Family and Birthdays

First of all, today is Grandma Daisy's birthday (Larry's mom's mom, one of the friendliest ladies you will ever meet). Happy Birthday, Grandma! Just as soon as you're all better, Sara and I will be coming out for a visit. :)

Saturday was my dad's 75th birthday. Since my family is big on outings, we decided to take a camping trip to the San Mateo campground near San Onofre State Beach to celebrate. This is the same campground through which the Transportation Corridor Agencies wanted to build a toll road. Anyway, to make this birthday celebration even sweeter, my sister Susanne flew in from Germany to surprise my family! My parents had the pleasure of having all four of their kids in the same place for the first time since (I think) Alex and Carla's wedding almost five years ago. It was truly a special weekend.


You can click on the slideshow to view a larger version.

To help mark such a special occasion, I compiled a list of 75 things I love and appreciate about my dad. Here it is:

1. You taught me how to build a campfire.
2. You let me pick the lint out of your belly button when I was little.
3. You rigged up my fishing pole for me no matter how many times I messed it up.
4. You gave me a love of the outdoors.
5. You taught me how to ride a bike.
6. You showed me what a happy marriage looks like.
7. You gave me my love of reading.
8. You’ve always kept your curiosity about the world and its inhabitants.
9. You have never seemed disappointed about having more daughters than sons.
10. You’re a loving Opa.
11. You went to Girl Scout square dances and acted like it was fun.
12. You gave me my dimples.
13. You never put a limit on hugs.
14. You would let us cuddle with you on weekend mornings.
15. You always made us feel safe.
16. You can fix anything.
17. You paid my way through college.
18. You encouraged me to be successful in school.
19. You never minded if I got dirty.
20. You would run the shaver on my cheeks when I was little.
21. You would let me kiss your extra-soft cheeks after you shaved with a razor.
22. You would ring the bell every Christmas.
23. You would hide our Easter baskets out in the yard.
24. You have always had a special “chair.”
25. You nod your head in relief and relaxation if someone tucks you in when you’re napping.
26. You encouraged neatness.
27. You encouraged cleanliness.
28. You took us camping.
29. You would diligently remove every potentially uncomfortable twig or pebble from the pad before pitching our tent.
30. You would make a bed in the back of the bus, which made long car travels extra fun.
31. You would take us up to Big Bear for the weekend.
32. You taught me how to swim.
33. You would throw me in the air across the pool.
34. You would catch critters in your hands and show them to me.
35. You walked me through Bensheim and told me stories about your childhood.
36. You shared your memories of World War II with me.
37. You told me stories about your years in Canada.
38. You always appreciate a good meal.
39. You only brought good people around your kids.
40. You always have a twinkle in your eye.
41. You still take good care of yourself.
42. You’re always willing to come over and help with home projects.
43. You gave me my love of sleep.
44. You very rarely lost your temper with me.
45. You always took care of us financially.
46. You let me talk on the phone all the time at the age where I felt the need to.
47. You gave me my sweet tooth (gee, thanks!).
48. You listen to opera and classical music.
49. You would take us to the beach and let us spend the whole day there.
50. You never acted like your kids were an inconvenience.
51. You gave me my Apfelbaeckchen.
52. You took me to the plant and taught me about your job.
53. You painted my bedroom for me.
54. You let me watch while you gutted fish.
55. You took me out in the Klepper Boot.
56. You play with your grandkids.
57. You would always man the barbecue.
58. You built the patio with your own two hands.
59. You always gave Mama a kiss hello when you came home from work.
60. You have a lovely singing voice.
61. You let Tanja play with your ears and Alex with your forehead and fuzzy eyebrows.
62. You look funny and cute when you put your pinky in your ear and shake vigorously.
63. You took me to school for most of my junior year of high school.
64. You taught me how to drive.
65. You taught me how to change a tire.
66. You helped me make a sundial for my sixth grade science project.
67. You would take us to go ice-blocking at the park.
68. You taught us the value of a dollar.
69. You always took my pulse and checked my forehead when I was sick.
70. You encouraged homeopathic medicine before it was en vogue.
71. You always encouraged us to pursue excellence.
72. You always seemed content with your life.
73. You wanted what was best for us, and we always knew that.
74. You smile easily and often.
75. You’re my Daddy!

Whether a girl is one or thirty-one, she's never too old for her dear ol' dad. :)

Ham and pasta skillet--Recipe review

Since ham was on sale before the Easter holiday, I bought one and planned about three different ham meals for this week; this one is a new recipe. I know three ham meals in one week is excessive, but I never cook ham, so we'll have plenty of time to get over inevitably being sick of it.

Larry and I both agree that this one is about a 7/10. It's tasty enough to eat again, but it doesn't inspire any kind of enthusiasm. It's just okay. It's easy-to-make, so for that reason alone I'm sure I'll make it again. I'm all about easy. ;)

Ham and Pasta Skillet
1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup (I couldn't find this, so I used cream of broccoli and threw in three slices of American cheese)
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli
3 cups cooked shell macaroni (about 2 cups dry)
8 oz cooked ham cut in thin strips

Combine first three ingredients in a skillet. Add broccoli. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover; cook until broccoli is tender. Add macaroni and ham. Heat through, stirring occasionally.

Source: Campelll's Quick and Easy Recipes

So much to update!

Happy Easter!

I have much to write about, but let's start with the big stuff.

Today was Sara's first Easter. We took her to church this morning, and she loved the music from the contemporary service, although her daddy prefers the more traditional organ to the guitar and drums. After that we went to Tanja and Eric's for a barbecue. It was a lovely day, though Baby Girl was quite fussy--and not because of the bunny ears! She was showered with gifts by family and the Easter bunny. She is a very blessed little girl!


I got a haircut. I know there's kind of a stereotype about becoming a mommy and cutting your hair, but the truth is that it is still falling out like crazy thanks to the postpartum hormonal crash. Larry said he was okay with me cutting it as long as I didn't get a "mom" haircut. I think he meant something like this:


I vowed not to get the "mom" cut, so Larry gave me his blessing. It looks pretty flat from the front here

but here's a side shot that shows more of the cut:


I think I'm going to like it once I get used to it and it gets a little more shaggy.

We've seen a few movies lately.

1. American Gangster. This was a good one. Denzel Washington is always good, and it was an interesting story and very well-made.
2. Superman Returns. It was just okay for me. I am not the intended audience for this genre, but even a comic movie enthusiastic like Larry didn't *love* it. The pace was kind of slow at first, and it didn't really distinguish itself from other movies of its type.
3. Blades of Glory. After a day where Sajo spent more time whining/fussing than anything else, I just wanted to have some mindless laughter, and this movie provided it. It was ridiculously stupid...but in a good way.
   

Catholic Wedding

Larry and I are not Catholic, but Larry Sr. and Paula are. Last night they went through a ceremony to make their existing marriage a holy sacrament. They and three other couples participated.

Their church made it quite nice by providing flowers, cakes, and even a small gift! It was very sweet.

California chicken rolls and random movie notes

I usually try a new recipe out about once a week. I keep intending to post about the recipe on here, but it hasn't happened yet despite some successes (like crock pot chicken and dumplings) and some failures (like vegetarian chili out of a cookbook). Since Larry liked tonight's dinner so well, though, I'll use the opportunity to make my first recipe posting.

California Chicken Rolls
Mix together 10 oz thawed chopped frozen spinach, 4 oz blue cheese, and 3 tablespoons chopped sun dried tomatoes. Spread onto thinly pounded chicken breasts. Roll up and secure with toothpicks. Cook in skillet until golden brown and chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Source: Healthy Meals in Minutes (some mail-order cards I bought in the months before we got married!)

This was quick, yummy, and fancy-looking. ;) Thumbs up!

Movie notes: This week we've watched Michael Clayton and Blood Diamond. Both are worth seeing. Michael Clayton is just really well done--very smooth. Blood Diamond has some cheesy moments, but overall it's good. It made me stop and wonder about where my diamond might have come from.

Well baby checkup

Sara had her four-month well baby appointment on Wednesday, and the doctor says she looks "perfect"! She's as average as average can be size-wise: 50th percentile for both height and weight. She took her latest round of shots like a trooper.

Apparently in the next couple of months Sara should start babbling consonant sounds, get close to sitting up, and roll like a champ. It's kind of hard to imagine right now, but I'm sure she'll get there. It's been about two weeks since she last rolled over, but she's been much more focused on her hands of late. Once she masters those, I'll bet the rolling resumes.

Four months old

Just like that, our sweet baby girl is four months old. I cannot believe how fast the time is passing!

This past month was pretty incredible as Sara seemed to become much more aware of the world around her. She's rolling over (but still only occasionally), reaching for things (with sporadic success), and "talking" a whole lot. She continues to be a great night sleeper (6 or 7 p.m. to 6 to 7 a.m. with one waking on most nights) and a daytime catnapper. She is *usually* a pretty content baby, but if she's not happy about something, she will definitely let you know!



You can click on the slideshow to view a larger version. Enjoy!

Holding down the fort

Larry has gone fishing at Lake Casitas for the weekend with Brian and Marcos. I'm home alone with the baby.

Since there was no one's sleep to disturb and the bed had lots of extra room in it, I brought Sara in with me when she woke up to be nursed at 1:00 a.m. How nice to just sleep through a feeding instead of sitting in a (albeit comfortable) chair!

Baby Girl is four months old today! Time is flyyyying!