Friday, March 27, 2009

A new adventure for me




I signed up for a Learn to Run Clinic through our local Running Room! I'm very excited! I start next week and apparently by the end of the 10-week clinic, I'm going to be able to run for 20 minutes. I'm not entirely sure how that is going to happen because right now I can probably only run for 2 minutes before I'd be ready to pass out, but I'm excited to work towards it.

I'm really nervous about doing this, but running is something I've always wanted to do and, I think, something I will enjoy. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I think this is a start!!!

OH. MY. GOSH. Look what Asher just happened to do for the first time today while I had the camera in hand. I think he is starting to get it! I'm so proud of him right now I could cry!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Probably not my "shining" moment

So today Asher and I were playing in the living room and, as usual, I'm trying to encourage him to risk a little and become more mobile. Today we had a tumble while standing up holding on to the coffee table, which resulted in this:





Do you see that little shiner on his forehead? Poor guy. It's all a part of learning, I guess.


The good news is, atleast his hair covers it!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

"We would give anything for what we have"
Tony Hoagland


I received this quote yesterday as part of a gratitude email subscription that I'm a part of. I thought about it all day. God has blessed me in so many ways, and it's so easy to forget that in the midst of the chaos of life. I hope I can remember this simple reminder to be grateful for what I have.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Mother Goose week

The moon is round,
As round can be
Two eyes, a nose, and a mouth
Like me!

This week we have 3 Mother Goose classes. 3! That's a lot, but we love it.

For those of you who don't know, I became a trained facilitator of the Parent-Child Mother Goose Program in December. Here's what the website says about the program:

"The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program®is a group experience for parents and their babies and young children which focuses on the pleasure and power of using rhymes, songs, and stories together. Parents gain skills and confidence which can enable them to create positive family patterns during their children's crucial early years, and give their children healthy early experiences with language and communication."

Asher and I participated in our first PCMG in September, and rejoined again in January. In January, I also became a volunteer with the organization here that offers the program and have been co-teaching since then. Asher and I both love the program a lot, and it's so cool to see when he recognizes one of the songs or rhymes (which he does most of them).

So since this week we are finishing up both of the classes we are currently involved in, we also decided to do a PCMG group here at our home with some of our friends. We're about to start teaching 8 weeks on our own! I am very excited, and the class is also at a time when Greg will be able to participate with Asher, which is a bonus. PCMG has been so great for our family, and often when Asher is fussy or crying, a familiar song or rhyme is just what settles him down.

Yay Mother Goose!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I spy with my little eye...

...2 little white teeth. Can you see them?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Vegetable & Corn Chowder

After our bout with the flu last week, a nice bowl of soup was just what I needed. This recipe is my favorite vegetarian chowder. I just love it!


Vegetable & Corn Chowder

1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 large potato, diced
2 TBSP plain all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock
2 heads of broccoli, cut in florets
3 cups canned sweetcorn in brine, drained
3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper
1 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro to garnish (yuck, I never put this in)


1. Heat oil in a large saucepan and saute the onion, bell pepper, garlic and potato for 2-3 minutes, stirring.

2. Stir in the flour and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the milk and stock.

3. Add the broccoli and sweetcorn. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese until it melts.

5. Garnish with remaining cheese and cilantro and serve.