Menu Plan - Week of March 1

I couldn't be more happy for March to arrive. Spring is around the corner. Okay, so the forecast for tomorrow calls for snow flurries, but still. There's hope for warmer days, which may just get me through the cold days still ahead.

Here's the menu for this week:

salad for supper, roasted cauliflower

pineapple kale stew, brown rice

baked tofu, broccoli, carrot salad

pasta with chickpeas and veggies

no hurry vegetable curry

veggie bean soup

I've had some questions in the comments about some of the dishes on my menus, and I'm planning to address those in a post this week.

For more menu planning inspiration, check out the menus at Organizing Junkie.

T-shirts for Girls

Millie running in a road race last summer

Have you ever thought about that the fact that, even though little girls have a wide variety of interests, including things like sports and dinosaurs, the clothing available for girls doesn't necessarily reflect that? I really hadn't given it much thought myself, until my friend and fellow stay-at-home-mom Rachel told me about the business she was getting ready to launch. While there are plenty of clothes with pictures of butterflies, flowers, and princesses, you'd be hard pressed to find a pink t-shirt that reflects the interests of a little girl with a passion for things that we typically consider the realm of boys. So Rachel decided to remedy that, by starting a business that offers t-shirts for girls, and it's called A Closet of Her Own.

I can really appreciate this, because I was very involved in sports through elementary school, high school and on through college. I stayed busy with basketball, track and cross country. And though I'm not the runner I used to be, Tom and I still try to run when we can, and we do some 5K road races from time to time. One fun thing about these road races is that there's often a race for kids as well. Millie has run in several of these, and she's really enjoyed them. So when Rachel was looking for models for her t-shirts, I knew Millie would really love the t-shirt that depicts a girl running. And let me tell you, whenever I'm on top of laundry and that shirt is clean, that's the one she picks to wear! It's a very soft, comfy cotton shirt, in her favorite color (pink!), and she has worn it so much in just a few months.

So if you know a little girl who loves sports, or dinosaurs, or fire trucks, you have to go check out the very cute shirts Rachel has available. And even if you don't have a little girl in mind, you can click over to see Millie modeling her running shirt!

This post is linked to:
Things I Love Thursday

About Homebirth

If you've been reading here for a while you may know that we gave birth to both Silas and Isaac in the comfort of our own home. I know homebirth isn't the best choice for everyone, but it has been a great option for our family. If you'd like to hear a little bit more about how we came to choose a homebirth, and about both of those births, you can read my guest post at Adventures of a Somewhat Crunchy Mama (don't you love that blog name?!).

In case you're wondering, we are planning another homebirth for this next baby, and we're planning on having the same midwife (J.) who was here for Isaac's birth attend this one as well. This will be the first time I've had the same care provider for more than one birth, and it already felt so comforting and familiar to chat with J. on the phone. So nice!

If you have any questions about homebirth in general, or my experience in particular, feel free to ask away and I'll do my best to answer them.

Crafty Happenings - or Mishappenings

Here's some of the creative stuff going on at our house, including recently finished, in-progress, and some hope-to-do-soon projects (both mine and the kids').

-1-

a tote bag

I just made a new tote bag for myself using this tutorial.
My main motivation was that I was desperately needing something new to haul around all the stuff that goes along with the kids whenever we go out. I used some leftover fabric I had on hand, which is why the shape is more wide than the original pattern shows. I was also hesitant to use this particular fabric since it's mostly white, and I 'm sure it will be filthy in no time. But since it was essentially free to make, it'll work.

-2-

bean bags

I started working on the bean bags shown here. You have to go click on that link and see them, because they are so cute and inviting, and I just knew the kids would love them. But I got about one-fourth of the way into the project and got frustrated. Partly my fault, for being in a hurry and not following the instructions exactly. Also, I'd never done machine applique before, and this was not the best project to learn on. Mine looks pretty awful. The kids don't care, though. They have played so much with the four bean bags I managed to make. I knew they would. Millie practices juggling, Isaac tosses them, and they all pretend that the bean bags are people and make up all sorts of stories with them (Seven wants to go play! Six and two should come along!)
The front view:

The back view:
Don't look too closely, like I said, I'm not too pleased with how they turned out. And that white muslin looks so cute at first, but is already looking really grimy from all the play. So, a partial success, I'd say. The kids are enjoying them, and that's really the point.

-3-

a dress

I started this dress for Millie two months ago, but now I'm scared of the zipper. I've never sewn in a zipper before. Maybe I'll get brave soon?

-4-

a scarf

I started knitting this scarf last week during our drive to Wisconsin Dells, but I'm really not liking how the pattern is turning out - more specifically that it doesn't look much like a pattern. So I'm thinking of unraveling it and finding a new design.

-5-
tooth fairy pillow

Millie has a loose tooth. Her first. And it's been loose for a couple of months now. Thank goodness, because I still haven't gotten around to sewing a tooth fairy pillow for her. I'm going to keep it really simple, just a small pillow made of pink flannel, and will probably just use some felt for the front pocket. I'd like to embroider a little something on the pocket, but haven't settled on anything specific yet.

-6-
baby blanket

A wonderful gift we received when Millie was born was a stack of baby blankets. But not just any blankets. These were handmade by Tom's grandmother, and they are great because they are much bigger than typical receiving blankets. To make them you simply take about a yard of flannel, hem the edges, and then crochet a decorative edge. I've had it in mind to make one or two for a friend who's expecting, but I don't know how to crochet. I'm hoping I can learn for this project.

-7-
library totes

I'm planning to use the pattern above to also make some totes for the kids. Specifically, ones they can take to the library to help lighten my book load!

-8-
beading

Last fall Millie really got excited about beading, and she's been pretty consistently making necklaces and bracelets ever since. She'd like to have a little beading business, though I think we're going to have to work a bit on quality. I helped her with the pattern on this necklace:
But it broke pretty easily. So, like I said, have to work on quality.

-9-
watercolors

I'd like for the kids to try painting with watercolors, like real watercolors. So that's going to be one of our art projects pretty soon. It will be a learning experience for me, since I don't think I've ever used real watercolors myself. But we have a little tutorial in one of our Usborne art books, so we're going to give it a go!

-10-
finger knitting

I know I've mentioned it before, but we're still at it. Millie made a belt for herself today. She's still not crazy about the five-finger method, but is very adept at the simpler one-finger method.

So that's the crafty goings-on around here! Have you made anything lately? Or do you have a project in mind?

This post is linked to:
Top Ten Tuesday

Menu Plan - Week of February 22

Since we were out of town last weekend, I ended up basically ditching my menu plan for last week. I didn't get my normal grocery shopping done over the weekend, and we still had some convenience foods from our travel and hotel stay. So last week was a little unusual. For this final week of February I'm ready to get back to my normal cooking. I planned out all my meals for February at the beginning of the month, and I think that worked out really well for me. I intend to do the same thing for the month of March.

Here's what I have planned for this week:

Bean burgers, cole slaw

Asian noodle salad

Spaghetti squash primavera, mashed potatoes with kale

baked tofu, cooked greens, brown rice

homemade veggie pizza

vegetable bean soup

For more menu plans, visit Organizing Junkie.

Baby Bump - 16 weeks

On looking at this photo, I have two thoughts. One - I already have an outie. In fact, after three pregnancies, and working on my fourth, it may be that my belly button will now permanently be an outie. And two - man, do I need to clean that mirror.

Some Thoughts on Ash Wednesday

I didn't grow up in a church tradition that celebrates the liturgical calendar, so celebrating Ash Wednesday, Lent, or even Advent aren't things that I'm necessarily used to doing. But I do have an appreciation for the intent of these seasons and special days. In college I was exposed to some liturgical traditions, both as a religion major, and tagging along with one of my Episcopal friends to pancake suppers and Ash Wednesday services.

As an adult, I've liked the idea of "giving up something" for Lent. Fittingly, I'm currently reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster along with a group of moms, and the next chapter on our reading schedule is on fasting. Although completely fasting from food hasn't been an option for me for quite some time, since I've either been nursing or pregnant going on seven years straight now, I am drawn to the idea of fasting from things besides food (though I do realize I could choose to fast from one particular food item). And in our current modern culture, there are plenty of options for various "distractions" that we would do well to fast from for a time.

Reading Celebration of Discipline today, one particular passage (on page 55) stood out to me:

Fasting reminds us that we are sustained "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us. In Christ, "All things hold together" (Col. 1:17). Therefore, in experiences of fasting we are not so much abstaining from food as we are feasting on the word of God. Fasting is feasting!

With that in mind, I am choosing to fast from some particular distractions in my life, but more importantly I'm planning to "feast" on some Christian reading. Currently on my list of reading for Lent:

The Autobiography of George Muller

The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton

The Life and Diary of David Brainerd

Not sure if I'll get through all these, or if I'll be looking for some additional books in a few weeks! Currently there are a couple of posts up at Conversion Diary on the topic of Lent, including some book recommendations, if you are also looking for some books to read for Lent.

Weekend Away

We just arrived back home today after a weekend at a huge water park in Wisconsin Dells. The kids had so much fun swimming, and Silas was beyond thrilled to finally get to wear his spiderman swim suit. This was more of a work/play vacation, as we went so that Tom could run the videocast for our church's student conference. So while he was pretty busy working most of the time, the kids and I enjoyed playing and swimming, and my mom even came along so it was far more manageable to wrangle all three kids. (Thanks Mom!!)

It hardly even registered that Sunday was both Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, two holidays that we would normally enjoy celebrating as a family. But getting a break from the winter cold was certainly a good celebration for us. We've been to this water park a couple of times over the past few years, and it was fun to see the kids becoming more brave about which pools and slides they wanted to experience. Even Isaac had a lot of fun swimming, though he was equally happy once we finally made it back home. And for that matter, I'm pretty happy to be home again too. Hope you had a fun holiday weekend, however you celebrated!

Sleeping with Baby

Napping with newborn Millie

We have shared a bed with all three of our children, beginning from day one with our first baby. To us, this arrangement made a lot of sense and felt very natural. Because "co-sleeping" has been a major part of our parenting experience, and is actually the way that most babies in most parts of the world spend their nights, I'm always a little surprised to come across those who think the only "right" place for a baby to sleep is in a crib. Yet that is the prevailing view here in the U.S.

About a year ago I was up late watching the local news (not something we usually do) when I saw a segment about "solving your baby's sleep problems". I was very curious to see what the slant would be, and unfortunately it was quite disappointing. They had a sleep "expert" who was ready to help a mother and baby; the goal was to get the baby to sleep by himself in a crib. When they did the interview with the mom, she explained that her baby didn't sleep very well. With much embarrassment and shame, she admitted that in desperation she had brought her baby to bed to sleep with her, because she was so exhausted and that was the only way she'd been able to get her baby to sleep, and to get much-needed sleep herself. The mom admitted that she knew what she was doing was "wrong", but that she was at a loss as to what else she could do.

Hearing this mother speak left me so incredibly frustrated, both for her, and for the message our culture sends to moms. This was a news segment for a major station in Chicagoland, putting out the idea that sleeping with your baby is bad, and is somehow a problem to solve. I don't expect everyone to share a bed with their baby. It doesn't work for every family (even some families who would very much like to co-sleep). And that's okay. But co-sleeping has worked wonderfully for our family, and here are some of the benefits we've found:

More sleep for mom. If you're nursing, there's no need to get up and feed the baby. Middle-of-the-night feedings can happen without mom ever needing to get out of bed or fully wake up.

Assurance that baby is okay. I can't sleep unless I can easily make sure my baby is breathing. I also feel better knowing that if baby is sick in the middle of the night, I will attend to her needs immediately, and not discover the problem in the morning. And in the winter, it's easy for me to make sure that baby is nice and warm all night.

Bonding with baby. There's not much better than snuggling up with your baby at night, and getting to see his angelic face before you go to sleep. Lately I've gotten to hear Isaac giggle in his sleep, and even clap and say "yay!" while still asleep; I'm glad he's in our bed and I get to experience these sweet moments.

Where baby should sleep is a decision for each individual family to make. And when done safely, co-sleeping can be a wonderful way for everyone in the family to get plenty of sleep. No mom should ever feel bad about bringing her baby to bed with her; quite the opposite in fact, as sharing a bed with baby has many wonderful benefits, for both mom and baby.

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If you're interested in more of the nitty-gritty research about the science of co-sleeping, you can visit the site for the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame.

This post is linked to:

Works for Me Wednesday

Menu Plan - Week of February 8

So, what's been going on around here? Not too much I suppose. We have mostly been staying in, avoiding the cold weather. I've been doing lots of reading. I read some really good books last month, and I'm already making my way through several new books that I just got from the library, also some excellent ones. I happened to pick up a book about green smoothies, and I'm really excited about trying a few of the "recipes". I rarely follow a specific recipe for smoothies, as I tend to make them up according to what we have on hand. But I've been very motivated to step up the amount of dark leafy greens in our diet, and I'm excited about incorporating more green smoothies into our menus. As for menus, I don't have quite as many dishes planned for this week's menu, since we'll be out of town next weekend. But this is what I do have planned:

Salad for supper

Baked beans, roasted potatoes, kale slaw

Orzo with veggies, baked tofu, sauteed greens

No hurry vegetable curry

Hope you've had a great weekend, and that your week is off to a good start!

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie.

And Baby Makes Six

Yep, we have some exciting news. We're expecting a baby in early August! Tom and I are thrilled, the kids are thrilled, and Millie is especially thrilled that she doesn't have to keep it a secret anymore and that she can tell everyone she meets, "My mommy is having another baby!"

I'm feeling good, and I think this was the "shortest" first trimester of any of my pregnancies. We were just so busy. We found out we were pregnant on Thanksgiving, and after that there was the rush of the holidays, which also included all three kids having chicken pox, and a trip half-way across the country to visit family in Texas. Really, it was just a crazy couple of months. One day in December I was out Christmas shopping, with my list in hand and thoughts about planning and packing swirling through my brain, and I walked past the maternity clothes in Target and thought, "Oh yeah, I'm pregnant!"

But, now that we're back into a more calm routine at home, we have had time to really absorb this idea that we'll be welcoming a brand-new little person into our family in August. And we are all just so joyful and thankful. We got to hear the heartbeat this past week, which is such an amazing thing, even the fourth time around. There really is someone in there, with a little heart beating away. I heard someone say recently, that the more babies they have, the more they love their babies. And I think that's true for me. I know I'm already smitten.

This post is linked to:

Heavenly Homemakers
Tuesday Unwrapped

January Reading

Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne - Some great food for thought here on the need to offer kids a more simple environment, involving everything from toys to clutter to schedules. Much of the information here is aimed especially at families who find themselves exceedingly busy juggling work schedules, school, and family commitments. But plenty of the ideas and suggestions apply to any family.

Simple Food for the Good Life by Helen Nearing - A cookbook, but there's a lot to read here as Nearing goes into detail about her food philosophy. Nearing spent most of her long life homesteading, and as a vegetarian and whole foods advocate, has a strong opinion about the role of food, and gives her advice on how to keep things simple and spend less time cooking.

Plenty by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon - The story of one couple's quest to eat locally for one year. If you've read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, you will appreciate another local eating adventure, but one with a very different setting and circumstances.

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom - I saw this in the "new books" section at our library, and thought I'd grab it for a quick read. I had read Tuesdays with Morrie as part of a college course, and I figured this would be more of the same heart-wrenching type story. To a degree that's true, but there are some surprising twists, and I appreciated the conversation about faith, what pulls us away, and what eventually brings us back.

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood by David Benedictus - Alright, this wasn't exactly my reading choice for this month, though I feel compelled to mention it because it was definitely Millie's favorite book this month. It is written in the tradition of A.A. Milne, and contains a whole new collection of adventures with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and all the rest. I don't know how the A.A. Milne purists out there feel about it, but Millie was thrilled with this set of new stories.

And my crafty reading/inspiration this month:
Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule
One-Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant
Hip Knit Hats by Cathy Carron
Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles
Doodle Stitching by Aimee Ray

Now, if only I was actually crafting as much as I'm reading about it!


What about you? What good books have you read lately?

This post is linked to

Life as Mom