A Typical Day

Where does the time go?  It’s almost been a month since I started staying at home full time with C.   I can certainly get used to this!    Today, we went to storytime at Barnes & Noble, and met two of the moms there.  These are two of the moms I had met once at a playgroup.   It was good to interact with them again although their kids are a year or two older than C.

C doesn’t quite have the attention span yet to listen and sit still through two stories.  She was curious and kept looking around.  The age group of the kids ranged from a little under one to about 4-5 years old. 

We’ve certainly been enjoying this free time (other than when C got sick!).   I’ve also been cooking more which is a nice treat for us.  On the downside, I’m finding that I’m spending more money lately, making trips to Target for C’s needs, but browsing and throwing in that Sand and Water Play Table that I wanted C to have, but that she does not need.    Ok, I will try to stop spending on extra things now!   It’s hard because I like to shop and with this free time….

This week is July 4th on Friday so I’ll be making the new entree earlier this week.  It’ll be a Talerine Beef Casserole.   We’ll see how it goes!   So far, I’ve had a lot of fun looking for recipes and cooking them.   I’m getting to know our local grocery store very well!  

Certainly this summer as I do more things with C and go out more, I should be a familiar face around the neighborhood!

Chicken Curry Salad

Yum!  We have a hit!   Tonight, I made Chicken Curry Salad. 

This dish deviated a bit from our normal meals so I was a bit wary of how it would turn out.  Plus, it was a “salad” so I wasn’t sure if it would be filling or have enough substance.  I didn’t have to worry – the food was just enough for my husband and me. 

This is an easy meal to prepare and very, very tasty, especially if you like curry.  I kept pretty much to the ingredient amounts suggested.  This is one meal that I would be happy to make for any potluck as well. 

As a side dish, I made Banana Corn Muffins.  Not from scratch, but equally good.  I used Marie Callendar’s Corn Bread mix and added in bananas and milk (instead of water).  They came out so moist!

Here is the Chicken Curry Salad recipe from Simply Recipes.  (A great new site I recently discovered!)

Here is the Banana Corn Muffins recipe from Cooking Light.

The ingredients for the Chicken Curry Salad are here you can check it out and then click on the recipe if you want to try this yourself.   The amount will vary based on number of servings.

Olive oil

Skinless chicken breast

Salt

Yellow onion

Yellow curry powder

Raisins

Apple

Fresh cilantro

Mayonnaise (optional – which I didn’t use)

Green onions

Enjoy!

Here is the finished dish!

Plus Eight

I’ve been catching a few episodes of a TV show called “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.”   It’s about a couple who has a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.   Yep, 8 kids in total, 6 of whom are around age 2 (at least on the older episodes I’m seeing).  I cannot even imagine that!   It is interesting to watch for me as I see how organized these parents have to be in order to get to each child for feeding, diapering, even just for some cuddle time.   It’s tiring just keeping up with C!   

I guess you have to adapt with so many kids.  In one episode, the mother mentioned that she’s switched over to using paper plates for each meal so that there is less dishes to wash.  That makes sense.   And, when they go to the warehouse stores (i.e. Costco), they have a person from the store who helps them get the items from their grocery list. 

I’m not sure how I would handle it if it were me!

Not An Exact Science

C had another eye appointment.

Great news is that the degree of “eye turn” in C has lessened so that her percentage is right on the border of what the pediatric ophthalmologist considers a success (as an outcome for surgery).   However, her right eye is turning in more than her left eye which means she has a preference for her left eye.  Ideally, both eyes alternate in turning.  So, we’ll patch her left eye for a few more hours than we have been.   We asked the doctor about surgery, and it still is an option, but only after we’ve tried a few other things such as patching for a longer period and bifocals.  Yes, bifocals.  C’s eyes turn in more when viewing things closeup than viewing things at a distance.

C’s eyes showed improvement at this visit.  At the last visit, there was not much improvement.  It seems each visit is different, and the course of action at this time is to just wait for improvements and go from there. 

Children’s vision is not an exact science.  It’s not like a fever where you can give Motrin and make everything better.  I wish it were that easy!

Monday Thoughts

This past weekend, we went to a dance recital for my 4.5 year old niece.  I had never been to a recital before – boy, the kids were all so cute in their dance outfits, and some of the kids were so animated in their dance.  It was a joy to watch them.  

C did really well in the theater.   She sat through the entire hour on my lap.   No fuss, no crying.   S and I were both so surprised by this!  

Lately, we noticed that C has been very clingy, even when she is feeling well.   She will play on her own, and then all of a sudden, come towards me and wants to be held.  Prior to her ear infection, she was more inclined to play on her own for longer periods of time.   Also, she was more social to people she didn’t see every day, but now, she doesn’t want to “venture out.”    I’m hoping this is just a phase due to her being sick, but it’s been a week since she’s been on antibiotics.    But, I’ve heard of kids’ behaviors becoming more introverted after being sick.

On a different note, the entree for this week will be Chicken Curry Salad.  Yum.  I’ll make it towards the end of the week.

Lime Chicken Picante

Last night I made Lime Chicken Picante. 

It was pretty easy to make and tasted good.  I had used the mild salsa so the sauce had a light “kick” to it.  I modified the recipe and used more of the salsa as the reviews had said that there weren’t enough salsa left over for the sauce.

Here is the recipe, taken from Allrecipes.com.

Often, when I look at recipes, I glance at the ingredients to make sure they are items that I’m familiar with or can find in my supermarket.  I’ll post the ingredients here so you can check it out and then click on the recipe if you want to try this yourself.   The amount will vary based on number of servings

Chunky salsa

Dijon-style prepared mustard

Fresh lime juice

Boneless chicken breasts

Butter

Plain yogurt or sour cream

Lime

 Here is the finished dish!