this week

This week...

• I met the most beautiful 8 day old baby
• Poor Addison was sick the first 1/2 of the week but returned to her normal, bubbly self mid-week
• I taught my first spin class...so much FUN
• I tortured myself cooking for a friend making grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches on toasted sourdough bread with boars head turkey & a bacon, roasted tomato mayo & smores treats...seriously, TORTURE
• Addison learned to hold up one finger when we say she is "one"
• I made my new motto "be so happy that when other look at you, they become happy too" (it got cut off in my picture)
• Addison discovered the water hose & was fascinated
• We spent some quality time with my Mum
• I FINALLY got double unders...now I have to string a ton of them together
• The UPS man visited quite a few times, delivering goodies for Addison's birthday party
• I made the most delicious homemade pesto subbing pine nuts for walnuts...heavenly
• I stayed up wayyyyy to late almost every night
• The countdown started for my brother's trip home & my grandparents visit 
• I mailed out Addison's birthday invites

This weekend is pretty jam packed but it will be nice since we've been inside all week. I am working Saturday night & I'm looking forward to a relaxing afternoon Sunday & hoping to squeeze some pool time in at some point. Philip's birthday is Tuesday & I have a few things to wrap up for that.

dollar store crafts

{messy craft room}

Since Addison has been sick the last few days & we've been home, I have had the opportunity to work on a few of her birthday projects.

If your Pinterest feed looks anything like mine, Dollar Store Crafts has been popping up left & right.  I decided to take a peek (probably not a good idea) & see if there was anything legit on there.  I discovered a whole new world...cheap craft heaven.

{tiered plates}

{apothecary jars}

{tiered bowls}

This project literally took 20 minutes, minus the dry time.  It was simply a matter of washing the glassware, removing the stickers/adhesive, making sure the glassware was dry & then gluing the glassware together.  Tiered bowls & plates can run upwards of $40.00 & apothecary jars are $12.00 at HomeGoods.  All in all I spent under $25.00 for the supplies & have several new serving pieces for Addison's birthday party.

we have a diagnosis

While I am incredibly relieved that we finally have a diagnosis & treatment for Addison, there are no words to describe how frustrated I am.

After running a temp of 104° & waking up with a rash I called the doctor's office back & requested Addison to be seen again.  The secretary said "I will transfer you to the advice nurse so you can leave a message." I responded "I don't need advice, I need my daughter to be seen by a physician."  Had I left a message the nurse would have said something like "she was seen Saturday & diagnosed with a virus. Viral rashes are common once the fever breaks..blah, blah, blah." Only Addison was still (and still is) running a fever & I KNEW this was more than a virus.  She was barely eating, acting like her throat hurt, tugging at her right ear & has stinky breath. We are now going on day 4 of running a constant temperature of 102-104°. All of the same symptoms she had on Saturday except now she has a rash. Thank goodness they gave us an appointment because not only does she have STREP THROAT but she has an EAR INFECTION. 

Hopefully she will start returning to normal. Today she is completely drained, only wants me & has the saddest "mum-mum-muma" as if she is miserable.  I love our pediatricians & have complete confidence in their ability to care for my daughter.  I am not bashing them or their ability to practice medicine (afterall, I am just a nurse & they are the ones with medical degrees) BUT I think it's important as a parent to listen to your instinct.  Not all patients present the same way & not everything has a classic presentation.  I just wish they would have swabbed her Saturday per my request when she was seen...she may have already been on the mend.

tired eyes

Extremely high temp: check. En fuego skin: check. Most tired eyes you have ever seen: check. Ridiculously cuddly: check. Restless: check. Waking during sleep: check. Vomiting: check. Stinky breath: check.

My poor sweet girl has not been herself for the last few days.  Her temperature just keeps getting higher & higher despite alternating ibuprofen & tylenol. She has been a super trooper.
We spent 2 1/2 hours + at the doctors waiting trying to figure out what is causing Addison's 104° temp. Of course they said it's viral & couldn't tell me anything at all other than to continue alternating between ibuprofen & tylenol. Her ears were ok. Her throat had papules (solid elevation of skin with no visible fluid) but wasn't red so they said it was unlikely strep & did not culture her. They cathed her (worst experience EVER) & she was negative for a UTI.  No chest congestion, no runny nose, just this pesky fever that is robbing my sweet girl of her usually bubbly & sweet personality.
It's the worst feeling as a parent to see your little one sick especially when communication is minimal.  The worst part is, I have to work tonight. Although I know her Daddy will take good care of her it seems ironic to leave MY sick baby to take care of other people's sick babies/family members.

I wish I could wave a wand & make her feel better or be sick for her. Sick babies are the worst!

this week

This week...

• I was MIA (sorry). I wasn't really MIA, we went to the beach for a couple of days.
• A beautiful, long awaited, miracle baby was born :) welcome to the world Arden!
• I went on a birthday party buying frenzy
• I lightened my hair a little more...thank goodness I am almost back to my natural color
• I checked multiple DIY projects off my list for Addison's party
• My poor baby had a fever of 103 (currently) despite alternation between ibuprofen & Tylenol; she will be going to the doctors in the am
• We went to a pirate themed birthday party
• Addison attended her first s'more bonfire
• I lived in my old raggedy converse
• We had a nice visit with Philip's sister & her family

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this week

This week....

• It rained ALL week. I guess that's okay because we really needed the rain.
• We went to the farmer's market during the peach festival. I gave Addison a whole peach & she annihilated it. The result was a sloppy, sticky mess & super happy baby.

• I started training for a sprint triathalon (250 meter swim, 10 mile bike & 3.1 mile run)...I ran a 19:08 5k while pursuing Addison as well :)
  
• I made a batch of sunflower butter for Addison which she had for breakfast on coconut bread from Julian's bakery
• I ordered several more things for Addison's party
• I had a MUCH NEEDED girls night (It had been way too long)
• I made several new headbands for Addison
• Addison took an unassisted step towards me
• I had lunch at one of our favorite Mediterranean restaurants, Neomande

 

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stuffed cabbage

What you Need:

1 head Savoy cabbage
1 pound ground chicken (you could use ground beef or ground turkey)
1 medium onion,
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrot, shredded
2 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 large parsnip, shredded
1/2 head of riced cauliflower, uncooked
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups marinara (I make mine homemade)
Sea Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 Tbsp dried oregano

Fill a large pot with water, adding a pinch of sea salt. While the water is coming to a boil, cut the base of the cabbage (coring it) & strip the leaves off. Add the leaves to the pot making sure the water is completely covering the leaves. Let it sit in the pot for approximately 10 minutes until the leaves become slightly transparent.
Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add your onions & saute until they soft & browned. Next add the carrot, celery and parsnip and saute them until they are also soft. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, & oregano. Transfer it to a bowl and let it cool a bit. Cut 1/2 your head of cauliflower into small pieces (removing the stem) & chop in your food processor until you have a "riced cauliflower".  Next add your meat,  riced cauliflower & tomato paste. Add another  pinch of salt and pepper.
Drain the head of cabbage, patting the leaves dry with towels. Roll about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of filling in each leaf (depending on the size of your leaf). Coat bottom of large pot with marinara & arrange the stuffed leaves. Add additional sauce to cover the rolls. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat, letting them simmer covered on the stove on low for about 45 minutes.






This dish may have few ingredients & lacking seasoning but the flavors of the vegetables with the marinara & meat are all it needs!