Our Feeble Attempt

A couple weeks ago we had an office party for a colleague who turned the big 4-0.  One of her favorite things in the world is sushi.  That's what we had for lunch.  Since I'm trying to eat healthier and sushi is very healthy, I decided this would be an easy way to try it and test the waters.

I have to say I was a little overwhelmed with worlds like eel and roe.  Honestly, I just tried salmon for the first time in the last year, I'm not really ready to jump into eating raw eel.  I found a nice roll called the Tiger's Eye.  It had smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado.  It sounded "safe." 

It was not only safe, but delish.  Every since I've been dying to have some more.

Which leads us, in a roundabout way to last night.  I decided I would try my hand at sushi at home.  I had all the ingredients to make a Tiger's Eye at home, so why not.  The only think I was missing was that bamboo wrapping tool, but I figured since I was a novice anyway, might as well use some cling wrap.

And have my sous chef help me.

Look at that attention to detail.  She's a natural.

They may have turned out a little messy, but they were good.  I still think we're lightyears away from anything with roe on it. 

The Sweetest Sounds

One of the things I love most about N is how he loves.  If he loves something, he's 100% passionate about it.  If it's something he can read up on, he does.  If it's something he can learn more about, he does.  He throws himself completely into the things he loves.

That's not just hobbies or interests, it's people too.  As a mother, there is nothing sweeter than seeing your children be loved by their daddy.  With Zoe being sick this past weekend, I saw N throw himself into caring for her.  He would cuddle her on the couch.  He would take her temperature.  He would help with the medicine.  He would make her giggle and laugh when she was feeling a little better.  It was heartwarming to see the love they have for each other.

This morning was the highlight.  It was about 2:45 this morning, just about the time N's getting home from work.  I heard Zoe in her room.  I couldn't tell if it was sleepy noises or if she was crying.  I came out of our room and N looks at me and says, "I think she's crying.  I'll take care of it."

He went into her room and sure enough she was crying.  We're not sure if she got scared or had a bad dream. The way he talked to her and comforted her was one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard.  It was the love of a good daddy.

We Did Some Coughing and Resting

I count myself fortunate that Zoe hasn't really been sick.  I think it was God's way of giving her a break after such a rough start in life.  I also think she has her daddy's immune system.  I think they could kiss every sick person and maybe feel a little bad for a day or two.  If I did that, I'd be out for weeks.

All that changed this weekend.  Zoe caught that nasty cold bug that's been going around.  This one stayed right in her chest.  Poor thing was down for the count most of the weekend.  She spent her time cuddling with daddy on the couch, taking naps with me and coughing.  Oh was there coughing.

Just like her daddy, after 48 hours of soaking her sheets with sweat, the bug is almost completely gone.  How do we know it's gone?  Here's some signs that Zoe is on the recovery.

1)  Wakes up and asks to go shopping. 
2)  No longer asks to be held, but offers to race you to the bedroom/kitchen/bathroom.
3)  Wants to paint, then sew, then glue, then do Play-doh, then paint again, then cook something all in a matter of 15 minutes.
4)  Pretends to sleep and then wakes up going, "oh that clock!  Killjoy!  Get up you say, time to start another day.  Even he orders me around." 

Our Cinderella is back.  With more energy than ever.

Our Newest Family Member, Part Deux

Fooled ya for a minute!  I can't claim her as my own.  Believe me I totally would if given the chance.  Isn't she precious, sweet and entirely kissable?  She's also the biggest baby our family has seen in over 3 years. 

Meet Hannah-Joy.  She became my very first niece last night.  She weighs 8 lbs, 1 oz and is 21 inches long.  I now know why my sister-in-law Amanda was in so much discomfort.  This kid weighs about the same as Zoe did when she was 5 months old.  Amanda basically gave birth to a 5 month old.  That's totally impressive when you think about it.

Congratulations Brian and Amanda.  I can't think of two more deserving parents.  You both struggled to have H-J (is it alright that I call her that?).  I love seeing how God has blessed your life.  Having a daughter is one of the best blessings that has ever happened to N and me.  We treasured it so much we had three!

Enjoy the diaper changes, the feedings, the spit up, all the laundry and each moment you can count her fingers and toes again.  In a very short time she'll wipe off your kisses, learn the word "no" and make you laugh with her ideas.  Congrats mommy and daddy.  She's absolutely perfect.  Love you all.

Meet Our Newest Family Member

I have no idea how we survived before without in-stereo bluetooth, heated seats and iPod connection in the glove-box that comes through the stereo. 

Not sure of a name yet other than Sah-Wheet!

Death Becomes Her

It's official.  My car is D-E-A-D dead.  The mechanic mentioned something about a broken water pump, a seized engine, a snapped timing belt and bent pistons.  That all sounds very bad to me, but don't ask me what any of those things really do. 

I just know when I went to clean the old girl out yesterday there was a large piece of metal, covered in oil, in a box lined with a garbage sack in my trunk.  I can only assume it was part of my engine.  It was the saddest thing.  I just had her washed and waxed.  On the outside she looks perfect.  Only a small dent on the side where Neil's motorcycle fell on her. 

I can't confirm this, but I think she was crying too.  When I took one last look at her, green fluid was leaking from under her hood.  It was a good farewell.  She helped get me through college and through my single days.  She earned the nickname the Black Phantom.  We had some fun together.

Now it's time to be an adult.  Time for the family car, more room and heated seats. 

I think Zoe's having the hardest time of all.  She saw them tow away Black Car (it's what she's named it) on Monday.  She cried and cried and cried.  She is attached to so many things.  Every night she asks where Black Car is.  I've started prepping her for the transition.  I just hope it goes well.  It will be a long life if she can't like the new ride.

I Blame Dodge

We still don't know anything about my car.  On one hand it's a great lesson in patience.  If you haven't noticed, I lack patience more than I lack back hair.  Well, that's not to say that I have back hair, because I don't.  It's just the first analogy that came to mind.  It wasn't a good one.  I'll just say I have no patience.

Alrighty, forgetting the back hair thing and moving right along.

I'm not being entirely truthful.  When it comes to potty training and moving to a big girl bed, I have all the patience in the world.  When it comes to cars and the unknown, I freak out.  It was so bad last night that I'm pretty sure I could feel specific hairs on my head turning gray.

I know that's not going to do my any good.  Then again I may get a senior discount on labor at the mechanic.