Pandemic Flu checklist

So all this talk about swine flu makes me a little nervous. I'm certainly not panicking and I hope that in a few months, we'll just be saying "swine what? Oh yeah, I remember that scare." But just in case, I want to be aware of where we are right now and what our family can do to prepare. Here's a good general checklist about a pandemic flu that I found interesting. 

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu.aspx

Of course, these are good views on the subject too:

http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/swine_flu_epidemic_hits_u_s

Great list of FAQs from CNN about the subject.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/30/ep.swine.flu.questions.answers/index.html

Not sure why I think anyone is going to use my blog to research Swine Flu. I think its more of a way for me to organize my thoughts. Ignore this post (as well as any others) at will.

Good stuff

Several good things have happened lately. I'm not sure exactly which are causes, effects, or coincidences. In no particular order:

*I started counting calories.

*I lost 10 pounds.

*Adam starting sleeping somewhat better some nights.

*Adam's naps have formed a somewhat predictable schedule.

*Spring arrived, bringing green grass, new leaves and sandals.

*After a combination of clear rules, involving Laura, my relaxing, and letting Adam fuss for 5 seconds to fall asleep, Adam's naps are going much much better.

*I have made a big effort to increase the percentage of fruits and vegetables in my daily diet. And greatly reduce the refined flours and sugars. 

*Laura's attitude has been very positive most of the time.

*I have figured out that, at these ages, I enjoy parenting each child individually as much as possible and their nap schedules happen to make that possible for much of the day. 

*Did I mention spring arrived?

tricycle

While buying something else from craigslist.org, I saw that they had a tricycle in their garage too and I asked if it was for sale. It was! Laura now has a real tricycle. It is way way too big, and I wouldn't have gotten it if I could go back and do it again, but here we are. The first time she rode it, she turned it over 3 times. But since then it seems like she has made it a personal goal to figure it out. She rides it 2-3 times daily and is getting very good at it. She likes to carry stuff on the back, so I'm thinking about fashioning some sort of basket on the back or front. Don't ask about the safety glasses; I don't really have a good explanation for those. She thought it sounded like a good idea at the time.

Moose

I knitted this rabbit for Laura's Easter basket this year. It was super easy and quick. I fretted about the ears being too big, but Kim and Jim kept reassuring me: "She'll love it" "It's cute" "She'll like it just because her mommy made it". So, Laura pulled it out of her basket and said "Oh! A moose!"

he-man

how many push-ups can you do???

cheap entertainment

OK, here I go, embarrassing myself again. 

We have 2 kinds of high chairs, a bouncy seat, a bumpo chair, an exer-saucer, an inside swing, 2 slings, a wrap, a mei tai, a backpack, a crib, a playpen, and an outside swing. And here is where my baby ends up:

In the laundry basket. Its great. He can't fall down, lose his toy, eat dirt...(in my lame defense:  all, except one sling and the backpack, are borrowed, hand-me-down, homemade, or thrift store/garage sale)

Of course, the big one likes it too:

giant

Here's a picture of our ridiculously long son.

less diapers (not diaper-less), weight loss, indian food,

Laura has been taking naps soooo nicely lately. no fuss, no playing, no whining. AND, its been without her diaper. Very exciting. 

I cooked a real meal the other night. With a recipe and everything! I tried 3 new dishes - all indian food. They were pretty successful, actually 2 were delicious. Dal (split peas) with curry sauce, Black-eyed peas in a coconut milk curry sauce and a tangy coleslaw. The slaw OK, but the other 2 were great. it felt good to cook again. Of course last night, we just had leftovers and tonight was spaghetti again, so its not a habit again or anything, but maybe someday. Here's the recipes http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/06/and-then-i-moved-into-the-refrigerator

I have lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks. I started counting calories using this website http://caloriecount.about.com

I added some to my goal since I'm nursing and apparently, all I needed was some self control because it seems to be working well. I hope it continues.

The wrap

My friend Michelle lent me her wrap when Adam was born. It is so wonderful. About 12 feet of soft, beautiful material that you can 'wrap' around you in various ways to make spots for your baby.  I know I've put pictures of it on here before, but here are a few more. Aunt Kim even wore it last week and I really thought I got a picture, but now I can't find it. 

Painting the house (with water)

The weather has oscillated between beautiful and windy/cold the last few weeks. On one of the beautiful days, Michelle and Odin spent the morning with us and used up almost my entire arsenal of outdoor activities. Sandbox, playhouse, wheelbarrows, easter eggs, water painting, outside snack. Guess I could have pulled out the bubbles and chalk, but we were pretty well beat by then. It was a fantastic morning and exactly what Michelle and I needed (a break). Odin and Laura are at a great age to play together and it is super cute to watch them having conversations and playing.