Comfort Food and Home Remedies

Well...here I am posting in between bouts of nausea. I don't know if it's from the flu-like bug that's been running through the family or my morning sickness (or both?), but I'm very ready for it to pass! I've definitely reached my limit for tummy trouble, that's for sure.

The past few days have been a reminder of times in the past when we were sick and what helped in those times. I try to remember that one day this time will be a bad memory too!

I remember mom making toast with a light sprinkling of cinnamon, served with ginger ale. Or those steamy and wonderfully soggy poached eggs on toast. My Aunt Conni dropped eggs into Ramen noodles (which I am SO SLOW to have JUST learned contain MSG!). Matt always turns to chicken bullion in a measuring cup (YUCK). A newer collection of remedies we use includes marvelous herbal teas and crackers of various kinds.

I'm thankful for friends that have been there with the morning sickness (like Summer and Erin), to remind me...eat little and often, drink plenty of water, get some Preggy Pops (these essential-oil based lollipops really do help at times), and nibble on some toast.

There's surely a fine-line at times between "comfort food" and "home remedy," but I'm trying to expand my knowledge base of both. I know when the bug passes me at last (and with certainty), I will be back to status quo with all-day-sickness, and turning to both avenues for relief!

So, do you have any comfort foods or home remedies you use when you're sick? I'd love to hear them!

Being sick is no fun, but the love, support, and encouragement I feel through these times is a blessing and joy to my heart. :)

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. -Proverbs 17:22

Ian's New Shirt

Can you believe I made this shirt?! Don't question the actual sewing, but the fabric choice! Ha! I have made several things for Zoe, and Ian had been asking me to make something for him...Matt joined us on a trip to the fabric store, and they chose this together (and even the pattern!). It's fun that this has been a family project, as everyone was involved in the process at some point. Even Zoe helped me put away all of the notions when we brought them home!

This was my first collared/buttoned shirt ever. The most difficult part was setting the sleeves. Overall, I worked on the project for about an hour and a half on four separate evenings. My favorite part (besides showing the finished product) was sewing the buttonholes and buttons...all on the sewing machine! I know this technology is nothing new really, but I am very aware at how much time this actually saved me!


Total cost? Six dollars, not counting my time. Of course, my son who was as thrilled as Christmas morning...priceless! "Oh, thank you, Mom, for my new shirt! It's my favorite! I'm a Georgia Dawg!" He literally squealed with delight. He really has no clue what being a "Bulldog" actually entails (my small consolation), but was especially fascinated that I made it, just for him. "You made this for ME! Oh, thank you for making this!"


Matt wants a matching one next. :)

Where the Wild Things Roam...

Beaufort has been an amazingly beautiful place to live. Drives down the road are frequently met with the flight of an egret over the marshlands, deer running into the woods, and now...snapping turtles!

On our way home from picking up the car, we spotted this beauty crossing the street (very nimbly, I might add). Can you believe the neck isn't fully extended here?!


Matt got Ian out of the car at a safe distance to observe her (my best-educated guess from looking at the underside tail area, combined with subsequent research which I'll expound in a moment). Ian was transfixed and excited. How fun it is to observe a turtle crossing the street in front of your house!


After Ian was back inside, I walked out to get the pictures of the turtle, and found a well-intentioned neighbor trying to get it back to the water. Although I appreciate the thought (save the turtle from getting hit), I hope he didn't get bit again on the way. Once, the turtle spun around and nicked him! Knowing they definitely have amputation ability, I'm hoping they made it to the pond without further incident.

Ian wanted to know more about the turtle, so we spent some time looking online and at YouTube videos (they can actually be an amazing educational tool!). Here's some fun things we learned.

*Snapping turtles can live 30 years in the wild.
*Female turtles will roam great distances from the water to lay their eggs. Peak mating season is June-July.
*Snapping turtles are omnivores, and their diet includes not only smaller fish, but birds, reptiles and mammals!
*A snapping turtle can turn to bite as far back as the rear legs. The "safest" place to hold them is like a pizza...they can't bite under their bellies.
*Although research was a little less solid on this point, it seems they can stay underwater for at least an hour.
*Their shell becomes increasingly smooth as they age. Older turtles have a nearly smooth shell.
*Snapping turtles were once hunted for cooking into turtle soup.


Safe journeys, old girl. Hopefully you found yourself back to the pond down the street!

Shape Crafts

We checked out a wonderful book from the library with craft ideas involving shapes. Many of them use household items in such a creative way, I can't wait to do more! Here's our craft moment from last week...rectangle. I don't remember what the book called them, but they remind me vaguely of an interpretive stained glass window?

Rectangle "Windows"
-Cereal box cut into a rectangular "frame" shape OR top of a tissue box with the center plastic film removed
-Packing tape
-Random craft materials for sticking on the window (we used leftover party sequins, but tissue paper, buttons, etc. would also work)

1. Put a layer of packing tape over the open area of the box and flip sticky side up.
2. Stick fun shapes/objects on tape.
3. Cover with another layer of packing tape and enjoy!

Ian studiosly began his project by dumping all the sparkles on the table.


Zoe chose to pick each piece out one by one.


Nimble little fingers were at work, making a window.


Can't you see we are hard at work?


Ian was proud of his window, "Mom! It's the same on both sides! I love this thing, it's my favorite octagon." (So, we're still working on shapes, or he was focused on something in the window?


Zoe carried hers around for some time saying, "Pretty! Pretty!"


It was a fun little project, and I love that all of us could do it together. I can't wait for the next project to take shape! :)

Loose Change

This morning, Ian and Zoe had a wonderful time playing together with a cow bank. I just HAD to run and find my video camera, and tonight had so much fun with iMovie jazzing it up. Although, their truly sweet demeanor with each other needs no music, titles, or fancy transitions...it is a blockbuster hit in my heart! (Gosh, that was corny! I must be hormonal...or pregnant!). Anyway, all other preludes aside, enjoy! :)

Ian and the New Baby

Simply hysterical. That's one way I can describe any of the conversations involving Ian and the topic of the new baby! I need to get the video camera handy for some of these exchanges, they are utterly priceless. But, he also says the most tender-hearted and beautiful things about this new life. As exciting as having another baby has been, hearing the words of big brother and his reaction have been even more so.

Some of you have heard the abbreviated version of this story, but I really wanted to write about the whole exchange. Of course, my immediate focus was on the hilarity of the moment, but the more I think about our conversation, I treasure what came after his unintentional humor even more.

The day we told him he was going to be a big brother again, his immediate reaction was, "Oh! A baby? Like in Mommy's belly, a baby?" Then, he immediately lost interest in the conversation (or so it appeared, we know now that he was silently processing).

Later, in the commissary shopping cart, in the midst of a throng of shoppers, he yanked my shirt nearly over my head and exclaimed, "Mommy! There's a baby in your tummy! I wanna see it!" I requested that the examination of my belly take place at home, because we just don't lift our shirts up in the store. :)

So...back at home, he reminded me, "Mommy, can I look at the baby in your belly now?"

"Yes."

He nearly jammed his face into my stomach, "I don't see a baby ANYWHERE."

"Well, Ian, the baby is teensy tiny, and on the INSIDE of my belly, so you can't see it right now."

He lifted the shirt higher, looked at my back, legs, and head, and continued to persist in his search. Not to be dissuaded, he finally announced after his cursory search, "No, get naked. I'll find the baby for you." Of course, I couldn't help but laugh hysterically. He corrected me, "It's not funny, Mommy. This is serious. I need to find the baby." (Can we thank Wonder Pets for that line?!).

"Ian, you won't be able to find the baby right now, it's INSIDE my tummy. We'll have to wait for the baby to grow bigger and bigger, and when the baby is ready, he or she will come out."

He surveyed my face, as if searching for the truth. Then, ceremoniously seated himself next to me, and rested his hands gingerly on my tummy. "Ok, Mommy, I'll wait riiiiiight here for the baby to come out." He heaved a little sigh, and had a look so genuinely precious, I almost cried instead of laughed!

"Oh, Punkin, we'll have to wait a very long time for the baby to come out. It takes a whole 10 months total for the baby to get big enough. And, we are only 1 month down. It will be a long while yet. Do you want me to let you know when we get closer?"

Turning to me and oozing sweetness (oh, is this really MY child?), he said, "Ok! I'm going to play with my toys now." Then, in a surprise continuation of our conversation, he stated, "And when the baby comes, I will share my toys and play with the baby. We'll play together, like this. And, I will hold her. Yep, I will hold her Mommy, because it's my little sister. I love her, too."

Oh, my moment of maternal bliss. It's compounded by knowing Ian really will treasure this sibling. We wondered with Zoe, how he would react, if he would be jealous...and all for naught. The two of them bonded so instantly and perfectly, it's still a daily wonder at the love between them. I know Ian has even more to give, he told me so. And, Ian has a sister, and thinks another is arriving, because when you have such perfect love for a sister, who needs a brother? He lives in a world where a sister is what he knows, loves, and wants again. Am I reading too much into this? No, I don't think so. Never do we give the little ones enough credit for having these things figured out!

Of course, Ian and the other not-so-baby (Zoe) have their moments of trial...all Zoe wants is to be just like her brother, and this involves taking his toys. We have our moments, days, and sometimes weeks of frustration, to be certain. Maybe you could argue that's not perfect, but I know it is part of the equation. Those irksome moments are never enough to draw away from the even more innumerable moments of joy between them...sitting next to each other reading books EVERY morning, Ian scooping up all of Zoe's tossed items from the high chair, handing each other things in the back seat across the car, staying up late at night "partying"...

I couldn't ask for more (ok, maybe another moment of peace at play time on some days)...yet, here comes another blessing!

It's an understatement to say that I can't wait to watch another bond grow and develop between my children. I've heard from Ian, and I look forward to watching Zoe as a big sister too. :)

Summer Rain

He looked out the window at the summer shower, tapering off to a sprinkle...



"Mom, I want to play in the rain! I need my swimsuit, and my boots!" What a wonderful idea! We gathered the requirements, and set out. Ready...just in time for the last sprinkles...



There was still much fun to be had, lining cars up in puddles...



Running and stomping through wet grass...



Enjoying the coolness after a refreshing summer rain.



I can't wait for another afternoon like this. :)

Weekend in Charleston

Matt had a triathlon this weekend...another race in the Charleston Sprint Series to be exact. It rained a little bit, but provided him with the opportunity to cool down, and jet to a new PR (beating his last by 6 minutes, 10 seconds!). I'm proud of his accomplishments (even though I'll grumble from time to time about the effort/energies it requires), and thankful that the race provided a great reason to make a quick family trip.

Charleston is an amazing town full of history, beauty, and interesting things to do. One of the perks to living in Beaufort is that this spectacular destination is only 1 1/2 hours away! (Ok, almost 2 if I'm driving). It was a wonderful family trip, and I'll try not to get bogged down in the exciting plethora of facts and history on the summary. :D For all the photos from the trip, you can visit the Picasa album, Weekend in Charleston.

I know I'm probably the only one that cares, but I only brought the point-and-shoot camera with me to the museum, and there was a no-flash-allowed policy. Picture quality suffered a little bit.

First stop, Charleston Museum. First museum in America, established in 1773. It's goal is specifically to preserve Charleston and the Lowcountry's history. I think it's humorous the website calls Charleston, "America's most historic city." I admire their pride!


We began our journey through the museum by walking through an exhibit containing a timeline of local artifacts. Zoe was transfixed by the pottery. I know she wanted to see what was inside, dump it out (there's no fun in thinking there's nothing in them, you know), and put it back in again.


We learned mules wore shoes...to walk over the rice paddies. (Yes, there were rice paddies in Charleston!).


We were both impressed by the collection of firearms. Both of us winced when we peeked at this bad boy. A fifty caliber, seven round (that fired simultaneously) demon. Only 600 were made. Why? Because, they set the sails of the ship on fire, and caused more damage to the sailor firing it than the enemy. I don't think this is one of weaponry design's finer moments...


Sometimes, I'm just not paying attention when I'm snapping away. Ian was so cute with his arms crossed over his chest, I thought, why not. But look, he was emulating the painting. Gosh, I love this kid! He's so observant, and everything is so relative to him!


I spotted a safe that was patented by a Gayler. This will need some further research...distant family member perhaps?


Ian's favorite exhibit? One of them was the case of turtles.

He asked, "Daddy, what are these?"

Matt informed him, "Turtles."

Ian was so angry, "No! What are these?"

Matt was amused, and repeated, "Turtles."

Not to be discouraged that easily, he asked once again, "No, Daddy, I mean, what ARE these turtles?"

I reminded Matt that Ian is too smart, and wanted to know the exact KIND of turtles. Then, Matt got the right idea, "Box turtle, leatherback turtle..." Ian's beaming eyes were enough to make me burst with pride. He requested the names several times, too.


Zoe was quite interested in the arrangement of stuffed animals. She would pace in front of them, pointing and calling out their names (attempting to, anyway).


Both children agreed that the kid's museum was a highlight. There were interactive displays, and most importantly a small-scale colonial house...complete with clothing to try on, a fireplace to "light", and music to set the mood.


I highly recommend a visit to the Charleston Museum! It's fun for even the littlest people, and there is such a wide variety of exhibits, everyone will walk away learning something.


After all that fun at the museum, packet pick-up for Matt's race, and a tasty dinner at a local pizza place (Andolini's...must have!), it was time to settle in to the hotel for the night. But first, our family ritual...jumping on the hotel beds!


I'm so worn out from the trip, I'm going to head to bed for now, but I'll be back to post "Part Two" of our adventures later! :)