How Many Nicknames?

How many nicknames do you have for your child? Here are mine...

1. Baby Po
2. Jo Po
3. Po
4. Poser (my mom came up with this one!)
5. Little Man
6. Milk Man
7. Milk Boy
8. Bub
9. Bubba
10. Bubs
11. Bubsy
12. Gassy Boy
13. Bugga
14. Bugga Boo
15. Boo (this also happens to be our dog's nickname)

I'm sure there are more...but 15 is a lot more than I thought!

Probiotics and Diet Changes

Did you know that a healthy digestive system contains approximately 2 lbs. of good bacteria? Well, let me be the first to say that my digestive system definitely doesn't have enough good baterica because I've been suffering from far too many digestive issues for about 3 1/2 years now. I have IBS, chronic gastritis, GERD, and I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with my gallbladder. I've been to a GI and am on medication for acid reflux, IBS and I take Lactase supplements for my lactose intolerance, however I am STILL suffering. At one point in time I had myself convinced that I'd be suffering with these issues for the rest of my life, but I am desperate for a change. SO, not only have I decided to go mostly gluten free, but I'm also taking daily probiotics (Align) and I've made some other diet changes.

As you know, I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my second brain (my gut) so I can address these digestive issues that I've been suffering from for years. I've already determined that I'm lactose intolerant so I've been cutting out a lot of dairy from my diet, which actually makes for a happier baby since he suffers a lot when I have too much dairy. I have to keep reminding myself that I really can't overdue it with dairy (I LOVE ice cream) or I need to be prepared to suffer the consequences of horrible gas pains all night long. I no longer drink milk except on cereal and I only eat cheese in moderation. When I steer clear of dairy I feel lots better, just not 100%.

I've also decided to go the gluten free route. Have you ever walked through a gluten free section in a grocery store? SO EXPENSIVE! Since Andrew and I can't afford for me to buy gluten free foods I have moved on to making my own gluten free flour mixture and homemade gluten free goods. It's a mixture of masa harina, soy flour (which I will replace with sorghum flour once I run out), corn starch, and rice flour. I've made some pretty good brownies with this flour mixture and I plan to keep experimenting so I can make more home baked goods!

One thing I am still looking for is a healthy/easy bread recipe. I did some research and found out that sourdough bread is really good for you because the yeast is made through a natural process in a sourdough bread starter. I attempted to make some sourdough bread starter this last week but it didn't work out this first round (I'm pretty sure it got moldy after I forgot to feed it once). I plan to give it another shot next week.

Over all, I have been feeling lots better. The probiotics have really helped my IBS and if I am careful with my diet, avoid overeating, and don't eat really late at night then I generally feel really good. I'm not ready to try stopping my acid reflux meds quite yet, but I desperately hope to really soon!

3 Months

Josiah is 3 months old now...wow does time fly! He probably weighs around 17-18 lbs. and is rocking out in 6 month old clothes and size 3 diapers. He has rolled over from his tummy to his back and has definitely discovered his voice! The past 3 nights instead of waking up at 4 a.m. crying to eat he baby talks for 30 minutes and then decides it's time to eat (maybe it's time I turn the baby monitors down so I can sleep while he is babbling away!). Josiah also really likes to be held, it seems if I'm in the room and not holding him then he is upset. Sometimes I will set him between my legs so I can at least get on the computer (my arms are very sore!). The power of prayer works because even though he still doesn't nap very well, he had an amazing week at day care last week! I really hope we can keep this up! Enjoy a few pictures...he looks so much like Daddy it's crazy!

Favortie Fridays: Winter Memories

The Groundhog said spring is on it's way...so that means I only have a few more weeks of trying to be positive about this snowy and cold weather (hopefully!). I was happy to have one snow day this week where I snuggled inside with my baby boy, but now I am ready for WARMTH! So, before the cold ends and the warm weather rolls in I will share some favorite winter memories with you.

Wally's House:
I remember when I was a kid I would go over to my friend Wally's house (that was her nickname) and we would make a huge ice/snow ramp off of her deck. The only problem was that at the end of this ramp was the neighbors fence and there were many times that we would go flying down the ramp only to slide right into the side of the fence. It was awesome!

Car Hide and Seek:
Back in high school my friends and I would play a game called "Car Hide and Seek." In this game, we split up into 2 teams that would get into 2 different cars. One team would find a place in town to drive to and park while the other team received clues to help them find the hidden car. One winter my friend and I parked behind a big snow pile in an empty parking lot ( you know how big those snow piles can get!). Well, a police officer had pulled in, parked, and was watching us while we were sitting there. He didn't do anything until I decided to drive off and head home (since he scared me and I was thinking I was going to juvenile hall for the night). He pulled me over and I had to explain to the police officer how the game of "Car Hide and Seek" worked. Thankfully I didn't get in trouble, he just said we couldn't play that game anymore. To this day I have never played "Car Hide and Seek" again!

Snow Days!:
Who didn't like snow days when they were a kid? I remember getting up at 6 a.m. just to sit in front of the TV and watch the school closings scroll across the bottom of the screen. Our school was always one of the last to close, but when it did we sure had fun! I must admit that even though I now I have a very strong belief in spiritual warfare, when I was a kid I didn't believe in that, so please don't freak out when I say that one thing my brothers, sister and I loved to do was make "haunted houses" in the basement. We would take turns setting up "scary" adventures and putting our loving victims through a walk in the dark. One of my favorite scare tactics was having someone walk in the dark in absolute silence for a few minutes until I turned on the vacuum. It was the best!

Passion 2007:
For my Christmas break during my 2nd year at Wartburg, Andrew and I went to Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia with several over young adults. The trip to Atlanta was really miserable (I had the WORST sinus infection/cold and desperately needed antibiotics. Andrew was so frustrated that he couldn't do anything for me that he broke down with me and held me in his arms while I bawled because I felt so horrible). Even though I was so sick it was an incredible conference. I praised the Lord during some great worship sets (led by some of my favorite music artists-David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Christy Knockels) and heard some great speakers-Louie Giglio and John Piper. I had hopes of going back to Passion before I got too old to go, but never made it. It was a trip that also brought Andrew and I closer together.

Since I can't seem to keep up with these "Favorite Friday" posts, this will the the last one for a while. I encourage you to do your own Favorite Friday next week!

please don't make me nap mommy!

There is one thing I have to admit, because if I don't admit it then every day I will continue to be frustrated, overwhelmed and never come to terms with this situation. My son STINKS at napping! Maybe this is just a phase we are going through, but he currently only sleeps an average of 1.5 hours a day total. He'll sleep 30 minutes here and 30 minutes there, but rarely longer that that. At first I thought it was just because he wasn't used to the loud noises and bright lights at day care (which is probably a couple reasons he naps so terribly at day care), but I've realized that it's not just at day care but also here at home. He has this new "angry cry" that he does when he is overtired and it doesn't matter if I try and lay him down early he will keep himself awake until he's so overtired that he starts to "angry cry." It's SOOO frustrating and really hard on me, especially at day care because I know the teachers (and myself) don't have the time to really sit down and rock him in order to get him to sleep. So, I am continually praying for him to develop better sleep habits during the day without having to Cry It Out (we haven't been doing very much CIO with him because he has colic). It seems that the only way he will sleep is if he has a full tummy and is rocked with his pacifier. We have a musical puppy (Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout) that plays lullaby's that has been really helpful because I can take it to day care to put in his crib. I know that napping would be better if 1. he didn't have colic and we could have him CIO and 2. if he was at home every day so he could take a nap in a dark, peaceful room. Right now I am brainstorming ways for him to stay home more often without causing more stress on our financial situation.

On the bright side, Josiah has been sleeping through the night really well! We learned about a week ago that his bedtime is 7 p.m. (we were trying to keep him up till 8 and he would throw a fit) so 7 p.m. it is! That means from the time I get home from work to the time I get him to bed I only have about 30 minutes to feed him, bathe him, and put him to bed. This makes getting dinner ready a little difficult but with Andrew's help we can usually have dinner ready to eat by the time Josiah goes to bed. Then we have the rest of the evening to relax! Josiah generally sleeps till 3 or 4 or in the morning (5 if we are lucky!) before he needs to eat again. Then he'll go back to sleep until 7 or 7:30. I like to start his feeding schedule by 7:30 every morning. Lately Josiah has been waking up at various times throughout the night crying and I've had to go in and pop his paci in so he'll go back to sleep. Hopefully he will keep up the good night time sleep habits! If you have any suggestions on helping Josiah transition into day care better and helping him nap better that would be great!

Favorite Fridays:FRIENDS

Growing up I fell in love with the show FRIENDS. I remember the first episode I watched was the one where Rachel realizes she likes Ross and goes to the airport to meet him but he comes off the plane with Julie. After watching that episode, I HAD to keep watching to see if Ross and Rachel ended up together. I've spent the past 10 years collecting all of the seasons and it was my husband who finally bought me the 10th season a couple years ago. Sine then, I think I've watched the entire show from beginning to end over a dozen times. My friends and family love to quote some of the hilarious moments from the show! Here are some of my favorite:

Rachel: Can you take care of Emma just for today?
Ross: Sure, just lend me your breasts and we'll be on our way.

Phoebe: Hey. Why isn't it Spidermen? You know, like Goldmen, Silvermen.
Chandler: Because, it... it's not his last name.
Phoebe: It isn't?
Chandler: No. It's not like Phil Spidermen. He's a spider *man*. You know, like Goldmen is a last name but there's no gold man.
Phoebe: Oh, oh okay...
Phoebe: There should *be* a gold man!

Joey: Anyway, I started working on what I'm gonna say at the ceremony, you wanna hear it?
Monica, Chandler: Yeah!
Joey: Now, listen, it's just the first draft so... "We are gathered here today on this joyous occasion to celebrate the special love that Monica and Chandler share. It is a love based on giving and receiving, as well as having and sharing. And the love that they give and have is shared and received. And through this having and giving and sharing and receiving, we too can share and love and have and receive."

Chandler: How can I dump this woman on Valentine's Day?
Joey: I don't know. You dumped her on New Year's.
Chandler: Oh man. In my next life I'm comin' back as a toilet brush.
[Janice enters Central Perk]
Janice: [to Chandler] Hello Funny Valentine.
Chandler: Hello, Just Janice.

Joey: All right they got water, orange juice, and what looks like cider.
[takes a glass from the fridge]
Chandler: Taste it.
Joey: [drinks from the glass and puts it back in the fridge] Yep, it's fat. I drank fat.
Chandler: Yeah, I know, I did that two minutes ago.

Joey: You think I need a new walk?
Chandler: What?
Joey: Well I've had the same walk since high school and you know how when a guy walks into a room and everybody takes notice. I think I need a 'take notice' walk.
Chandler: Are you actually saying these words?

Chandler: Is she crazy?
Phoebe: Like a straw. Remember crazy straws? (waves arms frantically)

Ross: You know, we should probably ask the doctor if she even knows how to deliver a baby that's half human, half *pure evil*!

Rachel: ...How many centimeters am I dilated? Eight? Nine?
Dr Long: Three.
Ross: Just three? I'm dilated three!

Joey: Oh! Sorry... did I get you?
Chandler: NO, you didn't Get me! It's an electric drill! You Get me, you Kill me!

Belated Favorite Fridays: More Homemade Recipes

These are a few homemade recipes that I really enjoy. Since I make these from the top of my head and probably don't have them written down anywhere, the measurements really aren't very specific.

My Dad's Homemade Enchiladas:
Ingredients:
8 burrito size tortillas
1 lb. hamburger
1 package of Taco Seasoning
1 chopped onion
1 chopped green pepper
1 large can of Enchilada Sauce (not sure the size, but it's the big can, ha!)
2-3 Potatoes
Cheddar Cheese
Any other toppings of your choice: lettuce, sour cream, ranch, etc.

1. Brown hamburger with chopped green pepper and onion, add taco seasoning according to directions on back of package.
2. Wash, slice, and boil potatoes to make "mashed" potatoes.
3. Add 1/4 can of Enchilada sauce to mashed potatoes and mix.
4. Combine mashed potatoes and browned hamburger/pepper/onion and mix.
5. Spoon enchilada mixture into center of each tortilla (like a hotdog) and roll them up.
6. Place them seam down into a 9x13 pan (they probably won't fit into just one pan) and top with rest of enchilada sauce and cheese.
7. Cook in 350 degree oven until cheese is melted.
8. Top with whatever you so desire and enjoy!

Yogurt Pie:
Ingredients:
1 graham cracker crust
2 AE fruit yogurt cartons of your choice (I like raspberry or strawberry)
1 regular size tub of cool whip

1. In a mixing bowl combine the 2 cartons of fruit yogurt and 1 tub of cool whip and mix until well blended.
2. Place in graham cracker crust and place in refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Add your choice of topping (fresh fruit, chocolate syrup, etc) and serve!

Bruschetta:
Ingredients:
1 French Baguette
4-5 Roma Tomatoes
2-3 Garlic Cloves (pressed using my Pampered Chef Garlic Press!)
Fresh Basil leaves
1/2 Red Onion
1/2 Green Pepper (if you wish, it's fine without)
approx. 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
approx 1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

1. Cut and slice the French Baguette, brush with olive oil and bake in oven according to directions on packaging.
2. Slice tomatoes, basil leaves, red onion, and green pepper and combine in a mixing bowl.
3. Press 2-3 garlic cloves into mixture.
4. Add 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and 1 Tbsp. of balsamic vinegar.
5. Add a pinch of salt and ground pepper.
6. Mix well and top warm bread with bruschetta mixture.
*I plan to try using spinach in this recipe the next time I make it! With this recipe you really have to make it for your own taste (I like lots of garlic and balsamic vinegar, but you may like less so experiment and find the balance that's right for you!)