(ECC) Elimination Control Crazzzzyyyy

It's been entirely too long since I have posted anything-  I would love to take the time to rehash everything that has happened over the last several months, but I would rather just start on today.

I decided to start going diaper free yesterday after a bright red tushy presented itself during a diaper change. We have been cloth diapering since she was about 3 weeks old, they didn't fit her until then...  I read about elimination control (EC) when I was pregnant and everybody thought I was crazy because I swore that I would be diaper free from birth. Little did I know how difficult the first few months with a newborn would actually be, but now that we seem to have a pattern down I feel like I'm a little bit more confident than I was when she first got here. I just figure she recognizes songs that I sing and she knows certain cues that I do for the day, so why not begin associating some with potty training.

As I'm speaking this into my lovely smart phone she rolls over and I notice her beginning to pee. So I stop what I'm doing and I make the psss sound. 

I caught two pees today and I've missed one. I have decided that I'm going to change the language that the EC gurus use too. "Catching" a pee will be when I've noticed that she's starting and I'll make the verbal cue. And if we actually make it to the potty those are going to be called "saves."

It might get a little messy, but I think it's definitely worth a shot!  Especially since she does watch me as I make the verbal cue while she's peeing. My overall expectations are low however, so we're just going to start very slow. I think a couple of hours a day of total diaper free and watching for bodily cues will be good enough for now. Not to mention it is Christmas and we do have several places to go- so we'll see what happens when we are all together with the entire family at Christmas time and my baby's lying around diaper free with pee squirting out everywhere.

Well, that's my intro into what my life will be like over the next few weeks/months living inside a life-size toilet :-)

Rainy with a slight chance of drizzle...

This past week has been somewhat hellacious- I have worked entirely too much, had a sick pooch, and made a calm (but alarming) trip to labor and delivery.  No need to worry though, Roane is fine :-)  I have a short three day vacation just around the corner with a friend, it's overdue and much needed!  I can't wait...

On the plus side I got a sweet picture of my chubby faced bambino!

I decided to play around with some recipes and menus over the next couple of weeks to show (and mostly prove my point) that healthy eating can be done well on a strict budget.

GROCERY BILL: $84.54 

• Ingredients for 3 new recipes (see below)
• Breakfast
• Snacks (yogurt, peanuts, and fruit & veggies)
• Awesome sale items (black beans & kidney beans)

It's really important to be realistic about what you will actually consume for snacks.  It's better to run out and make a trip to the store than to have food$$$ go to waste.

So for breakfast we both eat eggs, oatmeal, and fruit-  Protein, carb, and fruit :-)

Travis made the Shrimp Fra Diavolo on Friday for dinner.  We both ate it for three dinners and two lunches, and there is still another serving in the fridge for today if he chooses to have it-  I like to almost double the recipes so that they go a little farther.  Shrimp was on sale this week at our local store, so we used 2 lbs instead of the one that it called for.  Steamed some asparagus as an extra side.

Travis is truly a bottomless pit! He eats the same amount of food as a 200lb man...  so keep that in mind with portion sizes.

Gotta include a casserole because they hold up so well for lunches that Travis takes to work.  We have our favorite "go to" Chicken Tamale Casserole.  This thing is AMAZING! We made it on Saturday and both got a couple of dinner servings out of it, and he was able to have it for lunch on 3 days.  We cheat a lot and buy a Rotisserie when they are on sale-  

The last recipe we made for dinner last night.  I forget how much I hate Roasted Chicken.  Only because you make this beautiful chicken and then you really only get 2 breasts out of it, and I don't eat anything else on the damn thing!  But it was phenomenal nonetheless...  We had dinner last night, and Travis will get to have it again tonight, or save it for a lunch.  Anyway, here's the recipe Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Butternut Squash.

Now we have some leftover ingredients... Like chicken from our huge family size 8 pack, and butternut squash, the beans we purchased extra... So all of this will go into next weeks menu planning.  It's Thursday and time to hit up the store!

Update: Since posting this our average grocery bill has been $75!!  Type in "Cheap" on the Cooking Light Website and let the savings begin :-)

Living with Roane...

in Utero.  It's astonishing how much transition I am already experiencing in my life.  My mind, for instance, isn't following the old pattern of thinking.  I find myself in a much calmer state than I have been in in a while.  How much of it can be attributed to a phase (cycle) of my bipolar?  I have no idea...  Although, pregnancy has seemed to be a pretty good solution for avoiding my epic Hi's and Low's.  I wouldn't recommend it for everyone though :-)

Travis and I have been trying to spend some quality time together recently.  I am not sure if he is aware it's my attempt to enjoy him pre-Roane, because I know once she's here he's going to go gaga over all of her little goo goo's.  I love that we are able to take short trips over the mountain to see our friends and family-  Yes, I miss being able to consume adult beverages, which could have made our most recent trip a little more exciting, but I sufficed with a Turtle Sundae!

Of course, I have to stop in every little shop that we pass!  I'm working on my browsing technique...  It's sooooo hard for me not to spend money at every store I walk into.

Last week I discovered that I live in Oregon.  Yes, I know, where have I been all this time?  I forget how easy it is to live here.  Really!  Need to go to the grocery store?  List in hand, walk out your front door and take a right.  You'll be there in a block...or two.  It's so rewarding!  And you're not looked at funny as you return from the store with your little cart in tow full of this weeks upcoming groceries.

Speaking of which-  I made some bomb ass pork chops!  SERIOUSLY!  A must try!  I used Gorgonzola instead of Blue Cheese and I added a little bit of chardonnay to the pears :-)

Gorgonzola Pork Chops

We painted Roane's room this week too...

My impatient self missed a few spots, but it's done.  We're in a rental so I'm not too concerned about the final product as much as I know I would be in a home I own.  I think the nesting is slowly setting in-  When I look back over the last week I honestly don't know how we crammed it all in!  I guess it's best summed up by my version of a quote that Travis likes-

If I had a cape and a tiara I could save the world :-)

How he fell asleep last night...

Shake me already!

Prenatal yoga is actually a little more strenuous than I expected.  Well, at least the one I purchased is more strenuous than I anticipated-  Or it could be that I am just more horribly out of shape than I had originally thought!  Yes, yes, prenatal.  Now I have the excitement of being Bipolar and pregnant!

My hormones are off the charts right now.  I would love to say that I am managing my moods, but the reality is I am still stuck in a nice little hazy depression.  At least I am sending this year out with a bang- No pun intended.  The length of this one has me seriously considering postnatal meds.  Let's face it, I don't want to raise a child under these present circumstances.  Definitely not fair to that small person.

It has been so easy for me, up until now, to be completely selfish and stubborn in my stance to remain UNmedicated.  And I know I still have a small amount of time to get everything sorted out and in a routine before I have this baby, but my eminent defeat is lingering over my head.  I am stubborn, strong-minded, stubborn... My internal battle to overcome my disease is incessant.  Annoyingly so.

It's about as annoying as this all day morning sickness :(

Bipolar & the Holidays...

I'm sure it has be written... or there is some form of scientific explanation for the Bipolar downward spiral right around the Holidays. Mine has arrived right on time- maybe even a couple of days early. It has left me in a sort of mental hangover. Thick head, inability to complete a task, or thought (which I am finding difficult as I sit here writing), conversations are stagnant. Punctuation is horrible.

I have been a firm believer in self management of my Bipolar. It's actually quite simple:

1. Vacation somewhere sunny with oceanic breezes twice a year
2. Exercise daily
3. Limit Sugar and Alcohol intake
4. Keep a running list of achievable/attainable goals
5. Sleep

So where did I go wrong? Completely ignore the whole list in it's entirety. The last time I had a vacation was, well let me see, it has been since August of 2008. I haven't exercised on a regular basis since November 2009. I have been on a sugar and alcohol binge for several weeks, maybe even the better part of 2 months now. I can't find my list of goals, and sleep is only an idea.

Now I find myself attempting to be in the company of family with this beautifully colored grey cloud hanging over my head. It does feel a little cartoonish, sort of like the paxil commercials... I always crawl back out of the hole. It takes a while and I feel extremely raw while doing so, but I always make it back out. I know that there is an end in sight. I have seen it before. But putting an end way down the road in front of one of the most impatient people in the world is just downright rude!

The Ultimate Checklist

I have decided after many posts from myself and friends of mine that I needed to offer some assistance in the "Stay or Go" dilemma on facebook. So this is my checklist for determining whether your virtual friendship is one worth keeping or severing...

1. Your life, existence, and status updates bear no immediate impact on my life and those lives closest to me.
2. When I see you in public I do not go out of my way to acknowledge your presence and you do the same.
3. Additionally, I do not always recognize you in public.
4. You have failed to contribute an angle, opinion, or insight on any current event, event's of the past or issue which may hold substantial precedence in your life.
5. Concerning #4 your children's issues do not count unless it violates some innate human right, civic law, or divine intervention.
6. Your religious or political arguments are not accompanied by legitimate sources. (Note: do not Wikipedia "legitimate source")
7. Your profile picture contains 75% cleavage
   
8. You spell wait w a i t "e" There is no "E" in wait!
9. I wouldn't be able to have a conversation with you longer than 5 minutes
10. You complain about "other people being immature and not facing the issues at hand" NOTE: THAT IS IMMATURE

I hope you find this list to be of assistance in your FB endeavors.

Bloated and 3 1/2 inches gone!

Yes, I am 3 1/2 inches smaller even with Aunt F in town. It's official. I'm hooked. The cardio is a breeze. I'm normally one of those people that constantly watches the clock when I'm on the elliptical, but lately when I look down, the time is almost gone! I wanted to share my dinner with you guys. It's a great Fall recipe and one that you can use during your "cheat" days. The caloric intake is lower than what the plan recommends, but you can add a side dish to compensate.

Tilapia and Tomato Broth:

• 2 Filets of Tilapia (Just because it's only Kachton and I. The recipe will serve 4 so you could do 4)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
• 4 Plum tomatoes diced
• 1 Can white beans (Navy, Cannellini, Great Northern White) rinsed and drained
  
• 1 1/2 C. Chicken Broth (LOW SODIUM)
• 1/2 C Dry White Wine
• 1 tsp Dry Rosemary Crushed

Heat oil in a non stick sauce pan over medium high heat. Salt and Pepper fish. Cook fish 5 minutes on each side, or until fish flakes with a fork. Remove fish from pan and keep warm. Add garlic, saute for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, beans, broth, wine. Bring to a boil. Add rosemary and reduce to simmer for 5 minutes. Serve in shallow bowls with fish on top.

*I've added the nutrition facts label. It says that the sodium is way high... I'm sure it may be inaccurate. But everything else is good.