Kim and I, backstage in England, summer '09.

Quattro

Our mini Thunder snowman.

Eddie and Bam.

My favorite little man.

Monkee.

Mommy.

The Pineapple.

Puzzle pieces

I realized today that like Quattro, Elvis' head fits perfectly in that little nook of my shoulder, where my neck meets my collar bone. Even though it's slightly boney, it curves into a smooth like pillow, contoured to their sweet little heads when they cry, when they sleep.

They fit like my head does to Eddie's, it is as if we are all pieces of our own puzzle.

Whatcha readin' for?

We went to Barnes and Noble yesterday, mainly as an extension of our "get out of the heat" plan. We had lunch, went shopping then walked into the massive Q used to call "Barnes and Global"... anyway, I was looking for a place to sit down and feed the baby. 10 months old, still nursing, I know there are some people that think it's weird. Some think it is downright gross to see a woman nursing a baby but I don't really give a shit. Cover or no cover, a baby's gotta eat.

Q is off in the kid books, he loves to read, always has and Eddie, oddly enough, is in the parenting section. Now I didn't think too much of it at first, I was busy but later leaving the store I thought how awesome it was. Here's a guy, 43 years old, has a 9 year old and newly 10 month old (WOW) and he is still embracing the knowledge that is out there. Dude was getting his learn on. It was sexy. He picked up a book by a guy (whom I have forgotten his name*) that wrote "Blind Side" it is a journal of sorts that he wrote about each of his three daughters. Eddie stood there reading, seemingly, the entire thing and said "I'm going to get this" I was like "oh, weird, your new parenting guide?" and he said "not exactly, read the intro" then he grabbed the book from me, flipped the pages, excitedly and said "no, read this part", so I'm reading along it is about this guys' 6 and 3 year old swimming, blah blah and then the three year old yells (at some bratty boys in he pool) "YOU JUST SHUT UP YOU STUPID MOTHER FUCKING ASSHOLE". And, we're hooked.

*"Home Game" by Michael Lewis

Ginger chicken

Make marinade in a large ziplock.

3 T fresh grated ginger (no substitute)

1/2 cup olive oil

2 T apple cider vinegar

3 t crushed garlic

1/4 cup diced onion (any kind)

3 chicken breasts

butterfly (cut in half)

slice diagonal strips lengthwise, about 1- 1 1/2" thick

Put chicken in ziplock and squish around. 

Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours

Soak skewers overnight too

Skewer each strip and BBQ. 

Don't flip too early, make sure you have dark grill marks so it won't stick.

Mmmmm...

Lentil salad

For Mom-

Lime dressing:

zest of one lime, make sure you wash it!

juice on one lime

1/3 cup olive oil

1 T honey, maple syrup or sugar if that's all you got

1 T sweet dried basil

salt, pepper

Salad:

small dice one zucchini

small dice one roasted red pepper

5-7 basil leaves, sliced thin

3-4 cups cooked lentils (Trader Joe's sells them cooked to perfection, if you cook them yourself, don't overcook them)

4 T goat cheese, slice it then crumble

First:

In a bowl mix the dressing up and toss in the zucchini, let it sit until you are done

Toss lentils with the rest of the salad mix, leaving out 1/2 of the cheese and a few strands of basil.

Mix in dressing and zucchini, top with the last of the cheese and basil.

Serve cold or room temp. 

I never read a parenting book cover to cover because of one simple reason- I don't believe that there is one philosophy, one way. I just don't think that's how it goes. Each child is different, requiring you to read yet another stack of, what I like to call "one idea", books.

I will happen upon an article or a piece of info from a conversation from a friend and then do a little research about the subject, only to find a concept that is nothing more than a pile of rules... and if there's one thing I don't like, it's being broke, um and rules, yeah, I don't like rules.

The whole idea of the "family bed", great idea, especially for us nursing mothers, it is a nice thought to have the baby laying next to you, only to wake up for a moment root around a bit then, "JACKPOT!". But what about when they are 4? Family bed? No thanks. And I guess I should say, although I like to think this goes without saying, that I am not judging. If it works for you, great. I'm only speaking of moi.

So the family bed. I get it, I like it. I wish, in ways, it worked for me. But I can't sleep, like really sleep with a baby in my bed, not to mention a thrashing 4 year old (or 9!) So parts of that concept are good for me, keep 'em close but not too close.

That brings me to the opposite method, "CIO" aka "cry it out". There is just NO way I could do it like they have it in the books. I read, from a "doctor", that you stretch the time out between going in an checking on your crying baby. Like 5, 10, 15 minutes... then it says crying for 30-90 minutes is not "uncommon" and also vomiting isn't unusual. Okay, I'm sorry- WHAT THE FUCK?? Are they suggesting that I leave my baby in their crib, check on them (it says to not pick them up) and if they are so hysterical that they barf I shouldn't think this is alarming? I don't know who this works for, for this I am going to take back the not judging part. If you are sleep "training" your baby and they cry so hard they throw up al over your crib, I judge you.

Anyway, this is what I am thinking about right now. All these "rules" and all the non-bendiness of the rules I read. Can't we just have a book that has a little bit of everything? Options from both sides (except from crazy, make your babies head spin around), all sides?

I sit here, with my 9 month old fast asleep with no one method to thank, and wonder.

Simlish?

It's a bit like Dutch meets baby talk. Eddie was in the studio yesterday recording vocals for "Rock n' Roll Records", the folks at EA Games are using it in their Sim's game. Pretty crazy words like "Rokka mo bekkles" was the line for "Rock n' roll records"... anyway it was cool.

So Eddie and Q ride their bikes to the studio, it's a couple miles from us, I stayed home to tend to the womanly stuff like waiting around for the baby to wake up.

When I show up to the studio (to pick up Q for a Target trip, he was DYING for the new Toy Story 3 DS game) Eddie is like "oh, Jess is here- she'll do it" and I'm thinking this can't be good... what can they possibly need me for there? My worst fear, singing! Actually it is not a fear, I'm just not very good at it. But Dave and Eddie wanted different voices for the background vocals, so they had Quattro record and then me. It was fun, I secretly love to do that sort of thing, putting on the headphones and screaming into the mic. It's alright.

Anyway, it was so quick, painless and just another thing to add to my list.

Video to come!