Mango, banana, pineapple, orange popsciles

We are BIG popsicle fans here. By 'we' I mean me...and I'm assimilating Owen.

We finally replaced our broken popsicle molds and I was so excited to start freezing. I thought I'd just go with the usual suspect flavor - lemonade. However, a shortage at TJs left me bummed and waiting.

Then Owen got a bad case of diaper rash and I started looking for ways to incorporate yogurt into his diet, thinking it might help. So I mixed up some plain yogurt with a bit of fruit juice, froze it, and voila! Yogurt pops.

They were ok...not stellar. Jon ate a few bites of one and gave it to me to finish. His face was so sadly disappointed during those few nibbles. It's hard to expect something syrupy sweet and get a tangy mouthful instead. (which Owen and I like but, eh, it's not for everyone.)

These popsicles are super awesome though. I've stumbled onto my new favorite. Yesterday I was looking for a way to use a slightly overripe mango and banana sitting in the fruit bowl. This is what I came up with.

1 ripe or overripe mango - make sure to squeeze at much juice out of the stone as possible.

1 orange or juice of 1 orange.

1 slightly overripe banana

2 cups of frozen pineapple chunks

Blend until smooth. Pour into popsicle molds. (makes about 10-12) Freeze. Wait impatiently. Yum.

You could also freeze into cups and stick a spoon for a handle (in once they get slushy so the spoon will stay straight while it finishes freezing).

I also threw in one cup of plain yogurt to a second batch...we'll see how those come out. You could stretch it with some water or extra juice as well.

Might be my new summer way to eat fruit. I love that it's the actual fruit...not just the juice. Gotta get that fiber!

Anyone else have any popsicle combo ideas?

So let it be done.

I know I need to get things done.

Tonight it was to eat a salad and work on a paper I'm trying to finish. I also wanted to NOT eat cookies and NOT waste time online.

So far I have...wasted time online.

But now, in a feat of extraordinary strength of will, I am going to go make my salad, eat it (at 10 pm, gosh darn it) and get to work on that paper.

And I will NOT eat cookies.

So let it be written.

Gratitude

If, on this Mother's Day, I was to thank one person who played a role in my own motherhood it would be our doula Shayla.

Technically she started as our birthing class instructor.

Jon and I were a tad behind the ball in signing up for birthing classes when I was pregnant with Owen. The hospital courses were booked through March. I was due Jan 30. No one told me that you need to sign up for a class the same day you see the second blue line.

It was one of the best things that ever happened to us.

After a little freaking out (by me) I did what I do best. Researched all our options, over and over and over again. We decided on taking some Bradley Method classes. They're 12 weeks long and I felt comfortable knowing that we'd be investing a little time to learn how this baby was going to make his grand entrance.

Shayla made the whole process seem so...normal. You hear the labor horror stories all the time, right? This was one of the first times I had heard that labor didn't have to be that horror story. That there could be dignity, support, ability, peace. And yes, work. But even then it seemed doable and as my due date drew closer I actually began to look forward to labor as if it was an amazing experience, a miracle that I'd been given the chance to participate in.

I was confident in Jon's ability to help me through the process. After 12 weeks he had mastered the basics. Massage, encouragement, massage, repeat. But we were a little nervous about all the remaining unknowns. What if something did go wrong? What if the baby was stubborn? What if the pain was stronger than I anticipated? Jon and I both felt like we'd be more comfortable if we had someone there to monitor the process, someone who'd translate hospital-ese for us if needed, someone who knew what I was going through and who could work with us even if the doctor or nurse wasn't there. Someone who could spot Jon if he needed a break.

Shayla jumped into that role and was amazing. She met us at the very beginning, two nervous, excited pre-parents, trying their best to stay calm and focused. She helped us in about a million ways during those 14 hours (and I probably only remember about a tenth of it all). And at the end, she made sure we were happy and safe before she slipped out, leaving us basking in the glow of our new baby boy.

It was hard, hard work. It amazes me that she helped us with such quiet grace and strength the entire time. The nurses stopped in periodically, the doctor was there for the delivery, but Shayla was there every moment.

Birth is a vulnerable time, especially for a new mother. I'm grateful that when I play back those memories I feel only peace. I'm grateful that those hospital classes were full of snappy, on the ball parents so that we had to look for other options. And, while it may be an unlikely pick for a Mother's Day shout out, today I'm thankful for our wonderful doula. If only everyone could have that kind of support there probably wouldn't be as many of those labor horror stories.

Thanks for being a part of our happy story, Shayla.

Happy Mother's Day!

Children

"I am struck by the fact that the more slowly trees grow at first, the sounder they are at the core, and I think that the same is true for human beings. We do not wish to see children "precocious," like sprouts producing a soft and perishable timber, but rather, better, as if contending gradually with difficulties, they are solidified and gradually perfected." - from the journal of Henry David Thoreau Nov 5, 1860

Five Happy Months!

Warning. Ever-fest ahead.

Really though, how could I pick just one?

Everly is five months old. (What? Why??)

She:

• is finally on a schedule. I wasn't rushing her but she seems to have settled into a three nap routine. Works for all of us - although some of her naps end up in a wrap - walking around the lake, playing on the playground, or at Giant. 2nd children...

• is working really hard on sitting up. She does great spending time on her stomach now that she has something resembling back muscles. She sits up straighter when we hold her and does that sllloooww baby fall to the side (instead of slumping into a puddle) when we let her sit on her own.

• pulls everything to her mouth. Bowls, hair, toys, cats, Owen, etc. Pre-teething? I'm guessing a tooth with show up this or next month.

• still loves to be sung to. And to 'sing'. Her happiest smile still includes a wrinkled up nose - it's adorable.

• laughs at everything Owen does. Even when he's 'yelling' at her.

• makes me so, so, so, so happy.

Link to Love

Need more family pictures? Or specifically, more pictures of Everly?

I know! Me too!

It's kind of like an addiction. A cute baby addiction.

Check out more of Gbenga's awesome work on his site.

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