the book(s), the stroller, his crib, and her chicken

Yes, I have been very busy with editing that book. A pregnancy journal/guide. It’s so much fun, and hard work, and I really hope it ends up being a wonderful book that I can be proud of and that helps people.

And when I’m done, I’m really hoping that friend Laura and I will write the Lazy Mother’s Guide to Parenthood as she jokingly suggested because a) she’s a damn good writer and it would be fun to work with her (in all of our spare time, HA!), and b) I think the world needs such a book. Maybe there already is one. I’m thinking ours will be humorous, but also well-researched so that being a little laissez-faire (see, it already sounds better in French), gets legitimized. We’ll have to come up with a catch phrase. Something bouncy, like those “attachment” folks.

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I have, in the past here, and to friends, mentioned my concern that perhaps the Zooper Twist was not the best choice of stroller, because of how hard it seemed to be to push it uphill. So, this morning, I’m hanging out with a new friend, actually a telecommuting work colleague I’d only ever met over the phone until now. And she and I are putting Jonah in the stroller to go on a walk. Now this friend has a two-year-old and has herself been through five strollers, seeking the perfect one (which she feels she’s found, in the Maclaren Techno). She’s watching me reach OVER each back wheel to kick the brake forward/down, teetering on the toes of my other foot to do this…

Guess what folks? We had the wheels on backwards. So Scott switched them around, and can I say? WAHOOO! It’s like a brand new stroller. Today I also figured out that if you zip off the back panel, not only is there mesh behind, creating a nice airflow when the seat is fully reclined, but it also frees up the canopy so that it can be tipped forward even further, blocking more sun for nap time. Yipppeeee! Seriously.

I’m pretty sure, by the way, that the Twist is considered comparable to the Maclaren in size, features. Except the Twist comes with the rain cover, UV mesh cover, foot muff, and cupholder. Those all cost extra with Maclaren. I’m just saying. It’s a good deal. (And now, can I say that if it came with an instructional DVD, that’d be even better? Hello, Zooper? Are you listening?

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Aaaaah! I just got lost cruising around the Zooper website (that “mother” model is what, twelve? But oh, how pretty is the Zydeco??? Hubba hubba) — and now it’s 10:15 p.m. but I push forward with this post because I’ve got two more nouns to go (anyone recognize the film reference?).

So crib, as in Jonah is in his… yes. Seriously. Tonight, we put the Bug to sleep in his crib, his own crib, in his own room. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, although I’d also been thinking I was going to be one of those people who has the baby in the bed until he’s three, or five, or something. And I’ve joked that we spent too much on the organic mattress for the crib/toddler bed — which we bought used, and then spent as much again to hire professionals to sand it down and paint it white with zero-VOC paint, tra la la… And last night, when Scott put him down in the co-sleeper, he’d been awake, and then fell asleep on his own after Scott left the room. And lately Jonah had given up his great 5-hour plus stretches for an every 2-3 hours all night long regime, so I started thinking maybe we’d both sleep better if… And we have been putting him in his crib for naps, sometimes.

And tonight I just had this feeling like he can do this, and I can do this, and it’s time. So. Right now. He’s sleeping in his own room. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And it’s scary.

Hang on, I just need to go check and make sure he’s still breathing. Be right back.

…

He’s perfect. On his back, hands tucked up behind his neck, legs splayed. Asleep.

Will I bring him into bed with us to nurse if/when he wakes, or nurse him in the, umm, what do they call it? Yeah, a NURSEry? I am not committing to either plan. We’ll see what I do at 11, or 1, or whenever it is he is up next. Cross fingers…

* * *

When my MIL Marcia was in town, I made this incredible chicken. The skin is stuffed with garlic boiled in milk, mixed with saffron, and fresh cilantro. It goes with this amazing basmati pilaf recipe that is almost more butter than rice. Marcia said I should put the recipe into the blog. I will try to paraphrase it here without plagarizing — what are the rules? But, in any case, you should buy the book. It’s a really good Spanish cookbook by these two British chefs named Sam. Seriously.

Chicken Stuffed with Garlic and Cilantro

1 medium chicken, about 4 lbs
olive oil
juice of 1/2 lemon
sea salt and black pepper

Stuffing:
3 garlic bulbs
enough milk to cover garlic in a small saucepan by at least 1-1/2 inches
approx 40 saffron threads
1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1-1/2 tsp ground cumin
3 tsp olive oil

For stuffing: Break up the bulbs, removing woody parts but leaving skins on. Simmer cloves in milk for 25 minutes. When garlic is soft, pour off milk, saving 2-3 TBSP in a cup for soaking the saffron. Push the garlic through a food mill to separate pulp from skins, or peel by hand (smooshing technique — which is what I did the first time I made this and then, never again). Add saffron, milk, and remaining ingredients. Mix.

Loosen skin from muscle of chicken and push as much of the stuffing in as you can, getting into all the little crevices and whatnot. Remaining stuffing goes into the cavity. Rub the outside of the chicken with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake 50 minutes at 425 degrees. Check with a meat thermometer for done-ness. Let sit 10 minutes under foil to rest.

Skim the fat from the roasting tray and pour in one cup water and the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, scrape up carmelized goodies. Pour into gravy boat or somesuch and serve.

Okay, I’m too tired to do the basmati recipe. It has butter, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and currants. You can find one on your own, or support the chefs and get that book.