Pineapple?

Last night at dinner we were finishing off with some tasty fresh pineapple (My Dr. Informed me that it was supposed to promote labor...no luck) when the following was discussed.
Rick: "Look guys what is this?" (he shows them the tiny little seed stuck to his pineapple)
Oscar: "A pineapple seed"
Poppy: "Are you going to grow a pineapple in your belly?"
Mom: "Hey, maybe that is what's growing in my belly...Should we have a pineapple instead of a baby?
Poppy: "No way Mom!"
Oscar: "Yeah! I think that would be better"
Poppy:"Am I going to grow a pineapple in my belly?"

Hummm...what would you choose?

And one more thing...

After a fun filled Sunday evening of dinner and making pretzels. We delivered some to our friends whose mom is out of town, then came home to eat one ourselves. Oscar ate Two. Just after eating his two, he asked for a dink of water. I say "ok, get yourself one" he is after all a big enough boy...I hear his cup get really full from the other room, hear him chug the water down, only to immediately walk into the living room saying " I hate it when I drink to much water"...
He continues to whine and moan...Rick tells him that if he is going to puke then go to the bathroom...I then hear THE sound!!!!! You guessed it! PUKE! The worst part was that he was laying down on his back, so much of it went all over his face and head...yuck!
Rick and I couldn't quit laughing...not that he puked, but that he drank so much water that he puked.
After getting him cleaned up, PJ's on, and prayers said he asks "why is the couch cushion sitting by the fire place?". Rick says "There was vomit on it so I washed it off and now it is drying..."
Oscar responds "Oh, someone put vomit on there?" We quickly reminded him that yes, 20 minuets ago, he was the one who put the "vomit" on there.
Ahhhh...the joys of being a mom!

This is why...

A Mother such as I will endure the pains of pregnancy and child birth! Chicken RaisingBecoming the neighborhood eggs-pert (sorry it couldn't be helped), egg sales entrepreneur...
Becoming a eggs-pert chicken catcher...All on her own.

Coyote Hunting

Valentine Candy Picnic...Gorging
What? Only one at a time??
Little kisses and snuggles from the princess in her new Valentine's Dress from Grandma Edge.
Who asked the other day "Will you never hold me again?" after explaining that I can no longer carry her around this belly of mine!
A boy who still loves to play with his very pregnant mom...just today while he was on top of the jungle gym he asks "Mom will you play with us up here?" I respond that very soon I will be able to again!Posing in their Sunday best...at their Mom's request and complying.

Creating Rick and I Muddy heart Valentines a week in advance so that they would have enough time to dry...all on their own with no knowledge of either parent! I think I may need to shadow box their creations. Possibly the best Valentine I've ever received!

This my friends, is what makes this whole process worth it! I'm certain there will probrably be nothing else in this life that will be more worth the effort, than the joy my kids bring me!
Now to place this on constant brain replay to get through this next week or two...I can't wait to meet our new little Edgie.

Ready...

Last night as I lay in bed experiencing the lovely pains of contractions (almost to the point of convincing me of going into the hospital), the stupid things decide it was just a joke, and that they will hold off for another session, at a later date. This is nothing new, I experienced similar events with the Popster. Just when I think that this must be it, they seem to fade and I'm left with two hours of sleep time and a body that feels like it has been doing core work all night long.
The pro of the false labor work is that it tends to dilate me VERY slowly over a long period of time, so that when the time actually comes it goes pretty quick (at least with poppy). I do find some comfort in knowing that at least I've dilated some and that it is that much less I have to go before this child will enter this world.
The con is that I'm always confused during the process as to exactly what point do I decide to go in. With Poppy my water broke so I had a sure sign. This time however, I wonder if I should go before my water breaks? If I'm timing my contractions and they are very close (like in false labor) how far do I let them go before I have waited too long? Will they just fade as I arrive at the hospital? I wish Vicky were here like last time so I have a close reference to get inspiration.
Now because I have very little control over this, I have made a few big steps today.
I am now officially off as the spinning instructor. Last nights workout was enough to keep me sore today and unsure of when this baby will actually come. I decided it was time to cave in. Time to throw in the towel and let this baby know that I'm seriously ready for it to arrive!
I've cleaned what I want to clean (short of possibly mopping the kitchen floor one last time), I've washed and prepped the baby stuff, the car seat is ready to go...people are lined up to take over parental duties short term....
In fact I have now delegated out all of my normal responsibilities and as of today have no real obligations to speak of...nothing to worry about, aside from the welfare of my kidos.
Therefore i thought that if i declared it loud enough and to a wide enough audience, maybe this little edge baby will get the picture and grace us with it's presence!
Here's hoping...but if I'm still pregnant two weeks from now, don't be surprised. That's just how my body does this. i suppose I come by it honestly, my mom has told me that I had her convinced three times that I was coming...even had her mom come from Canada who had to turn around and leave before I actually came. My mother also gave me the week late baby syndrome too...I guess what goes around comes around. Only this time, I hope that maybe just maybe it will arrive a little early or even on the due date!

Oh, and I promise not to lament any further on this labor and delivery process...I swear that I will be patient and content as best I can.

Kneady Friends...

(From L-R Jori, Kelly (with baby Georgia) Beth, Me and Betina)

Last week the Lovely Sue(not pictured, due to her early departure and my failure to catch her) arranged for a group of us mommies to get together for a bread party in her amazing kitchen.
It was our normal bike-buddy group, gone bread baking instead of riding.

Sue not only organized the bread day, but she acquired for each of us a set of these awesome industrial bread pans from her brother who owns a bakery. I love how they match my counter tops...A perfect addition to my kitchen. Now I just need to have the local welding shop break them up into two's...too bad I don't have a cutting torch, I could do it myself.

I love making bread. I have done it since I was about 8 years old and although I hated it at the time, I am grateful that my hands have developed a love/need for playing with dough. I began back then with a simple whole wheat bread recipe that I would make once a week or so as a "chore". Since then It has evolved into many different forms of bread. It includes rolls, hard breads, sweet breads(although I don't get to knead them), pita, pizza, pretzels etc. I rarely get intimidated by a bread recipe and generally find that making some new kind of bread is exciting. Yeast breads are my favorite. I love the smell, texture and process of them. The one thing I would say that I have not delved into is the sourdough world, that I leave to my sweet spouse who does it so well.
The other day I was thinking that if I had to be a servant in a house I would hope that my one and only chore would be the bread making!

Here is a picture of the kids helping out with the pretzel making.

Each of us brought a loaf of bread to share, with the recipe (that is, I don't have Beth's recipe but when I do I will post it). It was fun to see the difference in the breads. We also made soft pretzels and pitas while we were there.

Here are the loaves that were brought...in the back was Jori's, then mine, Beth's, and Betina's.
All were delicious and slightly different. The first 4 are my recipes (some taken from various places...sources not posted...I'll find them later. Just be happy I'm posting this!)

Pita Recipe
Makes 8
2-1/2 cups bread flour, plus more for sprinkling while kneading & rolling out dough (I use about ½ wheat)
2 teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)

Lay aluminum foil across bottom rack of oven in the lowest
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour with the salt, sugar, and yeast. Add the oil and water. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for three minutes, then stir in the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time. The dough should be a rough, shaggy mass that will clean the sides of the bowl. If the dough is moist, add a small amount of additional flour.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 6 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces. I patted the dough into a circle cut it into eighths (as if cutting up a pie).

Roll into balls, dust lightly with flour, and cover with a damp tea towel. Let rest for 30 minutes.

Use the palm of your hand to flatten each ball into a disk. Finish with a rolling pin, flattening the dough into a disk about 6" in diameter and 3/16" thick. Their thinness is more important than making them perfectly round. Irregularity adds charm.

Roll out two at a time and place on the foil in the oven.

Bake for 3.5 to 5 minutes, or until they are puffed. (mine usually never go longer than 4 min)

Repeat with the remaining disks. Letting the oven re-heat back to 500 degrees before doing the next two pitas.

When you remove the breads from the oven, stack them up and wrap them in a large piece of foil. This will keep the dough soft while the tops fall, leaving a pocket in the center. Cut them in half (so you can fill the pocket) and serve warm or at room temperature, or let cool, wrap tightly in aluminum foil, place in a zipper bag, and freeze. Thaw frozen pitas before using (this only takes about 5 minutes at room temperature). To reheat, stack several in a pile, wrap with foil, and place in a 375 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Soft Baked Pretzels

1 Tbsp Yeast

2 Tbsp Brown sugar

1 1/8 tsp. salt

1 ½ c. Warm water

3 Cups all purpose flour (or I like to use 1 cup wheat flour and ½ cup wheat gluten four to replace some of the white flour)

2 C. Warm water

2 Tbsp Baking soda

Butter (for basting the tops when finished

Kosher salt/ Cinnamon and sugar to top pretzels.

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar and salt. Test water temperature with thermometer. When it reads 110 degrees, add to bowl. Stir to dissolve. Add both types of flour and stir well. Place dough on floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. ** (To knead dough, press down on dough with your palm, fold the dough over and rotate 1/4 turn, repeat until dough is ready.) Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl then turn dough upside down to coat the surface. Cover with a towel and let rise for one hour in a warm spot. Combine 2 cups warm water (test again for 110 degrees) and baking soda in an 8-inch square pan. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1.5 foot rope, ½ inch wide. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on cookie sheets with parchment paper and let rise 15 to 20 minutes. Bake at 450 F for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

Laurel’s Kitchen Oatmeal Bread (with nuts)

2 cups leftover oatmeal

2 3/4 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons active dry yeast * (Next time I may add an additional ½ tsp)

1/2 cup warm water (about 105-110 degrees)

3 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup oil

5 cups finely ground whole wheat bread flour (I ended up using more)

½ cup toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds (I used a mixture of the two) Next time I will also put in some flax seed.*

If you use leftover oatmeal, bring it to room temperature.

Dissolve the yeast in the 1/2 cup of warm water.

Mix the honey, salt and oil into the oatmeal and add the mixture to the yeast. Mix well. Begin adding flour one cup at a time. If the dough is very stiff, resist the temptation to add more water just yet -- the dough will draw water from the cooked oatmeal. However, if the dough is unincorporated and is more like chunks of wet flour, add 2-4 tablespoons of water and mix thoroughly.

Cover the mixing bowl and let sit for 20 minutes. This will allow more water to be drawn from the oats and will allow for better gluten formation.

Knead the dough for about ten minutes until soft and supple. If the dough is still too stiff (i.e. when you pinch a chunk of the dough you feel it in the muscles in your hand) add a little more water gradually either by wetting your hands as you knead or by sprinkling a teaspoons or two onto the dough as your mixer kneads. Form the dough into a ball and place it smooth side up in the bowl. Cover and keep in a warm, draft-free place**. After about an hour, gently poke the center of the dough about 1/2 inch deep with your wet finger. If the hole doesn't fill in at all or the dough sighs, it is ready for the next step.

Press the dough flat and divide in two. Shape it into balls and let them rest, covered, until very much softer, 10-15 minutes. Shape gently into hearth-style or standard 8"x4" pan loaves. If you'd like, sprinkle a greased loaf pan with rolled oats before placing the shaped loaves in them. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Let the loaves rise once more in a warm place until they test ready and bake about 45 minutes.

* Mix in 2-3 tablespoons toasted chopped walnuts when you shape the loaves for a nuttier flavor and a boost of omega-3s. (Next time I am going to add the nuts just after adding the flour. They seem to be better incorporated that way.)

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

Yields 3 loafs

3 Cups warm water

2 Tbsp yeast

1/3 cup honey

5 Cups Whole wheat flour

3 Tbsp butter melted

1/3 cup honey (I sometime omit this for a less sweet bread)

1 Tbsp Salt

3 ½ C. Bread flour

In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Let stand until bubbly. Add 5 cups of flour, mix well. Mix in butter, and optional additional honey, and salt. Mix well. Add additional 2 cups of flour. Continue to knead bread adding flour a half cup at a time until dough is soft to the touch and pulling away from bowl. Soft like a baby’s bum, but not sticking to your fingers. It should have just a slight little stick to your finger before it pulls away.

Place upside down in a greased bowl and turn over. Cover with a grocery bag and let rise in warm place until doubled. (Thanks to Allison for informing me I forgot to put in the following directions!)

Remove from bowl, divide dough into 2-3 portions ( depending on size of pans, three small/two large) and knead into nice smooth loaves tucking the edges into the bottom of the loaf. Place in pans, smooth side up. Let rise again for another 30 min or until dough is coming above rim of pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes; do not over bake. Lightly brush loaves with butter. Cool completely.

Jori's Flax & Sunflower seed bread

1 1/3 c. water (or warm milk)
2 1/4 t. yeast
1 t. salt
2 T Butter softened
3 T. Honey (You can substitute molasses)
1 1/2 c. Bread flour
1 1/3 c. Whole wheat flour
1/2 c. flax seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add butter & Honey. Add remaining ingredients. Knead dough for 10 min. Let rise 1-2 hours. Bake in 2 loaf pans at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Betina's Fabulous Honey Oatmeal Bread
2 1/4 c. Water
1 c. Honey
3/4 c. oil

Warm honey and water in microwave for 2 min.
Add oil

5 C. Wheat Flour
3 C. White four
1 C. Gluten (sometimes called gluten flour)
2 C. Oats
3 tsp. Salt
6 1/2 Tbsp Yeast

In Kitchen Aid put the wheat flour, gluten, oats, salt and yeast. Mix well.
Add warmed wet ingredients to mixture
Mix with dough hook thoroughly
Add white flour 1/2 cup at a time until dough pulls away from sides, I don't always add the full amount.
Knead with Kitchen aid 2-5 min until "it's just the right consistencey" ha. Whatever that means.
Spray K-aid bowl and dough with Pam
Wrap a plastic grocery bag around k-aid bowl (this creates a warm humid place for it to rise better). Let rise for 1 hour, or double in size.
Knead dough with hands, divide into 4 equal parts and place into small greased bread pans.
Second rising- 1 hour, or until doubled in pan.
Bake 350 for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from pans and cool on cooling rack.

Project update

Baby dresser, complete with baby belongings...Check!

Wall to basement...Check!

Window from Betina, only a year after she gave it to me...Check!

Dumpster bookshelf, that surprisingly holds a ton of books...Check!

Although the majority of these are completely non-baby related, they seem to be important tasks that when once finished, bring a sense of peace to my pregnant nesting brain.
I think it is the gratification that comes with being able to manage a task from start to finish, on my own choosing. Unlike choosing when this baby is going to get here. It goes with my impatient side...Busy tasks that fill the space between now and when the baby arrives.
I am seriously trying to fill up my days so that I can focus on other things besides pregnancy. I just recently noticed that so much of what I am doing and thinking revolves around pregnancy. I'm a little burned out on it. I'm ready to resume my "normal" everyday stuff. I want to be able to focus more on whats around me, rather than on the self-pitying tendencies I have been experiencing as of late.
Therefore, because my other two children were a week late, I'm sure there will be more "projects" that I will undertake to take my mind off the impending "due" date.

Speaking of which...I just had a great morning making bread with a bunch of lady friends that i will post about later. In the meantime my next task is...Dinner!

37 weeks

This is what happens when you self time a photo of yourself and play with some editing features!

Here I am 37 weeks and feeling a bit like an overstuffed turkey. I haven't really posted much lately due to the fact that pregnancy occupies the majority of my thoughts and if I shared even a fraction of those with you, you would be sick of me.
I have been thinking about some things I will share...

1. Each of my pregnancies have been so different. Different phases of our life (1-school/working/no children, 2- school/moving/buying a house/Rick taking his first pseudo-real job/one prior child, 3- semi-settled/ Rick having a real job, that he likes/ two kids (one in school)/ a more settled community around us), each phase has had different atmospheres, different support groups, different lifestyle habits etc.
It seems like each one has been a completely different experience (including deliveries). It will be interesting to see how the remainder of this pregnancy plays out.
The point is, that although I have done this before, it seems like I have to re-learn all the tricks and changes all over again.

2. Pregnancy seems to me to be one of the longest challenges in patience that can exist for an extended period of time...I'm talking even raising kids doesn't require as much patience for a straight nine months. I like patience in smaller doses. I like being able to hurdle the task in one bound, rather than having to continually change my focus and concentration in order to endure the prolonged changes.

3. Exercises helps! No big surprise there, but being more stable this go around, I have had a lot more pre-set routines that have helped me to keep exercising even though it has become a bit uncomfortable. I'm grateful for the physical outlets I have to keep me busy. It may not feel very good at the time, but almost each time I feel better at the end of the day.
I'm also very appreciative for students who endure seeing me stretched out on a bike for the duration of a spin class (I'm sure it isn't the prettiest sight). They are most encouraging and always supportive.
This is my coping tool to not become too impatient...that said, I still have dreams that I am running and not pregnant. I also must confess that I find myself longing for the day when I will be able to resume my normal physical abilities.

4. As you can see, I'm quite the complainer... but deep down there are some other things I am really enjoying. As I pulled out the newborn clothing I was once again reminded at just how small and amazing new babies are. I look at these teeny, tiny onesies and my heart can't wait to meet our new little Edgie. I look forward to snuggling this little soul on the outside.
Not to mention that I am a bit curious as to which gender of child we will be adding to our family.

5. I'm still not certain how we will be dividing up the room situation. I'm glad the baby will be in our room for a bit so we can make better preparations post-delivery. I'm torn between Oscar who is the hard sleeper, with a room that has taken on the smelly little boy essence. I can see him sleeping right through a hungry baby scream, but this pack-rat stashing habits have me wanting to avoid his room whenever possible.
Poppy on the other hand is a light sleeper, and will most likely want to play in her room during the time period which would probably be baby nap time.
We have the extra room downstairs but it is a bit awkward (I have to go through there to get to the laundry room). We are thinking of re-structuring the basement but it may take a bit of work...so I guess we shall see what happens.

6. Each time I am pregnant I can't possibly imagine going through this process again...I truly gain a much greater respect for those women who have had many children. I know there are some people who love being pregnant, but I find it hard to believe. Therefore, kudos to all of you amazing women out there!

7. Chocolate...I seem to have developed an even greater affinity for the yummy stuff! I seriously have lost all self control in the chocolate category. I can no longer maintain my 1 small handful of chocolate chips a day. To say that we have been going through bags of chocolate chips at exponential speed would be putting it lightly. The funny thing is that it is the basic dark chocolate that I want. Nothing fancy, just good'ol dark delicious chocolate chips.
Oh, and last week I was bombarded with the intense urge for oreos...no need to fear i somehow mustered up the strength to avoid buying any at the store. But I was delighted to find that at two of the events I attended last Saturday, had a plate of oreos. I actually was even able to limit myself to just one from each plate. I was quite proud of myself.

8. Lastly, because I could go on and on...I am having to become a fish in order to ward of the curse of puffy leg syndrome (aka edema). I thought I drank a lot of water before, but even though I was consciously trying to drink lots of water, I have found that the amount is somewhere in the 2 1/2 liter amounts that seems to keep the edema at bay.
The problem with pushing fluids is that there is only so much space left for the fluid to go. How can my body need so much??? It's like it is storing up for a departure into the Mojave desert. All I can say, is that I hope it isn't gearing up for a long labor session.
Oh, and the last thing I will say is that I seem to be dreaming about what ever it is I was last thinking about the night before. It goes over and over though my brain with little to no resolve. This too, will be another thing I look forward to...normal dream cycles, that is, if I get any sleep at all.

If you actually read all of this...I am impressed! Next I hope to do a post about the birth of Oscar and Poppy (don't worry, no gory details)...we shall see.

Zippity.. do.. dah...Oscar style

(Oscar showing off some skillz)

Since Christmas when Oscar opened his new ZIP LINE from the male Santa in this household, he has been looking forward to spring. He would say to me, "Mom can you wait for spring? I can't, you know why? I get o ride my zip line".
Now I know it isn't spring, I won't even tempt my brain with the thought of that...but Saturday Ricky and Lil'O set it up. Oscar loves it!

Today he stayed home sick from school due to a couch and runny nose. He wasn't allowed to ride the zip line, or play outside, if he was going to stay home...He was sick enough to convince me to stay home, but well enough that he really wanted to play outsid ein the mid-40 degree weather with teh abundant sunshine.

I've decided I was really punishing myself. After seeing the sunshine through the window all day I am a bit sad that we didn't go for a walk or play in the sunshine a bit.
Daddy on the other hand allowed him to ride the Zip line one time this evening in the promise taht he would be well enough to go to school tomorrow....After a day of Oscar and Poppy both being a litttle bit sick (aka grumpy) I think I am ready for him to go back, and for Poppy to get off her whinny streak...I hope the sun decides to stick around one more day.