Week of 8-7-11

August is in full swing.  And it's time for vacation :)  This week will be a full one with packing, traveling and outings.  So it won't be my usual weekly post in terms of meal plans.  But I'll still give my usual updates.

Last week was another busy one.  It seemed a little extra chaotic since Rebecca is having sleeping issues...and some behavioral issues.  We did our usual errands.  Plus we went to Hop Scotch to stock up on a few more cloth diapers so that I don't have to do laundry so often.  We also went to the libray (and got another 18 books for Rebecca!).  We're starting to read more chapter books.  I got a few for our trip.  That should help with the car ride.  She could sit and listen to a whole book straight through (serisouly...like 60+ pages at a time).  And yesterday Rebecca and I stopped at a couple used clothing stores to get some new jammies for Abram.  I realized Friday he only has 3 sleepers that fit.  And when he goes through 3 a night from getting wet they don't last long.  So I had to get a few more before our trip.  In the kitchen I made sd breakfast cookies, mayo, a big batch of pureed veggie soup, roasted beets (some from our garden!!), sd peach muffins, kefir, gf sausage zucchini muffins (these were awesome!!!  check out the updated recipe post), banana zucchini bread and froze a couple batches of beans.

So, this week.  We have a few things going on.  We need to replace our kitchen sink faucet.  So one day this week we have an appt. to go look at some.  Then we can schedule someone to come install it for us.  One day we are going to Michigan's Adventure.  Which day will depend on the weather and how we're feeling.  And we will also be going to Double JJ for a couple days.  Our first real vacation of the summer and first vacation as a family of 4.  Hopefully both kids do ok.  There is a chance we could do something else like go to a splash pad, the beach or the zoo.  But we'll see.  Justin is taking the whole week off, so we want to fit in lots of fun stuff.

So my week will be filled with packing and unpacking and plenty of food prep.  I'll likely have to freeze more beans.  Not sure about any baking.  We'll just see how much time I have.  Hopefully I'll be able to make a new batch of soup at some point for myself.

I did pretty well with no dairy this week.  And Abram had a great week tummy-wise.  So I think it's helping.  He has been such a happy baby most of the week.  I did give him probiotics most days.  So maybe that is helping too.  We've also been working hard on tummy time this week.  It's amazing to see how much he has developed in just 1 week...going from having his head barely off the ground to a full push up, looking around, talking, playing.  He loves it.  We've found that he also loves to stand on his legs.  He's so strong.  He likes being upright and able to look around.  Abram tries as hard as he can to keep an eye on his sister.  She makes him grin from ear to ear.  Especially when she's being silly.  I have a feeling he'll be mobile a lot sooner than Rebecca was.  He is already trying to crawl it seems.  We're still figuring things out with the diapers.  I think I'm finding how to stuff them to make them absorb enough.  But now we're struggling with fit when they get bulky.  So that's next.  One step at a time :P  I may have to come up with some custom inserts for him.  If I can ever get to the fabric store.

Rebecca had a pretty rough week...only napped a couple times.  The rest of the week she was crazy girl during nap time.  We ended up having to put up the gate in her bedroom again. We haven't had to do that since right after Abram was born.  She is also getting out of bed at night multiple times again.  Not sure what spurred this on.  Never thought that having a 3 year old and a 3 month old...that the 3 month old would be the better sleeper :P  There have been a lot of behavoiral things this week that we're trying to work on/figure out.  Justin and I have been talking about it a lot and have some direction now...we think.  But it will take time and effort and patience.  I think it will really help when our fall activities start again and Rebecca can interact with other kids regularly.  She's in need of more attention/interaction right now.  Hopefully vacation and some fun activities will help too.

I've had a few rough days.  Not sure why.  Am I ever? :P  Maybe too many grain free baked goods.  Maybe too much stress from struggles with Rebecca.  Maybe partially from the corn on the cob I splurged on.  Just doing my best to eat well and hope for the best on vacation.  This will be a big test for me in terms of my OCD.  I haven't traveled in a long time...since I've made some good progress.  So we'll see how it goes with travel...one of my biggest anxieites.  I'm trying to stay positive and think logically.  Not let my anxieties take control.  I want to enjoy this trip and make it enjoyable for my family.

So, on to the meals.  I don't have a normal meal plan this week.  I'll just list our dinner options for when we're home and what we're bringing when we travel.
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Vacation Food:
breakfast:

me - cold pureed soups w/ pesto and avocado
Justin/Rebecca - yogurt, muffins/bread, fresh fruit, granola bars, kefir smoothies

lunch:

me - nut milk smoothies
Justin - pb/j, ham or chx on bun, chips, fruit, yogurt
Rebecca - tortilla w/ pb or pb and honey sanwich, peppers, cucumber, carrots, fruit, fruit leather/dried fruit, crispy nuts

dinner: out to eat

snacks - popcorn, graham crackers, granola bars, fruit, cucumber w/ pesto, grain free breakfast bars

Potential Dinners at Home:

grilled hot dogs
CA chicken
beef roast w/ veggies
grilled burgers
eggs