I love you Mommy

4/26/09: Miles said, “I love you Mommy” today. Talk about making your heart sing! it just doesn't get any better.

Springtime Fava Bean Harvest

4/12/09: Sometimes when you are up against something so huge and immovable as a toddler with his mind set, it’s best to go with the flow. Miles has trouble adjusting every Monday. I’m not sure if he senses it’s back to the grind- since Dad goes to work, or what. But I have a bear of a time getting him dressed and out the door. Since I know it’ll be a zoo at the gym today and I anticipate him having trouble at the YMCA childwatch, I decided to let him have his way. He wanted to stay home and stay naked.

As soon as the thermometer hit 60 degrees we were outside in the yard. What better day to harvest some of those fava beans from our raised garden box? We got a basket, close at hand from Easter, and headed out there to find the biggest fava beans. Miles held the basket to his chest and I filled it up. We had a small first harvest, but a good one. Then we headed to the hammock swing to shuck the pods. I felt a little like Miles should be calling me “Meemaw” and I should be wearing an apron and drinking sweet tea while swatting at flies with a swatter. But instead, we listened to the fountain bubbling up, competing with the traffic noise from the overpass and quietly broke open each fat pod. Plump and furry, a little rough and about as long as my hand, the pods popped open and with a little squeeze, the beans sprung out. Miles really got into it. Furrowed brow, lips puckered out, little fingers prying and digging into the pods cushiony insides, searching for the hidden bean.

Once all the beans were out, we dumped the pods into the compost bin and headed into the kitchen to rinse and sort. Miles helped place the beans in a colander and ready them for boiling. Once the beans were boiling I wrestled a diaper and pjs onto Miles and nursed him down for a nap.

After the beans boiled for a half hour the waxy coating of the bean got loose and white. I plunged them into an icy water bath and quickly learned the best way to peal the covers off. I made a little hole on one end with a fingernail and squeezed. The beans slid out into the bowl. Then they were ready for eating or cooking.

I didn’t realize favas were so labor intensive when I bought them. Well, labor intensive to prepare to eat- super easy to grow. I bought the bean seeds for a winter crop. Since favas are so simple to grow, I figured they would have a chance in our garden. It was fun to watch the stalks grow, much taller than expected. I decided to let them grow in an organic way, instead of pinning them up, and they did fine. I could see doing these again next year and reading Miles the Jack and the Beanstalk story. I can’t wait for him to wake up so we can eat them! I was going to do a fancy bean puree, but since we only got a cup or so, I think I’ll sauté them with a little butter and salt. From our Earth to the table. Yum.

Easter Preparation!

Miles and I colored eggs yesterday, which was way more fun and less stress than I thought it would be. He did great and loved all the colors. The only thing I'll do differently next time is make more eggs.

I also finished Miles little bunny for his basket. It was supposed to be an Amigurumi Bunny Egg Cozy from Ravelry but I altered the pattern quite a bit, adding cheeks, eyes, and embroidered nose and mouth. I also made him about a size bigger, stuffed and closed him so he would be more like a ball/toy. I think Miles will like him. I was thinking about making another one and using a drawstring to close him so I can stuff him with candy for Easter. We'll see how ambitious I get in the next few days.

Yoga Mama

4/5/09: Miles has been amazing lately- a real language explosion has occurred. And he understands everything you say- I mean EVERYTHING- so watch what you say! It’s so fun to be with him because he can tell you exactly what he’s thinking. Or at least the general idea.

We still struggle with him getting up at 4:45am- but Keith and I rotate who gets up with him. He shows up by our bedside and I let him nurse for a while the one of us will get up and start our early day watching the sky grow light. (Keith goes to work) Then we clean up the house and do some chores and it’s off to the gym. He’s doing great at the YMCA child care center while I’m in yoga class. My yoga practice has really blossomed and I feel a little strange if I don’t do at least a little yoga everyday. I have some wonderful and diverse teachers that are opening up the world for me. I love it and it helps me stay centered throughout my day and week. I am better able to stay patient and kind to my growing little toddler.

The weather is slowly warming up and we are spending more and more of our time outside – we’ve already spent an afternoon at the beach- one of many to come. Miles runs up to and then away from the waves laughing the whole time. He didn’t like to be wet or dirty this last time, a huge switch from the months prior. But he still had a blast. He is the most affectionate and smiley kid. Everywhere we go people know him and talk to him. It’s so much fun. I'm posting some pictures from a trip last week to the Carlsbad Flower Fields. He's signing "monkey" in the one of him alone.