Garden Pasta Salad

I have been in a recipe rut!  With the transition from winter to spring to summer, my foods usually change, but I haven't been so good at that since I have not been the one doing the grocery shopping (THANK YOU, Delia!).  This week, I was on my own.  I perused my recipe box, found some fresh garden sides, made my list, and went shopping!  Next time I will shop for a shorter period of time.  I did a week of groceries, and even with Bella helping push the cart, and both girls putting stuff in for me, I still managed to start contracting, and have been a little uncomfortable ever since.  Of course, my uterus became irritated after it took 2 hours to get it all!  She still won't settle down, and then Bumblebee gets irritated from that, starts squirming, and they just go back and forth.  Its not too bad, knowing that this may be what it takes for me to go into labor on my own, except for sleep...  but I digress!

photo courtesy of Red Gold

One of the recipes I dug out is from way back at the beginning of our marriage.  We lived in a small town in Indiana, called Alexandria.  Its sister town was Orestes, which is known for its tomato fields and for serving as the corporate headquarters of Red Gold.  Many people we knew there were employed through Red Gold, and I have been a loyal customer ever since.  Red Gold is a family owned business, and though it isn't local to me here in Kansas, I still feel that I should buy that brand whenever possible! (I'm loyal, what can I say?!)  I have never been disappointed in a dish made with the Red Gold product.  So the recipe I found was from a can of Red Gold Diced Tomatoes.  Its been SOME TIME since I've made it, but it was delicious!  The only thing I would add is cheese (and I see they have added that as an option).  Chunky cheese cubes.    It is fresh, cold, and yummy!

Following is the recipe copy and pasted from the Red Gold website.  Take some time to peruse the site, there are lots of recipes there!

Recipe Overview:

Servings:	8
Preparation Time:	25 minutes
Cook Time:	0 minutes

photo courtesy of Red Gold

Ingredients

1		(12 ounce) package		tri-color spiral pasta
1/2		cup		sliced carrots
2				celery stalks, chopped
1/2		cup		chopped green bell pepper
1/2		cup		chopped red bell pepper
1/2		cup		peeled and thinly sliced cucumber
1/4		cup		chopped onion
2		(14.5 ounce) can		Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes, drained or 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Red Gold® Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained
1		(8 ounce) bottle		fat free Italian salad dressing

Directions:

• In a large pan cook pasta in boiling water until tender; rinse under cold water and drain. In a large bowl combine carrots, celery, peppers, cucumber, onion and RED GOLD® DICED TOMATOES . Pour dressing over mixture; toss until evenly coated. Chill until ready to serve.
• Variation: For another texture and flavor add ¾ cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese before adding the dressing.
• This zesty pasta salad is bursting with flavor and is liberally dotted with lots of crunch vegetables.

Nutritional facts per serving:

Calories 200 Fat 1.00g Trans Fat 0.00g Cholesterol 0.00mg Sodium 290.00mg Carbohydrate 42.00g

Fiber 4.00g Protein 7.00g Vitamin A 120% Vitamin C 40% Calcium 4% Iron 15%

Cooking Hint:

To seed a cucumber, first halve it lengthwise. Use the tip of a spoon to scrape the seeds from each half. If you have a grapefruit spoon, you will find that the sharp tip works well for this task.

Special Diets:

Low Fat
Vegetarian

A Little Boy's Prayers Are Answered!

If you have been with me for a couple months, you will remember my posts about Vanya.  Vanya is a little boy in an orphanage in Ukraine who asks every day if his family is coming to get him.  I'm excited to say that he is about to hear the answer he has hoped for for so long tomorrow!  Vanya's family is going to meet him!  He doesn't yet know that they are coming.  Here is a short conversation from Vanya: 


The  director asked Vanya,  “What if a family was coming for you?” and he got very excited.  She then asked, “What if they came from a different country and didn’t speak your language even?”  and he said “That’s OK, my momma and papa will teach me.” 

God is answering this little boy's prayer!  He has worked in His ways to bring this little boy the family he has always wanted, one who will show him Christ's love.  What an answer to so many prayers from around the world!  Though in our earthly eyes, time was running short for Vanya, God knew just the right timing for him.  To Him be the Glory!

To keep up with Vanya and his new family, follow their blog at  

6 Fishies

Essential Baby Products... I'm out of the loop!

Its been three almost 4 years since I had a baby.  And I KNOW that there are new things out there on the market since Bianca was a newborn.  We decided to reduce our amount of baby items when moving out to Pennsylvania from Indianapolis a few years ago, so we have a very used pack-n-play and a Baby Einstein stationary walker.  That's about it as far as equipment.  I got rid of almost everything else, except the girls' clothes and my baby sling.  So I'm wondering what is the good stuff on the market now?

I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to stuff.  I have been very blessed when it comes to baby boy clothing.  This little boy has more clothes than his Daddy and I together!  My sister gave me a lot of stuff, up to size 2T, and my mom and I struck gold on two friends who recently had baby boys and were selling their clothing.  (Thanks, Val and Jessica!)  We have a few blankets from the girls that will cross over, but most of them were pink or purple.

So in thinking over what I think we need, here's what I come up with.  My pregnancy brain will probably leave some things out, so just comment on what I'm forgetting!

• Carseat
• stroller
• a few bottles
• breast pump
• bassinet (maybe)
• pack-n-play (maybe)
• blankets
• cloth diapers 
• monitor

Now, I'm sure that there are plenty of other things that could be considered a need, but this is my list of absolute needs.  I could add many things to it, but I want to know what products YOU love!  And if there is one on that list that you could recommend, that would be greatly appreciated.  I really feel like a first timer with all of this stuff.  I really haven't spent much time looking at it this time around, and I don't know what is out there.

I do have a dream stroller, if we decide to not go with a double.  (that's a debate.. Bianca will just be 4, and we're not sure if we'll have one more or not, so...)  If money were no issue, I'd probably go with a Bug a Boo, they are so versatile, but they are also very pricey!  I would love to have a stroller that allows baby to face either direction (forward, or towards me) at any age, but the cheapest one I can find is Graco's newest model, the Graco Signature Series 3-in-1 Modular Stroller, coming in at $299.  Still a bit high, in my opinion.  I like a lot about it, except that it appears that in order to fold it up, the seat has to be removed.  I'm curious as to how easy that is to accomplish.

Moby Wrap

Baby K'tan

Maya Ring Sling

One other item that I am thinking of is the Moby Wrap.  I used my Maya Ring Sling excessively with Bianca, but at times it was difficult for me to get adjusted and comfortable.  I am also thinking about the Baby K'tan.  I'm not sure what would be more useful, and I know that everyone has their opinions, so please share them!  I know that I prefer babywearing over a stroller in the beginning, just to keep hands off of baby (though that doesn't stop everyone!), so I do the newborn snuggle carry a lot.  With Bianca, she was not a snuggler, so after she was aware of her ability to move around, she was not thrilled with the carrier, and we didn't use it long enough to even do the hip carry.  I'm hoping Bumblebee will be more apt to liking the carrier longer.  So what do you think?  Or is there one that you like better that I have not mentioned?

Please share your essential baby items and preferred models!  I'm starting my research a bit late compared to my previous experience, and am taking suggestions :)

All pictures are credited to Amazon.com or the website linked in the picture caption.

29 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:  He's currently head down!  I'm hoping he stays that way, because we discovered this week that I have an irritable uterus (more on this further down) that gets irritated every time he starts flipping and doing somersaults!

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Bumblebee is now weighs about two and a half pounds, and measures a little over 15 inches head to heel. 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I'll be checking that out next week at the doctor!

Maternity Clothes: It's all maternity wear for me!

Gender: It's a BOY! And I am pretty sure we have a name!  But don't bother asking, because we are not giving hints.  Nope, not even a little one.  Sorry MOM!  Well, okay, one...  He'll be named after someone in one of our families, keeping in tradition with the girls' names. 

Movement: Bumblebee is active when he's awake.  I've been noticing that he's quieter during the day, unless its almost time to eat.  That's when he starts moving around.  Of course, when I have my perinatologist appointments, he is sound asleep!

Sleep: Sleep has been good!  I wake up about once a night to go to the bathroom, and then sometimes I have trouble going back to sleep.  Otherwise, unless someone wakes me up, its sweet dreams for me.
 
What I miss:  I'm enjoying this pregnancy, so there's not much I miss!

Cravings: Ice chips

Symptoms: I am getting to the point where I can't eat too much at once.  I have had some contractions, but they are not affecting my cervix, so that's good.  We were in Labor and Delivery on Monday last week to be monitored.  We got a pretty good dry run of going into the hospital for delivery.  They even put me in a room!  (I'll be taking my own toilet paper when I go in next time! That stuff was rough!)  Everything settled down once I was off my feet, got some water, and Bumblebee quit rolling around.  They termed my diagnosis as "Irritable Uterus".  Something I've experienced every pregnancy, though not usually this early (@ 30 and 32 weeks with the girls), and not painful like a few of these were.  Basically, they told me to drink lots of water and listen to my body.  Which is what I assumed would be the end result, especially since the doctor and i had already discussed this very thing and decided not to medicate unless there was cervical change, but they do like to monitor!

Best Moment This Week: The girls and I got to spend most of the past week at 'home' in Illinois.  If only the weather had been better, we would have been in the pool everyday.  We enjoyed seeing all the aunts and uncles and playing with the cousins, Jackson and Emersyn.

Medically:  I've had two weekly appointments with the perinatologist now.  Its basically an ultrasound where they are looking for breathing practice movements and a few good wiggles.  They also measure the amniotic fluid level.  This is usually not very long, but Bumblebee has not been cooperating, and has decided that Monday mornings are a very good time for a nap!  We have to watch him for a good 20 minutes before they see everything they want.  Not that I'm complaining!
I have one more monthly appointment with my OB, and then I'll start biweekly appointments with him.  Refer to week 17 post for the perinatologist appointment about the Prothrombin/Factor II Mutation.

28 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:  Baby Bumblebee has been sideways for sometime.  It got pretty uncomfortable for a bit.  But last weekend (at 27 weeks), he became very active (I got some painful kicks!), and flipped himself head down.  He fits better that way!  Yes, I have feet and a rear end in my ribs every once in a while, but its so much better than him trying to stretch those legs out the side of my stomach! 

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Bumblebee is now weighs about two and a quarter pounds (Dr. estimated 2 lbs, 6 oz on Monday), and measures about 14.8 inches head to heel.  On Monday's ultrasound, Bumblebee was matching the numbers exactly for my due date, the doctor was quite impressed!


Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained somewhere around 18 pounds so far, right on schedule!

Maternity Clothes: It's all maternity wear for me, there are few things that still fit from my old wardrobe.  I'm learning to be creative.

Gender: It's a BOY! And I am pretty sure we have a name!  But don't bother asking, because we are not giving hints.  Nope, not even a little one.  Sorry MOM!

Movement: This is one active little boy.  The doctor even commented on it last week!  He does not like the poking and prodding that comes with the ultrasound, and he pokes back. ha!  Doctor had some trouble getting his measurements because Bumblebee kept moving around on him.  Sometimes my stomach looks like one of those bags you see on cartoons where one or two animals are caught in a knapsack and they are fighting, with the arms and legs flying out everywhere... yeah, that's my tummy!

Sleep: I've been getting more sleep, when its not interrupted by an exercising boy.  Generally, I'm aiming for about 9 hours a night.  Its been very good this week!

What I miss:  I'm enjoying this pregnancy, so there's not much I miss!

Cravings: Ice chips, and chocolate chip cookies.

Symptoms: Typical pregnancy symptoms.  Nothing too bad.  But I feel huge, and the back pains are starting to confirm that feeling.  I've been wearing a pregnancy support belt off and on that helps, and staying off of my feet this week.  Having some pains that are seeming like contractions, but nothing enough to worry about yet.

Best Moment This Week: Bella and Bianca are finally getting very interested in little Bumblebee.  They are always asking if he's awake and moving, and if I say no, they ask if they can wake him up.  They want to feel him moving all the time!

Medically:  Gestational diabetes test is over!  I don't think I'll ever be able to stomach a green popsicle again, though.  Apparently I did okay, because I never heard anything from the doctor.  Also, I start weekly appointments with the perinatologist - every Monday, I'm in for a biophysical profile.  That means they'll be monitoring the baby's heart rate, movement, amniotic fluid, etc., to be sure the placenta is functioning properly and that baby is doing well.  This is all due to the Prothrombin 20210/Factor II Mutation (genetic disorder) that I have.  I have one more monthly appointment with my OB, and then I'll start biweekly appointments with him.  Refer to week 17 post for the perinatologist appointment about the Prothrombin/Factor II Mutation.

Sweet Sleep

We are doing well with getting the girls to sleep at night now.  For as long as I can remember, its been a struggle.  Scott would take one, I would take the other, and for different periods of time, this was because one of us needed a break every other night away from putting one of them to bed.  They would take turns being difficult, and it could take up to 2 hours before they would be asleep from the time we brushed their teeth.  We did some research, and started a new routine, and as long as it is followed, they go to bed easy-breezy (unless they really are hungry, then they go to bed with some goldfish!... which is rare, because they usually get a bedtime snack if supper was more than an hour earlier.).

We usually start around 7:30 with brushing teeth, potty, and pajamas, then we all meet in Bella's bed for reading time.  (We've read through the Wizard of Oz and are currently working on Ramona Quimby, Age 8)  We try to do one chapter a night, though sometimes its cut short, and sometimes we do a few extra pages.  Then Bianca goes straight to her bed.  She doesn't want cuddles, songs, or anything!  Just turn on her music, pray, and leave her alone.  She listens to the kids' songs randomly shuffled on my Zune, and watches the pictures change with each song.  Bella still wants a little time to chat, cuddle, pray, and sing, but it is SO much shorter than it used to be, usually around 10 minutes or less.  In general, we are done with bedtime around 8:30-9, depending on the night and starting time, and we have an hour or so to relax before we head to bed.  We used to be on pins and needles waiting for one to sneak out of their room, but they are usually asleep within 10 minutes.  It has been rather wonderful!

What is working for you?  I know that bedtime is different for everyone.  When my girls were babies, they could sleep anywhere.  Now I'm trying to keep them from sleeping anywhere except in their beds!  As soon as they moved into toddler beds (or not long after), it became a struggle for us.  I'm so glad that we've found something that is working!

Summertime

We are on our summer schedule... which means I've been kinda lazy!  I'm keeping up with laundry, and school, and that's about it.  Our afternoon goal is to be out in the backyard at the little 2 foot deep pool that Daddy so graciously empties and fills for us once a week.  I've not been online much, at least not when my thoughts are coherent!  And I'm soaking up all of the sleep I can get, for I know it won't be long until I am up more than once a night, for long stretches.  The heat has been getting to me a bit, and I've spent more time than usual with my feet up.  I'm not sure if its contractions or Braxton-Hicks, but the doctor isn't going to do much for contractions right now (unless they are sending me into labor), so I've not bothered calling about it.  They aren't regular, and last less than a minute.  No big deal.  Just drinking lots of water, and sitting as much as possible.  It probably hasn't helped that the temperatures have been in the 90s for the last week or so!

We are still doing school.  Currently, we are working through the Get Ready for the Code books, as well as some supplement activities.  I am also focusing on numbers this summer.  My ultimate goal is getting Bella to read, and she is finally showing signs that she is ready for that.  The letter sounds are soaking in, and she's starting to write more words in her drawings, as well as ask what things say.  I'm so excited for her!  Reading is one of my favorite pastimes.

I have some pictures to upload and blogs to get done, but all of my available time recently has been spent outdoors, running errands, crocheting a baby blanket, or during a time when its a struggle to put two coherent thoughts together.  The past week or so has been very busy with home showings and Bella's birthday.  I'm looking forward to and enjoying our lazy days of summer after this week.

Money Secrets of the Amish by Lorilee Craker (Book Review)

I had the privilege to review Lorilee Craker's Money Secrets of the Amish: Finding True Abundance in Simplicity, Sharing, and Saving.  This is a 220 page paperback book which has a suggested retail price of $15.99.  Lorilee Craker is the author of eleven books, including The Wide-Eyed Wonder Years:  A Mommy Guide to Preschool Daze, We Should Do This More Often: A Parents Guide to Romance, Passion, and Other Pre-Child Activities You Vaguely Recall, and Date Night in A Minivan:  Revving Up Your Marriage After Kids Arrive.  

Impacted by the economic downturn, Lorilee Craker tuned in to an NPR broadcast that stated the Amish had successfully, as a subculture, emerged from a year of financial mess in the United States.  As a journalist, she decided to research what and how the Amish managed to do so, without, it seems, changing their ways and traditions they have held for so many years.  Her research, as well as some interesting and surprising stories, is found in this book.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I wasn't sure at first sight how it was going to go, but, as I have found with all of her books I have read, Craker kept it light and entertaining, making it an easy read.  Her research into how the Amish have survived the economic downturn so well is woven in through stories from her meetings with the Amish, as well as her own experiments with the findings of her research.

As one who has always lived on a tight budget, I did not find many new ideas for saving money.  However, I still enjoyed the reading, and learned much about the reasons behind why the Amish live the way they do.  The book serves as a good reminder of simple ways to conserve money and enjoy what we have and the life we live.  It also includes many tips and tricks of reusing, recycling, and repurposing.  The Amish live a 'green' life amidst all of their ways and traditions. Craker does a good job of listening to how the Amish save money, and then incorporating it into the 'English' world. 

Altogether, if you are looking for some great reminders of ways to save money and tighten the belt at home, this is a great book. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze book reviewers blog program for the purpose of writing an honest review.  I received no other compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

6 years...

Dear Bella,

Today, you are six years old.  The past six years have gone by very fast, it seems, but in the moment, they seemed to move so slow.  There were days and nights I thought we may never get through, but here we are.  We have been through a lot as a family, but it has only built us closer, tighter, stronger. 

You are six.  You are full of life.  You experience everything in its fullness emotionally.  You love to laugh and tell jokes.  You like to do new things (unless it's tasting new foods).  Today, you want to be a rock star, after you are done being a mommy, of course. 

You are very sensitive to others who are hurting around you, and those you do not know.  Recently, there was a tragic tornado in Joplin, MO, and I hesitated to tell you anything about it because we've been dealing with your fear of tornadoes for a while.  However, I decided that to educate you about tornadoes may be more helpful, so we talked about them, the tragedy, and looked at some pictures.  As soon as you realized you were looking at what used to be the homes of strangers, you started out loud praying for these people.  You wanted to see more, and prayed for the people represented in each picture you saw.  We had warnings going off around us, and you wanted to watch the news so you could pray for the people.  Rather than letting your fear stop you, you ran it over with prayer.  I pray that you will continue to live your life this way.  That fear will never be a barrier to what God would have you accomplish in your life. 

You love to do things your way (you are your mother's daughter).  You like to figure it out, and do not want me to show you.  You love to tell your sister what and how to do it.  You really love it when she listens, and you are learning to deal with your frustration when she doesn't.  You are learning to negotiate with her in your games of pretend.  There are many days that you will gather your things and go outside or play in your room together for hours on end.  (You also enjoy your 'alone time', much like your mother.)  Sometimes I hear one of you calling, "Mommy," only to realize that I am not being called, but its a game of pretend.  I pray that your friendship with your sister stays this way, that you always prefer each other's company, and that you continue to confide in and challenge one another. 

You are making good friends.  You light up whenever you see them, and I love to see you sitting together playing and telling secrets.  There are times when you disagree, but it only takes about five minutes for your frustration to relax, and you are back together again.

You are very excited about your new little brother on the way.  You wanted to name him Sophia if he was a girl, but you say you don't have any boy names in your head.  That's probably a good thing, since Mommy and Daddy will be choosing his name!

You, at six years old, are becoming a prayer warrior.  Your faith amazes me.  You have prayed for Baby Bumblebee to be healthy and strong for as long as you've known of him.  When my faith faltered, wondering if I should teach you to pray differently, wondering what I should tell you if something unexpected happens, you continue to just trust that God will care for us.  You have prayed for the orphans in Haiti, even asking if we could bring one to live with us, so we could share what we have with them.  You prayed for the people of Japan in the earthquake and tsunami, and you continue to pray for anyone you hear who may be in need.

You teach me more about God than you even understand.  I see lessons of His love in your life.  He uses you to show me how much He loves me.  And your questions are often deeper than I feel prepared to answer.  I pray that the Lord will lead and guide your Daddy and me in the best way to teach you about our Savior and His love for us, and how that understanding impacts our lives. 

You are six years old.  You are His beautiful creation.  You are perfectly named - Isabella Rose - A Rose consecrated to God.  May you always allow Him to work in your life and use you to His glory.  I love you.
Happy Sixth Birthday!