Scare tactics

Ayda has a tendency to... dart.

That is the best way I can describe it. She is a dang fast runner, one minute she will be there and the next, she won't. When we go outside, I have to keep both eyes on her at ALL times or she will get away, and who knows where she will end up.

In addition to darting, she also doesn't listen. The girl has got the 'selective hearing.'

From the moment Ayda has been able to walk, I've been scared to death that she will run out into the street, and be hit by a car.

When I thought Ayda would be able to understand, I explained to her the 'dangers' of the street.

I told her we have to hold hands and be very careful when we are in a parking lot, or when we cross the street, because cars drive on the street, and the cars will SQUISH you!

I've brainwashed this idea into her head over and over.

Well, I think I did a pretty good job... maybe too good.

Now, whenever we are walking from the car into a store, or anytime we are on the street Ayda says, "hurry, hurry! Cars will squish you!"  She's a bit frantic about it actually, and wants to run to the nearest sidewalk.

I didn't mean to cause her to have a panic attack every time we are on or near the street. I was just trying to keep her alive.

Is there a technical term for fear of the street?

How much is this going to cost me in therapy for her?

Michaelangelo

So the play-doh has been a huge success with Ayda. 

She plays with it at least twice a day. Usually, once with me in the morning, and then again when Scott gets home from work.

Her favorite thing is to have us make the Finding Nemo characters, (she calls them Nemo fish) and the different Thomas trains out of the play-doh.

Now, my Nemo fish are not as 'good' as Scott's. In fact, Scott's Nemo fish look so real, they should be in a museum or something.

Scott has even impressed himself. He sculpted a shark for Ayda that was truly awesome, and he declared that he would like to put it in a plastic baggie, to preserve it.

One day Ayda and I were playing with the play-doh, and she wanted me to make a turtle. I made one, handed it to her, and she kept saying, "fix it!" I could tell she was accustomed to more 'life-like' play-doh characters with Daddy, and the one I made just wasn't cutting it!

Ayda has a very talented Daddy... and a Mommy who, tries.

Yellow Curry?

One of my personal goals for this year is, to make new and delicious food.

If someone were to ask me what my favorite dish is, (super hard to say because I love so many things!) but it would probably be a yellow curry.

Thai, yellow curry that is.

I decided to look on-line, find a recipe, and attempt to make it at home. I found a recipe! And it is a Martha Stewart recipe! And I can make it in the crock pot! SCORE!

So far everything was seeming good. I went to the store, bought the ingredients like, coconut milk, (so yummy) curry powder, Cumin and Roasted Coriander...

WHAT!?

Cumin and Coriander? That seems strange. Oh, well. I've never made this before, what do I know.

But as soon as I got all the ingredients in the crock pot, I could smell that this was not a Thai, yellow curry. It was an Indian, yellow curry.

Cumin and Coriander, indeed. I should have known. Dang!

Scott and I dislike Indian food. We've both only had it once, but that was enough to know. Even the smell gags us. I forgot that Indian food has a Yellow Curry too. I didn't specify when I was looking for a recipe. And this recipe is just called, Chicken Curry.

I told Scott we had to eat it. I could tell Scott was not a fan. I could also tell that if you liked Indian food, this recipe was good. And Super easy!

I had to eat all of the leftovers. By the end of the week, it was actually tasting pretty good.

Maybe Indian food is an acquired taste.

Here is the recipe, along with a picture I took of the curry I made. If you like Indian food, you should try it.

Here are a few suggestions though: 1) Only use one lb of chicken. This is must! 2) Add some potatoes. 3) If you don't like peas, I'm sure you could use carrots.

Chicken Curry

FoodChicken thighsCoconut milkCurry stewDinnerDinner partyFall IndianMadras curry powderMain courseWinter Everyday FoodQuick Dinner

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Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
• 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 16 thin slices peeled fresh ginger (about 1 ounce)
• 2 tablespoons curry powder, preferably Madras
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Coarse salt
• 2 packages frozen green peas (10 ounces each)
• 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/2 cup toasted cashews (optional, for serving)
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (optional, for serving)

Directions

1. In a 5-quart slow cooker, toss chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, coriander, and cumin to coat. Season with 2 teaspoons salt. Cover, cook on high setting until chicken is fork-tender, about 4 hours (do not uncover while cooking).
2. Stir in coconut milk and peas; cover, cook until peas are heated through, about 20 minutes.
3. Transfer chicken to a large bowl; shred with fork. Return to pot; toss with sauce.
4. To serve, garnish with 1/2 cup toasted cashews and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, if desired.

My life's quest...

Is to find the happy medium.

I'm quite worrisome.

Especially when it comes to the future. I kid myself and say, I'm just trying to be 'prepared' for the future. Which is true, to some degree. I don't do well in surprise situations, (I'm a deer in headlights type). That is why if I worry/prepare for any future situation/disaster, I will be able to 'handle' it better.

As I have been pondering this philosophy of mine, I've come to a conclusion: 1) I'm going to die of a pre-mature heartattack. 2) I'm not, for lack of a better phrase, 'enjoying the moment.'

Let me give you an example, that just happened.

Last Saturday Ayda became ill. It started with a high fever,that we could not get rid of. She was struggling! Shakeing with the chills. All she could do on Sunday was lie in her chair and watch her shows. And it only went down hill from there. She could not sleep! Scott and I had to take shifts in the night. Ayda had to be held ALL the time! She was so tired and that made her grumpy! This sickness was really tuff! But I think the worst part of it for me was, the whole time I kept thinking/worrying, what if  I had another kid... how would I do this? I kept imagining different scenarios of what I would do. I was adding to my already heavy burden by doing this. I said this to Scott and he said,"Well, you don't have two kids!"

True.

I was worrying about the two kids, I didn't have.

I do think it is important to plan for the future...

But there has to be a happy medium!

Not that there were tons of moments to enjoy in this situation, but I wish now, I just concentrated on how sweet it was to have the opportunity to hold Ayda so much. Or feeling grateful that I have a kind husband who, helped me through this.

Well, now I am.

 I need to live more in the present.

Life's a process, folks.

In honor of Valentines Day...

I thought I would share a video of Ayda watching her one, true love... Thomas!

Here's hoping that we can all have the same enthusiasm and adoration for our special someone this Valentines Day!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Love,
Ayda

To cut or not to cut...

that is the question.

I have never cut Ayda's hair, and it's getting pretty long. Ayda actually has quite a bit of hair for her age. It's beautiful and kind of wild! It's straight, with some natural curl. It curls more, the less I wash it. I don't do anything special with it, except pull her bangs back with a a clip. I don't curl it with a curling iron or anything like that because I like her to have a more natural look. Plus, what a pain in the butt! I can barely get her to get dressed!

I asked Scott if he thought we should cut it, or at least trim it. He said, "NO!"

My question is this:

Would Ayda's hair grow thicker/longer if we gave her regular trims?

I must say, that it is nice not to have to cut Ayda's hair. One less thing to worry about. But it is getting a bit unruly.

I want Ayda to continue having nice hair, but I'm wondering if trimming it really makes a difference.

Any thoughts?

Now, these pictures are not the best view of her hair, but you can still see her magnificent, coif.

A girl and her dog

Ayda and Bruiser have a love/hate relationship.

Love on Ayda's part, and sadly, hate for Bruiser.

I'll never forget the look on Bruiser's face, the first time he saw Ayda.

And it's only gone downhill from there.

 This picture should say it all.

 Ayda really does love Bruiser. He is even part of her bedtime routine. She has to give him a hug before she will step foot in her crib.

I think Bruiser is starting to tolerate her more. Especially since he has figured out she is an excellent source of food. She is always willing to share her half-eaten cracker or whatever with him.

Bruiser, ALWAYS trying to escape her grasp

Bruiser, enjoying better days, as the 'baby.'





I'd like to think that Bruiser secretly, deep down inside, loves Ayda... 

Hmmmm....

Luckily, she has enough love for the both of them!