Favorite things: web

• thisamericanlife.org - love Ira, love the radio show, love it all
• radiolab.org - excellently explained pop science radio show
  
• hulu.com - we don't have TV, but we watch it for free here. May I recommend Cooking Up a Story, House, The Daily Show, Battlestar Galactica, & 30 Rock?
• cbsnews.com - watch last night's news for free
  
• rookiemoms.com - pretty inspiring (& Bay Area based!)
  
• failblog.org - schadenfreude, anyone?
• cuteoverload.com - aww!!1
• postsecret.com

What are your favorite web sites?

SA. Holla.

We hung out in San Antonio last weekend for Shanna's baby shower -- she is cute cute cute and baby Logan Ray Kirkwood is almost ready for the world! I got to see Missy and we went out to the Schindlers' new property. It's beautiful. That Cross Canadian Ragweed song always comes to mind when I'm in SA: "You're always 17 in your hometown". Seventeen but better with Baby Boy, who had a great time too:

Garden Ridge

Scott's trying out solids and so far loves 'em. He's also much happier since I cut dairy out of my diet, pobrecito. Cooking without milk has made me a little more creative; this week I'm trying nopalitos (prickly pear leaves) and tofu lasagna. Results later.

Earth Mama

I'm not all-organic, but there are a few green parenting things I'm trying. So far I'm liking homemade diaper wipes. They save a little money and seem nicer on the little bottom.

I used pinking shears (they reduce fraying) to cut small flannel squares about the size of my hand. These are the wipes and I keep them in the drawer by the diapers. I tried using paper towels, cut and folded like regular wipes, but they didn't hold up well and I always had little paper towel bits in the carpet.

In a small Tupperware-type container, I mix up the solution. My favorite so far is ~2 oz. hot water, 3 drops Grapefuit Seed Extract (for its antibacterial properties), and 5 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil (not necessary, but it makes things smell wonderful!). I bought these at the local natural foods store. Alternatively, you can use hot water and a couple squirts of baby wash, but I thought this left his bum slightly sticky.

It's nice to have the solution in a microwave safe container so you can heat it up if it gets too cold. I've heard of moms keeping the warm solution in a Thermos, but haven't tried it yet. Make sure to squeeze the wipe out well so the bum can dry well -- too wet leads to diaper irritation.

I keep a larger container on the changing table and discard the used wipes there until the next washing.

Happily diapered baby with Great-Grandma

Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year! I hope it finds you healthy and full of joy.

We had a wonderful Christmas break. It's our last Christmas in the state, at least for the foreseeable future, so a tour of Texas was a must. We traveled to Ft. Worth to see the Wagners, El Paso to see the extended Wagner family, including 2 great-grandmas (Scott did great on the plane!), San Antonio to see the Koops, and East Bernard for New Year's Day on the ranch. I got to ride horses, Luke proved he's a crack shot, and Baby enjoyed the continuous holding.

Just before the 1st we moved to our new apartment in Bryan. It was the easiest move ever, thanks to Mom, Mom, 3 sisters, and Bashar. Now we have a nursery, many windows, and room for you all to come over and visit -- name the time!

This semester I'm excited about returning to work quarter-time -- a friend and I are going to trade babysitting hours, so Scott will have a twin 20 hours a week.

More soon!

In Fort Worth!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

We woke up this morning with snow on the ground! While I was baking Christmas cookies (something baby Scott actually ENJOYS as long as he's in the wrap ... I wear him everywhere), it started snowing again for hours. It's beautiful out there! Our neighbors are from south India and are running up and down the stairs throwing snowballs and laughing. I love the snow!


Another fun Christmas project: I made Scott ornaments.
They're very inexpensive (<$1 each) and cuter in real life. I bought clear glass ornaments (from Hobby Lobby), printed his picture on a transparency, cut it out, and added a little tinsel.

Wishing I could be sharing some Gluehwein with you all right now!

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for planes that bring Karen to Texas, $1.64 per gallon gas for the drive, the sweet new Osh Kosh baby shirts from Grandpa Koop, all-time favorite Thanksgiving cranberry dressing made by Mom, the Wagners for hosting 17 people for a wonderful meal, the aunts and grandparents that gave Luke & I such great rest, beautiful baby Scott, baths that relax the beautiful baby, Numi pacifiers, and our little College Station home full of love!