Savvy Toddler Mom

Sorry to keep you waiting on the results of my HSG on Friday.  I needed more time than I had then to put a post together.

The HSG wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be — probably has something to do with the 800 mg of ibuprofen I took ahead of time (thanks for the heads-up, Toni!).  I was pretty uncomfortable that night and a bit into the next day, but nothing that required more than some more ibuprofen.

And now for the results… drumroll… they didn’t find anything wrong with me.  Yay!  That is a good thing!  If they had found something wrong with my uterus, I don’t know what they would have been able to do, so I’m glad we’ve been able to just rule that out completely.

Also, it was really cool to watch on the TV monitor as they put the dye in — crazy!

So, I’m still waiting for the results on my bloodwork.  After that, we’ll look at where we go from there.

In the meantime, I had a pretty busy weekend.  CTM and I went to the gym Saturday morning to do cardio and weights, and I am SO sore today.  My arms especially!  Saturday night we went out with some friends to Mikado.  I am not a sushi fan, but did try one roll.  I ordered the tempura shrimp and veggies — so yummy!

The toot spent the evening hangin’ with canyonfool, his wife and two-year-old son.  I think he had a great time!  Canyonfool is the best uncle a little boy could have… he loves to wrestle, he’s totally funny, he’s got a whole bunch of toys at his house, and he loves to play with the toot!  Thanks again, CF & wife!  You guys are the best.

Canyonfool made the boys a dinner from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.  My other brother and SIL sent me a copy for my birthday — thanks, guys! — so CF wound up with the copy my parents gave me for Christmas. LOL  (Review still to come…) I was really impressed that CF made something out of it.  I read through it and my first impression is that it’s a TON of work!  It sounded like the boys really liked it and with all the veggies hidden inside, I can only tip my hat to CF.  Way to go.

On Saturday, I also spent some time packing up the toot’s 3T clothes.  He had a TON.  It took almost 2 big plastic storage boxes to fit them all.  I think I’m doing a better job now figuring out how many pajamas, shirts, and pants he needs — but I think I went a little crazy last winter on the pajamas!  I always wonder if I should store all of his clothes.  Is it worth it?  I actually set aside some to give to the DI — the ones that are far from my favorite or that got a random stain, etc.  And especially, what about shoes?  Do you keep them?  I’ve kept all the Robeez shoes (so cute!) he had when he was younger, but now they get so worn and dirty.

He was wearing 4T clothes at the end of last summer, so I’m excited to actually have him wear those again this spring. 

My favorite quote from the toot last week was: “Daddy, can I drive?  I’m three now!”  LOL

We were supposed to get a huge snow storm last night, but it flaked out.  I expect it will hit sometime today.  For now, the wind is blowing like crazy and I’m still planning on staying home all day!  I just hope the storm is done and over with by tomorrow — I have places to go!

I think we’ll do laundry, etc.  I also need to work on my “list” some more.  Those thank you notes aren’t going to write themselves!

Another zero Diet Coke day!  Yay!

I am going to celebrate by having a Fresca.

I made the BEST chicken tortilla soup tonight - here is the recipe (for the crock pot):

4 uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 15-oz cans black beans, undrained
2 15-oz cans low-sodium Mexican stewed tomatoes, or Rotel tomatoes
1 cup low-sodium salsa (mild, medium, or hot, whichever you prefer)
4-oz can chopped green chilies, undrained
14-1/2-oz can low-sodium tomato sauce
baked tortilla chips
2 cups grated fat-free cheese

1. Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese in large slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours. (I do mine on high for 4 hours.)
3. Just before serving, remove chicken breasts and slice into bite-size pieces. Stir into soup.
4. To serve, put a handful of chips in each individual soup bowl. Ladle soup over chips. Top with cheese.

Recipe by Becky Harder of Monument, CO from Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly by Phyllis Pellman Good.

Tomorrow is the dreaded hysterosalpingogram.  I’m trying not to think about it.

I’d like to thank my sweet friend Jasmine for reminding me this morning that “miscarriage” isn’t the right word. I’ve been thinking about it all day.  I’m going to try and say something else from now on.  I think she’s right in that “miscarriage” is a word taken lightly in our society.  Losing a baby should not be taken lightly.  She and I lost babies… real, live, loved babies.  “Miscarriage” doesn’t come close to defining what happened to them/us.  Jasmine, thank you again.

I’m not really one to share recipes, but I sampled this one earlier in the week and it is delicious!  Perfect for the fall/Halloween season, too.

So, with a thanks to my neighbor Deidre, here it is:

Bake 15-1 7 minutes at 375 degrees

Beat: 3 eggs, 5 minutes

Add: 
1 C sugar
2/3 C pumpkin
1 tsp. lemon juice

Fold in:
3/4 C flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt

Optional:
Top with 3/4-1 C chopped walnuts or pecans (I recommend pecans!)

Line cookie sheet with wax paper, spray with Pam (just over the edge of pan, or paper will burn).

Pour mixture evenly onto greased wax paper.

Sprinkle with 3/4-1 C chopped walnuts or pecans.

Bake 15-17 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sprinkle powdered sugar and place a thin towel over the top. (Sugar helps it to not stick!)

Invert, peel paper off, and roll (in the towell) length-wise, until cooled.

Filling: (smooth)
Whip:
1 C powdered sugar
8 oz. softened cream cheese
4 Tbsp. softened butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Unroll and spread evenly onto cooled roll, re-roll (without towel) and refrigerate.  Place in plastic wrap and foil to help keep it fresh!

FREEZE - easier to slice and serve!