18 months

It's been a little while since I wrote anything. Of course with little to no traffic from even ones family it makes blogging a daunting task. I suppose some new content should be waiting when friends and family come for a visit.
Last Thursday littleman turned 18 months and today was his 18 month well baby check-up. He took it all in stride as usual. What was unusual was the speed in which we got in to the the doctor. Normally we spend 15 minutes in the waiting room before being ushered into the exam room by the nurse. This time we waited all of 5 minutes. The nurse asked me a few questions and then measured his head, which came in somewhere around 18 inches. It was then time to strip him down to nothing as he got measured for his height and weight next. He comes in at 31 inches tall and 23 lbs 8 oz. Still a little guy compared to averages. We talked a little longer as littleman stole her measuring tape to play with, she let him and even showed him how to work it. Once this is all done the nurse leaves and we only wait about 7 minutes (typically 15) for the doctor to poke his head in. He listens to his heart and lungs, looks in his eyes and ears and proclaims him healthy. It's amazing how doctors can do so little but charge so much. He left to check the growth charts and then popped back in to tell me that his height is a little on the flat side for the growth charts but just looking at him he wasn't overly concerned. I've always liked this doctor for that.
The nurse came back and he got his last shot until he's ready for kindergarten. This final shot is his second Hep-A and he screams when she gives it to him. Poor baby had tears streaming down his face and it even made the doctor check back in on him, that and he had some paperwork for me check over. He got over the pain as soon as the nurse left. I dressed him and we went out to get his next appointment (in 6 months) scheduled. We ran some errands and I made a special point of going to the bank with him in tow so he could get a sucker....he deserved a sucker.

Acorn Squash Soup

I had a acorn squash sitting amongst the onions and potatoes in one of my cabinets and suddenly had an epiphany....I can make soup.  I went online and found the following recipe on allrecipes.com:
Ingredients (for 2 servings)
1/2 Small Onion 
2 Tbs Butter or Margarine
1 Tbs Flour
1/2 Tsp Chicken Bouillon (crushed)
1/4 Tsp dried dill weed
1/8 Tsp curry powder
Dash Cayenne Pepper
1 Cup Chicken Broth
1/2 Can Evaporated Milk
1 1/2 Cup Mashed Acorn Squash
2 1/2 Strips Bacon - Cooked and Crumbled


So here is how it went for me.  First I cut half a large red onion in half and diced it up and cried since this is what onions do to you.  I placed them and the margarine in a pan and cooked the onion until I thought it was good enough.  I then add the flour, bouillon cube (whole since I didn't feel like pounding into powder), dill weed, and curry powder.  I didn't have cayenne pepper so I substituted paprika.  I also added nutmeg because you always have to have nutmeg with squash in my opinion and garlic salt.  With no chicken broth or evaporated milk in the house and no energy to run to the store I used about 2 cups of whole milk.  Brings all this to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes (or in my case just let it boil, take off heat, put on heat and repeat as you try to find the parts needed for the next step).  Find your blender or food processor and assemble. While doing this prep squash by placing whole squash in microwave for 5 minutes.  Remove from microwave and cut in half and place one  half back in the microwave and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Repeat with second half.  Scoop pulp from squash without burning yourself to severely and place in a bowl.  Combine squash with soup mixture and heat through.  
Pour mixture into blender or food processor and blend until smooth.  At this point I added one full thing of cream cheese (boxed package).  Blend all until smooth again.  Serve and enjoy.


So I thought it came out a little salty, probably from the over abundance of garlic salt I used.  I thought over all it came out good.....George on the other hand had this to say about it:

 

Do you think he enjoyed it?

Halloween!!

 

Cousin April and Aunt Niki

 

Grandma and Cousin Shelby

 

Cousin Mikey

 

Grandma and George

 

Getting ready to go trick or treating with Aunt Danelle

 

All ready to go!

 

Grandpa and George trick or treating

 

Stopping by to see mommy at work

 

Mommy was so proud that I kept my helmet on

Feeling Special

My friend Heddy over at Maternal Spark has bestowed upon me a sparkly:



Thank you Heddy for keeping in mind for this special award.

To continue the love I will bestow this gift on another, but I have to go to work right now so I will ponder who and post later.

Yup this is me.....

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Bette!

You are a Bette -- "I must be strong"

Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Stand up for yourself... and me.


• * Be confident, strong, and direct.


• * Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.


• * Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.


• * Give me space to be alone.


• * Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.


• * I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.


• * When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette

• * being independent and self-reliant


• * being able to take charge and meet challenges head on


• * being courageous, straightforward, and honest


• * getting all the enjoyment I can out of life


• * supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me


• * upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette

• * overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to


• * being restless and impatient with others' incompetence


• * sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it


• * never forgetting injuries or injustices


• * putting too much pressure on myself


• * getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often

• * are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit


• * are sometimes loners


• * seize control so they won't be controlled


• * figure out others' weaknesses


• * attack verbally or physically when provoked


• * take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents

• * are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted


• * are sometimes overprotective


• * can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy