Saturday, January 31, 2009
I love my Durham moms!
Okay, I have nothing against my Raleigh moms, but I rarely see them! Friday I invited myself along to a coffee play date with some friends who live in Durham and had a blast. Some of them I know well and some I am just getting to know, but they welcomed me and Daniel into the group like we had always been there. They get together at least once a week at Bean Traders off 40 and 54, which has an awesome play area for the little ones. These moms remind me that friendship is worth inconvenience and living in community is key to survival as a young family... or for any individual, for that matter. Thanks, ladies!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Frugal Me
I am not completely frugal as I get serious itches to shop and don't use coupons - I usually wait for things to go on sale or shop at discount stores. On days when it is particularly bad, I buy a pack of gum, a book, or something small for Daniel. However, I am frugal enough that I have have not purchased a handbag since the very first Handmade Market back in May 2006. My last pair of shoes were purchased at the end of summer 2007 when I was pregnant with Daniel and had tired feet, but before that it might have been for my grandmother's funeral over Easter of 2006. Flip flops don't count.
Today, Daniel and I hit up Tjmaxx way out on New Bern and 540. I found a bag I like. It's still a tote-all-purpose bag, but the lining is intact and it is waterproof on the outside, which will make wiping off cookie goo and spit an easier task. I think it's big enough to hold my stuff, a couple diapers, snacks, and a couple toys. One of these days, I am going to get a "real" handbag, but I'd probably feel like a little girl walking in her mamma's shoes if I did.
*Correction: I do use coupons, just not in a consistant or organized fashion.
I had an old beach bag from Target that I picked up for $12 several years ago and it has been my beach bad, diaper bag, and unfortunately the main accessory on my shoulder other than the cute little boy we like to call 'Scooby'. The lining has long since fallen apart and anything put in an outside pocket inevitable migrates to a dark, hidden chamber on the bottom of the bag. We lost the digital camera that way for several days once. My keys have been known to get lost in the billowing lining as well.
Today, Daniel and I hit up Tjmaxx way out on New Bern and 540. I found a bag I like. It's still a tote-all-purpose bag, but the lining is intact and it is waterproof on the outside, which will make wiping off cookie goo and spit an easier task. I think it's big enough to hold my stuff, a couple diapers, snacks, and a couple toys. One of these days, I am going to get a "real" handbag, but I'd probably feel like a little girl walking in her mamma's shoes if I did.*Correction: I do use coupons, just not in a consistant or organized fashion.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Permission to make a mess
This may come as a surprise being that I do pottery and used to do surveys in streams and muddy swamps, but I don't like having dirty hands; as evidenced by Daniel's ice cream video, he doesn't either. Babies are supposed to be messy and explore their food, but I have been meticulous about keeping his face, shirt, and hands clean while I feed him. Mom told me to have him eat more finger foods and to put his yogurt right on his tray. Yogurt? Are you serious?! During his lunch I put a plop of it right there on his tray. He stuck one finger in it and wiped it on his shirt. Gasp... okay, restrain yourself. You can clean him up later.
Before I knew it, the plop had become a huge smear that spread from his tray to his shirt to his face. I was still giving him spoonfuls, but he was having fun getting it on his hands and licking his fingers. Usually when I give him Cheerios, he ends up playing with them more than eating them - dropping them on the floor and such, but as they got all mixed up in the yogurt, they held a new appeal. He hasn't enjoyed Cheerios that much since the first week we introduced them. He even handed me one to try, which I graciously ate and then quickly wiped my hands.
After lunch, I pulled out a bag of dried fruit. I've only tried the dried fruit a couple times since the Target-Raisin incident, and each time he refused to eat any. With his new-found confidence from lunch, he took a raisin from my hand, put it to his mouth several times as I was saying Yum yum yum!... and then he ate it, and continued to smack on it and a couple others for about an hour. I also tricked him into eating a banana chip by telling him it was a cookie. I know was deceptive, but both are sweet and crunchy and tannish-yellow. When I said cookie! he popped that sucker right into his mouth without flinching.
So sweet baby boy, I give you permission to make a mess. Get as messy as you want ... just let me wipe your face before you wipe it on my shoulder!
Before I knew it, the plop had become a huge smear that spread from his tray to his shirt to his face. I was still giving him spoonfuls, but he was having fun getting it on his hands and licking his fingers. Usually when I give him Cheerios, he ends up playing with them more than eating them - dropping them on the floor and such, but as they got all mixed up in the yogurt, they held a new appeal. He hasn't enjoyed Cheerios that much since the first week we introduced them. He even handed me one to try, which I graciously ate and then quickly wiped my hands.
After lunch, I pulled out a bag of dried fruit. I've only tried the dried fruit a couple times since the Target-Raisin incident, and each time he refused to eat any. With his new-found confidence from lunch, he took a raisin from my hand, put it to his mouth several times as I was saying Yum yum yum!... and then he ate it, and continued to smack on it and a couple others for about an hour. I also tricked him into eating a banana chip by telling him it was a cookie. I know was deceptive, but both are sweet and crunchy and tannish-yellow. When I said cookie! he popped that sucker right into his mouth without flinching.
So sweet baby boy, I give you permission to make a mess. Get as messy as you want ... just let me wipe your face before you wipe it on my shoulder!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Chocolate Cup-Cheesecakes
This is the recipe for the cupcakes I made on Daniel's birthday. I can't boast on this recipe as my own, considering it is pieced together from several places on allrecipes.com, but these are dangerously yummy and rich enough that you'll want to share one. I baked them so that the cream cheese filling was slightly undercooked which gave it a moist but not runny texture. The cupcakes might rise a little more if you lengthen the bake time, but your cupcake may be drier. The chocolate cream cheese frosting is rich, so you could use less chocolate for a milder flavor.Cupcake
1 box Devil's Food cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
1 8oz block Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
3 large eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare the cake mix according to the box and set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla and continue beating until well mixed. Fold in the chocolate chips. Place foil or paper cups in a muffin pan. Fill the bottom quarter of each cup with the cake mix. Add about 1 tbs of the cream cheese mixture to each cup. Cover with more cake mix, but do not fill to the top. Bake for 23 minutes. When cupcakes are cooled, remove them from the pan.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add the sugar, eggs and vanilla and continue beating until well mixed. Fold in the chocolate chips. Place foil or paper cups in a muffin pan. Fill the bottom quarter of each cup with the cake mix. Add about 1 tbs of the cream cheese mixture to each cup. Cover with more cake mix, but do not fill to the top. Bake for 23 minutes. When cupcakes are cooled, remove them from the pan.
Frosting
1 8oz block Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 box Confectioner's sugar (about 4 cups)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbs cream, evaporated milk, or milk
1/4 cup of sugar (if you want sweeter frosting with a little crunch to it)
4 1-oz blocks of unsweetened chocolate, melted (microwave is fine)
Beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Slowly add the vanilla, cream or milk and melted chocolate and continue beating the mixture. Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix thoroughly. If you like a slightly crunchier, sweeter frosting, add the 1/4 cup of white sugar. Spread the frosting over the cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Festivities
Yesterday we took Daniel out to Olive Garden for his birthday. The staff were really excited to sing to Daniel and brought him some ice cream with a candle in it. He had the funniest expression on his face as he looked from one clapping, singing stranger to another - it was like a stare of disbelieve or anti-amusement even. He finally smiled when the ice cream was put in front of him
I was expecting ice cream all over him, but Daniel is surprisingly picky about getting food on his hands and face and is a pretty neat kid when it comes to eating. He's not so neat with his toys. Notice Joe and Daniel's matching shirts. I guess that is bound to happen when I do the clothing shopping!
I was expecting ice cream all over him, but Daniel is surprisingly picky about getting food on his hands and face and is a pretty neat kid when it comes to eating. He's not so neat with his toys. Notice Joe and Daniel's matching shirts. I guess that is bound to happen when I do the clothing shopping!
That evening, I brought cupcakes to our community group (it was like the party was planned) and everyone sang to Daniel. Once again, he was a little confused by all the singing and seemed shy about the attention. He did like the frosting which he had already sampled as I was cooking earlier in the afternoon.
3 days
6 months
Daniel's Birth Story
For Daniel’s first birthday, I decided it was time to do the long version of Daniel’s birth. The days leading up to it are somewhat reconstructed from emails and conversations. We didn't know if we were having a boy or girl.
Countdown...
Thursday, January 17 50% effaced, 1 cm dilated. The doctor thinks I am close, so I think all that means is by this time next week I’ll be holding a baby. Last night we walked around Wal-Mart and I was having contractions every 20 minutes and then around 1 pm gave a re-birth to my dinner, and felt much better. After that, I think I slept off the contractions. Each night they are getting stronger and more frequent
Friday, January 18 I came unplugged. When I have Braxton-hicks, my belly looks like a shrink-wrapped baby. It’s pretty tight in there! They are calling for snow over the weekend! I get nervous about making it to the hospital.
Saturday, January 19 was the women's conference at church (which I had decidedly planned on not attending) I sat at a table with several other women and had strong practice contractions every 20 minutes or so. They’d take my breath away, but they weren't painful. I started practicing my breathing during these so I’d be prepared.
Sunday, January 20 contractions start to become more painful and regular. Throughout the day they progress towards 7 minutes and then down to 5 minutes. I called the doctor and went to the hospital and was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I walked around for an hour, but labor didn't seem to be progressing, they gave me the option of going home, which I did. I really didn't want to end up on pitocin to advance labor, which would have happened had I stayed.
Monday, January 21 I am home! I am trying to hold off labor as long as I can so that when I do go in, I am really in the midst of it and don't have to stay there too long. Home is so much homier! The refrigerator repair man comes (finally) and I am in the other room having contractions and talking to my mom on the phone... well trying to. I am boohooing about how I didn't want pain meds but think I will need them. Mom can tell the baby is coming soon so she and dad plan to head out of town after he gets off work.
Around 4 pm, the contractions are 5 minutes apart again, so Joe and I go to the obgyn's office to get a checkup. While I am there, they slow down again. The doctor tells me that I could try and sleep it off again and gave me a prescription for ambien to help me get some rest. On the way home, they get so much stronger and waiting for the prescription I am NOT having fun. When we get home, I take a shower, a pill and hop in bed. The ambien makes me really drowsy, but every time I am nearly asleep, I get jerked awake by a contraction. So every four or five minutes I am moving from the bed to the bathroom and sometimes having Joe put pressure on my back.
It's Time!
At 4 am, the contractions are definitely 4 minutes apart, and I am pretty sure the baby is coming soon, so I tell Joe it's time to go. He jumps in the shower to wake up for the drive to the hospital. Right when he hops out, we both here a POP! Fortunately, I am sitting on the toilet (which was the most comfortable position for me during labor up to this point). As my water breaks, I see that there seems to have meconium in it. I call my doctor who tells us to come on in.
On the road, I give mom a call. It’s about 4:30 am and they've just arrived at their hotel down the road from the hospital. I have a couple contractions while on the phone and many more on the way to the hospital. I’m leaning on the dashboard groaning and breathing, while Joe is driving with one hand on the wheel and one fist digging into my lower back.
We get to the hospital and have to check-in AGAIN... and I have a couple contractions meanwhile. They bring out a wheel chair and wheel me to my room. We had left the suitcases in the car, and didn't pack any music or anything... so it was me, and Joe, and some attractive hospital gowns. The nurse is really sweet. I have two nurses at different times, but I only remember Alyson because she has the same name as my sister. I am 7 cm dilated. She and Joe help me get through the contractions. Joe remembers the spikes on the contraction monitor being much higher than those in the doctor’s office. I ask about an epidural, and she tells me that it takes about an hour to get it set up and we could visit that option. However, she encourages me that I am handling it really well and doesn't think I need one. (Yay for encouraging nurses. She had been all over and her favorite hospital was Seattle or Portland where many of the women opted for more natural births). She is supposed to go off shift soon, but stays with me through the entire labor.
An hour later, I am 9 cm and just about ready to go. Dr. Sidel arrives and I push for an hour and a half. At one point, Daniel is starting to crown, and Dr. Sidel has me reach with my right hand to touch his head. It is wrinkly, soft and hairy. I say, "That's so weird!" and he and Joe laugh. I am pretty funny the whole time. At one point, frustrated that Daniel seems stuck, I tell Dr. Sidel, "Let me know what I am doing wrong and I will fix it." He actually has to leave the room and laugh because he thinks it was so funny. He says he's never heard anyone say that before. Apparently I had some angles wrong and was pushing in the wrong direction... evidenced by my swollen spotted face and my eye that is blurry for several days afterwards. I think I was trying to push him out the top of my head, and looking back, squatting would have remedied this. Once I change my technique, I can feel the difference and the progression. All the while, Joe is helping me hold my legs and giving me ice water.
Daniel has been crowned for what feels like a long time. His heart rate is dropping to around 40 or 50. We are all at the end and ready to meet Daniel, so I make a deal with Dr. Sidel, "If I get the head out, will you take care of the rest?" Laughing, he agrees to help. I push with all my might, but I am totally exhausted at this point and can tell my pushing is weakening. We were all concerned about Daniel’s low heart rate. The doctor gives me shots of litocane and an episiotomy, which I have been thinking I probably need for several contractions. A couple more pushes and Daniel is out. It is 7:53 am on his due date under a full moon. He is purpley blue with the cord around his neck three time and is followed by a lot more water. Dr. Sidel asks Joe, "Are you going to announce it?" Joe says, "It’s a boy!" The moment of joy is frozen as I wait to hear Daniel's cries.
Nurses swarm in and suction out his lungs and belly, which later I was told they keep him from crying until the lungs are cleaned out). Joe and I press our heads together asking God to give our baby life. When we hear Daniel’s first cry, it is so incredibly beautiful and we are so relieved. I really want to hold him, but they are still monitoring his heart beat and breathing. Dr. Sidel continues to help me deliver the placenta and stitches me up, which I isn't painful at all. I am amazed by how long the cord is! During this, Joe runs out to the car for our suitcases and camera and stops in the waiting room to let mom and dad know we are all okay.
Next, Dr. Artman, the pediatrician comes in. It is only 30 minutes since Daniel’s birth. When he is finished examining Daniel, I ask, "Can I hold my baby? I haven't held him yet!" He gladly places Daniel in my arms. It is so strange looking that little boy in the face. He is so beautiful. He has dark hair and the most amazingly elongated head from crowning for so long, a heart-shaped angle kiss on his forehead, an angle kiss on his right eyelid, and a folded down right ear. He nurses pretty quickly without too much trouble.
Within an hour or two we decide on Daniel Stone Puckett for his name. Daniel means "my judge is the Lord." Stone is for the altars that the Old Testament people of faith built to honor the Lord and remember His provision.
We soon have family in and they later move us to another room where we stay until Thursday. Driving home from the hospital was really funny... Joe has never driven so SLOWLY or carefully in his life.
Afterthoughts.
Yeah, I am proud of myself for doing this - proud of not using drugs, proud of keeping my sense of humor, and proud that Joe didn't pass out. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Would I consider giving birth at home? Sure. Will I end up using the hospital again? Probably so. I had a great supportive team. I felt like I was in control, I felt encouraged, and I felt loved. I wish Daniel had immediately been placed in my arms, and I wish we had a quieter time with more rest in the hospital. Even though our birth experience isn't exactly how we planned (no music, etc) it is our experience and we love that we did it together.
Countdown...
Thursday, January 17 50% effaced, 1 cm dilated. The doctor thinks I am close, so I think all that means is by this time next week I’ll be holding a baby. Last night we walked around Wal-Mart and I was having contractions every 20 minutes and then around 1 pm gave a re-birth to my dinner, and felt much better. After that, I think I slept off the contractions. Each night they are getting stronger and more frequent
Friday, January 18 I came unplugged. When I have Braxton-hicks, my belly looks like a shrink-wrapped baby. It’s pretty tight in there! They are calling for snow over the weekend! I get nervous about making it to the hospital.
Saturday, January 19 was the women's conference at church (which I had decidedly planned on not attending) I sat at a table with several other women and had strong practice contractions every 20 minutes or so. They’d take my breath away, but they weren't painful. I started practicing my breathing during these so I’d be prepared.
Sunday, January 20 contractions start to become more painful and regular. Throughout the day they progress towards 7 minutes and then down to 5 minutes. I called the doctor and went to the hospital and was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I walked around for an hour, but labor didn't seem to be progressing, they gave me the option of going home, which I did. I really didn't want to end up on pitocin to advance labor, which would have happened had I stayed.
Monday, January 21 I am home! I am trying to hold off labor as long as I can so that when I do go in, I am really in the midst of it and don't have to stay there too long. Home is so much homier! The refrigerator repair man comes (finally) and I am in the other room having contractions and talking to my mom on the phone... well trying to. I am boohooing about how I didn't want pain meds but think I will need them. Mom can tell the baby is coming soon so she and dad plan to head out of town after he gets off work.
Around 4 pm, the contractions are 5 minutes apart again, so Joe and I go to the obgyn's office to get a checkup. While I am there, they slow down again. The doctor tells me that I could try and sleep it off again and gave me a prescription for ambien to help me get some rest. On the way home, they get so much stronger and waiting for the prescription I am NOT having fun. When we get home, I take a shower, a pill and hop in bed. The ambien makes me really drowsy, but every time I am nearly asleep, I get jerked awake by a contraction. So every four or five minutes I am moving from the bed to the bathroom and sometimes having Joe put pressure on my back.
It's Time!
At 4 am, the contractions are definitely 4 minutes apart, and I am pretty sure the baby is coming soon, so I tell Joe it's time to go. He jumps in the shower to wake up for the drive to the hospital. Right when he hops out, we both here a POP! Fortunately, I am sitting on the toilet (which was the most comfortable position for me during labor up to this point). As my water breaks, I see that there seems to have meconium in it. I call my doctor who tells us to come on in.
On the road, I give mom a call. It’s about 4:30 am and they've just arrived at their hotel down the road from the hospital. I have a couple contractions while on the phone and many more on the way to the hospital. I’m leaning on the dashboard groaning and breathing, while Joe is driving with one hand on the wheel and one fist digging into my lower back.
We get to the hospital and have to check-in AGAIN... and I have a couple contractions meanwhile. They bring out a wheel chair and wheel me to my room. We had left the suitcases in the car, and didn't pack any music or anything... so it was me, and Joe, and some attractive hospital gowns. The nurse is really sweet. I have two nurses at different times, but I only remember Alyson because she has the same name as my sister. I am 7 cm dilated. She and Joe help me get through the contractions. Joe remembers the spikes on the contraction monitor being much higher than those in the doctor’s office. I ask about an epidural, and she tells me that it takes about an hour to get it set up and we could visit that option. However, she encourages me that I am handling it really well and doesn't think I need one. (Yay for encouraging nurses. She had been all over and her favorite hospital was Seattle or Portland where many of the women opted for more natural births). She is supposed to go off shift soon, but stays with me through the entire labor.
An hour later, I am 9 cm and just about ready to go. Dr. Sidel arrives and I push for an hour and a half. At one point, Daniel is starting to crown, and Dr. Sidel has me reach with my right hand to touch his head. It is wrinkly, soft and hairy. I say, "That's so weird!" and he and Joe laugh. I am pretty funny the whole time. At one point, frustrated that Daniel seems stuck, I tell Dr. Sidel, "Let me know what I am doing wrong and I will fix it." He actually has to leave the room and laugh because he thinks it was so funny. He says he's never heard anyone say that before. Apparently I had some angles wrong and was pushing in the wrong direction... evidenced by my swollen spotted face and my eye that is blurry for several days afterwards. I think I was trying to push him out the top of my head, and looking back, squatting would have remedied this. Once I change my technique, I can feel the difference and the progression. All the while, Joe is helping me hold my legs and giving me ice water.
Daniel has been crowned for what feels like a long time. His heart rate is dropping to around 40 or 50. We are all at the end and ready to meet Daniel, so I make a deal with Dr. Sidel, "If I get the head out, will you take care of the rest?" Laughing, he agrees to help. I push with all my might, but I am totally exhausted at this point and can tell my pushing is weakening. We were all concerned about Daniel’s low heart rate. The doctor gives me shots of litocane and an episiotomy, which I have been thinking I probably need for several contractions. A couple more pushes and Daniel is out. It is 7:53 am on his due date under a full moon. He is purpley blue with the cord around his neck three time and is followed by a lot more water. Dr. Sidel asks Joe, "Are you going to announce it?" Joe says, "It’s a boy!" The moment of joy is frozen as I wait to hear Daniel's cries.
Nurses swarm in and suction out his lungs and belly, which later I was told they keep him from crying until the lungs are cleaned out). Joe and I press our heads together asking God to give our baby life. When we hear Daniel’s first cry, it is so incredibly beautiful and we are so relieved. I really want to hold him, but they are still monitoring his heart beat and breathing. Dr. Sidel continues to help me deliver the placenta and stitches me up, which I isn't painful at all. I am amazed by how long the cord is! During this, Joe runs out to the car for our suitcases and camera and stops in the waiting room to let mom and dad know we are all okay.
Next, Dr. Artman, the pediatrician comes in. It is only 30 minutes since Daniel’s birth. When he is finished examining Daniel, I ask, "Can I hold my baby? I haven't held him yet!" He gladly places Daniel in my arms. It is so strange looking that little boy in the face. He is so beautiful. He has dark hair and the most amazingly elongated head from crowning for so long, a heart-shaped angle kiss on his forehead, an angle kiss on his right eyelid, and a folded down right ear. He nurses pretty quickly without too much trouble.
Within an hour or two we decide on Daniel Stone Puckett for his name. Daniel means "my judge is the Lord." Stone is for the altars that the Old Testament people of faith built to honor the Lord and remember His provision.
We soon have family in and they later move us to another room where we stay until Thursday. Driving home from the hospital was really funny... Joe has never driven so SLOWLY or carefully in his life.
Afterthoughts.
Yeah, I am proud of myself for doing this - proud of not using drugs, proud of keeping my sense of humor, and proud that Joe didn't pass out. Would I do it again? Absolutely! Would I consider giving birth at home? Sure. Will I end up using the hospital again? Probably so. I had a great supportive team. I felt like I was in control, I felt encouraged, and I felt loved. I wish Daniel had immediately been placed in my arms, and I wish we had a quieter time with more rest in the hospital. Even though our birth experience isn't exactly how we planned (no music, etc) it is our experience and we love that we did it together.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Goodnight Neverland!
I was sad that Joe missed the snow day - it's one of the benefits of living less than two miles from work. When he got home, we walked down our street for a bit before going in to watch recaps of the post-inauguration activities and conduct about 47 rounds of piggy-back rides. Once Daniel was down for bed, we had a snowball fight off the back deck.Daniel was a fussy wreck today, but by the end of the evening his eighth tooth was finally smiling at the world, unlike it's owner.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fiesta! Casserole
Personally, I feel that throwing the word "fiesta" into the title of a recipe has about the same level of appeal as using the word "surprise." Have you ever wanted to eat something called "chicken surprise" or "surprise casserole" or "mama's soup surprise"? That last one is a song the song title of one of my childhood' favorites. At the risk of turning you off with the title "fiesta casserole" I am passing on what just might be a surprisingly tasty and easy family meal. Joe and Daniel both loved it, and the leftovers have been just as good. This could be changed to a vegetarian dish by leaving out the chicken and adding mushrooms.
Serves 6
1 large chicken breast cubed (you can use more if you want)
1 cup yellow rice (I use Mahatma's Saffron Yellow seasonings and Rice)
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, set part aside for the top.
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tbs taco seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic salt
In a pot, begin cooking the rice according to the directions. About half way through cooking, add the cubed chicken. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a medium, deep casserole dish, combine the beans, tomatoes, cheddar, sour cream, taco seasoning, and garlic salt.
When the rice and chicken are finished cooking, add them to the casserole dish and mix well. Top with the remaining cheese.
Cook for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbing.
This can be eaten as is, or it can be wrapped in a tortilla.
Serves 6
1 large chicken breast cubed (you can use more if you want)
1 cup yellow rice (I use Mahatma's Saffron Yellow seasonings and Rice)
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, set part aside for the top.
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tbs taco seasoning
1/4 tsp garlic salt
In a pot, begin cooking the rice according to the directions. About half way through cooking, add the cubed chicken. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a medium, deep casserole dish, combine the beans, tomatoes, cheddar, sour cream, taco seasoning, and garlic salt.
When the rice and chicken are finished cooking, add them to the casserole dish and mix well. Top with the remaining cheese.
Cook for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbing.
This can be eaten as is, or it can be wrapped in a tortilla.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Safety 1st All-in-One Car Seat
FYI, this Safety 1st All-in-One Convertible Car Seat is on clearance at the Walmart on Newbern Ave. Regular price was $140, I got it for $90. There were two left as of 11 AM this morning. I found mostly positive reviews on this one. Similar versions are sold at Costco, Target, Sears, Kohls, and BJ's.Two of the best features are that the shoulder straps can be raised without having to re-thread them, and they can be tightened from the front. The base is a little wide for the Jeep Liberty, but it gives us more driver room than the Evenflo infant car seat. I think Daniel will appreciate the increased leg room as well.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Addedendum
So yesterday I was feeling particularly nostalgic about snuggling with Daniel in those first few days of his arrival when we were all a bit delirious, and last night we got home late from community group. I nursed Daniel who fell asleep on the bed. I decided, AHA! Snuggle time. Well he woke up a little later while I was trying to switch out pillows and roll over onto my tummy into my optimum sleeping position with a pillow under my left side, and he was completely irate at me for moving around. His anger only intensified when he realized where he was. Honestly, as much as I like a good snuggle, I can only take about 10 minutes of it before I push Daniel, Joe, the cat, whatever away from me. And here it is folks, I, Paige Puckett, am a bed hog.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
We are NOT Co-sleepers
With all my bloggy friends discussing their sleep trends and preferences, I figured I'd thrown in my two sheep.
We had fully planned on having Daniel in our room for the first month or so. We had the pack 'n play bassinet set up next to our bed, we put Daniel in it and we all went to sleep - well not actually. Any time Joe exhaled slightly loudly, Daniel would toss and turn and cry. I laid in bed stiff as a board and my blood pressure would rise each time Joe breathed or Daniel chirped. The second night of this, about 12AM, I picked up my baby, went to his room, placed him in his crib and he slept WONDERFULLY. Of course he asked for milk about two hours later, but that was expected. We used a monitor, so I still slept very lightly and would wake to any small coo or sigh, but Joe slept better and Daniel slept better.
I moved the bassinet downstairs so he could nap in the living room during the day. There were many days that first month I had him take naps on my bed while I soaked in the tub, and sometimes we'd take naps together. About two or three months into this, I realized he was not napping more than 20 - 30 minutes at a time which was not working well for either of us. One day I took him to his crib and he slept WONDERFULLY... not all the time, but it was an improvement from the other setups. It also took us some time to work out how to go down for naps, but that is another story.
It turns out that my son is a light sleeper and sleeps/falls asleep better in his own quiet room. I won't claim this was my preference, and I won't claim that he couldn't be trained otherwise, but it is what it is. As an infant, when I put him down, I would say a prayer for his safety before walking the 16 steps back to my bed, and throughout the night I would be praying for his safe sleep. In the several nights when I tried to share a bed with him, he had a terrible time going to sleep (wailing in frustration) and he woke in fits of anger whenever I rolled over or made any noise. I felt like I was punishing him by not letting him sleep in his bed.
He started sleeping through the night (10-12 hours) at five months. It actually began when we were at the beach, co-sleeping in a hotel room. I'd hear him start to wake, hand him the pacifier, and he would settle back down. He slept the whole night (that one time). We continued 3 - 4:30 AM night feedings at home for another couple months but slowly tapered those off. He's almost a year now and I will do an occasional 11 pm or 3 am feeding when he asks for it (usually if he is sick), but most nights he sleeps from 7:45 pm to 7:20 am. I start missing him pretty bad around 9 pm once I've had a breather. His weight gain has been fine (until that nursing strike and the devil cold). He's on the low side, but is also the most wiggly active baby I've seen. Whatever he eats, he burns off quickly.
Sure, I have occasionally wished Daniel were more of a cuddle bug, but I get my lovin' when he's awake. It's really cute when he tries to dodge kisses... just like an eight year old boy. It's even better when he gives kisses and "bonks" us on the forehead. I can tell he is totally confident in his parent's love and feels very emotionally connected to both of us. I personally think each child is a unique creation. So if the next one wants to cuddle, I am up for it :)
We had fully planned on having Daniel in our room for the first month or so. We had the pack 'n play bassinet set up next to our bed, we put Daniel in it and we all went to sleep - well not actually. Any time Joe exhaled slightly loudly, Daniel would toss and turn and cry. I laid in bed stiff as a board and my blood pressure would rise each time Joe breathed or Daniel chirped. The second night of this, about 12AM, I picked up my baby, went to his room, placed him in his crib and he slept WONDERFULLY. Of course he asked for milk about two hours later, but that was expected. We used a monitor, so I still slept very lightly and would wake to any small coo or sigh, but Joe slept better and Daniel slept better.
I moved the bassinet downstairs so he could nap in the living room during the day. There were many days that first month I had him take naps on my bed while I soaked in the tub, and sometimes we'd take naps together. About two or three months into this, I realized he was not napping more than 20 - 30 minutes at a time which was not working well for either of us. One day I took him to his crib and he slept WONDERFULLY... not all the time, but it was an improvement from the other setups. It also took us some time to work out how to go down for naps, but that is another story.
It turns out that my son is a light sleeper and sleeps/falls asleep better in his own quiet room. I won't claim this was my preference, and I won't claim that he couldn't be trained otherwise, but it is what it is. As an infant, when I put him down, I would say a prayer for his safety before walking the 16 steps back to my bed, and throughout the night I would be praying for his safe sleep. In the several nights when I tried to share a bed with him, he had a terrible time going to sleep (wailing in frustration) and he woke in fits of anger whenever I rolled over or made any noise. I felt like I was punishing him by not letting him sleep in his bed.
He started sleeping through the night (10-12 hours) at five months. It actually began when we were at the beach, co-sleeping in a hotel room. I'd hear him start to wake, hand him the pacifier, and he would settle back down. He slept the whole night (that one time). We continued 3 - 4:30 AM night feedings at home for another couple months but slowly tapered those off. He's almost a year now and I will do an occasional 11 pm or 3 am feeding when he asks for it (usually if he is sick), but most nights he sleeps from 7:45 pm to 7:20 am. I start missing him pretty bad around 9 pm once I've had a breather. His weight gain has been fine (until that nursing strike and the devil cold). He's on the low side, but is also the most wiggly active baby I've seen. Whatever he eats, he burns off quickly.
Sure, I have occasionally wished Daniel were more of a cuddle bug, but I get my lovin' when he's awake. It's really cute when he tries to dodge kisses... just like an eight year old boy. It's even better when he gives kisses and "bonks" us on the forehead. I can tell he is totally confident in his parent's love and feels very emotionally connected to both of us. I personally think each child is a unique creation. So if the next one wants to cuddle, I am up for it :)
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
History
Two weeks ago, I joined/started a writers' group with several other ladies. We are holding monthly meetings and do weekly writing assignments. Our first assignment was to post something we wrote at least three or four years ago and write about what it meant to us when we wrote it and what it means to us now. This got me digging in my old blogs... yes, I had two before this one, dating all the the way back to 2000.
It was so strange reading my early entries - like I was intruding the blog of a stranger. I can't say that I really liked or disliked that person. She was annoyingly chipper and preachy and tended to fluctuate in her emotional highs and lows and connection to God depending on her circumstances. She had occasional funny moments and took herself a bit too seriously. (Um, yeah. I see the resemblance) It took me awhile to reconnect the words with my life back then.
In college, my world centered around classes, the guy(s) I was dating, missions trips to Romania and trying to decide what direction my life was heading in. I would say my identity was firmly wrapped in these, which is maybe way Paige circa 2000-2002 was so unrecognizable to me. I'm no longer in school, I'm married, I am clearly not in Romania, and my life didn't ever choose a direction after finishing grad school. I'm still in Raleigh, only 4 miles away from NCSU, where I drive every other week to drop of my time sheets. Have I mentioned that I have a baby?
Am I disappointed? Not in the least! I love where God didn't take me and I totally adore those people He has brought into my life. In the fall of 1999, I never imagined that Raleigh would be the destination. Back then, I imagined Raleigh was only a stopping point before I headed somewhere overseas or to Montana. It is just strange to me how much I focused on these huge life decisions, and it as if life just happened and all those hours of self-indulgent worrying and plotting and planning were wasted. I know in-fact they weren't wasted, because with the worry came many hours in prayer, seeking God. I think my emotional connection to God was much stronger back then when life was in constant fluctuation.
I've posted and backdated some of those entries on this blog. I suggest looking up "turkies". If anyone is interested in getting involved with the writers' group. Let me know. Our next meeting is February 9.
It was so strange reading my early entries - like I was intruding the blog of a stranger. I can't say that I really liked or disliked that person. She was annoyingly chipper and preachy and tended to fluctuate in her emotional highs and lows and connection to God depending on her circumstances. She had occasional funny moments and took herself a bit too seriously. (Um, yeah. I see the resemblance) It took me awhile to reconnect the words with my life back then.
In college, my world centered around classes, the guy(s) I was dating, missions trips to Romania and trying to decide what direction my life was heading in. I would say my identity was firmly wrapped in these, which is maybe way Paige circa 2000-2002 was so unrecognizable to me. I'm no longer in school, I'm married, I am clearly not in Romania, and my life didn't ever choose a direction after finishing grad school. I'm still in Raleigh, only 4 miles away from NCSU, where I drive every other week to drop of my time sheets. Have I mentioned that I have a baby?
Am I disappointed? Not in the least! I love where God didn't take me and I totally adore those people He has brought into my life. In the fall of 1999, I never imagined that Raleigh would be the destination. Back then, I imagined Raleigh was only a stopping point before I headed somewhere overseas or to Montana. It is just strange to me how much I focused on these huge life decisions, and it as if life just happened and all those hours of self-indulgent worrying and plotting and planning were wasted. I know in-fact they weren't wasted, because with the worry came many hours in prayer, seeking God. I think my emotional connection to God was much stronger back then when life was in constant fluctuation.
I've posted and backdated some of those entries on this blog. I suggest looking up "turkies". If anyone is interested in getting involved with the writers' group. Let me know. Our next meeting is February 9.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Hungry Caterdaniel
This afternoon, when I went to relieve Daniel from his nap, I noticed he had white bits on his chin. When I looked down next to him, I noticed he had munched the corner off a book. The irony of it was the title of the book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." If you have read the book before, then you might have noticed there are holes throughout where the caterpillar has eaten. Now ours has a place where the baby has eaten. Daniel has never munched a book before, and I guess I should go ahead and limit his reading in bed.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
Confession(s)
I really got into this past season of So You Think You Can Dance... as in I refused to make evening plans for either of the two nights it ran during the week. I even went to a gals night centered around SYTYCD. I miss it. In it's absence, I am posting what was one of my favorite dances. It was about a workaholic and his lover. Enjoy.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Not So Excellent
I awoke Saturday morning from a dream in which I was minutes away from giving a talk behind a huge white podium at traditional church with a great sanctuary (much like the one I grew up in) and was undecided on what I was going to say, worrying excessively about what to wear (I think I tried on a dress made of a large blue gift bag) and unable to find a verse I needed in scripture. In the last minute of scampering about trying to get ready (imagine a ferret hopping around... but with larger hips), I decided to talk on being called to excellence and was mortified that my life resembled nothing of the excellence I felt called to. I knew I couldn't talk from my own experiences, as they pointed to how little about me was truly excellent, and decided to talk just from scripture - a verse I was frantically unable to locate on the google search of my iphone.
After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I rolled over to my nightstand grabbed my phone and googled "called to excellence". The first thing I came across was an article from Duke Divinity titled "Excellence and Humility." There are so many good words in that article. I'm just going to quote some of what he had to say on excellence.
I understand that God calls us to excellence in the full sacrifice of our lives for Him. However, once I have said, "Here, God. It's yours," I still have work to do. I still have a child to raise, a husband to love, friends to pursue, meals to cook, a house to clean, and a body to keep healthy. I feel these are things I am called to, and if indeed they are, then I should be able to do them excellently... through Christ.
There was a good article on ddo about excellence, where the author quotes 2 Peter 1:3. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." I have always loved this verse. What this and other scripture says to me is God has created me FIRST to be like Him, know Him and enjoy Him. Second, he has created me with specific gifts and talents and placed in a specific location with specific people to carry out a life which only I can live. Through His power, I am more than equipped to manage it all. Therefore, if I am struggling with excellence (and I believe struggling with feeling inadequate is very different from the humility caused by being in the presence of God) then I am either not relying on His power, or I am attempting to live a life and be something I am not called to.
I think it is time for a reevaluation of my life. I know for certain that I am not fully relying on God's power (obviously it sustains me and deserves full praise for anything good that comes of my life), but I also question some of my calling. The things that are certain: I am called to be a wife to Joe. This entails learning him, loving him, serving him, praying for him, and making sure I stay hot (in his eyes). I am called to mother Daniel which involves feeding him, cleaning him, playing with him, teaching him how to love and forgive, and telling him about Jesus. These two also require me to create a home in whose walls bring safety and peace.
Beyond these two, it gets hairy. I have such a variety of passions of which some are used regularly and some are not. I feel called to write and give other people a voice. I feel called to express my life through an artistic media. I feel called to make people think about God and evaluate their own calling and createdness. Being a mother and wife limits my ability to pursue these, yet also enriches the expression of these other passions. I certainly don't have it sorted out and feel frozen in my indecision and spiritual rut. There is no weekend getaway to sit and meditate. There's no voice from Heaven ringing in my ears. There's no time-out, do-overs, or second chances. There is, however, grace - an abundance of it.
After rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I rolled over to my nightstand grabbed my phone and googled "called to excellence". The first thing I came across was an article from Duke Divinity titled "Excellence and Humility." There are so many good words in that article. I'm just going to quote some of what he had to say on excellence.
I tend to think of excellence as task performance. How well did I cook a meal? Am I buying jarred foods for Daniel or making my own? How often and well do I pray? How does my butt look in these jeans? How many corrections did I have to make to my class materials? How critical was I of my friends who cancelled on me? I feel overwhelmed and scatterbrained in my futile pursuit of excellence. I feel like a failure, especially when I send out "professional" emails with errors, cook something that gets an "okay" rating, and still don't fit into those pre-pregnancy jeans. I have not even begun to address my spiritual failures, which are far more humiliating.For human life, excellence means becoming all that one is created to be... it is a quality of relationship offered by God and a quality of relationship demanded in our interaction with others. Excellence in Christian living is love, love for God and for one another. To set this goal challenges us from spiritual mediocrity and points us beyond restricted vision, satisfied achievement, and small-hearted living.
As Christians we are called to excellence...to bear and believe and hope and endure with Christ. Not to serve God with the intention to serve fully is to fail to pursue the way of excellence. The call to excellence is a call to shatter our pretension of faithfulness and inculcate the fullness of love and service.
I understand that God calls us to excellence in the full sacrifice of our lives for Him. However, once I have said, "Here, God. It's yours," I still have work to do. I still have a child to raise, a husband to love, friends to pursue, meals to cook, a house to clean, and a body to keep healthy. I feel these are things I am called to, and if indeed they are, then I should be able to do them excellently... through Christ.
There was a good article on ddo about excellence, where the author quotes 2 Peter 1:3. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." I have always loved this verse. What this and other scripture says to me is God has created me FIRST to be like Him, know Him and enjoy Him. Second, he has created me with specific gifts and talents and placed in a specific location with specific people to carry out a life which only I can live. Through His power, I am more than equipped to manage it all. Therefore, if I am struggling with excellence (and I believe struggling with feeling inadequate is very different from the humility caused by being in the presence of God) then I am either not relying on His power, or I am attempting to live a life and be something I am not called to.
I think it is time for a reevaluation of my life. I know for certain that I am not fully relying on God's power (obviously it sustains me and deserves full praise for anything good that comes of my life), but I also question some of my calling. The things that are certain: I am called to be a wife to Joe. This entails learning him, loving him, serving him, praying for him, and making sure I stay hot (in his eyes). I am called to mother Daniel which involves feeding him, cleaning him, playing with him, teaching him how to love and forgive, and telling him about Jesus. These two also require me to create a home in whose walls bring safety and peace.
Beyond these two, it gets hairy. I have such a variety of passions of which some are used regularly and some are not. I feel called to write and give other people a voice. I feel called to express my life through an artistic media. I feel called to make people think about God and evaluate their own calling and createdness. Being a mother and wife limits my ability to pursue these, yet also enriches the expression of these other passions. I certainly don't have it sorted out and feel frozen in my indecision and spiritual rut. There is no weekend getaway to sit and meditate. There's no voice from Heaven ringing in my ears. There's no time-out, do-overs, or second chances. There is, however, grace - an abundance of it.
Paci
I find a baby sucking on a pacifier absolutely adorable, especially my baby sucking on his green paci (notice the aforementioned green scarf), but when the teeth start filing in line, the paci is supposed to be taken away. I started to take it away when he was six months old and got his first tooth, but it was such an easy fix, and Daniel had a hidden stash somewhere in the house and kept popping in new ones when I wasn't looking.This past week he hasn't been able to breathe out of his nose, so sucking a pacifier hasn't been an option. It makes nursing interesting too... suck suck suck... gasp for breath... suck suck suck.... So it seems that the pacifier weaning will happen on it's own. We've started screening the house for them and will wash and tuck them away for the next little one (not pregnant).
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
New Year
I carried my hot little baby into the guest room where Joe was trying to sleep and asked him to help me with the bath. The house was cold, my baby was 103.5, and all three of us were shaking as we stripped down for the bath. Daniel and I sat in the water, which was a little warmer than my toes and legs. Joe tried to make the bath fun for Daniel showing him the cups and squirt toys. The downtown fireworks echoed outside and Joe and I rang in the New Year with a kiss and a sad naked baby on my lap.
With Daniel coughing and whimpering through the night, broken up by two nursings, several diaper changes, doses of Tylenol, temperature checks and a lukewarm bath, we kicked off the year on about two hours of sleep. That morning Daniel's temperature was down. Daniel kept his humor about as well as I did during his birth. By the evening he was completely exhausted, and his temperature was just below 102.
As we were sprawled on the floor playing with blocks, Daniel stood up and looked at me. He had been extra fussy rubbing his gums, which were refusing to give way to two new teeth, and spread snot from cheek to cheek. I encouraged him to come see me and he took his first two steps. Joe and I both saw it and cheered, and I swept him up in my arms and covered his puffy red face with kisses. Then he took two more steps in between whimpers.
That night we all slept like babies, but as my eyes shut I thought of the roller coaster of a day we had - fear for our sweet baby's health and celebration of his first steps. Nothing has ever made me feel as alive and as completely run down as loving this child, and I wouldn't change it.
Joe asked me what my resolutions were for the year or if I thought it was too lame of a tradition.
Well, I'd like to start cooking healthier meals, get in shape, the usual... but I've been saying that for awhile now, so it's not like a resolution or anything.
But really I do have a resolution - I want to be more connected. I want to love more deeply the people that matter the most in my life. I don't want to bury my head in work and hobbies and reemerge to find them changed. Right now the words of Aerosmith's Don't Want to Miss a Thing are crashing uninvited into my head. I caught it on the radio last week hoping to find remnants of holiday music. There's a cheesy song for just about every poignant moment in life... and when it turns country several months later, it is even worse - but I digress. Life is too short and every day Daniel learns something new. Every day is a day closer to the man Joe and I hope and pray he will become.
I am already so proud of that little boy. He was such a trooper yesterday and today was several degrees cooler and feeling great (other than a new color to his snot). He's nursing like it's going out of style and begging for piggy back rides by putting his hands on my back and bouncing on the balls of his feet. Yeah, I guess I am a pretty happy mama.
With Daniel coughing and whimpering through the night, broken up by two nursings, several diaper changes, doses of Tylenol, temperature checks and a lukewarm bath, we kicked off the year on about two hours of sleep. That morning Daniel's temperature was down. Daniel kept his humor about as well as I did during his birth. By the evening he was completely exhausted, and his temperature was just below 102.
As we were sprawled on the floor playing with blocks, Daniel stood up and looked at me. He had been extra fussy rubbing his gums, which were refusing to give way to two new teeth, and spread snot from cheek to cheek. I encouraged him to come see me and he took his first two steps. Joe and I both saw it and cheered, and I swept him up in my arms and covered his puffy red face with kisses. Then he took two more steps in between whimpers.
That night we all slept like babies, but as my eyes shut I thought of the roller coaster of a day we had - fear for our sweet baby's health and celebration of his first steps. Nothing has ever made me feel as alive and as completely run down as loving this child, and I wouldn't change it.
Joe asked me what my resolutions were for the year or if I thought it was too lame of a tradition.
Well, I'd like to start cooking healthier meals, get in shape, the usual... but I've been saying that for awhile now, so it's not like a resolution or anything.
But really I do have a resolution - I want to be more connected. I want to love more deeply the people that matter the most in my life. I don't want to bury my head in work and hobbies and reemerge to find them changed. Right now the words of Aerosmith's Don't Want to Miss a Thing are crashing uninvited into my head. I caught it on the radio last week hoping to find remnants of holiday music. There's a cheesy song for just about every poignant moment in life... and when it turns country several months later, it is even worse - but I digress. Life is too short and every day Daniel learns something new. Every day is a day closer to the man Joe and I hope and pray he will become.
I am already so proud of that little boy. He was such a trooper yesterday and today was several degrees cooler and feeling great (other than a new color to his snot). He's nursing like it's going out of style and begging for piggy back rides by putting his hands on my back and bouncing on the balls of his feet. Yeah, I guess I am a pretty happy mama.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
About
Pocket Smiles: This blog is my ongoing writing project and attempt to document and share the things I am learning in parenting, gardening, the home, and life. Occasionally I post a recipe and it is almost certain that it will include cheese.Me: Paige Puckett
Hubby: Joe
Kids: Daniel
Pet: Nala
Work: I teach three classes at NCSU: Intro to Land and Water Engineering (fall), Risk and Failure Assessment on In-stream Structures (spring), and Ecohydraulics and River Corridor Function (spring). I work from my living room since these are distance courses.
Hobbies: pottery, cooking, gardening, camping, hiking, writing, knitting, sewing.
Things that get me pretty excited: twice-baked potatoes, new socks, water parks, fall leaves, campfires, doughboys, "Hot Now" sign, my hubby.
I am an editor for dirtydishonline. Check it out.
This blog was started in December of 2005. I have since then imported several entries from my previous two blogs to keep everything in one location.
To contact me by email, use: paige@pocketsmiles.com
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