The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
Recipe Hack: Corn Fritters March 5, 2012
Tried this recipe out:
http://curiouscountrycook.blogspot.com/2012/03/zucchini-tots.html
Swapped out the zucchini with some frozen corn, the bread crumbs with seasoned croutons that had been crushed, added about a 1/4 cup of milk and baked for 20 minutes.
Worked out great, and I’m so excited that it was my first Pinterest find that I tried!
Are we Baby-Led Weaning? September 12, 2011
Short answer? Yes and no.
Long answer?
It turns out that Jacob absolutely loves spoons. Playing with them, banging them on things, and of course putting them in his mouth in an attempt to copy the rest of us. He also enjoys feeding himself. Since I don’t fancy cleaning up that much of a mess (I know BLW is supposed to be messy and fun), he is getting some purees and some handheld food.
First thing first, he was totally ready at 5 months. *I* wasn’t ready. So we waited an additional two weeks. His first food was steamed carrot, which was served both in baby carrot form, and smooshed up on a spoon. He liked it both ways.
He has had since then, in no particular order:
Whole foods:
asian style (spicy & gingery) chicken rice soup, broccoli, toast, multigrain cheerios, banana, oatmeal, blueberry, breakfast sausage (fed to him by his 3 year old sister, fished out before he could actually eat it), beet, peach, mango, apple, pear, papaya, kiwi strawberry juice (oops – I also found out that he knew how to work a straw too!), mashed potatoes – homemade with milk and butter, pork chop, grilled chicken, cantaloupe, spaghetti noodles from a stir fry, squash, peach, plum, green beans, rice noodles and homemade gnocchi (with chia).
Organic Purees:
Apple, butternut squash & carrot; banana, beet & blueberry; spinach, mango & pear ; Banana, mango & peach with salba.
We still have no food allergies. I still don’t have the patience to do the “wait 3-4 days” thing. I don’t love spoon feeding, but Jacob does. And if I can get one good eater, then I’ll be happy to give him food however he’ll take it. We’re still on one big solids meal a day – usually dinner, with a smallish snack earlier in the day. The rest of the time, it is all mama milk all the time.
We’re on the horizon of a (yet another) new way of eating. But the good news is that it is the whole family on board with the new eating, and I’ll have another post about that coming up including some meals that we’ve already tried and loved.
I flew ALONE with two kids and no checked luggage September 5, 2011
It CAN be done! And just a qualifier – no checked luggage does not mean that I did not check the carseats. I went back and forth on that and finally had to “be real” as some of my colleagues like to say and not try to be a hero dragging those things around creation.
The Cast:
- Me, mom of two, with two solo flights with ONE child and no checked baggage under her belt. One flight with the hubs and the girl-child, too. Also? Only 2hrs of sleep.
- Em, 3yrs, 2mo. Three air trips under her belt.
- Jacob, 6 months, no flight experience.
Here is my packing list:
- My clothes – a pair of gauchos and a pair of casual slacks; 2 shelf tanks, 3 tank tops, 2 short sleeved shirts, pajamas
- Em’s clothes – two pairs of shorts, 4 tops, pajamas
- Jacob’s clothes – 4 onesies, two pairs pants, 2 sleep & plays
- Flip flops for all three of us
- Undergarments, 10 pullups, and 44 diapers, package of 72 wipes
- Em’s blanket, Elmo & Jacob’s Mr. Elephant
- Toiletries, Learning Toys
NY & Co Black Leather Tote Bag:
- Baby B’air
- 4 diapers, 2 pullups, travel wipes container (with about 25 wipes)
- Two extra infant outfits (1 romper, 1 onesie & pants) in quart sized baggies, 1 extra kid t-shirt
- Wallet w/phone
- GPS, phone charger
- Infantino Front Pack Carrier
- Snacks, snacks, snacks
- New Toy (Black plush horse with long hair)
- New (Old) Toy (Mini My Little Pony)
- Mr. Elephant
It helped a great deal that Em was a big fan of Dora, so getting her to wear the backpack was a snap. The Kelty went on my back, the Infantino on my front. The diaper bag over my shoulder and my tote in my hand. The car seats in the bag, bungee corded to the hand truck. I held on to the hand truck with my free hand, and Em held onto it too, to “help”.
Going through airport security at 5:30am on a Wednesday was amazingly/alarmingly busy. Another mom traveling alone with two kids (ages 2 and 10 months) was ahead of me. She was traveling to LA, and then on to New Zealand. It made my worry/anxiety about two 2-hour trips each way seem like I was screaming about a paper cut.
I got in a lane, and carefully unloaded everything, removing my shoes and Em’s (Jacob was not wearing any). I removed the front pack, after removing Jacob from it. I removed my phone, GPS and toiletries. I allowed an older gentleman to go ahead of me. He let me know that he had three kids and he knew what it was like.
Our things went through the scanner, and my other fear – the body scanner vs. the pat-down choice – never came to light. There was one at my security entrance, but they were choosing people at random. I requested a visual inspection of my carseats, and security asked to remove them from the luggage carrier and put everything that could fit through the x-rays too. Sure! Em walked through the metal detector, and then I carried Jacob through.Then came the task of putting everything back together again. Another security guard held Jacob while I helped Em with her shoes. He let me know that he had two kids at home, and has had to do this too.
We were just steps from our gate, and 10 minutes away from boarding. I walked up to the gate agent, and requested to gate check the car seats. They asked “Do you want to just send your bag on to your final destination?” After all that I didn’t even need to think about it. “Yes, please!” Air Tran has the best track record in the industry for baggage handling – and the gate agents even assured me of it. I didn’t let on that I knew, but I was glad that they did. Another passenger (a mom with one kid) helped me stuff the luggage carrier into the bag.
We waited 5 minutes for them to call our zone, and off we went into the plane.
Em kept wanting to climb into whatever seat struck her fancy. I still had Jacob in the front pack, but trying to negotiate that narrow aisle with stuff is hard enough truly solo. Trying to do it while corralling stuff and a kid – not easy. I was banging into everyone until a flight attendant who was standing in the exit row offered to take the diaper bag. And so we made it the extra 8 or so rows to our seats, and she put the bag up above us, helped me with my backpack, held Jacob while I negotiated the front pack and pulled out the Baby B’air and finally seat belted Em into her seat.
The flight itself was uneventful, except at one point where both kids were having issues at the same time. In two hours, Jacob nursed no less than 3 times. Em was less than thrilled with having to keep the windows open. O_o Whatever! I specifically chose the two seat row so that no one would have to deal with our nonsense, and that was a good choice for the 5 minutes where I had two crying kids.
Reverse operations on the way off the plane to make it to the connecting flight. I hadn’t paused to use the facilities myself, and did not have the benefit of an adult diaper, so even though it wasn’t a great thing, I waited in the crazy line for the bathroom, and asked Em about 100x if she needed to potty, at the Atlanta airport. She refused. I’m kinda glad, since we didn’t have much time. I’m not proud, but I am a little. I didn’t take off my backpack or front pack, and we all fit in one tiny stall that was supposedly for handicapped usage (someone was nice enough to wait for the next stall when she saw me and all of our stuff and saw that was the one that had opened up for her). Jacob didn’t need a change. I used some antibacterial hand sanitizer instead of waiting for the same line for less sinks than stalls while hotfooting it to our gate because our connecting flight was already boarding as we were landing.
We still got a little help on that flight. It was nice of the flight attendant to stow all of my stuff for me. Wonders of wonders, both kids settled down (or were wiped out from being up at 4am) and napped together for 45 minutes after we were in the air. I dozed, but didn’t sleep. On the way out we had a different flight attendant helping us and he loved holding Jacob.
Can I just say that the White Plains Airport is the smallest airport I’ve ever been in? I’m going to assume that it is par for the course for a regional airport, but I was amazed. I walked out of the terminal and was immediately presented with the one baggage claim area. Our car seats were off first, and unfortunately, there was a tear in the bag. Not huge, but it was there. This was the second set of flights for this car seat bag, and I’d spent the previous one not caring and dragging it along the ground, so it shouldn’t have been unexpected. I strapped everything in and wheeled myself and the kids about 20 yards to the car rental counter. I waited behind one person, and walked another 40 yards to the rental lot. I guess that’s a good thing about a small airport – it wasn’t a big production to get from one place to another.
I took my time getting us settled into the car and off we went! I will do a separate post on logistics for our trip into Manhattan later in the week.
After the trip, what I discovered that I did not need in our bags:
- The diapers – I really could have bought these, but we were trying to run out a size too small that we got too much of – just trying to be economical!
- One shirt for me and Em and a sleeper for Jacob. My best friend generously allowed us to use her washing machine while we stayed with her, and we still never got to certain items of clothing
- One of the learning toys – we only got to one
Let’s talk about the return flights.
See above. Go in reverse. Add at least an hour of wait time at each airport. Me checking in the car seats at the counter and not at the gate. Security flagging a toy. An attempt to use a learning toy to pass the time. And a nice mom who watched our stuff while I took Em to the bathroom. Considering that the waiting area at the terminal was in plain sight of the bathroom and security, it was probably not terrible of her to do so, and it was very welcome. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. There were a couple of nice older Italian ladies across the aisle who were more than happy to make googly eyes any chance they could at Jacob.
At the Atlanta airport, some brainchild Air Tran employee, who I know was just doing his job, flagged me down carrying all of our stuff and thought that it was a brilliant time for me to decide to open a new credit card account and had a hard time taking no for an answer. This was counter balanced by a pair of nice 20-something married hipsters striking up a conversation with the 3 year old who was on the verge of melting down just as we were about to board.
On this flight we were in a row of three. I turned to the older gentleman next to me and said “Looks like you won the lottery.” He was unfazed, and asked how pricing and seating worked for the little ones. I asked if he was considering it for his grandchildren and he let me know that he was. I let him know that on all domestic flights that up to 2, the kids fly free, but over 2 its a full adult ticket. After that we politely did not speak and he seemed unfazed by me turning away to nurse. I might add that Jacob was polite enough to not have any crazy diaper antics on this set of flights either.
Both kids fell asleep, but Em was still throwing fits in her sleep and wound up slumped down in her seat by the time we landed. When I unbuckled her, she fell out of the seat and while we waited for everyone else to deplane, she got ready to explode. Just as I let her know that it was time to get off, she refused. Flat out and loudly. A flight attendant helped me put on all of my gear and literally picked her up and carried her off the plane and set her down on the gangway. Hey, it was midnight and he had places to be too. And the help was ever so much appreciated.
One would think that our (mis)adventures would be over here, but we had just one more. We walked to the automatic revolving door, and I saw my husband just beyond the glass before Em did. I sent her to walk ahead of me and the doors turned before I could get through with all of our packs. And she stopped walking. It took one more airport employee to help us out and encourage Em from one side while I cheered her on from the other to keep walking so that we could finally see Daddy.
Moral of the story? It can be done. People WILL help, WILL be courteous, WILL be polite and will NOT send you poison daggers with their eyes for daring to travel with your children. Or if they do, you’ll be way too busy to notice or care.
Like I said – a post on our trip to Manhattan to come and upcoming travel plans. Will I do this again? You betcha. Now the question is when and where…I’ve got some ideas, as well as a trip I really need to take, and one that I really want to take. Happy to answer ANY questions in the comments!
Ten Weeks of Dukan August 24, 2011
12 lbs lost, so I am at 200. Sadly, I’ve been plateaued and then up and then down again since week 5. I blame my vacation a little, and being a little too relaxed. And not exercising enough. I’m participating in a friendly wager weight loss competition, so I am back on the Dukan wagon!
Here is my recipe for the Dukan Pancake that I eat every morning:
1 egg
2 tablespoons of oat bran
1 tablespoon (Trader Joe’s Pumpkin) pancake mix
1 tablespoon 100% Whey Protein
1 tablespoon fat free plain yogurt (greek or regular) or 2% milk or buttermilk
2 splendas
1/4 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice mix
Mix to pancake consistency. Spray small non-stick frying pan with cooking spray. Pour mixture and cook on one side for about a minute and a half. Other side for about a minute. Voila.
This pancake along with two cups of coffee, keeps me full until about 11 or 11:30, and is pretty yummy. Don’t leave out the pancake mix. Even if its not on Dukan, without it, the pancake is nearly inedible. I use the Trader Joe’s mix because that’s what I have, but any mix should do just fine. Cottage cheese works in place of the yogurt, but the curds don’t mix in all the way, so you get cheesy places that remind me of pizza. Protein powder was my idea too and doesn’t need to be there. I tried a savory pancake with turkey, broccoli and cheese…I didn’t care for it, so I won’t be posting the recipe.
Post-mortem on my solo trip with two kids and no checked-in luggage to come!
Two Weeks of Dukan and Kid Checkups June 29, 2011
It’s official. I am a Dukan Diet Convert. This week’s weigh in? 205.8
I am now at pre-(this past)-pregnancy weight. Well, at least according to the doctor’s office. They recorded my pre-pregnancy weight as 206. Next stop, waving a (not at all) fond farewell to the 200′s. Then, working on pre-(my daughter’s)-pregnancy weight. That was 168.
Next topic: My kids doctors’ visits. My daughter at 3 years weighs 31 pounds. My son at 4 months weighs 16. Let it sink in…Yes, 16 pounds. I’m almost scared of how much he’ll weigh at 6 months, but suffice to say that as soon as he’s mobile, he’ll be able to sit on his sister. I love it! Not only because I know he’s healthy, but because we have been exclusively breastfeeding from the start. No formula. No solids. Nothing but my milk. That isn’t me bragging, mind you. Just proud of how well we’re doing.
And can I say how much I love our Family Doctor? When my daughter went for her 4 month visit, her pediatrician handed me a pile of feeding information. I told him that we weren’t planning on feeding her until she was 6 months old. He said “We have to give this out, because people are going to do it anyway and we need to be sure they have the info.” That was really strike one for that doc’s office, but I figured it was inconsequential at the time. In hindsight, it should have sent me away faster than when we actually left that office. Anyhoo, this doc not only didn’t even ask me what formula he was on (something the other doc’s office could never get right no matter how many times I told them “NO, my child is not on formula, thank you”), she didn’t tell me I could start feeding him solids. Not a peep. She did counsel us on our dairy-disliking 3 year old, so it isn’t as if she didn’t have an interest. It was that she saw him and didn’t even think to ask because she knew we knew what the ready signs were and that he didn’t have them yet.
Where is he right now? Well, he can sit in a Bumbo, and can sit in the high chair pretty well. He rolls like a champ, and scoots around by pushing himself forward with his legs. But he can’t sit on his own, and he still has his tongue thrust. Which means everything that I could coax in (because he hasn’t shown much interest in our food) would come right back out. My daughter was ready around 5.5 months, and had sweet potatoes as a first food. It was hilarious and fun. I expect the same for my son, except he might get carrots or bananas. I’m still deciding on what. What? No rice cereal or cereal in general? Nope. I think the stuff is gross, so if I’m not going to eat it, I’m not going to make my kids eat it. Plus I’ve pretty much come around to the idea that we’ll be baby-led weaning again. No jarred stuff, no slaving over a stove and the freezer making my own. Just fresh fruits and veggies prepared so that he can pick it up and play with it or eat it. I’m pretty excited.
Still working on my packing list for the August trip. Definitely sure that I will not do anything but gate-check the carseats. So, will need to figure out how to get everything through, including the umbrella stroller.
One Week of Dukan June 18, 2011
The good news is that because I am nursing, I do not have to start out with the “Attack Phase” of the Dukan diet, or even the “Cruise Phase”. I am getting to start out at the “Consolidation Phase”. This phase of the Dukan diet specifies the following:
- All foods allowed in the Attack Phase
- All vegetables allowed in the Cruise Phase
- 1.5oz of cheese
- 1 serving of fruit
- 2 servings of whole grain bread
- 2 “celebration” meals a week
- 1 Pure Protein day a week
- 1.5ltrs of water a day (equivalent – 51oz)
My daughter’s birthday was last weekend, so I started out a little higher than I wanted to.
Monday Morning: 212.0
Monday:
Breakfast: 4oz Fat Free greek yogurt, 2 splendas, 1 tbsn oat bran, 2 eggs with 1/8c. shredded cheese, 2oz 2% milk, Coffee with 4 splendas and 2oz 2% milk
Snacks (2x a day – @ 10am and 3pm): 1/2 tuna sandwich on double fiber bread, made with mayo with a 1/2 slice of provolone, 1/2 snack tub sweet gherkins & 1/2 apple
Lunch (@ noon) - Indian inspired Chicken breast – chicken made with many spices, a few red onion slices, light coconut milk, tomato paste and fat free greek yogurt
Dinner: LARGE salad with grilled chicken, strawberries & ranch dressing
After Dinner: Small sliver of chocolate cake
Water intake: 128oz
Tuesday:
Breakfast: 4oz Fat Free greek yogurt, 2 splendas, 1 tbsn oat bran, 2 eggs & a breakfast sausage link, 2oz 2% milk, Coffee with 4 splendas and 2oz 2% milk
Lunch - Indian inspired Chicken breast – chicken made with many spices, a few red onion slices, light coconut milk, tomato paste and fat free greek yogurt
Snack: tuna sandwich on double fiber bread, made with mayo with a slice of provolone & an apple
Dinner: 2 glasses chardonnay, large chicken breast, broccoli and a small sliver of chocolate cake
Water intake: 128oz
Wednesday:
Breakfast: smoked sausage link + 1 piece of double fiber bread, Coffee with 4 splendas and 2oz 2% milk
Lunch: Salad + meat chili w/1/8c. shredded cheese
Snacks: 6oz Fat Free greek yogurt, 2 splendas, 2 tbsn oat bran, Bowl of watermelon
Dinner: “Celebration Meal” - tortilla chips + rotel dip, 1 beer, chocolate cake
Water intake: 128oz
Thursday (Pure Protein Day):
Breakfast: 2 eggs & a smoked sausage link, one slice of double fiber bread, two LARGE cups of coffee + splenda & 2% milk
Lunch: 1 can of chicken breast mixed w/mayo and curry paste
Snack: Cottage cheese
Dinner: Large hamburger patty, w/mushrooms & onions, a beer and a sliver of chocolate cake
Water intake: 128oz
Friday:
Breakfast: 2 slices of double fiber bread, two slices of turkey, 1 slice of cheese, Coffee with 4 splendas and 2oz 2% milk
Lunch: Indian inspired Chicken breast – chicken made with many spices, a few red onion slices, light coconut milk, tomato paste and fat free greek yogurt
Snack: Cottage Cheese
Dinner: “Celebration Meal” Beef fried rice with one sushi roll and a Wedding Cake Concrete (Frozen Custard with a whole slice of Wedding Cake as a mix-in)
Water intake: 128oz
Saturday:
Breakfast: 2 LARGE cups of coffee w/splenda and 2% milk
Lunch: 2 slices double fiber bread, 2 slices turkey breast, 1 slice swiss cheese w/lettuce & mustard and 1 small peach
Dinner: Beef Roast “Sinigang” – made with tamarind soup base, carrots, celery, onion, rice vinegar, soy marinade and a little hot sauce. I might have a salad with it as well.
Exercise this week:
Monday – 1 hour walking around Target
Wednesday – 1 hour walking around Costco
Saturday – 45 minutes walking in the pool and 45 minutes walking around Whole Foods
I won’t be doing the food log every week, and I REALLY wanted to share my weigh in this morning. 207.4
Four and a half pounds. And I broke through where I’d been stalled. And I’d been cheating the whole time. Makes me wonder how well I’d do if I stuck closer to it all. I’ll continue to post weight updates. I’m excited that my goals seem to finally be in sight.
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