crunchy, part 2. July 16, 2009

OK, so I had quite a few people ask why Joe teases me for being crunchy. I don’t really consider myself crunchy and I personally think global warming is a bunch of hooey- but I do strive to be a good steward of all that God has given us on this beautiful earth.

-I do not use paper products with the exception of toilet paper, baby wipes and diapers. (I would have loved to do cloth diapers, but never had enough money at one time to invest in them and -God willing- we are done having children.

-I make pretty much everything from scratch and cook using whole ingredients as much as possible.

-I am a pretty hardcore recycler.

-The  kids and I use all natural soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.

-I do yoga.

-I was a CSA (community supported agriculture) member last year and would have LOVED to be one this year if we could have afforded it!

-In our old house, I actually had an indoor clothesline to air dry clothes year-round. No room in our current laundry room.

-I try not to eat much dairy or meat…not sure if this should count because, I am lactose intolerant and I have never really liked meat.

-I have more than one pair of shoes made from recycled tires, fibers, etc.

-I use earth friendly (which happen to be kid friendly) cleaners.

So,  you tell me…am I crunchy, too??

Breakfast bars. July 15, 2009

Looking for a quick, healthy breakfast? We have our freezer stocked with these at all times.  I found the recipe here. Joe takes one of these and a banana with him to work for breakfast every morning. The bars are filling and really stick with you! They also contain spirulina.  You can find spirulina in most health food stores.  A container should cost about $20, but I have always gotten it in the bulk spice section so I didn’t have to buy quite so much at once (and it is a fraction of the cost).

BREAKFAST BARS

2 1/2 c. oats

1/2 c. flax seed

1/4 c. cocoa powder

1/2 c. natural peanutbutter

1/2 c. honey

1/2 t. spirulina (I use closer to 1 t., but start here until you get used to the taste)

1/2- 1 c. hot water

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix well and form into patties.  Wrap in saran wrap and store in refrigerator or freezer.  Makes 8-12 bars.

Fancy Nancy returns. July 15, 2009

Our local Barnes & Noble recently had a Fancy Nancy reading hour. Of course, we were there!!

cutest. July 15, 2009

Look at Miles’ new forks and spoons (couldn’t call them silverware:))

ADORABLE!!

2 weeks post-op. July 15, 2009

Wow! What a crazy week…but more about that later Monday marked 2 weeks since the operation. Miles is doing awesome! He is back to normal during the day- playing, eating, napping, but at bedtime he is still having a little trouble getting comfortable and sleeping all the way through the night. We will have appointments next week with his Neurosurgeon, Plastic surgeon and his Pediatrician.

Today he had his formal evaluation from his speech therapist. An average child scores 100 on the test. There is also a 15 point range in either direction that is considered normal.  Basically anywhere from 85-115 is appropriate for his age. He scored an 81. Just a little below average. I was actually pleasantly surprised! His therapist mentioned that anytime a young child has multiple hospitalizations- they will naturally be delayed in speech. She also said that if a child is delayed in their motor skills that they are also almost always delayed in speech.  I am pretty excited that we were able to get Miles into speech therapy as it is in high demand and waiting lists are long. I think he will do really well!

Here are some photos of how his head is shaping up–

I’m not crunchy. July 7, 2009

My husband often teases me for being “crunchy”. Very funny.  Not sure if I am officially crunchy, but whatever. The thing I find hilarious is that he himself is pretty darn crunchy—you tell me… does this sound like someone who is crunchy???

**edited to include definition after discovering some naughty things on the linked website (Crunchy=adjective. used to describe persons who have altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons, ie; tree huggers, hippies, vegans, environmentalists, natural food store shopping, granola, green)

-He is obsessed with buying organic produce and is completely freaked out that our children might be eating pesticides.

-He becomes very angry if he runs out of granola.

-He likes tofu.

-It is his dream to own a moped.

-He tried to get his office to start recycling.

-He is trying to grow his beard indefinitely.

Hmmmm? What’s the verdict?

In honor of my increasingly crunchy husband…here is the granola recipe that I make for him.

GRANOLA

3 c. oats

1 c. raw sunflower seeds (or nuts)

1 c. shredded, unsweetened coconut

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. pure maple syrup

1/4 c. vegetable oil

3/4 t. salt

1 c. dried fruit (I used blueberries this time)

Combine sugar, syrup, oil and salt. Combine oats, seeds and coconut, stir. Add oil mixture to oats. Spread over 2 cookie sheets and bake at 250 degrees, stirring every 15 minutes until done to your liking (I did 30 minutes). Cool and add dried fruit. Store in airtight container.  Makes approximately 6 cups.

1 week post-op. July 6, 2009

Well, it has already been one week since the big surgery. Miles is crawling around and  pretty much back on his regular sleeping schedule. He is not talking as much as he usually does and is a lot crabbier. Really, he is doing very, very well. The swelling is going down nicely on the sides, but the top and back are still pretty swollen. Here are the official 1 week post-op photos.

Going home! July 3, 2009

Today is our last day at Children’s Hospital! The swelling is going down and he is spending more and more time awake. He’s still Mr. Grumpy, but has been a lot more active today. We got to go on a wagon ride and even let puppy come along So long hospital!

Where’s Tinkerbell? July 3, 2009

So, where has Greta been during our hospital stay? The first couple of nights she stayed with my parents (Mimi and Papa).  Below are photos of some of her adventures there. The next couple of nights she was with our Cousins Jeanna and J.P. and the wonderful Abi!! During  the days she got to play at Great Grandma Lee’s. And this weekend, Greta will get to stay with Joe’s Dad and Stepmother (Nana and Grandpa).Although she has gotten to do so many fun things and go so many fun places,  I think she’s getting pretty exhausted and ready to go home with her family (although she would NEVER admit it ).

Cranial Remodeling, Day 4. July 3, 2009

Sorry, friends- no photos today.  Miles had an awesome day! But I did not get any photos that were a good representation of the day, so poo.  Miles had another great night.  Nana stayed over night to keep me company which was GREAT. I can’t think of anyone else who is crazy enough (or unselfish enough:)) to offer to stay the night in a hospital room! It was great fun. While Miles slept the night away- we had a mini-hospital-slumber party Magazines, a movie and ice cream and lots of girl talk! Just like junior high!!! Ok, just kidding.  Can you tell I’m getting a little loopy being cooped up in this room?

Anyway, Miles was awake a lot more often today. He started to eat more and drink a lot more. We even got smiles and giggles. One of my favorite parts of the day was when he was unhooked from all of the monitors and the nurse told me I could take him on a walk around the floor. We walked laps until my arms started to shake. My little baby is HEAVY!

We had a wonderful visit today from Jill and her lovely kids- Micah, Megan, Mason and Matthew! Jill is my blogging friend who I am blessed enough to know in real life.

Tonight we had a visit from Aunt Jessica, Tracy and Annie brought me dinner. Annie has visited every single day we’ve been here! Miles has so many people who love him and are praying for him. It is truly humbling. There are people all over the country praying for this little boy, not to mention a few in another country

Sounds like we will be heading home tomorrow. Miles’ swelling is going down and he is now able to open both eyes, but he still looks like he was in a fight…and lost.

I’m sure I am forgetting many details about the day, but I am exhausted.