Alden's First Christmas, Part I

We had Christmas morning at our house in Bellevue. Alden let Mr. & Mrs. Claus sleep in until 7:00 AM or so, and then we went down and discovered what Santa had left in the stockings that were hung by the chimney with care. After stockings, we had a wonderful Swedish pancake breakfast, which is a Schreiber-family tradition. Then Alden napped and Mommy and Daddy listened to some Christmas music and cleaned up a little. After the little boy awoke, we did the rest of the presents - Alden was very much interested in the wrapping paper, and made out like a bandit: toys, clothes and all sorts of wrapping paper... We managed to keep him from eating any, but some of it inevitably made it into his mouth.

Here are some pictures and videos from the morning. After that, we headed to Alden's great grandparents' house in Olympia, but that's part II.

- Chris

Swedish Pancakes, Health-ified

So we still owe a post about the East Coast trip, complete with all the pictures. We're also busy taking a bunch of pictures today - it's Alden's first Christmas, and he's going to meet his auntie Laura for the first time when we go to Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner.

But in the interim, I thought I would recipe blog while Alden's having his breakfast. We made it a family tradition after we were married to have Swedish pancakes on Christmas morning. I got the recipe from Alden's Great Grandma Mackey - the same one she used to feed my mom and Andy, Laura and me when we were kids; but being me, I had to try to make it a tad more healthy, and add my own twists.

Here's the original recipe:

1.5 cups white flour
1 tsp. salt
3 tsps. sugar
3 eggs, well beaten
3 cups milk
3 Tbsp. melted butter

Here's what I did to it:

3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup buckwheat flour
1 tsp. Morton's light salt
3 tsps. Splenda
3 Omega 3 eggs, well beaten
3 cups nonfat milk
2 Tbsps. melted Smart Balance
1 Tbsp. flax oil

The preparation is the same:

Mix all dry ingredients. Then whisk dry ingredients with milk. Then whisk in eggs; then wisk in melted Smart Balance and oil.

Heat a large (non-stick) griddle (I use medium to medium low heat - use the same as you would for regular pancakes) and grease it (I spray with Canola-oil cooking spray). Use a scant half-cup of batter and swirl around to cover most of the bottom of the pan (it's like a crepe - thin and large circumfrence). Cook on one side, flip once, cook on the other and you're set.

Grandma Mackey always served with butter and syrup. We decided to go more crepe-like and make our own fruit topping. We used one little plastic crate of raspberries, half a cup of water, 3 tablespoons of Splenda, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, three shakes of ground nutmeg and a tsp. of Smart Balance, brought it to a boil and then simmered for 1/2 hour or so while we made the batter and the pancakes.

Then we rolled them up, put a little more Smart Balance on, spooned on some sauce and served with more fresh raspberries. To quote Ginny and Rachel Ray: Yummo!

- Chris

Our Trip Back East

The snow fell fast (about an inch an hour) when we were visiting my parents in Worcester, MA. I couldn't resist putting Alden in his one-piece snow suit and taking a picture of Alden in the snow in my parent's yard.



The Kingman family - Ginny, Alden, Aunt Liz, Dad, and Uncle Dan in front of my parent's Christmas tree.



Uncle Dan holding his great nephew.



Aunt Liz holding her great nephew.



Grandmother and Grandson.



The Schreiber Family in D.C. in front of the White House decorated for Christmas.



Chris and Alden standing in front of the Washington State tree.




Ginny's teacher friends got together for a dinner on Friday evening.



Alden often traveled in style inside Daddy's coat. People would see Alden's head sticking out and exclaim, "How cute!"



We had brunch with our friends the Laceys. Andie is currently 6+ months pregnant and is having a boy as well. Their baby is due around my birthday! I am hoping he comes on March 5th!



Alden's first plane trip.


I was excited when Chris told me that he may get approved to attend a conference in D.C.....and he offered for Alden and I to go too. Once Amazon was on board we decided that since we were "so close" to Boston at this point, Alden and I should drop in to see family.........ALONE! That would mean flying a short plane trip alone to Boston, but a LONG SIX hour flight to Seattle again.

The flight to D.C. went well. We were lucky to have an empty seat in the middle so Alden could sleep there when he wanted to nap. He did great and neither Chris nor myself had any regrets so far about flying with a baby. The short leg to Boston went well also. And Alden slept practically the ENTIRE time when he and I traveled back to Seattle. That made me so happy because I was so nervous.

When we were in Virginia, Chris and I saw many of our friends for meals and visits. It was fun to reconnect and for our friends to meet Alden. I brought Alden to Cooper Middle School on Monday to meet my teacher friends and my kids who are now 8th graders. My friend Lynette brought a special lunch that we ate in the Teacher's lounge. Teachers would come in the eat and say, "Ginny!". It was quite fun seeing everyone. Alden was a big hit with all of the ladies. Many of kids wanted to know why I didn't name Alden after them instead..... Meg, my co-director and friend was in tech week for the show "Arsenic and Old Lace" so Alden and I stayed after-school and watched the rehearsal. Gosh I miss those kids and my friends so much. What a treat to get to visit. Chris and I also ventured out into D.C. to see the National Tree and the festive decorations of the season. I love D.C. at Christmas time.

Seeing the family in MA was very special. Grandma and Grandpa hadn't seen Alden since he was three weeks old. Alden has changed so much! He had almost tripled his weight since then. I was glad that he got to meet his Great Aunt and Great Uncles too. His Auntie Beth came and got to see him too.

- Ginny

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We need to put more pics and videos of Alden and our East Coast trip up. For now though, here are the holiday greetings:

To All My Liberal Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.

To My Libertarian Friends:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- Chris

Alden's First Trip to the Zoo

Alden and I went to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle with my friend Amy and her baby Addison. (Whom I consider Alden's girlfriend. :) ) For a city zoo it is actually quite nice with penguins, tigers, lions, giraffes, elephants, and other animals. Here is a picture of Alden at the zoo's entrance.

-Ginny

Snow!

We've been told we don't get too much snow here in Bellevue, but we had quite a little deluge on Saturday. It was Alden's 4-month birthday, and he got to see his very first snowfall - he seemed fairly interested in all of that cold white stuff falling from the sky. We'd like to think that he was trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue, even though he sticks it out about 90% of the time (he thinks he's the baby Michael Jordan apparently).

Here are some pictures - hope you like them.

Chris

Thanksgiving Video Clip

Here's the video clip from Alden's first Thanksgiving - it was a little bit dark, but hopefully you'll still enjoy the footage.

- Chris

Good Winter Recipe - Cassoulet (healthy)

It's French in origin, but, as usual, we used some American ingenuity to improve upon it.

Chicken Cassoulet

This elegant meal takes its name from a classic French recipe made with fatty duck meat and ham hocks. We slimmed it down by using chicken breasts and low-fat turkey or chicken sausage - and leaving out the rendered duck fat (always a plus from an arterial perspective).

Servings:
4 people

INGREDIENTS
1 can (15 1/2 ounces) low-sodium small white beans rinsed and drained
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 ounces turkey or chicken low-fat andouille sausage, sliced 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick
1/2 can (12 1/4 ounces) non-fat chicken broth
1 cup shallot, chopped
3/4 cup seasoned whole-wheat bread crumbs
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons fresh basil, or 2 t (10 mL) dried, chopped
2 teaspoons dried thyme

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread half of the beans in a 2-quart (2-L) casserole.

Season chicken on both sides with pepper and salt. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil 5 minutes, turning once. Transfer chicken to casserole. Top with andouille, remaining beans, and broth.

In the same skillet, cook shallots for 4 minutes, stirring to loosen any browned bits from the pan. Stir in bread crumbs, tomatoes, thyme and basil; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes Spread over beans, patting to create a thick crust. Cover and bake 10 minutes Remove cover and bake 15 minutes, or until crust is browned. (Casserole can be frozen at this point. To serve, thaw in refrigerator first, then reheat in oven.)


APPROXIMATE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Calories: 428 calories
Carbs: 44 g
Sodium: 1691 mg
Fat: 10 g
Protein: 45 g
Fiber: 8 mg
Cholesterol: 96 g

Wash Your Hands!

An important reminder for us parents during flu and cold season.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/opinion/27ashenburg.html?ex=1353906000&en=3e76fee3560e282c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Alden's First Thanksgiving

We took Alden down to see the local family for his first Thanksgiving, and he really enjoyed himself. He's naturally a ham (takes after his mommy...), and he loved having everyone coo over him and pass him around to talk to him and comment about his little chubby cheeks.

We enjoyed seeing everyone as well. Grandma and Grandpa Mackey drove up from Olympia - Grandpa is still a good driver, though he doesn't like to drive at night. They just had their 64th anniversary - setting a standard to which we can aspire. Kate and Christina are growing up too - Christina is a freshman now, and, as amazing as it was for me to consider, was actually getting her homework done early. Kate led the charge in making, and eating some home-made ice cream. Dinner was great, and everyone enjoyed himself/herself - and Alden was kind enough to take a nap during the meal so we could eat at a semi-leisurely pace.

The pics above are 1) Alden sitting with cousin Kate, with Great Aunt Sharon, Great Grandpa Mackey, Great Grandma Mackey and Mommy; 2) Alden with his cousins Kate and Christina; 3) Alden with Great Grandpa Mackey; 4) Alden with Great Grandpa Mackey and Great Uncle Rick; 5) Alden with Great Grandpa Mackey and Mommy; and 6) Alden with Great Grandma Mackey and Mommy.

I'll make a separate post with a video clip.

- Chris

Video Clips of Alden Playing with Mommy

We feel blessed that Alden has such a naturally happy and exuberant personality. He loves to play with mommy and daddy - and daddy loves to record videos of Alden happily playing (for reference a few years hence...).

Here are two clips of Alden playing games with Mommy.

Hope you enjoy them,

Chris

Happy Thanksgiving!

So we're about to set off to Alden's great aunt Sharon and great uncle Rick's house for Thanksgiving. Alden's cousins once removed, Christina and Kate will be there too, as will Alden's great grandparents Gene and Vi Mackey.

We're lucky to have family so close by - this will be our first Thanksgiving in Washington - and, of course, Alden's first Thanksgiving ever. He'll be having the milk. We're also very grateful that Alden will get to have his first Thanksgiving with his great grandparents.

Ginny is making her famous maple rosemary sweet potatos, and I made some corn bread/wild rice/sausage stuffing. Here's the recipe, in case anyone wants to try it:

A couple pounds of sausage (I prefer some kind of fancy chicken or turkey sausage--this year I found some smoked turkey/chicken with sweet basil pesto)

wild rice (maybe 1/4 a cup)

Quinoa (quarter cup)

pine nuts (maybe quarter a cup)

pistachios (quarter cup)

a pound or so of exotic mushrooms (oyster, chanterelle, shiitake, etc.)

one onion, chopped

a few cloves of garlic, diced

a few cups of corn bread crumbs, either home made or store-bought stuffing

a few stalks of celery (if desired--I don't like it that much, but some people think it's not stuffing without it), chopped

pomegranate seeds (this is the secret ingredient)

A couple cups of chicken broth (from bouillion is fine, unless you want to be fancy)

salt, pepper, sage, thyme to taste

olive oil

Soak the rice overnight in about twice as much water as it needs to cover. Another good thing to do ahead, while watching TV, is to divest the pomegranate from its seeds (persnickety work).

In the morning, cut up the sausage into bite-size chunks, and saute in the olive oil (amount depending on the stickiness of your saute pan). Chop the rest of the ingredients and boil the rice for fifteen minutes or so (if you overdo it, it won't have the crunchiness). Boil the quinoa until just underdone as well. Set the meat aside and saute the onions, celery and garlic in the same pan.

Put all the non-liquid ingredients in a big bowl and stir well. Add in the broth and mix thoroughly. If it seems too dry, feel free to add as much water... or broth... or booze (bourbon is good)... as you want. I just used chicken broth. It should be moist throughout, but not soaked. You can also add melted butter to taste and texture if you like that sort of thing, and your arteries can take it - or Smart Balance Light Omega 3. Another option, to be more heart healthy, is to fatten it up with olive or canola oil.

Use it like any other stuffing--either inside the bird, or under the skin, or just bake it in its own dish, or all of the above. If you bake it, try 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or so.

Eat, and enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving!

- Chris

Pic of a Happy Alden

Alden was playing with mommy, and mommy's friend Lynnette who was visiting from DC - Alden is generally a happy boy, and this particular toothless grin was captured on film.

- Chris

Video - Alden Laughing

So seeing as how this blog is all about Alden, it's time for a little video clip. This is a clip of Alden laughing. I was grinding some pepper and sneezed; this is apparently hilarious to 3 1/2 month old infants. We then got the camera, and fake sneezed while Alden cracked up. There's something musical about the quality of a baby's laugh - but don't take my word for it. Listen for yourself...

- Chris

First Post of the Day (or ever, really)

So we thought it would be fun to start this blog to let everyone share the adventures of Alden - hopefully with pics and video to be added (We'll see how technically savvy we are). Alden is 3 1/2 months old now, and is gearing up for his first Thanksgiving - luckily he's not onto solid food as of yet, or I'd imagine we'd have our first flying mashed sweat potato incident (followed by flying cranberry sauce...).

Anyway, thanks for reading. I'm going to try to post some cute videos next.

- Chris