Monday 22 December 2014

Christmas Time


Well Christmas is just a few days away. Last year was a little different because (most of) Nick's family were here. This year will be different again with our little Rubester on the scene :)

We're really looking forward to having Christmas morning with her and even though she's too little to really understand, we will delight in watching her open presents (and probably just try to eat the paper). I am so excited to start our own little Christmas traditions.

Until the day arrives, indulge in some Christmas movies (like The Grinch), and tune in to your favourite Christmas music (you can find my favourites here and here).

Have a lovely holiday!

Thursday 18 December 2014

Conversations {the who's dumber edition}


Scenario One: After looking at the artwork Nick and Ruby did during Daddy and Me Storytime.

Nick: Love, I did something so blonde today.
Me: What?
Nick: I was standing in the kitchen, reading the title of the picture on the fridge "O-FISH-ALLY THE WORLD'S BEST DADDY" and I kept wondering to myself, who is O-Fish-Ally?? and why is he the world's best daddy?
Me: No....
Nick: Oh yes I did. Then I googled it. The word 'officially' kept coming up, which I ignored.
Me: Noooo
Nick: It took like 10 minutes until I realized that Oh-Fish-Ally is NOT a character.

Scenario Two: At the Mockingjay movie last week

Nick: Wow, that's a big deer.
Me: {pauses to think; I noticed that it had large antlers; whispers} Wait, if it has antlers...isn't it a moose?
Nick: What?!
Me: Wait, that's not right, is it?
{giggling} I thought that the moose was the boy, and the deer was the girl.
Nick: {laughing} Um, no. Have you ever heard of a stag and doe?
Me: Riiiight. It probably doesn't help that when I was a kid I thought all dogs were boys and all cats were girls.
Nick: {just dying laughing}

Now, you let me know, who's dumber? Or are we equally lost here?

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Thai Peanut Sauce

When Ruby was first home, I could barely make a bowl of cereal. Now that I am (generally) more organized with her, I love cooking again. For dinners, I often make a lot of Asian inspired meals. I used to buy a particular brand of jarred peanut sauce and I do love how it tastes, but I've started making my own sauces and seasonings at home to have more control over the ingredients (ie. not so much hidden sugar). Here's my recipe for a Thai-style peanut sauce. I use it in stir-fries but it could be a dipping sauce, too.





Ingredients:
1 to 2 cloves garlic, put through a press or grated
1 tsp grated ginger
approximately half cup pb (I used the crunchy coconut kind)
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar
a few drops sesame oil
sirracha to taste
1/3 cup water  *note: if you're making this as a dip, I would use a little less water

Simply mix all the ingredients until smooth. If you're making a stir-fry, just add it to the meat/veggies. If you're going to use it as a dip, I would make it a little ahead of time so the flavours have time to marry.

Here's a tip: buy a piece of ginger and then keep it in your freezer. Then you can easily peel and grate what you need anytime.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Things No One Told Me (Or Maybe They Did But I Didn't Believe Them)


In preparation for having Ruby, I did very little reading, but I did hear lots of different information from the women in my life. Although I was happy to get some insight, I don't think I took all of it to heart. Here are a few things that either I had never heard or didn't fully buy into. Let's just say, I was wrong.

1. You will definitely want an epidural. I wasn't convinced, nor should you be since everyone handles pain differently, but I was begging for it, just saying...

2. The Baby Blues. I hadn't even heard of that until I got home with Ruby. I probably would have benefited from a little bit of reading on that one (since I cried every evening for two weeks).

3. Baby Brain. As much as I don't like this one, I still find myself struggling to look for the word I'm trying to use on a daily basis. What IS this?

4. Unsolicited advice from strangers. Maybe I did believe this one, but it annoys me more than I ever thought it would. There's no need to point out that my baby isn't wearing socks. I am aware and I have been outside with her for less than a minute. Now move along.

5. You will become a nervous driver/traveller. Totally didn't buy it, but the flying fear seriously kicked in and when I drive now I feel like everyone is drifting into my lane (not likely).

6. The 'you sleep when the baby sleeps' deal - I figured, ya no problem. I love naps I will be able to do that no problem. Not so much. When Ruby was napping, I wanted to make something to eat, or take a shower, or tidy up a bit (I know people say cleaning can wait but sometimes it's nice to feel like you don't live in a dump), or even just be awake and do something for myself. Even still I only manage a 15 minute cat nap per day.

7. The number of random songs you will make up. I am basically narrating our entire day as some on-going ridiculous song. Some of my better (and repeat) titles include: The Pants Dance, Let's Change Your Diap- y, Lotion Lotion Lotion and Pants Aren't Food.

8. You will hover over your sleeping child, staring at them in awe, but if they so much as move a pinky finger, you army crawl out of there immediately because you can't deal with it if they wake up.

9. You will do insane things to make your kid smile. Strange faces, making sounds that only animals would make, and star jumps...all in a day's work.

{case in point: me doing a lot of silly smiles to solicit a somewhat aloof half smile}

These are some things I've come across in the first six months of Ruby's life (I can't believe she's six months old already!). I'm sure I will have a follow up post to this one in the coming months.

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