Tooth "ache"

I could have thrown a parade over Rylyn's firsts.

There is a mourning that comes with the joy of firsts. That mourning is more profound with the second child than with the first.

Didi's first tooth is coming in. I felt it cut the gum today. Her toothless grins are now numbered and I am trying to keep hold of her gummy grin in my memory.

Bible Reflections:
Psalm 30:11 (NKJV)

¹¹ 

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

Lord, thank you for firsts. As with many things in life, firsts too are about the journey, not the destination. Help me to savour the sweet moments of the journey with Your Grace as they pass. Amen.

Small Talk: World's Experts on Kids and Life

Have you ever felt like a well-meaning, total stranger was the "expert" on your child or life? I know I have! Although often annoying in the present, also often funny in hindsight. Enjoy these anecdotes from my day-to-day life.

Scene: Dollarama
Cashier - Looking at 2 month-old  Addisyn in her stroller. Your baby's one eye is tearing up. Has she been crying?
Me - No. It is just her tear duct. It is still developing.
Cashier - My son had to have surgery for that. You may need drops soon. Don't worry, I think they put them out now for the surgery.
Me - Smiles. My first daughter had the same problem. It worked itself out, hopefully that will happen a second time. Inside thought - Really? I'll keep that in mind Dr. Dollarama. Thanks for turning a molehill into a mountain.
Tip: breastmilk works wonders for clearing up tear-duct runny eyes.

Scene: Multiple locations, ON, Canada
"Child Expert" - Wow, your girls are big for their age. (Keep in mind these are strangers who have seen no progression in growth).
Me -  Inside thought - Really?  Which one takes the cake? The 19 month-old who is in the 3rd percentile for her weight or the 5 month-old who is in the 10th percentile for hers.
Me - Outside thought - Yep. They"re lil' porkers.
Moral: unless you know someone well, don't comment on size and even then exercise caution. I think of the countless teenage boys I teach praying to hit puberty next to their 6 ft peers.

Scene: Giant Tiger Parking Lot
Hick in Pick-Up - Trying to maneuver his truck around the shopping cart where Addy (in her carseat) sits in order to get a space close to the door.
Me - Loading Rylyn into her car seat. Cart is flushed to my car nearby. Stop. Look horrified. Grab cart.
Hick in Pick-Up - Leans out window bearing a grin missing several teeth.  Don't worry. I can drive around it.
Me - It would be inappropriate to type what I was thinking.
Tip: Park near cart carrels to make shopping trips easier...but choose carrels further from the door in case of hicks in pick-ups.

Bible Reflections: 

Proverbs 8:13-15 (NCV)

 ¹³ If you respect the Lord, you will also hate evil.
       I hate pride and bragging,
       evil ways and lies.
 ¹⁴ I have good sense and advice,
       and I have understanding and power.
 ¹⁵ I help kings to govern
       and rulers to make fair laws.

~The stories above I tell in good humour, not out of spite. When it comes to advice I first look to see what the Bible has to say and trust in God for wisdom. I also try to remember that if I sift through the sand of advice I may be surprised to find a pearl. I would love to hear any funny stories the rest of you have on the "experts" in your world.

From the (Almost) Gluten-Free Kitchen

My three current television vices? Hell's Kitchen (I am still puzzled over this one myself), Master Chef and Chopped. Chris and I watch more culinary television than any other channel. Here are some of our latest inspired creations from the shows above. All gluten-free!

Broccoli Soup

Minus the walnuts with a sprinkle(?!?) of cheddar. Super yummy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvc8Au4YO60


Zucchini Fritters

Chris gobbled his up before his hotdog.

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2011/08/25/zucchini-fritters/

Good Ol' Chocolate Chip Cookie

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cookies/our-best-basic-chocolate-chip-cookies/

The pictures above are from my own products! Where the zucchini fritters and cookies called for flour I used Namaste's Gluten-Free Perfect Flour Blend. The cookies took 13 minutes rather than 8-10 minutes, but that was the only difference.

Bible Reflections:

John 6:30-32 (NIV)

³⁰ So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[a]”
³² Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.