Later that night, around 2-3am, I heard you stir in your bassinet, so I picked you up and just held you. The rest of the world melted away and it was just you and me. I suddenly knew what it was like to love someone so selflessly. I felt what it was like to be so overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child. I learned what it was like to have your heart fill with joy and melt simultaneously. I learned what it meant to suddenly have that “mother bear” instinct. I learned what it felt like to fiercely love someone you didn’t know very well. I learned and felt a lot in the moments that I sat there staring at you. It is a day I will never forget. It is the day you made me a Mommy. I love you so so much. Happy 6th Birthday, Sweet Boy!

If Judah gets one more infection within the next few months, his doctors will want to put tubes in his ears. Tubes that could scar his ear drum. Tubes that will fall out in 6-12 months anyway. Tubes that may not prevent further infections. But, then again, they may. I personally do not care to find out. I also do not care to have my child in a perpetual state of pain or constantly taking an antibiotic. So, with the full support of Jeremiah, I decided to turn to alternative treatment for his ear infection.

I have decided to use more natural treatments to try to kill the bacteria. Garlic infused olive oil can be used as ear drops. If you warm the oil up it helps the pain and the garlic is antibiotic. Breastmilk in the ear as ear drops. Again, breastmilk is very warm and soothing to the ear plus it is full of antibodies.

I have also decided that for all future and current infections, I will be taking my kids to the chiropractor for treatment instead of a doctor. I know several people who do this and swear by it. You can read more about the philosophy behind this method here and here.

Judah is already doing great after his first appointment with Dr Jill at First Choice Chiropractic. They adjust a lot of babies there so Dr Jill was very very sweet and gentle. He loved her! I’ll keep you posted on his progress.

– Most importantly, I will never, EVER, EVER wear mom jeans. In fact, I refuse to wear anything that looks too mommified. Not a word, I know, but you get it.

– Judah’s lullabies are not your typical Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The songs I play for him are actually Metallica songs turned into lullabies. A little bit Momma, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.

– If it is cute and I like it, I am going to buy it. I don’t care if it is in the juniors section!

– I exercise. This might not seem that edgy, but I like to stay in shape. I have had 3 kids in 5 years, but I do not want to look like I had 3 kids in 5 years.

– I refuse to say things that make me sound old and lame. For example, saying, “I really like your shirt…NOT!” Or saying Woot-woot. I apologize now if you ever say either of these things in my presence and I smack you. It is a reflex, I can’t help it.

– I love rock concerts. I plan to teach my kids to love rock music as well. Metallica and GNR may not be wholesome, but they make/made very good music.

– I will never say things like, “They just don’t make (blank) like they used to.”

– I love Twilight. Deal with it.

– I am dying for an eyebrow piercing. The only thing holding me back….my husband’s blessing. Please tell him how cool I would look with one. It’s not like its a tattoo!

– I taught my kids the fist of rock at a very young age. A necessity in every household.

I know I have many more, but the baby is crying, so back to work I go. I would love to know how your keep yourself from becoming completely lame!

Basic Homemade Hummus
I can Chickpeas (Garbonzo beans) drained
3 cloves garlic
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 Tablespoons Tahini (can be found near the peanut butter or in a health food isle)

Put in blender. Add water to desired consistency. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Top with olive oil and paprika.

Pita Bread
This isn’t the exact recipe I use, but still very good.

Falafel with Cucumber Sauce
Add a few falafel balls, some veggies, and the cucumber sauce to a pita and YUM!

Delicious Stove Top Mac and Cheese
No exactly asthma-friendly, but very good and a great alternative to unhealthy box stuff.

Pasta with Basil and Brie
Very easy and very yummy.

Vegetarian Quesadillas
Serve with guacamole and plain yogurt. Very easy and very yummy.

Of course, with Judah getting sick, his sleep training was completely thrown out the window. Even once he felt better, he was still waking up 4 to 5 times a night out of habit. And don’t even get me started on how awful nap times were. WOW! So a week ago, I bought The No-Cry Sleep Solution. I was so sick of the “cry it out” solutions. It seems as though all of my internet research led me to two conclusions about babies and sleep. Either deal with it or let them cry it out. I have done the cry it out option in desperation before with Breckin and I HATED it. I have done it with Judah as well and still HATE it. Plus, it has been very ineffective with Judah. I hate hearing my baby cry. I wonder if they feel abandoned or confused. After all, Judah can’t possibly understand why I would put him in his crib and just walk away. So, I started reading this book to see if this alternative would prove effective. The whole process is one that requires some patience and initial loss of sleep. But, I am happy to say that after doing it for a week, Judah’s sleep has drastically improved. He was waking 4 or 5 times a night. Never went down at night or nap without a serious fight. Now, after a week, he is waking 2 times in a 12 hour period and happy to go to sleep at night. He is taking 2 2-hour naps during the day and happy to go down at nap. HIGHLY recommend this book to any parent who desperately wants more sleep, but hates the whole process of crying it out.

In summary, now that I am sleeping again, I should be blogging more. So, look forward to many more vegetarian recipes and delicious meals. Yes, we are still eating “asthma-friendly” foods here! Until then….(which will probably be sometime later today)

This one kills me! Quite possibly the cutest baby picture ever taken.

There is just something about those adorable little feet.

As an adult, I have grown to be more feminine. In some ways it has just happened to me but other things have been deliberate or forced. For example, I learned that makeup is my friend. A good friend. I have learned that I look good in and like pink, pedicures are heavenly, I love wearing skirts, and that it is okay to admit that I have a shoe problem! Other things haven’t come so naturally. I don’t like wearing jewelry unless necessary. I do like some pieces, but they are usually simple and classic. 99% of the time you will find me wearing my wedding ring, a ring I bought in Tel Aviv, Israel and my diamond stud earrings. If I am wearing more I must be trying to dress up. And speaking of dressing up, I am a stretchy jeans and cute t-shirt girl. When I do dress up, I feel odd the whole time. So, it is rare. I will never care about varieties of hot tea, wine, or which kind of rose is growing in someones yard. It is just not me. I would rather go for a run or bike ride than paint my toes. I still find myself feeling a bit confused by “girly” conversation. I am not crazy about romantic comedies or books about ooey-gooey love. It’s just not me. While I have become more feminine as I have gotten older, at heart I am still a tomboy. After all, I still LOVE to play in the dirt.

Stuffed Peppers

Spinach Strawberry Salad with homemade dressing

Wheat Dinner Rolls Delicious!

California Grilled Veggie Sandwich To Die For! These make me forget meat ever existed. Our grill was out of gas, so I just broiled the veggies in the oven.

Overnight Oatmeal

Foccacia Bread I have made this bread plain but I have also topped it with a variety of spices and cheese. Wonderful every time.