A hummus posting.

A hummus recipe.

By Little Ray Mechling

First, each batch of hummus is a little different than the last as the potency of ingredients can change. But try this to get started:

1can chick peas,

1 clove garlic,

1 lemon,

EVOO,

2-3 Tbl Tahini*

1 Tbl ground cumin (Cumin is ground cumin seeds! I like to roast and grind my own.)

1/2 tps Cayenne Pepper

Salt & Pepper

Consistency is the key here and we achieve this by using a food processor. So, rinse your can of peas. Put your garlic into the FP and give it a spin by itself. Then add everything else and 1/4 cup EVOO. Start processing. You want a smooth, creamy texture so you may need to drizzle in more EVOO. Don't forget salt and pepper. Give it a few tastes as you go along. A night in the frig will give the taste a chance to mature- the flavors an opportunity to marry.

*FYI- Tahini is ground sesame seeds and can normally be found in the condiment section by the mustard.

Once you get this down, try adding olives or herbs or. . . I sound like such a fag.

She's finally here!!

So yesterday the day we'd been counting down to finally arrived ... and arrived REALLY early! I set my alarm for 4:01 so I could get up, shower, exfoliate (again!), double check my bag and get to the hospital by 5 a.m. We didn't quite make it on time. Maybe that's why the nurse who answered our call at the parking gate decided to have a little fun with us.

When the gate didn't rise upon our approach, Ray pushed the button. The nurse responded and asked if we were scheduled for an induction, to which we responded in the affirmative. The nurse then asked, "Are you sure you want to have the baby today or would you like to come back tomorrow?" Ray and I looked at each other, then he answered, "Are you KIDDING?" I think we were both remembering the day we went in for Maddy's induction and were told there were no available beds. We DID have to come back the next day! But in this case, thankfully, the nurse started laughing and put the gate up. So we were in and up on the L&D floor by 5:30.

After the customary interview about me and my health history, a nurse put in the IV and started to pitocin to get things going. And then we waited. And waited. As Ray said, we had to hurry up get to the hospital so we could wait. We never even saw a doctor until 8:30!! By then, some contractions were kicking in but nothing too bad. The anesthesiologist's nurse came to talk to me about getting an epidural, which I hesitated about, as usual. I have no problems with drugs, just with the needle in my back. Ray gave me his usual, "Jen, you don't have to be a hero!" but I was unconvinced. It took more pitocin and some serious contractions to do that!! So I got the epidural at noon and soon was feeling good enough to take a little nap.

However, by 1:30 or so, the contractions were getting really strong and a quick check revealed that I was fully dilated. Unfortunately, my doctor was tied up (no pun intended) with a hysterectomy, so another doctor from the group had to be called over from the office. It took her about 20 minutes to get to the hospital and, during that time, the nurses got everything ready. I also requested that Ray put on a mask. After he hesitated, he admitted that he didn't want "to look silly." Really? Really? I was about to go up in the stirrups for half a dozen people to see and Ray didn't want to look silly in a mask? We all had a chuckle over that. And he put it on (he's had a head cold for over a week ... didn't want to take any chances).

As soon as Dr. Hardin arrived, she declared that I was ready and after pushing through just one contraction, wa la, Bailey was here! I cried, of course. It's just so surreal. Also, a first for me was that I got to cut the umbilical cord. The nurses have always offered to Ray, which he declines, but this time they asked me

Another last

Tonight was the last night we will spend at home as a family of four. A weird feeling. Although the induction is not scheduled until Monday, since we have to report to the hospital at 5 am, the girls will be spending the night at a friend's home tomorrow. So I should have really enjoyed every moment. I tried. I'm just so dang exhausted that by 8 in the evening, I'm only taking pleasure in laying in bed!!

I wonder if any of us are prepared for the massive changes that are about to be thrust upon us. When Maddy was born, Cady was still in diapers. Now, we've been out of diapers all summer, although Mad still wears a pull-up at night. Cady starts kindergarten one week after the baby is born and whoa, that a whole lotta change for a 5-year old in a very short time span.

But I know that it will bring us all closer. Maddy is SOOOO very excited to finally become a BIG sister, not just be the little sister and I know she'll be a great one. I need to enjoy every moment with this new little one, since it'll be the last!

Little Fishies

The girls completed swim lessons last week and they have both learned so much this summer, as far as swimming. The biggest hurdle was just getting over being fearful! They both have pushed themselves and we've tried to get as much swimming practice as possible.

Yesterday we went to a friend's home from church and the girls had so much fun!! Well, once Cady got over goggle trauma (refer to picture # 1, when she refused to look at the camera because the "stupid goggles" didn't fit), they had fun! Cady abandoned the goggles and was jumping off the side and swimming back with no help ... HUGE strides from last summer!

Maddy still uses a "noodle" but is really practicing paddling and kicking to get around. Our friend M. pointed out to Maddy that if she swam with her mouth closed, the water wouldn't get in her mouth and Maddy promptly put that advice into practice (refer to picture #2 ). I, of course, am not pictured because I look like a big polka-dotted whale in my swimsuit at this point, but I was there and it felt lovely to float around and feel LIGHTER!

Wild Wings vs. Chik-Fil-A

Last night, we all went out to dinner for a last pre-baby outing with no diaper worries or high chairs or other baby trappings. We went to the Wild Wings downtown and as we were waiting for the food to arrive, Cady and Maddy had a most interesting conversation. It went something like this ...

Maddy: This has been the best day EVER!!!!
Cady: Yeah, I love Wild Wings!
Maddy: Yeah, me too!
Cady: Look at all the TV's!
Maddy: But I like Chik-Fil-A too ...
Cady: Yeah, Chik-Fil-A has a slide!

Now that's a tough choice: TV's or a slide??? Which would you choose?

On the countdown to our little #3

Having been so lax with the blogging, it perhaps has not been stated clearly that I AM EXPECTING another little girl!! She is due on August 4th and lately I have been wondering why in the world I insisted that we not have another "winter baby". My main reason was not wanting to be so housebound, which winter necessitates and a newborn exacerbates. I thought that I would have more freedom, having a baby in the summer.

Well, that may be the case (still don't know -- check back in a few weeks!) but for now, there sure is a whole lot of HOT-NESS!!! It has been an exceptionally hot summer so far and being pregnant, whew, I don't think I've stopped perspiring for the last 2 months!! All I can say is that I sure am ready to have this little girl ... although she'd better wait a little longer because we still haven't picked out a name. There are a few on the table but none that, at this point, we are jumping up and down about.

Cady's lemonade stand

Cady has recently grasped the concept that to buy things, one needs money, as well as the accompanying concept that Mommy won't always just give her a dollar for the dollar store! She has seriously uttered the words "I need some money!" several times recently. (Amen, sister!)

So while we were up in Maryland last month, Cady took advantage of the opportunity to hone her entrepreneurial skills and set up a lemonade stand at one of Mom and Pat's newly constructed produce stands. She set up on two different days and she had a great time. Maddy's contribution was to hound each and every customer with repeated "Want some lemonade?" until they succumbed to her winning smile. Cady would then carefully pour, add ice and of course take the MONEY. We did take a moment to snap a picture of Cady with her very first dollar! And in the spirit of true generosity, Cady shared her dollar with her sister so they could both go to the dollar store and get a treat!