Technology

Oh the things that technology allows us to experience. Tonight via my computer and webcam I was able to talk to 2 of my 3 sisters. My older sister Amanda lives in Maine and I was able to see her and her family on the webcam while we had a conversation. She had her little girl Ava on her lap and I my little girl, Sydney on my lap. Then Ashley, Amanda and I had a conference call and we could all have a conversation but we could not see each other. We are all new to webcam and Skype so we are not sure if there is a way to see more than one person at a time. Amanda hung up so I could chat with Ashley and see her while we talked. Ashley is living in Mexico and I had not seen her since Christmas. So cool. Even though we all live very far away we are able to keep in touch and "see each other" with the touch of a few buttons. Now we have to get our baby sister who just moved to New Mexico to get a webcam. I was not too sure about the webcam thing but now I think its awesome. I am still trying to figure out how to email a video that I recorded on the webcam. Technology is great but sometimes a challenge to figure out how to do things.

Valentine's Day baking

Sydney and I made some heart shaped sugar cookies together. She loved using the mixer and helping me dust the dough with flour before we rolled it out. She did a great job with the cookie cutter. We waited to decorate the cookies until later in the evening when our friends came over. Sam Parker, "Sammy Parker" is Sydney's best friend and she was so delighted to have him over to play.

Big News

As you can see from the count down and ticker I am pregnant. We are so thrilled! We are due the middle of October. Sydney was born in November and I was not miserable that summer so hopefully the heat will not get to me this year. We will keep you posted on how things are going with the pregnancy.

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

I love this recipe! My friend Joanne a registered dietitian shared it with me so I feel great when I eat these cookies!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together 1 cup canola oil and 2 cups light brown sugar. Mix in 1/2 Cup egg substitute (or 2 eggs), 2 tsp orange zest, 1 tsp pure orange extract and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. In a medium bowl whisk together 1 and 1/2 Cups all purpose flour (I often use whole wheat or do 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 all purpose), 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in 3 cups rolled oats and add to sugar mixture, mix well. Fold in 2 cups dried cranberries and 1/2 cup pecans (so yummy). Drop by the tablespoon full 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet or stone and bake 10-12 minutes or just until edges are golden brown. Let cool on sheet for 3-4 minutes and transfer to wire racks. Store in airtight container. So good!

Can you find Sydney??

I stayed home with Sydney today since she was so sick yesterday. She and I were up several times in the night but overall I think she is doing well today. We have spent the day watching baby Einstein videos, reading books, painting, and doing crafts with stickers. Sydney finally agreed to a tubby when I showed her she had purple paint in her hair. After rocking and singing a few songs she decided she wanted to sleep in her tent instead of her bed. I put her pillow and blanket in with her and let her fall asleep. When I went up to check on her this picture shows what I found. So sweet. I did not let her sleep with any of her babies or doggies last night for fear that she would vomit on them but I guess she just had to have them ALL for her nap.

My poor baby

Sydney is sick...I got the dreaded call this afternoon from daycare saying Sydney was throwing up and running a fever. So after wrapping things up with my last patient I race from the office only to be confronted with rain. Of course not just rain but the kind that goes horizontal! When I get to the daycare one of her teachers is holding her and she just looks so pale. Now we are home and in the last 1.5 hours my child has said 1 word, this is not my Sydney. She just fell asleep and I am washing her clothes and getting something to eat. Now that I am working in pediatrics I tell parents daily that their children have a virus and it will run its course. As a parent this is so frustrating, I wish there was a medication I could give her to make her feel better. Instead I can only hold her, and tell her she will be better soon. Does she understand?? So I guess for the next day or so we will be at home snuggled up trying to get well.

Books, books and more books!

Today is my half day so I am home working on projects, laundry and cleaning. One of my projects for today was to organize Sydney's books. I recently moved a bookshelf from our office up to her bedroom and I needed to reorganize all her books. Just out of curiosity I counted her books, 89! Wow, I think that is a lot of books for one 2 year old. Mom 9 of them are Christmas books. Sydney has loved to listen to stories from day 1, she has always been willing to sit still for a story. Some of her favorites lately have been Jack and the Beanstalk (she walks around the house saying FEE FI FO FUM!), Goodnight Maine, Curious George books, and Polar Bear Polar Bear. I hope that she will always have a passion for books!