Pages

Monday, October 26, 2015

White Pumpkins & Photos

I had two things in mind when we went to a local pumpkin patch on Saturday. One was I wanted lots of photos which I succeeded at. Of course, they are not perfect by any means. They turned out pretty well considering my daughter is in the no picture taking phase and my son is just five months old. It would have been nice to get a family of four photo but that just did not happen.

The second thing I wanted was a white pumpkin. White is the new orange at least when we are talking about pumpkins. White pumpkins are everywhere. I see them in home decor stores, on pinterest, and in magazines. I am not sure why I thought they may be hard to come by. I thought I possibly would not find one of these albino pumpkins. I was wrong. There were plenty. I must have influenced my daughter by talking the white pumpkins up. She was immediately drawn to them. Mila pointed and showed me where all the white pumpkins were. When it was time to pick out pumpkins, Mila chose three white and just one orange pumpkin. The small white pumpkins she chose are called baby boos. How cute!

I researched white pumpkins on the internet and found out some interesting facts. Although they are a bit pricier than their orange cousin, they are easier to carve. The skin is less tough and a knife should go right through it. Also, I am sure they are easier to paint. We are not into carving quite yet but I know Mila would love to paint one of these ghost pumpkins.

The white pumpkin is simply just a different variety of the fall favorite. White pumpkins can be substituted for orange pumpkins in many recipes. The texture and taste are similar. Here is a recipe I came across that I definitely want to make.

ROASTED WHITE PUMPKIN SOUP RECIPE
Prep time:  
Cook time:  
Total time:  
Yield: 6-8 servings
INGREDIENTS
  • 4 cups white pumpkin (about a 5 pound pumpkin)
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 cloves finely minced garlic
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra
  • ¼ cup dry amontillado
  • ½ heavy cream
  • Salt & pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Heat oven to 375°F. Half and seed pumpkin. Slice each half into quarters. Place on baking sheet cut side up then drizzle with olive oil; add salt and pepper. Roast for about 1 hour, or until pumpkin is lightly brown and tender when pricked with a fork. Remove from oven and cool. When pumpkin is cool enough to handle, remove skin and set aside.
  2. Add ¼ cup olive oil, garlic, and onion to stockpot; sauté until onion is almost translucent. Add amontillado and cook for about 3 minutes more.
  3. Add pumpkin and stock to sauce pot. Add salt and pepper to taste; simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Using an immersion blender, purée mixture until completely smooth. Add cream and mix well. Adjust salt and pepper as necessary.
White pumpkins have been around for a while. I feel like this year they are the popular choice. White goes a lot better with my decorating style. White pumpkins will be an ongoing Halloween purchase at my household from now on. Orange pumpkins are so yesterday!


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

My Pity Party is over.

In just a few days, Max has completely adjusted to his KinderBAND. He has no problem at all with the helmet. I am not even sure if he realizes he has it on.


Max has only slept in the helmet for a couple nights. The first night he seemed to toss and turn more than usual but last night he slept like a champ.

My husband and I are the ones having a hard time getting used to the whole head device thing. I overheard my husband telling Max he was sorry that he had to wear the helmet. I quickly said to my husband that we are the ones having a hard time with it. Max is fine. It is the truth. This is the same happy baby from last week. He is not complaining at all.

After running into a neighbor yesterday, I quickly realized after explaining everything to her about plagiocephaly and torticollis that she did not feel sorry for baby Max, she felt sorry for me.

I then started thinking about my other neighbor, the one who lives directly across the street.  I remembered that her twelve year old daughter was going through her twentieth surgery that very moment. The twelve year old girl's lungs were functioning at thirty five percent and this is a life threatening surgery. 

Like I have said so many times before it could be so much worse that a fixable cosmetic imperfection. I am one blessed Mommy. No one should feel sorry for me including myself.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Helmet Head & No Tears Shed


We went yesterday to pick up Max's kinderBAND helmet. All sorts of emotions ran through me. I was excited for this process to finally begin. I was sad that my sweet baby boy has to wear a helmet on his head for three months and I was scared Max was going to be miserable with his head covered by this huge piece of plastic.

I have to admit all in all the experience was a good one. Max seemed to have no problem at all with the helmet as you can see and although a couple of times I felt a tear forming, I managed not to shed a tear.

By Monday my sweet boy will be wearing his camouflage head device for twenty three hours a day. The helmet only comes off for cleaning. The thought of this is still frightening. My boy has so much hair and it is going to be covered up almost all the time. I love running my hand through his hair and rubbing his forehead. I am not going to be able to do that for three entire months. And those kisses I always give him on his forehead, they are going to have to be postponed for three months too. I feel the tears coming again but I am holding back.

The fact is Max's head is flat and not just a little flat. It is off the charts flat. This is the right decision. There is no way I am going to look back at this experience and think I wish I did not do it. If I did not do it and this boy was teased in middle school for having a funny shaped head, I would totally regret not getting the helmet. I am doing the right thing but it is still hard.

People are going to stare and question what is going on. They are going to assume something bigger and worse is going on with my son. They may even think I am a crazy mom that does not want my kid to get hurt. I am going to be judged and my son is going to be judged. That is hard for me. Taking Max to the park is going to be an entirely different experience next time we go. Going out to eat, to the mall, or just a stroller walk around he neighborhood is going to be different.

I have heard some really great stories from other moms with helmet heads. I hope to have a great story to share as well. This could open up a conversation with someone I may have never met. This could bring women and friends into my life that otherwise would not have been. I just hope for questions instead of stares. I hope for sweet smiles instead of cruel judgement.

This is just the beginning of Max's kinderBAND journey. To be continued ...

Friday, October 2, 2015