Of couch rest, germ season and babies

Yes, yes, I know...we've been strangely absent on the blog as of late.  To be quite honest, it's not that we've been too busy, it's just that we haven't been busy.  Ben would disagree, since he tells me that I am busy...making lungs, and toes and eyes, etc.... but I usually feel as though we haven't "done" anything since I've been on couch rest for about a month.  

Because of the couch rest and the need to lay low to keep our little guy cooking for a bit longer, we haven't been out of the house much and each day passes with pretty much the same routine...shower before Ben leaves for work, play with Lilyana, read the same books to her (we really need to get some more board books!), Ben comes home for lunch (*love*), nap time for Lilyana...sometimes me, more couch rest and quiet time, Ben comes home to make dinner, we spend time talking and reading out loud...just the three of us (very soon to be FOUR!!!!!), Lilyana goes to bed, Ben and I play a game, or read some more, or talk until we're tired enough to actually sleep, we sleep and then start all over again.  

I'm hoping to get the green light to get up and get some work done on Thursday when we have our next appointment.  My "to-do" list gets longer everyday and I'm eager to get started on some last minute projects/housework before our little guy arrives.  However, this last month of laying low has been good for us, I think.  Since I'm not allowed to "do" anything (by my definition), I can sit with my baby girl and read and play for hours without feeling like I have to get work done.  It's been a good reminder that my family...my wonderful, selfless husband and my sweet strawberry-blonde curly topped baby girl matter more than the dust under the desk.  Being there for them, letting them be there for me (wow...that's a hard one!), and just enjoying each day (which I usually don't get an A+ for) is my current calling.  It will be over soon...very soon...  And I am so thankful for two dear friends of mine who have come to visit and keep me company, and the delightful D. family for doing our grocery shopping...such a treat!

Laying low hasn't kept our house from colds and such, though.  Poor Lilyana came down with Roseola recently...congested, running a fever and then the rash, which wasn't as bad as I expected.  I was so thankful that it didn't itch!  She wasn't her normal cheerful, happy-go-lucky self for many days and just wanted to be held, mostly by her daddy.  We rubbed her down with oils and diffused them in her bedroom at nap-time and during the night while she slept.  This seemed to help a lot, but she was still waking up at least once during the night coughing.  At about the same time, Ben developed strep throat and I was doing all I could to stay healthy!  I wasn't going to be sick and in labor at the same time!  I hated to see both of them suffering and knew I could do more.  So I got up one morning and whipped together some home remedies to soothe their aching bodies.

What could be better than some Cough Syrup and a Vapor Rub?  These are so easy to make and use household ingredients and essential oils! Quick and easy, healthy and tasty, the Cough Syrup and Vapor Rub are good to keep on hand in your home, and if packaged nicely, would make great gifts to your friends and family this Christmas!  

So, I hope you enjoy these two recipes as much as my family has, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!  



Homemade Cough Syrup

(Lilyana LOVES this stuff!)

1  C Honey (preferably raw, local honey)

1/4 C Organic Apple Cider Vinegar 

30 Drops Young Living's Lemon Essential Oil

30 Drops Young Living's Thieves Essential Oil Blend

Combine honey and vinegar in a small pot and heat over low heat until the honey is runny and the two ingredients are combined.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Pour into desired storage bottle and add essential oils.  Shake before serving a healing 1-2 teaspoons to your family!

**WARNING!!  DO NOT give to children under the age of ONE as this recipe contains honey**

Vapor Rub 

(A Lilyana favorite...she carried the jar around and would ask for more as she needed it!)

2 T Beeswax

1/2 C Olive or Coconut Oil

30 Drops Young Living's  Peppermint Essential Oil

30 Drops Young Living's R.C. Essential Oil Blend

20 Drops Young Living's Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Heat beeswax and oil in a small pot over low heat until the beeswax is completely melted.  Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Pour into desired storage jar, add the essential oils, stirring to combine and allow to set before use!  Rub on chest and back every 2 hours or as needed.

CAUTION:

NEVER take lower quality essential oils internally. From my research, the only essential oils that I trust enough in quality to be taken internally, are Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils, and only if it is labeled as a “supplement.” If your essential oil is from an edible plant such as lavender, lemon, orange, grapefruit, oregano, thyme, frankincense, ylang ylang, etc., and it states that the essential oil is “Not for Internal Use” then you can be certain that the essential oil is NOT superior quality. Only 2% of all essential oils in the world are considered therapeutic grade. CLICK HERE to find out what that means.

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If you don't use essential oils and would like more information, I'd love to answer your questions!  Leave a comment with your contact information and I'll get back with you as soon as I can!  If you would like to sign up for Young Living and share in these wonderful healing oils, click here!

So, if you have any jokes you'd like to leave in the comment section, please feel free to do so!  And if you try these recipes, please leave a comment and tell me how you liked them!  I love getting feedback!  

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor.  The information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

A Week (or two) in the life of Lilyana....

With only 10 weeks until my due date, I've been nesting like crazy...maybe more than I did with Lilyana...which Ben didn't think was possible!  My "to-do" list gets longer and shorter and then longer again with each passing day.  Things to paint, hang, organize, wash, frame, get rid of, re-arrange, etc....  We've actually made much progress in our little house, which makes me very happy!  

But, because we've had our hands full of house projects and a busy and very inquisitive 18 month old who happens to be cutting 6 teeth, I haven't had much time to carry my other "baby"
(a.k.a. my camera) around much to snap pictures...okay, so I did manage to get some of Lilyana!  When I looked at the pictures on my camera, almost every picture was of her!  So, I thought to myself, "Self, why not put up a post of what keep Lilyana entertained!"  It made lots of sense to me, and I hope that you enjoy a peek into her fun and busy life....

 Food!  Food is always at the top of Lilyana's list.  I'm always amazed (and amused) and what she eats.  Last night she was thrilled with her plate of herbed pork roast, grilled beets, grilled mushrooms and sautéed spinach and beet greens.  When she was done with her plate, she looked expectantly at our plates!  Quite the foodie baby!

"I'm going to EAT you!!!!!"  

Awwww.....sweet cousins.  Lilyana LOVES babies, but her favorite baby is Isabella, or "Della" as Lilyana calls her.  She can't get enough of her cousin's very kissable chubby cheeks.  And yes. we have this framed in our house!

One good thing about having small bottles of essential oils is that they run out faster than the big ones...especially when the bottle is about 2 years old.  Lilyana was "treating" her feet with some Lemon oil.  She then proceeded to "treat" our feet. 

Not only is she a foodie baby, she's an essential oil baby, too!

Oh look!  The three of us!  We went down to L.A. for a wedding and found some fun places along the coast to see.  This just happens to be our new favorite coffee/pastry shop!  It reminded us of Spain... *sigh*

Ooooo....Food!!!

A long 4 day weekend makes for a sleepy baby.  The drive home was a cozy one for her with her "lambie" and "blankie". 

Tea time with mommy is always fun.

Maybe one day she'll drink like a lady....

Tea time with mommy inspired her to have tea time with her bear.  Grandmommy bought her a wooden tea set for her birthday  and some wooden cakes and cookies on a tiered stand.  Lilyana loves to dip her cookies into her tea and say, "Dip, dip dip!"

A late morning means that she missed saying goodbye to daddy as he left for work.  She likes to send pictures to him when she misses him. 

And then she stands at the window waiting for him to come home. 

This is a daily routine for her now.

And he's home!!!  Ben was fixing an antique typewriter and Lilyana wanted to help.  She got to hold the flashlight for him...

...until she got bored and found something else to do with the flashlight. 

We call her crabby pants. 

Talking on the phone is a favorite pastime.  

What can I say?  She takes after her father in some things....I wanted to add some feathers and beads and make it look more Regency, but it fell apart before I could get started. 

Sporting her new shoes.  She outgrew all of her shoes before she started walking so that meant getting some new ones!  Thankfully, Robeez was having a sale and free shipping!!!  So we got some for her grow-in box, too!

And that's all for now.  When she isn't being silly, or "helping", or playing with her baby and dog (no, not a real one), or eating, or reading, she's usually napping...which she needs to be doing right now.  Lunch is done and she's asking for her lambie and blankie...

Until next time!

Of hellos, having fun and sad goodbyes...

Last month we were so excited and very blessed to have Jessica come out for a 3 week visit!  We tried not to cram everything into her short visit, but there was so much to do, and for all of our adventuring, the weather was most agreeable.  She was so helpful while staying here...changing diapers, entertaining Lilyana so I could get things done, girl shopping with me, doing dishes after every meal (such a nice break!), laundry and just chatting and filling my day with endless fun.  Sisters are great...and I very much miss mine.  Hopefully we can squeeze another visit in soon, especially as the arrival of our baby gets closer!

Yes, this is a post LOADED with pictures, so enjoy!

We picked Jess up at the SFO airport around lunch time.  We picnicked for lunch which meant deli sandwiches on criossants with chips-n-salsa, fruit and cookie bars.  We ate at Union Square and soaked up the gorgeous weather...it was actually warm that day!  

In order to miss out on the oh-so-fun traffic jam, we decided to hang out in San Francisco all day.  After shopping and just relaxing, we took Jess down to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner. 

Oh yeah...Clam Chowder in a San Francisco Sourdough Bread Bowl!  Doesn't get much better than that!

Hoping to kill some more time, and because it was cold outside and I was craving it, we grabbed some of the best hot chocolate...from Ghirardelli Square!  YUM!

A few days later, I had a hair appointment in my favorite little town in the foothills.  We left before lunch, and being pregnant, by the time we got there I was STARVING!  So we went to a local place and introduced Jess to Sweet Potato Fries...these are the best I've ever had!

Awwww....aren't they cute?!?!?

A trip to the river is always fun....especially when you find a great spot under a tree right next to the beach part...shade, sun, cold water, yummy food and great people...a perfect day!

Lilyana enjoys her munchies. 

Pops drove us up the river a bit and we put our inter-tubes in the water and braved the rapids down to where we had set up camp.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!!!! We had to do it twice.  Definitely going back next summer!

Jess and Ben are either relaxing or splashing each other...both are very good possibilities. 

After playing on the river, we were rather hungry...have I mentioned that we like food?  

Since we were so close to Sacramento, we went out for Ethiopian food.  Love that stuff.

This wasn't the ice cream picture I planned on posting, but Lilyana was so funny I had to post it as well...

Local ice cream shops are the best!

Lilyana really liked the chocolate. 

Back at home she enjoys being "mommy" to her babies.  She rocked and sang to her baby for about 20 minutes.  I think she's going to be a great big sister!

Up at Union Valley, some of the campers took the little boats out to explore the other side of the lake.  

Ben was working and I was quite content just sitting on an inter-tube enjoying the water.

The sailboat sat waiting for good winds before it ventured out.  

I actually didn't get very many pictures on the trip...visiting with friends and family was more fun. 

Lilyana got a pair of sunglasses for her birthday and she LOVES them...especially when other people are wearing theirs.  And I am totally framing this picture!  

Oh, and this one.  She is such a daddy's girl...and he absolutely adores his girl.

Game Night at Lumenaris!  Abstractables is one of our favorite games, so a game night where the game is actually made sounded like lots of fun...and it was!  As usual, the girls beat the boys.

After church the next morning, we headed off to the coast.  Food first, though...

Love.

Crazy kids...

A walk along the cliff. 

Every time we go to the beach, Ben and Lilyana stand on the sand watching the waves and exploring while I sit on our blanket soaking up the sun.  Occasionally I venture out to feel the freezing cold water, but I mostly relax while other people have fun going numb in the water. 

Jess didn't get much deeper than that, and I don't blame her!

Awwwww....

Besides, when one sits further up on the beach one gets a better view of the crashing waves.

Dance, dance, yeah.

We had a great time on the beach...so quiet and secluded.  When it started cooling off, we went back to town for some more clam chowder and then began the long drive home.  Ben had work the next day, and Lilyana needed to be back on her regular nap schedule. 

"Don't you ever interrupt me when I'm readin' a book."

Ben made his famous Pasole for dinner one night, and it was actually cool enough outside to eat out!  I fried up some tortilla chips, Jess helped chop the toppings, Lilyana didn't do much besides be cute, Sangria was made to compliment the meal and we feasted like royalty.  

Yeah...good stuff. 

On the road again....we made our way back to San Francisco for one of the highlights of Jessica's trip.  Ben's parents came out as well to babysit that evening, so we rented a lovely house near downtown that had plenty of room for all of us...and a kitchen!  After dinner, we freshened up...

...donned our formal attire and were soon swept up in the beautiful and emotional story of Les Miserable.  Such a wonderful story of redemption.  We cried like babies. 

Back at the house, Lilyana was enjoying time with Grandad and Grandmum. 

Thanks for babysitting!!!

Jessica was highly disturbed by the many signs advertising the creativity of the person behind her...  

The three of us grabbing some much needed caffeine.  We found the cutest little old world coffee shop.  Jessica had the guy laughing so hard when she told him that she wanted hot chocolate with a shot of espresso...he laughed and then looked at her and said, "You mean a mocha?"

It was very amusing. 

They are being careful as they are about to enjoy their drinks which are extremely hot.

Hitting the Farmer's Market in San Fran!  SO much goodness!  Jess got her late season cherries...it wasn't the best cherry year, but she was excited.

Something must be awfully funny.

Me and my love. 

Sisters...sisters....

No, I never hand over my bread and coffee.

Pops, practicing skills for retirement. (No, despite the curly red hair, that is not Mumsie sitting next to him....)

CUPCAKES!!!!  I love cupcakes!  And Kara makes good cupcakes.  She even has gluten free ones...not that I had one, but Mumsie appreciated it!

We didn't get enough pictures this trip...that means you need to come back, Jess!

Ben showing off his American's Cup cupcake. 

Grandad, like me, goes crazy over chocolate. 

At the Golden Gate!  It only took me 2 1/2 years to see this bridge.

It's got to be love, 

Cause everything is upside down and 

 My knees are weak, my heart skipped a beat  

All because it's gotta be love...

Can you believe that we were crazy enough to walk part of that?  In that fog?  In the cold?!?  But hey...we got a great view of America's Cup!

Grabbing ice cream at Fenton's!

On one of our girly outings, we stopped for some Root Beer Floats!  YUM!  I am so craving those right now...next to sauerkraut, that is.

My cute little smiley one. 

 Afternoon tea at the local bakery.

The day that we had to take Jess back to the airport was a very sad one.  Even the weather was sad...the sun refused to shine. :(  We got up earlier than we really had to, but we wanted to take Jess to a small little cafe run by an older French gentleman who makes incredible crepes!  We had omelettes, crepes, coffee and tea for breakfast.  

Coming to the Bay Area when the forecast says 64 and cloudy means one should dress for such an occasion, right?   Now, who do you think has the best footwear?

 HA!  I just love the second rule...  Does this mean that adults who are not accompanied by a child will be sent home with an espresso and a puppy?!?

Lilyana loves her Aunt Gaga.  She has missed her so much since Saturday.  She keeps looking all over the house for her and when she can't find her, she hold up her hands and raising her eyebrows asks, "Gaga?  Gaga?"  It's so sad.  

 Today she tried to call her...for some reason, the call wouldn't go through...

And now, we hope, life will slow down for a bit.  I am very ready for Autumn and Pumpkin Muffins and soups and gumbo and stew and hot tea and hot chocolate and Hermit Cookies and Thanksgiving and I SO want to decorate for Christmas already...oh, and the arrival of our baby, of course!  For those who don't know yet...