Jaw Update

On my facebook today I asked ya'll to say a prayer for me as I was going to the dentist to have my jaw looked at.  I had several of you send me comments and also ask me to keep you updated on what I found out.  I was going to post an update on there, but then realized it would be too long and I didn't want to be one of those people that posted 2 paragraph updates so I'm doing the next best thing.
The dentist took an x-ray of my head/jaw (one expensive x-ray I might add) to see if he could see anything, once he ruled out teeth problems.  After the x-ray developed he said that he didn't see anything blantant staring back at him but this is what he thinks it might be. 

A little pre-story here:  this morning I was eating my breakfast.  I had gotten the new fruit&maple oatmeal from McDonald's because I had a coupon for a free one. They are pretty good by the way....so I was sitting at our sales meeting at work eating my oatmeal and bit into one of the apple pieces and my jaw popped really loud and hurt like craaaaazy!  I didn't think anything of except I need to remember to eat on the other side of my mouth.  Later, I noticed I was abe to close my jaw.  It was still really painful though.

So, I was telling the dentist all of this and what he thinks it is, is that the disc in my jaw had somehow been dislocated and this morning when it popped, it went back in to place.  He says this is still considered TMJ and gave me a referral to a specialist.  I asked him if it was necessary that I see the specialist since I don't have dental insurance (eeek) and he said he would wait and see if it gets better, now that I can actually close the jaw, but to continue taking my anti-inflammatory.  If the pain didn't go away or got worse, I should see the TMJ guy and have him look at it.    I also had someone suggest the chiropractor to me for the pain.  He didn't have an opinion on that.  I'm just crossing my fingers and saying a prayer that it all just goes away.

Big Girl Stuff and Insane Momma

This past week, we've taken some big girl steps in the house. On Tuesday or Wednesday, we decided it was time to put away the bottles for good.  Jesalyn really hasn't used them in the past couple of months but we had kept them out just in case (plus, who is really ever ready for their baby to grow up and be too old for bottles?)   Also, if you read my last post you know we have been throwing the idea around of getting a potty for Jesalyn for a little bit now.  As of today, we now have two potty's in our bathroom. One for mommy and daddy and a little tiny pink for baby girl.  And this could totally be a fluke but I'm gonna claim it out loud.  When we got home from buying the little pink potty, we took her into the bathroom and talked to her about it.  We showed her where mommy and daddy goes potty and where Jesalyn can go potty when she's ready.  And then we sat her on it as we talked to her.  She got on and off a few times, trying to check it out then she said down and got this weird look on her face.  Can you believe it, she peed in it the first time!  Now, it was just a little dribble, but she totally did it!!  We were so proud.  We clapped and danced and gave her a chocolate chip (she gets absolutely giddy over chocolate...she is a girl now!)  My little girl is growing up  =(

And for the "insane mommy" part of the blog.  I totally ordered me some INSANITY.   I've been wanting it for months now and I know it's super expensive but I'm getting a little bonus from work and decided to take the plunge.  Stay tuned on the topic, I'm sure I'll have lots of stories to tell y'all.

Potty Mouth

All you mommy (or daddy) readers out there, when is a good time to start the whole potty training thing (she is almost at 16 months?)  We have started talking about it.  I want to go ahead and buy her a potty just so it will be around and she can get use to it, and so we can start talking to her about it.  Y’know, kind of like a pre-class to the real thing.  Is 16 months too early??  She knows what potty means.  Jarrod and I are pretty open when it comes to going potty in our house (like you wanted to know that right?)  When I go into the bathroom, I’ll tell Jesalyn “mommy’s going potty.”  And if she needs her diaper changed, I’ll ask her “did Jesalyn go potty?”  and she’ll point to her diaper and sometimes she’ll even shake her head.  So, we are getting the conversation going.  That’s the first step right??  I’ve always heard that the age to start was 2. Am I jumping the gun here?

Toy Chest

Jesalyn's Christmas present from her Pa Pa (my dad)   It's amazing. There is even a little drawer that fits on top for her to take out and in.  Take a look:

Pancakes Anyone??

I found a super awesome recipe this week, so I thought I would share it with y'all.  And the best news of all is that Jesalyn will eat it.  Sure, it's in the "carb family" but it's definitely not biscuits and it has pumpkin (super healthy and yummy) and whole wheat flour in it. Don't let the title fool you. I was not in a "crabby" mood making this.  As a matter of fact,  I was quite chipper making them, but it's not my recipe and you got to give kudos where kudos is earned. 

From: 'The Crabby Cook Cookbook'

Killer Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups milk

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/4 cup honey

1 egg

2 tablespoons butter, melted

:sidenote: the first time I made these, I substituted the allspice and ginger for the same measurements of pumpkin pie spice.  They turned out just as tasty.  Jarrod actually prefers them that way I think. 

Combine the flours , baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and salt in a large bowl. 

In another bowl, whisk the milk, pumpkin puree, honey and egg together until the mixture is smoothe Stir in the melted butter.  Pour the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until the ingredients are combined. :sidenote:  I had a hard time getting the flour fully incorporated both times I made this. You really have to mix good.

Melt butter on skillet and pour desired amount of batter and cook. 

I liked this recipe so much I made a double batch the second time and now have pancakes coming out of my ears.  It's a good thing they freeze =)

Super, duper, big batch of pancake batter (and side of coffee with cool whip, delish!)

Don't flip until you see the bubbles!

They look so innocent don't they?  What until you try them!

Big 'ol pile of pancakes

The Bug Strikes Again

I’ve been MIA this past week because, well, I’ve been sick.  It never fails, it’s seems like every time we head back to Illinois for a visit, we come back with a virus.  I’ve been off work most of the week and attempted to go back Thursday, still feeling miserable.  I was there physically but that’s about it.    And to make matters worse, poor little Jesal bear (she keeps getting new nicknames) has gotten it.  It’s heartbreaking because it shows in her eyes when she looks at you.  My little energetic ball of energy has turned into a sick little girl that just wants to lay on the couch. 

As always, before we got sick, we had lots of fun visiting family.  Here are a few pictures.

 First Taco Tierra!  This is a huge deal in my hometown. We always eat it at least once when we go home. (Notice the ponytail, aka, samurai knot)

 

Hanging with Grandma and Grandpa Danny and as always, trying to control the television channels

My grandparents got her this pony for Christmas. 

So, this one involves an explanation.  Her and Grandpa Danny learned a new game.  It's called "Where did it go?"  Here she is sticking a toy car down her shirt. And then she puts her hands in the air, looks around and we all go "where did it go????"  all puzzle like.  And then she grabs it out of her shirt and we all clap.  It's hilarious.  

That same night, she decided to get mommy's hat and put it on her head and pose for the camera.  She had all of us rolling in the floor laughing.

And then, we got sick....but she didn't loose her sense of humor

All, with a 102 temp.

Um, Yes, this happened...

Snow Days

So, if you haven't heard the news Nashville got some snow this week.  It's weeks like this that make me wish that I worked at a school. Come on, school is cancelled if the weatherman even hints that it might flurry. But.... I don't work at a school so I didn't get a snow day this week. Jesalyn had fun with it though.  We haven't taken her out in the snow to play because she doesn't have the clothing for it and she really isn't old enough to "play" yet.  Since she can't go out in it, Jarrod decided to bring it in to her. I came home from work Monday and Jarrod says's to me "there are some pictures on the camera you should see."  This is always interesting.  It's either really bad or really funny.  I hold my breath and turn on the camera.

He says he made sure it wasn't the "yellow snow"

Birthday Cakes and Friends

Oh my goodness y'all, this weekend was full of lots and lots of baking and even some cooking.  I was super busy, but I enjoyed every ounce of it.  Baking is my happy place.  To be able to take separate meaningless items (I mean, who eats spoonfuls of baking soda) and put them together to make something completely yummy is awesome to me.  I remember several years ago, in college, telling my mother; who is one of the best bakers I know, that I just didn't have it in me. I just wasn't the "baking type."  "It'll come" she says.  "It just takes time, patience, and a few batches of what your making thrown in the trash."  As the years have gone by, I have definitely thrown my share of goodies away due to them being overdone, "user error, " and some recipes just not turning out even though everything was done correctly.  I don't know that I'll ever bake my way to "mom status" but I do have a few recipes up my sleeve that could compete with some of hers. =) 

So this weekend a friend of mine was going to a birthday party and asked me to bake the birthday cake. Sure, I could bake a cake. I even had an awesome recipe for carrot cake (the birthday girl's favorite) that was my grandmothers (who I never got to meet.)  So, I accepted the challenge. Aaannnd then, I realized I had to decorate this cake.  I have never been one for creatvitiy in the decorating part.  Sure, I can make something taste good, but pretty too? That was a bit much.  Aaannnd I realized that I had never iced a two layer cake before (much harder than it sounds.)  I didn't freak though, I put on my big girl panties and made that girl a birthday cake.  And I'm proud to say, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

Then I found out later that they actually presented it to her in front of everybody and took pictures.  I don't know why this surprised me. I guess, it was the birthday cake and you always "present" the cake while singing happy birthday right?  But anyway, I'm glad I didn't think about all of that while making it...PRESSURE  =)   

:shameless plug:
The birthday girl is none other than Whitney Layne, singer-songwriter of Nashville (www.whitneylayne.com)  She's an amazing talent that plays alongside Molly Stevens.  Both girls have unbelievable voices and when you pair them together, watch out!!  If your in Nashville this week, they are playing at 3rd and Lindsley Bar and Grill on Thursday, Jan 13th at 7pm. Be there! You won't be disappointed.


So, that was the big project for the weekend. I also made vanilla bean scones because, well, I've been wanting to try the recipe for weeks now.  It uses, surprise! real vanilla beans, hence the name.  They turned out really good. For sure  a recipe I will keep.  And then on Sunday, we had some friends, Jake and Diane, over for supper so you know I had to do something besides rice =)  I made stuffed chicken with feta cheese and spinach, bruschetta, and wild rice salad.  My friend Diane from work (not Jake & Diane, keep up here) is always telling me that I need to make more healthy things because I only bring my fattening baked goods to work (you really think I would leave them at the the house so I can pack on 20 pounds?)  This wild rice salad is awesome and, more importantly, it's healthy. It's a mixture of a recipe I found on the Internet with what I remember of one we made at a coffee shop I use to work at, with a few tweaks of my own. 

 Vanilla Bean Scones

 

Wild Rice Salad

I learned one lesson this weekend in all my baking adventures.  Do not, I repeat, do not leave plastic on your stovetop when your oven is on. 

Jesalyn loved playing with Jake and Diane's two boys, Javen and Liam.  She doesn't have a whole lot of interaction with other kids her age.  She cried when they left. Something tells me we are going to have to schedule more play dates.

Tatoos

Yes, Jesalyn decided yesterday that it was time for her to begin individualizing herself from other 15month olds.  So, she gave herself a nice little tat.  Take a look:

It's an abstract piece of work that really spoke to her, so here she's showing me what each piece means.

She also wrote all over Jarrod's arm without him knowing it, he thought the cap was on.  At least it was on her leg and not the wall right?  =)

Thought you all should know....

 Jesalyn is saying mommom now!

...and it's the cutest thing ever!

It's the thought that counts

As a working mom with a husband who can't cook (he says he can't anyway.  I think he really can, but it's either "easier" to say he can't or he doesn't know that he can) it has been difficult to have an actual warm meal on the table for supper so that we can all (I mean Jesalyn) eat healthy. If I get off work and drive straight home and start to cook a meal, it's normally not done until Jesalyn is ready for bed. So most of the time, we settle for something easy...this is almost always rice.  This also just so happens to be the one food my husband can cook really well, thanks to our restaraunt size rice maker.  The past several weeks, Jesalyn has been....let's say, "backed-up" in the potty department.  My guess is due to the lack of fiber in her diet.  So, this weekend I devised a plan.  We would eat rice the first night, and after supper I would prepare the next night's meal, full of healthy vegetables and fiber. I would do everything but cook it.  This left Jarrod with a very easy task.  All he would have to do is stick it in the oven and supper is served.  Simple right?  So, last night after supper I put all the fixin's together for a brocolli casserole.  I got it all done, in the pan, plastic on top, and put it in the refridgerator.  This morning after Jarrod had been awake for a bit (I wanted to make sure he was fully awake.  He is kind of in lala land when he first wakes up) and told him. "Make sure you listen, this is important.  The casserole is in the refridgerator, if you want the cracker topping..." I told him how to do that and then I continued "and then make sure you turn the oven to 350degrees and bake it for 45 min."  "Okay" he says.  I go to work and call him on my lunch hour.  This is how the call went:

Jarrod:  It must be nice not to have to eat.
Jamie: What do you mean?  Did Jesalyn not eat her lunch? What did you fix her?
Jarrod:  Well, she ate most of the rice but then she got a bite of the broccoli and spit it out. She wouldn't touch it after that.
Jamie:  Oh! You already cooked the casserole?  I thought we were going to do that for supper, but that's okay.  She didn't like it?!  She loved it last time
Jarrod: Wait a minute???  I was suppose to cook that?

ahhh, if he would only listen.....
=)

The best sound ever.

      ~ The sound of a daddy singing his daughter to sleep in the other room  ~

Resolutions

January 1st.  This is a day that you state your resolutions for the upcoming year.  So, here are mine.

~ Hug more ~ I might be the only one out there with this resolution. It's not that I'm NOT a hugging type of person, but I want to be one of those people that just hug.  You know the type, you get introduced to them from a mutual friend and without even asking for your name first, they give you this big, warm hug. It makes it impossible for you not to like them.  This is also to help myself.  I sometimes have a hard time making new friends because I've been told I come off "stuck up."  I'm not stuck up, I promise, I just don't know how to make small talk so the "quiet" comes off as "I'm too good to talk to you."  So, if I start randomly hugging you, know that you've been warned.  And if I don't hug you, don't take it personally. Remember this is a goal, goals take time.

~Dinner at the table ~ This is a family resolution.  Starting last month, Jarrod and I decided that we needed to start using our dinner table for something besides holding our mail.  The days are just so hectic around here, we normally just find something to eat and veg out in front of the tv.  But last month, for like a week and a half, we made a "meal" and sat at the table, all three of us, and talked.  It was nice. We definitely will be doing more of that. 

~Be more healthy~ I know, I know.  Every body on the planet earth has this one, and 84% of them don't do it (it's true, I looked the statistic up) But here's to hoping I'm one of the 16% that does. If I could just cut back on my sugar intake, that would be a good start.  I'm a sucker for something sweet for breakfast with my coffee.  If I could stop this, I might be on to something.

~Comic-Con 2011~  No, there is nothing wrong with your eyes, you read that correctly. This is kind of  a resolution for my husband.  If you don't know him, he is an excellent writer.  And what he likes to write are graphic novels, aka comic books.  It's incredibly hard to break into the business of comics if you don't know anyone and there aren't many people to network with here in the midwest.  Comic-Con is this huge convention with nothing but comic book people.  It's once a year, and he has always thought it would be cool to go.  This year it is in San Diego, and I would love for him to be able to go (with me of course)....if I can get tickets (I think they sell out fast.) It's in July and I have my vacation saved at work.  Fingers crossed!  This would also be the first time either of us has flown so I guess it's two resolutions in one.

I'm going to stop there, don't want to get crazy.  Got to pace yourself right?
Here's to a wonderful, fantastic, amazing 2011!!!