The Sentimental Side

A gal at work has been anticipating the birth of a baby boy she is adopting.  The adoption is open and she's met with the birth mother several times.  The little guy was born on Saturday and is healthy and coming home today.  I am so excited for the new mom.  She is overjoyed but a little nervous too--as well she should be.  I keep thinking of her coming home with this new little bundle and how thrilled she must be.

But my mind and heart can't stop thinking about the 22 year old birth mother.  Placing a child for adoption has to be one of the hardest choices anyone has to make.  What must it be like to sign papers giving your child to another?  What must it feel like to leave the hospital babyless?  The whole thing must almost be indescribable and yet how selfless to make that choice and walk away knowing that the child is better off with another family.  My heart goes out to birth mothers who must learn to deal with the acceptance of the situation and lonliness of knowing a piece of their heart and soul will never be theirs in this life.

I have known and admire the women on both sides of the equation.  What a beautiful thing for both when  the little child is placed in a loving family.  

Bud's Corn Sauce

I just found the craziest new product that I love.  Bud's Corn Sauce.  Yeah, you read it right.  Bud's Corn Sauce.  No I am not an employee or being paid commission from Bud.

While scouring the vendors at the Salt Lake Family Christmas Gift Show which I was camped at for 12 hours I stumbled across Bud in the food section.  Normally I am hestitant to try the food wares but curiosity killed the cat.  It was darn delicious and I know the kids will love it.  They'll eat veggies with seasoning or dip--which is exactly what Bud's Corn Sauce is.  It can be sprinkled on veggies for a delicious cheesy garlic palette or mixed with sour cream to make dip or mixed with mayonnaise and butter for a delicious dipping sauce.  It's really everything you'd ever dream of in a corn sauce!

Check out Bud here. 

Girl Power 2

As dictated by Caroline:

I've heard it said that it takes some people a lifetime to find their calling.  It doesn't seem to be so hard really.  I've been here 3 months and 18 days and I'm pretty sure I found mine.  It seems I was meant to coach on my new reality TV series "So You Think You Can Sleep."  Last night we had tryouts with my first two wannabe stars.  Normally I would consider charging but I decided to coach these two dudes for free since I'm kind of new to the coaching arena.

We opened with some solid advice and general nuggets of wisdom--eat a good dinner, have some milk before bed, pick a comfortable pillow, and the like.  Then I hit em with my super secret noctural bliss stuff which I can't reveal in the public forum due to my contract.  This morning I checked on my apprecentices and found the big guy was in bed with mom since 1:40 (but at least he was asleep) and miracle of all miracles the little guy that scares the tar out of me was still asleep in the Choo Choo bed with his bum in the air. 

Tonight we'll reconvene when I give them more advanced coursework to reinforce their skills and hopefully put them into a 1st place winning position which only ups my value as a coach.  Overall it's a win-win for everyone.

p.s.  I slept from 8:30 to 5:30.  I'm good, I'm good, I'm really really good.

Girl Power!

Caroline is a star.  That's all I can say.  She ate at 11:30 last night and was still perched peacefully in her swing (her sleeping spot of choice) at 6:30 this morning while just commencing the most minimal of whimpers as she started to gnawl her finger.  At least the sleeping gods have smiled on one of my children.

Tonight Caroline is offering free training classes to the boys on how to rest more peacefully while staying in your assigned spot.  I can't wait to hear what she has to say.

This is how Caroline feels when her sleep is interrupted by the men in white shirts.