Multi-tasking Mama

It's amazing what a mother can get done when there aren't any children around! This afternoon CSR was at a friend's house and RTR was taking a nap. During that time I was able to bake some bread (in a bread machine), talk on the phone, bake a batch of cookies, have another conversation on the phone and assemble a lasagna (actually two, one for dinner and one for the freezer). Not too shabby. Just don't ask me about the condition of the rest of my house.

Our Little Ham-ster

We're probably headed down a slippery slope when it comes to RTR and his eating habits. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he's a bit of a snacker and pretty much begs for food anytime anyone is in the kitchen, regardless of whether they're doing something food-related. Last night, grandpa was slicing up the ham for our dinner and all the while he worked there was RTR at his knee begging, saying "Ham, ham, ham." Of course, gramps couldn't refuse, giving our little "Ham-ster" bits and bites while we put the finishing touches on getting dinner on the table. I thought when it did come time to actually sit down and eat, RTR would be full. But he did eat some of the food on his plate and of course begged for more ham. Now if only I could get him to beg for veggies the same way. It also seems ham and hi are two of the words RTR says pretty clearly.

Football Fans

The Seahawks may not be having their best season, but here are some of their fans watching yesterday's game against the Dolphins.



Hmmm, should I be appalled by the condition of the living room?

Halloween is the New Christmas

The month of October culminated with the annual ritual of trick-or-treating. We headed out just as it got dark on Friday night. I think we were the first ones out in our neighborhood. Around the corner, we met up with one of CSR's classmates and her brother. Since they were coming from the other direction, they were wanting to trick-or-treat at houses we had already been. While we tried to get CSR to wait on the sidewalk, he wouldn't do it. He went ahead with his friend, but when it came time to get the treats, he told the people at the door, "No candy for me, I've already been here." What manners. Of course it didn't matter that he didn't "double dip" at those houses, he still came home with a sack overflowing with candy. And on Saturday morning, a neighbor who wasn't home Friday night, dropped off little treats for both boys.



I think Halloween may be becoming the new Christmas. It's turning into a month-long series of events-- from field trips to pumpkin patches and corn mazes to class parties and community events--everything from carnivals to "haunted" parks. Not to mention that we also hit Pumpkin Prowl, a goody-laden event at the Woodland Park Zoo. And it probably doesn't help that many stores have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas stuff. Last week, next to the Halloween candy, I noticed stacks of Christmas-themed candy at Bartell Drug. I know Costco gets an even earlier start-- maybe after Labor Day. CSR told me that after Halloween, Christmas starts. I tried to explain that Thanksgiving came in between and that we don't start our Christmas celebrating until AFTER Thanksgiving.

Pre-Natal Tests

When I was pregnant with RTR two years ago, I remember feeling a little anxious when it came to a couple of those pre-natal tests... the ones used to determine whether more testing is needed for Down Syndrome or Trisomy 18. I read a little about what Trisomy 18 was, but didn't give it much thought. Tonight while watching Oprah (it's replayed at 9pm in our market), there was this bawl-your-eyes-out segment about a baby born with Trisomy 18. Elliott's parents ended up celebrating every day of his life-- and now a small part of it is on YouTube. Made me realize how important it is to slow down and celebrate (not in a cake and ice cream sort of way) each day we have with our children.
The top picture was taken tonight... moments after the cute part. I ran to get the camera as RTR sat down in the hallway next to CSR, both enjoying an after dinner cookie. I love that RTR grabbed the biggest cookie in the container. The second picture is of them in the yard this weekend, helping their dad. Start 'em early on those chores.

Snack-o-lantern

I saw this t-shirt at Old Navy and couldn't resist-- it was like it was made for RTR. It's hard to read in the picture, but it says "Snack-o-lantern." He is our little snacker, always looking for something to eat. Maybe he's part cow, always grazing. His eating habits make me doubt sometimes that I'm feeding him enough at mealtimes.

Blue Cheese Boy

Ah ha! After weeks of worrying about RTR consisting on a diet of mostly fruit and crackers, we think we've figured out an answer-- blue cheese salad dressing. The discovery came Sunday night at dinner... left on RTR's plate, papa's grilled chicken and some potatoes. When it didn't look like RTR was going to eat any more, Tyler suggested using a little blue cheese dressing for dip. And lo and behold, he ate it, he really ate it... both the chicken and potatoes. I figure if a little salad dressing gets you to eat your veggies (and entree), so be it!