This morning Lewis helped me make the roux for mac and cheese. That's technical-talk for a milk-and-flour-based sauce, and this particular one is full of spices and seasonings and cheese. Favorite.
I had basically nothing to do with cooking until I got married. Well, I started practicing shortly before that, with results exemplified by Andy's comment: "From now on, you're only allowed to use two seasonings in scrambled eggs." So I've begun early with my children, involving them in baking and measuring and stirring and (very recently) cutting, and teaching them the names of tools and techniques that I've learned through the years.
Small note of pride: a month ago I made beef stew, delicious. Without a recipe. And today I tested myself, and have made this mac and cheese from memory. In one of my cookbooks, the woman who submitted a recipe commented, "Everyone has that recipe that they know by heart. This is mine." I of course didn't know that everyone should have a recipe they know by heart...but now I'm among the ranks :0)
Sweet note while cooking with Lewis this morning: I asked him whether he'd like to listen to Christmas music or Jesus music. We're big fans of both around here, but I fully expected him to choose Christmas music. His response? "Jesus music, because we love Jesus."
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
Mighty Oaks
I painted shirts for my family, in the hopes of doing our first-ever professional family photo shoot. But I don't have that arranged yet, and so (while I can still squeeze my baby into his 0-3 month onesie) we did an informal thing at my parents' house. So, despite misty-moisty weather, not having a studio for just-right backgrounds or lighting, and a pack of goofballs to work with, here's the cute result. Maybe someday, before too long, we can actually get some beautiful photos taken, the kind that are a fun work of art and can be blown up bigger than 2x3 inches and still be crisply focused.
But I'll have to paint a bigger onesie ;0)
Saturday, November 14, 2015
We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming...
Tuesday was supposed to be an easygoing day of picking up the house, prepping a pan of Apples 'n' Cheese, and packing overnight bags for a quick trip to my parents' house. Instead, it was more like a morning spent with a stubborn, sad toddler who wouldn't begin his cleanup project. (Granted, it was an overwhelming cleanup project, and maybe I shouldn't have been so ultimatum-ish...but he's got to learn to just start, right?) I did get the dishes washed and the apples prepped while Lewis was busy being stubborn and sad.
But then I sat down to nurse the baby (who was not in the mood to nap well or to sit in his seat gazing adoringly up at me), and this happened. For the next 2 1/2 hours.
Packing was not relaxing. But at least my babies are irresistible <3
But then I sat down to nurse the baby (who was not in the mood to nap well or to sit in his seat gazing adoringly up at me), and this happened. For the next 2 1/2 hours.
Packing was not relaxing. But at least my babies are irresistible <3
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Sufficient...Overflowing...Thanksgiving
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23:5-6
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble..." Psalm 107:1-2
Lem's been with us for (a little over) three weeks now, and these verses are so evident in my life right now. I think my biggest concern leading up to Lem's birth was how to handle my children and household in the midst of utter exhaustion. Because for me, lack of sleep is my arch enemy, leading me down a path that brings out all my Worst.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23:5-6
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble..." Psalm 107:1-2
Lem's been with us for (a little over) three weeks now, and these verses are so evident in my life right now. I think my biggest concern leading up to Lem's birth was how to handle my children and household in the midst of utter exhaustion. Because for me, lack of sleep is my arch enemy, leading me down a path that brings out all my Worst.
Monday, November 2, 2015
What A Morning!
I left the house later than I had wanted, headed for groceries at Nolt's and WalMart, with a goal of arriving on time for Story Hour just two hours hence. At least 40 of those minutes set aside for drive time. Preschooler and newborn along for the ride. Fat chance.
We managed an efficient Nolt's trip, and although Lemuel screamed for awhile in the shop and I thought I'd need to nurse him in the van, he fell back to sleep for the ride up the hill to WalMart. And then we managed an efficient trip to WalMart--quite possibly the most efficient trip I've ever made there with my children. And although Lemuel screamed for awhile in the store and I thought I'd need to nurse him in the store, we raced through and paid and finished in record time, and I realized that not only could I nurse him in the van--but I had time to nurse him in a relaxed fashion. Wonder of wonders!
As we crossed the parking lot on our way out I told Lewis, "You know what little blessing God gave me just now? A cart whose wheels steer properly, and aren't all catawampus." Because steering a cart with one hand is hard (especially with preschooler in the cart and newborn strapped to me, screaming and desiring a meal and a smooth ride).
We even had time to stop at home for me to run the cold groceries in to the fridge. And we arrived at the library 4 minutes early.
Unheard of. Praise Jesus for a morning like that!
We managed an efficient Nolt's trip, and although Lemuel screamed for awhile in the shop and I thought I'd need to nurse him in the van, he fell back to sleep for the ride up the hill to WalMart. And then we managed an efficient trip to WalMart--quite possibly the most efficient trip I've ever made there with my children. And although Lemuel screamed for awhile in the store and I thought I'd need to nurse him in the store, we raced through and paid and finished in record time, and I realized that not only could I nurse him in the van--but I had time to nurse him in a relaxed fashion. Wonder of wonders!
As we crossed the parking lot on our way out I told Lewis, "You know what little blessing God gave me just now? A cart whose wheels steer properly, and aren't all catawampus." Because steering a cart with one hand is hard (especially with preschooler in the cart and newborn strapped to me, screaming and desiring a meal and a smooth ride).
We even had time to stop at home for me to run the cold groceries in to the fridge. And we arrived at the library 4 minutes early.
Unheard of. Praise Jesus for a morning like that!
Friday, October 23, 2015
Remembering Lem's First Week
Lemuel Lloyd Huntress arrived, about 4 weeks later and 2 pounds heavier than I fully expected, on the morning of October 15, 2015. At 8 pounds and 12 ounces, he turned out to be the biggest of my babies!
Laboring with him was a "nice" hybrid between Lincoln and Lewis, moving quickly once we got going but entering the world much more gently than Lincoln. Third babies are kinder toward mama bodies. Intriguingly, my water never broke, and Lem came still fully enclosed in the intact bag of waters. Andy got to see that, and I wish I had. But mostly I was just flooded with relief to be finished.
In this week, he has regained his birth weight (and probably more), learned to nurse better and better, and is already discovering his fingers/thumb. Andy has noticed that his cry is already stronger (and a little less cute, haha)--BUT, he's so far a content little baby, and only cries during bare-bottomed midnight changes and when I haven't fed him fast enough. Understandable.
Babies are gross. I mean, don't get me wrong; they're incredibly sweet, wondrous little beings to hold close. But also gross. Case in point: Wednesday morning I realized that his circumcision wound was all healed up. Because suddenly, he was peeing the instant he was uncovered for a diaper change. Getting ready to go up to Lowville for some blood work took more than a full hour and included four diapers in a row (2 peed on, 2 pooped in. Mid-change.), three fresh outfits, a couple of spit-ups (because we also needed to nurse twice). And then of course there was getting Lewis dressed and ready. Everybody Ready at the same time is indeed a feat. That night...well, the next morning's diaper/outfit tally was EIGHT diapers and a pile of two-and-a-half sets of clothes, swaddle blankets, and burp cloths. Andy did not feel very rested in the morning. Usually I take care of the midnight stuff, but I really needed him to run for more clothes and diapers a few times! Oh, and just in general, it's really comical how often a newborn poops. Literally a fresh diaper to begin with, then nurse, then the squirt poops while the meal is still in progress. Amazingly efficient little systems. We're getting better already though, and for a mama, it's a source of pride to figure out a diaper system that averts disasters.
Babies are sweet. Lem's little noises are just sweet, beautiful little sounds. Grunts, snorts, squeaks, snuffles, erratic breathing, milk splutters, sometimes his little voice, his wonderfully peaceful breathing while napping on mama's chest. The first three nights of his life, he wouldn't sleep peacefully at all unless he was snuggled against me. (Those were very hard nights for me, and I'm REALLY thankful that he's learning already to sleep better near mama without being on me.) When he's awake, he watches intently: mama's face; daddy and brothers; he's intrigued by the play of light reflected off the metal garbage can, or through the window, or on the tv screen across the room. He "talks" to us with his facial expressions. Well, mostly his little bird mouth, to tell us he's hungry. But he gets his message across. When I'm holding him upright and he's fallen asleep, he wraps his right arm around my left arm <3 When I'm holding him upright and he's awake, he'd rather look at my face, and so he cranes his neck way back so his wobbly little head can follow my face.
He's about to wake up, hungry as usual. My third baby to love and to cherish, and I am so, so thankful for him!
Laboring with him was a "nice" hybrid between Lincoln and Lewis, moving quickly once we got going but entering the world much more gently than Lincoln. Third babies are kinder toward mama bodies. Intriguingly, my water never broke, and Lem came still fully enclosed in the intact bag of waters. Andy got to see that, and I wish I had. But mostly I was just flooded with relief to be finished.
Lemuel: Hebrew, "belonging to, devoted to God".
Lloyd: Welsh, "grey". Much more significantly, daddy's, grandfather's, and great-grandfather's middle name.
In this week, he has regained his birth weight (and probably more), learned to nurse better and better, and is already discovering his fingers/thumb. Andy has noticed that his cry is already stronger (and a little less cute, haha)--BUT, he's so far a content little baby, and only cries during bare-bottomed midnight changes and when I haven't fed him fast enough. Understandable.
Babies are gross. I mean, don't get me wrong; they're incredibly sweet, wondrous little beings to hold close. But also gross. Case in point: Wednesday morning I realized that his circumcision wound was all healed up. Because suddenly, he was peeing the instant he was uncovered for a diaper change. Getting ready to go up to Lowville for some blood work took more than a full hour and included four diapers in a row (2 peed on, 2 pooped in. Mid-change.), three fresh outfits, a couple of spit-ups (because we also needed to nurse twice). And then of course there was getting Lewis dressed and ready. Everybody Ready at the same time is indeed a feat. That night...well, the next morning's diaper/outfit tally was EIGHT diapers and a pile of two-and-a-half sets of clothes, swaddle blankets, and burp cloths. Andy did not feel very rested in the morning. Usually I take care of the midnight stuff, but I really needed him to run for more clothes and diapers a few times! Oh, and just in general, it's really comical how often a newborn poops. Literally a fresh diaper to begin with, then nurse, then the squirt poops while the meal is still in progress. Amazingly efficient little systems. We're getting better already though, and for a mama, it's a source of pride to figure out a diaper system that averts disasters.
Babies are sweet. Lem's little noises are just sweet, beautiful little sounds. Grunts, snorts, squeaks, snuffles, erratic breathing, milk splutters, sometimes his little voice, his wonderfully peaceful breathing while napping on mama's chest. The first three nights of his life, he wouldn't sleep peacefully at all unless he was snuggled against me. (Those were very hard nights for me, and I'm REALLY thankful that he's learning already to sleep better near mama without being on me.) When he's awake, he watches intently: mama's face; daddy and brothers; he's intrigued by the play of light reflected off the metal garbage can, or through the window, or on the tv screen across the room. He "talks" to us with his facial expressions. Well, mostly his little bird mouth, to tell us he's hungry. But he gets his message across. When I'm holding him upright and he's fallen asleep, he wraps his right arm around my left arm <3 When I'm holding him upright and he's awake, he'd rather look at my face, and so he cranes his neck way back so his wobbly little head can follow my face.
He's about to wake up, hungry as usual. My third baby to love and to cherish, and I am so, so thankful for him!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
The Little Moments Make Life Big
A little background here: tomorrow morning Andy and I are headed to the hospital to (hopefully) induce this baby to come out and meet us <3
So tonight, I had a small epiphany-meltdown. I remembered back to when Lewis was born, and suddenly, instantly, bedtime with Lincoln was never the same. It really shocked me that time, because I just hadn't thought ahead about it. But this time...well, I know what's about to happen. And in an instant, of reprimanding Lewis in the middle of his meltdown about going upstairs to brush his teeth, I suddenly just realized: this is the last night I can read bedtime stories to my two boys. Instant tears.
And Lewis, with his sweet, sweet heart--he instantly wondered what was wrong, and when I explained he went right upstairs and brushed those teeth and got himself all ready for story time. Lincoln, not far behind, also perplexedly wondered what was wrong, and went right up get ready--but he also did his best to make me laugh, and realize that I will read stories to them again, after all, and this feeling that's making me cry is "pretend," "fiction!" He loves making us laugh.
So, these pictures somehow look much prettier than my tear-blotched, bloodshot eyes actually were...but I'm just thankful for the gift of knowing, this time around, that tonight was precious, and a Little Moment with my boys that was really very Important.
So tonight, I had a small epiphany-meltdown. I remembered back to when Lewis was born, and suddenly, instantly, bedtime with Lincoln was never the same. It really shocked me that time, because I just hadn't thought ahead about it. But this time...well, I know what's about to happen. And in an instant, of reprimanding Lewis in the middle of his meltdown about going upstairs to brush his teeth, I suddenly just realized: this is the last night I can read bedtime stories to my two boys. Instant tears.
And Lewis, with his sweet, sweet heart--he instantly wondered what was wrong, and when I explained he went right upstairs and brushed those teeth and got himself all ready for story time. Lincoln, not far behind, also perplexedly wondered what was wrong, and went right up get ready--but he also did his best to make me laugh, and realize that I will read stories to them again, after all, and this feeling that's making me cry is "pretend," "fiction!" He loves making us laugh.
So, these pictures somehow look much prettier than my tear-blotched, bloodshot eyes actually were...but I'm just thankful for the gift of knowing, this time around, that tonight was precious, and a Little Moment with my boys that was really very Important.
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