Not the mama

There is a framed photo of our wedding propped up against a wall in the corner of our bedroom. It's not that I don't like it -- it happens to be my favorite wedding photo! It's just that I ran out of picture-hanging steam, I suppose. Plus, it's usually covered by our laundry basket, so I forget it's there.

Well, I decided to do some laundry the other day, so I took the basket down the hall, exposing the picture.

Rolin has been sitting in front of it since that day, pointing at the pictures and naming those he recognizes.

Cute, right? Aww, he knows who people are! 

Maybe you can even see yourself in this photo? Feel free to point at those you recognize and joyfully call out their names as if you're a 19-month old.

It's fun, yes?

But you know what has got me baffled and questioning my appearance lately?

He doesn't recognize the lady in white, the one holding his daddy's hand. 

You know, the one who birthed him and has never been away from him for more than eight hours at a time (not necessarily by choice...). 

You know, HIS MOTHER!?

He won't believe me when I tell him otherwise. 

To him, this is not mama. 

To him, our wedding photographer is his mother. 

Nothing against her, of course. She's a lovely lady! I just really wonder why I can't convince him that I am the other woman in the picture!!! Ha!

Could it be her cowlick? Maybe. It's similar to the one that makes an apperance at the back of my head if I don't wash my hair daily. And, if we're being honest, I can't tell you the last time I washed my hair two days in a row. Maybe that's it. 

Is it her watch? No, I don't wear a watch. 

Is it her red shirt? well, I do wear my bull shirt from Spain a lot...so much so it's kind of orange now. Maybe that's it. 

I often stand with my hand up like that, protecting my tender Norwegian eyes from the bright sun. Even on cloudy days (which sometimes seem brighter, for some reason). Maybe that's it. 

Food Photos

Here are a few of the dishes I've made and photoed recently. Bossman prefers pics a certain way (usually close-ups so you can see the ingredients well), so that's why they all have a similar feel. 

Happy to pass along recipes if you're interested!

Prosciutto & Potato Hash Pizza with Pastured Eggs on a Corn Meal Crust

(The crust is actually gluten-free and organic, too. Made by Vicolo Pizza in San Francisco...sold at our market and also available at some Whole Foods in the frozen section.)

Spring Pizza with Asparagus and Herbed Cheese on a Corn Meal Crust

(The crust is actually gluten-free and organic, too. Made by Vicolo Pizza in San Francisco...sold at our market and also available at some Whole Foods in the frozen section.)

 Spring Risotto with Asparagus, Peas and Chives

Big Game Chili

(Thank you, Drew!) 

Pink Lady Apple and Fresh Cranberry Crumb Cake

Ruby Bay Keta Smoked Salmon with Lemon, Dill & Capers

 Simple Margherita-Style Portobello Pizza

(The pizza is made with a Portobello mushroom acting as the crust)

Sweet Red Pepper Relish and Goat Cheese Truffles 

(Confession: I used cream cheese vs. goat cheese...I really cannot stand goat cheese)

Classic Lasagna

Grilled Veggie Kebabs with Herbes de Provence and Meyer Lemon

January so far

January has been busy so far, and I didn't really expect it to be so. That's better than boring, right?

Rolin had a really runny nose for about three weeks -- I mean really runny. We'd wipe it, turn around to throw away the tissue and then within seconds it'd be running past his chin again. I tried to pretend it was no biggie for a while, but when it showed no sign of clearing up, and he spiked a 101+ fever for a few days, we went to the doc. I had my suspicions of a sinus infection, and the doc agreed. I went home with a prescription for amoxicillin...Rolin barfed up the first dose -- I mean really barfed it and all of his lunch. Wheee! 

The next day his nose stopped running. Hummm. Would it have cleared up on it's own the next day anyway? Probably, considering my luck.

The rest of the dots are hard to see on his torso and legs, but they're there :(

Anyway, a few days later he started getting red spots on his torso, then legs and then his face. I asked a couple friends and my neighbor for their thoughts and expert parent thoughts, and then called the doc to see what they thought. By the time we went to the doc his "rash" was all over his body. It didn't appear to bother him and he was acting normal, but the poor thing had red blotches and dots all over :( We stopped the medicine and gave him some Benedryl, which seemed to help clear things up in about three days. He more than likely has an allergy to amoxicillin/penicillin. I also suspect roseola. But I'm no doctor.

He's fine now!

I've also been to a doctor or two myself because my body is building another baby! Yes, I'm pregnant; about three months along. Holy moley!

Best BIG Brother Ever, it should say... couldn't find a shirt that just said Big Brother. 

"B2T2" about 12.5 weeks baked.

This new little peanut is due July 27. For those of you who need a reminder, Rolin's birthday is July 24; our wedding anniversary is July 26; Joe and Brianna's anniversary is July 23; two other family birthdays are July 22. We always thought it would be nice to space our children about two years apart, but we did not intentionally plan them to be exactly two years apart! Nor did I really intend on spending another Christmas season laid up on the couch with the first-trimester ickies. All the same, I'd do it again, of course. I mean, look at that adorable profile:

All in all, this pregnancy has felt much the same as the first. I've been starving out of my mind, felt blergy from the moment I woke up until about 1 p.m. and I lacked energy or desire to do much of anything. Thank goodness for "Dinosaur Train," granola bars, apples & cheese, Costco trail mix and a husband who is happy to help. I'm in the second trimester now and things are much better. It really is almost like flipping a switch...I'm still hungry most of the time, but feel much better and have a bit more energy. 

In more doctor-related news, some of our friends in California have also seen their fair share of doctors after a series the triple Bs: blood clots, back surgeries and babies. After a long period of extreme back pain, our friend ended up in the hospital with blood clots; just days later, the need for emergency back surgery became apparent. A few days into recovery, his wife found herself in labor and soon delivered a precious baby boy. There has since been a second round of back surgery, and the recovery continues.

Team Thompson against painful and troublesome backs.

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For their family, it's been a scary, emotional and trying time -- but it has been accompanied by the elation and pure joy a new baby brings a family. We thank God for watching over our friends and for his continued healing. We thank all of you who joined us in praying for their family, too!

In other January news, Rolin had his first haircut. If it were up to me we would have waited another couple months or so to cut it, but others beside just Justin thought it was looking a little shaggy. It was just hard to say ok to cutting off his baby curls!

Flowing locks.

Justin we tried to give him one at home, but we didn't have any hair scissors to give it a finished look (plus, it was a bit crooked, but that's just my opinion):

Then we ended up at a kids' hair cutting salon to make it look a little better:

Afterward, Rolin had his very first ice-cream cone that was all his own. He's had ice cream before, but never his own cone to eat by himself:

He looks like such a big kid with his new 'do.

Eating the entire cone himself proved to be a bit much as he vomited half of it up after gulping down a cup of milk at dinner. Ha! Gross.

As for the rest of January, we look forward to welcoming a lot of family visitors! Some are now in the vicinity in their motorhome, others are coming at the end of the month. Then my mom and dad come in early February. We're going to host a Super Bowl party at our house for everyone because the Seahawks made it! I can't wait to see everyone, even if it's really the 77 degree weather in Phoenix that was more of a reason for their a vacations than the Thompsons ;) (just kidding!). 

Christmas

We were joined by Justin's parents for Christmas. It was nice to have some family around for the holiday!

I left nearly all the grocery shopping to do until the 23rd, the Monday before Christmas, you know, like any sane person would do. I had a plan. I had different lists for different stores. Rolin and I were going to gobble breakfast and get out of the house by 9:30 a.m.; we got out by 10 a.m., but I was still happy with the time knowing I could get it all done and be back for lunch and nap time.

Well, the car wouldn't start.

I popped the hood, shook some wires, checked the oil, looked at the filter, jiggled the battery...

Just kidding, I didn't do any of that.

I called Justin and told him what was going on with the car. Then I texted my mom to complain that I was a fool for leaving shopping until that day anyway and then the car wouldn't start. Then dad called and we covered a list of possibilities. Everyone involved suspected the battery, but it was odd the car would sound like it wanted to start, it just wouldn't finish turning over. Thankfully, Justin was able to rework his schedule a bit and came home to my rescue. We got a new battery, even though the battery people told us there was nothing wrong with the old one.

They were right -- the new battery didn't fix the problem. We had the car towed to a repair shop where we learned it was the fuel pump and that they could get it fixed by Friday. I'm grateful we have Justin's work car as a backup!

Team Thompson against faulty fuel pumps. 

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Anyway, we got errands done, naps taken and Christmas dishes were started after bedtime. The Thompsons arrived that night around 10 p.m., just as the cheese ball was chilling, the rolls were rising, the eggs were boiling, the twice-baked potatoes had completed their first baking rotation, the fudge was cooling and I was finishing the clam chowder we'd have Christmas Eve.

Rolin greeted his grandparents in the morning, who quickly swept him off to the park to play. Justin worked for a bit on Christmas Eve day, but was home in time for the candlelight service at church. After dinner, at which was served the traditional clam chowder, spinach salad and rolls, we all opened one gift and then got everyone to bed.

If I'm being realistic, this was probably the last Christmas, for about 17 or so years, or at least until my children are teenagers, where I'll have an opportunity to sleep past six in the morning. We all took advantage of the extra sleep time, but were ready to hop downstairs once Rolly was awake. No one wanted to miss seeing Rolin's face when he spotted his presents.

Lots of playing with toys was done after breakfast, and the Thompsons each took pajama-clad strolls around our cul de sac, pushing Rolin in his little car. He was quite insistent in going outside every 10 minutes or so.

Rolin also received the moon for Christmas.  

Dinner was the Team Thompson tradition of surf-n-turf. We had crab legs and flank steak, accompanied by twice-baked potatoes, salad, rolls and a few other small delights.We played games, watched Christmas movies, FaceTimed with other family members and overall enjoyed our day.

The following day, the Thompsons, Rolin and I went to the Phoenix Zoo while Justin went to work. Rolin cruised in style in his new car, was enthralled with the lizards, lions and a duck that he and Grammy fed Cheetos. He and Grammy even got to go feed the giraffes! He didn't fall asleep or get cranky -- I was very impressed, especially since we were there from 11a.m. - 4 p.m.; he had a great time!

Headed to the zoo with Grandpa Lee and Grammy Karen!

 Grammy Karen and Rolin got to get up close and personal with the giraffes. 

Rolly wasn't much of a fan.

Before the Thompsons left that Friday, we met Justin for lunch and then hit up the train park in Scottsdale. I'm glad Rolin got to spend a few action-packed days with his Grandpa and Grammy, I know they were glad about it too!

Watching the trains pass by overhead at the train park.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Team Thompson did not send out Christmas cards this year, simply because we just didn't. Also, the pic below is the only one I have of the three of us taken in the last couple months where all of us are recently showered and wearing more than just yesterday's mascara. However...

We send our best and pray for blessings and joy for you all in 2014. We wish you a wonderful, merry Christmas, wherever you may be and with whomever you're celebrating. 

We're entertaining Justin's parents this Christmas, and are excited to reinstate some of the traditions we started as a young married couple during the years we spent Christmases all alone in California.

Merry Christmas!

A new month

Rolin is glad November is over, I'm sure. It started with a pre-op visit to the eye doc Nov. 5th, followed by his surgery the 8th.

He had a booster shot on the 14th, where he tied to claw his way to the top of my head as soon as I opened the door to the doc office. I'd never heard such a screech of pure terror come from him as I did that day. Poor buddy was a little traumatized at the hospital, I think. Thankfully it was just a shot and then we could go, but he contorted his body in such a way I could hardly get his clothes off when it came time to weigh him. He did not want to be there. It made my mama heart hurt.

Unfortunately, less than a week later, he came down with a barky cough that I called the doc about. We went back to the doctor again, and the screech crying resumed. I couldn't even hear what the doctor was saying about how to treat him at home -- he had croup -- so I had to ask her to repeat things and to write them down because Rolin had grabbed my face with both hands, looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why, WHY! do we keep coming back to this chamber of torture! You say every day that you love me! You call this love!?!?!"

The next week we had a post-opp eye appointment, which involved no needles, poking or prodding, but it was still a doctor's office and Rolin could sense something was up. Luckily, that appointment went relatively smooth. Everything looked great and both tubes were still in place. Rolin still let them know, however, he wasn't a fan of doctors or doctor's offices. He cried the hardest, cried like a wee little baby, when they took away the toy they use as a focal point to check his eye tracking. He full on went limp noodle an laid on the floor when they took it away. Blerg. I suppose he's still a baby, so that's expected. :)

Then, THEN, just four days later, Rolly woke a bit earlier than normal so JT brought him into our room. As soon as he set him on the bed, JT said, "Uh oh, I think one of his eye tubes is sticking out."

It was.

So, imagine if you will, trying to hold down a 16-month-old boy, press his eye tube gently to his face and then stick it down with a bandaid. His tears made the bandaid lose its stickiness, so we had to try a couple times. Luckily JT was here to help, but he had to get to the airport and I had to get Rolin to the ophthalmologist an hour away ASAP. We said our goodbyes to daddy, hopped in the car and I prayed he wouldn't mess with the bandaid or tube in the car. We played a lot of clap your hands in the car to keep his hands busy.

The poor thing was all sick with croup, coughing, sneezing and snotting all over the place, and at yet another doctor's office. Luckily it's just a 3-second procedure, but, all the same, he let everyone know he was unhappy about being there and that he now hates doctor's offices with a fiery passion.

He got to tell them again just last Tuesday because HIS OTHER TUBE POPPED OUT during a nap. Well, I shouldn't say nap. No sleeping was happening. He was in his room, during what should have been nap time, just playing with Pete the Sheep, talking to the owls on his crib bumper and chewing on his crib rail. As I marched in after an hour to tell him I'd had enough of his shenanigans, I noticed immediately his tube sticking out of his eye. UGH! I grabbed a bandaid, sat on top of him, stuck that damn tube down to his face and threw everything in the car to race to the doctor's office. We played more clap your hands, where's your foot, here eat a snack... anything to keep his hand away from his eye.

Terrible pic, but you can see the bandaid on his face. It's holding the tube down. It was hard to get the bandaid down, but even harder to get a pic of it.

He actually did better during that visit, but still let out a very sad whimper as soon as he realized where we were.

All the while I've been leaving him more and more in the church nursery or at the child care room while I go to MOPS, which has just been twice, but still. He's in there for two hours; screaming when I leave and screaming when I get back...but not too much in between, which is great news. He only screams toward the end when other moms come to pick up their littles and he's left thinking, "I knew it, I knew she wasn't ever coming back!!! Why didn't anyone listen to me when I was screaming about this earlier!?!!? She's not coming!! Oh, wait. Is that you, mom? You did come back!!! I knew you would, just like you said."

JT took him to the nursery last Sunday, and I could hear Rolin screaming from the sanctuary...even over the pastor's sermon.

Let's just say Rolin has a severe case of separation anxiety at the moment.

And that Rolin is glad November is over.

Curls

Rolly has always had a curl at the nape of his neck, but, as of late, his hair has become increasingly curly at the bottom and wavy at the top. He was a little hot (read: sweaty) in this pic, so it's extra curly, but it's still curly. And wavy. And adorable.