On the mend...

Sometimes all you need is a snuggle and an icy pop to turn things around.

A bad combination

We've had a rough week around the Hsieh home. First Ian had a 102+ fever for four straight days. Which meant he didn't sleep at night. Which means I didn't sleep at night. Then I discovered he has his first four molars coming in. He's also been stuffed up for over a week and can't suck his thumb, which makes him inconsolable. He's hardly eaten or drank anything and barely has more than one wet diaper a day. This is the face I've been looking at since Wednesday and feel like I'm at the end of me.

I want to be patient and sympathetic, I really do. I mean look at him! Have you ever seen a sadder face? At one point he had a snot bubble that almost consumed his entire head. I feel like a terrible mother for feeling this way. But after holding him all day, including meals, resulting in a combination of snot and yogurt in my hair and all over my clothes, I just don't have the energy. I honestly think I only showered once this week because even attempting to get clean seemed pointless. I can't tell you how many times I've held him in my arms and prayed that God would heal him and help me to realize that Ian's not doing this intentionally to make me a crazy person. I already can't form a coherant thought so you can imagine what miserable days and two hours less sleep a night does to me. Let's just hope things turn around soon or I'm going to have to change the name of my blog to zombie mama, or, "you know, that crazy lady with the two kids", or Portly in Portland (and instead of pictures of my children I'll have pictures of that days pan of brownie's I consumed...)

Maybe I'll put it up for a vote.

Bibles and Bullets

This weekend the girls from our small group decided to plan a girls night out. We settled upon the shooting range because of the adventure and because they have ladies night for $5 every Friday. When it was all said and done Abby and I were the only one's brave enough to show up but we made the most of it. It was a much more intense experience than I thought it would be and not at all like bowling. (in case that's the image you have in your head) Abby and I had to get through 50 bullets and I swear the first five took us half an hour. The little metal dress that the bullet wears :) ok, it's called the brass, shoots back at you and half the time it went down my shirt. And it's hot! The people there were hardcore and I'm pretty sure they were mocking us the entire time (it probably didn't help that we were posing for pictures). The whole experience definitely had us laughing. Here are a few photo highlights.

"What?! No disco ball or music? What kind of ladies night is this?"

Apparently this happens quite a bit

Finally, a reason to use the gangster setting on my new camera :)

sexy!

Nothing like beer and german food to cap off a night with your girls and your 9mm weapon

The Daddy nap

Over the years Ben has longed to have our children sleep on his chest for a nap. We have photographic evidence that Ava did this one time and so far Ian hasn't cooperated. Probably because their mama is so rigid about their sleeping schedules. Both my kids are great sleepers and I just think you shouldn't mess with something that's working. Anyway, as I was sitting reading a book during Ava's ballet practice this Saturday, I got a photo text from Ben. He was so happy that he had successfully executed the daddy nap.

Iconic baby/daddy photo #1

Iconic baby/daddy photo #2

Roar!

Here is video proof the we have the most adorable baby on the planet. I'm not biased, just stating the obvious.

Superstar!

This is why little girls need daddy's. Because if I would have been there I would have been standing under her waiting for her to fall. Not only is Ben not standing there, he's videotaping the whole thing. Which pretty much tells her, "Falling is not an option." She couldn't wait to tell me when she got home and I was one proud mama. :)

Costco tour

My awesome friend Jenni has a blog (and if I had any technological know-how this is where I would highlight her name and it would take you right to it) and she keeps a running list of favorite items from Trader Joe's. I always check it before I go because I'm never really sure what's going to be good and she nails it every time. So I decided I would do a photo pictorial of my favorite Costco finds, besides the regular list of butter, heavy whipping cream, bacon, rotisserie chicken, eggs, milk, and orange juice. I mean we all know that those cream puffs are amazing and that bag of frozen blueberries is a great deal. But what about the other stuff like the chicken curry sauce or the three rows of cheese? (that's a no on the chicken curry simmer sauce by the way)

I love this wine. I don't even know if it's available outside of Oregon but it is so fun to bring to a dessert/wine party. It's sweet, sparkly, and festive.

This bread is amazing. When we get home I immediately cut it into four loaves and freeze it. Then I pull it out about an hour before dinner, slice it and throw it in the toaster oven right before we eat. It's especially yummy rubbed with half a garlic clove and smothered in butter. :) I also use it for panini sandwiches with pears and sharp white cheddar. Yummy!

These sweet mini peppers are only $3.99 and my kids eat them raw with lunch. I also use them in salad, quiche, casseroles, and breakfast skillets. So, so good.

This is the everything cheese. I honestly don't even know what it is but I use it as cheddar, gruyere, mozzerella, and parmesan. I am not kidding. It is all of those cheeses! It is impossible to stop eating.

Finally, this is my absolute favorite meat. It's marinated and so easy to make. It's amazing in the summer when you cook it on the grill and it's just as good in the winter cooked in the oven. I use the leftovers toasted in the oven with the above bread and cheese and a little honey mustard. I'm sorry I think I need to go eat lunch.

Oh, and I also picked up these two in the book section between The baby that wouldn't stop drooling, and The cutest girl on the block with the biggest attitude. If you can find them I highly recommend you get a lot of sleep before picking them up.

Happy shopping!