The Art of Transference

The art of successfully transferring a sleeping baby from your bed to theirs.
Let's face it- we all sleep better when we have the bed to ourselves with no little feet kicking us (or our dear husbands) in the crotch. In order to do this, with a baby that has been changed, nursed (orajelled?) and snuggled for the last few hours in your bed is one of no small challenge. And we all know the price of failure (more snuggling and less sleeping with said kicking baby).

That being said I have learned a few things about child transference over the course of my 6 babies.

Babies have all the want when they are in your bed. They have you, fresh food, you, warmth and you. When you attempt to remove a baby from the warm snuggly place in constant contact with Mama to a cold place all alone it is best done carefully so the baby doesn't wake up screaming in protest saying "Hey.... this is almost as bad a birth, separating me from my warm spot with Mommy- only I guess you didn't squeeze me out head first and I'm not naked and wet (note- of the baby is naked and wet you should look at changing them and warming them up before attempting said transference.)

Trick 1- stop and think before action. Make sure everything is prepared before you actually move the baby. Many a transfers fail because you grabbed the baby with the wrong arms and they have to be turned around to be put into their cribs, or because doors are closed or beds aren't ready.

Trick 2- take one of their favorite crib blankets and rub it in your arm pits and under your breasts. This transfers your smell to the blanket- making it smell as if you are there and close and snuggly when you are sucessfully sleeping alone. (for the first time all night). You don't have to do this each transference, but if the blanket has been freshly laundered or hasn't had your sent rubbed on it, it may be a good thing to do now.

Trick 3- take this now "mommy flavored" blanket and weasel it between your blankets and the baby. This will warm up his blanket and keep him warm during the transference. After a minute- carefully pick the sleeping baby up and snuggle to your breasts (keeping him horizontal)- do this with blanket.

Trick 4- gently walk to his crib and lay him down. He will probably flip positions upon being laid down- that's ok- let him find his comfort. When he has flipped and is settled then you add enough other blankets for him to have about the same weight of blankets he felt in your bed.

If he is still sleeping- gently step out and close the door. During this whole process you need to be gentle, slow, dilibrate and thoughtful of what makes the baby comfortable. Do not become greedy or rush the process.

Congratulations! you may now sleep in peace.... for a few hours :)

Simple Vegan Coffee Cake

4 cups fresh ground whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 c ground flax seeds
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs baking soda
1/2 c water
2 cups almond milk
2/3 cup oil

1/2 c sugar
2/3 cup toasted pecans
4 Tbs cinnamon
dash of nutmeg

Mix dry ingredients together (in first group), then add in wet ingredients. Pout into sprayed cake pan. Mix the second group together. Pour on top of batter- marble in.

Bake 350 for 25-30 min.

She is my Sunshine

My little girl is the light of my life.
But by 10 pm, I am ready for the light to go to sleep.

However, today she left for a sleepover and my whole world became a little dimmer when she did.

It is amazing how much I need her, how much I wanted her and worked for her.

Smelling me, smelling you

My sense of smell seems to read things rather stronger then most people's. I smell every soap you use on your body. I smell your hairspray and makeup and weather or not you have a cat box in your house when you walk by. If you are wearing perfume you can floor me, coughing and wheezing for breath.

When I walk into homes or businesses its the smell that I notice first. The smell of the salt and dirt tracked on the carpeting (winter in Minnesota)... the smell of your cleaning products and weather or not the filter needs to be changed on the air exchange or furnace.

When I walk into a home I can smell if the dishes were done last night and if the garbage was taken out, what cleaning products were used, if you have cats or kids who pee their bed (and forgot to change it). I can smell if a kid barfed almost anywhere in the house.

I smell it in my own house too- the entry where the dogs weren't let all the way out, the beds that the kids didn't change, the whole upstairs reeks when they don't bring down the wet clothes they peed in. I can smell if someone forgot to flush a toilet and when my husband forgot to shower. I can smell if he's feeling stressed and can even smell it when the baby is sick. (Hubby takes on a dull smell with a s light metallic tang, babies take on a sharp, tangled smell).

I got rid of all shampoos, soaps, and cleaning supplies with a smell. (no pinesol or windex). I control all body care items like face cream, chapstick and deodorant to keep the smell down.

I love the smell of live dirt, babies heads, and all things cooking . I hate the smell of vinyl, melting plastics and diesel. I love the way my hubby's unders smell fresh from the dryer. I love the smell sunshine infuses into the line drying clothes. I love it when I can leave all the windows wide open in the house and get fresh air in.

I can smell my own hormonal state and that of others close to me. I firmly believe in human pharamones, and wonder how much more dogs could tell us about what they learn when they sniff us. I believe that interpersonal communications would be much easier in a world where nobody covered their own scents up. I like fresh human scents for what they can tell me.

I know you better when I can smell you. I know how to respond to you better when I can smell you. If you are truely going to be you- then smell like it.

Birthday Cake Time

Roo's allergic to chocolate, I have allergies to eggs and milk, Clay can't do apples..... what kind of cake to make?

Buttery Coconut Pecan Cake (vegan)

mix:
3 cups whole wheat flour1
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup of ground flax seeds
1 heaping teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
cinnamon to taste

add:
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup palm oil (organic shortening)
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 1/2 cups water
1 Tablespoon vanilla

mix until fluffy and creamy.
Then add:
2 cups flaked coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.
Cool before frosting.

Frosting:
1/3 cup palm oil
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1-2 Tablespoons vanilla
Cinnamon and cloves to taste (also adds color)
whip until creamy.
Then add:
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 cup flaked coconut


Worked so awesome no ice cream needed.