A Conversation

As we were driving to dinner last night, M was in the back singing the ABC's in her sweet little baby babble. Wistfully, I said to C,

"I wish we could freeze her so she will stay cute forever."

"She will be...she's our little girl," he replied.

"No. She will grow up into a bratty know-it-all teenager. And that is not cute."

"Well, we will just have to give her sedatives."

I laughed so hard, my face hurt. Of course I would never, ever do that to my child. But it made me think of the inevitable fact that all teenagers are rebellious in some way. Even the good ones - and I was one of the good ones. Not until I had reached legal age, did I commit my acts of social rebellion.

I want to preserve the memory of my sweet little girl forever. Especially for those days when she is screaming at me because I wont let her go out with "Derek with a mustache and a mustang." That way, I can look at her and see my daughter who I love more than the air I breathe, not some bratty know-it-all teenager.

Paging Dr. Mom

It sucks being sick. It sucks even more when your child is sick. M is currently working through her third cold of the season and to top it off, she is going through a major teething ordeal. My poor baby is hurting and exhausted and covered in a gross combination of drool and snot. After three days of this, I am totally drained. I can't even find the reserve energy to work out or spend time with C. There is a reason I got a degree in graphic design and not my phd.

Homemade Granola

I have a total fiend for granola. After extensive research and some tasty tries, I perfected this...



It's totally customizable and very easy to make.

3c Quaker old fashioned oats
1c Rice Krispies
1/2c Honey (try organic honey, the taste is so much better)
2 tbls vanilla
2tbls cinnamon sugar (i had a mixture of equal parts cinnamon and sugar for toast and C's daily bowl of oatmeal)
1tbls brownsugar
1/4tsp salt
1/2c butter; melted (please use real butter, unsalted, you can't bake with the fake healthy stuff. it's sacrilegious)
1/2c raisens*
1/2c glazed walnuts* (emerald nuts variety, love)
1/2c almond slivers*

* You can put what ever fruit and/or nut combination you prefer. I like to keep mine simple.

Pre-heat oven to 250.

Dump dry ingredients into a big bowl. Slowly pour melted butter and honey and vanilla
and stir with a spatula. Spread oats evenly on a large cookie sheet and pop into oven. Stir every 15 minutes or so, until it has cooked for 1 hour. Remove and set aside. Once the granola has gotten crispy and cooled off enough to nibble, break apart and store in an airtight container.

I like mine with some low-fat yogurt and sliced banana.

Into the Wild - Begining the Journey of Attachment Parenting

M is 18 months now and the tantrum level is steadily increasing. She is a very independent and strong willed toddler and has the attitude of "I do what I want, and I do it my way." I was having a conversation with my mother about it one day, and her suggestion was to put her in time out. My mouth practically hit the floor. How could I possibly explain to M why and what I was doing? She can barely understand simple commands, and certainly doesn't understand why I tell her no, just that I am not letting her do what she wants to do. It's hard to find the right way to handle the tantrums. I get frustrated after telling her not to climb on chairs 10 times and lose my cool. She, in turn, starts screaming and cursing at me in baby talk because I am limiting her need to explore and climb. So I am trying something different called Attachment Parenting, and will try to document our experiences.


Attachment Parenting is a parenting philosophy based on eight principles that will create a strong and stable bond between parent/s and child. The eight principles are:

- preparing for pregnancy and birth
- feed with love and respect
- respong with sensitivity
- use nurturing touch
- ensure safe sleep, physically and emotionally
- provide consistent and loving care
- practice positive discipline
- strive for balance in personal and family life

www.attachmentparenting.org

Date Night Movie Review #4 - Four Eyed Monsters

Ok so, I have been terribly bad with posting movie reviews. We have seen some really good movies over the past few months (new moon, cough cough) and I have been too lazy/busy/pre-occupied to post much of anything. So, while C is geeking out on the PS3, i I am posting a new review of a terrific Indie Movie called...



Synopsis: Uninspired artist Susan and romantically naive videographer Arin meet via the Internet and strike up a relationship in which they make a pact not to speak to each other. Writing, drawing and instant messaging keep romance fresh for the offbeat couple, who are inspired to find the true meaning of intimacy.

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F.e.m. is for the indie lovers and artists out there. The story, which is semi-autobiographical, is truely unique and engaging. It speaks to the true nature of love and what it takes to make a relationship really work - communication, even if it isn't verbal. I enjoyed the movie and despite the length - very short, I encourage those seeking a-typical movies to watch and enjoy a love story for the cyber generations.