Digital SLR

I did not get a Digital SLR camera. :(

BUT my parents did. :)

So we've been playing with it.

They brought me an early Christmas present- my double jogging stroller!!! I can't wait to use it!

Sienna is wearing the My First Christmas pjs that I wore 27 years ago! She has to wear them now because she'll prob outgrow them by Christmas (to be fair- I was born in Sept and she was born in July).

Polka Dots

As I changed Sienna's first diaper of the day, Kiran ran to Sienna's room and picked out an outfit for Sienna "all by self." I couldn't refuse her so this is the outfit that Sienna wore on the day her sister picked her clothes out.

Running

I've decided to become a runner. I want to be fit and healthy and of course lose the rest of the baby weight. And the America weight- the 10 pounds I put on when we moved back to America that I did not lose before getting pregnant last fall. I really desire to be healthy and strong but not crazy exercise fanatic. I have looked at all my options and I've decided I am going to become a runner. It fits my life right now. Its efficient and free. I can do it while the kids are awake. They can come with me! They can sleep in the stroller if they want (esp my double jogging stroller I'm getting for Christmas- shhhh don't tell). A gym is too expensive and at home work outs are either too hard that I don't stick with it or too easy that I don't get any results. So I will run.

This isn't the first time I've wanted to become a runner. My sister was an awesome cross country runner. The summer before our senior year of high school, LT & I decided we would just run with the cross country team in the mornings for a good work out. I mean my little sister could do it. I think we went twice. We were pathetic. This time I'm following the Couch-to-5K plan that my friend Kristen blogged about. I think taking it slow is key for me.

I was hesitant to post this because I hate putting myself out there. What if I quit? What if I can't do it? Everyone will know I failed. My sister will think I'm a wuss because I only jog for 60 seconds at a time right now. But... I decided to anyway. Here I go. Wish me luck!

Saying the Blessing

Usually we say the blessing "God is great, God is good...." before our meals. Kiran prays along with us getting some of the words right. Today I let her say her own blessing before lunch. She said,

God is great.
God is great.
God is great.
God is great.
God is great.
God is great.
God is great
Amen.

I think that God probably enjoyed that prayer.

4 Reasons I Should Not Be Allowed To Carry An Expensive Camera

1. February 2002 Train between Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany
2. December 2005 Plane in Chiang Mai, Thailand
3. April 2007 Shuttle to Plane Rome, Italy
4. November 2008 Chick-fil-A at Cherrydale Greenville, SC

1. Sometime on the train or in switching trains in Munich, I lost or left or had stolen my very first digital camera. We had a film camera but for some reason, only three of the pictures we took in Paris came out. So I don't have any pictures of when we got engaged except two pictures of gardens and one of my hand. The camera was never recovered.

2. We flew overnight from Delhi to Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I was delirious. I put my camera in its case under the seat in front of me and left it there. One call to Thai Air and one quick trip back to the airport and we had our camera back.

3. When we checked in at the airport in Rome, they said they needed us to take an earlier flight (why oh why? note for next time: just say no). So we rushed to get to the airplane- special little shuttle bus to take us to the plane- last ones on. We were sitting on the plane waiting for our paperwork to arrive when I realized I had left the camera on the little bus. We told the stewardess who radioed the little guy. He drove back and gave us our camera. Unfortunately everyone on our plane thought we were waiting on that instead of our paperwork which arrived at the same time. They weren't too happy about that.

4. We met Geoff & Brenna at CFA before the Furman game and just left the camera. I called on Monday and they had it. My mom works near there so she picked it up.

Jonathan says for Christmas I'm getting a bright orange camera case. Or having the case sewed to the shoulder of my shirt. My choice. Although what I really want is a digital SLR. Fat chance of that ever happening.

Sisters

About a month ago, I left the girls on Kiran's bed while I disposed of a stinky diaper. On my way back, Kiran yelled, "Mommy! I'm holding Sienna's hand!" I detoured to grab my camera and this is what I saw:


Kiran has really taken to being a big sister. She greets her sister every morning with a big "Good Morning Deedeena!" and kisses her good night every evening.

Kiran loves it when Sienna joins her for bath time!

And Kiran never lets Sienna do tummy time alone!

Sometimes Kiran reads to Sienna...

...and sometimes she gives Sienna her own book to read.


When we found out we were having a second girl, I got really excited about having two of the same gender close together. I started imagining fashion shows and playing house and occasionally dressing them alike. I forgot all the times my sister and I fought or worse, just lived as if the other one didn't exist. In my mind, my girls were already best friends. Yet, I still couldn't fathom the joy that I would experience from seeing them actually love each other. Sienna's eyes follow Kiran as she wanders around the den playing with her tea set or building with her blocks. Kiran makes sure that Sienna is happy and has a toy or two or nine to play with. I know there will be rough times ahead- I lived through them and they actually somehow produced a close relationship with my sister- but right now, I choose to freeze this moment in time. The moment before jealousy and competition and silent treatments. The moment of laughter and innocence and reciprocal adoration. This moment is mine....forever.

Almond Crusted Tilapia

I made this recipe the other night and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Ingredients:
2 lemons
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tilapia fillets (6 oz each)
1/4 c sliced natural almonds
1 sm onion, chopped
1 bag (12 oz) trimmed fresh green beans
1 pkg (10oz) sliced white mushrooms
2 tbsp water

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. From 1 lemon, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 3 tablespoons juice; cut second lemon into wedges. In cup, mix lemon peel and 1 tablespoon juice, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper.
2. Spray 13" by 9" glass baking dish with nonstick spray; place tilapia, dark side down in dish. Drizzle tilapia with lemon mixture; top with almonds, pressing them on. Bake 15 minutes or until tilapia turns opaque.
3. Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil on medium-high 1 minute. Add onion and cook 5 to 6 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Stir in green beans, mushrooms, water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper. Cook about 6 minutes or until most of liquid evaporates and green beans are tender-crisp. Toss with remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Serve bean mixture and lemon wedges with tilapia.



We really enjoyed this. It is lemony so if you don't like lemons, I wouldn't recommend you make this recipe. One of the lemons is just cut into lemon wedges to serve so you can get by with only one lemon. I got this recipe from Good Housekeeping which is now my favorite magazine. I'm kind of embarrassed about that.