Easter, past and present

I love my family, I especially love Saturday mornings. Jan usually gets a long run in, and Morgan "is quiet" if she wake before Co and I. But in all honesty she makes as much noise as possible, so it is obvious she is ready for brother and I to get up. So we start our day with a big breakfast and usually stay in our p.j's till 10 am!

Every morning she is with us she loves to walk into Coen's room (when we know he is awake) and she and I peek over the crib and say "Gooooooood Morning". Coen flashes a big gummy grin and Morgan chuckles.

We have been hitting the library a lot, getting books for the kids and Wii games to try. Morgan loves to get books for Coen. She thinks he is pretty neat. She loves him more and more each time she is around him. I picked her up from dance this week, she didn't know Coen and I were getting her... the look on her face when she saw us was priceless.... Not even her Easter basket got that big of a smile!

On a different note, I miss our family. I miss my sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, and of course my mom and dad. I wish I could figure a way to get Coen to see them more. I feel like he doesn't have enough family around. I will have to make an effort to work on getting home more. In a few weeks we are heading back, it gives me so much to look forward to. I just hope Coen's "stranger danger" is minimal. He sometimes will be in a weird mood and not find new faces very amusing.

What a big month ahead! Easter this weekend... Jan's half marathon next weekend... going back home for Nathan's graduation... Coen's 6 month pictures AND shots... Mother's Day... Jan and I's 2 year anniversary... Morgan's dance recital.. Memorial Day weekend.. and Coen's baptism!!!!

We are so blessed. I know that life has changed for the better, and I can only anticipate it getting even more fulfilling! I have new goals and hope that God helps me focus on the things that matter the most.. I even have picked up the Bible for the first time (with a real effort). Now don't get me wrong... I still curse like a sailor, and love to drink my 2nd and 3rd glass here and there, but I know now there is so much more to life... and I have a lot to learn and I want to be able to teach my little boy about who has blessed us with all these wonderful things in our lives.

Tis the season to celebrate our faith, Happy Easter!

I came across these pictures from our first Easter together.

Who would have guessed we would be where we are now....

Baby food

Coen's first food..sweet potato



So far we have made sweet potatoes, green peas, squash, pears, and brown rice cereal. I use Ball Fresh Fruit Perserver powder to keep fruits from browning. It is safe for baby and an excellent source of vitamin C and contains antioxidants.

Here is how I made the brown rice cereal.. (Courtesy of Wholesomebabyfood.com)

The best way to cook Brown Rice for Baby Food or Baby Cereal
You may use a rice cooker for the quickest and no-fuss perfect brown rice all the time. Using a rice cooker means that you will need to puree the already cooked whole rice grains however. When cooking the "rice powder" for homemade baby cereal, use 1/4 cup of powder per 1-2 cups of water - more or less as you see fit. The key is to whisk whisk whisk as you are cooking to avoid clumping.

Why Brown, But Not White, Rice is One of the World's Healthiest Foods - courtesy of Whole Foods
The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color. A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients.

At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product.

The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients.

Easy & Nutritious Brown Rice Baby Food Recipes:
Brown Rice Cereal (make it Organic by using Organic Brown Rice.)

1/4 c. rice powder (brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water

1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
3. Serve warm.

Add pureed fruits and vegetables to baby's homemade brown rice cereal - ensure that you have followed the 4 day wait rule.