in my last post, someone got sick. Me. The funny thing about taking a "sick day" when you have two energetic boys is that it is almost less restful to stay home than it is to drag yourself out of the house. I need to remember that next time.
I woke up Thursday aching and congested, and decided we would not be making the trek to story-time/playgroup at the library. I knew that if I didn't get my rest on Thursday I would be in big trouble come Friday when I had to get Nic to his audiologist appointment. After all, all this speech therapy would be for naught if the child can't actually hear any of it. Thus, I announced at breakfast that we were having a special stay-home day. Over the course of the day the boys had an extra long bath, played construction, cars, read books and listened to music. Because Tommy has recently decided that cooking is the best kind of fun, we made a crock-pot full of potato soup, two tortilla casseroles (one for dinner, one for the freezer), a loaf of cinnamon raisin swirl bread, and did the million dishes associated with all that cooking. By the end of the day I was wiped out, and it was time for the boys to watch part of a movie so that I could sit down and try not to pass out. I've learned my lesson - never get sick again. At least the boys had a lot of fun.
Today we made it to MOPS, and it was a very low-key meeting so I think I got more rest there than I did all of yesterday. We hit up "Old McDonald's" by way of bribery/reward for attending yet another appointment, and then went to Easter Seals. I feel rather sorry for Tommy these days because Nicolas has had so many appointments (and will have many more in the coming weeks), and thus not only is Nicolas getting to play with new fun toys and receiving special attention, Tommy has to sit fairly idly and watch all of this happen. Of course I bring special toys for Tommy to play with, but for an extrovert like Tommy toys do not make up for missing out on interaction. Today Nic got to sit on my lap and watch light-up animals making sounds in a little booth while playing with squishy Thomas the Train toys...and Tommy really wanted in on that action. At least next week when we go for Nic's blood draw Tommy will be pleased not to participate.
The audiologist appointment went well. Nic sat through all of the tests very nicely and fussed only minimally about having strange objects stuck in his ears. Also, his ears got a fairly good cleaning from all the squishy things being poked into them (I know because they came out super gross - but I follow the directions on q-tips and do not stick them into my kid's ears so there is bound to be wax in there). He passed the tests on one side and had borderline results on the other. We have to go back in two months to retest, because the audiologist believes that the mixed-results were due to congestion/negative pressure on the ear drum, and while she thinks that will clear up on its own, she still wants to check it. In any case, her verdict was that even if he does have a small problem in one ear, it is minor and should not be affecting his speech development. I am thankful to have this particular cause for delay ruled out. My limited experience with baby signs has convinced me that sign language is not one of my gifts.
In other appointment news, the insurance approved Nic's tests for his upcoming hematology appointment, praise God! He is scheduled to lose a few vials of blood next week, which should allow plenty of time for the tests to be completed before his appointment. Please pray for his fetal hemoglobin levels. We want those to stay elevated, as those cells are the ones that are keeping him healthy and preventing his sickle cells from causing problems in his body. We are hoping for 38% fetal cells in his blood, the amount he had last time, and the typical amount for adults with persistent fetal hemoglobin...which is what we are hoping he has.
Finally, for Jess, who has requested recipes that use cream soups...here is a favorite in our family, and it just so happens I made it this week. It is from my Aunt Robin's Taste of Home Cookbook. It calls for turkey, but if it isn't right after Thanksgiving I use chicken.
I woke up Thursday aching and congested, and decided we would not be making the trek to story-time/playgroup at the library. I knew that if I didn't get my rest on Thursday I would be in big trouble come Friday when I had to get Nic to his audiologist appointment. After all, all this speech therapy would be for naught if the child can't actually hear any of it. Thus, I announced at breakfast that we were having a special stay-home day. Over the course of the day the boys had an extra long bath, played construction, cars, read books and listened to music. Because Tommy has recently decided that cooking is the best kind of fun, we made a crock-pot full of potato soup, two tortilla casseroles (one for dinner, one for the freezer), a loaf of cinnamon raisin swirl bread, and did the million dishes associated with all that cooking. By the end of the day I was wiped out, and it was time for the boys to watch part of a movie so that I could sit down and try not to pass out. I've learned my lesson - never get sick again. At least the boys had a lot of fun.
Today we made it to MOPS, and it was a very low-key meeting so I think I got more rest there than I did all of yesterday. We hit up "Old McDonald's" by way of bribery/reward for attending yet another appointment, and then went to Easter Seals. I feel rather sorry for Tommy these days because Nicolas has had so many appointments (and will have many more in the coming weeks), and thus not only is Nicolas getting to play with new fun toys and receiving special attention, Tommy has to sit fairly idly and watch all of this happen. Of course I bring special toys for Tommy to play with, but for an extrovert like Tommy toys do not make up for missing out on interaction. Today Nic got to sit on my lap and watch light-up animals making sounds in a little booth while playing with squishy Thomas the Train toys...and Tommy really wanted in on that action. At least next week when we go for Nic's blood draw Tommy will be pleased not to participate.
The audiologist appointment went well. Nic sat through all of the tests very nicely and fussed only minimally about having strange objects stuck in his ears. Also, his ears got a fairly good cleaning from all the squishy things being poked into them (I know because they came out super gross - but I follow the directions on q-tips and do not stick them into my kid's ears so there is bound to be wax in there). He passed the tests on one side and had borderline results on the other. We have to go back in two months to retest, because the audiologist believes that the mixed-results were due to congestion/negative pressure on the ear drum, and while she thinks that will clear up on its own, she still wants to check it. In any case, her verdict was that even if he does have a small problem in one ear, it is minor and should not be affecting his speech development. I am thankful to have this particular cause for delay ruled out. My limited experience with baby signs has convinced me that sign language is not one of my gifts.
In other appointment news, the insurance approved Nic's tests for his upcoming hematology appointment, praise God! He is scheduled to lose a few vials of blood next week, which should allow plenty of time for the tests to be completed before his appointment. Please pray for his fetal hemoglobin levels. We want those to stay elevated, as those cells are the ones that are keeping him healthy and preventing his sickle cells from causing problems in his body. We are hoping for 38% fetal cells in his blood, the amount he had last time, and the typical amount for adults with persistent fetal hemoglobin...which is what we are hoping he has.
Finally, for Jess, who has requested recipes that use cream soups...here is a favorite in our family, and it just so happens I made it this week. It is from my Aunt Robin's Taste of Home Cookbook. It calls for turkey, but if it isn't right after Thanksgiving I use chicken.
Turkey Tortilla Casserole
Combine and simmer until vegetables are tender:
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c chicken broth
1/4 c chopped celery
In a large bowl stir together undrained vegetable/broth mixture and the following items:
3 c chopped cooked turkey or chicken
10-12 corn tortillas, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 4-oz can Cream of Chicken soup
1 t pepper
1 t salt
Stir in:
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c Jack cheese
Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 9 by 13 pan (a 9 by 9 works too, but it will be very full- this is what I do).
Top with:
1 c mild salsa
1/2 c cheddar
1/2 c jack
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Combine and simmer until vegetables are tender:
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c chicken broth
1/4 c chopped celery
In a large bowl stir together undrained vegetable/broth mixture and the following items:
3 c chopped cooked turkey or chicken
10-12 corn tortillas, torn into bite-sized pieces
1 4-oz can Cream of Chicken soup
1 t pepper
1 t salt
Stir in:
1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c Jack cheese
Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 9 by 13 pan (a 9 by 9 works too, but it will be very full- this is what I do).
Top with:
1 c mild salsa
1/2 c cheddar
1/2 c jack
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tearing the tortillas is a pain, so when I do it myself I cut them with kitchen shears. However, tearing them is a great task for little helpers...so I let Tommy sit and do it while I put the rest of the recipe together.
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2 comments:
Oh, fun! I'm glad you like that recipe, Amy. It's easier than an enchilada stack but comes out about the same. And I'm really glad to hear that Nic isn't dealing with hearing loss... that's good news!
Ah, one less can of cream of chicken soup in my cupboard!
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