I'm thrilled to report that nights 3-6 of sleep training for Jaxon involved hardly a whimper from him. He goes to bed at 7pm every night and sleeps till almost 8am. I haven't had this much sleep since my second trimester of pregnancy. It's nice. I hope it lasts.
Best of all, I have my charming little man back and his appetite has improved.
This morning he kept taking nursing breaks to give me sweet kisses. What's not to love?
Today is a West Virginia football game day so I'll be busy keeping busy. Maybe I'll work on Tukker's quilt. I really need to finish it and get busy on all the other projects I have in mind. It should be easier now that I can have some quiet time at night. Imagine the projects I can do!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Another Grandma Daycare Monday.
Soo....tired.
Well, I started Jaxon on the Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child method of getting him to sleep thru the night.
Last night he cried for 2 1/2 hours.
OMG!
Tonight it was only 40 minutes.
Thank God!
This plan better work or he and I will both need therapy.
Last night he went on to sleep over 7 hours straight which is longer than he has in months. I didn't have as much luck. I guess I'm used to snuggling my little man and protecting him from Daddy's flailing arms. And I didn't know what to do with all the extra space in the bed!
He was more pleasant today. And he ate much better then he has been. I think he was getting his belly full of "Mommy Juice" thru out the night and then wasn't really very hungry during the day.
Today Jaxon and Caydance fell down the stairs together. Jaxon was at the top of the stairs and Caydance was halfway down. He fell and took her down with him. She has a bruise on her face and Jaxon doesn't have a scratch. I guess she broke his fall. Oy vey!
Kayleigh and Brad must have been afraid I'd let her fall down the well or something because Brad came 3 hours early to pick her up. LOL (j/k we don't really have a well!)
On a pleasant note: Roger and I finally had a date night Friday night. They are few and far between these days. We gotta do something about that.
We saw Once On This Island at the local community theater. It was good but I wasn't fully committed to it till almost intermission.
Then we had dinner at Market Street Oyster Bar. It's still very expensive and very crowded but not as good as it used to be. Oh well, the company was good even if the crab cakes were not. :)
After dinner we spent some time at the book store where I bought the previously mentioned book. Results are not in on that one yet. ;)
Even on a daycare day I managed to get some sewing done. Added a few more rows to Tukker's quilt. I need to finish it and get on with the plethora of other projects swirling in my head.
I have two new grandbabies coming that need their own "special projects".
Off to see what it's like to go to bed early.
That should be interesting.
Well, I started Jaxon on the Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child method of getting him to sleep thru the night.
Last night he cried for 2 1/2 hours.
OMG!
Tonight it was only 40 minutes.
Thank God!
This plan better work or he and I will both need therapy.
Last night he went on to sleep over 7 hours straight which is longer than he has in months. I didn't have as much luck. I guess I'm used to snuggling my little man and protecting him from Daddy's flailing arms. And I didn't know what to do with all the extra space in the bed!
He was more pleasant today. And he ate much better then he has been. I think he was getting his belly full of "Mommy Juice" thru out the night and then wasn't really very hungry during the day.
Today Jaxon and Caydance fell down the stairs together. Jaxon was at the top of the stairs and Caydance was halfway down. He fell and took her down with him. She has a bruise on her face and Jaxon doesn't have a scratch. I guess she broke his fall. Oy vey!
Kayleigh and Brad must have been afraid I'd let her fall down the well or something because Brad came 3 hours early to pick her up. LOL (j/k we don't really have a well!)
On a pleasant note: Roger and I finally had a date night Friday night. They are few and far between these days. We gotta do something about that.
We saw Once On This Island at the local community theater. It was good but I wasn't fully committed to it till almost intermission.
Then we had dinner at Market Street Oyster Bar. It's still very expensive and very crowded but not as good as it used to be. Oh well, the company was good even if the crab cakes were not. :)
After dinner we spent some time at the book store where I bought the previously mentioned book. Results are not in on that one yet. ;)
Even on a daycare day I managed to get some sewing done. Added a few more rows to Tukker's quilt. I need to finish it and get on with the plethora of other projects swirling in my head.
I have two new grandbabies coming that need their own "special projects".
Off to see what it's like to go to bed early.
That should be interesting.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Kevin Planned Dinner Tonight.
My wonderful son-in-law is currently in Iraq and so it is only for him that I would cook a packaged dinner for the family against my finer culinary sensibilities.
Tonight's dinner was for Kevin, chosen by Kevin.
Crystal helped me cook. She opened the packages. :)
The finished product
A chocolate milk toast from the sisters and the wifey
And even though I DETEST beer, Roger and I had an Amber Bock in Kevin's honor. It wasn't as horrible as I remember.
Tonight's dinner was for Kevin, chosen by Kevin.
Crystal helped me cook. She opened the packages. :)The finished productA chocolate milk toast from the sisters and the wifeyAnd even though I DETEST beer, Roger and I had an Amber Bock in Kevin's honor. It wasn't as horrible as I remember.
Please excuse my bag lady-like attire. It's Grandma Daycare Day. :P
We love you Kevin! Be careful! See ya soon!
Speaking of my movie *star* daughter....
Kenzie had such a great time as an extra in the Disney Channel movie "Dadnapped".
She and her friend worked six 12 hour days and had a blast.
They got to work with "Rico" from Hannah Montana as well as a few other Disney Channel biggies.
The big shot movie makers brought our little ghost town downtown area back to life for part of the filming.
See this movie!
Kenzie took me out for a nice lunch and a movie as a birthday gift. This was a pretty sweet movie.
And Kenzie's a pretty sweet girl to spend her hard earned Disney Movie money on her momma. ;)
Friday, November 9, 2007
For dinner tonight....
I tried this recipe from the book that Heather gave me for my birthday. It was delish!
Next time I'll reduce the sauce even more. Maybe down to 1/2 cup. And I'll reduce the molasses to just one tablespoon as it was a bit overpowering. Very tasty! :) I didn't take a pic cuz I ASSumed there'd be one online. There isn't. :( I'll snap a photo next time and add it here.
Root Beer Glazed Pork Chops with Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse from Food Network Favorites: Recipes from Our All-Star Chefs, Meredith Books, 2005
See this recipe on air Tuesday Nov. 27 at 7:00 PM ET/PT.
Show:
Emeril Live
Episode:
Food Network Charity and Book
2 cups root beer
2 cups reduced veal stock
4 (16-ounce) double-cut bone-in pork chops
4 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 recipe Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes, recipe follows
1 recipe Caramelized Onions, recipe follows
Parsley leaves, for garnish
To make the glaze, combine the root beer and stock in a medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to a thick syrup, about 1 cup, about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat.
Preheat a grill to medium-high. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Season each chop on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the Essence. Grill for 3 minutes. Turn each chop 1/4 turn to make grill marks and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn and cook on the second side for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a baking sheet. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over each chop. Roast until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 150 degrees F, 12 to 15 minutes.
Place the chops on 4 serving plates and drizzle with the glaze. Spoon the Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions onto the plates, garnish with parsley leaves, and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast): 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoons salt 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.
Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
1 3/4 to 2 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until tender and starting to ooze sugary syrup, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on their size. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.
Cut a slit down each potato and scoop the flesh into a large bowl. Discard the skins. Add the cream, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, and salt and beat on high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Cover to keep warm, or gently reheat before serving.
Yield: 4 cups
Caramelized Onions:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 pounds yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat and serve hot.
Next time I'll reduce the sauce even more. Maybe down to 1/2 cup. And I'll reduce the molasses to just one tablespoon as it was a bit overpowering. Very tasty! :) I didn't take a pic cuz I ASSumed there'd be one online. There isn't. :( I'll snap a photo next time and add it here.
Root Beer Glazed Pork Chops with Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions
Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse from Food Network Favorites: Recipes from Our All-Star Chefs, Meredith Books, 2005
See this recipe on air Tuesday Nov. 27 at 7:00 PM ET/PT.
Show:
Emeril Live
Episode:
Food Network Charity and Book
2 cups root beer
2 cups reduced veal stock
4 (16-ounce) double-cut bone-in pork chops
4 teaspoons Essence, recipe follows
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 recipe Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes, recipe follows
1 recipe Caramelized Onions, recipe follows
Parsley leaves, for garnish
To make the glaze, combine the root beer and stock in a medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to a thick syrup, about 1 cup, about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat.
Preheat a grill to medium-high. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Season each chop on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the Essence. Grill for 3 minutes. Turn each chop 1/4 turn to make grill marks and cook an additional 2 minutes. Turn and cook on the second side for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a baking sheet. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over each chop. Roast until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 150 degrees F, 12 to 15 minutes.
Place the chops on 4 serving plates and drizzle with the glaze. Spoon the Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Caramelized Onions onto the plates, garnish with parsley leaves, and serve.
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast): 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika 2 tablespoons salt 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon black pepper 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
Yield: 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.
Bourbon-Mashed Sweet Potatoes:
1 3/4 to 2 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup bourbon whiskey
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until tender and starting to ooze sugary syrup, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on their size. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle.
Cut a slit down each potato and scoop the flesh into a large bowl. Discard the skins. Add the cream, bourbon, brown sugar, molasses, and salt and beat on high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Cover to keep warm, or gently reheat before serving.
Yield: 4 cups
Caramelized Onions:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 pounds yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and caramelized, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat and serve hot.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
In an effort to deny the dentist anymore of our hard earned $$$
I helped Emily make a "countdown to Christmas chain" with what was left of her Halloween candy. Only 48 days to go! Yikes!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Happy Birthday To Me!
It's been a good day. Birthday wishes from all my kids and my hubby. Calls from my Mom and brother. And a nice lunch with my good friends who are the sisters I never had.
Life is good. And I'm still not old at 38. :)
Life is good. And I'm still not old at 38. :)
Monday, November 5, 2007
October 31 was an anniversary for me!
8 years ago I met a fascinating new friend. She and I don't really know each other as well as we once did but I'm still grateful for her. Love and light to my SoCal pal. I hope you kept safe from the fires.
Happy Friend-iversary. ;)
Happy Friend-iversary. ;)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Big news at our house today!
Grandbaby #4 is on it's way! And since all the babies are mine ;) I couldn't be happier.
I'll try to update the blog a bit more tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to take advantage of Jaxon being a bit "off" due to the time change and get him to bed a little early.
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