My Guess As to How Seamus Colored Our Cool Whip Without Opening It

Last week, Seamus the Leprechaun came to pay us a visit for St. Patrick's Day.  I have had a few people who wanted me to theorize how in the world Seamus did his little trick with our Cool Whip.  So, here's where I take my guess.

Well, first, in case you didn't read about it, we got our totally sealed package of Cool Whip out of the refrigerator after being told by Seamus in a note that he left us a trick in our Cool Whip.  (Seamus is lucky we had Cool Whip, as I never buy it.)  We cut open the seal and opened it to find regular Cool Whip.  Just in case a trick was hiding, we got a spoon and stirred it around to see if anything was hidden inside.  Imagine our surprise when our Cool Whip started turning green!  How crazy!

So, while I totally think that Seamus is just a prankster, I do have a guess on how he might have been so tricky, just in case you ever wanted to see if you could reproduce what he did for another holiday or April Fools Day.  (For the record, I don't like April Fools Day pranks, but this would be pretty harmless, so I'm all for it.)

My guess on this step by step process:

1.  We already had the Cool Whip in our refrigerator.  If we hadn't, I'm sure Seamus would have had to have allowed it to thaw first.

2. I bet he might have turned over the sealed Cool Whip container and used a steak knife to cut a long slit along the bottom.

3. From there, I imagine he would have taken a gel food coloring and stuck the tip of the green right inside the slit on the bottom of the Cool Whip.  I suspect he just went a little crazy putting a bunch in.

4. He would have had to have fit the opening back together, and wiped off any mess that got out (being careful to throw away paper towel that got food coloring on it).

5. Then, maybe he used packing tape to seal it all up on the bottom very well.  He probably would have known that my kids wouldn't have inspected the packaging.  But, if kids were apt to do that, I wonder if he might have put some white paper over the opening before sealing it up.

6. Just because Seamus cares about the chance of leaks in our refrigerator, I bet he would have finished up by casually setting the container on a plate in our refrigerator.  He may be a prankster, but I bet he would be nice enough to not want to take the chance of getting food coloring on my shelf.  (For the record, he wouldn't have needed the plate, but better safe than sorry.)

This is all just my guesses, of course.  Maybe you have a better guess than I do, or you might want to try a different guess for just certain steps. 

Have fun!

Easy Make Ahead Crab Dip

One of my favorite things about having parties or get-togethers that my Mom goes to with me is that I can ask her to make crab dip for it.  I love that crab dip.  I crazy love it.

I recently needed to take an appetizer to a dinner and I had my mind on crab dip.  It has not been unusual for me to just buy things to make the crab dip and then give them to my Mom, who would make it up for me.  Yeah, I know.  That sounds bad.  Don't judge me -- let's call it learned helplessness instead.  So, back to my need for this crab dip.  My Mom was out of town, and I was on my own.  But, do you know what that means?  That means that I now know how easy it is to make, and I will never again have to sadly wait for a party to have some.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds imitation crab
• 16 oz reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 package green onions, diced (use as many as is your preference)
• Dill weed (again, this is to taste, but use it liberally)

Directions:

1. Cut up imitation crab. 

2. Add sour cream into crab and stir to combine.

3. Add diced green onions and dill weed to crab mixture.

4. Refrigerate.  (It is best if this can be refrigerated overnight, or at least for several hours.)

We normally serve this with crackers, though you could have it on salads or in a sandwich, if desired.

On a side note: Sorry, Mom, for always having to share your recipes.  Although you said the other day that I was turning in to Martha Stewart (which I thought was wildly hilarious, though you meant it sincerely), any domestic things I know are thanks to you.  I don't have any desire to be a Martha Stewart if there is a chance that I can be more like you instead.








This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

The Valentine's Dance

Since Eric and I have been dating since high school, all of my memories of formals and semi-formals include him.  That's kind of fun, I think.  I don't have to say to people, "Oh yeah -- do you remember when I went to prom with that guy?" 

I can remember picking out the special dresses, getting hair done, and evenings filled with dancing and friends.  They are great memories.  I'd even go so far as to say that they were definitely some of the finer things in life.

But, I have to say that without a doubt, even more special a memory will be the Valentine Dance that Eric went to this year.  He took another girl to the dance though, but that's okay.  At least I got to help her get ready.  (I even picked out her corsage that was made with sweetheart roses and sprayed with glitter, though Eric got all the credit.  But, I was pretty darn okay with that too.)

So, yeah -- my man took another girl to a Valentine Dance.  But, it was definitely one of the finer things in life.

How Do You Get Caught Up?

I don't know if it's the weather or so much sickness going around or just the time of year, but it seems like a lot of people that I have talked to lately report just feeling behind in just about everything.  I am feeling like that too. 

So, of course, I know that none of us can "do it all," but I would love to hear some of your best tips for getting caught up when you are feeling behind.  Mind you, it doesn't have to be how you get totally caught up, maybe just a tip or two to help in getting caught up.

 (Oh, and on a side note -- Happy Birthday to my wonderful, amazing, super cool Mom!  Love you!)







photo by Sybren A. Stüvel

Real Life Confessions: The Lack of Focus Edition

People online say it, and so do people I know in person, "Angie -- you do so much.  You have it all together.  How do you do it all?"

I don't.

That is -- I don't have it all together and I don't do it all.  As a matter of fact, I'm feeling a bit listless and unfocused lately.  I feel like I don't have anything to say that would interest anyone, and so my blog is giving me a little bit of anxiety.

And, what I have learned is that if I say something is giving me "a little bit of anxiety," it means that it's a knots in my stomach, heart palpitations kind of "little bit of anxiety."

Why share this here?  Because, quite frankly, if I'm going to share about making Christmas trees out of paint stirring sticks, whipping up home baked Christmas gifts, and how I finally got all the toys in the house under control, then I need to keep it real by saying it's not all rainbows and sunshine everyday.  It's been a long day and I'm tired. 

I'd like to have a witty little way to wrap this one up, but I don't.  In fact, trying to think of one is making me even more anxious.  And, none of us want that, do we?









This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.  Not so much because this mood works for me, but it works for me to share being real with all of you.

Real Life Confessions: I Really, Really Bribed My Kids

Oh sure, I've admitted to bribing my kids before, like when I shared that I will pay them a dime every time they try a new food (or a food that they already know they don't care for).  And, darn it -- I stand by that bribery.  It hardly costs me anything and I can't believe the things they have tried for a mere ten cents.

But, I am a bit ashamed to admit that I really bribed them at Thanksgiving.  I'm not talking dimes either.  I'm talking serious cash.

My kids don't like animals.  Their feelings on animals range from mild distaste to overwhelming fear.  Actually, I have misspoken.  They actually all like animals.  They all like to read about animals, watch shows about animals, and they love to see animals at places like a zoo.  They just don't understand why anyone in their right mind would want to own a pet.  And, furthermore, they have zero desire to be at the home of anyone who would do something as crazy as owning a pet.

We have been blessed by many understanding family and friends.  I can't tell you how many times the dear people in our lives have put away animals or even had them go to friend's houses while we are there.

But, back to the bribery.

We went out of state for Thanksgiving to be with family.  We were meeting at my grandparents house, which is always an experience, since they have a very active Yorkshire Terrier named Rambo.  This means that the day is spent with quite a lot of consoling fears, as well as Eric keeping the kids downstairs while the dog is upstairs and my Grandpa keeping the dog downstairs while they kids are upstairs.  Oh, and then there is the horribly uncomfortable keeping the dog in a separate room during the meal.  He barks, everyone feels bad, and my kids get nervous.  Oh the holiday fun.

So, as we were at the hotel the night before Thanksgiving, I threw down the challenge.  I hadn't preplanned it.  It all just popped out of my mouth as I talked.  We talked a lot about the dog and what they could expect when they saw the dog.  Then, I told them that if they didn't cry, didn't cause a scene, didn't make it necessary for the dog to be somewhere else, I would pay them.  

Each child had the possibility of earning up to $30.  No, you didn't read that wrong -- that's a three and a zero, which would total $90 if everyone got it.  I wanted it to be an amount that would really get their attention.  And, trust me -- it was.  I told them that if they freaked out when they walked in, but then calmed down after the initial confrontation, I would give them $10 (instead of the $30).  I was sure that I would not be paying it all out, but thought I might be paying out the $10 each.

When we got to my grandparents, we reminded the kids what the dog would do (lots of jumping and kissing) and then brought the kids in one at a time. There was definitely nervousness, but not a single tear.  As a matter of fact, there were even some giggles.

After some initial shyness, both Jack and Molly wouldn't stop playing with Rambo all day.  Actually, first Molly thought his name was Scramble, and then she started calling him Scrambo.  All they talked about that day (and for the days afterwards) was "Scrambo."  Molly even drew pictures of him and her together to send to Great-Grandma and Great-Papa.  Noah never did play with Rambo, but he did sit and pet him for quite a while.

When we got home, I stopped by the ATM and got out money.  I then paid each of my kids $30.  Whew!  

You know what though?  It was a beautiful day.  They had a wonderful time.  All of my family members seemed more at ease when my kids weren't causing a scene.  My Grandpa didn't have to hide out in the basement with the dog.  Eric and I were both so happy that it went smoothly.  We all stayed much longer than we expected we would.

So, yeah, I bribed my kids.  But, you know what?  That was just about the best $90 I have ever spent.








photo by yomanimus

Don't Do Yoga in the Bathtub (and Other Things You Thought You'd Never Say)

Sometimes, in parenthood, you say words together in a sentence that you would never have dreamed that you would put together.  You know those kinds of sentences, don't you?

Just yesterday, after hearing a splash and running for the bathroom, I had to say to Jack, "Don't do yoga in the bathtub."


Do you have any gems to share like this?


 






photo by  Voxphoto

7 Quick Takes: October 23, 2009 (Vol. 19)

~ 1 ~

Right now, I have orange star-shaped Post It notes all over my house.  They are stuck to the walls and to many surfaces.  Many, many surfaces.  Some have pictures on them, and some have labels of whatever they are stuck to.

Molly and Jack did this yesterday.  They did one, and then asked if they could do more.  It would have been easy to say, "Don't make a mess, guys.  Let's not do that."

Instead, I said, "Sure," just about every time they asked about a new area of the house.  Not only did they have fun, but I am actually enjoying being able to see happy stars each time I look around.

~ 2 ~

I have been at a bit of a loss lately about what to write about on my blog.  The funny thing is, I feel busier than ever.  Isn't it amazing how you can be so busy sometimes, but have so little to say?

Does this happen to anyone else, or is it just me?

~ 3 ~

Are you planning on going to Blissdom 2010?

Registration will be opening next week for those that have not attended before.  This looks like such a good time!

~ 4 ~

I was so thrilled earlier this week to have officially finished a set of eight (mostly) identical handmade Christmas gifts that I had been working on!

I bought all of the materials last December, and then left them sitting around until late summer.  I even kept thinking, "I don't really want to work on this anymore."  But, of course, I had already invested the money into the project, and decided that I needed to stop being wasteful, and just suck it up and make them.

So, on Sunday of this week, after having spent four all day crops working only on this project, they are all done!  I'm so thrilled.  I would show pictures (I will after Christmas), but some people that will be getting them also read this blog.

I just hope that those receiving the gifts will like them!

~ 5 ~

This week, there were several days where I canceled things that we had planned.  Not only did Eric and I skip out on a class that we were supposed to go to (we still did our reading and homework though) in order to have dinner together instead, but I also canceled things throughout the week.  Things that it wasn't a big deal if we canceled or didn't attend, of course.

It was just what we needed!  I realized that sometimes a person just really needs to be a lot less committed, and it's not a sign of weakness.  Sometimes, it's just a sanity saver.

~ 6 ~

One thing that Eric and I did find time to do this past week was to watch the Netflix movies that we had received.  We watched The Proposal last weekend.  We both really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it. 

We also watched the first disc of season one of The Big Bang Theory, since we only began watching that show several months ago.  We agreed that we would only watch one episode before Eric went to bed.  Instead, seven episodes later, he had been up way too late (on a weeknight!), but we definitely enjoyed it!

~ 7 ~

Why do I have to consistently have such a hard time finding a science homeschooling program that I like for the kids?  Last year, we did Catholic Heritage Curricula's Behold and See 3, and I did like that.  But, now I'm at a loss.  We have tried a couple of things, and it's not working.

I will be continuing my science quest soon, I suspect.  Wish me luck.

 

Be sure to check out both 7 Quick Takes and Weekly Wrap-up!

photos by: google images (post it notes) / Image Editor (science)/ hannahspanna (writer's block) / creativeFlutter AKA MazerDesign (handmade gift box)

7 Quick Takes: August 21st (Vol. 12)

~ 1 ~

I have had a strong desire lately to work on another mixed media painting. I just loved working on the ones that I gave to some of my sisters for Christmas last year, as well as one that I kept for myself.

(The one shown here was the 16x20 canvas that I made for my sister Erin, after we kept saying that at a scrapbooking retreat amongst our family members.)

I have all of the paints I need, lots of different papers picked out as being good candidates, and even several sizes of canvas. Apparently all I need is to make it a priority to find the time to work on one sometime.

~ 2 ~

I did, however, work on a painting with watercolor crayons this week. Granted, it looks much like a third grader did it, but I'm cool with that. I know that I am not much of an artist. But, I do know that I had fun creating it, and that's what matters.

My reason for working on that was that the kids were working on their weekly lesson from Artistic Pursuits (from our curriculum this school year). I really love this curriculum. We're in the K - 3rd grade Book 1, and it's so fun. We've been talking about what artists do, looking at pictures of famous pieces of art (along with discussion questions), and then working on our own art.

One of my favorite parts is that we were told which art supplies we needed, and they were real art supplies. There is just something exciting about using watercolor paper (instead of computer printer paper), real watercolor crayons, and nicer paint brushes that cost $4 per brush, instead of the kinds of brushes that you get five in a pack for $2.

My other favorite part? Those real art supplies inspire me to sit down with the kids and do my own project. And, in that, I am showing them that you don't have to be good to enjoy creating art.

~ 3 ~

This week found us at Molly's very first ballet lesson ever.

Oh. my. goodness.

It was so cute that I thought I might have to cry.

Molly enjoyed herself, and is looking forward to her next lesson. I'm looking forward to watching her and her classmates work again. (If Molly can just work on keeping her eyes on her teacher, and not me, it would be even better.)

Oh yeah, and I'm also looking forward to hearing her teacher call the class of girls aged four to six years old to attention. Because, while it's cute to see them all ready for their lesson, it's even cuter each time the instructor says, "Okay, ladies..."

~ 4 ~

I have been worrying about our math curriculum decision. I kept thinking, "Maybe we need to try Math-U-See." Then, I went to their website again, and was again confused by the videos. I finally realized that we were just fine with our Horizons Math.

But, just as an extra help to Jack, I introduced him to Touch Math. And, you know what? That really helped.

It also saved me over $100 in buying new math books.

Double bonus.

~ 5 ~

I have worked on losing weight off and on for a few years. Honestly -- I don't have very much willpower, so it never seems to work very well. (Although I did once lose a little over 25 pounds, but then I just put it back on later.)

Deciding that it was time that I really worked on it, I convinced Eric that we should challenge my parents to see which couple could lose the most (based on percentages).

Apparently we're all in. I just hope that the prospect of a night away without the kids (it would be our first ever) is enough to push us both to actually lose some weight.

And, on the up side, even if we lost the challenge, I would be happy to see my parents do well. So, it will be win-win. (But we still would like to be the winners, of course. Well, except I can't actually imagine being gone overnight without the kids.)

~ 6 ~

I have had the song "Lost!" by Coldplay in my head most of the day.

While I really like that song, I just might be ready to have it out of my head soon. I'm thinking of listening to it several times loudly tomorrow, and hopefully that will help. You know, or it will make it worse. Definitely one of the two.

~ 7 ~

When something good happened the other day, I said aloud, "God -- what did I do to deserve such a blessing?"

Then, in an instant, I realized that if God gave me what I deserved, He'd probably drop kick me across the room. I'm thankful that we have a God who doesn't give us what we deserve, and who loves us so faithfully.

Make sure to visit Conversion Diary for more 7 Quick Takes!

photo credits: "I Think Your Girlfriend Gave Me the Stink Eye" -- Angie @ Many Little Blessings / "Tippy Toes" by something.from.nancy / "Toledo Scale" by Brave Heart

Why Can't We Manage to Cry Out for Help When We're Lost?

On a recent drive into the country to go to a friend's house for a playdate, with the kids happily talking in the back, planning what they would do with them that sunny afternoon, I couldn't help but to suddenly think of something that had happened on the way back from this friend's house a couple of months ago.

As a family, we all went out to eat dinner with my friend's family at their home and spend the evening enjoying their company. On the way home, we decided to try a route that was different than the one we usually take -- a highway that can wind around and be dark, but we know it. Instead, we decided to use our GPS and see if we could find another way home.

The kids were mostly quiet in the back of the van, as the GPS told us which way to go. Eric and I, however, used our knowledge of what we thought the way was, and seemed to continually go the opposite of the way the GPS told us each time. As we did this, we discussed it, often like this, "I'm pretty sure if we go straight here instead, then that will be more direct." Over and over we did this.

Sometimes, we had to drive considerably slower than the posted speed limit. We thought we knew where we were and where we were headed, but it was difficult to be in the countryside in the pitch black, save for the headlights.

Again, the GPS would tell us one way, and we confidently went another way.

Noah (our very sensitive almost 10 year old) chimed in, "Are we lost?"

No, we assured him, in a quick manner. We thought we knew a better way than the GPS, we told him, and then busied ourselves with talk amongst ourselves of the next turn, and what we thought would be around it.

I know that at this point, it probably does sound like we were lost. But, we weren't. We did know where we were going. And, finally when we were to familiar sites, we heard an audible sigh come from Noah. It was a sigh that said so much about his state of mind at that point.

He then went on to say, "I'm so glad we aren't lost anymore."

I told him again, "We knew where we were going, it was just a different way."

It was almost as if he couldn't comprehend that. He continued, with fear still in his voice, "I prayed and prayed. I prayed that God and all of His Angels would watch over us and protect us."

I was rendered nearly speechless. I wanted to sob. He had been so afraid, but he didn't tell us. Sure, he hinted at it when he asked if we were lost, but he didn't really tell us. It seemed that he was so deep in his despair and fear that he couldn't imagine that we could help. Because, of course, if he had told us how scared he was, we would have reassured him more. We would have told him exactly what route we were taking to get us safely home.

It was on that later sunny trip that I realized that there are lots of those times in our lives. Lots of those dark and winding road experiences, they just don't all happen in a dark and winding road in the back of your parents' minivan.

And, just like in Noah's time in darkness, for many of us, there are people who are willing to help. Really, they are not only willing to help, but they want nothing more than to help us feel safe. The problem is, it is in those times when the people who are able to help us don't know how scared we are. Why is it that it's so hard to speak up and ask for that help? Why is it that so many of us are afraid to admit that we are scared or too stressed or just can't do it all?

I took comfort in knowing that in such a deep despair, Noah looked to God for help. I think that was part of what made me want to cry too. But, another part was that I wished he would have asked for help. I would have been there for him. I would have had Eric pull over, I would have climbed back to him in the van, put my arms around him and promised him that we would get him safely home.

I just hope that maybe my quiet reflection that sunny day will act as a reminder to me that the next time I think that I'm lost on that dark and winding road - there are a lot of people in my life that would gladly pull over the van, put their arms around me, and promise that I will get safely home. And, likewise, I pray that I can listen as I go through life for the chance to be that person to someone else.



photo by bionicteaching

Apparently He Didn't Really Want The Truth

In what has become a virtual domino effect, we have had visit after visit from the Tooth Fairy over the last few months. It was so long in between visits, and then all of the sudden, we seemed to have teeth coming out at least once every couple of weeks. (In one week, I think that Noah and Jack each lost one tooth.)

So, in an unsurprising turn, there has been a lot of Tooth Fairy talk. And, with that, a lot of finger pointing.

"Is there really a Tooth Fairy?" seemed to be a question out of Jack's mouth frequently. Each time, I would say, "What do you think?"

After a visit this week for Noah, Jack just wouldn't let up. And, in true Jack form, he kept making expressions that said, "I know it's you."

I finally gave up. "Jack, do you really want to know the truth? Really?"

"Yes," he said with a smile at me that said, "Finally -- just admit that it's you." Instead, he continued, "Just whisper it in my ear."

I got close to him, and I whispered in his almost eight year old ear the words that I thought he was expecting. I thought he would feel all superior that he had already suspected the truth.

Instead, he took in a deep breath and turned his head. And then he began to cry. To tell the truth, I started to cry then too. I just didn't expect that reaction, and I felt like a bad Mom for breaking his heart like that, especially when I didn't even think it would upset him at all.

All of this was followed by a long talk that ended with a promise. He promised that he would still believe in the Tooth Fairy. It's just that now, he knew that the Tooth Fairy doesn't come with pixie dust and sometimes stumbles in his room on the way to get the tooth. But, he also knows that the Tooth Fairy loves to leave him a surprise, because the real Tooth Fairy loves him very much.

But, just so this doesn't sound too much like rainbows and unicorns, I will admit that he was happy to agree to that because I let him know that the real Tooth Fairy would never come and switch out another tooth for money again if she had even an inkling that he was telling anyone else that he figured out her true identity.

He said it was a deal, because, as he said when we finished our heart to heart, "I really, really love the Tooth Fairy," and then he gave me a hug.

image by betsystreeter

Many Little Links: The Watch for a Contest Edition

Check out some links that I have enjoyed during this week and be sure to check back tomorrow for the start of a contest. Maybe it's for a fruit cake. Or, perhaps something a little more lively...a little more musical...

Arts & Crafts:

Plain to Pretty Candle Tutorial -- Linaloo

Make it This Weekend: Ultra Easy Rag Quilt -- Home Ec 101

Household Management:

Household Uses for Vinegar, The Ultimate Frugal Solution -- Frugal Dad

Education & Learning Ideas:

10 Tips for Parents of Reluctant Readers -- The Well-Read Child

Cooking / Baking Topics:

Cookie Dough Log Rolls -- Make and Takes

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake -- A Simple Walk

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies -- Joy the Baker

Miscellaneous:

Your Home: The Best Company to Work For -- Simple Mom

photo by Professor Bop

I Love Mommy Calling Cards (plus free download) WFMW #49

I just love Mommy Calling Cards! Who says that as a stay at home (or work at home) Mom that you shouldn't be able to whip out a business card?

I have found so many times that someone needed my phone number or email address, when it was just easier to give them my card, rather than rummage through my purse and write the information on the back of a Target receipt in cornflower blue crayon.

Not only is it so much easier, but I always get comments like, "Oh wow! This is so cool!"

I actually like Calling Cards so much that I used to design and sell them. Nowadays though, I just modify my designs so that they can be printed for free on VistaPrint and then allow that design to be downloaded from my blog.

So, to go along with this Works for Me Wednesday, I decided to upload one of my most popular designs.

It is for your personal use only (please direct people here to download cards, instead of emailing them or posting a direct link on your blog to the download) and you must be able to open PSD files (photoshop).

Enjoy! I hope Calling Cards will work for you too!

Click here to download the Molly design (shown above)

Click here to see previously uploaded designs, which can still be downloaded.

To find more tips, tricks, and ideas, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer!

Labor Day Meme

Rocks in my Dryer has posted a fun Labor Day meme. It may not be about the kind of labor that the day talks about, but it is labor all the same.

How long were your labors?

Noah - 21 1/2 hours

Jack - 7 hours

Molly - 9 hours

How did you know you were in labor?

With Noah, my water broke at 11:45 pm on a Sunday night, which was his due date. It was a heat wave, and we lived in a tiny apartment with window air conditioning units. As if this was not hot enough, I had been nesting, apparently, and had spent hours baking cookies and cupcakes for Eric to take to work with him the next day, since his birthday was the next day.

As soon as I took the last batch out of the oven and sat down to rest for just a second, my water broke. Needless to say, we took the cookies and cupcakes to the hospital with us and offered them to people.

For Jack and Molly, I was induced.


Where did you deliver?

At the only hospital in our area that has a labor and delivery department, you know, because that's really the only place my doctor would meet me for the big show.

Drugs?

Absolutely yes! Although, I did hold out for 12 hours of Noah's labor before finally agreeing to an epidural. I was talking about the epidural before I even went into labor with the second two, and hoped they might give it to me at the admit desk.

C-section?

Thankfully, no. They did discuss it a bit during my labor with Noah, as it was going on for a long time (and my water had broken, of course) with little to no progress. But, who knew I would then later go from 4 cm to 10 cm in about 90 minutes (after a good 18+ hours to get to 4 cm)

Who delivered?

For Noah, it was the irritating doctor who was on call. I had so many issues with that man, and was not pleased.

Thankfully, because I shared these concerns about that same doctor right before I was induced with Jack, my doctor promised me she would be there for the delivery. (She actually hung out in my room for two hours visiting, after coming back to the hospital after exercising.)

Molly was more of a planned induction, so my doctor was there again. Well -- only Molly came out so fast and they didn't know that she was ready to come out, so it's just lucky that my doctor popped by my room before going in to do a C-section. To point out how fast this all happened, my Mom passed the doctor coming in my room because she was going to go to the bathroom around the corner. When my Mom came back, I was on the verge of delivering. Crazy, huh?

13 Relationship Portraits (TT #25)

Thirteen Relationship Portraits

Okay, I swear -- this is the last one. I have already posted portraits of babies and maternity, children aged 12 - 23 months, and children (preschoolers to preteens). I promise -- this is the last one.

(Well, maybe as a round up to finish it off -- but not as a Thursday Thirteen, I will post some senior portraits later. But, since I only ever did two senior portrait sessions, I don't really have enough variety without posting the same two kids over and over. LOL)

One of my favorite types of portraits are those that you can look at and you get a glimpse of the relationship between the people in the photograph. I think it's nice to have a family portrait every so often where everyone is sitting up straight and smiling while they stare at the camera. But, what I miss in that is seeing the emotion of the relationship.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


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Do you ever get really tired?

I mean, like really tired.

Like, so tired that you start to think, "You know -- if I got the flu, I would probably have to stay in bed for a few days and just rest."

Oh...ummmm...that's not a normal thought?

Oh yeah, no, I don't ever think that either. I was just asking, that's all.

Can you help my husband with a correlation study for school?

My husband is doing a correlation study for a statistics class. He wants to see if there is any trend between the number of siblings a woman has, and the number of children she later has. This study is a quick three questions, and is for mothers 30 years old and older (no maximum age).

He needs as many responses as possible, so if you could just take a moment to answer, he would really appreciate it. If you prefer not to have your information in the comments, please just put a note when you leave it in the comments of "DO NOT PUBLISH COMMENT." If you do that, then he will be able to collect the data, but then I will not publish your comment.

(Anon. comments will not be included in the results.)

If anyone is interested, I can ask him for the results to post at the end of the semester.

Thanks!

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1. Please pick the age range that you are currently in:
Age Ranges:
30 – 39
40 – 49
50 – 59
60 – 69
70 – 79
80 – 89
90 & over

2. Number of siblings that you have. (Please answer the number you would give to a stranger on the street if you had to tell them how many siblings you have in one word, without any further explanation.)

3. Number of children you have through live births & adoptions (please do not include step children, unless you have adopted them or are currently in the process of doing so).