Abigail is my two year old. Her name means joy to the father. I'm pretty sure it would have to be since she is driving her mother crazy. I've never had a two year old like Abbey. My relatives shake their heads when I say this and remind me that Audrey was pretty clingy and Sadie falls on her head a lot. To this I smile. There is a difference between parental attachment issues, accident prone children, and ones who are pure mischievious. Abbey is the one who sneaks black pens in her shirt to draw on the leather couch when I'm not looking. She will pull a stool all the way from the kitchen to the master bathroom to get into my makeup. She will refuse to eat no matter what you do until Daddy walks in and then it is all smiles and open mouths. The problem is that she is so cute no one (who hasn't been around awhile) believes me. Last night though I got validation.
We went to an 8:30 pm party for a work friend of my husband. I was very leery about bringing the kids. It was an adult birthday party at his new townhouse. There would be alcohol, in glasses and in the cake. The hostess however knew that kids had been invited and had made a separate smaller cake for them. Ben said we had to bring the kids. We dressed them up cute. We threatened them all the way down. We told everyone it was way past their bedtime and we would not be staying long. Our kids were awesome though. They were polite, they entertained (in a good way). They never yelled, shouted, asked for toys, or whined. They ate their cake and sat on the couches answering questions and playing with each other. At about nine thirty a lady I had been talking to pointed to Abbey and said, 'she's your trouble maker huh?'
'How did you know? Is it the age?'
'No, I'm a pediatrician and after awhile you can spot them, even when they are behaving.'
Thank you unknown party guest. Finally, someone else sees it.

I Love Spring

I love spring weather. I love the trees just starting to sprout green. I love the flowers popping up. I love that my girls would rather be outside than in. I love that the weather makes me want to get out and do something.
What I don't love is the pollen that suddenly drops all in one night and covers our cars, house, yard, bikes, and everything in a yellow dust.

Happy Birthday Dustin!!

This morning my brother Dustin told me that he doesn't really like people knowing it's his birthday. He is getting older so it's really not a big holiday anymore. He even has a deal with a guy at work who 'knows' that if he doesn't tell then Dustin won't tell when it's this guy's birthday. Seriously, what is wrong with these people? In respect to his personal space and wishes I waited a whole half day before posting. Out of respect I will try to make it as subtle as possible.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN!!

That's not too bad is it? I mean, Dustin is a cool guy, probably one of the coolest I know so I wouldn't want to do anything that he wouldn't like. I know he likes his space. For instance, I know he wouldn't mind if I told people that when he was little he use to dress up in camouflage and walk around thinking he was actually invisible. Speeding car headed his way...no problem, he had on the camo pants. Or that time when he was sent to his room and then cut out the screen with a pair of scissors to escape. Or that he was the worst dare devil that there ever was. Take a flying leap off a huge trailer in the backyard because he could simply catch on to the trees with the 1/2 inch rope? He could do it. He was the rollerblading, cut off your toe, get more stitches than all the other kids combined kind of kid. So I know he won't mind when I very discreetly say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN!!

You know, Dustin was even cool in high school. My senior year and his junior year we ate together nearly every day. I'm pretty sure it was me and not my cute friends. We use to ditch and go hang out at the mall, at Denny's, at the movie theatre....anywhere mom might not catch us (although she usually did). Once we lost my keys on top of the sunglass rack at a major department store and had to hunt through the mall for them. Can't remember what the excuse for being late that time was. I might also be the only person on the planet who busts up whenever he says, "a little thick at the bottom, huh?" I still love Belgium waffles with strawberries and cream. One of my best times was when a group of girls were getting together the night before a dance to do the 'girl's preparation night' thing. I didn't get invited and tried to act like it was no big deal. Dustin dragged me out of my room, went to the store with me to buy nail polish, leave in conditioner, and goodies then watched a chick flick while I 'prepared'. What can I say...he was a cool guy. So like it or not I just have to say,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN!!

Even today, he calls to make sure I'm doing okay and lets me ramble on and on so I get it all out of my system before Ben comes home. My kids call him Uncle Bob and know his ringtone. He knows me well enough to buy me 'Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters' for my birthday. If anyone asked me who I would want to spend my day with, he would be a top choice. So.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUSTIN!!

Someday the Pictures May Come....But Not Today

I have to figure out the camera soon. We are out of room on the memory cards and Ben really does have some awesome pictures of Turkey. In the meantime you get more of me rambling, mostly about food because I'm pregnant. At least that's my excuse for this year. Next year I'll be nursing and needing the nutrients. Today the food is Irish.

In the past we have always had a 'green' meal on St. Patty's Day but this year I wanted to go a little more traditional. I looked up the ever trusty allrecipes.com website where the featured cuisine in America is corned beef and cabbage. My first thought was yuck. I decided on an Irish Stew with Soda bread. I love a thick stew. Later I walked over to a friend's house. She happens to be Irish on both sides. I suggested getting together on the 17th (hoping she would make dessert, she makes lovely desserts). I casually mentioned that the thought of corned beef and cabbage makes me run for the nearest fast food restaurant. She was astounded. She was appalled. She stated that I have never before had her corned beef and cabbage. We then got out her Irish cook books and looked up desserts. Turns out the Irish like Trifle. We decided to just go ahead and make everything. After all, your only Irish once a year.
Anyone else have plans for St. Patrick's Day?

2806?

I just had to take off the baby counter. It was saying I had 2806 days left, which was making me very depressed.
The loooong week is over. We went to pick up Ben last night from the airport. He was suppose to get a ride with a buddy but we thought it would make a fun surprise to pick him up. I looked up his flight beforehand and saw that he was due to come in early. We left at around 5pm and I starting bemoaning the fact that I didn't look up directions beforehand. I knew to take the toll road to the airport but did I stay on the Sam Houston Toll Road or exit at the Hardy at some point? When in doubt, follow the taxi cabs. We got there without getting lost in about 30 minutes. Really good time. We found a place to park with no problem, found the terminal he was coming out of and looked at the little screen that said he was still going to be early. It was about 5:40.
We had about a 20 minute wait before arrival.
30 minutes later the screen changed to say they would be late.
20 minutes later it said he had arrived.
10 minutes later I realized that he was going through customs and it was taking a loooong time.
5 minutes later my kids were sprawled on the ground, enthusiasm gone, wanting to know what was taking so long and complaining that they were really hungry. There was a starbucks but I had left my wallet in the car.
This is about the time we decided to move and I got into a conversation with a lady who's children were also sprawled on the ground complaining they were hungry. They were cuter though because they had South African accents.
About 7pm he walked out.
Suddenly everything was okay.
Pictures of Turkey to follow.

You've Come a Long Way Baby

A few weeks ago I was at my friend Catherine's house when she shared a lovely and easy to make penne pasta dish with me. I immediately asked for the recipe. (I love that I am past the morning sickness stage). Today I decided to make it for lunch. I was adding whole wheat penne pasta, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and real Parmesan cheese when I thought about the pasta dish I use to make all the time while I was first married. Here is the recipe for that one:

Wacky Mac Pasta
Italian Dressing
(and if you are feeling fancy you may add tomatoes, olives, or cheese)

The recipe I made today: (Credits to Catherine Craner)
Kitchen Sink Capellini:
1/2 c. sun-dried tomatoes
1 lb penne pasta
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 garlic cloves
1 - 28oz can diced tomatoes, drained (Catherine uses stewed)
1 - 6oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained & chopped (don't drain! It's yummy and add more!)
1 - 4oz can sliced black olives, drained
1 tsp dried Basil (Used fresh today!)
salt & pepper
Parmesan Cheese to top

Both are fairly simple recipes but let's face it - budget permitting, I have become a pasta snob.