My View (vol. 28)

Okay, I think I need to start hitting 'publish' instead of sitting on posts... new-New Years's resolution? I keep repeating: perfect is the enemy of good. perfect is never done.

Source

What I am reading: Mothering: The Complete Guide for Mothers of All Ages by Dr. Grace Ketterman

A consignment book store find - and a favorite parenting book. She is so insightful!

Love what I am eating: grapefruit! fig newtons!

Meal planning:

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar cheese and a bit of ham; yogurt; ciabatta toast
Lunch: apples, ham & swiss on ciabatta (toasted), fruit twists/ fig newtons
Drinking: Coffee, milk, and a loooooot of water
Snacks: grapefruit, orange, popcorn, almond nut thins, colby jack cheese

New recipe try: I have been craving homemade macaroni and cheese and looking for an awesome recipe - TheKitchn delivered.

I altered the recipe a bit -

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pasta (I used egg noodles - on hand)
• 1 1/2 cups whole 
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• A squirt of mustard

Directions:

• Boil pasta, check
• Warm milk + add in flour (all at once - milk still had thicker consistency after a few minutes)
• Turn heat to low: add in cheese (stir), more cheese (stir), and more cheese (stir)
• Add in salt; squirt in mustard (stir)
• Add in half the pasta (stir); add other half (stir).

WA-LA! Delicious. Grace even liked it! The pasta dish was paired with baked chicken thighs and saluted spinach for me/ raw spinach salad for Will.

Dinner(s) this week: tilapia or chicken drumsticks; baked potatoes; spinach or green beans

{linking with Nell @ Whole Parenting Family!}

This week in history: I kept my head above water and had a lot of fun teaching classes - it's officially second semester! I'm 37 weeks, 5 days today - I meant to post a picture buuuut it's late and I'll post Grace pictures instead. Bebe Deux is head down, kicking me in the ribs, moving all the time and pretty content. My weight and blood pressure is all good, and I'm definitely not in a rush to get this baby out of me. These last few weeks are my favorite weeks of pregnancy!!

Grace is earning her stripes - not only does she love repeatedly climbing the stairs (and we have a lot of them in this old rental house), but now she's exploring with getting down. It's amazing how she'll swing her body off the bed, but when I put her on the cute little wooden rocking chair, she gets panicky. Then again, she'll climb on her cozy rocking chair against the wall in the front room, and stand on it. Luckily, she is following directions well ("Grace, sit down please!"). She is also self-feeding like a champ:

Lots of post-dinner baths, much to her pleasure!

Will finished his very last MICU shift. I just want to thank all of you - friends of the blog, FaceBook page community, tweeting pals, fellow grammers - for the words of wisdom, notes of support, e-mails, prayers and love. I do not think I could have survived this month without y'all. I don't consider myself a dramatic person... but this month was the worst.

I spent a lot of time trying not to feel overwhelmed and get through each day without Will (who came home late, ate dinner, tried to interact with us without falling asleep, and then went to bed early so he could get up early). Intern year feels a lot like trial by fire. I remember feeling overwhelmed by his ER shifts, and now I welcome them back with open arms after the month in MICU!

I think we've crossed critical care fellowship off our list of possibilities. Good experience, definitely, and he'll carry all the lessons he learned into more critical care situations (like SICU in March, and more ICU rotations in residency, at the very least).

For those of you who do not have an Instagram or other social media, you may not have heard of a cool site called Blessed Is She that publishes daily reflections on the Scripture readings by different women, as well as hosting community chats on Twitter and photography challenges on Instagram under the title #projectblessed.

Three days ago, the word of the day was "virtuous" and I'd just like to take a wife-brag moment and re-post the picture and caption:

#projectblessed + @blessedisshe__ : virtuous
:: I don't have any pictures from today, so here's a pre-IG picture of my favorites. Today in class, I taught about Teddy Roosevelt and servant leadership. I wrote a blog post on it too (today! Go read!) but I failed to mention the most virtuous servant leader I know - Will. It's not just because we're married - it's the way he tackles life. He came home after 10 am from his overnight shift, and spent the next 3+ hours helping a lady sort out confusing paperwork so she could donate blood to her mom in the MICU. He never projects on us after a long day, but kisses me hello and cuddles Grace. We both adore him. He'd deny, of course, any compliment - but his virtue is what makes him such an outstanding man, husband, father, friend, and doctor.

Anyways, a lot of emotions this week. If it's remotely touching, I've probably cried over it. Grace and I also survived IKEA last Sunday. Busy week!

Prayers: The Middle East, our Church, single parents, and all special intentions.

Next week, I am going to: Enjoy Will being home more!!! Also, keep plugging away at getting ahead in my classes...

Happy week, all! Happy Groundhog Day!

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My View (Vol. 27)

What I am reading: Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot

"God has arranged things in such a way that his own action is coupled with the actions of men. The Bible is replete with examples of a loving and powerful God choosing sinful and weak men to accomplish His purposes, allowing them the dignity to act in freedom and thus to have a willed part in what He does."

"God does not coerce us to follow Him. He invites us. He wills us that we should will--that is, He wills our freedom to decline or accept. If we want to be disciples, we place ourselves, like the football player or instrumentalist, under someone's direction."

What I am eating: french toast mini muffins. You read that correctly.

Meal planning: My family was in Bethlehem for the past week, so I did NO COOKING and it was awesome. The week before (Christmas), my bestie Vivian came down and did all the cooking - oh, professional chef. NBD. Needless to say, I am a little intimidated to jump back into the meal planning game. Vivian made it look so easy (and tasty). Dad is also an amateur chef, so I am/ was tres spoiled.

But back to reality. Grace and I went to the grocery store this morning and here's the deal:

Breakfast: oatmeal, fruit, COFFEE (not black), milk 

snack 1 options: greek yogurt + chia seeds, kind bar, water 

Lunch: hardboiled egg, swiss, turkey and avocado/ tomato on ciabatta, clementines, bell pepper slices, sparkling water {some variation} 

snack 2 options: fruit twist; almond nut thins + cheese; apple + peanut butter, water 

Dinner: 

• Baked chicken thighs with quinoa + green beans

• Chicken stir fry (chicken, rice, eggs, peas + carrots, soy sauce)

• Tilapia with roasted sweet potatoes and bell peppers + fried spaghetti (Will's favorite)

snack 3 options: popcorn, raisins, juice

I was really tough with myself this week and bought no sweets (sans the french toast mini muffins, sue me). I have gained an appropriately low amount of weight during pregnancy, but I don't want it to end my pregnancy jumping higher because I ate all the Frango mint chocolates my family brought me (or the cheesecake I've been dreaming about). I almost bought a package of Julie's organic sorbet bars (my fave), but, for better or worse, I forgot to pick them up until I was in the car, driving away. I'm also trying to eat more vegetables... because they are not very appetizing to me right now, and very nutritious. My family also left a family size pack of bell peppers in my fridge so... chop chop!

What are y'all eating? Anything that might tempt me?

This week in history: Two OB appointments and two therapy sessions - I may have enjoyed the lack of therapy a little too much. It was nice to be off the hamster wheel for a bit!

Will was off work and my whole family (sans one brother + pets) was in town, so last week was the best week ever. Also, Bebe Baldwin is moving and grooving - I love feeling her so active!

Prayers: Will is in the MICU for the next month, and this is already a tough rotation (for both of us). 5 a.m. gone, home by Grace's bed time (maybe). Then, early to bed! I shocked myself by waking up with Will today, sleeping a little bit longer, and then getting up around 6 a.m. Who am I??

We find out Grace's blood panel tests results tomorrow or Tuesday...

For all those genuinely trying to reform in the new year, be it self or habit(s).

Peace abroad, at home, and in our own hearts.

Special intentions! {Like... my phone is missing. No more pictures for y'all without it! Now you know my secret. St. Anthony!!!!}

Next week I am going to: Buckle down on getting ahead for my classes - I am currently working on having half of February and all of March "done" lecture and assignment-wise so all I have to do is lecture and grade when Bebe Baldwin first arrives. Since my parents swooped in and bought me huge bookcases for my office (and more!), I'm going to start unloading all those perpetually traveling boxes finally.

Grace and I are having all-day Mommy-Daughter dates for six days, so we're kicking off today with grocery shopping, all-over cleaning, napping, and lots of playing. She is seriously the best sport - and the fact that I downloaded a painting app to my iPad for her while I clean has nothing to do with that!

I'm also returning to my Wunderlist (available on the computer and as an app!). The Type A in me likey. Does anyone else use it?

Happy January, everyone!

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My View (vol. 25)

What I am reading: a lot of essays by students (end of quarter approaches!!); Sharing the Faith with Your Child (from birth to age six): A Handbook for Catholic Parents by Phyllis Chandler with Joan Burney

Last Sunday... just the Baldwin babes!

What I am eating: Boosken cookies my mama sent me. The taste of home is so sweet!

Meal Planning: Last week was mostly chicken and sweet potatoes/spaghetti and meatballs/ sides of  steamed green beans and broccoli/ eating fruit + cool whip for dessert. Grace enjoyed her first mandarin orange last night! She definitely preferred the cool whip. (And the Busken cookies that arrived yesterday!)

But this week!!! I am fixing lentil soup (plus ham for Will) of dinner tonight and tomorrow. We'll have spaghetti and meatballs again because Grace will eat meatballs (yay! more solids!), lots of tilapia, cornbread muffins, rice and/or potatoes, and I'll more than likely buy chicken drumsticks for Will. Vegetables too!

Breakfast usually looks like a scrambled egg with cheddar cheese and an english muffin or a bowl of cereal if it is an early therapy morning, plus milk and coffee. Grace always eats oatmeal, yogurt, milk and almost-always a scrambled egg + cheese. Lunch is a smorgasbord of leftovers, yogurt, and lately, pb&jam. Gracie is still into Earth's Best baby food, a colby jack cheese stick, a few slices of my daily apple and milk.

Not totally convinced over the meatball...

{This just in! I read Nell at Whole Parenting, and she is doing a link-up for meal planning! In case any of you need more recipes... because around here, y'all I'm all about the bass- the bass- the basics. My family recipes include: Put rice and water in rice cooker; press "on". Put chicken on tray; bake for 45 min-1 hour at 375 degrees. Cut up broccoli and put into bowl + 2-3 Tb of water - place plate on top and microwave for 3-4 minutes ... yeah: boss.}

A lot of grading to complete this week (my 6-8 graders are turning in their War of 1812 essays on Monday, just in time for me to finish grading their Bill of Rights essay); simple meals, simply delicious!

This week in history: We had visitors!

Trista and Bryan stopped by after a wedding for lunch! Such good conversation - AND they are moving closer to us in the next few months!! {Under 2 hours counts, right??}

Julie, Trista, Bryan

Trista has one of the most beautiful hearts! So blessed in her friendship

My wonderful college friend Tom, his wife Nicole and their sweet daughters stopped by one afternoon on their way home from New York!

The girls were not into more pictures, but we loved it!

My MIL and SIL Ellen were here of course, which was beyond delightful.

Snuggles!

Ellen and I got to consignment shop, and my MIL helped take me care of everything - from putting plastic on the windows to help keep the chill out of our rental, getting rid of meal moths who came to stay last week, taking care of poor Will (who got sick, again - fortunately just for the weekend!) - and still creaming us all in Hearts. Ellen also finished painting Grace's dresser! Isn't just divine?!

Will finished out his last week of OB/GYN on night shift and delivering a couple more babies. I continue to prep for class, nap when Grace naps, grade, try to write, teach presidents three through seven (Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Quincy Adams, Jackson) and keeping the house clean-er. Failed on finishing thank you notes but... I napped and had minimal nausea (taking more medicine these days).

Grace started drawing/ coloring too!

My favorite day of the week was Halloween - Will woke up after his night shift, we dressed Grace up like a pumpkin, ordered pizza, watched Harry Potter (cleaned the house, la la la), and enjoyed spending more than 45 minutes a day with each other!

Getting ready to watch Harry Potter!

Daddy snuggles are the best

Prayers:  My parents flew to Italy yesterday! Prayers for their safe travels over the next two weeks. Prayers for the lonely and broken-hearted; prayers for the financially stressed; prayers for the faith seekers; prayers for the persecuted.

Special prayers for a few pieces I am writing, specifically on children with special needs. It's easy to say, "Grace is going to do great!" (and I firmly believe that- every day, she just wows us with her awesomeness!), but the attitude towards any type of disability is just so disheartening for me.

Especially being pregnant again and now being a high-risk pregnancy because my first pregnancy included a stroke - it is just a different world, and if you ever wanted to really freak a non-educated mom out about her fetus, talk to her as a high-risk patient. My frustration level brings me to tears some days, and as much as I love feeling my baby move inside me, I dread going to the OB office more and more. I have no health problems, I exercise, I eat well, I sleep, I drink water, I take my prenatal vitamins every day and I feel completely patronized every time I go into the office. I am not sure what to do; I've already talked to the office manager.

Next week I am going to: Get my grading done. Not miss my OB appointment. Take an actual belly bump picture!

I hope you're all having a good weekend! I see it is snowing back home... just rainy and cold here! Entertaining ourselves, nonetheless...

Oh, just playing with Dad's phone instead my toys...

Happy Saturday! Happy All Saints' Day today, and All Souls' Day tomorrow! We're going to the cemetery once it warms up to pray for the deceased.

My View (vol. 24)

What I am reading: The Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie

What I am eating: yogurt, Halloween oreos, candy corn, kiwis, colby jack cheese sticks

Meal planning: This went much better this week (I actually made a plan!) - only to be derailed by a stovetop that stopped heating, so my 30 minute meal turned into a two hour ordeal. On the positive side, this baked chicken recipe (panko crumbs + parmesan cheese, need I say more) recipe turned out well. We're eating the leftovers tonight! I even had double the chicken, and the covering outlasted it all!

TWO. HOURS. LATER. (recipe to follow because delicious)

This week, I am going to try lentil soup, some sort of beef and noodles dish (because we are eating too much chicken again), and a sweet potato side my mother-in-law passed on to me.

We are still trying to integrate adult foods into Grace's menu. She was eating really well and now - poof! She is mostly interested in what is on our plate, and then once we share (or give her a baby portion), she is over it. She does love colby jack cheese sticks, though, so I will be picking up more tomorrow! She is also drinking a lot more milk, and showing interest in our cups, which deserves a thousands claps.

Helping mama fix waffles after an extra early morning wake-up

Note: As I type this, she is eating a fish stick. Miracles happen! And yes, I like fish sticks. 

This week in history: GRACE TOOK HER FIRST STEPS. At PT on Thursday, we kept the bench we usually stand her at lower than usual to practice standing up with her right leg first, and on her own volition, she took five steps to the left. Then back to the right, then back to the left, and so on. Her therapist was beyond elated, and kept saying she had not expected Grace to be trying to walk yet. She also said earlier that she had never seen a hemi (Grace has right hemiparesis CP, aka her right side is affected) do an extended crawl before, and that is 85% of Grace's crawling now.

She also likes to put herself at the edge of everything (and expects you not to let her fall).

Will... Will... WILL PLEASE DON'T LET HER FALL. - me

She pulls herself up on her knees, and occasionally can stand. She is babbling more and continues to love her parents the mostest. She is a rock star!!! So in love with my smiley baby.

Go Gracie go!

And this girl:

Hi bebe deux!

Will stayed home from work one day this week because he got chills, etc. and he's on his OB rotation. He was fully pathetic, and then felt better enough to go in the next day - and he got to deliver a baby! I felt sick again this week too (what is the deal?!), totally blanked on an OB appointment (whoops), and finished grading all outstanding essays by my students with the help of Sense and Sensibility (Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet). Still playing catch-up, but that felt really good. Now, prepping for class this week while Grace crawls all over me. Looooving it.

Will and I got to play tennis yesterday too and it was great fun! Grace did a great job watching us from her blanket!

{{Also... like The Corner with a View Facebook page? All the cool kids are doing it! I tried to get over 100 this week, and now I can fingers cross for 200! Thanks to all my new readers for being so awesome - and ye olde faithfuls!!!}}

Prayers: For the Middle East. For the lonely hearts. For my three siblings who have birthdays this month! For the Church and her members. For peace in our hearts, and any private intentions in yours.

Next week I am going to: Finish thank you notes, get Grace's medical/ therapy papers better organized (vs. the lovely pile I have going on), make myself feel well enough to bake snicker doodle cookies, enjoy Fall, and get ready for my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to come visit this next weekend! Also, see good friends T&B who have a wedding in the area!!

Re-living our birthday this afternoon... indulgent mama, happy baby!

Happy Sunday!

My View (vol. 23)

What I am reading: Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

What I am eating: Progresso soup, English muffins, applesauce, baked potato, green beans.

Grace had cheese.

Meal planning: None. I was sick this past week(s), so I had Will do the grocery shopping. He bought all chicken. Nonetheless, my SIL bought me a super cute meal planning pad for the fridge, so I think I'll start using it this week. (Because the pad means I am serious...!!)

We're working on our food budget + Grace's diet. She is interested in adult food, but only what is on our plates. When I fix her a GHB dish, she usually tosses it on the ground. Scrambled eggs have been the exception there, fortunately or unfortunately. We're sticking to her baby food for now, but we're both getting more serious about more "grown up" baby food. Tomorrow, we're trying a quinoa, black beans and avocado dish out of the baby + toddlers cookbook I have. We'll probably dish up more chicken too!

This week in history: Hard to remember; all I really know is how tired and not well I was... and that one student told me to stop yawning in class because I was making her yawn! I promise I am sleeping! More pregnancy nausea; trying to offer it up.

My in-laws left (I'll post pictures from Grace's birthday this week); class for me; Grace made great progress in therapy (including an extended arm crawl!);

Like a boss.

Will ended his anesthesia rotation, started his OB rotation, and rocked his ATLS (advanced trauma life support, aka his job) test!

Grace had an awesome 12 month check-up, complete with four shots and a new board book! 

Yes Grace, a few more minutes...

We also made the family decision not to go home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It would just be Grace and I (Will works holidays), and either I would have 14 hours in the car to Cincinnati (maybe more! Eek!), or I would have to fly with a baby on my lap plus a nice sized preggo bump on an airplane. Neither sounded very appealing, and our budget thanks us for not spending the money too.

This will be my first Thanksgiving without my family, and my second Christmas. My Dad was cheering me up by saying how good it will be for me to spend it with my real/new-ish/little Baldwin family ...

... is it weird that I still struggle with the familial lines? I love Will and Grace more than life, but I am so programmed to being with my extended family as well as my first family during the holidays. I know exactly what my family will be doing on major and minor (e.g. Mother's Day, etc.) holidays. We move like clockwork. It is a very different way of celebrating now - more Baldwin style, I suppose, since Will did not grow up with all of his extended family in close, within 15 minute range like me. He's not as sentimental either, perhaps.

Fortunately, an ER attending couple has a 48 hour Thanksgiving at their house every year, and a college friend of Will's invited us to his parents' house an hour+ away. During Christmas, my bestie Vivian is coming down from NYC for two days, and then my family will arrive the next day! Positive thoughts!!!

Oh, and duh... this week, we felt the baby roll around for the first time!!!!

Prayers: The Middle East! For private intentions. For all celebrating (and living) Spina Bifida Awareness Month (check out the #embracethebif campaign!) Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and Pregnancy & Infant Loss Month this October! We celebrated World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 1. May these lives shine light on the inherent goodness of all humans.

Next week, I am going to: Laugh and play a lot with Grace. Teach class. Pack for my friend Kate's wedding in VA. Run the dishwasher once a day. Feel better. Grade a lot of papers. Try to write more. Hopefully sleep more. Have my 20 week anatomy scan!

Will and Grace playing peek-a-boo!

For more giggles, here are Will and Grace in action. Happy weekend!

My View (vol. 22)

What I am reading: Still on Wilder; also picked up Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth (part of book club this month!) Also: a lot of history, a lot of philosophy, and some basic copyright/ intellectual property readings.

What I am eating: If I could fix waffles every day, I would. I should. Strawberries! (GHB loves them too!)

Meal planning: My MIL has been here this past week, fixing lots of food for us... so I might take a pass this week, even though she is leaving tomorrow, because we are in Leftover Heaven. I did, however, want to share the super simple burrito recipe I fixed this week:

• 1 lb ground pork
• ~2 cups cooked rice (ours was leftover from another meal)
• 1 can black beans

I cooked the ground pork through, chopping it up as it went, and once it was done, I added the rice and black beans (did not drain first - all in!), and cooked at a lower heat for 10-15 minutes. Warmed up the tortillas, and serve with fixings! Diced cucumber, tomato, salsa, avocado, sharp cheddar cheese... we have leftovers, so I am going to prepare the rest and freeze them, and then warm them up for a quick meal this week! Very satisfying. Depending on personal preference, I cooked the pork with Greek seasoning as well, and it added further satisfaction to the taste.

I bet quinoa would be a fun add too!

This week in history: Grace started waving! It is beyond adorable. She loves playing "high five!"

Crawling all the time too...!!

I survived five night shifts in a row (Will did too) because my MIL came in town to help. Never ever was I so grateful to have her around! I spent the week getting caught up before and during classes - I start teaching on Monday! It was an overwhelming week: I can't believe today is Sunday.

On the plus side, the porch is nearly completely cleaned off and we are working on creating a fun place to spend time while the weather is decent!

Prayers: For peace in the Middle East and in Russia. For those suffering from sexual, emotional and physical abuse. For all marriages, especially for my friends A&C who will be married in less than one week! For the single ladies (and gents!).

Next week, I am going to: TEACH US HISTORY. Read and highlight. Go to a wedding in New York! Snuggle and play with GHB. Work on our porch more. Spend time with my SIL, who is coming in town for a medical school interview! (Well, in Philly - close enough!) Spend more time with my favorites. 

Off to finish slides! (Eep!) Have a very happy week, y'all!

P.s. We have some news...

... that we are thrilled to share!

My View (vol. 21)

What I am reading: The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Favorite eats: General Tso's chicken.

Meal planning: Last week, I totally failed. I {maybe} fixed two dishes I planned. Let's keep this week more simple - just say what I'll cook: spaghetti & meat sauce + vegetable; quinoa, tomato, cucumber & feta cheese; tilapia & rice ... you can tell my creativity is really feeling this exercise.

I think quinoa will be a good food to eat this week - I need more protein, but I can only eat so much greek yogurt for lunch. I usually eat vegetable soup. I like eating meat, but I can only eat so much of it during the day before it starts to weigh on me. I'm thinking about fixing some sort of crock pot bean soup. Have any favorites, readers? I need something light, healthy, nutritious, and relatively easy for this novice chef. I think my SIL gave me a lentil soup during my engagement... off to hunt for that!

This week in history: I'm really starting to resent residency. I shouldn't, and I feel bad even typing it, but I am. Will was gone for most of this week, and of course I got sick with a virus towards the end of it. But Will is home now, and is taking care of me before he starts four night shifts in a row. Blink. Blink.

Grace had an awesome PT session and got evaluated for OT. The therapist was very impressed by how agile she is, and witnessed firsthand how much Grace detests when you *try* to have her use her right hand. Baby steps! We had a tough day in the middle of the week, but overall, she is in very good spirits. She turned 11 months too -- woo!

My blog also got over 1k views on Grace's diagnosis post, and from the bottom of my heart: thank you so much Readers and Friends, for your overwhelming love and support of our darling daughter. Thank you for joining up with us to change the narrative that special needs children are a burden, when they are truly such a gift. Let us continue to pray and encourage each other!

It was also National Dog Day - so throwback to our family dog-member, Heidi the wee puppy in December 2006!

Prayers: Peace in the Middle East, and wisdom and prudence in our world's leaders. Those struggling in their vocation. For wisdom, peace and understanding in our own life. For Grace Harriet's continued progress, and for Will and I as we handle heavy work loads with daily needs and family time. My family also lost one of our cats this week, Cecily, possibly to feline leukemia. 

For all private intentions!

Next week, I am going to: DO ALL THE THINGS!!!! Well, a lot of them, including answering more IT e-mails, prepping to teach history the following week, getting myself used to the online happenings for teaching school and learning school, and keeping up with all my grad school reading (I am taking my first philosophy class!). And how, you may ask? Because we have hired a babysitter for a couple hours a week. Praise be! But in all seriousness, I will be cleaning and organizing my to-be office. If anyone wants to come to PA, I will compensate with fancy baked goods I will buy from the store.

My View (vol. 18)

What I am Reading: By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder; The American Presidency: Origins and Development, 1776-2007 by Sidney M. Milkis and Michael Nelson (fifth edition)

An interesting tidbit:

Controversies: the draft's constitution's slavery provisions came under fierce assault from several northern delegates, both the three-fifths rule for counting slaves as part of the population and the prohibition against laws banning the importation of slaves. The North's concern derived less from moral considerations than from fear of slave rebellions, which might attract foreign invaders and, in any event, probably require northern arms and money in order to be subdied. Southern delegates not only defended the provisions to protect slavery but also declared that their states would not ratify any constitution that placed slavery in jeopardy (Milkis, Nelson 19).

Favorite eats: Oatmeal with brown sugar and chia seeds. Carrots. Cheesecake.

This Week in History: Grace is officially sleeping through the night! Teething, etc. continues painful. I joined MOMS Club, went to morning mass at our new parish, and had online training for my teaching job. Oh! And we have officially been in Bethlehem for over a week. It feels good to be home.

Prayers: For the situation in the Middle East - every thing I read just breaks my heart. Such evil acts are happening to innocents. Lord, hear their prayers!!

Next week, I'm going to: Get real about updating our Google calender; finish putting things away from the move (almost there!!!); be excited about my sister coming to visit this next weekend!!; re-start my daily rosary and Scripture readings, more frequent mass, and my yoga routine -- working on my self-discipline.

Happy weekend!