Seven Quick Takes

— 1 —

Elves cleaned my house yesterday. That is, elves named Mum and Grammy. I knew they were coming because Dad had called and asked me to make a list, but they did even more than I asked. I love a clean house, but I haven’t kept my house very clean since March – I started having some serious smell sensitivity around the same week as my positive pregnancy test, then I started having to sleep as soon as I got home from work, and then I became unable to even clean up after myself (okay, the last one is an exaggeration, but not too far from the truth). My house looks great! I’m so relieved it’s not even funny.

I love you guys! Thank you SOOO much!

— 2 —

Here’s a 31-week belly and my new ‘do. I got tired of always leaning on my hair and getting it caught in things. After 4 years of no professional haircuts and only a few self-trims of the length, I was ready. It was awesome to have my hair washed, cut, and styled by a professional. I’m sure it will never look as good as it did when I came out of the salon, but then again, it will feel nicer without all the “product” in it anyway.

31 weeks and I think I’ve finally figured out how to take a picture of myself.

— 3 —

I saw these awesome early color photographs of Paris earlier this week. I didn’t even realize that they had a form of color photo processing that long ago. They are fascinating and dreamlike.

— 4 —

They announced an April 27 date for the canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII. I don’t “know” John XXIII that well since he was before my time, but John Paul II became Pope when I was only about a month old. With his long reign, he was “my” pope, and sometimes, even though I read Catholic news all the time, when people say “the pope,” I still think of him. I’m thinking a canonization party would be fun. I’ve been looking up (gluten-free) Polish recipes (pierogi here, kolacky here). Do you think six months is long enough to plan a party that will probably include ten or fewer people , where two of them are tiny babes?

— 5 —

I have also been looking up recipes to assemble, keep in the freezer, and put in the crock pot. I think this would really be helpful for after my babies are born. Do you have any favorites? Maybe even things that I can make in just a few minutes rather than making freezer meals, because we have a small freezer and I have a feeling I’m going to want to fill it up with milk for when I go back to work.

— 6 —

Yes, I’m having twins and going back to work. It’s not my first choice, but families have to do what they have to do to make ends meet. Any tips for entrusting your tiny infant to a non-family caregiver or for the time you get to spend together would be greatly appreciated.

— 7 —

I made Six Sisters’ Crockpot Orange Chicken for dinner on Wednesday (and we had leftovers for dinner last night). Oh my yumminess. I know it’s not “real food” but soooo tasty. It tasted like something you get at a Chinese restaurant. I served it over brown rice because that’s my default. Brett liked it so much he got a piece of bread to mop up the sauce on his plate. I will definitely make this one again.

Have a wonderful weekend and God bless you!

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