A Request From Cabbage Ranch

Please... while you're caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle...

Take a moment to let go of wishing for a clean, fully decorated house.

Let the baby get her clothes dirty, let the dog get hair on the couch, watch while your husband doesn't load his ice cream bowl in the washer...

Get messy.  Make some memories.

Things Heard in Our House Tonight: Yuletide Edition

Yes, we do actually have to watch this.  Let me explain this.  It's our obligation to watch stupid made-for-tv Christmas movies.  And they can only have two themes: some spin on A Christmas Story or two people about to marry the wrong person, finding each other on Christmas Eve. 

Oooohhh! Piddy!

What exactly were we thinking when we picked out this tree? 

It looks fine.  Just keep putting ornaments on it.

Whoever the hell invented popcorn ceilings should be taken out back and beaten. 

Are you the biggest, baddest dog?  Will you bite em for me?  Atta girl.  You're mean.  Mean. 

Man, this is the best pizza you ever made.

You say that every time.

Yes, and it's true every time.

I love egg nog.  Just don't remind me it's got raw-ish eggs in it or I'll gag.

Merry Chistmahanuschwanzakah.  That should cover it.



Joy to the Freakin' World

Here's a random montage of Cabbage Ranch doings and goings-on, just for you.  You're welcome.

I found the best gift bags ever at World Market.  Owls?  With coordinating wood grain tissue paper?  Si, por favor.

I can really make some little crap seem special with those.  Sign me up.

Ready for my magic act?  Now you see it...

Now you don't.  Astonishing, I know.

ACT II
Now you don't see it...

 And now you do.

A credenza in the bathroom?  Sure.  Why not.  Martha doesn't live here.

The credenza was moved out of the living room to make room for an armoire we inherited from Cabbage's mother.  It's awesome.  I'll show it another time, because I can only handle so much furniture arranging.  You know that's not my thing.

Beep got an awesome hat.  Hilarious, right? (especially when her dad puts it on her backwards and the face hole gets even smaller)

We put Christmas lights on the gate.  It's the sum total of our outdoor lights, because lights wouldn't be very visible from the road.  Or we're too lazy.  It's one or the other.  We'll go with visibility.

Cabbage and Beep had a pretty good time helping with the lights.  They're really two peas in a pod: on the right is Cabbage wearing two kinds of camo, and on the left is Cabbage's baby wearing two kinds of [polka dot] camo.

Having a toddler sift through the lights really helped the untangling process.

She did help by passing lights to me through the gate.

When I put Christmas lights on the gate, I know it's really the holidays.  And until I buy a timer for the lights, they stay on all night.  So I'm pretty sure our neighbors across the street are also aware it's the holidays. 

Oh, good.  Katie put Cabbage Ranch's gate lights up.  And now they'll stay on 24/7 until January 1.  Joy to the freakin' world.  
 

Dishwasher. Reborn.

When we bought our house- or to be more exact, when we bought Cabbage Ranch- it was really a dream come true.  A few acres in a nice neighborhood, a little shop to make into a barn, and a spacious family house.  Yes and please.

Our home was built in the 70s, and had a pretty decent renovation sometime along the way.  Although it's all a bit dated now, those updates included some really thoughtful upgrades to the kitchen cabinets.  The appliances were less than stellar, though, and the fridge was not included with the property. 

When we shopped for appliances, I knew I wanted black.  I'd chosen black appliances in my previous home in Colorado, and I loved them.  Stainless was too expensive and prone to fingerprints... White was not my thing. 

When we bought our fridge, Lowe's was running a great special, so we opted to also get a new stove (the old one was scary!). 

We did not buy a new microwave or dishwasher... The existing ones were white but worked fine, and it wasn't a necessity.  We figured it wouldn't be hard to save for new ones in a year or two. 

Four years, one baby and a pile of horse bills later, we still have a checkerboard of kitchen appliances.  But I've gotten used to my black/white appliance mash-up.  No biggie.

However.  It just hit me that the "hopefully someday" black appliances were still too far off and I couldn't stand it anymore.

What to do about the big, huge, glaringly white dishwasher?

I know that with the right primer you can cover just about anything. 

So this is my extremely long and wordy way of telling you I painted my dishwasher.  I primed it and painted it black.

WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT.

Am I brilliant?  Am I a total whack-job?  Will it really work?  Nobody knows...

And by nobody I mean me. 

I figured it would be the perfect place to have Beep play while I get dinner going, and any stray chalk dust will be easy to wipe up from the (wretched pink) tile floor.

So here's how I did it. 

I bought a quart of deep base, all-purpose, super duper primer.  I carefully cleaned the dishwasher, got out my trustiest paintbrush, and painted the main panel and sides.  I paint enough that I have a steady hand and I didn't tape, but the primer was verrrrry drippy so I definitely needed floor protection.

I left the top part for last because it required the most detail work, and I wouldn't be able to open or close the unit when it was wet.

I rocked it out carefully cut in around the edges. 

And around the front, always watching for those pesky drips.

Then I started on the vent.

A little time, and careful work with a steady hand around the control panel, and it was primed!

We then left the house to allow it to dry... And went to a local festival, where my baby proceeded to eat corn on the cob like the Midwesterner she is (by proxy).

Look at those maniac eyes. 

After we got home I put a coat of paint on.  This part is not documented because 1. it exactly mirrored the steps above, and 2. my photographer (Cabbage) deserted me and my nutso project and went to bed. 

I followed up with a second coat a few days later. 

Finished product! 

There's no way around the white control panel, unfortunately, but we now have a (mostly) black dishwasher that coordinates a lot better with our other black appliances.  Hooray!

It's been about three weeks since I painted it, and so far it's holding up perfectly.  I haven't introduced Beep to its magical chalk powers yet... mainly because I haven't bought chalk.

Now I have a mostly-full quart of chalkboard paint, and I'm wondering what else will fall victim to my paintbrush. 

What projects have you been working on lately?  Any ideas on what I should chalkboard next?

I just made a noun into a verb and my day is complete.  Over and out.



Homeownership 101

Oh, the joys of homeownership.  Take, for instance, when a toilet hijacks your weekend.

I'm sure this has happened many times throughout the history of modern plumbing.  In our case, a toilet tank malfunctioned and flooded the bathroom early one Saturday.  At least it was clean water, thankyoulord.

This allowed me to contemplate the joys of said homeownership when my husband then had to turn off the water in the whole house and there was no laundry done or dishes washed.  Same poor husband then proceeded to spend half a precious Saturday getting parts, fixing the broken part and then fixing the other part that broke when the originally broken part was being replaced.

Good times.

For those of you in an apartment, with a maintenance guy on call, dreaming of owning your own home: enjoy your Saturdays while you can. 

And learn how to be handy.  Or luck out by falling in love with someone who is.

What was the latest mini (or major) home crisis you dealt with?  Share...

Last Time at Nanny's

Since Cabbage's mother died almost four years ago, we've spent countless hours managing her house.  She built the home and would have never wanted it to become a burden, but it definitely had become just that.

Initially, it was just a matter of locating paperwork, taking over the maintenance, and learning to juggle multiple properties.  We leased it, listed it with realtors, and took good care of the house.  Over the years we painted, landscaped, cleaned carpeting and rugs, installed things and spent many hours sorting, packing and removing personal belongings.

Hours spent there came directly out of our own homemaking time.  The better that home looked, the worse ours did.  Mow the lawn at that house?  Ours was neglected.  Scrub the floors and porches?  Leave ours dirty.  Spend a weekend painting?  Our guest room will not be redone.

My mother-in-law would never have wanted it that way.  Although she loved her home and carefully chose her furniture and artwork, she was not particularly concerned with material belongings.  They were just things to her.  We tried to keep her perspective every time we needed to make the house less personal or  part with some of her things.

Finally, though, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.  We received a good offer to buy the house, and accepted it.  Hallelujah.  We notified our renter, passed inspection, and this weekend it was time to close the long chapter on her home.

Yesterday we moved furniture and artwork, southwestern pottery, took several loads to Goodwill.  We also loaded- slowly and carefully- a potted cactus that's practically a family member.  [surely one of you have a family plant- an aloe from a grandmother or a cutting from an aunt... right?] 

 

(My mother-in-law died before we were married, and long before Beep was born.  She won't remember this home, but we'll make sure she knows all about Nanny.)

Before we started this morning, it was time for one last breakfast at Nanny's house.

Then, Beep helped me clean.  We scrubbed bathrooms, washed windows, checked for cobwebs, and mopped floors. 

And I do mean we.  Check out Cinderella.

Eventually Cabbage left to haul a load home and took the baby so she could nap in the truck. 

I was alone in the house, cleaning and scrubbing like mad.  Racing the clock, and subduing the memories.  I loved Nanny and I spent a fair amount of time in that house with her. 

I mopped the front hall where Nanny and I first met, and she hugged me and said "Oh, isn't she pretty?" to everyone else, thereby setting the tenor for my welcome into their family.  I vacuumed the couch Nanny rested on and remembered how her bruised hand reached out to stroke Georgie's head.  I wiped out the freezer I once stocked with homemade chicken soup, trying to tempt her failing appetite.  I dusted the table we carved pumpkins at while Nanny convalesced a few feet away.  Cleaning the baseboards in the bedroom, I remembered this was where we all- adults, kids, Georgie- piled in to watch a movie together in the darkness.  I wiped the window, and on the other side was the back porch where we all ate a happy Fourth of July lunch.

I stopped and surveyed my work.  Finally, every inch was spotless and shining. 

Time to go.  I wrote a note to the new owners.

Welcome Home.
The woman who built this house was called Nanny.  She loved this house, and we hope you do too.  Best wishes. 
 

New Mom On the Block

Dear Friend,

I can only imagine what you look like now, as your little one grows in your belly and your turn to become a first-time mother draws near.  We've been friends for so long!  From college, through singleton and during our weddings, I have loved every minute of having you in my life.

What I don't love is being so far from you, and our other friends, as we all have babies.  We are spread from coast to coast, and north to south.    

Our group has waited longer than most to start families.  Have you noticed?  For all of us, there was college.  For most, grad school.  We launched careers, started companies, found love, and took our time to enjoy our own lives before choosing motherhood.

We might've enjoyed ourselves along the way, too.  We have had our share of fun, and then some.  [If you start telling stories on me, I'll go all spider monkey on you.  Do not doubt the spider monkey.]

I find it more difficult to be separated while we are all taking our turns with pregnancy and first-time motherhood than at any other time in our long friendships.  I hate that I can't bring my friends dinner, and hold the new babies, and talk about the joys and pains and struggles of becoming mothers.  That's what sisters do. 

(Photo credit: Pamela Strohl Fine Art Photography)

When you asked me about motherhood, and baby registries, and diapers, I wanted to give you (and that baby) a hug.  Since I can't do that, I'm offering this post as a way to support you.  I hope the other mothers reading this will also chime in.

So, what do you need to get started with your baby?  Oh, girl...  *sigh*  I get it.  There's soooo much stuff out there, and it's impossible to know where to start.  And ask someone with cankles, chronic heartburn, and stretch marks to narrow down choices, read product reviews, and complete a gift registry? 

It's not humane. 

I mean, you're already CREATING LIFE.  You shouldn't have to shop for crap you don't understand.

Here's the thing:  Some people buy a mountain of stuff, a bigger car, bigger house, clothes galore, a million seats and swings and hair bows and mobiles and toys.  You know what, though?  I remember my mom saying that newborns don't need much- just a clean diaper, a warm blanket, and mama.

She was right.

Babies are born needing to sleep, eat, and be cuddled.  That's about it.  Their material needs are similarly simple, so anything beyond the baby's basic needs is usually about making parents' lives easier...  And there's something to be said for that, too. 

(Photo credit: Pamela Strohl Fine Art Photography)

Here's a list of Cabbage Ranch's favorite newborn basics.

SAFETY

• Have your car seat installed and inspected.  This service is usually available through the fire department or a city office.  The seat must be installed correctly before you can leave the hospital, and you'll feel better knowing it's expert approved. 

FEEDINGS

• Bottles- Even if you're nursing, you'll need a few bottles.  We didn't get fancy ones, although if your baby has trouble with gas/burping/colic, you might like the Dr. Brown's. 
• Dr Brown's bottle nipples- get the preemie flow, because your newborn needs a slow flow to more closely mimic the breast.  Then hold the bottle upright, squeeze the tip of the nipple shut, invert the bottle and release the nipple.  This creates a vacuum and further slows the milk flow.  Those nipples and that trick made a huge difference, especially in Beep's ability to switch from bottle to breast willingly.
• My Breast Friend nursing pillow- bad name, great product.  So much better than a Boppy!
• Regular, BPA-free bottles (6)- we got ours for a few bucks for a pack of 3
• Bottle brush (2)

NURSERY

• Burp cloths (6)- can be cloth diapers or actual burp cloths (or even dish cloths!)
• Fitted crib sheets (2)
• Waterproof mattress pad or other waterproof pad (2)- This will go under fitted sheet.  Make the crib by layering a waterproof pad, then a fitted sheet, then another pad, then another fitted sheet- a mommysaver in the middle of a mess!  Just strip off the top layer and everyone can go back to sleep.
• Crib- Do use a fixed-side crib with a firm, tightly fitted mattress.  Don't use a bumper or blanket in the crib.  It's safer for baby without them. 

CARE

• Blankets- you'll probably get enough of these as gifts, because people seem to love giving them!  The light cotton ones from the hospital are great, too, and you can take a few home with you.  **UPDATE: When we had Beep we were told it was ok to take a couple of blankets home with us, but apparently this isn't always the case.  Plan to bring your own blanket from home, and check on hospital policy before taking anything. **
• Bath seat- optional, but very helpful.  We borrowed one that was small and foldable, so it didn't take up much storage space.  It made baths in the kitchen sink much easier. 
• Baby washcloths- Cabbage voted for these as a necessity!
• Baby wash- you'll probably get a sample size from the hospital.  You'll only bathe the baby about once a week at first, so the sample size will last a few weeks.
• Baby Tylenol- the first time you need it, you'll be so glad it's already there.
• Thermometer- for the times you can't tell if baby's hot. ;)
• Olive oil- great for cradle cap, and despite the name Baby Oil shouldn't be used on newborns.

BECAUSE LIFE GOES ON (and we all have stuff to do)

• Carriers- I'm a believer in babywearing, and the right carrier makes it easy and comfortable.  We have four carriers, and have used them all.  Our favorites are the Moby Wrap (my fave) and a higher-tech one from Infantino (his).
• Swing- Most babies LOVE their swings!  I highly recommend one, and/or a stationary seat that vibrates or bounces.  Hopefully you, like us, can borrow one from a friend.
• Diaper bag- this can be a diaper bag, backpack, or any other bag you love.  Stock it with diapers, wipes, a burp cloth, blanket, and 1-2 changes of clothes.  Add in a couple of bottles/nipples/formula, bottled water, pacifier, hat, and baby sunblock, and you're ready to go. 
• Monitor- nothing fancy, you just need to be able to hear when baby needs you.  We found ours secondhand. 

OUTPUT

• Diaper Genie and refills- this wonderful contraption holds dirty diapers, and (more importantly) also holds the smell.  It's worth every penny.
• Diapers- Don't sweat the cloth versus disposable thing.  Try them both, and do what works.  For cloth we love gDiapers, but some folks like traditional cloth diapers with a cover, and swear by a Snappi fastener.  For disposables: Cabbage is convinced Pampers Swaddlers are the only way to go.
• Wipes- Huggies or Pampers naturals (or make my homemade ones!)
• Diaper Cream- Boudreaux's Butt Paste is awesome.  Put it on thick.
• Changing Table and Pad- this is really optional, because changing baby on a blanket on the floor works just as well.  If you do get a changing pad, make it a contoured one... or, as Cabbage calls it, a culvert.

CLOTHES

• Onesies- just a few, they grow out of them fast!
• Socks- for tiny feet with poor circulation.  Plus, they're so stinkin' cute.
• Bibs
• Swaddler- there are several brands out there, but any sleep sack will work.  It's a safe way to add another layer of warmth, and swaddle that baby up firmly without the risk of a blanket in the crib.
• Laundry detergent- I liked Dreft, but you can use any mild detergent, or try the recipe I use.
• Where you live, you might think about a snowsuit.

HELPFUL, BUT NOT NECESSARY

• Play Gym
• Co-Sleeper, Bassinet, or Pack N Play- Most babies don't like to sleep alone, and I don't blame them.  Most adults don't, either.  Any of these choices will let the three of you share a sleeping space safely. 

FOR MAMA

• Aftercare- the hospital will give you some freebies to take care of your body after it's been run over by the childbirth truck.  Ask them for extras before you leave the hospital!  Make sure you have pads and Tylenol at home.
• Breast pump-  Rent the hospital one first, which is higher quality and will help you establish a good milk supply.  When I bought a pump, I got the Medela Pump In Style and it was great. 
• Nursing cover- There are a lot of options here, but all of them will work.  No need to flash the ta-tas.
• Accessories/extras- Some are worth their weight in gold for comfort and convenience: pump wipes, nipple shields, cooling pads, and lanolin-based nipple cream.  The hospital will give you some of these items, and the rest you should be able to purchase either at the hospital or at your grocery store.
• Lactation consultants- These ladies saved my sanity.  Nursing can be very hard, and everyone's experience is different.  Your hospital may, like ours, have complementary consultations.  Use them!  And call me anytime... I'm a believer in nursing, and it's worth every minute of early frustration. :)

And finally... Some birth advice, as it was gifted to me, as I neared the end of my pregnancy:
1. Trust your doctors and nurses.  They are professionals and will take great care of you both.
2. Accept medical help- including an epidural, if you want it -and don't apologize.  Women may have given birth for many centuries without it, but they would have made a different choice if they could have.  We can do better now, and some of these wonderful options make birth safer for you and baby.
3. You can do this!  Your body is amazing, and so are you!  Birth will be hard, but at the end of it you will have the best thing that ever happened to you.

Love you, girl.  You're gonna be great. 
Katie

P.S. In case you need to hear it again: You're pretty awesome.  Nice job growing that baby. 


[All opinions are my own and none of these companies know who I am, much less sponsored this post.  This is Cabbage Ranch powered.]

Things Heard In Our House Tonight, Revisited

I seriously hate it when people say Chipol-TE.  It's Chipot-LE.  And she's a chef!  That just makes me angry.

That toad scared the crap outta me.  You know, because I thought it was a snake.

This is your best pizza ever.
Thanks, I like it, too.  I guess it helps when I follow the recipe.

Beep, my left arm is about to fall off.  At least I think it is- it's actually pretty numb from holding you all night.

Feed the deer, Baby.

Are you cutting Mama's toenails?  What a nice baby.

Remember that guy we met a few years ago on the porch at that place?  He's dead now.

How come the very horse we just saved by spending THOUSANDS of dollars on gut surgery is the one eating tree bark?

I think that woman was on the verge of robbing me.  Don't worry, though- I was ready to knock her out.

I'm headed for the shower.  I'm so gross I'm taking a dobie pad instead of a washcloth.

I can't tell what kind of snake it is.  It's like I can't get the sleep outta my eyes.
Maybe you need to clean your glasses.

Moremoremoremore cheese.  Please. ["more" and "please" in sign language]

Night, sweet baby.  Call me if you need me. 
Mama loves you.

Kitchen Baskets

We have a weird set of shelves at the end of our kitchen counter.  They're an awkward size, not adjustable, and I never could figure out how to use them.  

Earlier this summer, I solved the mystery.  It's a good thing, too.  It was keeping me up at night.

Not really.

But I do like my solution.  I found these red baskets at Target for about $7 each.
 

Now, behold their versatility.

The top basket holds scorpion tongs.  You heard me.  

It's true.  The best way to catch a scorpion is with a pair of tongs.  And yes, sometimes I think about my life and shake my head.  Hence the MNS. 

On to less vomit-worthy subjects. 

The middle basket is meant for Beep to enjoy, so it holds baby toys.  Whichever toys are closest when I pick up at the end of the day go in the basket.  There's no rhyme or reason to it, and this highly scientific approach makes for a great discovery for my baby the next day.  She finds endless possibilities in the basket. 

The bottom basket is also meant for Beep.  Often, it holds toys. 

Occasionally it holds a small, bald baby.

At the end of the day, empty of toys, the baskets remain on the floor in the background.  They've done their job: the baby has been kept happy while the mama has cooked dinner, and they await a return trip to their respective shelves once again filled with toys.

What's your version of the red baskets in your house?