"Mommy! Crying!"

Today, I reached a milestone in my parenting career. 

I faked tears to get my son to do something he didn't want to do. 

Yeah, if you boil it down -- I guilt-tripped him. I guilt-tripped a toddler. Is there some special place in hell for mommies like me?

So here's the deal. Kellan doesn't like soup. I had this in mind as I was concocting some Veggie Lentil Soup this afternoon. (It was delicious, by the way! The secret? A pinch of curry!! Wow, was it good.) But while the soup was cooking, we spent a little time in Kellan's kitchen, where we made "soup" together. Hee hee hee... I thought to myself. He's gonna be so infatuated with soup tonight since he "made" some today...he's totally going to eat his dinner.

When the dinner hour arrived, he dove right into the soup. Unfortunately, it was a little too hot and he spit it out immediately. Shoot! I would have checked it, but Michael plopped it down on his tray before the hotness level was fully examined. From there, he moved on to a pile of whipped cauliflower. That went really well. He asked for seconds.

Then he noticed the rye bread we were eating with cream cheese and chives. He asked for some, and I thought, what the heck. He won't like rye bread. But he did, and ate the crap out of it.

At that point, as he was cramming bread into his mouth, I figured I better redirect him back to the cooled soup. I got an immediate and insistent "no." 

A few minutes later, I tried again and heard: "No, Mommy."

Then I started reasoning with him. Genius, right? Reasoning with a 23 month old. Seriously. I am the picture of parenting expertise. 

Me: Kellan, remember when we made soup in your kitchen today?

Kellan: Huh. (Which means yes. We need to break him of this habit.)

Me: Remember when you gave me lots of tastes of your soup?

Kellan: Huh.

Me: Well, I would really like it if you have a little taste of my soup.

Kellan: No.

Most parents, I think, would have realized the fruitlessness of the argument at this point. But I persisted.

Me: I worked so hard on my soup tonight.

Kellan: (silence)

Me: Just like you worked hard on your soup. And yours was delicious.

Kellan: Huh.

Me: I'd like you to taste mine for me.

Kellan: No.

There was a little more back-and-forth at this point, but then I sat back down at the kitchen table, defeated. Michael said, "I think Mommy's pretty sad that you won't try her soup."

Again, I thought -- what the heck.

I started crying. Not real tears, of course, but I included plenty of sobs and gasping breaths.

Michael: Look! Mommy is crying. She is so sad you won't try her soup!

Me: WAAAHHH!!!!

Kellan: (stunned silence)

Michael: I think you better try some of this soup, Kellan. Mommy's pretty upset.

Me: (gasp gasp) WAAHHHHH!!!!

With my hands over my face for effect, I peeked through my fingers and saw a spoonful of soup enter Kellan's mouth. It was touch and go for a moment as to whether he would swallow it, but after a few more faked sobs on my part, he did!

Like I said people, this is a milestone. Whether it's a good one, I'm not sure. I'm telling myself that maybe I helped him learn a little empathy tonight? Maybe? 

But maybe I just taught him that Mommy cries when he won't eat something that's good for him. 

Whatever. It worked.

Super dip for the Super Bowl

Well, it's finally Friday. And since this week turned out to be tougher and more stressful than I could have guessed, I am very much looking forward to having a little fun -- which includes Super Bowl Sunday!

I just wanted to share this tasty recipe for a nice dip, in case some of you need a little snack to go along with your football -- and who doesn't???

Artichoke & Red Pepper Dip

• 1 can (15 oz., I think) quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  
• 1 small jar or 1/2 large jar of roasted red peppers (about 7 oz.' worth), drained and chopped
  
• 3 Tbs. light cream cheese
  
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus a generous pinch to top the dish with
  
• 2 Tbs. minced garlic
  
• approx. 1 Tbs. olive oil
  

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray a heatproof dish with cooking spray.

3. Combine chopped red peppers, parmesan cheese and cream cheese in a bowl.

 4. Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium heat, and saute garlic for about 2 minutes.

 5. Put chopped artichoke hearts in the skillet and saute for another 2 minutes.

6. Stir garlic and artichoke hearts into red pepper mixture and dump everything into the heatproof dish. Top with a little extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Note: The picture below doesn't really look great, partially because I didn't remember to take a picture until after it had been nibbled on. But this is delicious. Trust me.

Croup strikes again

The 12 hour day I was dreading today? Well, it didn't really happen. What did happen is that I had a 24 hour Wednesday. I didn't go to sleep last night until 6:30 am because we had to go to the ER.

Kellan woke up with croup on Tuesday morning, we went to the doctor, and I declined the one-dose steroid treatment. Steroids are not especially good for anyone, especially little kids, so I decided to take my chances. The doctor said it was a perfectly reasonable decision considering that Kellan was not in dire need of steroids, had a previously uneventful night, and no fever. 

As for that night -- Kellan did okay. Last night, he did not.

Due to his labored breathing, I called for some advice from the St. Luke's triage nurse at about 2 am and she almost had us get in the car and head to the hospital then. But while we were on the phone, Kellan's breathing got better (perhaps due to the combo of a humidifier and his open bedroom window) and he seemed to fall into a deeper sleep. So the nurse and I said goodbye and I bedded down next to him to try to get some sleep. Once I drifted off, Kellan got restless. I held his hand, which seemed to help calm him, but by 4 am, I knew the situation was not good. He was struggling too much. I looked at his chest and saw the skin pulling in at his sternum, and knew an ER visit was mandatory.

So he did end up getting the steroid treatment, and he did pretty well with a couple of steamy breathing treatments (containing epinephrine). The ER doc decided he was well enough to avoid going to the observation unit and go home to rest.

He's breathing better now -- that's the important thing. Now I hope we can all get some much needed sleep since Michael and I are starting to feel crappy...

One long day complete, one more to go

Phew. I made it through one 12 hour day.

Now I have to get up bright and early to do another.

Is it Friday yet????

Destined for the McCall Winter Carnival?

As a self-proclaimed "substitute" blogger for my busy wife who really wants to go to McCall at some point during the Winter Carnival, I am here to say: let's do it, let's go.

However, she just informed me that this weekend is no good due to a previously scheduled coffee date (which is okay by me because then I can watch the Superbowl). This just in: I was just now able to confirm that next weekend, February 6, 7 and 8, "We're on." We're going. We're doing it. We're there.

The McCall Winter Carnival is pretty cool for anyone who hasn't seen it. Two or three giant-sized ice sculptures are on almost every city block. It's really something. I excited to see Kellan's response to the hunormous icy-snowmen. Last year, he was too young to care. This year, I think he'll love it.

My brother Scott and his wife, Michelle, just moved to McCall. His site has a nice post http://www.onthe45.com/mccall-winter-carnival/ that is an overview of the winter carnival. It has photos, calendar and such if anyone is planning to make the trip north in the next couple weeks.

Anyway, I'm sure we'll take lots of photos, and you have an opportunity to hear all about it once Shannon has the time and energy to get back to bloggin' (as Sarah Palin would say).

Chocolate + Antioxidants = I WANT CHOFFY!

Okay, I know I said I wouldn't be around for a while, but I'm blogging for a selfish purpose today. I really want to win some stuff called Choffy that I just learned about from Simple Mom.

It is a coffee-like drink brewed from cocoa beans! I know, right?!?! That alone sounds incredible, but it is also packed with antioxidants.

By blogging about it, I get an extra entry. Oh, I hope I win.

If you want to enter, here ya go. Click here:

Simple Mom giveaway

Oh gosh, I want some Choffy right now....

Inhale, exhale.....

I am not excited about this week. Not at all. 

I have to work 12 hour shifts on Wednesday and Thursday. And that, of course, doesn't count my main job as Mommy. 

I'm trying to remind myself to breathe. Inhale, exhale....

But this week did not start off well. From the instant I arrived at my desk today, my boss piled on a bunch of additional duties. One of which, I expressed reservation about getting done well on a short deadline. Oh boy. Was that a mistake. I certainly wasn't saying it was impossible, but was trying to tell him it would be less than perfect if rushed through today. I could tell by the look on his face that he was mad.

Not a good way to start off the week. Especially considering the major workload ahead.

Inhale, exhale....

I had a couple of slow cooker meals planned for this week to accommodate for my lack of time and to provide me with some leftovers to take to work. And one of them turned out very brown and overcooked. Ugh. I kinda just want to bag the other recipe. The last several ones have been a little less than ideal....

Inhale, exhale....

Well, here's the bright spot -- I managed to squeeze in some cleaning and organizing this weekend, which makes me feel a little less grumpy and out of sorts.

There's still some organizing to be done on the top shelf in the laundry room, but finally, there's empty shelving where we can put our coats, bags, and what-have-you when we come home. 

And look at the stovetop! It hasn't looked this good in a long time. But I can't take all the credit -- my mother-in-law insisted that my father-in-law put a little elbow grease into it, and before I knew it, Mike, Ron and Carol had edged me out and were scrubbing away. Which is all right by me. My thanks to the crew.

And boy, am I grateful to see this countertop again. It hasn't been seen much in the Raygun household since before Christmas, due to a bumper crop of random piles. You know, magazines, boxes, mail, daily report cards from daycare....the kind of random stuff that doesn't really have a home and seems to multiply in rabbit fashion.

So that said, I'm trying to keep it together this week. You may not hear from me much until Friday. I may be cowering in a corner and mumbling looniness to myself by then, but there is light at the end of the tunnel -- a coffee date with a friend and Superbowl Sunday!

Michael's First Post

Aha! I hope I'm not crashing the party, but I thought I would join in the fun. 

First, check out this awesome picture of Great Grandpa Bruce and little-huggable Kellan (photo styling by Shannon! Nice work!):

Kellan and I spent our Sunday morning with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Ron at Great Grandpa Bruce's house. Boy, did Kellan have fun. He marched, sang, played trumpets and flutes (candles), played the piano (a real one), skied all over the house on cardboard strips rubber-banded to his feet (see photo below). We had a great time.

Secondly, I want to follow up on one of Shan's previous posts about the 25 random things about her, a blog that really does capture a lot about her personality, interests and quirks -- all of which are the things that I love about her the most. If you're at all interested in reading Brian Weiss' book,  it really is a fascinating read -- this coming from a total skeptic who now thinks there's something to it. Here's a little description from Amazon: Many Lives, Many Masters: The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist, His Young Patient, and the Past-Life Therapy That Changed Both Their Lives

Lastly, Pranic Healing is pretty flippin' sweet. It, too, seems pretty kooky -- but I can personally attest that it works! It's unbelievable, and Shannon and I learned it by reading this book, Your Hands Can Heal You. While not a great read, it's very informative and a good reference to have on hand. There are some instructions and cautionary measures to consider before doing it willy-nilly.

Okay, I should probably go. I felt like I joined a book club there for a minute ... 

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wishing you good health and good fortune!!!

25 Random Things

You may recall I mentioned a while back that I am obsessed with Facebook. I hope this is temporary, because it's taking up way too much of my free time. However, I got tagged recently to write 25 random things about myself. That sounds like a blog post to me! So here we go:

1. I hate what I call the "Laundry Roadblock" at the Reagan household. Mr. Reagan generates a lot of laundry but doesn't always see the process through (what, you think I wash his clothes?) and when I need to throw in towels or dirty kid clothes, I find the machines idle, but totally occupied.

2. I really miss knitting.

3. I went through a very brief "goth" phase in high school. I think the movie "Bram Stoker's Dracula" had a little something to do with it...oh, and The Cure.

4. I'm a huge fan of Morrissey and The Smiths.

5. I'm a total control freak, and parenthood has made me a million times worse. At least I can admit it.

6. I am terrified of spiders. I hate them, and I hate being anywhere near them. When I had to live alone for 2 years, I once resorted to spraying one with a foaming cleaner and that only made it look 3 times bigger and freaked me out even more. I have also hurled vacuum cleaner hoses at them to suck them up without getting near them (and then realized they would just climb out of the vacuum cleaner anyway) and dropped heavy phone books on them from a safe distance. Then I make the first person to come to my home dispose of what's underneath.

7. I often talk out loud to myself when preparing for some kind of confrontation with someone. I guess I have to hear my argument out loud to know if it's a good one.

8. I don't floss as much as I should. And I should know better.

9. I use a CrockPot a whole heckuva lot.

10. I never knew my paternal grandmother. And lately, I really wish I did.

11. I really regret not taking a trip to Italy before we became parents.

12. When we moved into the house we now live in -- eight years ago -- I thought we would only live in it for three years. Maybe four....I thought five would be pushing it.

13. My favorite all time movie is "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

14. It's very important to me to keep my real life separate from my work persona. Which makes me get really uncomfortable when random strangers figure out my "identity" when I'm grocery shopping, or washing my car, or getting my driver's license or whatever.

15. I really want to own a pug someday. They're a little dog with big dog attitude. And I freakin' love how ugly they are.

16. Slow walkers get my blood pressure boiling. I mean, I can understand strolling at Art in the Park or something, but at the mall or in grocery stores? Get a move on, people! You wanna be here all day???

17. I want to renew my wedding vows in Kauai someday.

18. I believe in past lives. And if you think I'm crazy, read a book by Dr. Brian Weiss. He's a traditionally trained psychologist who didn't believe in it either until a client started saying some wacky stuff in her hypnotherapy sessions.

19. I also believe in pranic energy healing. It's awesome. I'm no healer, but I saved my best friend's hand 5 days before her wedding. She burned the crap out of it, and it was 100 times better a day after I did some basic pranic techniques on it.

20. I stress out about telling people I believe in in past lives and pranic energy.

21. I will never own an automatic car, unless for some reason I move to Seattle or San Francisco. Even then, I would do it unwillingly.

22. I really enjoy karaoke. Probably too much.

23. I think I'm kind of a weird hybrid of stick-in-the-mud, old fashioned stubbornness mixed with wanna-be fast lane rock star.

24. I wish I knew how to play the drums. Right now, I'm living vicariously through my son, and his wooden spoons and galvanized metal tub. But I still might learn how someday. How cool would it be to see a 70-year-old, gray-haired granny rock out on a drum kit?

25. I honestly feel that about 10 years ago, I came to a crossroads in my life. I could have chosen a relationship that would have most likely involved an overseas move, and steered me away from my chosen profession. And I'm certain the relationship would not have been healthy. In fact, when I try to mentally "look" at where that path would have taken me, I see darkness. But I came to my senses and chose the life that I was meant to live. And it's a life that's brought me more happiness, joy and contentment than I could have imagined.

There you have it. I won't go so far as to tag people here. However, I'd love to hear 25 random things about you, so if you make a list, please share! It would be a lovely way to spend a lazy Sunday...

The battle for balance

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends--

It gives a lovely light!

--Edna St. Vincent Millay

     "First Fig", A Few Figs from Thistles

When I came across this poem recently, it was like finding gold. It put into words -- beautifully -- how I feel about my life. During the past two years, I've never slept so little. But I've never had so much joy on a daily basis.

Which is not to say I don't have my moments of doubt. An inner dialogue is constantly running in my head: Am I happy? Is my family happy? Are my husband and son getting what they need from me? Am I doing too much? 

I think I've found a pretty good work/family balance, but the doubts are always there. The struggles are always there, too. The most common one is something that seems simple, but to me is pretty profound -- do I wake my child from a nap to get us both to daycare and work on time? Or do I let him sleep the extra 10 minutes? When I choose the latter and later pay the price at the office, I wonder, is this worth it?

These are issues I think every mom struggles with, to some degree. And I suppose if I didn't re-evaluate myself and how I'm doing, I wouldn't be a very good mother. To be good at something, I think you have to be willing to take a step back and really question your methods, and the same goes for motherhood.

But oh, is it an incredible job. The best I've ever had. I get paid in kisses, hugs and snuggles. The bonuses are crayon drawings; "tastes" of pretend recipes of orange juice, ketchup and milk; and personal performances by one of the best recorder players this side of the Mississippi.

And all that trumps a snotty nose, poopy diaper or food-caked hair -- any day.

Finally, some peace!

Yippee! It snowed last night, so the marauding band of street destroyers is leaving my neighborhood alone!

I'm off to run errands, and I will have no trouble getting out of my driveway, or proceeding down the street!! 

Happy Friday!!!

Me vs. The Power Company

Hmm. When I saw the state of affairs at the end of my driveway this morning, I got very angry. 

There was no indication whatsoever that a mountain of dirt would block my access to the street, for any length of time. Or that a trench big enough to fit a full grown man would be dug next to the gutter.

I got especially irritated, when I noticed the traffic monitor hanging out in my neighbor's driveway, and resting her beverage on his mailbox.

Did I mention that a full-grown man can fit in that trench?

I finally got Kellan and myself all bundled up and marched out there to talk to the traffic monitor. I immediately felt bad for being mad that she was using the neighbor's mailbox as a table, because she was really nice. I told her that we were not notified about this project, and what if I needed to get out of my driveway this morning? What if my son was sick?

She said neighbors said the same thing on the last street they dug up in my neighborhood. She said the power company should have notified us, and recommended that I call and complain. Then one of the backhoe operators came over and asked if I needed out right now. I said that I would need out in a couple hours and he assured me that would not be a problem. 

The trench is now filled, and I will be able to get out of my driveway. But I didn't get much of anywhere with the power company. The operator noted my complaint and said it would be passed along to the Public Utilities Commission. I asked if I would receive notification that this issue had been dealt with. She indicated that I probably wouldn't. 

Great. Great customer service. 

One big backhoe and a lot of dirt

About 60 seconds into Tuesday's Quiet Time rocking chair routine, it suddenly sounded like a backhoe started up in Kellan's bedroom. Turns out, the noise was from a backhoe starting up just outside Kellan's bedroom. The earsplitting engine kept grinding along with each pat on Kellan's back. Miraculously, he still fell asleep. 

As soon as he was tucked in, I peeked out the front window and saw this:

The mysterious, unexplained road project from down the street and around the corner has spread to our street. More specifically, it has moved directly in front of our house with no notification whatsoever as to what is going on, or when it will be done.

I returned home last night to find three giant mountains of dirt in the street and that giant backhoe parked right next to my lavender plant.

Now, this little project is nothing compared to the misery Megan must be living with right now -- with all of her windows covered by plywood and plastic -- but what the crap?

I think those men owe me an explanation as to why they are splitting my eardrums and tromping all over my flowerbed. Stay tuned.

Our Inauguration Watch Party

Here we go. 

We have a new president.

Kellan doesn't really know what the word President means, but I am thrilled that he is growing up in a world where a man like Barack Obama can lead this country.

We had a little watch party this morning -- just the two of us -- to take in the significance of this moment in history.

Kellan was quite taken with the "in-ments" (instruments), especially the man playing the recorder (clarinet). He was also pretty fascinated by the giant bow on Aretha Franklin's hat.

Wow -- the emotions that Michelle Obama must be feeling at this moment!!

I know we don't all see eye-to-eye about the new administration. However, I think President Obama has shown grace, courage and the ability to think outside the box. And I think perhaps all of us can agree we need all the help we can get right now.

Happy Inauguration Day

Facebook: A Blessing and a CURSE!

Facebook is ruining my life.

But I love it.

As I described it to a non-Facebooking friend, it's like a car crash. You just can't look away.

It's a great way to keep in touch with friends, for sure. But it is also consuming my life. They say that when you first start join, you go crazy with it for a few days. I hope that's the case, because it is seriously derailing all my Kill the Clutter intentions!

Editor's note: If you're reading this and are considering "friending" me on Facebook, please hold off for now. I think my head might explode. 

Just us girls

What a fun morning...my friend Kristi lives in Salt Lake City, and whenever she comes to town she's super busy visiting family. But during this trip, we got to squeeze in a coffee date!

We all met at Starbucks -- Kristi, her sister Jill, Jill's girls and I -- and got caught up. 

Jill's girls are adorable, and I'm sure Kellan would have found them adorable too...but he had to stay home with Daddy for the morning so Mommy would be able to carry out a conversation!

A Very Yellow Slide

In spite of the FRIGID cold, we decided to hit the park on Saturday. So we called up the Johnsons to see if they were up for the same. JJ had a prior commitment, but Shelly, Joss and Kosmo (their dog) were able to meet us there.

Enzo and Kosmo immediately commenced ping-ponging from one side of the park to the other, sniffing, wrestling, and peeing along the way. Kellan got busy driving a big, red fire truck and directing me to take him down the slides. I tried to carry on a conversation with Shelley while climbing, standing upon, and careening down the playground equipment with Kellan. Michael wielded a Chuck-It and tennis balls, to keep the dogs from running off into the Foothills together. 

Look closely....Where's Waldo??? I mean, Michael?

Enzo is one pooped pup -- thank goodness for Kosmo

Prepping for slide number two of the afternoon

As you can see, the afternoon was going swimmingly, in spite of the FREEZING COLD. Then Kellan became intrigued -- as most kids are -- at trying to board the slide in reverse. You know, by climbing it. He didn't get far. Because when he realized that wouldn't work so well, he stood back and looked up at me. I looked down at him and noticed his pants were wet. Not wet from a diaper leak, wet from the slide.

Now, everything in the park -- including the playground equipment -- was bone dry. Except for that one spot. That's when it hit me, this is a dog's work. Yep. Three letters -- P-E-E.

Somehow, I managed to keep my cool and not freak out. I tried to remind myself that one of my parenting magazines says pee is sterile (to make parents feel better about kids that pee in the bathtub).

I can't say which of our canine friends did it. However, those pants (and coat!) had an urgent appointment with the laundry room when we got home. 

Kellan rocks it out

Vocals: Kellan Michael Reagan
Recorder: Kellan Michael Reagan
Maraca: Kellan Michael Reagan
Galvanized tub & wooden spoons: Kellan Michael Reagan
Paper towel tube: Kellan Michael Reagan

I'm a forthose

Hey, guess what! I'm a forthose! I've really made it in life. Wow! A forthose! This is just so great.

I recently joined Facebook. Not sure why -- everyone's doing it, I guess. When I decided to join my sorority's Facebook group, I found this description on the home page:

"Forthose affiliated with the Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Idaho."

I had no idea that when I joined Kappa I was also becoming a forthose. Are you jealous?