Pull Out the Rocker

I think that I may like to learn how to crochet. Crocheting and knitting have always seemed to have 'old lady' connotations, but it seems like younger people are getting into it and creating fabulous things. On etsy I always seem to find things like headbands, hats, and even jewelry as well as mod scarves and gloves that inspire me to try my hand at it. Digi-scrapping is my creative outlet, mostly, but there are time that I just want to create hands-on, know what I mean? Any ideas on how to get started with this potential hobby? Or, reversely, let me know if me + sharp objects = disaster.

Potty Training (Might Contain TMI for Some)

Okay, I can't help but brag. I know this day one, this will most likely be at least a week long process if not lots longer, but Aly totally blew me away today. Most of you know why I've waited this long to finally potty train Aly, and lately it's seemed clear that phase is over and she's ready to be a 'big girl.' Anyway. This morning I filled a jar with some of the leftover candy from Lorelei's birthday, and let Aly know that each time she peed or pooped in the potty, she'd get a piece. The theory is that by the time the jar is empty, the reinforcement won't be necessary and the habits will already be in place. Well, each time I took her to the bathroom she would use it. She learned to pull her dress up, let me know when she needed to potty, and let me know when she was done all in one day. Seriously. I even lined her bed with some plastic sheeting aka garbage bag with the sheet over for her nap, and I shouldn't have even bothered with how well she did. She did have one tiny accident, when I put panties on her instead of letting her go commando. I can barely believe the day went so well; I've had my green machine and Shark mop filled and ready for the expected accidents. I've replaced some of the candy with 'jewelries' for non-sugar prizes; otherwise she'd be on a permanent sugar high. By the end of the day she was spending less and less time on the potty, realizing what was expected of her. I'm euphoric, can you tell?

Stomach is the Universe

Lorelei's birthday party was *finally* this weekend. Although I always get stressed out with birthday parties and holiday functions that I host, I'm happy to have done them when it's all said and done. My family was big help, coming out and cleaning so I could focus on cooking and decorating. Is it Thanksgiving yet? I'm feeling very thankful.

Anyway, party seemed to be a big hit. Lorelei came out of her shell after about 15 minutes and charmed everyone, and the house was awash with kids laughing and running, oohs and aahs over Jessica's cake, and general social activity. Our little family loved it. Although the rain did start once everyone got there and made the inside rather than out the place to be, everyone seemed to have a good time. Even Matt slicing his hand open didn't deter the fun. The gift part was especially fun; all the kids helped Lorelei and me open her presents. Everyone who came brought such great gifts; Lorelei is one lucky little girl.

A truly remarkable thing happened when we watched Lorelei eat her piece of cake. She picked it up (this was a man sized piece), and somehow consumed it without taking a break, or even chewing for that matter. Here's a video from Matt's phone.

The rest of the weekend went really well, also. Wes & Carole stayed with us Saturday night, and it was awesome being able to spend time with them. We've all missed them lots since they moved away. On Sunday Lorelei and I went to a wedding shower for Mandy, who amassed much loot. The other highlight of the day was trying out the new sprinkler (yep, at the end of summer) with the girls. Aly would run towards it, but would make wiiiide circles. Lorelei just stood there, enjoying the water. They weren't quite sure what to do but enjoyed it anyway.

Unfortunately it seems the only pictures taken of the birthday party were with Carole's camera, so until I can wheedle them away (pretty please!) I have nothing to show.

Public Service Announcement

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Squee!

Just a teaser....

Mandy's wedding will be this Halloween, so she's requested that the attending children wear costumes during the reception. P is the lucky letter, as Aly will be a piratess and Lorelei will be a piglet. I dressed Lorelei in her costume to make sure I hadn't repeated the too small trend, and it fit perfectly. Her in that costume was honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen, one of those you just want to hug and squeeze and hug and squeeeze... and make sure she's still breathing.

Randomosity

I think I am finally coming out of my funk. I have had a low self-esteem issue most of my life, but it really wasn't until the end of my pregnancy with Aly that it developed into a full-blown depression. For the past nearly three years I have tried my hardest not to look in the mirror, not visit old friends for fear of judgment, basically hermiting myself under excuses of being too hard to get out with the girl(s), migraines, and other valid reasons that could have been overcome. I haven't been happy with myself for a very long time, and I know that it affected the relationships I have with, well.. everyone.

I'm tired of being that way. I'm tired of putting myself least on the totem pole, of feeling so ashamed everytime I saw myself... of staring at the ground, hoping no one noticed me. I've attributed it all to being fat, knowing that I could be so attractive if only I'd lose the weight, but that really isn't the problem. It may be the root, but I'd forgotten how to like me for all the quirks that make me Bethany. I know and see plenty of women who come across beautiful to me, be they my size or larger, just because they have confidence and self-worth.

Upon my quest this year to lose weight I stumbled across some truths about myself, things I had always known but never acknowledged. I'm working through it, gaining confidence, ignoring criticism, and forgiving myself. Almost as sneakily as I became depressed, I am gaining back my joie de vivre. I was doing some online browsing for me a couple of weeks ago, and was amazed when I sat back and realized what I had been doing. Other than maternity clothes, I haven't shopped for me in three years, saying I didn't want to sink my self-esteem any lower by finding out what size I actually am. Today I actually bought a few shirts, knowing that this will pass, I WILL be smaller one day, but I need to dress for the person I am now. I'm happier now than I have been in a very, very long time, and maybe in a few months I'll even let Carole keep a picture taken of me. ;)

Matt has been getting home earlier this week. It's been awesome, I feel so spoiled! I've actually seen my husband more than two hours a day this week, hurray! He is working hard to get in shape as well, and we've enjoyed going to the gym and working out on Wii Fit & Sports Resort together.

I am so proud of Aly. Today we went to the park on a play date with a friend of mine and her daughter, and although Aly has only met the little girl two or three times, she of course never meets a stranger. They held hands at the beginning, hugged at the end, and had a good time chasing each other around. Here are some pictures I took of Aly this week.

Lorelei is getting to the age where Mommy leaving the room = tantrums. I don't really remember Aly doing this, so Lorelei is definitely asserting her very different personality.

Speaking of Lorelei, I made some crab cakes from my Cooking Light cookbook last night, and she LOVED them. Matt and I loved them too (Aly was neutral) so I wanted to share the recipe with you guys. Although there are a fair amount of ingredients, most of them are pantry staples and the recipe is really easy.

Wild Rice Crab Cakes (All-New Cooking Light Cookbook)

Prep: 20 minutes

Cook: 1 hour, 20 minutes (depends on wild rice directions, took me only about 45 minutes from prep to finish)

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice (only kind we had was Zatarains, which took 25 min to cook)

1 lb lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed (imitation works as well)

3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup minced shallots (green onions if your grocery doesn't carry them)

1/4 cup light mayonnaise (I used mayo made with olive oil, as I think it's healthier for you)

2 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (jarred kind works too)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp ground red pepper

1/8 tsp black pepper

2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

4 tsp olive oil, divided

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add wild rice, cover. Reduce heat; simmer 1 hour or until tender. Combine cooked wild rice, crab, and next 11 ingredients in a large bowl. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions, shape each into a 1 inch thick patty.

2. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 4 patties; cook 4 minutes. Carefully turn patties over, and cook 4 minutes or until golden. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and patties.

Yields: 8 servings (1 serving: 1 patty)

Cal 186; Fat 6.4 (1g sat, 2.9g mono, 2g poly); Protein 15.1g; Carb 16.4g; Fiber 1g; Chol 59mg; Iron 1.6mg; Sodium 524 mg; Calcium 87mg

This was so good, you'd never be able to tell it was a healthy recipe (for crab cakes,that is).

Darn These Long Legs!

Mandy is getting married on October 31st, and one of the first things I did was get Lorelei's wedding outfit. My mother has been pretty firm about wanting pictures taken with the family, and so I used this as an excuse to get my all-time favorite girl's clothing designer, Luna Luna Copenhagen.

Although I tried Aly's dress on her the moment we received it in the mail, I neglected to try on Lorelei's until this Monday. Yeah, it's too small. It would fit her fine, be a bit snug maybe, except for her being so dang tall. She would have to stand straight up the whole time, and never soil her diaper, for once she tipped over or got wet, the world would know. It's a bubble dress so it's not meant to be long, but it is starting to get a little Babies Gone Wild. The online boutique I ordered it from won't take it back, as it was a sale item, the meanies. So, I need to find a way to sell it. I'm going to offer it here first and then I guess try to sell it on ebay if I don't get any bites. The dress is called Taj Mahal, and is originally priced at $105 plus. I got it for $55, which is what I'm going to sell it for. No other place on the internet it selling it this low, if they have it at all. Size 12-18 mo (probably for the child who is wearing a large 12 mo or small 18 mo). So if you know anyone who is looking for a holiday dress and would be interested, let me know. If you can't tell by the picture, it's a gold damask on top with a sheer gold tulle bubble skirt covering a silky gold layer. Gold sequins sprinkled on the skirt, and the bow is black. We wouldn't have paid that much had it been for any other occasion, and the dress is so beautiful I want someone to enjoy it :(.

And Now For Your Viewing Pleasure...

This is a couple of years old, so it might not be new to you, but it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Wake Me Up...

It has been such a dreary week! There has been little chance to get outside, do anything with the rest of the warm weather while it is raining all the time. Forecast for the rest of the week: more rain. :(

Lorelei turned one last week. Happy and sad all mixed. Unless God has other plans I'm not having any more children, so this was the last first year we'll go through. September 2008-2009 has been a crazy year for us, from buying a house, having a second child, chicken pox >.<, and all the everyday adventures. She's kept us stay sane (while making us a little more loony), and I wouldn't change a thing.

So now she's one, and things will change even more. She's a walking/falling, gibberish-spewing, banana-noming machine now, who with a flash of dimple and twinkle in her bright blue eyes can warm even the most curmudgeonly heart.

--SOAPBOX--

Why do people take perfectly cute babies, mix in a crocheted hat or headband, and dollop with a huge bow, oft times larger than the babies' heads? I don't understand! The overall effect is just hideous, and I keep coming across it everywhere! These oh-so fashion conscious people are pairing it with completely ugly petticoat/tutus. Foster care is the only answer. The only good thing about this trend is how strong the babies and toddlers neck muscles must be getting, from trying to keep their head from tipping over.--STEPPING OFF--

Seemingly every holiday and birthday that comes around is full of everyone asking me what to get for whomever and whatever. I usually end up telling just one or two things, which doesn't give the person asking much choice. I don't like that, peoples! So! I've had a kaboodle.com account for myself for a while now, and I've added a wish list for the girls and for Matt (though his is empty, and will be filled as soon as he deigns to tell let me know his wishes). You may peruse and buy for at your own discretion. I think you can reserve items, which will let everyone know that it is spoken for, and when they receive things it will let you know what they do and don't have. This isn't a 'you must get us something from this list!' command, but rather something to consider when you're out of ideas and about to press the call button. I'd LOVE if everyone else would do the same, so we wouldn't have to bother you and find out what you want :D. There's even a way to keep your lists private so that only specific people you invite can see them, or a way to keep them completely private, as an idea list for others. Kaboodle.com, sthrnbelle05 is my username.