Ayy-Bee-Theeeeez

Josh plays a great version of the "Chubby Bunny" game with chicken nuggets and the alphabet. If you want to see some of it...

Click here for the YouTube video.

Salad Jackpot!

We've hit the salad jackpot lately. I've never been one to swoon over salad, since we didn't have it much growing up. Partially because I was such a picky eater that my ideal salad consisted of crunchy lettuce and ranch dressing, but also because my mom thought it wasn't worth the effort. You can get the same amount of nutrients (and often more) by dumping a package of pre-cut pre-washed broccoli into the steamer. But recently, we've found some amazing recipes that make it worth all the effort. We've even started buying spinach in mass quantities from Costco. You know the enormous bag I'm talking about? The one that takes up half your fridge space and usually goes bad before you can even use half of it? Well, we've said goodbye to the rotten stench of old spinach in our fridge and said hello to these amazing recipes. You'll love 'em!

A couple of tips: With each of these, I'm pretty sure the secret is in the homemade DRESSINGS. And for all you moms out there who refuse to become familiar with the internet (specifically my mom), if you don't see the recipe underneath the title, click on the underlined words and the computer will magically take you to the website with that recipe.

From OurBestBites.com:

Candied Walnut Salad with

Honey Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing

From AllRecipes.com:

Strawberry Spinach Salad with my new favorite dressing ever. 

It's so yummy I don't even know what to call it!

Eryn's Salady Goodness:

2 green apples peeled and chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (peeled from a block)
Romaine lettuce
Candied pecans or walnuts
Dressing:
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 c olive oil
2 green onions
salt to taste

Spinach-Craisin-Almond-Poppyseed Salad

1 bunch spinach
1 small red onion, sliced thin
1 small package dried cranberries
caramelized almonds* 
Poppy seed dressing:
  1/4 cup olive oil
  2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  2 Tbsp. sugar
  1/4 tsp. salt
  1/4 tsp. almond extract
  1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

*In saucepan over med. heat, 

heat 3/4 cup slivered almonds 

with 2 Tbsp. sugar until 

golden brown. Spread on 

foil to cool, then break apart.

Mom's Mandarin Almond Salad

1 head romaine lettuce

1 cup chopped celery

3 green onions, sliced

1 cup mandarin oranges

1/2 cup sliced almonds

Dressing:

1/2 cup salad oil

4 Tbsp. sugar

4 T. vinegar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

These ones we don't have actual recipes for, but they are big favorites so we've tried to copy them on our own:


Red Robin's Crispy Chicken Tender Salad
crisp greens, lightly fried chicken breast tenders, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, poppy-seed honey mustard dressing

Cheesecakes Unlimited's Feta Chicken Salad 

romaine lettuce, arugula, shredded chicken, crumbled feta cheese, cubed cucumber, diced tomatoes, sunflower seeds, sliced red onion, garlic caesar dressing

Not Pregnant

Last night, I got my monthly reminder that I am, again, NOT pregnant. I know this is a weird thing to announce, since people don't usually tell a public audience when they're trying to have a baby, but...we're trying to have another baby. I figured it was obvious anyway, since Josh is almost two and I've got no career, schooling, or health problems stopping me. We've only been trying for a few months so far, which I know is nothing compared to some couples, and is even less than nothing compared to miscarrying. I'm not writing this to organize a pity-party for myself or even to put myself in the same category as others who have experienced real pregnancy trials. I've just been in a weird funk about it recently and had a sort of breakthrough that I think might potentially comfort others in the same situation.

I know that most people reading this already know how I'm feeling, to some degree. The irresistible urge to take pregnancy tests too early and too often, going through tests almost faster than Kleenex. Enduring the awkward, intense excitement and dread of waiting the two minutes for results, so badly wanting to look but being terrified of another negative. The hope that I might be putting on extra weight for a good reason this month. Imagining that my bra might be getting a little too tight, or that my nose is getting a little more sensitive to dirty diapers. Thinking my occasional headaches and nausea and heart burn and dizziness are due to something that actually matters. The freedom to cry and overreact and demand specific foods as much as I want, attributing my emotional instability to my raging "pre-pregnancy" hormones. I guess early pregnancy and PMS do have a lot of the same symptoms. This past week has done wonders to support the placebo effect -- when I think I'm pregnant, I most certainly act pregnant. 

And fortunately for me, I have a husband who gets nearly as excited about pregnancy as I do. Especially recently. Matt randomly starts up conversations about our future children's names. He says things in pregnancy-talk, like "Oh my gosh, stop right there and let me look at you! You are GLOWING right now!" Or "Wait a sec, I think I see the faintest blue line right there! See it? Yeah, maybe you should take another test in the morning." He refers to himself as "Super Sperm" because Josh came around exactly as planned. (And because Josh is a male. Apparently we aren't having any girls??) And, right or wrong, he loves to see me "swollen with child." Personally, I think I look my best when I'm tiny and fit. When my tummy doesn't hang over my jeans and I'm not embarrassed to wear short sleeves or worried about my double chin in front of the camera. But my dear Matt, apparently, prefers an extra forty pounds around my middle. Yesterday he literally sighed when he saw one of my old monthly preggo pictures come up on the computer, and openly proclaimed his love for my roundness. Yes, the man is delusional, but I kinda love it.

Not being pregnant can be a real downer. Especially when I feel ready. When I see my toddler give sweet little hugs and kisses to younger kids at church. When I'm jealous of the new moms who get to breastfeed and have that precious close relationship with a newborn. When my parents want more grandkids.

But at the same time, it can be an unexpected blessing. I truly believe that Heavenly Father knows what He's doing. He knows when is the best time to send His spirit children into our care. He knows what struggles we need to endure to strengthen our character and give meaning to our earthly experience. Today while I was reading a totally unrelated Conference talk, I got a strong feeling that my Heavenly Father knows me and loves me, and He's going to take care of me. That doesn't necessarily mean that He's going to send me another baby soon, or even at all. But I've realized that I shouldn't feel so entitled to receive another of His perfect little spirit children into my care whenever I feel like it. They're His children to begin with. 

My timing is not always consistent with the Lord's timing. That goes for anything. In words, it's one of the simplest lessons there is. But in reality, it's one of the most difficult truths to accept. Like I said a few months ago, FAITH is one of those super important things I'm working on. It's hard not to be in control of some of the biggest parts of my life. But everyone feels that way and everyone copes. The most helpful thing I've come to understand is that Heavenly Father knows what's best for me. As long as I'm doing all I can, He will take care of the rest when the time is right.

In the meantime, my sister and I joke about having a "non-pregnant party". Every month that we both have our dreaded periods, we talk about doing things that pregnant people can't do. Tanning, riding roller coasters, bungee jumping, using cleaning chemicals in  enclosed spaces, taking Sudafed, eating shark, sniffing glue, smoking. (Okay, you can tell from the last few how serious we really are...we both hate seafood.) 

The point is, there is probably more that I can do with the extra non-pregnant time I have been given. I can use this time to get in better shape before my abs are stretched apart again. I can spend more time and energy helping others who are "with child" themselves. Maybe there's more I can do to prepare my home and my family for another baby. I can make sure my relationships with my husband and son are extra strong, so when I really go all crazy and hormonal on them, they'll put up with me better. Or, like I said before, I can grow myself some faith.

Redding...AGAIN!

Last week, Josh and I got home from a wonderful 11-day trip to Redding. My sister Stephanie's birthday was on the 8th, so my parents flew us home to surprise her. (Josh is her favorite thing in the whole wide world. It's painful for them to be apart!) It was a great excuse for the whole family to gather at home for a few days...except for Matt. Sorry, honey. I wish I could just say "school shmool" but you know I wouldn't blaspheme like that.

I don't have a ton of pictures from our trip, and that's usually what I depend on to help me remember what we actually did on trips, but I do have some pics from my phone and some pretty cool shots that my brother-in-law Mike took. (Mostly of Josh, of course, but that's all anyone really cares about anyway, right?)

Could more joy be captured in a photograph? I think not.

This foreshadows his teenage years a little too well. I can just see him twelve years from now grabbing his skateboard and yelling from the garage "Mom, I'm going out! See ya when I see ya!"

Josh is actually getting really good at bouncing a basketball. You could almost call it dribbling in three-second stretches. And admit it...he does kind of look like a young Troy Bolton. Long hair, preppy shirt and all.

Working hard on the Mule. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta get that key in the ignition.

Sidewalk chalk. Don't you miss it? I can't wait until we have our own driveway so I can scrub this stuff off his hands, face, and clothes every day!

A very artsy picture, I must say. Nice job, Uncle Mike.

My beautiful big sister Melissa strikes a pose in the driveway! If you're wondering whether she finishes all her basketball shots like this, she does.

Matt didn't really appreciate this picture of Stephanie taking Josh for a little bike ride on her lap. I bet I don't have to tell you who loved it!

Another artsy fartsy pic from Mike. This is my littlest sister Julia. She just turned 12, and is easily the most athletic Madsen you'll ever find. We got to watch one of her softball games while we were there.

Josh thought he was important enough to hang out on the bench with Jules. I don't think the coach liked it, but I don't like her if she wants to ruin a sweet moment like this!

And that's the end of the good pictures. Here are the rest I took on my phone. 

Josh and Steven (16) pretty much became best friends. Josh followed him around everywhere and copied everything he said. (Good thing my brother has a clean mouth!) Josh would climb onto the back of this rocker chair while it was laying back, and Steven would come push on the other end and send him flying straight up! Then he'd slide down face first and hurry to do it again. Boys are so much fun!

We spent one morning at open gym time for toddlers at Julia's gymnastics place. Josh had a blast!

Another nerve-wracking picture for Matt -- Josh helping Uncle Steven mow the lawn.

He and Uncle Mike bonded a lot this trip, too. Thank goodness for daddies and uncles who know how to build really tall towers with blocks! These are actually the same blocks I played with as a child. Brought back memories!

 I think I have too many pictures like this....Anyway, JOSH GOT HIS FIRST HAIRCUT!!! Doesn't he look so handsome? So young and so old all at once?! I absolutely LOVE it! (And he screamed through the whole thing, even with a lollipop, which got covered in hair since it didn't stay in his mouth. Yuck.) I thought I might cry, and I did save a few locks of his hair, but I love it more than I could've imagined! No reason for tears. He's such a little MAN now.

Josh really enjoyed helping Steven hunt for bugs in the yard. Steven just caught a couple of lizards and bought a snake to add to his collection of "pets" in his bedroom, and he's been trying to feed them bugs. Such a boy. He also has two turtles and a bunch of fish. Needless to say, his is Josh's favorite room in the house.

Mesmerized by a weird Australian version of "Alice in Wonderland" while handling a butter dispenser of some sort. Whatever keeps him happy.

And here's the little man at church, playing with cars on the pew. He finally allowed me to put a tie on him that day, which made him look so studly that it was really hard to resist smothering him with kisses all day. But somehow I managed to share him with the family.

Until my dad sends me his comprehensive photo record of the entire trip, that's all I can post. Maybe that's a good thing this time...I tend to go overboard with picture posts. But look at my boy. Can you blame me?!

Today

Some days are so easy to waste away. You know, the ones where bed time comes around and you find that you are still wearing your pajamas from the night before? And you are feeling so lazy that you actually think to yourself  "Score! I don't even have to change clothes before hopping into bed!" And you can't seem to think of a single concrete task you accomplished all day? Nothing to cross off any of your lists?

Today was one of those days, to some degree. I didn't shower until 6:30 p.m. because I kept telling myself I was going to exercise first. It didn't make sense to get dressed or put on make-up until after I showered, so guess who spent almost the entire day in her pajamas, shut up inside her little apartment? This lazy little leach. Sure, some days there is just so much to get done at home that you're too busy to make it outside. I'm sure I could've done a wonderful amount of cleaning, organizing, and cooking instead of spending hours and hours engaged in the many mindless activities one can do while plopped on the couch. But that didn't happen. Not today.

Because I feel like a waste of a person tonight, I thought I'd make a little list of my top moments from today so I can remember that, if nothing else, this day made me laugh. A lot.

- Today, I started to prolong my process for getting Josh a cup of milk. Not because I'm a cruel mother, but because sometimes he gets so excited for it that he does this little milk dance. He tries to jump and flails his arms around frantically, laughing and almost singing a bunch of random words that probably mean "I'm so FREAKIN' excited!!!" Sue-style. If you've seen Sue on SNL, that's the best way I can think to describe it.

- I was looking in my wallet and realized that for the first time EVER, my actual weight is LESS THAN it says on my driver's license! Given, I did get that license only a few months after I had Josh, and it's just by a few pounds, but I'll take that victory! Goodbye baby fat! I'll probably see you again soon.

- I decided that "toilet paper" should have a different name, because the "toy" sound at the beginning must make kids think it's meant to be played with. Josh went nuts on a fresh roll of TP this afternoon, pulling the end into a pile that literally stacked up to his waist. Having been taught to not be wasteful, I attempted to re-roll it for future use. Whoever packages TP must be magic, because I'm telling you, the roll was about three times bigger after I rolled it myself! It didn't even fit on the little dispenser on the wall anymore. Crazy. (Also, weird that I found this picture so easily online. Like this happens a lot or something!)

- For the first time since we moved to Chicago, I put in a DVD and actually completed a real, hard workout tonight. P90X Plyometrics, baby! It hurts so good! Yes, I've been that lazy the whole school year, but I now remember how awesome it feels to exercise. Maybe I'll turn over a new leaf and get healthy again!

- Josh spent the morning running around holding his scabbed hand out, asking anyone who would listen to "kissi bettuh" with a fake pouty face. He just recently picked up on this and it is so cute I can't resist indulging him!

- I brought this dinosaur hat home from Redding this week. It's a hand-me-down from my cute little cousin, Guy. I can't look at it without laughing!

- And finally, maybe the highlight of the day, as I was reading "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" (to myself, of course), Matt pointed out that a certain popular rap artist probably got his fashion inspiration from a certain Dr. Seuss character. Can you guess who?

You'll never look at T-Pain the same again.