Chocolate Waffles (or Pancakes)

These chocolate waffles were a great way to start my day.  Super simple to make and easy to customize to your taste.

Chocolate Waffles (or Pancakes)

3/4 cup Flour (I tried both all purpose and whole wheat; great with either or a mix)

1/4 cup Cocoa

3 tbsp Sugar

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

Dash of Salt

1 Egg

1 cup Milk

3 tbsp Vegetable Oil (any oil, or even melted butter, is fine; for pancakes, use 2 tbsp)

Optional: dash of cinnamon, mini chocolate chips, whatever your heart desires

Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl and the wet in another, then combine the two.  Seriously.  That easy.  Let the mix sit as your heat up your waffle iron or pancake griddle and then cook as you normally would.  

I prefer to dip my waffles in syrup rather than pour it on top, thus my plain pics = ).

Motherhood is Bad For Your Health

AKA First Philadelphia Irene Victim

(the victim)

Center City Philadelphia- Rain started pelting the Philadelphia area around noon yesterday as the impending Hurricane Irene made her slow ascent up the east coast.  Residents had previously flooded the local groceries stores, emptying the shelves of lighters and booze.  As the sky darkened, one local woman took it upon herself to tidy up her son's room.

That's when tragedy struck.  As the local woman, a mother of two in Center City, went to step over her youngest son (9 months) she miscalculated and hit this:

(the culprit)

Her toes were ensnared in the metal and wood contraption and the woman was forced to do a hop and turn move that would've had the judges on Dancing with The Stars raving.  The local woman then maneuvered herself to fall gently on the floor, at which time her older (21 months) son gave her a big hug...

So yeah, I'm pretty sure I broke my toe.  I imagine going to the ER as we await the worst of the storm would be stupid, so I will be calling my GP tomorrow.  And I hope I never have to show you a picture of my foot again...

Judgy Pants

The moment I became a mom I felt it.  I knew it.  

Everyone was judging me.  

Why couldn't I stop my child from crying?  Why wasn't he wearing any shoes?  What  was I feeding him? Why was I letting him climb up the slide?  On and on and on.

The worst part?  I was doing it to.  Jeez, why doesn't that woman just pick up her child?  Why doesn't that mom tell her child to share?  

It seems that my insecurities about the job I'm doing come out in judgmental statements (in my head) aimed at other caretakers.  No one has the answers, I know that.  

So anyway, I had this judgy moment at the park today where I thought a parent was being overly pushy with their child.  I guess I still think so, if I'm honest.  I have to remind myself that every child is different (as is every parent) and that maybe his technique would be what was best for her.  It was trying for me because it reminded me of times when my husband and I weren't actively aware of our oldest son's developmental capabilities.  There are certain concepts that kids just don't get until certain ages, and yes some will understand them earlier than others and some later.  For the parent at the park today I hope that he isn't banging his head against the wall trying to teach his child something s/he can't understand yet.  If so, I sympathize.  

Drinking Games

E likes to drink out of a big boy cup.  Unfortunately, once his thirst is quenched he likes to dump the remaining bit on the floor.  Knowing this, I didn't give him a cup just now when he asked.  So what did he do?  He took a draw on his sippy cup.... and spit it into a play cup.  And then he drank it.  He did this a few times and then decided to spit whatever was left in his mouth on the floor.  Niiiiice.

Superbaby and the Blood Draw

Yesterday I woke up anxious.  I was scared, nervous.  My oldest, E, was going to have blood drawn for the first time and I didn't know what to expect.  Before heading out to the park and the appointment I packed everything I could think of that I might need.  I had chicken fingers for lunch, extra juice, milk, a brownie to raise his blood sugar, books, fun flashcards, etc.  I even brought the backpack carrier in case I had to have his brother, Z, sit in it while the bloody thing went down.

Oy, I was nervous.  All though our time at the park, the walk to the lab, and while waiting, waiting, waiting.  Thankfully, Z fell asleep on the way to the lab.  When they finally called us Z woke up- of course.  He was really good though sitting in the stroller staring at another patient.  Me, I was a mess.  The phlebotomist wasn't too helpful.  She could've explained what was going to happen. Come on, we are talking about taking blood out of my first born some details would've been helpful.

So basically, I had to sit with E on my lap and immobilize his arm.  I tried to distract him and get him to look at his brother but my efforts were unnecessary.  I had wasted so much time being anxious and a jumble of nerves and when it came down to it E showed that he was superbaby after all.  He watched the whole blood draw and didn't move or cry.  Then he watched as the phlebotomist but a band-aid on him and for once he didn't try to rip it off.  I was so proud of him.  And so exhausted.  All that worrying tired me out.  I almost didn't have the energy to make it home.

In my mind I always tend to think of the WORST. POSSIBLE. SCENARIO.  I guess I should let up a bit, but it certainly seems like a mom trait.  Anyway, here's the star of the day- E: