New Year's Eve 2009: Blogging on a Blue Moon

I'm home with the babies while Nate is running some errands with the boys, and this actual QUIET (the babies fell asleep nursing) has lured me into some reflection...and into the realization that we stand at the door to a new decade. This has sort of blindsided me, which also has made me realize how little time I have to actually think these days. Sounds like an excuse, I know...but mothering four children under the age of five is honestly the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.

In 2000, Nathan and I got married on a lovely sunny day in May. I think we both would have laughed hysterically if you would have told either of us that, 10 years later, we would have 4 kids, I would be a stay-at-home mom, and he would be a programmer who wears a tie to work. The "Jen and Nate of the 90s" would not have been able to wrap their minds around the difference a decade makes.

We have grown. While I feel like I am in the trenches of the hardest job I've ever had, I also can't believe how lucky I am. Life has definitely been good to me.

What will 2010 bring? I have no idea. I am excited for the surprises the universe has in store for me. Happy New Year everyone!


-- Posted from my iPhone

Daring Bakers Reveal Day! I'm back!

After a full year away from the Daring Bakers, I am back for this month's challenge!

The July Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network.

OK...so...part of the appeal of the Daring Bakers, to me, is the fact that we have to adhere to directions. This is something I do not do well, especially when it comes to food. I have a hard time resisting the urge to change this or that ingredient, use a different technique, or scrap the directions altogether. This leads to some awful results at times, but has also led to some awesome new creations! So, I joined DB as an exercise in discipline, and as a way to learn some new baking techniques.

When I saw this month's challenge, I thought I was getting off easy. We were given the option to bake both types of cookies or choose just one. Since I'm not a big fan of marshmallows and I'd have to either order vegan marshmallows online or try to make them myself, I passed in the marshmallow cookies. I decided to give the Milan Cookies a try, and thought, "how hard could this be?".

As a vegan baker, DB rules allow for some variation. So I based my recipe off of Isa's* . (I haven't said it in awhile...we are so lucky to have Isa making the world safe for vegans!) All in all, it turned out a good cookie...a BIG cookie, not the dainty Pepperidge Farm variety, but that was my own fault. These were Milanos on Steroids!

The recipe itself was straight-forward. If I make them again I will try to make the sandwich cookies thinner and more crisp. I will also not bake them with a screaming baby on my back and two toddler apprentices...but who am I kidding??

So thank you, Nicole, for a good challenge this month! I look forward to see what DB have in store for me in August!

*I made one variation from Isa's recipe, I used hemp milk instead of rice and arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.

Return to Raw

Today is Saturday so we will be off to Eastern Market in a few hours. Nathan and I have made it a goal to return to a high raw diet for the summer, so we need to stock up!

Nate is pretty much high raw right now, with only one cooked meal (dinner) each day. I am still eating mostly cooked food, mostly part of my postpartum recovery regime. I have found cooked foods to be very grounding and comforting during this time. But now that the twins will soon be 3 months old, I think I am ready for a return to the "raw until dinner" approach. Eating that way for the last couple summers made me feel healthier than I ever had before. It also gives me the freedom to bake without guilt!

So...my first mission today is to find the best price for dates...off we go!


-- Post From My iPhon

The most ridiculous looking configuration, but it works!

Several people have asked me how I am wearing the twins. I haven't quite figured out a great and totally hands-free way to wear them both at the same time, although they are getting better head control so we may be able to do two mei tais (front and back) soon. For now, we are using a Beco Butterfly and a Maya Wrap ring sling, both on the front. It looks kind of awkward and I still need one arm free to support the baby in the Maya, but it works! I would like to try to carry both in one long woven wrap, one baby in a high back carry and the other in a front cross. But I still need lots of practice with that one.





-- Post From My iPhone

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood

The last couple days have been so lovely, sunny and 70s. The boys love playing in the front and backyard, and the babies enjoy the fresh air. I'm trying to come up with as many summer activities as I can figure out logistically with two tots and two babies. I think I'm getting better at it, we've been getting out more and more.



-- Post From My iPhone

The happiest baby!

Gus loves to smile. It's a beautiful, heartwarming grin that I just can't wait to see every morning!




-- Post From My iPhone

Luka and his baby sister

Zora looks a lot like Luka did when he was a baby. She is starting to develop her own look now, but the resemblance is still striking.



-- Post From My iPhone

Testing

...just testing an iPhone app...


-- Post From My iPhone

They're here!!

Our twins, August and Zora have arrived! They were born on April 13, 2009...Zora at 10:28 AM and August at 10:30 AM. They are beautiful, and very much loved by their big brothers!

Belly Henna @ 37 Weeks

It's. Time. To. DANCE!!!

Today is Cas' 2nd birthday! Two years have gone by so fast, and at the same time, it seems like Cas has been with us forever. Luka can't remember a time without his little brother, his partner in crime. :)

Nate and I bought Cas this DJ Lance dance hat, I think more for our own amusement than his. Last year, he was really enthralled by DJ Lance. When we gave him the hat, he didn't want to put it on at first, instead he wanted me to wear it. A 9-month pregnant lady in a DJ Lance hat is a sight to see, although I won't be posting pictures here!

32 Week Belly

A lovely mama and photographer, Yamile Branch, came to take some belly pics for me this week. I thought I'd share a couple of them here.

31 WeekTwin Belly, and Big Brother

Did you know that you can design your own duvet cover?

Why oh why am I just discovering this now?

http://site.inmod.com/textiles/inmod-design-studio.html

I have seriously spent hours at night after the kids are asleep shopping online for bedding and I always hate everything the stores have to offer. (Kind of sad, yes, but this is one of the few things I'm very picky about.) Anyhow, I am just loving the Vines pattern...

More than Halfway!

Yesterday the boys and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and took a walk at the Henry Ford Estate. It was so nice to be out without hats, gloves and scarves! We're more than halfway to the beginning of spring now, and even though I've enjoyed this winter, I can't wait for more days like these!

The things I want to remember...

This morning the boys had quite the adventure set up...their pirates, knights and dragons were all sailing away to find some special crystals.

CPSIA Blog-In Day

As you check in with your favorite blogs today, you may find that there are several posts regarding the urgency to amend the CPSIA law that goes into effect on February 10th. I am still keeping positive that this will happen. Many folks have made some good suggestions as to how to make amendments that will punish the known offenders, but also save small businesses. If you have not already done so, I recommend checking out the following links to see how you can help:

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

http://onegirlcircus.com/blog/?page_id=266

http://blog.buyhandmade.org/

Time Flies!!

Four years ago today, at 5:44 PM, Luka was born. When I look at him now I can't believe how fast the time has passed. He is growing up. Happy Birthday, my little 4 year-old!

Jedi Training at the Museum!

Need I say more?

I've been waiting for this day for 8 years!

The boys and I headed over to the Henry Ford Museum today to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama on their projection screen. I simply don't have the words to explain the hope I felt as we watched. Luka was so excited, as were many of the young children present. He loved to clap and cheer every time he saw President Obama's face on the screen. Cas wasn't quite as enthusiastic, but I think it's because it was close to naptime. This morning Nathan and I were talking about just how cool it is that this is the first inauguration both boys will see, and hopefully Luka will remember. We wonder if it will affect the way they view the world. They will never know of a time when there had never before been an African American president. We enjoyed sharing the experience today with so many other people of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Today is a good day in our country.

...And where oh where did Aretha Franklin find such an interesting hat???