2 hours later....

I knew it was too good to be true.
Yesterday Elijah took a 3 hour nap. 
This morning, it was verging on 9:15 and he was still quiet...he is usually up by 6:30.  I went into Eli's bedroom and he stood up in his crib and said "I pooped".  I sniffed the air.  No poopy smell. 

I went over by him and his cheeks were all pink.  He had a fever. Do you think he meant "I'm pooped!"?

First he was hot, then cold. Not hungry. Didn't want anything to drink. Sat in just a diaper for 20 minutes with me, all the while asking for Dad (yes -it hurt my heart but what a sick boy wants-a sick boy gets). So now he is sitting on dad's lap watching Thomas the train.  Let's hope he kicks this fever in the butt and ends up having a great day today.

Today

I think I like to title blog posts "Today".  I'm sure I've done it before but as I get older my memory worsens and now I can't remember if that was recent or not.

But the title just makes sense. I'm going to write about today-sort of. 

The amazing thing is my clock says 7:44.

Today Eli is sleeping in.  Today I slept in!  It feels glorious.  I wonder what the weather will be and if we'll be outside or in pulling out a new toy I have stored in the closet for a rainy day.

Today I woke up hungry.

Today I'm excited to be home with the family and NOT at work.

Today I have a lot of little things planned.  I'm going to make meals for my Meal Club that I'm part of.  I'm going to make rice meatballs but I will make them with ground turkey instead of ground beef because a few members don't like beef.

Today I will make a different version of my quinoa salad for a VERY VERY exciting birthday party I am going to tomorrow.  Someone is turning 1!!!!!  Those are such special occasions.

The birds sound so spunky already.  We need to get a bird feeder because Eli loves to watch the animals through the window and I don't know how long things like that will bring him that pure joy.

I am waiting on a new book that is "In Transit" from the library.  I'm dying. I haven't had anything to read in the last 2-3 nights. Drives me bonkers.

I'm thinking and wondering about my sister and her weekend.  Her husband left for the weekend and she is home with her three "chitlins" (what my mom used to call kiddos).  I'm amazed that she can do this. I'm amazed that my mom could do that.  That would be so very hard for me.  Her kids are awesome and I know she'll get through it.  How could you not with the beautiful little baby she's got?

I've realized lately that I don't watch as much tv as I used to.  There are really only 2 programs that I watch consistently.  However, one of my shows that I end up watching on-line because it is on too late on Sunday nights is Brothers and Sisters.  Who watches? Who is a fan?  That show can make me laugh or cry.  Last night I watched one episode before I went to sleep. I think it was the most recent and it blew my mind!  Can you believe Scotty and Kevin found their baby? Wow wow wow. Love that twist.

There is a lot of excitement in the air. I found out a new friend is pregnant.  My other friend has a lil one who is turning 1.  My mom just got home from a fabulous trip to Vegas.  Andy's 2 cousins have their baby showers this weekend.  I have a few pregnant friends who will have a new addition to their family sometime this summer.  Grandma Roeder is coming over to play today  Andy made 2 meals this past week (both gf) and is excited to try another tonight!  I will travel to visit my sister and her family twice this month!  My 2 planned vacations are months away, but I'm counting down the weeks already....because....Summer is on it's way. FINALLY.

and last weekend-I ate this and it was gluten free and so darn yummy.

  Happy Saturday....rain or shine. 

Moose

Andy has started calling E  "Moose".  Who knows why.  He says "Get out of the way Moose!" while he is building his train track.  Eli usually repeats  "moose" quietly to himself.  It's loving and endearing and it melts my heart.  Just sharin'....

Wake Up!

Daaaaad!!!
Papa! Papa! Papa!

(Side note:    1. Yes Andy is sleeping     2. Yes, Ed he stole this position from you-as this is where you usually nap at Grandma Barb's house   3. No, Eli is not wearing pants because we wanted to put "comfy" pants on for his nap   4. Little boys don't care if Dad is sleeping. They just love their daddy.)

little bitty

I feel like I've been out of touch with some of my closest loved ones....  I use this blog as a way for family and friends far away to see Eli and his happenings as well as a way for Andy and I to remember for years to come.  Here are some little bitty snippets from the Roeder Happenings.

1.  A few weekends ago we went to Casino Night which is a fundraiser for Mom's of Twins in Milwaukee.  We usually go with our good friends P&J and pay $20 and get $500 dollars of play money to gamble with.  At the end we enter a raffle and we all won prizes.  It's going on about 5 years that we've been doing it and every year is a blast. 

That same weekend we went to a Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bull's game with another set of friends.  We did dinner, chatting and cheering at the game.  It was great to see C&M, friends we don't get a chance to go out with very often.  We both forgot to take pictures of that night.  But thanks to Grandma Barb for babysitting Elijah for us!

2.  Elijah is really starting to get too smart for his britches.  It's hard being a working mom, and then coming home and realizing your child has learned something amazing and we weren't the one who did the teaching.  On the other hand, it is great that he is learning!  He now knows all his colors, can say some numbers and is aware of the alphabet.  He is repeating every word now and can now say mini sentences ("I got Thomas!" or "I want it")

3. I got creative last week.  I made a quinoa salad from scratch.  I made up the recipe and the neat thing is that it never has to be exactly the same. I can use any veggies that I have around the house.  Next time I would like to add some chopped green pepper.  I used edemmame (not sure how to spell that), cucumbers, corn, carrots, green onions, quinoa and some seasonings with lemon juice/vinegar/oil light dressing I made.  Quinoa is a new grain I am learning to use more of.  Obviously (as you can see below) I need a little work learning how to get the lighting correct for taking pictures.  I also made an egg bake that I was able to use the leftovers for breakfast for a break in the boring rice chex cereal every morning. I also made a gluten free broccoli quiche which turned out but was just ok.  (No pictures)

4. In lieu of my recent post "The Pile" and me being creative-I have to admit that I am actually not super positive about being gluten free this weekend.  I just need to complain for a bit.  I just really miss going out to eat.  I know it's do-able and it's ok but it's hard for me because I LOVE LOVE LOVE (and that is an understatement) food and eating.  Today we went out for lunch and it was a bomb.  We had a gift certificate so at least we didn't spend a lot on it.  My meal came out late because they put sauce on the first one.  The second time, the chicken was sitting on 2 pieces of white bread.  Ugg.   I decided not to eat that part but it just frustrated me as Eli was eating homemade macaroni and cheese with caramelized apples and Andy was eating this beautiful Reuben type of sandwich and french fries (all things I couldn't have).  With Eli's meal he got a cookie which Andy ate while Eli was napping-a big M&M cookie.  It looked delish.  I ate part of my chicken and a few bites of mashed potatoes and pouted.  Yesterday I did enjoy a lettuce wrap sandwich from Jimmy John's but Andy informed me they too cross contaminate as they have their mayo in one container and use a spatula that goes in and out and on the bread etc. Normally I'm not big on mayo, but if I'm not going to have the bread I wanted a little mayo.  They wrap it tight so it's easy to eat so there was no way for me to add the mayo later from a packet.  Ok...that's enough complaining. No wait-I totally sat through a family style Italian dinner too where everyone had appetizers, pasta and dessertw hile I had my own sepearate dish.  Lonely...  Ok now I'm really done. (for now!)

5. I'm getting excited for Easter.  Every year we do something different.  Holidays are just more fun with Eli in tow.

6. Eli has been sick all weekend.  We have been wiping his nose every 2 minutes (literally-seriously -literally).  It's hard to keep up with.  I finally caved and bought a real box of Kleenex instead of using toilet paper and paper towel on his sweet little nose. 

7. I've been to some pretty good baby rummages lately.  I've bought a few clothes items but also some new toys.  Eli got a new Thomas the Train track and a big mega blocks track with cars.  The last 2 mornings he has woken up asking for "track?" before even getting a good morning kiss.  He also got a bin of play fruit and veggies that velcro togetherwith a fake plastic knife.  Eli has already spent a good hour on 3 different occasions practicing cutting his fruits and veggies. 

  

Do I have to mention how grateful I am to have a husband who will build this with E?  Also-how darn cute is Bailee sitting under the bridge. She sat there the whole time. She wanted to play I think.

8. Life is good when you are reading a good book.  In the last month I've read 3 or 4 good ones and I feel like I'm on a roll.  Maybe that's why I haven't been blogging as much.

9. I've been feeling sad lately because I haven't had another chance to get my hands on this:

Sydney in a totally adorable Star Wars T-shirt-picture provided from Syd's mom

But in May I will spend 2 whole weekends with her and I already cannot wait!

10.  I did my first "Opening Day" and it was amazing. Even though the Brewer's did not win I had SO much fun. It went incredibly fast. It was cold-almost like being at a Packer game. We promised not to post any pictures on Facebook or Blogs but here is 1 good one.   (Ps thanks to my In-Law's for helping with E at the last minute!)   

11. I have split pea soup brewing on the stove.  I used a ham bone and made my own recipe.  I've always wanted my brother in law's recipe-but he has yet to share it :)  Some day.  PS Ed I'm also craving one of your famous Bloody Marys!!!

That's all for now.  Just short snippets of what has been going on with us.  

Pitter Patter

Goes my heart..............

Zoo Pass

Andy and I bought a zoo pass.  We love the Zoo!!  I never was an animal person and then I started to live with a dog.  Now I view animals in a totally different light. They make me smile and wonder.  I have a bigger heart for all of them.  I'm amazed and curious about everything they do.  I know many think it might be sad to see an animal in cage or locked up.  I once read a book that softened my heart about all of those fears.  It described how a zoo actually provides for an animal.  They never have to go hungry-they are always fed.  They don't have to hunt and go through seasons where they  can't find enough food for themselves or their family.  They also aren't hunted. They are safe.  Nobody will attack them or chase them or their little ones. 

That being said...they may miss "the hunt" or the adventure that lays outside those zoo walls.  Maybe they don't have enough space to run as much as they'd like.  I'm not sure.  The Milwaukee Zoo is pretty amazing.  The animals are not in "cages" with stone floors and four walls around them-they each have an individual atmosphere.  A lot of the areas have a zoo employee standing there to tell you something about the animals in addition to the written info-this last weekend one employee told us that the little monkey just turned four last weekend.  Maybe that is not what being an animal is all about-but every single person she told that to said "awww".

 Because I'm afraid of bears-I would never stand within 30 feet of them and watch them in awe like I can at the zoo.  But this last visit I was amazed.  There were two bears being VERY active in the water.  They were playing and wrestling.  I loved it.  Also, we walked up to a really large gorilla sitting on a stump.  He was in "The Thinker" position.  Then he slowly rolled off and laid down.  Another little monkey was taking food and hiding it while we all watched.  The sea lions swam back and forth and I never knew how fast an otter could swim.  I want to get my mom there....how can I convince her?

The Gorilla aka The Thinker

I have nightmares about bears....not sure why we were this close!

The Pile

Someone told me something months ago, maybe years ago. And it resonates in me. Reminds me. Teaches me. And surprises me. 

Imagine if there were 20 people in a room and everyone wrote down their problem/s down on a note card and threw it in a pile.  After 5 minutes everyone gets to search through that pile and find a new problem to take.  Most (MOST!) people would decide to choose their own problem back. 

I thought long and hard about that and I had to agree.  I'm not saying my problems are less or more than anyone else's.  Usually I think that it is not the problem in itself, but it is how it affects someone and how they deal with it that defines how monumental the problem is or isn't.

Let's list a few problems...(these are all made up!)
-Eating disorder
-Arthritis
-Diabetes
-Fear of heights
-Illiterate
-Deaf
-Addicted to drugs
-poor relationships with family
-unable to keep friendships
-chronic lying
-goiter
-Cancer
-Celiac Disease
-Leg amputation
-A child with downs syndrome
-obesity
-gambling
_________(enter your problem here)

So...would you choose your problem back-or pick another?  Remember, most people have multiple worries or problems.  Some are minor.  Don't hate me for this-but I think a fear of heights is minor.  But to that person-that could be major as it might keep them from traveling (flying or climbing/hiking or sitting in the cheap seats etc).   Of course one reason we would all pick our problem back is because we've learned to deal with it. Some of us may have accepted our problem, figured out how to be indifferent about it or be in control.  Thinking of some of those other problems may scare us because we aren't sure how to fix it or just be ok with it.  

Of course there are some problems that people have that I didn't list that I wouldn't choose for sure-things so hard I won't even list them in case you, readers, have those problems.  When people have a problem you don't think you'd ever want, I think it's fair to validate that to them.  Because it is those worries that weigh on their heart just as strongly as your most major problem. 

I work with a great group of dietitians.  Often we'll giggle at the different diet orders that the doctor's write and sometimes we'll groan for the patient.  We know that a cardiac, renal, diabetic, pureed diet would not be fun.  We get sarcastic and say- why not add low fiber and gluten free to that diet order.  We've also had discussions about which diet would be the worst.  I've heard people say that they would hate a diabetic diet-they love their carbs.  Some say a cardiac diet would be hard because they love salt and dairy products.  I always thought a renal diet would be hard but I never, ever, ever ever ever ever wanted to have to follow a gluten free diet.  I love my noodles.  But look at me now.  I have faced one of my greatest fears and I would pull that out of the pile.  I would also pull the fear I had with Eli's health problems over most too-and that was a large struggle in my life. I would choose our financial situation over being famous/rich but not being able to go out to dinner without people staring etc.

I bring this up because I always need a reminder that what I've got-is just that. It's what I've got.  Good, bad, ugly, scary-I can do it and I will do it.  I will learn to adapt, love, stop, start, change, embrace all the problems that come my way.  Because once I do that, I've accomplished something in the pile that I'd be brave enough to take back and claim as my own.

Sluuuurp

My favorite meal to make (because it is so easy and yummy) has always been spaghetti.  Now that I'm following a gluten free diet it's been more difficult.  We have to make 2 pans of noodles, 1 pan of sauce (if we're lucky and the sauce is gluten free) and one pan of vegetables.  So we got all 4 burners cooking folks.  And we have 4 different spoons going (one for each of the 2 noodles, one for the veggies and one for the sauce). Akkkk. It just makes for a lot of dishes and hotness in the kitchen.  Tonight I wasn't happy with the gf noodles I made so I threw on another brand of noodles and tried to mix them.  Honestly-spaghetti s not as yummy to me as it used to be-but it's doable.  However-tonight was the 1st time that Eli LOVED it.
Watch and learn.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

giggle

When I giggle....I like to share a giggle with someone else.



If you're a dog lover-you'll giggle or tip your head.  If you're not a dog lover, don't visit my blog again! 
(totally kidding-just MOVE ON).

ps for reference I found this on a blog titled  http://itfeelslikechaos.blogspot.com/ and it states that the video  above is just a joke.

Neighborhood

Wow!  I am old enough to live in a neighborhood!  We don't know that many people in it...but the few that we do are good people.  The elderly couple near us do not give us a hassle and often help snow blow our sidewalk. Near them is a younger couple who will soon have a baby.  The husband is very handy (used to work at Home Depot) and has been more than willing to come over and help us with our many household emergencies.  One day I ran into the wife who was walking to a friends house around the block with a back pack that hid a wine bottle.  I think we could be friends!

A few weeks ago the elderly gentleman next came over with a broken wrist to inform us that his wife fell and broke her hip.  She was in the hospital and he wanted to confirm that Andy could help him get her in the house when she got home.  She is now wheelchair bound and something needed to be done.  Our handy-neighbor got Home Depot to donate a bucket-load of materials for free and away the boys went.  I think at one time or another there may have been 4 or 5 guys over there to start with.  But last weekend, Andy and handy-neighbor finished it up.  It's looking good.  I'm proud of them. 

The news channel came over to interview handy-neighbor and elderly-neighbor.  Andy was in the background working away but I can't seem to find a link to the interview.  Below are some during and after shots.  I didn't get my tush out there soon enough to get the "before" shot.  Eli said all day "Big boys?"- meaning he wanted to go out and see what the big guys were doing out there.

Inspiring to me.

So yeah....neighborhood-I think we live in a good one.

Classic

Classic like a hot dog at a baseball game.
Or like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
As classic as the first word, first step or first win at a sporting event.
As classic as "Celebration" and "YMCA" playing at a wedding.
As normal as turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving day and a red heart on Valentines day.
The same type of classic as when you open your mouth in surprise when the water balloon breaks on you and yes it's cold.

Every mom probably has this picture. Every mom probably laughed at this classic moment.  Every dad probably called mom into the room and said "grab the camera. It's that classic moment time!"

Mom, I'm wearing your shoes!

That kind of classic.

Block

I have blogging block. 
I have a ton to write.
Tons of blog posts have been swirling my brain, throbbing in my finger tips.
But a few nights ago, I started one of those blogs and it got deleted before I was able to post it.
Again.
It deleted my draft and while it was deleting I was still typing.  And when I looked up it saved within 20 seconds.
Meaning when I went to the drafts section to pull it back up, all that popped up was half of that last word I was typing.
I got so mad that I pouted (am still pouting) and I haven't been able to collect my thoughts.
I haven't been able to write anything.

And I've been a bit busy...errrr sick...errr tired.  Either way, I'm coming back.  I have updates. I have things to say! Words to type. Ideas to throw out there.
So don't you worry.