Fear not!

Torpedo learned one thing in Sunbeam class today after the entire lesson about Jesus’ birth which included pictures of him and his classmate as babies together, a nativity set they could play with, a present to bring home, etc... The one thing he learned is, “Fear not!” He says it loud and often. I think if he keeps it up that will be really good for me. Can you imagine every 30-60 minutes hearing “Fear not!” Yeah, we could all use a little of that.

It reminded me of the angel in this favorite book who says, "Shazaaam!" instead of "Fear not!" but I think the message is the same.

Mermaid's Birthday

Mermaid is rockin' two years old! She didn't know what to do with her candles, but she was all over the cake.

Torpedo's Birthday

On Torpedo's fourth birthday, he showed me the joy of met expectations. For the six weeks leading up to his birthday, every time he asked for a "red Lightening McQueen racecar" I told him "Yes. I will give you a red Lightening McQueen racecar on your birthday." The fact that he was able to delay gratification let me know that he is indeed turning a corner, not squealing around it on two wheels at mach 3, but plugging along.

When the anticipated day arrived, he was appropriately giddy. Even though (and maybe because) he knew exactly what he was getting, he was SO happy when he opened the package and squealled, "A red Lightening McQueen racecar! I LOVE IT!"

I guess surprises are fine, but knowing exactly what you want, working towards/waiting for it and then getting it is awesome! Kachow!

I left his eyes red because it seemed right given his current obsession.

Eat This!

If you eat, you'll probably LOVE this. My Hero and I agree this is better than cinnamon rolls (we are fiends for cinnamon rolls!) and a one heckuva lot easier to make. Thanks to my good friend E.A. who shared this recipe with me so I could share it with you.

Merry Christmas!

Baked French Toast
Whisk together in a large bowl
10 eggs
2 3/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Spray 9x13 pan with Pam)
Tear one loaf white bread into small (they don't have to be too small) pieces. Place in pan.
Pour egg mixture over top and press down with fork or whisk to help bread absorb all moisture
Optional-Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes

Serve with Buttermilk Syrup, fresh fruit, whip cream...
Serves about 10

Buttermilk Syrup
Melt together
1/2 cup butter (equal to 1 stick of butter)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup *buttermilk

Heat until bubbles form, then add
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*If you are caught without any buttermilk you can make it easily by using 1 cup of skim milk and a tablespoon of any acid. Using white vinegar or lemon juice will work and these add more tartness. Using a tablespoon of cream of tartar will work as well and this will not be quite as acidic.

Running Down a Dream

I have another post on Dare to Dream this month. I just love that site!
This entry is about Mermaid's medical mayhem and how running a marathon made it easier.

Reefing the Sail

This is a parenting technique I learned from sailing.


"Reefing is a sailing manoeuvre intended to reduce the area of a sail on a sailboat or sailing ship, which can improve the ship's stability and reduce the risk of capsizing, broaching, or damaging sails or boat hardware in a strong wind." -Wikipedia

For example, if four of your children simultaneous declare they need to use the one and only bathroom in your apartment, but the seven year old is the only one who says, "I need to go. I'm after Mom!" and your nearly-teenager starts having a stomp-shout fit about it because she was technically the first to say, "I need to go!," then you can reef the sail. In this, hypothetical case, you may smack said pre-teen with a long wooden kitchen spoon imported from Tunisia. Or you may take her precious face in your hands and fiercely whisper, "Don't do this." Or you may smile smugly to yourself at the cliche response of those under the influence of what we here like to call The Pubonic Plague and move on to helping another child find their socks, grateful you've already had your turn in the loo. This last would be an example of reefing the sail.

Fair Winds!

More of my favorite sailing eye-candy

Happily After

Last year Mermaid experienced hypsarrhythmia A.K.A. infantile spasms or seizures. In this season of gratitude, and as her second birthday approaches, I'm reflecting on that time in our lives. I am so grateful to be outside of that experience, looking back and knowing the conclusion. The uncertainty was crushing. Now doubt is merely the antagonist inevitably defeated by our happy ending.

We have so many "Befores," "Durings," and "Afters" in our days. "Durings" always seem so long, even when they're not. And "Befores" can be discouraging because we can never really go back to them. Even though we can never be sure what the "Afters" will bring, today I'm especially thankful for "After."


BEFORE: Happy Mermaid! So adorable. We didn't even know she had DS, let alone the shadow of seizures in her future.

DURING: The electrical brain chaos caused developmental pause and the steroid-like meds caused weight gain slowing her down even further; no smiles, no laughs, no interest and lots of sleeping.

AFTER: Mermaid began to wake up last December and here she is preparing for take-off in a helicopter aboard the U.S.S. New York. She is all toddler learning to walk, talk, sign and make-believe. She's curious and into everything. She pulls all books off the shelves and has started getting into the refrigerator. I don't even mind cleaning up. I am so thrilled that she is curious and happy.