Food for Thought

On my "pre-Maxon" to-do list, one of the items to complete was making and freezing meals for Tyson and I (and any other family that lingers around at meal time).  From what everyone warns, the mere thought of cooking and cleaning is atrocious after taking care of a newborn all day long.  Now don't get me wrong, if you know Tyson, he will cook a meal at anytime of the day, no matter how exhausted he may be.  But the cleaning...well, that is up to me.  And I will not go to sleep unless my kitchen is clean.  

 



My wild and crazy Saturday night consisted of making an Eggplant Pesto Lasagna, Shepherds Pie, and an Mexican Egg Bake my grandma used to make for us on special occasions.  Along with these three entrees, we have stocked up on frozen snacks and easy bake cookies.  Nothing like being too prepared!  And after 6 hours of cooking (I also made a Gruyère and Root Gratin for Sunday nights dinner and Low-Fat Cinnamon Rolls for our Sunday morning), I was in pain! Legs, back and feet!  Tyson surprised me with coming home early from work and giving me a nice relaxing massage, so my Sunday morning walk around Lake Murray with my friend Chantel,  wasn't as dreadful as I thought it was going to be......


With springtime in the air, Tyson and I enjoyed a nice Sunday outing at the Rolando Street Fair and ran a few errands before my monthly book club and dinner and a movie.  Overall, our weekend was relaxing and productive.  We now have most of our "pre-Maxon" list completed!


Left on the list

• Put up Maxon's letters/art/wall decals in nursery
• Check fire alarms
• CHP car seat inspection
• Deep Clean house (this process will begin Monday, while Tys in golfing)
• Re-organize Storage Areas (for MORE storage space for Maxon's grown out clothes)
• Create Photo CD's of past year for memory box
• Update baby book 
• Start on Baby Announcements (get addressed and stamped)
• Download birthing music on IPOD
• Book hair, wax, nail appointment
• Order flowers and send cards for April birthdays
• Begin to think about Tyson's (31!) Birthday
• Easter baking, cooking, and egg dying
• Finish Gardening

 And I think that will do it!.......for now.......

Day 5 of Nesting

With having my fifth day off, I am finding that my projects are flying off of my "To-do" list. My urgency for completion, considering I have 5 weeks to go? Every preggo friend I know has given birth....and EARLY! My frantic need to get everything settled, cleaned, organized, stored, and completed has set in. Today was a prosperous day as I checked off several items.

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  Washing all of Maxon's clothes, blankets, burp rags, socks in Seventh Generation Baby Detergent..... CHECK!

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  Making Sonny Homemade Doggy Treats to last the next few months.....Check!
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  Packing Hospital Bag.....Check!
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  Completing Maxon's Nursery.....Check!
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  Pre-pay Bills for the next few months....Check!
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  Setting up dates with friends....Check!

It is an endless list that will never go away until I am finally at the hospital, giving birth, completely distracted by the intense pain of labor.  It is only then when I will not have my sticky notes and pen, jotting down what needs to be done or what we need to be prepared for.  I know I cannot have complete control of everything, but I can sure attempt to be prepared for anything.  

I found this recipe a few years ago during my Christmas Cookie debacle that I torture myself with every single year.  I wanted to give Sonny a treat from Santa and found this would be a perfect gift.  For Christmas, I used a cookie cutter shaped as a dog bone, but for this time around, I pressed small balls into flat pieces.  These sometimes last longer, depending on how adorable my pooch is.  And with the upcoming arrival of Maxon, Sonny needs the extra spoiling and extra attention.

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large apple

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup honey

1 cup of oatmeal

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350degrees F.  Core and mince apple. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Gradually add flour until stiff dough forms.  Place dough in rounded spoonfuls on cookie sheets (or flattened balls into disks). Bake for 30 minutes.  Remove from oven, flip treats and bake for additional 30 minutes at 325F.  Cool and store.