DeFiNiTiOn OF bLiSs: April 2009

Food for Thought

Food and Films by Silvio Tanaka

For me, having the responsibility of raising a child is a bit daunting at times. Suddenly, there are all these new things to think and worry about. Food is one major thing I've thought about a lot lately. I was watching an episode of "Jon and Kate + Eight" and I really liked when Kate said something about how her kids didn't really know what fast food was. I realize there is a lot of controversy surrounding her at the moment, but I do think she is a good mom. I never really thought I'd become this type of person.....but apparently I have. Now that he is starting to eat regular adult food, I am realizing my groceries will never quite be the same.

When I was growing up, I hated the fact my dad never bought candy or chips or anything cool like my friend's parents. When we wanted a snack he directed us to the apples or bananas. When we got older, we had ice cream and popcorn though and I think they became less health conscious as far as we were concerned.

I realize during a busy lifestyle it can be very difficult to make sure your kids are eating really healthy or organic or eating homemade meals around the clock.......but I'd at least like to do my best. Just like my dad, I will rarely buy candy or chips. I will try to forgo a lot of processed meals and cook from scratch as often as possible. The big change will be to make sure I'm buying fruit...and a lot of it. I know there will be times that I'll be in a big hurry......babysitter is coming over...........or a special occasion.....or just a horribly hectic day....and I will probably have a little pizza for him or a happy meal........but I'm making it my goal to minimize those types of foods as much as I can.

Kids will be kids.........and they sure do love sweets. It's not like I won't bake cookies or give him the occasional treat. I just want to try my best to make sure he is eating all the food groups and as healthy as possible. We will eat less pork, and eat more chicken and fish. Replacing some beef and pork dishes with turkey or chicken. Eventually I might try to start cooking with whole wheat pasta, although I don't think I'll have an easy time with hubby on that one. Now is a crucial time for his nutrition and I will be responsible for developing his habits.....and I definitely don't want him to have some of the bad habits I acquired.

Now I understand when people say having their children made them better people. I feel like he has made me a better (but more of a quirky) person and will continue to.

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Shrapnel in the Kitchen

WTH??? To say I am a little shaken is an understatement.

I was baking chicken tonight in one of my glass dishes, which I have used many times before with no issues. I turned the chicken over just 20 minutes ago when I heard a loud explosion from the kitchen. I ran there to find clouds of smoke billowing out of the oven. When that finally cleared a bit, I found the glass dish had exploded into a million pieces, leaving the chicken to grill on the oven rack. Talk about crazy.

So I did a lil research online to see if this has happened to anyone else. I find a bunch of sites with many complaints about glass bake ware exploding. The reason I am so shaken right now is because this has happened to people even just taking it out of the oven to cool. Extremely hot pieces of glass has damaged ovens, kitchens, and people. I can't help but think that when I'd gone in there to turn the chicken over, what would have happened to me if it had exploded right then and there. Or what if it happened when I was taking it out? I could have lost an eye or had major damages to my skin and body. The only warnings on these things is that you don't obviously take from hot to a cold environment without letting it cool first, or vice versa.

I am so thankful to God right now that I am unscathed and that my baby boy was nowhere around (not that he would be around a hot oven, but glass can fly feet away).

I don't think I will be baking with glass dishes anymore.

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Lil Dictator

I came across this link http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T050400.asp about the 12 features of a high needs baby. The features are: intense, hyperactive, draining, feeds frequently, demanding, awakens frequently, unsatisfied, unpredictable, super sensitive, can't put baby down, not a self soother, and separation sensitive.

Christopher has majority of these features.

I knew it!!! I knew I was exhausted all the time for a reason...

The upside to having a high needs baby is that they tend to become go-getters and leaders.......................AFTER they suck all the life out of you, of course!

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9 Month Booty-Do

Definition of Booty-Do (Boo-dee Doo):
When one's stomach protrudes from the body more than their behind does.

Example:
"She gotta booty-do, cuz her stomach stick out further than her booty-do."

LMAO.

Yesterday was officially the first day I had a long strenuous workout since I was prego! I have walked, of course, and done some Pilate's...but not the real deal. Mostly because....no money really at first....then no car...but now...finally I can really start working on myself.

Right after he was born, in 2 months, I lost all my pregnancy weight, which was 18lbs. I was proud of myself but there was no denying the change. I read an article about how women sometimes get depressed and have low self esteem after childbirth...even years later...just from the changes that they weren't prepared for. There is this website http://theshapeofamother.com/ that even has pictures of very brave women baring themselves so that other women realize they aren't the only ones.

From the year I haven't worked out (actually over a year), my former muscles turned to goo and died. So when you feel flubbier and like a pot of chunky beef stew, it is a lil depressing at times.

I am MOTIVATED though (don't I sound like it?)!!!

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Carrots

Evil Carrot by Brettf

All over my face and shirt. All over the highchair. But mostly all over my son. Two weeks ago, Christopher discovered his new hobby...........spit-all-food-everywhere. I know that it's just a phase, but when you are covered in dots of pureed food, it's hard to remember that.

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Lilapsophobia

twister.. by Sir Mervs

Lilapsophobia - Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes

Symptoms of Lilapsophobia

When a storm hits, you may display unusual behaviors. Constantly checking for weather alerts; hiding under the bed or in a closet; and even putting a full tornado plan into effect as soon as the rain begins are all common among those with this fear. You might listen closely to the storm for sounds of tornado activity, or you might attempt to drown out the storm altogether with loud music or movies. Many people find that lilapsophobia is worsened by being alone.

Oh my God, this is me!!! Tonight I had the scariest night ever. I finally admitted to myself that I really have an undeniable phobia of tornadoes. Really bad storms passed through Augusta tonight from about 10:30pm. As usual, when I see any type of tornado watch on TV, I get on the computer and every few minutes I'm refreshing the Doppler to see exactly where the storm cells are at. Then I proceed to get fully dressed, pack Christopher's diaper bag, and prepare to go downstairs if necessary. In a tornado, a closed room on the lowest floor is the safest place to be. I didn't really think the hallway downstairs was quite the best so I was fully prepared to knock on a neighbor's door and ask if we could come in. To make matters worse, Michael has been gone in class tonight.

Then I hear on TV that there is a tornado near Augusta Mall....and that's when I really panic. I start sweating, my heart is racing, and I grab Christopher (who was awake from the storms) and stand right by the door. Luckily, the storms pass and although they were close to me, thankfully they headed Southeast. After I get him back in bed, I watch the weather channel and they mentioned that in the tornado earlier today in Alabama, a woman and her 9 week old baby died while the husband is in the hospital. After the whole nights events, as soon as I heard this news, I just busted out crying like a loser. I feel awful for that family. To know there was also a baby is even worse. I said a prayer for their families and then said a prayer for us.

From my earliest memories, I can recall being in Minnesota at my Grandfather's cabin during a tornado. The tornado didn't touch down, but it was bad enough. Then another time in Oklahoma I was in the same situation right after a concert of mine. My Dad, who always acts like nothing will ever happen to anyone, made us eat Burger King afterwards and even made my scared butt sit right by the window. What a meanie.

In all similar situations in my life, I have always had a massive amount of anxiety and reacted the same. When my roomie and I lived in North Carolina, there were two times that I mostly scared her to death so we both ended up acting loony. The first was when there was an impending hurricane. I was so scared, I convinced her to drive us all two hours North to Virginia to stay with her Mom for a couple days. Raleigh ended up only getting tropical storms that day...lol Then another time, there was a really severe thunderstorm and possible tornado, and I freaked us both out so bad, by the time my "date" (now husband) arrived, we were in "full battle rattle" and getting the storage under the stairs ready for us to take shelter in. There was no tornado that day.

So basically, I have obvious issues when it comes to this subject. My mom told me tonight that I probably got the phobia from her. She said anytime there were bad storms when we were kids, she used to freak out and try to hide us in the bathtub or closet. I just don't want to pass this to Christopher, but I'm wondering how I will mask my fear in future situations? Hopefully I figure out something.

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Apartment Complex: Enter If You Dare!!

I am reminded that there are smart people that actually do live in houses every time I hear that fucker...oh excuse me, that gentleman downstairs blasting his music. Technically, when living in an apartment, there are normally rules of courtesy. Most places have some sort of noise rule, basically stating no crazily loud music late late at night and early early in the morning. I think the ass clown, I mean neighbor downstairs is immune to any type of courtesy concerning living in close proximity to other humans. I think he lives in his own little old man world where his silver minivan with the faded Cowboy's sticker is somehow cool.

And when I am lucky enough not to be forced to partake in the tunes downstairs, he flips the script and screams and hits his son for hours. I actually don't know which is worse. It's bad enough he plays Mint Condition's "What kind of man would I be" like fifty times per month. I used to like that song, too. And when his booty call is over, boy does that dude blast up the music with all kinds of slow-do-me-jams. Me being on the 2ND floor does nothing to mute this noise.

Don't get me wrong. I know living in an apartment does require patience and tolerance of others around you. I know that sometimes it won't be the quietest place on our planet Earth. But I do know that out of all that apartments I've lived in, this little skinny loser face butt fart is by far the rudest. I like my music loud but I respect others. And I've even gotten on the Hubby for having the TV too loud. It's all about the Golden Rule.

One day I will be in a house.
One day I will be in a house.
One day I will be in a house.

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