The BEST Caramel EVER

Homemade caramel is a pain in the hiney. You stir and stir and stir and then you stir one time too many and your caramel is overcooked and awful. No more my friend! This weekend I had the most delicious caramel EVER and it was so easy it seemed almost wrong. And now I will share with you my secret.

1. Buy many cans of sweetened condensed milk. Trust me, you will want many!

2. Put said cans into a very large pot.

3. Cover cans with water.

4. Boil cans for 3 hours. (I said easy, not quick.)

5. Fish out can labels (This is the hardest part of the whole process.)

6. Pour out water.

7. Open your cans of loveliness and enjoy!

You can put it on ice cream, apple pie, eggs... Just kidding :) But seriously this is good stuff!

For your viewing pleasure:

The best part (besides the yummy creaminess) is that it is still sealed in its can so it will keep just like sweetened condensed milk! Write Caramel on the can and stick it in your pantry to keep on hand!

Nursing School: An Update

Things have been hectic. I have class Tuesday- Friday and we cover 2-3 different topics each day. We end up with about 15 different topics per test ranging from Legal/Ethical aspects of nursing to Pharmacology. Its a lot to absorb in just 2-3 weeks. Plus instead of just regurgitating information like on every other test I've ever taken, the questions make you apply and actually use the information. Instead of "The definition of antibiotic is..." we have to answer things like "A patient has a temperature of 102.3 and has an elevated white blood cell count. The medication most likely to benefit this patient would be..." Of course this is a simplified example but you get the idea. It makes it harder. Memorization doesn't cut it anymore. I have to know it and be able to process it and use it in real life situations. On top of lecture we also have skills check-offs. These cover things like hand washing, vital signs, physical assessment, and giving shots properly. We are given a list of steps and must perform them and explain them in front of an instructor. And of course there is clincals. My first day was Friday at a nearby hospital. First of all I parked in the wrong spot and had to go move. After that it went pretty well. It was only orientation though so I will know more about how I'm going to like it next week when I will actually be giving care.

I've done fairly well so far. I'm not used to making B's but I can deal with it. Its definitely tons of work but I think when its all over with and I can get a good job and keep working towards my IBCLC, it will be worth it.

Why Cooper Doesn't "Cry It Out"

*** First a disclaimer. I know many of you believe in "crying it out" and that's fine. To each their own. This is just why I don't parent that why, not why I think no one should.

1. I just hate to hear him cry. I always have. I've never been able to just sit in the next room while he screams his little head off. It just seems cruel to me.

2. Babies cry for a reason. Yes, even at almost 2, he cries for a reason. Sometimes it is just that he needs some attention and some cuddling, and I'm happy to oblige. But nonetheless still a reason. Yes I am aware that older babies and toddlers do figure out how to manipulate. But really I don't think Cooper should have to manipulate me to get his needs met. Even his snuggle needs.

3. Who likes to sleep all alone in a dark room? Not me. So why would I expect an almost 2 year old to?

4. Some say sleeping alone teaches independence, I would have to disagree. I think it teaches, "Mommy isn't going to listen to me so I might as well shut up and stop asking for her." Cooper knows if he needs me I'll always be there for him. No matter what the need. I think that makes him more comfortable in venturing out and exploring without me holding his hand.

5. I'm gone to school during the day and have to study most afternoons when I get home. Bedtime is our time together. Neither of us is willing to give that up.

6. My last reason is simple. It is what works for us. Every parent is different. Every baby is different. We all do what works best for us at any given time. If a decision we make stops working for our family we can revise our parenting style.