Double Rainbow

Yesterday right before our family walk it started to rain. The upside is that the kids got to see a gorgeous double rainbow from our balcony. Archie is still asking to see the rainbow this morning and I'm having a hard time explaining to him that rainbows don't happen all of the time. Of course I had to go into extreme detail about how you can only see rainbows if the sun is behind you, and it is currently raining, and the light is just right, etc... The curse of the educated. Anyway, here is the beautiful double rainbow!

Produce, gardens, and outdoor play.

This has been a rather uneventful week around these parts. We were pretty much homebodies only leaving to take a daily walk. In fact, I didn't go anywhere in a vehicle from Friday to Wednesday. We did get to have dinner with my friend and old roomie Heather though. She was in town on business for the week and it was really nice to see her. Archie especially enjoyed showing off for his new friend. Luckily the restaurant wasn't very busy as the boys were not cooperating and staying in their seats go figure.

We have successfully completed our first month of menu planning and bi-monthly food shopping. I had to modify a few of the last weeks recipes to accommodate for my new diet, but we actually had most things on hand. Turns out my new shopping habits are conducive to a diabetic diet! I am learning which fruits and veggies will last the full 2 weeks and what I need to use in the first week. These are just what I am experiencing in my refrigerator and climate.

Use within week:

• bananas
• strawberries
• blueberries
• avocado
• leaf lettuce
• mushrooms
• asparagus
• stone fruit (if you buy it ripe)
• fresh, cut herbs (freeze if you aren't using within a few days)
• green onions

Lasts longer than 1 week, but not quite 2:

• broccoli
• cauliflower
• cucumbers
• stone fruit (if you buy it slightly under ripe)
• tomatoes
• brussel sprouts
• melons (if you don't cut them right away. Once cut they last less than 1 week)
• bell peppers

Lasts the full 2 weeks:

• celery
• carrots
• spinach
• apples
• zucchini
• romaine lettuce
• lemons
• onions
• sweet potato
• garlic
• living basil plant (we keep it a cup on our counter and fill with water. Still going strong after 2 weeks.)

I have been chopping and freezing celery, carrots, bell peppers, green onions, bananas, strawberries, and spinach with great success. Frozen spinach is great in smoothies, soups, and casseroles. I just bought cilantro that I plan on washing and freezing later today. Our garden is starting to produce some vegetables as well. We have got spinach and mustard greens so far and the tomatoes and strawberries are looking good too. Dave planted around 10-15 different fruits and veggies so we will see what works well. 

 Dave and his garden!

 Spinach

Strawberries

On Friday we went to the toy store because Archie has been asking for a doll for weeks. After looking at about 5 aisles of dolls, however, he decided that he wanted cars instead. We did end up getting a sandbox for the boys though. They have a sand and water table, but the two always got mixed together so that is now just a water table and sand stays in the sand box - in theory. Our backyard is slowly being taken over by kid toys, but it keeps us outside a lot so I don't mind. 

Today Dave planted the peach tree that he bought last weekend and we are going to get some flowers planted in the front yard. I want to put salvia and columbine in the ground and then get some annuals in our pots for the front porch. There are some great non-flowering plants in our front yard from the previous owners, but I want more color. Spring is so beautiful in Colorado!

Watering our new peach tree. 

It's been a long couple of days.

I received the results of my 3 hour glucose test yesterday and they were not great. I have gestational diabetes. Luckily they are confident that it can be controlled by diet, but it is a lot of information to process and it needs to be taken seriously. I am confused, sad, scared, determined, researching, and trying to stay positive. My next appointment isn't for over a week so I a feel like I will just be treading water until then. We already don't keep any white/processed grains in the house and haven't for at least 2 years. I only buy whole grain/whole wheat bread, pasta, flour, rice, etc... We eat quinoa, put flax in everything, use nutritional yeast, cook with beans and tofu, and it takes us almost 6-8 months to use what little sugar I buy. I am just not sure how I am supposed to eat now since it seems like I am already doing the right things. Hopefully I can get an appointment with a dietitian b/c this is a daunting task to take on by myself. The risk of me getting diabetes later in life just increased too so I want to see what long term changes I can make so that doesn't happen.

I had to laugh talking with the nurse on the phone last night. She told me no juice, which we never keep in the  house until earlier this week. I was told to take my iron pill with orange juice and now I am being told to stop drinking orange juice and instead take my iron pill with a vitamin C pill. It was just the cherry on top of a long, difficult week.

In other news, Archie had his PreK evaluation today. They gave us the worksheet that they used to test them and it was pretty spot on to his strengths and weaknesses. Dave said that he got really sad when he had to leave. Less than 3 months though and he will be going 5 days/week. While they were at the evaluation, Fletcher and I took a walk. This diabetes diagnoses has me more serious about taking walks at least 5 days/week now. We went to the open space down the street and saw ducks and birds. All the prairie dogs were hiding though. I took Archie to this same park after his swimming class last week and he called them "fairy dogs". I almost loathed to correct him because it was so cute hearing him call them by that name. We did learn that prairie dogs make sounds like birds which was interesting.

 28 weeks

Sprinklers and Sandwiches

I love Saturday! I especially love Saturday when I get to sleep in under my new ceiling fan. We had a nice leisurely day around here. The boys received a package from Aunt Becky M. and played with it most of the day. I got to go shopping at the mall by myself and Dave went to Home Depot solo. Not at the same time obviously, but it is nice that we each got some "me" time. The only real difference in our day is that he will get to end it with a nice, cold beer while I will have to settle for strawberry sparkling water. Maybe I'll jazz it up a bit with fresh sliced strawberries and mint from our garden. I'm living on the wild side!

It wasn't as hot as yesterday, but in the sun it was still warm so Dave set up the sprinkler and let the kids play. Fletcher did not like getting wet as much as Archie did, but he loves playing with hose so fun was had by all. I got some incredibly cute pictures too. Fletcher still stands still long enough for me to get plenty of pictures of him. Archie, however, cannot be bothered with things like his Mom trying to capture the memories he it too busy making. Oh well!

I spent some time chopping up and freezing vegetables while making dinner. Dinner was grilled portobello sandwiches for me and Dave, faux corn dogs for the kids, and sweet potato puff for everyone. Since the kids haven't snacked much today they ate everything on their plate, even the reheated peas from the other night. I was tempted to get some food at the mall earlier today, but I resisted and ate when I got home. The allure of feeding a family of 4 for about $10/day was enough to dissuade me. We have plenty of great food here for a fraction of the price. I am turning into such a cheapskate.

My sandwich is sticking its tongue out at you!

While my trip to the mall to find maternity shorts was a huge bust, I stumbled across a Fresh Produce Warehouse sale. I had no idea what Fresh Produce was, but I figured "what the hey". They actually had a lot of cute dresses, tops, and skirts. Being pregnant I didn't want to buy things that might not fit after the baby is born, but I did find a great dress that works as a maternity dress. I also got a scarf. So no maternity shorts, but cute dress. I'll take it! Here is the style of the dress, but it is in a brownish color and pattern.

Well that is all I've got for now. I hope your Saturday has been as enjoyable, or at least not super stressful (that one is for you Marlene).

4th of July weekend

Last year over the extended weekend we took Archie up to a State Park near Denver. We decided to continue the tradition and we headed to Cheyenne Mountain State Park yesterday. The temperature was in the 90s so we tried to get there early, eat lunch and take a short hike before we melted in the sunshine and heat. Not many people were out as they were probably hiding out in their air conditioned trailers and mobile homes. The campground was full so were slightly surprised by the lack of people taking advantage of the miles of trails in the park. Oh well.

Anyway, I saw a deer about 20 feet from our picnic table and there were plenty of birds and bugs for our viewing pleasure. We didn't make it too far in our hike b/c Archer decided he wanted to be carried. We definitely want to go back when the temps get a little cooler b/c the trails are not as steep so Archie should be able to walk further. Also, I've got Fletcher in the Ergo and we were sweltering with each others body heat.

Below are some pictures from our little adventure. Happy 4th of July!