Love, Light, and Lennon

When people think and talk baby, often times the phrase 'eat, sleep, poop' comes up. Right now? It's more like cryeatcrypoopeatcrycrysleepcry. 

When the grittier, colic-y times of parenting a newborn strike and I feel like I can't see the light at the end of the 3-month-mark tunnel (sleep deprivation is torture), I nearly always turn to John Lennon for solace and perspective. 

'Say a little prayer

that every day 

in every way

it's getting better and better.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful

beautiful boy.' *

And as Lennon laments what a 'hard row to hoe' life can be...

 I find my perspective.

And a few moments of peace and joy in my sweet, crying-for-3-hours-straight-through-her-tummy-pain girl.

  

 

 

 

 As she offers up her first smiles to me, I'm reminded what a beautiful road it is traveling together as parent and child.

*Song 'Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)'  written/performed by John Lennon

Totally Cliche.

'Time flies when you're having fun.'

Cliches. Have you ever noticed how much we use them in everyday life?

•  To be honest...

• There's no place like home. (Hey, I live in Kansas.)

• All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. (Best horror movie EVER. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times- Jack Nicholson is the uber-est.)

• Crack the whip.

• I beg to differ.

As the parent of a newborn and potty-training toddler, I feel like my life, in my mind, is narrated by cliches lately. In both good ways and tough ways. I find myself constantly thinking things like...

• Burning the candle and both ends.

• Comparing apples to oranges. (Lesson learning in progress: don't compare your kids.)

• With one hand tied behind my back. I'm working on turning this one into an art form, baby.

 But don't get me wrong! There are some good ones, too!

• To the victor goes the spoils.Natalie and I have been working on nighttime routines to get her used to the fact that day=light=awake; and night=dark=sleep. The little pumpkin has recently been giving me 5 to 6 hour stretches here and there as a result of our hard work. Me: Victor. Spoils: SLEEP! A to the men, sista.
• Growing like a weed. My little preemie has gone from 4 lb, 14 oz at her lowest to 9 lb, 5 oz in her short amount of time on the outside. So proud of her.
• And once again, Time flies when you're having fun. And when you're flat-out exhausted. But either way, time has really flown, and my newest baby girl is all of a sudden two months old today. 

 If I could save time in a bottle...

If only.

 

Summer Tributes

Our little girl was born here in Kansas (with a lot of love brought in from Iowa).

But something tells me that she's got a lot of her mama and daddy's (and Grandpa's) Iowa-ness in her. 

Corn is in her blood...and all over her face.

We had so much fun whipping up Summer Squash & Corn Chowder with this Kansas-grown treat (delicious, but not quite the same as good old Iowa sweet corn) that we decided to add it to the dinner list again this week.  I hope you get to try this recipe from Cooking Light- it is a pure tribute to summer, and best if you get your produce from your local farmers market-especially the corn.

Yumminess for the Week

Tuesday: Green Onion & Bacon Breadcrumb Pasta

This is a huge favorite of ours tossed with whole-wheat spaghetti. Look at the first slide for instructions on breadcrumbs, and then flip to the second slide for this particular version- there are several! I used green onions (scallions?) instead of chives. That's just what I had on hand. And because I have trouble saying 'no' to cheese, I stirred in grated parmesan for additional flavor and cohesiveness (if that's not a real word, I'm making it one).  Feesh calls these delicious, cheesy bits of cohesiveness 'bacon crunchies'. 

Wednesday: Grilled Peach & Goat Cheese Salad
We turned this into a side salad without the chicken and did not grill the peaches. All you have to do is get the most local, delicious peaches you can find and dice them up (two or so).  Crumble of some fresh goat cheese (chevre) and dice up some good white country bread for homemade croutons. Fry those diced-up bread pieces in olive oil for a few minutes and toss them with grated parmesan after removing from heat. Sprinkle with pepper. Dress the salad (we used fresh spinach for greens) as directed. Serve grilled chicken or shrimp skewers on the side. 
Thursday: Summer Squash & Corn Chowder
The recipe calls for frozen corn, but that's just ridiculous to even think of using at the end of July when you live in the Midwest.  We used two medium-sized ears and used it raw. This soup thickens up very well on its own with the fresh corn and milk puree- but I'd use a touch less milk if you're like me and want a thicker soup.
Friday: Grilled Cheese on Sourdough

I just can't make grilled cheese on regular old bagged sandwich bread anymore. Farm to Market Bread Company, a local set-up, makes some pretty awesome product. If you live in the area, make sure to check out their pretzel buns! An awesome shop called Little Freshie (they hand-craft all-natural snow-cones and sodas- hello, Blackberry Lavender) puts sharp cheddar, almond butter, and sliced green apples on the aforementioned pretzel buns.  One of the best sandwiches I've had, hands-down.
Saturday: Hoping to get out for one more date night before Baby 2...we'll see how that goes. If it doesn't, we'll just chalk it up to a FIO night- Figure. It. Out.
Sunday: Chorizo-Potato Tacos

This is a new recipe from Real Simple magazine. Looking forward to trying this one out. While the idea of radishes usually makes me turn up my nose, I feel they just might work here. Also will throw in some tomatoes with the black-bean salsa. What is a summer salsa without tomatoes?
Monday: Quesadillas 

A good way to use up any leftover produce. Which is good- summer is a great time to go overboard on things like tomatoes, zucchini, even peaches. And Feesh will remind you to not forget the corn!

Simply Sweet Summer Fun

Some things about raising kids aren't always so sweet, or always so simple.

At any stage of parenthood, I'm sure.

That's why it's always good to take a step back and look at the times that have been and will always be sweet and simple. I aim to provide my kiddos with such memories; nostalgia, I suppose you could call it.  And now that it is summer, there are many of those kinds of times to look forward to with my children. (Yes, children!  As of next month!)

Feesh is a little young to experience some of my favorite moments of childhood (playing outside with her friends by herself until dusk, playing basketball with Dad), but she is definitely old enough for some of them (cooking with Mom, having water fights).  Aside from some re-creating some of the favorite moments of my past, we also enjoy some simple and sweet moments that belong to her and her folks (yep, I called myself a folk).

Dandelion Wishes

 Bubble-Blowing

Water Play

Box-Opening (...?)

Every so often, we get a vegetable and fruit delivery dropped off at our door from an organic food delivery company.  "Getting a de-yivery" is a highlight of her day, and I don't open it until after nap, since it usually comes during that time of day. 

I know, this totally sounds nerdy, but she loves it! And having a smidge of nerd in you is essential to your happiness. I would know. 

Anyway, one of our favorite things to do after exploring the box's contents is to make smoothies.  It's a great way to perk up a kid after nap!  It's also great for clearing out any produce we have that may be is languishing in the refrigerator or the fruit bowl. Smoothies are an amazing way to get lots of vitamins and some healthy calories into your kiddo, especially if they are picky about veggies, which Miss F. seems to be these days.  

And these recipes are just how I like my summer: sweet and simple. Even the spinach one. I hope you can enjoy them as much as we have! And for you mamas out there, they all freeze well and make great frozen bites for your teething baby or toddler.  

Trust me, they are tasty. I have proof.

Smoothies:

Banana-Peach-Mango Smoothie 

Just whipped this up yesterday with produce that was about to overripen. One banana, one peeled mango, and one peach. Threw in some fresh blueberries and ice if you like. If you don't like seeing flecks of fruit peel in your smoothie, peel the peach and omit the blueberries. Incredibly delicious! 

Triple-Berry Spinach Smoothie

Fell in love. A smoothie I can use up leftover fresh spinach in? And not taste it? Yes. We left out the honey and ice and added extra fresh spinach. Also added a bit of cold water to help it blend easily in our reluctant blender.

Blueberry-Banana Smoothie

The gorgeous color roped me into this one. Not that I needed much convincing.

Berry-Oatmeal Smoothie

Great energy booster!

For links to other fun smoothie ideas, check out my Sip board on Pinterest! There are so many more I am excited to try.

Picky Eater

Parenting is different for everyone. The stages I find difficult, others find a breeze, and vice versa. Sometimes, I miss the early days (and not just because of the cute-cuddly-mewl'y' stage) of parenthood. Not that having a two-year-old makes me an old-hat veteran at parenting by any means.

I say that I miss the early days because motherhood was seamless at first with Feesh- and part of that may be attributed to the blessing that I got to stay home with her- but nursing felt natural (for us both), she began sleeping through the night at seven weeks, loved naps, and was a pretty happy camper overall. However, we began experiencing some 'terrible two' bumps at around 18 months old. We began working through the periods of night waking, separation anxiety, the occasional tantrum, and of late, picky eating. 

Gone (for now) are the days of eating just about anything put in front of her. 

Hello to the days of demanding only fruit, mozzarella (and don't you dare give her shredded), bunny marshmallows and yogurt. She'll pick occasionally at fish, plain tortillas, and sweet potatoes. And what drives me the most crazy? Cooking a gorgeous, Feesh-friendly dinner for us all and she'll reject it all. WHAT? Those enchiladas totally rocked. And were full of things she usually loves!

When reading books and stories about picky eaters from various bloggy-spots, child psychology experts, and doctors, you come across all kinds of different advice on the subject, some seemingly bogus, some seemingly awesome. Below are some tips we've adopted and are in the midst of working for us:

• Don't force a child to finish her plate, but do require a no-thank you bite. This works for us, and occasionally rarely, Feesh finds that she actually does like the food. And I'm proud to say that after despising avocados since she was 9-months-old, she's actually been asking for it and trying a bite. Still is not crazy about it, but hey! A big step! Which leads me to...
• ...keep trying foods that are rejected at first! It may eventually lead to accepting it. Until then, I continue pureeing the avocados up in our smoothies.
• Make eating fun! We turn sandwiches and cheese slices into fun shapes with cookie cutters, occasionally have toddler buffet, turned baggies into butterflies, and am currently thinking of using some of these ideas. Heck, I want some of that peanut-butter-jelly sushi for myself. 
• Involve your child in the cooking process. Whether Feesh was an infant or an 18-month old, I'd either strap her into her bouncy seat on the counter, or, once she was older, plop her on top of it with me while I prepped food. (Yes, on top of the counter. Mother-of-the-Year Award, here I come.) She's still alive. And she still loves rolling blueberries across the counter and now, dumping measured-by-mom ingredients in the bowl.

But get this: I've stumbled across something truly amazing!! Even better than the things that we've made progress with so far:

A stuffed cat. Yep, a stuffed cat. 

Feesh loves to talk to her animals and pretend that they talk back to her. For example, she'll say hello to one of her stuffed animals, and then change her voice and pretend the animal responds 'Hello, Feesha!' I've now taken advantage of this new development in the kitchen/dining room. Here's how the convo goes:

Me: (very off-the-cuff tone) Feesh, make sure to eat the bran in your cereal, not just the raisins. (I pick one up, eat it, and say, 'mmmmmmm!)

Feesh: No thank you, Mama.

Me: But they make your body happy and healthy! (insert huge grin)

Feesh: (No answer. Continues eating raisins only.)

Me: (Picking up the stuffed cat and changing my voice) Feesh make sure to eat your bran flakes! They make your body happy and healthy! Yummy!

Feesh: (Enthusiastically) Okay, Kitty! MMMM! (Proceeds to eat all her bran flakes.)

Feesh requires that we wrap up each interaction with the cat doing a 'happy dance.' Easy. 

And I'm going to milk it.

I'm thinking enchiladas will be up next. You with me, Kitty?

(I wonder if she's on to my ploy...)

Want some fun reading on eating with kids? Check it out. I found all of them helpful in our journey to growing a child who loves to eat and be in the kitchen.

• Parents Need to Eat, Too by Debbie Koenig
• Weelicious by Catherine McCord
• Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach
• I Like Fruit by Lorena Siminovich (board book)
• I Live Vegetables by Lorena Siminovich (board book)

Weekly Yumminess.

Apprehension. 

In our house, apprehension (note: not fear) includes any of the following:

Feesh: any adult in a costume, diaper changes
Hubby: too many meatless meals in a row, being punctual (j/k/k)

One of those 'k's stands for kinda...

Me: being judged about my former sitcom choices

I will now tell you (no judgment, please) that I first learned the definition of the word 'apprehension' from that charming, dynamic duo of Uncle Jesse & Michelle of Full House as a young child (insert pout: 'Uncle Jesse...). Admit it. You've watched it. Even potentially loved liked it. Perhaps you'll just admit that it wasn't so terrible to the point it didn't make you want to throw-up in Care-Bear colors? 

Well. I've always been apprehensive of completely 'from-scratch' cooking.  Homemade tortillas? Turned 'em into lead. Making bread from scratch? Blew that one. Cooking up my own chicken stock? Don't even ask me how I screwed that one up, because it is supposedly one of the easiest things you can do. I don't know what I did wrong, anyhow.

So, when I first ventured across Sunday's recipe, I balked slightly.  Make-from-scratch enchilada sauce (yeah, like not from a can)? I hemmed and hawed over this one, but finally decided in its favor.  With the help of the hubby. And wowzers. 

Do it. 

Sunday: Black Bean & Spinach Enchilada Sauce

Yes, this is a vegetarian recipe. But for the love of all that's holy, try. the. enchiladas. (!) The enchilada sauce is homemade (I cheated and used chicken broth instead of veggie broth, which I had on hand), and the flavor combos (green onions, fresh cilantro, cumin, and chili, onion, and garlic powders) are incredible together. The flavor completely blew me away- which happens to me frequently, but my meat-loving hubby was thoroughly impressed, also.
Monday: Crispy Fishwiches
I am linking you up to a previous post that explains this dish. It's a staple in our house.
Tuesday: Homemade Whole-Wheat Veggie Pizza
Linking you up to a go-to source of mine when I have an ingredient I'm not sure what to do with OR if I am looking for a trustworthy version of a classic recipe. She's very consistent, consistent enough that I bought her cookbook (in hardcover! gasp!). We love using fresh mozzarella and making our own sauce with canned diced tomatoes. Saute up some mushrooms to throw on along with  some fresh basil.
Wednesday: Chicken Milanese w/Tomato, Basil, & Goat Cheese Relish
Spring is such a great time for goat cheese!  Plain goat cheese (chevre) is mild, cool, and fresh, just like a good spring.  I love that it complements food of a crispy, crunchy texture well, especially if the food is warm.  We'll be sauteeing chopped tomatoes in a garlicky oil for a few minutes and then throw in some basil at the end. Throw the oiled-up tow-mater mixture on top of the Chicken Milanese (when cooking this, make sure to pound out the meat evenly) and top with fresh goat cheese.
Thursday: Feesh, Child, and I are on our own. We'll probably just throw together something quick.
Friday: Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia w/Sweet Potato Risotto & Sauteed Spinach
Going from the usual parmesan risotto to a just-as-delicious-and-nutritionally-amped up version with sweet potatoes. Click on the 'Sweet Potato Risotto Link' for tips and link to the original recipe. Also, the tilapia is cooked the same way as the Fishwiches above, just no English muffin or toppings!
Saturday: Wedding

Here's to conquering those apprehensions in the kitchen, one by one. Heck, if my daughter can, on occasion, conquer her apprehensions of giant, costumed adults (after only an hour or so), I surely can conquer mine in the kitchen...

Happy cooking!

A Tasty Return

What is a dependable recipe for major slacking on a blog?

*1 part holiday season

*1 part parenting a sassy, mobile toddler

*3 parts worrying about how you'll keep up 

with said toddler with a newborn...

We received a great welcome-to-2013 present at the end of December: we are going to be parents again in August!  It's been a miserable January-March, so awful to the point where this pregnancy has kicked me out of the kitchen and onto the couch, the bed, the floor...wherever I could get horizontal.  A lot of that time was felt feeling miserable and useless, and incredibly grateful to my husband.

My friends, the wind has finally changed and my baby-bumped-out self is back in the kitchen (with Nutella and a spoon) and LOVING it!  So along comes the return of 'Weekly Yumminess.'

And my self-worth. 

Here's a look at our week's menu. Hope it inspires you to try something fresh, yummy, and full of produce!

Sunday: James' Softball Game- Throw together something quick.
Monday: Egg Salad w/Pickled Celery
If you are an egg salad fan, you have GOT to try this.  This is not your standard-issue egg salad with yellow mustard, mayo, and salt and pepper.  The pickled celery and Greek yogurt make this. I added the following to the recipe:

*2 eggs
*Replaced 1 tbsp of mayo with Greek yogurt, then added another 1.5 tbsp of Greek yogurt to compensate for extra eggs
Tuesday: BLAT Sandwiches
Bacon, lettuce, avocado, and tomato. Avocado, will you marry me?

Wednesday: Chicken-Bacon-Avocado Chopped Salad
A few tips:
*If you're not a fan of blue cheese, goat cheese is a very mild, creamy substitute that would work. 
*Watch what you use for the olive oil. If you use one that's too tangy or spicy, it will not work well with the dressing. We used an EVOO we discovered we are not crazy about and it hid a lot of the fresh flavors of the other ingredients. Awesome salad combo, though.
Thursday: Veggie-Avocado Wrap
Don't let the fact that this is a vegan website deter you. If you're a veggie fan, you will probably enjoy it. I'm excited to give this one a shot.There are some other recipes on this site that look GREAT, and it's always a good idea to ramp up the produce intake, right?
Friday: Mom and Dad's Night Out :)
Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner- Oatmeal-Brown Sugar Pancakes 
Breakfast foods have been a craving of mine since this second pregnancy began. This recipe comes from a cookbook I recently checked out from the library entitled Cider Beans, Wild Greens, & Dandelion Jelly: Recipes from Southern Appalachia.  I'm thinking of adding shredded apples to the batter.

I'm kind of repulsed by the recipe of 'Tennessee Bacon' that shows up below the pancake recipe, though, even though I love bacon. If you're inspired and cook it up, let me know how it turns out.