I dont even know where to begin.  Its been a hard couple of days.  I think its all piled up on me.  We are now having to wear masks when in public, and you cant find a single sole mask to buy anywhere.  The internet is flooded with turtorials to make your own.  There is a shortage of elastic, and bias tape.  I suppose there could be worse things that could have a shortage.  I spent the better part of two days making these things.  It wasnt the actual sewing of the mask that took so long, its because I had made so many. 

I feel good having made them though.  Sewing has always relaxed me.  Putting together patterns and colors is my thing.  I love it.  I love the mixed pattern look.  It gives me great joy to see how things come together.  The joy I had from these things was short lived once I read the news. 

They are expecting the peak here soon, this week and next.  Now more than ever I am staying home.  I had a grocery delivery today.  I ordered beer to be picked up.  I did curbside cricket pick-up for the gecko. 

I am mourning the loss of what we knew as normal.  What will be the new normal?  Will there ever be socializing again?  Will it ever be safe?  Twelve to eighteen months is a long time to wait for a vaccine.  But we need it. 

On Friday, the last day of Spring Break, I had the boys help me make a sign to hang outside.  I wanted to let people know its okay.  We're all in this together.

Friday afternoon, our state governor announced a 'stay at home' policy to hopefully increase the amount of social distancing.  This is to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.  By that time Friday I was physically and mentally exhausted.  My manager called and advised I do what I need to for myself and the boys - whether that was go to the grocery store one last time, get gas, or whatever I needed. 

I have all these activities and websites written down for the boys, and I have a list of things to do around the house for me - paint the window trim, clean out the boys toys, finish knitting my sweater, etc. 

But instead, I printed out a coloring book from one of my favorite independent magazines, Taproot.  They were kind to offer this for free.  They know coloring is relaxing and engages the creative parts of the brain.  And so that is what I did on Friday night.  I colored.  Because I couldnt deal with all this. 

I wont lie, its getting to be a bit much.  Locked up in your house, the little news I do watch is not good, the boys are climbing the walls to no fault of their own.  I didnt accomplish anything I wanted to this weekend.  I'll give myself that break, be a little kind to myself. 

We did make it out for a walk on Sunday afternoon, but not without complaining.  I social distanced myself from their complaints.  As always, the fresh air helped.  We were in better moods when we got home. 

Outside of the fact that I love baking, I have been focused on not putting so many artificial ingredients in our bodies lately.  So I was flipping through some fundraising cookbooks I have in the house the other night and came across a recipe for cinnamon bread.  The recipe was complicated and required a lot of effort, and then I had a thought.  How could I simplify this like those box mixes?? 

Well, Voila!  My adaptation of this recipe worked.  Look at that yummy bread.  (ok, really its a cake, but its still good!!)

1/4 c oil
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 c buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 c flour
1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 c sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease bread pan.
Mix all bread ingredients together (i used my electric mixer and mixed on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes).
Pour half batter into bread pan.
Mix the cinnamon and sugar together and pour half over batter in bread pan.
Pour remaining batter over the top.
Pour the remaining cinnamon and sugar last.
Take knife and gently swirl batter.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Enjoy!

ps - to make the buttermilk, i simply use 1 tbsp white vinegar and about a cup of milk.  let sit for 5 minutes. 

Blogger Elise Blaha does this.  I found it inspiring, especially today.  So yes, its a bit of a copy-cat, but whatever, its holding me responsible.  And that is what I need right now - something to keep me on course, in the right direction. 


**yes, that is me eight days post-partum, wearing my regular jeans with a regular t-shirt and my new favorite Kohls-clearanced-super-cheap sweater.  I still have a bit of a gut, but once I get cleared from the doctor, my new BFF will be sit-ups and planks. 

I havent gained as much as I have at this point in my pregnancy as I did with Max, but I am definitely bigger this time.  (and I have yet to clean the full length mirror that I use!) 

But I can say this, my energy is basically in the negative zone, meaning I have none. Zero. I have enough to get to work, come home take care of Max and I find myself closing my eyes whenever I can. 

I miss it.  I am not one who takes naps during the day/weekend.  I am one who pretty much has energy all day long.  I have even more energy when I eat healthy and exercise (even if its a walk around the neighborhood wtih Max). 

I worry with Nameless #2, I wont have this energy back.  I am not one who lays around and does nothing.  I like to be outside when its nice.  I like to do things on the weekends.  I like to feel like I am living.  And with Nameless #2, I worry that I wont be able to do all the things that I want to do and that I should do with the kids. 

Any of my multiple child moms have any advice?  Does the energy return? 

(apparently i go from no posting at all, to finding time on my lunch hour to post every day.  if i remember to bring my camera, i'll be able to share pictures of life and its goings-on around here.)

I've been in the process of making up a grocery list, to use each week, or however often I go to the grocery store.  I always write things down, and bring the list, but I feel a bit disorganized so I wanted to create something in Word or Excel. 

One of the categories is Treats.  You know the yummy kind.  This summer, I am sure Max will be introduced to popsicles.  I have no problem with that.  Most of those on the market are all sugar and fake sugar.  As active as Max is, I am not at all worried about his weight, but I am worried about nutrition. 

I did some surfing over at allrecipes, and found a healthy treat, yogurt pops.  Dont these look yummy?


This recipe doesnt call for anything other than what you have in the house.  I love it.  I seriously might not wait until Summer.  I think once I get the popsicle molds -or even yet, just use dixie cups - Max and I will be partaking in a little blueberry yogurt pops.  Or straw + blue-berry pops.  Or MANGO!!!! Ooooo, yum!

Say What?

Yes, that is exactly what Max had done today.  Ear tubes. 

Since he was three months old he's been plagued with ear infections and upper respiratory infections practically each month.  This past August the whole thing peaked and since then (i've counted) he's been on 5 different antibiotics, plus one repeat to treat this nonsense.

The pediatrician ever so slightly dropped this procedure in our conversation during the 18 month check-up.  He kind of phrased it like this, so casually, 'its something we might need to consider, but not for a while.  However, lets just get the ENT's opinion and we can discuss afterwards.'   (Six points to the pediatrician for knowing how to 'guide' me in the right direction!)

I was a bit alarmed, but my frustration with Max's illnesses allowed me to be open to other ideas.  So I scheduled the appointment for the 'consultation' with the ENT.  Five or so minutes into the appointment it was agreed Max needed this procedure.  Procedure was scheduled that day for today, six o'clock this morning. 

Whoa.

*he was definitely getting hungry here.  So were Grandma, Ginga and myself!

He did great.  He was back to his ol'self after a good nap.  I wont go into the details of the post-op / recovery.  It was very disturbing (he was so disoriented he didnt recognize me and I kept saying, 'Mommy's here'.) and caused a lot of tears from both he and I. 

Im glad its over.  Tomorrow we are back to our routine - school, work - and then its the weekend.  Thank heavens!

Today, Sharon, Erika, Max and I went for a hike at the Danada Forest Preserve. It was a gorgeous day for a hike.  I am so glad Sharon and Erika were game for a day out in the sun, in nature and enjoying each other's company. 

The path runs through the Equestrian Center on the grounds.  Erika rides horses, and has been for a while, so she wanted to stop and take a gander at the stable.  The place is beautiful.  

I'm very lucky I was able to spend a beautiful Sunday with my favorite people.  This is definitely the quality time that I have been missing lately.  My heart was warm when we left.  Thank you Sharon and Erika for spending a good day with Max and I.  We loved it!  We love you!  

Seriously.  I need to drop a few 'l-b's'.  According to the medical standards, my BMI is in the Obese category.  Now, if  you see me, I am surely not anywhere near the obese.  However, the extra baggage I have in my mid-section does need to go. 

After consuming ten days of heavy, rich, flavorful food that was heavenly! (i'll give that to the hungarians, they sure do know how to cook a good meal!), I need to get focused on losing, getting back into shape.  (and I promised my OB that I would be at the agreed upon weight at my next visit...which is a few short weeks from now!)

I flipped through a few cookbooks to find some recipes and I came across these two. 
1.  Not as bad as I thought. 
2.  SO easy to make. 

Yes, you see that right.  Brownie, or chocolate ginger spice cake.  I am not a big fan of chocolate cake, but this one tastes more like a brownie.  Get ready for this ... the ingredients.

Chocolate Ginger Spice Squares - The FOUR Ingredient cookbook, Light
1 package dry gingerbread mix
2 (3.4oz) packages of fat-free chocolate pudding mix (not instant)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup water
*i used regular pudding; the fat-free, low-fat items have too many artifical ingredients for me

Prehead oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients togehter, and pour into 13x9 non-stick pan.  Bake for 30 minutes.

Calories per square (2"x2") - 80
Total fat - 2.5g
Sodium - 175mg
Carbs - 14g
Cholesterol - 0mg

As you can see, not too bad.  It might be a little dry or chewy for some people, but with strawberries or vanilla frozen yogurt, it fits the bill for having a sweet on the diet.

Great American Potato Salad - Kraft's Make it Simple cookbook
3/4 cup Miracle Whip or Miracle Whip light
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
4 cups cubed cooked red potatoes
1/2 cup each - sweet pickle relish and sliced celery
Salt and pepper

*here's where I changed things up a bit.  I used traditional plain greek yogurt in my dressing.  I did 1/2 cup yogurt, and 1/4 cup regular miracle whip (again, fat-free, low-fat have too many artifical ingredients).  I increased the mustard to 1 tablespoon.  I omitted the celery seed and relish as I did not have any in the house.  In my sample tasting, it fits the bill for the ultimate summer side dish.

I dont have the numbers on this one. 

Do you have any favorite recipes that fall into the 'healthy' eating category?