Teething and other maladies of toddlerhood

Before you have a baby, you know you'll face challenges -- breastfeeding, sleep issues, installing the car seat, and whatnot. No one is prepared for parenthood to be easy -- and sometimes, actually, it's a lot easier than it's made out to be. But then there's one aspect in which I didn't realize life would be so hard: surviving cold and flu season.

You see, our son goes part time to a child care center. It's a wonderful place where he has made wonderful friends and learned wonderful things and eaten some wonderful crackers. I have no complaints. But from November until March, it's also a wonderful incubator of viruses. Due to this fact, our winter usually goes something like this:

1. CJ's nose begins running. It runs like a fountain. And it runs some more. If we're lucky, his nose stops running by Final Four weekend.
2. CJ gets a cough and becomes a little irritable and ultra-sleepy. Maternal instinct kicks in and I start freaking out.
3. We think CJ is feeling better, so we take him somewhere fun in public and announce to our friends and family that this particular cold virus wasn't too bad and that, hey, we're totally calm here and can definitely handle this parenting thing like aces and no, I definitely wasn't freaking out a few days ago.
4. The next day, CJ runs a horribly high fever. I worry again. We give him Advil, the fever comes down, and I assume he'll get better because we don't want to be those parents.
5. Stuff starts running out of CJ's ears. We clean it up and take him to his ear, nose, and throat specialist.
6. CJ is prescribed antibiotics for an infection.
7. CJ starts feeling better but develops some sort of rash from the antibiotics. We buy special cream for the rash.
8. By the time the rash clears up, his nose starts running even more and we start all over again.

What isn't listed is the fact that my husband and I contract some of these viruses for ourselves -- and there have also been a few awesomely weird stomach problems in the mix as well. (Last year I didn't watch a second of the Super Bowl because all three of us were sleeping off one of the worst 24-hour stomach bugs we'd ever had. Frankly, the thought of the Super Bowl still makes me nauseated a year later and I don't even know who performed in the halftime show.)

But sometimes, we have one of those rare healthy days when most of CJ's bodily functions are reasonably normal. So of course that's when he has a horrendous episode of teething.

This weekend we were on a virus upswing, so naturally it was a bit of a teething disaster. The little dude will seem fine one second, but then his cheeks will turn tomato red and he'll start crying. Like, pathetically crying in pain and throwing himself on the floor in misery. This has a horrible effect on me; half the time I start crying, too. He isn't a huge fan of pacifiers or teething accessories, so a lot of times we just have to wait out the episode or let him be creative in resolving it. As a fan of bouncy balls, he definitely found a way to be creative with his teething remedy this evening. And yes, he shared the wealth with his parents. We aren't too cool to walk around the house with smiley face bouncy balls in our mouths, especially if it cheers CJ up.

Heck, it cheered me up and I already have all my teeth.

Poor little guy can't catch a break. I'm not a fan of February, but seeing whereas it gets us another month closer to spring: Bring it on. We're running out of Kleenex.

Banana Cake

So far in 2013, I've been making an effort not to throw away so much food from the refrigerator -- i.e., buy an ingredient for a recipe, only use a certain amount of the ingredient, let the ingredient waste away in the fridge for two or more weeks, and eventually toss it out. Lately, I've been taking a look at what I have and trying to come up with recipes that will use the stuff up, for goodness' sake.

In that spirit, I was looking for a yummy dessert to fix yesterday for our NFC/AFC championship watch pizza party when I stumbled upon the leftover buttermilk from my buttermilk spice cake and some browning bananas. The solution came to me quickly: banana cake. My grandmother's recipe, this is an easy and delicious family favorite. You don't even need a mixer to make it -- just a wooden spoon.

BANANA CAKE

For the cake:
2 large or 3 small bananas, smashed
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. buttermilk

For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 stick butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar
Milk

Smash bananas in a small bowl and set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 c. shortening and 1 1/2 c. sugar with a wooden spoon. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and cream thoroughly. Add dry ingredients alternately with bananas and mix well.

Spoon batter into two round cake pans or a 9x13 pan, greased and floured. Bake 30-35 mins. at 350. Cool on rack and frost with cream cheese frosting.

To make frosting, mix cream cheese and butter thoroughly with a wooden spoon, then work in vanilla and powdered sugar. Add a little milk until the frosting is the desired consistency for spreading.

Buttermilk Spice Cake

When I was growing up, my mother was a Junior Leaguer -- something I thought was super awesome. As an adult my Junior League bubble was burst just a little bit when I realized that the chapter with which my mom was involved was way more awesome than most. She lobbied on Capitol Hill and raised tons of money for worthy causes as opposed to just getting together for margarita night and trashy novel discussion (not that there's anything wrong with that). But one of the ways her chapter raised funds was through publishing a number of cookbooks. And to this day, my Junior League cookbooks are some of my favorite sources for recipe ideas -- including a favorite fall/winter go-to recipe: buttermilk spice cake.

While it's not the prettiest cake you'll ever see, it's a great, simple recipe that will please lovers of carrot cake and/or molasses cookies with an extra kick of spice and the smoothness of buttermilk. And it's great with a cup of coffee and maybe some vanilla ice cream.

BUTTERMILK SPICE CAKE

For the cake:
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened
3 large eggs

For the frosting:
1/2 c. butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. whole milk
3/4 c. sifted confectioners' sugar

To make the cake: Mix the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the buttermilk and butter and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the eggs and beat an additional 2 minutes.

Spoon the batter into two greased and floured round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting: Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the brown sugar and cook until bubbly. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool slightly and add the milk. Beat until smooth. Add enough confectioners' sugar to make desired consistency and mix well. Spread the frosting between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake.

Holiday recap

Last week was a wonderful one for our family, featuring multiple celebrations, a few too many gifts, and way too many calories -- you know, the usual. Except for that whole having a toddler thing. Christmas certainly wasn't much of an event for 4-month-old CJ last year, so this year was sort of like his first Christmas. At 16 months, he still didn't really understand what was going on -- but he loved the parties, people, and attention. And a few of his gifts got a reaction. (Spoiler alert: One of them is pictured above.)

On Christmas Eve, we visited my husband's family. CJ loves going to his grandparents' house, where they even have a puppy and two kitties. He was chasing a kitty down the hallway when he accidentally found the stashed gift from his great-grandparents. We were all sitting in the other room when we heard the gasp and shriek of delight. Minutes later, out came CJ's grandmother, pulling him behind in a bright red Radio Flyer with all-terrain tires and wood sidewalls. The kid was grinning from ear to ear. Needless to day, this will be a favorite item come springtime. CJ even relented and began paying his grandpa's "toll" of a kiss around the 50th time he circled the living room in his wagon and crossed between the armchairs.

It was wonderful sharing the joys of Christmas with our son, and we know it will continue to get more and more exciting as he grows older.

On Christmas morning, all four of CJ's grandparents and his aunt and uncle came to our house for brunch and gift opening. The stocking from Santa was pretty much a bust, but CJ did enjoy receiving an Iowa State football jersey and, the next day at his maternal grandparents' house, a new plastic scooter to play with when he came to visit.

My extended family's post-Christmas get-together was lively as always, featuring the usual games -- plus some new ones like "Christmas Family Feud" and something I'll just call "pick up candy canes with a candy cane in your mouth" (which CJ found uproariously entertaining and which I, for the record, am terrible at).

After Christmas it was off to Memphis, Tenn., for New Year's Eve and the 2012 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It was my first time in Memphis (outside of the airport), and it was great to soak in the atmosphere on Beale Street and eat my weight in cole slaw, baked beans, and white bread. Hooray, Memphis barbecue.

Because the actual Liberty Bowl was in no way, shape, or form a highlight (it was raining and my team mustered only nine first downs in a loss), I'd have to say a major highlight was attending the bowl's annual President's Gala. Being located in Memphis, the Liberty Bowl makes musical entertainment a priority each year (well, that and pageant queens...but I digress), and this year they certainly didn't disappoint when they booked The Temptations -- one of my faves and a group that I had the pleasure of seeing in concert with The Four Tops a couple of years ago. Needless to say, dancing at a black tie event to their live performance was quite an experience. It was also great to stay at the historic Peabody Hotel and watch its famous duck march. No, I did not tour Graceland. But I bought a coat at Elvis' clothier if that gives me any Memphis street cred (probably not).

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

Happy New Year

Happy 2013 from beautiful freezing ass cold Des Moines, Iowa.

I just read a blog post about the creation of new year's "intentions" -- not resolutions. I liked the sound of that, so I thought that it might be therapeutic to organize the 2013 intentions that have been rattling around in my brain -- now that I'm home from holiday travels and the year in question has arrived.

I do believe the below list reflects the fact that I recently finished reading Gretchen Rubin's "Happier at Home," which I am not sure will change your life but was a worthwhile exercise for me as a person in need of inspiration in this realm. How's that for the world's shortest lukewarm book review?

So, moving on. Here goes:

1. Improve "work-home balance."
Semantics first. I did not say "achieve;" I said "improve." I don't believe there is such a thing as achieving the perfect balance -- especially for working parents. Second of all, I used the term "work-home" balance because I don't believe the term "work-life" balance is fair. In my opinion, you don't stop living when you go to work. But yes, I need this. Whether it means doing some serious evaluation of how and when I work or improving the way I use my time away from work, this is definitely an area in which I need to concentrate in 2013. And probably for the next 20 years as well.

2. Create a more satisfying home environment.
This is another pretty big one, and it could mean (gasp!) moving to a new home -- I'm actually not sure yet, though there is a "for sale by owner" sign in our front yard. I love our house and neighborhood and don't want to move, but if I don't move I probably need to find a way to create or construct more space in our current house. We're running out.

3. Improve fitness.
Major duh on this one. I have known for most of the last year that some of the emotional and physical health issues I've had since giving birth (sixteen months ago, mind you) could be improved or possibly even solved if I took more time to work out. So I promise I will try to get over the guilt associated with doing something for myself and drag my flabby butt to the gym.

4. Eat more whole food.
My wonderful husband bought me a new set of All-Clad cookware and a Vitamix blender for Christmas, so I pretty much (putting aside the whole "I have no time" thing), have no excuse not to cook good stuff. Besides, I love to cook. So game on.

5. Have more fun with my son.
Just last night my husband and I had a lively debate about my personality when he described me as a "serious" person and my initial reaction was to protest. At first blush, I don't really consider that the right adjective: I'm laid back about many things, I am constantly cracking jokes, and I don't typically care too much what others think of me. But I guess there are lots of things I take seriously: I really have trouble getting past comments or actions I consider wrong/offensive/insensitive, and there are a lot of problems in this world that I have trouble "laughing off." And I have to admit I generally take my personal responsibilities seriously -- most notably, parenting. I definitely take it too seriously. Despite the many parenting errors I like to torture myself for making, my kid seems to be turning out fine. So maybe I should just enjoy him and stop worrying.

I intend to, at least.