Earth Hour- Our Story

I had every intention of blogging about Earth Hour before the even occurred, but I've been a very busy mama and didn't get the chance.  This year was the first year we've participated--or at least made the attempt.

 Earth Hour is one hour locally across the globe where people turn off their lights in honor of acknowledging the changing climate.  I could write a whole blurb about it, but it's just as easy to refer you to the official website. 

So here is how our evening went down:

The Father and I put LBG to bed and settled down on the couch with a bottle of wine, crackers, hummus, and some candles.  It was almost like being forced to have a romantic evening!  Things were going great until mayhem broke loose!  The dogs, who were outside, decided to wake up the whole neighborhood.  We had to turn on the porch light and let them in the house.  Of course, life wouldn't be complete with out LBG waking up.  He was so thoughtful and left us a GINORMOUS gift in his diaper!  coughcoughThankYouSweetiecough!

I may be on my way to being Super Mom, but I haven't exactly mastered the art of changing a diaper in the dark.  I tried doing it by the light of one of TF's Civil War lanterns, but it just wasn't throwing enough light on the situation.  So a lamp had to be turned on. 

Kid back to bed and mom on the couch with her man. 

Then we see lights pulling into our driveway.  Hrm, we weren't expecting visitors.  Porch lights back on.  False alarm, they pulled into the wrong driveway.  A bit on the scary side, if you ask me. 

Back on the couch, I go.  Before I knew it, I was slightly intoxicated- being on the wagon while pregnant didn't help my liquor holding inabilities- and fast asleep.  Don't worry, TF was stone-cold sober, we aren't that irresponsible.

At some point I crawled into bed and awoke this morning feeling insanely rested.  Turns out LBG slept from about 8:50pm until 6:30 am!!!!  I owe it all one small hour while participating in an awareness campaign!

Next year, will you please join my family as we celebrate Earth Hour?!

Human Food?

The Father has a dream that one day humans will only eat one thing... Human Food.  It's kinda like dog kibble but for humans!  Personally, I don't like that idea.  I like some variety in my diet.  I'm sure LBG would enjoy a little more of a variety, too.  He doesn't know it yet, but there are so many yummy foods out there to enjoy.

Next month he will be 4 months old!  I can't believe my sweet little boy will 17 years and 8 months from adulthood! *Did I do my math correctly?*  How time flies! 

Ok, back to the subject.  Many people being feeding their wee ones purees right after they turn 4 months.  Many people wait until they are closer to six months.  The Father and I have no idea when LBG will be ready for human food.  I'd like to wait until he is sixish months old, but if his current barf situation continues, I foresee the doctor recommending we start earlier.

What to do?  What to do?

I fully intend to make all of his food myself so I've come up with a master plan!  Begining roughly February 1st, I'll start making and freezing foods for him.  That way, if we deem him ready/needing some solids in his belly, they will be ready and waiting for him.  If he isn't ready, they will be there waiting until he is.  Either way, it ensures that I'm not rushed to cook a million peas and carrots and broccoli, Oh my!  I can't wait for the Spring/Summer vegetables to be available through the CSA, which we will be joining as soon as their Spring enrollment begins.  I know there were be lots of yummy fresh fruits and veggies for LBG to try!

A blog I follow recently posted about feeding baby the 21 plant groups.  Check it out here!  I'm now very interested in the book Feeding Baby Green,which she sites.  I think it will be a fun challenge for both The Father and I.  I'm fairly picky when it comes to veggies and I don't want to have my sweet little boy be the same!

Here are the 21 plant groups!  I'd like to thank The Good Wife for typing them all out!
Mushrooms
shitake
crimini
oyster
portabella

Bromeliads
pineapple

Woody trees
banana

Cruciferous vegetables
broccoli
cauliflower

Myrtles
guava
clove
allspice

Umbrellifers
carrot
celery
cilantro
dill

Heath plants
blueberry
cranberry

Legumes
black beans
peas
lentils

Gourds
cucumber
pumpkin
squash
watermelon

Composites
artichoke
lettuces
sunflower seeds

Sesame
sesame seeds

Lilies
asparagus
chive
garlic
onion

Rosy plants
apple  
apricot
blackberry 
cherry
peach 
pear
plum
raspberry
strawberry

Grapes

Citrus
orange
lime
lemon

Nightshades
eggplant
peppers
white potatoes

Laurels
avocado
cinnamon
bay

Amaranths
spinach
swiss chard
beet

Loosestrifes
pomegranate

True grasses
barley
oats
brown rice

Bindwinds
sweet potato

I can't wait to take photos of a LBG covered in his yummy homemade food! 

Story Time

The Father and I love reading to LBG.  Green Eggs and Ham and Where the Wild Things Are are favorites, but I've realized sometime I want to read my own books, too.  By the end of the night I'm torn between crocheting and reading.  Lately crocheting has won because I can also watch TV while hooking.  Here is my solution:  read my books to LBG! 

What an awesome idea!  The past couple of days we've been learning about eating locally by reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  I've found the book to be insanely inspirational!  How inspirational, you ask?  Lets just say I grew up on a farm with cows, goats, chickens, ducks, horses... you name it, we probably had it minus pigs.  Of course... peacocks roamed the pastures for a while!  I did everything I could to get away from the farm.  It wasn't who I was.  After reading the chapter about chickens, I actually asked The Father if we could get some!  Then I asked if we could have a goat!

Yeah... it's THAT inspirational!  So while LBG might now understand the concept of why we can't have strawberries in December, I'm hoping that he will at least enjoy hearing the rhythm of my reading.  Next up, we will be reading Justine by the Maquis de Sade!  Just kidding!