Meagan Tells All

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Brinley and Ellie

Sisters,

These two. I can't describe it. They just absolutely love each other. They get each other. Aren't sisters the best? Sometimes, not on purpose, I feel like they are leaving me out of the games and playing because they are just so involved in their imaginary world. My favorite is finding them in their room playing quietly. I love to listen to their conversations. Brinley loves to take care of Ellie and be the only one she needs when she cries before going down for naps or hurts herself. I love that Brinley is a protective older sister and wants to take care of Ellie. She is so gentle and loving. Ellie can be a bit much for Brinley sometimes, physically she is very strong and can be quite abusive at times, but Brinley just tells her in the softest voice to not hit her and Ellie will usually say, "okay Binny. I sorry," and then they hug for a few minutes and my heart bursts! but other times Ellie turns into a rage monster and yells, "Nooooo! I no stop!!!!" Depends on the day with Ellie I guess :-) I know most sisterhoods go through highs and lows, but at least right now in their younger years, they don't totally spazz out when the other borrows something of theirs. Not looking forward to the junior high days when maybe Ellie, being the younger sister, borrows her older sisters shirt because she gets home after her and wouldn't know it anyways, but finds out that her sister is home earlier than her and she makes you take the shirt off in front of the family in the kitchen and then makes you kiss the ground. I dunno, just giving a hypothetical. Older sisters can be difficult :-)

Thursday, February 5, 2015

A No Good Very Bad Day

When it comes to accidents, our worst luck happens right before bedtime. A year ago, Ellie fell in the bathtub and needed 2 stitches on her lip, last month Ryan had a little run-in with the car door and thankfully only needed glue to close up his forehead gash, and now I guess it was Brinley's turn. We were dancing after a great Family Home Evening lesson and Miss Brin was twirling too much and fell right into the corner of a table. The poor thing was so brave the entire time. Her forehead split right open and it was obvious we needed to go the ER (why are urgent care offices closed at 7pm!?). Thank goodness we have an ER copay and a very patient Daddy who kept her entertained for 3.5 hours while waiting. She came home asking for a banana and hot chocolate.

The next day, we stayed in our PJs and watched lots of movies. In the morning, the biggest thing and only thing on our to-do list was to take that stupid bandaid off! I had to wrestle her like a greased pig, but after a good swaddle, I ripped that sucker off no problem. She did pout for awhile after, and reminded me for the rest of the day "mom, you had to sit on me to take the bandaid off. I didn't like that." But then I talked her into looking at her head in the bathroom in midst of the post-bandaid-tantrum, and she said "mom, I can't believe my stitches are blue! I think all stitches should be blue." Then the crying stopped :-)

She didn't get a full nights sleep and I knew she was tired. Our deal was that she could watch a show in my bed and eat her lunch, but then she had to nap. The girl took a 2 hour nap and woke up so happy and rested.

The next day, she went off to school and apparently, all the kids thought her stitches were the coolest! They were all helping her be careful on the playground too. The bruise and bump went down by the weekend.

Our pediatrician wanted to see if the stitches were ready to be taken out on Saturday (5 days after the incident), but they still needed a couple more days to heal.

On Monday morning, we went back to the doctor, and she got the stitches taken out. Again, she had a hard time. Poor girl was not thrilled with the idea of being held down by multiple nurses so the doctor could snip them out. I did my best to stay composed and not cry with her (it was so sad!), but I was a bit too annoyed at the same time because the doctor was not being patient at all. The tone in her voice was very this is no big deal, just lay down and I kept thinking, she's 5!! Leave her alone if she needs a minute to compose herself! I was a mama bear and basically lead the procedure because the doctor was not helping the situation.

The tape will peal off eventually (5 days max) and after that we will be applying lots of scar cream and sunscreen to protect it.

No more stitches and ER visits this year, okay guys? Wait--I don't count :-)

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

SuperBowl Carnitas

*give me another 5 years and I'll be able to talk about the heartbreak I feel after Sunday. Dramatic? Maybe to some. But the Hawks are my team, and always will be!

But for those that inquired about our amazing Carnitas, here is the recipe. Ryan and I had this for the first time over the summer at our family reunion in Charlotte, and we've been trying to figure out a good time to make them ever since. Thanks Tiffany for the recipe! They do take a bit of TLC, but dang, totally worth it! Ryan takes all the credit because he made them while I was at work. He's the best.

Carnitas

3-4 lb pork shoulder

3 chipotle peppers (canned)

3 T cumin

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Cut pork shoulder into 2 inch cubes. Put it in a pot with enough water to cover. Add the whole chipotle peppers, cumin, and salt and pepper, and cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 2 hours. After 2 hours, remove cover, and pull out the peppers. Bring to a low boil and let it go until all the water is gone, and the meat is frying in the rendered fat. Let it crisp up a bit (we did ours on our griddle) turning the pieces so they don't burn. Remove and bask in delicious glory.

We made a simple pico de gallo (tomato, red onion, jalapeno, lime juice, salt, and pepper), guacamole, and a cilantro coleslaw.

Cilantro Coleslaw

1/2 head cabbage, thinly sliced (or bagged)

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch green onions

2 large dollops of mayo

2 T line juice

2 T white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Chop cilantro and green onion in food processor, or chop into small bits. Then mix the mayo, lime, vinegar, and salt and pepper until it tastes right. Sharp, but not overpowering. Add the cilantro and green onions, which you can let sit for a minute to blend flavors, then stir in the cabbage.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Diaper Bag Obsessed

One diaper bag just isn't enough! I want more, I need more! I am obsessed. Before Ellie was born, I scored this bag on Amazon for around $100 and it is such a fantastic bag. I went with black because Ryan didn't want me getting some girly diaper bag. While I love the black, it is just a tad bit boring! This bag is great for organizing and helping you not overpack. It barely looks used and I know it is going to be a lifesaver when baby boy comes! I love the backpack option and it really helps when you need both your hands free.

While I'm not shopping for a diaper bag, I sure do a lot of online Window shopping. So here we go. Here are some bags I would LOVE to have (winky face, Ryan)