Its been a while!!

So my entire goal to post a new blog every couple of days has gone down the drain. Last week was both a boring and hectic week. (How can it be both!?!?) The kids and I mostly stayed home. We are trying to save money, so our only option is it stay at home most days. We can do little trips to the park here and there, but mostly we just party at the apartment.

I had a milestone yesterday (Monday, July 26). A year ago, I went into pre-term labor with Logan. It was the worst day of my entire life. In the morning, I had been having some regular contractions, more than Brackton Hicks. I knew that something wasn't right. At 26 weeks, you shouldn't be having contractions like that. I thought "Well, I will call my dr and they will tell me to either just let it go, or come in. I'm probably dehydrated, so they will give me a some I.V. liquid and send me home." I wasn't prepared for what really happened. I called my OB/GYN, who just happened to be on vacation that week. My luck.... I got the on-call dr and he told me to come into the hospital, just to make sure that everything was ok. I drove myself to the hospital, thinking that it was going to be a in and out kind of thing. At first, I wasn't sure if this was all in my head. I got to labor and delivery and they got me hooked up to the monitors and the look on their face didn't help. The nurses looked at me and said "You sure are in labor." Ummmm...what? Its too soon to be in labor. He is only 26 weeks gestation. TOO EARLY!! They gave me a shot of Toridol and for about 30 minutes, the contractions stopped. Phew...that was a close.....what....they didn't stop? Sure enough, after 30 minutes, the contractions started up again. Ok...lets try this again...another shot. (By the way, this stuff burns like a mo-fo and it makes you feel hyped up). Like the previous shot, 30 minutes went by with no contractions and then BAM, they started up again. The nurses called the dr and he came and paid me a visit. He looked at the monitor tape, and looked at me. The look on his face was one of confusion. He turned to me and said (And I will always remember these words...) "I don't know how to stop this labor. Just be prepared that we are going to have to do an emergency c-section and at 26 weeks, this baby is going to die." How can anyone "prepare" themselves for that? They started me on Magnesium Sulfate to stop the labor and told me to start signing. A consent for surgery....A consent for treatment of a infant.... What the hospital is suppose to do if I die.... WHAT! Magnesium Sulfate makes you feel like you are drunk and horribly depressed. I remember thinking to myself "I am not in a place to sign these. Where is Carlos?" Well Carlos was at home with Connor. I remember trying to call Carlos, but I couldn't. I had no reception in L&D, and I couldn't figure out how to contact him. Finally, I asked one of the nurses to call him, and she did. After making sure Connor was taken care of, Carlos came and helped me. They transferred me to a delivery room. I was up all night, with a thousand thoughts going through my head. I knew that Logan had to bake for 14 more weeks. I remember just laying there and praying for my little guy. I had my brother come give me a blessing, and to this day, I remember exactly what he said. He asked that I find comfort in the Lord's decision. Those words were divine. It wasn't "Save this baby" but rather, the Lord has a plan for the little guy, and we need to find comfort in his decision. After 6 days of being on Magnesium Sulfate (NOT A FUN DRUG), they were finally able to stop the labor. But the second that they would turn down the drug, labor would start again. They were talking about keeping me for 13 weeks. I couldn't do that. I was so torn. As a mother, I wanted to take care of both babies, but I just couldn't. I was angry that I couldn't be at home, but I knew that I had to be in the hospital to protect Logan.  I had a great support system, a great family, who helped take care of Connor. I was able to see him for about an hour every day. He always looked a little bigger every day he came in. After laying in that bed for 13 days, I was able to go home. Logan baked for another 13 weeks and is the most perfect baby you have ever met. He was born on October 19, 2009 at 2:12 PM. He weighed 5 lbs 15 oz, 19 inches long. My life has been blessed soooo much because of him. I can't thank the Lord enough for blessing my life with him. He puts a smile on my face every day. I am a stronger person today because of Logan.

On to a more up beat topic, I was able to get the classes I needed at Glendale College today! I am super excited to be able to go back to school. My ultimate plan is to become a midwife. I am going to start with my nursing degree, and then work my way to a CNM (Certified Nursing Mifwife) and then a full on midwife. I also want to become a certified lactation consultant.  I have great friends who have shown me the power of the female body and childbirth. I am really excited to start classes, but TERRIFIED of doing well. I wasn't 100% focused when I went to school the first time. I did ok, but not GREAT...To get into any nursing program, you need to be more than great.

That is about it. Like I said before, the kids and I haven't done much in the past week. Just chillax as I like to say. I should probably post some more recipes, just for fun!

Thanks for reading.

First recipe!!

These past couple of days have been difficult to cook. The highs have been over 100* and the thought of turning on a stove or an oven is just unappealing. Last night, when we were driving home, Carlos turned to me and asked what was for dinner. "Dinner...um....take out....again?" He kind of let out a sigh and went quite. Not a good sign. So I thought what I could cook that didn't require me to turn on a stove or an oven. Salad? (Yuck...)....hhmmm...what else? Finally, Carlos turned to me and asked if we could have ceviche. Ceviche is "citrus- marinated seafood" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceviche). I thought about it for a second and thought that was a perfect "hot summer afternoon" dinner. I have also heard that its a good hang-over food, but I wouldn't know anything about that (or at least that I can remember!) So I thought that I would make ceviche my first recipe!!

CEVICHE

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cucumber 

1 onion

1 tomato

1 bunch of  fresh cilantro (CANNOT BE DRIED)

1 avocado

1 lb of medium size cooked, peeled and tail removed shirt

1 lb of imitation lobster, chunk style

Lemon Juice

Lime Juice

Salt

Pepper

Tortilla Chips

OPTIONAL: 1 Jalapeno pepper

KITCHEN ITEMS:

1 cutting boards

1 vegetable peelers

Sharp Knife

LARGE PLASTIC bowl (cannot be metal)

PREPARATION TIME: About 15 minutes

"COOKING" TIME: Between 1 and 4 hours

SERVING SIZE: Between 6 and 8 people

(I would have included some pictures, but my point and shoot camera FINALLY bit the dust. I won't turn on, no matter how much I charge the battery, hit the reset button, do everything I can. It's MUERTO)

Step 1: Peel and cut the cucumber into bite size piece. (Ceviche is chunky, so it doesn't have to be a super fine cut, but it should be a small bite size piece.) I also take the seeds out of my cucumbers. Just peel and cut the cucumber into 4th length wise. With the cucumber laying flat on the cutting board and one hand on the top of the cucumber, gently slide the knife down the cucumber, removing the seeds. Make sure to do this slowly, or you can really hurt yourself!!

Step 2: Cut the onion into small bite size piece. The key is consistency. You want all of the pieces of the different vegetables to be about the same size. 

Step 3: Cut the tomato. Again, CONSISTENCY!!

(Step 3.5: If you are adding the jalapeno, this would be the time to remove the ribs and seeds of the jalapeno and cut it up into fine pieces.)

Step 4: After you are finished adding all of the vegetables, mix everything together. 

Step 5: I bought precooked shrimp, and I peeled the tail off myself. Cut the shrimp into bite size pieces. I cut the medium size shrimp into thirds. 

Step 6: Add the imitation lobster. Make sure to break up the chunks. 

Step 7: Break the stems off of the bottom of the cilantro. Finely dice the cilantro. This you will want in small pieces because a large piece of cilantro doesn't taste too good!!

Step 8: Mix everything together. Then add about a half a cup of each lemon and lime juice. It should look like you added too much liquid. Then add about 1 tsp of salt and about 1/2 tsp of pepper. 

Step 9: You will need to refrigerate the mixture for between 1 and 4 hours. 

Step 10: If you are planning on eating all of the ceviche at one time, cut an avacado up into bite size pieces and add to the mixture. If you are not planning on eating all of it at one time, I would cut up enough avocado just to serve it on the side. 

This can be served on either a crunchy flat tostada with some lettuce or it can be served with tortilla chips as a dip.

This can be enjoyed for up to 3 days!

This is one of my favorite summer meals. I hope everyone enjoys!!

I found "THE" Camera!!

While I was walking around cruise night tonight in Glendale, I realized I was looking more at the people with cameras than I was at the cars. I felt like Goldy locks, thinking that camera was too big, and that one was too small. And then...we met eyes/lens from across the street and I smiled. I knew it was THE camera. I walked over, and I just glanced at the camera. After all, I didn't want the guy to think I was going to knock him over the head and steal his camera (Ok...the though went through my mind....) . I wanted to know its name. I glanced, without giving too much away, and noticed it was a Kodak. Ok, I haven't heard GREAT reviews about these cameras, but all of a sudden, I felt the need to go home and check out this camera. We walked around for a few more minutes and then went home. Its all I could think about as I went home. Its flashy black case, with strap and lens. It made me all giddy inside. But I wasn't sure WHAT model of camera it was. All I knew it was a Kodak. I went home and I typed Kodak cameras in to the Google search and there it was.  It screamed at me saying "Carrie, buy me! I'm lonely". So I looked at it and I fell in love. Here is what I am looking at:

Kodak EasyShare Z981 14 MP Digital Camera Black 1020304

What I love about this camera, is its everything I want. The only thing that is holding me back its that it costs between $230 and $300. I went into the other room and flashed that special kind of smile at Carlos. The first words out of his mouth were "What do you want and how much does it cost?" I told him about the camera and he said we would have to "think" about it. Eh...I'm not too surprised. I'm hoping that I can get Carlos on my side sometime soon. He keeps bothering me that I'm not taking enough pictures of the boys, and I keep telling him I don't have a good camera to take some good pictures. What is better than this? A 14 mega-pixel camera AND an HD video camera!! Lets see how long it takes for me to get him on MY side! I'm going to go work my special type of magic. Lets hope I have mind control in my super powers!!

Well, I did it!!

As I left most of you yesterday, my apartment was in desperate need of being cleaned. I worked ALL day, but it got done. I thought I would PROVE this with pictures....

After taking these pictures, I realized that I am in desperate need of a new camera. The camera I have, I bought as a open box item a couple of years ago, and it has served me well, but now its doing some weird things. First off, if you hit it in one particular spot on the bottom, it turns off and it takes FOREVER for it to turn back on. Second off, I noticed that it has some spots of the pictures are focused, while other parts of the same picture aren't. This isn't a background/foreground thing. This is just a camera that is on its last legs. Also, there are halos on everything in my pictures. I know I am going to replace my camera, I just haven't decided on WHAT in particular I want to buy. I would L-O-V-E a digital SRL (Single reflex lens), but I'm not made of money, so that is pretty much out of the picture. I would love a step up from just a basic point and shoot. As of right now, Carlos is under the impression, because it's still taking pictures, it's still a functioning camera..... BOO

Ok...As most of you noticed, I have A.D.D. I can't seem to keep on a topic for more than two sentences!! NOW BACK TO PICTURES!! Here they are!!

The Laundry was folded and put away

The kids clothes were put on hangers and hung up. I do this for a reason, and I will let you know a little bit later!!

As I was folding clothes, I have this feeling like someone is watching me. I'm not quite sure where this feeling is coming from until I see....





The "Fluff" (Cloth diapers and necessary items) were stuffed with liners and put away. 

I don't have a picture for it, but the dishes were done and the trash was emptied (GASP!!!!)

Carlos and I have been noticing lately that a lot of our plates and glasses have been breaking lately. We had a glass, a bowl and a plate break last week. Well...as I was cleaning, I noticed this...

ANOTHER BROKEN GLASS

In my opinion, we have a poltergeist in our house. He is taking things and hiding them for MONTHS (example: my Rockband guitar dongle that I lost and had to have replaced, and the DAY that I sent the guitar back, it ends up in the middle of my living room), and then returning them when you least need it. I believe he is the one who is breaking all of our "heavy duty" plates and glasses. But that is just my crazy opinion.

During this time, Logan woke up from his nap and Connor went down for his nap. Its hard to sleep during this heat, so  his nap didn't last too long. When he woke up, he was COVERED from head to toe in sweat.

He isn't in pain. That is him saying "Cheese". As you can see, his hair is DRENCHED in sweat.

To make a little extra money for our family,  I am a mystery shopper. I am usually a shopper for "Age Verification for the Sale of Alcohol". I'm just lucky to be pushing 25 and look like I'm about 16. It's a blessing and curse all at the same time. I love being a mystery shopper during the summer, because that is when most of the restaurants have shops. It's a great way for us to eat out on someone else's dime! So last night, our shop was Wahoo's fish tacos. One of my favorite places to eat, but not one of Carlos'. 

On the way out of our house, we met up with Ellie, the little girl who lives two doors down from us. She is the CUTEST, SWEETEST little girl you would ever meet. Connor and Ellie play almost every night together. I guess Connor has a thing for older women, because Ellie s 5 and Connor is 3. Well when Connor saw Ellie in the parking garage, all hell broke loose. Doing what 3 year olds do, he wanted to play, but we had to go. This threw Connor over the edge. He THREW himself on the ground and started to scream and kick (what a drama queen!!). After about 5 minutes of that, I picked him up and threw him in the car. His hands were dirty from the ground of the parking garage, and when he wiped his tears away it looked like....

HIS MASCARA WAS RUNNING!!

Needless to say, this was pretty entertaining to me. I looked over at Logan while I was putting Connor in his car seat and he had the funniest look on his face....

"What the heck is his problem?"

So when I told you that Carlos and I love to eat, we L-O-V-E to eat. When we got to the restaurant, I ordered a fish taco and a carne asada taco. 

The food was ok? The fish taco was good, but the carne asada tasted like someone went a little heavy on the pepper. 

Carlos got some sort of burrito to eat.

Not what he was expecting. He hated it and complained for most of the evening that his stomach hurt.

Connor and Logan got a quesdilla to share. Connor wasn't too thrilled with it...

BUT

Logan, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of it.

Well as I am sitting here, baking, I realize that I should probably get in the shower before this morning breakfast mystery shop. My favorite..... I'm not sure what the rest of the weekend holds for us, but I'm hoping there is a pool, or some air conditioning included in it.

Ummmm...I think its time to clean....

Ok...so after walking around my apartment for a few minutes, I realized that, well, this place is a mess. I'm the ONLY one who cleans around here, so I am working an uphill battle. Not to mention that its 10:55AM and its 93* outside. Yes....that is correct, 93*. The high today is over 100* and well, I only have AC in one room of my apartment. I have tried to keep up with the cleaning, but when you have three kids (oops...did I say that? I mean two kids and a husband). Its hard for me because when Carlos gets home from teaching summer school, he wants to go party. So I spend all of the morning keeping the kids entertained and all of the afternoon keeping Carlos entertained. I thought I would give you guys a sample of HOW dirty this place is. WARNING: This isn't for the weak. If you have health condition of ANY kind, I recommend you proceed with caution....

Laundry, both clean and dirty that needs to be put away

Ok, this isn't my fault. Its Carlos' job to do the dishes, but needless to say, the dishes are dirty. Oh, and its his job to empty the trash. If he didn't do the dishes, what makes you think he took out the trash?

Random items that need to be put away

And I'm not going to name names, but it rhymes with Shonner ate some Cheeze-It's in my room while I wasn't looking, and my bed is COVERED in little pieces like this.

But Carrie, what are the kids going to do while you clean? Ah ha my friends, they are taken care of....

Logan is sleeping

AND

Connor is playing Toy Story 3 on the Xbox 360.

Ok...I'm super mom, but its going to take all of my super powers to get this place clean. Lets see how fast this can get done. Pictures to follow of the *hopefully* clean apartment.

HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY!!!

Sorry about the obnoxious title. It's the only thing that went through my mind when I started to type.

So after I realized I spend most of my day reading OTHER people's blogs, I thought it might be a good idea for me to *try* to start one of my own. When thinking about what type of blog I was going to start, several ideas went through my mind. First off, a blog about my kids. Most parents agree, that when you think of anything, regardless of what time it is, where you parked the park, or what is for dinner, your kids are usually the first thought that goes through your mind. Think of it like this:

Thought: "What time is it?"

Next thought: "Is it nap time yet?"

Thought: "Where did I park my car?"

Next thought: "Is it nap time yet?" Just kidding.... Usually the next thought is "I hope I remember where I park my car, so I don't have to walk around the parking lot with screaming children!"

Thought: "Whats for dinner?"

Next Thought: "What can I make, so the kids will eat it?"

See....Its simple. And it works for ANYTHING you can think of. So...back to my point. So I thought of starting a blog about my kids. Well thats fine and dandy, but it can only go so far. Example: "We spent today at home...again." So, that was not totally out the question, but I thought I should include other parts in my blog. Then the next thought was about how I consider myself a "semi-crunchy" mom. For those who don't know what crunchy moms are, they are moms who are breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, organic feeding moms, usually referred to as "hippies". Well that sounded like a good idea to me, so that part will definitely be included in my blog. I also thought I should include some of my hobbies in the blog, so every now and then I plan on posting recipes and other home fun ideas on here. I LOVE to cook (although with this heat right now, I have NO plans on turning on my oven!), I love crafts, and I love to bake. So...be prepared for some great recipes. As a friend once told me, if you want to know where the good food is, follow the fat people. Where I don't consider myself fat, I am a fatty a heart. I LOVE food, and only by the grace of God, I don't weigh 500 lbs.

So...again, I digress. Ok...back to the point. So this blog is going to be about semi-crunchy momma, with two boys who do a lot of activities, and cooking. A little bit of everything for everyone out there!! And if you "like" my blog, please pass it on to your friends!! I hope everyone likes this!

Enjoy! :0)