their families were sitting in the waiting room.  I felt horribly bad, seeing as how most of the women there have been struggling with IF.  Very few women are  there for RPL.  So, here I am, blatantly waiving my fertility in their faces.  I felt compelled to explain to several of the women around me.  I know, I'm lame.

Moving along, the baby is in the uterus.  That is excellent news.  The nurse was worried that it might be an ectopic pregnancy that was causing my pain.  According to my last menstrual period, I am 6 weeks today (though, when I'm on an un-medicated cycle, my ovulation date is about 4 days later than "normal".)  The technician saw a gestational sac and a "hint" of a yolk sac that was developing.

She seemed very upbeat and positive, saying that everything is there that is "supposed" to be there.  I, naturally, can't help but freak out just a teeny-tiny-tad.  I go back in next week on Tuesday for another scan.  The baby should be able to be seen by then. 

Here's the baby.  Isn't he/she sweet?  That arrow is pointing at the "hint" of the yolk sac.

nothing to write home about

Or, obviously enough, nothing to blog about, either. 

I feel terrible.  This blog is sort of my "journal" of sorts.  my collection of thoughts to one day remind myself what it was like at this time in our lives.

Unfortunately, I've been so busy (okay, honestly, most of that is just me feeling busy and stressed) that I find it hard or unreasonable to sit down and blog.  Not to mention the fact that every time I do decide to blog, I find my mind completely blank. 

Which is how I find myself now.  Blank mind.

So, for now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the kids playing outside.  We've been having beautiful weather!  I love it!

From Boy's jeans to frilly skirt, in less than 1 hour

I've had this idea floating around in my head for a few weeks now.  Probably since A put the 4th hole in a pair of pants that I had patched 3 times.  Originally, i was just going to make it a denim skirt.  Sew the crotch areas together and be done.  But, the jeans kind of screamed "BOY!" so I needed a way to girl it up a bit.  Hence the need for frills.

The entire project, from start to modeling, took less than an episode of Grey's watched on my computer. (why yes, I do sew at my computer desk...  Its multi-purpose like that.) So, definitely less than an hour.

Boy's Jeans to Frilly Skirt

Materials:

1 pair of holey jeans

scissors

sewing machine

2 pieces of fabric, cut in a rectangle shape. (the width really depends on how many ruffles you want and how big your jeans are.)  Mine were about 12 inches tall and 4 ft wide.  I just used scraps from another project.

Start with your jeans.  Cut just below the back pocket.  Then cut out the inside seam apart. (I didn't photograph this.  Sorry!)

I missed a few steps with the camera here, too.  Take one of your fabric pieces and hem the bottom.  Then, sew a very loose stitch close to the top (opposite the hem) of the fabric.  Make sure to leave extra thread at the end (so don't clip your thread, yet!)  Take one piece of the thread and gently pull, pushing the fabric gently down the thread to create a gathered effect. 

It should look something like this:

Now, take the raw edges on the sides, and sew, right sides together, to make a circle of fabric. 

Slip the fabric over the jeans, face down, with the hem up.  Next, figure out where you want the first tier to start. sew, with right sides together, just above your gathering stitch (you don't want your gathering stitch to show.)

 

Flip it down to admire your work. 

Repeat the process with the second tier.  

Trim off extra denim underneath. Then flip your layers down and admire again.



Finally, get a super cute, almost 6 yr old, to model for you.  (okay, so maybe this step isn't necessary...)

Tada!  You made a frilly skirt from boy's jeans!

Dear

One of my friends posts "dear" letters occasionally.  Hers are short, sweet, and funny.  Mine are a bit longer, but certainly gets it off my chest. :)


Dear dog-walking neighbor,
I know its inconvenient to pick up poo when your dog goes on the side walk.  Trust me, I know.  We used to have a dog.  But, its a one-time inconvenience for you.  When you leave it, its an inconvenience to me and my crew every time we walk on said side walk to and from the bus stop every day.  So, what is that?  Four times a day?  Yeah.  Its proving to be a little more than a simple inconvenience, especially when they step in it. 
Do you need a bag? I have plenty.  Maybe I should leave some outside for you.  You know, so its more convenient for you.

Much love and puppy dog kisses,
Your sick-of-side-stepping poo neighbor


Dear Isaac,
I know you love to nurse.  Especially at night.  Thanks for being such a trooper these last few days as we started night weaning.  Thanks, especially, for not hating me in the mornings like you so clearly do at night when I don't nurse you.  It will get easier.  I promise.  In the meantime, maybe we should start a 12 step program for you.

Love,
your over-tired mommy




Dear Miss I-hate-all-people receptionist,
If I'm not mistaken, being a receptionist at a doctor's office does require some interaction with people.  If you really hate the human race that much, maybe you should consider another line of work.

Sincerely,
the patient-who-simply-called-to-check-our-appointment-time



Dear A,
You are not as stealthy as you think.  When sneaking food,  you may want to consider throwing away the evidence when you are through.  Believe it or not, I won't believe you when you say that Isaac got into that banana all by himself.

Love,
your grocery poor mother


Dear O-
I know you want Twinkle Toes.  I know.  I know.  I know!  We bought them for your birthday so BE PATIENT!

Love,
Can't spend $40 on girl's shoes just because.

Dear E,
You make me laugh.  With your sense of humor, and your ability to fall asleep at 7:30.

Love,
your bored and lonely wife




Dear me,
Stop eating crap.

Love,
your future self

The Ham

I asked A if I could take some pictures of him.  He said "sure" and this is what he gave me.

Being the 3rd child means...

...getting every illness known to man kind because your big siblings are notoriously bad at staying out of your face before they wash their hands.

...having built in play-mates.

...passing a googly eye with your BM.

...your mommy hardly raises an eyebrow upon seeing the eye in the BM (But does take a picture to show daddy later to have a good laugh.)

...getting things constantly ripped out of your mouth that are choking hazards.  Like said googly eye. And Legos.  And Polly Pockets. And the list goes on.

...getting to eat peanut butter waaaaay before your siblings did.  Mainly because they feed it to you.

...having a mommy who is way more relaxed than someone who is a 1st child. (i.e. walking, talking, climbing, picky eating, not drinking milk.)  You'll do whatever it is you're going to do when you are ready and when you want to do it.

...having a mommy who realizes how quickly you really do grow up.

...having siblings pull, prod, and dress you up like a girl.

...a mommy and daddy who will snuggle, rock, and smell your head when you are sick. (and love every minute of the snuggles!)