Thoughts on Facebook and parenting

Is it just me or is anyone else sick of reading the "I'm a better parent than you" type of posts on Facebook? I'm so tired of it. I have several "friends" that feel the need to bombard their friends with posts about their parenting style and such. I'm sick of reading about it. There is such an obvious tone to posts like that that scream, "my way is the right way and no one else's."

I think that every family is unique and I'm sick of the judgment. Who are we to judge the way another family parents their children??? Just because something is right for you, doesn't make it right for your neighbor. So to all those that post things like that-get over yourself. 

Every once in a while I do see something good on parenting on Facebook and this really spoke to me- (especially about breast feeding-I tried so hard with Sadie and only was able to for 4 months. Due to all the complications that I had after her birth I had a very hard time with my supply. I am also very private when it comes to feeding and would just stop when someone tried to look over my shoulder; I am sure that had something to do with my supply as well. I STILL to this day have guilt for not producing enough for her and I think a lot of it stems from people "bragging" for lack of a better term, on Facebook about feeding. I think there is a big misunderstanding out there that says that just because a mom doesn't breast feed, means that she doesn't want to. Nothing could be further from the truth-at least in my case.) Anyways, here is the post:

To the mom who's breastfeeding: Way to go! It really is an amazing gift to give your baby, for any amount of time that you can manage! You're a good mom.

To the mom who's formula feeding: Isn't science amazing? To think there was a time when a baby with a mother who couldn't produce enough would suffer, but now? Better living through chemistry! You're a good mom.

To the cloth diapering mom: Fluffy bums are the cutest, and so friendly on the bank account. You're a good mom.

To the disposable diapering mom: Damn those things hold a lot, and it's excellent to not worry about leakage and laundry! You're a good mom.

To the mom who stays home: I can imagine it isn't easy doing what you do, but to spend those precious years with your babies must be amazing. You're a good mom.

To the mom who works: It's wonderful that you're sticking to your career, you're a positive role model for your children in so many ways, it's fantastic. You're a good mom.

To the mom who had to feed her kids from the drive thru all week because you're too worn out to cook or go grocery shopping: You're feeding your kids, and hey, I bet they aren't complaining! Sometimes sanity can indeed be found in a red box with a big yellow M on it. You're a good mom.

To the mom who gave her kids a home cooked breakfast lunch and dinner for the past week: Excellent! Good nutrition is important, and they're learning to enjoy healthy foods at an early age, a boon for the rest of their lives. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the kids who are sitting quietly and using their manners in the fancy restaurant: Kudos, it takes a lot to maintain order with children in a place where they can't run around. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the toddler having a meltdown in the cereal aisle: they always seem to pick the most embarrassing places to lose their minds don't they? We've all been through it. You're a good mom.

To the moms who judge other moms for ANY of the above? Glass houses, friend


(I would add, thanks to my friend Dianne for making me think of it: To the mom that had a natural childbirth-good for you-that could not have been easy. I admire your strength and courage. To the mom that had an epidural-that must have hurt like Hell-I don't blame you for asking for one. To the mom that had a c-section-wow, that must have been hard, but I am sure it was for good reason, whether it be your health, the baby's, or both. To all of you-glad you had a healthy baby from the outcome. One does not make you better than the other.)

Being color blind

Being color blind can be so frustrating. When I tell someone that I am they immediately start asking, "what color is this, what color is this?" When I answer correctly, they think I'm not actually color blind. It applies more to small things...you know that number test that you take to test for it? I see 1 number in that whole book! Anyways, I recently bought an almost identical bottle of nail polish because I had no idea I had one super similar at home. In fact, I would not have even known they were different if they didn't have different names. Maybe they are more different than I realize but I couldn't believe that they were so similar.  I just showed them to Adam and he thought they were the same thing. (He is also color blind.) 

Summer is here!

Summer is officially here! We had several cold fronts that kept coming through but finally it's warm! Sadie and I went swimming for the first time this season and she of course loved it. She also got to go fishing with her daddy at the lake in our neighborhood. She caught 5 fish!!! We have also been picking lots and lots of blackberries. Life has really come full circle. All of this reminds me of my childhood and spending summers at the cabin. We'd fish and pick blackberries. At the cabin I'd often bake blackberry tartlets while the 3pm rain happened. It is one of my fondest memories, baking and or playing games on the porch listening to the rain on the tin roof. Well, nowadays I don't have the same kind of time on my hands, but really wanted to do some sort of tartlet type thing. I bought puff pastry and cut them into 12 pieces and put a blackberry sugar mixture in each and baked them. They were nowhere near as good as when I'd make a pie crust from scratch at the cabin, but good nonetheless. Here are a few photos:

Red door!

We have been in our house for 3 years and FINALLY have a pretty front door! We bought a foreclosure and the door still had a little of the tape from the foreclosure sign on it. Bad, right? It is a great door so naturally, we didn't want to replace it. It looks like brand new! We love it!
See before and after below! :)

Italian cooking

I picked up some truffle oil while in Italy and had been searching for a recipe to try it with. I found this recipe from Whole Foods and thought it looked good:

Rosemary-Seared Pork Tenderloin with Truffle Porcini Sauce

Ingredients: 

• 18 dried porcini mushrooms
• 3 pounds pork tenderloin
• 3 tablespoons dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Canola oil cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 4 teaspoons white truffle oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon salted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped

Method: 

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pour 1 1/2 cups hot water over mushrooms in a medium bowl and set aside to let soak until softened while you prepare the tenderloin.

Season tenderloin with dried rosemary and salt and pepper. Lightly spray the tenderloin all over with canola oil spray. Preheat an oven-proof skillet until you start to see wisps of smoke rising from the pan. Add tenderloin and sear on both sides. Transfer to oven and roast 10 to 15 minutes to finish cooking the tenderloin. Transfer to a plate and set aside to let rest.

Meanwhile, drain mushrooms, reserving soaking liquid, and cut into small pieces. Set aside. Mix flour, 1 teaspoon of the truffle oil and butter in a small bowl and set aside. Heat olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the truffle oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook for 1 minute more. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the reserved mushroom liquid. Bring to boil and then whisk in the butter mixture until well incorporated and the sauce begins to thicken. Pour any juices from the resting tenderloin into the skillet along with the remaining 1 teaspoon truffle oil. Stir to combine.

Slice the tenderloin into medallions and spoon the sauce over top. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Info: 

Per Serving:460 calories (170 from fat), 19g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 150mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 1g sugar), 55g protein

 

My review:

It was a little tough. Instead of cooking 15 minutes after searing, I'd slow cook it for a couple of hours. The 15 minutes didn't cut it anyways, and it was way underdone inside. I had to put it in the oven for another 15 minutes at least. I served it with asparagus risotto with Parmesan cheese, which did compliment it nicely. 

 

 

Sadie gets tubes

Today Sadie finally got tubes in her ears, after countless ear infections. We had her adenoids removed in November with the same Dr (the same Dr did my deviated septum surgery back in 2011), so we are very familiar with him, which made it easier.

We had a 7:30 arrival time, as we were his 3rd for the morning. Of course, we stayed up late, so were all pretty exhausted. It seemed like not too long before they called us back and took her vitals, etc. The nurse was very sweet, and gave Sadie a handmade purple blanket that they give to little kids that are going through difficult things. I think she could tell that Sadie was a little apprehensive about what was going on. It's the softest blanket, and in her favorite color, so she really perked up after that! It was soon time for her to have a little versed, and it was hilarious watching it take effect! I made several videos, but this first one gives you a good idea of how loopy she started to get. Watch it-you will crack up!

Here is one more of right before they took her back. She kept saying that only daddy and Sadie had teeth!

Below is a photo of right before they wheeled her back, and she was very sleepy but also very happy.

It was maybe 5 minutes when the nurse called us to say the surgery was going great, and they were almost done. We went to the private waiting area, and the Dr came to visit with us, and then a few minutes later we were back with her. She was crying when we first saw her, but she stopped rather quickly. They got her a Popsicle and a juice, and she kept telling us that she was dizzy and saw "2 mommies." I got one of the times on video, as you will see below.

  The poor thing got very nauceous once again (just like after her adenoids) and threw up the Popsicle and juice. They couldn't give her anything to help since she did not have an IV, but said it was ok for us to give her some phengel once we got home. Thank God we have that on hand at most times!
We got her home and quickly gave her the phengel and some ibuprofen. Within about 30 minutes she was feeling great and wanting to play. She had some snacks and then around 1 was finally ready to lay down. I layed down with her and we both fell sound asleep. I woke up around 4 and she finally woke at 5. She is doing well now, just hanging out in the living room watching Octonauts. :)

Welcome Spring!

Today was a very fun Saturday. I had the day off-no shoot or wedding; which as much as I love shooting, is always nice! We took the opportunity to finish planting the garden. It's been such a fun tradition to start, and very educational for Sadie to understand that not all food comes from the grocery store.
Our grapes once again came back with a vengence, as well as the cilantro, which I love! And wait until you see photos of the rosemary-it withstands everything! We cut back a TON and still have enough to last years and years! I am currently drying it in the oven, and I am sure will give a lot away. :)
Tonight we also opened the salami that I brought from Italy, as well as an amazing Gouda from Norway. We used the cheese slicer the my cousin-in-law gave us. :)

                                                                     The Grapes!

                                                                    Blackberries!

                                                          The rosemary that we cut

                                   Another view of the grapes and just how massive they are

                                                                             Kale

                                                   Strawberries, squash, and zucchini

                     Blueberries that we planted 3 years ago, finally getting a decent amount!

 Some squash, tomato, the cilantro and rosemary post cut! Oh and onions underneath the soil

                                                             Sadie's purple flowers :)

                                Onion from last year that came back up, tomato, and eggplant

                                                                Basil and more squash

                                                                   Courtyard view

                                                      About to start drying rosemary

                                        Salami from Italy and Cheese from Norway! Yum!

                                                    Cheese slicer from cousin Nora