Miscellaneous updates

I have a handful of unrelated, miscellaneous updates.

First, Evelyn is now sleeping full-time in her Big Girl Bed. I put her new bed in her room last Friday, kept the crib jammed in there somehow for two days just in case, but we never needed it. She loves her big girl bed. Loves it. She likes to crawl around on it, likes to get in and out (but not during the night), likes the cupholder that holds her pacifies, likes the little nightlight on the bed rail. We have a twin mattress and a half-height box spring sitting directly on the floor and it is perfect. We haven't had a single problem. (KNOCK ON WOOD.) She is such a big girl. (I am hopeful that transitioning to a regular bed will help her to sleep better when we are away from the house. She always hated that pak-n-play crib substitute.)

Second, I found a decent substite for pizza on my low-carb diet. This won't be exciting news for most people, but anyone who is gluten-intolerant or eating low-carb foods would be wise to try this out. It sounds weird but it doens't taste weird, and that is all that matters. It is a pizza "crust" made with cooked/riced cauliflower, egg, mozzarella cheese and pizza spices. Done! Bake it up and it gets nice and crispy. Top it with sauce, more cheese and toppings and you have yourself a delicious pizza substitute! No kidding! I am amazed and totally loving this recipe (and if you want it, I'll send it to you). I might try to turn the "dough" into "bread" sticks with butter and garlic next time. Yum!

Third, this weekend is a BABY FREE weekend, as Evelyn is having a little sleepover at her Grandma Lew's house. Woah. I am excited. Jon and I have curling on Saturday morning, roller derby with friends on Saturday night, and Carol was nice enough to offer to take Evelyn so we don't have to pay for two babysitters in one day. If the Saturday night sleepover goes well, Evelyn will also stay there Sunday night. Jon will be working on Saturday, so I'm not sure what I'll do...get my bangs trimmed? Clean the house? Take a nap?! The options are endless.

Fourth, Atkins is going really well. I got a little derailed on my business trip, but I did the best I could and I'm not upset about that. I am down about 11 pounds with a lot of ups and downs around and after the trip, but if I look at a graph of the weight loss, it is generally heading down and I am happy about that. Most important, though, I feel better. I am rarely hungry. I rarely crave any food in particular. My digestion is more normal. I don't feel deprived. I don't feel angry at all the food I can't eat. I don't feel jealous of the people around me, even when they are eating fries. It is liberating--a diet plan that makes me feel better instead of worse.

I think that is all. Random miscellaneous post complete.