Saturday, May 30, 2009

Back in business

The ice cream machine is up and running again. Although we used to crank out an average of two flavors a week, production had come to an abrupt halt when my pregnancy introduced a sudden aversion to various foods--including ice cream. Despite my encouragement for Forest to continue churning without me, he insisted that it seemed like a pointless activity to do alone. Thus began the dry spell for ice cream making in our home, and the machine did nothing but gather dust for the next few months while Forest settled on store-bought ice cream--eaten straight out of the container like in his bachelor days.

With the birth of our baby and the return of warmer weather came a renewed interest in our forsaken hobby, and we are back in the ice cream making business. So far we have made strawberry, blueberry, banana, and orange cardamom. Of the four, blueberry turned out the best.
We followed the Daziano's Blueberry Gelato recipe from Italialicious. The only adjustment we made was adding a pinch of guar gum to the half cup of sugar going into the egg yolks. This helps prevent an icy consistency after the batch goes into the freezer.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Forest and Ivy plus One

Two years ago today marks the beginning of Forest and Ivy Dixon.
One month ago today marks the beginning of Forest and Ivy Dixon plus one.
We've all grown in so many different ways.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Hear no evil

So far Ramona has agreed to let me tote her around in a couple of different "babywearing" devices. Here she is below in a sling crafted by my friend Aubrey.
Perhaps she consents to riding in them because it provides a sort of respite from the outside world--and helps to block out any disturbance or distraction that might interrupt her innocent slumber. She looks so peaceful sometimes, it almost makes me want to climb into a sling and take a nap, myself.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Miss Popular

Ramona's Visitor Schedule 4-25-09

10:00am--Grandpa Parry
2:00pm--Donna
2:45pm--Grandpa Roger and Grandma Michiko
4:30pm--Erika
7:45pm--Dan and Christie

Friday, April 24, 2009

Welcome

Dear Ramona,
It is hard to believe that a week has gone by since the day you were born into this world. Now that you are here, I can't imagine our family ever being complete without you.
You arrived on Saturday, April 18--your expected due date--at 6:06 AM, just as the sun was coming up. As I watched your new little body emerge from mine, and heard your strong, vivacious cry break the morning stillness, I felt that you were truly a gift from God.
Soon after you were born, you were surrounded by people who already loved you and were anticipating your arrival. Below is a picture of you with your daddy, Forest. Before either of us held you, he walked over to where the nurses were cleaning you off and started talking to you. Your cries quieted and you turned your head towards his voice, as though you recognized something familiar amid all of the confusion outside of the womb.
And here you are with me, your mommy.
Your grandpa Parry and his wife Teresa came to greet you that day . . .
. . . and so did your grandma Michiko and grandpa Roger.
A couple of days later, the nurses and doctors decided they could trust us to take care of you on our own. We left the hospital on a beautiful spring day and took you back with us to your new home.

Hopefully you find the accommodations and service acceptable, despite the inexperience of the staff.

You've brought so much joy into our lives already . . . welcome to our home, little Ramona.

Love
Your Mommy

Saturday, April 18, 2009

She's Here!

Well I am not one for poetic blog posts so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Our little Ramona Lynn Dixon was born today at 6:06 am weighing in at 7lbs. 6oz. and 20.5 in. long. Mom and baby are both doing great and enjoying life.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

We can't wait to meet you

What is missing from the following photographs?

Each time I see these items lately, I envision a tiny person inside, filling up the empty space.

Our lack of a washer/dryer sometimes results in my washing clothing in the sink and drying it with a blow dryer. But look--when you stick the nozzle into an infant sleeper, and get the hot air going, it almost looks like there is a baby inside . . .

Dear Baby in my belly,

I know you don't have much in there right now, but there is so much STUFF out here just waiting for you.

And we're out here, anticipating your arrival, too. We can't wait to meet you.

Love,
Your Mommy