are you my neighbor?

Henri's definition of:

neighbor:

1. the people who live in our neighborhood or
   
2. anyone walking by our house or
   
3. any woman or girl at any place he sees dressed in Muslim/Somali-type wear (explanation-the family who lives next door were refugees from Somalia in the 90's).
   

Example:

Henri looking outside our front window, "Hey Mama, there goes my neighbor with my umbrella."

Me: "What? Where?" I walked over to the window, but I didn't see anyone.

Henri: "My neighbor walked over there," pointing to the apartment building across the street.

I looked outside our front door where Henri's umbrella had sat on our front porch drying off after being used in the rain a few days earlier. Sure enough, it was gone.

alfie books

A few weeks ago, we picked up some books at the library written by Shirley Hughes about Alfie and his baby sister, Annie Rose. I had never read these books before, but I was delighted to find that Henri LOVES them. I think its that he can identify with this little boy who also has a baby sister.


The stories take place in England around the 70's I think. There are lots of different stories that Shirley Hughes wrote. Henri's favorites have Alfie's friend, Bernard in them, a little boy with a head full of blond hair who is often too aggressive and a bit wild like another little boy I know.

Oh, these stories are sweet, taking you through fun everyday stories that preschoolers encounter with their families and friends.

she no like-ah the spice

Remember the redness that Cosette gets around her mouth after eating oatmeal? I think I've discovered the cause.

Henri recently decided that he wanted to help me in the morning by adding cinnamon to Cosette's oatmeal while she was eating it. He put WAY too much in, and when Cosette took a bite, she began to scream and cry. The area surrounding her mouth and her cheeks turned bright red. It eventually faded after about 15 minutes.

The next day I gave her oatmeal, and I didn't add the dash of cinnamon that I usually do. And do you know what? No redness!

Any experience with this? It doesn't look like an allergic reaction. Just a sensitivity?

17 months

foody friday---roasted asparagus

I rarely make side dishes, but that's the theme of today's Foody Friday. Why? My mind is unable to think in pieces and put them all together. It hurts my brain to come up with 3 items to put on a plate. So what do I do?

• Most of the meals I make are "all in one" dishes where we have everything we need for a meal in one dish. Everything is all mixed up together, which I've found can be a pain for my guests with children or adults who like to eat everything separately.

Occasionally, I'll make something that demands a grain or a vegetable to go on the side. I could tell you about the white or brown rice that I make in which I follow the recipe on the bag and add a little oil to it. That's what I usually make.

When I need a vegetable, broccoli florets become the veggie of choice seasoned & sauteed in a little butter or olive oil.

I thought about doing a post about sweet potatoes. Johnny and Henri love baked glazed sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. I prefer another sweet potato recipe that my Aunt Gail made over the holidays (with nutmeg & no brown sugar). I made it again and got the polite evil eye from my dear husband who likes his sweet potatoes made one way and one way only (but he is too kind to me to be too harsh about it--I have a WONDERFUL husband). Maybe I'll post both recipes later and then you can decide.

In the spring, however, the veggie changes to asparagus, which will be the subject of this post.

Asparagus can be dangerous. If its not fresh, the right shape, or cooked right, it can taste disgusting (stringy to chew or bitter tasting). If it's done right, then Johnny & I fight for every last piece. Here are a few tips:

1. The "skinnier" the asparagus, the more tender. Grocers always seem to have something different. I'll still buy the thicker kind, but I think it's so much better if you can find the bunches of thinner stalks.
   
2. Break the tough ends off. I've read that it will break off at the right place by just bending it at the bottom. I've also read that you can avoid stringy asparagus by peeling the top layer off of the bottom 2 inches. I haven't noticed much difference though.
   
3. I bake or saute my green veggies. I haven't found a good steaming or boiling method that keeps them from turning bitter.
4. Here are some more information and tips.
   

Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
(adapted from Everyday Food June 2004)

• 1 bunch Asparagus
• Olive Oil (1 TBSP or more)
  
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese (or more)
  

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with olive oil.
   
2. Break tough ends from one bunch asparagus.
3. Toss asparagus in some olive oil and season with salt & pepper.
4. Spread asparagus in an even layer and sprinkle about a 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese on top.
5. Roast 10-15 minutes until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted.

at the park again

The hatchlings are singing.
So sing with them now:

"At the park again,

We just can't wait to be at the park again."

Henri learns about bikes

Setting: The Honey & Henri are in our garage, getting into the car this morning to head to church.

Henri (pointing to a bike in the garage): "Is that your new road bike, Papa?"

The Honey: "Yes."

Henri (pointing to another men's bike in the garage): "Well then, is that your sidewalk bike?"

The Honey (chuckling): "No, that's my mountain bike."

----------------------------------------------------

On a side note, we did get outside on this gorgeous Sunday to go for a family bike ride. Johnny pulled the kids in the bike trailer behind his bike while I followed on mine. Cosette was not happy about wearing her helmet, but she did well during most of our trip along the river.

the hatchlings today

I hope they're always good friends.

foody friday

My friend Jenny at A Latte Talk is starting Foody Friday as a way to exchange recipes. Today we are posting our favorite recipe/food.

It was hard for me to choose a favorite recipe because my tastes are always changing. I don't know if I should be announcing this, but my FAVORITE flavor in food is that of red or white wine. So I head to Trader Joes and pick up some Three Buck Chuck when I can so that I can make yummy sauces for pasta or put it in a beef roast like in the recipe below.

This is what I'm craving now, so I have no pictures. It's a slow cooker recipe. I will be running to the grocery store though to pick up some zucchini and make it again soon.

Beef Ragout
adapted from Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 lbs Beef Roast, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks, & blotted dry
• 2 medium-size Onions, chopped
• 14.5 oz can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 cup dry Red Wine
• 1 cup sliced Carrots
• 1 tsp minced Garlic
• 2 Tbsp Flour
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 Zucchini, ends trimmed & sliced into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons.
• White Rice, Noodles, or Mashed Potatoes, prepared for serving.
  

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil and brown the beef, in batches if necessary. Transfer to a medium or large slow cooker.
   
2. Add the onions to the skillet and brown slightly over medium-high heat.
3. Add the tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits; pour into the cooker.
4. Add the carrots, garlic, flour, and Italian seasoning to the cooker.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
6. After 6-7 hours, add the salt, pepper, and zucchini, cover, turn the cooker to HIGH, and cook for about 45 minutes, until the meat and zucchini are tender.
7. Serve over white rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. Serves 4-5.

Delicious!

testing 1, 2, 3, testing

I made some chocolate oatmeal cookies last night, and Henri couldn't wait to try one this morning. I made him wait until after breakfast and after I showered and dressed. He was very excited. As you can see by the hand in the picture below, Cosette wanted one too. She didn't get one.
Henri's response to the cookies?

"Mama, what'd you put in here? There's peanut butter in here!"

"No, Henri. I did not put peanut butter in there."

"Mama, these are yucky. I don't like these. What did you put in them?"


I put some cocoa powder, rolled oats, butter, sugar, and a 1/4 cup of:


I stood, watching him try the cookie out with Benadryl and EpiPens on standby.

You see, this was my attempt to substitute peanut butter in our household. Since Henri doesn't like and is allergic to peanut butter, maybe he would like sunflower seed butter. Even though it's a common food allergen, his allergist told me we could give him sunflower seeds and soy.

I tried giving it to him in a sandwich yesterday, but he only smelled it and refused it. So I tried the cookies. And he detected it RIGHT AWAY! Just like he does when he senses peanut butter.

Here's Henri giving it the big thumbs down.

Does this mean he's allergic to sunflower seeds too? I don't know.
Or does he just not like the stuff? I don't know.

He hasn't had a reaction. He took such a small bite. He says he didn't swallow it.

So next we try:
It could be tricky. Both Johnny and Henri have tested positive for a soybean allergy, but they tolerate small amounts fine. So the allergist said Henri could have soy. I don't feed my boys edamame (soybeans) or tofu--makes me nervous. Maybe I should try the chocolate flavor like the one above. Let the food challenge begin--probably in a week or so--when I get to the grocery store.

first bike

Henri wants to show you his

first bike ever.Johnny brought it home today.



















Thank you Craigslist.

Cosette



wants to show you how WINDY it was today.

the lady in my son's throat

"Mama, there's a lady in my throat," Henri explained to me as I kissed him goodnight.

"And when I drink water," he continued, adding head and arm motions, "it goes down my throat and into my tummy and it SPLASHES on her head!"

pause

"Maybe tomorrow she will SPLASH out of my tummy. Maybe tomorrow, when I get big like you and Papa."


Did he make this up on his own?

rash talk

I've been consumed with rashes, food allergies, nutrition, and Biblical Arcing this week.

Here's a quick update on Cosette's rashes.

Rash #1: Polka-dot rash (looked like someone took a pink ballpoint pen & dotted her tummy, chest, arms & legs) began fading away the day after we took her off the Amoxicillin. It was completely gone by Sunday. One question remains: Was this rash caused by a) a virus or b) an allergic reaction to the antibiotics?

Rash #2: Giant red splotches beneath her thighs.
We've been applying an anti-fungal cream with no change. I talked to her doctor yesterday, and now we're adding 1% hydrocortisone along with the other cream for one week before I take her in for a follow-up.

That reminds me. I need to set up that follow-up appointment.

what to do about the greens

So we accidentally got turnip greens instead of lettuce at the grocery store.

We've never eaten them before.

Any good ideas on what to do with them?

rash decisions

I gave Cosette oatmeal with rice milk today instead of cow's milk. She still got a redness around her mouth that went away about 5 minutes after she was done eating. Sensitive skin? Is it the oatmeal?

Cosette's polka-dot rash that I thought was from lotion was still there today. It looked a little worse, covering her arms, legs, & belly.

Her eczema has been bright red this past week and spreading furiously, which is why I've been concerned about food allergies with her.

Anyway, I talked to a nurse at our clinic this afternoon, and she suggested that I bring her in right away. The nurse suspected the rash to be an allergic reaction to the Amoxicillin Cosette's been taking (her first time on antibiotics) to treat her recent stinky ear infection.

They scheduled us for the last appointment of the day which was in less than one hour. My hair was wet from a shower* & Henri was napping. I scrambled to dry my hair, get dressed, and assemble the kids--plus put together some food to bring along since it was almost dinnertime.

Diagnosis:

• Here's the good news. Our doctor changed his diagnosis of Cosette's eczema to ringworm (yeast/fungal infection). He said that its flaring up because the antibiotics have destroyed all the good bacteria that has been keeping it at bay. While the antibiotics got rid of one infection, the other infection took off.

So why is ringworm good news? If the anti-fungal cream (that sounds so gross) clears up the rash, it means that Cosette might not have any eczema! Perhaps she doesn't have food allergies after all! Hooray!

So what's the polka-dot rash?

• Our doctor said that it could be an allergic reaction to the antibiotics (Boo!).
• But he thinks it is more likely that she has a virus that has caused the rash (hooray!).

What are we doing?

1. We took Cosette off the antibiotics, just in case she is allergic to Amoxicillin.
2. We have a cream to apply to what we thought was eczema. Pray that it works and the rash goes away. Also pray that she doesn't have food allergies or eczema.
3. We wait & see what the other rash does. If it takes more than 3 days to go away, its probably due to a virus. If it takes less, it could be the antibiotics, but we won't know for sure.
4. I'm holding off on eliminating dairy & wheat from her diet until we see what this cream does for her rash.

Until then, here is Cosette happily eating her yogurt.

*Don't you sometimes shower in the afternoon? :) I actually got on the treadmill this morning, but I couldn't stay on it for more than five minutes. I had strained a muscle in my leg two days ago while jogging, and I am still limping. Did I mention that it has been months since I used our treadmill? I'm trying to get back on it again, regularly.

thesth mahd in ma mawth*

A few bullets about Cosette at 16 months:

• She loves being outside.
• She's has 12 teeth now. I found 2 more molars poking through in her mouth today. That's all four molars in 3 or 4 weeks, people!
• She's begun feeding herself with a spoon.
• She has a polka-dot rash on her belly. I suspect its from some lotion I put on her.
• She has a rash on her cheek. Here's hoping it's rug burn & not some more eczema or illness.
• She gets a redness around her mouth after eating oatmeal (with milk & applesauce). Not hives, just a redness that goes away after a few minutes. What's up with that?
  
• She loves waving bye-bye.
  
• Cosette is such a happy girl and has hardly been cranky at all through her recent teething, perforated ear drum & infection, and itchy eczema. We adore her. Thank you Lord for Cosette.
  

*There's mud in my mouth.