We’re nearing the end of the year and I look back with deep gratitude to Heavenly Father and the people around me for the life I have. It hasn’t been easy. It has been very challenging but here I am in the first week of the last month of the year giving you an update of how our family has been doing. The previous month, I saw myself working and trying so hard in keeping this home running while making sure that I don’t fail my classes. Jeff has been very helpful in all these. He is every woman’s dream partner; he stood by me through everything. That is why I say “Thank you, November!” for all the trials and triumphs of the month that was.
Here’s a rundown of how things were in November here at Casa Ruffolo:
Cooking & Baking
The cooking and baking bugs hit me last month so everyday I cooked a different recipe. My husband obviously loved it. I made tuna patties and frittata from recipes found in the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook. Read my post here.
I made veggie meatballs, spring rolls, coconut Thai chicken, pork afritada, pancit bihon, among others. I baked brownies, chocolate cake, cookies, and made Filipino desserts such as maja blanca.
Re: The Twins
The twins loved most of the food. So did my husband. He was floored with the spring rolls. He actually asked for a moment of silence after he had his first bite.
We got the twins a new set of table and chairs, which proved to be the best $28 I’ve spent because they are foldable, the table surface is so easy to clean, the chairs are light, and they’re multi-functional, we used them when they’re coloring or writing, and when they’re eating. They eat on their own now with their utensils: their own set of plates, bowls, forks, spoons, and glasses.
Apple is now their favorite food, while chocolate chip cookie is their favorite snack. They have improved in singing the alphabet and counting from 1 to 10. Last month, I started teaching phonics to them or the letter-sound correspondence.
It’s snowing and their Uncle Joe and Sheryl got them these adorable snow suits! 🙂
What’s Up with Jeff Junior
Our baby boy is growing up so fast. He got his blessing at the Mormon Church on the first of November. That time he was close to 13 pounds and was 24 inches long.
He is still on pure breastmilk diet so yes that tells you that my milk factory right here is doing great in the production department. He’s been sleeping a lot so I’m looking at another growth spurt.
JJ smiles a lot now. He loves his Dad’s arms. They’ve been bonding a lot these days together with Nicholas. Here a photo of them watching Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom 3:
I have packed up some of his clothes – mostly onesies – because they don’t fit him anymore. I’m thinking of keeping some of them to turn them into quilts and then sell some through ebay or donate them at the Goodwill store. I’ve gotten my head around it because…
Thanksgiving
… of Thanksgiving! It’s our first Thanksgiving as a family and we celebrated it twice: first last November 6 with Jeff’s fellow LDS in the event called Harvest Dinner. Oh the food was overflowing served buffet style. I cooked pancit bihon. It was a great night for solidarity and gratitude. I have always admired the Mormons for their sense of family and get-togetherness, and they have always welcomed me with open arms since 2012 even when they know that I’m Catholic. Great people, the Mormons.
On Thanksgiving Day itself – the last Thursday of the month – our family of five trooped to the home of my brother-in-law Joe, who with his wife Sheryl, prepared turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. We brought along my fat spring rolls. Sorry, no pictures were taken. Too busy with food.
We didn’t forget to bring with us the twins table and chairs because they served as their dining table and chairs, which they really like because it gives them confidence and independence. It was messy but having their own utensils was helping, there was minimal casualty.
Immigration
We took a three-day trip to Helena, Montana for my biometrics at the US CIS Action Support Center. This is inline with my application as a US immigrant. It took six hours to get there. It was snowing, almost everything was white, deers were crossing the roads. We stayed at the Renaissance Inn which is near the airport and the USCIS building so it was very convenient for us. My super plan was to get the kids to experience the indoor carousel there but Jeff couldn’t find the place and I was too grumpy to lead the search because I had two major school requirements to finish and submit.
Today, my school semester ends. Big sigh of relief right here! I finished a lesson plan, another paper, and one discussion forum… whew! It’s difficult to imagine how I survived this semester while pregnant, while I was giving birth, while I was recovering from surgery and breastfeeding, while I was managing a manic home with a husband, twins, and a newborn. Hey, one more semester to go and I’ll get another diploma for graduate studies! So looking forward to that by the middle of next year.
Meanwhile, I’m focusing on the snow and winter wonderland right here in Montana! Have a great December everyone!
