Leave it to Christie

There has been a suttle yet stinky fish smell lingering in my kitchen for about a month now. I have Cloroxed and cleaned and pulled out drawers and sniffed my way around my oh so tiny kitchen trying to find the source of the stink. When my mom was planning her visit I told her about it and she said, "Oh I'll find it."

For the past 9 days we hadn't noticed the smell until last night.
I returned from picking David from the airport, walked through the door, and the fish smell was overwhelming. My mom said she noticed it too but it had only been since she had last came downstairs. It seemed to be coming from the sink but the microwave smelled too and neither of these places had smelled before. We did what we could to get the smell away but still were perplexed at where the smell had come from.

What had been in the microwave?
My mom had noticed clear liquid in the microwave when she warmed her dinner.
But what was it from? Why did it smell so bad? How did it get there?
We went to bed without an answer.

Give my mom a good night sleep and a cup of coffee and amazing things can happen.
By the time I had returned from dropping David at work the investigation was done and the problem solved. It was only 8:09 am.

Clue #1 She had first noticed the smell while eating her warmed up dinner on one of our big plates.
Clue #2 Clear liquid in the microwave.

Conclusion: We have a large stack of big plates that we never get to the bottom of unless we have company. A month and a half ago we celebrated David's birthday. Thomas and Tara came to celebrate and we used more big plates than normal. We also had fish. One of the plates must not have gotten completely cleaned from the dishwasher. I stacked them without completely drying them. So the fish smell was coming from the bottom of a stack of plates that had fishy water stuck in between.

I had cleaned the drawer several times but never thought that it would be coming from the "clean" dishes. If it had been left up to me the fish smell would have stayed for the next 8 months and maybe even moved with us. Thanks to my mom the kitchen is fish free--finally!

Leave it to my mom to find the stink and kill it with Clorox.
She can do the same with stains on clothes. There is nothing she can't get out.

10 days has flown by. I wish she didn't have to go. Life is so nice with Christie around.
I am so glad she will be back in 3 weeks to help when baby is born.

Bearing gifts

I have a friend, Becca, who always comes to visit bearing gifts.
Whether its dinner, treats, or presents for the kids--she never comes empty handed.
Today she came with bags lining her arms and a bassinett for the new baby in her trunk.
She brought a gift for JuJu, baby supplies, mommy essentials, dinner, and a treat.
I was overwhelmed with her thoughtfulness and generosity.
She has an amazing heart and loves to give.
She has a busy life--she is a wife, a mom, and a busy 3rd year pediatric resident but still has a place in her brain to think about others.
I think that is what impresses me most.
I am grateful to have her as a friend and hope to acquire some of that generous heart that is so abundant in her.

Miami Winter

There are 2 seasons in Miami.
Summer is from May-October.
It is hot and humid. Temperatures are at least in the 90's everyday.
You sweat all the time--especially if your car is a bike with a trailer holding 2 kids and you are 8 months pregnant.

Winter is from November-April.
It is cool and crisp. During the day the temperature is in the 70's. At night it may sink down to the 50's. It is perfect outdoor play weather.
I absolutely love it.
When I walk outside I smile and think I love it here.
We can ride bikes, play at the park, and take long walks without breaking a sweat.
Today the kids wore their "winter coats" for the first time. There was screaming, of course, since none of them like clothes but they eventually all snuggled up to their new hoodies.
I am really looking forward to the next 6 months outdoors.

Big Belly Pilllow

Quinoa

My friend Amanda introduced me to the this superfood.
I absolutely love it!
It is super healthy--a complete protein, full of vitamins, delicious, and can be mixed with vegetables and/or meat making a great meal all in one pot.
One of the most amazing benefits is the energy it gives you.
The first time I made it was a flop because I didn't rinse it well enough.
But tonight it turned out delicious.
It will definitely become one of the weekly regulars on the dinner menu along with Noah's pasta and Terry's lentils.
Thank goodness I have a husband who just wants food on the table and doesn't care about variety.

Cubscouts

Today I am grateful for my 2 hour round trip car ride with my cute Scout.

My mom had the girls so Noah and I were able to have a nice conversation to Scouts and back without screaming or yelling or listening to Disney toons.

We talked about his science test, food he wished we had at our house, how he likes Spanish and that his teacher said he was smart, how he thought one of his friend's might be getting dumber because he trades Pokemon cards for toys, and the $1000 reward he was going to get for turning someone in that possessed an illegal weapon. For Scouts they visited the police station and evidently he got a flyer that advertised this reward. He told me he would give me and David $500 since we share our money and that he would keep the other $500. I hope he turns someone in before Christmas because Santa could use a little help.

A Wonderful Doctor

Today I went for my 35 week visit.
I saw Dr. Bitran who is the warmest, kindest doctor I have ever met.
I was referred to him by many people.
Before I went I thought how great can this guy really be.
I just need someone who is willing to induce and catch the baby.
After my first visit I could see why people love this man.
He is not like any other OB or doctor that I have visited.
He really cares about his patients.
He listens to your questions and concerns.
He answers them and reassures you that everything will be fine.
And he looks you in the eyes when he talks.
It is clear that he is not in a rush or thinking about getting out of the room asap.
More than anything he just has a really positive presence.
Hard to explain but easy to feel when you are with him.
I am hoping/wishing/praying that he will be the one (there are 3 in the practice) that will catch my baby at the end of this month!