minimal mom

four years...

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:50:00 +0000

Dear Dad,

I can hardly believe it's been four years since you left us. Four years I haven't been able to talk to you. To hear your voice or hold your hand. And yet, the last day of your being, four years a go, still seems like it was yesterday. I still remember the sound of your voice and the feel of your hand. I don't know if that memory of your parent ever goes away.

Sometimes I feel like I live in a different world... Like this one I'm living is a dream. That you are really here, but I have this perpetual bad dream that you died. Unfortunately, this is not the case, which when I have that strange realization, makes me want to fall apart in tears. I miss you so much.

Today, Dad, I am working hard to share memories with my girls. Listen to songs that remind me of you. Tell them stories. Show them pictures. You are their Grandpa Kern and they recognize your pictures, even though they've never met you. Hadley has offered to tape you back together and go swimming to look for you with the fishies. I think she might think you live with the Little Mermaid, but that's a fun thought for a little person to have.

I love you so much dad. I wish you were here.

Love,
me

and more in the news of poop...

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:22:00 +0000

I ducked out yesterday afternoon to catch a movie by myself. The second I walked in the door, not having even taken my coat off, Jonathan shouts down the stairs: "CAMBRIA! Our children are evil!"

After laughing and asking why, I learned that Hayden put her hand down her poopy diaper, pulled out a handful and deposited on our nightstand. He didn't realize this for sometime after changing her diaper and figured it out after he went searching for the source of the smell.

This kind of scenario usually only happens on his watch.

poop

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:10:00 +0000

Hadley needed to poop and decided my our master bathroom was the perfect place to do it. I don't care which toilet she uses, I'm just thrilled she is doing it on the toilet. After she was done, I asked her if she flushed and she replied:

"No. I want you to smell it. Do you smell it, mom?"

Thankfully, Hayden who is obsessed with how the toilet flushes, marched right in there and took care of it.

inspiration workshop: dream bedroom

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:57:00 +0000

(photo credit)

I'm linking up with Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop :)

Friday Brain Dump

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:58:00 +0000

This week I'm linking up with Heir to Blair and dumping the contents of my brain onto my blog. Here goes:

* I bought a minivan. I swore I never would, but I did. And I love it. I'm looking for excuses to go places and reasons to use my super cool new navigation.

* My three year old is driving me crazy. From the time it seems everyone is ready to leave the house, add another 10 minutes. Inevitably I turn around and she has removed her clothes. Decided she needs to go potty. Or has disappeared down the stairs. Yesterday, we had subzero temperatures and I was trying to get us out the door to a movie. Just as we got into the car and "almost" buckled up she announces her need to pee. Right. That. Second.

* My mom and aunt booked this gorgeous house on the shore of North Carolina for a week this summer. 20 of us going! The workout regime to achieve a beach body (ha ha, won't get that close) by May has begun.

* It has turned winter here, finally. But I'm not gonna lie, I've enjoyed the 50 degree days in January.

* My 21 month old insists on eating everything with a spoon. Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, spoon. Sandwich, spoon. Milk, spoon.

* I started a weekly babysitting swap with a friend from my mom's club and I think it may just work. Only problem is that I could really use seven whole days by myself to truly catch up!

on minivans

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:58:00 +0000

Do you remember when I posted about how I loathed minivans? Well, now I kinda love them and now I kinda own one. Automatic sliding doors, where have you been all my life?

my sweet girl

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:37:00 +0000

My sweet Hadley said to me today "Do you want to go swimming and find your daddy?"

We put part of his ashes to sea and I told her he is swimming with the fishes.

"But, you can't wear your clothes, you need a bathing suit. I can go with you!"

I cried. Such a sweet, sweet little person.

happy new year

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000

Our New Years Eve was uneventful in the grand scheme of things, but quite lovely. We went to the zoo during the day and had friends over to celebrate New Years in Europe over mini meatloaves, mashed potatoes, spinach salad, sparkly apple cider and brownies. The girls were in bed only 15 minutes past bedtime and didn't even wake when the neighbors shot off fireworks. A solid nights sleep was a gift.

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful New Years Eve and a toast to all of you for a Happy New Year!

on life, and death... my new years resolution

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Since my dad's illness and ultimate passing, I've thought a lot about death. Actually, obsessed about it. Read books about the dying. The process. The emotions. On grieving. Is it lonely? Scary? Painful?

Though having witnessed my father's last breath and how seemingly peaceful he seemed, knowing that he had come to peace with his mortality, dying scares me. Period. But, strangely, wanting to die myself for only a little while to understand where he went. Did he just fade to black and that was that? Are there angels and a big pearly gate? Was he lonely or scared or in pain?

I posted earlier in the week about my 92 year old grandmother, who still lay unconscious in hospice care. Her husband has relentlessly sat by her side, my mother and aunt have joined her after some treacherous travel from the opposite ends of the country. They are there holding her hand, laughing and crying. Being together. Saying goodbye to their mom.

And I realize how short (and in cases like my grandmother, long) life is. In a moment, life can be coming to an end. As cliche as it is, I am reminded to live each day like it's my last. To say I love you at nauseam. Squeeze my babies as much as possible, even when they are driving me crazy. To live each day as if it is our last. And stop being fearful about the end because it is inevitable.

This is my New Years resolution.

on grandma's

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:33:00 +0000

"Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever."

~Author Unknown

My grandmother is 92 years old. She has loved. Raised two daughters. Traveled the world more than once. She's taken care of grandchildren. She's held great-grandchildren. My grandmother has had a truly beautiful, long life that we all can only hope to come close to.

On Christmas evening I learned from my mother that grandma wasn't doing well and it was determined that she has t-cell lymphoma. Yesterday, she was placed in a hospice facility. Tonight it was suggested that loved ones say their goodbyes.

My grandmother is quite private and has only requested her daughters and husband's presence. I am not there to say goodbye. Or to hold my mom's hand. I can only say goodbye from afar, hope that her suffering stops and that she rests in peace.

I love you Grandma.

PS - Cancer Sucks

UPDATE: Grandma passed peacefully on the afternoon of New Years Eve with her daughters and husband at her side. She opened her eyes and grinned from ear to ear before exhaling her final breath. She lived a beautifully long life and it was a privilege to know her. RIP Grandma. I love you.

happy christmas

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Santa came twice last night. OK, more like three times. We filled multiple bags with wrapping paper and boxes. We are certainly blessed.

As an added bonus for the holiday, it was 40 degrees today. An in Minnesota, in the dead of winter, 40 degrees may as well be Hawaii. Fortunately, they were well enough to go outside and play with a new tee ball set and scooter.

In a tutu, of course!

J had to work this afternoon, so I braved up and took the girls to see Arthur Christmas. I know Christmas is a big day for the movies, but I have never seen the mall parking lot so full! This was Hayden's first trip to the movies, so I decided that I'd pull out all the stops, mostly to keep her in good form during the movie. Popcorn. Swedish Fish. Junior Mints (which Hadley dumped the, nearly, entire box on the floor). They did super well!

We had about 25 minutes left in the movie when Hadley announced that she needed to go potty, so we snuck out. There was an older woman who glared at me when we came in and gave me an evil eye on our way to the bathroom, so I decided that we just wouldn't go back after the potty break. I just didn't know how much more "good time" I would get out of Hayden. No need to upset this woman further, even though I think it's silly to be grumpy at kids when you make the decision to see an animated film, in the afternoon on Christmas day. Just sayin'...

We are now home and the girls (well, Hadley) has requested PB&J for dinner. Soon, I will crank out that gourmet Christmas feast. J is bringing home some dinner for he and I... Likely something from Buca di Beppo, but it could very well be Chinese (which is what we had last year).

Our household is far from traditional for Christmas. If we lived closer to family it would be different. But, I enjoy the traditions our little family has been making.

Happy Holidays!!

on christmas eve

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 01:57:00 +0000

My girls both are sick. Strep throat and ear infection sick. Between the two of them, we've been to the doctor twice and the ER once. It's been a rough week.

But this Christmas season has been especially fun with Hadley. She understands what it's about, and maybe more about the receiving than the giving (though, we've been working on this). Since we've been stuck inside for the past 24 hours we had the chance to do a few fun things...

* This afternoon we baked cookies for Santa. Thank goodness Santa is strep resistant and no one other than our family and him will be near them, we are in the clear.

* We watched lots of Christmas movies. A LOT!

* Each kid was able to open one gift (and what awesome gifts they were!).

* We wrote (drew) a final letter to Santa.

* We had a picnic dinner, that really wasn't consumed because of my sick kiddos (nor were the cookies I offered - and for the record, they are good - Santa loved them).

* After dinner we went on a Christmas light hunt and stumbled across several neighborhoods who line their streets with candles. Just beyond charming and I just couldn't capture a decent picture of it.

* When we returned home, we went out to the backyard and sprinkled reindeer food (an oatmeal and glitter concoction a friend gave to us) so the reindeer would know where to lead Santa's sleigh.

* We picked up the living room, put out cookies and milk for Santa and got ready for bed.

After I put Hayden to bed, I let Hadley lay in my bed to watch the Elf on the Shelf. She asked for a cup of milk, so I took the opportunity to sneak outside to ring a jingle bell. When I came back upstairs she was grinning from ear to ear and whispered "I heard Santa!" So, I made another excuse to go downstairs so I could do it again. When I returned she said "I heard Santa again! I wish you were here to hear him with me." And I melted for the millionth time as a mom... What a sweet little person.

I had hoped to keep her awake until J got home from work so she could tell him about it, but she is still pretty sick and I decided that she wouldn't be jaded about Santa by next year and hopefully he can have that moment with her then.

I love the spirit and magic of Christmas. I love the make believe and the stories... And as an adult and a parent to two beautiful little creatures I am enjoying creating the same magic that my parents did for my brother and I.

May you all have a magical Christmas!

a california girl at heart

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:42:00 +0000

Thursday was another day I found myself a Californian at heart surrounded by a bunch of Minnesotans... I relayed a story that happened Wednesday night/early morning about a trip to the ER with Hayden. When we left the hospital, the rear car door (that Hayden was strapped in next to) would not latch shut, despite my best efforts. So I went to the other side of the car to put her in her sister's car seat to discover the same thing happening. After falling apart crying at 3:30 a.m., in a dark parking lot, alone with my baby, I got one door to shut, and rigged the other one closed with the seat belt. We made it home safely and upon taking the baby out of the car, the other door finally latched. Pissed off beyond belief, I resisted the urge to wake up J to bitch. My friends, who I recounted the story to, all nodded "yeah, that happens" together.

This event, or rather, my conversation with my Minnesotan friends, reminded me of all the valuable lessons I have learned since living here that, really, I never would've known residing on the beach in Southern California (that is my defense). So, I've comprised a list:

* Car door latches might freeze and not latch. And likely to happen on a 15 degree night, alone with your baby after a long visit to the ER for nebulizer treatments. Especially on the same day you might have washed your car. It's the way of the world.

* Winterizing is necessary because pipes will freeze. Yup, they will. Not that this has happened to me, but I was clueless to what winterizing was until I lived in the snow.

* You can never have enough ice scrapers. Even though you think you have one in every car, one always goes missing when you need it.

* It is necessary to heat up a car with over 100,000 miles on it for at least 10 minutes. Plus, it's much more pleasant to get into after the heater has run.

* Rubber boots require a layer of wool and fleece socks. You might lose a toe to frost bite if this rule is not abided by.

* Freezing rain is not snow. It's rain that freezes into an ice skating rink upon hitting the ground. When you hear this forecast - STAY INSIDE!

* When the weather man says there is a snow storm acomin', stock up on food you like to eat. Likely, on these days, you will be stuck inside without the option to run out to Chipoltle for a burrito bowl.

* Gas station car washes are not closed when the doors are down. They open and shut - genius! In California, if they were down it was fare to assume they were closed.

* 4WD is a nice thing to have, albeit not necessary.

* Gloves on small children suck. They do. And they want to play in the snow, but you can't get the gloves on them.

from the mouth of johnny depp

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:42:00 +0000

"Anything I've done up till May 27th 1999 was kind of an illusion, existing without living. My daughter, the birth of my daughter, gave me life."
--Johnny Depp

A very dear friend of mine who is a new mom posted this on Facebook the other morning. My life as mom started on July 8, 2008 when my Hadley made her way into the world. She will forever be the one that gave me the gift of the name "mom".

My sweet friend, thank you for sharing it. It may have seemed trivial at the time, but it was so something I needed. xoxo

I'm dreaming of a brown christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:03:00 +0000

** UPDATE SINCE THIS POST WENT LIVE: It snowed.**

This is our second Christmas in Minnesota. Last year we were buried in snow, which, quite frankly, is what I was expecting. Though, was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was an especially snowy winter. By this time last year we had walls of snow! But this year?

What has landed on the ground has melted. And we've enjoyed several days above 40 degrees. So when this last heat wave came through, what did we do? We went to the park...

Here we are just six days away from Christmas and while we no longer are enjoying 40 degrees, it seems we might, just might, have a brown Christmas. And I'm not gonna lie... I'm hoping for it.

merry christmas from your preschool

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:38:00 +0000

Yesterday was Hadley's last day of preschool for the holidays. We spent Sunday baking goodies and decorating Christmas cards to bring to her teachers. We got up in the morning, ate yogurt, brushed teeth and put on clean clothes and headed out for school.

En route, Hadley decided to open up her apple squeezer snack a few hours early and proceeded to squeeze it all over herself. Then she cried about it, mainly because she didn't like how her now gooey shirt felt on her skin. I contemplated going home and calling it a day, but I decided that these are challenges she will have and she needs to learn to work through them.

Now late, we headed to the bathroom to clean her up and get a potty break in for good measure to hopefully avoid any accidents. Hayden played in the sink while I tried to dab up the applesauce and put a paper towel under her shirt to lift it away from her skin while it dried. I'm sure that fell out at some point during play dough time, but at least it will be somewhat dry and she won't be fussing about it. At least there were no calls from school about an unhappy little girl.

After scooting her into her classroom, signing her in, I spot a pink sheet of paper in her cubby. I pulled it out, thinking it was something about the school break and when school resumes and teacher conferences. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. It said:

Your child may have been exposed to STREP THROAT or SCARLET FEVER.

It followed with a list of symptoms and what to do and how to deal with it. Awesome! Our household has not been shy on colds, but we've never had strep throat. And I hope it doesn't strike us (or anyone else, for that matter) at Christmas. It's a no big deal disease in the grand scheme of things and one I am sure we will have to deal with, but the timing couldn't be more awful!

Happy Christmas to us!

I wish I had a camera: this morning

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:58:00 +0000

Hayden woke up at 3:30 a.m. and refused to go back to sleep. Except for on me. I tried putting her in her crib four times to only have her wake with a shriek. I tried laying in our bed with her and she woke up shouting "DADDY. DADDY. DADDY." I finally settled in downstairs with her realizing that I might be up for the day.

At about 5:15 a.m., she crawled up on top of me, laid down on my chest and fell asleep. After a few minutes, I decided that I could deal with this scenario and catch a few z's myself. I rolled her onto the inside of the couch next to me and fell asleep myself.

Around 7:15 a.m. I heard Hadley playing in her room. She is not a quiet player and I knew she would soon be shouting to be brought downstairs. So I left this peaceful sleeping child on the couch and ran upstairs to rescue the princess from the tower.

We came downstairs and instead of her waking her like I anticipated, Hadley just told me to be quiet because her sister was sleeping. And then we commented about how sweet she looked. I went into the kitchen to make some coffee and when I came out, I found Hadley curled up next to sleeping Hayden. Every fiber of my being melted. Here were my two little girls in such raw, innocent states of sleep, snuggling.

And I realized something... This is what it's about. This. Loving them. Loving each other.

The past couple of weeks have been rough with the kids. Colds. Teeth. Not being able to go outside like we were. I'm not going to lie, I've been frustrated with them. Then a moment like this pops up and all of that washes away. I tell myself, "This, Cambria, this is what it's about."

Oh my, how I love these two perfect beings.

on the list of things I never dreamed I would say...

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0000

"We don't put light bulbs in our mouth. They can break and you could die."

giving gifts and the three year old

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:37:00 +0000

The other day I received an email from Hadley's preschool teacher. It's not unusual to received them... We get a weekly newsletter, or a way to let us know to bring outside clothes, or to announce other happenings. I love technology!

Anyway, this letter was about a community giving project the school was participating in. Each year, they collect certain items to give to kids in the community in need. We were invited to bring in (new) underwear and socks to give to these kids.

With our potty training efforts, this was a great thing. After all, tis' the season on so many levels... I picked up a package of little girl undies and socks at my last trip to Target (which is often a daily excursion - it's our local grocery). And I excitedly started to tell Hadley about why we bought them. The conversation is not what I had hoped for...

ME: Hadley, you know at Christmastime we give other people presents.

HER: Like glass slippers? People are giving me glass slippers?

ME: Maybe, but that's not my point. We give to other people too.

HER: Glass slippers? They give me glass slippers?

ME: No. Well, maybe. But Teacher is collecting presents to give to other kids. I bought these panties and socks for you to give to another little girl.

HER: But I want glass slippers.

ME: The panties and socks are not for you. You are going to take them to school, give them to Teacher to give to another little girl as a gift.

HER: BUT I WANT GLASS SLIPPERS!

I have to say, I feel a little bit like a sh*tty mother to hear this conversation. We've been hyping up this Santa thing and being good and getting presents thing since October. We failed to instill the notion that we give to others as well.

This morning, I gave her the package of panties and socks and a gift bag. I told her that we need to wrap them and she will take them to Teacher in the morning. She started to understand... We also talked about making cookies to give to her teachers as a Christmas present before school lets out for the holidays. I will take her out to shop for her sister and hopefully the concept of the "season of giving" will set in.

In the mean time, this gift wants glass slippers.

"I want glass slippers"

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:15:00 +0000

Last weekend we visited a beautiful nursery near our home which hosted Santa. The last two years, Hadley would have nothing to do with him. This year she understood that he was the guy that brings the presents, therefore she needs to tell him what it is she wants and how she's been "good". She tentatively climbed on his life and tried to smile for the picture. When he asked her about what she would like for Christmas she whispered "Glass Slippers". He told her that she needed to be a good girl and he would bring her glass slippers.

I was proud of my little girl for being brave and talking to the big guy. I know the concept of sitting on the lap of a stranger in a red suit can be scary (even for a mom), but I want to create and let her live in the magic of Christmas much like I did when I was a child.

I've been avoiding the purchase of play princess shoes for her, but that was so ridiculously sweet that I went out an purchased some as a Santa gift.

"mama's going crazy" blues

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:10:00 +0000

Can I be super honest?

My kids are driving me crazy. My patience is short. Hadley's voice has been so loud and Hayden has done nothing but whine. And they hang on me. Even now, they both have toys and games and a TV show on. Yet, they feel the need to be on my lap while I'm typing this. IT'S. DRIVING. ME. C.R.A.Z.Y.!

And I feel so bad about it. I look forward to bedtime. Some evenings after Jonathan gets home from work, I leave the house to have alone time. I hate that I feel the need to get away from them, but if I don't I will be an unhappy example.

I've found comfort recently that this is somewhat normal. Also, it won't be the last time I feel this way. So, I must devise a plan to cope with this. Here are some things I am going to attempt to implement in order to weather these chaotic times better:

Make time for me time. Research shows that it's important. So I'm going to abide by that, even if it's a time out in my room for 10 minutes while they play in their rooms (happily or otherwise).

Along the lines of Me Time, I am going to get to the gym regularly again. I fell off this wagon in September after a long vacation followed by a yucky bought of bronchitis. I recently purchased a package of pilates classes off of Living Social that I am going to start using.

Stop sweating stuff. When I stress, I get frustrated and don't function properly. I own a business, work part-time and am a full-time mom. Things come up that I worry about and I need to learn that they will all workout. I don't need to pay them more energy than they deserve.

Eat healthier. Lately, I only think about getting through the day and nothing otherwise. Many mornings I miss breakfast or pick up something, like a scone, with no nutritional value. I must incorporate more snacks and make sure they are healthy choices. Our bodies need healthy fuel to function and, believe it or not many of us who struggle to maintain the weights we want aren't eating enough.

I'm going to plan my next trip. I love to travel and look forward to it. So I'm going to officially book at trip I've been talking about and start preparing for it.

There is my new plan starting TODAY! What do you do to beat the "Mama's Going Crazy" blues?

potty training: take 1,423,243

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:18:00 +0000

I think we finally conquered it! POTTY TRAINING! I don't know if it was me proclaiming that I would not buy anymore diapers or Jonathan's encouragement to "just hang-out on the toilet and read until the poop comes", but our girl finally uses the toilet. Not the potty chair. The toilet (which was our biggest hurdle).

My mom was in town recently, Hadley was off school and I had a bit of time off, so I was hell bent to tackle potty training. I bought a Potette and it came with us everywhere. Hadley wore undies, no two ways about it. If she had an accident, we pulled out the spare clothes.

After a few days of hauling the Potette around, I tanked her up with apple juice, took her to the Target toy department and told her I would buy her any toy she wants if she going into the bathroom and pee. ON THE TOILET. After promising to not let her fall in, she went in the toilet. We cheered and left with a Disney dress-up trunk.

Since, Hadley only wears pull-ups for naps (which are rare), overnight and school. Until this past Wednesday when she decided she could go on the toilet like the other kids. Needless to say, I am a super proud mama.

And with this new big-girl accomplishment, comes a whole new level of "I CAN DO IT MYSELF" and sass. But, I'll take it :)

never say never

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:59:00 +0000

When I became pregnant I secretly (and maybe not so secretly) made a list of things in my head that I would never do.

* My kids will NEVER sleep with me. They will sleep in their own beds from the day they were born.

* If my child is not hurt, or dirty, I will NEVER respond to them when they should be sleeping. A little tears never hurt anybody.

* My kids will NEVER eat candy or fast food. They will only consume broccoli, fish and other super nutritious foods, like tofu and brown rice.

* My kids will NEVER watch TV. If they do, they will only be allowed a certain amount of television.

And shall I say, I do ALL of these things? Hadley co-slept until she was two, Hayden much less than that. I am not strong enough to let my kids cry-it-out for long periods of time (nor do I think that was ever a good choice). My kids occasionally get candy and fast food, while not a regular thing, it happens. And my kids watch TV. Probably too much, but they do (in our defense, we are careful about what they watch).

What I have learned is that the "I never" list is unreasonable, but something every new parent does. Sure, there are some things we have stuck to, but lots that we haven't. I think what having children has taught me is to be flexible. And non-judgemental of other parents doings. We do what we need to do to get through the tough times. If flipping on NickJr so I can cook dinner is what I need to do, I do it! If a lollipop surprise on a shopping trip keeps little hands busy, then I do it. If I have screaming, hungry kids in the car and a Burger King is in site, you better believe, I will do it. Sure, all in moderation, but I realized that this is life and it's not going to be the perfect thing I pictured. I must be flexible, creatively problem solve and move on. But, do the best I can to raise happy, healthy, well rounded little people.

Did you have an "I never " list?

undomestic me

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:28:00 +0000

I've forever been teased about asking how to boil water when I was in high school. My parents made many meals at home, but we often frequented the nearby Coco's for many meals (it seems to me that we knew many of the food servers by name)(and in our defense, many other folks we knew did the same). But, really, aside from scrambling some eggs and occasionally help with baking cookies, I didn't do much cooking. Driving through KFC or calling Pizza Hut was more my speed.

This sentiment carried on into my college years. Though I graduated to local Thai and Chinese food delivery choices, as well as moved past the corporate pizza delivery joints (though, I still love me some thin crust Dominos). I ate out more and my dining in was either take out or nibblies from Trader Joes, like hummus, pita, olives and Pirates Booty.

So when Jonathan came into my life and suggested making dinner as one of our first dates, I was dumbfounded. Fortunately, he made the dinner and I really didn't need to do much work. Even though he wined and dined me with a Trader Joe's frozen stir fry, I felt equal to the task. A few dates later, I whipped up some turkey spaghetti that he graciously ate. I learned months later that ground turkey makes him gag.

Then we found out we were pregnant. And we moved in together. Suddenly the need to be domestic came over me... Well, kind of. It really wasn't until Hadley was up to eating solids and we had a big kitchen to cook in that I flirted with the idea of cooking. I tried different recipes and combination (both of the solid and pureed form) and, I'm not going to lie, a lot of food went to waste at that time.

Here we are now. Two kids. Living in our owned home. With a kitchen. All Clad pots and pans and our Wustof knife collection, And what are we making for dinner? Shake and Bake chicken and frozen pees. This is about as gourmet as I seem to get.

But, I do have some beautiful cook books and appliances, so someday when two little people aren't screaming at me at 4:30 because they are hungry, I will tackle a for real recipe. Until then, Shake and Bake and frozen pees it is.

our first snow of the 2011/12 season

noreply@blogger.com (minimal mom) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:40:00 +0000

This past weekend I had some friends and family in town. My friend, who I've known since elementary school, drove from Chicago to the Twin Cities with her five year-old and three year-old. Needless to say, her kids and my kids were fast friends.

On Saturday morning, we lazed around and waited for the snow. About 11 a.m., the snow started. We bundled up the kids and headed out to our mini-backyard and enjoyed the first blanket of snow.

Last year, Hayden was still a little peanut. In all honesty, we never really went out in the snow. But this year, she was raring to go! We put her snow bibs on and jacket, and made a trip to Target for some snow boots and gloves. She loved the snow!