So my Laila girl has always been a really good eater but recently has decided that it is her right to exercise the word "NO" (a lot) while I try to feed her. She used to devour pretty much everything and anything that was put in front of her and I always try to offer variety as not to get tired of the same foods. But the last few weeks have been a bit of a struggle for her and I.
While I don't want to cater to this new found freedom she is exhibiting. I have tried to limit her to a few choices at each meal but I don't want her to starve either. It's new territory for her and I but I'm standing my ground and trying to maintain a healthy eating regiment as I have seen the benefits. It's super hard but I remember very well the torment we went through with Hayden's eating habits and I don't want to go down that road again. I figure this too will pass if we just wait it out.
The other puzzling piece with Laila is whether to move her from her crib before or after the baby arrives. She loves her crib and sleeps very well in it. She has never tried to crawl out of it and if she had I would have recognized that as "the sign" and moved her to a bed. I started her in a Gro-Bag (sleep sac) from around a month old so I know that restricts her from actually trying to escape from the crib - again it has been a godsend in helping her establish an amazing sleeping routine. I'm a little selfish on this one as well because I love my sleep (especially now being pregnant) and wonder if moving her to the bed will ruin the really good thing we have going.
I'm not sure I want the headache of trying to adjust a toddler to a bed and having to care for a new baby in the new year - Any thoughts on what would be best ? We have already decided the baby will bunk with us for at least the first few months then eventually she and Laila will become roommates but we need to change the bedrooms around to achieve that goal.
On a funnier note she is getting so smart and trying to mimic everything mama does during the day...from sweeping the floors, to folding laundry, and my personal favorite putting things in the microwave (namely bunny) and trying to heat it up (It's right at her left as it's under our kitchen island).
Daddy is totally the love of her live and it is obvious that the feelings go both ways as he is very smitten with her as well. They have even started a little tradition on Saturday mornings of making a run to Starbucks before Hayden and Mama get up.
Hayden still pretty much just tolerates her but I think it is getting better with him away at school all day - he has time to hang out with his new buddies and not have a meddling little sister in his business all the time (and let me tell you she gets in his business a lot). She is definitely not a "wall flower" and will stand her ground when she feels it's important which we know will serve her well later in life.
We are all very curious to see what will happen in January when the new baby comes home - we figure it could go either way right now but we are hoping for the best. She will soon figure out that to the new baby she is the "rockstar" and will be idolized so we are thinking it will all work out.
I still have a hard to believing that she will be 2 in a few short months..... where has the time gone !!
My little Laila girl....
Apple vs. Blackberry...
And we aren't talking about the fruit folks....hubby has finally gotten fed up with not being able to reach me during the day if I'm out and about. He wants to upgrade my (perfectly good but very old) cell phone to a new fancier one.
We are big Mac users but I'm not totally convinced that I want the iPhone. I have been given by said hubby 3 iPod Touch's and return each of them to the store because I felt the battery life was inadequate.
Faruq has had a Blackberry for as long as I can remember and he really likes it. I was looking at the updated version to his though the Blackberry Curve.
My other question is do I need to change carriers if I go with the iPhone - I'm with Telus right now and honestly don't have a problem leaving them but my current contract is still in effect there until the new year.
So which one should I pick ?
We survived Day 1...
Well we managed to get everyone dressed and ready to go to Hayden's new school yesterday for 9am. Hayden was a little grumpy as was my normally "happy-go-lucky" Laila. My kids like their sleep and don't like to be woken up. But this is our life now and they will just have to adjust to it.
I think we all had a few "nervous" bugs in our tummies going into the school and didn't really know what to expect. But upon entering we were instantly put at ease. The staff was so friendly and made us felt welcome immediately.
Chicken Bruschetta
One of my favorite appies is Bruschetta so when I came across this recipe in Rose Reisman's cookbook "The Complete Light Kitchen" (one of my all time favorite cookbooks by the way) I knew it would be a keeper and it totally is.
Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat lightly with cooking oil.
- Working with one at a time, place the chicken breast between two sheets of waxed paper and pound to an even 1/2 inch thickness.
- Place the flour on a plate. Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Place the breadcrumbs on a separate plate.
- Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking oil, add the vegetable oil and place over medium-high heat.
- Coat each flattened chicken breast in flour , dip n the egg mixture, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Cook for 3 minutes per side or until browned and almost cooked through. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Stir the tomatoes, onions, oil, garlic , salt and pepper together in a bowl. Spoon over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Bake in the center of the oven for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the tomato topping is hot. Sprinkle the basil overtop and serve immediately.
Martha's Beef Stew with noodles
So for years I have made a very favorite beef stew recipe but have always found it somewhat cumbersome to make. But hooray I have found one in the latest Martha Stewart magazine that is really easy and tastes almost exactly the same as the old recipe I have.
The bonus with this one is it makes the gravy while it's cooking in the pot on the stove. I am to say the least "challenged" when it comes to making gravy. I have tried for years and honestly I know just give the task to Faruq when he is home.
- In large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over high. Add beef, season with salt and pepper. Cook until seared and brown about 6 minutes.
- Add Onion and season again with salt and pepper. Cook until onion begins to soften (reduce heat if necessary) - about 5 minutes.
- Stir flour until beef and onion are coated and cook 1 to 2 minutes (do not burn).
- Add broth + 3 cups of water, stirring and scraping up browned bits. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until beef is tender - about 25 minutes.
- Add carrots and potatoes - cook until potatoes are tender - about 10 minutes.
- Add noodles and cook until tender - about 8 minutes
- Season with salt and pepper.
- To serve, stir in parsley and vinegar.
- Cutting veggies into evenly sized cubes helps to ensure that they'll finish cooking at the same time.
- It can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 6 month. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. Honestly, I have never had enough stew leftover to even consider freezing it.
- I honestly didn't season with salt quite as often as the recipes says and it was still very yummy.
Well for sure it's a......
Baby. We had our 18 (actually 19) week scan on Tuesday and all looks great for the latest and last addition to the Suleman family.
We have a very active little bean and the the technician actually had a bit of a hard time doing the scan. This really didn't surprise me in the least as both Hayden and Laila were exactly the same way at their scans for 18 weeks. But the tech was very patient and managed to get all the measurement she needed. Unfortunately for most of the scan the little kicker had it's hands of their private parts (again just like other two) so it was beginning to look like we wouldn't find out the sex. I really wanted to know this time so I could start clearing out either boy or girls clothes.
I think she knew we really wanted to know so tried for almost another 10 minutes. Low and behold right at the very end it did move it's hands for a second to reveal it's bits. We couldn't see any little boy bits so the technician really felt it was a little girl. Secretly, I was so thrilled with that news but again for the selfish reason that it will be easier to bunk the baby and Laila together.
My guess is this baby will be longer then the other two and I think will look just like Laila when they come out. Hayden is still just indifferent to the whole idea of another baby and is glad that he will not have to share his room. Daddy is thrilled for another little girl but I laughed when I heard him telling Hayden the other night that "the power" in the house has officially shifted to the girls (like they ever had the power in the first place).
I honestly can't believe that we are 5 months into this pregnancy. I know that January will come very soon and it will all be over. I'm actually very sad about it ending and will miss being pregnant. My problem was getting pregnant and endured many years of infertility but honestly being pregnant was some of the best months of my life. We are blessed beyond words with 3 little ones and can't wait to watch them grow.
Here are a few pictures from our U/S and have to say they look identical to both Hayden and Laila's.
