Homemade Hot Chocolate (Dairy free)

I love hot chocolate.  Since I am trying to watch my dairy intake because I am breastfeeding, I have been making my own hot chocolate.  Of course you can modify it based on your tastes, but here is my recipe!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. Almond milk- I used store bought
2 tsp. Cocoa
6-8 drops vanilla stevia
dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

Step 1: pour milk into a mug and heat in microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes.  You could instead do part water and part milk depending on your liking.  I prefer mine creamy and thick and like it all milk; however there are times I will do 3/4 milk, 1/4 water if I'm low on milk or trying to conserve.

Step 2: add cocoa and mix well.

Step 3: add 6 drops vanilla stevia.  Add more or less to your liking.  I don't like my drinks too sweet, so I stick with 6 drops.  Also play with other flavors.  I'm not sure what flavors are all available, but I know there is a variety- raspberry, or peppermint ight be good.  Add a dash of cayenne if you like a little kick.  ENJOY!!

Managing Two

I spent my first week home with both my boys by myself- 2 boys under 2!  I was pretty nervous, especially since Cael had been so crabby and needy the previous week and a half being sick and teething (his first molar)!  But I honestly was thanking God that Saturday and Sunday he was more himself, and I began to feel like I could handle the challenge of both boys.  Cason slept at just the right times that I could give Cael the attention he needed, and Cael has been becoming much more accepting that when it is time to feed brother, he needs to wait and play or watch "Panda" (his favorite show- well the only show he watches at home).  I give Cael the choice to color, read Berenstein Bears, or to watch "Panda."  He will make his choice and tends to stick with it for the 10-15 minutes I need to feed Cason.

When Cason is awake and we need to be able to move around the house to play, I have been using a Moby wrap to carry him in while I chase Cael around the house from room to room while he plays or reads books.  I was so nice outside most days this week that we were able to go out and play for a couple hours 3 of the days.  Cael loves to be outside.   I have an Infantino carrier that I put Cason into to go outside.  We go down the street for walks, throw rocks, shovel dirt, walk around the yard, listen for cars and airplanes, and even got his firetruck car out of the garage to play in.  Cason eventually would fall asleep after a little fussing. 

Scoop

Carry

Dump

There were some challenges.  Cael thinks that every time we walk by the kitchen he has to eat more.  So we have been dealing with a few tantrums when he is told he can't have any more to eat.  There are also times that he wants to be held when I am feeding Cason and he has a difficult time understanding that I can't hold him too, which results in a mini tantrum. 

Tug of War

Holding head up

Helping brother

It has helped tremendously that Andy's coworkers have been making meals for us.  A different person has made a meal for us, which Andy brings home with him after school.  It has been nice not having to juggle the boys and preparation of meals for dinner.  We have had plenty of leftovers to make lunches easier to prepare for the next day as well.  And the best thing is that we will have meals all next week as well, and the following my family will be here.  The bad thing is I will be out of practice with making dinners, but for now I am just fine with that!!

It was a great week with my boys.  It has already been 3 weeks home, and I only have 3 more until I have to go back to work.  Very sad to think about :(  There never seems to be enough time.  But I will enjoy every minute I have and just have to keep thinking that there will only be 6 1/2 weeks left of school until I get the summer off with my family!

Joys of Parenting!!

The joys of parenting...At bath time as Rana was getting Cason ready for the bath he pooped in her hands, towels, and floor.  I held him so she could wipe his bottom and get a new towel and he proceeded to unload his bladder all over me.  I had to stand and take it all since there was no place to go.  Then after bath, Rana wrapped him in his towel and as she was carrying him out to get him dressed he pooped again in her towel and arm.  Oh Yeah, and we had to wipe Cael's poopy butt a few times too before he could get in the bath next.  Wouldn't trade it for anything though.  Maybe I should use this as a FLASH lesson for my students.  Quite an eventful bath.

Ham and Turkey Panini

Paninis are yummy sandwiches and a quick meal, depending on your choice of ingredients.  With 2 boys now, we often need quick.  Experiment with different types of bread until you find one that best fits your tastes!

Ingredients:
Parmesan and garlic sub rolls
onion and chive cream cheese
lunch meat- we like the ham and turkey carving board meat- it's more like the meat cut off the bone
spinach
red, yellow, and/or orange peppers

step 1: Cook the meat on a griddle and brown until warmed through.  While that is cooking, slice bread into top and bottom halves and spread each half with cream cheese (hummus also works depending on your preference).  Slice peppers into small slices.  Begin warming panini grill (or a small indoor grill would work as well).

Step 2: Layer meat, spinach, and peppers onto roll. Put top on.

Step 3: Place sandwich on grill and close lid.  Grill 3-5 minutes until lightly browned.  Repeat for as many sandwiches as you need.

Serve and ENJOY!!

The new addition

It has been quite the adventure adding a new little guy to the family mix.  Cason Wesley Justice arrived a week and a half ago.  Thank goodness my mother was here to take care of Cael- in fact she had just gotten to the house an hour before I got home- and an hour later, we were out the door, on our way up to the hospital.  Thank goodness Cael took to her right away.  It was a long first night in the hospital.  We had been up since 5 AM (but hadn't slept much the night before anyways) had our new baby in our arms a little after 10 PM, and of course all he wanted to do was eat.  The nurse was sweet enough to try to occupy him for a little while so we could sleep, but he had other ideas. 

We had to stay 2 days in the hospital because I didn't get the antibiotics I needed 4 hours prior to his birth.  Cael did so well with my mom.  Andy brought my mom and Cael to the hospital around dinner time and he was a little unsure of what was going on, but no tears, loved playing with the buttons on the bed and remote, and of course getting into everything in the hospital room.  

Visiting

Going home

The first few days at home went surprisingly well.  Cael was accepting of his new brother, but didn't interact with him too much- he was too busy playing- which was just fine! It was nice that there were 3 adults to take turns with the boys, cooking, laundry, showers, etc.  The day before my mom was to leave, Cael got sick.  Threw up all over himself and Andy, and all he wanted was to be held the remainder of the day.  Which was nice, becuase this kid had NEVER been a cuddler.  The day my mom left was kind of the same- he was very mellow, and all he wanted was to be held.  It was a little more challenging now with only 2 adults.  Thank goodness the neighbor was bringing dinner!!  One adult to one kid all day, taking turns as I needed to nurse or shower.  I discovered that Cael has a molar trying to come in and that is the biggest reason for his behavior change. 

cuddle time

We are on day 6 of this today, though.  It has been tough.  I think jealousy has kicked in a little, along with the teething pain.  Cael wants to be held and walked around, but usually only by mom, which is especially challenging when I am needing to nurse Cason.  Cael will cry and sit at my feet while I am nursing, and when Cason is done, Cael is ready to be in my arms again.  So, give Cason to daddy and Cael comes to walk with mommy.  I'm really hoping that by the time Andy goes back to work, some of this new behavior subsides.  Cason has been a pretty good sleeper, waking up twice a night to eat, and sleeps a lot during the day- even though we try to keep him awake.  This has been quite a blessing with all the changes in the household. 

I ordered a Moby sling and got it yesterday.  I tried it out this morning to free up my hands a little so that I could give attention to both boys.  That worked great!!  Cason got some mommy cuddle time- which made me feel better since I was really feeling like he was getting somewhat neglected on the cuddle time since Cael was sooo needy- and Cael had mommy to play with him and move around a bit more freely.  Thank goodness Cason is such an easygoing, mellow baby (just what we needed). 

Of course all these changes really challenge our patience, especially with Cael's pain, frustration, and jealousy.  He has been hitting a lot when he doesn't get his way or when dad tries to help him when mom can't.  When he hits we simply lie him on the ground and walk away and let him calm down.  When he's calmed down, he is asked to tell us sorry, and we move on.  Luckily we have been pretty easygoing as parents, and since we both work in the schools (me with special needs kids), we have a good understanding of the natural reactions and behaviors of kids and can roll with everything as it comes.  Crying is a natural communication and when you remember this, you don't get as worked up when your kids cry.  Especially at the infant stage when they cry when they are cold, hungry, have a dirty diaper, or their belly hurts.  I'm excited to watch the journey with our boys continue, and to watch how we grow as a family with all the ups and challenges that come with it!