tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13798650939710473592024-03-12T04:27:26.756-07:00Mother of All Scientists'cause Science is a BitchScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-76737664451317985942010-06-25T20:54:00.000-07:002010-06-25T21:17:20.817-07:00Unmitigated whiningSo it looks like I'll be out of a job come January. My boss didn't get a grant she was hoping for and won't be able to pick up my paycheck when my funding runs out at the end of December. So I'm working on exploring career options right now. It's actually kind of nice to finally get the kick in the @ss I needed to start seriously looking for jobs away from academic research instead of just constantly focusing on the next experiment.<br /><br />I'm finishing up my first postdoc paper right now, and I'll immediately begin writing the second paper. In the meantime I've been trolling the Science Careers website, looking at job postings for industry, and doing informational interviews here at the University trying to come up with a plan to keep myself employed for at least the next year. Husband has his first interview lined up for a tenure track job (at a very prestigious place... I'm very proud, but also befuddled: He didn't get interviews at some real podunk places, but he got an interview someplace really awesome? WTF mate?) and is generally planning on doing a second search this fall. However, he's also looking at industry job postings... I think the job search left him pretty disillusioned with academia.<br /><br />Articles like <a href="http://www.miller-mccune.com/science/the-real-science-gap-16191/">this one</a> have left me pretty disillusioned myself. I think Science-with-a-capital-S was just a pretty different tplace when all of the current faculty were coming up through the ranks. There were some reasonable expectations for employment in science when you were done. For current postdocs, it's such a different atmosphere. Not only are there not enough academic jobs to go around, but leaving academia is usually a pretty ego-shattering experience. We spend 10+ years drinking the kool-aid, listening to people we respect as mentors tell us that the best and brightest stay at the bench as academics and if you leave the bench you are a sell-out or a failure.<br /><br />I guess I'm finally over it. I'm done caring if people want to brand me a "failed scientist" and I'm going to try my best to find a position with a decent paycheck and some appropriate work-life balance. I'll keep you posted. I imagine that I'm in for a bumpy ride.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com186tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-66876921360567334102010-04-27T09:41:00.000-07:002010-04-27T09:48:19.833-07:00Back to real lifeThis morning I went on my first run in almost a year. It felt good, and also horrible. My lungs were on fire for the first 5 minutes or so, and then after that I was distracted by an entirely different pain. Apparently Mama needs a new sports bra. Surprisingly, the one I got at Target for 10 bucks before I got pregnant isn't cutting it, and my poor sore nursing boobs were not happy with the bouncing. I had to run clutching my chest the entire time. Luckily there aren't too many people out and about at 5:15 a.m. so I wasn't too embarrassed.<br /><br />I only ran about 2 miles, but I broke the first-run-after-a-hiatus barrier, and I think that's important in and of itself. I'm going to get myself a new sports bra ASAP, and in the meantime I'll just have to suck it up. I gotta build some momentum while I can.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-206724828619261752010-04-24T16:06:00.000-07:002010-04-24T16:12:33.681-07:00How novelI'm sitting in a coffee shop by myself right now, and in a few minutes I'm going to a lovely salon to get my haircut for the first time in 8 months. When I left the house, Bug, Bean, and Husband were all napping. The freedom to sit alone, enjoying a cup of coffee, with absolutely nothing to do is absolutely delicious. I really need more moments to myself.<br /><br />I'm excited to get my hair cut. I'm going to give the chick a few ground rules, but otherwise it's hairdressers choice. Wish me luck!ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-61076428374069251532010-04-15T14:33:00.000-07:002010-04-15T14:34:21.211-07:00ChagrinedI don’t even know where to begin. An apology for not posting for so long? A thank you to ScientistMother for making me feel less lame for posting after such a long hiatus?<br /><br />I guess I should begin with the Bug. Bug was born on December 29th, two weeks before his due date. I had been predicting for months that he would be born that week and had made all my lab work plans around my mothers intuition. Luckily Bug obliged. <br /><br />I woke up at 4:00 a.m. with infrequent but regular contractions every 8-10 minutes. At 6:00 a.m. I woke Husband and told him that he wasn’t going to work. Actually, that’s not true. I woke Husband and we negotiated how long it was going to take him to collect his timepoint. After labwork was out of the way, we spent a relaxing day in early labor. We took Bean to a puppet show, we had a nice lunch. When Bean went down for her nap, I tried to lay down myself but found I was too restless. So I folded laundry and Husband set up the co-sleeper. When Bean woke up, she cried because she hadn’t helped set up Bug’s bed. So I gave her a little stuffed toy and a blanket for her to lay in there for him, and then we bundled her off to a friend’s house.<br /><br />On the way from our friend’s house to the hospital the contractions started to get intense. About 10 minutes away from the hospital my water broke and the contractions started coming every 2 minutes. It turned into the classic “laboring woman yelling at her husband on the way to the hosital” cliché, with me telling husband he was an idiot for stopping at stop signs. By the time we got to the hospital I was in tears and could no longer walk or talk during contractions. They took us straight into our room.<br /><br />The midwife checked me. I was only 4 cm. I was devastated. The contractions were extremely painful and coming right on top of each other. I tried several different positions, rocking on all fours, on the birthing ball, squatting. Eventually I asked to get in the tub, and the tub gave me a lot of relief. The midwife turned out the lights and I spent a couple of hours laboring in the tub with husband applying ice cold compresses on my forehead. When I think back on that part of my labor, I remember it as both intensely painful and intensely intimate. I remember my hand clutching the side of the tub during contractions, and husband holding my head. The midwife framed in the doorway with a dim light behind her. I remember the labor in fragments, with tunnel vision. I don’t remember Husband’s face, only his voice and his hand.<br /><br />After awhile I was starting to lose my ability to cope through contractions. I asked the midwife how much longer. How much longer until Bug was born. No more than 2 hours she said. 2 hours sounded like an eternity. I opted to get a dose of fentanyl to help ease the pain. In reality, the fentanyl didn’t really ease the pain, but it did help me rest between the contractions and helped calm me down. The fentanyl wore off extremely quickly, but it was enough to help me rest, refocus and start coping again.<br /><br />After about 2 hours in the tub, I asked the midwife to check me. But as soon as I stood up I could tell it was time to push. Husband helped me out of the tub and into the bed. With the midwife and the nurse’s help, I tried pushing. I was surprised to find that pushing seemed to relieve the pain of the contractions. After 45 minutes of pushing, Bug was born, wet and beautiful on my belly.<br /><br />Bug’s birth was an incredible experience. Along with my wedding day and Bean’s birth, it was one of the best days of my life. <br /><br />Bean wasn’t able to come visit her baby brother at the hospital (thank you, H1N1), but she has been an enthusiastic and loving big sister. The adjustment has been surprisingly smooth. Bean is a caretaker for sure and likes being Bug’s second little mommy. She likes to smile for and otherwise entertain him, and she always tells me if he is crying (even when I’m holding him). There haven’t been any real signs of jealousy yet (*knock on wood*).<br /><br />Bug for his part is an extremely mellow and wonderful little baby. He’s sweet and cuddly and not much of a crier. He’s been nursing and growing well. A relatively good sleeper, even. Now 3.5 months old, he’s smiling, rolling over, and starting to grab toys. We’ve been using a co-sleeper for the time being and that is working out wonderfully (though I dread the day when Bug moves into Bean’s room).<br /><br />I’ve been back at work for the last three weeks. It’s going okay. My mom is here in town taking care of Bug, and he’s slated to start in the infant room part time next week, going full time May 3rd. I’m far more anxious about Bug starting daycare than I was about returning to work. I know ultimately that he will be fine, but I’m really dreading this transition. It’s easier to be away from him knowing that he’s being cuddled and sung to by his grandma. Much harder to leave him with someone else.<br /><br />So that’s where I’m at. I’ve actually had some great luck at the bench since I’ve been back, so that makes work a bit easier too. I’m also trying to write the papers had been hoping to write before Bug was born. Writing is fun because I spend at least as much time reading papers as I do writing my own, and that’s a nice way to get back into the science.<br /><br />I promise more posts to come.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-21517336108911179412009-11-20T08:19:00.000-08:002009-11-20T08:47:13.871-08:00I'm not dead yetI know, I know. A four month hiatus. Life's been a little tiny bit hectic.<br /><br />I was invited to give a talk at the conference I attended in September, so I spent the entire month of August scrambling for some last minute data and putting together my talk. The talk went well, though I was terrified (as I always am when it comes to public speaking). People seemed interested in my project which is always a nice little confidence booster.<br /><br />We also had our gender ultrasound towards the end of August. It's a boy! We already had a boy name picked out, so as soon as we found out the gender we got to tell Bean about her baby brother and tell her his name. Since then she's been much more interested in the pregnancy and in her little sibling. We talk about him a lot, and she often asks us about him. The other day she asked me if he is naked in my tummy. I told her yes, but when he's born we'll put some clothes on him and wrap him in a warm blanket. "<span style="font-style:italic;">I'll help</span>," she replied.<br /><br />Husband is deep in the throes of job market hell. He has applied to over 100 places so far, and there are still more deadlines through December and even into January. No interviews lined up yet, though it's hard to tell whether or not that's a bad sign. It's starting to feel a little anxious though. <br /><br />Bean moved up to the early preschool class in September and has been loving her new classroom environment. She is just amazing with her letters now, and will often spell out signs as we drive or words in books. It's pretty darn amazing. She's definitely entered a "testing the limits" stage of her development, and that gets a little tiring. Most days I have just nothing left by the time I get her to bed, and I fall asleep on the couch soon after.<br /><br />I'm up to my eyeballs at work just trying to get things finished up before the baby is born. He'll be term just before Christmas and would likely be born sometime between Christmas and mid-January. (Though you never know. A friend of mine had her second child 12 days past her due date.) We're close to writing up my project, and so I'm trying to get some figures put together now and starting to outline the papers. But the days are flying by, so we'll see how much I can get done before the little one decides to make his debut.<br /><br />So yeah, it's been a little busy around here. But good. Busy, but good.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-21490816828789552572009-07-27T13:02:00.000-07:002009-07-27T13:03:30.719-07:00Potty trained (?)Bean seems to be completely and totally potty trained (*knock on wood*). It was remarkably painless, which makes me think she may have been ready to potty train before we were. She hasn’t had an accident in almost two weeks, and this weekend she even napped in her underwear and still woke up dry. She’s still wearing diapers overnight, but in the morning she asks to potty when she wakes up and her diaper is almost dry. It’s pretty amazing.<br /><br />It’s also somewhat stressful when we’re out and about. This weekend we were at the farmers market, and the nearest potty was quite a ways a way. But Bean has been a trooper and we’ve never ever had an accident while we were out.<br /><br />Actually, the funny thing is that being pregnant while potty training is actually an advantage. My body acts as a built-in timer for reminding us to take Bean to the bathroom. Every time the pregnant lady’s gotta pee, chances are the toddler should too.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-13569583061444757282009-07-14T09:08:00.000-07:002009-07-14T09:20:38.078-07:00All grown upThis weekend Bean spent all of her waking hours in underwear. And, through diligent watch checking by her parents, Bean kept her underwear clean and dry all weekend! <div><br /></div><div>Yesterday was her first day wearing underwear to school. She did go through two pairs of underwear, but her teachers said she did great for her first day. I expect there are going to have to be a lot of accidents before Bean starts to understand that underwear are not the same as diapers and before she starts initiating potty breaks, but that's okay.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really proud of Bean for doing such a great job on the potty. Frankly, potty training hasn't been that much of a struggle with her. She's generally happy to go use the potty, she's proud of herself when she uses the potty, and she excited about her big girl underwear. I wish I could take some credit for her success, but her positive potty attitude has made this process pretty easy so far. *Knock on wood*</div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing her in her big girl underwear is kind of a surprise to me. The underwear really make her look like a big girl: she's lost her round baby belly, her legs have lost almost all of their baby chub and now look muscular and strong. She's gone through a growth spurt I think, and drawers she used to hang on trying to reach she can now easily peer inside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes I think my baby girl is gone, but then she cuddles against me for a story and sucks her thumb and I still have to lean down to put my head in her hair.</div><div><br /></div><div>Baby Bean, I love you so much. I'm so proud of you my big girl.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-89598834282919157202009-07-11T20:10:00.000-07:002009-07-11T20:38:37.303-07:00Food pornRecently my dear friend Ruchi wrote a <a href="http://arduousblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/delicate-balance.html">post</a> about how most food porn features decidedly unhealthy foods. It makes sense in some ways... porn is by definition photographic fantasy, and right now I am fantasizing about vanilla bean gelato swimming in a pool of Bailey's Irish Cream, topped with almonds. (I just came up with that off the top of my head and man do I wish I was eating that right now...)<br /><br />But healthy cooking is my favorite hobby. I long since stopped subscribing to Bon Appetit and Gourmet (seriously? who has that many dinner parties?) but I am an avid fan of Cooking Light.<br /><br />So I couldn't resist Ruchi's call for some healthy food porn.<br /><br />Here's a quick and easy "recipe" that I threw together a few weeks ago inspired by the amazing heirloom cherry tomatoes growing in my mom's back yard. Bean, who has yet to meet a tomato she doesn't like, DEVOURED it. So I recreated it tonight, paired with grilled zucchini and a grass-fed organic steak from the farmers market. Yum!<br /><br />Summer Tomato and Corn Salad<br /><br />15+ organic cherry tomatoes, halved<br />1 ear sweet corn<br />1 slice red onion, minced<br />~2 tsp fruity olive oil<br />1 splash balsamic vinegar<br />~1/4 tsp salt<br />fresh ground black pepper to taste<br /><br />Cut the raw corn kernels away from the cob (this step is messy but worth it). Combine corn kernels, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Let sit for ~15 minutes to let flavors meld. Enjoy wholeheartedly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUDimvdCpvqxKGDrD1wzSGH20rX6MYY1FOMZ7YJ3-IW_ZL1NJ5tQoCBAGk5vVqXH_IVRG_HoVdGocVnGFuVjTwnHDaDnM9RqsSKGpsoK1sL8kQa9ClOhY3EhUgt_pva5PdqNJLwTgLU/s1600-h/IMG_1298.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaUDimvdCpvqxKGDrD1wzSGH20rX6MYY1FOMZ7YJ3-IW_ZL1NJ5tQoCBAGk5vVqXH_IVRG_HoVdGocVnGFuVjTwnHDaDnM9RqsSKGpsoK1sL8kQa9ClOhY3EhUgt_pva5PdqNJLwTgLU/s400/IMG_1298.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357412720360256354" border="0" /></a>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-86778267452363823422009-07-09T13:18:00.000-07:002009-07-09T14:04:37.386-07:00Random Bullets of I'm Too Tired to Write A Coherent Post (RBOITTTWACP)<ul><li>Bean and I went to my brothers wedding a few weeks ago. Some of you may recall he was in a terrible accident last year (just weeks before his originally scheduled wedding day) and almost lost his legs. At the wedding, which was beautiful, he danced with the Bean. I must have kissed my brother and my new sister-in-law about 2,000 times each. It ranks as one of the happiest days of my life.</li><li>After the wedding we had a few days with my mom before Husband joined us to attend his family reunion. Every single member of Husband's family there for some time out in the wilderness. Bean spent every waking second either splashing in the water, chasing her cousins or looking for bugs and frogs. It was a really great time.</li><li>Bean is really into bugs right now. Ants, snails, moths, spiders, she loves them all. I am doing a pretty good job of repressing my "ick" response and encouraging her interest. No need to pass on my irrational fear of spiders.</li><li>Bean's most popular phrase right now is "Mama, look at me!"</li><li>I've gotten some really beautiful looking data in the past few weeks. And while the analysis is kind of a slog, I'm really excited. Before starting this experiment, I would have given it about a 20% chance of success, and it totally worked. It almost makes up for all the times when stupid easy experiments don't work.</li><li>I gave lab meeting yesterday and everyone Ooh'd and Aah'd over my lovely new data. It's nice to put one in the "Win" column now and again.</li><li>This pregnancy is shaping up to be very different from my first pregnancy. I got much sicker in the beginning, I'm much more tired, and my belly has already popped. Not in the cute "ooh a pregnant tummy" way, more in the "wow, she really let herself go" way. <br /></li><li>...but, I've started feeling the baby kick already. That'll put a smile on a girls face.</li><li>This weekend, Bean is transitioning to underwear, and next week she's wearing them to school. She's been pottying 6-10 times a day, and I haven't changed a poopy diaper in about a month. Um, awesome.</li><li>Is anyone else loving the summer produce? I can't remember the last time I had such consistently good summer produce. The berries, cherries, tomatoes and corn have been amazing.</li></ul>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-38187697022387489872009-06-17T14:10:00.000-07:002009-06-17T14:18:01.435-07:00Birth surveyThe lovely Kate over at <a href="http://k8grrl.blogspot.com/">Academic Ecology</a> recently posted a link to <a href="http://www.thebirthsurvey.com/">The Birth Survey</a>, run by the <a href="http://www.motherfriendly.org/">Coalition to Improve Maternity Services</a>. The survey is designed to collect detailed feedback on specific providers and hospitals/birthing centers in order to help women make educated decisions on where and with whom to give birth.<div><br /></div><div>I never understood how profoundly the choice of provider could impact ones birthing experience until I gave birth to Bean. Now the idea of informing and empowering women before and during the birth process is a subject that is near and dear to my heart.</div><div><br /></div><div>So if you've given birth in the last three years, please go participate in the survey. I think it will be a powerful resource for expectant mothers.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-90625233504025566932009-06-17T10:34:00.000-07:002009-06-17T10:37:01.639-07:00Big sister Bean<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thank you to everyone for your well wishes!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We have, in fact, told the Bean the happy news.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She’s too young to really understand.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">She knows “there’s a baby in mama’s tummy” and she will put stuffed animals under her shirt and tell us that they are growing, but that’s about the level of her understanding.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My earliest memory is of being just about Bean’s age now (a little over 2 years old), and seeing my mother, very pregnant with my younger brother, getting out of the shower.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I remember being amazed at the size of her belly.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You’re fat</span>” I told her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And she gently reminded me (for no doubt the 8,000</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> time) that there was a baby in her tummy.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So yeah, I don’t have high expectations for Bean understanding the situation.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And to be fair, I didn’t really understand what it was to have a baby until Bean arrived.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And though she sort of understands the concept of brothers or sisters, I don’t expect that she will really know what it means to be a big sister until the baby starts drooling on all her stuff.</span></span></p> <span style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-UScolor:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But, I hope Bean will get excited as the time nears.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7 months is a long time for her to work on “getting it”, and I’m sure the big sister books will help.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For right now though, I’m happy to let her enjoy being an only child for a little bit longer.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com267tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-53125985193526324942009-06-10T10:30:00.000-07:002009-06-10T10:50:12.375-07:00Back in the saddle... sort ofSome of you may have noticed that my running counter hasn't been ticking upwards for, oh, about 6 weeks. Frankly, I've been too sick and exhausted to run, but it's for a happy reason. Husband and I will be expecting our second little Bean in January 2010!<div><br /></div><div>It's been a pretty rough first trimester (and I'm not out of the woods yet). I don't remember being THIS exhausted or so darn sick with Bean. But maybe that's just the hazy mommy memory (what? labor was painful? I don't remember that.). It's also possible that experiencing first trimester woes was significantly different when I could baby myself all I wanted instead of chasing a toddler around. </div><div><br /></div><div>Either way, it's been tough. But I seem to be through the worst of the nausea now. And though I'm still ready to keel over and die of exhaustion at the end of each day, I've started some light running again this week. Getting back to a more regular exercise routine is bound to make me feel better both mentally and physically and I hope I can keep it up.</div><div><br /></div><div>The bonus is that 6 weeks of semi-forced rest seems to have allowed my shin splints to finally heal. *knock on wood*</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, we're pleased as punch. It's a little strange being pregnant the second time and feeling like it's already so different from the first pregnancy. All of my symptoms started earlier, including some very undesirable symptoms that didn't kick in until late in my first pregnancy. I also don't feel as focused on or connected to the new baby yet, most likely because I'm so focused on and connected to the Bean. That will probably change once I start feeling the baby move.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also feel much more paranoid this time around. I feel like the Bean came out so perfectly and there are so many things that can go wrong... how can we get that lucky twice? We're doing prenatal tests this time that we didn't do with the Bean, to hopefully settle my nerves a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>But we're excited as heck. I know the first couple of years managing two kids will be tough, but I know too what a gift our second little one will be. </div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-71001080535856402792009-06-03T12:29:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:40:11.124-07:00Springtime "snow" stormThe cottonwoods in Dissertation City have started shedding their fluffy little seeds. At my house, the trees are dropping their seeds so rapidly that the fluff is falling through the air like snow, accumulating in drifts in the parking lot and along the edge of the grass. <div><br /></div><div>Bean is very excited about this new development and for the last two days has wanted to "step in the fluff", as she puts it. I was a little hesitant, as Bean has somewhat sensitive skin and I didn't know if it might irritate her little legs. So last night I put her in her rainboots and she had a grand time stomping around, kicking up the fluffy seeds and squealing in delight.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-42908355714652378412009-06-02T15:15:00.000-07:002009-06-02T15:39:47.759-07:00Silence is the EnemyI am shoulder-deep in really exciting data, but while my motif search is running, I wanted to take a quick moment to draw your attention to <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/opinion/21kristof.html?_r=1">this piece</a> in the New York Times, as well as an effort led by my favorite blogger <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/2009/06/silence_is_the_enemy.php">Dr. Isis</a> to not only raise awareness of the crisis in Liberia.<div><br /></div><div>Dr. Isis has some excellent suggestions on how you can get involved, from donating to Doctors Without Borders to contacting your representatives in Congress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to Dr. Isis and her fellow bloggers for highlighting this critical issue.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-16440960894079513692009-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:002009-05-19T13:22:20.122-07:0041 things about Bean1. Do you like blue cheese? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Um, yuck. But my mama sure likes it.</span><br />2. Have you ever smoked? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nope.</span><br />3. Do you own a gun? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nope.</span><br />4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Never tried it.</span><br />5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nope, but I scream like hell when the doctor starts trying to examine me.</span><br />6. What do you think of hot dogs? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Never had one.</span><br />7. Favorite Christmas movie? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">My mama let me watch a few minutes of Frosty the Snowman at Christmas. I wasn't impressed.</span><br />8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Milk.</span><br />9. Can you do push-ups? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nope, but I'm pretty darn strong and my newest trick is turning doorknobs.</span><br />10. Favorite piece of jewelry? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Anything dangling around my mama's neck.</span><br />11. Favorite hobby? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Describing everything I see/do in real time.</span><br />12. Do you have A.D.D.? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Is there such a thing in a toddler?</span><br />13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I actually love myself a lot. To the point of singing songs about how much I love myself. My mama hopes that never changes.</span><br />14. Nick names? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bean, Goosey, Ticklebelly.</span><br />15. What are you doing at this exact moment? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Napping.</span><br />16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Milk, water and milk.</span><br />17. Current worry? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pup stealing my food.</span><br />18. Something you hate right now? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">People getting all up in my grill.</span><br />19. Something you love right now? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The spider that built its web right next to the front door.</span><br />20. How did you ring in the New Year? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Chilling with Grandma B.</span><br />21. Where would you like to go? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">To the zoo.</span><br />22. Three people who will complete this? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'm taking all comers.</span><br />23. Do you own slippers? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I got a hand-me-down pair of polar bear slippers recently, but I mostly like wearing them on my hands.</span><br />24. What shirt are you wearing right now? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">A little navy henley with polka dots.</span><br />25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Never had the pleasure, but my mama thinks they're creepy.</span><br />26. Can you whistle? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">No, but I try to copy Daddy's whistling. It basically sounds like I'm saying "hoo hoo hooo".</span><br />27. Favorite color? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pink. (I know, my mama's a little worried that she's already warped me, but nonetheless I always choose pink.)</span><br />28. Would you be a pirate? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'm not sure I understand the concept, but I'd like to have a parrot.</span><br />29. What songs do you sing in the shower? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Singing in the Shower by Sandra Boynton.</span><br />30. Favorite Girl's Name? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Kylee. It's my best friend's name, and I name everything I can Kylee.</span><br />31. Favorite boy's name? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Daddy.</span><br />32. What's in your pocket right now? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nada.</span><br />33. Last thing that made you laugh? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Mama kissing my belly button.</span><br />34. Best bed sheets as a child? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I have no interesting sheets. Just stupid green ones with little flowers.</span><br />35. Worst injury you ever had? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I bonked my head at school and gave myself a giant goose egg a couple of weeks ago.</span><br />36. Do you love where you live? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Yes. I'm a Dissertation City Baby.</span><br />37. How many TVs do you have in your house? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">One, but I've only watched it a couple of times.</span><br />38. Who is your loudest friend? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">My dog, Pup.</span><br />39. Does someone have a crush on you? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I don't think so.</span><br />40. What is your favorite book? Currently: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.</span><br />41. Favorite Sports Team?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> Me and Daddy.</span>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-5178543052065626792009-05-14T13:48:00.000-07:002009-05-14T13:51:20.578-07:00Kids say the darnedest thingsMe: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bean, Auntie H just found out that she has a baby girl in her tummy.</span><div><br /></div><div>Bean: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">nd Uncle J has a baby boy in his tummy.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Me: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Seems reasonable.</span></div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-61310016141331919872009-05-11T12:36:00.000-07:002009-05-11T12:54:06.541-07:00RBO Mothers Day*I had a really lovely Mothers Day, and it kicked off with Bean sleeping in until almost 7:00. Awesome. <div><br /><div>*As I lay in bed, Husband got up and retrieved Bean from her crib and then while Bean and I cuddled and read books, Husband made us challah french toast. Double awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>*Bean sang "Happy Birthday dear mama" during breakfast. Close enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>*We all dressed and, after a brief stop off at my lab (colonies!), we went to meet some friends at the park for playtime and a picnic. I spent a blissful morning running barefoot in the grass with Bean, helping her dig in the sand, and blowing bubbles for her and her little buddy.</div><div><br /></div><div>*An exhausted Bean took a really good nap, which meant that I could take a really nice nap.</div><div><br /></div><div>*We ended the day on a high note, with Bean as a willing dinner table participant and probably 45 minutes of cuddly reading before bedtime.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, pretty much exactly how I wanted to spend the day.</div></div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-67493892472060987742009-04-29T13:57:00.000-07:002009-04-29T14:30:02.205-07:00Home again, home againOh my poor neglected blog. I have ignored you, and for that I am sorry. But I had a good excuse! A wonderful, though sometimes heartwrenching, excuse.<div><br /></div><div>I took a vacation.</div><div><br /></div><div>A real bonafide vacation. And oh internets, it was lovely. It was only the second big trip I have ever taken. All other trips have been trips to see family, weekend camping excursions, or weekends in Vegas (twice). Three years ago Husband and I took an amazing (belated) honeymoon trip to Spain. On returning, we immediately began socking away money for another big trip. Italy? Belize? New Zealand? We didn't care, but we were saving.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had socked up quite a little nest egg, or at least a pretty good one for two postdocs with a kid and a mortgage. But ultimately neither one of us could afford to take much time away from the bench, and neither one of us felt comfortable spending a lot of money on a vacation at a time when the economy is so terrible. </div><div><br /></div><div>Husband convinced me that what we really were in short supply of was couple-time, so we decided to leave the Bean with her grandma and take a little 4 day jaunt to a warm and sunny locale which shall remain nameless (but which may or may not have been stricken by a horrible and fast moving virus).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, this all seemed like a good idea when we booked the trip in February... a few days of sunshine and margaritas, sleeping in and generally talking to each other about things other than poop and crayons. But as the time approached, I became less enthused with the idea of being separated from Bean for 4 days. In fact, if we had bothered applying for a passport for her, she would have come... I literally wouldn't have been able to leave her. But as it was, she didn't have a passport and Husband said if I didn't go he was going alone... so we went and Bean stayed.</div><div><br /></div><div>And apparently Bean did not miss us at all. My mother said she never cried once because we weren't there. I, on the other hand, was totally pining for my daughter the entire time.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, while my mommy side was heartsick and missing Bean, the wife side of me had a fantastic time. I can not tell you how lovely it was to not only spend time with my husband, but just to be outside in the warm warm sunshine. And to swim in a lovely pool. To eat ceviche. To read 3 books which did not have animals as main characters. To sleep 8 hours a night. We went snorkeling (which we could never have done with a toddler). We had wine with dinner. We stayed up late. We got up and drank coffee watching the waves. It was lovely.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the other hand, with Bean waiting back at Grandma's, I was more than happy to come home. Bean met us in the airport, and I cried when I hugged her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now we are back in Dissertation City where it is grey and rainy. My commute has been a total mess. Husband is taking time points in lab in the middle of the night. Bean is working on one of her molars. But surprisingly, I'm happy to be home.</div><div><br /></div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-76448980801995410612009-04-15T09:02:00.000-07:002009-04-15T12:24:52.012-07:00An Open Letter...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfTsgoJQpnpfhACUHssg2OCUYKuOkIBNcw1KZ9QqJwSTBRR7zOy6J0W_4pinzCjWhDjH_mtP3IBJNHq3ApICsF5tNtsCh3t9_fJENXtJR-q8q9LV3gxRj65HWLb_ObPqGadS60jjU4r4/s1600-h/IMG_0547crop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfTsgoJQpnpfhACUHssg2OCUYKuOkIBNcw1KZ9QqJwSTBRR7zOy6J0W_4pinzCjWhDjH_mtP3IBJNHq3ApICsF5tNtsCh3t9_fJENXtJR-q8q9LV3gxRj65HWLb_ObPqGadS60jjU4r4/s400/IMG_0547crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324950943023307970" /></a><br /><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">...To my Bean,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sunday is your second birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s trite, of course, to say that these past two years have flown by quickly, that you’re growing up so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To say that it feels like just a heartbeat ago that I lay down in bed with you still nestled in my belly, breathing with my lungs.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The night before you were born I felt you try to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You got your little body transverse, which must not have been an easy feat in that crowded little womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a minute you settled back into position (little did I know your feet were pointing down).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like to think that you knew that your birth was approaching, and that you tried your best to get into the right position.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Labor was like white noise, like static, isolating you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The doctors around us, talking to each other, talking to me, but they were miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was just you and me, sweet girl.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Later in our room, as I nursed you for the very first time, daddy played a CD for us, Iron and Wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I listen to that album now, joy still balls up hard in my throat.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I still have an image of you, in our first days home, napping with your daddy on his bare chest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He’s asleep, you’re swaddled but you’ve slipped your thumb into your mouth, and my entire world is there resting in cotton sheets and new pillows, grey filtered sunlight and the smell of too much sleep.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Every night before I go to bed, I sneak into your room alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I pet your damp curls and stroke your cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I slip a finger into your palm and you close your fingers around mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I stay just a minute and tell you that I love you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sometimes you sigh and my heartbeat responds, a perfect harmonic.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last night after dinner we settled down for story time on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is my favorite time of every single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You snuggle into my lap, thumb in your mouth, rest your head on my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s one of the few times each day when I still get to hold you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I kiss the back of your sweet little neck, or bury my face in your soft fine hair.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When we read stories now, you often show your little stuffed animals or dolls the pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">“Look Froggy,”</span> you say, pushing your frog’s face into the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sometimes you “read” the books to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love to see how much you know and understand, to see you discern patterns in the prose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You love rhythm and music, and are lulled by the cadence of my voice as it rushes over the words.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You’re singing, always singing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Songs I don’t even know.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You make up your own words to songs sometimes, telling us what you see or wish to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You ask us to sing to you too, and sometimes ask <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">“Mama and Dada and Bean sing all together?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You’re growing quickly, my sweet, precocious, mercurial little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But no matter how much you grow, how strong and independent you become, you and I will always be connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You will always be mine.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic55dug_X5qJQ6LHN6Cxe1_kzmzTJ1FviMSiXy9U19a_9v2pyL_0V1fGpGUVokampxcP3YJ0oPQ_O-pDz5SlZJ9rIsHqxgIOp5gsDZk37TfyXOvVxd20nHgctETQNbWI_woWqPAfTVReU/s1600-h/IMG_2118crop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic55dug_X5qJQ6LHN6Cxe1_kzmzTJ1FviMSiXy9U19a_9v2pyL_0V1fGpGUVokampxcP3YJ0oPQ_O-pDz5SlZJ9rIsHqxgIOp5gsDZk37TfyXOvVxd20nHgctETQNbWI_woWqPAfTVReU/s400/IMG_2118crop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324950765608857026" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Happy birthday, sweet baby.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Happy birthday.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">With Love, <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">your mama<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-54723413724288657372009-04-03T11:11:00.000-07:002009-04-03T11:17:49.315-07:00Nerd HumorLabmate 1: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I'm such a moron</span><div><br /></div><div>ScienceMama: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">You're not a moron, you are the complete opposite of a moron. You're an anti-moron. </span>*thinks for a second*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> Hey Labmate 2, Labmate 1 is a subatomic particle... an anti-moron.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Labmate 2: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">An anti-moron, huh? </span></div><div><br /></div><div>ScienceMama: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Yes, that's why LB1 and I are such good baymates. She's the anti-moron to my moron.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Labmate 3: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">But wouldn't you annihilate each other?...</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Labmate 1: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Maybe that's why my experiments aren't working.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Labmate 3: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> ...and for the universe to exist, wouldn't there have to be more of one particle than the other? Are there more anti-morons or morons?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Labmate 2: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">I think we all know the answer to that.</span></div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-81197880116213362772009-04-01T13:19:00.000-07:002009-04-02T08:50:34.014-07:00The Mother of All Recipes Carnival!I asked, and you answered. The Mother of All Recipes Weeknight Cooking For Busy Girls and Boys Carnival (TMOARWCFBGABC) is here!<br /><br />Dr. Isis tempts us with her <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/isisthescientist/2009/03/ask_dr_isis_-_being_a_kitchen.php">Herb Coated Filet and Basil-Feta Pasta Salad</a>. A easy weeknight treat, especially if you make the pasta salad the night before, and/or marinate the filet in the herb paste overnight.<br /><br />Efficiency guru EcoGeoFemme takes us on a magical one-dish journey with her Asparagus Quiche, a.k.a <a href="http://thehappyscientistblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/egg-pie.html">Egg Pie</a>. A true weeknight special, this dish has your veggies, your protein, and your butter food groups all in one convenient dish! Using a store bought crust, or by doing it as a frittata instead of a quiche, this recipe only takes about 15 minutes of active work. Throw in a salad and you've got yourself a well-rounded meal!<br /><br />EthidiumBromide has a classic weeknight cleaning-out-the-fridge suggestion, <a href="http://ethidiumbromide.blogspot.com/2009/03/shepherds-pie.html">Shepherd's Pie</a>. Chock-full of veggies, but with minimum chopping requirements, this is another well-rounded dish that comes together with minimal counter time. (Also, her picture looks straight out of a magazine!)<br /><br />ScienceGirl posted two great weeknight meal suggestions, including an awesome looking <a href="http://girlyscientist.blogspot.com/2009/03/mmmm-food.html">schnitzel</a>. I'm drooling just thinking about it, and I know it's something Bean would LOVE. Throw in some steamed veggies and you're good to go!<br /><br />Scientia Matris also serves up two loaded-with-veggies toddler-friendly recipes, <a href="http://scientiamatris.blogspot.com/2009/03/food-glorious-food.html">Fried Rice and a yummy looking Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup.</a> Both easily fulfill the nutritious, delicious, and quick and easy requirements.<br /><br />Your favorite snarky postdoc, Candid Engineer, shares her weeknight standby <a href="http://candidengineer.blogspot.com/2009/03/weeknight-meal-scrambled-pasta.html">Shut Up and Eat Pasta</a>. She clearly knows the way to my little Bean's heart, who loves both eggs and pasta. Put 'em together? That's a happy Bean. This recipe scores points for being easily adaptable to whatever veggies you have in the fridge... throw in some asparagus, some cherry tomatoes, heck even some peas, and you've got yourself a nice well-rounded dish.<br /><br />ScientistMother shares her weeknight standby recipe, <a href="http://scientistmother.blogspot.com/2009/03/30-minute-meals.html">Broccoli Chicken Casserole</a>. This dish can be assembled in about 20 minutes (probably even the night before) and certainly looks like it makes yummy leftovers.<br /><br />As for myself, I shared my <a href="http://motherofallscientists.blogspot.com/2009/03/weeknight-recipe-1-everything-but.html">Everything But the Kitchen Sink Pasta</a> recipe, and now my favorite <a href="http://motherofallscientists.blogspot.com/2009/04/weeknight-recipe-2-jamaican-spiced.html">Jamaican-Spiced Chicken Thighs</a> recipe.<br /><br />Female Engineering Professor also recommended the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/30-Minute-Recipe-Cooks-Illustrated-Magazine/dp/0936184981">Cook's Illustrated 30-Minute Meals Cookbook</a>. Based on my experience with Cook's Illustrated (i.e. that their recipes never fail), I'm going to have to pick this one up myself. I'll let you know how I like it.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone who participated! I'll be trying these recipes out in the coming weeks! I'm always happy to add new recipes to my stockpile of favorites!<br /><br />And in the future, I think I'll post more easy weeknight meals. It sounds like something we could all use for inspiration!ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-4679850558807636422009-04-01T12:29:00.000-07:002009-04-01T12:49:17.713-07:00Weeknight Recipe #2: Jamaican-Spiced Chicken ThighsSo this recipe is not a ScienceMama original. It is ripped directly from my favorite cooking magazine Cooking Light. It's been a standby in our house for a couple of years, though we've had to tone down the heat (i.e. leave out the jalapeno and cut the red pepper by half) to make it toddler friendly...<div><br /></div><div>I wanted to have my own pictures for you, but I had some kind of stomach bug for the last two days. A photo from the Cooking Light website will have to suffice.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jamaican Spiced Chicken Thighs</span></span></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0mmP9wyOcLczqbYWNe9AiV7gVu5Q9RFWXOUYp1tlwXzfmHNqTBVmfy6kF3wTpSv17EVI8fIuR0AksnurJ0JRWjKFbeHG7S5X5hbR1awsAhxImpPW4dm15R3vKavTHUiGmoXdiJ-IgxU/s1600-h/jamaican-chicken-ck-1734339-l.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0mmP9wyOcLczqbYWNe9AiV7gVu5Q9RFWXOUYp1tlwXzfmHNqTBVmfy6kF3wTpSv17EVI8fIuR0AksnurJ0JRWjKFbeHG7S5X5hbR1awsAhxImpPW4dm15R3vKavTHUiGmoXdiJ-IgxU/s400/jamaican-chicken-ck-1734339-l.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319811782025645842" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1/4 cup minced red onion<br /></div><div>1 Tbsp sugar</div><div>2 tsp cider vinegar</div><div>2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce</div><div>1/2 tsp salt</div><div>1/2 tsp allspice</div><div>1/2 tsp dried thyme</div><div>optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper</div><div>optional: 1 Tbsp finely chopped, seeded jalapeno pepper</div><div>8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs</div><div><br /></div><div>3 sweet potatoes, sliced up into french fry-like shapes</div><div>olive oil</div><div>salt & pepper</div><div><br /></div><div>broccoli, green beans, salad or other green veggie</div><div><br /></div><div>Instructions:</div><div>Mix together red onion, sugar, spices, cider vinegar, soy sauce, and jalapeno if using. Put chicken into a ziploc bag and add marinade. Marinate 20 minutes to overnight (I like to make this up the night before so the marinade really gets up in that chicken's business). </div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 450. Combine sweet potatoes, 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, tossing gently to coat. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on a rimmed cookie sheet. Put sweet potatoes in the oven for about 10 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the sweet potato "fries" and then return to the oven until crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, about 10 minutes more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Grill or broil the chicken breasts until done, about 12 minutes. Plate with sweet potatoes fries and green veggie of choice.</div></div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-80904820290029509392009-03-30T15:06:00.000-07:002009-03-30T15:39:16.205-07:00Race dayYesterday was my half marathon, the third half that I've run. It went really really well. I beat my previous best time by two minutes, despite a very hilly course. 1:57:48.<div><br /></div><div>Today my legs are aching pleasantly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow a light run.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-6495756636505756642009-03-25T20:48:00.001-07:002009-03-26T10:07:51.041-07:00Weeknight recipe #1: Everything but the kitchen sink pastaSo here is a great weeknight dish. The recipe makes enough for 2 hungry adults and one starving toddler, with leftovers for lunch the next day. It may seem weird to use beans with pasta, but believe me, it's delicious. And my little Bean loves beans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs5qzrb5JgXjAJ-R8b4C4m4ho_IuQdyk9lauusyOkUdwiwSnAnPzzY2ha-OLvLDdsXwJk3VWmEi4n1dSwJqfteV6XjnUWwVi3Aur0AZSsgPbHRI8reZ79MrcOvt5bPLzSn6oztbobZQE/s1600-h/IMG_0656.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs5qzrb5JgXjAJ-R8b4C4m4ho_IuQdyk9lauusyOkUdwiwSnAnPzzY2ha-OLvLDdsXwJk3VWmEi4n1dSwJqfteV6XjnUWwVi3Aur0AZSsgPbHRI8reZ79MrcOvt5bPLzSn6oztbobZQE/s400/IMG_0656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317338643476820290" border="0" /></a>Figure 1. Ingredients, lovingly displayed. All quantities are -ish.<div><br /></div><div>Ingredients:</div><div>-2 oz of thickly sliced pancetta, chopped</div><div>-1 medium onion, chopped</div><div>-4 cloves garlic, minced</div><div>-1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped</div><div>-1 can crushed tomatoes</div><div>-1/2 cup basil leaves thinly sliced, stems reserved</div><div>-1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed</div><div>-about 1 tsp fennel seeds</div><div>-about 1 tsp dried rosemary, crumbled</div><div>-about 1 tsp kosher salt</div><div>-optional: 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper</div><div>-2 cups spinach leaves</div><div>-1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese</div><div>-1 lb pasta (large shells worked nicely)</div><div>-fresh ricotta cheese (1 Tbsp per serving)<br /><br /></div><div>Serve with:</div><div>salad (or for toddlers, cherry tomatoes and cucumber)</div><div>asparagus, grilled or broiled</div><div>bread for sopping</div><div><br /></div><div>All right, let's get started.</div><div><br /></div><div>First, dump your pancetta into a pan over medium heat. Cook that (fancy, salty Italian) bacon until it starts to brown on the edges and the pan is nice and greasy (see Fig 2).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVHg61sMC9-7938-b9AmTmOCeNZRWxuMfVlpGrvXTU3tzY2TonFYyt8wJsjH-8b6iOXLUudHN4DJGxEWJKBBabEfZhDGvQ6D7vBtUTNO7S7d0yz88a2e6dx0NdQUaQ0x3W7H1yd5M7jQ/s1600-h/IMG_0660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVHg61sMC9-7938-b9AmTmOCeNZRWxuMfVlpGrvXTU3tzY2TonFYyt8wJsjH-8b6iOXLUudHN4DJGxEWJKBBabEfZhDGvQ6D7vBtUTNO7S7d0yz88a2e6dx0NdQUaQ0x3W7H1yd5M7jQ/s400/IMG_0660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317338749215471234" border="0" /></a>Figure 2. Mmm, bacon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next add your bell pepper, onion and garlic to the hot greasy pan and cook about 6 minutes until the onion looks brown and caramel-ly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4cN-4cBWGEvVVXzCFZwe0QJSegd-HjyIWMXYMMRxNdao0RjO6B-n65ejNbXznZIqcimlO-kqW7J9v5u8C92bE3fMzu9blhs3P03ceTUn37Q2-MuhRV4Zm7yW4fAgMPh0jmP09388B6Q/s1600-h/IMG_0661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4cN-4cBWGEvVVXzCFZwe0QJSegd-HjyIWMXYMMRxNdao0RjO6B-n65ejNbXznZIqcimlO-kqW7J9v5u8C92bE3fMzu9blhs3P03ceTUn37Q2-MuhRV4Zm7yW4fAgMPh0jmP09388B6Q/s400/IMG_0661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317338885267566674" border="0" /></a>Figure 3. Nothing says lovin' like onions cooked in bacon grease.</div><div><br /></div><div>Optional step: At this point, if you've got a bottle of white wine laying around, definitely deglaze the pan with the white wine, pour a glass for yourself and then continue.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, add your tomatoes, spices and reserved basil stems. (The basil stems should impart a bit of basil-y goodness to your sauce as they simmer, but should be removed before the next steps.) Now, while the sauce is simmering (for about 20 minutes or so), sit on the floor of your kitchen and read a book with the kiddo(s). Or have a conversation with your spouse. It's totally up to you. DO NOT read a Nature paper. It will totally kill the mood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRlJSF5WbXlnPdSeJt1YIZidv38byvsrfbTxks5E0uCxVGOLots4j4ywrcFOSJNmnSJ-wD2tl7DLebuaxmfCXc18t5Lx6KwFfOo6L2miIxnM8bB5GnnAlATwKLV3PwiCzNBmOXsnnm7A/s1600-h/IMG_0663.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRlJSF5WbXlnPdSeJt1YIZidv38byvsrfbTxks5E0uCxVGOLots4j4ywrcFOSJNmnSJ-wD2tl7DLebuaxmfCXc18t5Lx6KwFfOo6L2miIxnM8bB5GnnAlATwKLV3PwiCzNBmOXsnnm7A/s400/IMG_0663.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317339006670632722" border="0" /></a>Figure 4. A steamy pot of goodness.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, once the sauce is nice and simmered, remove the basil stems, add your spinach and white beans. Let the spinach wilt (~2 min). Sauce is, as the say in France, le done.</div><div><br /></div><div>When your pasta is ready, dump your sauce over the top and stir in the parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDullfdX6U7quMz8vKKIbx6OaWrx0pqXp5rrvvXxwrOMDwtGwXSsnL1dBxqa9tD2x6q2-VRhcjbpyBw1LCvItGGwB9-cs-ubBtUBIx5meQahjIwTkYgoS5hw0ARuphcQ9w62Y2kYHUNA/s1600-h/IMG_0666.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDullfdX6U7quMz8vKKIbx6OaWrx0pqXp5rrvvXxwrOMDwtGwXSsnL1dBxqa9tD2x6q2-VRhcjbpyBw1LCvItGGwB9-cs-ubBtUBIx5meQahjIwTkYgoS5hw0ARuphcQ9w62Y2kYHUNA/s400/IMG_0666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317339112384684786" border="0" /></a>Figure 5. Tomatoes, bell pepper, spinach, beans... all add up to a well-rounded sauce. But you'd better believe I'm adding two kinds of cheese.</div><div><br /></div><div>Putting it all together: Top your pasta with a generous dollop of fresh ricotta, the shredded basil, add your grilled asparagus and bread, and TA-DA!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ4xbB3R4twr3nMDaii0-BzpjIk8l-MnB1ClyH1d9Ex7k_i6Uo3xHPnExwsDNY_OQbV_iQDrWTG4gUCRs0f1gapuGHxBeeXVjkHKPKZMK6cKvg8I6kd9C4PKzVRaS9UolM3YnxTWIbpA/s1600-h/IMG_0676.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ4xbB3R4twr3nMDaii0-BzpjIk8l-MnB1ClyH1d9Ex7k_i6Uo3xHPnExwsDNY_OQbV_iQDrWTG4gUCRs0f1gapuGHxBeeXVjkHKPKZMK6cKvg8I6kd9C4PKzVRaS9UolM3YnxTWIbpA/s400/IMG_0676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317340626560435378" border="0" /></a>Figure 6. Plated for grownups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMMHYRdRZQJG4lBBc_xh18Iz1Zd-tK36ZBZhNmnhWF1d-R-4ams6P7UUm7OtHvYRTCsUtlD3dqm9_uiTSDQrF2GYmuiVhfSxbpw1JS5H0EI3Hox7B7tWbyVyGMPqxSoWf1hqMWFwwt8M/s1600-h/IMG_0668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMMHYRdRZQJG4lBBc_xh18Iz1Zd-tK36ZBZhNmnhWF1d-R-4ams6P7UUm7OtHvYRTCsUtlD3dqm9_uiTSDQrF2GYmuiVhfSxbpw1JS5H0EI3Hox7B7tWbyVyGMPqxSoWf1hqMWFwwt8M/s400/IMG_0668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317340823981525826" border="0" /></a>Figure 7. Plated for kiddos.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75DM-kB1-lKYijkW9FFbRDaFe2ivfAem-hpDib-aYtgG7pTUNGm5QBcfwOZ5_vzBZ41gISgZ6TmnAhbfE2MHMAFIuleYL2hrmVMlKnA0u_fGDJkv6tAcj5m8_5Pbla9MNRcExyt59d24/s1600-h/IMG_0674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75DM-kB1-lKYijkW9FFbRDaFe2ivfAem-hpDib-aYtgG7pTUNGm5QBcfwOZ5_vzBZ41gISgZ6TmnAhbfE2MHMAFIuleYL2hrmVMlKnA0u_fGDJkv6tAcj5m8_5Pbla9MNRcExyt59d24/s400/IMG_0674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317339658320238178" border="0" /></a>Figure 8. A saucy little Bean enjoying her "big" asparagus.</div>ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379865093971047359.post-31738319932815092012009-03-25T12:09:00.000-07:002009-03-25T20:35:24.063-07:00The case against breastfeeding(?)My dear friend <a href="http://arduousblog.blogspot.com/">Ruchi</a> passed along <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200904/case-against-breastfeeding">this article</a> about breastfeeding to me and wanted to hear what I had to say about it. The main thesis of the article is that despite the claims of breastfeeding advocates such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, parenting know-it-all Dr. Sears, and La Leche League, the evidence that breastfeeding actually reduces the rates of childhood obesity, allergies, and illness, increases IQ, and promotes mother-child bonding and attachment is far from definitive.<br /><br /><blockquote>[The medical literature] shows that breast-feeding is probably, maybe, a little better; but it is far from the stampede of evidence that Sears describes. More like tiny, unsure baby steps: two forward, two back, with much meandering and bumping into walls. A couple of studies will show fewer allergies, and then the next one will turn up no difference. Same with mother-infant bonding, IQ, leukemia, cholesterol, diabetes. Even where consensus is mounting, the meta studies—reviews of existing studies—consistently complain about biases, missing evidence, and other major flaws in study design. “The studies do not demonstrate a universal phenomenon, in which one method is superior to another in all instances.</blockquote><br /><br />The author goes on to discuss the fundamental problem inherent in most human studies: that in order to perform the study ethically, you can not randomize participants into breast-feeding and non-breastfeeding groups. And because of that, scientists are always chasing their tails, trying to control for factors which could confound the results (things like age of the mother, income level, number of siblings in the household). It's not surprising then that studies are often conflicting... some studies show that breastfeeding is beneficial in one area or another, other studies show no difference between breastfeeding and formula. The author notes:<br /><br /><blockquote>The IQ studies run into the central problem of breast-feeding research: it is impossible to separate a mother’s decision to breast-feed—and everything that goes along with it—from the breast-feeding itself...</blockquote><br /><br />My decision to breastfeed had little to do with whether or not there was "proof" in the literature. My decision to breastfeed was based on the idea of breastmilk as a whole food, while formula is more of a synthetic food. I think of breastmilk as YEPD and formula as SC. I know my yeast grow a hell of a lot better on the rich, complex mixture of yeast extract and peptone than they do on synthetic amino acids and ammonium sulfate. I find the complexity of breastmilk reassuring... I mean there was a time when we didn't recognize that Iodine was an essential trace element. I really don't expect that we have identified all of the essential components of newborn nutrition that promote optimum growth and development.<br /><br />That being said, I think that the benefits of breastfeeding are relatively small (when compared to the contributions of things like genetic makeup, family income, parent's education level, etc). And this is why observational studies like the ones the author discusses have such a hard time proving any significant benefit.<br /><br />The author's main point, which she obscures with her rather bitter and unfriendly tone, is that the small benefits that breastfeeding may (and I would argue likely) provide don't justify the (sometimes militant) pro-breastfeeding culture. And I couldn't agree more. There has to be a balance between providing women with the cultural and practical support that promotes breastfeeding, and one which does not demonize women who, for any number of reasons choose not to breastfeed.<br /><br />And, somewhat off topic:<br /><br /><blockquote>Given what we know so far, it seems reasonable to put breast-feeding’s health benefits on the plus side of the ledger and other things—modesty, independence, career, sanity—on the minus side, and then tally them up and make a decision.</blockquote><br /><br />I actually found this sentence a little offensive. Just because this author finds breastfeeding miserable doesn't mean that everyone does, and I resent the way she presents breastfeeding as nothing but minuses. Yes, breastfeeding can be challenging, demanding, tiring, but it is also immensely rewarding. I wouldn't trade my time nursing Bean for anything.ScienceMamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03835999326698667079noreply@blogger.com24