Good genes

According to this report, I'm going to be a very old woman someday.

Using U.S. Census data, the Social Security Administration database, and genealogical records, Gavrilov and Gavrilova identified 198 centenarians born in the U.S. from 1890 to 1893. They reconstructed the family histories of these individuals to try to identify possible predictors of longevity.

They found that while being born to a young mother was an important predictor of reaching 100, other factors seem to help someone live an exceptionally long life. These include growing up in the Western part of the U.S., spending part of one's childhood on a farm, and being born first.

Girls’ Night Out

 

It wasn't quite the same as 20 years ago, we had to laugh at ourselves driving in my wagon with Bauhaus blasting and my two little kid seats in the back.  And instead of sneaking vodka in, we had bottled water.

Note the flailing baby next to us in the photo.  Not exactly hip, huh?   

So we knew we are not nearly as cool as we used to be, but we were like silly teenagers watching Peter Murphy and crew on stage.  Amazing music, still as relevant to me now as it was 24 years ago.

SCD Update

Lily is doing awesome on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  She was weighed today at the doctor's office, and she weighs 40 pounds!  Hard to explain that a kid who doesn't eat grains, lactose, or sugar has gained 3 pounds over the last 2 months. 

She is mature about the whole situation.  Even at birthday parties, she eats her banana/peanut butter/almond flour cake with honey frosting without complaint.  We are facing another pizza party this week, I need to figure out how to creat a decent crust without grains.  

Unremarkable

Lily's PC (that's pediatric cardiologist for the uninitiated, may you never need one) said today that she was "completely unremarkable".

It's the rare occasion that I'm pleased to hear that description of my kid.  Her heart function has not changed, still aortic valve regurg, and still huge, but not in failure and functioning fine.  The tissue close to where her surgery happened appears to be stretched, but they are not concerned. 
Other than a spontaneous healing, I couldn't ask for more. 

Lily is a healthy kid!  Lily is a vibrant kid!  Go Lily, go! 

Supermodels

Lily and I are in July's issue of Prevention Magazine. Last year when we were in The New Yorker, we were informed and sent several copies. This time we found out by accident, my mom's co-worker spotted us in her subscription copy.

If you don't feel like purchasing Prevention, flip through it in the grocery line, or go to WomenHeart and you can see us in poster version in the online store.

The photo was shot almost 2 years ago, I am amazed at how grown up she looks now.

If I were an artist

Oh, how I adore the creepy stuff on Elizabeth McGrath's site.  From the Ouija board theme to the Spanish language influence and the religious icons… You must go look.

Goth Girl

I love music.  All types, really.  Current most played list includes:  Ojos de Brujo, Lila Downs, a bunch of Ethiopian music, Afro-Celt Sound System,   Prince (does he really need a link?)

I'll forever love the music of my youth. The band that first captured me in ninth grade, Bauhaus, has held my attention all of these years.  That's 24 years since ninth grade, by the way. They broke up in the early 80's, and I've been listening to various incarnations of the members since then.  Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets, and my favorite Peter Murphy.  

Well, Bauhaus has reunited, and guess who will  be seeing  them  next week??  Me and Lester.  Break out the black  eyeliner. 

Salad Fingers

The sort of thing I learn about from my hip teen-aged students:

Salad Fingers: Episode 1 "Spoons"

Strange snackin’

Kale: only used for decoration, right? On our crazy new diet, it's my 5 year-old's favorite snack. Here's what we do with it:

• line a cookie sheet with foil
• tear kale into 2 inch bits
• spray with olive oil
• bake for 10 minutes at 350
• remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese
• return to oven until cheese melts

It's crunchy and cheesy and salty and tasty.

Another favorite:

• slice carrots or beets into very thin rounds
• deep fry (in fryer or stove-top) until browned on edges
• remove to paper towel to drain, veggies become crunchy as they sit
• sprinkle with sea salt

When you haven't had chips in awhile, these are just like the real thing! I like beets the best, and if you can find the golden variety, they even look like potato chips.

Big sister power

Lilster is completely enjoying being the boss of Dawit.  He's been here 12 weeks now, and his favorite color is pink, his favorite character is Strawberry Shortcake (he calls her Strawbaby), and he likes to pretend he's a superhero called Unicorn Girl.  I am keeping careful track of all of this information, so when he's 10 I'll have some bargaining power.  

Here is some unbearable cuteness from last night. 

I'm still updating the adoption fun over at Meet Dawit.