Cousin Fun

We got to watch our little nephew Jaxon this last week while his mommy and daddy are off to a much deserved vacation. I had a house full of boys and we had a blast. Ben and Jaxon had such a good time together. Now that Jaxon is gone, Ben keeps walking around the house looking for Jaxon. We're sad to have him gone but we were glad to have had a chance to hang out and bond a little. Here are some pictures...

The boys helping me make dinner...
And then helping me clean up after
Little bike ride around the neighborhood

Don't you dare stop that bike, uncle Scott!!! Little buds
Playing doctor-patient

We love you, Action Jaxon

I am a nurse

So I was reminded today of the nursing board test that I took just a year ago. All I can say is I'm so glad I'm done with nursing school and all the tests. Those were some tough times. Well, the last couple weeks I had really rough days (or nights, in my case) at work. I started thinking that I really didn't like nursing and didn't want to do it anymore. But then, as usual, whenever I get discouraged about my profession, there is always something that happens that makes me make a 180 and start loving what I do again. Today I'm grateful for being a nurse. Really, when I think of it, it brings tears to my eyes. I've been wanting to be a nurse for so long. There is something gratifying in being able to sign RN after my name. There is something gratifying in being able to go home from work and know that you've taken good care of someone and that someone is better off because of you. Holy Cow, I am a licensed healthcare professional. I really don't think it hit me until today, until a year later. I've been trained to assess and to provide nursing as well as specialized care. I've been trained to make decisions according your care based on my assessment. I can insert a catheter in your bladder. I can start an IV and administer IV fluids and medications. I can insert a nasogastric tube for feeding, medication administration or gastric suction. I can give you a shot. I know the uses and side effects of all the medications that I'm giving you. I can talk to doctors about my concerns. Some even ask me about my opinion and what I would do (it may be because I call them in the middle of the night and they are half asleep). I hold your hand and listen to your concerns and fears and hopes. I hold your hair while you puke your guts out and then clean you up. I wipe your bottom when you are unable to do it yourself. I sneak a treat in for you when hospital jello just doesn't do it for you. I change your dressings and clean your wounds. I laugh with you. I cry with you. I do everything in my power to make you feel better. I am your nurse and I love it.

Like I said, some days are better than others. Today is a good day and I want to remember it. I'm only writing this so I have something to turn to on those bad days when I get discouraged and have something to remind me why I absolutely love being a nurse.

We are BINKY FREE

Yes, that's right, no more binkies in our house. Whew! Ben used to refuse to go to sleep unless he had his binky. Bed time was the only time binky was allowed and I was fine with that. However, in the last few weeks, Ben started to wake up several times a night because he couldn't find his binky in the dark. That's several times a night I had to wake up and find his binky. My four-months-old sleeps through the night, but my two-year-old was keeping me up. Something's wrong with that. Well, I've had enough of it and it was time to say bye-bye to the binky. Last week for family home evening I made Ben a little book about a Binky fairy (thanks to supernanny for the great idea). Big boys, like Ben, send their binkies in the mail to the Binky fairy who gives them to the little babies that really need them. In return, when the big boys wake up in the morning, the fairy brings them a present. So after out little story, Ben decided he wanted to send his binkies to the fairy. We packed all of them in the envelope and went down and dropped them in the mailbox. Ben was actually really excited about the whole thing. Later that night, though, he dicided he wanted his binkies back. It was so cute. He kept asking the Binky fairy to bring them back cause he still needed them. Too late, buddy. Andrew doesn't take a binky, so there's no temptations for Ben. Well, to make the story short, he did go to sleep without it. When he woke up next morning, the first thing he said was "lets go get present from Binky Fairy". So we did. There was a present on our doorstep for him. So there you have it. He had a little hard time the first few nights. Now he just goes to sleep, no problem at all. Most importantly, he sleeps through the night again, which translates into long, restful night for me. Life is good again!

Our little Helmet Head

It’s been a long time since I updated this blog. What can I say? Life is busy with two boys. I keep thinking I’ll get some sort of routine going and then be able to have some free time for me. Well, it hasn’t happened yet, but I’m still hoping.

Andrew had to get a little helmet to even out his head (he used to sleep on one side of his head only and it got a little flat back there). It’s nothing major, he just has to wear it for 6-8 weeks. Well, it did cost us a major penny, but we’re past sulking about it.

Andrew right before he got his helmet. You really can't tell the unevenness very well, it's mostly on the back.

Here's our little football player. We think he looks so cute.

It’s been really hot, so we try to get in the water as much as we can. Here’s the proof…

That's right, that's Ben wakeboarding. It's not the greatest picture, but you get the idea. Ben had the time of his life.

4th of July weekend

We had a fun weekend with great food and great family. Lit'l recap...

Friday: BBQ and then fireworks at Boulder City with Alan, Elaine, Matt, Jamie, and Jaxon.

We had some fireworks of our own at the front of the house. Ben had his ears covered the whole time.

Saturday: We went out on a lake and did some wakeboarding and surfing behind the boat.

Matt

Scott Me

JamieBen jumping off the boat - his favorite thing to do

That sun is exhausting
Ben being silly behind the glass door

Sunday: Andrew's baby blessing. It was such a special moment. Andrew was so handsome in his little outfit. He got to wear the same one that Ben wore for his baby blessing that grandma Elaine made. We had lots of family there. I had no idea my little house can fit so many people. It was a little crazy to say the least. It was fun, though. I didn't take many pictures.

Andrew with great grandma Miriam

Gunlock fun

Cuban-style black beans

I promised my Cuban black bean recipe to a few people, so here it is...


1 Tbsp olive oil
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (can put more if you like it really spicy)
1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 scallions, finely chopped (I rarely have scallions in my house so I just put in extra onion)
3-4 strips of bacon, minced (or Canadian ham)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 - 2 cups chicken stock/broth
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Heat the oil over medium heat. Add pepper, onions, scallions, bacon, garlic, cilantro, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft but not brown. Stir in the beans. Cook for another couple minutes over high heat. Stir in the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of the stock or broth. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Puree one-quarter of the bean mixture in a blender (or mash it with a fork). Stir the puree into the simmering beans. Simmer for 2 minutes more, or until thick but still soupy. If the bean mixture is too thick, add more stock or broth. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve it over rice and enjoy!!! We like ours with some fried plantains.

*** this recipe is very forgiving. I substitute and add stuff to it all the time. I don't measure anything anymore, just eye ball it. I often add some sort of meat to it as well. In the picture above I happened to have some little smokeys, so I added those in. It tastes great every time.