The Larissa Monologues

Rock the Vote: My Weekend Plans

2009-07-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

The first weekend of July is approaching! Maybe LA's June Gloom weather will finally dissipate, and we'll get some sunny mornings. In any case, it truly feels like summer around here, and that means extra fun summer weekend plans.

This weekend I have a few special things going on. But I need help making some key decisions because I can be quite indecisive. That's where YOU come in. Help me out by casting your vote for the decisions below. It's like Choose Your Own Adventure. Ready...set...go!

Decision #1
I'm attending a friend's wedding. It is an evening, outdoor semi-formal affair in Los Angeles. Should I wear this gray empire-waist dress with silver trim...

...or this yellow spaghetti-strap number?

Decision #2:
For a dinner party I'm having with some friends, I want to make a dish using fresh cherries I bought yesterday. I'm excited about trying out a new dessert recipe since we hardly ever eat sweets at home. Should I make these mini cherry pies...

...or these cherry almond tea cakes?

And finally, Decision #3:
I have some free time this weekend. Should I use it to do chores...

...or to spend quality time with this guy?

Cast your votes in the comments, and you'll win good weekend vibes from yours truly.

Creative Ways to Store Jewelry

2009-06-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get the irresistible urge to organize. Even from a young age, organizing and cleaning and streamlining were instinctual. In elementary school, I kept my entire box of 64 Crayola crayons strictly in order of colors and shades, and was adamant that anyone who borrowed crayons had to put them back in their correct place (or they would be forever banned from my art supply stash). I may have verged on obsessive compulsive.

While I've loosened up a bit since then, I still get a burst of organization energy from time to time. This week I tackled my jewelry collection, which was in terrible disarray. I had piles of tangled necklaces, earrings and bracelets, stored haphazardly in a plastic desk organizer. The task at hand was clear - I needed a new way to store my jewelry.

The before picture. A big fat mess of jewelry, in need of some serious help.

With a few hours, handy house items, and some resourcefulness, I had an inexpensive way to keep my jewelry organized and readily accessible. Since I'm guessing some of you may have the same problem as I did, I included instructions and photos. Happy organizing!

How to Store Jewelry

Supplies:

Artist canvas
Acrylic paint
Cardboard
Glue (either craft glue or hot glue gun)
Ribbon
Thumbtacks
Medium-size bowl

Paint canvas desired color, and allow to dry completely.

Cut cardboard to fit inside the canvas frame, and glue onto back of canvas.

Add ribbon and bow to the front to increase cuteness factor.

Push thumbtacks into canvas. Hang necklaces and bracelets from thumbtacks.

Hang earrings from edge of bowl. Non-hanging earrings can be placed inside bowl for easy access.

All done! Next project: makeover the kitchen pantry.

The Working Mother

2009-06-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

After six weeks of maternity leave, I'm entering back into work.

I'll be working part-time, which is so exciting to me. I love my job, and my role as a mother, and feel so grateful for the ability to do both.

Twenty hours a week will be devoted to work, much of which can be done at home. The rest of my time will be spent with my son. Thank goodness, because boy, a six-week-old infant takes up a massive amount of time and attention. Hopefully I'll begin to figure out this new blend of career and family.

In the current economy and work world, I know that even having a job is something that should not be taken for granted. Multiple friends and acquaintances have lost their jobs. I know people who are struggling financially, and doing everything they can to stay afloat. Cutbacks and layoffs have become daily occurrences in the news.

Therefore, I am glad to have a job. I am glad to be doing something that I am passionate about. I am glad that my husband and I are able to provide for our family.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

2009-06-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

One of my first baking experiences was with peanut butter cookies when I was about 11 years old. My mom helped me find a recipe, but I did the rest of the work on my own. I measured and mixed and rolled, and placed my masterpieces in the oven. When I opened the oven door to pull out the finished product, instead of lovely peanut butter cookies, I discovered watery pancake-sized puddles. I had forgotten to add the flour! Sadly, my first batch of cookies were a disastrous, garbage-bound mess.

Unlike my original baking fiasco, this recipe intentionally omits the flour. The result? Some of the best peanut butter cookies I have had in my entire life. Seriously. The cookies are chewy, with a good dose of peanut butter flavor. And you only need a few basic ingredients. All-natural peanut butter is better, in my opinion, but any kind can be used. Enjoy these with a big glass of cold milk!

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, mix together peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and baking soda, and mix for another two minutes. Roll into walnut-sized balls, and place on a greased baking sheet. Make crisscross indents on each cookie with a fork. Bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Cool on a baking sheet. Makes about two dozen cookies.

Year Three

2009-06-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

Steve and I had our 3rd wedding anniversary this past Wednesday.

To celebrate, we went out for drinks and sushi (a big thank you to Steve's parents who made our date possible by watching Aaron for the evening!). We spent the night reminiscing about our wedding day and other memories, and considering how much we have grown together in our marriage.

This year, in particular, has been quite memorable for the two of us. Here are a few highlights:

In London, during our big trip to Europe (which also included Italy and Spain).

Meeting our new niece Kaitlyn.

The moment we discovered we had a baby on the way.

Dressed up as a Surfer Dude and the Pillsbury Doughboy during our annual Halloween party.

Eating saimin in Hawaii during our Christmas trip.

Celebrating my 28th birthday, 80's style.

Dressed up as pirates for Steve's 30th birthday. Um, we dress up in costumes a lot, don't we?

Our baby shower.

One of the final days before the baby's due date.

Our new family of three.

We're looking forward to what this next year has in store for us!

Motherhood

2009-06-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

A mommy and son moment.

I have been a mother for over a month now. Is there a medal or trophy for that accomplishment? I realize that women do it all the time, but I feel like I deserve an award for surviving the last few weeks.

I expected motherhood to be a challenge. Believe me, I read all the books and heard all the warnings of other parents. Nothing, however, could have truly prepared me for this first month. Our lives have changed dramatically now that we have a child, and the adjustment has taken some getting used to. I have already had my share of emotional meltdowns, probably due to the combination of haywire hormones, sleep deprivation, and the simple fact that this is the biggest life transition I have ever experienced. Motherhood has taken more commitment, time and energy than I ever thought I had. There have been numerous moments of missing my past life of independence and freedom, moments when I have thought, "What did we get ourselves into?" For the first time in my life, I believe I am truly learning what it means to love unconditionally and sacrificially.

And yet, motherhood has also been more wonderful than I could have imagined. I am amazed at how much love I have for my son. The sense of delight and adoration I have for him overwhelm me sometimes. There are mornings when I wake up, and my first thought of the day is, "I can't wait to see my child, I miss him so much!" I will hold him in my arms, and just want to soak in the moment forever. I am convinced that at least in some part, I was made to be a mother. Something in me is wired to love and protect and cherish my son, and it feels so right to finally step into this role.

Motherhood is terrifying and thrilling, and if I made it through this first month, I think I can make it through the rest.

--

Photos from Aaron's first month can be found here.

Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss

2009-06-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that I spent a good deal of time last year writing about my efforts to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Over the course of about a year, I lost over 35 pounds. No extreme dieting or starvation. Just a commitment to healthy eating and exercise habits, which I wrote about in this post, My Healthy Habits.

During the pregnancy, most of my healthy habits went right out the window. I snacked more, gave in to ice cream cravings, and got lazy with my exercise routine. My excuse was, "Hey, I'm pregnant...I can do whatever I want!" While that may have been true, I can't lean on that crutch any more.

Now that the pregnancy is over, I'd like to get back to good eating and exercise, and hopefully my pre-pregnancy weight. Since the pregnancy, I have lost about 20 pounds (mostly made up of the baby, placenta and fluids), which leaves 15 more pounds to lose.

The catch for me is that as a breastfeeding mother, I'm not supposed to diet. I need to be getting a lot of nutrients for myself and the baby. I am also still physically recovering from the delivery, and need to gradually ease into a full exercise routine. Jessica Alba may have the superhuman capacity to lose all her pregnancy weight in thirty seconds, but I'm going the more moderate, normal person route.

My general plan is to resume my previous eating and exercise habits. In particular, I need to eat highly nutritional food, cut back on fats and sweets, and have some daily physical activity. Hopefully I'll be able to get back into a healthy lifestyle, and fit into my old clothes again!

I'd love to get some suggestions from you all. Any health tips you want to share? What habits keep you healthy?

Dutch Baby

2009-06-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Is it really June already? My, how time flies.

We spent the last week enjoying an extended visit from my family. That's what happens when you have a baby. Parents and siblings roll into town to meet the new family member. For the entire week, we lived in luxury while my parents and grandmother spoiled us by doing chores, cooking meals, and helping to entertain the baby. Now that everyone is gone, we're back to a normal routine.

This morning, we decided to start the day with a nice breakfast.

Up until a few years ago, I consistently broke the cardinal rule of breakfast. That is, I never ate it. When I did, it was usually a sad affair, like a lone bagel smeared with butter. Then I married a man who loves to cook and enjoy a hearty morning meal. Since then, our mornings have often involved lovely things like omelets, waffles, quiches, and the breakfast of choice today, Dutch Babies.

What is a Dutch Baby, you ask?

A Dutch Baby is a German breakfast pancake. I had never heard of the dish until recently introduced to it by my good friend, Scott (thanks, Scott, for enlightening me...I owe you a nice breakfast). It is made of eggs, milk and flour, and generally topped with powdered sugar or syrup. The batter is whipped, poured into a skillet, and baked into a large puffed, crisp pancake. Simple and delicious, a Dutch Baby is a perfect breakfast treat.

Dutch Baby (from Joy the Baker)
3 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup whole milk, room temperature
2/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 salt
1/2 stick butter, cut into pieces

Put skillet on middle of rack of oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Beat eggs with an electric mixer at high speed until pale and frothy. Add milk, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, and beat until smooth, about 1 minute more. Add butter to hot skillet and melt, swirling to coat. Add batter and immediately return skillet to oven. Bake until puffed and golden-brown, about 18-20 minutes. Cut into slices, and serve immediately.

Baby Sling

2009-05-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

Real men wear baby slings.

Before our son was born, I had been shopping around for a good baby carrier, and found Maya Wrap, which sells great slings that are quite popular. The slings cost $65.95, which I thought was a steep price for a few yards of fabric and some metal rings. Low and behold, I discovered that the company believes in the product so much, it provides instructions on their website for making your own sling. I purchased sling rings at slingrings.com for $3.40, sturdy black linen, and made my own Maya Wrap baby sling.

Last week, we put Aaron in the sling, and he loved it. He was so cozy, he fell asleep within minutes of being carried. It also allows us to have some free hands and time. Happy baby AND happy parents.

My Mad World

2009-05-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

This week has been a crazy, crazy, crazy one.

First, life with a newborn baby. Whew! We are adjusting to a new routine that is dictated by this tiny thing in diapers, and are starting to figure him out. He loves to be swaddled tightly into a burrito with not one, but two blankets. He despises having his diaper changed and having his face wiped. He has a penchant for peeing mid-diaper change onto himself, which causes me to thank my lucky stars that we own a washing machine. When he is frustrated, he has the lungs to wail like a banshee. We are sleep-deprived, with little time for dishes, showers or responding to email. I will say, though, every night after we've all survived another day, and I kiss the nose of our son and inhale his wonderful baby smell, I know it is undoubtedly worth it.

Second, I injured my back last week while bending over to pick up my son. Who does that?! For days, it has hurt like crazy to sit, stand and lie down. The worst? Sitting while nursing the baby at 3am in the morning. Of all the things I anticipated needing to recover from post-delivery, a strained back was not one of them. A visit to a chiropractor may be in order soon. Ugh.

Third, we're still in the process of buying a house. We found a great place nearby, and put an offer on it. A few days later our offer got accepted, and we began escrow yesterday. Yay! Thus begins the meticulous process of house inspections, loan approvals, and ten thousand other things that need to happen before we can actually call the house our own. We may be psychotic for doing this while adjusting to parenthood, but I am dreaming of the day we get the keys to our own home.

I need a bit of normalcy. Tell me, what have you been up to this week?

Homemade Yogurt

2009-05-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

When I discovered that it is possible to make your own yogurt at home, I was intrigued.

Yogurt can be used in so many ways - by itself, with fruit or granola, in smoothies, as a substitute for sour cream, in scones and pancakes. While on our trip to Europe last summer, I even discovered it can be added to pasta sauce for extra creaminess. Yogurt is a staple in our home, and we quickly go through tubs of store-bought varieties.

So when Steve found this recent New York Times article by food scientist and author Harold McGee, we immediately plunged into the world of yogurt making.

The yogurt formula is amazingly simple: heat some milk, add a few tablespoons of yogurt, leave in a warm place, refrigerate for a few hours, and voila! yogurt. No special ingredients or gadgets required! And if you reserve a few tablespoons, you can use it for the next batch. You will have an essentially endless supply of yogurt.

The quality of the yogurt is much better than anything I have had before - light and creamy, with a delicate, fresh taste. It is also significantly cheaper than store-bought - about 1/3 of the cost.

The yogurt you start with can be any store-bought variety with live and active cultures (which is stated on the container). We used Springfield Plain Low-Fat yogurt.

Speaking of cost-saving homemade staples, check out this Slate article by Jennifer Reese, which compares the quality and cost of certain homemade recipes to their store-bought counterparts.

Happy yogurt-making!

Homemade Yogurt
2 tablespoons yogurt with active cultures
4 cups whole milk

Heat milk to between 180 and 190 degrees, or to the point that it is steaming and beginning to form bubbles, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and let cool to between 115 and 120 degrees. In a separate bowl, thin yogurt with some of the milk. Stir yogurt mixture into the rest of the milk. Put the milk into a 1-quart plastic container, swaddle in several towels, and keep it still and warm for about 4 hours until it sets. After the yogurt sets, store in the refrigerator. Honey, sugar or other sweeteners can be added for flavor. Makes one quart of yogurt.

The Birth Experience

2009-05-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

After much waiting and anticipating, the birth of our son finally set into motion on May 8th, his estimated due date.

Around 3:00pm in the afternoon, my water broke. It was a slow, ongoing trickle of fluid rather than the dramatic gush I imagined it would be, and it actually took me a few minutes to be sure that this was the real deal.

Two hours later, while I was watching Top Chef reruns, the first contractions began. I called our doctor and doula, who both told us to hang out at home, try to relax, and wait for the contractions to become more frequent. So I spent the next few hours walking around, making sure our hospital bags were packed, bouncing on my exercise ball, and hanging out with Steve.

Thrilled that labor is starting, and our son is on his way.

Around 10:00pm our doula came over, and helped me relax through each contraction, allowing my body to do its work. At 2:30am we headed to the hospital. Upon arrival, I was checked by a nurse. I was 6 centimeters dilated, and 90% effaced.

Still smiling, halfway through labor. Before things got really hard.

Soon, the hard work started, with contractions becoming more intense (think really awful menstrual cramps). It took all my concentration to continue breathing and relaxing. After a while, my body suddenly had a really strong urge to push. The nurse checked, and with surprise said, "You're 10 centimeters dilated and completely effaced!" The doctor was quickly called in, and when she arrived, I was told to begin pushing. I pushed like crazy for what seemed like a miserable eternity (though I was later told it was only 15 minutes).

At 5:19am, our little baby boy was born. He wailed loudly, and was immediately placed on my chest, and we had the chance to bond as a new family. In his first moments out of the womb, Aaron was extremely alert, and seemed to be as intrigued with us as we were with him. I was exhausted, but completely overjoyed at the first few moments of seeing our son. I kept repeating, "Omigosh!," with no other words to describe how I felt. It was pure elation, relief and delirium.

Aaron after just a few minutes of being born.

The labor was 14 hours with 15 minutes of pushing, and it was the best and most painful experience of my entire life. I feel honored and proud to join the multitudes of other women who have given birth. Everything went as we had hoped - natural, non-medicated, no major complications or medical interventions. And in the end of it all, we experienced the miracle of our beautiful son being born.

Aaron and I recovering from our long night of delivery.

Like a true urban Angelino, he can throw up a gang sign. "M" for Marks.

On our way home from the hospital. Aaron really loves the car seat.

Ah...finally home, nice and cozy on the quilt that Grandma Marks made for him.

Thank you for all your kind words and warm wishes. It's wonderful to know that Aaron is welcomed with so much love.

He Arrived!

2009-05-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

At 5:19am on Saturday, May 9th our son Aaron Li Yong Marks made his way into the world. He made it just in time for Mother's Day! At birth, he was a healthy 7 pounds and 19 3/4 inches. More details on the big day will follow.

We are all doing well, and enjoying our new life as a family of three. Aaron is an amazing little being, and we're honored to be his parents.

For more pictures and news, you can visit our family blog The Family Marks.

Extra Extra: The Jonas Brothers Lost Me a Bet

2009-05-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

My lack of celebrity knowledge really cost me last night. In a conversation about the Jonas Brothers (do not ask me why that was even the topic to begin with), Steve mentioned Joe Jonas. "Joe Jonas??? That's NOT one of their names!" I scoffed at my husband for his pathetic grasp of pop culture. "Yes it is." "No it's not." "Okay, let's find out," said Steve, taking out the magical contraption of knowledge known as the iPhone. Like any normal married couple would do, we made a quick bet. The loser would have to cook a nice breakfast for the winner. Six seconds later, I was deemed the official breakfast maker for the following morning. Darn you, Joe Jonas.

Well, I finally took the plunge. I joined the world of Twitter. It was clearly a moment of pure insanity because 1) I already have enough to distract me as it is, and 2) my life is about to get even more complex with a little thing called parenthood. I'm not sure what possessed me to cave in. Boredom? Apparently, everyone and their grandma already has a Twitter account, so find me @larissalmarks.

My parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary yesterday! They are two wonderful people with a great marriage that deserves celebrating. Happy 30 Years, Mom and Dad!

I made two huge batches of gumbo in the last 48 hours. Why? Because gumbo is that delicious and fun to make. We also had a large quantity of onions and peppers that were begging to be used. If you visit us for dinner within the next 6 months, you can be pretty certain we'll be serving you gumbo.

Pregnancy Developments - Week 39

2009-05-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

No sign of the baby yet. Besides my Jupiter-sized belly, that is. Our son will officially be a May baby, contrary to my husband's late April prediction.

I've been keeping myself occupied with little bursts of nesting instincts. Every day I seem to think of a new domestic task that needs to get done before the baby arrives. Like cleaning out the fridge. And dusting the wine rack. And baking scones. Don't ask me why these things need to happen now...they just do. This symptom of pregnancy is apparently contagious - Steve spent half of yesterday meticulously washing and cleaning our car for the first time I can remember. If this baby doesn't arrive soon, we're going to run out of chores.

We are also continuing the many do-it-yourself induction methods in an attempt to jump start this baby. I attempt to take daily walks, or rather daily waddles, which is quite a feat when it feels like a watermelon is strapped to one's torso. The majority of my diet is now a strange combination of pineapple and spicy food. With every meal, I also take a capsule of Evening Primrose Oil. Still nothing.

There is a restaurant in Los Angeles called Caioti Pizza Cafe that is known for a legendary salad that is said to induce labor. We went there the other day, mostly out of curiosity. Pregnant woman by the droves have flocked to this place to eat what's known as "The Salad," a blend of romaine, watercress, walnuts and Gorgonzola cheese. The salad is topped with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, which is apparently the key to its success. The restaurant has a collection of guestbooks, signed by expectant women who have eaten the salad. Some entries in the book are testimonials of women who went into labor mere hours after eating the salad. Others were still waiting for their babies, hoping that the salad would work its magic. While we ate, we flipped through the books, entertained by the stories of all these women. Before leaving, we signed the book. It's now two days later, so I guess the salad didn't work its wonders on me. But hey, at least I got a tasty salad out of it.

I am beginning to think that most of these supposed labor inducing strategies are really nothing more than distractions created for expectant parents with patience and control issues.

Little baby, I know you will come when you're good and ready. I just hope it will be soon.

Haupia Squares

2009-04-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have those days when you'd like to crawl back into bed, and sleep until a new and brighter day shows its face? Me too.

Today has been blah. I have no better words than that. Just "blah."

No baby yet. Maybe he's waiting until better days when a swine flu pandemic isn't imminent, and the global economy isn't in utter chaos.

Also, we got disappointing news about the house we were wanting to buy. The seller ended up deciding not to sell the house after all. Now we're back to square one with the house search, looking for the right place.

But I'm still holding out hope that today will end better than it seems so far. Because the end is what really counts, right?

That is why dessert is such a wonderful concept. You can have a mediocre or even bad meal, but if it is finished with a delicious dessert, then it can be counted as an overall good experience.

One of my favorite desserts is haupia. Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian coconut pudding with the firmness of gelatin. It is typically served at luaus, after a heavy Hawaiian meal.

This recipe for haupia has a nutty crust that gives a nice textural balance to the rich coconut. For the nuts, I use macadamia or walnuts. It is sweet, refreshing and creamy, and would make a good end to any day.

Haupia Squares (from Cooks.com)
Crust:
1 1/2 sticks butter
4 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Haupia Layer:
2 12 oz. cans coconut milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
7 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 1/2 cup water

For crust, cream butter and sugar. Add flour and nuts. Press lightly into greased 9x13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, cook thawed coconut milk, sugar and water over medium high heat. Add cornstarch mixture to coconut mixture, and stir vigorously until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat, and pour over baked crust. Refrigerate to cool, and cut into squares.

The Art of Self Care

2009-04-27T23:28:00.000-07:00

Many of us have so many responsibilities that we often forget to take care of ourselves. We sacrifice our own health and well-being for the sake of the more urgent things in life.

In my job, I spend a lot of time and energy caring for others. I love my work. In many ways, I am naturally wired to help and nurture and serve people. The downside is that it is often difficult for me to prioritize taking care of myself. My inclination is to work so hard that I ignore my own physical, emotional, mental or spiritual needs, and then frequently end up bitter, burned out or exhausted.

I have, however, been learning how to take better care of myself. Self care plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy life. As I practice self care habits, I have discovered that I am more refreshed, and therefore more able to give myself to the people and activities that I care about. Currently, as I anticipate becoming a first-time parent, the art of self care seems all the more important. I hope to be a woman who sacrificially loves her children and husband, while also maintaining healthy personal habits.

Today I created a list of my favorite self care activities. Some things on the list are daily practices, while others are less frequent. But all are activities that help me live a healthy and vibrant life.

Get eight hours of sleep
Exercise
Spend time with friends
Eat a nutritious breakfast
Pray
Write a blog post
Take a nap
Go out with my husband
Read a book or magazine
Cook
Write in my journal
Go for a walk
Get a manicure
Paint
Watch a movie
Drink a glass of wine
Sew or craft
Call my mom
Take a bath

We all have our own lists of activities that help us develop physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. If we all included just a few of these practices each day, I truly believe we would be happier, more content people.

What are ways you practice the art of self care?

Earth Day Confessions

2009-04-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

I celebrate Earth Day along with the rest of the you. I'm all about doing what I can to be environmentally conscious. But as Earth Day 2009 comes to an end, I have a few personal confessions to make.

Earth Day Confession #1: I have not recycled anything in months. Our big, blue recycling bin was stolen a few months ago. By the way, who steals someone else's recycling bin?! Rather than get the bin replaced, or find another way to recycle, I have been tossing used plastic, cardboard and newspapers into *gasp* the normal trash bins.

Earth Day Confession #2: I do not conserve energy on hot summer days. This week the temperature hit the mid-nineties in Los Angeles. Immediately, all fans in our house got turned on. I would have also sat in front of the opened fridge, but decided that would have just ended in spoiled food.

Earth Day Confession #3: My baby is going to wear disposable diapers. Part of me wishes I could be one of those modern, natural mothers who sew hemp clothes for their children, and serve only organic fruit. But I'm practical, I don't own a washing machine, and therefore, will not be swaddling my child in cloth diapers.

So there you go. I love Earth Day, but I'm also a normal human being. Please don't throw your reusable grocery bags at me.

Pregnancy Developments - Week 37

2009-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

The baby taking up residence in my uterus is now full term! Even though the due date is still three weeks away, he's mature enough to have a healthy birth.

Steve and I are both giddy with anticipation. Every morning, we wake up and wonder if this will be The Day. It is a little like waiting for Christmas, but not knowing when Christmas will actually come. We even made one of those construction paper chains to count down the days until the due date. It is hanging in our dining room, and every day that gets closer to the baby's arrival, we tear off another link.

The baby is around 6 lbs., which is a good size. My belly is HUGE, as evidenced by the many looks and comments I frequently receive from complete strangers. A guy at Costco exclaimed, "Whoa, you're really ready to go there, huh?," while making a patting motion on his stomach. Yes, thank you. I am ready to go. While it's great that our baby is growing, I am praying that he comes soon, and I don't end up birthing a 10 lb. child.

Our doctor encouraged me to begin doing certain things to try to naturally begin labor - walking, bouncing on an exercise ball, taking certain herbs, lots of *ahem* bedroom activity. So far, no sign of starting labor. No contractions, no water breaking, nothing.

Until then, we will wait on this little person to make his grand entrance into the world.

Portuguese Bean Soup

2009-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

With less time these days, I have started cooking in massive batches and freezing the leftovers.

This strategy comes recommended by many mothers who have experienced the early days of parenthood, when time for a shower sounds like a luxury. Our freezer is now stocked with gallon bags of soup and chili, all ready to be thawed and enjoyed.

One of my favorite soups of all time is Portuguese bean soup, a comfort food in Hawaii. It is so simple to make, and is full of hearty meat, potatoes and vegetables. Luckily, I usually have Portuguese sausage on hand in the freezer, thanks to a reliable source (aka my mom), but any other spicy sausage can be substituted. The soup tastes even better on day two or three.

Recipe originally posted on July 11, 2007 here.

Portuguese Bean Soup
1-2 pounds smoked ham hock
3 cans chicken broth
2 cans kidney beans (15 ounces each)
2 cans tomato sauce (8 ounces each)
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
4 potatoes, cubed
4 carrots, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 small head of cabbage, cored and sliced
2 spicy Portuguese sausage (10 ounces each), cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 bay leaf

In a large pot, cover ham hock with chicken broth. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, and lower to simmer until tender (about 1-2 hours). Skim off fat while cooking. Remove ham hocks, and de-bone, dice and set aside. Add rest of ingredients and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add diced ham hocks, and simmer for 40 minutes. Serves 8-10.

Has It Been a Week Already?

2009-04-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

I once promised myself that I would never apologize on this blog for being too busy to post.

Lots of people do that - they don't post for a while, start to feel guilty, and write a meek apology to readers about how sorry they are for not writing or commenting in the last week/month/year.

That will not be me. Real life happens, and sometimes blogging is not high on the priority list. And the moment I feel obligated or restricted by blogging, it just joins all the other items on my long To Do List, and ceases to be fun and life-giving.

All that said, here's what I spent my week doing:

Survived half a week with no internet in the house. When you work at home, and spend lots of time online, being internet-less is quite painful. My inbox looked quite frightening. Thank goodness for my precious iPhone that was able to connect me with the outside world.

Successfully put together a dresser/changing table for the baby's room. It took 3 hours and tedious screwdriver work, but it is finished!

Continued to wait on the house offer we made a few weeks ago. On Tuesday we got news that our offer had gotten approved (yay!), but then a complication arose on the seller's end, and now we're back to waiting and twiddling our thumbs. UGH. It drives me nuts to wait on something I don't know the outcome of.

Started tying up loose ends with work in preparation for maternity leave. I officially begin maternity leave on May 1st, but who knows when this baby will decide to get here. So I am trying to be responsible, and finish various things up with work as much as I can.

Watched the most recent episode of LOST. Oh, how insanely wonderful this show is. I virtual-high-five anyone who has kept up with the entire series.

Gorged on calcium and protein. At our last doctor's appointment, we discovered the baby is a bit on the small side. So I took it upon myself to make darn sure this boy gets all the nutrients he needs. Eggs, cottage cheese, turkey burgers, milk...they've been my fuel.

And now I'm headed to San Diego for some quality time with family. Have a great Easter weekend!

Natural Childbirth

2009-04-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Do you plan to have a natural or medicated birth?

That is THE question for every pregnant woman.

A few weeks ago, I was decisively pro-medication. Less pain during childbirth? Yes, please! I had heard enough women praise the merits of pain medication, and simply assumed that would be my preference for delivery.

But then my husband and I paused to consider what a big decision this was - the birth of our child! We started to take the decision seriously, and evaluate the options for ourselves before jumping to hasty conclusions.

After lots of research, discussion and consideration of the various options for birth, we decided we want to have a natural childbirth, as free from medication and medical interventions as possible. To be clear, we thought through many of the pros and cons of each possible methods of birth, and came to a conclusion that we both feel really great about.

Here are some of of the benefits of natural childbirth that went into our decision:

Women have the physical ability to give birth naturally, without medication or medical interventions, and have been doing it for generations.

Natural labor allows the woman to move around freely, and find positions that are comfortable and helpful in the delivery process.

There's no loss of sensation or alertness during a natural birth, allowing the woman to actively participate during every stage of labor and birth.

Natural birthing women are less likely to need interventions such as Pitocin, bladder catheterization, or a vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.

Babies birthed naturally are more alert immediately after delivery, and show more ability to breastfeed and bond.

Recovery after a natural childbirth is often faster and easier.

This is our ideal birth situation. But we also realize that life doesn't always go as planned, and are preparing for all possibilities. Obviously, if serious complications arise, and there's clear risk to myself or the baby, we will do whatever it takes to have a safe birth.

Also, this is in no way a judgment against parents who make different choices than ours. I understand that different people have different values, and am certainly not trying to pick a fight with anyone.

Personally, I really want to have a birth that allows my body and our baby to naturally do what they are meant to do, to be connected and present to the entire experience, and to freely make decisions about the birth process. I desire the sense of accomplishment that I imagine I'll have after the difficult and involved work of labor and delivery.

Unto that end, we have begun preparing for a natural birth. We're reading books, scouring the internet, talking to friends, learning and practicing various relaxation techniques, planning with our doctor and doula.

And really, all we want in the end is a healthy baby.

What Not to Eat

2009-03-31T23:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my diet consisted of the following:

Blueberry muffins
In-N-Out cheeseburger
In-N-Out fries
Buttered popcorn
Root beer
Triple Chocolate Pizookie from BJ's

Today I woke up with a messed up stomach. Go figure.

Happy Birthday, Blog

2009-03-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Blog,

Happy birthday! You turn two years old today.

Remember the day you were born with this first (and quite diminutive) post, created on a whim? Look how you've changed and grown since then.

Little did I imagine what you would become - a collection of crafts and recipes, a chronicle of my travels and pregnancy, reflections that I previously would have kept to myself, a forum to meet and dialogue with all sorts of wonderful new people. Really, you've truly become an undeniably important pursuit of mine.

You allow me to be creative and authentic, to not take myself too seriously, and to have a place in my life that isn't always consumed with work and life's responsibilities.

I look forward to what the future holds in store for us.

Here's to another wonderful year of your life, blog!

- Larissa

Pregnancy Developments - Week 34

2009-03-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

Coolest onesie ever. And yes, it's making a racial reference.

Some friends threw us a baby shower over the weekend. We had an outdoor barbecue, a few silly baby games, and many gifts that our son will enjoy. Lots of friends and family were there, and we had a great time. More pictures here.

FYI, if you're expecting a baby, do NOT buy baby clothes - people will gladly give and loan you heaps of infant wear. Our unborn child already has a bigger wardrobe than I do.

Now that there's just a little over a month to go, we're in full baby preparation mode.

The car seat is installed, the hospital bags are packed, and most of the important baby stuff has been purchased. Soon we're going to take a tour of the hospital, and begin seeing the doctor once every two weeks for a check-up. There are a few decisions that still need to be made, but all in all, I think we're ready.

The baby is supposedly over 4 pounds in weight, like an average-sized cantaloupe. He's getting bigger by the day, and my body is certainly feeling the effects.

It's difficult to breathe because the baby is pressed into my organs. My belly button, usually a nice innie, has begun protruding outward. I sincerely hope it goes back to its original state. No matter what position I'm in, my body aches all. the. time.

A new phenomenon is the baby's hiccups. At least once a day, I can distinctly feel him hiccuping like a drunk little sailor. He has also started kicking and elbowing me in the bladder and ribs, which is about as pleasant as it sounds.

Besides some minor discomforts, I'm still enjoying the pregnancy, and haven't yet reached the point of wanting it to be over. But check back with me in a few weeks. I reserve the right to change that stance.