"I noticed you bought yourself a couple of bags of almonds." Kid says.
"Yeah." Mrs F replies.
"I wonder what they taste like?" Kid asks.
"You've had almonds before; I think you like them. You can try them." Mrs F answers.
"Okay, good, because I felt bad about it, but I did try one." Kid clarifies.
"Oh, that's fine, they're healthy." Mrs F returns.
"I also noticed you bought some dark chocolate covered almonds..." Kid adds, then bursts out laughing.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Cookie Caper
Someone stole our troop's cookies from our town's cookie cupboard.
Equal parts hilarious and infuriating.
Equal parts hilarious and infuriating.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
So...
NON PALEO THINGS:
There, now that that is out of the way...
PALEO THINGS:
Things have gotten a bit harder. No, I haven't slipped, but a weaker man might have. The first week went swimmingly, but once Mr F jumped on the Paleo bandwagon we were blowing through the food much faster... and I was getting frustrated with how much cooking and prep work I have to do to keep us both fed. Also, I started getting hungry. Really hungry. Really, really, hungry. And while I'm not calorie restricting (on purpose), eliminating so many foods does mean, that you kind of run out of choices. So, that's the real deal on that. It's a lot of work to do this. Keep that in mind. And you'll want to really think through what things you can ALWAYS have on hand for a little variety and ease of food to face for those times.
Also, it's expensive. You need to eat a LOT more vegetables and protein to equal the same satiety that you'd get from a typical grain based diet. We're also going to the grocery store nearly everyday. Yesterday, I had to go twice. Hopefully, there is a learning curve here and I'll get better and planning, but also, there is the reality that your fridge can only hold so many heads of cabbage, etc., at once. At the end of the day, I think eating this way is worth the expense... also you won't be going out to eat so there is a saving on that end.
On the plus side, we are both eating more healthfully than EVER before. It's mind blowing. I can't believe Mr. F's sticking to it, to be honest. I think it's because Dr. Oz convinced him he's one step away from a heart attack (truth). Also, my digestion literally changed over night. Period. So, clearly, there is something in my regular diet that was tearing my insides apart. Mr F. also *thinks* his digestion is better ... so who knows what that means. As a result of our major vegetable focus (our plates are about 2/3 vegetable 1/4 protein 1/12 fat) the girls are also eating TONS more as well. As I predicted, Kid often eats the Paleo version, and loves the new coconut smoothies and Paleo muffins (weird but true). So it's a definite win for overall health.
On the weight loss front, I am losing, but (damn I really wish I'd weighed first... and why didn't I write down my weight last week?... I thought I'd remember... I don't!) I'm not breaking any records. My best guess is 1-2 pounds a week. For the amount of trouble (and recent hunger) I would like to see something bigger, but, truthfully, that's a fairly good consistent loss for someone in my condition. I am also down 1% body fat, which has been nearly impossible for me budge this whole past year, even with a bigger weight loss. So I think that is a positive, and speaks to a slower, but real, fat loss (I hope). Mr F weighs in on Saturday. I expect him to have better numbers because he is a man. What I can say is, for a fact, I have lost tummy fat. P.S. I'm also getting 4+ hours of cardio & about an hour of pilates each week.
What am I eating?
breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with turkey, tomatoes, peppers & spinach
or 2 sausage links & a Paleo Muffin
or 2 Paleo Muffins (recipe to follow)
hot tea (note I was able to give up coffee with no side effects... that has never happened before)
1st snack: smoothie (1.5 C coconut milk & 1 frozen banana & various frozen fruits or berries), this makes enough for 2 smoothies
lunch: dinner leftovers
2nd snack : hot tea & a Paleo Muffin (really struggling to find another fast snack... this is it for now)
dinner: spaghetti squash w/ tomato meat sauce & garlic sauteed broccoli
pork carnitas served over black beans w/ salsa & quacamole
curried butternut squash soup w/ bacon garnish & cabbage rolls (stuffed with seasoned ground beef)
thin cut pork chops w/braised cabbage, onion, apple and bacon & peas
BBQ pulled chicken w/ coleslaw
chili
cajun seasoned chicken, shrimp, zucchini, peppers & tomato stoup
sesame ginger chicken & broccoli saute over spaghetti squash
you get the picture!
(Most dinners I make along with rice or pasta to serve to the girls)
dessert: coconut milk tapioca pudding,
you can buy So Delicious coconut or almond milk frozen desserts but they have more sugar in them
If I'm still hungry later I might eat some pistachios, a piece of fruit, or another freaking muffin if I haven't had more than 2 already.
Paleo Muffins
preheat oven to 350
1.75 C almond meal (Trader Joe's has pretty cheap almond meal)
1/3 C sweetener (I'm using 1/4 C coconut palm sugar & 1-2 T molasses)
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
spices if using (for pumpkin muffins I use ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove... just shake 'em in there go light on the clove!)
blend together
add 2 beaten eggs
1 C pumpkin puree (can use mashed banana instead)
1/2 t vanilla
Stir together
add coconut milk until you reach desired muffin consistency (1/2 C or more usually)
Stir in dried cranberries or raisins if you wish
Bake for 20-25 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from pan and cool.
These will be very moist and will not dry out. They are even better after they've set for a bit.
2 muffins is a little more than 1 oz of nuts, so if you are going nut crazy in your other meals you might not want to eat a ton of muffins, too. Made with pumpkin these are a pretty good nutritional powerhouse. They satisfy that grain based carb vibe without having any in them. I have mine at about 130 cal a piece depending on what I put in them that time... if you stick to the dry ingredient measurements you can really experiment around with these. You can add more or less sweetener (less if using banana... 1/4C should do it), spices, stir ins, you could take out the puree and add more liquid, etc. Once you get a feel for them you'll be comfortable with how to change them around. Most Paleo muffin recipes I found had 3-4 eggs which was kind of gross and very eggy, mine have a much better and more traditional muffin tooth to them. If these are too moist you can drop it down to one egg and the recipe will still work, you'll just need to add a little more liquid to your batter.
There, now that that is out of the way...
PALEO THINGS:
Things have gotten a bit harder. No, I haven't slipped, but a weaker man might have. The first week went swimmingly, but once Mr F jumped on the Paleo bandwagon we were blowing through the food much faster... and I was getting frustrated with how much cooking and prep work I have to do to keep us both fed. Also, I started getting hungry. Really hungry. Really, really, hungry. And while I'm not calorie restricting (on purpose), eliminating so many foods does mean, that you kind of run out of choices. So, that's the real deal on that. It's a lot of work to do this. Keep that in mind. And you'll want to really think through what things you can ALWAYS have on hand for a little variety and ease of food to face for those times.
Also, it's expensive. You need to eat a LOT more vegetables and protein to equal the same satiety that you'd get from a typical grain based diet. We're also going to the grocery store nearly everyday. Yesterday, I had to go twice. Hopefully, there is a learning curve here and I'll get better and planning, but also, there is the reality that your fridge can only hold so many heads of cabbage, etc., at once. At the end of the day, I think eating this way is worth the expense... also you won't be going out to eat so there is a saving on that end.
On the plus side, we are both eating more healthfully than EVER before. It's mind blowing. I can't believe Mr. F's sticking to it, to be honest. I think it's because Dr. Oz convinced him he's one step away from a heart attack (truth). Also, my digestion literally changed over night. Period. So, clearly, there is something in my regular diet that was tearing my insides apart. Mr F. also *thinks* his digestion is better ... so who knows what that means. As a result of our major vegetable focus (our plates are about 2/3 vegetable 1/4 protein 1/12 fat) the girls are also eating TONS more as well. As I predicted, Kid often eats the Paleo version, and loves the new coconut smoothies and Paleo muffins (weird but true). So it's a definite win for overall health.
On the weight loss front, I am losing, but (damn I really wish I'd weighed first... and why didn't I write down my weight last week?... I thought I'd remember... I don't!) I'm not breaking any records. My best guess is 1-2 pounds a week. For the amount of trouble (and recent hunger) I would like to see something bigger, but, truthfully, that's a fairly good consistent loss for someone in my condition. I am also down 1% body fat, which has been nearly impossible for me budge this whole past year, even with a bigger weight loss. So I think that is a positive, and speaks to a slower, but real, fat loss (I hope). Mr F weighs in on Saturday. I expect him to have better numbers because he is a man. What I can say is, for a fact, I have lost tummy fat. P.S. I'm also getting 4+ hours of cardio & about an hour of pilates each week.
What am I eating?
breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled with turkey, tomatoes, peppers & spinach
or 2 sausage links & a Paleo Muffin
or 2 Paleo Muffins (recipe to follow)
hot tea (note I was able to give up coffee with no side effects... that has never happened before)
1st snack: smoothie (1.5 C coconut milk & 1 frozen banana & various frozen fruits or berries), this makes enough for 2 smoothies
lunch: dinner leftovers
2nd snack : hot tea & a Paleo Muffin (really struggling to find another fast snack... this is it for now)
dinner: spaghetti squash w/ tomato meat sauce & garlic sauteed broccoli
pork carnitas served over black beans w/ salsa & quacamole
curried butternut squash soup w/ bacon garnish & cabbage rolls (stuffed with seasoned ground beef)
thin cut pork chops w/braised cabbage, onion, apple and bacon & peas
BBQ pulled chicken w/ coleslaw
chili
cajun seasoned chicken, shrimp, zucchini, peppers & tomato stoup
sesame ginger chicken & broccoli saute over spaghetti squash
you get the picture!
(Most dinners I make along with rice or pasta to serve to the girls)
dessert: coconut milk tapioca pudding,
you can buy So Delicious coconut or almond milk frozen desserts but they have more sugar in them
If I'm still hungry later I might eat some pistachios, a piece of fruit, or another freaking muffin if I haven't had more than 2 already.
Paleo Muffins
preheat oven to 350
1.75 C almond meal (Trader Joe's has pretty cheap almond meal)
1/3 C sweetener (I'm using 1/4 C coconut palm sugar & 1-2 T molasses)
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
spices if using (for pumpkin muffins I use ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove... just shake 'em in there go light on the clove!)
blend together
add 2 beaten eggs
1 C pumpkin puree (can use mashed banana instead)
1/2 t vanilla
Stir together
add coconut milk until you reach desired muffin consistency (1/2 C or more usually)
Stir in dried cranberries or raisins if you wish
Bake for 20-25 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from pan and cool.
These will be very moist and will not dry out. They are even better after they've set for a bit.
2 muffins is a little more than 1 oz of nuts, so if you are going nut crazy in your other meals you might not want to eat a ton of muffins, too. Made with pumpkin these are a pretty good nutritional powerhouse. They satisfy that grain based carb vibe without having any in them. I have mine at about 130 cal a piece depending on what I put in them that time... if you stick to the dry ingredient measurements you can really experiment around with these. You can add more or less sweetener (less if using banana... 1/4C should do it), spices, stir ins, you could take out the puree and add more liquid, etc. Once you get a feel for them you'll be comfortable with how to change them around. Most Paleo muffin recipes I found had 3-4 eggs which was kind of gross and very eggy, mine have a much better and more traditional muffin tooth to them. If these are too moist you can drop it down to one egg and the recipe will still work, you'll just need to add a little more liquid to your batter.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
In Case You Were Wondering...
Since Saturday morning I've been completely grain free. I also haven't had to contend with my usual morning rocket-fuel-enema since then either. Which is a very good thing.
The digestive change was immediate... so... something to ponder. I've done every kind of elimination diet, and I just have never been able to figure out what triggers me. Which left me wondering if maybe it was hot food... sounds crazy... but seemed to be a factor. Cold food didn't bother me to the same level (usually). But eating only cold cereal didn't really change things. So then I thought maybe it's the HOT coffee.... because iced coffee didn't seem to add the rocket fuel to the breakfast clean out ;) But then I'd go off coffee and still have problems. Confused? Yes, I was too. Everything I tried seemed to work, but only under certain conditions.
Well, I've been drinking hot coffee every morning (still with half & half, that & butter are my only dairy), and I've been eating hot breakfast EVERY morning, and I've had no issues.
What is most interesting about this digestive change is that I'd actually been wheat free for 3 full years in the past (and for a period, completely gluten free) and been tested for celiac (negative) and I was still having digestive issues. They were improved, but not in any way cured, so eventually I went back to a regular diet. The whole thing has been confounding, and I've really tried to get answers. That's why, hitting my head against the wall I thought, could it really be hot fucking coffee? But here I am drinking coffee. And it's hot. And I'm not having my weird panicky hot flashes, shakes, and urgent bathroom visits. Imagine that EVERY morning for 20 years. It got to the point where, despite Mr F's extreme love of restaurant breakfasts, that we'd never go because I knew it would be like I'd been food poisoned for several hours afterward.
TMI, I know, but I also know that there are a lot of people out there that can relate.
What is most interesting is that it didn't take 14 days for the toxin to leave my body, the change was immediate. Also, my energy throughout the day is MUCH improved, I've been able to get back to my after dinner workouts and I'm not dragging myself down there. I should note that I've removed all white sugar (still have stevia & coconut sugar in my coffee & my muffins), so I know that helps, but since I'm not totally sugar free I haven't had any hard time adjusting. I also don't wake up famished, and don't need to snack all night (helps that there is nothing really to snack on!). I've also grown a long silky mane and a sparkly horn (just kidding). Not sure about weight loss, I didn't weigh myself first (d'oh!), but I do feel lighter. I'm not joking, I'd have thought I had lost 5 pounds... the truth is that I've, maybe, lost a pound or two (again can't be sure, but definitely not more than that). I'll know better from this point forward.
I really didn't need to ease into this. I think it helps that I'm not a dairy person to begin with (I don't drink milk, eat cheese, like yogurt or ice cream... believe it), and I've already done wheat free eating for a long time, so I kind of knew what to expect & that I could tolerate it. It also, certainly, helps that I have the ability to cook 3 meals a day. But I haven't been cranky, or hungry, or having withdrawal headaches... as I have had when doing other elimination diets.
Things are going so well that Mr F went to Whole Foods for lunch and bought himself a rotisserie chicken and a bag of carrots. He really cracks me up, sometimes. He's going Paleo starting today. Seeing before & after pictures of men's guts proved to be very influential ;)
Unfortunately, I've also already had 2 migraines... so... it's not a miracle cure.
The digestive change was immediate... so... something to ponder. I've done every kind of elimination diet, and I just have never been able to figure out what triggers me. Which left me wondering if maybe it was hot food... sounds crazy... but seemed to be a factor. Cold food didn't bother me to the same level (usually). But eating only cold cereal didn't really change things. So then I thought maybe it's the HOT coffee.... because iced coffee didn't seem to add the rocket fuel to the breakfast clean out ;) But then I'd go off coffee and still have problems. Confused? Yes, I was too. Everything I tried seemed to work, but only under certain conditions.
Well, I've been drinking hot coffee every morning (still with half & half, that & butter are my only dairy), and I've been eating hot breakfast EVERY morning, and I've had no issues.
What is most interesting about this digestive change is that I'd actually been wheat free for 3 full years in the past (and for a period, completely gluten free) and been tested for celiac (negative) and I was still having digestive issues. They were improved, but not in any way cured, so eventually I went back to a regular diet. The whole thing has been confounding, and I've really tried to get answers. That's why, hitting my head against the wall I thought, could it really be hot fucking coffee? But here I am drinking coffee. And it's hot. And I'm not having my weird panicky hot flashes, shakes, and urgent bathroom visits. Imagine that EVERY morning for 20 years. It got to the point where, despite Mr F's extreme love of restaurant breakfasts, that we'd never go because I knew it would be like I'd been food poisoned for several hours afterward.
TMI, I know, but I also know that there are a lot of people out there that can relate.
What is most interesting is that it didn't take 14 days for the toxin to leave my body, the change was immediate. Also, my energy throughout the day is MUCH improved, I've been able to get back to my after dinner workouts and I'm not dragging myself down there. I should note that I've removed all white sugar (still have stevia & coconut sugar in my coffee & my muffins), so I know that helps, but since I'm not totally sugar free I haven't had any hard time adjusting. I also don't wake up famished, and don't need to snack all night (helps that there is nothing really to snack on!). I've also grown a long silky mane and a sparkly horn (just kidding). Not sure about weight loss, I didn't weigh myself first (d'oh!), but I do feel lighter. I'm not joking, I'd have thought I had lost 5 pounds... the truth is that I've, maybe, lost a pound or two (again can't be sure, but definitely not more than that). I'll know better from this point forward.
I really didn't need to ease into this. I think it helps that I'm not a dairy person to begin with (I don't drink milk, eat cheese, like yogurt or ice cream... believe it), and I've already done wheat free eating for a long time, so I kind of knew what to expect & that I could tolerate it. It also, certainly, helps that I have the ability to cook 3 meals a day. But I haven't been cranky, or hungry, or having withdrawal headaches... as I have had when doing other elimination diets.
Things are going so well that Mr F went to Whole Foods for lunch and bought himself a rotisserie chicken and a bag of carrots. He really cracks me up, sometimes. He's going Paleo starting today. Seeing before & after pictures of men's guts proved to be very influential ;)
Unfortunately, I've also already had 2 migraines... so... it's not a miracle cure.
Friday, February 24, 2012
It's Happening, People
First Paleo breakfast:
Eggs scrambled with onion, spinach, tomato, and turkey served with a almond meal & banana muffin.
Of course, Kid ate it and LOVED it. She was born to go Paleo.
Baby had this:
She was born to eat cookies off the floor.
Although, this afternoon even she helped herself to one of the muffins, and ate the whole thing. It's basically just banana, almonds & eggs... and seeing as she won't eat eggs or almonds... it's a win! Must make more.
This has been something I've thought about for quite awhile. I have long felt that the Paleo diet might make me feel better. I've been pretty sick lately & I'm just sick of breakfast causing serious digestive ailments every. single. morning. (for nearly 20 fucking years) and the migraines. I'm not going to be pure, though. My take is: no grains, no dairy, minimal unrefined sweeteners (just got some coconut palm sugar)... but I'm not ruling out legumes. I think they are too healthy & convenient to give up. Potatoes, corn, grains, sugar?... sure, I'm a believer... but lentils? hummus? black beans? No, I don't buy it. I don't over do the beans (and I'm actually anti-soy already) so I don't think the potential negatives out weight the positives. I'm also not going to make red meat a main protein, I'll stick with chicken & lean pork. I've never digested red meat very easily... and I'm trying to get better not worse. I'm taking a couple of weeks to ease into it, going for as many Paleo meals as possible each day (breakfast, dinner & snacks today... still using up existing food at lunch) while researching more recipes. I think the key to success will be stocking up my freezer over the next couple of weeks so that I'll be able to easily have lunch food & snacks at the ready. I think dinners will be pretty easy for me to adjust and still serve a grain for the kids.
Mr F claims he's going to go Paleo. I'm not holding me breath.
Maybe I'll also lose 15 pounds.
(Pretty please)
P.S. I'm loving THIS SITE for Paleo recipes. And just over all design.
Eggs scrambled with onion, spinach, tomato, and turkey served with a almond meal & banana muffin.Of course, Kid ate it and LOVED it. She was born to go Paleo.
Baby had this:
She was born to eat cookies off the floor.
Although, this afternoon even she helped herself to one of the muffins, and ate the whole thing. It's basically just banana, almonds & eggs... and seeing as she won't eat eggs or almonds... it's a win! Must make more.
This has been something I've thought about for quite awhile. I have long felt that the Paleo diet might make me feel better. I've been pretty sick lately & I'm just sick of breakfast causing serious digestive ailments every. single. morning. (for nearly 20 fucking years) and the migraines. I'm not going to be pure, though. My take is: no grains, no dairy, minimal unrefined sweeteners (just got some coconut palm sugar)... but I'm not ruling out legumes. I think they are too healthy & convenient to give up. Potatoes, corn, grains, sugar?... sure, I'm a believer... but lentils? hummus? black beans? No, I don't buy it. I don't over do the beans (and I'm actually anti-soy already) so I don't think the potential negatives out weight the positives. I'm also not going to make red meat a main protein, I'll stick with chicken & lean pork. I've never digested red meat very easily... and I'm trying to get better not worse. I'm taking a couple of weeks to ease into it, going for as many Paleo meals as possible each day (breakfast, dinner & snacks today... still using up existing food at lunch) while researching more recipes. I think the key to success will be stocking up my freezer over the next couple of weeks so that I'll be able to easily have lunch food & snacks at the ready. I think dinners will be pretty easy for me to adjust and still serve a grain for the kids.
Mr F claims he's going to go Paleo. I'm not holding me breath.
Maybe I'll also lose 15 pounds.
(Pretty please)
P.S. I'm loving THIS SITE for Paleo recipes. And just over all design.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
On Insight and Supersight
Yesterday, while driving Kid to drop off Girl Scout cookie orders, we had an interesting conversation. During our years as a family, we've come across more than a few families that allow their children to have as much (or more) power than the parents. This has a lot of ramifications, but most notably, I find, are tantrums (long past toddlerhood), anger, and rudeness.
Anyway... this is what Kid had to say about it...
"If you are a kid and you are allowed to make all the decisions, your brain starts to think 'Control! I love being in charge!', when actually, NO, it's making you super stressed out and angry." Kid sums up for me, from the back seat.
Preach it, sister.
************************************************************
"Look into my eyes." Baby asks mysteriously.
"How many eyes do I have?" Baby prompts.
"Two." Mrs F replies.
"Look harder." Baby commands.
Anyway... this is what Kid had to say about it...
"If you are a kid and you are allowed to make all the decisions, your brain starts to think 'Control! I love being in charge!', when actually, NO, it's making you super stressed out and angry." Kid sums up for me, from the back seat.
Preach it, sister.
************************************************************
"Look into my eyes." Baby asks mysteriously.
"How many eyes do I have?" Baby prompts.
"Two." Mrs F replies.
"Look harder." Baby commands.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Paczki Day
"Do we celebrate Fattening Day?" Baby asked me excitedly last week.
"You better believe it." I reassured her
Monday, February 13, 2012
Bachelor Breakdown
"Dad! Courtney gets to go to a Mayan Temple; she doesn't deserve it!" An enraged Kid updates Mr F.
"Actually... she does." Kid continues, then breaks out in maniacal laughter.
"Actually... she does." Kid continues, then breaks out in maniacal laughter.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Weekend Updates
Just finished making this super cute and easy felt Valentine's Day project for the girls:
(original found here)**********************************************************
The Furious Fam just discovered Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader. (Pretty much, YES.) Mr F is inordinately into himself about it, though. I mean he's taking it very seriously... which I find to be both humorously embarrassing and moderately ANNOYING. I mean, it's not exactly Jeopardy.
Baby said, after answering something right, "I am smarter than a fifth grader... which means I'm smarter than a noodlecorn (unicorn)!" "I guess." I replied. "Noodlecorns are very smart." Baby returned sternly. Oh.
*******************************************************
If we are gone from the house for more than an hour or two, we'll come home to this...
It turns out our new cat Big Boy thinks he's a dog. He's obsessed with that Marie stuffed cat and that yellow duck. He gets them out every time.
I mean have you ever seen a cat carrying around large stuffed animals? It cracks me up!
For comparison purposes this is Marie next to our largest cat toy...
He's such a gentle giant, though.*******************************************************************
I've been sticking to our new $75/week grocery budget with no problem! One tip I've found for myself, is that I do better shopping at our more expensive grocery store (ironic)... since I'm more on guard there and do better sticking to the bare minimum of what I need. When I go to our big local grocery/everything store (which I consider to be a better priced store for most things) I always buy more than I intended, even if the basics are a bit cheaper there are more distractions and I find it much harder to stick to my basic list.
*******************************************************************
I've not been working out. Ugh. I need to start back from scratch... AGAIN. I hate how quickly you can lose your motivation and then it feels like you never did it. I mean, how did I do this every day? It seems like someone else's life. And yet I know that once I start again, it will seem easy to fit in, and I'll wonder why I ever stopped. Such a vicious cycle... and the starting is the hardest part.
*******************************************************************
That's all for now.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Late Night Googlings With Mr and Mrs F
"Quick, grab your phone and look up 'negative effects of cannibalism'." Mrs F requests.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Touche´
"You are not going to wear the same things three days in a row." Mrs F informs Kid.
"Why not? You do." Kid returns.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
FIVE
Breakfast table is set...
For our traditional Birthday Breakfast (Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants!)
First Five little presents... (just turned out that way, but I am pleased)
Which contain these...
Most awesome Ebay score of all time. You may recall from Halloween that she is obsessed with Robin Hood (of course all Robin Hood Disney merchandise is vaulted so this was a challenging b'day quest)
Again the Disney vault issue strikes again... this movie is technically the library's (her really really expensive copy is in the mail)
Outside of Robin Hood, one of Baby's favorite things is gingerbread men. So a birthday theme was born. I scoured all the Christmas sales and stocked up! So glad I did, and that I bought that cute skirt fabric while I was at it.
Cute... (I wish she'd let me cut those darn bangs! She only left that clip in for this picture!)
You can't tell from these pictures, but this birthday has been really hard on her. She's been sobbing over it for a couple of weeks. Cried herself to sleep, and woke up crying this morning. You'd think she was turning 50! She doesn't want to be 5 "or 8 or 9 or 13 or 20 or grownup!!!". We told her that we didn't have to celebrate, that she could skip this year, but nothing helped assuage her worries. "But I'll still be 5!!!!" She'd wail. "My body will still be 5!!!" And she was right, so there wasn't much we could do, but try to be loving and patient and understanding during her LONG, LONG bedtimes.
Hopefully the presents will help.
And the fact that she didn't wake up bigger ;)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Well, I've Been Busy
Sorry for the sporadic and lame blogging.
This whole adoption thing has kind of taken over.
It has had to have been some of the most stressful times I've ever gone through...
and, People, we haven't even really started.
I am relieved to discover (via 1 million adoption blogs) that this is par for the course.
There are so many monumental decisions to make with very little information.
Nearly every day I change my mind from one agency to another.
One type of adoption to another.
Back again.
and again.
Until I want to blow my brains out.
It is all surprisingly difficult to navigate and stressful.
So stressful.
And, the money?
Yes, the money.
The tax credit is set (for now) to expire very likely before we could finalize an adoption.
For awhile I was about to self destruct trying to figure out how to get everything done in time.
While important, that can't drive me.
So I tried to let that go.
Then a situation seemed to fall in my lap that would be perfect.
But 45K.
We have 16.
I spent a few days researching grants, etc.
Then found out it was too late, someone beat us to the medical deposit.
Which was good, because it made me realize that I was trying to compete for the exact kind of children there are plenty of right here.
At a certain point, I had to say... seriously?... you've gone from an 18 month old to a 7 & 3 year old sibling pair with no medical history and most likely horrific trauma and at minimum extreme malnutrition. Why again aren't you willing to adopt out of Foster Care?
It had almost become laughable.
So I searched the MARE site again (I've been doing this for YEARS by the way)... and lo and behold a 7 & 5 year old sibling pair, with full medical history (and no medical issues).
But, of course, we're not able to pursue them now since we need PRIDE training, etc.
Either way. Ups and Downs. Ups and Downs. And that is, in part, the story with adoption.
So many things we've stumbled on and thought about.
And now, while we'll probably change our minds, we've decided to go ahead and adopt from Foster Care.
Which, interestingly enough, was the root of my desire to do this all along.
So, it kind of feels right.
And I don't lie awake stressing about how quickly we can get this done, or how we can get the money.
Which, was, a huge amount of the stress.
Friday, January 27, 2012
If You...
Had compiled a folder of important paper work (birth certificate, marriage license, social security card, etc) to take to the DMV (in fucking JUNE I might add)... where the hell would you put it when you came home?
No, not in the file folder in the cabinet that says "Identification", or the one by my desk that says "To Be Filed".
Not in the car's glove box.
For the love of God?! Where the hell did I put them?!!
And, yes, I totally thought Mr F was the one who was going to cause this hold up...
No, not in the file folder in the cabinet that says "Identification", or the one by my desk that says "To Be Filed".
Not in the car's glove box.
For the love of God?! Where the hell did I put them?!!
And, yes, I totally thought Mr F was the one who was going to cause this hold up...
Monday, January 23, 2012
Out of The Mouths Of Babes
"I hope Ben watches his shows to see how blind he really was." Kid remarks.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
It's A Real Mystery, Sherlock
"Maybe I had too much pita?" Mr F suggests regarding his mysterious fullness.
"Pita?" Mrs F responds a little suspect.
"Well, I only had one bowl of soup." Mr F states.
"How much Coke did you have? And brownies?" Mrs F inquires.
"Hmm..." Mr F responds and walks shamefully out of the kitchen.
"Pita?" Mrs F responds a little suspect.
"Well, I only had one bowl of soup." Mr F states.
"How much Coke did you have? And brownies?" Mrs F inquires.
"Hmm..." Mr F responds and walks shamefully out of the kitchen.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Updates
Oh, boy... this week has been a real roller coaster!
We had our first meeting with a potential adoption agency.
We left feeling really overwhelmed and concerned about the potential for corruption on the country's end.
Things just did not sit well with us, and the director's repeated complaints about the Hague accreditation process did not help.
I really don't care if it makes more work for you... that's your job... and it's important... and you are getting paid for it.
She really bemoaned that long gone are the days of bringing home a 2 month old (or in her case a 2 DAY old...um... they aren't orphaned in the womb... so how did you secure that adoption?) (Talking international here, not domestic, just to be clear)
Wow, she was glib.
This is our biggest concern with an African adoption and this was CLEARLY not theirs.
That's a problem.
So, now we're kind of freaked out.
We have a meeting with another agency in 2 weeks, and we'll see.
I don't know what direction we'll take now.
Our point is to bring home a waiting child, not an infant. This has been a personal goal of mine since I worked in foster care in NYC 13+ years ago. Domestic adoption for US waiting children is available only for children 7 & up, which makes them an inappropriate placement for our household, at this time. Fostering younger children, while an option age wise, would be just too difficult on our girls emotionally. It is still an option for the future, when our children are older. This is how we've come to international adoption, and there is extensive need, but there are also concerns. We're walking that line right now.
Which brings us to special needs adoption, which I've also felt called to for MANY years. This is something that I feel particularly well suited to, and there is a huge need, and we can be 100% sure that these children are truly orphaned. But are we all up for it?
So, that's that. For today.
Next week? We tour charter school 1 followed the next week by charter school 2.
So, I've got major decisions all up in my bees wax these days.
Thankfully, I've got the help of Superhero Pioneer Baby by my side:
On other fronts I rearranged my living room, thanks to my 99 year old grandmother's generous donation of a couple of oil paintings. And I am in love. It's SO much better.
BEFORE (this is the day I was packing up our Christmas decorations... holy crap we have a LOT of decorations it took me from 3 PM- 2 AM to do it all... believe it... so just look around them for the basic furniture layout)
AFTER: rearranged the couch & reading chair w/ottoman, added 2 oil paintings & tin work (10th anniversary gift) on couch wall, added desk & lamp. The rattan chairs we got at World Market for just over $100 each a couple of months ago... and it really solved the problem we had of needed seating in front of that built in.
For now, I'm cool with this. We have 2 wall sconces that will eventually (eventually) get placed in here since there is no overhead lighting. One will go next to the built in bookcase in that space between the bookcase and the 2 venetian jester watercolors (just FYI in case that space bothers you like it does me).
We had our first meeting with a potential adoption agency.
We left feeling really overwhelmed and concerned about the potential for corruption on the country's end.
Things just did not sit well with us, and the director's repeated complaints about the Hague accreditation process did not help.
I really don't care if it makes more work for you... that's your job... and it's important... and you are getting paid for it.
She really bemoaned that long gone are the days of bringing home a 2 month old (or in her case a 2 DAY old...um... they aren't orphaned in the womb... so how did you secure that adoption?) (Talking international here, not domestic, just to be clear)
Wow, she was glib.
This is our biggest concern with an African adoption and this was CLEARLY not theirs.
That's a problem.
So, now we're kind of freaked out.
We have a meeting with another agency in 2 weeks, and we'll see.
I don't know what direction we'll take now.
Our point is to bring home a waiting child, not an infant. This has been a personal goal of mine since I worked in foster care in NYC 13+ years ago. Domestic adoption for US waiting children is available only for children 7 & up, which makes them an inappropriate placement for our household, at this time. Fostering younger children, while an option age wise, would be just too difficult on our girls emotionally. It is still an option for the future, when our children are older. This is how we've come to international adoption, and there is extensive need, but there are also concerns. We're walking that line right now.
Which brings us to special needs adoption, which I've also felt called to for MANY years. This is something that I feel particularly well suited to, and there is a huge need, and we can be 100% sure that these children are truly orphaned. But are we all up for it?
So, that's that. For today.
Next week? We tour charter school 1 followed the next week by charter school 2.
So, I've got major decisions all up in my bees wax these days.
Thankfully, I've got the help of Superhero Pioneer Baby by my side:
On other fronts I rearranged my living room, thanks to my 99 year old grandmother's generous donation of a couple of oil paintings. And I am in love. It's SO much better.
BEFORE (this is the day I was packing up our Christmas decorations... holy crap we have a LOT of decorations it took me from 3 PM- 2 AM to do it all... believe it... so just look around them for the basic furniture layout)
AFTER: rearranged the couch & reading chair w/ottoman, added 2 oil paintings & tin work (10th anniversary gift) on couch wall, added desk & lamp. The rattan chairs we got at World Market for just over $100 each a couple of months ago... and it really solved the problem we had of needed seating in front of that built in.
For now, I'm cool with this. We have 2 wall sconces that will eventually (eventually) get placed in here since there is no overhead lighting. One will go next to the built in bookcase in that space between the bookcase and the 2 venetian jester watercolors (just FYI in case that space bothers you like it does me).
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Threats That Only Work On 4 Year Olds
"If you get out of bed one more time, you won't allowed to wash the windows tomorrow!"
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