his needs

Here is Gabriel.  He's my little sweetheart.

Now that he's three months old, I'm figuring some things out about him.  Besides the obvious, of course: he is pretty stinking adorable.

This little guy is a social creature.  Oh yes, it's true.  He wants to be where the action is.  He'd prefer to be held, and if he's not being held, then he'd like someone to sit with him, please.  He is definitely not into playing alone.  This dude isn't interested in solitude at all.

In many ways, he reminds me of a certain older brother.  An older brother who wears his heart on his sleeve. When these guys are happy, they're full of charm and smiles.  But when they're upset, then everyone knows about it.  I'm talking the whole neighborhood.  Possibly the whole city.  In fact, if you've heard a baby screaming recently, there's a good chance it was him.

I know, he doesn't look like he's got it in him.  But trust me, he does.

And so, our family is learning how to function around Gabe's needs.  His needs for tons of interaction, and company. The fact that he is decidedly a people person.  I've been doing more babywearing lately, which has helped.  Although, considering his tendency to spit up, it's a little bit of a gamble.  If I face him in, I get creamed.  If I face him out, there are fairly good odds that I'll have to re-make someone's sandwich for lunchtime.

Lately we've been doing our math on the floor in the play area.  The baby grins and kicks his feet, tolerates tummy time and generally ignores his toys, while the older boys and I discuss multiplication strategies and how to find something's area.  But he's likes that we're there with him.

We are figuring it out.  It hasn't always been easy, but we're getting there.  Now I just need to figure out how to orchestrate things so that the older boys are able to talk to him, read to him, play with him and generally entertain him while I fix breakfast.  As well as lunch.  And dinner.

'Cause this guy doesn't want to miss a thing.

my precious little...

my darlin'

I'm afraid this this bubbly beauty may not end up with a clever name after all.  The simple fact is, I just automatically refer to her as Darlin'.  

"And how are you today, Darlin"?"

"There you go, Darlin'.  Eat your flour and be happy!"

"Good morning, Darlin'! You're looking refreshed!"

You get the idea.  I'm afraid, that, even if I do give her an official name, she may always be Darlin' to me...  Oh dear.   Perhaps I should try referring to her as Clementine?

Incidentally, I loved this post today from Kelly the Kitchen Kop: The BEST No-Knead Sourdough Bread and Why Sourdough is the Best Bread You Can Eat.  It shares a little bit about why sourdough is so wonderful. (And yes, that is the recipe I use.  I make a lovely round loaf of sourdough at least twice a week.  We love it.)  As for me, I'm smitten!  In case you hadn't noticed.

I don't call just anyone Darlin', you know.

who's who answers!

It's finally time for the answers to the question posed by this post: Who's Who?  They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's my answer in image form:

Top left: Kyle

Top right: Owen

Bottom left: Gabriel

Bottom right: Ben

First congratulations go to the grandmas, who positively nailed it.   dtalley also guessed correctly, and a number of you got them about half correct.  And half right is nothing to sneeze at - they are all brothers, after all!

Thanks for playing!

sourdough kick

I am on a huge sourdough kick lately.  Huge.

To quote my husband, "[I am] one sourdough maniac."

But don't let him fool you; he's been loving it, I promise.

So far, we've enjoyed bread, pancakes, waffles, and pizza crust.  Next up?  English muffins.  But I think that one's going to require a little extra adult support (in regard to the children).

I think I'm finally getting this thing with the starter.   Ever since I got this new starter, it has seemed totally healthy and happy.  Which makes me happy.  I just love seeing it bubble and grow.  Pretty much everything I've made has been a big hit with the family, and I'm having a lot of fun experimenting.  

In case, you're interested, here's a list of the recipes we've tried (and approved!) so far.

1) No-Knead Sourdough Bread.

This recipe is so easy.  It only takes a few ingredients, and it requires absolutely no kneading - just some careful timing.  I don't even have a dutch oven, I just use a heavy ceramic casserole with a lid. It works great! We love this recipe; I make it at least twice a week.   I've even played with the wheat/white flour ratio a bit, and it works great with mostly wheat flour.  

2)  Sourdough Pizza Crust. 

Seriously awesome.  It just requires a little kneading the morning before you want to make your pizza, and the dough is so pleasant and easy to work.  The whole family adored this pizza, it's our new favorite.  And they've always liked the crust I made.  

3)  Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls.

An instant hit.

4)  Sourdough Pancakes.

My family has always loved the soaked, whole wheat pancakes I've always made.  I'd also heard a few reports of people not liking the sourer version, so I was very unsure of how these would go over.  However, I was thrilled to discover that everyone loved them.  Every. Single. Person.  Score!

5)  Sourdough Waffles.

We tried these for the first time this week, and they were delicious.  No leftovers whatsoever.  Another great option when I don't have time to soak waffle batter the night before, or just feel like something different.  A definite winner!

Several of these recipes (and more I'm planning to try) came from my friend Wardeh's fabulous website, GNOWFGLINS.  Wardeh has also put together a collection of sourdough recipes: Sourdough A to Z. It's just been bumped up on my list of Books I Want to Buy.  I just know it'd be a boon to anyone dabbling in sourdough.

I hope you enjoyed my list!  And no, I have not yet officially named my starters.  Suggestions are still being taken, so please do share if you'd like.  My darlin' definitely needs a moniker here.  I can't keep referring to her (and her infrequently-used, pale-faced sister) as "Hey you," now, can I?

 

mommy confessions

~While sitting on a chair in a circle at Bible study this week, I was dismayed to discover my left shoe splattered with spit-up.  Not surprising, but still a bit embarrassing... I guess Gabe and I both need our shoes scrubbed.

~I started to read one of my Jane Austen books, but then I decided I currently just don't have enough time and/or brainpower to do that right now.  You can't read Jane Austen half a page at a time.  At least, I can't.

~I kind of hate Legos.

~I have instituted a little thing called Lunch in the Living Room.  About once a week, the children get to have lunch while watching a video, and I dine alone (or with the baby on my lap) at the dining room table.  They love it, and a quiet lunch now and then works wonders for my sanity!

~At this point in my life, it is infinitely more fun to shop for and dress my daughter, than myself.

~I am obsessed with limes.  Which are definitely not local fare...  I would also kill (figuratively speaking!) to have a lemon tree in my back yard.  But no, I don't want to move to California or Florida.

~Sometimes, an hour or so away from Lunch in the Living Room, I'll look longingly at the laptop and call out, "Pinterest, I'm coming for you!"

~Tuesdays are hard.  I cry almost every week on the way to Bible study.

~I like to make homemade fudge.  And then smear peanut butter on top of it for even more decadence.

~Somehow, I am both anticipating and dreading the spring and summer months.  Don't ask me to explain it.  I think it has to do with having more skin showing during the warmer seasons.

~My 3-month-old spends 2/3 of his naptime in the swing.

~It's surprisingly effortless to come up with a dozen or so confessions at this stage in my life  Somehow that doesn't frighten me as much as it ought to...

~I think I may have another sanguine on my hands.  I just don't know if I can handle another sanguine in my life just now.  They're great fun and all, but man do they ever like to talk... And boy are they boisterous!

who's who?

It's that time again!  Are you up for a challenge?  This time there's not even any pink to clue you in.  Can you tell which of these 3-month-old baby boys are Ben,Kyle, Owen, and Gabriel?

Go on.  Give it your best shot.  You know you want to.

Answers to come soon(ish)!