Remember when ...

Christopher is a very happy baby. He babbles, squeals and gurgles quite freequently, usually starting at 4:30 AM. If left alone, he'll fall back asleep about 6.

Yesterday morning he was pretty vocal, to the point I pulled the plug on the monitor but we could still hear him quite clearly from across the hall. Since their bedrooms share a wall, I wondered if Madeleine heard him too. She came out of her room at 6 and came into our bedroom where I was getting ready.

"Mommy, do you remember when you went to the hospital to get my baby brother or sister"

"I remember."

"Why did you bring home the noisy baby, Mommy? We need a quiet baby at our house."

I guess she heard him.

Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream

I have been in a huge cooking slump for, oh, I'd say almost a year. It was hard to cook anything the first 4 months I was pregnant since I spent most of the time nauseous. Never really got back into it once the morning sickness passed.

I am back to work and am now faced with the challenge of making sure Madeleine is bathed and in bed by every night by 7:30 . I need to get back into the habit of planning meals so it is either ready to go into the oven when we get home or we can reheat leftovers.

The recipe below was really quick and easy. The original from allrecipes was pretty rich as written - I eliminated the olive oil and swapped half and half for the heavy cream and figured it as at least 8 servings instead of 6. I also used basil instead of the parsley called for. Both Madeleine and David ate without comment so I assume it was a hit with them.

Pasta with Sausage, Tomatoes and Cream

16 ounces pasta
1 pound Italian sausage -- casings removed and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup diced onion
3 whole garlic cloves -- chopped
28 ounces tomatoes, diced
1 1/2 cups half and half
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.

Spray a large, deep skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown. Drain. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.

Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with basil.

My Sister Tracey

David's parents came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. A couple of days before they were to leave, Madeleine came down for breakfast:

"My sister Tracey likes bacon too. We need to save some for her."

"Your what?"

"My sister. Tracey is my sister. She lives with my mommy's mom."

Some of the stuff that comes out of her mouth just amazes me. A sister? Named Tracey - or is that Tracy or Traci? Not exactly a popular name among the kids these days and the only Tracy I can think of that we know here is male.

Talk of Tracey faded after a week or so. I can only imagine what she will come up with next.