Thursday, August 26, 2010

A few photos from SF

My sistas (Jessica, Angie, Sarah) + Me at Fraiche

Hydrangeas + my neice, Abi, at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Mi Madre + Mi at Jessica + Jonathan's wedding

My dear hubby + Me

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Last Month's To Do List

Moving truck came one month ago today! Honestly I can't believe it was only a month ago.

Here's my to do list in short from this last month:

Move from Minneapolis to Chicago, maid of honor at sister's wedding in SF, host bridal shower + bachelorette parties, unpack, potty train my three year old, prep to start new job, hire nanny times two (since the first one backed out), meet with new pediatrician, date with cute husband, prep boys + paperwork for preschool, visit brother-in-law's farm downstate, get together with old Chicago friends, unpack + organize, make homemade pasta sauce + salsa from the six boxes of tomatoes collected at the farm, teach boys what it means to live in a condo building, politely communicate with downstairs neighbor that her demand for a household rule of "no running ever" will in fact not be possible, Chicago adventures with the little dudes including North Avenue Beach during the Air + Water Show, Shedd Aquarium, Green City Market, Lincoln Park Zoo, Hancock Observatory (today = so much fun!), convert three year old's crib to toddler bed, wait for house to sell, reinforce boys' sleep rules, miss Minnesota + friends, unpack.

Whew.

More evidence links pesticides to hyperactivity

Check out this short article from the Chicago Tribune. Interesting and not surprising. A valuable read.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Interesting Article from The New York Times

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How do laptops, cellphones affect the way humans think? 
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It would be interesting to hear the results of a study that rivals this idea:
to understand how heavy demands on a mother's attention and time changes how women think and behave, and how a retreat into nature might reverse those effects caused by too much stimulation from trying to meet the needs of multiple babies or young children at one time.

Any scientists out there able to shed light on this topic?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Victory!

Today is an amazing day, not only because the date is eight.nine.ten, but because after an entire year, plus, my son Gabe ate his entire helping of quinoa with little prompting!

I know I'm a nerd about food, but I was so excited by my little dude's nonchalant eating of his quinoa tonight that I was nudging my husband under the table and couldn't help but bust out a blog entry about it after taking a month break due to the busyness of moving and transitioning from Minneapolis to Chicago.

I literally have put this delicious grain on Gabe's plate at least every week for a year and have gotten push back nearly every time. The reactions have ranged from tantrums because it was on his plate even after I told him that he didn't have to eat it (but that it needed to stay on his plate) to him taking a bite, saying it was good and then refusing to eat a second bite. Only on a couple of occasions has he taken a second, very teeny tiny bite.

And so today was special, affirming and inspiring as I continually seek to expand the palette of my two boys. And to think I almost made noodles because I didn't want to risk a smooth dinner experience. And to think that I almost didn't put the quinoa on his plate even after making it because I didn't want to deal with the whining. Perseverance has paid off! And now if the resistance reoccurs, I'll always be able to gently remind my dear Gabe of how much he enjoyed his helping of quinoa "that one night."

Please note that I'm not sharing this story to brag in any way, but hope that one mom's struggle and perseverance can serve as an inspiration for those trying to help their children eat foods that their little one continues to refuse. Hang in there caregivers and keep putting it on their plate!