More Pictures of James

Grimm's Fairy Tales

I got a book of Grimm's Fairy Tales from the adult section of the library this week. They are gruesome, and Claire and Lily love them. Claire told me again today about the evil queen who ate the heart and lungs of who she thought was Snow White, but was actually a deer, thanks to the mercy of the woodsmen sent to kill the fair princess. Maybe exposing my daughters to this literature should bother me more than it does. I guess I appreciate them knowing the real story instead of the syrupy-sweet Disney version.

Full-Body Kitchen Bibs

I (almost) always wear an apron when I work in the kitchen. Whenever I forget, I usually end up with a grease, tomato or other form of perma-stain on my clothes. My absolute favorite apron I stole from my mom (which she received as a gift from my adventuresome grandma upon her return of touring Kentucky distilleries). It's a bright red Makers Mark apron. To be honest, despite having been a bartender, I didn't know what Makers Mark was when I stole it. I wore it around unashamed as a vicar's and pastor's wife before it dawned on me why I was receiving disapproving glances from lay visitors. Whatever. It's still my favorite. It fits the best and is the perfect length. I recommend that all who work in a kitchen un-aproned to go to the store to buy one. It will change your life (or at least for sloppy people like me, the time spent laundering clothes).

James Aaron 2

Logistics from Charles:
James Aaron
9:31 am
9 lbs 9 oz (ouch!)
21.5 inches long
tufts of blonde hair
looks like uncle Kyle
good sleeper
eating is going well
good pooper

Pencils

Lily has been asking me for pencils the last few days.
"What? Pencils? You like to draw with markers."
Today--she finally explained--"Pencils, with the salt on them."
PRETZELS. Duh.

Ramen Noodles

I love that Ramen Noodle Coleslaw that shows up at Lutheran potlucks-- crunchy, salty, nutty, and sweet all at the same time. I had a craving for it the other day and I had never made it myself. So, I got a recipe off of allrecipes.com (the best website for haute Midwestern cuisine) and added Ramen Noodles to my grocery list.

I had never bought Ramen Noodles before. Do you know how weird it was for me? Really weird. Buying prophylactics weird. I never buy processed foods like that--I "shop" the perimeter of the grocery store like they taught goody-two-shoes-me in nutrition class. I felt kinda dirty putting my 15 cent package in the cart. Did you know that you can actually buy a case at a time? Who eats a $3 case of Ramen Noodles? That's a lot of salty noodles!

I made the salad. It was delicious. Chris actually had to tell me in a firm voice "Erin. Put the cabbage down."

James Aaron

James Aaron was born sometime this morning. 9 lbs 9oz!!!! 21 1/2 inches. A future Cornhusker?

I will post pictures and more details about the new baby and weary momma as I get them from Charles.